Micro Terror

Parthenium: A weed, it came in with imported US wheat in the '50s.
Today it has taken root on vast tracts of arable land and is a
serious allergen.

AGRICULTURE: BIO-SECURITY
Micro Terror
With virtually no quarantine laws, India can be an easy target for
bio-terrorism


Debarshi Dasgupta



Tougher Vigil

The government is proposing to ensure foreign bio-agents and pests
do not enter the country:

Laboratories in each district to detect harmful microbes

Better quarantine facilities at sea ports and airports

Special training of manpower to deal with any emergency

Setting up of national agency for interception and management of
invasive biotics of threat to bio-security proposed
***

Alien Attack
Some pests and weeds accidentally introduced into the country:

Parthenium: A weed, it came in with imported US wheat in the '50s.
Today it has taken root on vast tracts of arable land and is a
serious allergen.

Cotton Leaf Curl Virus: Originated in Pakistan. It has brought down
cotton yields by 15 per cent.

Coffee Berry Borer: Came in from Sri Lanka in 1998 and has hit
plantations in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Tomato Leaf Curl Virus: Its origin is unknown. The disease is
rampant in parts of Karnataka, killing tomato crop.


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