Why in News ?
- A new study published in People and Nature (British Ecological Society) shows that the savannas of western Maharashtra are ancient ecosystems, not degraded forests.
- Using medieval Marathi literature, oral traditions, archival records, and ecological evidence, researchers trace open tree–grass landscapes back at least 750 years, predating colonial timber extraction.
- The study challenges the prevailing narrative that savannas are the result of deforestation or anthropogenic degradation, and calls for distinct conservation policies that value both biodiversity and local culture.
Relevance
- GS-1 (Geography / Indian Society)
- Physical geography of biomes, human–environment interactions, cultural landscapes.
- GS-3 (Environment & Ecology)
- Ecosystem classification, biodiversity conservation, grasslands vs forests, policy impacts.
Basics — Concepts & Foundations
- What are Savannas?
- Mixed tree–grass ecosystems with open canopies, seasonal drought, and fire–grazing interactions.
- Characterised by thorny trees, drought-adapted shrubs, perennial grasses, and browsing-resilient species.
- Savannas vs Forests (Conceptual Difference)
- Savannas → Fire- and grazing-maintained, open, low tree density, grass-dominated.
- Closed Forests → Dense canopy, shade-tolerant species, fire-sensitive ecology.
- Indian Ecological Terminology (Historical)
- vana / jāgala → wild, open, drier landscapes (scrub, savanna, grasslands).
- anūpa → wetter marshes and closed forests.
- Modern misinterpretation equates vana with “dense forest”, leading to policy misclassification.
- Two Savanna Types in Maharashtra
- Fine-leaf savannas → drier belts (≤1000 mm rainfall).
- Broadleaf savannas → wetter belts (≥700 mm rainfall).
- Both co-occur across the 700–1000 mm rainfall zone.
Evidence Base — What the Study Found ?
- Textual & Oral Records (13th–20th centuries)
- Sources: ovis, narrative poems, hagiographies, myths across Pune, Satara, Solapur, Sangli, Nashik.
- Recurrent descriptions of:
- thorny trees, grasslands, seasonal drought
- pastoral livelihoods & grazing landscapes
- Sacred landscapes (e.g., Shinganapur / Kothalāgirī) embed tree species as cultural symbols.
- Flora Identified (62 species)
- 27 savanna indicators; 14 forest species → strong signal of historic open-canopy ecologies.
- Key species: Vachellia leucophloea, Senegalia catechu, Capparis divaricata, Butea monosperma, and grasses like Sehima nervosum.
- Functional Traits Indicating Savanna Ecology
- thick bark, spines, clonal resprouting, fire & grazing tolerance.
- Triangulated with 11 Independent Evidence Lines
- Archival photos & paintings → sparsely wooded uplands.
- Colonial revenue records → pasture commons, hay meadows.
- Hunting logs & bird lists → savanna-specialist fauna.
- Hero stones → pastoral conflict & cattle raids.
- Archaeological evidence → blackbuck motifs, grazer remains in Chalcolithic contexts.
Conclusion: Savannas are ancient and persistent ecosystems, not outcomes of recent deforestation.
Why This Matters ?
- Ecological Misclassification Problem
- Policies often treat savannas as “wastelands” or degraded forests → leads to:
- inappropriate afforestation/plantation drives,
- biodiversity loss (grassland fauna decline),
- disruption of pastoral livelihoods.
- Policies often treat savannas as “wastelands” or degraded forests → leads to:
- Cultural-Ecological Linkages
- Savannas host sacred groves, pastoral traditions, ritual landscapes.
- Conservation must integrate local knowledge + biodiversity objectives.
- Conservation Reorientation Needed
- Manage as distinct ecosystems (fire-grazing dynamics, native grasses),
- Avoid blanket tree-plantation policies in open landscapes.
