Flora of Ramgarh Crater, Baran, Rajasthan

Flora of Ramgarh Crater, Baran, Rajasthan

Flora Of Ramgarh Crater, Baran District, Rajasthan with Ethnobotanical Notes and Highlight on Related Issues

Dr. Satish Kumar Sharma

Assistant Conservator of Forests (Retd.)

14-15, Chakri Amba, Rampura Circle, Udaipur, Rajasthan

Anurag Bhatnagar

Dy. Conservator of Forests,

Wildlife Division, Kota, Rajasthan

Praveen Singh

Field Biologist,

Tiger Watch, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan

Dr. Dharmendra Khandal

Conservation Biologist 

Tiger Watch, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan

Ramgarh crater is a prominent meteorite impact crater, located on the Vindhyan Plateau near Ramgarh village in Baran District, southeastern Rajasthan. Geologically significant, the crater spans a forested region, now managed under the jurisdiction of the Kishanganj Forest Range, Baran Forest Division. Earlier, this area was managed as a territorial forest but now has been declared as a Conservation Reserve by the Government of Rajasthan through notification F/4(12)/Forest/2017, dated March 3, 2023. The details of forest blocks and area is given below in the Table 1.

Table 1: Area details of Ramgarh Conservation Reserve.

S. No.

Forest Block

Forest Land Category

Area (ha)

1

Ramgarh

Protected Forest

1440.50

2

Kunji Suwans

Protected Forest

2368.34

Total

3808.84

The area is important from history, culture, archeology, geology and forestry point of view. Historically, apex predators such as the tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopard (Panthera pardus) were once reported in the region, though they are now locally extinct.

Figure 1: View of the Dhonk (Anogeissus pendula) forest on eastern inner hill slope and Butea monosperma dominated forest in foothills (photo taken from ruins of the Bhand Deora).

The present-day mammalian fauna includes the Northern Plains Langur (Semnopithecus entellus), Indian Wild Pig (Sus scrofa), Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Common Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica), Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii), Ruddy Mongoose (H. smithii), Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena), Golden Jackal (Canis aureus aureus), Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis), Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica), House Shrew (Suncus murinus), Five-striped Squirrel (Funambulus pennantii), Indian Gerbil (Tatera indica), and Indian Monitor Lizard (Varanus bengalensis). The area also supports a rich assemblage of avifauna, reptiles, butterflies, and moths.

Figure 2: A juvenile Bengal Monitor Lizard (Varanus bengalensis) (photographed at the eastern bank of Pushkar Talab on July 15, 2025).

Ramgarh Crater is equally notable for its architectural and spiritual heritage. Noteworthy sites include the Ramgarh Fort, Bhand Deora temple complex, Harchand Ji Ki Chhatri, Annapurna and Krishnai Mata Ji Temples, Kachkaran Ki Baori, Brahm Chetan Kund, and Ramgarh Mata Temple. Several water bodies, such as Nola, Pushkar Talab (Pokhar), Bada Talab (Ramgarh Talab), and Mala Ki Talai, dot the crater landscape. According to oral histories, rulers of Kota State once frequented Mala Ki Talai for royal hunting expeditions (Dr. Madhusudan Vaishnaw, pers. comm., June 20, 2024).

Figure 3: View of Pushkar Talab as seen from the vantage point behind the ruins of the Bhand Deora Temple.

Significantly, Pushkar Talab within the Ramgarh Crater has been designated as one of the 44 ‘Notified Wetlands’ by the Government of Rajasthan, highlighting its ecological importance and hydrological value within the regional landscape.

The broader Hadoti region is relatively well-documented for its prehistoric rock art and unique geological specialties (Abbas, 2021; Nagar et al., 2017; Pandey et al., 2024). However, the Ramgarh Crater, despite its ecological and cultural significance, has received limited focused scientific attention (Aswathi et al., 2012). Floristic studies covering the broader Hadoti zone are available (Sharma, 2002), and a comprehensive overview of the vegetation across Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar, and Baran districts is provided in “The Flora of Rajasthan” (Sharma, 2022). However, a dedicated botanical inventory specifically focused on the Ramgarh Crater remains absent.

Figure 4: Ruins of the Bhand Deora Shiva Temple. The upper section shows the remains of the sanctum (Garbhagriha); the bottom left displays the outer wall of the sanctum, while the bottom right depicts scattered architectural remnants lying behind the Garbhagriha.

To address this gap, extensive floristic surveys were conducted between 2023 and July 2025. These investigations aimed to document the floral diversity of the crater across different seasons and provide foundational data for future ecological and conservation assessments.

Table 2: Dicot flora of Ramgarh crater

S.N.

Family

Latin name of plant

H*

Location

Status

Remark

1

Annonaceae

Annona squamosa

S

Near eastern bank of Pushkar Talab

Less common

Growing in patches

2

Monispermaceae

Cissampelos pareira

 

TS

Growing among bushes

Relatively common

 

 

 

Tinospora cordifolia

CS

Climbing on Prosopis juliflora

Relatively common

Hanging assimilatory roots are visible here and there

 

 

Cocculus hirsutus

SS

Growing among bushes

Relatively common

 

3

Nymphoeaceae

Nymphoea nauchali

H

Bada talab and Puskar Talab

Common

 

4

Nelumbonaceae

Nelumbo nucifera

H

Bada Talab

Common

Growing towards shore area

5

Papaveraceae

Argemone mexicana

H

Downstream of Bada Talab

Common

 

6

Capparaceae

Capparis decidua

S/ST

Dotted everywhere in open well drained pockets

Common

 

 

 

C. sepiaria

 

SS

Dotted everywhere

Common

 

 

 

 

Crateva odansonii

T

Foot hills

Rare

 

7

Flacourtiaceae

Flacourtia indica

S/ST

Dotted

Less common

 

8

Malvaceae

Abutilon indicum

 

US

Dotted

 

Less common

 

 

 

Hibiscus caesius

 

H

Dotted among bushes

Relatively common

Become visible after monsoon season when it flowers

 

 

H. micranthus

S

Dotted

Less common

 

9

Sterculiaceae

Sterculia urens

T

Upper reaches of the hills

Rare

 

10

Tiliaceae

Corchorus aestuans

H

Near Bada Talab

Less common

 

 

 

C. capsularis

 

H

Near Bada Talab

Less common

 

 

 

C tridens

H

Near Bada Talab

Less common

 

 

 

Grewia flavescens

S

Growing below the Anogeissus pendula crop

Less common

 

 

 

G. tenax

S

A bush of stony area

Less common

 

11

Oxalidaceae

Oxalis corniculate

H

Edges of both the water bodies

Abundant

 

12

Rutaceae

Aegle marmelos

T

Seen in valley area

Less common

 

13

Simaroubaceae

Ailanthus excelsa

T

On the way to Ramgarh Mata temple

Rare

Visible from distance owing to large sized leaves

14

Balanitaceae

Balanites aegyptiaca

T

Soil erosion prone compact areas

Common

A species which suckers profusely

15

Burseraceae

Boswellia serrata

T

Upper reaches

Less common

 

16

Meliaceae

Azadirachta indica

 

 

 

 

T

Growing among bushes

near Goshala

Less common

 

 

 

 

 

Melia azedarach

T

Near Goshala

Rare

 

17

Rhamnaceae

Ziziphus glabrata

T

Dotted

Less common

 

 

 

Z. mauritiana

T

Dotted

Less common

 

 

 

Z. nummularia

S

Dotted along the road

Less common

 

 

 

Z. xylophyrus

 

Dotted on hill slopes

Less common

 

18

Vitaceae

Cayratia carnosa

C

Climbing straight on the thick-stemmed trees like Madhuca indica

Common

A rainy season plant. Starts appearing before onset of monsoon. It perennates through its beaded or moniliform roots

19

Sapindaceae

Cardiospermum helicacabum

C

Among bushes

Common

A rainy season plant

20

Anacardiaceae

Lannea coromadelica

 

T

Present from upper reaches to foothills.

