Impact of noxious weeds on the growth of indigenous flora of sacred groves of kanyakumari district, southern western ghats

Invasive alien plants create a serious threat to native biodiversity as well as human health. Studies carried out in the sacred groves of the Kanyakumari district, southern end of India. revealed that there are 94 invasive alien plants. The present exploration was concentrated on the 10 noxious weeds and their harmful activity on the biodiversity. Ageratum conyzoides, Amaranthus spinosus, Antigonon leptopus, Argemone mexicana, Axonopus compressus, Centrosema pubescens, Chromolaena odorata, Echinochloa crus-galli, Lantana camara and Mimosa pudica. were considered to be a nastiest invader creating harmful effects on biodiversity of the study area. Eradicatication of these weeds should be done immediately inorder to conserve the biodiversity and sacred groves for the betterment of human health.