Ancient Marathi Texts Affirm Savannas’ Ecological Antiquity

Why in News?

A new study published in People and Nature uses medieval Marathi literature and oral traditions to show that savannas in western Maharashtra are ancient ecosystems, not degraded forests, urging conservation policies to recognise their ecological and cultural legitimacy. This research highlights the importance of considering historical evidence in environmental impact assessments and the implementation of environmental clearances for conservation projects.

Literary Evidence of Ancient Savanna Landscapes:

• The study analysed 28 georeferenced excerpts from Marathi sources dated between the 13th and 20th centuries CE, including biographies, myths, narrative poems, hagiographies and ovīs.
• These texts consistently describe open-canopy, tree–grass landscapes, contradicting the idea that savannas emerged due to recent deforestation or colonial exploitation.
• Frequent mentions of thorny trees, seasonal drought, grass abundance and pastoral livelihoods indicate long-standing savanna ecology.
• Sacred narratives from regions like Shinganapur (Satara) and Vir (Pune) link the presence of savanna trees such as hivara and taraī to divine signs, embedding savannas in cultural memory.
• A quantitative analysis identified 62 plant species, of which 27 were savanna indicators, while only three indicated forests, reinforcing the dominance of open landscapes.
• The findings show that savannas have persisted for at least 750 years, aligning closely with present-day vegetation patterns and challenging the need for retrospective environmental clearances in these areas.

Ecological and Scientific Significance of the Findings

• Savannas described in the texts exhibit classic adaptations to fire, grazing and drought, such as thick bark, spines, resprouting and clonal growth.
• The study distinguishes between fine-leaf savannas (drier zones, up to 1,000 mm rainfall) and broadleaf savannas (wetter zones, above 700 mm rainfall).
• These savanna types often co-exist, especially in transitional rainfall belts, challenging rigid forest–grassland classifications and highlighting the need for nuanced environmental impact assessments.
• The research counters the “forest restoration bias”, where savannas are wrongly targeted for afforestation, emphasizing the importance of the precautionary principle in conservation efforts.
• Authors argue that treating savannas as degraded forests can cause biodiversity loss, particularly for grassland-dependent species, underscoring the need for a comprehensive approach to environmental jurisprudence.
• The work integrates ecology with historical humanities, showcasing an interdisciplinary model for environmental research that could inform future environmental clearance processes.