Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 1 (ANI): The world-famous Valley of Flowers in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, reopened to tourists on Sunday. On the opening day, forest department staff welcomed visitors at the main gate, with 62 tourists already registered for the month of June. Known for its stunning natural beauty, the valley is home to over 300 species of Himalayan flowers and more than 500 plant species overall.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the Garhwal Himalayas adjacent to Nanda Devi National Park, remains open to visitors annually from June through October.
In a related development, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the state government’s initiative toward scientific, safe, and environmentally responsible disposal of medicines across Uttarakhand. This step aligns with guidelines issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Health Secretary and FDA Commissioner Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar emphasized the lack of a clear, consistent system for disposing of expired and unused medicines in the state, particularly critical given Uttarakhand’s environmentally sensitive ecosystem. “Now, we are moving towards controlling it under a well-planned system,” he said.
The guidelines cover the entire lifecycle of medicines—from production to consumption and disposal—aiming to establish Uttarakhand as a model of a “green health system” in India under the mission “Healthy Citizen, Clean Uttarakhand.”
Dr. Kumar also outlined plans to establish “Drug Take-Back Sites” across urban, semi-urban, and hilly regions of Uttarakhand. These centers will allow citizens to safely deposit unused or expired medicines, which will then be scientifically collected and disposed of at approved processing units.
This initiative strengthens Uttarakhand’s potential to become a national and international leader in environmental responsibility and health security, contingent on active participation from policymakers, businesses, and the public. (ANI)
About The Author
