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Item An Ecological assessment of Baan Ganga wetland, Uttaranchal(Uttaranchal Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India, 2006) Rawat, G.S.; Pandav, Bivash; Mathur, V.B.; Sankar, K.; Hussain, S.A.; Adhikari, B.S.; Sinha, B.C.; Pandav, Bivash; Sivakumar, K.; Padalia, H.; Chaturvedi, R.K.; Babu, M.M.An Ecological Survey of Baan Ganga Wetlands in Haridwar Forest Division, Uttaranchal was conducted during January to November 2006 by a team of faculty and researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Dehra Dun. The study components include rapid assessment of the flora, fauna (mammals, birds and fishes), water and soil quality of the area, mapping of the conservation reserve and designing of interpretive facility for the wetland. 2. Baan Ganga wetland represents a remnant Terai habitat in Uttranchal. Occurrence of endangered swamp deer and a variety of floral and faunal communities typical of Terai habitat amidst human dominated landscape warrants careful co-management approach. A total of 178 plant species were recorded from the Baan Ganga wetlands. Of these, 40 species were hydrophytic, 122 species semi-aquatic and 117 mesophytic. Detailed list of the flora along with their habitat and photographic records have been provided. 3. The survey area faces heavy anthropogenic pressures including heavy livestock grazing, fishing, pollution from the untreated sugar mill effluents, cutting and burning of natural vegetation and agricultural encroachment. Despite several pressures the area continues to attract a variety of wetland birds and has tremendous opportunity for developing a popular eco-tourist destination and thereby creating new opportunities in education, recreation, eco-tourism and research in the area. 4. Based on the rapid ecological surveys on various aspects, following major recommendations are given for the conservation and management of the Baan Ganga area: (i) Maintenance of stream flow all through the year (ii) Traditional fishing as in practice at preset may be continued (iii) Initiate a project to promote aquaculture (iv) Initiate conservation awareness programme for the local people especially about the adverse impact of pesticide use in the agriculture fields around the Baan Ganga. There should be a check on the release of effluents from the industries which are located on the upstream areas. Effluents must be treated before releasing into the natural system (v) Maintain heterogeneity in vegetation types. Aquatic weeds are required to be managed properly in year-wise plan. There should not be any construction along the banks of river which will change the hydrological system hence there will be change in the vegetation types. Cattle grazing needs to be regulated and a proper rotational grazing system needs to be implemented in consultation with the local communities (vi) Control of water hyacinth by utilizing this species as a compost / green manure (vii) Regulate exploitation of Phragmites and Typha and (viii) Develop an interpretation centre highlighting the biological and conservation significance of this area for development of eco-tourism.Item Developing predictive models for climatic change and vegetation structure in Western Himalaya(NATCOM, WINROCK International India and Wildlife Institute of India, 2004) Adhikari, B.S.; Rawat, G.S.The present study deals with the impact of climate change on the structural and functional attributes (biomass and productivity) of the vegetation along an altitudinal gradient (1600-3700m asl), within watersheds and among different forest types in Garhwal Himalaya. The study provides an insight on the vegetation of Garhwal Himalaya with special reference to temperature and comparison with Kumaun Himalayan forests. Among all watersheds (Dharamganga, Dogadda, Asiganga, Bhatwari and Gangotri), 18 major forest types were identified. Out of 81 sites, most of the sites were dominated by kharsu oak (Quercus semecarpifolia) forest (# 25) followed by banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) forest (#8) and mixed-broadleaved, conifer-broadleaved and oak-conifer forests (each #7). The species richness and density were highest (8 and 510 trees ha-1) for horse chestnut, while the total basal area was highest for banj oak forest (74.5 m2 ha-1). The total biomass was highest for horse chestnut forests (487.0 t ha-1), productivity for oak-conifer forest (20.0 t ha-1 yr-1) followed by deciduous broadleaved forest (19.6 t ha-1 yr-1), while the litter fall for deciduous broadleaved forest (6.6 t ha-1 yr-1). The carbon allocation in biomass was highest in horse chestnut forests (243.5 t C ha-1), oak-conifer forest (10.0 t ha-1 yr-1) in productivity and deciduous-broadleaved forest (3.3 t ha-1 yr-1) in litter fall. The total carbon storage was high (196-344 t ha-1) for