Vol. 9, Special Issue 10, Part X (2025)

The present study was undertaken in the Central Indian landscape of Chilphi Range of Kawardha Forest Division, Chhattisgarh to assess the rich floristic composition and plant diversity of the region. Field surveys were conducted during the year 2024-2025 across four cardinal zones (north, south, east, and west) and quadrats of size 10 x 10 m for trees, 5 x 5 m for shrubs and 1 x 1 m for herbs were laid. A total of 63 plant species belonging to 58 genera and 34 families were documented, comprising 28 tree species, 15 shrub species, and 20 herb species. Tree density varied from 710 to 980 stems ha⁻¹, while basal area ranged between 42.10 and 48.69 m² ha⁻¹, with Shorea robusta emerging as the most dominant species in three of the four zones. Shrub density ranged from 1440 to 2480 individuals ha⁻¹, dominated by Vernonia divergens, Colebrookea oppositifolia, and Phoenix acaulis, whereas the herb layer (57,000-87,000 individuals ha⁻¹) showed spatial heterogeneity with Pogostemon benghalensis, Elephantopus scaber, and Curculigo orchioides as dominant species. Diversity analysis revealed significant inter-zonal variation, with the highest tree and shrub diversity in the East and West zones, while the North zone showed the lowest tree diversity (Shannon Index: 1.43) and highest dominance. High beta diversity values confirmed substantial species turnover across the landscape. The findings underscore the ecological significance and complex mosaic structure of the Chilphi Range, providing a crucial baseline for conservation planning and sustainable management.