Jammu and Kashmir as a sub Himalayan state has natural resources in great abundance. However, these are yet to be utilized fully as a source for the production of drugs and medicines. 

Now realizing that, the government in collaboration with various partners has approved the plan to establish two biotech parks in Jammu and Kahmir divisions respectively. While in Jammu division, the park will be based in Kathua district, the Kashmir division's park will be located in Srinagar.

The work will first start at Kathua in Jammu which is a part of Udhampur constitutency of the science and technology minister, Dr Jitendra Singh. The unit will work on medicinal plants.

As per Dr Singh, "Biotech is being given a lot of emphasis across the world and so cannot be ignored in the 21st century. India too has to take advantage of its benefits. Our policy is to boost infrastructure by establishing a wide network of biotech parks in India. As a part of the national initiative, a foundation stone laying ceremony is happening shortly at Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir."

Detailed plans on the first biotechnology park would be announced at Jammu whereas the second park would be set up in Srinagar later after the flood water recedes and normalcy is restored. The state government has allocated 10 acres of land for each of these biotechnology parks at the State Industrial Development Corporation Area.

The plan to build the biotech parks in the flood ravaged state was approved recently by the department of biotechnology in a meeting.  The priority of the Srinagar unit would be aromatic herbs.

At the moment, approximately Rs 35 crore has been proposed by the state officials and park's technical partners.