Diversity of Trees: Analysis and Inventory

The biodiversity of trees in the Western Himalayas is rich and diverse, with over 1,000 species identified. However, many of these species are threatened due to factors such as deforestation, habitat loss, and climate change. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these trees and their habitats through initiatives such as protected areas and reforestation programs. Shivalik Range or the Lesser Himalayas, is a mountain range in northern India and southern Nepal. It is the southernmost and lowest range of the Himalayas, with an average elevation of 1,500 to 2,000 meters (4,900 to 6,600 feet). Pangot is a popular destination among birdwatchers, as it is home to a variety of bird species, including woodpeckers, kingfishers, and Himalayan griffon vultures. The village is surrounded by dense forests that are home to a variety of wildlife, including leopards, deer, and barking deer. One of the best things about Pangot is its peaceful and serene environment. The village is far away from the hustle and bustle of city life and offers a perfect retreat for those looking to escape the stress of urban living. The unpolluted environment and fresh mountain air make it an ideal place for those looking to rejuvenate themselves.

Physiographically, the Kumaun Himalaya is divisible into-

1. Outer Himalaya or Siwalik Hills (750 to 1200m altitude),
2. Lower or lesser Himalayas which rise somewhat abruptly above the Siwalik hills (up to 4500 m altitude),
3. Main or great Himalaya (highest peak Nanda devi-7817m). The great succession of the Nainital massif is divisible into the lower Jaunsar 
4. group and upper Munsiyari group (K.S. Valdiya, 1980).

Materials and methods

Study area
The study area is located between 29°25'23"North and 79°25'34"East, latitude and longitude between elevation 2000m in Uttarakhand Himalaya. Pangot is primarily known for its dense forests and diverse birdlife. The forest was thoroughly observed and identified as Quercus leucotrichophora mixed forest. The vegetative analysis has to be done in the jungle lore birding lodge area which is about 47520 sq ft. According to Champion & Seth(1968), forests are classified into 5 types, and my field area lies in 2000 mt elevation which is a temperate forest dominated by oak.

climate
The summer temperature ranges from 10 to 24 C, while winters are very cold ranging from 1 to 12 C. So the climate here is cold. Summers do get a good no. of showers.

method
Trees identified by observation method.

Tree diversity

	Scientific name	Family	Local name	Elevation(mt.)
1.	Quercus leucotrichophora	Fagaceae (beech family)	Banj oak ,ban oak	1500-2700
2.	Quercus floribunda	Fagaceae (beech family)	Tilonj, mohru oak	1600-2900
3.	Prunus cerasoides	Rosaceae (rose family)	Padam, wild himalayan cherry	1200-2400
4.	Prunus armeniaca	Rosaceae (rose family)	Apricot, khubani	Upto 3000
5.	Prunus domestica	Rosaceae (rose family)	Plum, alubukhara	Upto 2500
6.	Prunus persica	Rosaceae (rose family)	Peach, adoo	Upto 2500
7.	Pyrus pashia	Rosaceae (rose family)	Mehal,himalayan pear, indian wild pear	750-2700
8.	Aesculus indica	Sapindaceae (soapberry family)	Indian horse chestnut, panger	900-2000
9.	Acer oblongum	Sapindaceae (soapberry family)	Himalayan maple, evergreen maple	600-2000
10.	Pinus roxburghii	Pinaceae (pine family)	chir,pine	1200-2000
11	Cedrus deodara	Pinaceae (pine family)	Deodar, himalayan cedar	1600-2700
12	Myrica esculenta	Myricaceae (bayberry family)	Kafal, himalayan bayberry	1000-2300

13	Ficus neriifolia	Moraceae (mulberry family)	Willow-Leaf Fig, dudhila	1700-2900
14	Cupressus torulosa	Cupressaceae (cypress family)	Himalayan cypress, surai	1880-2800
15	Juniperus squamata	Cupressaceae (cypress family)	Himalayan juniper	1800-3600
16	citrus limon	Rutaceae (citrus family)	Bade nimbu, chuk
17	Cornus macrophylla	Cornaceae (Dogwood family)	Large Leaf Dogwood
18	Rhododendron arboreum	Ericaceae (blueberry family)	Buransh, guransh	1500-3000
19	Ulmus wallichiana	Ulmaceae (elm family)	Himalayan elm	800-3000
20	Juglans regia	Juglandaceae (Walnut family)	Walnut, Akhrot	1000-3300
21	Fraxinus micrantha	Oleaceae (jasmine family)	Angu, small flowered himalayan ash	upto 2500
22	Toona cialata	Meliaceae (neem family)	Toon, red cedar	Upto 2000
23	Cycas revoluta	Cycadaceae(sago palm family)	Sago palm
24	Platycladus orientalis	Cupressaceae (Cypress family)	Morpankhi,orient al thuja
25	Salix tetrasperma	Salicaceae (Willow family)	Indian Willow
26	Lyonia ovalifolia	Ericaceae (blueberry	Oval-Leaf Lyonia	1500-3000

 

Report By
JAGJEEWAN S. DHAMI
25.04.2023
BSC.FORESTRY