A Note on Two Aquatic Invasive Species of the Pala Lake in Mizoram, a Remote Ramsar Site of India

Pala Lake, a Ramsar Site in Mizoram, is part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot—one of the richest ecological regions in the world. Despite its importance, the lake, like many wetlands in India, is increasingly under threat from alien invasive species (IAS). In this study, two invasive species, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852) and Ceratophyllum demersum L. have been recorded from the Pala Lake. Both species are well established in the aquatic ecosystem and are observed dominating the shallow areas of the lake. Their spread in such a remote and sensitive ecosystem is both striking and concerning. The study points out the lack of effective management measures to control or eliminate these invasive species. It also suggests practical ways to manage their spread, focusing on approaches that are non-destructive, affordable, and suitable for long-term conservation of the lake.