News: A pilot project has been initiated at Pothupara, Kerala, where the members of the Kadar tribe are taking up restoration of natural forests degraded by invasive alien species.
1. Kadar Tribe: It is an indigenous tribal community in South India, predominantly inhabiting the forests of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
2. They are categorised as a Particular Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) by the Government of India.
3. They are nomadic and rely on hunting, gathering and shifting cultivations for their livelihood.
4. They share a deep bond with nature and are known for their traditional medicinal knowledge.
5. Invasive Alien Species: They are non-native animals, plants or other organisms that, once introduced to a new environment, can disrupt local ecosystems and pose threats to native biodiversity, human health and economic activities.
6. Common examples of invasive species are Latana Camara, Prosopis Juliflora, Water Hyacinth etc.
7. Factors like globalisation, climate change, lack of natural predators, habitat destruction has led to the spread of invasive alien species.
