Forest and Environment Minister Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri today approved the National Exotic Michaha Species Management Strategy and Implementation Plan.
The National Michaha Species Strategy and Implementation Plan 2081, which was prepared by the Forest Research and Training Center and has been in the approval process for the past 15 years, was approved today by a ministerial decision.
The strategy plan prepared by including the opinions and suggestions of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Development and other concerned agencies was approved after about 15 years, Director General of Forest Research and Training Center Dr. Rajendra KC informed.
Director General KC said that this strategy will control the Michaha species which is a complex problem and will not allow it to spread.
According to a study, 170 species of plants have been introduced from outside Nepal. More than 25 of them are of Michaha nature. 6 of them are considered high-risk species.
Botanists say that the high risk is caused by the wavy sedge (Mycenia macarantha/miles a minute), bitter weed (parthenium), black sedge, white sedge, water hyacinth and sedge. All these have spread to other countries through America. These species cover the grasses, water bodies and habitats preferred by wildlife.
Mycania macaranthus and water hyacinth have caused a lot of impact. The Micenia Dang, which entered through Jhapa, has reached Tulsipur, while Jalkumbi has covered many lakes and water bodies in the country, including Phewa Lake. Plant species that originated naturally in other countries and entered Nepal through various means and spread naturally, adversely affecting the environment, biological diversity or human health, and having the ability to grow and spread even in unfavorable habitats, are michaha species.
