FLORA STUDY OF VINDHYA REGION FOREST OF MIRZAPUR DISTRICT AT DEVRIKALA Shiv Narayan Yadav1, Varsha2, Kumud Dubey3, D. Singh4, S.Parveen5 and S.Rout6 1,2,4Department of Environmental Science, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur- 208024, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA 3Centre for Social Forestry and Eco-rehabilitation, (Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education), Allahabad-211002, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA 5,6College of Forestry, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology & Sciences, Allahabad-211007, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA Abstract The present investigation was undertaken to study the flora of Vindhya region natural forest of Mirzapur at Devrikala". The study revealed that a total of 1078 plant (77 Trees, 894 Herbs, 107 Shrubs) belonging to 17 families were recorded. Dominant families are Poaceae (Herb) (208), Asteraceae (shrub) (29), Burseraceae (tree) (16). The soil of the region was slightly acidic. The soil pH of the region was 6.36 which is near about neutral point (7.0).This is a preliminary observation however, it is recommended to initiate the activities, such as an inventory of useful species, habitat characteristics, identification of potential species for various economic uses and formulation and implementation of a plan of action taking consideration of the needs of people and sustainable management of the protected forest. Key words: Dominant, flora, shrubs, tree. I. INTRODUCTION Mirzapur is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for its carpet and brassware industries. The city is surrounded by several hills and is the headquarters of Mirzapur District and is famous for the holy shrine of Vindhyanchal. It has many waterfalls and natural spots. It was once the largest district in India. Mirzapur lies between the parallels of 23.520&25.320North latitude and 82.70 and 83.330 East longitude. It forms a portion of the Varanasi Division. This District is bounded by the Varanasi district, Sonbhadra district, Allahabad district, and also touch the boundary of Madhya Pradesh. It’s about 13 Km in the north east where the Ganga separates the Tehsil of Chunar from the district of Varanasi, and Mirzapur a natural frontier. According to Central Statistical organization of Mirzapur had an area of 4521 Sq.Km. The land in the district is mostly uneven. The landscape is dotted with hills, mountains, plateaus, waterfalls and rivers. The Vindhya mountains range rises in Mirzapur and extends to the south west. The most beautiful waterfalls in the district are at Tanda, Wildham, Khadanja, Sirsi etc. Ganga and Belan are the two major rivers flowing through the district. The soil is generally red and the terrain generally sedimentary rock found in the district. The district has 4, 50,169 hectares geographical area. The total forest cover of the Mirzapur district is 109236 hectare. Which is 24% of the total geographical area. The trees like Tendu, Mahua, Siddh, Parsiddh, Ashan, Dhaun, Palas, Neem, etc. are found. Mirzapur’s climate is subtropical. The Vindhya Range has a dense forest cover [1]. The most important forest produce is Tendu leaves. Stone mines are found in many blocks of the district. The soil varies from black, sandy loam and red lateritic soil. So keeping in view the importance of the study in this paper we DOI:10.22623/IJAPSA.2018.4005.MFFMB Page 26 International Journal of Applied and Pure Science and Agriculture (IJAPSA) Volume 04, Issue 1, [January- 2018] e-ISSN: 2394-5532, p-ISSN: 2394-823X have assessed the floral diversity, plant species composition and soil type of Vindhya region Natural Forest of district Mirzapur at Devrikala for the conservation strategy. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS Description of the Study area The Vindhya region of Uttar Pradesh lies between 820 E & 830 23’ longitude and 220 45’ N & 240 34’ N latitude. The forest of Vindhya region is tropical dry deciduous type. The rainfall varies from 1200-3720 mm in July-August. Floristic composition To access the floristic composition of the vegetated site, the vegetation survey using quadrat method, extensive field survey in area was carried out during the study period. The Vegetation survey using quadrats method was conducted during the month of May-July, 2015, sizes of quadrats 1×1m, 5×5m and 10×10m were laid randomly for recording herbs, shrubs, and tree vegetation respectively[2]. All trees ≥ 5 cm diameter at breast height (dbh = 1.37 m from ground) were recorded in each quadrat. Voucher specimens of plant species were collected from studied forests and identified from herbarium of regional flora. Soil collection and preparation of soil sample The surface of the soil is scraped by Phawraah or Spade. The weeds or surface litter were removed by khurpi. A ‘V-shaped’ pit is dug by Phawraah up to the required depth i.e. 0 to15 cm in vindhyan region natural forest of Mirzapur at Devrikala. Then, the slices of one to two cm thickness are removed from