PHYSICAL FEATURES AND NATURAL RESOURCES

FORESTS

Natural Resources

FORESTS: The total of the reserved forests of Jalgaon district is about 789 sq. miles, which can be roughly brought under three groups as under:—

(1) In the north a series of forests stretching along the line of the Satpudas from Chopda in the extreme north-west of Gangapuri, touching the Nemar district,

(2) In the middle east, east and south-east, and

(3) In the south and south-west.

The forest area which forms 17 per cent of the total area of this district exhibits different types of soil, from steep hill slopes of the Satpudas, Satmala and hills of Edlabad peta to undulating ground, and almost flat portions of the middle and southern part of the district can be classified as follows: —

(1) Teak timber areas.

(2) Teak pole areas

(3) Anjan areas.

(4) Babhul areas.

(5) Scrub areas.

(6) Inaccessible areas.

Teak Timber.

This type of forest is confined to the northern part of the Yawal taluka, touching the territory of Madhya Pradesh. It covers the Aner valley in its upper reaches, and northern slopes of the main Satpuda ridges. Due to more favourable soil conditions and somewhat higher rainfall, the tract is capable of growing large.sized timber than in teak pole areas. The main species is teak (Tectona grandis), and its associates are tiwas (Ougcinia dalbergioides) dhavda (Anogeissns latifolia), salai (Boswellia serrata), sadada(Terminalia tomentosa), haldu (Adina cordifolid), sisam (Dalbergia latifolid), kalamb (Mitragyna parviflord) and bia or bibla (Pterocar- pus marsupium).

Teak Pole.

This type forms a major portion of the forests of Chopda, Yawal, Chalisgaon and Jamner talukas. The configuration varies from the flat or undulating tracts in Jamner taluka to the hilly countries in Chopda, Yawal and Chalisgaon talukas. The principal species that prevail in these areas are, teak (Tectona grandis), khair (Acacia catechu), salai (Boswellia serrata), dhavda (Anogeisstis latifolia), sadada (Terminalia tomentosa), anjan (Hardwickia binata), and a few inferior species. Other species of note such as bia or bibla (Plerocarpus marsupium), sissu (Dalbergia sissoo), bondara (Lagerstroemia parviflord), rohin (Soymida febrifuga), kalamb (Mitragyna parviflord) are less common and in many places very rare. These forests cover the part of the Satpuda hills, the Satmala hills and flats and undulating tracts of Jamner taluka touching the Satmala.

Anjan.

This type can be seen over the whole of the forest area of Raver taluka, in parts of Yawal, Chopda and Chalisgaon talukas and Edlabad peta. On the flat and undulating ground at the foot of Satpuda hills, the crop consists of practically pure anjan. But on the hill slopes of the Satpudas, the Satmala and the Hatti hills of Edlabad peta, the anjan crop gets gradually more and more mixed with khair (Acacia catechu), dhavda, bor, palas, ghatbor and a few other inferior species. The main species in these areas are anjan (Hardwickia binata), khair (Acacia catechu), dhavda (Anogeissus latifolia), salai (Boswellia serrata), bor (Zizyphus jujuba), ghalior (Zizyphus xylopira), palas (Butea frondoso), etc.

Babhul.

Forests of this type are situated on the banks of the river Sur in Jamner taluka, whilst those in Edlabad range lie on both the banks of Purna river. The main species in this tract is babhul (Acacia arabica) and its associates are khair (Acacia catechu), hiver (Acacia leucophlea), yelatur (Dichrostachys cinerea), bor (Zizyphus jujuba), apta (Bauhinia racemosa), sonkhair (Acacia feruginea) and other inferior species. Some anjan (Hardwickia binata) is also seen in Edlabad peta where the anjan forests are touching the babhul blocks.

Scrub.

