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ID: 66745
Title: Recent Advances in Techniques, Methods and Policy Frameworks to Combat Forest Degradation under Climate Change
Author: Sukirti, Shikha Chandola, Rajendra Kumar Meena, Maneesh S. Bhandari, Santan Bharthwal, Manisha Thapliyal
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2026
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 152 (6A) June 26 Pg No. 99-108 (2026)
Subject: Recent Advances in Techniques, Methods and Policy Frameworks to Combat Forest Degradation under Climate Change
Keywords: Forest degradation, Climate change, Remote sensing, Climatesmart forestry, REDD+, Ecosystem restoration, Conservation genetics.
Abstract: Degradation of forests, marked by a slow but continuous deterioration of forest structure, diversity, and ecosystem functioning, is now regarded as an important environmental concern in light of the ongoing climate change. Forest degradation differs from deforestation in that it occurs gradually but still makes major contributions to global carbon emissions and ecological disturbance. Innovations in monitoring methods, ecological restoration techniques, and policies are among the ways to tackle this problem. This paper presents current trends in the areas of remote sensing, LiDAR, artificial intelligence, genomic assessments, and adaptive management, like climate-smart forestry and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation, in the field of forest conservation. In addition, policies such as the REDD+ mechanism, national forest policy, and carbon financing are explored along with some illustrative examples from around the world and India. It is seen that although there have been significant advances in technology, which help with detection and predictive analytics in the field of forest management, the actual process of mitigation needs proper policy-making and active involvement of local communities as well as region-specific approaches.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Aitken S.N. and Whitlock M.C. (2013). Assisted gene flow to facilitate local adaptation to climate change. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 44: 367–388. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110512-135747 Anamaghi S., Khorchani M., Fares S. and Corona P. (2025). Research efforts and gaps in the assessment of forest system resilience to natural or human-induced disturbances. Environmental Research Communications, 7(2): 022001. https:// doi.org/ 10.1088/ 2515-7620/adabc1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/adb130
Literature cited 2: Anderegg W.R., Kane J.M. and Anderegg L.D. (2013). Consequences of widespread tree mortality triggered by drought and temperature stress. Nature climate change, 3(1): 30-36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1635 Bastos A., Friedlingstein P., Sitch S., Chen C., Mialon A., Wigneron J. P., Knox S., Wang Y., Nabel J.E.M.S. and others. (2023). Impacts of climate extremes and land-use change on terrestrial carbon dynamics. Nature Reviews Earth and Environment, 4(2): 84–99. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017022-00369-5

ID: 66744
Title: Ecological Niche modelling for Predicting Suitable Habitat for Conservation of Vulnerable Tree Species Buchnania lanzan (Spreng.) in Degraded Ecosystem of Vindhya region of Uttar Pradesh, India
Author: Kaushal Singh, Swetendra K. Trigunayat, Arbind Gupta, Rajeev Umrao, Vivek Vaishnav, Manish Kumar Singh
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2026
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 152 (6A) June 26 Pg No. 83-98 (2026)
Subject: Ecological Niche modelling for Predicting Suitable Habitat for Conservation of Vulnerable Tree Species Buchnania lanzan (Spreng.) in Degraded Ecosystem of Vindhya region of Uttar Pradesh, India
Keywords: Ecological niche, Conservation, Climate change, Vindhya region.
