HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Aug 23: Assam Agricultural University – Zonal Research Station, Diphu, celebrated Parthenium Awareness Week from August 16 to 22, 2024, at Dilaji Mithiphang LP School to generate awareness among teachers, students, and staff members. A wide range of activities were conducted to spread awareness both in and around the school premises. The activities included parthenium uprooting, spraying herbicides, composting of uprooted biomass, a student rally, and leaflet distribution.
The awareness program was chaired by Dr K D Sinha, chief scientist at AAU-ZRS, Diphu, along with principal i/c Basapi Rongpipi and subject teachers Basanti Brahma and Neetu Phonglo. The program was coordinated by all the scientists of AAU-ZRS, Diphu (Dr N Baruah, Dr M Maibangsa, Dr M Gogoi, Dr M Bathari, M/s H Terangpi, M/s K Bharadwaj, and M/s T Das) with support from students and field staff.
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The scientific team interacted with school students and teachers, highlighting the integrated management of parthenium through uprooting, biological control, and composting. They emphasised the importance of the parthenium awareness program and sensitised participants about the harmful effects of parthenium, such as skin allergies (dermatitis), high fever, and asthma in humans. They stressed the need for integrated weed management and encouraged everyone to participate in uprooting parthenium plants in and around campuses, residential areas, and other locations to help create a parthenium-free environment.
The program was highly successful and appreciated by all the teachers, students, and staff members present.
