12% of Haryana’s forests taken over by invasive species: Lantara Camara, a rapidly growing species, tops list of 5 plants, including kikar

Gurgaon: Lantana camara — an aggressive invasive species — tops the list of environmental challenges in Haryana's reserved forest areas. The plant infests approximately 89sqkm of the state's forested regions, dominating the native flora and leading to a decline in biodiversity.Five major invasive species have gained strong footholds in the state, covering 12% of its forests (or 201 sq km), according to experts. The second most invasive species is Prosopis juliflora, also known as Neltuma juliflora (Vilayati kikar), which thrives in arid conditions, displacing native vegetation and altering soil composition. The species covers 61 sq km of forest areas.Experts also warned that without intervention, these invaders could permanently alter Haryana's forests, making conservation efforts more challenging than ever."Haryana's forests face a severe threat from invasive species like Lantana camara and Prosopis juliflora. As these species expand their reach, they disrupt natural ecosystems, hinder wildlife movement and increase vulnerability to fires. The assessment suggests that immediate intervention is crucial. The govt could prioritise active removal and management strategies to curb their spread. This includes community engagement in removal efforts and restoring native flora through reforestation projects. Also, implementing strict monitoring and introducing educational campaigns can raise awareness about these ecological challenges. Such comprehensive policy measures are essential to preserve ecological balance and ensure long-term health of forest ecosystems," said Prof Anjal Prakash, an IPCC author and contributor.Lantana camara often grows due to deforestation, climate change and human activities, making their control essential for conserving rich forest ecosystems. While competition for nutrients, water and sunlight was significant, spread of the species extended beyond only outcompeting native flora.The species steadily spread in Gurgaon and Faridabad Aravali ranges, said forest analyst Chetan Agarwal, adding that it's visible on both sides of Gurgaon-Faridabad highway while crossing the Mangar stretch."Forest research in Mangar hills showed an average presence of 250 – 300 lantana bushes a hectare. In some patches, it crossed 1,000 bushes per hectare. The species became the second most prolific shrub after jhadber that adversely affected native shrub vegetation. A similar situation prevails in the Badkhal catchment. We need a concerted lantana removal exercise — arresting its spread will be more beneficial to biodiversity than undertaking new planting. Given its tendency to spread rapidly and the increasing costs of removal as densities increase, the forest department should include a survey and removal in its annual plan for 2025-26 in the Aravalis," he added.Other major dangers posed by Lantana are its contribution to forest fires and impact on wildlife movement. "It's very prickly and hinders wildlife movements, changing their paths. They block the ground, and sometimes the space between trees. Many animals, including large mammals, struggle to navigate dense Lantana thickets. These changes in movement patterns can affect predation, migration and access to water sources," said RP Balwan, former forest conservator, south Haryana.After Lantana and Prosopis, a tall grass species called Saccharum spontaneum invades the reserve forests rapidly and is spread across 31 sqkm. Its dense thickets hinder regeneration of native plants, according experts.Also, another invasive plant known as Ageratum houstonianum, which covers 11.6 sq km of Aravali forest, has formed dense mats preventing the growth of other species. Lastly, Leucaena leucocephala invaded 8.5 sqkm, which is known for its fast growth and nitrogen-fixing ability and altered soil nutrient dynamics.The spread of these invasive species, Prakash said, has significant economic implications too. "The economic impact includes increased costs for managing these species and potential losses in agricultural productivity," he said. Measures, which are being carried out by the Haryana forest department to control and mitigate their spread, include mechanical removal, application of chemicals and restoration of native vegetation. "In south Haryana, we don't have a growing threat from Lantana. The forest department carries out systematic removal of such species in areas where they are a threat," said Raj Kumar, divisional forest officer (Gurgaon).