National Conference on Forest Biodiversity : Earth’s Living Treasure 22nd May , 2011

Chitrakoot Forests : A treasure of Cultural and Biological Diversity

R. L. S. Sikarwar Jan Shikshan Sansthan (Deendayal Research Institute), Jog Mahal, Dhus ka Maidan, Purani Bajar, Karwi, Dist. Chitrakoot-210 206, U.P. Email:[email protected]

Introduction Emperor Akbar, expatriated Abdul Raheem Khankhana, one of the 9 jewels of his Government, Chitrakoot is situated on the border of the chancellor of the exchequer and a great poet took Chitrakoot district of and asylum in Chitrakoot. of . The general topography is hilly and undulating cut off by Chitrakoot hill (also called Ramgiri) had also numerous reveres and rivulets. Mandakini, Valmiki, been residing place of Yaksha (a Demi God) of Gunta, Gedua, Chakara and Jhuri rivers drain the Kalidas’s Maghdoot . This is the place from where region. The forest of the Chitrakoot predominantly Yaksha sent a massage through Megh (cloud) to his consists of tropical dry mixed deciduous type. The beloved wife who was residing at Alkapuri, which was climate is dry and the maximum temperature goes situated near Himalaya. up to 50.5oC in the month of May and minimum up to 5 oC in the month of January. Biodiversity of Chitrakoot in ancient time Chitrakoot is one of the famous place of During Ramayana period, Chitrakoot was very pilgrimage of in and surrounded by rich in biodiversity. Great saint Valmiki and lush green hills of legendary Vindhyachal range. Goswami Tulsidas illustrated a comprehensive Chitrakoot is also well known for its beautiful hill account of biodiversity in their texts Ramayana and ranges, historical caves, perennial streams and varied Ramcharitmanas respectively. According to Valmiki flora and fauna. Therefore, the Chitrakoot has been Ramayana, Chitrakoot is a beautiful and sacred place sacred place of worship for sages and hermits since where different types of herbs, shrubs, trees and antiquity. climbers bearing variety of fruits, flowers and roots are available. The richness of flora and fauna of According to Ramcharit-manas, it is said that Lord Chitrakoot is described four chapters of Ramayana. Ram with consort Sita and younger brother He has also described varied fauna of Chitrakoot. He Lakshman dwelt in Chitrakoot about eleven and half has mentioned the names of different variety of years. birds, animals and movements of tigers, elephants and deers in the forests. This holy place has provided spiritual inspiration and energy to many sages and dignitaries Valmiki also mentioned names of several trees and changed their attitude of life like great saint found on Kamadgiri in Ramayana. These are Am Valmiki, Goswami Tulsidas, Abdul Raheem (Mangifera indica), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Asna Khankhana, Tansen and even Aurangjeb etc. It is (Lagerstroemia parviflora), Lodh (Symplocos racemosa), mentioned in Indian history that when the Mugal Chironji (Buchanania lanzan), Kathal (Artocarpus

