Forest Biodiversity and Its Conservation Practices in India

Contents: 1. Introduction of forest biodiversity in India. 2. Geographical aspects: i. Floristic diversity of India. ii. Plant biodiversity of different biogeographic zones of India. 3. Rare and threatened plants. 4. Mangroves biodiversity in coastal forest ecosystem. 5. Biodiversity conservation of arid and semi arid regions of India. 6. The implications of managing biodiversity conservation in Indian forests. 7. In-situ conservation of biodiversity in form of national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves. 8. Ex-situ conservation : botanical gardens. 9. Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity through seeds: i. In vitro gene bank and its utilization. 10. Fungal diversity in Kumaun Himalayas--an approach for conservation. 11. International sources of seed for forestry research. 12. Index.

"The vast biodiversity of earth's forests provides the human race trees for timber, fuel, food, industrial raw materials (fiber, pulp, oil, dyes, rubber), pharmaceuticals (enzymes, drugs), beverages (tea, coffee, cocoa) and environmental stabilization. In recent years, international concern over the uncontrolled destruction of natural forests has resulted in the global realization that such reserves are finite and are being progressively destroyed without consideration of the potential consequences involved.

"India is one of the important centers of biodiversity, having contributed 167 species of plants whose origin and diversity is in this country (Khoshoo, 1991). Due to indiscriminate felling of trees and extensive exploitation of minor forest produce the forest area has been drastically shrinking. Many species has already been vanished from the scene and many others are on the way of extinction. The present book has been compiled, based on gathering all information of forest biodiversity and its conservation practices in India which will be more informative in all respect. The book will generate interest in conservation and utilization of forest genetic resources of India among scientists, foresters, researchers, environmentalists and conservationists. The list of institutions along with their addresses given in the book will be of great use to various users for procuring seed and other planting material of their interest from world over." (jacket)