Dear All
I will like to draw attentions to the use of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides), a native Indian grass for addressing the water scarcity. This grass is commonly known as Khas-Khas, Khas or Khus and highly valued for its essential oil. It is highly valued among tribals for its medicinal values and is frequently used in aromatherapy. This grass can be cultivated for multiple issues of in situ soil and water conservation in agrarian land. Vetiver contour hedges in India on cropping land with 1.7 % slope is reported to reduce runoff, soil loss to a huge extent. This grass can tolerate extreme climatic variations like prolonged period of drought, flood, submergence and extreme temperature fluctuations from −14 to 55 °C. It is also tolerant of adverse soil conditions like soil acidity, salinity, sodicity and acid sulfate states. Vetiver leaves can serve as medium for mushroom cultivation. Handicrafts made from vetiver roots serves as sources of income for smallholder farmers of the Western Ghats, India. Moreover, vetiver curtains on windows serves as the traditional way to keep home cool during the scorching summer days and is still used in various parts of India. It keeps home cool and is claimed to be an alternative of air conditioner thereby saving energy.
Hence cultivation of this plant in a better planned way calls for an immediate attention.
Thanks
Debarati
Mme Debarati Chakraborty