Infant mortality in tribals of central India

CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 89, NO. 4, 25 AUGUST 2005 596 frequently as epiphytes on tombs or old buildings, dry rocks and on stems of trees, often entirely covering their stem and killing them or causing mechanical damage to old buildings and rocks. The more common species are pipal (F. religiosa) and banyan (F. benghalensis, F. mollis, F. rumphii and F. scandens). The rock-shelters of Bhimbetka are heavily attacked by F. mollis (syn. F. tomentosa) thereby causing immense damage to rocks and ultimately to the rock paintings. Due to stress conditions prevailing on rock-sites of Bhimbetka their growth is much stunted but the roots are strong, copiously branched and widely spreading, causing breaks and fissures on rock-surfaces. Some of such trees seem to be over hundred years old (Figure 1). These Ficus species, if allowed to encroach as epiphytes on ancient rock-shelters, would gradually ruin the age-old heritage. Although it is difficult to uproot old fig trees growing on huge rock-shelters, the managers of Bhimbetka world heritage site have to formulate strategies for checking their growth. Removal of juvenile plants as and when noticed would be of immense significance.