Status, distribution and management of newly identified wild rose Rosa soulieana Crep. in Kaziranga National Park.

A rapid survey on invasive wild rose species was carried out in the Kaziranga National Park during March 2008. The invasive wild rose present in the KNP, identified as Rosa soulieana Crep., is a new record to India. This species might have been brought down to India by river Brahmaputra which passes through China. Wild rose is usually present in and around the beel area, which is the most crucial habitat for all major flagship species of the Park. Hence, this wild rose poses a significant threat to the prime habitat of One-horned Rhinoceros and other major herbivores of Kaziranga National Park by changing the beel system as well as encroaching the grasslands of the beel area, which needs to be managed immediately.