Sir,
This refers to the writeup ‘Parthenium threat to Biodiversity’ (DE, August 25,2015). The writers have beautifully highlighted the hazards posed by the unchecked growth of parthenium hysterophorus commonly known as congress grass or gajar ghas.This weed has been spreading across India at an alarming rate for the last few years and can be seen growing luxuriously along small ways, paths, barren lands,government offices,schools and even cultivable land.Having wide adaptabilty to the climatic and soil conditions,this problematic weed has invaded millions of hectares of area in the nook and corner of our country.This weed poses severe health problems to the human beings and animals.Contact with any part of this weed may cause serious problems such as dermatitis and allergic reactions in human beings and animals.Human beings may take measures to avoid contact with this obnoxious plant but it is very difficult for the farmers to prevent their domestic animals to have contact with it while they are grazing.Thus, many animals develop lesions on their body and ulcers in their mouth on consuming this weed leading to reduced production of milk and in some cases the death of the animal.It is also a serious threat to the biodiversity of the tegion where it grows luxuriantly and doesn’t let other plants grow.
The Government needs to take urgent measures to check its growth.The departments of Agriculture,Health,Rural Development and Civic Bodies such as Town Area Committees Municipal Committes,Municipal Corporations etc ought to launch a vigorous joint drive in rural and urban areas to eradicate this fast spreading weed.Awareness programmes must be organised across the country to create awareness in the people regarding the serious effects of parthenium and methods such as manual uprooting in the early stage, chemical methods or growing of crops which can stop its growth.The sooner it is done, the better it would be!
Yours etc…
Ashok Sharma,
Jammu
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