Vol 12 - Working plan extract

Comprehensive CAT Plan of Satluj River Basin

4 Volume: XII Chapter 2: Page No:

Chapter 2:

Extracts of Working Plan

Configuration of Ground:

The tract is hilly and undulating between elevations 850m the

confluence of Machhada Khad in Satluj River to Hans-beshan

5240 m. The tree growth extends up-to 3700 m above which lies

extensive inaccessible area with grasses, rocks and snow. The

slopes vary from moderate to steep and very steep to

precipitous. Rugged and sharp edges cliffs are very common in

the upper catchment of Nogli Khad. The gentle slopes on lower

elevation are generally under agriculture and horticulture crops

and steep to precipitous slopes on higher altitudes are under

forests. “Shraikoti and Bhimakali “Temple at Sarahan forms

places of pilgrimage where thousands of people visit through out

the year. Interior areas of Bushahr can be developed for

adventure tracking routes. Satluj can be developed for water

sports at Nogli. The ridge Manewati Dhar – Gangdari Dhar –

Hansbeshan – Krunshikring bifurcates the boundary of Rampur

Forest Division and Kinnaur Forest Division.

Climate:

The climate is temperate but due to variation in altitude, the

tropical climate is found in sub-mountainous areas at the base of

the Satluj valley to alpine in the upper reaches. Semi-arctic

conditions prevail in some portions. March to April and October

to November are cool and bright. This tract is endowed with four

distinct seasons: Spring, summer, Rains and winter. The spring

season lasts from February to April in the lower valleys along the

river where as on the higher altitude it is in the month of April to

June. The rains come during the summer in the last week of

June and extend up to September. Snow fall starts from

November and last till the end of March on higher altitude. Snow

fall occurs above 1600 metres, but some times goes down to 900

Meters, the snow seldom lies for long period below 2200 Metre.

Autumn is generally very cold; May and June are very hot at low

elevation. Due to great variation in altitude, the temperature

also varies considerably. Minimum temperature goes down

below zero degree during winter and maximum temperature

exceeds 40 degree in the lower areas during the summers.

Localised cloud bursts causes havoc to the vegetative growth and

soil which results into severe floods.

Water Supply:

The whole tract is covered with spellings Khads. The main

perennial khads are Machhada Khad , Nogli Khad (fed by Suki

Gad, Darkali Khad, Taklech Khad, Deothi Khad, Munish Kasha

Khad), Racholi Khad, Gaura Khad, Dhoi Khad, Broni Khad,



Maglad Khad (fed by Ramagad, Ucchi Khad), Rai Gad, Dharali

Khad, Kandlu Khad (Chaura), Chaunda Khad (Nigulseri), Solding

Khad, Panchot Khad. The tributaries are fed by rains as well as

snow at the upper parts and finally draining into Satluj River. In

Nichar Range on the left bank of the Satluj at elevations between

1850m to 3600m the slopes are densely covered, gradient is not

steep and the aspect is cool These factors combined with a

moderate rainfall produce an equable flow of water down the

streams and sufficient moisture in the forests, springs being

frequent. The main streams which are fed by snow do not dry

up but flow of water varies considerably during various seasons

whereas in other streams in dry months the water is sometimes

insufficient even for paddy crops, fruits and vegetables .When

drought or fire occurs and cause considerable damage to the

forests growth and aggravates shortage of water. The water

supply of the tributaries is perennial. Numerous water supply

schemes have been implemented by the Government for supply

of drinking water to the villages. In addition for irrigation

purpose Hydro electric projects exist and planned on Nogli and

Manglad Khad. Sufficient water is available for forest nurseries

in most of the areas.

Rights and Concessions:

Forest settlement was finalised by Glover in 1921 when the right

and concessions of the local people in the forests were

investigated admitted and recorded. The record of rights which

is detailed and which has been drawn for each demarcated forest

is given in the Forest Settlement Report. There is record

improvement in the economy of area from the cash crops such

as apple. But the burden on the forests of the area is increased

day by day. The rights and concessions of different areas are:

Right to Timber for house construction and repair, Fuel wood,

Grazing, Lopping, Minor Forest produces, Slate quarries, Leaf

moulds, Phat burning, “Nautors” etc.

