Medicinal plant diversity in Aravallis

Abstract

Aravallis ranges are one of the very important features of western part of India which runs from Gujarat to Delhi. It traverses in four states viz., Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi. Maximum part of Aravallis is confined to Rajasthan. As many as 13 wildlife sanctuaries are confined to Aravallis; 10 in Rajasthan, 2 in Gujarat and 1 in Delhi. As many as 3 protected areas are confined to confluence of Aravallis and Vindhyas, all are in Rajasthan. Forest Department, Rajasthan and Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions, Bangalore jointly has listed 39 species in the "red list of medicinal plants" from Rajasthan state. Most of these listed medicinal plants are present in 16 protected areas. Out of these 16 protected areas, 6 are rich in medicinal plants. Phulwari, Sitamata, Kumbhalgarh, Mt. Abu. Balaram Ambaji and Jassore sanctuaries having 22, 18, 14, 12, 11 and 10 species respectively. The study revels, that southern part of Aravallis is more rich than northern and central Aravallis. The "nals" of southern part of Aravallis are especially rich in medicinal plant diversity