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ID: 61130
Title: Prediction of Rain in Bihar, India, Based on Historical Rain Data.
Author: Anand M.Sharan
Editor: Professor V. Subramanian
Year: 2015
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution.vol.12 (3). 59-64 (2015).
Subject: Water, Environment and Pollution.
Keywords: Monsoon rain prediction, annual rainfall, rainfall frequency spectrum, El Nino and La Nina influence on rainfall, drought and famine, crop failure.
Abstract: In this work the prediction of rain is based on average of three methods. In these methods, historical rain data of Bihar are selected for projection. These methods take into account the trends in rain pattern also. The predicted results are quite close to the actual rain data for the year 2013. Based on this success, the forecast was made in December 2013 for the year 2014. This prediction was checked on September 1, 2014, and it was found that the predicted and the actual rainfall data for June, July and August of 2014 were close. The advantage of this approach is that it gives farmers far more time than they get presently when preliminary predictions are announced by India Meteorological Department in April for each monsoon.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Amartya Sen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengal_famine_of_1943. Delsole, T. and J.Shukla (2012) .Climate Models Produce Skillful Predictions of Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall.Geophys.Res.Lett, 39 (9).
Literature cited 2: Frequency Domain Using Excel, http://online.sfsu.edu/jtai/downloads/ENGR %20302/Excel.FFT.pdf. Gadgil, S.and J.Srinivasan (2012).Monsoon Prediction: Are Dynamical Models Getting Better Than Statistical Models? Current Science, 103 (3)

ID: 61129
Title: The Garden Foggara of Timimoun (Algeria): The decline of Hydarulic Heritage.
Author: Remini Boualem, Albergel Jean, and Achour Bachir.
Editor: Professor V. Subramanian
Year: 2015
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution.vol.12 (3). 51-57 (2015).
Subject: Water, Environment and Pollution.
Keywords: Foggara, garden, oasis, timimoun, water.
Abstract: The foggara has been used for centuries for irrigating gardens of the Timimoun oasis. The most famous foggara in the region is one that collects water from the Continental Intercalary aquifer (classic foggara). We conducted five missions (2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014) in the Timimoun oasis to another foggara that is less studied. It is a small foggara that collects water seepage and leakage of water from the classic foggara. Not exceeding the 1500 metres in length, this foggara is located in the gardens. We call it the garden foggara. In 2010, of the seven foggaras (operating) recorded, the Zahzaa foggara is the only one remaining and is operating at a low discharge. But in 2012, this foggara has dried.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Abdel Rahman, H.A. and A. Omezzine (1996).Aflaj water resources management: Tradable water rights to improve irrigation productivity in Oman. Water International, 21 (2): 70-75. Al Gharfi, A., Inoue T. and N. Tetuaki (2003).Irrigation scheduling of Aflaj of Oman. In: Desertification. afar Adeel (ed), Sustainable Management of Marginal dry Lands.
Literature cited 2: Al Marshudi, A.S. (2001).Traditional irrigated agriculture in Oman: Operation and management of the aflaj system. Water International, 26 (2): 259-264. Al Marshudi, A.S. (2007).The Falaj Irrigation System and water allocation markets in northern Oman. Agricultural Water Management, 91:71-77.

