plant wildlife and conservation in shivpuri national park, india

6
Plant Wildlife and Conservation in Shivpuri National Park, India J. K. MAHESHWARI,Ph,D. (Delhi) Assistant Director, National Botanic Gardens, Lucknow-l, India ABSTRACT Shivpuri National Park (151.99 sq km), a former game preserve of the rulers of Gwalior State, India, is situated ca 120 km south-west of Gwalior and 435 km from Delhi. The Park is inhabited by typical Indian fauna comprising the Spotted Deer or Chital (Axis axis), Nilgai or Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Black Buck (Antilope cervi- capra), Four-horned Antelope or Chausingha (Tetraceros quadricornis), Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Chinkara or Indian Gazelle (Gazella gazella), and a unique variety of migratory bird. It contains tropical dry deciduous mixed and scrub forests inhabited by more than 400 species of flowering plants. The aquatic and marshland habitats are rich in animal and plant wildlife, the latter being represented by more than 100 taxa of free-floating, anchored, submerged, emergent, and terrestrial wetland, hydrophytes. During the course of this study, an ornamental herb, Craterostigma plantagineum, was collected from the region, which is so far the only record of its occurrence in India. The Park is infested by a number of pernicious weeds etc. (e.g. Acantho- spermum hispidum, Xanthium strumarium, Altemanthera pungens, and Gomphrena celosioides) which are spreading rapidly. The forest constitutes one of the last strongholds or refuges for India's fast-vanishing wildlife. Its flora and biotopes are extremely valuable from the point of view of conservation. The author makes a plea to save the flora from cattle graziers, plant collectors, dealers, and growers, and to launch a programme of sound conservation practices. Shivpuri National Park (sometimes called Madhav National Park), formerly the game preserve of the rulers of Gwalior State, India, was established in 1958. It is situated on the Agra-Bombay National Highway, ca 120kin south-west of Gwalior and 435 km from Delhi, and is maintained by the Forest Department of the State of Madhya Pradesh. The Park is approachable by a narrow-gauge branch line of the Central Railway from Gwalior and is also connected by road with Gwalior and Jhansi. Shivpuri is one of the quiet beauty-spots of the erstwhile Madhya Bharat State, and was, at one time, the summer capital of the Scindias of Gwalior. It is set amidst sylvan surroundings of exquisite pastoral beauty. Situated at an elevation of ca 427 m, the town owes its development to the pioneering efforts of the late Maharaja Madhav Rao Scindia, who made it an attractive little hill-station and an enchanting forest retreat. Shivpuri is rightly described as the motorist's paradise on account of good and extensive motorable roads within and around the Park (Fig. I). HAP OF 77" 440 w~ 5HWPURI NATIONAL PAR~ TO A~RA INDIA ~ SHIVPURI PARK S0UIVDARY e,~ )~HIND FOREST DIMISION ~'~" M~TALbED ROAD R~t L~q/A~ LINE ~ESTHOUS~ P.W.~. ~ . GWALIOR ~HEOPUR ~: To KOTA ! SAT'A N t,~/&RA l 1) A'I"IA aS". CHANDE BINA 77.*d J I Fig. 1. Sketch-map showing the geographical position of Shivpuri National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India. Scale." 36 km = 1 cm. The Park covers an area of 151-99 sq km and com- prises comparatively low hills of the Vindhyan range forming a series of superimposed terraces. The chief geological formations are Vindhyan sandstone, Deccan trap, laterites, alluvium and Bundelkhand gneiss. The elevation of the Park varies from 390 to 490 m above mean sea-level. The climate of Shivpuri is salubrious throughout the year but it is at its best during the monsoon (July to September). In the summer months 214 Biological Conservation, Vol. 4, No. 3, April 1972--O Applied Scien¢* Publishers Ltd, England--Printed in Great Britain

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Plant Wildlife and Conservation in Shivpuri National Park, India

