Home / Environment / Ecological Mismatch: Delhi's Ridge Plantation Woes
Ecological Mismatch: Delhi's Ridge Plantation Woes
28 Jun
Summary
- Half of planted species are unsuitable for Delhi's Ridge ecosystem.
- Invasive species threaten to overtake native forest composition.
- Forest Department claims adherence to ecological restoration principles.
Recent plantation drives on Delhi's ecologically sensitive Ridge have raised concerns, with an analysis showing that nearly half of the species planted over the past four years are unsuitable for the local ecosystem. Out of at least 22 species introduced, only seven are native to the Ridge, while nine are considered inappropriate, including three exotics.
Invasive species, such as Leucaena leucocephala, show alarming regeneration rates, potentially leading to a future where invasive flora dominates. The Forest Research Institute's recent working plan warned of risks to biodiversity and ecosystem stability if this trend continues unchecked.
Experts caution that convenience often dictates species selection, leading to an ecological mismatch. While the Forest Department asserts that recent plantation programs, including one in the Southern Ridge, follow ecological restoration principles with a focus on native species, concerns about inappropriate choices persist.
The Central Ridge, spanning 864 hectares, has seen a mix of native, non-native, and exotic species planted. Some native species, while adaptable, are not naturally found in the Ridge's dry, rocky environment, requiring significant sustained irrigation and nutrient input.
