Phyto-sociological Assessment of Sacred Groves in Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Phyto-sociological studies were conducted in Bajrabarahi and Pashupati Sacred Groves of Kathmandu, Nepal for the comparative analysis of tree species diversity in the year 2012-2013. Concentric circular plots with radius of 20m were used to collect necessary information along four and eight parallel transects in Bajrabarahi and Pashupati Sacred Groves, respectively. Similarity Index showed that more than 57% tree species are shared by both the groves whereas Maturity Index showed that Bajrabarahi Sacred Grove has more mature trees (33.9) than Pashupati Scared Grove (26). Based on Importance Value Index three different forest types, namely - Schima-Pyrus, Myrsine-Persea and Quercus-Myrsine, were identified in Pashupati Sacred Grove whereas, Bajrabarahi Sacred Grove incorporated only one forest type of Neolitsea cuipala. The Shannon-Weiner Species Diversity Index, Evenness and number of tree species of Pashupati Sacred Grove was higher than that of Bajrabarahi Sacred Grove, whereas the canopy coverage of Bajrabarahi Sacred Grove was higher than Pashupati Sacred Grove. Local community initiations are more effective management system than the government management system for tree diversity conservation, in sacred groves of Kathmandu.