The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, and the 132 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) ECO RAJPUT have begun a joint initiative to plant and scientifically study 10,000 ashwagandha saplings at Terriers Herbal Garden in Bhatti Mines, South Delhi. The programme, launched on 24 September 2026, combines traditional Ayurvedic knowledge about medicinal plants with modern research methods and environmental restoration work in the Aravalli landscape.
This collaboration brings together the Ministry of Ayush’s expertise in Ayurvedic medicine with the Ecological Battalion’s experience in plantation and biodiversity conservation. The ashwagandha plants will be continuously monitored and documented to understand how they grow and adapt to the local climate and soil conditions of the Aravalli ridge area.
Key facts
- 10,000 ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) saplings to be planted and monitored
- Location: Terriers Herbal Garden, Bhatti Mines, South Delhi
- Launch date: 24 September 2026
- Partners: All India Institute of Ayurveda and 132 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) ECO RAJPUT
- Existing herbal garden already contains around 200 species of medicinal plants
- Leadership: Prof. (Vaidya) Pradeep Kumar Prajapati, Director AIIA, and Colonel Mohan Singh, Commanding Officer 132 Infantry Battalion
- Coordination: Major Jai Singh Shekhawat and Major (Dr.) Ashish Kumar
What ashwagandha means in Ayurveda
Ashwagandha, known scientifically as Withania somnifera, is a plant long used in Ayurvedic medicine for promoting health and wellness. The National Medicinal Plants Board, under the Ministry of Ayush, has already launched an “Ashwagandha – A Health Promoter” awareness campaign highlighting its traditional and health-related importance. By growing and studying this plant systematically, the initiative aims to preserve both the plant itself and the traditional knowledge associated with it.
How the project will work
AIIA will provide technical expertise for maintaining and managing the ashwagandha plants scientifically. The faculty members, PhD research scholars, and personnel from both organisations will work together to monitor growth, document observations, and collect data on how the plants adapt to the Aravalli environment. The Terriers Herbal Garden already maintains about 200 medicinal and Ayurvedic plant species, including parijata (harshringar), amla (Indian gooseberry), and ghritkumari (aloe vera). The new ashwagandha plantation will expand this collection and create opportunities to link traditional plant knowledge with modern scientific research.
Environmental importance
The Bhatti Mines area is part of Delhi’s Southern Ridge within the Aravalli landscape. This region has been affected by mining activities and environmental degradation. The 132 Infantry Battalion (Ecological) has been actively involved in plantation and restoration work in such damaged areas. This ashwagandha initiative serves a dual purpose: it restores green cover to a degraded part of the Aravallis while simultaneously creating a research resource for studying how medicinal plants can thrive in these conditions. The project’s message captures this: “Roots in Ayurveda – Conserve Biodiversity – Restore Ecosystems.”
Knowledge and conservation goals
The partnership represents an effort to move Ayurveda beyond clinical and hospital settings into direct engagement with nature, biodiversity conservation, and environmental restoration. By systematically cultivating ashwagandha, documenting its growth patterns, and preserving the plant itself, the initiative supports India’s traditional medicinal knowledge while also addressing environmental challenges in the Aravalli region. The scientific monitoring will generate information about how medicinal plants can be sustainably grown in local climatic conditions, potentially informing future cultivation efforts.
What this means for you
If you are interested in Ayurvedic medicine, medicinal plant research, or environmental conservation, this initiative demonstrates how traditional knowledge and modern science can work together. For Delhi residents, particularly those concerned about the environment, the project represents restoration efforts in the Southern Ridge. For students and researchers, the Terriers Herbal Garden offers a living laboratory to study both Ayurvedic plants and ecological restoration. The initiative also supports India’s goal of promoting medicinal plant cultivation domestically, which can strengthen supply chains for Ayurvedic practitioners and reduce dependence on imports.