Invasive Alien Weeds Problem in South Asia: Challenges and Prospects of their Management

Abstract

South Asian region, like other regions of the world, is witnessing a rising problem of invasive alien weeds with wide ranging environmental and socio-economic impacts. Current policy and management responses, and national capacities of the South Asian countries are inadequate in slowing down the rate of invasion process, suggesting a need for new approaches to address the problem. Through narrative review of selected references and author’s own experiences, several challenges of invasive weed management in South Asia have been identified, including inadequate policy responses, ineffective quarantine and biosecurity rules, low national capacity, knowledge gaps on key aspects, and a lack of common and agreed standards for species categorization. Future prospects identified for effective management of invasive weeds in South Asia include improving awareness of invasive weeds problem among policy makers and other stakeholders, regional networking for information exchange, regional collaboration for biological control program, and regional collaboration among researchers to generate policy relevant information. In a nutshell, formulation of the South Asian Regional Strategy for Invasive Alien Species and its proper implementation will prevent introduction of new invasive weed species and control of established invasive weed species for the benefit of imperiled biodiversity, ecosystems and billions of people inhabiting in this region.