Phytosociological Assessment and Diversity of Herbaceous Vegetation in Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhattisgarh, India

Gomarda wildlife sanctuary is situated in the Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district of Chhattisgarh, India. The area is covered with tropical mixed deciduous vegetation. The present study was carried out in five sampling sites viz. Chantipali, Manjarmati, Bhatakona, Tendudhar and Gomarda to investigate the phytosociological parameters to determine the distribution and diversity of herb species in the sanctuary. The maximum IVI indicated the greater distribution of species like Oplismenus burmanni (Retz.) P. Beauv. in Chantipali and Manjarmati, Heteropogon contortus(L) P.Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. in Bhatakona and Gomarda, Scleriatessellata Willd. in Tendudhar and the minimum IVI showed the scarce distribution of herbal species like Cajanus scarabaeoides(L) Thouars, Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br. and Stylosantheshamata (L.) Taub. in Chantipali, Hemionitis tenuifolia (Burm.f.) Christenh. in Manjarmati and Bhatakona, Cissampelos pareira L. in Tendudhar and Gomarda. The maximum value of herbal diversity (Shannon-Wiener index) was (3.36) in Manjarmati and minimum (1.31) in Chantipali. The study revealed the presence of 66 herb species belonging to 52 genera and 25 families.