Experts warn that without intervention, these species could permanently alter Telangana’s forests, making conservation efforts more challenging than ever.
Published Feb 24, 2025 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 24, 2025 | 12:00 PM
The invasive species of Telangana's forests.
Synopsis: Invasive plant species in forests are non-native plants that spread aggressively, outcompeting native flora and disrupting ecosystems. 8.83 percent of Telangana’s forests — over 2,120 sq km — are now dominated by invasive plant species. Experts warn that without intervention, these species could permanently alter Telangana’s forests, making conservation efforts more challenging than ever.
Telangana’s forests are changing but not in the way conservationists would hope. While forest cover remains stable, a growing threat lurks beneath the canopy — one that could alter ecosystems, disrupt wildlife, and even increase forest fires.
The India State of Forest Report 2023, released in December 2024, revealed a startling fact: 8.83 percent of Telangana’s forests — over 2,120 sq km — are now dominated by invasive plant species. These aggressive invaders disrupt natural ecosystems, hinder wildlife movement, and make forests more vulnerable to fire.
The India State of Forest Report 2023 examined the changes in India’s forests since 2021 and included each state, including Telangana.
The report classifies forests into four categories based on canopy density. A canopy is the cover of branches and foliage formed by the crown of trees. Canopy density refers to the percentage of area of land covered by the canopy of trees.
The four categories are Very Dense Forests (VDF), Moderately Dense Forests (MDF), Open Forests (OF), and scrubs. VDF refers to lands with forest cover having a canopy density of 70 percent and above. MDF refers to all lands with forest cover having a canopy density between 40 percent and 70 percent. OF encompasses lands with forest cover having a canopy density between 10 percent and 40 percent. Finally, scrubs encompass forest lands having a canopy density of less than 10 percent, generally with Shrubs interspersed with trees,
At 24,008.92 sq km, forests make up 21.42 percent of Telangana’s total 1,12,080 sq km. 6.7 percent of these forests are VDF, 37.1 percent are MDF, 44.38 percent are OF, and 11.7 percent are scrubs.
Breakdown of Telangana’s forest cover
Within Telangana, Bhadradri Kothagudem at 13.51 percent (2,861 sq km) and Mulugu at 12.74 percent (2,699 sq km) have the highest forest area. Meanwhile, Hyderabad at 0.08 percent (18.16 sq km) and Jogulamba Gadwal at 0.16 percent (34.12 sq km) have the least forest cover.
Additionally, the Southern dry mixed deciduous forest covers the most area at 14,273 sq km, constituting 59.31 percent.
On top of having the most forest cover, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Mulugu also recorded the most forest fires, at 2,600 and 2,597, respectively; together, both districts accounted for 38.5 percent of the total 13,479 forest fires in Telangana during 2023-24.
Invasive species cover 8.83% of Telangana’s forests
The report also reveals that nearly 8.83 percent (2,120.37 sq km) of the forest area in Telangana is covered by five major invasive species. These are: Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, Ageratum conyzoides, Cassia tora/ Senna tora, and Achyranthes aspera.
“An invasive species is like a foreign plant that comes to an ecosystem and takes over all the resources,” Forest College and Research Institute (FCRI) Deputy Conservator of Forests Madhava Rao explained to South First. He noted that the problem of invasive species is not just limited to Telangana.
“Today these species are wreaking havoc in the forests across the nation,” he added.
Lantana camara is one of the most notorious invasive species in forests. “They compete for resources, often taking away from the native species,” Rao explained.
This plant has spread across many regions in India and is the most widely spread invasive species in the forests of Telangana, covering 941 sq. km.
While competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight is a significant issue, the impact of Lantana camara extends beyond just outcompeting native flora. “This plant does not just compete for resources, it also threatens the wildlife,” he said.
One of the major dangers posed by Lantana is its contribution to forest fires. “During the summers, the Lantana on the ground spreads widely, increasing the risk of forest fires,” he said. Lantana’s dry, woody structure makes it highly flammable, posing a severe risk to forested regions, especially during peak summer months. As mentioned earlier, Telangana bore witness to 13,479 forest fires during 2023-24.
Another significant impact of Lantana is how it affects wildlife movement. “They also hinder wildlife movements, changing their paths. They block the ground, and sometimes the space between the trees,” Rao added.
Many animals, including large mammals, struggle to navigate dense Lantana thickets. These changes in movement patterns can affect predation, migration, and access to water sources, further damaging the ecosystem. “Such changes can deeply impact and damage the ecosystem. It hurts both plant and animal life,” he said.
The Amarabad Tiger Reserve faces a threat due to the uncontrolled spread of Lantana. “It is a major challenge in the Amarabad Tiger Reserve. We must address this challenge there to ensure the Tiger’s safety,” he added. Similar challenges exist in Bhadrachalam and Warangal, where Lantana has spread extensively, creating an ecological imbalance.
However, not all forests in Telangana face the same level of invasion. “The Kawal reserve is better off. The prevalence of teak trees in the location doesn’t allow for the growth of Lantana. Teak does not let most plants grow alongside it. While it has its own impact on an ecosystem, it’s less pronounced because it is a native species,” he said. Teak trees create a natural barrier against Lantana, preventing its spread and maintaining a more stable ecosystem.
The issue of invasive species like Lantana camara is a pressing concern for forest conservation. Addressing this challenge requires active intervention, including the removal and control of invasive plants to protect native biodiversity and ensure the well-being of wildlife.
Lantana, an invasive species, poses a persistent challenge due to its rapid spread and resilience. “It is tricky to uproot Lantana. You see, its roots spread quickly and don’t die easy,” explained Rao. The plant’s aggressive nature makes it difficult to control, and unfortunately, there is no mechanical process that can curb its spread.”To add to the challenge, uprooting Lantana from the roots is the only viable solution to curb the spread,” he added.
For the past five to six years, the Forest Department has actively worked on removing Lantana as per budgetary allocations. However, the initiative has come to a standstill over the last year, leading to concerns about unchecked growth.
“The monsoons are a crucial time to address the challenge. This is the time when the plant grows rapidly. It is also the time when uprooting is easiest thanks to a damp, soft ground,” Madhava stated. Ideally, the months of July and August provide the best window to tackle the infestation effectively.
Because mechanical methods are ineffective, the removal of Lantana must be done manually, requiring significant labour. “The uprooting has to be manual. It has to happen before they flower and seed. Sometimes, it takes four to five people to pull a plant out, depending on its size,” Rao said.
This emphasises the need for long-term planning and sustained efforts to prevent regrowth. While Lantana remains a major ecological concern, it is not the only invasive species affecting native biodiversity.
