TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT, GS 3: AGRICULTURE
THE CONTEXT: Invasive plant species are wreaking havoc in Uttarakhand, leading to a decline in native vegetation and a subsequent disruption in the food chain for wildlife.
EXPLANATION:
- This crisis is not only affecting the biodiversity of the region but is also causing significant challenges for horticulture farmers.
- We will look into the intricate relationship between invasive plants, wildlife behavior, and the escalating human-wildlife conflict in Uttarakhand.
Impact on Agriculture
- Bear and Langur Incursions
- Apple orchardists in Sukhi Top village report increasing damage by bears and langurs, which was not prevalent a decade or two ago.
- Farmers’ complaints were validated through the installation of security cameras, capturing bears feasting on apples.
- The surge in bear attacks on orchards is attributed to the scarcity of food in the forests, leading wildlife to migrate to human settlements.
- Changes in Farming Practices
- The decline in traditional farming practices like buckwheat cultivation and reduced livestock numbers contribute to the diminishing food sources for bears.
- The shift from 400-500 to 150-200 sheep and goats per household reduces potential prey for bears.
- Altered Wildlife Behavior
- Langurs, traditionally confined to forests during the summer, are now year-round residents in villages, posing a threat to orchards by consuming apple tree bark.
- Monkeys are expanding into colder areas around Harshil Valley, previously unexplored by wildlife.
Human-Wildlife Conflict
- Increased Tiger Population
- Data from 2023 indicates a rise in the tiger population in Uttarakhand from 442 in 2018 to 560 in 2023.
- The growth in tiger numbers implies an expanded prey base, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict.
- Tigers and Leopards
- Abundance of food in the Terai region contributes to a higher than usual concentration of tigers (67 in Ramnagar forest division).
- Tiger territorial control results in more frequent attacks on human settlements, pushing leopards towards these areas.
Forest Management and Invasive Species
- Lantana Camara and Congress Grass
- Ramnagar Forest Department is grappling with invasive plant species, particularly lantana camara and Congress grass.
- The ‘cut rootstock method’ is employed to combat lantana, but its stubborn nature poses challenges.
- Impact on Herbivores
- Invasive lantana is encroaching on grasslands, influencing the diet of herbivores like deer, chital, and sambar.
- Bivash Pandav, a scientist, notes that animals resort to consuming lantana due to the scarcity of native species, although it adversely affects their health.
- Nationwide Invasion Threat
- Qamar Qureshi’s study reveals that invasive plants threaten two-thirds of India’s natural areas, with a prevalence of 72% in the study area.
- Invasive species are more common in open and less dense forests, posing a risk to biodiversity and ecosystems.
Conclusion
- The intricate web of interactions among invasive plant species, changing wildlife behavior, and the surge in human-wildlife conflict in Uttarakhand underscores the urgent need for comprehensive conservation strategies.
- Balancing the ecosystem, preserving native vegetation, and sustainable farming practices are pivotal in mitigating the impact of invasive species on both wildlife and human communities.