Rare trees in Lohia Park infested with termite

Asked about the measures being taken to save the trees from termites,an official present in the park said: “We spray water on the trees where the termites have spread. Also,we regularly use pesticide to control the infestation.”

Interestingly,water spraying is no solution and there is a specific process of using pesticide,which the gardeners don’t seem to know. Around Rs 18 lakh is spent annually by the Lucknow Development Authority on the maintenance of the greens in the park.

The Deputy Director of National Botanical Research Institute,A K Goyal,said: “If the infestation has spread from the root till the top of the tree,then small holes are drilled in the trunk and the pesticide is injected into the tree and the root area.” “Spraying water mixed with pesticide is applied on the affected area of the trunk and branches to kill the termites,” added Goyal.

According to the Authority,the pest management exercise will take place in a week’s time. “We will ensure that necessary action is taken to prevent the trees from being infested,” said Mukesh Kumar Meshram,Vice-Chairman of LDA. Thronged by hundreds of visitors on a daily basis,the park has a number of rare species like Maulshree,Rudraksha,Kalpvriksha,Triple Tree and Baatal Palm.