Homestead gardening for miscellaneous purposes in Tribal area of Khandesh region of Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The homestead gardens are multifunctional, land- use production system for man’s sustenance on supplementary basis. They are indicative of ability of mankind to discriminate the bioresourses to his advantage. The present authors inventoried homestead 
gardens in tribal region of Khandesh in Maharashtra state (India). Khandesh is studded with tribal communities such as Pawara, Bhil, Kokani,   Mavachi etc. These inhabit in the hilly extended offshoots of Western Ghats (Sahyadris) and Satpura Mountain. They 
maintain gardens surrounding their abodes. Enquiries were made during   botanisation   w. r. t. plant and part used, local name, classic as well as indigenous utilities in every season. For the present account, ten species commonly adapted for miscellaneous purposes are analyzed from economic, domestication and conservation point of view.