Wetland restoration initiative launched in the Nilgiris
Initiative aims to address critical ecological degradation by removing invasive plant species choking wetland habitat
A wetland restoration initiative was started in Wellington, Nilgiris, recently. The project, led by Arulagam, an NGO, Upstream Ecology Foundation, MRC-Wellington, and State Street Foundation volunteers, aims to combat ecological degradation caused by invasive plant species. S. Bharathidasan, Arulagam's secretary, explained that the initiative plans to eradicate invasive plants like Silybum marianum, or Milk Thistle, and Alternanthera philoxeroides, or Alligator Weed, and reintroduce native Nilgiris flora.
Upstream Ecology Foundation identified lesser-known invasive species in the area which threaten the region's hydrology. The restoration project was inaugurated on Independence Day by Brigadier Krishnendu Das, Tanushree Das, and Major K. Deepak. Bharathidasan emphasized the project's goal of rehabilitating natural habitats to strengthen local ecological balance and ensure a sustainable environment for native species.
Vasanth Bosco, a restoration ecologist from Upstream Ecology Foundation, highlighted wetlands' role in carbon sequestration and climate resilience.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