horse chestnut, oak-conifer, tilonj oak (Quercus floribunda), deciduous-broadleaved, silver fir and kharsu oak forests, intermediate (125-195 t ha-1) for chir pine (Pinus roxburghii), toon (Cedrella toona), mixed-broadleaved, tilonj oak-mixed, conifer-broadleaved, mixed oak and deciduous-conifer forests and low (<125 t ha-1) for alder(Alnus nepalensis), banj oak, deodar(Cedrus deodara), kai (Pinus wallichiana)l and birch (Betula utilis) forests. The carbon accumulation was extremely high (11.4-13.1 t ha-1 yr-1) in deciduous-broadleaved, oak-conifer and horse chestnut forests. Along altitudinal gradient the species richness was highest at 1800, 2300, 2400 and 2500m; density at transition place (1700m) and between 2100-2800m and total basal area at 2700 and 2800m. However, biomass between 2400-3200m, productivity between 2700-3100m and litter fall between 2700-3200m was highest. The allocation of carbon was highest for all the parameters (biomass, productivity and litter fall) was highest at 2800m (kharsu oak/oak-conifer forest) followed by altitude 2700m (kharsu oak/silverfir (Abies pindrow)/oak-conifer forests). Among watersheds, Dogadda having the highest biomass, productivity and litter fall followed by Dharamganga, while Gangotri have the least values for biomass, productivity and litter fall and allocation of carbon was following the same pattern. At a regional scale (both Kumaun and Garhwal, the relationships between temperature and structural and functional attributes are: i) the density declines at 2750m and at 11.1C MAT, ii) the total basal area declines at 2650m and at 11.5C MAT, and iii) the biomass, productivity and litter fall decline at 3050m and at 9.7C MAT.Item Vegetation characteristics and patterns of livestock grazing in Changthang Plateau, Eastern Ladakh(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2002) Rawat, G.S.; Adhikari, B.S.The Changthang plateau in the eastern Ladakh, covering an area of ca. 21,000 km2 and mean altitude of ca. 4500 m above sea level, forms the western extension of the Tibetan plateau. Owing to cold arid environment, unique geology and palaeo-history this area harbours interesting assemblages of flora and fauna. Besides, the area supports a reasonably high biomass of domestic livestock comprising sheep, goats, yaks, donkeys and horses belonging to the Changpa herders, a nomadic pastoral community. According to official estimates the number of livestock in the area has almost doubled since 1970s. Although livestock grazing has been an age-old practice on this plateau, very little baseline information exists on the vegetation characteristics, ecology and current herding practices in these rangelands. We studied the floristic structure, community composition and availability of forage (graminoids, forbs and shrubs) in ca. 300 km2 area of Tso Kar basin, Changthang plateau during August-September 2001. Changpa herders were interviewed to get information on their livestock holding patterns and patterns of seasonal movement. 142 sites covering various landscape units, viz., sandy plains, marsh meadows, moist meadows, scrub steppe on the lower and higher slopes, fell-fields, and stream courses were intensively searched for the vascular plants. Each site was sampled for plant species, % cover, and abundance using 10 random quadrates of one m2. In all 232 species of vascular plants belonging to 38 families and 101 genera were collected and recorded from the study area. Poaceae (39 species), Asteraceae (27 species), Cyperaceae (25 species), Brassicaceae (14 species), Fabaceae (12 species) and Ranunculaceae (12 species) were the dominant families. Analysis of Raunkiaer’s life-forms reveals that the area is dominated by two growth forms viz., Hemi-cryptophytes (largely perennial grasses and sedges, and (ii) Chamaephytic i.e., dwarf herbs and matted shrubs whose shoots die back periodically (23.47 %). Various landscape units have been compared in terms of Prominence Value (an index of forage availability) of graminoids, forbs and shrubs. It is interesting to note that the study area had a very high (1:2) monocot : dicot ratio. We believe that the current stocking densities of livestock in the study area are at the peak and condition of rangelands are still good. Further immigration of refugee herders, increase in the livestock population and ill planned developmental activities may cause rapid degradation of pastures thereby hampering both the pastoral practices and wildlife in the region. Conservation implications of the findings and need for participatory approach of the rangeland management have been discussed.Item Vegetation surveys in the Indian Trans-Himalaya: a report on the surveys conducted during summer 2000(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2000) Rawat, G.S.; Adhikari, B.S.; Rana, B.S.Ladakh and adjacent trans-Himalayan