Parthenium awareness programme organized at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi on August 16, 2023

The Parthenium Awareness Programme was organized on 16th August, 2023 at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi under Parthenium Awareness Week (16-22 August 2023). In this program Dr. V. Celia Chalam, Head and Dr. Mool Chand Singh, Principal Scientist (Weed Science), Division of Plant Quarantine, ICAR-NBPGR briefed about its introduction, characteristics and ill effects. Dr. GP Singh, Director, ICAR-NBPGR, while addressing the staff told that Parthenium has become one of the rampant weeds throughout the globe causing enormous damage to agricultural productivity, human and animal health and biodiversity. In India, it has assumed serious proportions in the cropped and non-cropped lands, city dwellings, rail roadsides and also in institutional areas spoiling the aesthetic, recreational and utility value of the surroundings. Management of this obnoxious weed requires collective and continuous efforts through awareness and adoption of integrated approach. Subsequently Dr. GP Singh lead the entire staff of the institute to participate in this activity of uprooting live Parthenium plants as a component of “Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan” to ensure a “Parthenium-free campus. The ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi is now a “Parthenium-free campus”. The entire program of removing Parthenium plants from campus was coordinated by Dr. V. Celia Chalam and Dr. Mool Chand Singh from Division of Plant Quarantine.