A REPORT ON THE SURVEY ON FLORAL DIVERSITY IN THE CATCHMENT OF RIVER DHUALIGANGA IN THE URTHING SOBIA HEP HYDEL PROJECT AREA

 

A REPORT ON THE SURVEY ON FLORAL DIVERSITY IN THE CATCHMENT OF RIVER DHUALIGANGA IN THE URTHING SOBIA HEP HYDEL PROJECT AREA 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                    

 

 

 

By:

 

 

                                          Dr SP Sinha  

                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           16 May 2006

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

          Inventorying of biological wealth and assessment of potential resources are by far the most commonly recognized activities for initiating long term conservation measures. The Kumaun Himalaya which occupies central sector of Himalayan Mountain chain and along with a part of Nepal Himalaya lies in the biogeographic transition of wet eastern and dry western Himalaya. Therefore, the biological elements of both east and west Himalaya show a gradient of admixture in this region. While reviewing the literature shows that most of the past studies on inventory and assessment of biological diversity (especially plant diversity) are focused on south-western part of Kumaun e.g. Gaula, Pindari and Sarju catchments (Singh and Singh, 1987, 1992; Singh et al., 1994; Rawat et al., 1994). The north/eastern part remained under or unexplored. However recently some studies have been done in the eastern part of Kumaun region particularly in Gori valley (Kumar et al., 1992 and Kumar et al., 1993; Dhar, 1997) With respect to Panchchuli area Sahani and Raizada (1995) described the floristic patterns of Panchchuli range from western side. Attempt was also made to explore the diversity pattern on eastern side (Dharma valley) by Rawal and Rai, 1998. The socio-cultural patterns and transformation in rural populace in the valley have, however, been studied by Nehal and Nautiyal, 1996; Nehal and Saxena, 1996; Satyal, 1995. The scope of current study on the floral aspect and methodology adopted are given below:

 METHODOLOGY

The methodology followed for the current survey was as follows:

1. The Management plan of North Pithoragarh Forest Division and Management Plan for Askot Wildlife Sanctuary was consulted to get an idea about the boundaries and notification number of Askot Wildlife Sanctuary. Related people of forest department were contacted to know the current situation.

2. Entire stretch from Dar village to the Boungling and Dam site was scanned carefully to collect data on habitat condition.

3. In the area of proposed power station site and observations made on the floristic inventory in Dar site and on the way to Boungling and between Boungling to Dam site.

4. There are possibilities of variation in and just after the rainy season to study the ground cover in all the areas mentioned above.

 

SCOPE OF STUDY

 

B. Biological Resources:

 

 

I). Flora

 

·        Forests and forest Types

·        Vegetation profile

·        Economic important plants and endemic taxa, if any

·        Ecological aspects of the catchments

·        Impact of impoundment and construction activities

·        Location of any Biosphere Reserve, National Park or Sanctuary nearby

II). Flora

 

Forests and forest Types

          The forests type’s changes with the change in altitudinal zones; Sub-Montane zone (Sub-tropical) upto about EL. 1,500 m: A temperate  zone from EL. 1,500 m to EL. 3,200 m and an Alpine zone above that to the snowline.

 

 Table: 1 Forest/ dominant types in the valley and their corresponding Himalayan formation/ forest types

 

Dominant Type	Corresponding formation  type ( Singh & Singh 1987)	Corresponding formation type  (Champion & Seth 1968)
Alnus nepalensis  – mixed broad leaved	---	---
Quercus floribunda – mixed broad leaved	Low to mid montane hemisclerophyllous braod leaf forest (formation 7)	Lower (12/C1) and upper (12/C2) west Himalayan temperate forest
Aesculus indica mixed broad leaved	Mid montane winter  deciduous( formation 9)	Moist temperate deciduous forests(12/C)
Tsuga dumosa –mixed coniferous	Mid montane needle leaved evergreen forests (Formation 8)	Coniferous categories of (12/C! & 12/C2) of temperate west Himalaya
Taxus wallichiana-Mixed coniferous	- do-	- do-
Quercus semecarpifolia-Mixed evergreen	Formation type 7	12/C1 & 12/C2
Pinus wallichiana	Formation type 8	- do-
Abies pindrow	- do-	West Himalayan sub-alpine forest (Silver fir, 14)
Betula utilis	High montane stunted forest (Formation 10)	West Himalayan sub-alpine forest (birch)
B. utilis - Rhododendron	- do-	-do-

