New York Science Journal, 2009, 2(4), ISSN 1554-0200 http://www.sciencepub.net/newyork , sciencepub@gmail.com 31 A Case Study: Conservation Strategies Of Biodiversity In Konkan Region Of Coastal Maharashtra, India Balwant Kumar Department of Botany, DSB Campus, Kumaun University Nainital (India) E Mail: drbalwantkumararya@gmail.com ABSTRACT: The present article is based on the training cum workshop organized by Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF), Pune, India, based on field survey in March 2008. In the workshop some strategies for conservation of biodiversity has been developed in Konkan region of coastal Maharashtra, India and were assessed. [New York Science Journal. 2009;2(4):31-32]. (ISSN: 1554-0200). Keywords: Konkan valley, conservation, sacred groves, Maharashtra INTRODUCTION The word conservation strategy (IUCN, UNEP and WWF, 1980) defines conservation as “the management of human use of the biodiversity so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generation while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations”.India is well known for its plants diversity and has the second largest tribal population in the world after Africa (Jagtap, et al 2009). In addition the Trans Himalayan, Indian Desert, Semi-arid, Western Ghats, Deccan peninsula including Eastern Ghats, Gangetic plains, Northeast India, Coasts and Islands are the different biogeographic zones. Kharkwal (2008) reported that the floristic spectrum of India comprises of over 30,000 species (excluding fungi) of which the flowering plants with about 17,500 species constitute the dominant group representing about 7% of the flowering plant species of the world. However, 140 genera and 5285 species are endemic to the county. The tribals have good traditional knowledge about the conservation of natural resources. This knowledge is transmitted exclusively through oral communication from one generation to next using a scriptless language. The valuable knowledge is therefore, in an unwritten form and requires urgent measures of conservation. The main aim of the present case study was to evaluate some less known conservation efforts of plants by the tribals and to encourage preservation of their culture, conservation and sustainable utilization of the plant wealth of Konkan valley, Sadawali district Ratnagiri of Maharashtra, India. The aim of the study was also to prepare efficient management for conservation and development of bio resources and also for capacity building. Sacred groves are the forest patches traditionally protected by local communities in the name of a local deity. The fragments of forest now form important repositories of regional biodiversity and have been known to retain viable population of rare and endangered plants. The field survey brought out many different clues for the development of sacred groves to conserve biodiversity of the area. MATERIALS AND METHODS Maharashtra is a central western part of India, located in the south of Madhya Pradesh. More than 25 participants attended the training workshop, organized by Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF), Pune, at Sadawali village; district Ratnagiri of Maharashtra, India. During the workshop a field survey was conducted and a long discussion provided by the participants and local villagers on various conservation strategies of local biodiversity has been documented. Two sacred groves (Devvani and Ujgawn) of the western Ghat region were visited during the survey. Devvani sacred grove is situated at 185m altitude (a.m.s.l.), there is a village temple of local God called Devvani (meaning Dev= Devta/God and Vani = Van/Jangal/Forest); forest of Gods. Ujgawn sacred grove is situated at 200m altitude (a.m.s.l.) there is also a temple of Devvani. Distinguished coloured posters with detailed information about the temple and forest are provided by AERF on walls of these temples for the conservation of the sacred groves. In the backside of the Ujgawn temple, AERF team along with local villagers has developed a large plantation patch of different medicinal plants. The plantation patch is protected and surrounded by a wall. The boundary wall has been