EXPLORING THE BIODIVERSITY TREASURE OF ACHANAKMAR-AMARKANTAK BIOSPHERE RESERVE

EXPLORING THE BIODIVERSITY TREASURE OF ACHANAKMAR-AMARKANTAK BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Sharang Bali *, Kantrol Kumar Sahu, Pankaj Masih, Rajesh M. Meshram and Manisha Masih

Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Chouksey Engineering College, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India.

ABSTRACT: The Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve is a remarkable biodiversity hotspot situated in the heart of India, straddling the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Geographically, this biosphere reserve is located in the Deccan Peninsula and the Central Highland Plains region, capturing a diverse array of flora and fauna.  The region is renowned for its innumerable natural vegetation and zoological wonders, which have long captivated the attention of biologists and researchers. Beyond the northern Himalayan valleys, this biosphere reserve represents the second-largest expanse of biodiversity in India, with a wealth of species that have been documented in various Vedic and botanical literature. Interestingly, many of the plants and herbs found in this region possess valuable ethno-medicinal and pharmacological properties, some of which are yet to be fully explored and understood. The local communities and indigenous tribes have a deep, symbiotic relationship with the biosphere, utilizing its natural resources for food, fodder, medicine, and economic sustenance. This review delves into the biodiversity, biogeographical features, and the ethnobotanical significance of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, highlighting its critical role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting the livelihoods of the local populations.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Flora and fauna, Bio-conservation , Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

INTRODUCTION: The Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve is a well-established, naturally-formed biosphere located in the central region of India, spanning the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh covering an area of approximately 383,552 hectares. This biosphere reserve is named after the Achanakmar forest village and the Amarkantak region, both of which hold significant cultural and ecological importance.

Amarkantak is renowned as a major Hindu pilgrimage site, being the origin of the Narmada and Sone rivers, and also a part of the Ramvangama path, the journey taken by Lord Ram during his 14 year exile in the forest as described in the epic Ramayana.

Geographically, the biosphere reserve is situated between the Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges, at an altitude of 1,065 meters above sea level, with coordinates ranging from 22°44' N to 81°54' E. The region is characterized by various holy ponds, elevated hills, waterfalls, and a rich biodiversity. On the other hand, Achanakmar is a lush green forest area that is home to local tribal communities and villages, situated on a plateau at latitudes between 22°15' to 22°58' N and longitudes 81°25' to 82°5' E, with an average altitude ranging from 400 to 1,100 meters above sea level. The Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve is located in the northern part of the biogeographic zone 6, the Deccan Peninsula, and the central highland plain. The reserve encompasses 68.2% of the Bilaspur and Pendra road districts in Chhattisgarh, and the remaining 16.20% and 15.70% in the Anuppur and Dindori districts of Madhya Pradesh, respectively. The Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve was declared as a biosphere reserve by the Government of India in 1999 ¹.

Geographical and Environmental Characteristics of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve: The Achanakmar-Amarkantak biosphere reserve region is characterized by a range of geographical features, from low-lying rice fields to the rugged Maikal hills and Satpura valleys.

The biosphere reserve is divided into core, buffer, and transition zones, with the core zone covering an area of 551.55 km² in Chhattisgarh and encompassing the Amarkantak wildlife sanctuary. The buffer zone extends across both Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, covering 1225.98 km² and 2058.38 km² respectively. The diverse topography of the region includes low-lying rice fields in Bilaspur and Annupur as well as wheat fields in Dindori, nestled within the Maikal range of the Sat pura valleys. The region is also rich in natural resources, with deposits of iron ore and bauxite found in the Amarkantak plateau. The biosphere reserve is traversed by numerous water streams and canals that are part of the Narmada and Sone river systems, which play a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem balance and providing irrigation for local agricultural practices ¹. Notably, the region is considered a major watershed divide, separating the rivers flowing into the Arabian Sea from those draining into the Bay of Bengal.

The climate of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak biosphere is typical of the monsoon climate in the region, with a hot and dry summer, a rainy monsoon season, and a cooler winter. Temperatures can reach as high as 40-55°C during the hot summer months of May and June, while the coolest months are December and January.

The ecological and economic significance of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak biosphere has been recognized by the Government of India, which declared it as the 14th biosphere reserve in the country. The region has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its rich biodiversity. However, the biosphere is facing increasing threats from human activities, such as overexploitation of natural resources, deforestation, mining, and infrastructure development, leading to habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss. Therefore, sustainable management and conservation efforts are crucial to preserving the unique natural and cultural heritage of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak biosphere ^{2, 3}.

FIG. 1: GEOGRAPHICAL LAYOUT OF ACHANAKMAR-AMARKANTAK BIOSPHERE RESERVE SHOWING LOCATION AND LANDMARK BETWEEN MADHYA PRADESH AND CHHATTISGARH

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics in the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve: The Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve is a protected area in central India that boasts a rich and diverse array of wildlife and biodiversity. According to census data from 2004, the sanctuary is home to a significant population of large predators such as 26 tigers, 46 Indian leopards, and 28 sloth bears, as well as a variety of other mammals including axis deer, sambar, Indian muntjac, and gaur. The reserve also provides habitat for numerous species of birds, reptiles, and amphibians, with over 170 bird species, 15 reptile species, and several frog and toad species documented in the area. The diverse natural vegetation of the reserve includes both northern tropical moist deciduous and southern dry mixed deciduous forests, supporting a rich diversity of plant life with over 1,500 species representing 151 families. The conservation and management of this biosphere reserve is critical not only for preserving its ecological value, but also for sustaining the livelihoods and well-being of the local indigenous communities that rely on the reserve's natural resources.