Vegetation profile

          Moving towards Dar where construction of Power station is proposed one can easily come across Ficus sp. (Kapri) and Celtis sp., a plant of fodder value. Cyathula tomentosa dominates the stony slopes while Rhus sp. is seen scattered here and there. Solanum nigrum, Chenopodium botrys and cynodon dactylon have been noted as a rare species at the Dar village. In shady moist places Peperomia tetraphylla covers the tree trunk and rocks. Ricinus communis is frequently seen along the track. Some other plants commonly encountered in the area are species of Debregesia, Chrysopogon, Rubia, Saccharun, Pennisetum, Nicotiana, Pouzolzia, Erigeron, Cheilanthus, Anaphalis, Adiantum, polygonum, Cynoglossum and Carex. A little before Dar Village is forest of Alnus nepalensis (Utis), a plant used as timber. Trees of Pyrus pashia and bushes of Berberis are also mixed up in between with Dennstaedtia. Edible fern, Diplazium esculentum (Lingra), is also fairly common here. In moist situations species of Hydrocotyle, Elatosterma, Adiantum etc. grow in abundance. The rocky slopes ahead of Dar are covered with species of Cotoneaster, Berberis, Prinseptia utilis and Rubus ellipticus (Hisalu) with occasional plants of Elaeagnus and Zanthoxylum armatum, a plant of medicinal importance. As the path proceeds toward Boungling, a legume (Butea spp.) is seen in abundance on slopes. The herbaceous plant species around proposed dam site includes on the slope Tylophora govanii. Heracleum lanatum, Serratula pallida, species of Aster, Euphorbia etc. Scattered population of Iris decora is another interesting feature of these slopes. Further ahead a patch of forest comprising typical Himalayan elements like Rhododendron arboretum, Quercus floribunda, Ilex dipyrena, Litsea sp. With Arundinaria sp. and herbaceous species like Disporum cantoniensis, Coniogramme caudate, Paris polyphylla, Trillium govanianum appears before Boungling Village. A medicinal plant Paeonia emodi also grows here. A climber Marsdenia lucida (Bhagal) also grows in abundance. This is said to be poisonous to cattle. Hedera nepalensis is another common climber seen in this forest.

          The forest around Sela is a mixed one including Juglans regia (Akhrot), Aesculus indica (Pangar), Quercus semecarpifolia (Kharsu), Ilex dipyrena, Lyconia ovalifolia, Rhododeron arboretum, Pinus wallichiana (Salla), Abies spectabilis (Raga), Quercus floribunda (Telunj), Cederus deodara (Deodar), Salix elegans (Bhoksya), Cotoneaster offinis (Ruins), Pinus spp. (Chir) etc. In between Lonicera sp., Viburnum Sp., Berberis Sp., Corrylus colura and Ulmus wallichiana ( a species of fodder value, now included in the IUCN Red Data Book are also mixed up but more interesting is the presence of Tsuga dumosa (Patari). This species is confined to Kumaun Himalaya only as far as North West Himalaya is concerned. Patches of Taxus wallichiana (Lwaith Tunder) are to be seen in between. This plant is highly sought after for treatment of ovarian cancer and has been exploited commercially. The plant has now listed under endangered category and the International Trade of this plant or the plant part is now banned under Appendix -II of the CITES. The locals are said to use the dried bark as substitute for tea. Pure stands of Hippophae are also occasionally met with in between.

           Among the shrubby elements species of Desmodium, Salix, Viburnum and Colquthounia coccinea are abundant on stony slopes. The herbaceous plants seen are Cardiocrinum giganteum, Gagea lutea, Actaea spicata, Paeonia emodi, Tussilago farfara, Caltha palustris, Thymus linearis and species of Ainsliea, Carex, Calanthe, Polystichum, As0plenium, Lepisorus, Corydalis, Gentiana, Valriana, Veronica, Geranium, Senecio, Anemone etc. Morchella esculanta (Guchhi), a highly sought plant for culinary and well known for its nutritional value too, also grows in the forest.