62 Uttar Pradesh State Biodiversity Board National Conference on Forest Biodiversity : Earth’s Living Treasure 22nd May , 2011 heterophyllus), Dhawa (Anogeissus latifolia), Dhak (Butea virginianum, Helicteres isora, Aegle marmelos, Allangium monosperma), Ankol (Allangium salvifolium), Bhavya salvifolium etc. (Dillenia indica), Tinsa (Ougenia oogeinensis), Bel (Aegle marmelos), Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), Bans Forest diversity (Dendrocalamus strictus), Kasmri (Gmelina arborea), The forest types of Chitrakoot predominantly Neem (Azadirachta indica), Sakhua (Shorea robusta), consist of tropical dry deciduous types. According Barun (Crateva unilocularis), Mahua (Madhuca longifolia to Champion and Seth (1968) revised classification var. latifolia), Tilak (Wendlandia exerta), Ber (Zizyphus of forest types of the India, the forest of this area fall mauritiana), Aonla (Phyllanthus emblica), Kadamb under the following main type and sub types: (Anthocephalus chinensis), Bent (Calamus rotung), Indrajau (Holarrhena pubescens), Bijak (Punica Main type- Tropical dry mixed deciduous forest. granatum), and Neebu (Citrus aurantifolia) with other Sub type:- flowering, fruiting and shade giving trees. He has (a) Anogeissus pendula (Kardhai) forests. also described varied fauna of Chitrakoot. He has mentioned the names of different variety of birds, (b) Anogeissus pendula scrub. animals and movements of elephants and deers in (c) Boswellia serrata (Salai) forests. the forests. (d) Dry Bamboo Drakes. Goswami Tulsidas has also described similarly (e) Acacia catechu (Khair) forests. the beauty and diversity of flora and fauna of The main type forest of Chitrakoot area is mixed Chitrakoot. According to Ramcharitmanas “Chitrakoot hill has luxuriant vegetation of herbs, forests. The Boswellia serrata, Acacia catechu, Bamboo spp. are sub types occur as small shrubs, trees and climbers. He has also mentioned , Anogeissu spendula patches within the mixed forests. the names of different variety of birds like blue jays, koels, parrots, cuckoos, kakavas, partridges, and animals like elephants, lions, monkeys, boars and Mixed forests deers etc”. Chitrakoot was very rich in respect of Mixed forests occur on underlying rock which medicinal plants too. It is mentioned in Ramayana is generally sand stones and shales. The soil is sandy that “there are thousand kinds of medicinal plants to sandy loam, fine to coarse grained and red are available in Chitrakoot region that express them lateritic. The areas having shallow, coarse-grained at night like flame of the lamp”. The high value sandy and lateritic soil bear very poor quality forests. medicinal plants found in Chitrakot forests are A large number of species constitute mixed forests, Tinospora cordifolia, Gymnema sylvstre, Achyranthes aspera, out of which Anogeissus latifolia, Diospyros melanoxylon, Urginea indica, Curculigo orchioides, Dioscorea bulbifera, Lannea coromandelica and Boswellia serrata are predomi- Desmodium gangeticum, Coccinia grandis,Cordia macleodii, nant. Other species found locally are Phyllanthus Litsea glutinosa, Oroxylum indicum, Steriospermum emblica, Buchanania lanzan, Madhuca longifolia, and Butea suaveolens, Pterocarpus marsupium, Terminalia arjuna, T. monosperma. Zizyphus xylopyra and Zizyphus oenoplia are bellirica, T. chebula, Actiniopteris radiata, Cyperus rotundus, almost everywhere. Acacia catechu is also found Vernonia cinerea, Sida cordifolia, Ampelocissus latifolia, throughout this type in varying proportion Peristrophe paniculata, Cassia tora, Diplocyclos palmatus, depending upon the soil conditions. Tridax procumbens, Phyllanthus fraternus, Elytraria acaulis, Solanum nigrum, Teramnus labialis, Vitex negundo, Abutilon Madhuca longifolia, Diospyros melanoxylon, Boswellia indicum, Cocculus hirsutus, Hemidesmus indicus, serrata, Lannea coromandelica, Phyllanthus emblica, Enicostemma hyssopifolium, Boerhavia diffusa, Solanum Buchanania lanzan and Acacia catechu are species mostly

