On August 21 and 22, 2024, ICAR-DOGR, Pune, conducted an extensive awareness campaign as part of Parthenium Awareness Week. The campaign successfully reached to 150 students and 10 faculty members, including first-year B.Sc. Botany students from Hutatma Rajguru Mahavidyalay, Rajgurunagar (50 nos.), second and third-year B.Sc. (Hons.) ABM students from Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Agriculture Business Management, Pune (50 nos.) and final year B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture students from PVDP College of Agriculture Ambi, Pune (50 nos.). Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus), commonly known as Gajar ghas, Congress grass, or Famine weed, is an invasive species that resembles the carrot plant. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Sanket J. More, Dr. Bhushan Bibwe and Dr. Yogesh Khade, Scientists, ICAR-DOGR, Pune. The event began at 10:00 a.m. with an introduction and welcome address by Dr. Sanket J. More. He provided a comprehensive overview of Parthenium Awareness Week, emphasizing its importance in combating the spread of this invasive weed. Dr. S. Anandhan, Director (i/c) of ICAR-DOGR, Pune, sensitized the participants about the introduction of Parthenium in India through wheat imports during the 1950s. He urged participants to maintain a Parthenium-free campus and enhance health standards. Following the welcome address, an awareness session on Parthenium was conducted by involving uprooting of Parthenium weed in the research blocks of ICAR-DOGR, Pune. The practical session featured demonstrations of Parthenium management techniques, providing participants with hands-on experience in identifying and uprooting Parthenium plants along with identification of Mexican beetle. The program then transitioned to a laboratory visit, where students and other attendees had the opportunity to observe ongoing research activities related to production and tissue culture aspects. Overall, the campaign effectively raised awareness about Parthenium and its management, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed to combat this invasive weed.
