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Deadly weed threatens Orissa's forests

M I Khan in Bhubaneswar

Year 2000 is unfolding as a year of environmental disasters in Orissa.

Close on the heels of a series of animal deaths in the famous Nanadankanan zoo near Bhubaneswar in August, now comes the news of a deadly weed which is choking the growth of trees and depriving herbivores of their feed in the state's jungles.

"Thousands of square kilometres of forest areas, home to sal, teak and piasal trees, face a serious threat from deadly Eupatorium weed (eupatorium odoratum)," said Biswajit Mohanty, secretary, Wildlife Society of Orissa.

This weed, a fast growing pernicious plant with tiny flowers, has spread across almost all the major forests in the state.

Most of the wildlife sanctuaries, including the famous Simlipal Tiger Reserve, too have reported the presence of Eupatorium. The Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary has been infested with a heavy growth of this weed, depriving elephants of their feed.

Elephants love to graze on small tender leaves, but Eupatorium chokes the growth of such vegetation.

Mohanty warned that if nothing was done urgently to control the growth of Eupatorium, it could lead to an ecological disaster.

"The state government has yet to wake up to the danger posed by the rampant proliferation of this weed," he said.

There is conclusive evidence that Eupatorium, originally from South America, made its way into the state from Assam and West Bengal sometime in the late sixties.

"Urgent steps have to be taken to address this problem before we lose more forests to this weed. In West Bengal, there has been a failure of timber plantations due to the rapid proliferation of this weed which stunts the growth of saplings." Nayak added.

WSO has suggested a massive eradication programme be undertaken. "Quick action is needed before more forest areas and wildlife habitats are lost to this weed," Mohanty said.

The eradication programme would need the involvement of tribals, who would be the first and the worst hit if Eupatorium were allowed a free run.

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