ID: 61128
Title: Extraction of Fluoride from Polluted Waters Using Low-cost Active Carbon Derived from Stems of Acalypha indica Plant.
Author: M.Suneetha, B.Syama Sundar and K.Ravindhranath.
Editor: Professor V. Subramanian
Year: 2015
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution.vol.12 (3). 33-49 (2015).
Subject: Water, Environment and Pollution.
Keywords: Activated carbon, adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics, application, batch mode studies, fluoride removal, stems of Acalypha indica plant, surface characterization.
Abstract: Batch mode adsorption experiments have been conducted successfully for the removal of fluoride from polluted waters with nitric acid active carbon derived from stems of Acalypha indica plant (NAcIC). The effect of various parameters such as pH, sorbent dosage, agitation time, initial concentration of fluoride, temperature, particle size and presence of foreign ions have been studied in detail and optimized for the maximum extraction of fluoride. Adsorption data have been modeled using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms and it has been observed that Langmuir isotherm well describes the experimental data because of RL and highest R2 values. Further, the Dubinin-Radushkevich mean free energy (E=3.16 kJ/mol) and Temkin heat of sorption (B=0.210 J/mol) for the NAciC indicates the physisorption. Further, the adsorption kinetics is found to be seudo-second order rate mechanism followed by pseudo-first order, intra particle diffusion, pore diffusion and Elovich model. FTIR, SEM and EDX studies confirm the fluoride binding ability of adsorbent. Field studies have been carried out with the fluoride-contaminated groundwater samples in order to test the suitability of the NAcIC using the same methodology at field conditions and it is found to be remarkably successful.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Adhikary, S.K., Tipins, U.K., Harkare, W.P. and K.P. Govindan (1989). Defluoridation during desalination of brackish water by electrodialysis. Desalination, 71: 301-312. Aharoni, C. M.Ungarish (1977).Kinetics of activated chemisorptions. Part 2, Theoretical models. Journal of the Chemical Society, Faraday Transactions 1: Physical Chemistry in Condensed Phases, 7 (3): 456-464.
Literature cited 2: Alagumuthu, G. and M.Rajan (2010).Kinetic and equilibrium studies on fluoride removal by zirconium (IV) - impregnated ground nutshell carbon.Hemijska Industrija, 64 (4): 295-304. Alagumuthu, G., Veeraputhiran, V. and R. Venkataraman (2011).Fluoride sorption using Cynodon dactylon based activated carbon.Hemijska Industrija, 65 (1): 23-35.

ID: 61127
Title: Equilibrium Partioning Approach to Define Sediment Quality Guideline of Some Metals in Chao Phraya Estuary, Thailand.
Author: Thanakorn Jiwarungrueangkul, Sirichai Dharmavanij, Penjai Sompongchaiyakul and Narumol Kornkanitnan.
Editor: Professor V. Subramanian
Year: 2015
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution.vol.12 (3). 23-31(2015).
Subject: Water, Environment and Pollution.
Keywords: Sediment quality guideline, equilibrium portioning approach, metal, Chao Phraya estuary.
Abstract: This study aim to define numerical sediment quality guideline (SQG) based on equilibrium portioning approach that represents availability of metal in estuarine sediment. The labile-phase metal was used in calculating the partition coefficient caused by remobilization of this fraction in the sediment-interstitial water system as a result of changing physicochemical condition in sediment. In addition, the metal bound with sulphide fraction was taken into account in calculating the SQG since this fraction is potentially available to interstitial water when oxidation process occurs in anoxic sediment. The SQG values for Chao Phraya estuarine sediment for cadmium, copper, lead and zinc were found in the range of 1.2-3.1, 7-105, 23-86 and 16-125 mg/kg dry weight in <63 ?m fraction and CaCO3 free basis, respectively. However, in order to support the calculated SQG value, toxicity test for metal using the same sediment should be further studied.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Allen, H.E. (1993).The significance of trace metal speciation for water, sediment and soil quality criteria and standards. The Science of the Total Environment, 134: 23-45. Allen, H.E., Fu, G., Boothman, W., Ditoro, D.M. and J.D. Mahony (1991).Determination of volatile sulfide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEMs) in sediment. EPA-821-R-91-100.Office of Research and Development Washington, DC.
Literature cited 2: Ankley, G.T., Thomas, N.A., Di Toro, D.M., Hansen, D.J., Mahony, J.D., Berry, W.J., Swartz, R.C., Hoke, R.A., Wayne Garrison, A., Allen, H.E. and C.S.Zarba (1994). Assessing potential bioavailability of metals in sediments: A proposed approach. Environmental Management, 18 (3): 331-337. Beuselinck, L., Govers, G., Poesen, J., Degraer, G. and L. Froyen (1998). Grain-size analysis by laser diffractometry: Comparison with the sieve-pipette method. Catena, 32: 193-208.

