A study on the distribution of exotic invasive weeds in the protected areas of Rajasthan

Abstract

Protected areas of Rajasthan are infested by many species of exotic invasive weeds. This communication deals with distribution of 20 exotic invasive weeds in 3 National Parks and 27 Wildlife Sanctuaries of Rajasthan. Out of 20 exotic invasive weeds, 15 species namely, Ageratum conyzoides, A. houstonianum, Bidens biternata, Parthenium hysterophorus, Verbesina encelioides, Tridax procumbens, Argemone mexicana, Cassia tora, C. uniflora, Cuscuta reflexa, Cryptostegia grandiflora, Lantana camara, Prosopis juliflora, Hyptis suaveolens and Coccinia grandis have been reached in 17 to 30 Protected Areas while 5 species namely, Tagetes minuta, Tithonia rotundifolia, Antigonon leptopus, Caesalpinia decapetala and Hiptage benghalensis have been reached in 1 to 3 Protected Areas only. To protect the natural habitats of various National Parks and Sanctuaries, eradication of exotic invasive weed is needed in phases followed by regeneration of the treated area by suitable native species so that no weed could reoccupy the area again.