Book Reviews

By Dr.S.K.Jain,
Appeared in "Ethnobotany" -
International Journal of the Society of Ethnobotanists, Lucknow

Dr. Vaman Dattatraya Vartak was born on 19 November 1925 and was 76 at the time of his demise on 17 April 2001. Dr. Vartak had contributed in floristic and taxonomic studies, but he devoted his attention more significantly in the field of Ethno-botany as well as documentation and conservation of Sacred Groves.

The most significant aspect of the book is the inclusion of Dr. Vartak's 20 pioneering publications about various facets of sacred groves and ethnobotany in part 1 covering:
*Groves dedicated to the Gods; * Sacred groves of India - A plea for continued conservation; * Studies in Ethnobotany - A new vista in botanical sciences; * Observation on wild edible plants from hilly regions of Maharashtra and Goa - Resume and future prospects; * Enumeration of medicinal plants from Karnala tribal area, Kolaba district, Maharashtra State and * Ethnobotany of Neem, etc. This part highlights the importance of sacred groves as the most valuable source for screening novel and non-conservational plant resources as well as the appropriate conservation sites for rare, endangered and endemic taxa.

Part II covers the papers presented by delegates during the seminar. It has been divided into two sections. Section (i) covers the papers presented on Sacred Groves. The important papers worth mentioning are: Indological evidences for conservation strategies: Digitizing Indian sacred groves - An information model for web interfaced multimedia database; Role of CITES towards conservation of plant diversity in India, and Threatened medicinal plants from sacred groves of Pune district, Maharashtra, India.

Section (ii) incorporates papers on Ethnobotany, including some important ones as: Korkus of Melghat Distt, Amaravati , Maharashtra State- A cultural study; Vaidu Sammelan - a documentaion method for medicinal plants; A comparative ethno-medico -botanical study among the tribes of Korba and Oraon of Chattisgarh State; Some unrecorded plant-based ethnomedicinal practices from Gujarat; plants used in ethnoveterinary practices in Aurangabad district, Maharshtra; Bioprospective role of Preridium aquilimum in food and agriculture; correct identity of some barks used in folk medicines, etc.

The second part of the book focuses mainly on the variety of aspects documenting plant diversity in sacred groves, enumeration of ethnobotanically valuable species to the validation of ethnobotanical claims by using modern tools. This publication has been a unique attempt on the conservation of sacred groves combined with the history and new dimensions.

A significant aspect of this book is that one can refer to some of Dr. Vartak's most important publications at one place. This is one of the most remarkable ways of paying rich tributes to him.

The book will be useful for students, teachers and researchers engaged in ethnobotanical and other allied fields, printings, binding and production are as per usual high standards. On the whole it is a good addition to the literature on Ethnobotany.

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BOOK REVIEW
By Dr. M.G.Gogate
Retired Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and CWLW
Govt. of Maharashtra

Thanks to the initiative taken by Dr V D Vartak and Dr Madhav Gadgil during early seventies, attention of the public at large and of land resource managers in particular, was drawn to rich legacy of Sacred Groves in Maharashtra State. Fortunately, this was the period in which bio-diversity conservation needs were being brought under focus.

Wildlife Protection Act 1972 gave a new dimension to protecting floral and faunal attributes and special arrangements were being provided to ensure long term conservation of selected areas. However, till 2002 such efforts were primarily addressed in conserving areas which were under Govt. control i.e. Reserve Forests and thus sacred groves were left out.

The timing of National Seminar held in the momory of Dr.Vartak was most appropriate as the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2002 was being enacted and discussed. Section 36-C, provides procedure for declaration and management of the Community Reserve i.e. Sacred Groves. Much needed database for such an activity will have to be developed. The book provides preliminary data, which will be very useful. The organizers of the seminar deserve credit for anticipating the need of the hour .

The book "Focus on Sacred Groves and Ethno botany" is therefore, a step in the right direction. It has provided a gist of excellent work done by Dr. Vartak and his colleagues. Serious students of bio-diversity conservation will find this book very useful in not only prioritizing areas for long term conservation, but will also provide insight into varied facets of this important and interesting work. The Book contains 12 original papers since the study of Sacred Groves was pioneered, followed by another 8 papers on Ethnobotany. The compilation in the part I is a tribute to Dr.Vartak and his team to acknowledge their painstaking as also intelligent work.

The book part II provides interesting insights on Ethnobotany, references to sacred trees and groves in our ancient scriptures etc. Contribution of academicians in Gujarat have provided interesting and useful information on sacred groves in that state. Considering the multifaceted issues contained in this book, need for further work has been felt.

In many academic institutions, seminars are conducted as a matter of routine and detailed seminar proceedings are not brought out for circulation beyond the four corners of the institution. M/s. Prism Publications have done a trend setting work in selecting this topic and bringing out in a hard cover book form, information related to sacred groves. The book should find a place of pride on avid book collectors shelf .

The Book provides a wealth of information on specific locations of the Sacred Groves as also several plants which are used by tribals since several centuries including the papers on certain species in detail. This is a well structured book giving graphics and coloured plates.

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