Invasive Alien Species (IAS) present one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in India and worldwide, necessitating their management. The problem of IAS management is complex and wicked, cutting across various dimensions such as environmental, economic, and social. This thesis focusses on one such IAS, namely, Lantana camara (hereafter referred to as lantana) and its impact in the protected areas (PAs) of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR). Lantana invasion in the NBR region has resulted in many problems such as biodiversity loss, loss of livelihood of indigenous communities, and human-wildlife conflicts. The forest department, the custodians of the NBR PAs, attempts to manage lantana on an ad hoc basis, which seems futile. This situation raises an important question as to why despite the apparent negative effects of the lantana invasion, there are no concerted efforts from various stakeholders concerning the lantana management in the PAs of NBR.
Semi-structured interviews (n=50) followed by a thematic analysis were conducted with various stakeholders of the NBR region to understand the underlying cause for the inactions. The study identified six dilemmas and six major barriers to managing lantana. The study also points out that the lack of policy and legislation and the structural support for lantana management (LM) as important factors affecting the LM progress. The second study of this thesis attempted to understand the systemic structure and behaviour governing these dilemmas and barriers using the qualitative system dynamics modelling approach. The study’s outputs are causal loop diagrams and system archetypes that contribute to understanding the dynamics of ad hoc interventions and the need for concerted effort and policy documents for LM. The third study derives importance from the first two studies, which points to the need for policy documents for LM. The third study attempts to develop a morphological framework representation, which can be used as a ready reckoner during policy-making for lantana or any other IAS. The study identified 25 dimensions or policy decision points and 99 options for the policymakers to develop the policy document. The study points out the importance of the environmentality paradigm and governance models that the policymakers adopt in the management of IAS (including lantana) influence the inputs, processes, and outcomes of IAS management. This finding prompted study four, in which the researcher investigated the appropriate governance model for LM using multi-criteria decision-making techniques such as the best-worst method and Fuzzy TOPSIS. The best worst method was conducted as a structured survey-interview (n=26) to assign weights to criteria concerning LM and Fuzzy TOPSIS to rank alternatives based on five expert responses. The respondents unanimously chose the conservation network model as the best alternative for LM.
The studies in this thesis have both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, study one validates the “theory of general planning”, which states that the dilemmas are resolved when the barriers causing them are addressed. Study two identifies four system archetypes, three of which are developed based on modifying existing theoretical archetypes and one new archetype, substitution rebound archetype. Study three developed a morphological analysis framework of IAS management, with multiple uses such as literature gap identification and policy analysis and development. Study four extends the theory of the environmentality paradigm by explaining the importance of involving stakeholders in LM. Practically, the studies help policymakers and the problem owners to develop new policy documents, analyse the existing policy documents, and usher them to adopt appropriate governance models for effective LM.
Keywords
Lantana camara; Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve; Invasive Alien Species Management; Policy Formulation; Thematic Analysis; Multi-criteria-decision-making; Morphological analysis; environmental governance model;