SHRI SHIVAJI SCIENCE COLLEGE, AMRAVATI
DBT STAR COLLEGE PROJECT ACTIVITY
ACTIVITY REPORT
Field Visit and E - Flora Development
Activity Dates: 27/09/2024
Type of Activity: Field Studies
Organizing Department: Department of Botany & Bioinformatics
Program Coordinators: Dr. G.B. Hedawoo & Dr. P. D. Deshmukh
Head of the Department: Dr. D. D. Khedkar
External Collaborator (if any): None
Objectives:
- To provide hands-on experience for students in fieldwork, biodiversity assessment, and digital herbarium development
- To understand the environmental conditions influencing plant growth and distribution
- To integrate local knowledge of plant uses into the E-Flora
- To study and document the native flora of Warud and surrounding areas
- To gather photographic evidence and geolocation data for E-Flora development
No of Beneficieries: 87
Classes Involved: B. Sc. II Bio & MEB
Venue of the Activity: 1) Mahindri Forest Tal. Warud Dist. Amravati 2) Gavhankund Territory and Kasdari Damp, Tal.Warud Dist. Amravati 3) Nagathana Temple Tal. Warud Dist. Amravati 4) Mahatma Phule Arts, Commerce and Sitaram Choudhary Mahavidyalaya, Warud Dist. Amravati
Activity Report:
The Botany Department of Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati, organized a one-day field visit on 27th September 2024 for B.Sc. - II Botany students. The primary objective of the field visit was to expose students to the rich biodiversity of the Warud region, particularly focusing on the flora of Mahindri Forest, Gavhankund Territory, Kasdari Dam, and Nagathana Temple. The field visit also aimed to gather data for the development of an E-Flora for this region.
1) Mahindri Forest (Tal. Warud, Dist. Amravati):
The forest is known for its diverse plant species and serves as an important ecological zone in the region.
Students identified several plant species, including medicinal plants, shrubs, and trees.
Environmental conditions such as soil composition and moisture levels were recorded.
The team documented the geographical location and took photographs for later use in the E-Flora.
2) Gavhankund Territory and Kasdari Dam (Tal. Warud, Dist. Amravati):
This area is a unique combination of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, providing a habitat for aquatic plants and riparian vegetation. Students observed the effects of the water source on local flora, including the presence of hydrophytes and semi-aquatic species. Collection of plant samples was done in compliance with biodiversity conservation guidelines. Species of ecological importance, including wetland plants, were noted for conservation efforts.
3) Nagathana Temple (Tal. Warud, Dist. Amravati):
The temple area, being culturally significant, has a diverse flora that is protected by local communities. Students learned about the traditional uses of plants in rituals and medicine through interactions with the local population. Several sacred plants were identified and included in the E-Flora, along with ethno botanical information.
4) Mahatma Phule Arts, Commerce, and Sitaram Choudhary Mahavidyalaya, Warud:
The visit to the college focused on sharing data and preparing the students for E-Flora development.Students discussed the integration of field data, including specimen collection, photographic records, and environmental observations, into a digital platform. Hands-on training was given in the use of GIS tools for mapping species distribution and in creating an online database for the E-Flora.
Methodology:
1) Specimen Collection:
Plant specimens were carefully collected, ensuring that no rare or endangered species were harmed. Each specimen was tagged with relevant details, including date, location, and environmental conditions.
2) Photographic Documentation:
High-resolution photographs of plants were taken from multiple angles to capture distinguishing features such as leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds.
3) GPS Mapping:
The geographical coordinates of each plant species were recorded using GPS devices for inclusion in the E-Flora's digital mapping system.
4) Local Knowledge Gathering:
Students engaged with local people, collecting valuable insights into the traditional uses of plants for medicinal, culinary, and cultural purposes.
5) Digital Herbarium and E-Flora Development:
The collected data was organized and prepared for digitization. An interactive database was developed to categorize plant species based on family, habitat, and key identification features. Geo-location data was integrated to provide users with an interactive map of the plant species distribution.
Results:
a) Floral Diversity:
A total of 35 species were identified and recorded during the field visit, including herbs, shrubs, trees, and aquatic plants. Several medicinal and culturally significant plants were documented, contributing to local ethno botanical knowledge.
b) E-Flora Development:
The field visit provided a significant amount of data for the development of the E-Flora for Warud and surrounding areas. The database now includes detailed descriptions of species, photographs, distribution maps, and traditional uses.
c) Educational Outcomes:
The field visit enhanced the students' understanding of plant identification, environmental factors affecting plant growth, and the process of creating a digital herbarium. They also gained experience in data collection and GIS mapping techniques.
Conclusion:
The field visit was highly successful in meeting its objectives. Students were able to actively engage in plant identification, specimen collection, and environmental observation, while also gaining practical experience in E-Flora development. The data collected will be invaluable for the ongoing E-Flora project, which will serve as a comprehensive resource for the study and conservation of the flora in the Warud region.
Acknowledgments:
We would like to express our gratitude to the local communities, guides, and authorities who provided their assistance and shared their knowledge during the field visit. Special thanks to the faculty member Dr. Sanjay Satpute, Prof. & Head, Dept. of Botany, Mahatma Phule Arts, Commerce and Sitaram Choudhary Mahavidyalaya for their Valuable guidance as a resource Person for tour and serve as a local guide for constant support and collaboration in this educational venture.
Outcomes:
- Biodiversity Documentation: Students were able for Biodiversity Documentation by Species Identification, Rare and Endemic Species identification and Ethno botanical Knowledge
- Practical Experience for Students: Students gained practical skills in plant identification, specimen collection, and environmental data recording
- E-Flora Development: Geographic information gathered using GPS coordinates has been integrated into the E-Flora, allowing users to access interactive maps that show plant distribution across the Warud region
- Conservation Awareness and Ecological Insights: The inclusion of local and indigenous knowledge on the uses of certain plant species (medicinal, culinary, or ritualistic) enriched the botanical study. This information will be preserved in the E-Flora for future generations
- Strengthening Ethno botanical Knowledge: The data and photographs collected during the field visit are being used to create learning resources for students and educators, including identification keys, online modules, and reference guide
Photos:
 Glimpses of Field Visit and E - Flora Development |  Plant Collection and Identification practises at Field in Gavhankund Territory |
 Plant Collection and Identification Kasdari Dam (Tal. Warud, Dist. Amravati) |  Plant identification on filed with E - Flora Photography in Nagthana |
 Group Photo At Mahatma Phule College, Warud |  Lecture on Herbarium Preparation for collected sample from the Field. |
Attendance Sheet:
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