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Why In News?

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) formed a high-level Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species (IAS).

What are Invasive Alien Species (IAS)?

They are plants, animals, pathogens, and other organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), for a species to be considered "invasive," it must fulfill two conditions: it must be non-native (alien) to the specific ecosystem and its introduction must cause harm.

Key Characteristics of IAS

Invasive species possess specific biological traits that allow them to outcompete native flora and fauna: 

• Rapid Reproduction: They often have high reproductive rates and short generation times.
• High Adaptability: They can thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions and food sources.
• Lack of Natural Predators: In the new environment, they usually lack the predators, competitors, or diseases that controlled their population in their native habitat.
• Rapid Spread: They possess efficient dispersal mechanisms (e.g., seeds carried by wind, water, or animals). 

Major Examples in India

• Flora (Plants):
  • Lantana camara: A woody shrub that has smothered native vegetation across Indian forests.
  • Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crasipes): Known as the "Terror of Bengal," it clogs water bodies, depleting oxygen and killing aquatic life.
  • Parthenium (Carrot Grass): Accidentally introduced with imported wheat; it causes allergies in humans and outcompetes local fodder.
• Fauna (Animals):
  • African Apple Snail: Impacts agriculture and can spread human diseases.
  • Papaya Mealybug: A major pest affecting agricultural crops.

Impacts of Invasive Species

Ecological Impacts 

Extinction of Native Species: IAS outcompete native flora and fauna for limited resources like food, water, and space. 

• For example, the Lantana camara shrub has suppressed native vegetation across 40% of India's tiger reserves. (Source: Wildlife Institute of India).

Habitat Alteration: Some species change the physical structure of an ecosystem. 

• For example, Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) forms thick mats over water bodies, blocking sunlight and depleting dissolved oxygen, which leads to massive fish kills.

Disruption of Food Webs: By replacing native plants, IAS eliminates the specific food sources required by local insects and birds, causing a "trophic cascade" that collapses the local food chain.

Economic Impacts 

Agricultural Loss: Pests like the Fall Armyworm and Papaya Mealybug cause crop damage. 

• In India, the economic loss due to invasive species is estimated at approximately $127 billion over the last few decades. (Source: CABI)

Infrastructure Damage: Species like the Zebra Mussel clog power plant cooling systems and water intake pipes, leading to high maintenance costs.

Fisheries Decline: Invasive fish species can prey on commercially important native fish larvae, devastating the livelihoods of local fishing communities. 

Impacts on Human Health

Disease Vectors: Some invasive animals act as carriers for new pathogens. The Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is an invasive species in many regions that spreads Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika.

Allergies and Toxicities: Plants like Parthenium hysterophorus (Carrot Grass) cause severe skin allergies, hay fever, and asthma in humans, and are toxic to livestock if consumed.

Regulatory Framework in India

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (Amended 2022)

The 2022 Amendment inserted Section 62A, which empowers the Central Government to "regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession, or proliferation of invasive alien species" that pose a threat to wild animals or their habitat.

Biological Diversity Act 2002

Section 13 mandates the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) to advise the Central Government on the prevention and control of invasive species to protect local biodiversity.

Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order 2003

Issued under the Destructive Insects and Pests Act, 1914, it regulates the entry of exotic plants and seeds to prevent the introduction of foreign pests and weeds.

Environment (Protection) Act 1986

Empower to the Ministry of Environment to take measures to protect and improve the quality of the environment, which includes controlling invasive biological pollutants.

CONCLUSION

Managing Invasive Alien Species is a vital economic and security priority to protect India’s ecosystems and ensure a Viksit Bharat @2047.

Source: NEWSONAIR