Vegetation analysis in chora and joyalbhanga forest area of Raniganj coal field, West Bengal, India

The Chora and Joyalbhanga area is famous for coal mining under Raniganj Coal Field (RCF), West Bengal. These two sites have also known for dense forest. Mining operation has seriously harmed the vegetation and the overall ecosystem of these areas. During the current investigation, 22 species from 15 families were reported at the two sampling locations. Highest and lowest total density values were recorded for Pongamia pinnata and Streblus asper in Chora whereas, Azadirachta indica and Aegle marmelos in Joyalbhanga. Streblus asper and Aegle marmelos were the two dominant tree species in Chora and Joyalbhanga respectively in terms of IVI (34.39 and 38.13 respectively) though in both the wasteland herb and shrub species were more dominant tree species.Agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) analysis indicates the relationship among all species in the study area. It was apparent from the study that clumped type of distribution in both the study sites were prevalent. The phytosociological lists additionally showed the impact of mining activity on the vegetation structure of the mining areas. The study suggested that Streblus asper and, Aegle marmelos Croton bonplandianus Setaria glauca Clerodendrum infortunatum Tephrosia purpuria could be utilized in reclamation process due to their high frequency and higher regeneration capability. The study highlighted the fact that the resulting vegetation assessment might be used as a relevant means of predicting the appropriateness of specific species to revegetate the mined locations.