Prosopis Juliflora -A weed or boon

P.Juliflora also called ‘Balahari/Ballary jaali (ಬಳ್ಳಾರಿ ಜಾಲಿ)  in Karnataka. since it’s found abundantly in these regions.

It’s a native South American speciehow this invasive species that silently threatens local flora\fauna.

From Buchanan’s journeys, in his journey in south India (1800-1801), there is no mention of these species in his famous book “A Journey from Madras Though the countries of Mysore, Canara, and Malabar”. Only bamboo and other woods were used by the people to make Charcoal as a fuel for the iron and steel smelting process.

Since charcoal was the main source of fuel in those days before coal and crude oil sources.

 

P.Juliflora was introduced by the British between 1870-1880 as a source of firewood shortage in rural areas and along arid tracts of agriculture as natural fencing in south India.

It has become neutralized and supports rural livelihood in various ways as a source of fuelwood.

Thus this weed species spread like cancer throughout India, it is hard and expensive to remove from the as this can regenerate from the roots themselves.

Today except in Malenadu(Highland) and coastal regions these species you can find vastly in the southern Deccan plateau of Karnataka.

 

It also provides shade and stabilizes soil through an extensive root system thus controlling soil erosion and increasing soil fertility by atmospheric nitrogen as it belongs to the legume family.

Thus P.juliflora which they consider a weed is an actual gift of nature, especially in the semi-arid region of India.