Local level community forest management an effective tool in conserving forest biodiversity

Forest vegetation of a community managed forest (Van Panchayat) located between 1570–1700 m elevation was studied along four aspects. Quercus leucotrichophora was the dominant species on three of the four aspects. Across the aspects the total tree density ranged between 150 and 490 ind/ha, sapling density between 100 and 370 ind/ha, seedling density varied from 241 to 1090 ind/ha. The shrub density ranged from 166 to 690 ind/ha and herb density from 6000–17100 ind/ha. The total basal area of tree layer varied from 9.78 to 13.5 m2/ha showing that the forest is young. Species diversity value for tree layer varied from 0.14 to 1.69. Quercus leucotrichophora were regenerating well due to effective forest management by local communities. The higher proportion of seedlings of Quercus leucotrichophora indicating that the Van Panchayat are playing important role in conservation of oak forest of Himalaya.