Abstract: A study was carried out to predict the future distribution range of Chironji (Buchanania lanzan) and characterization of ecological niche in the degraded ecosystem of Vindhya region of Uttar Pradesh. Two different ecological niche models (BioClim and MaxEnt) were applied to determine future species distribution ranges and identify limiting bioclimatic variables for real occurrence data of 57 locations. The GeoCAT and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) were used to find out the population size and topography. Results of the study showed soil pH varied from 6.46 to 7.92, Nitrogen from low (213 kg/ha) to medium (389 kg/ha), Phosphorus was medium (13.50-22.50 kg/ha), and Potassium low (84 kg/ha) to high (662 kg/ha), with 210m to 520m elevation and population size 4.515km2 (Extent of Occurrence) and 23 km2 (Area of Occupancy) with Mahua (Madhuka longifolia var. latifolia), Tendu (Diospuros melanoxylon), and Sal (Shorea robusta) as associates. The distribution ranges were found with 80% overlap between the baseline (2030) and predicted (2100) habitat suitability for the focal species, which were primarily determined by the mean temperature of the warmest quarter (Bio_10) and precipitation of the driest quarter (Bio_17) that emerged to be the most sensitive with the contribution of 29.5% and 22.3% respectively. The present (2030) and future (2100) projections suggest 13.73% low suitable, 86.27% medium suitable and 1.52% low suitable, 98.48% medium suitable area respectively for the distribution and cultivation of the chironji. The findings of the study provide insight into the suitable habitats of B. lanzan for its promotion and conservation in Banda, Hamirpur, Kaushambi, Bhadohi, Prayagraj, and Chitrakoot forest divisions of Uttar Pradesh.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Adhikari D., Barik S.K. and Upadhaya K. (2012). Habitat distribution modelling for reintroduction of Ilex khasiana Purk., a critically endangered tree species of northeastern India. Ecological Engineering, 40: 37-43. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2011.12.004 Araujo M.B., Cabeza M., Thuiller W., Hannah L. and Williams P.H. (2004). Would climate change drive species out of reserves? An assessment of existing reserve-selection methods. Global Change Biology, 10(9): 1618–1626. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2004.00828.x
Literature cited 2: Austin M.P. and Niel K.P. (2011). Improving species distribution models for climate change studies: variable selection and scale. Journal of Biogeography, 38: 1–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2699.2010.02416.x Avani P., Bauri F.K. and Sarkar S.K. (2015). Chironji: A golden nut fruit of Indian tribes. In III International Symposium on Underutilized Plant Species, 1241: 37-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1241.6

ID: 66743
Title: Ecological Rehabilitation of Red Mud Dump at Hindalco Industries Limited, Muri, Jharkhand: Vegetation Establishment, Biodiversity Recovery, and Growth Performance
Author: Parikshit Abhimanyu Pawar, Vanshika Kaushik, Syed Arif Wali, J.V. Sharma
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2026
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 152 (6A) June 26 Pg No. 74-82 (2026)
Subject: Ecological Rehabilitation of Red Mud Dump at Hindalco Industries Limited, Muri, Jharkhand: Vegetation Establishment, Biodiversity Recovery, and Growth Performance
Keywords: Red mud rehabilitation, Red mud pond (RMP), Ecological restoration, Bauxite residue, Soil amelioration, Plant survival, Vegetation structure, GBH, Biodiversity recovery.
Abstract: Red mud, the highly alkaline bauxite residue generated during alumina refining, poses formidable challenges to vegetation establishment owing to extreme pH (>=11), elevated electrical conductivity, high exchangeable sodium, and near-zero organic matter (Nayak et al., 2024). The present study documents the large-scale ecological rehabilitation of red mud disposal areas at Hindalco Industries Limited, Muri, Jharkhand, where The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has undertaken restoration of 99 acres since 2021, of which 50 acres (20.24 ha) have been planted. An integrated amendment strategy combining gypsum, farmyard manure (FYM), fly ash, and mycorrhiza was applied to ameliorate baseline conditions (pH 11.1; EC 5.7 dS m-1; OC 0.4%). A multi-tier, multi-species plantation of 44 tree species, 10 shrub species, and 6 grass species was established. Of 20,116 plants established across RMP 3 and RMP 4 areas, 16,588 survived (overall survival rate 82.46%). Biodiversity assessment of 54 species (44 tree, 10 shrub) and 5,183 individuals recorded a Shannon-Wiener diversity index of 3.23 and Simpson diversity index of 0.944, indicating high vegetation diversity and low species dominance. A vegetation inventory of 3,595 tree individuals recorded a mean height of 1.89 m (SD = 0.95 m) and mean GBH of 8.63 cm (SD = 5.62 cm). Two-way ANOVA confirmed highly significant differences in growth performance among species (F = 74.51 for height, F = 69.14 for GBH; both p < 0.001) after accounting for plantation area. Babool (Vachellia nilotica) and Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala) emerged as the topperforming species by composite growth index and are recommended for priority deployment in red mud rehabilitation. Natural regeneration of ten plant species and return of diverse fauna confirm progressive ecological recovery. The study provides a replicable, evidence-based model for rehabilitation of industrial red mud wastelands.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bradshaw A. (1997). Restoration of mined lands: using natural processes. Ecological engineering, 8(4): 255-269. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-8574(97)00022-0 Indian Minerals Yearbook (2023). Indian Bureau of Mines, Ministry of Mines, Government of India.
Literature cited 2: Jones B.E.H. and Haynes R.J. (2011). Bauxite processing residue: a critical review of its formation, properties, storage, and revegetation. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 41(3): 271-315. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10643380902800000 Nayak K.C., Pathania A. and Pathania A.R. (2024). Red mud: Characteristics, utilization and environmental remediation strategies in the aluminium industry. Materials Today: Proceedings. DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2024.05.026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2024.05.026

ID: 66742
Title: Vegetation Dynamics in Silica Mines Degraded Lands after Thirty Years of Restoration
Author: Sanjay Singh, Anubha Srivastav, Alok Yadav, Satya Vrat Singh
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2026
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 152 (6A) June 26 Pg No. 65-73 (2026)
Subject: Vegetation Dynamics in Silica Mines Degraded Lands after Thirty Years of Restoration
Keywords: Biodiversity Indices, Eco-restoration, Silica Mine Spoils, Species Richness, Vindhyan Hill Tract.
