Scientific Study of Floral Diversity in Mining Regions of Keonjhar District, Odisha

Abstract

The environment comprises of animal kingdom as well as the plant kingdom. Components of both of these kingdoms are interdependent on each other, directly or indirectly. Also, each kingdom comprises of a variety of individuals in them. These lead to the biodiversity that sustains the ecosystem and thus maintains the ecological balance. This study is carried out to understand the floral diversity of the proposed mining region of Sarkunda Reserve Forest of Keonjhar district in Odisha, India. Data obtained from a year-long on-site survey led us to gathering an idea about the different species of plants found there. From the enumerated and documented data, the species diversity indices and species richness have been calculated. Also, study of the relationship between human beings and plants, termed as “Ethnobotanical studies” has been carried out in order to properly understand the significance of the floral diversity on the environment. With the advent of human civilization, mining has become indispensible. But mining activities come with their share of effects on the environment. Study of floral diversity of the proposed region was also required in order to find out suitable mitigation measures to curb the loss in biodiversity incurred due to the mining activities.