Encroachments:

Encroachments are common almost in all the categories of

forests. The UPFs especially are most affected with this menace.

Boundary pillars have been displaced and encroached upon. Part

of the forests has been converted into apple orchards and

agricultural field. Even the Reserved forests have not been

spared. The encroachments detected during the inspections

have already been mentioned in the Compartment descriptions.

It was difficult to know the exact area of the concerned field staff

of the Forest department. Therefore, it should be forests

ensured to check and detect the exact number and area of

encroachment in each forest.

The Inhabitants:

People are hard-working and tough and main occupation is

Agriculture as well as Horticulture and rearing of sheep and goat

for their livelihood is declining. The holdings are small, marginal

and large. The number of people with large holdings very few.

The field are situated on hilly slopes in terraces and flat fields are

rarely met with. Main agriculture crops are wheat, paddy,

Barley, Maize, Millets including potatoes and peas in some areas,

in most of the areas people have resorted to apple orchards. In

the lower elevation the people have raised stone fruits orchards

like Almonds and Plum (Sentaroza). Due to change of climate

the land use pattern is being changed day by day. The

population is generally scattered over villages and in small

hamlets. People live in houses generally made of wood in two



storeys; the ground floor is used to keep animals and cattle while

the upper storey is used for the family members as dwelling

place. The houses are not spacious enough for the members of

the family. In the areas where stone of good quality is available

used to make walls along with timber. In areas where slates are

available with in economical distances used for roofs, other-wise

timber planks are used as roof cover especially in the interior

and far flung areas. In some areas CGI sheets used for roofing.

With the easy availability of building material like bricks, cement,

iron etc. the construction pattern has undergone a sea change.

Modern RCC houses are a common sight in place of old

dwellings. The people are religious and have a blind faith in the

local deities. Rampur Bushahr is the main town on Satluj River

situated on National Highway 22. The road approaches in the

area National Highway 22, Nogli – Taklech – Dandol – Deothi –

Kareri, Rampur – Shingla -Shaneri – Dansa, Rampur – Kinnoo ,

Jeori – Sarahan, Nigulseri – Taranda, Plingi – Nichar - Bari. The

Old Hindustan Tibbet road which was approach to Kinnaur is a

bridle path from Daran Ghati – Sarahan – Chaura – Taranda –

Nichar still exists. At some places it is not usable and few places

converted into motor able road. The path can be improved for

use for adventure tracking. Most of the migratory graziers of

Kinnaur and lower Bushahr area use this route for migrating their

Sheep & Goats to lower areas. The road construction and other

construction works like quarries, Erection of high tension (HT)

towers have chocked most of the nalas and destroyed the good

plantation areas carrying huge silt to Satluj River. One of the

example of the same is Broni Khad at Jhakri. High tension

current flow causing disturbance to the lives of the inhabitants of

the area.

The Flora and Fauna:

Vegetation/Forests:

DIstribution of various forest types is mainly between the

altitude of 700m to 3600m in these areas. Beyond the altitude

of 3600m, the area is mainly covered with bushes, scrubs and

alpine pastures. The ground flora presents a panaroma of

species with the receding of winter and onset of monsoon the

summer blooming of vast variety of flower presents a

picturesque view of the area. The Forest types and the

vegetation found in the area are as under: -(Kotgarh/ Rampur

working Plan) Sq, Sn Sp(15/20 Sarahan range)

Sub Group 5B/C2 Northern mixed deciduous forests:

This type of forest is found above Rampur about 40 kms

upstream of the river Satluj and its tributaries, scattered in

patches or in strips, below Chirpine (1200) on the banks of the

streams as well as river Satluj. The forests are largely of the

scrub type but the quality improves slightly in depressions and in

shades and grooves formed by the river. On the southern

aspect it goes up to 500 m. On the alluvial soil, Sissoo occurs in

good patches. The important tree species are Lannea grandi,

Cedrela toona, Bouhinia variegat, Albizzia lebbek, A. procera.

