Role of Sacred Groves in Tree Diversity Conservation in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Botany
Abstract
Study about the role of Sacred Groves in tree diversity, both native and planted
species, conservation was conducted in Pashupati and Bajrabarahi Sacred Groves of
Kathmandu valley, in the central middle hill physiographic region of Nepal. Study
sites contain centuries old sacred groves preserved due to strong religious and sociocultural
practices and belief systems. The study was conducted to analyze the
community structure and carbon stock in tree canopy and to assess regeneration status
and threats to determine the conservation and values of sacred groves. Concentric
Circular Plots with radius of 20 m prepared along eight and four parallel transects in
Pashupati and Bajrabarahi Sacred Groves were used to get information on tree and
soil characteristics and forest disturbances. Structured questionnaires were used to
collect local perceptions about the role of Sacred Grove in biodiversity conservation.
From the phyto-sociological assessment three types of forest in Pashupati Sacred
Grove and only one forest type was identified from Bajrabarahi Sacred Grove. In
Pashupati Sacred Grove, 13 plant families with 17 mature tree species were recorded
and 12 families with 18 mature tree species were identified from Bajrabarahi Sacred
Grove. Both groves shared nine common families and ten common tree species with
similarity indices 72% for families and 57% for tree species. Bajrabarahi Sacred
Grove incorporated more developed forest community with mature trees and less
number of stems (432 ha
-1
) and higher crown cover percent (90.8%) than that of
Pashupati Sacred Grove. Tree species of Pashupati Sacred Grove were more diverse
(diversity index = 1.91) and more evenly distributed (evenness = 0.67) than
Bajrabarahi Sacred Grove. Trees of both study sites contains 1014.23 tons of average
Carbon stock and CO2
3.7 mt. The highest amount of Carbon stock (622.09 t) and
CO2
(2.28 mt) was reported in the trees of Quercus-Myrsine forest and the lowest
Carbon stock (113.98 t) and CO2
(0.42 mt) in the trees of Schima-Pyrus forest of
Pashupati Sacred Grove. The regeneration status of tree species in Pashupati was
good and that found fair in Bajrabarahi Sacred Grove. Based on Disturbance Index the
disturbance statuses of study area were identified as undisturbed, least disturbed,
moderately disturbed and highly disturbed. The soil was found acidic in both groves;
nitrogen content was low in Pashupati and medium in Bajrabarahi. The organic matter content was in medium range and potassium and phosphorus content were found very
high in the soil of both groves. Local people perceived the objective to establish
sacred grove was for biodiversity conservation. The forest was found more protected
in Bajrabarahi and less conserved in Pashupati. Local perception towards the
conservation of sacred groves was optimistic and stakeholders realizing the positive
role of local faiths and belief system toward conservation. As a pioneer concept of the
participatory biodiversity conservation model, government needs to provide priority
for the sacred grove conservation.
Description
Keywords
Biodiversity conservation, Sacred groves