ranges harbor a typical vegetation characterized by steppe formations, sedge-grass meadows and herbaceous communities. A few attempts have been made to classify and describe the major plant communities of the trans-Himalaya in the past. However, most of the descriptions are based on local information from a few pockets. A complete account of life form distribution and ecological characteristics from the entire range is not available. Keeping this in view, we conducted an extensive survey of vegetation in the trans-Himalaya with a view to address the following questions: (i) how similar or dissimilar are the vegetation communities found within various trans-Himalayan ranges viz., north of Pir-Panjal (Lahul), Zanskar, Changthang, Ladakh mountains, and Karakoram region, (ii) what are the proportions of various growth forms (lichens, mosses, graminoids, forbs and shrubs) within the communities of these ranges, and (iii) which are the unique, rare or endemic species within each range and what are the possible threats to such species ? We sampled the vegetation and related abiotic variables systematically along the Rohtang - Leh - Nubra road following a `Rapid GRADSECT’ approach. Data on various parameters were collected at four levels, viz., (i) General physiognomy, cover types and landscape features within 100 m x 2 km belts, (ii) Community composition of woody species and cover abundance of different life forms at a regular intervals of 2 kms, (iii) Species composition at and around 5 high passes covering various aspects and landforms, and (iv) Species composition and cover abundance around a high altitude brackish water lake. The preliminary findings of the survey include: (i) 10 distinct physiognomic units viz., Herbaceous meadow (HM), Sedge meadow (SM), Mixed scrub or steppe (MS), Riverine scrub (RS), Sparse vegetation including degraded slopes (SV), Woodland/Plantation (WP), Cultivation/Habitation (CH), Grasslands i.e., area dominated by grasses (GR) and cushionoid vegetation including mosses and lichens (CV). were identified along with their percent coverage within various sectors and also along the GRADSECT, (ii) 9 major woody communities along the Gradsect were identified, viz., Juniper woodland, Artemisia dracunculus - A. maritima, Caragana, Eurotia, Caragana - Eurotia, Artemisia gmelinii - A. salsoloides, Hippophae - Myricaria, Salix lindleyana, Lysium ruthinicum, and Ephedra gerardiana, (iii) High passes (Rohtang, Baralacha La, Lachulung La, Tanglang La, and Khardung La ranging from 3900-5500 m asl) represented different geological formations and therefore distinct plant communities. General vegetation cover, species richness, density and diversity decreased with increasing altitude and latitude, and (iv) The banks of Tso Moriri (brackish water lake) were dominated by Carex melanantha, Carex nivalis and a few other herbs which was quite different from the banks of fresh water lakes and other marsh meadows of the alpine regions.Item Assessment of forest communities and dependence of local people on NTFPs in Askot landscape, Uttarakhand, Phase 1 - report(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Bisht, S.; Adhikari, B.S.; Uniyal, V.K.The Askot landscape represents a great diversity of ecosystems within a very short altitudinal range ie. from 600-7000 m. The assessment of vegetation was done during October, 2012 - October, 2014 covering the entire Gori sub-watershed between 600-2300 m in Askot Landscape in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand under Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood Improvement Project (BCRLIP). A checklist of 573 species of plants was prepared including some rare and endangered species, of which 124 trees, 112 shrubs, 24 climbers, 35 orchids and 278 herbs were recorded after carrying out a reconnaissance of the valley. The data collected for vegetation was analysed and forest communities were identified based on TWINSPAN analysis and various village surveys were conducted to find out the use of various Non Timber Forest Products such as fuelwood, fodder, timber, medicinal plants etc. in the study area. A total of 11 forest communities were identified in the Gori valley, viz. Macaranga pustulata, Shorea robusta, Engelhardtia spicata, Diploknema butyracea, Pinus roxburghii, Alnus nepalensis, Quercus leucotrichophora, Litsea umbrosa, Quercus lanuginosa, Q. leucotrichophora-Neolitsea cuipala and Sorbus foliolosa along an elevational gradient between 600-2300m. It was observed that the total basal area of Q. lanuginosa forest was highest (38.8 m2 ha-1) followed by Q. leucotrichophora (32.7 m2 ha-1) and Pinus roxburghii (31.8 m2 ha-1) and minimum for Q. leucotrichophora-Neolitsea cuipala forest (10.8 m2 ha-1) and Sorbus foliolosa forest (9.2 m2 ha-1). Among Non Timber Forest Products 24, 26, 16 and 24 species were being