The Times of India               31.05.2013

Ranchi Municipal Corporation drive to weed out problems

RANCHI: The rapid spread of the highly allergic and poisonous parthenium weeds in the city has alarmed scientists and socio-cultural organizations.

Parthenium weeds are a threat not only to Ranchi but are breeding in 3.5 crore hectares of land in the country as well. Sanskar, a socio-cultural group in the city, along with Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) and Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC), will be launching a parthenium eradication drive on June 2 at Kanke dam.

The drive aims to educate common man about the illnesses it causes. To demonstrate how to stop its growth, these weeds will be burnt and herbicides will be sprayed on them. Deputy director BAU Pankaj Vatsal said, "These weeds cause diseases like asthma, bronchitis, allergy, irritation, eczema and other skin diseases. People visit Kanke dam morning for walks or just for outings and come into contact with these weeds which could affect their health."

They could pose a threat to health even when not in direct contact. "Cows and buffaloes eat these weeds and their milk gets contaminated. When human beings drink that milk, it causes illnesses. The chemicals released from the roots of these weeds are harmful for plants that grow near them."

The weed is found in Mexico, Cuba, North America and West Indies. It is assumed that parthenium came to India when wheat was imported from US. Vatsal said, "The production capacity of this plant is very high, which is 5,000 to 10,000 seeds per plant and as the seeds are light weight they easily float in air for a long distance. It grows more in an environment which has high level of carbon dioxide in it."

To convey the need for eradicating such deadly weeds many important persons will be present at the awareness programme. Member of Sanskar Ajay Bhartiya said, "The chief guest of the programme will be chairperson cum managing director of CMPDI A K Devnath. Deputy mayor of Ranchi Sanjiv Vijayavargiya and registrar of BAU Kishore Sinha will be the special guests.