PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL AND ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES IN SHILLI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, DISTRICT- SOLAN, HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2020-07
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NAUNI,UHF
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigation entitled “Phytosociological and Ethanobotanical Studies in Shilli Wildlife Sanctuary
in District Solan, Himachal Pradesh” was conducted in the Shilli Wildlife Sanctuary under College of Forestry, Dr. Y S
Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh during year 2017-2020. The investigation
was aimed at determining the Phytosociological and ethnobotanical importance of the species present in the area of Shilli
Wildlife Sanctuary, Solan. The study includes the phytosociology of three altitudinal zones of Shilli Wildlife Sanctuary
which are divided as: Zone I (1200-1400 m amsl), Zone II (1400-1600 m amsl), and zone III (1600-1800 m amsl). In all
altitudinal zone, 54 quadrats were laid with the size of 30×30 m for trees, with sub quadrats of 5×5 m for shrubs and 2×2 m
for herbs as per Species Area Curve Method. The sanctuary area found comprised of 301 woody and non woody species.
Pinus roxburghii is the dominant tree species present in Zone I (1200-1400 m amsl). Zanthoxylum armatum is the dominant
shrub species present in Zone I (1200-1400 m amsl).Cynoglossum denticulatum is the dominant herb species present in
ZoneI(1200-1400 m amsl).Quercus leucotricophora is the dominant tree species present in Zone II (1400-1600 m
amsl).Woodfordia fruticosa is the dominant shrub species present in Zone II (1400-1600 m amsl).Rubia cordifolia and
Digitalis lanata is the dominant herb species present in Zone II (1400-1600 m amsl).Cedrus deodara the dominant tree
species present in Zone III (1600-1800 m amsl).Geranium nepalense is the dominant herb species present in Zone III (16001800
m amsl). Abundance to frequency ratio is used as an indicator of spatial distribution of species in the community. A
close look at the study depicts that most of the tree species were contagiously distributed and rest are randomly distributed
tree species and none of the tree species was reported with regularly distributed. There are 283 species of angiosperms from
171 genera and 86 families, 08 gymnosperms of 06 genera and 03 families, 10 species of ferns of 08 genera and families,
and 01 lichen species belonging to 01 genera as well as 01 family. The constitution percent of Shilli Wildlife Sanctuary
recorded as, Angiosperms are having 93.79 percent, gymnosperms are having 3.6 percent and ferns and lichens are 3.20
percent. There are 24 exotic pines species found occurring which have been introduced in Shilli Wildlife Sanctuary during
the years 1968-1972. A total count of 22 timber yielding species, 36 fodder species, 04 fibre and flosses species, 19 tans and
dyes, 02 gums and resins, 47 fuelwood species, 42 bee flora species, 03 tantras and mantras species and 01 insecticidal
species are documented during the present investigation in Shilli Wildlife Sanctuary. In total, 40 ethanobotanical important
species are present in the sanctuary which is widely being used by the villagers living around the sanctuary. Grazing is
considered and found a threat to natural regeneration which requires special attention. Presently the Sanctuary has been
undertaken with all the conservation practices through research efforts of Dr. Y.S, Parmar University of Horticulture and
Forestry, Nauni, Solan having its research farm therein as well as of HFRI, Shimla. The natural regeneration of the species is
also an important part of the Sanctuary. There are biotic interferences of local villagers in Shilli Wildlife Sanctuary grazing
their domestic animals. It is also seen that, initial stages of succession diversity increases while at closing stages, it
decreases. The natural regeneration of the species which require special attention for the protection of Wildlife Sanctuary
from the local inhabitance for biodiversity conservation. Study is quite helpful in developing working plan of the area by the
State Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh in view of flora and fauna of this protected area.
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