Plant conservation in Maharashtra during 17th century
2004
Kulkarni, D.K. | Kumbhojkar, M.S.(Agharkar Research Institute, Pune (India). Division of Plant Sciences)
The rulers in historical period used to maintain special forest areas or develop gardens for providing serene places for meditation of saints or for the purpose of game and hunting. This was also helping conservation of nature indirectly. Thus the concept of nature conservation is historical and pre-historical in India. The heritage of forest conservation was initiated in Rigveda. Use of suitable species with appropriate technology of seed germination had been practiced in India during plantation programmes. Flowering tree species and medicinal plants used to be planted near the temples. Plantations of tree species were made by Emperor Ashoka for shade and religious purpose. This tradition of plant conservation reasserted itself in the literature of learned saints in Maharashtra. Maharashtra state has been fortunate to have had venerable saints like Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, Ramdas and others. The thoughts of these saints about nature conservation are valuable for the human, plant and animal life. The present paper deals with the visualization of saint Ramdas regarding plantation of species on Fort Sajjangad near Satara in the 17th century. A glimpse of nature conservation and biodiversity in those days can be had through such efforts.
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