STRUCTURAL ATTRIBUTES, DIVERSITY AND MANAGEMENT OF SOME VAN PANCHAYAT FOREST STANDS OF GARHWAL HIMALAYA

Oak (Quercus oblongata) is an important component of mid-altitude ecosystem of the Central Himalaya which are exposed to over-exploitation making conditions favourable for the invasion by light-demanding conifers such as chirpine (Pinus roxburghii). The present study provides information on woody vegetation structure, composition, regeneration and management of four broadleaved forest stands of Garhwal Himalaya managed by Village Panchayat. Quercus oblongata was the most important and dominant species in all the stands. Although dominance was shared by a number of species, no single species was found to complete with this climax species. The presence of Alnus nepalensis (a nitrogen-fixing species) depicts the poor nitrogen status of these forest stands. High density values and low basal cover suggest that these community forest stands are younger than the natural oak reserve forests of the Central Himalaya. The richness index shows that the seedling strata are ecologically richer than the tree, sapling and/or shrub strata. High richness in the seedling strata is attributed to the low magnitude of biotic interferences in these communities based conserved forest stands. The regeneration potential of Quercus oblongata is much higher than the natural oak forests of Central Himalaya managed by the forest department. This supports the view that moderate disturbance regimes are more conducive to satisfactory regeneration of this species. Since the management of these forest stands is looked after by the Village Panchayat, they are introducing some conifers for their vested interests. This may add an additional competition of the broadleaved climax species with conifers as has been witnessed in most of the broadleaved oak forests of this altitudinal range.