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found in this type. Small patches of regeneration of Climbers are Zizyphus oenoplia, Zizyphus rugosa, Boswellia serrata, Anogeissus latifolia, and Anogeissus Ventilago denticulata, Ichnocarpus frutescens, Abrus pendula also met with. On the whole the regeneration precatorius, Mucuna pruriens, Butea superba, Bauhinia vahlii, is not adequate. Smilax zeylanica, Gymnema sylvestre, Dioscorea bulbifera, Capparis zeylanica, Ipomoea pesti-gridis etc. Epiphytes and The mixed forests are not adequately stocked. Due to drier conditions prevailing, the forests are parasites are Dendrophthoe falcata, Vuscum nepalense, open and poor in growth. Due to over increasing Vanda tessellata, Cuscuta reflexa, Alectra chitrakutensis, biotic interference like recurring fires, unrestricted Orobanche aegyptiaca etc. heavy grazing, over exploitation and indiscriminate felling under nectar, fast retrogression has set in the Kardhai forests forests, tree growth is winding down at an alarming Kardhai (Anogeissus pendula) forests met with in speed. The floristic composition of mixed forest is Kamta block of Chitrakoot forest range. About the as under:- 11.46% of the total area is covered with kardhari forests. The composition of the Kardhari forests is The top story consists of Anogeissus latifolia, the top story and understory are Anogeissus pendula, Diospyros melanoxylon, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Lannea coromandelica, Boswellia serrata, Terminalia tomentosa, Mitragyna parvifolia, Lunnea coromandelica, Lagerstroemia Madhuca longifolia, Terminalia bellirica, Pterocarpus perviflora, Diospyros melanoxylon, Anogeissus latifolia, Aegle marsupium, Buchanania lanzan, Dalbergia paniculata, marmelos, Acacia catechu, Bauhinia racemosa, Zizyphus Dalbergia lanceolaria, Sterculia urens, Schleichera oleosa, xylopyra and Flacourtia indica. Dendrocalamus strictus Albizzia odoratissima, Bombax ceiba, Mitragyna parvifolia, found on slopes. Haldina cordifolia, Aegle marmelos, Butea monosperma, Shrubs are Carissa opaca, Helicteress isora, Capparis Erythrina suberosa, Terminalia arjuna and Syzygium cumini. sepiaria, Zizyphus nummuleria, Grewia hirsuta etc. Herbs The under story consists of Zizyphus xylopyra, are Cassia tora, Tephrosia purpurea etc. Grasses are Phyllanthus emblica, Milusa tomentosa, Holarrhena Heteropogon contortus, Eragrostis tenella etc. Climbers are pubescens, Randia dumetorum, Bauhinia, retusa, Writghtia Ichnocarpus frutescens, Zizyphus oenoplia, Gymnema tinctoria, Cassia fistula, Acacia catechu, Antidesma diandrum, selvestre, Cocculus hirsutes etc. Gardenia latifolia, Zizyphus nummularia and Euphorbia nerifolia. Dendrocalamus strictus found on slopes. Salai forests Shrubs are Nyctanthes arbortestis, Lantana camera, Salai (Boswellia serrata) forests occur in shallow Helicteres isora, Carissa opaca, Woodfodia fruticosa, Vitex dry soil particularly on ridges and plateau as an negundo, Embelia tsjeriam-cottam, Grewia hirsuta, Murraya edaphically type in mixed forests. About 3.2% of the paniculata, Grewia rothii, Indigofera cassioides, Securinega total area is covered with salai forests. The main virosa and Mimosa rubicaulis. associated of Boswellia serrata are Lannea coromandelica, Haldina cordifolia and Anogeissus latifolia. The floristic Herbs are Tephrosia purpurea, Xanthium strumarium, composition of forest is as follows: Argemone maxicana, Achyranthes aspera, Desmodium gangeticum., Flemingia bracteata, Tridax procumbens, Sida The top story consists of Boswellia serrata, Lannea cordifolia, Waltheria indica, Cassia obtusifolia etc. Grasses coromandelica, Anogeissus latifolia, Diospyros melanoxylon, are Eragrostis tenella, Heteropogon contortus, Themeda Erythrina suberosa, Cochlospermum religiosum, Schleichera quadrivalvis, Apluda aristata, Schima nervosum, Sacharum oleosa, Buchanania lanzan, Lagerstreomia parviflora, Sterculia spontaneum etc. urens, Aegle marmelos, Ficus tomentosa etc.

