A special drive was launched to uproot the invasive lantana bushes in the Sajjangarh wildlife sanctuary in Rajasthan’s Udaipur district.
- The drive has helped in ecological restoration of grasslands and saved biodiversity.
- The small sanctuary in the southern Aravalli hills, spread over 5.19 sq. km, is home to a large number of herbivores.
- Lantana camara, a thicket forming shrub, has covered vast tracts of land in the sanctuary, stopping the natural light and nutrition for flora and fauna.
- The toxic substance in its foliage and ripe berries affected the animals, while its expansion stopped the natural growth of grass and other shrubs.
About Lantana camara
- Lantana, first introduced in 1807, had spread to wildlife reserves, river banks and the Project Tiger areas where it had obliterated native grass and reduced biodiversity.
- Native to South America, Lantana camara was brought to India by the British as ornamental plants
- Lantana has become one of the world’s most invasive weeds because of its high adaptability.
- Lantana continues to spread and occupies 13 million hectares in India, 5 million in Australia and 2 million in South Africa.
- Lantana has invaded all three countries but the time of invasion is different: India 1800s, Australia before 1850 and South Africa after 1850.
(Source: The Hindu, Conservation Society)
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