Forests of this type are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the tract situated to the south of the Tapi river. The chief species in this tract are khair (Acacia catechu), babhul (Acacia arabica), bor (Zizyphus jujuba), dhavda (Anogeissus latifolia), palas (Butea frondosa), tembhurni (Diospyros melanoxylon), hiver (Acacia leucophlea), etc.

Inaccessible Forests.

These areas situated in the heart of the Satpuda hills of Yawal range are bounded by workable areas, and in the Satmala hills of Chalisgaon range, touching the Marathwada in the south and Nasik district in the west. Teak (Tectona grandis) is the main species in this tract and its associates are sadada (Terminalia tomentosa), tiwas (Ougeinia dalbergioides), dhavda (Anogeissus latifolia), anjan {Hardwickia binata), etc.

Distribution by Talukas.

Amalner Taluka: The area of the total reserved forests In Amalner taluka, which is about four square miles, is neither a compact block nor contiguous. Only scrub species are found in these tracts. Vegetation is very thin. As the forests are cut up by numerous roads and cart.tracks, the transport of the forest produce is easy and economic.

Bhadgaon Peta: The area of the total reserved forests in Bhadgaon peta is about 27 square miles. These areas are not compact. The vegetation in this part is sparse; is of scrub type; and is seen in the western and northern parts of the peta. As the areas are surrounded by roads and cart-tracks, transport of the forest produce is easy and economic.

Bhusawal Taluka: The total area of reserved forests in Bhusawal taluka is about 36 square miles. The vegetation seen in this tract is sparse and of scrub type. The roads are at a fair distance making transport of the forest produce, mainly firewood and grass, easy. The areas are neither compact nor contiguous. Some forests are in charge of the Revenue department and are used as pastures.

Edlabad Peta: The total area of reserved forests in Edlabad peta is about 69 square miles. Babhul, anjan and scrub forests are seen in this tract. In the northern and eastern parts of the peta, the forest areas are compact where anjan (Hardwickia binata) and Babhul (Acacia arabica) are found in large numbers. In the former areas vegetation is sparse while in the latter it is rather thick. Transport of the forest produce is easy and economic as numerous roads and cart.tracks are available in this tract.

Chalisgaon Taluka: The total area of the reserved forests in Chalisgaon taluka is about 71 square miles, out of which some area which is being used as pastures is in charge of the Revenue department. Vegetation in the northern part of the taluka is of scrub type, and in the Satmala, situated in the southern part of the taluka it is mixed with anjan and teak. Inaccessible areas which are also situated in the southern part of the taluka are bounded by anjan and exploitable teak areas. Though teak with some other species is available in this tract, economic working is not possible due to the lack of transport facilities. In anjan and exploitable teak and scrub areas, transport of the forest produce is easy and economic as there are convenient roads.

Erandol Taluka: The area of the reserved forests in Erandol taluka is about 23 square miles. Scrub jungles are seen in this tract where the vegetation is very thin. The forest areas of the taluka are compact. Transport of the forest produce is easy and economic as roads are available.

Jalgaon Taluka: The area of the total reserved forests in Jalgaon taluka is about 33 square miles, out of which some area is in charge of the Revenue department which is being used as pastures. The area is scattered throughout the taluka. Scrub species are seen in this tract. Transport of the forest produce is easy and economic as almost all patches of the forests are in the vicinity of roads, cart-tracks and railways.

Pachora Taluka: The total area of the reserved forests in Pachora taluka is about 16 square miles, and is situated in the eastern part of the taluka. Scrub species are seen in this tract. Vegetation is thin. Transport of the forest produce is easy and economic as good roads are available.

Jamner Taluka: The total area of the reserved forests in Jamner taluka is about 68 square miles. Teak, babhul and scrub species are seen in this tract. Teak areas are situated in the southern, eastern and northern parts of the taluka. Babhul is seen on the banks of Sur river in a scattered position. Scrub patches to a little extent are also seen in the southern and northern parts of the taluka which arc neither compact nor contiguous. Transport of the forest produce which is done by rail and road is easy and economic.

