Concept:
• Sowa-Rigpa is one of the oldest, well-documented, and living medical traditions of the world, commonly known as the Amchi system of medicine.
• It is practiced in the Himalayan regions of India, including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• To promote and preserve this traditional knowledge, the Government of India established a dedicated national institute under the Ministry of AYUSH.
Step 1: Identifying the Nature of the Institute
The National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa (NISR) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of AYUSH.
It was established to provide an apex institution for higher education, research, and standard-setting in Sowa-Rigpa.
Step 2: Determining the Geographic Choice
Leh, Ladakh is considered the heartland of Sowa-Rigpa practice in India.
The region has a vast history of Amchis (practitioners) and a unique biodiversity of medicinal plants that are fundamental to this system.
Step 3: Verifying the Location
The institute was formally approved by the Union Cabinet in 2019 and is situated in Leh, Ladakh.
It serves as a bridge between traditional Himalayan healing practices and modern scientific research.