Floral diversity of Baanganga Wetland, Uttarakhand, India.

Abstract

Baanganga wetland, a 45 km long channel originates near Bishenpur and flows in Idrishpur-Chakheri forestblock of Haridwar district in Uttarakhand, India represents riverine ecosystem. The study area harbors many islands,varying in shape and size, which remains underwater during the rainy season and provide a good habitat to various planttaxa, birds (resident as well as migratory) and animals mainly Swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli duvauceli), a criticallyendangered species and Hog deer (Axis procinus). To asses the status and distribution of flora, trips were conducted inthe intensive study area. The plants were classified based on their habit and their presence was visually observed. Atotal of 178 plant species were recorded, of which 40 species (hydrophytes) were found in aquatic habitat, 122 specieson moist shores and 117 species in upland habitat. Phragmites karka, Polygonum barbatum, Ipomoea carnea, and Typhaelephantina were the most common species in all the habitats. The majority of plants (40) are from Indian orientalregion. The moist shore and upland habitats had maximum similarity (64 %) followed by aquatic and moist shore (26%) habitats. The status of flora and management of Baanganga wetland ecosystem has been discussed in the paper.