Exotic plant species a threat to Seshachalam biosphere

xotic plant species brought from abroad and planted in the Seshachalam biosphere reserve as part of the special afforestation drive were frequently causing forest fires, thereby posing threat to the ecosystem as also the Tirumala enclosure, a senior forest official has said.

The official, who did not wish to be named, told The Hindu that for the last decade, forest fires had been occurring frequently because of exotic plantations. Explaining the reasons for forest fires, the official said the exotic species were of short rotation, and that they attained quick maturity. “Once they become dry, the combustible load increases. It is like adding petrol to fire,” he quipped.

The afforestation drive began in 1980 and continued till 2005 through block plantations. Pointing out that the exotic species were planted near the Tirumala enclosure, the official said around 25 per cent trees of the exotic variety had already been dead in 1,300 hectares.

He expressed concern that exotic species like Australian Acacia or Acacia Auriculiformis produced seeds profusely and spread them through the aerial mode. As a result, the native, indigenous species like red sanders, shorea and syzigium are affected.

The other exotic species include eucalyptus and pinus. “They are virtually damaging our native species, especially the most critically-endangered ones like Cycas Beddomei, one of the six critically endangered species in the world,” the official said.

There are eight such endangered species in the Seshachalam biosphere reserve.

“Unless we take measures to remove and replace the exotic plantations with native species, it will have a negative impact on the local biodiversity, apart from causing forest fires,” he cautioned.

The official suggested that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) authorities should think of buying a helicopter, as it would serve the objectives of taking up of aerial seeding and dousing forest fires. He said the TTD enclosure had an area of 2,500 acres, and that the TTD’s forest wing, which was mandated to improve greenery, had begun afforestation measures. In addition to the TTD enclosure, the exotic species are also planted in the reserve forest area. With the Forest Department taking up the issue with the TTD forest wing, plans are afoot to replace exotic plants with native species.

Unless we take measures to remove and replace exotic plantations with native species, it will have a negative impact on the local biodiversity, apart from causing forest fires