Palampur: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Thursday that India’s economic expansion will increasingly depend on the Himalayan states, whose vast bio-resources have remained largely unexplored until now. Speaking at CSIR-IHBT, he outlined how science-driven missions are unlocking new opportunities for the region’s people.
The minister pointed to the Aroma Mission’s success in making Himachal the leading producer of aromatic oils and credited the Floriculture Mission with boosting flower cultivation. These efforts, he said, are creating jobs for women, youth and startups while promoting sustainable use of natural resources.
During his tour of the institute, Dr. Singh interacted with researchers working on nutraceuticals, cosmetics and agri-biotech products derived from Himalayan flora. He praised CSIR-IHBT for integrating biodiversity conservation with commercial innovation.
Calling for accelerated adoption of such technologies, the minister concluded that Himalayan states are no longer peripheral but central to India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, with science and entrepreneurship leading the way.
