Shrubs of hot arid Rajasthan: Economic and ecological imperatives – A review

About 62% of total hot arid zone of India lies in Rajasthan with the woody perennials particularly the rangeland shrubs as main source of sustenance and ecological significance. Destruction of natural habitats, over exploitation and increased mechanization in agriculture during last couple of decades resulted into sharp decline in number and diversity of shrubs. There is urgent need for sustainable utilization of shrub diversity through scientific conservation as well as the management. In this paper an attempt has been made to compile the available information pertaining to significance, conservation and management of rangeland shrubs for sustainable management of shrub diversity in hot arid region of Rajasthan, India.