Common

 

Also seen growing on ancient buildings of temples and fort.

 

 

Mangifera indica

T

Eastern edge of Pushkar Talab and near Goshala

Grow in groves

 

21

Moringaceae

Moringa oleifera

T

Dotted

Less common

 

22

Fabaceae

Abrus precatorius

TH

Among bushes

Common

 

 

 

Alysicarpus vaginalis

H

Growing as ground flora

Common

 

 

 

 

Butea

monosperma

T

Foot hills

Abundant

 

Growing as 5/E5 Butea Forest in the area.

 

 

Clitoria ternatea

TH

Growing among the bushes near spillover of Bada Talab

Less common

 

 

 

 

Crotalaria medicagenia

H

Open areas

Common

A rainy season plant

 

 

Desmodinm triflorum

H

Creeping here and there on the ground floor

Common

 

 

 

 

Galactia tenuiflora

TH

Among bushes near Bhand Deora and eastern bank of Pushkar Talab

Relatively common

 

 

 

 

Indigofera linifolia

H

Quite visible during monsoon and post monsoon period

Common

 

 

 

 

I. linnaei

H

Quite visible during monsoon and post monsoon period

Common

 

 

 

Mucuna prurita

TH

Visible during monsoon and post monsoon period

Common

 

 

 

Rhynchosia minima

TH

Among bushes

Common

 

 

 

Tephrosia villosa

US

During rainy season becomes visible in open areas

Less common

 

 

 

T. purpurea

H

During rainy season becomes visible in open areas

Less common

 

23

Caesalpiniaceae

Bauhinia racemosa

 

 

 

T

On the way to Ramgarh Mata temple and near eastern bank of Pushkar Talabs

Rare

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cassia fistula

T

Near eastern bank of Pushkar Talabs

Rare

 

 

 

 

Cassia pumila

 

H

Open areas

Less common

 

 

 

Cassia sophera / Senna sophera

 

S

Near eastern Ghat of Pushkar Talab. Growing under the shade of Madhuca indica

Less common

Grow in patches

 

 

 

Cassia tora/ Senna tora

 

H

Grow in open area

Common

 

 

 

 

C. uniflora/ Senna uniflora

H

Open area

Common

This species is spreading at fasti pace

 

 

Tamarindus indica

T

Near eastern edge of Pushkar talab

Rare

 

24

Mimosaceae

Acacia catechu

 

T

Hill slopes

Common

 

 

 

A. leucophloea

T

Hill slopes (where degradation is prevailing) and foot hills. Visible along the sides of whole road net work

Common

 

 

 

 

A. nilotica indica

 

T

Foothills and road side ditches

Less common

 

 

 

 

Dichrostachys cinerea

S

Foothills and lower slopes

Less common

 

 

 

Mimosa himalayna

 

S

Road sides

 

Less common

 

 

 

Prosopis juliflora

T

Whole valley and foot hills are badly affected

Abundant

 

25

Combretaceae

Anogeissus pendula / Terminalia pendula

T

A dominant species luxuriantly growing on hill slopes and foot-hills.

Abundant

Making 5/E1 and 5/E/DS1 forest types on hill slopes and stoney foot hills

26

Myrtaceae

Syzygium cumini

T

Near Goshala

Rare

 

27

Onagraceae

Ludwigia adscendens

H

Bada Talab

Less common

 

28

Trapaceae

Trapa natans

H

Pushkar and Bada Talab waters

Common

 

29

Cucurbitaceae

Cucumis melo var. agrestis

C

On the walls of Bhand Deora

Less common

Rainy season plant

 

 

Diplocyclos palmatus

 

H

Among bushes

Common during rainy season

Rainy season plant

 

 

Luffa acutangula

 

C

Among bushes

Less common

 

Rainy season plant

 

 

L. echinata

C

Among bushes

Common

Rainy season plant

 

 

Momordica charantia

C

Among bushes

Common

Rainy season plant

 

 

M. dioica

C

Among bushes

Less common

A dioicous plant of rainy season. Start appearing before on set of monsoons through the underground tubers

 

 

Trichosanthes cucumeriana

C

Among bushes

Abundant

Rainy season plant

30

Cactaceae

Opuntia elatior

S

On the way to Bhand Deora

Less common

Havily naturalize in many pockets of Baran district

31

Aizoaceae

Trianthema portulacastrum

H

Quite visible during rainy season in open areas

Common

 

32

Rubiaceae

Borreria articularis

H

Visible during rainy season on forest floor

Common

 

 

 

 

B. pusila

 

H

Visible during rainy season on forest floor

Less common

 

 

 

Mitraguna parvifolia

T

Hill slopes and foot hills

Less common

 

33

Asteraceae

Ageratum conyzoides

H

Bordering area of Pushkar Talab and Bada Talab

Common

 

 

 

 

 

 

A haustonianum

H

Bordering area of Pushkar Talab and Bada Talab

Less common

 

 

 

Bidens biternata

 

H

Open areas and old buildings

Common

 

 

 

 

Caesulia axillaris

H

Bordering Bada Talab

Less common

 

 

 

Echinops eclinatus

 

H

Near Bhand Deora and at many places along the road

Less common

 

 

 

 

Eclipta prostorey

H

Bordering Bada Talab

Less common

 

 

 

Parthenium hysterophorus

H

Occupying open places

Abundant

 

 

 

Tridax procumbens

 

H

Open areas and road side

Abundant

 

 

 

 

Vernonia cineria

H

Open areas

Less common

 

 

 

Xanthium strumarium

H

Road sides

Common

 

34

Sapotaceae

Madhuca indica

 

 

 

 

 

 

T

Present near the eastern shore of Pushkar Talab

 

Growing singly and in groves

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manilkara hexandra

T

Few trees dotted in the area

Rare

 

35

Ebenaceae

Diospyros cordifolia

 

T

Dotted in foot hills

Less common

 

 

 

D. melanoxylon

T

Doted in foot hills & lower hill slopes

Less common

 

 

36

Apocynaceae

Carissa spinarum

 

S

Near Bhand Deora

Rare

 

 

 

 

Catharanthus pasillus

 

H

Grow in open areas during rainy season

Common

 

 

 

 

Wrightia tinctoria

T

Hill slopes

Rare

 

 

37

Asclepiadacace

Calotropis procera

 

S

Open area along the road

Less common

 

 

 

Oxystelma secamone

TH

Downstream of Bada Talab

Less common

 

 

 

Pergularia daemia

TU

Among bushes

Less common

 

 

 

Wattakaka volubilis

TS

Dotted

Rare

Climbing on trees

 

38

Priplocaceae

Cryptostegia grandiflora

SS

Down stream of the Bada Talab

Rare

 

 

 

Hemidesmus indicus

SU

Dotted here and there on the forest floor

Rare

 

 

39

Ehretiaceae

Cordia dichotoma

T

Near eastern edge of Pushkar Talab

Less common

 

 

 

Ehretia laevis

T

Dotted

Less common

 

 

40

Convolvulaceae

Evolvulus alsinoides

H

Open areas

Less common

 

 

 

E. nummularius

 

 

H

Bordering both water bodies

common

 

 

 

 

Ipomoea carnea ssp. fistulosa

S

Eastern shore of Bada Talab

 

Common

 

 

 

I. dichora

 

TH

Dotted among the bushes during rainy season

Common

 

 

 

I. nil

TH

Can be seen among the bushes during rainy season

Common

 

 

 

I. obscura

TH

Grow among bushes during rainy season

 

 

Common

 

 

 

 

I. pes-tigridis

TH

Grow among bushes during rainy season

Common

 

 

 

 

Merramia emarginata

H

Bordering shore zone of both the water bodies

Common

 

 

 

Rivea hypoaraterifornis

CH

Growing among the bushes

Less common

 

 

41

Cascutaceae

Cuscuta chinensis

 

H

A parasite on herbs and shrubs

Less common

 

 

 

 

C. reflexa

H

Near Bhand Deora

Less common

 

 

42

Solanaceae

Datur innoxia

 

S

Near Bhand Deora

Less common

 

 

 

D. stramonium

 

H

Near Bhand Deora

Rare

 

 

 

 

Solanum xanthocarpum

H

Along the road leading to Ramgarh Mata temple

Less common

 

 

43

Scrophulariaceae

Bacopa monnieri

 

 

H

Edges of both the ponds

Common

 

 

 

 

 

Lindenbergia muraria

H

Fort wall

 

Less common

 

 

 

Verbascum chinense

H

Walls of Bhand deora

Less common

 

44

Bignoniaceae

Oroxylum indicum

T

Seen 2 trees and their many suckers in Shobhagpura village towards southern outskirts of the crater

Rare (?)

(This species is included here on the authority of the local villagers)

Villagers were of opinion that the seeds were brought from crater area and sown in the agriculture field. Locally the species is called Muwasa

45

Pedaliaceae

Sesamum mulayanum

H

Can be seen during rains in open areas

Common

 

46

Martyniaceae

Martynia annua

H

Grow in patches in open area

Less common

Being grazing hardy plan remain undamaged and all the fruits drop below the mother plant after maturation. All fallen seeds germinate during next rain making a clump

 

47

Acanthaceae

Aahatoda zeylanica

 

 

 

S

Making extensive thickets in foothill zone

 

 

Abundant

 

 

 

A grazing hardy species occupying most of foot hill area

 

 

Barleria prionits

 

US

Seen along the road sides

Less common

 

 

 

Elytraria aculis

 

H

Common under Capparis sepiaria and Anogeissus pendula

Very common

 

 

 

Indoneesiella echioides

H

Seen on the walls of Bhand devra

Less Common

Grow on the walls as ruderal species. Also grow in rocky areas. Remains visible only during monsoon season

 

 

Justicia procumbens

H

Quite visible during rains

Common

 

 

 

Peristrophe paniculata

H

Quite visible during rains

Abundant

 

 

48

Verbenaceae

Lantana camara

 

 

S

Invasive in the foot hill zone

Common

 

 

 

 

 

Phyla nodiflora

H

Banks of both the water bodies

Less common

 

49

Lamiaceae

Leucos aspera

H

Open area during rainy season

Less common

 

50

Nyctaginaceae

Boerhavia diffusa

H

Open grassy patches

Common

 

 

51

Amaranthaceae

Achyranthes aspera

H

Affected whole foothills. Also growing as ruderal species

Abundant

 

 

 

Digera muricata

 

 

H

Grassy patches during rains

Less common

 

 

 

 

Pupalia lappacea

H

Grow among bushes during rains

Less common

 

52

Chenopodiaceae

Chenopodium murale

H

Grow in moist areas during winter

Less common

 

 

53

Polygonaceae

Polygonum glabrum

H

Wet edges of both the ponds

Less common

 

 

 

 

P. plebeium

 

H

Drying edges of both the ponds

Less common

 

 

 

 

Rumex dentatus

H

Grow in moist areas during the winter

Common

 

 

54

Euphorbiaceae

Baliospermum montanum

 

H

Below the Mahuwa and mango trees

Less common

 

 

 

 

Chrozophora rottleri

H

Drying bed of the ponds

Less common

 

 

 

Euphorbia hirta

H

Dotted

Common

 

 

 

E. heyneana

H

Dotted

Common

 

 

 

Jatropha gossypifolia

S

near Goshala

Less common

 

 

 

Kirganelia reticulata

 

 

SS

Moist-shady places at periphery of both the ponds

Less common

 

 

 

Phyllanthus fraternus

 

 

H

seen grown on Bhand Deora during rains

Less common

 

 

 

 

 

Ricinus communis

 

 

ST

Seen near eastern shore of Puskar Talab

Rare

 

 

 

 

 

Securinega leucopyrus

S

Foot hills

 

Less common

 

55

Ulmaceae

Holoptelea integrifolia

T

Dotted

Less common

 

56

Moraceae

Ficus benghalensis

 

 

T

Eastern shore of Pushkar Talab. Seen growing as epiphyte also

Less common

 

 

 

 

 

F. hispida

 

S

Growing in shady wet localities

less common

 

 

 

 

F. racemosa

 

 

 

T

growing near eastern shore of Pushkar Talab

rare

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F. religiosa

 

 

T

Dotted. Seen growing as epiphyte also

less common

 

 

 

 

 

F. virens

 

T

seen growing as epiphyte

rare

 

Table 3: Monocot flora of Ramgarh crater

S.no.

Family

Latin name of plant

H*

Location

Status

Remark

1

Hydrocharitaceae

Hydrilla verticillate

H

Pushkar Talab & Bada Talab

Common

 

2

Dioscoreaceae

Dioscorea bulbifera

TH

Dotted. Visible during rainy season.

Rare

 

3

Liliaceae

Asparagus racemosus

SU

Dotted among bushes

Common

 

 

Urginea indica

H

Dotted in well drained areas

Less common

 

4

Commelianceae

Commehina benghalensis

H

Common during rainy season on the ground and buildings

Common

 

C. forskalaei

H

Common during rainy season

Common

 

5

Arecaceae

Phoenix sylvestris

T

Eastern shore of Pushkar Talab

Less common

 

6

Lemnaceae

Lemna perpusilla

H

Pushar Talab & Bada Talab

Less common

 

 

Spirodela poiyrhiza

H

Pushar Talab & Bada Talab

Common

 

Wolffia microscopica

H

Pushar Talab & Bada Talab

Common

 

7

Potamogetonaceae

Potamogeton pectinatus

H

Pushar Talab & Bada Talab

Less common

 

8

Crperaceae

Cyperus triceps

H

Growing with grasses

 

Less common

 

Fimbristylis falcata

H

Edges of both the ponds

Less common

 

9

Poaceae

Apluda mutica

 

H

Among bushes and below the trees

Abundant

 

Aristida adscensionis

 

H

Open compact soil zone

Common

 

Arthraxon lanceolatus

 

H

Under Mahuwa trees near eastern edge of Pushkar Talab

Less common

 

A. lancifolius

 

H

Under Mahuwa trees near eastern edge of Pushkar Talab under Mahuwa trees

Less common

 

Bothriochloa pertusa

 

H

Growing among bushes

Less common

 

Brachiaria ramosa

H

Open areas

Common

 

B. raptans

H

Open areas

Common

 

Choris dolichostachya

 

H

On the walls of Bhand Deora and stony substratum below the Dhok trees

Rare

 

C. virgata

 

H

Open areas and among bushes

Less common

 

Chrysopogon fulvas

H

Stony-rocky terrain of hill slopes

Less common

 

Cynodon dactylon

H

Moist open areas and banks of streams towards foothills

Abundant

 

Dactylocteninum aegyptium

H

Open area

Abundant

 

Dendrocalamus strictus

S

Upper reaches of southern inner slope

Less common

Growing making small patches (5/E9 Dry Bamboo brakes)

Dicanthium annulatum

H

Growing among the bushes

Less common

 

Echinachloa colona

H

Edges of both the water bodies

Less common

 

Eragrostiella bifaria

H

Open stony patches

Less common

 

E. japonica

H

Open stony patches

Less common

 

Heteropogon contortus

H

Areas having better soil thickness

Less common

 

Melanocenchris jacquemonti

H

Compact open area suffering from erosion

Less common

 

Oplismenus burmannii

H

Shady places under Mahuwa and Mango groves

Common

 

Oropetium thomaeum

H

Rocky areas covered by thin layer of the soil

Less common

 

Oryza rufipogon

H

Ditches along the road leading to crater

Less common

 

Pennisetum orientale

H

Among busses of foothills

Less common

 

Phalaris minor

H

Wet patches

Less common

A winter season grass

Sehima nervosum

H

Among the bushes

Less common

 

Setaria verticillata

H

Shady places under Mahuwa and Mango groves

Less common

 

Sporobolus diander

H

Compact open patches

Less common

 

S. ioclados

H

Compact open patches

Less common

 

Tetrapogon tenelus

H

Degraded compact patches

Less common

 

 

 

Vetiveria zizanioides

H

Low lying areas

Less common

 

* Habit

Tree: T= Tree (Tall, medium sized), ST= Small tree/ Under tree

Shrub: S= Shrub, TS = Twining shrub, CS= Climbing shrub, SS= Scandent shrub/ Straggling shrub, TU= Twining undershrub, SU=Scandent undershrub, US= Undershrub,

Herb: H= Herb, TH= Twining herb, C= Climber

Figure 5: View of the Shiva temple as seen from the surrounding ruins at Ramgarh Crater.

Summary:

A total of 197 vascular plant species belonging to 65 families and 156 genera were documented during floristic surveys conducted between 2023 and July 2025. summary of the various taxa recorded during the present study is depicted below:

Table 4: Summary of Taxa

S. No.

Class

No. of Families

No. of Genera

No. of Species

1

Dicotyledons

56

119

154

2

Monocotyledons

9

37

43

 

Total

65

156

197

Figure 6: Variations in Dhonk (Anogeissus pendula) forest growth forms observed at Ramgarh Crater.

Main Forest Types:

Many forest types are confined to Ramgarh crater. Tropical dry deciduous forests are prevailing in the area. The biggest forest type of the area is 5/E1Anogeissus forest which is present on inner and outer slopes of the crater ring. Due to heavy anthropogenic pressure, degradation is seen on the slopes, especially towards outer slopes and 5/E1 – forest has converted into 5/E/DS1Anogeissus scrub at places. The 5/E5– Butea forests is present in the ‘bowl’ of the hilly ring. Once 5/E9 – Dry Bamboo brakes were prominent in the area but due to anthropogenic pressure, bamboo forest is under pressure. Still a beautiful patch of bamboo forest is present towards the upper reaches of inner face (northern aspect) in southern direction between Krishnayan Mata Ji and Brhamchaten Kund. This is not a pure patch of Dendrocalamius strictus but it is growing inter mixed with Anogeissus pendula (Terminalia pendula). Northern aspect remains more moist than southern aspect. Due to this moisture difference, northern aspect of southern part of the ring is supporting luxuriant bamboo growth.

Various storeyfication (stratification) patterns are observed across different forest types and localities within this region. The vertical structure of the forest near the eastern shore of Pushkar Talab, particularly near the Pucca Ghat area, is characterized by the following stratification pattern:

Table 5: Storeyfication in Butea dominated foothill forest.

StoreySpecies composition
I- Top storey treesMadhuca indica, Mengifera indica, Phoenix sylvestries, Butea monosperma, Tamarindus indica
II- Under storey treesDiospyros cordifolia, Cassia fistula, Prosopis juliflora, Ehretia laevis, Flacourtia indica
IIa- BambooAbsent
III- ShrubsCapparis sepiaria, Cassia sophera, Annona squamosa, Lantana camra, Dichrostachys cineria, Mimosa himalayana, Carissa spinarum, Adhatoda zeylanica, Kirganelia reticulata, Ficus hispida
IVa- HerbsSida acuta, Oxalis corniculate, Alysicarpus vaginalis, Desmodium triflorum, Cassia tora, C. uniflora, Tridax procumbens, Achyranthes aspera, Baliospermum montana,
IVb – GrassesApluda mutica, Arthraxon lanceolatus, A. lancifolius, Oplismenus burmannii, Seteria verticillate,
V – ClimbersCocculus hirsutus, Cayratia carnosa, Cardiospermum helicacabum, Abrus precatorius, Galactia tenuiflora, Rhynchosia minima, Diplocyclos palmatus, Luffa acutangula, Dioscorea bulbifera

Density, species diversity, and vertical stratification are more pronounced in the lower zones, where deeper soils and better moisture availability create favourable conditions for vegetation growth, as indicated in Table 5. In contrast, the upper zones, characterized by shallower soils and limited moisture, exhibit comparatively lower species diversity and simpler forest structure. This pattern is particularly evident in the bamboo-dominated forest located in the upper hill slopes, as detailed in Table 6.

Table 6: Vegetation stratification in Bamboo forests on the upper hill reaches

Storey

Species composition

I & II Storey trees

Anogeissus pandula, Lannea coromandelica, Acacia catechu, Wrightia tinctoria, Ehretia laevis,

IIa- Bamboo

Dendrocalamus strictus

III- Shrubs

Grewia flavesens, Ziziphus xylopyrus, Securinega leucopirus,

IVa- Herbs

Hibiscus caesius, Elatraria acaulis, Indoneesiella echioides, Achyranthes aspera

IVb – Grasses

Apluda mutica, Chloris dolichostachya, Chrysopogon fulvus, Eragrostiella biferia, Heteropogon contortus

V – Climber

Asparagus racemohus

Ethnobotanical notes:

The Ramgarh Crater region historically supported a diverse range of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Sahariya, the local tribals were more dependent on this resource for their livelihood. In earlier times, the Butea monosperma-dominated forests were a major source of foliage used to make biodegradable leaf plates (pattals) and bowls (daunas). With the advent of disposable plastic and paper alternatives, this traditional practice has significantly declined. Butea flowers were also collected seasonally for their cultural and medicinal significance.

Even today, Cassia tora seeds and tuberous roots of Asparagus racemosus are harvested during the post-monsoon season by Sahariyas and other local (landless) residents and sold in regional markets, particularly in Shyopur Mandi (Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh border), where demand for NTFPs remains high.

Bamboo was an important natural product of forest which was harvested by Sahariyas to prepare various handicraft items, especially to make different types of baskets. People say, that during ancient time, thick bamboo growth was present in the foothill but now this forest has disappeared in a large chunk of land and area has been occupied by Prosopis juliflora. Local “Basseda” Community is well known in basketry activities. Before the ‘era of Liquified Petroleum Gas’, fuel wood for cooking was collected by local tribals and other community from the crater forests.

Once, this area was well known for its Acacia catechu forests. Khirwa community of Hathiyadeh and Karvary villages used to extract Katha (Cutch) from Khair trees and used to trade in Madhya Pradesh. This practice, once economically significant, is now extinct.

Another traditional use involved the harvesting of Adhatoda zeylanica stems and branches, which were dried and used under terracotta roof tiles (khaprel) in rural Kuccha homes. This practice unintentionally regulated the growth of this hardy shrub. As modern roofing materials have replaced clay tiles, unchecked growth of Adhatoda has been observed in many patches.

Oral histories also report that several ‘Panwadi’ (betel leaf cultivation units) were historically active near the ponds within the crater. However, betel leaf production has now ceased entirely.

Acknowledgements:

We thank Sh. R.K. Khairwa, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests; Sh. Aporva Shrivastava, IFS, Dy. CF.; Sh. Anil Yadav, RFS, Dy. CF.; Sh. Deepak Kumar Gautam, Forest Range Officer and Sh. Deepak Sharma, Forest Range Officer for assistance and support during the course of study.

References:

  1. Abbas, R. (2021): Exploring the rock art of Chambal basin. IIRNS publication LLP.
  2. Aswathi, J., R.C. Saranya, J. Shania, D. Padamkaur & K.S. Sajin Kumar (2012): Impact origin for Ramgarh structure, India. New. insights from Petrography, Geochemistry and Geochronology. AGU Fall meeting held in Chicago IL, 12-16 December.
  3. Nagar, P., Tanrkar, P. & V. Agrawal, (2017) : Geology and sedimentary structure is in lower Bhander sandstone of Bijoliya area Rajasthan. Indian J. of Applied Research 7 (9) : 517-520.
  4. Pandey, L., V. Agrawal, G. Singhvi & H. Sen (2024). Prehistoric rock paintings- Hadoti plateau (Rajasthan). Himanshu publications Udaipur & New Delhi. Pp. 1-117
  5. Sharma N. (2002): The flora of Rajasthan. Aavishkar Publishers, Distributors, Jaipur. Pp. 1-280.
  6. Crawford, A.  (1972). India’s Ramgarh structure: A meteorite impact crater? Nature, 237, 96.
  7. Master, S., & Pandit, M.  (1999). New evidence for an impact origin of the Ramgarh structure, Rajasthan, India. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 34(4), 79.
  8. Kenkmann, T., Reimold, W. , & Misra, S. (2020). India’s confirmed impact structures: Origin and importance. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 55(7), 1459–1476.
  9. Ray, D., et al. (2020). Petrographic and geochemical evidence for the impact origin of Ramgarh Crater, India (zircon U–Pb geochronology, shock features). ScienceDirect / Journal, ~2022.
  10. Pandit, M. , & Master, S. (2021). The Ramgarh terrestrial impact structure: a geo‑heritage candidate. Geoheritage, 13:81.
  11. Misra, S., Srivastava, P. , Ghosh, S., Das, A. K., & Ray, D. (2023). An alternative view on size and impact history of Ramgarh Crater, India: evidence from high‑resolution remote sensing and gravity data. Journal of Earth System Science, 132(78).
  12. Government of Rajasthan. (2024, March 19). Notification declaring Ramgarh Crater as a National Geo‑Heritage Site and Conservation Reserve. Environment Department Document.
  13. Outlook Traveller (2025). Ramgarh Crater in Rajasthan: biodiversity, wetlands, arsenic saline‑alkaline lakes, tourism potential.
  14. Sharma, B.  et al. (1996). Flora of India, Series 4: Fabaceae. Botanical Survey of India. (contextual regional floristic baseline)
  15. Jain, S.  (1991). Dictionary of Indian Folk Medicine and Ethnobotany. Deep Publications. (ethnobotanical context)
  16. Beniwal, V., & Bhandari, M.  (1986). Ethnobotany of the Sahariyas in Rajasthan. Ethnobotany, 6, 57–67. (local tribal plant usage)
बसंत में सफेद बगुलों का आश्रय – आम का पेड़

बसंत में सफेद बगुलों का आश्रय – आम का पेड़

हम सब ने कहीं न कही पेड़ों पर पक्षियों को बैठे देखा है जो हमारा ध्यान आकर्षित करते है, खासतौर पर बड़े पक्षी। जैसे- चील, कौआ, बगुला, जांघिल, चमचा, जलकाग, कालाबाजा, धनेश इत्यादि। उपरोक्त पक्षियों में से हमें ग्रामीण और शहरी परिवेश के बाहर सबसे ज्यादा बगुले दिखाई देते हैं।

आम का पेड़ और सफेद बगुलों की मीठी दोस्ती (फ़ोटो: लीलाधर सुमन, सोनू कुमार)

भारत में बगुलों की छ: प्रजातियाँ पाई जाती है जिनमें से सबसे ज्यादा दिखाई देने वाला बगुला है, बगुले से यहां तात्पर्य मवेशी बगुले से है जिसे अंग्रेजी भाषा में कैटल एगरेट  (Bubulcus ibis) तथा हिंदी में सफेद बगुला / गाय बगुला / मवेशी बगुला कहा जाता है। इसे संस्कृत में “बकः” कहा जाता है। विद्यार्थी जीवन में हम सब ने कहीं न कहीं एक श्लोक जरूर सुना या पढ़ा होगा –

काक चेष्टा, बको ध्यानं, स्वान निद्रा तथैव च। अल्पहारी, गृहत्यागी, विद्यार्थी पंच लक्षणं।।

उपरोक्त श्लोक में अच्छे विद्यार्थी के पांच गुण बताए गए हैं जिनमें से एक बको ध्यानम है, जिसका अर्थ बगुले जैसे ध्यान से है। बगुले अक्सर घंटों तक एक स्थान पर ध्यान लगाए बैठे देखे जा सकते हैं।

बगुले अक्सर घंटों तक एक स्थान पर ध्यान लगाए बैठे देखे जा सकते हैं (फ़ोटो: प्रवीण)

मवेशी बगुला अपने भोजन के रुप में सर्वाधिक कीड़े-मकोड़ों को खाता है, लेकिन नदी, तालाबों और झीलों के आस पास केंचुआ, मेंढक, मछलियां भी खा सकता है। इस बगुले को ज्यादातर ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में मवेशी जानवरों के साथ उनके शरीर से टिक (चिचड़े), जो मवेशियों में बाह्य परजीवी के रूप में चिपके रहते है और उनके शरीर से रक्त चूसते रहते हैं, को छुड़ाकर खाते हुए देखना आम दृश्य है।

मवेशी बगुले को सामान्यत: मवेशियों के साथ खेत खलिहानो और चरागाह में अधिक देखा जाता है इसी लिए इसे मवेशी बगुला नाम दिया गया है। (फ़ोटो: सोनू कुमार)

मवेशी बगुले को आमतौर पर छोटे समूहों में खेतों या किसी अन्य प्रकार के चरागाह क्षेत्रों में भोजन तलाशते देखा जा सकता है। ये अवसरवादी शिकारी होते हैं, और आमतौर पर चरने वाले जानवरों या हकाई जुताई के दौरान ट्रैक्टर के आगे-पीछे दौड़ते रहते है। मवेशी बगुलो के लिए यहां कीड़ों की संख्या अत्यधिक होती है और उन्हें पकड़ना भी आसान होता हैं। सर्दियों और बारिश के मौसम में ये किड़ो की तलाश में तालाब और खेतों में अधिक देखे जाते है, लेकिन बसंत और गर्मी के मौसम में मवेशी बगुलो को शहरी क्षेत्रों के निकट खासतौर पर जहां बगीचे हो, वहां अधिक देखा जाता है।

गर्मी के मौसम में शहरों के आस पास आम के पेड़ों में अच्छी मात्रा में फूल लगते है और इन फूलों की और कीड़े आकर्षित होते है। कीड़ों का इन फूलों पर मंडराने का मुख्य उद्देश्य उनका रस चूसना होता है। एक आम के पेड़ पर हजारों की संख्या में कीड़े या मक्खियां भिनभिनाती रहती है जो मवेशी बगुलो को अपनी ओर आकर्षित करते है।

कीड़ों का इन फूलों पर मंडराने का मुख्य उद्देश्य उनका रस चूसना होता है (फ़ोटो: लीलाधर सुमन, सोनू कुमार)

आम के पेड़ पर कुल लगना फरवरी माह मे शुरू हो जाते है और अप्रैल तक रहते है। आम के पेड़ पर फूलों के गुच्छों को ‘बौर या मौर’ कहा जाता हैं। जब आम के पेड़ो पर पूरी तरह से पुष्पन शुरू हो जाता है तो पूरा पेड़ पीला दिखाई देने लगता है। इसे आम के पेड़ो का “बौरना” भी कहा जाता है। इन गुच्छों में अधिकांश फूल नर होते है, बाकी के कुल उभ्यलिंगी होते है। आगे चलकर उभ्यलिंगी फूलों से ही फल बनते हैं।

आम के पुष्प कीट-पतंगों को अपनी ओर आकर्षित करते हैं और ये कीट पतंग फूलों का रस चुसने के साथ साथ पराग स्थानांतरण का भी कार्य करते हैं (फ़ोटो: लीलाधर सुमन, सोनू कुमार)

हमें आम के पेड़ों पर असंख्य पुष्पगुच्छ नजर आते है इन गुच्छों में पीले व नारंगी रंग की धारियों वाले पुष्प लगे होते है जो कीट-पतंगों को अपनी ओर आकर्षित करते है। और ये कीट पतंग फूलों का रस चुसने के साथ साथ पराग स्थानांतरण का भी कार्य करते है इसलिए आम के पेड़ों को सामान्यतः कीट-परागित माना जाता है। लेकिन आम में स्व-परागण भी संभव हैं।

ये बगुले आम के इन पेड़ों पर छोटे छोटे झुण्ड बना कर बैठ जाते है और आम के फूलों का रस चुसने आए इन कीड़ों को खाते रहते हैं। इन कीड़ों को बगुले अपना भोजन बना कर कुछ सीमा तक जैविक कीट नियंत्रण का भी कार्य करते है। (फ़ोटो: लीलाधर सुमन, सोनू कुमार)

सामान्यत: आम के पेड़ों पर इन बगुलो को सुबह व शाम को हल्की धूप में कीड़ों को अधिक खाते देखा जाता है। इस समय आम के पेड़ों पर फूलों और पत्तियों पीला हरा रंग बगुलो के सफेद रंग के नीचे दब सा जाता है। (फ़ोटो: लीलाधर सुमन, सोनू कुमार)

 

राजस्थान के एक खूबसूरत ऑर्किड का एक पेचीदा परागण

राजस्थान के एक खूबसूरत ऑर्किड का एक पेचीदा परागण

राजस्थान एक सूखा क्षेत्र है परन्तु कुछ सुंदर दिखने वाले नम क्षेत्रों के अनोखे पौधे भी यदा कदा इधर उधर मिल जाते है। इसी तरह का एक खूबसूरत ऑर्किड – ईस्टर्न मार्श हेलेबोरिन (एपिपैक्टिस वेराट्रिफ़ोलिया- Epipactis veratrifolia) राजस्थान के चित्तौड़गढ़ जिले में मिलता है। इस के अलावा राजस्थान में यह कहीं और से अभी तक देखा नहीं गया है।  इस तरह के पौधे कैसे अपने लायक उपयुक्त स्थान तलाश लेते है एक शोध का विषय है । यद्यपि यह पूरे भारत में कई  अन्य स्थानों पर पाया जाता है। यह एक स्थलीय आर्किड है।

एपिपैक्टिस वेराट्रिफ़ोलिया, Epipactis veratrifolia

राजस्थान के चित्तौड़गढ़ जिले में पाए जाने वाला ईस्टर्न मार्श हेलेबोरिन (Epipactis veratrifolia)

परन्तु इस ऑर्किड के परागण की प्रक्रिया अत्यंत रोचक है – यह होवरफ्लाइज़ नामक कीट को धोखा देकर परागण प्रक्रिया को संपादित करता है।
होवरफ्लाइज़ एक छोटी मक्खी नुमा कीट है जो फूलों के आस पास मंडराते है।  यह आर्किड इसके लिए एक रणनीति का उपयोग करते है जो अत्यंत जटिल है, यह एक अन्य कीट एफिड के अलार्म फेरोमोन की नकल करते हुए गंध को छोड़ते  है। यानी ऐसी गंध जो एफिड खतरे के समय छोड़ता है।

होवरफ्लाइज़, अपने लार्वा के लिए एफिड्स को भोजन के रूप में पसंद करते है। चूँकि यह ऑर्किड भी एफिड द्वारा छोड़ी गई अलार्म गंध के समान ही गंध छोड़ता है, तो मादा होवरफ्लाइज़ को आभास होता है की, कोई एफिड समूह ऑर्किड के फूल के पास है, और यह होवरफ्लाईस उस ओर आकर्षित होती हैं।

Hoverflies होवरफ्लाइज़

होवरफ्लाइज़ अनजाने में अपने अंडे इस ओर्किड के फूल को एफिड समझ कर फूल पर ही जमा कर देते हैं

ये होवरफ्लाइज़ अनजाने में अपने अंडे एफिड समझ कर इस आर्किड के फूल पर ही जमा कर देते हैं, जिसके परिणामस्वरूप अंडे से निकले उनके लार्वा का भूख से दुखद अंत होता है। हालांकि यह विश्वासघात न केवल होवरफ्लाइज़ के लिए जोखिम पैदा करता है बल्कि आर्किड के पौधे को भी खतरे में डालता है यदि वे अपने स्वयं के परागणकर्ताओं को ही मार देते हैं।

फिर ऐसा क्यों होता है ?

