Sacred Groves - hottest spots for biodiversity conservation and Ethnobotany - documentation of tribal knowledge about many unfolded secrets of plants have immense role in the era of biotechnology, bioinformics and bioprospecting. As a tribute to Dr. V.D. vartak, a pioneer in both these fields, a three days national seminar on " Ethnobotany and Sacred Groves : role in conservation strategy of India. " was held at Agharkar Research Institute, Pune during April 17-19,2002 on his first death anniversary. The objectives to bring together biological scientists as well as nature lovers and to know present status of research on various aspects on Sacred Groves and Ethnobotany were achieved through this seminar.

Present volume is the outcome of the deliberation of the seminar. It is more special because of inclusion of Dr. Vartak's initial work on Sacred Groves and Ethnobotany depicting history of these special botanical fields as Part I.

Besides value of Sacred Groves as traditionally preserved virgin forest patches, they are more valuable for screening novel and non-conventional plant resources as well as conservation sites for rare as well as endemic species. Likewise tribal knowledge about use value of natural resources, so far remained hidden from civilized eyes, has tremendous potential for bioprospecting in coming years. Present volume contributed by several eminent scientists and researchers is expected to focus some such issues.

The contents have been divided into two parts viz Dr.Vartak's contributions towords Sacred Groves and Ethnobotany as Part I and contributions by delegates as Part II. Part II focuses on variety of aspects ranging from simple listing of Sacred Groves and diversity therein, enumeration of Ethnobotany valuable species to validation of ethno - claims using modern tools. The volume therefore, will be first to its kind at least on Sacred Groves and unique in having combination of history and new dimensions on the concerned subjects.

The editor wishes to place on record her sincere gratitude and thanks to Dr. V. S. Roa, Director Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune for facilities, constant support, encouragement and timely suggestions for bringing out this volume. Special thanks to Dr. A.M.Mujumdar, In-charge Botanygroup , ARI Pune for allowing use of coloured photographs on various aspects of Agharkar Research Institute, Pune from departmental collections and for kind support. Immensed help rendered by departmental colleaques and
Research students dr.S.D.Bonde, Dr.D.K.Kulkarni, Dr.(Mrs.) Anuradha Upadhye and Ms.Sunita Kamble and the typist Mrs.Ujwala Marane is duly acknowledged. Contineous
Support and involvement of Vartak family deserves special mention. The editor also thanks M/s Prism Publications, Division of Timely Management, Mumbai, Ms.Swati & others, for bringing out this volume with a nice get up. Involvement, keen interest and pain taken especially for critical and meticulous editorial work by Mr.Ajit Nagpurkar, Director, Timely Management Const. ser.Pvt.Ltd., Mumbai, Dr.Hema Sane, Pune and Dr.S.S.Ranade, Mumbai in bringing out this issue needs special credit.

Prof. Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, Stalwart in field of Botany and close friend of Dr.Vartak, needs special mention for readily agreeing to write the foreword.

It is hoped that this book Focus on Sacred Groves and Ethnobotany will prove unique as a source of information on the fundamentals of concern fields of botanists, research workers, nature lovers and eve NGOs working for conservation strategies, not only in India but even abroad.

Vinaya Ghate
Convenor of Seminar and Chief Editor

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