J. K. MAHESHWARI, Ph,D. (Delhi)

Assistant Director, National Botanic Gardens, Lucknow-l, India

ABSTRACT

Shivpuri National Park (151.99 sq km), a former game preserve of the rulers of Gwalior State, India, is situated ca 120 km south-west of Gwalior and 435 km from Delhi. The Park is inhabited by typical Indian fauna comprising the Spotted Deer or Chital (Axis axis), Nilgai or Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Black Buck (Antilope cervi- capra), Four-horned Antelope or Chausingha (Tetraceros quadricornis), Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Chinkara or Indian Gazelle (Gazella gazella), and a unique variety of migratory bird. It contains tropical dry deciduous mixed and scrub forests inhabited by more than 400 species of flowering plants. The aquatic and marshland habitats are rich in animal and plant wildlife, the latter being represented by more than 100 taxa of free-floating, anchored, submerged, emergent, and terrestrial wetland, hydrophytes. During the course of this study, an ornamental herb, Craterostigma plantagineum, was collected from the region, which is so far the only record of its occurrence in India. The Park is infested by a number of pernicious weeds etc. (e.g. Acantho- spermum hispidum, Xanthium strumarium, Altemanthera pungens, and Gomphrena celosioides) which are spreading rapidly. The forest constitutes one of the last strongholds or refuges for India's fast-vanishing wildlife. Its flora and biotopes are extremely valuable from the point of view of conservation. The author makes a plea to save the flora from cattle graziers, plant collectors, dealers, and growers, and to launch a programme of sound conservation practices.

Shivpuri National Park (sometimes called Madhav National Park), formerly the game preserve of the rulers of Gwalior State, India, was established in 1958. It is situated on the Agra-Bombay National Highway, ca 120kin south-west of Gwalior and 435 km from Delhi, and is maintained by the Forest Department of the State of Madhya Pradesh. The Park is approachable by a narrow-gauge branch line of the Central Railway from Gwalior and is also connected by road with Gwalior and Jhansi. Shivpuri is one of the quiet beauty-spots of the erstwhile Madhya Bharat State, and was, at one time, the summer capital of the Scindias of Gwalior. It is set amidst sylvan surroundings of exquisite pastoral beauty. Situated at an elevation of ca 427 m, the town owes its development to the pioneering efforts

of the late Maharaja Madhav Rao Scindia, who made it an attractive little hill-station and an enchanting forest retreat. Shivpuri is rightly described as the motorist's paradise on account of good and extensive motorable roads within and around the Park (Fig. I).

H A P OF 77" 440 w ~ 5HWPURI NATIONAL PAR~ TO A~RA

INDIA ~ SHIVPURI PARK S0UIVDARY e,~ )~HIND FOREST DIMISION ~ ' ~ " M~TALbED ROAD R ~t L~q/A~ LINE ~ESTHOUS~ P.W.~. ~ . GWALIOR

~HEOPUR ~:

T o KOTA !

S AT'A N t,~/&RA l 1) A'I"IA

aS".

CHANDE

BINA

77.*d J I

Fig. 1. Sketch-map showing the geographical position of Shivpuri National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India. Scale."

36 km = 1 cm.

The Park covers an area of 151-99 sq km and com- prises comparatively low hills of the Vindhyan range forming a series of superimposed terraces. The chief geological formations are Vindhyan sandstone, Deccan trap, laterites, alluvium and Bundelkhand gneiss. The elevation of the Park varies from 390 to 490 m above mean sea-level. The climate of Shivpuri is salubrious throughout the year but it is at its best during the monsoon (July to September). In the summer months

214

Biological Conservation, Vol. 4, No. 3, April 1972--O Applied Scien¢* Publishers Ltd, England--Printed in Great Britain

