Eucalyptus trees are a familiar sight across Karnataka, their silvery leaves lining Bengaluru’s streets and their oils often providing relief during colds and illnesses. Introduced from Australia, they were once celebrated as a source of timber and economic promise. Yet beneath this appealing facade lies a significant challenge. These trees, alongside other invasive species such as Prosopis juliflora and Lantana camara, are transforming India’s grasslands, depleting water resources, and displacing wildlife like blackbucks, lesser floricans, and Great Indian Bustards.