Latest news with #Lantana
Hans India
21 hours ago
- General
- Hans India
On International Tiger day, TN's Mudumalai Tiger Reserve records 28 pc rise in feline population
Marking a significant achievement on International Tiger Day (July 29), the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) has reported a 28 per cent rise in its big cat population for 2024–25. The number of tigers has increased from 129 in 2023–24 to 165, delighting wildlife conservationists and forest officials alike. The impressive growth is attributed to a combination of dedicated anti-poaching efforts, effective habitat restoration, and the large-scale removal of invasive plant species. MTR, which spans 688.59 hectares, comprises 321 hectares of core zone and 367.59 hectares of buffer zone. Within its core area, the presence of nearly 85 swamps plays a vital role in supporting wildlife by providing essential water sources. Forest Department officials highlighted that the unchecked increase in density of Lantana camara, an invasive woody shrub that poses a serious threat to these swamp ecosystems. "If not removed, Lantana would have overtaken the swamps and destroyed key habitats," an official said. Acting on a directive from the Madras High Court, forest teams - with active participation from indigenous communities - undertook a large-scale clearance of Lantana camara across 725 hectares in four core forest ranges during 2024–25. The cleared biomass was repurposed into eco-friendly briquettes by tribals from the Kattu Naicker, Kurumba, Malasar, and Paniya communities, with six tonnes produced so far, providing both conservation gain and livelihoods. A senior MTR official noted that the removal of Lantana allowed sunlight to reach the forest floor, encouraging the natural regrowth of native grass species. This, in turn, has boosted prey density, a key factor in the rise of tiger numbers. "Anti-poaching activities and habitat improvement go hand-in-hand. Increasing prey base directly supports predator populations," the official said. MTR currently operates 36 Anti-Poaching Camps (APCs), with plans underway to establish another in collaboration with tribal communities. The reserve also supports other key species, including leopards, dholes, hyenas, and vultures - the latter playing a crucial role in scavenging and maintaining ecosystem health. The tiger population surge at Mudumalai is being hailed as a model for conservation across the country. On this International Tiger Day, the reserve stands as a testament to the impact of sustained, community-driven conservation efforts.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Tiger population at Nilgiris' MTR increases 28% in one year
NILGIRIS: In a significant boost for India's tiger conservation programme, the tiger population rose to 165 in the core and buffer areas of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in 2024-25, a 28% rise from 129 tigers in 2023-24. With International Tiger Day being observed on July 29, this spike in number of tigers has delighted wildlife activists and conservationists. Forest managers say the key reasons behind the spike are removal of invasive species, and anti-poaching activities. The reserve is spread across 688 hectares, and there are nearly 85 swamps in its core area, serving as major water sources. 'If we had not removed the invasive species, it would have spread across these swamps and destroyed prime habitats of the animals. The management of these swamps has played a key role in the conservation efforts,' said forest department sources. Based on the Madras High Court's direction, the process of removing Lantana camara, with the involvement of tribals, is also in full swing in the core areas of MTR. A senior forest official of MTR said, 'Of the total 688.59 hectares, 321 hectares is core zone and 367.59 hectares is buffer zone. Invasive species has occupied close to 40% of the total areas. Anti-poaching activities and habitat management play a major role in increasing prey density. Ecological balance is maintained by the presence of major predators such as tigers and leopards and co-predators such as dholes and hyenas. Moreover, vultures play a key role in scavenging the dead animals.' 'There are 36 Anti Poaching Camps (APC) in MTR, and we are also planning to construct a new APC with the involvement of tribals belonging to the Kattu Naicker, Kurumba, Malasar and Paniya communities,' the official pointed out. 'We had cleared Lantana camara on 725 hectares in four forest ranges of the core area in 2024-25. These were converted as briquettes by the tribals, and six tonnes of such briquettes have been produced so far,' said the official. The department staff carried out a baseline biodiversity assessment survey before and after the removal, through which they came to know that grass species grow naturally when the ground is exposed to the sun after the removal of Lantana camara.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Udanti and Sunabeda's anti-poaching team targets five illegal grazing camps