The tropical forests of central and eastern India, including the Achanakmar-Amarkantak region, have faced significant threats in recent decades due to factors such as deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and over-exploitation of natural resources ⁴. These environmental degradations have placed severe pressure on the biological resources of the area, leading to a loss of biodiversity that can be difficult to reverse. Efforts to establish protected areas like the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve have proven to be a successful strategy for conserving wild animals and plants, but challenges remain in managing issues such as poaching, human-wildlife conflicts, and sustainable resource use ^{1, 5}. Continued research and effective management strategies will be essential for ensuring the long-term preservation of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve and its unique and valuable ecosystems.

FIG. 2: WILDLIFE AND VEGETATION FEATURES OF ACHANAKMAR-AMARKANTAKBIORESERVE

Biodiversity and Vegetation of the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve: The Achanakmar-Amarkantak biosphere reserve in central India is home to a diverse array of plant life. The natural vegetation within the reserve varies across the forest area, with both northern tropical moist deciduous and southern dry mixed deciduous forests present. This region is characterized by a rich diversity of plant species, including a variety of thallophytes, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. The reserve is estimated to contain over 1,500 plant species from more than 151 different families. The angiosperm plants are particularly abundant, with numerous important species found in the reserve such as Thalictrum sp., Dillenia pentagyma, Cocculus hirsutus, Flacourtia indica, Talinium portulacifolium, Tamarix ericoides, Hibiscus subdariffa, Corchorus fascicularis, Gerwaria rothii, and Dioscre sp. In addition, the reserve is home to a variety of gymnosperm species that have adapted to the local environmental conditions, including Cupressus torulosa, Araucaria bidwillii, Pinus patula, Pinus caribae, Pinus elliottii, Pinus oocarpa, Pinus srotina, Cedrus dodara, and Taxodium sp. The reserve also contains a significant number of wild medicinal herbs, with over 107 species present, more than 20 of which are considered rare. The diversity of plant life in the Achanakmar-Amarkantak biosphere reserve is under threat from various anthropogenic factors, such as overexploitation of natural resources, deforestation, mining, and infrastructure development ¹. These activities are leading to habitat fragmentation and degradation, which can result in the irreversible loss of biodiversity.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Bioreserve: The Achanakmar-Amarkantak bioreserve is home to a diverse array of medicinal and aromatic plant species. Studies and surveys have identified over 130 plant species from 61 families and 115 genera that are traditionally used by the local population for various medicinal purposes. These herbal remedies are effective in treating a wide range of ailments, including cuts and wounds, fever, joint pain, gastrointestinal disorders, eye and cataract issues, inflammation, hepatic illnesses, anemia, mental disorders, abdominal pain, and paralysis. Some of the commonly used plant species include Adiantum philippense, Asparagus racemosus, Pueraria tuberosa, Costus speciosus, and Terminalia chebula, which are used to treat leprosy, while Eryngium foetidum and Antidesma zeylanicum are utilized for snake bites and poisoning.

The survey findings reveal that the tribal and local inhabitants of the bioreserve have a substantial knowledge of the medicinal properties and uses of the available plant species. However, this traditional knowledge is not widely shared or explored, as the tribal communities tend to keep this information within their own communities, passing it down through generations.

This review provides a brief account of the pharmaceutical, therapeutic, and safety aspects of the documented medicinal and aromatic plant species, including information on toxicity studies and contraindications. The prevalence of traditional medicinal practices using native flora is also observed in other tribal communities across India, such as in the Kachcha region and Arunachal Pradesh, where traditional herbal remedies are widely use for treating various ailments ^6-9.

TABLE 1: ETHNO-MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE OF SPECIES IN AABR (ACHANAKMAR-AMARKANTAK BIORESERVE) OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANTS

CONCLUSION: The present review study and documentation provides an overview of the diverse medicinal and aromatic plants, referred to as "ethnomedicines," found within the Achanakmar-Amarkantak Bioreserve ¹⁰. The region is home to a wide variety of angiosperm and gymnosperm plants that possess significant pharmacological activities and biological importance, serving as valuable resources for the local tribes and communities.

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, has long recognized the Achanakmar-AmarkantakBioreserve as a dynamic bio-conservation zone for ethnomedicines, comparable to the northern Himalayan valleys of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the northeastern regions of India. The bioreserve is not only a hub for botanical and zoological research, but also an unexplored treasure trove for pharmacognosy experts and naturopathy specialists seeking new drug discoveries ^{11, 12}.

Previous research has documented the use of approximately 150 plant species in various pharmacotherapy, treatment procedures, and traditional remedies by the local tribes and herbal or phytopharmaceutical industries ¹¹.  However, the knowledge of these medicinal plants is at risk of disappearing due to the lack of written documentation and the reliance on oral transmission between generations.

This review highlights the urgent need for further documentation and conservation efforts to preserve the ethnomedicinal knowledge and biodiversity of the Achanakmar-AmarkantakBioreserve. The region's medicinal plant resources face threats from deforestation, industrialization, overgrazing, and other anthropogenic factors, underscoring the importance of a holistic approach to sustainable management an d utilization of these natural assets ^12-15.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Nil

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Nil

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    How to cite this article:

    Bali S, Sahu KK, Masih P, Meshram RM and Masih M: Exploring the biodiversity treasure of Achanakmar-Amarkantak biosphere reserve. Int J Pharmacognosy 2024; 11(12): 675-80. doi link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.IJP.11(12).675-80.

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