Raver Taluka: The area of the total reserved forests in Raver taluka is about 119 square miles and is situated in the northern part of the taluka, touching Madya Pradesh. The chief species found in this tract is anjan which is known as a fodder species. Availability of roads makes the transport of forest produce economic to some extent.

Yawal Taluka: The area of the total reserved forests in Yawal taluka is about 122 square miles. Anjan, teak pole, teak timber and inaccessible areas are seen in this tract. Anjan areas arc adjoining to the teak pole, teak timber and inaccessible areas which are all situated in the heart of the Satpuda hills. Similarly, teak pole areas which are contiguous to the teak pole areas of Chopda taluka are adjoining to teak timber and anjan and inaccessible areas. Transport of forest produce except that in the inaccessible areas is economic and easy to some extent as forest roads are available. Though the teak with some other species is available in the inaccessible areas for exploitation, economic working of these areas is not possible, as the areas are very steep and rugged. Timber areas situated along the banks of the Aner river touching the Madhya Pradesh territory are also being worked economically where teak of large size is found in large number.

Chopda Taluka: The total area of the reserved forests in Chopda taluka is about 168 square miles, which is situated in the northern part of the taluka touching the territory of Madhya Pradesh, Shirpur taluka of Dhulia district and Yawal taluka of Jalgaon district. The area is compact and the vegetation is thick in the interior of the Satpudas. Anjan and teak jungles are seen in this tract. Transport of forest produce is easy and economic to some extent as forest roads are available.

Parola Taluka: The total area of the reserved forests in Parola taluka is about 33 square miles. Scrub species are sown in this tract. Vegetation is thin. Transport of the forest produce is easy and economic as good roads are available.

Minor Forest Produce.

The following are the chief minor forest produce from the Jalgaon district: —

(1) Bamboos and Puranas (Dendrocalamus strictus): Used for constructing huts and preparing baskets, mats, etc.

(2) Grass (various types): Used for cattle as fodder and for  grazing.

(3) Gum: Used for pasting, for preparing medicines and some edible things.

(4) Safed Musali (Pachystome senile). The rhizomes are collected and sold for medicinal purposes.

(5) Ghatbor fruits (Zizyphus xylopyra): Used for tanning.

(6) Rosha grass (Cymbopogon martini): Used for medicines and perfumes.

Trees.

The following is a list of the chief trees found in the district: —

Ain (Sadada)—Terminalia tomentosa is a straight and tall forest tree. It is quite useful as timber. Many use it for house.building. The black bark yields a tanning material.

Al (morinda tincioria).—Though it grows into a tree, it is chiefly cultivated as a plant for its dye. It is left for three years in the ground and then dug out at considerable expense. Both the root and bark yield an excellent dye. The wood is useful, but cannot easily be found of any appropriate size.

Alu—Vangueria spinosa is a moderate.sized tree with a bark of dark colour. Fruits are edible but not palatable. Wood is moderately hard and heavy.

Amba—Mangifera indica is one of the best known of Indian trees. It is valued chiefly for its fruit and is seldom cut. It is an avenue tree and is also useful for camping under. Its wood is excellent, hard and deep coloured and as it takes good polish, is well suited for furniture and building. The wood yields good charcoal. The timber is being used in the match and plywood industries. After planting, it can easily be protected by putting a few thorns around. Watering the plant in summer is not necessary.

Anjan—Hardwickia binata.—This beautiful and graceful tree is found practically all over the district. It has a very rough black bark and small pale green leaves and grows to a great size. The timber is excellent. It is of a dark red colour and takes good polish. The bark yields a strong fibre which without any preparation can be twisted into rope. Cattle, especially buffaloes, are very fond of its leaves, which have good fodder value.

