Kerala government sanctions Rs 300 crore for Ayurveda institute at Kannur

Thiruvananthapuram: Cabinet on Wednesday gave in principal sanction for setting up Rs 300 crore International Research Institute of Ayurveda (IRIA) in Kannur.

The project which will be implemented during the 13th Five Year Plan, was given approval at the Cabinet meeting. Project will be implemented with the central assistance.

The government had identified 300 acres of land for setting up the international institute near Kannur International Airport. The central government is planning a comprehensive facility which will include cultivation of medicinal plants on the campus and production of ayurvedic medicines.

According to officials, the proposed institute will carry out wide ranging research activities on the effectiveness of ayurvedic medicines. There are plans to explore the possibility of ayurvedic tourism programmes as part of the project. The idea is to bring authentic ayurveda health care programmes in one campus.

The centre will also promote interactive programmes involving experts from India and abroad on Ayurveda related topics. This is one of the significant projects that the government believes will give a boost to ayurveda sector in the state.

During the lst budget s 50 lakh was set aside for project preparation . The expert committee entrusted with the task of project preparation has already submitted the preliminary report.

Cabinet has approved Ayush Mission Director an Project Implementation Officer and granted permission for constituting working group for preliminary work related to the research institute.