The management of alien species in India

Abstract

Alien species, after becoming locally dominant, invade natural communities and become Invasive Alien Species (IAS). The impacts of exotic plants on community structure and ecosystem processes are poorly understood in India. A total 173 species in 117 genera are invasive alien plants, representing 1 % of the Indian flora. The agricultural economy in India is vulnerable to threat from exotic pests/ diseases. In India, 116 alien insect species mainly belong to the order Coleoptera and Lepidoptera. Over 300 alien fish species including 291 ornamental species, 31 aquaculture species and 2 larvicidal fishes are recorded. Examining the ecology and genetic make-up of the IAS is important for developing management strategies. Monitoring of invasion can be done through species inventory, phyto-sociological methods, mapping using ground-based methods, and remotely-sensed images. The Government of India in 2003 has approved the notification of a new plant quarantine order harmonizing India’s regulatory framework with the International plant protection convention and internationally accepted standards and the tenets of the SPS agreement of the World Trade Organization. Community based approaches, for alien species management, can best be complemented with biological control. Brief description of alien species and their present management strategies in India are discussed in this communication along with a note on strengthening the said strategy.   Key words: Anthropogenic activities, threat to biodiversity, prevention, detection, eradication.