AIMS for saving state from poppy, congress grass
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 28 2022: Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS) director Dr Atom Sunil Singh has urged the government to save Manipur from congress grass and poppy.

In a representation submitted to the forest and environment minister, Dr Sunil said that the soil in the hills of Manipur is being poisoned by poppy cultivation while the valley areas have excess congress grass (parthenium-hysterophorus), which is one of the most troublesome and noxious weeds reducing crop production in America, Asia, Africa and Australia.

According to the director, congress grass is grown everywhere on the roadsides of Manipur and all grasses along the main roads are overwhelmed by this plant.

The aggressive dominance of this weed endangers biodiversity in Manipur.

Congress grass contains dangerous toxins including parthenin, hysterin, hymenin and ambrosin.

Skin diseases and respiratory- malfunction can be caused in humans and animals due to contact with the plant.

Various animals including horses and cattle also suffer from dermatitis when congress grass is consumed, which causes mouth ulcers and excessive salivation, the director elaborated.

While pointing out that the grass plant was brought into the state due to dropping of the seeds by vehicles onto the roadside, the representation contended that it is a form of biological warfare to devastate soil of Manipur with poppy in the hills and congress grass in the plains.

In view of the grave situation, it is high time to exterminate congress grass from Manipur's soil with a decisive step to protect biodiversity of Manipur from congress grass as well as poppy cultivation, he said while urging the minister concerned to take necessary and decisive action to save Manipur from dead soil.

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