Current Context:
In 2025, shifting global trade patterns, particularly in light of changing bilateral agreements and revived partnerships, are increasingly exposing India to the risk of invasive alien species (IAS). These species often enter through ornamental pet trade, biocontrol programs, contaminated cargo, and ballast water. The relaxed vigilance and lack of biosecurity checks in new or lesser-monitored trade corridors amplify this threat. With India being both a major importer and exporter of exotic species, the ecological and economic consequences of these invasions have become a matter of national environmental security.
Features of the News
1. Historical Example: Giant African Snail
- Introduced around 1847 via colonial trade, likely from East Africa.
- Rapid spread across Indian ecosystems, especially in humid climates like Bengal and the Western Ghats.
- Became India’s most persistent IAS: outcompeted native snails, damaged crops, altered soil systems, and became a parasite carrier (e.g., rat lungworm).
2. Trade Routes and Modern-Day Spread
- Rise in global trade has significantly contributed to species invasions.
- Trade pairs grew from 5,700 in 1948 to 34,000 by the early 2000s (76 to 186 countries).
- Trump-era tariffs triggered new trade alliances, reducing scrutiny and enhancing risk.
- Nations prioritizing diplomatic ties may skip rigorous inspection protocols, creating loopholes for species movement.
3. Common Pathways of Invasion
- Intentional introductions: For biocontrol (e.g., mosquitofish, cane toads) or food (e.g., Tilapia).
- Accidental introductions: Through trade in timber, vegetables, grains, or via ballast water and biofouling on ships.
- Example: Asian paddle crab reached New Zealand through shipping, carrying viruses harmful to native marine life.
4. India’s Role & Vulnerability
- India actively participates in ornamental and aquarium trade, importing species like guppies and angelfish.
- Lacks comprehensive data on stages of species establishment, making tracking difficult.
- Tilapia, introduced for food security, has now outcompeted native freshwater fish.
- The infamous Parthenium weed, introduced via U.S. wheat imports under PL-480 in 1955, has now spread nationwide.
5. Financial & Ecological Impacts
- A 2022 study estimated India lost $127.3 billion (₹830 crore) due to IAS in 60 years.
- Second-highest global loss after the U.S., though based on data from only 10 species out of 2,000+.
- Semi-aquatic IAS impose a higher cost than terrestrial ones (e.g., yellow fever mosquito affects both public health and economy).
6. Policy Gaps and Biosecurity Risks
- Few mandatory protocols exist for post-trade biological impact assessments.
- Many new trade alliances operate without early warning systems or real-time tracking.
- The lack of coordination between ministries, poor port monitoring, and climate change exacerbate the problem.
Explained
Expansion of Trade and Spread of IAS
- Since the 1800s, global trade and IAS increased in parallel.
- 20x increase in alien species entries by the early 19th century.
- India is both a source and destination for alien species via biocontrol, pet trade, food imports, and maritime cargo.
Documented IAS Impacts in India
- Giant African Snail: Present in most states, spreads rapidly, displaces native species.
- Parthenium hysterophorus: A toxic weed introduced through U.S. wheat, widespread now.
- Mosquitofish (Gambusia spp.) and Guppies: Outcompeting native fish in Indian waterbodies.
- Tilapia: Initially promoted for aquaculture, now a dominant invasive fish in many rivers.
Economic Losses and Data Gaps
- Only 3% of known IAS in India have their impacts properly documented.
- Most financial burden recorded is from aquatic or semi-aquatic IAS due to public health and infrastructure damage.
International Biosecurity Models
- Article proposes One Biosecurity, modeled on One Health.
- Suggests multi-agency, multi-sectoral coordination involving researchers, quarantine facilities, and climate risk assessments.
Conclusion
India must urgently adopt a One Biosecurity Framework, integrating strict quarantine protocols, early detection systems, and inter-ministerial collaboration. With freight transport expected to triple by 2050, increasing maritime and air cargo connectivity will enhance IAS survival and spread. Without robust enforcement and species-level tracking, the impact of today’s biological introductions will only be visible decades later, when reversal becomes near impossible.
