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Picture Courtesy: The Hindu

Context:

Problem of invasive species made Conservation researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in India face a dilemma. 

What Are Invasive Alien Species?

Invasive alien species (IAS) are non-native organisms introduced either unintentionally or intentionally into a new environment — for instance, as ornamental plants, fish for aquariums, or for land restoration.

Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report on Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

• The report identifies around 37,000 alien species introduced globally due to human activities. Among them, over 3,500 are recognized as invasive, meaning they have harmful impacts on the environment, local species, and ecosystems.
• World’s Most Invasive Species - Water Hyacinth, Lantana camara, Black Rat, Brown Rat and House Mouse.
• Many invasive species were initially introduced with beneficial intentions to be used in agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, horticulture, or as pets.
• IAS have contributed to 60% of documented global plant and animal extinctions.
• Regional Trends - 34% reported from the Americas, 31% from Europe and Central Asia, 25% from Asia-Pacific, only 7% from
• Terrestrial environments — especially forests, woodlands, and agricultural lands — are the most affected.

Key factors behind the rise of Invasive Alien Species

• Trade and International Travel: Cargo ships, airplanes, and land vehicles act as carriers for invasive organisms, either through Ballast water in ships, Contaminated cargo, Species attached to hulls or wheels For Ex: The Black Rat, introduced to Australia in the late 1800s through shipwrecks and maritime industries like pearling, is now listed by the IUCN as one of the world’s most damaging invasive species.
• Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns as well as Shifts in seasonal timing disrupt the natural life cycles of native species.
• Introduction of Exotic Species: Attractive ornamental plants sometimes escape cultivation and spread into nearby ecosystems. 

Impacts of Invasive Alien Species:

Ecological Consequences:

• Outcompeting native species for critical resources like food, water, and shelter.
• Acting as predators or parasites
• Altering ecosystem functions, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and soil composition.

Economic Burden

• By 2019, the annual global economic impact surpassed USD 423 billion, covering losses in agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure, and management efforts. For e.g. Zebra mussels are known to clog water pipelines and industrial infrastructure.

Food Security issues

• One of the most frequent impacts is the decline in food supply, especially from natural sources like fisheries and agricultural lands, For e.g. In Kerala, Caribbean false mussel has significantly disrupted local fisheries, affecting both biodiversity and the economy.

Public Health Risks

• Some invasive species are vectors of deadly diseases.
• Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, both invasive species, are major carriers of diseases

Efforts to Combat the Threat of Invasive Alien Species

International Initiatives

• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992: Under this landmark treaty, countries are urged to:
• Prevent the introduction of invasive alien species,
• Control their spread,
• And eradicate those that pose a risk to ecosystems and native species.
• Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022): Adopted as part of the CBD, this framework sets a global target to:
• Reduce the rate of introduction and establishment of invasive species by at least 50% by 2030.
• Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP): This program facilitates:
• Research and data collection,
• Capacity-building initiatives,
• And development of global management strategies for invasive species.
• International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC): An intergovernmental treaty that works to:
• Safeguard global plant resources and agricultural trade,
• By preventing the spread of plant pests and invasive species. 

National Initiatives:

• Legal Framework: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) established under this Act plays a regulatory and advisory role.
• National Action Plan on Invasive Alien Species (NAPINVAS): Launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), NAPINVAS aims to:
• Prevent the entry of invasive species,
• Ensure early detection and rapid response,
• And implement long-term control and management strategies.
• National Invasive Species Information Center (NISIC): This center:
• Acts as a knowledge hub,
• Providing updated information, research, and resources related to invasive species in India.
• Field-Level Initiatives and Research: The Himalayan Environmental Foundation is working to curb the spread of Lantana camara in the fragile Himalayan ecosystems. 

Way Forward:

• Establish and enforce robust regulations to control the import of live plants, animals, and related goods.

• Train personnel at airports, seaports, and border checkpoints to identify and intercept potential invasive species. 

• Rehabilitate degraded habitats by replanting native species and restoring ecological balance. 

• Establish surveillance networks and encourage public reporting through apps or helplines.
• Promote international collaboration, recognizing that invasive species cross political boundaries. 

Source: The Hindu and IPBES