‘No birds, no wildlife’: Nithin Kamath’s case for native bushes in India’s rewilding efforts
As rewilding and land restoration acquire momentum throughout India, conservationists are flagging a vital however usually ignored issue: the selection of bushes being planted. Whereas large-scale plantation drives are steadily projected as local weather and biodiversity options, specialists warn that planting the mistaken species — particularly non-native bushes — can undermine ecological restoration.
Highlighting this concern, Zerodha Founder and CEO Nithin Kamath lately shared a private reflection on X, underscoring why native bushes are important for significant rewilding.
“After we talk about rewilding and land restoration, making certain that native bushes are used is equally vital,” Kamath wrote, admitting that he had unknowingly planted Conocarpus, a non-native species, at his residence practically a decade in the past. “No birds or animals have ever come to the tree,” he famous, pointing to the ecological disconnect such species create.
Kamath’s expertise mirrors a broader problem in India’s afforestation efforts, the place fast-growing, non-native species like eucalyptus, conocarpus and silver oak are sometimes favoured for comfort, aesthetics or fast inexperienced cowl. Nonetheless, ecologists argue that these bushes steadily fail to help native biodiversity and, in some circumstances, actively hurt ecosystems.
When inexperienced cowl isn’t sufficient
Native bushes co-evolved with native birds, bugs, mammals and microorganisms, forming complicated meals webs that maintain ecosystems. Non-native species, in contrast, usually act as ecological lifeless ends — offering little meals, shelter or nesting worth for native fauna.
Kamath noticed that regardless of years of progress, his Conocarpus bushes attracted no wildlife. “I additionally realised a lot later that these bushes aren’t good for people both. They trigger allergic reactions in many individuals,” he wrote, including that the choice to take away them now feels troublesome due to the time invested, even when it might be crucial.
Environmental researchers say this dilemma is frequent. As soon as planted at scale, non-native bushes are laborious to take away with out social or emotional resistance, even when scientific proof factors to long-term hurt.
Ecological & human prices
Past biodiversity loss, non-native bushes can pressure water sources, alter soil chemistry and enhance well being dangers. Eucalyptus, as an example, is understood for prime water consumption, whereas Conocarpus pollen has been linked to respiratory allergy symptoms in city areas.
“Planting bushes will not be the identical as restoring ecosystems,” says a conservation scientist conversant in restoration initiatives within the Western Ghats. “Rewilding is about bringing again pure processes, not simply greenery.”
Kamath echoed this sentiment, urging folks to intervene once they see non-native species being planted. “Subsequent time you see somebody planting eucalyptus, conocarpus, or related non-native species, make sure that to cease them,” he wrote.
Selecting the best tree
To bridge the data hole, Kamath highlighted Plantwise-India, a digital device developed by a gaggle of organisations together with the Nature Conservation Basis (NCF) and ERA, a Rainmatter-supported companion. The platform permits customers to enter their latitude and longitude to obtain suggestions on native plant species suited to their particular location.
At the moment operational within the Western Ghats, one of many world’s most important biodiversity hotspots, Plantwise-India goals to forestall well-intentioned however ecologically damaging planting selections. Kamath expressed hope that the device would develop nationwide, enabling folks throughout India to confirm what is actually native earlier than planting.
