The 17th Parthenium Awareness Week was organized at Central Horticultural Experiment Station (IIHR), Chettalli from 16th-22nd August, 2022. Several activities were organized to create awareness on Parthenium eradication among staff members, field workers and school children. The posters and folders of Parthenium Awareness Week was displayed in front of office to create awareness to the visitors and staff members. Dr. S. Rajendiran, Scientist and Head (I/c), had created awareness to the final year B.Sc. Students, College of Horticulture, Mudigere. Dr. Ranjith Kumar and Dr. Manjunath Reddy, Scientists, Coffee Research Sub-Station, Chettalli, addressed the gathering and stressed the importance of Parthenium eradication and Parthenium plants were removed near canteen and office surroundings. Mrs. Shilpa Nag, Commissioner, Rural Development, RDPR Department, N. Manjushree, Mission Director, National Livelihood Mission, Government of Karnataka and other state department officials from Madikeri also visited CHES, Chettalli and created awareness on Parthenium eradication to different stake holders. Essay writing and drawing competitions were conducted to students of Government Primary School, Kandakere. The concluding programme was organized on 22nd August, 2022 at Government Primary School, Kandakere. More than 100 members including Head Master Mr. Dhanu Prakash, teachers and CHES-Staff participated in the programme. Dr. Rajendiran and Dr. Muralidhara, Scientists, addressed the students and explained the harmful effects of Parthenium on human and animal health and different steps required to eradicate Parthenium. T the end of the programme prizes were distributed to winners of different competitions. The programme was coordinated by Dr. B.M. Muralidhara, Scientist; Mr. G.S. Madhu, Scientist; Mr. Giriraja Naik, Technical Assistant & Mr. D.T. Shivaraj.
