The spread of invasive plant species has incrementally degraded the natural habitats and feeding grounds of wild animals, causing a worrying fall in the elephant and tiger populations in Kerala.
Ecologically sensitive marshy wetlands that sustain mega herbivores and predators are most at risk. Such circumstances have aggravated human-animal conflicts, a study conducted by the Forest department has flagged.
Recommending steps to conserve elephant population in its wildlife census report submitted to the government, the department has highlighted how the ecological perturbations caused by biological invasions by alien plants affect the survival of local species, damage soil quality and impact groundwater availability. It also indirectly affects animals by intruding the food chain.
