ID: 58353
Title: Forestry education and training: Time for major reforms
Author: Ashish Kothari
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 4, April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Forestry
Keywords: Forestry education, Training, reforms
Abstract: Forestry education and training in India which is based on conventional forest management centred towards state, relying on a centralized bureaucracy. This has now begun to change, due to several factors including growing mobilization by affected communities, realization by government and civil society that effective conservation needs community involvement, and several global processes redefining forest management and governance. For protected areas, two new categories of goverance have been recognized: ' shared goverance or co-management of protected areas (CMPA) ' in which governments and local communities jointly decide, plan, and execute management measures; and ' community conserved areas (CCAs) ' , in which local communities are the predominant decision -makers. Various goverance types can be combined to conserve large ' landscapes ' rather than only islands of PAs. The IFS syllabus needs revamping to centre around concepts and practices of participation, rights, CMPAs and CCAs , landscape-level conservation, and combining traditional and modern knowledge.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58352
Title: Forestry education in India: Retrospect, prospect and recommendations for improvement
Author: S M Sulaiman Quli, V Sivaji and K K Srivastava
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 4, April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Forestry
Keywords: Forestry education, National Commission on Agriculture, National forest policy 1988, ICFRE
Abstract: The analysis of history of forestry education is documented to illustrate the evolutionary aspects of forestry education in this country. A keen review of challenges of forestry education with respect to demand of the forestry professionals and the continuing educational packages have revealed ever widening gap in terms of required knowledge and skills vis-a-vis the actual course modules being followed. The intervention of 4th Dean ' s Committee of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), New Delhi, is discussed to demonstrate the inadequacies of the course modules and impracticality of the proposals for reorganization of departments of forestry faculties. Cogent recommendations, based upon new perspectives of forestry education, aimed at mitigation of the mismatches between the existing forestry education system and national requirements of forestry professionals/scientists and teachers are recorded to provide sound backup for better planning of the forestry education system in India.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58351
Title: Evolution of training of its probationers in independent India
Author: Shashi Paul
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 4, April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Forestry
Keywords: Indian Forest Service, Probationer, training, syllabus and weightage
Abstract: Syllabus of IFS training which was notified in 1968 has been revised four times in 1971, 1983, 1995 and 2007. Major components of training as well as their proportion has remained almost same in all these years. Tours and exercises have undergone changes. Qualifying tests have remained more or less same. In theory and practicals some subjects have been renamed and in some cases redistribution of contents has been made. New subjects have been added and some subjects have been done away with . In case of wildlife management, environmental conservation, forest policy and law, NTFP, forests and people contents have been enriched by addition of new topics. Subjects like botany, engineering, forest protection, wood technology, harvesting and industries, working plan and forest engineering are reduced in terms of content. In terms of weightage soil science, geology, botany, silviculture, forest survey, forest management, utilization, forest protection, forest engineering have gone down. Weightage has increased for mensuration, forest policy and law, wildlife managment, forests and people and environmental conservation. Training curriculum of IFS probationers in independent India has been revised periodically to respond to the new challenges but the changes made are far less and a lot more needs to be done by looking into all aspects.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58350
Title: Analysis of professional training of Indian forest service officers
Author: Gopa Pandey
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 4, April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Forestry
Keywords: Professional training, sustainable forest management, Indian Forest Service, Recruitment, adventure
Abstract: The trainging of Indian Forest officers at Indira Gandhi natioanl Forest Academy, Dehradun is reviewed in the light of the current job requirements of the IFS officers. The training components, design and duration are discussed to reflect upon the weightage assigned to each activity during 24 months of professional training at IGNFA. The emphasis on physical fitness and indoor vs. outdoor activites finds a mention as the personality development of forest officers depnds heavily on tours, exercises and excursions. The inputs provide an exposure to various silvicultural systems in India which goes a long way in carving out profesional discharge of their duties. The analysis concludes that forestry is not merely a profession, but is also a way a life, the traits of which are inculcated during the professional forestry training at IGNFA. Other in - service training programmes introduced by the Government of India ensure personnel development in the right directio during the progression of their career.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58349
Title: Hands-on range management training for IFS officers
Author: Vinod Rishi and Shashi Paul
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 4, April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Forestry
Keywords: Forestry education, institution training, range training, capacity building, forest manual
Abstract: Forestry education and training for new entrants to the Indian Forest Service consists of the ex-situe ' institutional training ' and the in-situ ' hands-on field training ' . The paper discusses the critical role the in-situ ' range training ' plays in capacity buildings of the officers to manage forests, and the need to strengthen it for the benefit of forest and wildlife conservation in India.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58348
