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N. P. Todaria , K. P. Saklani , M. S. Sachan

Abstract

Variations with respect to different pod and seed morphological characters of Acacia catechu (Willd.) collected from different sources in Garhwal Himalayas were studied. Significant inter-genotypic differences were recorded for all the pod and seed characteristics. viz., total no. of seeds/pod, healthy and damaged seeds/pod, seed length, width, thickness and seed weight. Except for damaged seeds/pod and seed width, the heritability (h²) values were higher than 75 per cent while low genetic advance was observed in all characters. A number of traits were found to have interrelationship at varying levels of significance.

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A. K. Negi , N. P. Todaria

Abstract

The influence of seed size and weight on seed germination behaviour and development of Acer oblongum, Kydia calyciana, Terminalia tomeutosa, T. belerica, T. chebula have been investigated. Heavy and large seeds of T. belerica and A. oblongum performed better in term of germination pattern while T. belerica and T. tomentosa gave better results in term of seedling development after 3 month and 6 month respectively.

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Mehraj A. Sheikh , Munesh Kumar , Jahangeer A. Bhat , Nazir A. Pala , V. R. S. Rawat , N. P. Todaria

Abstract

Reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+) in Non-Annex-I countries is of central importance in efforts to combat climate change, because carbon management in forests will probably be the single most important st agenda of the first half of the 21^st century in the context of the greenhouse effect and mitigation of global climatic changes. In this context we tried to know the position of Carbon stock in India from 1880 onwards by compiling the published literature, besides that the C stocks for the year 2003, 2005 and 2007 were also estimated on the basis of GS data published by Forest Survey of India. Carbon stocks in Indian forests from 1880 showed a marked decrease from 7940 Mt in 1880 to 3426 Mt in 1980 which have reduced to 3325.30 in 2003 to 3161.71 Mt in 2007. The carbon stock in India's forest biomass decreases continuously despite slight increase in forest cover of the country.

Keywords

Carbon Stock, Biomass, Forest Cover, Flux, Carbon Sequestration

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Nazir A. Pala , Yogesh Gokhale , A. K. Negi , Sajad Razvi , N. P. Todaria

Abstract

The present study was carried out in Banju Nami Tok sacred grove situated in village Chachganda of district Tehri to describe the role of small sacred groves dedicated to local deities in conservation. The grove covers an area of less than two hectares. This grove is dominated by Quercus leucotrichophora which is the only remnant of this species around 2 few km within that vicinity. In the present study 28 plant species which includes 12 tree, 5 shrub and 10 herb species belonging to 19 families were recorded. These plant species have different economic values like medicinal, edible, timber, oil and dye yielding and are used for making furniture, constructive timber and agricultural implements. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families represent the maximum number (3 each) of species. This grove provides different ecosystem services in the form of water, soil conservation and beautification of village.

Keywords

Sacred, Deity, Biodiversity, Traditional, Conservation, Economic.

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Jahangeer A. Bhat , Munesh Kumar , Ajeet K. Negi , N. P. Todaria

Abstract

The present study was carried out in parts of a protected area of Garhwal Himalaya, namely, Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS). The main aim of the study was to gather and analyze information from the sanctuary dwellers on conservation of natural resources and its value focusing on the needs of local inhabitants. Ninety three respondents of different age groups from two villages, one located within and the other on the fringe of the sanctuary, were considered for analysis. The respondent's opinions varied with regard to different conservation issues and their perception towards conservation and the value of wild animals, plants and wildlife sanctuary. Sixty (60%) percent of the respondents considered Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) as an effective mechanism in the conservation of flora and fauna while 71% said that local communities contributed much more in conservation efforts prior to declaration of it as a wildlife sanctuary. Fifty seven (57%) percent of respondents think that being a sacred area any kind of disrespect around the vicinity of temple will make deity unhappy and 22% of respondents were of the opinion that the impact as a result of irregularities in climatic conditions can be checked by conserving plant resources. Sixty percent respondents reported damage to agricultural crops by wild animals.

