Take a drive around Vizag and you will know why it has been among the top cleanest cities of the country. The ‘green drive’ taken up by the AP Urban Greening and Beautification Corporation has further enhanced the beauty of the city. There is a shade of green at every little corner of the road. Roadside avenues or the central median of the roads — pleasant verdant hues greet the eyes. But these beautiful green carpets mask the debate on their suitability for a city like Vizag. For a new breed of environmental activists argues that some of the species planted in the city may not have been the best choice.
The group Mana Harita Vizag was formed with an aim to spread awareness on growing native plant species and the long-term implications of non-native, exotic and invasive species on the local ecology. Initiated by Delhi-based activist-environmentalist Padmavati Dwivedi, the group has 42 members from various walks of life who have joined hands to create a ‘green’ environment and protect native plant species.
Ecological benefits
Among the latest varieties of plant species planted along roadside avenues and central medians are the ornamental varieties of Conocarpus erectus and Terminalia mentaly.
Environmentalists say that these species, being exotic, do little to support the local ecosystem where the resident bird population is already decreasing. “At a time when we are losing lakhs of acres of native vegetation to urbanization, it is important to carefully plan greening with native plants to maximise the ecological benefits than just go after numbers. By planting native trees, you are planting species that are already adapted to the environment; they don’t need any extra water or nutrients. If you plant exotic species, it may look nice to the eyes but vast amounts of water are needed for it to flourish,” says Padmavati.
Hailing from Vizag, Padmavati wanted to replicate the efforts taken in Delhi to support native plant species and bring together like-minded individuals to work for a common cause. “Appreciation and respecting nature are important aspects of our group’s activities. I am fortunate to have some wonderful residents of Vizag who have come on to this group and I already see interest and awareness spreading within the group members,” she says.
Popularly known as the ‘tree census lady’ in the Capital, Padmavati had organised Delhi’s first tree census in her neighbourhood in 2011. Over the years, she has come to be known for her work in motivating people to protect the trees in their neighbourhoods. Her organisation Compassionate Living also conducts tree walks with veteran tree experts in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature.
According to environmentalists, bird orientated tree species are given less importance in tree plantation drives in the city. “For example, planting of Terminalia mentally, which is exotic and it won’t benefit bird or other animals except giving a nice look. Its counterpart T. bellarica (badam) is not only fast growing, buit also animal friendly,” says Lohitasyudu, Director, AP State Forestry Academy, Rajamahendravaram. The debate between ornamentation and ecology has been a raging subject across major cities. Padmavati recommends some of her favourite native species which include Memecylon edule, Polyalthia cerasoides, Bauhinia racemosa and Gardenia latifolia for plantation in the city.
Several members of Mana Harita Vizag have already been propagating the need to grow native plant species by taking up plantation by seed balls. Young ‘green’ warriors recently learnt the techniques of making and planting seed balls in workshops conducted by Green Environment Service Society and Paryavarana Margadarsi Vaisakhi.
Santosh Chowdary, conservationist at Fishing Cat Conservancy and a team member of Mana Harita Vizag, says that it takes about 125 years for landscape and ecology to adapt to the changes. “Any change in local flora has a direct impact on the native fauna species. It is observed that change in flora leads to behavioural changes among the animal, bird and insect species as well. Hence, it is necessary to protect and plant native plant species instead of exotic ones,” he says.
Invasive species
Numerous examples can be stated where large-scale plantation of invasive plant species has led to catastrophic results. The notorious impact of the plant species of Prosopis juliflora on the environment is well-known. A native to the South and Central America and the Caribbean, this evergreen species was once touted as a saviour of the drought-prone areas in Tamil Nadu. But thanks to its invasive nature, the species soon spread to other districts due to its inbuilt mechanism to overcome adverse conditions. Scientists have pointed out that Prosopis juliflora’s alarming speed of invasion has killed off other native flora. “Even Delhi had faced a serious issue due to the proliferation of this species leading to hindrance in the survival of other native trees. Widespread plantation of any variety may be hazardous for ,” says Padmavati.