ID: 61126
Title: Studies on Ambient Air Quality Status of Kolhapur City, Maharashtra, India during Year
Author: S.B.Mangalekar, A.S.Jadhav and P.D.Raut.
Editor: Professor V. Subramanian
Year: 2015
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution.vol.12 (3). 15-22(2015).
Subject: Water, Environment and Pollution.
Keywords: SO2 and NOx, RSPM, air quality index (AQI), air pollutants.
Abstract: Air pollution is an emerging public health problem in developing countries. Urban activities create more pollution in comparison to rural activities. This paper assesses the ambient air quality status in urban residential area of Kolhapur city. Three sites viz. Shivaji University (SU), Dabholkar Corner (DC) and Mahadwar Road (MR) were selected to spotlight an overview of the total air quality of this region under Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) sponsored National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Project (NAAQM).The air quality was assessed based on measuring four air pollutants namely sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) and Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM).From these three areas, two areas viz., Dabholkar Corner (DC) and Mahadwar Road (MR), the average concentrations of RSPM and SPM exceeded the prescribed limits of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), New Delhi. The average concentrations of air pollutants at Dabholkar Corner and Mahadwar Road areas were higher than that of Shivaji University area. Apart from this the SO2 and NOx levels in all three areas remain under prescribed limits of CPCB, New Delhi. The average AQI of Dabholkar Corner and Mahadwar Road areas were found higher than the Shivaji University area. The AQI found to be less during rainy season (June to August).As per AQI calculated, the areas viz. Dabholkar Corner and Mahadwar Road have severe air pollution whereas the area Shivaji University has moderate air pollution.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Ali, M. and M. Athar (2008).Air pollution due to traffic, air quality monitoring along three sections of National Highway N-5, Pakistan. Environ Monit Assess, 136:220. Barman, S.C., Kumar, N., Singh, R., Kisku, G.C., Khan, A.H., Kidwai, M.M., Murthy, R.C., Negi, M.P.S., Pandey, P., Verma, A.K., Jain, G. and S.K. Bhargava (2010).
Literature cited 2: Bhuyan, P.K., Samantry, P. and S.P. Rout (2010).Ambient Air Quality Status in Choudwar Area of Cuttack District. International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 1 (3): 343. Binder, R.E., Mitchell, C.A., Hosein, H.R. and A. Bouhyus (1976).Importance of the indoor environment in the air pollution exposure. Arc. Environ. Health, 31: 277-279.

ID: 61125
Title: Noise-induced Hearing Loss among Traffic Policemen in the City of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Author: Nandika S.Nagodawithana, Arunasalam Pathmeswaran, Ananda S. Pannila, Ananda R.Wickramasinghe and Nalini Sathiakumar.
Editor: Professor V. Subramanian
Year: 2015
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution.vol.12 (3). 9-14 (2015).
Subject: Water, Environment and Pollution.
Keywords: Noise-induced hearing loss, traffic policemen, Colombo, Srilanka.
Abstract: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is high frequency sensory-neural hearing loss and exposure to traffic noise by traffic policemen makes them susceptible to develop NIHL. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of NIHL among traffic policemen in the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka. A cross sectional study was carried out using 350 traffic policemen who are working in the city at least six months of duration. Pure-tone audiometry test and interviewer-administered questionnaire were used to assess hearing and correlates of NIHL, respectively. The chi-square test and logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between risk factors and NIHL. 287 policemen attended pure-tone audiometry test to check their hearing. Of 287 subjects, the prevalence of NIHL was found in 118 policemen (41 %, 95 % CI: 36 %-47 %). Of those with any type of NIHL, 33 % (39/118) had major NIHL while 67 % (79/118) had minor NIHL.In bivariate analysis 23 variables showed statistically significant association with mild and major NIHL. Multivariate logistic regression modeling found statistically significant association between ?duration of employment as a policeman? and any type of NIHL (OR=1.007; 95 % CI=1.005-1.009), adjusted for 23 variables including age. The prevalence of NIHL among traffic policemen in the city was high. Of those with any type of NIHL, one-third had major NIHL. Traffic policemen should undergo periodic hearing assessment. The police department should explore the feasibility of reducing the number of hours per day spent on the road by traffic policemen.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Anon (2014).CDC-Noise and Hearing loss Prevention-NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topics. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/[Accessed March 20, 2015]. Anon (1997).Prevention of noise induced hearing loss, Geneva. Available at: http://www.who.int/pbd/deafness/en/noise.pdf.
Literature cited 2: Azizi, M.H. (2010).Occupational noise induced hearing loss. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 1 (3): 116-123. Berglun, B., Lindval, T.and D.H.Schwela (eds) (1999).Guidelines for Community Noise. World Health Organization, Geneva. Available at: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/1999/a68672.pdf.

