Abstract
The present study deals with structure, diversity and regeneration of Sal (ShorearobustaGaertn.) forests in Kumaun region of Central Himalaya. Twoforest types were investigated i.e. Sal dominant forestandSal teak (Tectonagrandis Linn.) mixed forestin KumaunHimalaya.Tree, sapling and seedling density was 650- 911, 36-1303 and 400-6656 ind.ha-1, respectively. Salshowed reverse J-shaped curve representing good regeneration and T. grandisshowed reverse bell shaped indicating fair regeneration in community management system while Sal showed poor regeneration in the government management forest. Sal showed comparatively good regeneration in Sal mixed forest in community managed while poor regeneration in Sal dominantgovernment management system. Over exploitation Sal species for basic needs of people consequentlyimpart the negative impact on regeneration of forest. Thus it is suggested that mixed forests with higher number of species reduces the pressure on individual ones species as can be brought by local people so should be managed and conserved sustainably.
Highlights
Forests of Himalaya play significant role for sustainable development of the region as they provide timber and resin to industries and fulfills the basic needs of villagers such as fuel, small timber, fodder, and other minor products residing nearby areas
Tree vegetation analysis Total 15 tree species were reported in studied forest sites. These numbers of species in each tree category consisted of viz., Shorea robusta Gaertn., Tectona grandis Linn., Cassia fistula Linn., Mallotus philippensis (Lam.)MuellArg., Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels., Ficus hispida Linn, Holarrhena pubescens (Buch.- Ham.) wall, Schleichera oleosa Lour., Randia dumetorum Retz., Holoptelea intergrifolia Roxb., Haldina cordifolia (Roxb.) Ridsdale, Aegle marmelos L., Dalbergia lanceolaria L., Grewia asiatica L., and Mangifera indica L. reported in both forest sites
The species diversity and regeneration results of government managed forests were not found satisfactory compared to community management forests because of large area of forests as well as higher density of tree species
Summary
Forests of Himalaya play significant role for sustainable development of the region as they provide timber and resin to industries and fulfills the basic needs of villagers such as fuel, small timber, fodder, and other minor products residing nearby areas. In community managed forests the resource extraction pressure are growing regularly, impacting the existence of such forests as the forest sites contain very small number of usable plant species. Sal is one of the dominant forest communities in Shiwalik of Kumaun region in Uttarakhand. This region is mostly populated and having different development activities the forests in the area are suffering from human and animal’s pressure.
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