Tree diversity and protection status in Northern Aravalli: the Mangar-Bani case
Student name: Ms Meenakshi Choudhary
Guide: Dr Joachim Michael Schmerbeck
Year of completion: 2013
Host Organisation: TERI University
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Chetan Aggarwal
Abstract: The impact of protection status on the Trees and shrubs of Mangar Village, Faridabad, was studied. The study
looked into the impact of protection on diversity and structure; species richness, evenness, Shannon diversity, Basal
area, and tree trunk volume was compared amongst a sacred grove, section 4& 5 of PLPA, and an open access
area, which represent a decreasing protection status. Diversity and individual per hectare was calculated for
seedling, sapling and mature trees under different Treatments of Protection in order to understand the impact of
protection on tree species composition in canopy and regenerating layer. The study revealed higher understory
diversity in study sites having lower protection. With decrease in the protection level there is a decrease in the basal
area at breast height and collar level and also on the tree volume. The protection also has an impact on the species
composition, with the highest impact in the canopy layer. The Bani has Anogeissus pendula as the dominant tree
species and also has rare species such as Sterculia urens and Boswellia serrate.
The Bani is not a pristine forest but represents one of the healthiest vegetation present on the Aravallis today. The
bani is under the threat of privatization and needs to be protected for the preservation of biodiversity and ecology of
the region. Establishment of fully protected permanent plots can be useful in knowing the potential vegetation on
Aravallis in absence of human influence.
Key words: Anogeissus pendula, sacred grove, Aravalli, protection, succession
