Comparative Study of Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) Regeneration in Assisted and Non-assisted Natural Regeneration Forests of Kumaun Himalaya, India

The present study compares the regeneration status of Sal forests under Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) and non-ANR conditions in the Kumaun Himalaya, a region where such a comparative analysis has not been conducted previously. Tree stages were classified into three categories based on diameter at breast height (DBH): adults (DBH > 5 cm), saplings (DBH < 5 cm), and seedlings (DBH < 1 cm). The results show that ANR has a hierarchical structure of seedlings > saplings> adults, indicating good regeneration and recruitment. Conversely, non-ANR shows fair regeneration, characterized by seedlings being the most abundant followed by adults, and saplings being the least abundant (seedlings > adults > saplings). The results highlight the importance of ANR practices in promoting Sal regeneration.