Three day National Workshop on 'Invasive Species - 

Monitoring and Management'

 Funded by Department of Environment and Climate Change, Govt. of Keralam

 Organized by Department of Zoology

 Dates: 14^th, 16^th and 19^th February, 2024

Invasive species pose a significant threat to ecosystems worldwide, often outcompeting native species and disrupting natural habitats. Recognizing the critical need to address this issue, the Department of Zoology organized a three-day workshop on ‘Invasive Species: Monitoring and Management.’ This workshop, funded by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, monitor, and effectively manage invasive species in their respective regions.

One of the key highlights of the workshop was the emphasis on practical learning. Participants were given the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, conducting field surveys to identify invasive species, assess their impact, and develop management strategies tailored to specific environments. Moreover, the workshop served as a platform for networking and collaboration among participants from diverse backgrounds. This interdisciplinary approach fostered the exchange of ideas and best practices, paving the way for future collaborations in invasive species management.

The workshop was formally inaugurated by Dr. K.G. Padma Kumar, Director, International Research and Training Centre for Below Sea level Farming, Kuttanad, Alappuzha district. The inaugural function was presided over by the Principal of TKMM College, Dr. P.P. Sharmila. The event began with a prayer song chanted by student of III B.Sc, student, Ms. Rajalekshmi R. It was followed by welcome speech by the Coordinator of the Workshop and Head, Department of Zoology, Associate professor Dr. Sheela S.

After presidential address by the Principal, the programme was felicitated by Sri. Ashoka Panicker, Convener of RDC, College Management. Thereafter, an absorbing Keynote Address was delivered by Dr. K.G. Padma Kumar where the well- known agricultural scientist unleashed significant memories of his career for the benefit of student folks. Environmental issues like Spirulina bloom in temple ponds, undesirable population of the BGM Microcystis in Kuttanad, effect of Salvinia and Cabomba in BoD of our public water bodies etc were detailed.

In the absence of Dr. Jasmine Anand, Assistant Professor of Zoology, who was supposed to convey vote of thanks, Dr. Vinod Haridas, Associate Professor and Head, department of Botany thanked the inaugural session. After a short tea break, where oil free indigenous snacks were distributed, first technical session by Dr. G. Nagendra Prabhu, Head, PG Department of Zoology and Research Centre, S.D. College, Alappuzha, began at 11.30 AM.

Dr. Prabhu elaborated umpteen ways to tackle the most disturbing and invasive water weed, Eichhornia crassipes. He had brought with him samples of organic products made of processed water hyacinth of which wedding cards, art works, brickets, dye extracted from its blooms etc are a few to name. The session was a classical example of dealing positively with an undesirable invasive menace that chokes our water bodies.

After lunch, students were taken to a neighbouring abandoned piece of land now owned by NTPC where the next resource person, Dr. Jose Mathew, a young and dynamic taxonomist and Assistant Professor of Botany from S.D. College Alappuzha, gave hands on training to student participants in identification of invasive plant species. In order to tackle the scorching sun, delegates were provided with vehicle conveyance, snacks and water. Eleven plant species of invasive nature like Chromolaena odorata (Communist Pacha), Mikania micrantha (Dritharashtra pacha), Pistia stratiotes (Mutta payal), Lantana camara (Arippoochedi), Urena lobata (Uram uthiram) etc were found to dwindle and sideline indigenous ones viz, Persea macrantha (Kulamaav), Scoparia dulcis (Kallurukki), Abutilon hirtum (Oorpam) etc.

Owing to the traditional local temple festival ‘Kumbha Bharani’ which falls on 15th , second day of workshop was held on 16.2.’24. The day began at 7 AM, in the college campus with a bird count attempt piloted by Sri. Aswin and Dr. Sheela, where 21 bird species were observed and identified. Breakfast that included ‘Ila ada’ (Steam baked banana leaf wrapped traditional delicacy) was supplied to attendees. Further morning session was spent at ‘Pakrithi Jaiva Kalavara’, a hundred percent organic vegetable cum animal farm nurtured with an aesthetic sense by a diligent, eco-minded young couple Vani and Vijith. Here, we concentrated on invasive and exotic plant species which compete with crop plants in agricultural property. This landscape located in the very heart of Haripad township offer a unique and pleasant experience to visitors who are served with homemade natural eatables including fresh and processed fruits. Invasive species like Pueraria phaseoloides (Thotta payar), Alternanthera sessilis (Kozhuppa/ Ponnankanni), Alternanthera amoena (Kaattu ponnankanni), Ageratum conyzoides (Appa) etc were found in abundance. The back and front yards of this household is richly shaded with varied forest trees that endow the ambience with a cool microclimate amid the blazing surroundings elsewhere in the temple town.

Followed by lunch, afternoon class of this National Workshop on 16^th February was led by Sri. Anu Radhakrishnan,Wetland expert at National Mission for Clean Ganga, Ministry of Jal Shakthi, NEW DELHI. Govt. of India. He spoke on the very relevant topic,’ Solutions for Monitoring and managing Invasive species in Wetlands as well as in allied landscapes’. With this absorbing discourse, the second day was curtained, leaving lots of relevant information in the scribbling pad provided to delegates. 

Third and final day came after a weekend on 19.2.2024, and began with an in-house session by Dr. Radhakrishnan, Assistant Professor at School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. He delivered a talk on the impact of microbes on aggressive nature of invasive plants.

Towards the afternoon, another field study was done in discrete spots of the college campus which was guided by eminent taxonomist Dr. Kiranraj M.S, Assistant Professor of Botany, S.N. College, Kollam. He is a consultant and an expert in identification of Monocots of Western Ghats. Once again, burning sun was ignored when the scientist got the audience engaged in identifying as much as 21 invasive weeds including Calapogonium mucunoides (Valiya thottapayar), Centrosema molle (Cheru thottapayar), Ipomea triloba (chutti thiruthali), Panicum repens (Torpedo grass), Pennisetum polystachion (Poochavaalan pullu), Merremia tridentata (Prasarini / loud speaker) etc.

The whole programme strictly adhered to green protocol which was apparently evident in the following gestures:

1.      All the welcome bouquets presented to resource persons were made of banana heart  wrapped in amaranthus as rosette tied with jute fibre.

2.      The workshop ID card was made frompalm leaves sheath.

3. Disposable glasses were totally avoided for serving tea and was replaced with steel glasses.

4. Tea/water costers were prepared from plantain leaf cut to size with midrib as weight                 support

5. Programme display banners were made of cloth to avoid vinyl flex.

6. Snacks provided were oil free and steam baked.

7. Dust bin was spun out of Reed bamboo strips.

Nearly 200 participants from within and neighbouring colleges learnt methods of management and stage wise eradication of invasive herbs to protect the diminishing native medicinal plants under supervision of invited apposite resource persons with proven expertise in the relevant fields. We at the department of Zoology and Botany, T.K. Madhava Memorial College, are grateful to the DoECC, Government of Keralam, for providing funds towards the successful completion of the three day National event. The student participants of the department deserve whole hearted appreciation for making this venture a grand success.

Outcome:

The workshop aimed to tackle the issue of adamant invasive weeds, primarily exotic species. Field observations revealed that approximately 80% of herbs on campus and nearby abandoned lands belonged to this category. Through direct analysis in the natural environment, students were initiated to devise plans and projects to eradicate these invasive species gradually and monitor their future growth.

Furthermore, a book titled "A Compendium on Non-native Organisms of India" is currently in press, which will likely provide valuable insights into identifying and managing invasive species in the country.