18/08/2026
As part of the ongoing 21st Parthenium Awareness Week 2026, being observed from 16 to 22 August 2026, a series of awareness programmes were organized on 18 August 2026 at Narrai Nala village, Jabalpur, to sensitize the farming community and students about the harmful effects and management of Parthenium hysterophorus. The village-level programme witnessed the active participation of the Sarpanch and Up-Sarpanch, along with around 60 villagers, including women. During the programme, Dr. P. K. Singh, Chairman, PAW 2026, provided detailed information on Parthenium, highlighting its harmful effects on human health, agricultural crops, livestock and the environment. He also emphasized the importance of community participation and timely adoption of suitable management practices for preventing the spread of the w**d.
Following the village awareness programme, another programme was organized at the Government Higher Secondary School, Narrai Nala, Jabalpur, with the participation of around 200 students, including boys and girls, along with teaching staff. Shri Vishal Maravi, Principal of the school, emphasized the importance of Parthenium management and highlighted the harmful effects of w**ds on agricultural crops, human health and the environment. The PAW team sensitized the students and teachers about the identification, harmful effects and integrated management of Parthenium. During the programme, Zygogramma beetles, an important biological control agent of Parthenium, were also distributed among farmers, students and school staff to promote awareness and encourage the adoption of biological management of the w**d.
The programmes were successfully organized with the active support of Dr. Archana Anokhe, Dr. Deepak Pawar, Dr. J. K. Soni, Dr. Deeksha M. G., Dr. Sahadeo I. K., and Shri M. K. Meena. The enthusiastic participation of villagers, farmers, students, teachers, scientists, and staff reflected the growing awareness and collective commitment towards managing Parthenium.