Maheshwari : Conservation in

(April to June), the temperature ranges from 22.7°C to 39.4°C and in the winter months (October to February) between 3.9°C and 23-1°C. The annual precipitation is about 89 cm, most of which falls during the months of July to September. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in the region are 48°C and 3.9°C, respectively. There is a network of all-weather metalled roads ca 112 km in length which enables visitors to study wildlife in its natural surroundings in all the corners of the Park. There are also landing sites, observation towers, and picnic spots, around the central lake (Sakhya Sagar). Shooting is strictly prohibited in the area but there is no restriction on taking photographs. A well-equipped booth with electric installation has been set up for studying the habits of tigers, etc. Three beautiful lakes with house-boats provide an added attraction. There are facilities for boating and fishing in the Sakhya Sagar Dam and Chand Patha Lake. The best times for visiting the Park to see wildlife are April to June and November to February, when animals and migratory birds congregate in the grassy patches around the Sakhya Sagar. For scenic beauty and picnics, the months of August to October are the best.

The Park forms a beautiful area of dry deciduous forest which provides food, shelter, and breeding sites, for a variety of mammals and birds. It contains Tigers ('the world's most magnificent animal'), Panthers, Sloth-bear, Sambar, Hyaena, Spotted Deer or Chital, Four-horned Antelope or Chausingha, Black Buck or Indian Antelope, Nilgai or Blue Bull, Chinkara or Indian Gazelle, Wild Boars, Wolves, Foxes, and many species of birds--including part- ridges, storks, quails, pigeons, geese, ducks, and snipe. The migratory birds which escape from the Himalayan and Siberian snows, make the Sakhya Sagar and Madhav lakes their temporary base. A recent wildlife census (Anon., 1969) shows that the Park is inhabited by 573 Spotted Deer or Chital (Axis axis), 345 Chinkara or Indian Gazelle (Gazella gazella), 197 Sambar (Cervus unicolor), 52 Four-horned Ante- lope or Chausingha (Tetraceros quadricornis), 7 Black Buck (Antilope cervicapra), 7 Panthers (Panthera pardus), and 2 Tigers (P. tigris).

PLANT WILDLIFE

The Park maintains a tropical dry deciduous mixed forest such as also occurs in the Guna, Sheopur, and Gwaliof Divisions of the erstwhile Madhya Bharat State. It is inhabited by more than 400 species of flowering plants, some of which are of great botanical and medicinal interest, and need adequate protection. The undulating grounds, low hills, and valleys of the

Shivpuri National Park, India 215

Park, are all covered by low forests which extend down the outward slopes. The forest was a personal game- preserve of the rulers of Gwalior State who had also constructed observation towers at well-selected sites to get a panoramic view of the Park. The arboreal species most commonly found are: Kardhai (,4no- geissus pendula), Dhoy (,4. latifolia), Kulu or Kareh (Sterculia urens), Salai (Boswellia serrata), Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana), Ghont (Z. xylopyra), Wodier (Lannea coromandelica), Cheola (Butea monosperma), Indian Coral-tree (Erythrina orientalis, syb. E. indica), Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo), Dhobin (D. paniculata), ,4sta (Bauhinia racemosa), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Imli (Tamarindus indica), Siris (,4lbizzia lebbeck), Khair (Acacia catechu), Babul (,4. nilotica subsp. indica), Lendia (Lagerstroemia parviflora), Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon), Kurchi (Holarrhena anti- dysenterica), Dudhi (Wrightia tinctoria), Lasora ( Cordia dichotoma), Bargad (Ficus benghalensis), Gular or Cluster Fig (F. racemosa, syn. F. glomerata), Kasai (Bridelia squamosa, syn. B. retusa), Cbirol (Holop- telea integrifolia), Bael (,4egle marmelos), Semal or Red Silk-cotton (Bombax ceiba), Kaim (Mitragyna parvifolia), Chamar-karari (Gardenia turgida), Lok- handi (lxora arborea), Mahua (Madhuca indica), Aonla (Emblica officinalis), Chenkur (Prosopis cine- raria, syn. P. spicigera), Khajur (Phoenix sylvestris), Male Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus), etc.

