Invasive plant species pose a threat to conservation areas

By Nabeen Raj Kuinkel,Lamjung, May 28: The spread of invasive plant species in conservation areas is increasing, raising concerns among conservationists and local communities. These aggressive weeds are rapidly taking over forests and farmlands.

Due to the threat posed by invasive plants to biodiversity and native plant species, the Lamjung office of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has begun awareness generating programmes and measures to control the spread of the guest plants at the community level.

With support from the Gandaki Watershed Climate Resilience Project, the Area Conservation Office in Bhujung has been working in coordination with conservation area management committees to manage and control invasive plant species, according to office chief Pramod Regmi.

He said that efforts have started in collaboration with communities to curb the spread of invasive species such as Banmara and Gandhe (types of invasive weeds) and to raise awareness. Training and control activities have been carried out in communities to manage and control these invasive plants, Regmi added.

ACAP Conservation Officer Basudev Neupane informed that training on the management of invasive species has been provided to local conservation committees in several wards including Ghanpokhara-2, Khudi-3, Taghring-4, Simpani-9 of Marsyangdi Rural Municipality, and Pasgaun-9 of Kwholasothar Rural Municipality. With active community participation, physical removal of invasive weeds has also begun in some areas.

The Gandaki Watershed Climate Resilience Project is currently being implemented in 19 districts. 

Neupane said that the initiative has started to prepare communities to manage these invasive species by turning them into useful products such as compost and fertilisers in the future.

Conservationists warned that invasive plants encroach on habitats of native species and birds and reduce soil fertility. Ram Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of the Simpani Conservation Committee in Marsyangdi-9, said that invasive plants are harming crops and displacing native flora, making it essential to control them in time. 

He stressed that collaboration between the government, conservation organisations and local communities could help curb the spread of invasive plant species.