lighter one side or both side of the pit. The entire soil sample is collected in a container; soil sample from all spot is collected during May to July 2015 and mixed. Now the resultant soil sample is called composite soil sample. In order to assess the pH and soil moisture in the soil. Soil samples were air-dried and processed as per standard methods in the laboratory. Stones and plant fragments were removed from forest soil by passing the dried grounded soil samples through a 2mm sieve. All the samples were then stored in a polythene container and kept ready for analysis [1] with labels and laboratory analysis of soil samples in three replications was carried out during May-July, 2015. Determination of soil pH pH of the soil is determined by a pH meter[3]. Determination of Soil moisture Water content or moisture content is the quantity of water contained in a material, such as soil called soil moisture, Moisture is one of the most important properties of soil. Soil moisture content was determined using gravimetric method (oven-drying method). III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A total 1078 plant (77 Trees, 894 Herbs, 107 Shrubs) belonging to 17 families were encountered in the Devrikala forest of Vindhyan region of Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. It was revealed that there were total 77 trees found in all five Quadrates. 16 trees of Boswellia serrata commonly known as Salai, family Burseraceae, 12 trees of Butea monosperma commonly known as Palash, family Fabaceae, 12 trees of Diospyros melonoxylon commonly known as Tendu, family Ebenaceae, 9 trees of Acacia catechu commonly known as Khair, family Leguminosae, 10 trees of Lagerstromia parviflora commonly known as Asiddh, family Lythreceae, 3 trees of Azadirachta indica commonly known as Neem, family Meliaceae, 6 trees of Madhuca longifolia commonly known as Mahua, family Spotaceae and 9 trees of Acacia nilotica commonly known as Babool, family Mimosaceae (Table.1). From table 2 it was revealed that there were total 177 shrubs found in all five Quadrates. 28 shrubs of Nyctanthes arbor tristis commonly known as Parijat, family Oleaceae, 26 shrub of Sida cordifolia @IJAPSA-2018, All rights Reserved Page 27 International Journal of Applied and Pure Science and Agriculture (IJAPSA) Volume 04, Issue 1, [January- 2018] e-ISSN: 2394-5532, p-ISSN: 2394-823X commonly as Bariyarai, family Malvaceae, 9 shrubs of Abrus precatorious commonly known as Gumchi, family Fabaceae, 15 shrubs of Cocculus hirsutus commonly known as Jamiti ki bel, family Permaceae and 29 shrub of Bernonia cinerea commonly known as Sahdevi, family Asteraceae. In case of herbs there were total 894 herbs found in all 5 Quadrates. 139 Herb of Tridex procumbens commonly known as Musbhari, family Asteraceae, 208 Herb of Cynodon dactylon commonly known as Dub, family Poaceae, 120 Shrub of Phyllanthus nirnuri commonly known as Jarrmala, family Phylanthaceae, 105 Shrub of Evolvulus alsinoides commonly known as Neeli sankhpushpi, family Convovulaceae, 88 Shrub of Cannabis sativa commonly known as Bhang, family Cannabaceae, 115 Shrub of Tribulus terrestris commonly known as Gokhuru, family Zygophyllaceae and 119 Shrub of Solanum xanthocarpum commonly known as Katai, family Solenaceae (Table.3).The soil sample of the study site shows pH 6.46 and are acidic in nature and soil moisture (2.72). The plant species found in the forest have been reported to be good indicator of its conservation condition as well as of the effect of dstrubances and management practices on such conservation [4]. Regarding pH many authors have reported higher values of plant diversity at higher soil pH, values [5]. In addition, soil pH is known to affect many enzymes activities involved in mineralization of essential nutrients [6]. It was concluded that higher values of plant richness and diversity results in greater habitat, such as inventory of useful species, habitat characteristics, identification of potential species for various economic uses and formulation and implementation of the plan of action taking consideration of the needs of people and sustainable management of the protected forest. BIBLIOGRAPHY [1] Singh,A.K., Gupta,A., Anil,K.G.2008. Alectra parasitica var. chitrakutensis: A rare traditional remedy for lucoderma and virility in Chitrukaut region of Uttar Pradesh. Ethnobotany.20:154-156. [2] Misra, R.1968. Ecology work book. Oxford and IBH publishing company, Calcutta. [3] APHA.2011. Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater. 20th Edn., American Public Health Association, Washington D. C., New York. [4] Kneeshaw, D.D., Leduc, A., Drapeau, P., Cauthier, S., Pare, D., Carignan, R., Doucet, R., Bouthillier, L., Messier, C. 2000. Development of integrated ecological standarts of sustainable forest management at an operational scale. Forestry Chronicle. 76: 481–493. [5] Pa¨rtel, M., Helm, A., Ingerpuu, N., U¨lle, R., Tuvi, E.2004. Conservation of northern European plant diversity: the correspondence with soil pH. Biological Conservation 120: 525–531.