An NGO plans to distribute Vetiveria zizaniodes (Khus) grass free of cost to villagers for plantation in disaster affected areas to help prevent landslides and soil erosion. Plantation of this grass by the organisation as a landslide prevention measure has shown promising results apart from which this grass also has varied commercial uses.
According to JP Maithani of AAGAAS Foundation, the Khus grass was grown on experimental basis at Pipalkoti in 2012 by IIT Chennai researcher Ashwin Dinkar. According to Dinkar, dozens of villages in Chamoli district have been affected by landslides.
Apart from this, landslides caused by construction of highways and rural roads also create conditions ripe for disaster. These aspects were researched before 2000 units of two species of this grass were planted on experimental basis at Pipalkoti in 2012. The roots of this grass go down up to five feet underground and attract rainwater while aiding in preventing landslides and land loss. This grass can grow in varied
terrains, he added.
Maithani said that the results of the plantation are positive. This grass is also used as fodder and for aromatic oils and cosmetics, while its roots are used in the side panels of coolers and in handicrafts. The saplings of this grass will be distributed free of cost to villagers in disaster affected areas. In the future with increased availability of this grass, it will also be planted along the Badrinath national highway from Birahi to lambagad apart from landslide prone areas along PMGSY link roads, said Maithani.