Weeds dot city roads

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 14

The haphazard growth of congress grass during the rainy season has been causing medical problems to people. Congress grass (parthenium hysterochorus), sukha (cannabis sativa) and bhang (verbesina prostrata) pose a threat to crops as well as health of residents.

Balram Kumar Sharma, president, Punjab Sudhar Sabha (NGO), said the rampant growth of congress grass and cannabis alongside roads, vacant plots and green belts was adversely impacted the health of people. “As this goes unchecked, addicts have an easy access to cannabis. The wild growth can be seen even at spacious government hospitals, several government buildings, roads, including the bypass road, Vallah Road and GT Road,” he said.

Fully-grown shrubs can be easily spotted on Court Road, linking Ajnala Road, Ranjit Avenue along the GT Road stretch, near New Amritsar, Vallah Road, Majitha Road, Government Medical College, Railway Colony B-block and other parts of the city. He said, “Congress grass is an invasive species, kept on the list of noxious weeds. Its outbreak has been almost epidemic, which affects crop production, livestock and human health.”

A progressive farmer, Manmohan Singh, said the weed inhibits the growth process of crops, like brinjal, tomato, bean, etc. “Congress grass is also responsible for production of bitter milk when eaten by milch animals. It can also trigger pollen allergies in human beings,” he added.

Pollen grain produced in abundant quantity from flowers of congress grass causes air pollution, which is dangerous for patients of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. Besides, pollen grain causes skin problems, he elaborated.

Sukha and bhang have grown in abundance along with the congress grass. These have a bad effect on brain tissues and other body parts. After consumption of sukha and bhang, the metabolic rate of human body increases, which causes ailments and disease. It induces pseudo-hunger and reduces the digestive power of stomach. It is also used as intoxicant by drug addicts.

An official of the Municipal Corporation (MC), who didn’t wish to be named, said the matter would be tabled before the civic body House.