Thu Oct 09 00:00:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:
**Summary:**
An article discusses the growing concern among conservation scientists in India regarding invasive alien species and their devastating impact on local biodiversity, ecosystems, and even human-animal conflict. With approximately 139 invasive alien species already in India, the article highlights examples like water hyacinth, Lantana camara, and Prosopis juliflora. It stresses the lack of comprehensive documentation and research on these species’ impact. Scientists are debating whether to thoroughly document all impacts before formulating conservation plans, or to proceed with conservation efforts concurrently while drawing on international research. A standardized methodology to map these impacts is proposed and Citizen Science and consultation with all relevant stakeholders is recommended.
**News Article:**
**India Battles “Stealth Invaders” as Alien Species Threaten Biodiversity**
**NEW DELHI, October 9, 2025** – Conservation scientists in India are raising alarms over the growing threat posed by invasive alien species, warning that these “stealth invaders” are wreaking havoc on local biodiversity and dramatically altering landscapes.
According to a report published today, India is currently grappling with an estimated 139 invasive alien species, with more being introduced each year. These non-native plants and animals, often introduced accidentally or intentionally for purposes such as ornamental landscaping or soil remediation, are rapidly outcompeting native species, disrupting ecosystems, and even exacerbating human-animal conflict.
“We’re seeing a silent takeover,” explains Ankila Hiremath of the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Bengaluru. She cites *Lantana camara*, a colorful shrub introduced during British colonial rule, as a prime example. Now, it hinders efforts to conserve elephants and other large herbivores, pushing animals to adapt and venture into areas of human habitation..
Similar problems are evident in Aquatic ecosystems that is threatened by the water hyacinth, *Prosopis juliflora*, introduced to the Banni grassland in Gujarat to combat soil salinization, has now overtaken vast swathes of land, disrupting local wildlife and traditional pastoralist practices.
Rajeev Raghavan, a scientist at the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, notes that aquatic ecosystems are under enormous strain. “Alien species are a major threat for 1,070 species of threatened freshwater fishes,” he stated. India alone has 626 alien aquatic species.
One of the key challenges facing conservationists is the lack of comprehensive documentation and research on the full extent of the impact caused by these invasive species. This has led to a debate among experts: Should they wait for complete documentation before implementing conservation plans, or should they proceed with conservation efforts while simultaneously conducting further research?
Alok Bang, assistant professor at Azim Premji University, argues for a parallel approach. “Waiting to document everything would be unwise because there is no end to doing site-specific documentation, and we may not have the resources to do these studies.” He advocates for standardized methods to map the effects of invasive species on ecosystems and for learning from international examples.
Bang also emphasized the need for scientists to engage with diverse stakeholders and citizen science efforts to create atlases of invasive species distribution.
Experts urge a proactive and collaborative approach to combat the growing threat of invasive species, ensuring the preservation of India’s rich biodiversity for future generations.
First Piper 