SURVEY, CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF THE PLANT RESOURCES OF WESTERN HIMALAYA
                                                 

FIELD SURVEY

                                          
Seventeen field surveys were conducted covering various agro-climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh (Fig. 5.1). These involved collection of plant samples, plant population sampling and ground truthing for generating species-specific maps
                                                 

SAMPLING PLANT POPULATIONS

                                

 For quantitative estimation of plant density, diversity (H’) and evenness (E); stratified random sampling was done. Major landscape element types (LSEs) namely, forests, grasslands, scrublands and plantations were identified for representative coverage and sampling. Total 74 transects were laid in these LSEs. Quadrats of different sizes were used for intensive sampling of the vegetation components such as trees, shrubs and herbs. For trees, sampling was done using a 10 x 10 m quadrat, for shrubs 5 x 5 m and for herbs 1 x 1 m. In all 106 quadrats for trees, 144 for shrubs and 674 for herbs were laid. In addition to quadrats, plotless sampling using point centre quarter (PCQ) method was also initiated for extensive ground sampling.
                       Preliminary analysis revealed that forests of HP in lower zone are dominated by deciduous broadleaved species, of which Acacia catechu was dominant. In Serpar, its density was about 365 individuals/ha. This is highly valued raw material for production of “katha”. Associated with Acacia sp. were trees of Mallotus philippensis.

The fruits of this tree yield a red dye.  As opposed to the dominance of Shorea robusta (Sal) in the Himalayan foothills of Uttaranchal, in HP, it presented a very limited distribution, especially in the Sirmaur district where its density ranged from 650 to 760 individuals/ha. Sal is an important timber species. The diversity of species in these forests was comparatively higher than the sub-tropical Chirpine forests (Pinus roxburghii). The density of chirpine was estimated to be varying from 680 in Kotpladi to 1150 individuals/ha in Urla. Chirpine usually formed pure stands and hence low diversity and evenness (H’= 0.2, E=0.28). However, compared to trees, diversity of ground flora was high in these forests (H’=3.05). The distribution range of chirpine extended up to the zone of oak forests. Quercus leucotrichophora dominated the lower Himalayan temperate forests with density ranging from 335 in McLeodganj to 1330 individuals/ha in Machyal Chowk. Owing to better moisture conservation in oak forests, the diversity of plant species was comparatively high. At higher altitudes, brown oak (Q. semecarpifolia) formed the tree line in many localities of HP. Its density was estimated to be varying from 150 in Gulaba to 1180/ha individuals in Jalori pass. Areas above tree line were dominated by graminoids and herbaceous communities those were referred to as alpine meadows and are storehouse of many important herbs such as Aconitum heterophyllum, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Podophyllum hexandrum, Bergenia stracheyi, Selinum tenuifolium, Jurinea dolomiaea and many more.
                                                 

SANDALWOOD FORESTS IN HIMACHAL

                            

Santalum album is primary source of sandalwood oil and has high cultural and commercial utility. Considering its importance and reports of its occurrence in Himachal Pradesh, special efforts were made to identify sandalwood bearing localities in HP. Quantitative assessment of sandalwood in terms of density and frequency was also carried out. Preliminary surveys found the localities- Badol Dhar, Bilaspur, Kutli Devi, Samlota, Dholra, Jwalaji, Kharna, Ashapuri, Laddi, Bhhota and Solan (Fig. 5.2). Of these, major areas constituted Jwalaji and Bilaspur. It was mainly associated with A. catechu, Dalbergia sissoo, Cassia fistula, Leucaena leucocephala, Anogeissus latifolia and Lannea coromandelica.

 
DIVERSITY IN CHHOTA BHANGAL                              

Information on eight highly traded and locally used medicinal plants, i.e. Aconitum heterophyllum, Bergenia stracheyi, Heracleum candicans, Jurinella macrocephala, Podophyllum hexandrum, Picrorhiza kurrooa, Rheum australe and Selinum tenuifolium was collected from the alpine zones of Chhota Bhangal.
                                                                             The unique location and diversity of habitats such as rocky areas, undulating meadows and steep slopes in Chhota Bhangal has resulted in high medicinal plant richness and diversity. Rheum australe was the most common species and was there in all the three habitats. On the other hand Bergenia stracheyi and Selinum tenuifolium

were only in the sampling plots at rocky areas and steep slopes respectively. Aconitum heterophyllum reported highest density in steep slopes (3.66/m2), Picrorhiza kurrooa in rocky areas (12.5/ m2) and Rheum australe in undulating meadows (5.33/ m2) (Table 5.1). Maximum richness and diversity of the studied medicinal plants was found in steep slopes (Table 5.2). Undulating meadows had medium diversity but had the highest evenness

because more number of species was dominating this habitat. Rocky areas had minimum diversity and evenness, as they were dominated by specialized plants. As expected, it was found that steep slopes and undulating meadows were more similar in terms of species distribution and composition, probably because of the relatively similar terrain features as opposed to the rocky areas that had comparatively different terrain.