Enter records

ID: 61225
Title: Rehabilitation of degraded community land in Western Himalaya: linking environmental conservation with livelihood.
Author: Vikram S.Negi, I.D.Bhatt, P.C.Phondani and B.P.Kothyari.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 520-528 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Degraded land, environmental conservation, fodder, livelihood, rehabilitation
Abstract: Considering the situation of resource degradation and associated livelihoods in Western Himalaya, a scientific framework for rehabilitation of degraded and waste lands was developed and executed through people ' s participation. The objective of the present study was to restore degraded village lands, improve local livelihoods and strengthen ecosystem services. Twelve ecologically adapted and socially valued tree species having economic potential were planted at two different sites. Survival of the planted tree species after five years was found to be excellent (53.6-87.2 %) and did not show any mortality after four years. Statistical analysis revealed no significant influence of the sites on the height and circumference of common species in them; however, a year of plantation significantly (P <0.01) influenced increase in the growth of the species. A slight increase was observed in organic carbon whereas exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium and total nitrogen increased significantly (P <0.01) during successive years. Capacity building and active people ' s participation were the most crucial aspects of the rehabilitation programme in the present study. The outcome of the present study would be helpful for developing appropriate strategies and action plans for the management of natural resources and rehabilitation of wastelands in the Himalayan region.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Semwal, R.L., Nautiyal, S., Maikhuri, R.K., Rao, K.S. and Saxena, K.G., Growth and carbon stocks of multipurpose tree species plantations in degraded lands in Central Himalaya, India.For.Ecol.Manage., 2013, 310, 450-459 Prabhakar, r., Somanathan, E. and Mehta Singh, B., How degraded are Himalayan forests? Curr.Sci, 2006, 91 (1), 61-67.
Literature cited 2: Saxena, K.G., Maikhuri, R.K. and Rao, K.S., Changes in agricultural biodiversity: implications for sustainable livelihood in the Himalaya.J.Mt.Sci, 2005, 2 (1), 23-31. Maikhuri, R.K., Semwal, R.L., Rao, K.S. and Saxena, K.G., Rehabilitation of degraded community lands for sustainable development in Himalaya: a case study in Garhwal Himalaya, India.Int.J.Sustain.Dev.World Ecol., 1997, 4, 192-203.

ID: 61224
Title: A scientometric analysis of worldwide soil carbon stocks research from 2000 to 2014.
Author: Huimin Xiang, Jiaen Zhang and Qiandong Zhu
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 513-519 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Research output, scientometrics, soil carbonstocks, visualization analysis
Abstract: To understand the history and research status of soil carbon stocks, we collected soil carbon stocks citation data from the Science Citation Index Expanded during the period from 2000 to 2014.Next, we used HistCite to analyse the yearly output, country, institution, citation impact and citation relationships in the field. Results suggested that the research of soil carbon stocks has been steadily increasing during the studied 15-year period. The country with the highest research output was USA, and the institution with the highest research output was the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Majority of articles and the highest total location citation score (TLCS) values came from developed countries. The top three outputs journals were Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Global Change Biology, and Geoderma, whereas the top three TLCS journals were Global Change Biology, Soil Biology and Biochemistry, and Soil Science Society of America Journal. Articles published with higher TLCS values had a greater impact in the field of soil carbon stocks and played an important role in research trends.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: IPCC, Climate Change 2001: The Scientific Basis (eds Houghton, J.T. et al), Contribution of Working Group 1 to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, 2001. Matos, E.S. et al., Organic-carbon and nitrogen stocks and organic-carbon fractions in soil under mixed pine an oak forest stands of different ages in N E Germany.J.Plant Nutr.Soil Sci., 2010, 173, 654-661.
Literature cited 2: Zhang, L.and Feng, Y., Bibliometrics and visualization analysis of artificial blood vessel research.Curr.Sci., 2014, 106 (6), 816-822. Hua, W., Li, Y. and Yuan, S. A quantitative analysis of Antarctic related articles in humanities and social sciences appearing in the world core journals.Scientometrics, 2014, 100, 273-286.

