Introduction

With the ever decreasing vegetation cover in India, the study of forest elements from an evolutionary viewpoint becomes imperative.

Historical Background

The beginning in this direction was made by P.N. Mehra and his students from Panjab University, Chandigarh when during the sixties, they investigated the broad leaved tree elements of Kumaon region in western Himalayas and Assam/Meghalaya region in eastern Himalayas.

Contributions and Further Studies

The outstanding contributions made by this team prompted other workers to undertake such studies in the future years. One active group established itself at Punjabi University, Patiala and woody elements of Garhwal Himalayan and central Indian forests were investigated.

Such studies were extended to south Indian regions by us in the year 1980. As a consequence of intensive survey of Palni hills forests for four years, the present account dealing primarily with woody taxa has been compiled with a view to making a permanent record of the fast disappearing forest systems of India.

Purpose and Significance

All this is intended to make an imprint on the minds of botanists, foresters, naturalists, and conservationists in respect of the richness of our forests.