Awah—Phyllanthus emblica is a small to middle.sized tree with light grey bark and with hard but somewhat brittle and little used wood. Fruit is globose, yellow or reddish, very sour and astringent, but edible when cooked, or preserved. It is also used medicinally and for making ink. The bark is astringent and is used for tanning.

Apta—Bauhinia racemosa is one of the large class of very rapid growth but is of little value. It is used only as fuel. It is held sacred at the time of Dassera festival. The leaves are sometimes used for 'Bidis'. The inner bark yields a strong fibre.

Asana—Bridelia reiusa is a small.sized tree. Bark is grey and rough. Inner bark is reddish. Heart.wood is grey to olive-brown. The wood is moderately hard and can be seasoned well. It takes good polish, is used for agricultural implements, building purposes and carts. The bark is used for tanning. Fibre can be extracted from inner bark.

Babhul—Acacia arabica.—The commonest and most useful tree in Jalgaon; is very hard and grows rapidly in black soil. Forest area along the Purna river in Edlabad peta contains only these trees. It grows to a considerable size and has excellent hard wood, but the timber is generally crooked and long straight pieces can seldom be obtained. The wood is used for every imaginable house and field purposes as well as fuel. The bark is valuable for tanning and yields a good dye. Its sap is useful for gum as well as medicinal purpose. The leaves are chief food of goats and long seed pods are eagerly devoured by sheep, goats and cattle. It is an excellent roadside tree wherever there is scanty rainfall.

Barandha—Kydia calycina is scarcely seen in the district. The bark yields a strong coarse fibre. The wood is of little value.

Bahawa—Cassia fistula is not common in the district and is one of the ornamental forest trees, giving out tassels of beautiful hanging yellow flowers. Its long hanging pods are easily recognised. The wood, though close-grained and hard, is not much used. The bark is used in tanning. The root yields a purge and the seeds are surrounded by a pulp which, as an aperient, has a place both among Indian and European drugs.

Beheda—Terminalia belerica is a large forest tree not so common in the district. The wood is soft and sappy and not of much value as it is liable to be attacked by insects. Its fruit forms one of the myrobalans, which for their dyeing and tanning properties are exported to Europe.

Bel—Aegle marmelos.—This is one of the sacred trees for Hindus often planted near temples. It is rare in Jalgaon. The wood, yellowish-white, hard, with a strong aromatic scent when freshly cut, is not durable. The wood is used for making agricultural implements. The pulp of the fruit is used medicinally and is a valuable product.

Bhokar—Cordia mixa is a moderate-sized deciduous tree. Bark is dark, rough-fissured. Wood is of grey colour and moderately hard, strong and seasons well. The.wood is used for agricultural implements. The bark is made into ropes. Ripe fruits are eaten by villagers. The tree is rare in the district. Soft pulp of the fruit is a valuable remedy in lung diseases. Raw fruits are used for pickling.

Bhutvakes—Elacodendron glaucum is a small tree with blackish bark. The wood is flesh.coloured and used for cabinet work and picture frames. It is used as firewood in this district.

Bia or Bibla—Pterocarpus marsupium—A large tree with rough grey bark is valuable as timber. The wood is durable and seasons well. It is used for. construction, furniture and agricultural implements. The wood is full of gum resin which strains through the wood when damp. It is common in the remoter forests of the Satpudas.

Bondara—Lagersiroemia parviflora is a middle.sized tree with ash.coloured bark like teak but not so smooth. Inner bark is light red. The wood is grey, elastic, hard, compact and highly valued for poles for house construction and agricultural implements. It gives good fuel and charcoal. The bark is occasionally used for tanning leather.

Bori—Zizyphus jujuba.—This small.sized tree is found all over the district. It is very thorny and the thorns are frequently used for fencing. The fruit is largely eaten and bark is used for tanning. It is a good host to the lac insects. The fruit can be generally improved by grafting. The wood is used for agricultural implements and gives good fuel. Goats are very fond of the leaves.

