Parthenium Awareness Programme organized at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi 16-22 August 2016

The Parthenium awareness programme was organized at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), New Delhi on 22 August, 2016 and all the staff actively participated in this programme. Parthenium, an introduced weed into India, has also become one of the rampant weeds throughout the globe causing enormous damage to agricultural productivity. Dr. SC Dubey, Head, Division of Plant Quarantine, briefed about the introduction of this weed into India, its characteristics and ill effects. 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. Dr. Mool Chand Singh, Principal Scientist (Weed Science), Division of Plant Quarantine, identified the weed and its presence in the campus and subsequently Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Director, ICAR-NBPGR along with the staff participated in uprooting of the weed as a component of “Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan” to ensure a Parthenium-free campus. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Shashi Bhalla, Principal Scientist and Officer-In-Charge, PME and AKMU, ICAR-NBPGR. The Director expressed his gratitude for the active participation of the staff in the Parthenium Awareness Programme.