Raipur: The Anti-Poaching Team of Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve and Sunabeda Sanctuary dismantled five illegal grazing camps operated by shepherds from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, and parts of Chhattisgarh. Thousands of unauthorised sheep and goats were found damaging grasslands and accelerating the spread of invasive weeds like Lantana, Eupatorium, and Parthenium, leading to fodder shortages for native cattle and wild herbivores. Authorities estimate that around 5,000–10,000 livestock grazed illegally in the Raipur-Dhamtari-Gariaband region and were being moved into the protected areas. Villagers from Amamora and Odh supported the forest department in the operation. Protecting these grasslands is vital to sustain herbivores like deer, sambar, and nilgai, which are prey for over 100 leopards in the region and help prevent human-wildlife conflict. Acting on intelligence, forest teams raided the Kulhadighat forest area near Beats Nagarar and Amamora, bordering the sanctuary, said Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve Deputy Director Varun Jain. Around 3,000–4,000 livestock were found. Two arrests included Laduram (61) and Ramnivas (53), both from Nagaur, Rajasthan, along with their herds and accomplices. Eight accused were produced before the Judicial Magistrate in Gariaband and sent to jail under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and Indian Forest Act, 1927. Two forest offence cases were registered. Authorities are pursuing the absconding accused and working to recover Rs 4 lakh as surety. The Deputy Director said that shepherds from Rajasthan and Gujarat used to pass through Madhya Pradesh and enter Chhattisgarh via the bordering Kawardha district. About ten years ago, they camped in MP to graze their sheep and goats, but after the MP Forest Department implemented strict measures, they began moving into Chhattisgarh instead. Their grazing season begins in mid-June and continues for four months. They typically sell a sheep or goat for approximately Rs 10,000 and earn crores before returning to their respective states, he added.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Unabated Lantana camara invasion in Himachal needs swifter, more rigorous response
Lantana camara, an invasive alien species introduced decades ago as an ornamental plant, now infests approximately 3,25,282 hectares of forests in Himachal Pradesh, posing a threat to the State's native biodiversity. Even though the Forest Department has achieved significant progress by clearing 51,114.35 hectares of Lantana camara since 2009-10, ecologists are calling for faster, more rigorous action to curb the spread of the noxious weed. Lantana, a pantropical weed species, is native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Central and South America. In India, it was first introduced in the early 18th century, and since then, it has invaded almost all the tropical areas across the country, including Himachal Pradesh. According to the State Forest Department, a survey was carried out in 2010-11 and 2015-16 to asses the extent and level of invasion, which showed forest areas of around 2,35,491.93 hectares as being significantly infested with lantana, and varying intensity of infestation in seven territorial circles, namely, Dharamshala, Nahan, Hamirpur, Chamba, Bilaspur, Mandi, and Shimla. However, according to the India State of Forest Report 2023, the extent of Lantana camara infestation inside the recorded forest area in Himachal Pradesh is estimated to be around 3,252.82 sq. km. or 3,25,282 hectares. Kuldip Dogra, a noted taxonomist, acknowledged the progress made by the Forest Department in clearing lantana, which 'offers hope' in tackling the menace, but emphasised the need for an integrated, transdisciplinary, time-bound approach by involving stakeholders and members of civil society to create livelihood opportunities in the process of eradicating Lantana camara. 'There's no doubt that the area under alien invasive plant species, such as lantana, is on the rise, which is threatening the rich, native species diversity. To control the spread of lantana, it's important that stakeholders are involved — be it locals, industrialists, civil society organisations, etc. — and a mechanism evolved to enhance their livelihood options,' Mr. Dogra, Scientist at the Botanical Survey of India, High Altitude Western Himalayan Regional Centre in Solan district, told The Hindu. 'Lantana's management can be achieved by using its biomass for socioeconomic purposes — its timber for making furniture and also as fuelwood, etc. Its biomass can be used to produce organic compost and vermicompost, which will be better for organic farming and an alternative to inorganic manures available in the market,' he added. 