In News:

Kerala has taken a significant step in tech-enabled environmental governance with the launch of the NeophyteID mobile application by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The app represents a convergence of artificial intelligence, citizen science, and biodiversity conservation, aimed at tackling the growing threat of invasive plant species in the state.

About the NeophyteID Application

• NeophyteID is an AI-powered mobile application developed by researchers at the Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences (MBGIPS). It is designed as a citizen-friendly digital tool to identify, report, and map invasive (neophyte) plant species across Kerala.
• The app enables local communities, students, researchers, and ecologists to collaboratively monitor plant invasions that threaten native biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

Key Features

1. AI-Based Species Identification

• Powered by the YOLOv11 machine learning model
• Uses image recognition to identify invasive plants from:
  • Live camera input
  • Uploaded photos from the gallery

2. Geospatial Mapping

• Each confirmed identification is tagged with location data
• Helps build a real-time distribution map of invasive plant species
• Supports scientific research and evidence-based conservation planning

3. Citizen Science Approach

• Encourages public participation in biodiversity monitoring
• Bridges the gap between scientists and local communities

4. Language Accessibility

• Available in English and Malayalam
• Enhances usability among local populations

Why Invasive Species Matter

Invasive plant species are non-native plants that spread aggressively and disrupt ecosystems.

Ecological Impacts

• Outcompete native flora for nutrients, sunlight, and space
• Reduce biodiversity
• Alter soil chemistry and hydrology
• Disrupt food chains and wildlife habitats

Economic & Social Impacts

• Damage agriculture and forestry
• Increase management costs
• Affect water bodies, fisheries, and tourism