ID: 61124
Title: Water Consumption Patterns in Greater Kuala Lumpur: Potential for Reduction.
Author: Md.Azizul Bari, Rawshan Ara Begum, Nithiyananthan Nesaduyrai and Joy Jacqueline Pereira.
Editor: Professor V. Subramanian
Year: 2015
Publisher: Capital Publishing Company.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution.vol.12 (3). 1-7 (2015).
Subject: Water, Environment and Pollution.
Keywords: Residential water, consumption pattern, reduction, Greater Kuala Lumpur.
Abstract: This study analyses residential water consumption data from Greater Kuala Lumpur obtained through a questionnaire-based survey. The data was analyzed by simple statistical analysis and Pearson Correlation Coefficient Analysis to find out the relationship between water consumption and socio-economic variables. The study found that per capita water consumption in the Greater Kuala Lumpur was 288 litres per day with a standard deviation of 73.9.The results indicated water consumption strongly varied by using different water equipments (such as low shower head, dual flush etc.) among the surveyed households. There was a positive significant relationship between water consumption and household size. The study also found a huge potential for water consumption reduction with the use of efficient water consuming equipment which specify 33 %, 29 % and 36 % reduction by using low shower head, dual flush toilet and stopping a running tap respectively. The study provides an insight option for decision makers and civil society into the patterns of residential water consumption and the potential to reduce it.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Amin, M.A., Mahmud., Hosen,S.and M.A.Islam (2011).Domestic water consumption patterns in a village in Bangladesh.4th Annual Paper Meet and 1st Civil Engineering Congress,Dhaka,Bangladesh.ISBN: 978-984-33-4363-5. Bailey, R.J., Jolly, P.K. and R.F.Lacey (1986).Domestic water use patterns. Technical Report.No.225, Water Research Centre, Medmenham, U.K.
Literature cited 2: Bengtsson, M., Aramaki, T., Otaki, M.and Y.Otaki (2005).Learning from the future -What shifting trends in developed countries may imply for urban water systems in developing countries. Water Supply, 5: 121-127. Bathroom Manufactures Association (2010).The Voice of the Bathroom Industry, Bathroom Manufactures Association. Access date: 21.10.2013.http://www.bathroomassociation.org/press.asp?ID=179

ID: 61123
Title: New records of two seed insects pests, Bracon fletcheri silvestri and ophiorrhabad sp. in Syzgium travancoricum Gamble. A critically endangered tree species of the southern Western Ghats.
Author: A.Hussain and C.Anilkumar.
Editor: Kunal Satyarthi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 141 (6) 693-696 (2015)
Subject: The Indian Forester.
Keywords: Bracon fletcheri, Ophiorrhabad, Syzygium travancorirum, Seed insects pests, Southern Western Ghats.
Abstract: Bracon fletcheri and Ophiorrhabad sp. are the two major seed pests, which mainly prevent the natural prevent the natural regeneration of the Syzygium travancorium Gamble. The infestation of these pests destroys 65 % of the total seeds in both immature and mature stages in their natural habitat. Infections in the mature fruits can be effectively controlled by the application of 36 % of monochrotophos solution (10 ml/1 litre of water.)
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Beeson C.F.C. (1941). The ecology and Control of Forests Insects of India and Neighboring Countries.Rep.1961.Govt of India Publication.1007 pp. IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of threatened species. Version 2012.2www.iucnredlist.org Downloaded on 11 April 2013.
Literature cited 2: Jose P.A., Mohanan N. and Hussain A. (2008).New Record of seed pest, Cryptorrhynchus indicus Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Humboldtia vahilian Wight .Indian Forester, 116 (1): 63-70. Manivannan S., Nagaveni H.C. and Sundararaj R. (2010).Insects infesting the seeds of Syzygium malabaricum (Bedd.) Gamble, an endemic tree of Southern Western Ghats. Indian Journal of Forestry, 33: 351-353.

