14EXOTIC FLORA OF IGNP COMMAND AREA OF THAR DESERT OF CHURU DISTRICT,RAJASTHAN
Neha Sharma1 Kaushal Kumar Gautam 2 and Mushtaq Ahmad Khan 3
Department of Botany, JJT University, Churela (Jhunjhunu), Raj., India
2
Principal Adarsh Rajasthan P.G. College, Pilani (Jhunjhunu), Raj., India
Email: neha.gautam2711@gmail.com

1,3

How to cite this paper:
SharmaNeha,
GautamKaushal Kumar and KhanMushtaq
Ahmad(2022)
ExoticFloraofIGNP
command area of Thar Desertof Churu District, Rajasthan,
Journal of Global Resources,
Vol. 08 (02)DOI:
10.46587/JGR.2022.v08i02.014
Received: 15 April 2022
Reviewed: 11 May 2022
Revised: 21 May 2022
Final Accepted: 15 June 2022

Abstract: The Rajasthan desert is a major part of the Thardesert situated in North-West of Aravalli hills and forms thearid zone of Rajasthan. Churu district is a part Bikaner
division in the Thar-desert. Indira Gandhi Canal (previouslycalled Rajasthan canal), Bhakra canal and Gang canalsystem have been introduced in the Thar-desert for thepurpose of irrigation facility in the region. The Indira Gandhi
Canal has been invaded in Churu district for the irrigation
purpose. There has been remarkable extinction of thenatural floral wealth and excessive increasing of exotic plant
species observed due to excessive irrigation facility. The
main purpose of this study was documentation and listing of
the alien plant species from IGNP command area of Churu
district. These plants were enlisted with their family and habit
in table 1. This paper enumerates 48 non-native plant
species belonging to 43 genera covering 19 families ofangiosperms.
Key words: Thar Desert, Churu District, Invading Alien Plant
Species, IGNP Command Area

Journal of Global Resources, July 2022, Volume 08 (02) Neha Sharma, K. K. Gautam and M. A. Khan P a g e|111

Introduction
Churu district is a part of Thar-desert of Rajasthan forming eastern most part of the North-West
Rajasthan. The study area includes Rajgarh and Sidhmukh are the tehsils of Churu district.
Rajgarh is a town, sub division headquarters and Legislative Assembly seat in Churu district ofRajasthan state in India. Its railway station is known as Sadulpur which has become a synonymof town’s name in recent time. Geographically Rajgarh is located at 280 36’ North latitudes to750 24’ East longitudes and elevated at 235 meters above mean sea level (MSL). Other part ofstudy area Sidhmukh is newly formed tehsil (segregated from Rajgarh tehsil on 16th May, 2021
by Government of Rajasthan) which is about 35 km away towards Rajgarh and 95 km. awayfrom district headquarter. Climatologically the study area is well known for extremes of diurnal
and annual temperature variation from −20 C in winter and 500 C in summer with shifting sanddunes, seasonal precipitation with erratic and scanty distribution and high wind velocity (severheat wave in summer and cold wave in winter), having thorny, poor and scattered vegetation,consequently, there are high crop water requirement.
The Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana (IGNP) is the largest Nahar Pariyojana which has
major effect on ecosystem of north-west area of the Thar-desert. Before entry of canal there
was wide stretch of undulating, improvement of human status, increasing agricultural practices
and also improved crop productivity and survival of livestock in this region. The ground water ofChuru district is more saline and is not used for irrigation and drinking purposes. The district isreceiving the water for both the purposes by Sahwa – Gandheli lift canal and Sidhmukh – Noharcanal. Bungi – Rajgarh Pariyojana also facilitate only drinking water in the study area.
Review of Literature
Shine et al. (2000) studied the invasion of exotic plant species and reported that a large numberof exotic plant species have been introduced in India through International trade and travel.
Pandey and Singh (2001) carried out an extensive survey and reported that the productivity ofIndira Gandhi Canal command area in North – West Rajasthan and observed that the canalwater leads to depletion and demolition of natural vegetation and exotic plant species are
increasing rapidly in desert area. Hence near about 40 percent species of Indian flora are foundalien (Raghubanshi et al., 2005). Mostly the exotic plant species plays a role as weed in farming
areas (Nandpuri et al., 1986). Invading exotic plant species has second major reason of loss ofglobal biodiversity. Kumar et al. (2011) reported that about 45000 plant species are found in
India in which near about 18000 plant species reported as non-native species (CPREEC, 2016).
Jakhar et al. (2018) documented the research article on exotic plant species in irrigated parts ofBikaner division and reported that excessive irrigation facilities lead to the great threat oferadication of natural flora and remarkable improvement is observed in weed species tocultivation of land at large scale.
Material and Methods
The field trips were conducted from December 2019 to December 2021 for collection of plant
specimens in rainy, winter and summer season in study area. First hand identification was madeat study site and all information regarding collected plants was noted in field diary and herbarium
is prepared. The collected plant species were identified by using existing flora of Rajasthan
Shetty and Singh (1987-1993) and the flora of Indian Desert by Bhandari (1995) and a list ofexotic or invasion alien flora of Churu district was documented.

