The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has constituted an expert committee on invasive alien species (IAS) following directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), to address growing ecological and socio-economic risks across the country.
The move comes after a suo motu case (O.A. No. 162/2023) in which the NGT flagged serious threats posed by invasive species to biodiversity, agriculture, and public health.
Rising Threat to Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Invasive alien species are increasingly impacting:
- Native biodiversity and ecosystems
- Agriculture and food security
- Human and wildlife health
The initiative is also backed by advisory from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Committee Formed Under Biological Diversity Act
The committee has been set up under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (as amended in 2023) and will provide strategic and scientific guidance on managing invasive species.
Key Responsibilities of the Expert Panel
The committee will:
- Prepare a national list of invasive alien species
- Identify and prioritise high-risk species
- Recommend science-based management strategies
- Develop guidelines for prevention, control and eradication
- Suggest ecological restoration measures
It will also:
- Document best practices
- Identify knowledge gaps
- Propose research and data-driven policy frameworks
Panel Led by Top Environmental Experts
The committee will be chaired by Dhananjai Mohan, former PCCF and Head of Forest Force, Uttarakhand.
Professor A. Biju Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, will serve as Co-Chair.
Members include experts and officials from:
- Zoological Survey of India
- Botanical Survey of India
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education
- Wildlife Institute of India
- Forest Survey of India
- State Forest Departments
- International organisations like International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Towards a National Strategy on Invasive Species
The formation of the committee marks a significant step towards developing a coordinated national strategy to tackle invasive species, strengthen conservation efforts, and protect India’s biodiversity.
