School Harbal Garden

The School Herbal Garden (SHG) is a national initiative launched by the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. Operating as a "living repository-cum-laboratory," the programme provides financial assistance to establish dedicated green spaces within school premises to cultivate medicinal and aromatic plants. The goal is to move traditional ecological learning away from textbooks and into dynamic, hands-on, eco-friendly environments.

🌿 Core Objective & Purpose

The scheme bridges the gap between students and traditional Indian systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy). It aims to:

1. Foster Awareness: Teach students about the value of local medicinal plants used in day-to-day life for health, wellness, and first aid.
2. Provide Experiential Learning: Act as an outdoor classroom where students observe, nurture, and experiment with plants.
3. Promote Conservation: Cultivate civic and environmental responsibility in young minds toward preserving biodiversity.

📐 Standard Specifications & Layout

While specific project sizes vary based on school infrastructure, typical NMPB sponsored models follow structured setup guidelines:

1. Space Requirements: A typical standard layout targets approximately 500 square meters within or near the school campus. Bigger setups under expanded components can scale higher.
2. Plant Diversity: Each school garden is expected to feature a diverse baseline of 15 to 25 commonly used medicinal plants chosen for their educational and therapeutic value.
3. Organization: Plants must be systematically arranged with weather-resistant signage indicating their common names, botanical classifications, and traditional health uses.

🥦 The "Poshan Vatika" (Nutri-Garden) Expansion

Under its Central Sector Scheme on Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants

, the Ministry of Ayush expanded this model into the Poshan Batika initiative