Ecological Status and Socio-Cultural Significance of Sem Mukhem Temple Landscape in Garhwal Himalaya, India

The present study was an attempt to access the ecological status and influence of the socio-cultural heritage/ deities on conservation of Sem Mukhem temple landscape. The study reported 99 plant species representing 85 genera under 49 families. The recorded flora includes 23 tree, 34 shrub and 42 herb species. The species like Quercus floribunda, Quercus leucotrichophora, Berberis asiatica, Berberis aristata, Perilla frutescens and Achyranthes bidentata were dominant among different life forms. The Shannon and Simpsons diversity indices recorded for tree layer was (2.42) and (0.13) whereas for shrubs it was (3.24) and (0.05) respectively. Contagious pattern of distribution was observed for all the tree, shrub and herb species. Out of 23 tree species, 18 species were found at saplings stage, whereas only 11 showed survival at seedling stage. The temple located in the landscape is of Lord Krishna and different myths do exist among the surrounding communities. This landscape has preserved the socio-cultural heritage of the region and has kept intact local rituals in spite of growing modern culture, urbanization and other developmental activities around the region.