CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, celebrated the 12th Tree Talk Foundation Day (1280th tree talk) on 19 December 2022at the CSIR-IIIM Jammu campus in collaboration with Society for Ethnopharmacology (SFE), India Jammu chapter. The broad theme of the event was “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) & CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase-2”. More than 200 participants from different walks of life, including scientists, tree talk enthusiasts, conservationists, ayurvedic doctors, academicians, students, researchers, poets, and traditional healers, participated in the programme.

Dr O.P. Vidyarthi (Retd IFS), Tree Talk Founder, gave a detailed presentation about the 12-year journey of the Tree Talk initiativewherein he shared his experience about the MAPs of J&K and their nutritional and economic potential for the betterment of society. He thanked all the stakeholders and participants who made the Tree Talk initiative successful over the years.

Chief Guest of the programme, Er Abdul Rahim, Chief Scientist and HOD, RMBD&IST Division, IIIM Jammu, gave details of research undertaken on MAPs at CSIR-IIIM. He conveyed the message of Dr D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director,IIIM Jammu. Dr Reddy, in his message, congratulated Dr O.P. Sharma on the 12th Tree Talk Foundation Day. On behalf of Director IIIM, Er Rahim assured full support to the SFE and Tree Talk initiatives in future endeavours.

Earlier, in his presentation, Dr SumeetGairola, Principal Scientist and Nodal Scientist CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase-2, gave details of CSIR-Aroma Mission activities of CSIR-IIIM, Jammu. He apprised participants ofthe rich scientific history of CSIR-IIIM Jammu. He informed participants about the exemplary work done by great scientists like Col. Sir R.N. Chopra and Dr E.K. Janaki Ammal at CSIR-IIIM, Jammu.

Dr Prasoon Gupta, Principal Scientist, and Coordinator SFE, Jammu Chapter, informed participants about pan India activities and the mission of SFE. He urged all to join SFE for the betterment of Science and Society. In his address, Dr Dhiraj Vyas, HOD Plant Sciences and Agrotechnology Division, discussed the relevance of Tree Talks in conserving Biodiversity.

More than 30 posters on Ethnopharmacology and Medicinal plants were displayed under the competitive category. Participants exhibited several wild edibles, medicinal and religious plants, plant products, innovative cuisines, sweets, and teas. Tree Talk Enthusiasts who were felicitated on this occasion are Prof. Vijay Chandan, Prof. Ran Vijay Singh, Mr KewalParihar, Ms Taslima Sheikh, Mr Sham Lal Agnihotri, Dr Kiran Sharma, Prof. Parmil Kumar, Mr Sandeep Gupta, Dr Anzum, Mr SumitSoodan, and Mr Purshotam Dubey Shastri.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Sumeet Gairola.