IMPACT OF ECOTOURISM (THEOTOURISM) ON FOREST OF PARASNATH HILL
Loading...
Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand
Abstract
The present study in entitled “Impact of Eco-tourism (Theo-tourism) on forest
of Prasnath Hill” is conducted at Parasnath hill with the objectives to know the impact
of ecotourism on forest and growth parameters effect on the biodiversity.
The Parasnath Hill is “located in Giridih District of Jharkhand” which is a
religious places of Jain pilgrimage and is the most sacred place for Jains in the the
World. The Parasnath hill is surrounded on all side with sub-tropical mixed deciduous
forest. The Jain people call Parasnath hill as well as Sammet Sikhar. Amazing
landscape of the hill has attracted a number of tourists including British over the years.
Some of the popular attractions of Parasnath hill are five ecotourist places, which are
selected for study included (a) Madhuban which are located at the base of the Parasnath
Hill,(b) Usrifall located at east of giridih town on Tundi road, (c) Khandoli Park and
Dam located at North-east of giridih towards Bengabad,(d) Harihar Dham located at
G.T. Road at Bagodar and(e) Jharkhandi Dham located at Dhanwar near Giridih
District.
The data are collected through cross section interaction and discussion, survey
as well as direct measurement with respect tourists, and other infrastructural facility
available. The data were collected both on vegetation as well as on various aspects of
ecotourism being held at each selected spots.
Pertaining to the ecotourism at different spots, the parameters like number of
visitors, Person visiting on each spot during Peak and Off season, facilities available at
each spot like motarable road, hotels, canteen etc., Lodging and fooding facilities with
tariff for visitors on each spot where recorded. The nature of stay at each spot, facilities
to perform activities done by tourists at each spots like camping, trekking, celebration
of birthday facilities available were also recorded.
This data on Plant biodiversity was recorded from the old working Plan of
Giridih District by direct identification of the species. For study of Biodiversity of the
study area, the study area was surveyed and collected data through quadrate using
random sampling. All individuals of each plant species was counted and recorded. The
documentation of the existing species where done with respect to the different tree
species, shrubs, grasses or herbs, number of trees present of each species, measurement
of height, diameter, basal area and volume was collected and recorded by
systematically.
Phytosociological studies of tree species was also recorded by applying
standard methods to calculate Frequency, Density and Abundance, Relative Density,
Relative Frequency, Relative Dominance and IVI value of each species recorded.
Total number of tree species, shrubs and grasses were recorded as 15, 11 and 7
respectively. Total number of trees present in the study site was varied from spot to
spot also from species to species. Total trees present in the sample area were 1578, out
of which Shorea robusta were found maximum (159) followed by Tectona grandis
(121) and least were Diospyros melanoxylon (84).
Maximum height among tree species were recored for Shorea robusta (18.85
m) followed by Tectona grandis (17.32 m) whereas minimum height were recorded for
Pongamia pinnata. Maximum basal area was observed for Shorea robusta followed by
Tectona grandis which was 1.98 sq.m and 1.15 sq.m respectively. Minimum basal area
was obtained for Diospyros melanoxylon, i.e 0.55 sq.m. Maximum volume was
observed for Shorea robusta (37.32 cu.m) followed by Tectona grandis (19.19 cu.m).
and minimum volume was obtained for Diospyros melanoxylon i.e 08.76 cu.m. .
Maximum frequency among the tree species was obtained for Shorea robusta (80%) in
the study area in comparison to other species, followed by Tectona grandis (42%) and
minimum values (24%) were found for Terminali tomentosa. Similar trend were also
noticed for Relative Frequency and High Frequency value of Shorea robusta (14.92)
suggesting wide dispersal of followed by Tectona grandis (7.83) and minimum values
(4.47) were found for Terminali tomentosa. Similar to the Frequency; density of Shorea
robusta (3.18) is found maximum followed by Tectona grandis (2.42) whereas Lowest
density was observed for Diospyros melanoxylon (1.68) which indicated it presence in
lesser number.
Relative density of Shorea robusta (10.07) is found maximum followed by
Tectona grandis (7.66) whereas Lowest density was observed for Diospyros
melanoxylon (5.32). Maximum abundance among the tree species was obtained
Terminalia tomentosa (7.91) in the study area in comparison to other species, followed
by Azadirachta indica (7.73) and minimum values (3.97) were found for Shorea
robusta. Similar trend were also noticed for Relative Dominance value of Shorea
robusta (14.83) species followed by Tectona grandis (78.6) and minimum values (4.11)
were found for Diospyros melanoxylon.
Maximum Important Value Index among the tree species was obtained for
Shorea robusta (39.82) were found followed by Tectona grandis (24.10) and minimum
values (15.02) were found for Diospyros melanoxylon. This indicates dominance of
Shorea robusta in study area.
Description
IMPACT OF ECOTOURISM (THEOTOURISM) ON FOREST OF PARASNATH HILL
Keywords
null