The Under growth consists of Desmodium tiliafolium, Rhus

cotinus, Mallotus phillipinensis Plectranthus rugosus, Colebrookia

oppositifolia ,Woodfordia floribunda, Rubus ellipticus, Adhatoda

vesica, Zizyphus nunnularia, Elcholtzia polystachia, Berberis

species, Myrsine Africana, Climbers :Rosa moschata, Clematis

montana, Hedera helix. The herbs are Cannabis sativa,

Girardiana



heterophylla Ssccharum spontaneun -Kash. Euphorbia royaleana

occurs in cliffson the hotter aspect but limit distribution.

Important species are Bombax cieba, Dalbergia sissoo, Sapindus

mukorossii,Bombax cieba.

Sub group 5/IS2 Khair-Sissu Forest:

This type of forest is restricted along the river Satluj. Forests are

found on gravely and sandy loam soil. Accacia catechu is

conspicuous by its absence through out the tract and the crop

comprises of , open to very open Dalbergia sissoo,with fairly

dense shrubby undergrowth of Adhatoda vesica, Zizyphus

nunnularia, Elcholtzia polystachia , Arundodonax is very common

.while Ssccharum spontaneun –Kash occurs only on the exposed

sandy soils.

Sub-group 9/c 1 Himalayan Sub-tropical pine forest:

This type occurs between 1000m to 2000m elevation,

overlapping the tropical dry mixed deciduous forests on lower

and giving way to temperate forests above. ThE Principal species

is Pinus roxburghii which occurs in pure and gregarious form

constitutes stable sub climax due to biotic factors. The crop is

generally irregular and mature trees are few and widely

scattered.Where pure quartzite formation occurs, as noticeable

near Pashada, Brawni and Badhal, the crop improves in quality

and stocking. Admixture of other species occurs along the upper

limits as well as along the lower streams and damp ravines. The

associates are Quercus leuco-tricho-phera,, Rhododendron

arboretum , Lyonia ovalifolia and associational trees of Cornus

species and Albizzia. Procera. The associates may occur either in

light admixture or occasionally form an understory in pure

forests. Pinus wallichiana makes its appearance in the upper

most reaches and is some times found extending in to Chil

Brawni Forests C-55.A peculiar association where Spruce going

down along Chil and Kail also seen.

Under open stands of Chil Pistacia integerima is common as a

low squat tree amongst a fairly dense growth of Woodfordia

floribunda, Rhus cotinus, Desmodium tiliafolium, Rubus ellipticus

and occasional plants of Lillium thomosonianium in heavy grass

clumps. Higher up and under a more regular canopy bush

growth is lesser in extentand here Desmodium species, Berberis

species Myrsine Africana, Indigophera pulchella and Cotoneaster

bacillarisis are found with Plectranthus rugosus and other

species of composite family as the common herb such as

Frageria vesica etc.

Group 12 Himalayan Moist temperate forests:

The type extends wet zone track between the Chil pine forests

below and the alpine formation higher up with altitudinal

donation between 1500m to 3300mthese limits varying distinctly

according to aspect, configuration of ground and the drainage.

The chief characteristic of this type is the extensive development

of the coniferous forests with little admixture of broad

leaved.species.In these forests deciduous shrubby undergrowth

is always present Evergreen shrubs such as Sarcococca saligna,

Skimmia laureola are usually met with Strobilabthes species

occur gregariously over considerable areas .Climbers of

temperate zone Rosa moschata Clematis Montana and Hedera

helix are frequent. Arundinaaria falcate forms extensive brakes.



Sub group 12/C 1a Ban Oak forest:

Quercus leucoco trichofera is the common oak of the moiust zone

between 1500m to 2100m , common companion of the blue pine

, deodar , spruce , Pure Ban oak forests occurs in sheltered belt

in Nogli valley and Machadda vallaey , Ahar , and in Narenti

block. Chief associates are Rhododendron arboretum , Lyonia

ovalifolia with some Machilus odoratissima, Litsea corymbrosa ,

Cedrella serrata ,Cornus species , Carpinus viminea , Acer

pictum, Aesculus indica in damp ravines. There is good deal of

shrubby undergrowth chiefly Berberis lyceum , Indigofera

gerardiana Sarcococca saligna , Daphne papyracea Desmodium

tiliafolium Myrsine africana , Prinsepia utilis, Spiraea canescens ,

Lonicera quinquelocularis, Viburmun species, Rubus species.