ID: 61223
Title: Birth and growth of M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai
Author: G.N.Hariharan and P.C.Kesavan.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 502-512 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Biovillages, evergreen revolution, MSSRF, natural resources management, sustainable rural livelihoods, Villages Knowledge Centres.
Abstract: The M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) set up as a not-for-profit scientific trust with M.S.Swaminathan as the Founder-Chairman in 1988 is dedicated to sustainable agriculture, natural resources management and rural development. Relevant science and ecotechnologies are harnessed for fostering human livelihood and conservation of nature. MSSRF has developed biovillages and modern ICT-based Village Knowledge Centres (VKCs) for skill and knowledge empowerment respectively of the rural communities. Ecotechnologies are the resultant of lending frontier technologies with traditional knowledge and ecological prudence of the indigenous communities. These have pro-nature, pro-poor and pro-women orientation. The evergreen revolution of MSSRF is designed to fight both the famines of food and rural livelihoods. As against the bureaucratic ' top-down ' approach, MSSRF practices ' bottom-up ' and participatory approach. The VKCs with lab to land and land to lab linkages provide solutions almost instantaneously to the problems of the small and marginal farming, fishing and landless rural families. These are briefly discussed in the paper.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Bourne Jr, J.K., The end of plenty: the global good Crisis.Nat.Geogr, 2009, 38-59. Swaminathan, M.S., The age of Algeny, genetic destruction of yield barriers and agricultural transformations, Presidential Address, Agricultural Sciences Section, 55th Session of the Indian Science Congress, Varanasi, India, January 1968, pp.236-248.
Literature cited 2: Dhillon, B.S., Kataria, P.and Dhillon, P.K., National food security vis-?-vis sustainability of agriculture in high crop productivity regions.Curr.Sci. 2010, 98 (1), 33-36. Swaminathan, M.S., The Future We Want-Journey of MSSRF, Chennai, 2013; https://mssrf.org/sites/default/files/MSSRF% 2025%20 years%20Book-Final%20to %20Press.compressed.pdf

ID: 61222
Title: Shaping science as the prime mover of sustainable agriculture for food and nutrition security in an era of environmental degradation and climate change.
Author: P.C.Kesavan
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 488-501 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Climate change, food and nutrition security, science for sustainable agriculture.
Abstract: At the time of India ' s independence in 1947, India ' s food production for national food security was highly insufficient. Malthusian scourge in the backdrop of Bengal famine of 1943 was looming. It was at a time of critical food shortage in the 1960s, commodity-centric exploitative agriculture, miscalled as Green Revolution, was ushered in by Swaminathan-Borlaug partnership. It changed India ' s image then as then as begging bowl to bread basket! As had been foreseen and forewarned, the Green Revolution resulted in environmental degradation, enhanced social inequities and had little to do with sustainable agriculture and rural development. With the lessons learnt, Swaminathan developed systems approach-based evergreen revolution to achieve productivity in perpetuity without accompanying environmental and social harm. It is also designed to fight both the famines of food and rural livelihoods with the help of ecotechnologies having pro-nature, pro-poor, pro-women and pro-livelihood orientation. The present article elaborates these aspects.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Crutzen, P.J., Geology of mankind. Nature, 2002, 415, 23. Goodall, J.The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior, 1986, Belknap Press, p.673; http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/822658.The_Chimpanzees_of_Gombe
Literature cited 2: De Fries, R., The Big Ratchet: How Humanity Thrives in the Face of Natural Crisis.A Biography of an Ingenious Species, Basic Books, New York, 2014, p.273. Pal, B.P., Foreword to the book, A History of Agriculture in India, M.S.Randhawa, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, 1980, vol.I, p.541.