ID: 61122
Title: Occurrence, Damage, colour morphism and natural enemies of Monolepta longitarsus jacoby (coleopteran: Chrysomellidae), A defoliating pest of cashew.
Author: K.Vanitha, P.S.Bhat, T.N. Ravi Prasad and K.K.Srukumar.
Editor: Kunal Satyarthi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 141 (6) 687-692 (2015)
Subject: The Indian Forester.
Keywords: Chrysomelid beetle, Cashew, Shoot damage, Pruning, Colour morphism.
Abstract: The present study aimed at investigating the occurrence, damage pattern and natural enemies of chrysomelid beetle Monolepta longitarsus Jacoby (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera).Occurrence of the beetle was noticed in cashew plantations at Puttur and Shantigodu, Dakshina Kannada of Karnataka, India during 2012 and 2013. These beetles appeared immediately in large numbers after south-west monsoon showers (June) and infestation was continued on cashew, up to August. Dispersal of this pest did not follow a consistent pattern. Beetles in groups of 60-75 were capable of causing complete drying of cashew shoots within 2-3 days and thus the damage spread was fast. Four different colour morphs of beetles were noticed, in which, reddish orange colour morphs were dominant (>60 %) throughout the observation period followed by black shouldered red and random mating was observed between all four colour morphs. A few species of reduviids and praying mantises were recorded as predators and Beauveria bassiana as entomopathogenic fungus of these beetles.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: AICRP-C (2012).All India Coordinated Research Project on Cashew, Annual report 2012-13.Puttur, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India. Published by DCR.81-82 p. DCR, (2014).Cashew News. Half yearly newsletter of Directorate of Cashew Research, Puttur.January-June 2014. 19(1):1
Literature cited 2: Fay H.A.C., Storey R.I., Defaveri S.G. and Brown J.D. (1993).Suppression of reproductive development and longevity in the red shouldered leaf beetle, Monolepta australis (Col:Chrysomelidae) by the Monoleptophaga caldwelli (Dipt).Entomophaga, 38 (3): 335-342. Honek A., Martinkova Z., Saska P. and Dixon A.F.G. (2012).Temporal variation in elytral colour polymorphism in Hippodamia variegate (Coleoptera : Coccinellidae). European Journal of Entomology, 109: 389-394.

ID: 61121
Title: Phyto-sociological analysis and regeneration status of monotypic, Endemic tree, Indopiptadenia Oudhensis in Utttarakhand.
Author: H.B.Naithani, D.P.Nautiyal and Ranjana Negi.
Editor: Kunal Satyarthi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 141 (6) 681-686 (2015)
Subject: The Indian Forester.
Keywords: Indopiptadenia, Monotypic, Endemic, Tree, Champawat.
Abstract: Indopiptadenia oudhensis is monotypic, endemic species to western Himalaya and endangered throughout the region. Phyto-sociological analysis of the trees, shrubs and herbs in Champawat Forest Division, Uttarakhand was done and density, diversity index, Importance Value Index etc. were determined for the sites. Higher number of individuals in lower girth classes indicates good regeneration status in the study area.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Biswas S.A.S. and Chandra S. (1997).Indopiptadenia oudhensis (Brandis) Brenan -An endangred tree legume of Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. Brandis D. (1874).The forest flora of NW & Central India: W. and H. Allenund Co.London.168.
Literature cited 2: Brenan J.P.M. (1955).Notes on Mimosoideae.Kew Bull., 2: 161-179. Brazier J.D. (1958). The anatomy of some timbers formerly included in Pipatedenia.Tropical woods No., 108: Pp. 46-64.

