THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, January 27: An invasive weed has made its infestation in the Palamu Tiger Reserve. This invasive weed is called Japani Lota in Assam. The invasive weed is identified as Mikania micrantha, a shortened form of Mikania.
It is mushrooming barely 1000 meters from the Betla Quila, More towards Garu, etc. This correspondent saw it not only in the confines of Betla but elsewhere, some distance away from the Matnaag jungle.
Well-known environmentalist
A well-known environmentalist, D S Srivastav, said, “It’s high time the PTR management should gird its loins to tackle this menace of Mikania weed.”
“This invasive weed is a serious biological invasion having a dangerous impact on the biodiversity,” claimed Srivastav.
The environmentalist has asked for immediate mapping and monitoring of this one of the worst 100 invasive weeds in the PTR.
This weed smothers other plants under it and blocks sun paths to them, preventing other plants from growing.
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This weed is a tyrant
Srivastav said, “This weed is a tyrant. It runs its writ like a dictator of the weeds.”
When asked if this weed is seasonal or perennial, Srivastav said, “It’s perennial. It’s a climbing one over domineering other plants beneath it.”
India’s two states, Assam and Kerala, have seen its devastation. This weed affects tea plantations in Assam, while in Kerala, it hampers rubber plantations.
Herbivores do not relish this weed. It keeps eatable grasses at bay. Manual uprooting is the way to contain it as wind disperses its seeds.
A single stalk of this invasive weed, Mikania, can produce between 20 to 40 thousand seeds in one season.
Srivastav said how fast it grows, “It grows 80 to 90mm in 24 hours. Hence, it is hazardous. It must be contained first with planning.”