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Fig. : Forest type of Chitrakoot

The under story consists of Zizyphus xylopyra, the bamboos clumps. The bamboo clumps are Gardenia latifolia, Ephorbia nerifolia, Acacia catechu and mostly bushy in form and uneconomical to work. The Flacourtia indica. Shrubs are Nyctanthes arbortristis, condition of the clumps over larger area of the forest Helicteres isora, Gardenia turgida, Bauhinia retusa, is not healthy. The total area of bamboos is Holarrhena pubescens, Woodfordia fruticosa, Grewia hirsuta estimated to be 3.15% of the total forest area of the etc. Herbs are Cassia tora, Sida cordifolia etc. Grasses are Chitrakoot. Heteropogon contortus, Eragrostis tenella etc. Climbers are Zizyphus oenoplia, Butea superba, Vetilago denticulata, Cultural diversity Pueraria tuberosa etc. Epiphytes and parasite - Chitrakoot region has also been rich in cultural Dendrophthoe falcata, Vanda tessellate etc. diversity since ancient times. There are several tribal communities like Kol, Gond, Mawasi, and Khairwar Khair forests etc. as mentioned in Ramcharitmanas still reside in Khair (Acacia catechu) forests occur throughout Chitrakoot forest area and utilize a wide variety of the Chitrakoot area in varying proportion in the plants for food, fodder, fuel, medicine, dye, gum, under story in mixed forest. Along with Khair tannin, thatching, household and farming xerophytes species such as Zizyphus xylopyra, Acacia implements etc. The tribals are very poor and leucophloea and Zizyphus mauritiana are generally met illiterate. The agriculture is the main occupation but with. About 24% of total area is covered with Khair the collection of fuel wood and minor forest produces forests. from the forest and selling these produces in nearby local markets is the main source of their economy. Bamboo forests The Chitrakoot is largely secluded from urban Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) do not form culture and the people of this region still retain many pure forests but occur as under story in the mixed originalities of their culture. They rear some forests. Male bamboo is the only species of bamboos domestic animal like cow, goat, hen, buffalos etc. The found in the area on all geological formations on hill tribal people inhabit in remote and far distant areas slopes. of the forest where no organized modern medical Uncontrolled felling by the villagers and Basors facilities are available. Besides, they are very poor and in the past, coupled with recurrence of fire and heavy of course unable to buy expensive modern lopping by the grazers have generated congestion in medicines. Therefore, they utilize locally available

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plant species for the treatment of human as well as Arogyadham, Deendayal Research Institute, livestock ailments and diseases. They are familiar Chitrakoot. about the medicinal uses of plants found in their Out of total 750 species, 445 genera and 111 village surroundings and forest areas. It is seen that families; 573 species, 344 genera and 89 families are the age old cultural heritage of tribal is fast changing belonging to dicots and 177 species, 101 genera and due to rapid urbanization, interference of out siders 22 families belonging to monocots. in the tribal areas and changes in economic patterns. The relative importance of the families in a The habitat and environment where these primitive biodiversity study is usually expressed by tabulating people experienced and learnt useful plant lore 10 dominant families in the order of their number of through generation are also disappearing day by day species. In Chitrakoot, the Poaceae is the largest due to reckless deforestation and over exploitation family, followed by Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Cyperaceae of natural resources. During the investigation it is etc. also observed that the young generation is not interested to hold this invaluable traditional Ten dominant families of Chitrakoot region knowledge transmitted orally from generation to generation. Therefore, before this traditional S.No. Name of Family No. Species knowledge is lost forever it must be documented 1 Poaceae 78 properly. The Deendayal Research Institute has taken this initiative to document the traditional knowledge 2Fabaceae 76 on folklore medicine of 20 villages of Chitrakoot 3 Asteraceae 4 3 district of Uttar Pradesh under CSIR project. 4 Cyperaceae 32 Biodiversity of Chitrakoot 5 Cucurbitaceae 32 A detailed floristic study of Chitrakoot region has been carried out by the author during the year 6Euphorbiaceae 29 2003-2008 and found that there are about 750 7 Acanthaceae 26 species, 445 genera and 111 families of flowering plants (excluding cultivated and ornamental plants) 8Convolvulaceae 24 found in Chitrakoot. Out of 750 species, 76% belong 9 Scrophulariaceae 19 to dicots and 24% belong to monocots. The collected voucher specimens are properly mounted, 10 Malvaceae 18 identified and preserved in the Herbarium of

Percentage of dicots and monocots

66 Uttar Pradesh State Biodiversity Board National Conference on Forest Biodiversity : Earth’s Living Treasure 22nd May , 2011

