Lantana Camara

Lantana Camara : Recently, Lantana camara has been reported to infest nearly 3,25,282 hectares of forest land in Himachal Pradesh. Originally introduced as an ornamental plant, it now poses a serious threat to the region’s native biodiversity

• About Lantana Camara: An invasive alien species. Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. Introduced in India in the early 18th century as an ornamental plant.

  o Spread and Growth: A pantropical weed that spreads aggressively and forms a dense mesh of bushes, suppressing native vegetation. Gradually infesting higher elevations from lower regions.

  o Ecological Impact: Produces allelochemicals that inhibit the growth of other plant species under its canopy. Leads to homogeneous vegetation, replacing native flora.

  o Utilisation: Biomass can be used for furniture making, fuelwood, and handicrafts.

  ü Can be processed into organic compost and vermicompost, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers.

  ü Promoting economic use of Lantana can support control efforts while creating livelihood opportunities.