Why in news?
Kerala’s forest department has removed vast stands of invasive wattle trees from Pampadum Shola National Park, allowing native shola grasslands to return. The effort, which followed a major fire in 2015, is part of a broader drive to revive the unique shola‑grassland ecosystem of the Southern Western Ghats.
Background
Pampadum Shola National Park is a high‑altitude protected area in Idukki district of Kerala. Spread over about 12 square kilometres at elevations between 1,600 and 2,400 metres, it forms part of the Anamalai–Palani hill ranges in the Western Ghats. The park experiences heavy rainfall and is covered by evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with shola grasslands. Declared a national park in 2003, Pampadum Shola is home to elephants, gaurs, leopards, rare butterflies and endemic plants. Shola grasslands act as natural sponges, storing water and releasing it slowly into streams, thereby sustaining rivers and local communities.
Restoration efforts
- Invasion of wattles: In the mid‑20th century, fast‑growing black wattle and eucalyptus trees were planted across the Western Ghats to supply fuelwood and tannin. These exotics out‑competed native grasses and shrubs, reducing grazing grounds and altering water flows.
- Fire as a catalyst: A major fire in 2015 burnt large tracts of wattle plantations in Pampadum Shola. Foresters used this opportunity to remove the burnt wattles and gradually cleared about 475 hectares of invasive trees.
- Recovery of grasslands: Once the wattles were removed, native grasses and herbs regenerated naturally. Streams that had dried up due to the dense canopy began to flow again, benefiting wildlife and downstream villages.
- Policy shift: Kerala adopted an eco‑restoration policy favouring the removal of exotic plantations and the re‑establishment of native vegetation. The Pampadum Shola project is considered a model for de‑plantation ecology.
Significance
- Protecting water sources: Shola grasslands capture mist and rainfall, replenishing groundwater and feeding perennial streams that support agriculture and drinking water supplies.
- Conserving endemic species: The restoration provides habitat for rare plants, butterflies and birds found only in the Western Ghats.
- Community involvement: Local people and forest watchers participated in removing wattles and monitoring regrowth, linking conservation with livelihoods.
Conclusion
The revival of Pampadum Shola’s grasslands demonstrates how removing invasive species can restore ecological balance. As other protected areas in the Western Ghats adopt similar measures, the region’s biodiversity and water security stand to benefit.
Source: Down To Earth