Jabalpur, August  2026: The 21st Parthenium Awareness Week (PAW) 2026 was officially inaugurated at the ICAR–Directorate of Weed Research (ICAR-DWR), Jabalpur, on August 17, with a strong emphasis on community participation and integrated management of the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus.

The programme commenced a day earlier, on August 16, at the Ramchandra Mission Ashram, Jabalpur, with the enthusiastic participation of more than 200 people, including the Coordinator and Co-Coordinator of the Ramchandra Mission organisation, Central India.

Awareness Rally Highlights Parthenium Threat

As part of the awareness activities, an awareness rally was organised with the participation of nearly 250 students and teachers from Wings Convent School. The rally focused on creating awareness about the harmful impacts of Parthenium hysterophorus on agriculture, human health, biodiversity and the environment.

The formal inauguration at ICAR-DWR was attended by nearly 120 scientists, officers, staff members and school representatives.

Dr P. K. Mishra, Vice-Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV), Jabalpur, attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Shri Rajeev Singh, Director, Wings Convent School, was the Guest of Honour. The programme was presided over by Dr J. S. Mishra, Director, ICAR-DWR, in the presence of Dr P. K. Singh, Chairman, PAW-2026.

Emphasis on Jan Sahyog and Jan Bhagidari

Addressing the gathering, Dr P. K. Mishra emphasised the importance of “Jan Sahyog and Jan Bhagidari” for achieving effective and long-term management of parthenium. He stressed that sustained public participation is essential to address the spread of the invasive weed.

Shri Rajeev Singh highlighted the important role of schools, students and various stakeholders in building environmental awareness and encouraging community participation in weed management.

Dr. J. S. Mishra called for coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to tackle the parthenium menace, while Dr. P. K. Singh outlined the activities planned under PAW-2026 and highlighted the importance of integrated weed management approaches.

Integrated Approach to Parthenium Management

The programme also emphasised biological control as an important component of integrated parthenium management, including the use of the biological control agent Zygogramma bicolorata.

The active participation of students, teachers, scientists, officers, staff and community representatives demonstrated the importance of collective action in addressing the challenges posed by Parthenium hysterophorus.

The 21st Parthenium Awareness Week aims to strengthen public awareness and encourage coordinated efforts towards effective weed management, biodiversity protection and the creation of a Parthenium-free and environmentally sustainable society.

Source: ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh