Checklist of the tree flora of the Balaghat Ranges, Maharashtra, India

Sayajirao Gaikwad,Krushnadeoray Garad,Ramchandra Gore

doi:10.15560/10.5.1071

Abstract

A detailed inventory of all indigenous and exotic species of trees from the Balaghat Ranges of Maharashtra, India is provided. About 228 tree taxa belonging to 44 families and 132 genera have been recorded from the study region, of which 174 are indigenous and 53 are exotic. The families Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Bignoniaceae, Rubiaceae and Moraceae are dominant in the arborescent flora. Acacia Mill. is the largest genus with 19 tree taxa. Vegetation type and the months of flowering and fruiting are given for each tree taxon. Trees of Balaghat Ranges have many potential uses like sources of food, fodder, timber, fuel wood, dye, essential oils, medicines etc. However, forests of Balaghat Ranges have been declining due to anthropogenic activities and tourism. Hence, the present study was undertaken to generate baseline data, which will prove helpful for the conservation and protection the forest of Balaghat Ranges.

Highlights

The terrain of Balaghat Ranges supports unique tropical dry deciduous forest and open scrub vegetation with vast grasslands
During the present work, 228 species of angiosperm trees have been recorded from Balaghat Ranges of Maharashtra, of which 174 are indigenous and occur in wild, while 53 are exotic and are either cultivated or naturalized in the region
Out of 228 tree taxa of Balaghat Ranges, 218 species are dicotyledonous belonging to 123 genera and 42 families, and 10 species are monocotyledonous belonging to 9 genera and 2 families (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

The terrain of Balaghat Ranges supports unique tropical dry deciduous forest and open scrub vegetation with vast grasslands. Pockets of dry deciduous forest in Balaghat Ranges provide habitats to an enormous number of amphibians, birds, insects, mammals and spiders but it is the only site of their residence in the drought prone region of Maharashtra. According to Champion and Seth (1968), the vegetation in the region can be divided into tropical mixed dry deciduous forests, open scrub jungles and grasslands. The grasslands of Balaghat Ranges are unique and popularly known as Indian savannas; they provide habitat to more than 100 bird species, which include the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard. The dry climate of Balaghat Ranges is not favorable for the luxuriant growth of plants like that of the Himalaya and Western Ghats of India. The present study was undertaken to produce an up-to-date account of the trees of Balaghat, which can better enable conservation and protection of these tree species

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Conclusion