India's Forests Under Siege: Invasive Species Wreak Havoc at Alarming Rate

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A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Sustainability has revealed that invasive species are spreading rapidly across India, claiming 15,000 square kilometers of forest area each year. This alarming rate has led to nearly two-thirds of the country's natural ecosystems harboring 11 major invasive species. According to the analysis of over a million vegetation records from the National Tiger Conservation Authority, these species are spreading at some of the fastest rates recorded globally. The study highlights the devastating impact of invasive plants, such as Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, and Prosopis juliflora, on native ecosystems. The study's findings show that every year, a new alien plant invades 6,000 square kilometers of tiger range and 11,700 square kilometers of wild herbivore habitat. This has exposed 144 million people, 2.8 million livestock, and 0.2 million square kilometers of smallholder farmland to the devastating impact of invasive species. Climate change and increasing habitat fragmentation are contributing to the spread of invasive species, with areas such as the Western Ghats and northeast India seeing a significant increase in the range of invasive plants. In dry regions, Prosopis juliflora has dominated entire landscapes, outcompeting native shrubs and grasses critical for wildlife and pastoral livelihoods. The study's lead author, Dr. Ninad Mungi, warns that at current rates, entire ecosystems could shift from native to invasive dominance within a generation. "These plants are moving faster than we can manage or even monitor them," he said. For rural and pastoral communities, invasive plants reduce fodder and fuelwood, lower soil fertility, and even trigger respiratory ailments. For wildlife, dense patches of Lantana and Chromolaena make many forests impenetrable, reduce native food plants, impacting herbivore populations, with cascading effects on predators, disrupting the ecological balance. The study estimates that India has lost $127.3 billion (₹8.3 trillion) to invasive species in the last 60 years. The authors urge the government to establish a National Invasive Species Mission to unify scientific monitoring, evidence-based management, and strategic financing. Such a mission can integrate invasion control into climate adaptation, poverty alleviation, and restoration programs. As India is recognized as the "global invasion hotspot," it is crucial that the government takes immediate action to address this issue. Qamar Qureshi of the Wildlife Institute of India emphasizes the need for a dedicated institutional framework to deal with invasive species. "The result is a policy landscape resembling a patchwork of intentions rather than a cohesive strategy," he said.