Coimbatore: The Ministry of Forestry on Saturday traces two private universities here to eradicate Daisy Trees (Montana Hibiscifolia), invasive species, growing rapidly in Valpaya and Monomboly Forest Ranges.
A total of 75 students of Rathinam College of Arts and Science and DR NGP College of Arts and Science in Coimbatore visited the Waterfall Estate in Valparai to start the journey with the help of the Anamalai Tiger field field director and the monomblly forest range officer a Manikandan.
The Alien Factory was introduced here as an insect repellent, said Ganesan.
“It was planted around tea plantations to protect tea plants from insects.
Now, the invasive species has spread in Shola forests that provide green food to elephants.
Alien species have shrunk Shola forests,” he told toi.
This department is seeking student help because it does not have the workforce to destroy plants.
“Every plant produces 300 flowers and every flower has 60 seeds.
Our aim is to destroy flowers to check the spread of plants.
We collect a ton of tons on Saturday.
The flowers will be burned on Sunday,” said Ganesan.
The department plans to bind 1,000 volunteers to destroy plants in two weeks.
“Only so we can protect Shola forests.
Alien species have begun to spread throughout the range of Ulandhi forests too,” the official added.
Because it does not have money to feed volunteers for two weeks, the department is seeking assistance for entrepreneurs and environmentally conscious NGOs.