Invasive Species Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

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

What is discussed under Invasive Species Mudumalai Tiger Reserve?

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 is a plant species that is indigenous to South and Central America and belongs to the Fabaceae family of legumes.
Image by Marco from Pixabay
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.

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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