NEWS

The forest department has intensified its efforts to eradicate invasive plant species that pose a threat to native varieties and the natural ecosystem of protected areas such as wildlife and bird sanctuaries as well as elephant and tiger reserves. Officials said they are removing alien species like lantana camara complex, prosopis juliflora, a kind of mesquite native to Mexico and South America, and wattle (Acacia) and will then take steps to improve critical habitat. The Rs 7.5 crore project will cover an estimated 3,000 hectares of the total protected area of 6,078sqkm, or roughly 29% of the state's total forest area. Protected areas in Tamil Nadu are split into 15 forest divisions.

Read more:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/environment/flora-fauna/foresters-step-up-chop-down-of-invasive-plant-types-in-tn/articleshow/45801895.cms