a day ago
Parthenium eradication drive in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to protect grasslands
Guwahati: Parthenium, which is believed to have entered India as a contaminant in wheat shipments from the US more than 70 years ago, has emerged as a major threat to grasslands in Assam's Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, which has the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world.
Colloquially known as the 'Congress grass', the name has been associated with Parthenium because it grows at a fast pace in fallow lands, including wildlife sanctuaries, said well-known botanist and chairman of state expert appraisal committee for union forest ministry Jatindra Sarma.
An invasive weed from the Asteraceae family, Parthenium hysterophorus has spread aggressively, invading an estimated 1 million hectares of land across the country, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, as per reports.
Forest officials cautioned that Parthenium is notorious for causing various issues such as skin allergies, fever and reducing agricultural productivity and biodiversity.
To get rid of it and save the indigenous species of grass for the rhinos, park authorities have eradicated Parthenium across seven hectares in the sanctuary over the last two days. "Rhinos feed on 11 types of grasses found in Pobitora. The invasion of Parthenium has been worrying in the last two to three years.
Its growth is significant this year due to fewer floods," Pobitora range officer Pranjal Baruah said on Sunday.
As part of a three-day campaign of 'Parthenium Free Pobitora', on the first day, i.e., on Saturday, about 5.2 hectares of Parthenium was cleared by about 40 forest staff, who were led by Baruah. The drive continued on Sunday, with the team clearing a two-hectare area from the Tamuliduva area, along with members of EDCs and Pobitora Jeep Safari Association.
"Special precautions have been taken for the forest staff to avoid Parthenium allergy during the drive. Also, special emphasis has been given by the sanctuary authority for the improvement of the habitat of rhinos and other animals by way of weed eradication, soil moisture conservation, etc., so that the carrying capacity of the ecosystem can be enhanced," said Baruah
On Monday, the remaining part of about five hectares of Tamuliduva and Kamarpur areas will be covered under the drive.
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