Abstract: Silica mining in the Shankargarh region of Prayagraj, India, has caused extensive land degradation and biodiversity loss over four decades. This study evaluates the ecological recovery of these mine spoils thirty years after the initiation of strategic ecorestoration. Using a successional restoration framework, fifteen resilient native species were introduced alongside moisture conservation techniques. Comparative analysis of vegetation dynamics across three strata (herbs, shrubs, and trees) revealed significant ecological uplift. Post-restoration, species richness surged across all layers, with the herbaceous understory showing the most dramatic increase (from 22 to 107 species). True Diversity (D) effectively doubled in the tree layer (from 8.50 to 17.29) and increased nearly five-fold in the herbs (from 16.59 to 75.19). Concomitant improvements in soil health, including a reduction in pH (6.5 to 6.2) and increased Electrical Conductivity (0.13 to 0.18 dS/m), signify the re-establishment of a functional, nutrient-cycling ecosystem. These results provide a robust scientific framework for the sustainable restoration of silica-mined landscapes in tropical dry deciduous regions.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bandyopadhyay S. and Maiti S.K. (2022). Steering restoration of coal mining degraded ecosystem to achieve sustainable development goal-13 (climate action): United Nations decade of ecosystem restoration (2021–2030). Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29: 88383-88409. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23699-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-23699-x Barnes B.V., Zak D.R., Denton S.R. and Spurr S.H. (1998). Forest Ecology. 4th Edition, Wiley and Sons, New York.
Literature cited 2: Bora A. and Bhattacharya M. (2017). Phyto-diversity and community structure of tree species in a tropical forest. Journal of Applied and Natural Science, 9(2): 1180-1185. Bradshaw A.D. and Chadwick M.J. (1980). The Reconstruction of Land. Blackwell Scientific Publication, Oxford.

ID: 66741
Title: An Empirical Analysis on Extent of Adoption of Drought Management Strategies in Different Vulnerable Districts of Tamil Nadu, India
Author: G. Balaganesh, Ravinder Malhotra, R. Sendhil
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2026
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 152 (6A) June 26 Pg No. 57-64 (2026)
Subject: An Empirical Analysis on Extent of Adoption of Drought Management Strategies in Different Vulnerable Districts of Tamil Nadu, India
Keywords: Drought management strategies, Crop and dairy, Intensity of adoption.
Abstract: Adoption of drought management strategies becomes essential to reduce the adverse effects of drought. This study has developed a new extent (intensity) of adoption, using crop and dairy drought management strategies in different vulnerable districts of Tamil Nadu, India. Most of the studies have measured the intensity of adoption in either crop or dairy separately, but not combined. In addition, there is no appropriate measurement for extent of adoption. Hence, this study fulfils this research gap using gross intensity of adoption. There were 6, 7 and 5 paddy strategies identified in high (Ramanathapuram), moderate (Nagapattinam) and less vulnerable districts (Erode), respectively, whereas six dairy strategies were found in each district. The high-level and low-level adopters were significantly different in all the districts. The study found that paddy intensity of adoption was highest in Ramanathapuram (0.58), followed by Erode (0.47) due to more adoption of drought management strategies in crops. In contrast, the dairy intensity of adoption was highest in Erode (0.50), followed by Nagapattinam (0.46) because of more adoption of drought management strategies in dairy. The gross intensity of adoption was highest in Erode (0.52), followed by Ramanathapuram (0.51), whereas least was observed in Nagapattinam (0.44). This shows that households in Erode have more intensity to adopt the management strategies in comparison to the other two districts. This could be attributed to the prevailing drought condition in Ramanathapuram and combination of frequent occurrences of cyclones and prevailing drought situation in Nagapattinam. Adoption could be improved by reducing the adoption gap and increasing awareness through various programmes.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Ajaykumar R. and Krishnasamy S.M. (2018). Effect of PPFM and PGRs on crop growth rate in transplanted rice under moisture stress condition. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 7(4): 2366-2368. Asfaw S., Shiferaw B., Simtowe F. and Haile M.B. (2011). Agricultural technology adoption, seed access constraints and commercialization in Ethiopia. Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 3(9): 436-447.
