Invasive Alien Species in India: Challenges and Solutions
India has been both a major exporter and importer of exotic species, especially in sectors like ornamental pet trade and biocontrol purposes. This has led to a rise in invasive alien species, reshaping ecosystems and causing economic and ecological damage.
Historical Context and Examples
- The Giant African Snail was introduced in 1847 to colonial Calcutta, eventually becoming India's most persistent invasive alien species. Its spread was exacerbated by poor quarantine and lack of monitoring.
- Global Trade Contributions: The increase in global trade since the 1800s has contributed to biological invasions, with alien species numbers rising 20-fold by the early 19th century.
- Ballast Water and Biofouling: Ships carrying ballast water can introduce exotic species, as seen with the Asian paddle crab in New Zealand.
Current Risk Factors
- New Trade Agreements: Shifting trade agreements and new ties may increase the flow of novel invasive species between continents.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Many nations, including India, lack the infrastructure to rigorously check goods, increasing the risk of invasive species.
Economic and Ecological Impact
- India has lost $127.3 billion (Rs 830 crore) over the last 60 years due to invasive alien species, making it the second-most financially affected country globally.
- Fiscal Burden: Semi-aquatic invasive species pose a greater fiscal burden due to their impact on sectors like public health and fisheries.
- Less than 3% of known invasive species have recorded economic impacts, indicating a gap in data reporting.
Recommendations for India
- Strengthen national policy by enforcing stricter biosecurity measures at ports and developing real-time species-tracking systems.
- Enhance collaboration between government departments and researchers for knowledge generation and impact assessments.
- Implement mandatory post-trade biological impact assessments in quarantine facilities.
- Adopt a 'One Biosecurity' framework to manage invasive alien species more effectively.
The increasing volume of trade and movement of species necessitates immediate action to prevent long-term ecological and economic impacts. Strengthening India's border biosecurity is essential to mitigate the consequences of invasive species.