FLORISTIC STUDY OF THE NANDANKANAN SANCTUARY, ORISSA, INDIA.

 Sanjeet Kumar

Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar

Abstract

The present paper deals with the Floristic enumerations of Nandankanan sanctuary, is a small protected area of Orissa, India.The survey reveals that are about 230 genera, which indicates the diversity and richness of plants having great medicinal value.

Introduction

The protected areas have vital role to play in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It has been now realized that an inventory of plants occurring in any given area is absolutely necessary. The importance of Nandankanan sanctuary is due to the unique moist deciduous forests. Situated in Cuttack district of Orissa, covers 437 ha. Nandankanan sanctuary was established in August 1979 for the conservation and breeding of Gharial and white tiger associated floral and faunal diversity at Latitude of 20 24 15 N and Longitude of 85 49 30 E, 40 meters above MSL. Amidst the lush green chandka forests and along the banks of the Kanjia Lake lies Nandankanan, a beautiful park that got its name from “Nandan Van” meaning the “Garden of the gods”. This park established on 29 December 1960.is set in beautiful natural setting, and is one of the finest parks in Orissa. In august 1979, the park, together with the lake and botanical garden covering an area of 437 ha has declared as a sanctuary. Nandankanan is the first zoo in the country to get a tax exemption under section 80G of Income Tax Act. Though the adoption scheme has earlier been launched in different zoos across the country but the response was poor due to lack of such incentives .The State Botanical Garden spread over 173 acres, is situated in the sylvan settings of the moist deciduous forest of the sprawling green Nandankanan Sanctuary hemmed between two wetlands. It was established in the year 1963, on the edge of bustling capital city of Bhubaneswar at a distance of 18 kilometers, this is one of the pioneering conservation and nature education center of the state. The botanical garden is sure to provide green enthusiasts with memorable experiences.

Vegetation

The sanctuary belongs to Moist deciduous forest which is rich of ground vegetation and climbers along with tree and aquatic plants.polygonum species and christella dentate are the the predominant element of the aquatic vegetation.

Table 1.: - Dominant genera of flowering plants.

Name of Genera	Number of Species
Ipomia	6
Sida	5
Barleria	3
Lagerstromia	3
commelina	4
Bauhinia	2
Ficus	6
Acacia	4
Terminalia	4

Table 1. Seven  most dominant families of flowering plants.

Name of family	Number of species
Asteraceae	10
Fabaceae	13
Convulvulaceae	10
Malvaceae	11
Apocynaceae	12
Acanthaceae	7

Discussion

Floral wealth is eroding at a rapidly due to climate change, habitat loss, invasion of exotic and other factors. Singh & Khurana(2002) reported that about 25 % of the higher plant species are decades and another 25 % may be lost by the end of 21^st century .The present paper communicates the species of Flora of Nandan Kanan sanctuary. The field survey of sanctuary reveals the rich floral diversity.