Diversity of Economically Useful Wild Plants of Jhalana Forest, Jaipur

Abstract

The Biodiversity of an area influences every aspect of the lives of people who inhabit it. Their living space and their livelihood depend on the ecosystem. Even people living in urban areas are dependent on the ecological services provided by the wilderness in the protected areas. The indigenous communities have played a vital role in the development and management of the environment through their traditional knowledge and practice. They use abundant plant biodiversity as fodder, fuel, food, medicine etc. Jhalana forest, situated in the heart of the Jaipur city, spread across an area of 17 square kilometres. The Aravalli Mountain Range is located nearby and surrounds the area with thick forest, which is home to varied flora and fauna. The study is to document nearly 40 species of wild plants of economic uses. Analysis of taxonomic group of plants revealed that a total of 40 wild plants species belonging to 33 genera and 21 families were listed. Vegetation of the study area is mainly dominated by the Anogeissus latifolia, Anogeissus pendula and Boswellia serrata. Analysis of habits of plants documented show that trees share the largest proportion with 23species followed by shrub with 6 species, along with herb with 7species and Climber with 4 species Among the 40 species 26 are used as medicinal, 15 species are edible, 6 species used as fodder, 5 species used as fuel and 1 species is used as timber. Due to deforestation, colonization and industrialization there is an urgent need is felt to undertake ethnobotanical studies before extinction of the tribal life and Sustainable Utilization of wild plants.