14 invasive plants behind grassland loss in one of India’s first tiger reserves
Manas Tiger Reserve in India has lost over 43% of its grassland cover since 1990 due to the spread of 14 invasive plant species. This habitat degradation threatens the survival of endangered species like the Indian rhinoceros, pygmy hog, and hispid hare.
Why it matters
The loss of critical grassland ecosystems in protected tiger reserves highlights the intersection of ecological management, invasive species control, and wildlife conservation.
Over 30 years, 14 invasive plant species have been a major factor behind one of India’s first tiger reserves losing more than 43% of its grassland cover, crucial for the survival of the Indian rhinoceros and other rare animals, including the pygmy hog and the hispid hare.
Data provided by the Forest Department in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) have revealed that the grassland cover in the 2,837.31 sq. km Manas Tiger Reserve declined from 53.61% in 1990 to 30.24% in 2019. The relative loss and absolute reduction in grassland area work out to 43.59% and 23.37%, respectively.
The tiger reserve is contiguous with the 1,057 sq km Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan, which ranges in elevation from 80 m above sea level to 2,707 m.
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