Dominant genera glutinosa, Asparagus racemosus, Gloriosa superba, The Cyperus is the dominant genus having 20 Andographis paniculata, Aristolochia indica, Celastrus species. Followed by Indigofera and Ipomoea-11 species paniculatus, Embelia basaal, Plumbago zeylanica, Uraria each. Ficus has 10, Cassia 9, Euphorbia and Fimbristylis picta, Gymnema sylvestre Baliospermum montanum, 8 each, Grewia, Crotalaria, and Blumea 7 each, Curculigo orchioides, Pterocarpus marsupium, Crataeva Alysicarpus, Justicia, Phyllanthus, Eragrostis 6 each, magna Eulophia herbacea, Actinopteris radiata, Pterocarpus Sida, Corchorus, Desmodium, Tephrosia, Acacia, Dioscorea marsupium, Costus speciosus, Butea monosperma var. lutea, and Commelina 5 each. Besides 6 Genera have 4 Abrus precatorius, Terminalia chebula, Dioscorea bulbifera species, 27 have 3 species each, 68 have 2 species each ,D. hispida, D. pentaphylla, Nervilia prainiana, Bacopa and remaining 343 genus representing single monnieri, Centella asiatica, Smilax zeylanica, Luffa echinata, species. Cordia macleodii, Pueraria tuberosa, Momordica dioica etc. These plants are assessed as threatened plants under Threatened plants IUCN Red List categories (2000). Therefore, it is an urgent need to save the natural habitats and Alectra chitrakutensis, Butea monosperma var. lutea, conserve the valuable medicinal plants diversity of Butea sp, Cordia macleodii, Litsea glutinosa, Piper longum, Chitrakoot region. Yet certain areas like Dharkundi, Zingiber zerumbet, Acorus calamus, Aristolochia indica, Markundi, Valmiki pahad, Ansuiya forest, Devangana Gloriosa superba, Dioscorea pubera, Costus speciosus, Tacca Ghati, Hanumandhara, Guptagodawari forest, leontopetaloides, Eulophia herbacea, Operculina petaloidea, Mohkamgarh forest, Bagdaraghati forest and Nervellia prainiana, Clerodendrum serratum, Actinopteris Kamadgiri hill have rich collection of plants and radiata and Embelia basal, Dioscorea bulbifera, Uraria picta, animals. These areas can be proposed for in situ Habenaria plantaginea, Citrullus colosynthis, Trichosanthes conservation. bractiata, Plumbago zeylanica, Chlorophytum tuberosum, Arisaema tortuosum, Plesmonium margaretiferum, Curcuma Conservation of biodiversity amada Gymnema sylvestre, Cochlospermum religiosum, The Deendayal Research Institute established a Mucuna pruriens Sterculia urens, Gymnema sylvestre herbal garden in Arogyadham campus covering an Baliospermum montanum, Steriospermum chelonoides, area of 5 acre. The objectives of herbal garden are– Celastrus paniculatus Pterocarpus marsupium, Oroxylum 1. To conserve germplasm material of rare and indicum and Terminalia chebula etc. threatened. endangered plants and high value medicinal plants found in Chitrakoot forest area; 2. To aware the local Loss of biodiversity people about the uses and importance of plant At present, the biodiversity of Chitrakoot is diversity. There are about 500 medicinal and rare and declining fast due to the degradation of habitats by endangered plants conserved in the herbal garden. heckles and indiscriminate cutting of forests for The garden gets its identity for conservation of Alectra timber, fuel wood, expansion of agriculture, chitrakutensis, an endemic and critically endangered construction of roads, querying of stones, grazing, plant of India. The Botanic Gardens Conservation invasion of alien weeds, overexploitation of plants for International, certified the garden for its unique medicines etc., the rich biodiversity of Chitrakoot conservation. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, The former region has reduced to a great extent. There are certain President of India, visited herbal garden in 2005 and high value medicinal plants like Chlorophytum very well appreciated. The plants conserved in garden tuberosum, C. arundinaceum, Curcuma amada, Operculina include 120 trees, 78 shrubs, 65 climbers and 220 petaloidea, Oroxylum indicum, Alectra chitrakutensis, Litsea herbs.

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