Effectiveness of control measures of Mikania micrantha on grassland: a case study from grassland in Sauraha area of Chitwan National Park

Controlled burning emerges as the most effective strategy for managing grasslands invaded by Mikania micrantha, a pervasive threat to native ecosystems in Chitwan National Park. A comparative study across three experimental sites demonstrated that controlled fire significantly enhanced the coverage and abundance of native grasses compared to manual cutting or no intervention. Researchers established systematic sampling plots within 100 m x 100 m blocks, applying treatments such as controlled fire, manual cutting, and a control (no treatment) to assess their impact on M. micrantha and native grass populations. The findings underscore the superiority of controlled fire in restoring grassland health, offering critical insights for stakeholders aiming to mitigate the spread of this invasive species and inform policy-making for affected grasslands.

Aryal, U., Wagle, B. H., Lamichhane, B., Parajuli, A., & Thapa, P. (2018). Effectiveness of control measures of Mikania micrantha on grassland: a case study from grassland in Sauraha area of Chitwan National Park. Banko Janakari, 144–149. https://doi.org/10.3126/banko.v27i3.20559