Sub group 12/C 1b Mohru oak forest. Q. himalayana:

These type of forests are in small patches abve the Ban forests

2100m to 2500Mand more mesophytic type . There is great

admixture such as Cedrella serrata ,Acer pictum ,Rhus semialata

, Aesculus indica , Prunus corunata ,Pyrus pashia , Juglans

regiaetc This formation merges with Kharshu oak in the upper

reaches . The crop is irregular with a preponderance of over

mature trees and deficient of regeneration this type met within

Comptt. 63 (a to h ) namely Marau, Dhua-Rua , Jlabhai dhar

,Kabai dhar ,Deoridhar , Runpu , Bangi saran ,Dhara DPF in the

Manglad catchment , all along the valleys of Suga, Ganvi, and

Kut.

Sub group 12 DSI/Ic Moist Deodar Forest:

Cedrus deodara this type between 1800m to 2400m but may go

a little lower down in depressions or nallas and cooler aspect and

higher up on the hot aspect . Deodar is poorly represented in the

heavy rainfall zone of the Manglad catchment and areas

adjoining Sarahan where it generally clings to rocky ridges. Here

a few small patches occur on well drained rocky grounds as in C-

59 Gopalpurand C-61 Dofda . The undergrowth consists of

Viburnum foetens and Indigofera pulchella , Rosa species

,Jasminum species .

Sub group 12 DSI/Id Western mixed coniferous forests:

This type as mixed conifers but also includes pure spruce and

spruce and silver types and mixed Deodar, Kail and spruce

forests above pure deodar forests at altitudes 2400m – 3000m

or more. High level blue pine is found both in and above it and

the fir- oak mixture above it. Commercially important mixture of

coniferous trees often of very fine growth such as spruce ,

deodars , blue pine and silver fir with a varying amount of

evergreen and deciduous B L undergrowth in strips or patches

like Aesculus indica , Corylus colurna , Juglans regia, Prunus

corunata etc.



Sub group 12 DSI/Ie Moist temperate deciduous forests:

The coldest aspects and all re-entrants and ravine bottoms of the

spruce belt between 2100m to 3000m are entirely occupied by a

rich mixture of broad leaved species to the exclusion of

coniferous except scattered spruce and a very occasional

deodar.The oaks are only occasional member of this types, which

is commonly known in Bushahr as Thach (grazing land) owing to

the richness of the shrubby growth and the quantity of lopping,

which the mixed broad leaved species provide. The common

trees are Acer pictum, A. Caesium, Pyrus pashia, Lyonia

ovalifolia, Rhododendron arboretum, Rhus cotinus,

R,punjabensis, Celtis australis, Corylus colurna, Aesculus indica,

Alder, Walnut, Birdcherry, Populus ciliate and less commonly the

Box wood, Ash and Yew. The shrubby growth is a mixture of

Skimmia laureola, Cotoneaster, bacillaris : Deutizia corym bosa,

Viburnum foetens, Lonicera quinquelocularis, Litsea species etc.

Herb growth is poorly eeveloped except in a few rather

specialized types of canopy e.g. a dense growth of Chaerophyllus

reflexum under a pure stand of Pyrus pashas, Galium species.

Rubia Speccies, Salvia Species, Voila species, Adiantum fern

under a pure stand of Horsechestnut and under the very dense

growth of the Corylus and Pyrus stands a herb growth of Viola

species and Ainliana species instead of shrubs.

Sub Group 12 DSI/If Low level blue pine forest (Pinus

wallichiana):

The blue pine is second only to deodar in its importance as a

commercial timber, and it accompanies the deodar throughout

the whole field of the letter’s distribution. The blue pine has two

altitudinal zones which are well defined although the specie is

quite common on intermediate grounds between these two

habitats. The low level from, depending on a moderately good

monsoon rainfall and northern aspect is well developed in Shimla

hills and lower Bushahr. The high level type is dependent on a

heavy and long lying winter snowfall and is confined to upper

forest limits in the inner hills. This species is a wonderful

colonizer and has established itself over large areas during the

last 100 years. Of all the large trees species of the moist zone,

the blue pine is undoubtedly nearest to deodar in its ecological

requirements and in its love for a warm well drained soil. Hence,

deodar is following blue pine and establishing itself in ever

increasing number in this belt assisted, of course, by judicious

thinning and cleanings under the working plan prescriptions.