Journal of Global Resources, July 2022, Volume 08 (02) Neha Sharma, K. K. Gautam and M. A. Khan P a g e|112

Figure 01: Key Map

Result and Discussion
The present study revealed that a total of 48 plant species belonging to 43 genera covering 19
families of angiosperms were recorded as exotic species of Churu district. Family wise
contribution of exotic plant species represents that the largest number of exotic plant species
belongs to family Asteraceae (09 species) followed by Fabaceae (08 species) and Poaceae (05species), Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae and Polygalaceae (with 03 species each)stands in fourth rank whereas Apocynaceae and Cactaceae (with 02 species each) are of fifthrank. The remaining 10 families contribute single species in study area (Figure 2).
Figure 02: Contribution of Exotic Plant Species among top 9 Families
9876543210The habit wise analysis of the study represents that the Herbs (52 percent) were highest
showing exotic plant species in study followed by area Shrubs (21 percent), Trees (15 percent),
Grasses (08 percent) and Climbers (04 percent); Figure 3.

Journal of Global Resources, July 2022, Volume 08 (02) Neha Sharma, K. K. Gautam and M. A. Khan P a g e|113

Table 01: List of Migratory Plant Species Observed at Study Area and its Surroundings#0102030405
06
0708
09
1011
12
13
1415
16
1718
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
2930
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48

Plant species
Acacia fernesiana (Linn.) Wild.
Aloe vera (Linn.) Burm
Amaranthus spinosus Linn.
Argemone mexicana Linn.
Aristida ciliaris
Artemisia scoparia Waldst & Kit.
Brachiaria erusiformis (Sm.) Griseb.
Carissa congesta Wight
Cassia angustifolia Vahl.
Cirsium wallichii DCCrotalaria juncea Linn.
Cucumis sativus Linn.
Curculigo orchidoides Gaertn
Dactyloctenium aegyptium Linn.
Delonix regia (Linn.) Gamble
Eichhornia crassipes Mart.
Emblica officinalis Gaertn
Erigeron bonariensis Linn.
Eucalyptus lanceolatus
Ifloga spicata (Fors) Schultz-Bip.
Ipomea carnea Jacq
Jatropha curcas Linn.
J. gossypifolia Linn.
Lagenaria siceraria
Lantana camara L.
Lawsonia intermis Linn.
Majorana hortensis Moench
Momordica balsamina Linn.
Nerium indicum Roxb.
Ocimum basilicum Linn.
O. sanctum Linn.
Opuntia elatior MillO. ficus - indica
Oxalis corniculata Linn.
Parkinsonia aculeate Linn.
Parthenium hysterophorus Linn.
Phalaris minor Retz
Polygala arvensis Roxb
P. chinensis Willd
P. longifolia Poir
Polypogon monspeliensis (Linn.) Desf.
Prosopis juliflora (Swartz.) DC.
Ranunculus sceleratus Linn.
Ricinus communis Linn.
Sonchus brachyotus DC.
Tephrosia hamiltonii Drumm. ex Gamb
Verbesina encelioides (Cav.) B & H
Ziziphus sativa Gaertn

