V K SinghDr. V.K. Singh (b. 1948): Formerly, Deputy Director (Botany) at Headquarter Office of the CCRUM, is responsible for execution of projects on ethno botanical surveys, medicinal plants cultivation, development of Herbal gardens, and pharmacognostic stuies of crude drugs. Dr. Singh received his Ph.D. in plant taxonomy (1971). He has been a plant explorer, ethno botanist and conservationist and has taken a series of medicinal plants collection trips in different tribal areas, particularly in North India, for over 27 years (1971-1997). Based on his studies, he has to his credit over 85 research papers published in various scientific journals in India and abroad, 26 books dealing with medicinal plants and folk medicines of India including edited volumes. Of recent, Dr. Singh has been conferred CCRUM Award (2005) and received first prize from Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Govt, of India, for his outstanding research contributions in the area of Survey and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants including development of Herb Gardens. Earlier, Dr. Singh was adjudged for "Award for Medical Research (1972)" from erstwhile Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine and Homeopathy (CCRIMH) for his contribution to the botanical identity of controversial Ayurvedic drugs. Nominated as Referee for various scientific journals on medicinal plants, and also on the panel of experts committee on WHO studies on indigenous drugs in India. Recently, Dr. Singh was nominated by department of AYUSH, Govt, of India to participate and present his paper in an international symposium on medicinal and nutraceutical plants held at Georgia, USA, during March 2007. Between 2001-2002, Dr. V.K. Singh served in the National Medicinal Plants Board, Government of India, New Delhi and was actively associated in the policy formulations and guidelines for promotion & development of medicinal plants sector in the country. He contributed in a book on agro techniques of medicinal plants entitled "Cultivation Practices of Some Commercially Important Medicinal Plants". During 2002-2007, Dr. Singh headed a Project "Awareness, Training and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants in Western U.P." Dr. V.K. Singh happens to be the pioneer in giving the concept of medicinal plants cultivation and marketing among the farmers of Western U.P. districts in India. Read More Read Less