In moist valleys and along watercourses, the vegeta- tion is comparatively rich and composed of such species as Arjun or Koa (Terminalia arjuna), Bahera (T. bellirica), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Kathjamun (S. heyneanum), Kanji or Karanj (Pongarnia pinnata), Sagwan or Sag (Tectona grandis), Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Roli (Mallotus philippensis), Screw-tree (Helicteres isora), Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana), and Ghont (Z. xylopyra).

The vegetation in the plains on exposed boulders and shallow soil consists of a dry scrub-forest charac- terized by such species as Kanker (Flacourtia indica), Hingot (Balanites roxburghii), Cheola (Butea mono- sperma), Khair (,4cacia catechu), Raunja (A. leuco- phloea), Karil (Capparis decidua), Hins (C. sepiaria), Kardhai (Anogeissus pendula), Jangli karonda ( Carissa spinarum), Thuar (Euphorbia neriifolia), Baikal (May- tenus emarginata), etc.

The common shrubs, climbers, and twiners, in this Park are: Giloe (Tinospora cordifolia), Hier (Cocculus hirsutus), Cissampelos pareira, Diplocyclos palmatus, Kanduri (Coccinia grandis), Trichosanthes bracteata, Gonj (Millettia auriculata), Teramnus labialis, Mukia scabrella, Kakoda (Mornordica dioica), Pergularia daemia, Gumchi (,4brus precatorius), Balloon-vine ( Cardiospermum halicacabum), Cryptolepsis buchanani, India Rubber-vine ( Cryptostegia grandiflora), Ipornoea

216 Biological Conservation

sindica, L pestigridis, Amalbet (Cayratia trifolia), Satawar (Asparagus racemosus), Rivea hypocrateri- formis, Dioscorea bulbifera, Aak (Calotropis procera), Kanker (Flacourtia indica), Harsinghar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis), Planter's-curse (Lantana camara var. aculeata), Dhawai or Malitta (Woodfordiafruticosa), Malkangni (Celastrus paniculatus), Makoi (Ziziphus oenoplia), Dichrostachys cinerea, and Aar (Mimosa rubicaulis). The fruits of Terminalia bellirica, Zlzi- phus mauritiana, Z. xylopyra, Cassia fistula, and several other trees, are eaten by many forest animals, e.g. Sambar, Chital, Sloth-bear, Gaur, Mouse-deer, etc.

The local herbaceous flora is well represented in the Park and includes the following species which are in evidence during, and immediately after, the rainy season: Hybanthus enneaspermus, Triumfetta rhom- boidea, T. rotundifolia, Tribulus terrestrts, Cleome viscosa, Borreria stricta, B. articularis, Ziziphus nummularia, Goniogyna hirta, lndigofera linifolia, L cordifolia, L linnaei, Casaia obtusifolia, C. absus, C. pumila, Catharanthus pusillus, Tephrosia purpurea, T. villosa, Oldenlandia corymbosa, Ocimum ameri- canum, Trianthema portulacastrum, Vernonia cinerea, Oligochaeta ramosa, Celosia argentea, Andrographis echioides, Elytraria acaulis, Physalis minima, Stachy- tarpheta indica, Bidens biternata, Blainvillea acmella, Glossocardia bosvallea, Acalypha indica, Enicostemma hyssopifolium, Polygala chinensis, Solanum nigrum, Justicia simplex, Leucas cephalotes, Sesamum indicum, Aerva lanata, Achyranthes aspera var. porphyristachya, Digera muricata, Peristrophe bicalyculata, Diptera- canthus patulus, Trichodesma amplexicaule, Crotalaria medicaginea, Alysicarpus monilifer, Boerhavia diffusa, Orthosiphon pallidus, Commelina benghalensis, Bio- phytum sensitivum, Zornia gibbosa, Evolvulus alsi- noides, Mollugo pentaphylla, etc.

