Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

NATURAL REGENERATION STATUS OF ACACIA CATECHU WILLD. UNDER LOW HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

Sanyam, N.K. Gupta, Vipasha and P. K. Mahajan

Abstract

The present study was carried out under six different forest types viz. Dry Shiwalik Sal forest, Northern Dry Mixed Deciduous forest, Dry Deciduous Scrub forest, Lower Shiwalik Chirpine forest, Dry Riverine forest and Acacia catechu plantation to estimate natural regeneration of A. catechu as well as total regeneration (including other species) in the low hills of Himachal Pradesh. Total regeneration percent was maximum under Dry Deciduous Scrub forest while regeneration percent of A. catechu was maximum under Lower Shiwalik Chirpine forest. Statistically significant variations were observed for all the parameters under different forest types. Soil studies were also undertaken in different forest types and organic carbon percent and available nitrogen was higher under Dry Shiwalik Sal forest followed by Lower Shiwalik Chirpine forest. The regeneration percent was higher under Lower Shiwalik Chirpine forest.