Identification of hot spots of species richness and genetic variability in rattans - an approach using GIS and molecular tools.

Rattans or canes are a group of trailing or climbing palms with characteristic scaly fruits. They belong to the genus Calamus of the Arecaceae (Palmae) family. A few other genera like Daemonorops, Plectocomia, Korthalsia also yield rattans of commercial importance; however, all the rattans in south India belong to the genus Calamus. They comprise more than 50% of the total palm taxa found in India (Basu 1985) and form typical components of the moist forests in the Western Ghats, sub-Himalayan hills, valleys of Eastern and North-eastern India and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. India harbours about 60 species of rattans and is one of the richest sources of rattans in the world, next only to China (Renuka 1999). The rattans are a very important source of livelihood for the economically and socially weaker sections of the community (Uma Shaanker et al. 2000). It is estimated that more than half a million people are directly employed in harvesting and processing of rattans in the rural areas of Southeast Asia. In India, over 300 000 people are involved in cane-based industries (Anonymous 1983).