used as fodder, fuelwood, timber and medicinal plants, respectively. Q. leucotrichophora has the highest preference among fodder followed by Bauhinia vahlii, Boehmeria rugulosa and Ougeinia oogenensis. Lyonia ovalifolia followed by Rhododendron arboreum, Q. leucotrichophora and Woodfordia fructicosa among fuelwood; Shorea robusta followed by Alnus nepalensis, Pinus roxburgii and Q. leucotrichophora among timber; and (ii) Eupatorium adenophorum followed by Terminalia chebula, Zanthoxylum alatum and Pleurospermum angelicoides among medicinal plants. Lopping, forest fire and weed infestation were among major cause of disturbance to forest resources. Impact of lopping on Quercus lanuginosa, Rhododendron arboreum and Q. leucotrichophora, forest fire in W and NW aspects due to the dominance of Chir pine forests and infestation of Cannabis sativa, Eupatorium adenophorum, Urtica dioica and Impatience edgeworthii was highest in NW aspect. The common species used for medicinal purposes by the villagers were Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Litsea monopetala, Celtis australis, Bauhinia vahlii, Syzygium cumini, Myrica esculenta, Berginia ciliata, Oxalis corniculata, Eupatorium adenophorum, Adhatoda zeylanica, Terminalia chebula, Cissampelos pareira, Viola canescens, Fragaria nubicola, Tinospora cordifolia and different orchid species in Gori valley. Twelve potential plant indicator species viz., Chimnobambusa falcata, Eupatorium adenophorum, Alnus nepalensis, Quercus leucotrichophora, Quercus lanuginosa, Macaranga pustulata, Rhododendron arboreum, Pinus roxburghii, Aconitum heterophyllum, Dactylorhiza hatagirea Picrorhiza kurrooa and Pleurospermum angelicoides were identified based on the information collected during the surveys as well as through secondary information. The distribution map of each species was generated according to climatic zone in ArcGIS software along with their potential distribution range. Finally, a species richness map was prepared to show the high species richness zone in the study area.Item Effects of climate-change on riverine forests and indicator species along river Ganga in Uttarakhand: a multi-scale approach(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Ramesh, K.; Adhikari, B.S.The objectives were 1.Study the distribution pattern, range shift and population response of indicator species along the Ganga in Uttarakhand, from foot-hills to snout of the Gangotri glacier. 2. Quantify structure and functional attributes of vegetation along selected climatic ecotones. 3. Detect major drivers of landscape composition and configuration in space and time, and develop spatially explicit predictive models.Item Ecological Assessment of Siswan Reserve, Punjab(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Bhardwaj, A.K.; Srivastav, A.; Pandav, Bivash; Singh, Pratap; Adhikari, B.S.; Uniyal, V.P.; Badola, R.; Das, A.This study was undertaken with the following objectives: (i) Generate floral and faunal baseline information. (ii) Understand mutual linkages and issues, between local communities and the reserve (iii) Sensitize the local staff about ecological importance of this area and its attributes rapid surveys were carried out by a team of WII faculty and researchers for various taxa from October 2016 to June 2017. Surveys were carried out for generating information about large mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and vegetation. To assess peoples perspective concerning the reserve participatory methods of focused group discussions (FGDs), social and resource mapping and time line surveys were undertaken. Visits for various rapid assessments were made more productive by conducting capacity building exercises for department staff simultaneouslyItem Study on Ecological & Socio-Economic Impact of Invasive species, Prosopis juliflora and Lantana camera and their removal from forest, common and fallow land of Tamilnadu(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Sivakumar, K.; Rawat, G.S.; Badola, Ruchi; Adhikari, B.S.; Kamalakannan, B.Item Study on ecological and socio-economic impact of invasive species, Prosopis juliflora and Lantana camara and their removal from forest, common and fallow land of Tamilnadu(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Sivakumar, K.; Rawat, G.S.; Badola, Ruchi; Adhikari, B.S.; Kamalakannan1) Prosopis juliflora is an invasive, drought resistant, evergreen fast growing pheratophyte widely distributed in India and also in arid and semi-arid tropical countries. It is a highly valued wood source for rural people in India. The P. juliflora is believed one of the worst invaders affecting natural and man-made ecosystems and its local biodiversity in Tamil Nadu. In this context, this study was conducted aimed to assess the distribution patterns of P. juliflora and its impacts in three different agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu. 2) In 1959, Prosopis juliflora was introduced in Tamil Nadu to meet the fuelwood requirements of the rural poor people and to re-vegetate the degraded lands but it spread at faster and occupied almost all agro-zones of Tamil Nadu. In India, P. juliflora was considered as one of the worst invaders in the country affecting natural ecosystems and local biodiversity. In order to eradicate this species from natural forests, preparation of a restoration plan is desirable with knowledge on ecology and impacts of P. juliflora in Tamil Nadu. Keeping this in view, Wildlife Institute of India with support of Tamil Nadu Forest Department assessed the extent and abundance of P. juliflora in forest, common and fallow land of Tamil Nadu. Initially, the study was started in the southern zone of Tamil Nadu and later in other agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu (i.e. Cauvery delta zone (Nagapattinam district), Southern zone (Ramanathapuram district) and Western zone (Sathiyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Erode district). 3) Totally ninety transects were laid randomly in three agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu. Each transect of 2 km length, it had six 15 m radius plots at equal distance of 400 m to quantify the environmental parameters such as vegetation structure and composition, cover percentage of grass, native herbs, weeds, animal pellet and bird abundance, etc., was recorded by using standard methods on the same transect. Influence and impact of Prosopis juliflora and its and socio-economic status were assessed by using a questionnaire survey in entire taluks of three agro-climatic zones. 4) The results revealed that occupancy of Prosopis juliflora was more in the southern zone compared to the other two zones. Southern zone occupies 79.4% of Prosopis juliflora invaded in this region than western zone (46%), and in Cauvery delta zone (32%). Density (F = 34.35, P < 0.05) and frequency occurrence (%) of P. juliflora were also higher in the southern zone followed by western zone and Cauvery delta zone. The richness and native biodiversity of plants and related herbs, shrubs were highly ruined in southern zone followed by Cauvery delta and western zone. The highest extent of Prosopis was observed in the entire seven taluks of the Ramanathapuram district (southern zone) compare to the Nagapattinam taluks (Cauvery delta zone) and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve ranges (western zone). Except Prosopis juliflora and Lantana camara; Parthenium hysterophorus and 2 Chromolaena odorata caused huge smash up to the native ecosystems in some ranges of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserves. 5) In Ramanathapuram district, the abundances of herbs such as Tephrosia purpurea, Crotons sparsiflorus, and Cleome viscosa were significantly lesser in P. juliflora invaded plots as compared to the non-invaded plots. Relative abundance of birds such as Pavo cristatus, Conturnix conturnix and Acridotheres tristis were positively correlated with P. juliflora abundance in Ramanathapuram taluks. The western zone where the habitat dominated by P. juliflora was observed with low abundances of wild ungulates. 6) Driest environment settings of southern zone favored more P. juliflora than other two agro-climatic zones that are comparatively wet. 7) The study found that the impact of Prosopis in the forested landscapes of Tamil Nadu, especially in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve seemed to be adversely affecting the distribution of native biodiversity. 8) Dry zone of Tamil Nadu i.e. at Ramanathapuram the groundwater level-soil moisture conditions, humidity and temperature under the canopy cover were better in the habitats dominated by P. juliflora but in the forested landscapes such as in the Sathyamangalam TR, these environmental factors were comparatively lesser than other habitats of the zone. It reveals that P. juliflora in the forested landscape is not good for natural environmental settings as well as the biodiversity of the region. 9) In all zones that were studied in Tamil Nadu, the P. juliflora was observed to be allelopathic that discouraging other plants from growing around them and seems to be toxic to other biotas in ways that allow the invasives to monopolize the space, sunlight, and nutrients at the exclusion of other species. Plant diversity was observed significantly low at P. juliflora dominated habitats than other habitats of Tamil Nadu including in the Ramanathapuram District. In the native habitats of P. juliflora, the other species have developed a mechanism to counter the allelopathy of P. juliflora, but such defense seems to be not available to several native plants of Tamil Nadu. 10) The study could not find any significant impact of Prosopis juliflora and Lantana camara on the productivity of agricultural crops grown adjacent to the dense growth of Prosopis juliflora and Lantana camara on the bund or as a pure stand. 