ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT – THE ROLE OF PERILIOUS EXOTIC WEED, PROSOPISJULIFERA ON THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF COIMBATORE DISTRICT

Abstract

Prosopisjuliflorawas originally introduced in India around 1877 to check the encroaching desert sands and as a tool in the country's regreening efforts. More seeds were brought over in 1878 from Kew in England. In 1879, it was introduced in Sholapur and Punjab. In 1950's, under a scheme to check little Rann desert from spreading, about 3000 acres of Prosopis were planted annually on the edges of Rann. These plants easily spread from the seeds through animal dropping. The pods are capable of surviving for a long time. In a Coimbatore district, the plant was introduced in 1960's. A hot dry climate, mild winter, low rainfall and clean atmosphere are the conditions said to suit it best which incidentally Coimbatore provides, The plant is strongly xerophilous and is considered a pioneer in dry and degraded grasslands. The plant has as average annual growth rate of 3-5 m. Climatic vagaries have little effect on this unusually hardy species. An apparently withered plant revives dramatically with the first few showers of rain. Moreover, it seems to flourish even in those areas where other plants can hardly survive. An open patch planted over with Prosopis sapling turn into a dense thicket within a short-span of 3-4 years. Under an ecological impact assessment program we have recorded that wherever Prosopis thrives luxuriantly, the Acacia is pushed to the back Habitat destruction of Prosopis is alarming. Development of cysts in their stomach walls. Due to wild growth of Prosopis many indigenous birds like Indian Bustard, Falcon, Vulture, Florican, Stork Black tit, Wolf and Desert fox are rapidly divindling. In Coimbatore district, the Indian fox, Hoopoe, Green whip snake, Eagle, Kocl, Chameleon, Owl, Pangolin, Ground dwelling birds and a number of economically useful plants are severally threatened. Since the weed absorbs large quantities of water, many ponds, lakes and streams are virtually disappearing. It is also a menace to crop plants. Though it yields cheap firewood to the country people, its negative impact far outweighs its usefulness.