Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 30: Voicing serious concern over increasing incidents of forest fires, the former Union Minister Prof Chaman Lal Gupta observed that all this should be checked with seriousness and persons responsible for this destruction should be dealt with a heavy hand.
He also stressed for weeding out the Parthenium (Congress Grass) which is spreading in certain forest areas causing health problems to the life in general and the mankind in particular.
Commenting upon the reports about destruction being caused by the fires in various forest areas particularly in the districts of Rajouri and Poonch bordering Pak occupied Kashmir, Prof Gupta said that because of these mystery fires, not only the green gold is being destroyed but also the flora and fauna are being charred to death. All this is badly affecting the ecology and the life.
To save the forests from such a large scale destruction, forest fires must be checked with great seriousness, he added and stressed for action against the faulting elements.
Referring to the reports about Parthenium, a danger weed, known as Congress Grass, in several areas, especially the Jasrota forests, Prof Gupta stressed for a constant drive to destroy this dangerous weed which badly affects the life of not only that of the mankind but also the wild life too.
He said that in the budget of the State a considerable amount was earmarked for destroying the Bhang, a weed used for production of the charas, a narcotic in the Valley, similarly some funds should be allotted for weeding out the Parthenium, which is far bigger health hazard than Bhang.
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