Common herbs and weeds flowering during the winter season (mid-October to February) include: Stellaria media, Spergula arvensis, Asphodelus tenui- folius, Melilotus alba, M. indica, Rumex dentatus, Medicago polymorpha, Trigonella corniculata, Vicia hirsuta, 11. sativa, Lathyrus aphaca, Canscora diffusa, Verbascum chinense, Mazus pumilus, Lindernia crus- tacea, Veronica anagallis-aquatica, Vicoa indica, Emilia sonchifolia, Cyathocline purpurea, Launaea aspleniifolia, Cirsium arvense, Sonchus brachyotus, Anagallis arvensis, Convolvulus arvensis, C. micro- phyllus, Potentilla supina, Fumaria indica, Malva parviflora, Oxalis corniculata, etc. The wall flora of the Park is represented by such characteristic species as Lindenbergia indica and Kickxia ramosissima.

The grass flora includes species of Eragrostis, Eleusine, Dactyloctenium, Leptochloa, Chloris, Poly- pogon, Aristida, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Panicum,

Paspalidium, Oplismenus, Brachiaria, Setaria, Cenchrus, lmperata, Themeda, Saccharum, Apluda, Bothriochloa, Melanocenchris, Tragia, Alloteropsis, etc. The com- mon sedges include Scirpus articulatus, S. roylei, S. tuberosus, Cyperus rotundus, C. iria, C. difformis, C. triceps, Fimbristylis dichotoma, F. ferruginea, and F. littoralis.

There are a number of ponds and tanks, streams and rivers, and lakes (artificial and natural), within and in the vicinity of the Park, e.g. Sidhyashwar, Yadav Sagar, Bhadaiya Kund, Chand Patha, Madhav Lake, etc. These support a rich aquatic and marsh flora represented by free-floating hydrophytes (e.g. plankton such as Spirogyra and Hydrodictyon, and vascular plants such as Azolla pinnata, Singhara Nut (Trapa natans var. bispinosa), Ipomoea aquatica, Lemna perpusilla, and Wolffia arrhiza), fixed floating hydro- phytes (e.g. Nymphaea pubescens, Nymphoides cri- statum, Marsilea quadrifolia, Potamogeton nodosus, etc.), fixed submerged hydrophytes (e.g. Hydrilla verticillata, Ottelia alismoides, Vallisneria spiralis, Ruppia maritima, Potamogeton crispus, Chara coral- lina, Nitella spp., etc.), free submerged hydrophytes (e.g. Ceratophyllum demersum, Utricularia inflexa vat. stellaris), emergent amphibious hydrophytes (e.g. Aeschynomene indica, Limnophila indica, Hygrophila auriculata, Polygonum glabrum, Cyperus alopecu- roides (Mat Sedge), Scirpus tuberosus, Vetiveria zizanioides), and marshland or wetland hydrophytes (e.g. Ammania baccifera, Rotala indica, R. tenuis, Eclipta prostrata, Dentella repens, Hoppea dichotoma, Bacopa monnieri, Phyla nodiflora, Alternanthera sessilis, Corchorus trilocularis, Ageratum conyzoides, Gnaphalium indicum, Caesulia axillaris, Smithia con-

ferta, etc.). The fern Actiniopteris radiata (Morpankhi) grows in shady situations in the Park, associated with species of Adiantum (Maidenhair), Cheilanthes (Lip- fern), and Selaginella.

Among the commoner cultivated trees, shrubs, and climbers, may be mentioned: Ashok (Polyalthia longifolia), Madhu-kamini ( Murraya paniculata), Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus excelsa), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Am or Mango Tree (Mangifera indica), Drumstick or Horse-radish Tree (Moringa oleifera), Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata), Gulmohr (Delonix regia), Kala-siris (Albizzia odoratissima), Manila Tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce), Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), Bottle-brush ( Callistemon citrinus), Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus), Guava (Psidium guajava), Temple Tree (Plumeria rubra forma acutifolia), Mimosa-leaved Ebony (Jacaranda mimosifolia), Indian Cork-tree ( Millingtonia hortensis), Silk-oak ( Grevillea robusta), Child Life-tree (Drypetes roxburghii), Sita- phal (Annona squamosa), Jait (Sesbania sesban), Barbados Pride (Poinciana pulcherrima), Queen of the

