Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, on Thursday said the Himalayan region is poised to become a major engine of India’s future economic growth as the country advances towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Speaking at the National Technology Day programme organised at the CSIR–Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, the minister said the next phase of India’s economic expansion will increasingly emerge from sectors and resources that remained largely untapped for decades, particularly across the Himalayan belt.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that focused scientific interventions in Himalayan states and Union Territories have received unprecedented support under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership through initiatives such as the Aroma Mission and Floriculture Mission. He said these programmes are creating new livelihood opportunities for farmers, women, youth, start-ups and entrepreneurs in the region.
Recalling the growing national recognition of Himalayan floriculture, the minister noted that tulips developed at the Palampur institute were used during the “Pran Pratishtha” ceremony at Ayodhya earlier this year.
During his visit, Dr. Singh toured several facilities at CSIR-IHBT and interacted with scientists, innovators, farmers and entrepreneurs associated with various Himalayan technology missions. He said the institute has emerged as a key centre for transforming Himalayan bioresources into commercially viable technologies and products for sectors including medicine, wellness, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, agri-biotechnology and floriculture.
The event was attended by CSIR Director General and DSIR Secretary Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, senior scientists, officials, industry representatives, researchers and members of farming communities.
Describing CSIR-IHBT as a unique institution integrating biodiversity research, traditional knowledge and commercial innovation, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the institute’s work spans several critical areas such as biotechnology, environmental sciences, phytopharmaceuticals, nutrition technologies, fermentation sciences and sustainable agrotechnology.
The minister also pointed to the success of the Aroma Mission, under which Himachal Pradesh has emerged as the country’s leading producer of aromatic wild marigold oil. He said the initiative has significantly boosted farmer incomes while expanding the cultivation of aromatic crops to several Himalayan states and Union Territories. Improved varieties of lavender and chamomile suited to mountainous conditions have also been developed by the institute.
Highlighting the impact of the Floriculture Mission, Dr. Singh said floriculture is becoming a major source of livelihood and agri-tourism across Himalayan regions. Referring to Himachal Pradesh’s Tulip Garden initiative, he said the attraction, developed using bulbs cultivated by local farmers, drew more than 1.5 lakh visitors this year. He added that floriculture projects supported by CSIR-IHBT are benefiting thousands of farmers in Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana.
The minister further stressed the institute’s contribution towards Atmanirbhar Bharat through indigenous cultivation of crops such as asafoetida (Heeng), saffron, cinnamon and monk fruit. He said successful flowering and seed production of Heeng in the high-altitude regions of Lahaul and Spiti has opened new possibilities for domestic cultivation, reducing dependence on imports.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also highlighted the institute’s role in healthcare and nutrition, including the development of fortified nutritional products for malnourished children and scientifically validated formulations targeting lifestyle diseases under the POSHAN Abhiyaan initiative.
Emphasising the growing role of deep technology in agriculture and biodiversity management, the minister said the institute is increasingly using Artificial Intelligence, genomics, machine learning and drone-based precision farming technologies for crop improvement, disease prediction and biodiversity research.
He added that CSIR-IHBT is contributing to climate resilience through research in green chemistry, waste-to-wealth technologies, biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilisation of Himalayan resources.
Calling for stronger collaboration between scientists, farmers, start-ups and industries, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Himalayan region holds enormous untapped potential that can contribute significantly to India’s future bioeconomy and sustainable development goals.