Impact of Coal Mining on Leaf Morphology and Stomatal Index of Plants in Kalakote Range, Rajouri (J&K), India

The phytodiversity of the Kalakote forest region is under severe threat of biotic interferences like coal mining, encroachments, overexploitation, tourism and other allied interferences. Coalfields are situated at Mahogala, Mehtka and Tatapani in the study area. Continuous creation of infrastructural facilities on surface for mining, beneficiation, housing and other activities take a heavy toll of forest wealth. Coal extraction leads to degradation of land, addition of pollutants to air and water, deforestation, and civic environment. Anatomical and morphological studies have been undertaken on the plants growing in coalfields and their stomatal and epidermal cell frequency and stomatal indices have been compared with control plants.