Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV), an autonomous institution functioning under the Ministry of AYUSH, successfully conducted a three-day Training Programme on “Identification of Flora” in Wayanad district of Kerala from January 27 to January 29, 2026. The initiative aimed at strengthening practical knowledge of medicinal plants among Ayurveda students through immersive field-based learning in the ecologically rich Western Ghats.
Inaugural Session and Distinguished Guests
The training programme was inaugurated in the presence of several eminent personalities from the field of Ayurveda and forest conservation. Vaidya Rabinarayana Acharya, Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), New Delhi, graced the occasion as a chief guest.
Other distinguished dignitaries included Vaidya Mohan Lal Jaiswal, former Professor of the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur; Vaidya Madhu K.P., Associate Professor at Vaidyaratnam P.S. Varrier Ayurveda College, Kottakkal; and Ms. Rose Joseph, Range Officer, North Wayanad Division, Department of Forest, Government of Kerala.
Hands-on Training in the Western Ghats
A total of 30 postgraduate students specialising in Dravyaguna participated in the programme. The participants were taken on guided field visits across different forest zones, where they learned to identify medicinal plants based on morphological features, habitat preferences, and traditional Ayurvedic descriptions.
Subject experts conducted interactive sessions explaining classical references, modern botanical classification, and practical challenges involved in identifying authentic medicinal species in the wild. Special emphasis was laid on distinguishing closely related species and understanding their therapeutic relevance.
Linking Traditional Knowledge with Conservation
Beyond plant identification, the programme also highlighted the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of medicinal resources. Participants were sensitised to ethical harvesting practices and the need to protect fragile ecosystems of the Western Ghats.
The exposure enhanced students’ appreciation of how traditional Ayurvedic knowledge aligns closely with ecological balance and conservation principles, reinforcing Ayurveda’s holistic approach to health and nature.
Strengthening Experiential Learning in Ayurveda
Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth has consistently emphasised experiential learning as a core component of Ayurvedic education. Training programmes such as this aim to bridge the gap between classical texts and real-world clinical and pharmacognostic applications.
By conducting field-based programmes in biodiversity hotspots like Wayanad, RAV continues to build capacity among future Ayurveda practitioners while contributing to the preservation and scientific understanding of India’s rich medicinal plant heritage.
