Dear Group Members,

I just returned from forest region near to capital city Raipur.
In Mohadi village region I observed that farmers are uprooting and
burning Jatropha plants. Jatropha is not good fuel wood. The farmers
informed that authorities have planted Jatropha in field bunds rich in
fertility. Now these plants are invading crop fields. Once established
in rice fields where heavy amount of agrochmicals are used, it is very
difficult to uproot. In order to avoid this situation now along with
other weeds before rice sowing, they are burning Jatropha. They know
their limitations. They said that it is present everywhere and in
coming years it will invade fertile fields and will emerge as
problematic weed.


I also observed three years old plants with no fruiting. In general it
is claimed that Jatropha starts fruiting within a year. In another
place natives complained that poisonous green snake is using Jatropha
as shelter place. When they reach near plants for collection of seeds
this snake attacks. I have taken pictures of this Jatropha loving snake.

If you are in Chhattisgarh I invite you to join my visits to Jatropha
plantations to see that how Jatropha is performing badly in Indian
state Chhattisgarh.


regards

Pankaj Oudhia