Maheshwari : Conservation in Shivpuri National Park, India

Night ( Cestrum nocturnum), Vilayti Mehndi ( Dodonaea viscosa) Henna (Lawsonia inermis), Oleander (Nerium indicum), Chandni ( Tabernaemontana divaricata), Yel- low Oleander (Thevetia peruviana), lpomoea fistulosa, Yellow Elder (Tecoma stans), Pigeonberry (Duranta repens), Castor-bean (Ricinus communis), Century Plant (Agave americana), Rangoon Creeper (Quisqualis indica), Chameli (Jasminum officinale var. grandi- florum), etc.

217

RARE AND INTERESTING PLANT TAXA

The Park is inhabited by some rare and botanicaUy- interesting species which deserve adequate protection and conservation. Thus Craterostigma plantagineum

Fig. 2. Craterostigma plantagineum (Scrophulariaceae) growing in the natural state--Shivpuri being the only known locality of the species in India. Photo: Dr J. K. Maheshwari.

Hochst. (Scrophulariaceae) grows on exposed, gravelly and shallow soils near Bhadaiya Kund, Shivpuri (J. K. Maheshwari 71433, Herb. LWG & K), which is so far the only record of its occurrence in India (Fig. 2). An occasional Yellow Palas Tree (Butea monosperma var. lutea Maheshwari), a rare but exquisitely beautiful variety of the 'Flame of the Forest' is present (Mahesh- wari, 1971). The Sacred Lotus or Padma (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.), which was widely distributed in the past and has, of late, been widely exterminated in the country, is plentiful in the Yadav Sagar lake (Fig. 3). Among other rare and interesting species may be mentioned: Glory-lily (Gloriosa superba), Bladderwort (Utricularia inflexa var. stellaris), Lantern Flowers (Ceropegia bulbosa), Koli Kanda (Scilla hyacinthina), Kali Musli (Curculigo orchioides), etc. The parasitic flowering plants are represented by Dodder (Cuscuta

Fig. 3. The Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) dominating much of Yadav Sagar Lake which provides landing-sites for ducks and other migratory birds. Photo: Dr J. K.

Maheshwari.

reflexa), Striga lutea, Broomrape (Orobanche aegypti- aca), and Banda (Dendrophtho~ falcata). Balsam (Impatiens balsamina L.), a native of India, becomes very attractive and colourful during, and immediately after, the rains, especially when it grows in compact masses (Fig. 4). Duckweeds--including a species of Wolffia, the smallest known flowering plants--grow in ponds and puddles, either in pure formations or associated with species of Azolla and Lemna (Duck's- meat).

INVASION OF WEEDS, ETC.

Some alien and obnoxious or pernicious weeds have infested the Park and are likely to spread all around, unless measures are taken to check them. The following species are noticeable: Gomphrena Weed

Fig. 4. Balsam (Impatiens balsamina) dominating the ground flora and producing an attractive colourful effect, especially when it grows in large compact patches. Shivpuri

National Park. Photo: Dr J. K. Maheshwari.

218 Biological Conservation

(Gomphrena celosioides), Alternanthera pungens, Eu- phorbia geniculata, Star-burr (Acanthospermum his- pidum), Tiger's-claw (Martynia annua), Mexican Poppy (Argemone mexicana), Lagascea mollis, Syne- drella nodiflora, Nicotiana plumbaginifolia, Ganga- tulsi (Hyptis suaveolens), Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), and Sclerocarpus africanus. These species are well naturalized in the Park and have become an integral part of the flora, some of them spreading rapidly and exhibiting aggressive tendencies. The frequency of invasion of such weeds or 'green cancers' has increased during the last two centuries. It is felt that adequate control over the introduction and spread of noxious weeds, pests, and neophytes, is urgently needed--not only by legislation and executive action but also by propaganda, by education, and by effective eradication programmes (Maheshwari, 1962, 1968).