Charoli—Buchanania latifolia.—This is common in this tract especially in Chalisgaon and Chopda talukas. The tree is small, straight and with a dark grey and rough bark. The wood is much used. The bark is used for tanning. The fruit is edible. The kernel of the fruit is an important article of minor forest produce and is used in confectionary and other cooking especially in sweetmeats.

Chinchola (Shiras)—Albizzia lebbek.—It is an ornamental tree with large leaves and light-coloured bark. This and other allied varieties are not common in the district. It is frequently planted along roadsides and in gardens. The Forest department has also planted a number of seedlings in the last five years. The wood is of excellent quality and is used for all purposes.

Chinch—Tamarindus indica is a large slow.growing and very handsome tree. It is found near all villages, in gardens and fields. Its excellent hard wood makes the best crushers for oil and sugar mills and is useful in a variety of ways. The fruit is sometimes eaten raw but generally cooked. It is rare in the forest area but is mainly cultivated as an avenue tree and for camping grounds on account of its shade.

Dahipalas (Dahiwasj)—(Cordia macheodi) is a middle.sized tree with smooth bright grey bark. The wood is of considerable value. It is hard and tough but easily worked and is used for furniture and agricultural implements. It is not so common as Palas.

Dhaman—Grewia tiliaefolia is a middle.sized tree with smooth grey bark. It is not so common in this district. The wood is reddish brown, elastic and easily worked; hence used for agricultural implements. The bark yields a good fibre.

Dhavda—Anogeissus latifolia.—One of the commonest and most useful trees, is for want of proper care not found in any great size. The outer bark is almost white. Timber is not durable. It is used for furniture, carts and agricultural implements. It gives good fuel and excellent charcoal. It yields a useful white gum.

Dudhi (Kodai)—Wrightia tinctoria is a small erect tree; bark is dark coloured, furrowed and scaly. The wood which is white is in demand for construction of small articles as spoons, forks and toys. The bark, leaves, fruits and seeds are used medicinally. It is not common in the district.

Pandhra Khair—Acacia ferruginea.—A large tree with rough, dark coloured bark is found readily in the district. Heart wood is olive-brovn and extremely hard. It is used for building carts and agricultural implements and for fuel. It yields a valuable gum.

Ghatbor—Zizyphus xylopyra is a small tree with or without thorns. Wood is yellowish brown and hard, easily worked and durable. It is used for carts and fuel. The fruit is mostly used for tanning purposes by local shoe-makers. The tree is common in this district.

Ghela—Randia dumetorum is a small deciduous tree with grey bark and brownish hard wood. The wood is used for agricultural implements and fuel. It is rare in this district.

Gorad—Albizzia procera.—A large tree with smooth, yellowish bark produces valuable timber which is durable and seasons well. It is used for making sugar-cane crushers, wheels and agricultural implements. It is rare in this district.

Haldu (Haldwan)—Adina cordifolia is a large deciduous tree with smooth grey bark and yellow, hard and durable wood. The wood is useful for planking construction and agricultural implements. It is common in the district.

Hiwar—Acacia leucophlea.—A middle.sized tree with yellowish brown bark is not common in the district. Its heart wood is yellowish brown and is very hard, strong and tough. The bark yields a coarse fibre, suitable for fishing nets and ropes. The wood is useful as good fuel.

Humb—Saccopetalum eomentosiim is a tall deciduous tree with thick brown, cracked furrowed bark and yellowish wood. The wood is rather soft and little used. It is useful for construction; but is not common in this area.

Jambhul—Eugenia jambolana is a large common tree with smooth whitish bark. The wood is reddish grey, moderately hard, but is not much used. The fruit is an article of food, is eaten by all classes and hence it is mostly cultivated. The wood is used for building purposes and construction of rahats for wells.

