India's Forests Under Siege: Invasive Plants Spread Rapidly

Invasive plant species are expanding across India's natural ecosystems at an alarming rate of 15,000 square kilometers each year. This rapid proliferation, affecting nearly two-thirds of India's environments, poses a significant threat to native flora and fauna, as well as human populations and livestock.

The study highlights that these invasive plants have already impacted 144 million people and 0.2 million square kilometers of farmland. Over the past 60 years, India is estimated to have incurred a staggering loss of $127.3 billion due to the devastating effects of these species, which outcompete native plants and disrupt ecological balance.

While national policies acknowledge the threat, a lack of cohesive and well-funded management strategies hinders effective control. Experts emphasize the urgent need for a National Invasive Species Mission to unify monitoring, management, and financing, integrating invasion control with broader conservation and climate adaptation efforts.