Keywords

Perception, Protected Area, Respondents, Wildlife Sanctuary

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A. R. Koul , D. S. Chauhan , N. P. Todaria

Abstract

The study related to density and regeneration in response to anthropogenic disturbance along the altitudinal and horizontal gradients in sacred forests of Trikuta hills in J&K showed a gradual decrease in anthropogenic disturbance level with the increase in altitudinal gradient and horizontal distance from the main track leading to shrine at each forest stand. On the basis of point scaling of different parameters, the higher altitudinal stand (2000-2200 m amsl) represented undisturbed stand, while intermediate (1400-1600 m asl) and lower altitudinal stands (800-1000 m amsl) were moderately disturbed. The density of tree species also showed an increasing trend with the increase in altitude 2 2 with highest density of 10.83 individuals/100m² at stand III and lowest of 7.5 individuals /100m² at stand I. In case of horizontal blocks for all the stands, density showedan increasing trend with the decreasing disturbance level. Seedling and sapling density at lower altitude indicate future generation of mixed species, intermediate stand revealed dominance of Pinus roxburghii, while at higher altitude Pinus roxburghii and Quercus leucotricophora have promising future.

Keywords

Disturbance, Regeneration, Density, Altitude, Forest Stand

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D. S. Chauhan ¹, Sunil Prasad ¹, Vikaspal Singh ¹, N. P. Todaria ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Forestry and NR, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, 246 174, Uttarakhand

Abstract

The present study was carried out in broad leaved evergreen oak forests of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India (1500-2100 m amsl.) along disturbance gradient. In this study, some disturbance indicators i.e. canopy cover, stand density, grazing intensity, lopping intensity, number of cut stumps and climber invasion have been evaluated and with the help of these indicators the forest area has been categorized into three categories viz. undisturbed, moderately disturbed and highly disturbed. The study revealed that tree diversity decreased with increasing intensity of disturbance in case of tree and herb species but it was found maximum in moderately disturbed stands for both layers (tree, herb) whereas, in case of shrub species, Shannon diversity increased with increasing disturbance level. Simpson dominance index was found as reverse of the Shannon index in all three layers of vegetation for all disturbance categories. Almost same trend was found in species richness. It was found more vulnerable to disturbance in case of tree and herb layers as it decreased with increasing level of disturbance but its highest values were recorded in the moderately disturbed stands in both vegetation layers. On the other hand shrub species richness favored the disturbance as it increased with increasing intensity of disturbance. As far as the regeneration is concerned, sapling and seedling density was decreased with increasing disturbance level but both the classes were found maximum in the intermediate level of disturbance. Diameter-density curves depicted a successive reduction in the number of trees from lower girth classes to upper. All the above variations in relation to species richness, distribution pattern and regeneration potential are related to anthropogenic interference.

Keywords

Disturbance Categories, Elevational Range, Floristic Analysis, Plant Diversity, Population Structure

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Nazir A. Pala ¹, A. K. Negi ², N. P. Todaria ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Forestry, Faculty of Horticulture, Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Pundibari-736165, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, IN
2 Dept. of Forestry & Natural Resources, School of Agricultural & Allied Sciences, Hnb Garhwal University Srinagar Garhwal Uttarakhand-246174, IN

Abstract

The present study was an attempt to access the ecological status and influence of the socio-cultural heritage/ deities on conservation of Sem Mukhem temple landscape. The study reported 99 plant species representing 85 genera under 49 families. The recorded flora includes 23 tree, 34 shrub and 42 herb species. The species like Quercus floribunda, Quercus leucotrichophora, Berberis asiatica, Berberis aristata, Perilla frutescens and Achyranthes bidentata were dominant among different life forms. The Shannon and Simpsons diversity indices recorded for tree layer was (2.42) and (0.13) whereas for shrubs it was (3.24) and (0.05) respectively. Contagious pattern of distribution was observed for all the tree, shrub and herb species. Out of 23 tree species, 18 species were found at saplings stage, whereas only 11 showed survival at seedling stage. The temple located in the landscape is of Lord Krishna and different myths do exist among the surrounding communities. This landscape has preserved the socio-cultural heritage of the region and has kept intact local rituals in spite of growing modern culture, urbanization and other developmental activities around the region.

Keywords

Temple, Regeneration, Diversity, Conservation, Mythology.

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