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Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus (banj oak) has a great importance in sustaining the livelihoods
of the people, regulating the ecosystem services (mainly recharge of springs) and maintaining
biodiversity in the central Himalayan region. The objective of the present study was to determine the
regeneration status of Q. leucotrichophora in Nainital forest division of central Himalayan region.
To assess the regeneration status, two contrasting aspects were selected. At each aspect, two patches
were identified and in each patch complete enumeration was carried out for forest tree species. The
regeneration was categorised into three categories on the basis of height. Q. leucotrichophora
seedling density ranged between 5.2 and 20.3 ha-1. The failure of banj oak to regenerate in the
Nainital catchment is a case of environmental semi-surprise. Presence of regeneration in the shade
of boulders and small shrubs in the canopy gaps of over-wood suggest that this oak requires canopy
gaps for regeneration. Chronic anthropogenic disturbances, early seed maturation, prolonged
drought because of delay in winter rainfall and premature seed fall influenced by wild animals could
be the reasons for low regeneration. We hypothesized that rise in temperature and resultant
enhanced evapo-transpiration desiccates the seed more rapidly in the soil seed banks due to global
temperature rise. Therefore, we conclude that if immediate measures are not taken for the
conservation of this important species, Q. leucotrichophora may disappear from its natural
elevational range in near future.
Keyword: Oak; regeneration; density; evapo-transpiration; conservation