Abstract
An agro-ecotourism unit is a new dimension of conventional agriculture that merges the features of agriculture and tourism. In this concept, the farmland is considered as a tourism spot and agriculture and allied activities as entertainment and adventure. Visitors can learn and experience various farming activities and enrich their knowledge of biodiversity, tradition and culture. Foreign tourists, as well as urban dwellers and school children, will enjoy the experiences of an agro ecotourism unit. The establishment of an agro ecotourism unit improves the livelihood status of the farmers by imparting additional income and promoting conservation and sharing of knowledge and resources. A herbal garden is an integral part of an agro ecotourism since it makes the unit holistic and close to nature. Dhanvantari vatika a herbal garden of ICAR-CCARI agro-ecotourism centre has more than 100 plant species including medicinal trees, shrubs, climbers and herbs. It also has aromatic plants, fruit crops, vegetables, flower crops and spices with medicinal uses. Each species is labelled precisely with English and Hindi names, botanical name, botanical family, parts used and major medicinal uses. The unit is under organic production using vermicompost and livestock manures. Pest and disease problems are addressed by biopesticides such as neem oil and jeevamruth. Micro-sprinklers are installed to ensure adequate water supply. Plant propagation, minimal processing and sales of the produce are being done in the unit itself. Inclusion of new species, new planting systems, categorization and cataloguing and phytochemical characterization is under progress. Thus, Dhanvantari vatika acts as a model for replication in agro-ecotourism units across the country.
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Acknowledgements
Dhanvanatari vatika is maintained as a part of the agro-ecotourism centre of ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa, under the institute project, ‘Prospects and promotion of agro-ecotourism in coastal regions of India’. The authors deeply acknowledge all the Co-PIs for their support and suggestions. We thank Dr. Gopal Mahajan for the soil nutrient analysis and supply of vermicompost and Jeevamrut. We also thank Farm Superintendent, Mr. Vinod Ubarhande and his team for their support in the management and maintenance of the garden.
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Maneesha, S.R., Pitre, V., Ubarhande, A.V., Devidas, R., Desai, S., Chakurkar, E.B. (2022). Dhanvantari Vatika—A Model Herbal Garden for an Agro-Ecotourism Unit. In: Lama, T., Burman, D., Mandal, U.K., Sarangi, S.K., Sen, H. (eds) Transforming Coastal Zone for Sustainable Food and Income Security. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95618-9_15
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