 

·        Economic important plants and endemic taxa, if any

TABLE SHOWING ECONOMIC IMPORTANT PLANTS USED BY LOCAL VILLAGERS FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES (*Scientific Name of plants are given in alphabetical order)

Scientific Name*             Name of NTFP      Parts  Used      Remarks

A. MEDICINAL PLANTS 1. Aconitum heterophyllum      Atis             Root           Commercial 2. Acorus calamus                             Buch           Root             Commercial 3. Berberis asiatica                  Kilmora      Root             Commercial 4. Bergenia  ciliate                            Gheepati     Rhizome     Wound 5. Dactylorhiza hatagirea        Hathajari    Root           Burns/cuts 6. Dioscorea deltoidea             Ban tarur    Tuber                   Commercial 7.Ephedr gerardiana               Tut gatha    Stem           Asthma 8. Hyoscyamus niger                 Langtang    Seed            Toothache 9. Macrotomia benthamii                  Balsamjari  Root           Hair tonic 10. Megacarpae polyandra      Roorki        Root           Lowfever 11.Myrica esculenta                 Kaphal        Bark            Commercial 12. Parnassia nubicola            Nirbis                   Root           Antidotefor poison 13. Permelia spp                      Muk(Lichens)  Entire plant Commercial 14. Picrorhiza kurroa              Kutki          Root              Fever 15. Pleurospermum angelicoidesChhipi         Root              Stomachache 16. Polygonatum verticillum    Khakan      Root             Commercial 17. Rheum australe                  Chhirchey   Root           Wound   18. Solanum nigrum                Makoi         Fruits          Dysentery 19. Thalictrum foliolosum        Mamira       Root           Commercial 20.Zanthoxylum alatum           Timur                   Seed            Cold B. VEGETABLES AND FOOD SUBSIDERY FOOD 1. Allium wallichii                    Lathum       Leaves 2. Arisaema jacquemontii        Bankh         Tuber                   Edible 3. Asparagus racemosus          Keeru                   Leaves        Young leaves 4. Chaerophyllum villosum      Gyan           Tuber                   Edible 5. Chenopodium  botrys            Bathuwa    Whole plantsEdible 6. Diplazium esculentum          Lingoro       -do-             -do- 7. Fagopyrum cymosum           Jhankara     -do-             -do- 8. Lepidium sativum                 Ban Halim  Leaves        Fever 9. Morchella                            Morchella   entire fruit   Eaten 10. Paeonia emodi                            Hilto           -do-             -do- 11. Phytolacca acinosa            Jarak           Leaves        Edible C. FRUITS  1. Corylus colurna                  Tamakha    Fruit           eaten  2. Elaeagnus   parviflora                  Gain            Fruit        3. Ficus    roxbergii                 Timal           Fruit          Fodder  4. Ficus palmate                     Beru            Fruit  5. Juglans regia                      Khaksing    Fruit             commercial  6. Prunus cerasoides               Padam        Fruit           Multipurpose 7. Prunus cornuta                    Bambhalu   Fruit  8. Ribes uva-crispa var sativumKontilo      Fruit           Pickles  9. Sorbis vestita                       Nephal         Fruit        D. SPICES / CONDIMENTS /PICKLES   1. Allium stracheyi                 Jambu         Leaves        Spice  2. Carum carvi                        Thawe         seed            commercial  3. Cinnamomum tamala                   Tejpatta      Leaves        Commercial  4. Hippophae tibetana            Tar Chuku  Leaves        Pickles  5. H. salicifolia                       Chuku         Fruit           Pickles  6. Thymus serpyllum               Balma Jhar Leaves        In Brewery E. INCENSE /DHOOP 1. J. communis                          Sirsing       Branches 2. Juniperus pseudosabina        Pama                   Branches 3. Jurinea macrocephalia        Dhoop        Root           Commercial 4. Nardostachys jatamansi       Masi           Leaves          Commercial 5. Pleurospermum densiflorum Gokul                   Leaves 6. Rhododendron anthopogon Tarsing       Leaves  7. Skimmia laurelola                Kedar Patti   Leaves F. OTHER USES: 1. Agave Americana                 Rambans    Leaves        Fiber 2. Betula  utilis                         Syasing       Bark           Roof ceiling 3. Cannabis sativa                             Bhang         Stem and Bark   Fiber 4. Cassiope fastigiata               Pongche      Stem           Roof ceiling 5. Arundinaria falcata             Ringal         Clums         Thatch,   Basket 6. Chrysopogon  gryllus           Chemsi       Leaves        Thatch 7. Gerardinia palmate             Sium            Stem and Bark  Fiber 8. Pringpia utilis                      Dhindeli      Seed            Edible oil 9. Saussurea obvallata             Kawal         Flower        Religious 10. Taxus baccata                    Lwait          Bark           As tea

 

        Endemic plant species which are found in this starch are as follows:

