Trade and Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in India

• Trade liberalisation and shifting global trade patterns are unintentionally accelerating the introduction of invasive alien species (IAS).

• These species threaten biodiversity, ecosystems, food security, public health, and the economy.

 Causes and Channels of Introduction

1. Historical Case Study

• Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica):

  • Introduced accidentally in colonial Calcutta (~1847) via trade from East Africa.

  • Spread due to India’s warm, humid climate and lack of natural predators.

  • Resulted in crop damage, native snail displacement, and parasite transmission (rat lungworm).

2. Trade as a Vector

• Surge in global trade since the 1800s → 20x rise in alien species introductions.

• Bilateral trade pairs grew from 5,700 (1948) to over 34,000 (2000s).

• New trade ties increase risk due to:

  • Focus on diplomacy over due diligence

  • Weak infrastructure for import inspections

  • Lack of coordinated quarantine systems

3. Pathways of Invasion

• Deliberate introductions (biocontrol or food production):

  • Gambusia (mosquitofish), Poecilia reticulata (guppy), Angelfish, Tilapia

  • Bufo marinus (cane toad in Australia)

• Accidental introductions:

  • Ballast water discharge and biofouling in ships

  • Example: Asian paddle crab introduced to New Zealand, now carries white-spot syndrome virus

4. Trade Policy Link

• Trade tariffs (e.g., Trump-era US policies) led to new trade alignments, increasing IAS spread.

• Some nations may lack policy and infrastructure to monitor new import-export routes.

 India's IAS Burden

• India is a major importer and exporter of exotic species.

• Entry mostly via:

  • Ornamental pet/aquarium trade

  • Biocontrol initiatives

  • Food security programmes (e.g., Tilapia)

  • Accidental contamination (e.g., Parthenium seeds with US wheat imports in 1955 under PL 480 scheme)

Economic Cost

• India ranks 2nd globally (after the US) in financial losses from IAS.

• $127.3 billion lost over 60 years (₹830 crore), based on data from just 10 species.

• Only 3% of 2,000+ alien species have documented economic impacts—indicating major underreporting.

High-Risk Categories

• Aquatic & semi-aquatic IAS impose higher fiscal burden due to:

  • Impact on public health (e.g., Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito)

  • Water infrastructure

  • Fisheries

 Challenges in Containment

• Weak port biosecurity

• Lack of real-time tracking and early-warning systems

• Fragmentation between departments, ministries, and researchers

• No mandatory post-trade biological impact assessments

Proposed Solutions: ‘One Biosecurity’ Framework

• Inspired by One Health, it emphasizes integrated action on invasive species:

  • Strengthen biosecurity at ports and customs points

  • Create quarantine infrastructure with mandatory impact assessments

  • Develop inter-ministerial coordination and research-backed decision-making

  • Track climate change and trade shifts to forecast future invasions

  • Prioritize data collection and digital monitoring systems

 Forward-Looking Insight

• Freight transport is projected to triple by 2050, especially maritime and air cargo.

• This will increase IAS risk by:

  • Shortening travel time (higher survival of species)

  • Expanding trade networks in biodiversity-rich regions

• What is introduced today may manifest harm decades later—as seen with past IAS introductions. Proactive biosecurity is essential.