BANIHAL, April 13 -- In a unique joint initiative of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine and the National Highways Authority of India, first-ever project for the beautification of the National Highway NH44 and sustainable development of this stretch as Lavender Hub was conceived earlier this year and the work on the same was kickstarted here today near the south end of Banihal-Qazigund Road Tunnel (Navyug Tunnel), Banihal.

Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM and Ashok Kumar Jain, Advisor (Plantation and Clearances), Green Highways Division, NHAI, have jointly inaugurated the activities of the project by planting the Lavender Plants near Navyug Tunnel.

On this occasion, Dr Zabeer Ahmed while giving detail of the project said ...