By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
A fast growing invasive plant, spreading through country’s wet zone, has become a severe threat to the eco system, a study has revealed.
Sajeewa Chamikara of the Environment Conservation Trust (ECT) said that one such plant was known as Koster’s Curse with the scientific name Clidemia hirta. It was also known as ‘Katakalu Bovitiya, ‘Boo Bovitiya’ and ‘Kaka Bovitiya’.
‘Boo Bovitiya’ is an invasive shrub native to the South America, belonging to Melastomataceae family and it is one of the world’s worst alien invasive plants and is among the world’s ten dangerous plants.
Introduced probably as an ornamental plant and naturalized in several tropical countries, including Sri Lanka, It would have been introduced to the country in 1984.
Chamikara said that the Propagation is mainly due to the seeds spread by birds and it grows like a bush blocking sunlight from other plants below it.
"It has begun to spread like wildfire in Sri Lanka and also threatens wildlife like elephants" Chamikara said.
He mentioned that so far Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya have been identified as the districts where ‘Boo Bovitiya’ has been spreading at an alarming rate. It has already invaded the Sinharaja Forest, Adam’s Peak and the Knuckles Range.
Chamikara stressed that the duty of destroying and controlling the spread of ‘Boo Bovitiya’ is in the hands of the Forest Department and the Department of Wildlife Conversation (DWLC).
"It is very important to educate villagers that this dangerous plant needs to be eliminated. It is easy to uproot and should be burnt," he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Conservator of the Forest Department A. Sathurusinghe said that a number of invasive plants, which could harm the eco system had been identified and more awareness programmes would be launched from next year.
"A project proposal on eradicating invasive species from our country has already been completed and we will be looking for funding for the project. We hope to be able to start it next year." Sathurusinghe added.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=38195
Threat by invasive plant
Disna MUDALIGE
One of the world's worst alien invasive plants known as Boo Bovitiya (Koster's Curse) which resembles local bovitiya varieties, has been fast invading the country's wet land, recent studies conducted by a team of environmentalists of the Environment Trust Fund (ETF) have revealed.
Boo Bovitiya
ETF Director, Sajeewa Chamikara pointed out that this plant has been called in numerous local names such as Kata Kalu Bovitiya, Rubber Bovitiya, Nylon Bovitiya, Kaak Bovitiya and Boo Bovitiya due to its widespread over the wet land. This species scientifically named as 'Clidemia hirta' is among the first 100 of the world's most dangerous invasive species.
It has become a threat to the spread of indigenous plant species and understorey layer of forests. The thin cover of this species covers the sun light that falls on the other understorey plant varieties. Chamikara stressed the need of immediate intervention of the authorities to remove this plant considering the threat it has posed to natural eco-systems.
It is believed that this plant was introduced to the country as an ornamental plant during 1890s. Studies have confirmed that this plant has been spreading fast in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya districts.
Chamikara said that dense shrubs of this species can be observed in the Sinharaja rain forest and Sri Pada forest reserve. In addition, it can be profoundly observed in many wetland forests. It spreads fast in forest gaps, cleared due to various reasons such as cultivation, construction of roads and other tourism and development projects. It has spread as a thick cover in many lanes in Attalamettuwa forest area which belongs to the Knuckles forest reserve.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/11/02/news41.asp
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