ABSTRACT
Abstract ........................................................................................................2 1.1 The West Coast and the Western Ghats ..............................................2 1.2 Ethnic Diversity and Knowledge Systems and
Factors That Impacted Them ..............................................................4 1.3 Utilitarian Aspects of Ethnic Communities of
Western Peninsular India ....................................................................7 Keywords ................................................................................................... 11 References .................................................................................................. 11
K. V. KRISHNAMURTHY,1 BIR BAHADUR,2 and T. PULLAIAH3
1Consultant, R&D, Sami Labs, Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore-560058, Karnataka, India
2Department of Botany, Kakatiya University, Warangal-506009, Telangana State, India
3Department of Botany, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur-515003, India
ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with an introduction to the subsequent chapters covered in this volume. It describes the physical and biological features of the West Coast and Western Ghats of Peninsular India. It also deals with an introduction to the study areas and their ethnic diversity and plants of importance in medicine, food and other requirements of tribal people. An introduction to conservation measures involving sacred groves is also given. The ethnobotany of mangroves and bryophytes of these regions is also included.
