BAWEJA, P KMANESHWAR2021-12-242021-12-242021-12https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810179850ABSTRACT The present investigations entitled, “Impact of different forest types on soil quality in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in six different forest types viz; forests under the Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni Solan H.P during the year 2020-2021. Detailed analysis was done to assess soil quality based on physical, chemical and biological properties (13 soil parameters) utilized multivariate approach in Principle Component Analysis. The bulk density of soil under different forest types ranged from 1.21-1.63 gcm-3 while, particle density under different forest types ranged high under Deodar forest. Soil porosity varied from 38.68 to 46.31 % in all the six forest types. SOC was maximum (2.31%) under Deodar forest, while minimum (1.62%) under Chir pine forest. The available nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content was ranged high under deodar forest with 434.47 kg ha-1, 39.35 kg ha- 1and 459.65 kg ha-1 respectively. The soil bacterial counts, fungal count and actinomycetes count under different forest types ranged from 68.21 to 78.69 (x 106 cfu g-1), 5.96 to 8.69 (x 103 cfu g-1) and 59.10 to 71.01(x103 cfu g-1) respectively and was found maximum under deodar forest. The SQI for different forest types ranged from 0.70 to 0.99 with maximum value of 0.99 under Deodar forest. The soil quality of Deodar forest (SQI >0.75) fallen under high quality, while Chir pine was in medium category (0.50<SQI<0.75). Thus, chir pine forest floor needs duff layer for soil health improvement and sustainabilityEnglishThesis