Ethnobotany of Jalgaon District Maharashtra

AUTHOR: Shubhangi Pawar and D.A. Patil
PUBLISHER: Daya Publishing House
ISBN: 9788170355151
YEAR: 2008
PAGES: 578
SIZE: 14 X 22 X 3 cms.
BINDING: Hard
LANGUAGE: English

ABOUT THE BOOK: Indigenous knowledge and wisdom on the utilization of bioresources is of immense value to biodiversity planners and scientists in developing strategies in conservation, utilization and generation of wealth. Moreover, documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge in the form of database is also useful to protect IPR rights of the indigenous societies and prevent the same from misuse. These recent driving forces accelerated botanization worldwide from viewpoint of utility and trade. This book embodies the results of ethnobotanical forays of the authors in Jalgaon district. It informs the availability of wild and cultivated plant species with hitherto undocumented potential for exploitation.
The introductory chapter informs on geography, topography, geology and soils, general vegetation and climate of the district, apart from history, people and their culture, ethnology of tribes, festivals, games, crops, plant-based industries, previous explorations and methodology adapted. The main text contains information on human ethnomedicine, ethno-veterinary medicine and other miscellaneous uses. It also documents plants/their parts or products associated with beliefs, rituals, fasts, worships, ceremonies, festivals, agricultural practices, gods/goddesses, songs, proverbs, riddles, puzzles, customs, deaths, births etc. Interestingly, philology of vernacular plant names in the district is indicative of in-depth study of the authors. This aspect of the study, apart from concrete and abstract relationships, offers insight into usage and provides glimpses of the culture of people.
The knowledge of indigenous tribal and rural people is still basic and crucial to their physical, spiritual and social well-being. Their ethnobotanical wisdom is collected, analyzed, classified and documented. It is hoped that the book will be adored by teachers, students, research workers in botany, apart from policy makers, environmental planners, enthusiasts and scientists in industry, pharmacy, forestry and agriculture.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
1. Dr. Mrs.Shubhangi Pawar did her M.Sc. (1983) and M.Phil. (1991) in Botany from University of Poona. She also obtained Ph.D. degree (2004) from North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon (M.S.). Presently she is Reader in Department of Botany, Pratap College, Amalner (M.S.). She has teaching experience of 22 years of undergraduate and post-graduate levels. She is active research worker and has published 20 research papers in ethnobotany and philology in national and international journals. She has actively participated in many national and international seminars conferences, symposia and workshops.

2. Dr. D.A. Patil did his Ph.D. (1983) from Dr. B.A. Marathwada University, Aurangabad (M.S.). Presently, he is Reader in P-G. Department of Botany, S.S.V.P. Sanstha's L.K.Dr.P.R. Ghogrey Science College, Dhule (M.S.). He was Chairman, B.O.S. in Botany and Dean, Faculty of Science, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon (M.S.). He is member of many prestigious academic University and scientific bodies, Editorial and Advisory Boards of national journals in science and technology. He has played a key role in development of University academic curricula at under-graduate and post-graduate levels. He has contributed significantly in plant taxonomy, floristics, morphology, anatomy ethnobotany and etymology. He is a recipient of Dr.M.S. Swaminathan award for publishing the best research paper. Recently, he also received 'Scientist of The Year Award, 2004, awarded by National Environmental Science Academy, New Delhi and 'Jivaka Ayurved Vishwa Sanman-2006', awarded by International Academy of Indian Medicine in the session of Jivaka International Ayurveda Conference-2006, Bangkok, Thailand. He has published more than 100 research papers in national and international journals. He has participated in many national/international seminars, symposia, conferences etc. within and outside the country. He has authored five books based on his research studies.

CONTENTS:
Preface
INTRODUCTION
1. Geographical Position
2. Topography
3. Geology and Soils
4. General Vegetation
5. Climate
6. History
7. The People and Their Culture
8. Ethnology of Tribes
9. Festivals in Jalgaon District
10. Games and Recreations in Jalgaon District
11. Crops in Jalgaon District
12. Plant Based Industries
13. Previous Explorations in the State
14. Methodology

ETHNOBOTANICAL ENUMERATIONS
Part I: Concrete Relationship
Part II: Abstract Relationship

SECTION-1: TRIBALS
A. Pawara Tribe
    I. Festivals of Pawara
    II. Gods and Goddesses of Pawara
    III. Marriages in Pawara
    IV. Funeral Ceremony in Pawara
    V. Special Occasions in Pawara
    VI. Magic and Belief in Pawara
    VII. Folk Songs of Pawara
    VIII. Puzzles in Pawari Dialect
    IX. Proverbs in Pawari Dialect
B. Bhil Tribe
    I. Marriages in Bhil
    II. Folks Songs of Bhil
C. Vanjara Tribe
    I. Folk Songs

SECTION-II: NON-TRIBALS
I. Festivals in the District
II. Fasts and Worships in the District
III. Marriages in the District
IV. Deaths and Births in the District
V. Customs in the District
VI. Game in the District
VII. Songs of Marriages in Ahirani Dialect
VIII. Songs of Akhaji Festival in Ahirani Dialect
IX. Songs of Goddess Kanbai in Ahirani Dialect
X. Songs on Different Occasions in Ahirani Dialect
XI. Riddles in Marathi Language and Ahirani Dialect
XII. Puzzles in Ahirani Dialect
XIII. Proverbs in Ahirani Dialect

SECTION-III: VERNACULAR PLANT NAMES
Vernacular Plant Names in Ethnobotanical Perspective
DISCUSSION
SUMMARY

APPENDICES
I. Edible Plants
II. Plants Used in Veterinary Medicine
III. Plants Used as Timber
IV. Plants Used as Toothbrush and for Cleaning Mouth
V. Hedge Plants
VI. Plants for Hut Construction
VII. Plants UJed for Fish Killing
VIII. Plants Used as Antidote
IX. Plants Sold in Market
X. Annual Cycle of Forest Products in Jalgaon District (Monthwise)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX TO PLANT NAMES
INDEX TO LOCAL NAMES