Deccan Thorn Forest Ecology of Latur Region

The natural vegetation of Latur district, before extensive agricultural conversion, was Deccan thorn forest, a savanna-type ecosystem of mixed trees, shrubs, and grass adapted to seasonal drought. Remnant patches of this forest in reserve forest areas and along stream banks preserve species characteristic of this threatened ecosystem. Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), babul (Acacia nilotica), palas (Butea monosperma), and ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) are dominant tree species. Wild animals including Indian fox, Indian hare, pangolin, and monitor lizard persist in remnant forest patches. Traditional sacred groves (devrai) maintained around village temples preserve the last fragments of uncleared thorn forest, serving as biodiversity refugia and groundwater recharge zones. Honey collection from bee colonies in hollow babul trees provides supplementary income for community members. The Maharashtra Forest Department's social forestry programme plants khejri and babul on degraded farmland boundaries in Latur, restoring some of the thorn forest character.