DECIMATION v e r s u s WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

The wildlife population in the State of Madhya Pradesh has steadily declined owing to the recession of the forest habitat, poaching, pot-hunting, and mushroom growth of amateur shikaris and un- scrupulous traders. The prized species such as Tigers, Bear, Black Buck, Leopards, and Panthers, have been killed indiscriminately. The skins of Leopards and Panthers (both the black and the spotted forms) are in great demand, and a good spotted one sells for $100 US. The animals are also sought by animal dealers for the zoo trade. The Wild Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), once so common in the Dandakaranya, is now only rarely encountered in parts of the remote forests of Bastar, MP, where a sanctuary is being demarcated in 60 sq km of dense forest on both sides of the Indravati River in Bhamragarh. The Swamp Deer or Twelve-antlered Deer, Barasingha (Cervus duvauceli branderi), the deer with magnificent horns, once found in several parts of the State and par- ticularly in the Supkhar forests of Balaghat, MP, is now confined to the Kanha National Park, MP, where its numbers are dwindling. There is also a decrease in the number of Sambar (the largest and heaviest deer found in India) and Chinkara, while the Black Buck and Great Indian Bustard (Choriotis nigriceps) are on the verge of extinction (Sagreiya, 1969; Schaller & Simon, 1970). Nevertheless, these forests still consti- tute one of the last strongholds of India's fast-vanishing wildlife, and provide a good vegetative cover and grazing ground for the animals.

This region is also the home of the true native Indian fauna including the Spotted Deer, the Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), the Black Buck, and the

Four-horned Antelope, which do not occur outside India. The wildlife in the region is protected by the Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act, 1950, and the Game Act, 1952. The State Government has recently banned shooting of Tigers for a period of three years, following a recommendation of the Indian Board for Wild Life. Three National Parks at Kanha (in 1955), Shivpuri (in 1958), and Bandhogarh (in 1958), and several wildlife sanctuaries, have been established in the State to preserve the fabulous fauna.

As far as the plant wildlife of the Park is concerned, it is imperative to preserve the forest and other ecosystems, and the phytotopes, rather than individual species, genera, or families. This is of the utmost importance for scientific studies on wildlife ecology, movement pattern in relation to food, cover, and seasons, and survival or rehabilitation of the dwindling faunal population of the region. Further, the flora is as much a part of our wildlife as the fauna, and with the exploitation, decimation, or conversion, of natural forests to meet the pressing needs of our Government, people, and industries, and with the reclamation of rich wildlife habitats such as marshes, heaths, swamps, bogs, grasslands, bushlands, and scrub jungles, countless wild creatures are seriously threatened. The fauna of the Park is of vital importance to its flora, especially for the part played by animals in effecting pollination and seed dispersal. Likewise, the rich flora of the Park and its fruit-bearing and other trees are very interesting and valuable from the conservation viewpoint, as they provide food, shelter, and breeding or nesting sites, for the rich bird and other animal life. The preparation of inventories of plant species present in the Park is, therefore, necessary with a view to preserving the flora for posterity (Maheshwari, 1970; Melville, 1971). There are extensive grazing grounds in the north and south of the Park where cattle owners have taken their herds for decades and acquired a customary grazing ground. Thus, the prime need today, and tomorrow, is to save the flora from cattle graziers, plant collectors, dealers, and growers, and to launch a programme of sound conservation practices.

References

ANON. (1969). Wild Life of Madhya Pradesh (lndia). Forest Dept, MP, Bhopal: 22 pp., illustr.

MAH~SHWARI, J. K. (1962). Studies on the naturalized flora of India. Proc. Summer School Botany--Darjeeling (1960), New Delhi: pp. 156-70.

MAHESHWARI, J. K. (1968). Weed campaign. National Herald, Delhi, 1, No. 206, p. 7.

MAHESHWARI, J. K. (1970). The need for conservation of flora and floral provinces in south-east Asia. IUCN Publns n,s. No. 18, Vol II, pp. 89-94.