FamilyFabaceae
Liliaceae
Amaranthaceae
Poaceae
Poaceae
Asteraceae
Poaceae
Apocynaceae
Fabaceae
Asteraceae
Fabaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Amaryllidaceae
PoaceaeFabaceae
Pontederiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Asteraceae
Myrtaceae
Asteraceae
Convolvulaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Verbenaceae
Lythraceae
Lamiaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Apocynaceae
Lamiaceae
Lamiaceae
Cactaceae
Cactaceae
Oxalidaceae
Fabaceae
Asteraceae
Poaceae
Polygalaceae
Polygalaceae
Polygalaceae
PoaceaeFabaceae
Ranunculaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Asteraceae
Fabaceae
Asteraceae
Rhamnaceae

Habitat
Herb
Herb
Annual herb
Herb
Grass
Herb
Herb
Shrub
Shrub
Herb
Under shrub
Herb
Herb
Grass
Tree
Herb
Tree
Herb
Tree
Herb
Shrub
ShrubShrub
Climber
Shrub
Shrub
Herb
Climber
Shrub
Under shrub
Under shrub
Shrub
Shrub
Herb
Small tree
Herb
GrassHerbHerb
Herb
Herb
Small tree
Herb
Small tree
Herb
Shrub
Shrub
Tree

Journal of Global Resources, July 2022, Volume 08 (02) Neha Sharma, K. K. Gautam and M. A. Khan P a g e|114

Figure 03: Habit Wise Contribution of Exotic Plant Species (%)

48

percenpercent
15t
percen

Herbs
Shrubs
Trees

Grasses
percen52
percenClimberstpercentt
21 percen
percenpercen
percen tttt percen
percenpercenpercenttt
ConclusiontpercenThe canal system playspercen
a crucialrole in introducing
species from adjacent area. The indigenous
percenflora is facing severe threats from invaded species.tA systematic strategy to develop techniquestt
for rapid estimation of the position and movement of invaders and their possible impact onpercenpercenseveral ecosystems are themain requirement at this time. Therefore, the investigatoryt
exploration and documentation ton alien species of Churu
district should be carried out on regularintervals to know the status percenof exotic plant species in the area. To minimize the adverse effectof introduced plant species, it is necessary to make the awareness strategy at national, stateand local levels and biological, ttechnical and mechanical approaches are needed for eliminationof the harmful exotic species.

tReferences
1. Bhandari, M.M. (1995). Flora of the Indian Desert (Revised Ed.). MPS Reports, Jodhpur,Rajasthan.
2. C,P.R. Environmental Education Centre (2016). Govt. to conduct study of alien plant species
in bid to check invasion of forest. Ministry of Environment and Forests & Climate change,Govt. of India;
3. Jakhar, A.K., Choyal, R.R. and Arora, A. (2018). Exotic plant species in irrigated plants ofDivision Bikaner (Rajasthan), International Journal of Scientific and Reviews 7(2): 280-296.
4. Kumar, A.S., Kavimani, S. and Jayaveera, K.N. (2011). A review on medicinal plants withpotential anti diabetic activity. International Journal of Pharmacology 2(2): 53-60.
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6. Pandey, R.P. and Singh, N.P. (2001). Phytodiversity of Indira Gandhi Canal Command area
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7. Raghubanshi, A.S., Rai, L.C., Gaur, J.P. and Singh, J.S. (2005). Invasive alien species andbiodiversity in India. Current Science 88(4): 539-540.
8. Shetty, B.V. and Singh V. (1987-1993). Flora of Rajasthan (Vols. 1-3); BSI Calcutta.
9. Shine, C., Williams, N. and Gundling, L.A. (2000). A Guide to Designing Legal andInstitutional Framework on Alien Invasive species, IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, Cambridge
and Bonn. 15-138

Journal of Global Resources, July 2022, Volume 08 (02) Neha Sharma, K. K. Gautam and M. A. Khan P a g e|115