With reference to the ecological impact of invasive plant species in India, consider the following statements:
1. Prosopis juliflora was originally introduced in India to prevent desertification but has now become highly invasive in arid and semi-arid regions.
2. The spread of Lantana camara in tiger reserves increases the long-term carrying capacity of the habitat by providing highly nutritious fodder for native herbivores.
3. Tamil Nadu's PIPER initiative is India's first state policy aimed at the systematic eradication of invasive alien plants like Senna spectabilis.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question

Accepted Answer

C) 1 and 3 only — Statement 1 is correct; Prosopis juliflora was historically introduced to combat desertification and provide fuelwood. Statement 2 is incorrect; Lantana camara suppresses native vegetation and is unpalatable to herbivores, thereby depleting their food sources and reducing the habitat's long-term carrying capacity. Statement 3 is correct; Tamil Nadu launched the Policy for Invasive Plant Eradication and Restoration (PIPER) to tackle species like Senna spectabilis and Lantana.

Nature Sustainability Report on Invasive Plants

Birth Centenary of Five Indian Cinema Legends Commemorated