Kadai or Kandol—Sterculia urens is a large spreading tree with smooth white or pink papery bark, lobbed leaves and an irregular gnarled, short trunk. The wood is soft but is of no use. Gum called 'Kadai' which exudes from the trunk is collected and used. The tree, characteristic of dry rocky hills, is common in the Sat. puda teak forests and is often associated with Salai (Boswellia scrratd).

Kahu—Terminalia arjuna is one of the finest trees common in the Satpuda forests, grows to a great size, generally on the banks and in the beds of the rivers. Its woods is of good quality but from the amount of sap is hard to work. Large trunks are often sawn into single solid cart.wheels. The wood grows harder by seasoning.

Kakad—Garuga pinnata is a moderate.sized tree, found in the Satpuda and the Satmala forests, with thick grey or brown bark and reddish inner wood. The heart.wood, which is reddish, seasons well but is not durable. It is used for house.building and fuel. The bark is used for tanning and fruits are sometimes eaten.

Kalamb—Mitragyna parvifolia.—A large deciduous tree with moderately hard and light pinkish.brown wood is rare in the district. Its valuable wood is used for furniture.carving, house.building purposes, etc.

Kalasiras—Albizzia odoratissima is a small or middle.sized tree with dark grey hark. Inner bark is purple and fibrous. The wood seasons and polishes well and is fairly durable. It is not common in this district.

Kancr, Gancr or Galgal—Cochlospermum gossypium.—A small tree with soft wood and smooth ash.coloured bark is common in the Satpuda hills. The wood is of no use either as timber or fuel.

Kansar—Albizzia amara.—A small much.branched tree with smooth, dark.brown bark and extremely hard wood, is used for making carts and ploughs and gives fuel and charcoal. It is common in the Satpuda and the Satmala forests.

Karanj—Pongamia glabra is a moderate sized tree with soft grey bark and moderately hard wood. The wood is not durable. An oil pressed from the seeds is used medicinally, especially for skin diseases. The tree is common in Northern Tapi region.

Kauli—Diospyros chloroxylon.—A small tree with spinescent branches is rare in this district. The wood is hard and durable but not useful except as fuel.

Khair—Acacia catechu.—A moderate-sized tree with dark brown bark is plentiful in the district but never of any size. Its dark red wood is somewhat brittle but of great strength and it takes good polish. It is useful for all house-building and field purposes, but in this area it is used as fuel only. The wood, by boiling, yields a tannin called 'Kath' used with betel-leaf for chewing and in medicine.

Kusum—Schleicliera trijuga is a middle-sized tree with smooth grey bark. The wood, very strong and durable, is used in agricultural implements and is useful as a host tree for lac insects. It is common in the Satpuda forests.

Lokhandi—Ixora parviflora.—A small, much-branched tree, found along the nallas and dry water courses, is common in the district. The wood is hard and used for burning and also yields good charcoal.

Kumbha—Careya ayborea is a large deciduous tree with rough, dark.coloured bark. Inner bark is red and fibrous. Wood seasons well and is durable. It is used for agricultural implements.

Medsing—Dolichandrone falcata.—A small tree with smooth grey bark, is common in the district. Its wood is hard and seasons well. It is useful for building and agricultural purposes.

Mohin—Odina wodier is usually a medium.sized, very spreading tree in this area, with a thick trunk and smooth ash-coloured bark. The wood is little used not being considered durable. It yields a yellowish gum used in medicine but is not extracted in this tract.

Moho or Mohawa—Bassia latifolia.—It is found all over the district. Its chief value lies in the pulpy, bell-shaped flower, which, when dried, is eaten by the villagers. Almost every animal—wild or domestic—eats the fresh flowers. The wood is hard and lasting but the tree is too valuable to be cut for timber. Its seed yields an excellent oil, good for food, burning and also for skin diseases. The leaves and the bark make useful embrocations. The Moho is one of the most valuable of Khandesh trees, but it grows in wildest forests. Most of the produce is lost or supports wild animals only. In the open country a few good Moho trees are a small fortune.

