Forest department initiative to restore natural vegetation

Subject : Environment

Context-

The Forest department in association with Noolpuzha grama panchayat (Kerala) has launched the ‘Vanikaran’ (afforestation) project to root out invasive plants, especially Senna spectabilis, and restore natural forests.

Details-

The project was being executed on 30 hectares of forestland under the Sulthan Bathery forest range of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, where exotic invasive plants, including Senna spectabilis, Eupatorium, Mikania micrantha, and Lantana Camara, were posing a serious threat to the local species of trees.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary-

Established in 1973, the sanctuary is now an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
It is bounded by the protected area network of Nagarhole National Park and Bandipur National Park in Karnataka in the northeast, and on the southeast by Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu.
It is part of the Deccan Plateau and the vegetation is predominantly of the south Indian moist deciduous teak forests.
Also, the sanctuary has pastures of west-coast semi-evergreen trees.
The wildlife sanctuary comes under Protect Elephant.
Scheduled tribes here include Paniyas, Kurubas, Adiyans, Kurichiyas, Ooralis and Kattunaikkans.

Senna spectabilis

Senna spectabilis is a plant species of the legume family (Fabaceae) native to South and Central America.
They are often grown as ornamental plants due to their bright yellow flowers that bloom during the summer months.
They are also known as golden wonder tree, American cassia, popcorn tree, Cassia excelsa, golden shower tree or Archibald’s cassia.
The plant has become an invasive alien species in parts of Africa such as Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda, and also in South India after it was introduced for resources such as firewood as well as to help combat deteriorating ecosystems affected by deforestation and desertification.
Currently, S. spectabilis is overtaking native tree species of forestry ecosystems worldwide because of its ability to grow quickly.

Uses of S. spectabilis-

It has medicinal properties and is used as a treatment for ringworm and skin diseases.
The plant is effective against food-borne pathogen B.
It is also used as a medicinal plant in Cameroon by traditional healers to treat epilepsy, constipation, insomnia, and anxiety.

Lantana Camara-

It is a species of flowering plant native to the American tropics.
It is a very adaptable species and has spread from its native range to around 50 countries, where it has become an invasive species.