The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and its line institutions actively identify and monitor Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS) across India's forest areas. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has prepared a dedicated album documenting 45 major invasive species, with these plants showing very dense to moderate-to-dense and scanty occurrence patterns in Reserved Forest Areas.
The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) has recently completed and submitted a comprehensive, state-wise inventory of potential invasive species spreading across both forest and non-forest areas to the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). This inventory will facilitate the preparation of a National Management Plan for Invasive Species.
Management and removal of invasive plant species, along with cultivation of indigenous plant species in Reserved Forests and other protected forest areas, is undertaken by respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. These actions are implemented in accordance with local requirements and the provisions of approved forest and wildlife management plans.
The Government promotes conservation, regeneration and enrichment of indigenous/native tree species through sustainable forest management practices. The National Forest Policy, 1988 envisages maintenance of environmental stability, restoration of ecological balance and increasing forest/tree cover through afforestation and regeneration using native/indigenous species. The National Working Plan Code, 2023 provides for ecosystem-based forest management, including invasive species management, restoration of degraded forest landscapes, soil and moisture conservation measures, watershed management, and preference for site-specific indigenous/native species in regeneration and restoration activities considering local ecological conditions.