Invasive Species Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Source: Hindu
GS II: Environment and Conservation

What is discussed under Invasive Species Mudumalai Tiger Reserve?

1. Senna Spectabilis
2. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

Why in News?

• The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve’s (MTR) buffer zones in the Nilgiris hill district have been invaded by the alien tree Senna spectabilis, an invasive species.
• This has happened over an area of 800 to 1,200 hectares.

Senna Spectabilis

• Senna spectabilis is a plant species that is indigenous to South and Central America and belongs to the Fabaceae family of legumes.

  

• In certain regions of Africa, India, and other nations, the plant has spread like an invading foreign species.
• The growth of other native tree and grass species is inhibited by the tree’s dense leaves.
• It may reach a height of 7 to 18 metres; it can become deciduous in some areas and is evergreen in conditions with year-round rain; it also bears yellow flowers.
• Spectabilis has been widely employed in conventional medicine for a long time.
• Significant biological activity is present in it, including antibacterial, antibiofilm, antifungal, and antioxidant qualities.
• The Global Compendium of Weeds classifies it as an environmental weed.
• IUCN Red List classifies it as “Least Concern.”

Impact

• According to environmentalists, the invasive plant harms the local biodiversity by displacing native species and decreasing the amount of food available to wildlife.
• Other native tree and grass species cannot thrive because of the tree’s dense leaves.
• As a result, it reduces the food supply for the animal population, particularly herbivores.
• The native species’ germination and growth are also negatively impacted.

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

• The term Mudumalai means the ancient hill range. 
• The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris District at the intersection of three states:
  • Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. It covers 321 square kilometres of land.
• Because it is a part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, the nation’s first biosphere reserve created in 1986, it has a specific function.
• It contributes to a significant conservation landscape for animals like the tiger and Asian elephant sharing borders with:
  • The Gudalur Forest Division on the southwest
  • The Nilgiris North Division on the east
  • The Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka on the north
  • The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala on the west 

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