Temple and Sacred Courtyards in Khandesh: Biodiversity and Ethnobotany

by S M Khare, Shubhangi Pawar, D A Patil

ISBN: 9789371700610
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Imprint : Scholars World
Year : 2026
Price : Rs. 11950.00
Biblio : x+152p., figs., tbls., ind., 25cm.,

Author Profile

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.

About The Book

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.

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