ID: 61221
Title: Community agro biodiversity conservation continuum: an integrated approach to achieve food and nutrition security.
Author: N.Anil Kumar, V.Arivudai Nambi, M.Geetha Rani, E.D.Israel Oliver King, Susanta Sekar Chaudhary and Smita Mishra.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 474-487 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Agrobiodiversity, community partnership, conservation, consumption and commerce, cultivation, food and nutrition security.
Abstract: Agrobiodiversity is a confluence of the past, present and future and both a tangible and intangible resource critical for both rural and urban food and nutrition security. Transformation in agricultural technologies, land and water use and urbanization has been largely responsible for its rapid erosion. In-situ conservation of crops and varieties within the context of communities is being increasingly recognized an important pathway for sustainable use of agrobiodiversity. The present article describes a C4 Approach that pay concurrent attention to conservation, cultivation, consumption and commerce of agrobiodiversity resources, conceptualized and operationalized by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in three agrobiodiversity hotspots of India. The C4 Approach consists of a series of village level interventions like establishment of gene-seed-grain banks, participatory conservation systems, participatory varietal selection, seed purification, promotion of farmer to farmer seed exchange, promotion of good agronomic and planting practices, use of small machinery for processing rice and millets at local level, product diversification and linking to markets for strengthening livelihoods as well as mainstreaming use of agrobiodiversity among urban consumers. Training and capacity development and institutionalization of the efforts through formation of grassroots institutions dovetailed with science-based interventions were important components aimed at sustaining the efforts.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Policy Paper For Conservation: Management and use of Agrobiodiversity, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India, April 1998. Future of India the winning leap. Pricewaterhouse Coopers Private Limited, India, 2014; http://www.pwc.in/in/assests/pdfs/future-of-india-the -winning-leap.pdf.
Literature cited 2: Swaminathan, M.S., Zero hunger (editorial).Science, 2014, 345 (6196), 491. Kesavan, P.C. and Swaminathan, M.S, 2014 International Year of Family Farming: a boost to evergreen revolution.Curr.Sci, 2014, 107 (12), 1970-1974.

ID: 61220
Title: Sustaining and enhancing crop productivity in an era of climate change.
Author: Ajay Parida and Suja George
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 462-473 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Abiotic stress, crop productivity, extremophiles, omics, transgenic.
Abstract: The earth is experiencing a faster change in climate in the 21st century than it had in the past. Abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity, exacerbated by the fast changing climatic conditions pose a major hurdle in sustaining crop productivity. Developing crop plants able to yield better under abiotic stresses offer hope in this situation. Understanding abiotic stress-tolerance mechanisms in a plant system is crucial to improve the stress tolerance. The present review discusses broad molecular mechanisms of plant abiotic stress tolerance and outlines the latest biotechnological advances aiding plant abiotic stress research, with particular reference to the work carried out at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. The advantages of using extremophiles as model organisms (as conceptualized by M.S. Swaminathan) for identification of novel genetic combinations and understanding stress tolerance are discussed here.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: IPCC, Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ,Cambridge University Press, UK, 2007. Negrao, S., Courtois, B., Ahmadi, N., Abreu, I., Saibo, N. and Oliveira, M.M, Recent updates on salinity stress in rice: From physiological to molecular responses.Crit.Rev.Plant Sci, 2011, 30, 329-377.
Literature cited 2: Gregory, P.I.J. et al., Managed production systems. In The Terrestrial Biosphere and Global Change: Implications for Natural and Managed Systems (eds Walker, B.SW, Canadell, J. and Ingram, J.S.I), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U K, 1999, pp 229-270. Jones, P.G. and Thornton, P.K., The potential impacts of climate change on maize production in Africa and Latin America in 2055. Global Environ. Change, 2003, 13, 51-59.

ID: 61219
Title: From food security to food and nutrition security: role of agriculture and farming systems for nutrition.
Author: Prakash Shetty
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 456-461 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Farming systems, food security, nutrition security, role of agriculture.
Abstract: The concept of food security developed over the last 50 or more years addressed primarily the need for the production and access to adequate food grains to feed the world ' s increasing population. Nutrition security, a later development, was a much broader concept since nutritious and safe diets alongside adequate biological and proper social environments ensures appropriate growth and development in childhood and helps promote health and prevent disease in adulthood. The need for a paradigm shift in policy formulation from focusing on food security at the aggregate level to nutrition security at the level of each child and adult implied the definition ' food and nutrition security ' integrates both the conceptual frameworks of food security and nutrition security. This integrated approach aspires not merely to address the micronutrient malnutrition which is a bigger problem than food energy deficiency, but is a food-based approach that also tackles non-food factors such as water, sanitation and care practices.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Foster, P., The world Food Problem: Tackling the Causes of Undernutrition in the Third World, Lynne Rienner Publishers Inc, Boulder, Colorado, 1992. Sen, A.K., Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation, Clarendon Press, Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York, 1981.
Literature cited 2: Watts, M.and Bhole, H., Hunger, famine, and the space of vulnerability, Geojournal, 1993, 30, 117-126. Chambers, R., Vulnerability, coping, and policy.IDS Bull., 1989, 20, 1-7.

