Value of floral diversity of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP)

Abstract

SGNP embraces floral species possessing medicinal, food and commercial values. Owing to over–collection, they have been listed as either being endemic, rare or endangered in Red Data Book. For complete representation of floristic components, seasonal floristic surveys were conducted every fortnight and to understand their value as medicine, food and commercial, information was gained from the local communities and resources from Nature Information Center of the SGNP. The survey identified 84 tree species from 28 families, 17 species of Shrubs from 8 families, 37 species of Herbs from 19 families, 20 species of Climbers from 11 families, 3 species of Bamboos from 1 family, 1 species each of Epiphyte and Parasite and 4 species of Palms. Of 84 species of trees, 81 were known to have an intrinsic value as food, commercial, medicinal, religious or all. 66 of 79 species of plants recorded showed a high inherent value and used by local communities to generate natural income. Having known of the values of trees, 6 of the 84 species of trees were recorded as endangered, vulnerable, rare or endemic to the region. Similarly, atleast 6 species of wild plants belonged to one of the categories of the Red Data List. It is quite evident that the species of plants in SGNP provide mankind with large number of goods and services. Recognizing their exquisite properties as medicinal, commercial and food, the forests can be considered as a source worth millions to enhance human wellbeing.