Sub Group 12/DS 1 Oak scrub:

This serial type occurs near habitations between 1500m to

2200m elevation and covers mostly UPFs where heavy lopping

and browsing as well as unregulated fellings for fuel and

agricultural implements have reduced oaks to low, stunted,



unsound and bushy trees often of coppice origin. Mostly ban and

mohru areas are in this state but some kharsu areas along

Narenti, Narkanda and Baghi ridge have also been reduced tol

scrub state due to heavy lopping by villagers and gujjars.

Rhododendron arborium and Lyonia ovalifolia are common

associates, while undergrowth consists of thorny and unplantable

bushes of Berberis lyceum, Prinsepia utilis,Rosa macrophylla R.

moschata, Rubus niveus, Spiraea lindleyana, Sacrococca, saligna

Wikstroemia canescens, Salvia glutinosa etc., regeneration of

oaks is almost absent due to heavy pressure of grazing,

browsing, lopping and unrestricted fellings for fuel etc. These

areas are getting gradually denuded.

Sub Group 12/C 2 Upper west Himalayan temperate forests:

(i) 12/C 2a Kharsu oak forests (Quercus semecarpifolia):

This type generally occure between 2400m to 3400m

elevation and is met with along Narenti Narkanda dhar, Hatu

ridge and form fairly extensive belts from Baghi to Moral

Kanda and along Daranghatti Hansbeshan Ridge, Swalar etc.

These Kharsu Oak forests are slowly gaining importance on

account of their demand for various commercial use. Kharsu

seeds well and generates easily as compared to other oaks.

It finds good expression on the Southern aspects at the top

of the Ridges in a belt of pure forests. In their upper

reaches, the dense oak forests end abruptly at the edge of

alpine pasture. On other exposures in Sarahan range, this

oak descends down the nallas and depressions and occurs as

scattered trees or in large pure groups amongst the open

silver fir stands, other trees of second storey being Betula

utilis, B. alnoides and Texus baccata. This mixture advance

towards the higher regions into the alpine pastures rather

than the pure Kharsu does. The herbaceous cover is usually

coarse and consists of the following species:- Anaphalis

species, Frageria vesca, Primula denticulate, Caultheria

trichophylla, Saxifraga lingulata etc. The common climbers

are Schizandra grandiflora and Vitis semicordata.

(ii) 12/C West Himalayan upper oak/fir forests:

This type occurs between 2500m to 3300m elevation especially

on the Northern aspects and sheltered sites. Te forests are

covered with snow for several months in the winters. Abies

pindrow and A. spectabilis the low and the high level silver fir

together form a high level forest belt throughout the wet zone

with much the same distribution as the spruce.Kharsu oak,

forms a belt of pure forest ob the southern aspects in the main

and side Valleys of Sutlej in the wet zone between 2500m to

3400m to the complete exclusion of the silver fir, the dense oak

forest stopping abruptly at the edge of the alpine grass lands.

On the exposures in pandrabis of Sarahan range this oak occurs

as a scattered trees or in large pure groups amongst the open

silver fir stands, other trees of second storey being species of

Betula alnoides, B.utilis, Euonymus tingens, Texus baccata. The

mixture goes up the hill much higher into the alpine pasture

than the pure Kharsu does. I this type, silver fir, regenerates

itself freely whenever the Oak and other broad leaved trees

from a light under storey in the fir forests. Excellent examples

of this may be observed in fir forests along the upper ridges in

the Ganwi, Suga, Kut and Manglad Valleys of this area.



Sub-group 12/C 1/DS 2 Himalayan temperate Secondary scrub,

Thach Parkland:

This serial type occurs mostly between 2400m to 3600m

elevation for more in the Mohru, Kharsu and Fir forests and is

the result of heavy grazing, lopping and fires which have thinned

out the forest to a varying degree, destroyed all under growth

except for patches of inedible species and reduced the shrubby

ground cover to a grassy turf. The thach consists of an open

park like land with scattered usually mature mis-shaped and

after moribund trees standing over a grassy tur full of flowers in

springs, The common tree at such places are of Birdcherry, Acer

and Kharsu. These thaches are heavily grazed year after year by

enormous flock of sheep and goats. Due to thick humus deposits

and luxuriant weed growth, the regeneration of fir and other

broadleaved is not coming up at all and the ground is being

replaced by grassy turf. Examples of this may be seen in all

over the wet zone less rarely in dry and arid tracts e.g. in Gaura,

Manglad forests of Sarahan range, Narenti, Khudlu, Jammunda,

DPFs of Kumarsain range and forest numbers 18-C4 (Punan),

20-C 1 to C 4 (Kungal Munder), 21, (Bahali), 22 (Bai) and 23

(Andela ) of Nogli range are typical examples of this type.