ID: 61120
Title: Indigenous knowledge of tribes on forest management: A case study in drought prone district of Andhra Pradesh.
Author: G.Sudha Rani.
Editor: Kunal Satyarthi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 141 (6) 674-680 (2015)
Subject: The Indian Forester.
Keywords: Aboriginals, Indigenous, Global hemorrhage, Documentation.
Abstract: Indigenous knowledge is a belief, a part of tradition, and an important part of the lives of the poor. It is formed due to close propinquity of the aboriginal communities to natural resources along with generation of experience in natural resource and management. This paper is an attempt to broaden the list of traditional practices available at the local level, and so strength such views in forestry management science. This knowledge could be an extremely useful tool not only in involving them in forest management and development programmes, but improving their general economic condition and ensuring the long-term sustainability of forest management in the area. The paper proceeds to suggest the ways and means to incorporate their knowledge in the current forest management strategies.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Bicker A., Sillitoe P. and Potlier J. (Eds) (2004): Development and local knowledge: New approaches to issues in Natural Resource Management, Conservation and Agriculture, Rutledge, London. GOI (2001), (Census of India), Government of India, 2001.
Literature cited 2: London, M. (1998): Bio-diversity conservation and Indigenous knowledge: Rethinking the Role of Anthropology. Indigenous knowledge and Development Monitor, 6 (1): 13-15. Misra K.K. (2005): Indigenous knowledge, Natural resource Management and Development- The Konda Reddi Experience. India Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya and Pratibha Prakashan, Delhi.

ID: 61119
Title: Sacred Groves Phulbani forest division of Odisha: Socio cultural elements and plant biodiversity.
Author: Manoj Kumar Behera and Tapas Ranjan Pradhan.
Editor: Kunal Satyarthi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 141 (6) 670-673 (2015)
Subject: The Indian Forester.
Keywords: Sacred Grove, Biodiversity conservation, Traditional management practices, Kondh tribe.
Abstract: The sacred groves in the phulbani Forest Division of Odisha were studied to understand the richness of plant biodiversity and traditional socio cultural elements of the local people. Sampling method was adopted to study the biodiversity and growth of trees followed by a question survey in the sacred grove areas with special interaction with the VSS and sacred grove committee members. Most of the sacred groves were named after the deity dwelling in the respective sacred groves. Trees like sal (Shorea robusta) and rohini (Somida febrifusa) are worshipped in the sacred places by the local people of the area. Apart from common festivals, Mati Yagna and Indra Yagna are also celebrated in the sacred grove areas of this division to obtain a good harvest and timely rain. It was found that various traditional customs associated with sacred groves were in practice by the Kondh tribe. From the sampling enumeration, it was confirmed that the sacred groves were rich in plant genetic diversity and were composed of many medicinally useful species, will edible fruits, fodder, fuel wood and timber yielding species. The Shannon Weiner Index of individual sacred groves was calculated for knowing the weightage of species by their frequencies.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Basu R. (2000).Studies on Sacred Groves and Taboos in Purulia District of West Bengal. Indian Forester, 126: 1309-1317. Boraih K.T., Vasudeva R., Shonil A.B. and Kushalapa C.G. (2003). Do informally managed sacred groves have higher richness and regeneration of medicinal plants than state-managed reserve forests? Current Science, 84: 804-808.
Literature cited 2: Basu R. (2000).Studies on Sacred Groves and Taboos in Purulia District of West Bengal. Indian Forester, 126: 1309-1317.

ID: 61118
Title: Medicinal plants diversity, indigenous uses and conservation status in Alaknanda valley of Western Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India.
Author: K.S. Kanwal and Hema Joshi.
Editor: Kunal Satyarthi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 141 (6) 660-669 (2015)
Subject: The Indian Forester.
Keywords: Traditional knowledge, Medicinal plants, Indigenous uses, Alaknanada Valley, Conservation.
Abstract: The present study deals with medicinal plants used in various traditional systems of medicine in Alaknanada valley of Uttarakhand. An ethnomedicinal survey was conducted during year 2008 to 2010 in various towns and villages of the Alaknanada valley. Information on ethnomedicinal importance of the plant species was collected through interviews and discussions with the local communities. A total of 98 plant species used for medicinal purposes were recorded during the intensive surveys. In most cases, the underground parts (roots/rhizomes/tubers) (22%) are used for medicinal purpose, followed by leaves (19 %), whole plant (17%), bark (11%), fruits (9%), flowers (8 %), stem (6%) and seeds (8%) of the plants. Maximum numbers of species were recorded from family Asteraceae (8 spp.), followed by Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, Renunculaceae (4 spp.each), Meliaceae, Pinaceae, Polygonaceae (3 spp.each). Some commercially important medicinal plant species are facing threat due to habitat degradation over exploitation and unsustainable harvesting in the study area.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Agrawal D.K., Lodhi M.S. and Panwar S., (2010). Are EIA studies sufficient for projected hydropower development in the Indian Himalayan region>? Current Science, 98:2, 25. Anon (1886-1970). Index Kewensis Planatarum Phanerogamarum.Vol. I, II and 15 Suppl. (Clarendron Press, Oxford).
Literature cited 2: Anon. (2003). State of the World ' s Forest, Food and Agricultural Organization. Anon. (2003). Conservation Assessment and Management Prioritization for the Medicinal Plants of Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal. Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions, Bangalore.