ID: 61218
Title: Fostering international collaboration for food security and sustainable developmet: a personal perspective of M.S.Swaminathan ' s vision, impact and legacy for humanity.
Author: Glenn Denning
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 447-455 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Cambodia, rice, international collaboration, sustainable development, Swaminathan.
Abstract: Arguably, no living person has done more than M.S.Swaminathan to improve the lives of the poor and the marginalized. His monumental contributions to India ' s Green Revolution are documented elsewhere. In this paper, I focus sharply on two little-chronicled bodies of his work: (1) the IRRI Cambodia programme which guided and supported that conflict-affected country to achieve rice self-sufficiency and exporter status; and (2) the United Nations Hunger Task Force which fundamentally changed global thinking about hunger and food security by going beyond productivity improvement to include nutrition, social safety nets, natural resource management, and an enabling policy environment. Both cases illustrate the power of international collaboration and a commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Goals will carry these principles forward for humanity as an enduring legacy of Swaminathan ' s vision and life achievement.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Swaminathan, M.S., Science in response to basic human needs. MSSRF, Harnessing science for sustainable development, the journey of MSSRF, Brochure, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, 2014.
Literature cited 2: Swaminathan, M.S., In Conservation with Nitya Rao, M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation, 2013. Shawcross, W., Sideshow: Kissinger, Nixon and Destruction of Cambodia, Simon and Schuster, New York, 1979, p.396.

ID: 61217
Title: M.S.Swaminathan: his contributions to science and public policy
Author: Rudy Rabbinge
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 439-446 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Climate smart agriculture, inclusive thinking and inclusive approaches, production ecological principles.
Abstract: The role of Swaminathan in science and public policy for more than 65 years is unapproachable. His contribution to strengthen agriculture and improve food security is tremendous and more than impressive. His incisive vision on the role of science to serve societal aims is widely accepted, and leading to evergreen revolutions in many continents and countries. In this article that role of Swaminathan will be described and it will be illustrated how three main guidelines were used in his thinking, approaches and interventions: (i) Promoting basic scientific insights and understanding where physical, (bio) chemical, physiological, ecological and genetical principles and knowledge are used and integrated; (ii) Stimulating and introducing inclusive approaches where various objectives such as environmental aims, sustainable development, gender, next to productivity increases are combined and used to strengthen harmonious developments; (iii) Activating and adapting institutions, national and international, and rules and regulations such that farmers are empowered and protected and that biodiversity is protected and where possible promoted and strengthened. All these policy issues were crucial for the functioning of Swaminathan and his impact on World Food Security, regional upgrading and local movements and sustainable development globally. The description and analysis in this article demonstrate his efforts and activities which have made the world a better place for all.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Meadows, D.H., Meadows, D.L.and Randers, J., The limits to growth: a report for the Club of Rome ' s project on the predicament of mankind, New York, 1972, p. 207. Brundtland, G.H., Our common future. World Commission on Environment and Development, Oxford University Press, 1987, p. 383.
Literature cited 2: Swaminathan, M.S., Species differentiation and the nature of polyploidy in certain species of the genus Solanum, section Tuberarium, Ph D thesis, University of Cambridge, Fitzwilliam House, Cambridge, 1952, p.271. Van Ittersum, M.K. and Rabbinge, R., Concepts in production ecology for analysis and quantification of agricultural input-output combinations. Field Crops Res., 1997, 52, 197-208.

