Dwarka: Cuscuta attacks the greenery of the sub city

Dwarka: Cuscuta, commonly known as ‘Amarbel’ has attacked the greenery of the sub city these days. Be it road side plants or trees or the horticulture of a park or green area, all these greens are getting affected with the parasite leading to a slow death with the time. The effect of Amarbel can be seen easily on trees and plants on roadsides, central verge and even in well maintained parks too. Morning walkers and the nature lovers of the city have been witnessing its growth all across the city. NK Chowdhary, Vice President of Sukh Dukh Ke Saathi NGO and a morning Walker ay Sector 4 park said, “You can see such parasites on the plants in this park too. This is first time I have witnessed it here in this park. The park is under South Delhi Municipal Corporation and they should look into this as this can spread.”

The plants with new leaves and shrubs along the roads have been attacked by such parasites. “I have witnessed that in Sector 12, the effect is worse on the greenery. In my every day morning walk for five years, according to what I have noticed, I want to say that this time, the cuscuta effect is worse than any other time in previous years. In 2010, the cuscuta in the sub city was bad and that is happening again. DDA should take the subject into serious concern,” shared Nitu Sharma, a resident of Sector 12.

Other areas where this parasite can be seen include some of the societies in various sectors as well. Some trees near Rajapuri market and along road number 201 can be seen completely covered with such parasites. Trees and particularly ornamental plants on road dividers are getting infected with Amarbel mainly. A resident of Sector, 23 Raj Kumar Sharma says, “Horticulture officials in civic bodies like DDA and SDMC seem a bit causal about such parasites as many grown trees have gone dry. Though affected plants get time to die, yet DDA should remove such parasites in early stage. However, after pruning shrubs on the dividers, DDA officials disappear for the next six-seven months. The horticulture department should look after the matter to save our greenery.”

Known for its definite pattern in horticultural aspects, Dwarka is badly affected with cuscuta. Vijay Dhasmana, a naturalist and ecological conservator, said, “Cuscuta is a dangerous parasite plant, marring the beauty of the areas and killing the plants. These are parasitic plants which take their food from the host plants and eventually cause them to die. These need to be trimmed and removed at an early stage to save or ensure good health and growth of plants. These should be manually removed by the horticulture department as soon as they are spotted on plants.”

He further adds, “Such parasites spread from one tree to another through carriers. Theses parasites are carried by the birds in their excreta. Such parasites are sticky in nature, the excreta of the birds stick on the branches of the trees and thus cuscuta reproduce itself. These plants are like green thread and mainly affect the arid area’s plants.”

On the subject, Deputy Director Horticulture Dwarka, DDA, FS Chahar said that the subject is in his knowledge and the work to remove such parasites is being carried out.