Nakti Mokha or Mokha—Schrebera swieteniodes.—A middle. sized tree with ash.coloured bark and spreading crown, is not common in the district. It has a hard, tough box.like wood used by weavers for their looms and beams.

Nana—Lagerstroemia microcarpa is a large tree with smooth white bark, peeling off in large strips. Inner bark is white and fibrous. The wood is reddish, moderately hard and elastic. It is Used for building purposes or coffin cases and boxes.

Nimb—Azadirachta indica.—A common tree throughout the district planted along the road sides, is chiefly ornamental and useful for shade. The wood is used sometimes for building. The leaves and the bark are bitter. From its boiled leaves and fruits a febrifuge is made. The leaves are eaten on Hindu New Year's day (Gudhi Padawa). This tree is scarce in forests.

Nirmali—Strychnos potatorum.—A moderate.sized tree with black bark, cracked and scaly, and white wood, is common in the Satpuda forests. Its seeds are used in cleaning muddy water and for scorpion.bite by villagers.

Palas—Butea frondosa.—One of the commonest Khandesh trees, has, at the beginning of the hot season, a mass of bright, scarlet flowers. The leaves are much used for Patravalis. It grows seldom to any size. The wood is not much used in the district. From the stem is extracted 'Kinogum'. The flowers yield a valuable dye and the root and bark an excellent tough fibre. Its juice is used medicinally. It is favourite with the lac insects and choicest lac is found upon it. The seed-nut is used as a purgative and as a vermifuge for horses.

Pangara—Erythrina indica.—It is a rather rare, leguminous tree of no size and of little use.

Parhenkal—Flacourtia ramontchi.—A small tree, with thorny branches and bark yellowish-grey, is common in scrub forests. The fruits and the leaves are eaten. The wood is red, hard and durable and is used for agricultural implements. The gum and the bark are used in medicine.

Phetra—Gardenia turgida.—A small straight tree, with a small crown, smooth pale grey bark and armed with strong spines, is common in the district. It is only used as fuel.

Phasi—Dalbergia paniculata.—A tall straight tree with smooth grey bark is not so rare in this district. The wood is arranged in concentric bands of hard and soft tissue. They render the wood useless. It is only used as firewood.

Pimpal or Ashvatha—Ficus religiosa.—It is held sacred by Hindus and never cut by them. It is planted near the temples and villages. It readily fastens itself in walls and destroys them in the end but no one removes it. Its leaves are favourite food of elephants and camels and also other animals. It is much liked by lac insects. This rapidly growing and wide-spreading tree is suitable for road-side. Except for fuel it is of no use. It is rare in forest area.

Pimpri—Ficus tsiela.—A large smooth, greenish-white barked tree, without aerial roots, is common in the district. The wood is grey, moderately hard and shining. It is of no use except as fuel.

Rohin—Soymida febrifuga.—A valuable tree with dark red. brown heart-wood, which is very hard and durable, grows on the Ajanta and the Satpuda hills. The timber is useful for construction of wells and plough-shares. The bark is bitter and yields cooling drink. It also yields good fibre.

Sabri or Kandi Sabar—Euphorbia species.—This is scarcely found in this division. It is used as live hedge by cultivators. The milky juice derived from the leaves is considered as purgative and also said to be an antidote in snake-bites.

Sag—Tectona grandis is a most useful tree. It covers a part of the Satpuda hills, the Satmala hills in Chalisgaon taluka and Ajanta hills in Jamner taluka. A large deciduous tree with grey bark, its wood is yellowish.brown, hard, oily, very durable and strong. It can be worked easily; it takes good polish and is used for all purposes. This is the most valuable timber tree of this area. The leaves are useful for thatching temporary shelters.

Salai—Boswellia serrata.—A tree with greenish.gray bark peeling off in thin flakes, is common throughout the district. The wood is full of gum and burns readily and so is useful for torches. The wood being durable is used by poor people for doors and planks. It is used for boxes also. It gives a good fuel and charcoal. Recently it is also being experimented for paper manufacture.