Literature cited 2: Awotide B.A., Abdoulaye T., Alene A. and Manyong V.M. (2014). Assessing the extent of adoption and determinants of improved cassava varieties in South-Western Nigeria. Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 6(9): 376-385. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/JDAE2014.0559 Balaganesh G., Malhotra R. and Sendhil R. (2025). Development of household vulnerability index to climate change induced drought: empirical evidence from rural farm households in Tamil Nadu, India. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668‐025‐06095‐6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-025-06095-6

ID: 66740
Title: Urban Green Infrastructure for Carbon Sequestration: Integrating Land Restoration, Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Mitigation
Author: Abhishek Nandal, Surender Singh Yadav, Priyanka Sharma, Kailash Chand Meena, Sakshi Saini, Gaurav Mishra, Amrender Singh Rao
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2026
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 152 (6A) June 26 Pg No. 49-56 (2026)
Subject: Urban Green Infrastructure for Carbon Sequestration: Integrating Land Restoration, Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Mitigation
Keywords: Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI), Carbon sequestration, Land restoration, Biodiversity conservation, Climate mitigation.
Abstract: Urban regions account for around 70% of worldwide Carbon dioxide (CO ) 2 emissions despite comprising less than 2% of the land; yet urban green infrastructure (UGI) remains inadequately employed as a climate mitigation approach. This paper formulates a cohesive framework that identifies carbon sequestration, land restoration, and biodiversity conservation as interconnected elements of urban climate initiatives. Using peer-reviewed literature, it demonstrates that UGI types vary in carbon storage capacity; however, results are significantly affected by species composition, soil health, management approaches, and urban environmental limitations. Land restoration strategies, such as brown field rehabilitation, phytoremediation, and soil supplements, coupled with biodiversity-focused design that prioritizes native species and ecological linkages, are recognized as essential for enduring carbon sequestration. Case studies from Singapore, Medellín, New York City, and several Indian cities illustrate that UGI can yield quantifiable climatic and ancillary benefits, such as urban cooling, storm water management, and biodiversity restoration, when underpinned by sustained governance and oversight. Nonetheless, fragmented planning, insufficient funding, the absence of uniform carbon accounting, and equity issues, including green gentrification, hinder broader implementation. The article advocates for enforceable planning objectives, standardized monitoring, reporting, and verification mechanisms, incorporation into national climate programs, and equity safeguards to facilitate scalable and equitable implementation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Behera S.K., Mishra S., Sahu N., Manika N., Singh S.N., Anto S., Kumar R., Husain R., Verma A.K. and Pandey N. (2022). Assessment of carbon sequestration potential of tropical tree species for urban forestry in India. Ecological Engineering, 181: 106692. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2022.106692 Bherwani H., Banerji T. and Menon R. (2024). Role and value of urban forests in carbon sequestration: Review and assessment in Indian context. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26(1): 603–626. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02725-5
Literature cited 2: Cambou A., Chevallier T., Barthès B.G., Derrien D., Cannavo P., Bouchard A., Allory V., Schwartz C. and Vidal-Beaudet L. (2023). The impact of urbanization on soil organic carbon stocks and particle size and density fractions. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 23(2): 792–803. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-022-03352-3 Celletti S., Poreba L., Wawer R., Padoan E., Comis S., Bartosiewicz B. and Schiavon M. (2025). The potential of nature-based solutions for urban soils: Focus on green infrastructure and bioremediation. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1634662

ID: 66739
Title: Forest Carbon Sequestration by a Pine (Pinus roxburghii) dominant landscape of Uttarakhand and its climate change implications
Author: Harshi Jain, Manoj Kumar, Subrata Nandy
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2026
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 152 (6A) June 26 Pg No. 35-48 (2026)
Subject: Forest Carbon Sequestration by a Pine (Pinus roxburghii) dominant landscape of Uttarakhand and its climate change implications
Keywords: Forest carbon stock, Aboveground biomass, Machine learning, Random Forest, Remote sensing, Satellite-derived variables, Vegetation indices.