ID: 61216
Title: The new green revolution: bridging the gap between science and society.
Author: Louise O.Fresco
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 430-438 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: New green revolution, Bridging the gap, science and society.
Abstract: By combining scientific excellence with social involvement, M.S.Swaminathan has put himself in the tradition of the great agricultural researchers such as Von Liebich, Vavilov, De Vries, Haber and his friend and colleague Norman Borlaug that have defeated the Spectre of Malthus. His ability to use his knowledge and insights to find solutions for complex social problems made him one of the founding fathers of the Green Revolution. And one of the first that saw the drawbacks of the extensive use of water, fertilizer and pesticides that came along with it. He became a staunch advocate for the Evergreen Revolution towards an eco-friendly, resource-poor, sustainable agriculture that is based on science and technology and aims for nutrition security for all. Challenged with the perspective of feeding 9 or 10 billion people with sufficient and nutritious food and producing enough raw materials for the developing bio-based economy we have to keep on learning by doing research and combining its results with the experience of farmers and others. Yet there seems to be lack of belief-at least in Europe-in human learning; a general distrust in science, which might lead to paralysis in agricultural development. Hence the biggest challenge is to bridge the gap between the sciences and society and to engage society in the development of science to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Prakken, R.and Swaminathan, M.S., Cytological behaviour of some inter-specific hybrids in the genus Solanum, sect.Tuberarium.Genetica, 1952, 26 (1), 77-101. Swaminathan, M.S., Public Lecture, Agricultural University, Wageningen, May 2014.
Literature cited 2: http://www.sgiquarterly.org/feature2009Jly-6.html/ Science The Endless Frontier, a report to the President by Vannevar Bush, director of the Office of Research and Development, July 1944;http://www.nsf.gov/about/history/vbush1945.htm

ID: 61215
Title: A record of Scutiger nyingchiensis Fei, 1977 (Amphibia: Anuran: Megophryidae) in the Eastern Himalaya, North East India.
Author: Bidyut Sarania, Ashalata Devi, Awadhesh Kumar, Kai Wang, Kaustubh Rakshit.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 413-414 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Scutiger nyingchiensis Fei, Amphibia, Anuran, Megophryidae, Eastern Himalaya, North East India.
Abstract: The ecologically and geographically diverse region of North East (N E) India is set within two global biodiversity hotspots, namely, the Himalayan and the Indo-Burma. Arunachal Pradesh state in NE India falls under the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, which is among the 34 biodiversity hotspots of the world. However, its rich biodiversity is poorly understood with regard to the species-level identification of many of its extant amphibians and reptiles. A total of 126 amphibian species are reported from N E India, out of which 45 species are endemic to this region. Recently, three new species of horned frogs, namely Megophrys vegrandis, Megophrys ancrae and Megophrys oropedion have been reported from N E India, viz. Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Mittermeier, R.A. et al., Conserv.Int, 2005, p.392. Mahony, S., Teeling, E.C. and Biju, S.D., Zootaxa, 2013, 3722 (2), 143-169; doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3722.2.2
Literature cited 2: Pratihar, S.et al., Sauria, 2014, 36 (1), 9-57. Khan, M.S., Bull.Chicago Herpetol.Soc., 2005, 40 (4), 70-71.

ID: 61214
Title: Eminence of heavy metal accumulation in fishes and crustaceans from the Gulf of Khambhat, India
Author: J. Prince Prakash Jebakumar., GNandhagopal, S.Sundradarajan, M.Karuppasamy, S.Ragumaran.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 409-412 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Eminence, Heavy metals, Accumulation, Fishes, Crustaceans, Gulf of Khambhat, India.
Abstract: Heavy metals are found naturally in micro quantities in all aquatic systems. In fact, some of them are essential micronutrients for living organisms. However, they became highly toxic to the organisms when present in higher concentrations. These metals concentrations have been altered in the ecosystem by indiscriminate anthropogenic activities and dispersed into the water as well as sediment column. The metal contaminants in aquatic systems usually remain either in soluble or suspension form and are taken up by the organisms living in them. The progressive and irreversible accumulation of these metals in various organs of marine organisms leads to metal-related diseases in the long run because of their toxicity, thereby endangering the aquatic biota. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in marine organisms leads to the bio-magnification process, which is a serious threat to the ecosystem and risk to its consumers. Various species of fish are used as bio-indicators of metal pollution. The concentration of heavy metals in aquatic organisms can clearly depict the past as well as the current pollution status of the environment in which the organisms live.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Ibok, U.J., Udosen, E.D. and Udoidiong, O.M., Niger.J.Technol.Res, 1989, 1, 61-68. Specie, A.and Hamelink, J.L., Lin Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology: Methods and Applications, Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, New York, 1985, pp. 124-163.
Literature cited 2: Olaijire, A.A.and Imeokparia, F.E., Bull.Chem.Soc.Ethiopia, 2000, 14, 1. Hart, B.T., A water Quality Criteria for Heavy Metals, Australian Government Publishing Services, Canberra, 1982.

