- IMPHAL — Scientists
and researchers in Manipur have detected nearly 150 non-native species in the
state. The said species included 127 plant species, 18 fish species and around
4 insect species.
- This came to light during the 3rd roundtable discussion on
invasive alien species and climate change at the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR), Manipur centre complex, in Imphal recently.
- “Introduction of non-native fish species for aquaculture in
the state in 1960 has now posed threat to the local species,” claimed Dr.
Yumnam Lokeshwor, a Zoology teacher at DM University, while making a
presentation during the discussion.
Also read: Centre to set up 4 integrated aquaparks in northeast to boost fish production
- “The global climate change has also become a major challenge
to aquatic diversity as well,” he said.
- So far, 18 fish species were introduced in the state of
Manipur which houses around 218 fish species under 92 generas, 32 families and
11 orders, added Dr. Lokeshwor, who has so far discovered around 10 new fish
species in northeast India.
- Impact of global warming and climate change is inevitable to
the entire living organism on this planet earth. Even fish can’t escape from
it, he further stated.
- On the other hand, Prof. Potsangbam Kumar of Manipur
International University informed that a total of 127 invasive plant species
were recorded during a survey work to study the alien and invasive flora in
valley districts of Manipur from 2011 to 2014 and 2021 to 2024.
- Out of the total species recorded, 41 species are invasive
herb, 35 belonging to shrub, 37 species of invasive trees, 10 species of
invasive vine and 4 species of invasive Pteridophytes respectively, Prof. Kumar
said.