Group 14 Sub-alpine Forests: Sub-group 14/C 1 West Himalayan

sub-alpine birch/fir forests (Betula/Abies):-

This type occurs above 3000m elevation and extends upto

3400m. It comprises of mostly Undemarcated protected forests

and upper fringes of forests No. 30 (C-8) Sharan Jarashi, 35 Kuki

Darkali and 36 Dibridansa of Nogli range and Hatu DPFs. The

principal species in this type are kharsu oak mixed with

scatterrred fir and Maple and occasional Betula utilis along upper

limits. Amongst under growth, Viburnum foetens, Rosa serecia,

Cotonbeaster acuminate are commonly found. Medicinal herbs

like Aconitum heterophyllum (Patis) Gentiana kuroo (Karu) etc.

occur in this type. Large flocks of local sheep and goats graze in

these areas during summer months.

Group 15 Moist alpine scrub:

This type occurs from 3300m to the limit of tree growth at

3900m. It consists of evergreen scrubby growth, usually upto

1m high forming a dense cover over big patches broken by

grass. Outlying patches of alpine forests, the colonies of the

large Rhododndron campanulatum some times, occur in this

zone. The shrub species are Salix elegans, Lonicera parviflora,

Polygonum vaccinifolium. Herbs are Aconitum heterophyllum

(Dhoop) and Gentiana Karoo (Karu).

15/C 1 Birch/Rhododendron Scrub forests: This forms the upper

limit of alpine forest and occurs as patches of varied size in this

sheltered sites and usually on northern and western aspects.

The Rhododendrons with its various species occur as a dense

mat in which Betula utilis, Salix elegans, etc. occur in varying

proportions. The whole mass of vegetation is well adapted to

stand heavy snow. The common shrubs are Salix elegans,

Cotoneaster microphylla, Lonicera parviflora & herbs are

Patontilla species, Primula denticulate, Aconitum heterophyllum

etc.



Fauna:

The main Wild Life species found in the area are:-

Animals:

Panther or Leopard, Leopard Cat, Snow Leopard, Himalayan

black bear, Brown bear, Himalayan fox, Wolf, Common

mongoose, Yellow throated marten, Himalayan weasel,

Himalayan thar jemlahicus, Blue sheep, Himalayan Ibex, Ghoral,

Seraw, Barking dear, Musk deer, Porcupine, Common house rat,

Squirrel, House mouse, Monkey, Common Langoor, Gray Musk

Shrew, Horse shoe bat.

Birds:

Cheer Pheasant, Jungle Fowl, White crested Koklas Monal

Pheasant, Tragopan, Common quail, Mountain quail, Bush quail,

Chakor Partridge, Black partridge, Wood partridge, Sno cock,

Bustard quail, Black breasted quail.

Non Timber forest Produce:

The area is very rich in medicinal plants so far not much

scientific efforts have been made to preserved and propagate

the minor forest produce. This is especially important when

we are importing drugs from abroad worth crores of rupees

every year. Not only this but even to enable the expanding

pharmaceutical industry in the country to put in the

maximum output meeting the public demands, it is most

essential that utmost attention is given to the production of

raw materials for the industry at home. The information that

follows is thus primarily concerned with the collection,

exploitation and export etc, problem of the medicinal wealth

of the area. Commonly used or economically extracted

medicinal herbs and plants occurring naturally are Patis,

Kashmal, Kala zira, Seski, Shingli Mingli, Karoo, Bankakri,

Somlata, Dhop, Mushkbala, Kuth, Charita, Banafsha, Mitha

Khanor, Khanor, Brahmi, Diar, etc.

Documents

Vol 12 - Working plan extract