Abstract: This study assesses the forest carbon sequestration in a Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) dominated landscape of the Almora Forest Division, Uttarakhand, India, and examines its implications for climate change mitigation. Given the spatial heterogeneity of forest ecosystems and the limitations of conventional field-based methods, an integrated approach combining field observations, multi-source satellite data, and machine learning was adopted to generate wall-to-wall estimates of aboveground carbon (AGC). A total of 40 sample plots (0.1 ha each) were established across the study area, where tree-level measurements were used to estimate aboveground biomass (AGB) through volumetric and allometric equations, subsequently converted to carbon stock using a standard factor (0.47). Satellite-derived variables from Sentinel-1 (SAR), Sentinel-2 (optical) and topographic variables derived from SRTM data were utilized as predictors in Random Forest algorithm for modeling AGB/AGC estimation. The results revealed substantial spatial variability in AGC, ranging from 47 to 121 Mg ha-1, with a mean value of 75.21 Mg ha-1. The integration of optical and radar data provided complementary insights into vegetation structure and condition, enhancing model robustness. The findings underscore the significance of Chir pine forests as regional carbon reservoirs despite their relatively lower biomass compared to broadleaf systems. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of machine learning and remote sensing integration for largescale carbon mapping and highlights its potential for supporting climate change mitigation strategies, carbon accounting frameworks, and sustainable forest management in Himalayan ecosystems.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Bombelli A., Avitabile V., Balzter H. and Wulder M. (2009). Assessment of the status of the development of the standards for the Terrestrial Essential Climate Variables-T12-BIOMASS. Global Terrestrial Observing System, FAO. Bondeau A., Smith P.C., Zaehle S., Schaphoff S., Lucht W., Cramer W., Gerten D., LOTZE-CAMPEN H., Muller C. and Reichstein M. (2007). Modelling the role of agriculture for the 20th century global terrestrial carbon balance. Global Change Biology, 13(3): 679–706. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01305.x
Literature cited 2: Breiman L. (2001). Random forests. Machine Learning, 45(1): 5–32. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010933404324 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010933404324 Brogaard S. and Olafsdottir R. (1997). Ground-truths or Ground-lies?: Environmental sampling for remote sensing application exemplified by vegetation cover data. Phys. Geogr., (1):1402–9006.

ID: 66738
Title: Agroforestry as a Pathway to Land Restoration, Biodiversity Conservation, Livelihood Security, and Socio-Economic Equity in North East India
Author: Premangini Basumatary, Anisha Dey, Euni Gogoi, Ring Greegdao Phonglosa, Jintu Kumar Bania, Animekh Hazarika, Aditi Nath, Ashesh Kumar Das, Arun Jyoti Nath
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2026
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 152 (6A) June 26 Pg No. 19-34 (2026)
Subject: Agroforestry as a Pathway to Land Restoration, Biodiversity Conservation, Livelihood Security, and Socio-Economic Equity in North East India
Keywords: Ecosystem services, Land degradation, Livelihood security, Rural economy, Soil restoration.
Abstract: Land degradation and declining ecosystem services have emerged as major environmental concerns in North East India. Agroforestry, through the deliberate integration of trees, crops, livestock, shrubs, and herbs within the same landscape, offers a sustainable land-use approach for restoring degraded landscapes, improving soil health, and strengthening rural livelihoods. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach, this review provides a comprehensive overview of 68 peer-reviewed articles published since 1992, accessed through the search engines “Google Scholar”, “Scopus” and “Web of Science” using specific keywords. This study systematically evaluates the role of agroforestry in land restoration through improved soil properties, erosion control, forest regeneration, carbon management, biodiversity conservation, and the securing of local livelihoods, while contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation in North East India. This review also evaluates the role of agroforestry in promoting gender inclusion and community participation. Evidence from various agro-climatic regions of North East India demonstrates that agroforestry systems improve soil health while contributing to food security, diversified income, and sustainable rural development. Overall, agroforestry systems play a significant role in enhancing both the physical and chemical properties of soil while simultaneously reducing soil bulk density. The study concludes that agroforestry represents a multifunctional, cost-effective, and socially inclusive nature-based solution for combating land degradation while aligning with national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Strengthening institutional support, extension services and promoting region-specific agroforestry models is essential for scaling up agroforestry adoption.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Adefila A.O., Ajayi O.O., Toromade A.S. and Sam-Bulya, N.J. (2024). Integrating traditional knowledge with modern agricultural practices: A sociocultural framework for sustainable development. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 20(02): 125-135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjbphs.2024.20.2.0850 Bania J.K., Sileshi G.W., Nath A.J., Paramesh V. and Das A.K. (2024). Spatial distribution of soil organic carbon and macronutrients in the deep soil across a chronosequence of tea agroforestry. Catena, 236: 107760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2023.107760 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2023.107760
Literature cited 2: Basu J.P. (2014). Agroforestry, climate change mitigation and livelihood security in India. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science, 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/1179-5395-44-S1-S11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1179-5395-44-S1-S11 Bhatt B.P., Singh, K. and Singh A. (2005). Nutritional values of some commercial edible bamboo species of the North Eastern Himalayan region, India. Journal of Bamboo and Rattan, 4(2): 111-124. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/1569159054699317

ID: 66737
Title: Agroforestry Systems as Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Land Management Models in the Tarai Region of Kumaun Himalaya
Author: Vasundhra Lodhiyal, L. M. Tewari, Ashish Tewari
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2026
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 152 (6A) June 26 Pg No. 6-18 (2026)
Subject: Agroforestry Systems as Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Land Management Models in the Tarai Region of Kumaun Himalaya
Keywords: Agroforestry systems, Carbon sequestration, Net primary productivity, Tarai region, Soil health, Sustainable land management.
