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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Even the Gods can’t get rid of these, “Congress grass and the Lantana tree”. Abu

Even the Gods can’t get rid of these

[“Congress grass and the Lantana tree”]


This year I missed the drive taken on by the local public and the school students to rid the Congress grass and Lantana overgrowing the sides of the road. I’m not sure whether the Lantana is an exotic plant or not but one thing I’m sure of is this plant has proved to be more of a menace that an asset to the ecosystem. I believe they introduced it for the benefit of the wildlife here in Abu. From what I have observed, they have upset the balance and usurped the space and nutrition that most useful plants need. The karvanda plant that is native to the hills of Abu, are now threatened with extinction. The Lantana is like the South American Piranha; it gobbles up whatever comes in its way. I truly believe this is the worst weed ever to be introduced to this land of the gods. In the summer months when this weed dries, it poses a huge threat to the spreading of forest fires.
Congress grass- how it found its way up the hill is any ones guess. Anyone knows how it got its name Congress grass? Surely the Congress did not import it to India, hence the name. This weed has been a pain in the neck for Abuites as it affects those suffering from asthma. I Believe it also has other allergic reactions on the human population and those on the animals which try to consume it.
These weeds are causing hazardous conditions for the native plants and are spreading like wildfire playing havoc with the terrain. Mount Abu is doomed to live with this menace, not a very sobering thought.

 
Lantanas over-running every available space


Congress grass spreading like wild fire.




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