Description
'The natural science of \'Ethnobotany\' although has recent emergence, it is geared up tremendously as it helps reveal bioresources for the welfare of mankind. Researchers, however, have perforce been attracted more toward concrete utilities of botanicals worldwide. India is a treasure-trove of biodiversity and has, therefore, better chances to reveal bioresources to help sustain human life. Moreover, India is rich in ethnicity. It has also better scope to reveal abstract relationships of mankind with the plantworld. The present authors hence inclined to tender their efforts in this realm of research. The inventory documented 263 plant species belonging to 221 genera and 83 families in various religious and temple courtyards in Khandesh region of Maharashtra (India), a hitherto overlooked area of research. It focussed both biodiversity and indigenous utilities in the region. Apart from background information of Khandesh, it gives traditional plantlore w.r.t. ethnomedicine, miscellaneous use-reports and role of plants or botanicals in native bioculture. At the same, it also sheds more light on ethnoeconomics and plant conservation in the said region. This book will be hopefully useful to naturalists, pharmacologists, industrialists, teachers, students, research workers in biological sciences and in biodiversity management.' Read more
Table of Contents
Preface vii
1. Introduction 1
Previous Explorations in Maharashtra.................................................................2
Reasons for Undertaking Research.......................................................................3
2. Geography and Geology 5
People....................................................................................................................5
Temperature..........................................................................................................8
Rainfall..................................................................................................................8
Humidity...............................................................................................................8
Geography and Soil...............................................................................................8
General Vegetation................................................................................................8
3. Methodology Adapted 11
4. Systematic Enumeration 25
5. Results, Discussion and Conclusions 153
Man and biodiversity.........................................................................................153
Man and culture................................................................................................153
Man and worship...............................................................................................154
Man and his faith in plants................................................................................154
x
Man in present time...........................................................................................154
Indian Plant Explorations..................................................................................154
Studies in the region..........................................................................................155
People in the region and available bioresources.................................................155
Floristic analysis................................................................................................156
Habital groups....................................................................................................156
Status regarding cultivated species....................................................................165
Status regarding wild species.............................................................................180
Status regarding exotic species..........................................................................180
Plant species useful for medicine.......................................................................184
Plant species useful for sacred purposes............................................................185
Plant species useful for miscellaneous purposes................................................185
Indigenous people as conservationist.................................................................217
Study of ancient Indian literature......................................................................218
Economic significance........................................................................................218
Model gardens for religious and sacred plants..................................................223
Temple Architecture...........................................................................................223
Ethnoeconomy....................................................................................................224
Conservation......................................................................................................228
Ancient ethics of conservation...........................................................................230
Taboo for plant conservation..............................................................................231
Beliefs and myth towards soil and water conservation......................................231
Conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants through local beliefs................231
Conservation of floral diversity..........................................................................232
An Appeal..........................................................................................................234
Appendices.........................................................................................................236
References 245
Index 251 Read more
About the Author/Editor
S.M. Khare received M.Sc. (Botany) and Ph.D. (Ethnobotany) in 2009 and 2018 respectively. An enthusiastic teacher and research worker in plant science. Published 11 research papers in national and international journals. Participated in 16 seminars, symposia, conferences and workshops in Botany.
Shubhangi Pawar Having teaching experience of 31 years. Published 74 research papers in national and international journals and also co-authored Ethnobotany of Jalgaon District (M.S.). Headed Department of Botany and worked as Vice-Principal of her college.
D.A. Patil obtained M.Sc Having teaching experience of 31 years at graduate and post-graduate levels and research experience over 40 years in various disciplines of Botany. Chairman, Board of Studies in Botany (2000-2005, 2010-2015) and Dean, Faculty of Science (2000-2005) of the then North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon (M.S.). Superannuated in August 2015 as a Professor in Botany and Principal of his college and still active in research. Read more
