Diversity and Phytosociological Analysis of Tree Species in Sacred Groves of Vijaypur Block, Samba (J&K)

The sacred groves are the representatives of climax vegetation and exhibit the diversity of species such as trees, climbers, epiphytes and other shade loving herbs. Well-preserved sacred groves are storehouses of valuable medicinal and other plants having high economic value and serve as a refuge to threatened species. Every sacred grove carries its own legends, lore, and myths which form the integral part of the sacred grove. The present study was conducted, to study the sacred groves from ecological and floristic point of view in Vijaypur Block of Samba district, J&K. For this the tree diversity in some prominent sacred groves of Vijaypur Block was studied by random sampling using Quadrat method. In all, 30 sampled plots each of 10 m × 10 m size were laid in the sacred groves. Altogether, 28 tree species were enumerated from the sacred groves. Based on the calculations of frequency, density and abundance, IVI of each species was calculated. The basal area of the trees varied between highest of 712.33m2/ha for Ficus religiosa followed by 472.16m2/ha for Eucalyptus citridora and a lowest of 3.16m2/ha for Morus alba. The overall tree diversity in sacred groves calculated by Shannon Weiner index was found to be 2.62. Some important trees in the groves are Mangifera indica, Syzygium cumini, Eucalyptus, Ficus religiosa etc.