Maheshwari : Conservation in Shivpuri National Park, India 219

MXnESnWARI, J. K. (1971). A yellow-flowered variety of SAQREIVA, K. P. (1969). Wild life of Madhya Pradesh the 'Flame of the Forest'. Indian For., 97, pp. 7 0 - 1 . through the ages. Indian For., 95, pp. 715-8.

MELVILLE, R. (1971). Endangered angiosperms and con- SCHALLER, G. B. & SIt, ON, N. M. (1970). The endangered servation in Australia. Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. Belg., large mammals of Asia. IUCN Publns n.s. No. 18, 41, pp. 145-52. Vol. II, pp. 11-23.

WWF, IUCN, and the Fur Trade

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Inter- national Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) issued the following statement early in 1972:

'The World Wildlife Fund and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources concluded an agreement with the Inter- national Fur Trade Federation (IFTF), which came into operation on 1 September 1971, as an initial step in controlling trade in the pelts of endangered animals. The agreement provided for a ban on trade in the skins of Tiger, Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard, and Giant and La Plata Otters--also for a three-year moratorium on trade in pelts of Leopard and Cheetah while scientific studies were carried out to assess the need for continued control.

'The IFTF did not accept the WWF/IUCN con- tention that the Ocelot, Jaguar, and other South American spotted cats were endangered, but it

agreed to contribute to scientific status surveys so that action could be taken in good time to prevent depletion of their populations.

'The World Wildlife Fund and the IUCN regret to note that some fur traders have advertised that the World Wildlife Fund does not consider Ocelot and Jaguar to be endangered, and that it has authorized the sale of their pelts. This is a gross distortion of the situation, and it ignores the efforts of the World Wildlife Fund and the IUCN to include Ocelot, Jaguar, and other threatened species, in the agreement with the IFTF.

'The World Wildlife Fund and the IUCN continue to seek protection for Ocelot and Jaguar, and for all species in danger of extinction, or of depletion to the extent that they become endangered.'

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND, 1110 Morges, Switzerland.

Fund to Save Endangered Biotopes

The World Wildlife Fund recently announced the establishment of a new Biotope Conservation Fund to finance the safe-guarding of natural habitats and their wildlife. Dr Luc Hoffmann, Executive Vice- President of WWF, said, 'The pressure on the remain- ing natural areas of the world is becoming more and more intense in the modem world through the population explosion and economic development. It is of vital importance to ensure that fully representative examples of these areas are conserved, as they are of great biological importance and are part of the natural heritage of Man which it is our duty to save for our successors.'

The Biotope Conservation Fund received an initial donation of 1,500,000 Swiss francs, of which half was handed over in the presence of President Pompidou to assist the French Government to purchase and safeguard the Camargue in the delta of the Rhone, where European and Mediterranean fauna and flora mingle and flourish.

The World Wildlife Fund has placed considerable importance on saving natural areas since its foundation in 1961, and the new Biotope Conservation Fund is intended to strengthen the Fund's ability to do this

by ensuring permanent availability of funds. It will receive earmarked donations, and payments toward biotope purchases will be made as far as possible as loans, so that the money will later return to the Fund for further use. This procedure has already been used in the purchase of the New Jersey wetlands in the United States.

It is believed that the new Fund will be of special interest to potential donors who are interested in biotope conservation. Key biotopes include wetlands, lowland tropical rain-forests, cloud forests, oceanic islands, coastal and estuarine zones, circumpolar regions, desert and semi-desert areas, and high mountains. Projects involving these areas on the World Wildlife Fund's books include the extension and consolidation of the famous Nairobi and Nokuru National Parks in Kenya; New Jersey wetlands in the United States; Kaziranga National Park in India; Gunung Leuser reserve in Indonesia; Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; Manu National Park in Peru; Lake Neusiedl and Seewinkel in Austria; Guadiamar National Park in Spare; the Ried of Alsace in France; Caerlaverock Wildfowl Reserve in Scotland; wetlands in Moravia, Czechoslovakia.