Sawar—Bombax malabaricum is a large thorny tree with bright red flowers and soft down which is used for stuffing pillows The wood though soft is said to make good packing cases. The timber is being mainly used for match-wood and plywood industries.

Sheoga—Moringa pterigosperma is a small tree with thick croky bark, commonly cultivated near villages. The root is used as substitute for horse-radish. The leaves, flowers and fruits are eaten as vegetable.

Shisam—Dalbergia latifolia.—It is very scarce in the district and grows to size. It yields good timber specially valued for furniture.

Shiwn—Gmelina arborea.—A middle.sized or large tree with somewhat corky greyish.yellow bark is common in Satpuda forests. The wood is durable and valuable for furniture and ornamental works, as it does not warp or shrink. The fruit is eaten by the people living in the Satpudas. The root and bark are used in medicine.

Tembhurni—Diospyros mclanoxylon.—The well-known ebony is pretty common in the district but grows crooked and hardly to any great size. Its wood is little used for house and agricultural purposes. It bears a large sweetish plum, very pleasent to eat. The leaves are an important item of minor forest produce as they are used for manufacture of 'Bidis'.

Tiwas—Oligemia dalbergioides is one of the most generally useful trees. It yields beautiful timber and is useful for field tools of all kinds. It is not so common in the district and seldom grows to any size. The bark of the tree is pounded and used to intoxicate fish.

Umbar—Ficus glomerata.—A very common but valueless tree, bears branches of flavourless figs on its stem and boughs. The tree withstands the action of water and, like most of the fig species, is generally accounted as sacred. It is in some places used as a sign of the presence of water. Its juice is medicinally used by villagers.

Wad—Ficus bengalensis is one of the commonest Khandesh trees which grows readily in light soil. It is held sacred by Hindus and worshipped by women and never cut or turned to any use, save for shelter and shade. It grows readily from cuttings, and is well suited for roadside planting. Its juice is sometimes used to reduce inflammation. The timber is of little value. The fruit, said to be poisonous for horses, is much eaten by birds. From the leaves, sometimes Patravalis are made.

Shrubs.

Arati—Mimosa hamata is a much-branched shrub. Sutures are armed with numerous hooked prickles. It is found all over the district and is used as a fencing material.

Arni—Clerodenron Phlomoidis.—A large bush, with dark. coloured branches, is usually found in hedges.

Chandor (Makai)—Zizyphus cenoplia.—A scrambling often climbing shrub, prickles short, sharp and often solitary. Bark is rough and dark-grey. Fruits are small and black. It is used for fencing. The fruits are eaten. Goats are very fond of its leaves.

Henkal—Gymnosporia montana.—A tall shrub with branchlcts, reddish when young, usually ending in thorns, is used for fencing. It is common in South Tapi region.

Hinganbet—Balanites Roxburghii.—A thorny and bushy free, with grey bark and brownish wood, is of little use. It is used for argicultural implements, fencing and fuel. The fruit and the bark are used in medicine. Unripe fruits and bark are used to poison the fish. The ripe fruits are eaten.

Kaddhaman—Grezvia villosa is a shrub-like tree found rarely in this district. The fruits are edible. It is not used anywhere.

Climbers.

Katyadhaman—Grezvia pilosa.—A climber with smooth black bark and flattened angular branches, is used for making baskets. It is not common in this district.

Roadside Trees.

During the Vanamahotsava seedlings are being planted along the approach roads to villages.

The following are the trees usually found along the roadside: —

Wad (Ficus bengalensis), Pimpal (Ficus religiosa), Chinch (Tamarindus indica), Amba (Mangifera indica), Nimb (Azadirachta indica), Babhul (Acacia arabica), Mohwa (Bassia latifolia), Jambhul (Eugenia jambolana) and Siras (Albizzia lebbek).

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