In a triumph over adversity, residents of Manikpur Raiyat village in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, are celebrating the reclamation of their lands from the invasive lantana weed. Nirmala Marawi, a 55-year-old farmer, shared her joy as she harvested kutki, a little millet, from her once-fallow 2.8-hectare field. The success story is a testament to the community's resilience and efforts in combating one of the world's ten worst invasive species.

The lantana weed, introduced to India by the British in the 1800s, had spread across 574,186 square kilometers, covering 50 percent of the country's natural areas, as highlighted in an October 2023 study in the Journal of Applied Ecology. The invasive plant had not only affected agriculture and biodiversity but also limited access to non-timber forest produces for tribal communities.

Since 2012, the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) has been instrumental in supporting Mandla's villagers, providing technical and financial aid to eradicate lantana. The process involved clearing patches of land, cutting down shrubs, extracting deep roots, and drying the stems. Residents, supported by laborers, worked tirelessly to eliminate lantana, earning wages similar to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

Pradyumna Kumar Acharya of FES Mandla reported that, so far, 7,000 hectares in Mandla have been cleared of lantana, transforming both agricultural and common lands. The initiative, which began with a focus on community lands, later expanded to include private lands at residents' requests.

The impact of lantana eradication goes beyond reclaiming land. A July 2023 report by FES highlighted the social, economic, and ecological benefits. The study, based on interviews with 191 farmers from 18 villages, revealed that 50 percent of farmers are now cultivating cleared lands. Open grazing and fodder collection on these lands have increased, contributing to a significant rise in fodder availability.

Forest produce, such as mahua flowers, has become accessible, with 46 percent of surveyed farmers reporting benefits. The report also indicated a reduction in crop losses due to the absence of wild animals that once hid amid dense lantana shrubs.

While the success is commendable, consistent management is crucial to prevent lantana resurgence. Villages have formed committees to monitor and address the challenge. The fines imposed for violations encourage responsible land use and discourage activities that may hinder the restoration process.

However, challenges remain, and continuous efforts are needed to integrate lantana management into broader initiatives like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and gram panchayat projects. Promoting commercial uses for lantana, such as furniture making, could further contribute to efforts in curbing the invasive species.

The story of Mandla exemplifies the power of community-led initiatives in restoring land, fostering biodiversity, and improving livelihoods in the face of invasive threats.