Central University of Punjab coordinating and monitoring MOEFCC supported project on invasive alien plants in 12 Himalayan states of the country
Seema Sharma | TNN | Updated: Feb 6, 2019, 18:12 IST
(Photo by Daizy Batish)CHANDIGARH: Invasive Alien Species (pose a major threat to the ecology and economy in invaded regions especially forest and hill ecosystems. They cause a major change in vegetation at global level and threaten biodiversity. The problem of invasion has gained momentum in last two decades because of global economic growth.
Realising the seriousness of the issue, the ministry of environment and forests and climate change (MOEFCC) has initiated a three year coordinated research program on "Invasive Alien plants in Himalayan States: Status, Ecological Impact and Management involving all the 12 hill states of Indian Himalayas. Seven organisations and 11 investigators who are highly experienced in the field of invasion ecology are involved in this research program. The entire research project is being coordinated and monitored by Central University of Punjab at Bathinda.
There are six implementing agencies involved in the cumulative research namely, University of Kashmir, Punjab University, Botanical Survey of India, National Botanical Research Institute, North Eastern Hill University and North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology at Niruli, Arunachal Pardesh are implementing agencies.
Long ago in 2009, the ministry also sponsored a two-day brainstorming meeting on the issue of Invasive alien plants in India , concerns and solution". Convention on Biological Diversity had also set the target of reducing the rate of loss of biodiversity by 2010. It was followed by The International Union of Forest Research Organisation sponsored international meet on Risk Analysis of forest Invasive Alien Species in 2013.
Dr RK Kohli, vice-chancellor, Central University of Punjab who has been instrumental in starting department of environment in Punjab University also told TOI, "India is a mega-diversity country with three biodiversity hotspots out of 34 in Unesco's Man and Biosphere list and 10 bio-geographic regions. It has become a favoured place of invasion by alien species. The fast increasing economic growth coupled with tourism and trade is expected to result into more trans boundary influx of exotic species into India and thus homogenisation of flora and fauna. India lacks data on the total area occupied by alien plants and even on total number of such species in Himalayan states. This project is aiming to fulfil these gaps. "
He said that researchers would prepare new database with complete inventory and chalk out distribution areas infested by invasive alien species in the Indian Himalayas. They would also come up with a dynamic model about rate and mode of spread including vectors responsible with GPS and ground trothing. Base line studies and assessment reports would also be submitted to the state agencies regarding disappearance of native plant species. . Policy and legislative mechanism for management and eradication/ mitigation would be framed with effective control measures. The local communities would be informed about value addition and sustainable utilization of bio-resources for their livelihood.
There are two faculty members of Punjab University as researchers who are engaged with this project in Himalayan region of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. They are Professor Daizy Batish (Botany) and Harminder Pal Singh (Environment).
Batish said that so far she has identified Paranthesis, Lantana, Agertina, Agertun, Bidend , Targetes Minuta, paper mulberry species most commonly in these two states. "Local people in the Himlayan region are facing problems due to these alien plants causing toxicity and allergies to people and cattle, " she said adding that the these plants have begun evolving, changing their reproduction strategy as well. "You will see Paranthesis in plains with more green leaves and less flowering but in higher region , they have lesser leaves and lot of flowers which shows that this plant is now aiming to multiply and spread in higher up regions as well."
Realising the seriousness of the issue, the ministry of environment and forests and climate change (MOEFCC) has initiated a three year coordinated research program on "Invasive Alien plants in Himalayan States: Status, Ecological Impact and Management involving all the 12 hill states of Indian Himalayas. Seven organisations and 11 investigators who are highly experienced in the field of invasion ecology are involved in this research program. The entire research project is being coordinated and monitored by Central University of Punjab at Bathinda.
There are six implementing agencies involved in the cumulative research namely, University of Kashmir, Punjab University, Botanical Survey of India, National Botanical Research Institute, North Eastern Hill University and North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology at Niruli, Arunachal Pardesh are implementing agencies.
Long ago in 2009, the ministry also sponsored a two-day brainstorming meeting on the issue of Invasive alien plants in India , concerns and solution". Convention on Biological Diversity had also set the target of reducing the rate of loss of biodiversity by 2010. It was followed by The International Union of Forest Research Organisation sponsored international meet on Risk Analysis of forest Invasive Alien Species in 2013.
Dr RK Kohli, vice-chancellor, Central University of Punjab who has been instrumental in starting department of environment in Punjab University also told TOI, "India is a mega-diversity country with three biodiversity hotspots out of 34 in Unesco's Man and Biosphere list and 10 bio-geographic regions. It has become a favoured place of invasion by alien species. The fast increasing economic growth coupled with tourism and trade is expected to result into more trans boundary influx of exotic species into India and thus homogenisation of flora and fauna. India lacks data on the total area occupied by alien plants and even on total number of such species in Himalayan states. This project is aiming to fulfil these gaps. "
He said that researchers would prepare new database with complete inventory and chalk out distribution areas infested by invasive alien species in the Indian Himalayas. They would also come up with a dynamic model about rate and mode of spread including vectors responsible with GPS and ground trothing. Base line studies and assessment reports would also be submitted to the state agencies regarding disappearance of native plant species. . Policy and legislative mechanism for management and eradication/ mitigation would be framed with effective control measures. The local communities would be informed about value addition and sustainable utilization of bio-resources for their livelihood.
There are two faculty members of Punjab University as researchers who are engaged with this project in Himalayan region of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. They are Professor Daizy Batish (Botany) and Harminder Pal Singh (Environment).
Batish said that so far she has identified Paranthesis, Lantana, Agertina, Agertun, Bidend , Targetes Minuta, paper mulberry species most commonly in these two states. "Local people in the Himlayan region are facing problems due to these alien plants causing toxicity and allergies to people and cattle, " she said adding that the these plants have begun evolving, changing their reproduction strategy as well. "You will see Paranthesis in plains with more green leaves and less flowering but in higher region , they have lesser leaves and lot of flowers which shows that this plant is now aiming to multiply and spread in higher up regions as well."
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