Regeneration status of protected and disturbed forests patch of Ranikhat, Uttarakhand
Loading...
Date
2019-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
The present study was conducted in the forests of Ranikhet, a cantonment town in Almora district of Uttarakhand located at an altitude of 1,869 meters (6,132 ft) above mean sea level and within sight of western peak of Himalayas. The study area is located between 29.650 N
and 79.420 E. The cantonment is spread across two ridges, the former one called the Ranikhet ridge that is situated at an elevation of 5,983 ft and later one is the Chaubatia ridge at an elevation of 6,942 ft. The purpose of the study was to understand the growth behavior of tree
species in the Cantonment protected and disturbed forests of Ranikhet in terms of dominance, diversity, regeneration dynamics and biomass at different altitude levels. Plot design was used to analyse quantitatively and qualitatively the tree, sapling and seedling vegetation. The entire
forest regime reflected a dominance of Pine (Pinus roxburghii), Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) and Deodar (Cedrus deodara) trees. Other trees are Kafal (Myrica esculenta), Buransh (Rhododendron arboreum) and sub-alpine fir (Abies pindrow). The overall tree density in protected forest varied from 444 trees ha-1 (at hill top) to 346 trees ha-1 (at hill slope) to 255 ind. ha-1 (at hill base) while in disturbed forest, it varied between 423 trees ha-1 (at hill top) to 355 trees ha-1 (at hill slope) to 221 trees ha-1 (at hill base). Variations in forest composition, structure and their regeneration status are also influenced by the climatic condition of this area. Cedrus deodara and Myrica esculenta exhibited good regeneration in protected forest while Pinus roxburghii was the only species having comparatively better regeneration in disturbed forest. The regeneration status was found comparatively good in the protected forest maintained by the cantonment board as compared to the disturbed forest as the anthropogenic activities such as fodder and fuel wood collection, frequent forest fire, overgrazing, activities like trekking, jungle safari, fire camping and rapidly growing tourism has resulted in poor regeneration of forest communities. The Forest Management department of Ranikhet has taken many initiatives to protect the forests. Afforestation and sustainable forest management is practiced. The study seeks to understand the current forest composition, regeneration potential and the dynamics of forest management in Ranikhet.
Description
Keywords
null