Noted scientist Vinaya Shekhar Ghate from Pune has been felicitated by the Society of Ethno-botanist India with Dr. E K Janaki Ammal medal during a function at Lucknow last week. This is international award and was given to Dr Ghate for her contribution of over three decades in the field of botany in general and ehtno-botany in particular. Dr Ghate during an interview to Shailendra Paranjpe expressed the need for increased awareness and conservation of sacred groves.
What is the importance of this award?
This medal is recognition of the work done by me in the field of ehtno-botany which needs more attention as a society since the subject has diverse impacts on our day to day life. With the changing life-style we all notice that it is not easy to get medicinal plants or many things which the earlier generation used to get easily near our houses. That is the reason we need to understand importance of rich heritage of flora and fauna around us which is abundantly available and we are exposing it to danger of extinction by not understanding its importance.
Where does ethno-botany come in this?
I have traveled in all parts of the state and country during my professional career with Agharkar Research Institute. I have worked for studying ethno-botany related projects for various tribes like Mahadevkoli and have also participated in many projects at National level in various capacities. The word ethno-botany was coined by Harshberger in 1895 for denoting the use of plants by aborigines. In simple words we study carious cultures, various people and their life with respect to plants. We all know about Kaas lake and blooming of flowers there after first rains but the same is the condition in rocky plateaus in Konkan areas which are referred to as `Sadaa'. These rocky patches are destroyed by planting mango trees by digging the rocks and we are losing this heritage. In the same way we are losing extremely rich heritage in Western Ghats by creating Lavasa like so called townships. By creating awareness about importance of plants and plant species around us, we would provide for their safeguarding and at the same time if we ignore the importance of plant species and sacred groves, we would destroy our own future.
What is the remedy?
We need to create awareness and change people's psyche so that bio-diversity registers are maintained at village or Taluka level. We need to document local varieties of plant species along with confirmation of the plant and document it along with botanical name and species. We should introduce school students to flora and fauna around their villages and places so that value of conservation would be inculcated.
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