Kerala CM Launched Invasive Species Detection App | 07 Feb 2026

Why in News?  

Kerala has officially launched NeophyteID, an AI-powered mobile application designed to detect and track invasive plant species across the state. 

Key Points: 

• Launch & Developers: Officially launched on 2nd February, 2026, by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the app was developed by the Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences (MBGIPS). 
• AI Technology: Utilizing the YOLOv11 machine learning model, the tool provides real-time identification and geospatial tracking for nearly 98 invasive species in Kerala. 
• Functionality & Access: Users can photograph plants for instant, data-driven identification in both English and Malayalam.  
• Ecological Impact: NeophyteID aims to prevent the destruction of native plants during eradication efforts.  
• Data-Driven Conservation: The use of AI and geospatial tracking provides researchers with data-rich insights into invasive species distribution patterns — critical for planning removal and restoration strategies.