Abstract: Agroforestry systems are increasingly recognized as sustainable land-use strategies that simultaneously enhance agricultural productivity, maintain ecological stability and improve climate resilience.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Adhikari B., Lodhiyal N. and Lodhiyal L.S. (2019). Carbon sequestration efficiency of mango-based agri-horticulture system in Shiwalik plain of Central Himalaya, India. Indian Journal of Agroforestry, 21(1): 75-80. https://epubs.icar.org.in/ index.php/IJA/article/view/96579 Adhikari B., Lodhiyal N. and Lodhiyal L.S. (2020). Assessment of crop yield, productivity and carbon sequestration in agroforestry systems in Central Himalaya, India. Agroforestry Systems, 94, 281-296. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-01900388-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-019-00388-2
Literature cited 2: Altieri M.A. (1996). Agroecology: The science of sustainable agriculture (2nd ed.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/ 9780429495465 Bhagwat S.A., Willis K.J., Birks H.J.B. and Whittaker R.J. (2008). Agroforestry: A refuge for tropical biodiversity? Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 23(5): 261-267. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.tree.2008.01.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2008.01.005

ID: 66736
Title: Science Based Restoration of Indian Forest Ecosystems: Maximizing Biodiversity Conservation and Carbon Sequestration
Author: Manish Kumar Singh, Sanjeev Kumar, Hansraj
Editor: Richa Misra
Year: 2026
Publisher: Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: The Indian Forester Vol. 152 (6A) June 26 Pg No. 1-5 (2026)
Subject: Science Based Restoration of Indian Forest Ecosystems: Maximizing Biodiversity Conservation and Carbon Sequestration
Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, Carbon sequestration, Native species, Restoration ecology, Species Distribution Modeling, Climate mitigation.
Abstract: Forest ecosystems serve as principal repositories of terrestrial biodiversity and major carbon sinks globally. However, widespread degradation from deforestation, mining, overgrazing, agricultural expansion and climate change, has critically impaired forest cover and ecosystem services in India. This review synthesizes restoration ecology, across tropical, temperate, alpine, mine degraded and grassland systems. It optimizes biodiversity recovery and carbon sequestration through evidence based species selection (native vs. exotic), active/ passive restoration techniques, Species Distribution Modeling (SDM), litter mediated soil recovery, invasive species control and enhanced carbon storage potential. These approaches provide a unified framework for science driven climate mitigation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Amaral L.A., Ferreira R.A. and Mann R.S. (2021). The use of species distribution modeling for forest restoration: a systematic review. Research, Society and Development, 10(8): e4910817158. Antony S., Perumal K., Devi S.S., Shajahan S. and Kumar A.B. (2025). Exploring blue carbon research in India: current landscape and prospects. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 189: 114777. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118269
Literature cited 2: Bhat I.A., Fayaz M., Qadir R., Rafiq S., Guleria K., Qadir J., Wani T.A, and Kaloo Z.A. (2023). Predicting potential distribution and range dynamics of Aquilegia fragrans under climate change. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 195(5): 623. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11245-2 Chaturvedi R.K., Raghubanshi A.S. and Singh J.S. (2011). Carbon density and accumulation in woody species of tropical dry forest in India. Current Science, 101(7): 924-932.

ID: 66735
Title: IISc_EIACP: Environmental Information, Awareness,Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP)
Author: T.V. Ramachandra
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2026
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: IISc_EIACP: Environmental Information, Awareness,Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) Pg no 1-43
Subject: IISc_EIACP: Environmental Information, Awareness,Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP)
Keywords: None
Abstract: IISc_EIACP: Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) Thematic Programme Centre on Western Ghats Biodiversity and Ecology
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1:
Literature cited 2:

ID: 66734
Title: Sustainable Biohydrogen Production From Agricultural Residues Potential, Processes, and Environmental Impact
Author: TV Ramachandra and Niyam Dave
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2024
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Sustainable Biohydrogen Production From Agricultural Residues Potential, Processes, and Environmental Impact Pg no 1-4
Subject: Sustainable Biohydrogen Production From Agricultural Residues Potential, Processes, and Environmental Impact
Keywords: None
Abstract: Burgeoning demand for conventional energy and associated environmental impacts, coupled with the dwindling fossil fuel stocks, has led to exploration for sustainable energy alternatives like solar, wind, biofuels, etc. India has witnessed significant economic growth with enhanced reliance on fossil fuels during the 1990s due to globalization. However, escalating fossil fuel import dependence and escalating greenhouse gas footprint have necessitated an exploration of viable energy alternatives.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Ahlström, J. M., 2021. Renewable Hydrogen Production from Biomass, Bioenergy Position Pap. Reports, pp. 1–25, 2021, https:// www.etipbioenergy.eu/images/ Renewable_Hydrogen_Production_ from_Biomass. Wang J and Yin, Y, 2021.Clostridium species for fermentative hydrogen production: An overview,” Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, vol. 46, no. 70, pp. 34599–34625, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.08.052.
