Assessment of herbaceous biomass: A study in Rowghat mining areas of Chhattisgarh, India

We studied Rowghat sites of Chhattisgarh, India, with the objective to assess herbaceous layer composition, biomass and to prepare management implications for conservation of ecologically sensitive species in mined areas. Ten sites (Anjrel, Khodgaon, Khadkagaon, Takrel, Rav Dongri, Tarhur, Godenmar Dongri, Parmad Dongri, Bhusujkun Dongri and Bedhiyar Nala) were selected for the study. We randomly placed quadrats of 1x1 m size in each site. A sum of 36 species distributed in 15 families were encountered in Rowghat mining site. The total density of all herbs was highest (724000) in Bhusujkun Dongri followed by Khadkagaon (678000), Rav Dongri (662000) and lowest was recorded from Godenmar Dongri (502000). The density of herbs across the study area ranged from 9,000 (D. ciliaris) to 2,50,000 (S. viridis) in the areas of Tarhur and Bediyar Nala. The herb species were unevenly distributed across mined areas. The Chlorophytum tuberosum and Cassia tora were recorded only from Tarkel and Godenmar Dongri sites, respectively. The total belowground biomass ranged between 0.097 t/ha in Godenmar Dongri to 0.18 t/ha in Rav Dongri. An ecological approach is must to restore the collieries. Protection of ecologically sensitive herbs is necessary. Prolonged ban on mining activity in Rowghat forest area is needed to restore degraded forest