Invasive Alien Species

A Law For Invasive Alien Species In India

For the first time, India is trying to tackle Invasive Alien Species through legislation. In a new 2021 Amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, there is a mention of Invasive Alien Species and tackling it.

The Bill introduces ‘Alien Invasive Species’ with the scope of the Wildlife Protection Act. Under Section 62 A (i) The Central Government has the power to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession or proliferation of invasive alien species which pose a threat to the wildlife or habitat in India. The Bill says: 

'(16A) "invasive alien species" means a species of animal or plant which is not native to India and whose introduction or spread may threaten or adversely impact wildlife or its habitat;';

While this is a positive development, this definition of Invasive Alien Species is not complete. There are two aspects to be kept in mind:

• An Invasive Alien Species is usually a foreign species but not always

• Even an Indian species can be an Invasive Alien Species in India, when found within a different ecosystem. For example, the House Crow or Indian crow (kauwa in Hindi) found widely in India is an Invasive Alien Species in Andaman and Nicobar islands.

• Thus, the correct way to approach Invasive Alien Species is to define them as being alien to an ecosystem and not just to a country.

The United Nations-led Convention on Biological Diversity defines Invasive Alien Species as follows:

Invasive alien species are plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health. In particular, they impact adversely upon biodiversity, including the decline or elimination of native species - through competition, predation, or transmission of pathogens - and the disruption of local ecosystems and ecosystem functions.

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Wetlands in India

Climate Change and Invasive Alien Species

Many studies have found that climate change is worsening the impacts of Invasive Alien Species. A 2019 report by the United Nations-led Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) says that IAS are increasing with climate change. The rate of introduction of new IAS is also higher than ever before. Many times, Invasive Alien Species is introduced unknowingly by people- through ships, flights, cargo transportation etc. Pests can move between countries through luggage and clothing. 

The Millennium Development Goals seeks to tackle Invasive Alien Species. one part of goal 15 is dedicated to: ‘Prevent introduction and reduce impact of invasive alien species.’ 

With places becoming hotter or more storm-prone because of climate change, the niche for Invasive Alien Species is increasing. 

It is a positive step that India is finally going to legally tackle Invasive Alien Species. However, there is a need to better define the Invasive Alien Species within the Wildlife Protection Act, and then to create scientific management systems for removing or managing Invasive Alien Species.

In certain states, administrations have tried tackling Invasive Alien Species by creating products out of them. Examples are lantana furniture and water hyacinth mats. However, the nature of Invasive Alien Species is that they need to be tackled all over the country and not in a piecemeal manner. 

Removal of Invasive Alien Species is both a scientific and administrative challenge – but this challenge can be met sensitively, and also create employment on the way. 

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