Literature cited 2: Abdeshahian P, Najeeb Kaid Nasser Al-Shorgani, Noura K.M. Salih, Hafiza Shukor, Abudukeremu Kadier, Aidil Abdul Hamid, Mohd Sahaid Kalil, 2014. The production of biohydrogen by a novel strain Clostridium sp. YM1 in dark fermentation process, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, vol. 39, no. 24, pp. 12524–12531, 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.05.081. Meena H. N., Singh S. K., Meena M. S., Narayan R., and Sen B., 2022. Crop residue: waste or wealth?, Tech. Bull., pp. 1–30, http://krishi.icar.gov.in/jspui/ handle/123456789/71699

ID: 66733
Title: Soil environmental health linkages with the landscape structure in Raichur district, Karnataka, India
Author: T. V. Ramachandra and Paras Negi
Editor: None
Year: 2025
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Soil environmental health linkages with the landscape structure in Raichur district, Karnataka, India Pg no. 1-25
Subject: Soil environmental health linkages with the landscape structure in Raichur district, Karnataka, India
Keywords: None
Abstract: Appraisal of land use (LU) dynamics through time-series remote sensing data offers valuable insights into the extent and condition of a landscape, which is essential for the sustainable management of natural resources. Integrated spatial analyses of LU with social, ecological, hydrological, bio-geo-climatic, and environmental variables would aid in the prioritization of natural resources-rich regions (NRRRs). The current study assesses the LU changes in an agrarian district using temporal remote sensing data through a supervised machine learning technique- Random Forest (RF) in the Google Earth Engine platform (GEE) with access to a multi-petabyte catalog of satellite imagery and geospatial datasets, enabling efficient processing and analysis. Paddy cultivation spatial extent has increased from 0.74% (1973) to 18.41% (2024), with the increase in the extent of water bodies due to the Krishna and Tungabhadra Rivers. The simulated LU using Cellular Automata reveals that the area under agriculture will decrease to 1159.33 sq. km, and a significant increase in road network and industrial area is expected by 2038. The consequence of LU changes on soil health, evident from declining nutrients, necessitates the identification of natural resources-rich regions (NRRRs) for formulating effective policies for prudent management of natural resources to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs especially SDG 1, 2, 6, 11, 12, 13, and 15) by exploring all feasible dimensions and analyzing the patterns and dynamics across various interdisciplinary themes such as social, hydrological, ecological and bio-geo-climatic. The study reveals that 15% of the total geographical area of the district is rich in natural resources (NRRR 1 and 2), which requires prudent management to sustain natural resources.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Forman RT. Some general principles of landscape and regional ecology. Landscape Ecol. 1995;10(3):133–42. https://doi.or g/10.1007/BF00133027. 2. Pan D, Domon G, De Blois S, Bouchard A. Temporal (1958–1993) and spatial patterns of land use changes in Haut-SaintLaurent (Quebec, Canada) and their relation to landscape physical attributes. Landscape Ecol. 1999;14:35–52. https://doi.o rg/10.1023/A:1008022028804.
Literature cited 2: Bharath S, Rajan KS, Ramachandra TV. Land surface temperature responses to land use land cover dynamics. Geoinfor Geostat Overview. 2013;54:50–78. Foody GM. Remote sensing of tropical forest environments: towards the monitoring of environmental resources for sustainable development. Int J Remote Sens. 2003;24(20):4035–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/0143116031000103853.

ID: 66732
Title: Land Surface Temperature Responses to Landscape Structure Dynamics in Trans-Gangetic Plain Region
Author: T V Ramachandra , Rajesh Singh Rana and Bharath H Aithal
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2025
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Land Surface Temperature Responses to Landscape Structure Dynamics in Trans-Gangetic Plain Region Pg no. 1-17
Subject: Land Surface Temperature Responses to Landscape Structure Dynamics in Trans-Gangetic Plain Region
Keywords: Landscape Dynamics, Land Surface Temperature, Machine Learning, Random Forest Classifier.