11) Prosopis juliflora, which is adapted to survive and thrive in diverse environments including very harsh dry environments, was a major boon for impoverished people subsisting in the Ramanathapuram District as it provides 3 them with badly needed valuable provisional services; fuelwood, charcoal, animal feed, constructional materials, reclamation of degraded soil, etc, but the Prosopis juliflora was observed to be adversely affecting both environments as well as native biodiversity in other zones of Tamil Nadu. 12) It was found that wetlands in the arid region are highly susceptible to Prosopis invasion and these wetlands were once used by migratory birds in large numbers but not nowadays that is might be due to high abundances of invasive species. 13) Although, alien invasive species such as P. juliflora and L. camara are adversely affecting the native biodiversity especially in the Western Zone and Cauvery Delta but it has livelihood values in the Southern Zone especially Ramanathpuram and adjoining districts of Tamil Nadu. 14) The study also found that the available nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon in the soil were high in highly invaded areas compared to less or non-invaded sites especially in the Southern Zone. 15) Economic analyses also revealed that the benefits of the P. juliflora invasion in the southern zone are higher than the costs. However, some aspects such as increased risk of water table and long-term ecological changes were not examined, thus making the total economic valuation incomplete. 16) P. juliflora and L. camara spread can be halted by actions such as clear cutting/up-rooting followed by burning of the stump of P. juliflora and keeping up-side down of stump of L. camara. Alternatively, ways can be found to utilize the existing stands of P. juliflora so that frequent harvesting can exert a check on its expansion in the non-forested landscape. Minimum, 10 years of weed management plan should be made mandatory of all Management Plans of all Protected Areas and other reserve forests of Tamil Nadu to successfully halt the expansion of these invasive species so that the native biodiversity are conserved. 12) The study concludes that complete eradication of P. juliflora and L. camara is inevitable in the forested landscapes and Protected Areas of Tamil Nadu. However, the study recommend that sustainable management and control of P. juliflora may be a better solution than eradication in the Southern Zone.Item Assessment of forest communities and dependence of local people on NTFPs in Askot landscape, Uttarakhand, Phase 1(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Bisht, S.; Adhikari, B.S.; Shrivastava, A.K.The study was conducted from January 2013 - October 2017 between 1000-3900 m in Gori and Dhauli sub-watersheds in Askot landscape in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand under Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood Improvement Project (BCRLIP). A preliminary information was collected regarding vegetation community in the landscape through existing knowledge and reconnaissance surveys. Vegetation plots were laid to study the structure, composition and regeneration pattern in various forest communities in the landscape. Questionnaire survey was conducted in different villages to study the use pattern of various Non-Timber Forest Products and state of traditional knowledge among local communities. A checklist of 596 species of plants was prepared including some rare and endangered species, of which 132 trees, 121 shrubs, 24 climbers, 36 orchids and 283 herbs were recorded after carrying out a reconnaissance of the landscape. The collected vegetation data was analyzed and 11 forest communities were identified based on TWINSPAN viz, P. roxburghii, Q. floribunda, Q. leucotrichophora, Q. lanuginosa, A. nepalensis, T. dumosa, Q. semecarpifolia, M. duthiei, A. pindrow, P. wallichiana and B. utilis. Lopping, weed infestation, forest fire and grazing are some of the threats to the plant biodiversity in the landscape. A Species richness map and disturbance level map was prepared in Arc Gis for the landscape. Based on collected information, a list of nine potential indicator species (Polygonum, Strobilanthes, Diplazium, Ageratina adenophora, Alnus nepalensis, Quercus leucotrichophora, Quercus lanuginosa, Macaranga pustulata, Rhododendron arboreum and Pinus roxburghii) were prepared. Three plant species (Ageratina adenophora, Alnus nepalensis, and Quercus leucotrichophora) were selected as indicator species, which will be used for long-term monitoring protocol to detect biodiversity change in the landscape by the local communities.