International Science Community Association International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences 2319 - 1414 6 1 2017 01 22 Impact of plantation on Iron Ore Mined Overburden at Durg in Chhattisgarh, India 1 12 EN Verma Poonam 1 Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur, India Singh Sanjay 2 Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur, India Verma R.K. 3 Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur, India > Research Paper 2016 5 15 2017 01 22 Impact of tree plantation at iron ore mined spoils was studied in central India including analysis of pH, electric conductivity, organic matter, available N, P, K exchangeable Mg, Ca and trace elements. It was observed that physicochemical properties of soil gradually improved along with the plant age and the concentration of trace elements decreased. Difference in species composition was observed on the overburden of different ages. A total of 72 species (excluding 27 planted tree species) comprising of 16 trees, 10 shrubs, 3 climbers, 10 grasses and 33 herbs were recorded growing naturally on mine spoil dump soil. Highest species richness was recorded on three year old dump where 60 species of herbs, shrubs and trees were recorded coming naturally. These plants have higher tolerance to unfavorable soil conditions and are mostly xerophytic in nature. On three year old dump Lantana camara (invasive species) was absent. Grass cover decreased with increase in age of overburden and it was lowest on 7 year old dump. Three invasive species, Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata and Hyptis suaveolens present on overburden dump. Echinochloa colona, Euphorbia hirta, Gomphrena sp., Indigofera linnaei and Portulaca oleracea occurred commonly at all the sites. Among planted species maximum survival was observed in Albizia lebbeck followed by Cassia fistula, Cassia siamea, Dalbergia sissoo, while minimum survival was recorded in Delonix regia, Eugenia jambolana, Gmelina arboria, Tectona grandis after 9 years of plantation. Effect of plantation on eco-restoration of mine degraded land was studied and physicochemical properties of overburden soil were compared with the native soil. The results showed that pH, EC, organic carbon, NPK were lowest in fresh dumps and increases with age, and highest value for this parameter was recorded in soil sample of 9 year old plantation. The present study helps in understanding the future scope of plantation for eco-restoration of mine overburden soil. Copyright@ International Science Community Association