PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Removal of Invasive Foreign Species in Reserved Forests - 10th August 2026 - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change - Gazette Notification PDF

Executive Summary This report details the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s (MoEFCC) initiatives to identify, monitor, and remove Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS) in Reserved Forests. As of August 10, 2026, the government has established frameworks for identifying 45 major invasive species and preparing a National Management Plan. Key actions involve State/UT-led removal efforts and the restoration of ecological balance using indigenous species under the National Working Plan Code, 2023.

Key Points / Main Content

• Identification and Monitoring Framework

  • The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has produced a specialized album identifying 45 major invasive species found in Reserved Forest Areas.
  • The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) has submitted a comprehensive, state-wise inventory of potential invasive species across forest and non-forest areas.
  • The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is using this inventory to facilitate the creation of the National Management Plan of Invasive Species.

• Operational Management and Removal

  • Responsibility for the removal of invasive plants and the cultivation of indigenous species lies with State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.
  • Activities must be conducted in accordance with local requirements and approved forest and wildlife management plans.
  • FSI data indicates that invasive plant occurrence in Reserved Forests ranges from scanty to very dense.

• Policy and Ecological Restoration

  • The National Forest Policy, 1988, mandates the maintenance of environmental stability and restoration of ecological balance through afforestation with native species.
  • The National Working Plan Code, 2023, provides for ecosystem-based management, including soil and moisture conservation and watershed management.
  • Restoration activities prioritize site-specific indigenous species to improve groundwater recharge, water retention, and overall ecosystem resilience.

Impact Analysis

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and Line Institutions (FSI, BSI) Impact These bodies are responsible for the high-level scientific identification and monitoring of invasive species across India. Action Required Maintain inventories, monitor species density, and provide the technical data necessary for national-level planning.

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) Impact The NBA serves as the coordinating body for national strategy development regarding invasive species. Action Required Utilize state-wise inventories provided by the BSI to facilitate the preparation of the National Management Plan of Invasive Species.

State Governments and Union Territory Administrations Impact These entities are the primary executors of forest management policies and are directly responsible for the health of local Reserved Forests. Action Required Undertake the physical removal of IAPS and implement cultivation programs for indigenous plant species following approved management plans and local ecological conditions.