PATNA: In a bold move during Bihar’s budget session, BJP MLA and renowned folk singer Maithili Thakur spotlighted a game-changing opportunity for the state’s economy. She urged the government to champion an Arjun tree-based herbal industry, leveraging the tree’s abundance in northern Bihar.
Presenting her attention motion in the assembly, Thakur highlighted how the Arjun tree’s bark holds powerful medicinal properties. Effective against heart diseases, diabetes, tuberculosis, and high cholesterol, it’s a goldmine in the surging global demand for herbal and Ayurvedic remedies. ‘This isn’t just a tree; it’s an economic powerhouse,’ she asserted in her viral Instagram video of the speech.
Thakur pointed out a critical flaw: Currently, raw Arjun bark is shipped to other states for processing, denying Bihar its rightful profits. She advocated for district-level processing units to produce tablets, powders, decoctions, and heart-care supplements locally. This could transform Bihar into a herbal medicine hub, generating jobs and revenue.
Environmental benefits were central to her pitch. In flood-prone Mithila and Alinagar regions, Arjun trees combat soil erosion. Massive plantations would bolster ecological balance and mitigate flood damage, she argued.
Calling for a comprehensive plan covering cultivation, processing, and branding, Thakur described it as a ‘triple benefit’ initiative: health security, youth employment, and environmental protection. The government acknowledged her proposal positively, raising hopes for swift action.