दिलचस्प बात यह है कि शोधकर्ताओं ने देखा है कि यह पौधा एफिड्स से मुक्त रहता है। नतीजतन, वैज्ञानिक अनुमान लगाते हैं कि ऑर्किड एक ऐसी गंध का उत्सर्जन करता है जो एफिड्स को उनसे दूर रखता है, अनजाने में स्वयं होवरफ्लाइज़ को धोखा देता है। अतः इसका पहला उद्देश्य है एफिड को दूर रखना और दूसरा स्वार्थ परागण करवाना अपने आप सिद्ध हो जाता है।

शायद आपने इतने कलिष्ट परागण प्रक्रिया को कभी नहीं सुना हो।

अरावली के ऑर्किड

अरावली के ऑर्किड

राजस्थान के दक्षिणी हिस्से में कई ऑर्किड प्रजातियां पायी जाती हैं . राजस्थान कांटेदार और छोटी पत्तीदार पौधों से भरपूर हैं परन्तु २० से कुछ अधिक ऑर्किड प्रजातियां भी अरावली और विन्ध्यांचल के शुष्क वातावरण में अपने लायक उपयुक्त स्थान बना पाए हैं . यह संख्या कोई अधिक नहीं हैं परन्तु फिर भी शुष्क प्रदेश में इनको देखना एक अनोखा अनुभव हैं .  विश्व में ऑर्किड के 25000 से अधिक प्रजातियां देखे गए हैं . भारत में 1250 से अधिक प्रजातियां अब तक दर्ज की गयी हैं, इनमें से 388 प्रजातियां विश्व में मात्र भारत में ही मिलती हैं . राजस्थान में ऑर्किड को प्रकृति में स्वतंत्र रूप से लगे हुए देखना हैं तो – फुलवारी वन्यजीव अभयारण्य, माउंट आबू वन्यजीव अभयारण्य,  एवं सीतामाता वन्यजीव अभयारण्य आदि राज्य में सबसे अधिक मुफीद स्थान हैं .
राजस्थान के ऑर्किड पर डॉ. सतीश शर्मा ने एक पुस्तक का लेखन भी किया हैं और कई ऑर्किड प्रजातियों को पहली बार राज्य में पहली बार दर्ज भी किया हैं .

इस वर्षा काल में डॉ. सतीश शर्मा के सानिध्य में कई ऑर्किड देखने का मौका मिला. यह पौधे अत्यंत खूबसूरत और नाजुक थे . एक छोटे समय काल में यह अपने जीवन के सबसे सुन्दर क्षण जब पुष्पित हो को जीवंतता के साथ पूरा करते हैं . यह समय काल मानसून के समय होता हैं अतः थोड़ा कठिन भी होता हैं, इस अवधारणा के विपरीत की  राजस्थान एक शुष्क प्रदेश हैं परन्तु वर्षा काल में यह किसी अन्य प्रदेश से इतर नहीं लगता हैं . यह समय अवधि असल में इतनी छोटी होती हैं की इनको देख पाना आसान नहीं होता हैं. मेरे लिए यह सम्भव बनाया डॉ. सतीश शर्मा ने और उनके सानिध्य में राज्य के २ दर्जन ऑर्किड मे से १ दर्जन ऑर्किड में देख पाया .

राजस्थान में तीन प्रकार के ऑर्किड पाए जाते हैं, एपिफैटिक जो पेड़ की शाखा पर उगते हैं, लिथोफाइट जो चट्टानी सतह पर उगते हैं, टेरेस्ट्रियल पौधे जमीन पर उगते हैं

.

1. यूलोफिया हर्बेशिया (Eulophia herbacea) यह राजस्थान में गामडी की नाल एवं खाँचन की नाल-फुलवारी अभयारण्य में मिलता हैं .

2. यूलोफिया ऑक्रीएटा (Eulophia ochreata) घाटोल रेंज के वनक्षेत्र, माउन्ट आबू, सीतामाता अभयारण्यय पट्टामाता (तोरणा प्), तोरणा प्प् (रेंज ओगणा, उदयपुर), फुलवारी की नाल अभयारण्य, कुम्भलगढ अभयारण्य, गौरमघाट (टॉडगढ-रावली अभयारण्य) आदि में मिलता हैं .

3. एपीपैक्टिस वेराट्रीफोलिए (Epipactis veratrifolia) मेनाल क्षेत्र- चित्तौडग़ढ़ में मिलता है .

4. हैबेनेरिया फर्सीफेरा (Habenaria furcifera)फुलवारी की नाल अभयारण्य, कुम्भलगढ अभयारण्य, गोगुन्दा तहसील के वन क्षेत्र एवं घास के बीडे, सीतामाता अभयारण्य आदि

5. हैबेनेरिया लॉन्गीकार्नीकुलेटा (Habenaria longicorniculata) माउन्ट आबू अभयारण्य, गोगुन्दा व झाडोल रेंज के वन क्षेत्र (उदयपुर), कुम्भलगढ अभयारण्य आदि .

6. हैबेनेरिया गिब्सनई (Habenaria gibsonii) माउन्ट आबू अभयारण्य एवं उदयपुर के आस पास के क्षेत्र में मिलता हैं .

7. पैरीस्टाइलिस गुडयेरोइड्स (Peristylus goodyeroides) मात्र फुलवारी की नाल अभयारण्य क्षेत्र में मिला है .

8. पैरीस्टाइलिस कॉन्सट्रिक्ट्स (Peristylus constrictus) सीतामाता एवं फुलवारी की नाल अभयारण्य आदि में मिलता है .

9. पैरीस्टाइलिस लवी (Peristylus lawiI): फुलवारी की नाल अभयारण्य  में मिलता है .

10. वैन्डा टैसीलाटा (Vanda tessellata) सांगबारी भूतखोरा, पीपल खूँट, पूना पठार (सभी बाँसवाडा जिले के वन क्षेत्र), फुलवारी की नाल, सीतामाता माउन्ट आबू, शेरगढ अभ्यारण्य बाँरा जिला में सीताबाडी, मुँडियार नाका के जंगल, कुण्डाखोहय  प्रतापगढ वन मंडल के वन क्षेत्र आदि .

11. एकैम्पे प्रेमोर्सा (Acampe praemorsa) सीतामाता अभ्यारण्य, फुलवारी की नाल अभ्यारण्य, फलासिया क्षेत्र अन्तर्गत नला गाँव के वन क्षैत्र आदि

Passive Plant Taxonomy With Special Reference To Rajasthan

Passive Plant Taxonomy With Special Reference To Rajasthan

Know how the simple identification of plants from Google poses a threat?

Plant Taxonomy is one of the very important branches of the Botany which helps us in classification , identification  and authentication  of an unknown plant species. It provides us important tools to place, search and understand a species properly. If someone is doing a research work on a particular species, but identification is erroneous, then whole research work would be futile and senseless. Especially, if some research work is based on a particular single species and identification of same is mistaken, we can easily think of the hazards. Particularly, in medicology, wrong species identification may prove disastrous to self, society and science.

Recently, we got a chance to read a beautiful and provoking article, titled “The End of Botany” published by Crisci et al. (2020). Authors of this article say “Biologist unable to recognize common plants and a decline in botany students, faculty, courses, university departments and herbaria highlight the current erosion of botany. How did we reach this crisis, knowing that plants form the basis for life ? What are causes? What can we do to reverse it?” What Crisci et al. (2020) wrote is absolutely correct and alarming. Day by day correct plant identification is becoming a difficult task and Rajasthan is also not unaffected from this situation.

