: ‘Paplio,’ a three-day nature study camp held on the Brahmagiri Hills under the North Wayanad Forest Division, stressed the need to take necessary steps to prevent the wild growth of invasive plants in the forests of the district.
The camp was organised by the University Union of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in association with the Forest Department .
The programme was aimed at sensitising veterinarians to the significance of conserving flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats.
K.V. Uthaman, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry Division, Wayanad, inaugurated the programme. Sudheesh Karingari, wildlife researcher, said medicinal plants in the forests of Wayanad attracted different species of butterflies as it acted as the host plant to them.
But wild growth of alien invasive plants such as Senna spectablis and parthinium had started to arrest the growth of host plants and it would adversely affect the butterfly population. He explained the wide distribution of the alien plants and its environmental and social impacts on the wild habitats.
Mohan Babu, environmentalist, and C.K. Vishnudas, ornithologist, handled classes on the significance of conserving forest and bird population in the State respectively. A trek to the Brahmagiri hills was a major attraction of the camp.
As many as 40 students from various campuses of the university attended the programme.