'However, the cultivation of alien invasive plant species in home gardens, for landscaping, or for other economic purposes, and around the National and State Highways should be strictly avoided to prevent their further spread and establishment. Pharmaceutical companies should be encouraged to collect these species from the wild to extract potent alkaloids to be used for different industry purposes. Its management should be focused strongly on prevention, early detection and eradication strategies. Most importantly, the eradication programme should be carried out within stricter timelines by involving all the stakeholders, and increasing momentum to achieve optimal outcomes,' he added. The State Forest Department's policy document for managing Lantana camara points out that this noxious, exotic weed aggressively proliferates and forms a dense mesh of bushes. This happens excessively at the edges of forests having sparse canopies. Lantana camara is known to produce allelochemicals that restrict the growth of other species under its canopy. Hence, it replaces native flora, resulting in homogeneous vegetation, significantly contributing to decline in biodiversity. 'We have eradicated lantana in 51,114.35 hectares so far since 2009-10. The removal of lantana is being done through the 'cut root stock' method, and to ensure that lantana doesn't invade again, we are planting native species as well. We are making headway. On average, every year, we are expecting to eradicate lantana on 1,000 hectares of forest,' Girish Hosur, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Himachal Pradesh, said. 'The immediate focus should be to contain the speed of spread of lantana. It has been observed that it has been infesting from lower areas towards higher regions, which is worrying. The 'cut root stock' method is good, but the eradication should be tackled at the higher elevation first, so that the infestation could be restricted to the lower areas only, and then gradually rehabilitate all the areas with native species,' G.S. Goraya, researcher on floral diversity and former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Himachal Pradesh, said.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
1k hectares grassland in Barda sanctuary to help more lions roar
Rajkot: Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in Porbandar district is steadily coming into its own as a natural extension of lion territory. Once a quiet reserve, Barda is now at the heart of a major conservation effort to create a self-sustaining habitat for Asiatic lions . The forest department has launched a project focused on restoring native grasslands and strengthening the prey base — laying the groundwork for lions to thrive here on their own. Spread across 1,000 hectares, the sanctuary is undergoing a green revival. Invasive plant species are being cleared on a large scale, and native grasses are being cultivated to support herbivores that form the base of the lion's food chain. According to the latest lion census, Barda is now home to 17 lions. The first — a solitary male — arrived naturally. Soon after, five lionesses were translocated to the sanctuary, and their successful mating led to the birth of 11 cubs. With this, Barda has proven itself as a naturally viable habitat. Forest officials have taken a hands-off approach, allowing the population to grow organically. The groundwork for this success was laid years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tecno Pova 7 Series starting at 12,999 - Catch the light. TECNO Mobile Buy Now Undo In 2014, the forest department set up a breeding centre for Sambar and spotted deer. Since then, hundreds of herbivores born in captivity have been released into the wild, helping to establish a solid prey base for the growing lion population. But restoring the landscape hasn't been easy. Deputy conservator of forests, Ravi Prasad Radhakrishna, pointed out that invasive species — such as single acacia (Acacia nilotica), Lantana camara, and Cassia tora — have posed a major challenge. "These alien species prevent native grasses from germinating," he said. "We've launched an intensive removal drive and are promoting native grass species to rebuild a healthy ecosystem for herbivores. " Experts believe birds may have unknowingly contributed to the spread of these invasives, either by carrying seeds on their feathers or excreting them after feeding elsewhere. "Barda is increasingly seen as Gujarat's second home for lions," Radhakrishna said. "With lions naturally dispersing into the area, we're shaping the habitat to support that expansion. In time, we expect the population to reach ecological saturation." The sanctuary now also hosts Nilgai and wild boar — adding further richness to the food chain. Officials believe Barda has the potential to support up to 40 to 50 lions in total. Recognizing its ecological promise, the forest department has also launched a jungle safari to boost eco-tourism and raise public awareness—inviting people to witness the quiet revival of a forest now finding its roar.
