Published Paper Details:

UNESCO's World Heritage Site Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA) is highly undulating and difficult terrain to cover by ground and hence along with Remote Sensing and GIS based study, an attempt was also made to study the structure of the vegetation through profile diagrams. Stratified random sampling was performed. Materials used mainly vegetation map, Survey of India maps, hypsometer, graph paper, measuring tape and graph paper. Size of plots was determined based on species area curve. Observations recorded for the months of May and November. For each vegetation type a plot of 25?10 m was laid along the gradient. Sample Plot has been drawn on graph sheets at an appropriate reduced scale (1 mm = 20 cm). Slope was obtained using hypsometer. A total of 66 sample plots were laid. Of these 46 were in communities with trees and shrubs and 20 were for grasslands. The sub tropical ground flora is quite disturbed and subjected to grazing and fire. Under broad leaved forest, regeneration of Aesculus indica is quite good with the presence of different age group plants. Ground flora is very rich because of thick humus and moist conditions under Broadleaf Mixed with Conifers Forests. In Secondary Scrub; Eco-development zone, been put to lot of biotic pressure. Secondary scrubs are found intermixed with agriculture. A very interesting community of Viburnum was located on way to Maror from Shakti. Subtropical riverain forests have Alnus nitida groth in narrow belts. Pure disturbed as well as undisturbed patches of Hippophae salifolia are found under Temperate Riverain Forest. Alpine Scrub, Betula utilis forms the top story, first story is formed by Rhododendron companulatum. On steep slopes extensive grasslands are there. Alpine grasslands are found mixed with alpine scrub. Terraces with orchards are very common sites under Habitation /Agriculture/ /Orchard. Rocks with scattered growth of grasses in alpine zone above tree line. The effort will be useful, for mounting an information base, which will enable conservation practices in future.