Invasive Species Removal
Removal of invasive species from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Kashmir.
Why this work matters.
Invasive species — particularly Prosopis juliflora (mesquite / vilayati babul), Lantana camara, and certain Acacia species — are displacing indigenous trees across large areas of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Kashmir. These species were introduced in the 1960s–70s as quick-fix 'social forestry' and have since become monocultures, crowding out native flora and lowering groundwater.
Kesu Environment Foundation carries out invasive species removal using a combination of manual uprooting (for small stands), mechanical removal (for medium stands), and chemical treatment of stumps (for large Prosopis stands, following state forest department protocols). Removed biomass is chipped and composted or used as fuel where appropriate.
After removal, sites are replanted with indigenous species from our nursery. This replanting step is critical — without it, invasives return within two seasons.
Photographs from the work.
All photographs are taken by the Foundation's field team with the permission of the communities they depict. The work continues — the gallery is updated as new documentation happens.
What this programme does.
Prosopis juliflora removal in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan
Lantana and Acacia removal in the Shivaliks and Jammu
Post-removal replanting with indigenous species
Community training on early identification and small-scale removal
Specific work, specific places.
Each project below is a sustained piece of work at a specific location — with its own story, media, and community.
Amritsar heritage tree documentation drive
Amritsar district, Punjab
Community forest, Sri Muktsar Sahib
Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab
Descendant propagation at Kartarpur
Kartarpur, Pakistan
New projects are added as work begins. Each project has its own landing page with photographs, video, progress updates, and the messages that drive the work.
Support this programme.
Whether you are an individual donor, a CSR partner, or a government body — your support keeps this work going.