          The River Dhauliganga catchment area harbours rich biological heritage representing a considerable admixture of various floristic elements which migrated and occupied the area from different phytogeographical zones, e.g.  steppes elements like Artemisia, hippophae, Astrgalaus, Caragana and Juniperus from North temperate zones ; European and Sub-arctic like Aconitum, Clematis, inula, Leontotpdium and Spiraea; North- eastern elements like Arsaema, Aesculus, Acer and Petula; Mediterranean elements like Celtis australis, Silene and Quercus; Didyocarus and Goldfussia representing Indo-Malayan region; and Typical Sino- Himalayan elements like Cardiocrinum giganteum, Nardostachys and Lyonia. The area being the Eastern most end of the Western Himalaya and Western most part of E.Himalaya serve as a buffer zone of Floristic elements which harbours gene pools equally from the both phytogeographical regions,e.g., Tsuga dumosa an elements of E. Himalayan forests and Picea smithiana and Cedrus deodara essentially the elements of W.Himalaya. Furthermore, the area assumes still greater importance botanically as it being an extension of Sino-Himalayan region which constitute secondary center of diversity for primary gene pool for some of the temperate genera (Kumar, 1983).

 

 ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE CATCHMENTS

Following components of the biodiversity were observed during the visit/survey of the study sites:

§  Land animals (wild and domestic) including reptiles

§  Predatory birds

§  Small game fish

§  Fish, and shellfish

§  Natural floral diversity with economic important and endemic plant species

§  Insects

§  Aquatic plants and

§  Micro fauna  

 

IMPACT OF IMPOUNDMENT AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

 

1.     Impact of impoundment

   The catchment formed by the dam may cause following impacts-

·       Destruction of pristine area

·       Loss of original river section; changes in flow regime, detention time,

·       Collection / settlement of sediments

·       Water born pathogens

·       Local climate changes, e.g. increased fog

·       Change in down stream water quality

·       Eutrofication effect

·       Alter down stream fish populations

·       Altered water conditions

·       Proliferation of lake fish populations and associated organisms

·       Decreased woodland and wildlife

·       Blocking of wildlife migration routes

·       Decreased  many economic and endemic plant species

·       Changed evapotranspiration and seepage

·       Increased wetland flora and fauna

·       Temporary changes in air quality

·       Earthquake and land slides risk

2.     Impact of construction activities

Construction activities that will add pollutants to the atmosphere or alter the weather and climate may result in adverse effects on people, plants, animals, materials and buildings. These effects can occur at the local, regional or even global scale.

Air impacts                                                                             

·        Diffusion factor                                          

·        Particulates                                                 

·        Sulfur oxides

·        Hydrocarbons

·        Nitrogen oxides

·        Carbon monoxide

·        Photochemical oxidants

·        Hazardous toxicants

·        Odours

Water Impacts

·        Aquifer safe yield

·        Flow variation

·        Oil

·        Radioactivity

·        Suspended solids

·        Thermal pollution

·        Acid and alkali

·        Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)

·        Dissolved oxygen (DO)

·        Dissolved solids

·        Nutrients

·        Toxic compounds

·        Aquatic life

·        Fecal coli forms

Land Impact

·        Soil stability

·        Natural hazard

·        Land use patterns

·        Soil erosion

·        Waste disposal

Ecological Impact

·        Loss of , and damage to, habitats and plant and animal species

·        Loss of, and damage to, geological, palaeontological and physiographic features

·        Other ecological consequences

Sound Impact

·        Physiological effects

·        Psychological effects

·        Communication effects

·        Performance effects

·        Social behavior effects

Socio-economic impact

1.     Direct economic

·                    Local – non local employment

·                    Characteristics of employment

·                    Labour supply and training

·                    Wage levels

2.     Indirect / wider economic / expenditure

·        Employee retail expenditure

·        Liked supplier to main development

·        Labour market pressures

·        Wider multiplier effects

3.     Demographic

·        Changes in population sizes; temporary and permanent

·        Changes in other population characteristics (i.e. family size, income levels, socio-economic groups )

·        Settlement patterns

4.     Housing

·        Various housing tenure types

·        Public and private

·        House prices

·        Homelessness and other housing problems

5.     Other local services: public and private sector

·        Educational services

·        Health services; social support

·        Others (e.g. police, fire, recreation, transport)

·        Local finances

6.     Socio-cultural

·        life styles / quality of life

·        social problems (e.g. crime, illness, divorce)

·        community stress and conflict; integration and alienation

Location of any Biosphere Reserve, National Park or Sanctuary nearby

 

          Currently the catchment of River Dhauliganga comes under the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary. It was notified by the Government of Uttar Pradesh under G.O No. 996/14-3-30/84 dated 30.7.1986 for the conservation of regional flora and fauna (Arya, 1991). There are possibilities of denotify the project area and to cast out the area from Ascot Wildlife sanctuary and is under consideration.