ID: 61213
Title: A profile of heavy metals in rice (Oryza sativa ssp.indica) landraces
Author: Debal Deb, Sujit Sengupta, T.Pradeep.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 407-409 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Profile, Heavy metals, Rice (Oryza sativa ssp. Indica), Landraces
Abstract: Uptake of metals in rice has been reported in the context of human health and nutrition. In particular, low levels of heavy metals like Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn in rice and other cereals are considered to be desirable for good preventive nutrition. According to FAO and WHO, the daily recommended intake of Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn for an average adult is 15, 12, 1.5-3.0 mg and 2-5 mg respectively. Zn deficiency in diets entails growth retardation, immune dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Iron deficiency limits oxygen delivery to cells, resulting in fatigue and decreased immunity. Deficiency of Cu causes low immune competence, while Mn deficiency may cause hardening of veins. While Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn in cereals have nutritional value, certain other heavy metals (e.g. arsenic and mercury) in cereals are highly toxic, and pose serious health hazards, including cancer and disruption of the central nervous system.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: FAO/WHO, Preliminary report on recommended nutrient intakes. Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Human Vitamin and Mineral Requirements. Bangkok, Thailand, 21-30 September 1998, revised 13 July 2000. Prasad, A.S., J.Trace Elem.Exp.Med., 1998, 11, 63-87.
Literature cited 2: Bhaskaran, P., Br.J.Nutr, 2001, 85, 75-80. Yang, X.,Ye, Z.Q., Shi, C.H., Zhu, M.L.and Graham, R.D.,J.Plant Nutr., 1998,21, 1453-1462.

ID: 61212
Title: Earthquake Early Warning System and its implementation in India.
Author: Arun Bapat
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 405-406 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Earthquake, Early warning System, Implementation, India
Abstract: Earthquake has been one of the major natural calamities and has taken a heavy death toll in last several centuries. Since the last two or three decades or so, a number of researchers have been trying to find whether the occurrence of any destructive earthquake could be predicted well in advance. Till now there is only one case of successful earthquake prediction-the Haicheng (China) earthquake of magnitude 7.3, on 4 February 1975.This earthquake prediction was mostly on the basis of usual geologic and geophysical parameters and also on abnormal animal behaviour. After the occurrence of any destructive earth-quake, there were reports that unusual animal behaviour was observed some hours before the occurrence of earth-quake.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Somethe, D.and Knopoff, L., Bull.Seismol.Soc.Am. 1997, 87, 789. Di Giovambattista, R.and Tyupkin, Y., Tectonophysics, 2004, 384, 243-255.
Literature cited 2: Hayakawa, M.adn Timashev, S., Nonlinear Process.Geophys, 2006, 13, 255-263. Masashi, H., Animals, 2013, 3 (1), 19-32.

ID: 61211
Title: Challenges of managing water bodies as bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu.
Author: Avantika Bhaskar and Jayshree Vencatesan.
Editor: R. Srinivasan.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: Current Science Vol. 109 (3) 403-404 (2015)
Subject: Current Science.
Keywords: Challenges, managing water bodies, bird sanctuaries, Tamil Nadu.
Abstract: The state of Tamil Nadu in South India has had a long history of creating and managing water bodies, especially in the plains (The general term ' water body ' has been used in this note to avoid confusion resulting from the use of terms like ' tanks ' , ' ponds ' , ' wetlands ' , ' lakes ' , etc in administrative parlance.) This is attributed largely to the spatial and temporal variance of rainfall distribution in the state, which is concentrated over the months of October to December during the northeast monsoon, and June to September during the southwest monsoon.
Location: T E 15 New Biology Building.
Literature cited 1: Balachandran, S.Asokan, R.and Sridharan, S., J.Earth Syst.Sci., 2006, 115 (3), 349-362. Palanisami, K.and Easter, K.W., Tank Irrigation in the 21 st Century-What Next? Discovery Publishing House, New Delhi, 2000, p.189.
Literature cited 2: Palanisami, K.and Meinzen-Dick, R., Irrig.Drain.Syst. 2001, 15 (2), 173-195. Sakthivadivel, R., Gomathinayagam, P.and Shah, T., Econ.Polit.Wkly. 2004, XXXIX (31), 3521-3526.