bio-Fencings in
Sindhudurga District of MAHARASHTRA STATE (India): A perspective of
biodiversity- society relationship
In Konkan region of Maharashtra State of India the privately owned lands are demarked by fencings either of Jambha stones or by cultivation of living plant species. Fencings made up of these plants are unique ecological entities. These fencings have received own identity due to species composition and ecological processes going on among them. Species are used for specific purposes. Few introduced plants are observed; otherwise all the species are native. Developing bio-fences using some typical plant species is age-old practice in Sindhudurga District of Maharashtra. These bio-fences have horizontal and vertical plant systems. Mostly the plants are alive. Sometimes cut branches are used. Maintenance and repair of fences is the yearly activity of local inhabitants. It generates revenue. Among all the age group of local inhabitants, men above forty years have major role in this activity. Number of economically and medicinally important plants are maintained along the fences. Sometimes these are sold for money or exchanged for domestic needs. The history of these fences is transferred from generation to generation. These are the marking boundaries of landowners, therefore, record of bio-fences is available in revenue offices like Grampanchayat, Talathi karyalay etc. They have got place in legal documents. Due to all these aspects these bio-fences can be recognized as ‘Unique Biodiversity Entities’ of the district. Conservation of plants along the fences should be welcomed and promoted as one of the part of biodiversity conservation. Developing and maintaining the bio-fences is art as well as science, it is traditionally known with ancient historical account.
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