In a significant conservation milestone, a Red Wattled Lapwing has been spotted nesting in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, an area recently cleared of the invasive Lantana camara. This development is a testament to the ongoing efforts to restore the biodiversity of this critical habitat.
Lantana camara, a pervasive invasive species, has long been recognized for its detrimental impact on forests globally. Its aggressive spread chokes out native vegetation, leading to a decrease in forest diversity. This loss of native plants adversely affects all wildlife, including birds, by disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem.
IAS officer Supriya Sahu shared the video on the social media platform X. Ms. Sahu wrote, “We have cleared Lantana in about 3300 hectares from forest areas, though it is a long battle against its fast spread.”
A beautiful Red Wattled Lapwing is nesting in Mudumalai which has been cleared from the invasion of Lantana camara. Lantana is an invasive species destroying forests across the globe. Lantana impacts all wildlife including birds as it decreases forest diversity adversely… pic.twitter.com/jXgk9mq8lk
— Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) May 27, 2024
The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is home to a diverse array of wildlife, and the removal of Lantana is expected to benefit numerous other species as well.
