MYSORE: The international conference on challenges facing biodiversity and environment for sustainable development which concluded here on Monday noted that parthenium and lantana are destructive weeds leading to disappearance of many shrubs and herbs in the forest area and posed threat to survival of chlorophyll tuberosum used in health tonics.
The three-day conference was held here at Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering. The conference which deliberated on various issues of biodiversity and environment felt that there is a need for committed social movements to create public awareness on the ill effects of parthenium on human health and environment as also on the available ecological measures to combat the menace through collaborative efforts involving government agencies, NGOs and others stakeholders. Senior academicians participating in the seminar felt that there are over 12 biological and botanical plant and insect species which have been successfully used in parthenium suppression and those species could be adapted in parthenium infested areas.
Success stories on suppression of parthenium in parts of North Karnataka and in Australia using integrated eco-friendly bio control measures may be tested and adopted elsewhere using locally available alternative plant and insect species, the academicians suggested.
Senior scientists also felt that Indian sub-continent endowed with a great wealth of genetic diversity of minor millets efforts must be intensified to harness their economic benefits for strengthening food and nutritional security. Their cultivation and potential could be utilized fully to mitigate th problems resulting due to climate change effects. They opined that pesticides like garlic-based pesticides should be promoted since they are not only environment-friendly, but also less expensive. They suggested that efforts are needed to develop bio-herbicides exploiting plant species known for their efficacy in nature.
It was observed that the legal and constitutional provisions relating to environmental protection have become a necessity as economic growth usually conflicts with biodiversity. It was insisted that teak planting with proper crop management practices will help in sequestering the carbon content. Among the tree species tamarind showed greater density and abundance of nesting , they added.
Delegates from India, Japan, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Srilanka, Nepal and Vietnam participated and deliberated on issues connected with both biodiversity and environment and invasive species Parthenium in 10 technical sessions. A total of 90 participants presented lead papers, invited papers, contributory papers and posters.