Abstract: Global patterns of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) have undergone signif icant changes due to the continuous conversion of natural landscapes into settings controlled by humans. The primary drivers for converting natural landscapes (vegetation, water bodies, open space, etc.) into artif icial ones are unplanned developmental activities leading to land degradation and deforestation with rapid urbanization, intense agriculture, inf rastructural development, etc. The surface properties of the Earth are signif icantly altered by anthropogenic activities, with a reduction in the porous surfaces and an increase in paved surfaces, which alters the capacity of a landscape to percolate water, retain moisture, retain thermal heat, evapotranspiration rates, albedo, etc., resulting in the changes in the local and regional climate patterns. The current study investigates the interplay of land use changes with land surface temperature (LST) in the trans-Gangetic Plain agroclimatic zone region of India. Temporal land use analyses for 2001 to 2022, using MODIS remote sensing data, classif ied through machine learning non-parametric supervised classif ier Random Forest (RF) suitable for heterogeneous landscapes reveal that agriculture is the dominant land use class and rapid expansion of paved surfaces (built-up etc.) in Land surface temperature (LST) computed for 2001 to 2022, reveals increasing LST with the expansion of paved surfaces and negatively correlated with the higher NDVI (corresponding to the vegetation cover).
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Adams, L. W. (1994). Urban wildlife habitats: a landscape perspective (3). U of Minnesota Press. Amini Parsa, V., Yavari, A., & Nejadi, A. (2016). Spatiotemporal analysis of land use/land cover pattern changes in Arasbaran Biosphere Reserve: Iran. Modeling earth systems and environment, 2, 1-13.
Literature cited 2: Buya, S., Chuangchang, P., & Owusu, B. A. (2022). Analysis of land surface temperature with land use and land cover and elevation f rom NASA MODIS satellite data: a case study of Bali, Indonesia. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 194(8), 566. Edan, M. H., Maarouf, R. M., & Hasson, J. (2021). Predicting the impacts of land use/land cover change on land surface temperature using remote sensing approach in Al Kut, Iraq. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C, 123, 103012.

ID: 66731
Title: Biomonitoring of urban lakes through microalgae
Author: Asulabha K.S. , Sincy V. , Jaishanker R. and Ramachandra T.V
Editor: T.V. Ramachandra
Year: 2025
Publisher: Energy &Wetlands Research Group
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Biomonitoring of urban lakes through microalgae Pg no.
Subject: Biomonitoring of urban lakes through microalgae
Keywords: None
Abstract: Biomonitoring entails monitoring the quality of an ecosystem through representative biota, which responds to environmental changes through alterations in morphological, physiological, biochemical, molecular, and genetic traits. The sustained inflow of untreated wastewater due to point and non-point sources has been putting significant strain on aquatic ecosystems, leading to a decline in aquatic biodiversity, the loss of vital habitats for sensitive biota, and consequent erosion in ecosystem services. Microalgae constitute the primary producers in aquatic ecosystems and serve as pollution indicators as they respond to changes in water quality. This necessitates an understanding of microalgae dynamics in relation to environmental factors for prudent management of aquatic resources. The study examines microalgal composition and water quality in Sankey and Mathikere lakes, Bangalore, revealing pollution from untreated wastewater in Mathikere Lake, which exhibits high physicochemical parameters. The microalgae composition in both lakes varied in response to the water quality and across seasons. Multivariate analyses through nonparametric canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) demonstrate linkages between microalgal composition and water quality parameters in both lakes. Nutrient enrichment leading to eutrophic conditions with the profuse growth of invasive exotic macrophytes has declined microalgal diversity, suggesting immediate interventions to mitigate pollutants to improve the chemical integrity of waterbodies.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Algae Base. 2021. Available at: https:// www.algaebase.org/ Amaro, H.M., Sousa, J.F., Salgado, E.M., Pires, J.C. and Nunes, O.C. 2023. Microalgal systems, a green solution for wastewater conventional pollutants removal, disinfection, and reduction of antibiotic resistance genes prevalence? Applied Sciences. 13(7): 4266
Literature cited 2: APHA, 2012. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 22nd ed. American Public Health Association/American Water Works Association/ Water Environment Federation: Washington, DC, USA Asulabha, K.S., Jaishanker, R., Sincy, V. and Ramachandra, T.V. 2022. Diversity of phytoplankton in lakes of Bangalore, Karnataka, India, p. 147-178. In: Shashikanth Majige (Edited), Biodiversity Challenges: A Way Forward, Daya Publishing House, New Delhi, India