Weeds now a threat to forests as they develop resistance to weedicides

WHILE concerns are being expressed over depleting forest cover, the forest department is now faced with a situation where 40-50% of the state’s forests are affected by invasive weeds.

Forest officials are at a loss over how to manage the situation as these weeds are now not just multiplying rapidly, but are also growing resistance to weedicides.

Most areas in Nagarahole and Bandipur tiger reserves are weed infested, but the question facing the foresters is how to get rid of them. The identified weeds include Lantana camara, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Senna occidentalis, Parthenium hysterophorus and Mikania micrantha. There are also aquatic weeds, water hyacinth and Salvinia molesta, which are an equal concern.