Uses of invasive alien plant species of chandaka-dampada wildlife sanctuary: a management implication
- Forestry Research and Engineering: International Journal
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S. Prusty,1
RK Mishra,2
AK Biswal3
Abstract
A reconnaissance survey was conducted on the uses and role of invasive alien species (IAS)
to local livelihoods in the Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) located in Khurdha and
cuttack district of Odisha, India. Vegetation of the sanctuary was sampled in 100 quadrates,
each having 20 m×20 m through a combination of random and systematic sampling. Group
discussions were also arranged with one hundred twenty local inhabitants (10 % of the
total inhabitants) to document the various uses of IAS. A total of 18 alien plant species
belonging to 8 different families, of which Asteraceae constitutes the highest number (7
species), include herb (5 species), shrub (1 species) and climber (1 species). The majority of
the identified species were found to be used for medicine, followed by human food, fodder,
insecticidal and ornamental purposes. It is true that the alien species have some negative
impacts on local ecosystems, and not all of them are harmful. Therefore, assessment and
careful documentation on utilization of invasive alien plant species of the sanctuary in
terms of economic and social benefit to the local community can provide a possible and
effective tool for management of IAS.
Keywords
Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), ecosystem, invasion, Invasive Alien Species (IAS), Management
