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water. It has copper, Mercury, cadmium, lead and iron removal efficiency. It also has

biosorbent properties that chelate the heavy metals from water sources (Shiv Kumar, 2017).
CONCLUSIONS

Many human development indicators for Kerala are at par with those of developed countries,
however, its highly vulnerable to natural disasters and the changing climatic dynamics given

its location along the sea coast and with a steep gradient along the slopes of the Western
Ghats. Traditional drainage systems should be protected and developed. Efforts should be

made to enhance and promote ecologically and environmentally sustainable integrated

agriculture.
Species diversity was indexed using Shannon diversity index, and indexes are relatively high

and indicate the urgent need to conserve this ecological fertile land. The present study of the

species is not conclusive and exhaustive therefore future exploration needs to be continued to
update this checklist. Potassium levels ranged from 170-471, whereas Phosphorous levels

were ranging from 9.24 to 29.82 kg/ha indicative of the better soil drainage conditions in
these areas. The soil samples collected from interior zones showed high variations from the

peripheral zones, indicating the impact of a proper drainage and outflow of water and other
residuals. Therefore natural landcontours need to be maintained during any human

developmental activities. Moringa oleifera showed best result and the stem cutting survived

for about 72hrs when grown in solution of 0.01% HgCl2. Wedelia trilobata survived for
about 120hrs when grown in lower concentration of 0.01% FeCl3, and both the Wedelia

trilobata and Moringa oleifera grown in pH of 4.9 and 5.2 showed pH modification capacity.
Phytoremediation being more cost effective and fewer side effect than physical and chemical

approaches, so it is an eco friendly method.

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Plant Physiol. 128: 1120-28
Arora R.K., and E.R. Nayar (1984) Wild Relatives of Crop Plants in India National Bureau of

Plant Genetic Resources, 1984

Bañuelos, G. S., H. A. Ajwa, B. Mackey, L. Wu, C. Cook, S. Akohoue, and S. Zambruzuski.
(1997). Evaluation of Different Plant Species Used for Phytoremediation of High Soil

Selenium. J. Environ. Qual. 26:639-646.
Blasco F. (1970). Aspects of the flora, and ecology of savannas of the South Indian hills. J

Bombay Nat Hist Soc, 67: 522–534

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