Before independence (i.e. 1947) and till 1970 our dependency was more or less on the floras of Hooker et al. (1872-1897) and Brandis (1874) as that time specific floras for geographical limits of erstwhile Rajasthan (Rajputana) were not available. Various information in the form of published papers related to flora of Rajasthan were scattered and a real “compact flora” for the state or any part of the state was not available. Ramdev (1969), Bhandari (1978) and Shamra and Tiagi (1979) were the state’s pioneer post-independence taxonomists and they took a lead to produce regional floras of the state. They also developed the herbaria for the state. After these initial efforts, many floras came into existence. Few important landmark Angiospermic floras of Rajasthan are as follows:

Sr. no.PeriodName of flora published (year of publication )Author(s)Coverage
11947-1980 Contribution to the flora of Udaipur (1969)K.D. RamdevSouth- East Rajasthan
Flora of the Indian Desert (1978)M.M. BhandariJaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner districts
Flora of North- East Rajasthan (1979)S. Sharma &B. TiagiNorth – East Rajasthan
21981-2000Flora of Banswara (1983)V. SinghBanswara district
Flora of Tonk (1983)B.V. Shetty & R. P. PandeyTonk district
Flora of Rajasthan, Vol. I,II,III (1987,1991,1993)B.V. Shetty & V. SinghWhole Rajasthan
 Flora of Rajasthan(Series – Inferae ) (1989)K.K. Sharma & S. SharmaWhole Rajasthan
Illustrated flora of Keoladeo National Park , Bharatpur , Rajasthan (1996)Prasad et al.KNP Bharatpur
32001-2020The flora of Rajasthan (2002)N. SharmaHadoti zone
Flora of Rajasthan (South and South- East Rajasthan ) (2007)Y. D. Tiagi & N.C. AreySouth and South- East Rajasthan
Orchids of Desert and Semi – arid Biogeographic zones of India (2011)S.K. SharmaOrchids of whole Rajasthan (including parts of adjacent states )
Flora of South – Central Rajasthan (2011)B. L. Yadav & K.L. MeenaSouth- Central Rajasthan

The above table indicates that in present century, we have published less number of Angiospermic floras related to Rajasthan. Our old generation of “University Taxonomist” namely Sh. K.D. Ramdev, Dr. Shiva Sharma, Prof. B Tiagi, Prof. M.M. Bhandari and Prof. Y.D. Tiagi had left us, leaving a massive vacuum in the field of taxonomy of Rajasthan. Prof. N.C. Arey has also retired. During the days of above plant taxonomists, regular outings for field studies, herbarium preparation, outstate botanical tours, morphological micro- scopic studies etc. were the routine part of day to day activities. At that time, there were hardly any coloured field guides available in the library or market to identify the plants. Neither internet  nor Google facilities were available. The only method to identify the plants was non- illustrated descriptive floras. Easy and readily available plant identifying sources were hardly available. If any student use to get a plant new to him/ her , he /she used to instructed by the teachers to use the flora their own to identify the plant. Since options were less and  compulsions were more , hence M.Sc. and Ph.D. students used to refer different floras for cross checking also. This type of atmosphere was very helpful to make a student “active taxonomist”. When student involves in “active identification” of a plant with the help of floras, he used to develop a special  and real taste for plant taxonomy. We would like to give an example of Sh. Roop Singh, the thence herbarium keeper of the Deptt. Of Botany , University of Rajasthan, Jaipur . Dr. Shiv Sharma had developed a beautiful herbarium with the help of Sh. Roop Singh. Sh. Roop Singh was not a qualified taxonomist but the plant material, brought by Dr. Shiv Sharma from the field were used to process by him. Drying, pasting on herbarium sheet, labeling, placing in Genus and Species folder, then storing in the pigeon hole almirah, etc. activities were regularly done by him.  He actively and minutely used to observe the plant specimen to help in identification. He learnt various aspects of Angiospermic taxonomy from Dr. Shiv Sharma. Soon he developed a wonderful taste for taxonomy. He was quite smooth to use the floras and to refer the Index Kewensis for correct identification and nomenclature. His identification ability was most reliable and par excellence. Seeing the case of Sh. Roop Singh, one can raise a question- why he was so thorough in plant identification? The answer is, he used to observe the plant material himself and he never believed in “ready-made identification process”. If one flora is not giving satisfactory results, then he used to start probing the next flora and so on, till he got a correct identification. we would like to call this habit “active plant identification”. Thus, to become an active plant taxonomist, students should have to develop a habit of active plant identification.

In present days, the situation is reverse. Most of people are seem always in hurry. Generally, people have no time to go in the field. Even, many do not want to spent few minutes to identify an unknown plant on their own. They like a ready-made identification facility. Internet, Google , mobile groups etc. are such fora where people send their pictures of unknown plants and sometimes within few seconds identification reaches in their hands. Though, using such methods, identification is possible quickly but people never become “Roop Singh”. Day by day people are becoming addict of “ready made identification” of the plants.  This culture of “passive identification” and “passive taxonomy” is replacing old trends of taxonomy every where. Now plant identification becoming easy but new plant taxonomists are not developing in the botany departments of various Universities of the state. The same situation is in Forest Department and Ayurveda Department. There was a time when Dr. C.M. Mathur and Sh. V.S. Saxena like forest officers were there in the Forest Department, Rajasthan who were experts of forest taxonomy. Similarly, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Dr. R.C. Bhutiya, and few others were torch bearers of plant identification in the department of Ayurveda, but after their retirement, a vacuum is there.

We are getting late now. We hardly have any reliable and leading angiospermic taxonomist from the new generation in our state. The same situation is in the field of animal taxonomy. We have a good network of Universities and colleges in the state but traditional plant taxonomy is not a much-liked subject there. It’s the right time to revive “active taxonomy” in the state before it dies completely. This is a moral duty of every University and Forest and Ayurveda Departments as well.

References :

  • Cover Photo- PC: Dr. Dharmendra Khandal
  • Bhandari , M.M. (1978) : Flora of the Indian desert. (Revised 1990)
  • Brandis , D. (1874) : The forest flora of the North – West and Central India. London.
  • Crisci , J.V. , L. Katinas , M.J. Apodaca & P.C. Hode (2020): The end of Botany. Trends in plants science. XX (XX) : 1-4.
  • Hooker, J.D. et al. (1872-1897) : The flora of British India. Vol. 1-7. London (Repr. Ed. 1954-1956, Kent).
  • Prasad V. P., D. Mason , J.P. Marburger & C.R. Ajitkumar (1996) : Illustrated flora of Keoladeo Nation Park , Bharatpur.
  • Ramdev , K. D. (1969) : Contribution to the flora of Udaipur .
  • Sharma K.K. & S. Sharma (1989) : Flora of Rajasthan (Series- Inferae) .
  • Sharma N. (2002) : The flora of Rajasthan
  • Sharma , S. K. (2011) : Orchids of Desert and Semi- arid Biogeographic Zones of India.
  • Sharma ,S. &B. Tiagi (1979) : Flora of North – East Rajasthan.
  • Shetty , B. V.  & R.P. Pandey (1983) : Flora of Tonk.
  • Shetty B.V. & V. Singh (1987,1991,1993) : Flora of Rajasthan , Vol. I , II & III .
  • Singh , V. (1983) : Flora of Banswara .
  • Tiagi , Y.D. & N.C. Arey (2007) Flora of Rajasthan (South & South- East Rajasthan )
  • Yadav , B.L. & K.L. Meena (2011) : Flora of South – Central Rajasthan. Scientific Publishers , Jodhpur .
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