ID: 61117
Title: Assessment of plant diversity in Hollongapar Gibbon wildlife sanctuary, Assam, Northeast India.
Author: Moumita Sarkar and Ashalata Devi.
Editor: Kunal Satyarthi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 141 (6) 648-659 (2015)
Subject: The Indian Forester.
Keywords: Community structure, Conservation, Diversity, Phytosociology, Species.
Abstract: The quantitative analysis of plant diversity of semi evergreen forest of Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in upper Assam was investigated during 2010-2011 by random plot sampling method. A total of 202 plant species (75 trees, 23 shrubs, 85 herbs including herbaceous climbers, 9 lianas, 3 bamboos, 6 rattans and 1 palm) belonging to 169 genera and 87 families were recorded from the sanctuary. Vatica lanceaefolia Bl., a critically endangered species, emerged as the dominant tree species. The highest plant density and diversity were found in herbaceous species. Shannon-Wiener diversity index (1.93 to 3.81) and Simpson ' s index (0.05 to 0.17) were within the range reported for different Indian tropical forests which indicated that the sanctuary is a species diverse forest. Plant species diversity and their quantitative features recorded from the present study may provide baseline information for conservation and management strategies of the present forest.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Ashton P.S.(1964). A quantitative phytosociological technique applied to tropical mixed rain forest vegetation. Malaysian Forester, 27: 304-17. Ayyappan N.and Parthsarathy N. (2001). Composition, population structure and distribution of Dipterocarps in a tropical evergreen forest at Varagalaiar, Anamalais, Western Ghats, South India. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 13: 311-321.
Literature cited 2: Bhuyan P., Khan M.L. and Tripathi R.S. (2003). Tree diversity and population structure in undisturbed and human-impacted stands of tropical wet evergreen forest in Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalayas, India.Biodiversity and Conservation, 12: 1753-1773. Campbell D.G. (1994). Scale and patterns of community structure in Amazonian forests. In: Larger-scale ecology and conservation biology P.J.Edwards, R.M. May & N.R.Webb (ed). Blackwell Scientific, Oxford, pp. 179-197.

ID: 61116
Title: Preliminary experimental investigation on splitting of Bambusa polymorpha.
Author: Seema Bhatt, Rajesh Bhandari and Sneha Dobhal.
Editor: Kunal Satyarthi
Year: 2015
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 141 (6) 642-647 (2015)
Subject: The Indian Forester.
Keywords: Bombusa polymorpha, Splitting
Abstract: The study was investigated the splitting failure of Bambusa polymorpha through two testing methods: fracture test and edge bearing test. This is mainly done with an aim to generate preliminary data for studying splitting behaviour of Bambusa polymorpha. The fracture test appears to yield both reliable and accurate results, but so far only one geometry has been tested for split pin test. It has yet to be shown whether a change in the pin diameter, the culm diameter, or the size of the initial crack will have any effect on the stress intensity obtained. It is further proposed that selecting a pin diameter similar to that used for bolted connections may help to develop appropriate values for design. In edge bearing test there is no significant differences were found in considering specimen with different length. As the engineering interest in bamboo is recent, there are many areas still requiring further investigation. The fracture test appears to yield both reliable and accurate results, but so far only one geometry has been tested. In edge bearing test there is no significant differences were found in considering specimen with different length.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: 1: Amada (2001). Fracture properties of bamboo.Composites.Part B.engineering, 32: 451-459. Arce O. (1993).Fundamentals of the design of bamboo structures. Thesis, Eindhoven University, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, 281pp.
Literature cited 2: Kumar S. (1994). ?Bamboo Preservation Techniques: A Review.?International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, Beijing, China.