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Types of Palas Forest

The forests according to the species composition can be classified as below:

i. Broadleaved
ii. Blue pine
iii. Fir/Spruce
iii. MIxed Coniferous
iv. Deciduous
Broadleaved Forests

These forests occur in scattered patches from 3,500 to 6,000 feet elevation. The canopy is broken by cultivated fields on moderate slopes and nullahs. On northern aspects these forests occupy an altitudinal range up to 5,000 feet merging into dry sub-tropical forests below and coniferous forests in he upper reaches. The principal species are xerophytic evergreen Oak Quercus baloot, associated by Deodar Cedrus deodara, Olive Olea cuspidata, Acacia Acacia modesta Gurgura Monotheca buxifolia, Pomegranate Pumica granatum, Adhatoda vassica, Zizyphus nummularia and Amlok Diospyros lotous

Undergrowth is generally by Daphane oleoides, Berberis lycium, Dodonea viscosa and various types of grasses. Regeneration of oak is unsatisfactory due to unrestricted felling, loping and browsing of trees. Back to Top
Blue pine Forests

Blue Pine is the dominant species on North-Western aspects of Kolai and Batera forests at an altitude ranging from 5500 to 9000 feet. Pine forests are subjected to heavy felling and encroachment for cultivation. The slopes are generally moderate with deep soil. On cooler aspects at higher altitudes, Fir and Spruce get mixed with Pine. The crop is mostly middle-aged although all age classes are found.

The broadleaved associates are Aesculus indica, Quercus ilex, Acer caesium, Jugluns regia and Prunus padus. Undergrowth consists of Vibernum nervosum, Berberis lycium, lndigofera spp., Cotoneaster bacillaris, Lonicera spp, Rossa spp. and Parrotia jacquemontiana.

Regeneration of Blue Pine in remote areas is satisfactory while in areas adjoining to habitations it is scanty or absent due to illicit cuttings and heavy grazing pressure. Back to Top

 

 
 

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      Fir/Spruce Forests  
The forests occupy few compartments in Bela/Kolai and most of the area in Musha’ga at an altitude varying from 7,000 to 10,500 feet. Fir is the dominant species and tends to purity on Northern aspects at higher altitudes. Scattered Blue Pine trees are found at higher altitudes. The crop is generally mature to over-mature lacking young age classes. The forests are in the form of patches separated by nullahs. Considerable damage to crop is caused due to snow creeping and avalanches. Dry standing trees are not uncommon.

Regeneration of fir is inadequate, which may be attributed to the thick layer of litter and non-manipulation of the crop canopy. Many fir saplings die due to constant overhead shade. Spruce regeneration comes vigorously on favourable sites.

The major associates are Birch Betula utilis, Walnut Jugluns regia Oak Quercus sp., Maple Acer caesium), Horse chestnut Aesculus indica, Bird Cherry Prunus padus, Amlok Diospryus lotous and Populus cilata. Undergrowth consists of Vibernum spp., Parrotopsis sp. Rosa sp. and Prunus sp.Back to Top
Mixed Coniferous
Spruce, Fir and Blue Pine
The forests are composed of varying mixture of some or all the four major species depending upon aspect and altitude. These forests occur mostly in Sheryal and Musha’ga valleys. The exposed southern aspects contain a mixture of Blue Pine/Deodar in lower reaches and Blue Pine/Spruce on higher altitudes. Northern aspects are covered by Fir and Spruce with Deodar at lower elevations due to local variation of aspect and Pine at higher altitudes. The canopy is broken by nullahs and large patches of broadleaves. Fir and Spruce trees are mostly mature to over-mature. Blue Pine in upper and reaches is in stunted form and over-mature. The forests occupy an elevation zone ranging from 1,820 to 2,880 meters. Regeneration of Fir and Spruce is hampered either due to thick humus layer and profuse growth of shrubs or heavy grazing pressure. Blue Pine regeneration is profuse on favourable sites and is the coloniser species on sites where Fir and Spruce have been removed. Deodar regeneration is inadequate and found on southern aspects in lower reaches only.

Walnut Juglans regia, Oak Quercus sp., Maple Acer caesium, Horse Chestnut Aesculus indica, Bird Cherry Prunus padus, Amlok Diospryus lotous, Popular Poplus celiata, Birch Betula utilis, Parrotia Parratopsis iacouemontiana and Yew Taxus baccata are major associates.

Predominantly undergrowth, according to order of occurrence, comprises of Vibernum nervosum, Indigofera sp. Rosa sp. Berberis lycium, Artimisia maritima, and Cotoneaster bacillaris.Back to Top
Deciduous Forests

Sub-tropical broad-leaved deciduous forest is found at lower elevation along the Indus river and lower reaches of Palas valley. The main species includes Acacia modesta, Olea ferruginea, Zizyphus sativa, and Quercuss baloot. Scattered trees of Fraxinus can also been seen at bottom of the valley.

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