‘Bona Virus’ Found in Paddy Fields of Kangra’s Rait Block
Shimla, Updated At : 11:31 AM Aug 24, 2025 IST
Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus, locally referred to as “bona virus”, has been detected in paddy fields across several villages in Kangra district’s Rait block, raising serious concerns among farmers and agricultural experts.
Shahpur MLA and Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, along with a team of agricultural specialists, inspected the affected fields in Puhada village on Saturday. The team interacted with farmers to assess the extent of crop damage and discussed preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease.
Speaking with farmers, Pathania highlighted the seriousness of the problem. “Plants infected with this virus grow only up to one-third of their normal height. Their roots weaken, and the risk of premature destruction increases significantly,” he said. The disease is transmitted by the white-backed plant hopper, a pest insect.
According to official estimates, paddy has been cultivated over 2,930 hectares in Rait block. Villages reporting bona virus outbreaks include Prei, Ladwara, 45 Mile, Basnur, Dargela, Puhada, and Nerti, while no symptoms have yet been observed in Boh, Darini, and Changar.
The Agriculture Department has stepped up containment efforts at this early stage of the outbreak. Field teams are conducting surveys, advising farmers on pest management, and supplying pesticides at a 50% subsidy to minimise losses. Awareness campaigns are also being run to ensure early detection and quick response.
Pathania urged farmers to remain vigilant. “Timely pest control is absolutely essential to stop the spread of this disease. Farmers must not delay in seeking technical guidance,” he said.
Experts, meanwhile, have warned that if the virus is not controlled promptly, it could significantly affect crop yields and farmers’ incomes in the region.
Continuing the achievement of the journey of effectiveness and credibility of more than 10 years in the career of journalism, as a woman journalist, I am Serving as the founder, promoter and editor of DiaryTimes with the trust and support of all. My credible coverage may not have given a big shape to the numbers, but my journey presents articles that make you aware of the exact and meaningful situations of Himachal’s politics, ground issues related to the public, business, tourism and the difficult geographical conditions of the state and financial awareness. DiaryTimes, full of the experience of my precise editorial expertise, is awakening the flame of credible journalism among all of you, so that the eternal flame of meaningful change can be lit in the life of the people of the state and the atrocities being committed against the people can be brought to the fore, I am motivated for that. If even a small change comes with the power of my journalism and the whole world becomes a witness to that issues, then I will consider myself fortunate.
