Format: ORAL

Rani B. Bhagat

Department of Botany, PDEAs Baburaoji Gholap College, Sangvi Pune, Maharashtra, India

The Western Ghats (WG) are a UNESCO World Heritage site in India and one of the worlds recognized biodiversity hot spots. It is shrunken by 25% over the past decades, degrading unique valuable ecosystem. The physiography and climate of the NWG sustain tropical semi-evergreen to moist deciduous forest vegetation, which has enormous worldwide relevance for biodiversity conservation. Research area is biogeographically located in the Sahyadri mountains and spans multiple ecological zones such as the crestline of the Western Ghats, hill ranges, and a gently sloping section abutting the Deccan plateau, supporting numerous plant communities. Due to high rainfall, processes of soil formation are relatively faster than low rainfall areas on plains, though happening at geological time scale. All of these distinct physical characteristics have resulted in the formation of distinct habitats. Study area is centrally located in NWG at 18?25N to 18? 41 N and 73?20 E to 73?25 E. which covers 240 sq. km in Pune district, Maharashtra. Extensive surveys reported 1592 flowering species from 776 genera and 162 families. Number of flowering species from dicotyledones were 1185 and 337 from monocotyledones, of which 150 are endemic species and more than 50 IUCN categorized. Study also documented 74 sacred groves with rich flora. In 2013, state government designated Tamhini as a wildlife sanctuary from Mulshi. Important water catchments includes-Mulshi, Temghar, Varasgaon and adjoining Pawana dam. Besides a private planned cities like- Lavasa, Sahara and Amby valley lies in the study area. Further, more hill cities are proposed in various parts of Mulshi threatening the biodiversity. Iconic Western Ghat is facing a threat due to forest loss, encroachment conversion. With this backdrop the documentation of floristic diversity, impact analysis and conservation of diversity was carried out for future ecosystem management.