Plant invasion is a leading threat to biodiversity, ecosystem services and human wellbeing worldwide. In the central Himalayas intentionally or accidentally introduced invasive alien plant species (IAPS) facilitate their own establishment and spread, which is altering forest structure, vegetation composition, species diversity and livelihood. To understand the perception and awareness amongst local communities about invasive alien and native plants and its effect on local livelihood, a questionnaire-based study was conducted in 10 villages of Nainital district, Uttarakhand, India. Household data of 179 respondents were triangulated with key informants such as community leaders, teachers and older people. A majority of the respondents were found to be more familiar with the native species (Berberis asiatica, Pyracantha crenulata and Rubus ellipticus) than IAPS (Ageratina adenophora and Lantana camara). Both the IAPS negative impacts on native biodiversity, ecosystem services and livelihood. During the last two decades IAPS have encroached on various forests and caused a decrease in native species in the study area. According to the local perception, deforestation, forest fire, climate change, increased transport, light weight seed, no use and grazing etc. have been the main factors behind the spread of IAPS. A. adenophora invaded both chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) and banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) forests while L. camara remained more prominent in low elevation open canopy chir pine forest. Uprooting is the primary method used to control IAPS in crop fields and forests. The studied villages have not reported awareness and education programs about the IAPS. Our study demonstrates the wide range of perspectives on the threat posed by IAPS to forest ecosystems and natural resources. Education could help to raise awareness about the issue and could be beneficial in managing and controlling invasion in the Himalayan region.

植物入侵是全球生物多样性、生态系统服务和人类福祉的主要威胁。在喜马拉雅山脉中部，有意或无意引入的外来入侵植物物种（IAPS）促进了它们自身的建立和传播，从而改变了森林结构、植被组成、物种多样性和生计。为了了解当地社区对外来入侵植物和本土植物的看法和认识及其对当地生计的影响，在印度北阿坎德邦奈尼塔尔地区的 10 个村庄进行了一项问卷调查。179 名受访者的家庭数据与社区领袖、教师和老年人等关键知情人进行了三角测量。大多数受访者对本土物种（小檗、火棘和悬钩子）的熟悉程度高于 IAPS（紫茎泽兰和马缨丹）。IAPS 对当地生物多样性、生态系统服务和生计均产生负面影响。在过去的二十年里，IAPS 侵占了各种森林，导致研究区域本地物种减少。据当地了解，森林砍伐、森林火灾、气候变化、运输增加、种子重量轻、无人利用和放牧等是IAPS传播的主要因素。紫茎泽兰入侵了赤松 ( Pinus roxburghii ) 和白栎 ( Quercus leucotrichophora)森林，而卡马拉 ( L. camara )在低海拔开放树冠的赤松森林中仍然更为突出。连根拔除是控制农田和森林中 IAPS 的主要方法。所研究的村庄尚未报告有关 IAPS 的意识和教育计划。我们的研究展示了关于 IAPS 对森林生态系统和自然资源构成的威胁的广泛观点。教育有助于提高人们对这一问题的认识，并有助于管理和控制喜马拉雅地区的入侵。