Prof Naseeb Kr Bhagat
Flora and fauna of a particular region is product of climatic conditions of that region which evolved over a prolonged period of time. In short we can say that type of vegetation is determined by climate of the area. The UT of Jammu Kashmir is the northmost and also falls under Himalayan region which has altitudinal variation ranging from Shivalik hills to Greater Himalayas. It offers variety of topography for distinct vegetation ranging from scrub to Alpine type while travelling from Shivalik foothills to greater Himalayas in the north. The present articles is all about floristic diversity which I witnessed while travelling from Basholi towards Bani and both areas are rich in culturally and nature scenic beauty. Basholi is somewhat subtropical and part of Siwalik hills while climate of Bani temperate type. Basholi situated on the Right Bank of River Ravi is famous for Basholi paintings all over the India. Its ancient name was Vishwasthali. Now developing as a tourist spot by the efforts of tourism department J&K Govt.. Design of Atal setu is another magnificent piece of architecture which attracts tourists.
The vegetation of Basholi is quite similar to those of Kalidhar , Jasrota and Nandini hills. In Basholi broad leaves trees which are quite abundant and have timber and fodder values are sustainable source for locals and their cattle . The common fodder plants of the Basholi includes Saree (Albizia lebbeck) , lucine (leucaena leucocephala), Albizia chinensis, Melia azedarach, Peepal, Toonu, Dhaman, Rumbal, Kachnar, besides these abundance of Kiker, Phullai, Khair (Acacia catechu), Babool bilayti (Prosopis juliflora) also source of fodder for cattle, sheeps and goats. Large stretch of Eucalyptus patch at in the locality of Sandher provide habitat to the Bats. The distribution of chir pine Pinus roxburghii is quite low but it goes on increasing with increase in altitude while moving upward towards Bani.
Among medium size trees with beautiful inflorescence golden shower Amaltaas (Cassia fistula) extendes throughout region common in Mahanpur, Basantpur, Jandhrota Shara Thura etc. Mesmerizing inflorescence of this plant in the month of May June add charm and beauty to this area and dried Black pod hanging downward in bunches also add attractive view. The troop of monkeys are often seen playing with these pods and founder of Tree talk campaign OP Vidyarathi coined dogri name for these Pods as Bandar sotti (stick of monkeys). Kamilla or monkey face tree which yield reddish powder or puffs another medium size plant like karangal quite dominant throughout the Basholi region. Wenlandia hyenei (Pnaasa) plant with green whorl of flowers look like inflorescence of mango tree is quite abundant upto Sandher. Among Fabaceae family Thorny shrub with Pinkish white flowers of Mimosa rubicaulis, Khair (katha yielding tree), Phullai, Kiker, Bilyati babool are common along the roadside which offer fodder to the sheep and goats of Bakkarwals/transhumance while travelling from plain to hills in summer and vice-versa in winter. One can find Guldyen (Rhamnus triquetra) also in near Peerbaba shrine at Sandher.
Large Deciduous tree that one can find frequently in Basantpur area toward Thein Dam is Holoptelea integrifolia (Chilbil or jungle cork tree) which bear fruit in dense bunches in months of April May add shining look to the area. Dodonaea viscosa (santha) is also abundant in around Thein dam.
Among Luxirant tree Plaash or parrot tree as the shape of flowers shows resemblances with beak of Parrot. Its red coloration imparts reddish or fire look to area when in full blossom in the month of April -May, that’s why it is also also known by another name i.e flame of forest or forest fire tree. It is economically important plant as its leaves are used in making plates and cups locally called Pattal and Dooney in rural areas and its has religious value also. Another Shrub which bear saffron color flowers is Dhatki (Woodfordia fruticosa) and it offer nectars to the birds such as Sunbird and it extends even in the area of Bani District. Semal tree (Bombax ceiba) are also common especially red semal and quite abundant near Jandrali to Sheetal nagar stretch beyond which you will not find this plant. It is interesting to find 5-7 Yellow semal tree also in this stretch which are somewhat uncommon. In the month of February -March these semal trees turn leafless and fully loaded with flowers only and other large size trees with beautiful inflorescences include Indian coral tree Erythrina indica (Indian coral tree), Jacranda mimosifolia (Neela Gulmohar), Gloriosa superba, Oroxylum indicum (Shyonaka) although not much more abundant in distribution. Kachnaar plant which has fodder and food value is sparsely distributed. The white pinkish petals are used in making rayta with curd by the locals and it has medical properties also in regulating thyroid. Boehmeria rugulosa daar or Geetha is another multipurpose plant found adjoining of Sheetalnagar. Tall and long silver Oak with golden flowers similar to bottle brush planted along the roadside in and around Basholi Market towards Basholi bridge area, few plants of Moringa can also be seen.
Common shrubs which bears Edible wild fruits include Garney, Rakoey, Sairoo, Aakhrey are very common throughout area of Basholi. These are also planted along the agricultural field boundaries to act as wall which protect the crops from Cattle. Another most abundant shrub growing in wild in this region is kaadi patta.
Exotic weeds such as Lantana camara (panjphulli), impatiens species, goatweed, Congress grass, Begger tick (Biden Pilosa), castor plant are also marking their presence abundantly along the roadside at Reini. Congress grass even extended upto Bani. Local indigenous herbaceous plants Xanthium strumarium (cockleburr), Achyranthes aspera (Puthkanda) and species of Datura and solanum surattense, Solanum nigrum (Makoi) , Calotropis procera (Desi Aak) also common.
Trees with aesthetic and religious value such as Peepal and Banyan trees which are considered as sacred trees are often seen planted near temples and Shrines and at public places for shade by the locals . Varuna (Crateva religiosa) is another sacred tree although its not so common but you can see at few places near Thuara.
Route connecting Basholi to Mahanpur is also full of greenery where plants of star jasmine, Giant devils fig, kurwah (Holarrhena pubescens), gular (Ficus racemosa), wild fig (ficus palmata) are in abundance. Lal kuner, peeley kuner, yellow bells (Tecomo stans), temple tree are also reported along roadside of Mahanpur area. If I talk about Xerophytic plants it covers Gwarpatha (Agave americana), Danda thor (Euphorbia royleana), trapper thor or pricky Pear, Aak etc also in around Jandhrota area.
Pogostemon benghalensis, Pseudocaryopteris bicolor, Buddleja crispa, Inula cappa, Anisomeles indica. Isodon sp. are the shrubs that attracts bees and butterfly for nectar. Lianas and climbers of Ratti, Jotishmatti are found towards Mahanpur area . These are of medicinal value also. Beside these Mlagudd (Bauhinia vahil), shivlingi, air potatoes (Dioscorea species), Patha bel, Star Jasmine, shyam lata, Amar bel, wild grapes are also common. There is need to spread awareness about Plants and their uses but before this accurate identification is must. Our ancestors were much more connected to these resource but present generation is moving away from these resources as they cannot identify plants available commonly in their surroundings. At the same time local plants have multiple benefits as these are more ecologically productive which needs to be preferred over exotic plants.
(The author is Assistant Professor in Environmental science at GDC Bani)
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