| Syllabus: GS-III, Subject: Environment, Ecology and Disaster Management, Topic: Biodiversity and Conservation, Issue: Biodiversity Conservation |
Context: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration sought help from the Wildlife Institute of India to address concern of invasive species
Invasive alien species (IAS):
- Defined by the Convention on Biodiversity– as species whose introduction and spread outside their natural distribution threaten biodiversity.
- IAS can include animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms.
- Characteristics of IAS include their ability to “arrive, survive, and thrive”
- Definition of IAS under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, focuses on species not native to India that may threaten wildlife or habitats.
- This definition may exclude species within India that are invasive in specific regions, such as the chital in the Andaman Islands.
Concerns:
- IAS disrupt food chains and upset ecosystem balance, dominating habitats where there is little competition.
- The economic impact of IAS globally amounts to over $423 billion annually
| Prelims Connect (Species in news)
·                Invasive species in India: Fish species like the African catfish, Nile tilapia, red-bellied piranha, and alligator gar. Invasive turtle species, such as the red-eared slider. +1 Advantage for mains (Examples) ·                In places like Keoladeo Park in Rajasthan, the African catfish preys on water fowls and migratory birds, disrupting local ecosystems. ·                The cotton mealy bug, native to North America, is another invasive species that has severely affected cotton crops in the Deccan region, leading to yield losses. |
