Prosopis Chilensis

• A recent study shows that prosopis chilensis, an alien invasive plant, is threatening to pulverize native vegetation across 21 islands in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR).

About Prosopis chilensis

• It is a drought-resistant plant native to the arid regions of four South American countries– Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
• It is a small to medium-sized legume tree that grows up to 12 m in height and 1 m in diameter.
• The Prosopis chilensis is also known as Chilean mesquite.

About Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve

• The GoMBR, India’s first marine biosphere reserve, is one of the important habitats for coastal birds migrating from the Arctic Circle.
• It is the also the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South East Asia.
• This Biosphere Reserve encompasses a chain of 21 islands and adjoining coral reefs off the coasts of the Ramanathapuram and the Tuticorin districts.