Association for Advancement of Pest Management (AAPMHE) in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru on the occasion of World Environment Day made an attempt to make total area in Block VI of the Institute, completely free from the invasive weed species Parthenium, by mechanical means i.e., uprooting by hand or using spade.
Parthenium hysterophorus L. was reported to be one of the seven most dangerous weeds of the world. The weed has the potential to damage crops, environment and public health and hence scientists, academicians, and public are realizing that invasive species like Parthenium are serious environmental threats for the 21st century. For accomplishing the removal of this environmentally problematic weed, all the field workforce form Division of Plant Protection and Seed Production unit have participated and have completely removed the existing plants of Parthenium weed from the area. The entire block is now free from the menace of the weed, though it needs regular monitoring in due course.