New Delhi : In a significant move to safeguard India’s ecological security, the National Biodiversity Authority has constituted a high-level Expert Committee to tackle the growing threat of invasive alien species across the country.
The decision comes in response to directions issued by the National Green Tribunal during suo motu proceedings, which flagged the serious risks posed by such species to native biodiversity, ecosystems, agriculture, food security, and both human and wildlife health. The initiative was further reinforced by advisory support from the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change.
Exercising its mandate under the Biological Diversity Act 2002 (amended in 2023), the Authority has formed a multidisciplinary panel tasked with developing a comprehensive national strategy. The committee will prepare a consolidated, state-wise inventory of invasive alien species, prioritise high-risk threats, and recommend science-based measures for prevention, control, and eradication.
Beyond identification and mitigation, the panel will also focus on ecological restoration frameworks, development of national guidelines, and documentation of best practices. It aims to bridge critical knowledge gaps by proposing research initiatives and strengthening data systems to support long-term policy and management responses.
The committee is chaired by Dhananjai Mohan, former PCCF and Head of Forest Force, Uttarakhand, with A. Biju Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, serving as Co-Chair. It brings together a wide spectrum of expertise, including representatives from premier institutions such as the Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Wildlife Institute of India, and Forest Survey of India, along with State Forest Departments and international organisations like International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Reflecting a whole-of-government and science-driven approach, the panel integrates expertise from ecology, forestry, agriculture, fisheries, and marine sciences, ensuring a coordinated national response.
The committee, which will function for two years, is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s biodiversity conservation efforts, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and advancing the country’s national and global environmental commitments.