Title: Directions for forestry education and training in India
Author: K D Singh
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 4, April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Forestry
Keywords: Training, Education, International trends
Abstract: The paper makes a review of the changing national and international perception of the role of forests and foresters and defines the objectives of forest education and training. With reference to India, two main streams of forestry educations are presented, viz. Government run Academy and Colleges and Forestry Departments at the Agricultural Universities and their potentials and limitations described. Finally, international trend in forestry education is presented and important inference regarding forestry education and training in India is drawn.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58347
Title: Professional forestry education in India for the 21st century
Author: A S Dogra
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 4, April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Forestry
Keywords: Forest management, professional forester, forestry education, socioeconomic aspects
Abstract: Forestry is being increasingly seen as an important factor in rural development. A forester must therefore recognize the need for multidisciplinary and inter disciplinary approaches to problem solving within forest management, in watersheds as well as in respect of trees outside forests. These developments require the broadening of the scope of forestry eduction to include socioeconomic aspects with tranditional biophysical subjects. These require very different skills from those tranditionally acquired by professional foresters. Regional and international partnerships of universites can make significant contribution in aligning forestry education to address economic, enironmental and social objectives.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58346
Title: Forestry education and training in Indian council of forestry research and education
Author: Omkar Singh, Rakesh Kumar Dogra and Anil Negi
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvaid
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 4, April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The Forestry
Keywords: ICFRE, FRIDU, Accreditation, HRD plan, policy, gap analysis, strategies
Abstract: The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun, being an umbrella organization under the Ministry, is actively engaged in forestry research and knowledge dissemination through its eight research institutes and four advanced centers all over India. The paper describes the financial assistance by ICFRE to universites, initiative for accreditation of forestry institutions and courses, training at National and International level to the scientific/managerial cadre/research support staff under HRD plan and participation of officers/scientists in seminars/workshop/ conferences, policy on human resource development in ICFRE, gap analysis in forestry education and strategies for forestry education in India. The objectives of Forest Research Institute Deemed University (FRIDU) and Recognized research centers of FRI Deemed Univeristy are also described.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58345
Title: Evaluation of cnesus techniques to estimate the density of slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus) in Southern India
Author: Honnavalli N Kumara and Sindhu Radhakrishna
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 8, 25 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Density estimate, distance sampling, Loris lydekkerianus, noctural primate, strip transects
Abstract: Reliable estimates of species density are fundamental to planning conservation strategies for any species; further, it is equally crucial to identify the most appropriate technique to estimate animal density. Nocturnal, small-sized animal species are notoriously difficult to census accurately and this issue critically affects their conservation status. We carried out a field study in southern India to estimate the density of slender loris, a small-sized nocturnal primate using line and strip transects. Actual counts of study individuals yielded a density estimate of 1.61 ha-1; density estimate from line transects was 1.08 ha-1; and density estimates varied from 1.06 ha-1 to 0.59 ha-1 in different fixed -widty transects. We conclude that line and strip transects typically underestimate densities of cryptic, nocturnal primates.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58344
Title: Migratory bird, Branta leucopis (Barnacle goose), a potential carrier of diverse Escherichia coli serotypes into pristine Arctic environment
Author: A A Mohamed Hatha, P S Divya, A V Saramma, Mujeeb Rahiman and K P Krishnan
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 8, 25 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, barnacle goose, Escherichia coli, migratory birds, serotyping
Abstract: As a part of the Indian summer expedition to the Arctic in 2011, a study was carried out on the diversity and antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli serotypes in the droppings of migratory bird Branta leucopis, widely known as Barnacle goose. Serotyping of 41 different isolates of E. coli from the dropping revealed presence of nine different serotypes dominated by O149 and O24. The other serotypes encountered were O148, O2, O21, O91, O130, O32 and O37. Phylogenetic analysis by triplex PCR revealed that 31.7% of the isolates belonged to group B2, which are the most virulent strains, followed by B1 and A groups which are considered as commensal strains. Less virulent D group strains were nearly 10%. Antibiogram of the isolates revealed that all the strins were resistant to colistin (polymixin E). While there was a modest level of beta lactam resistance (ampicillin - 39%; amoxicillin-12%) among the E.coli isolates from this source, 7% was resistent to tetracycline.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58343
Title: Subsurface sediment characteristics of the Great Rann of Kachchh, western India based on preliminary evaluation of textural analysis of two continuous sediment cores
Author: D M Maurya, N Khonde, Archana Das, V Chowksey and L S Chamyal
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 8, 25 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Great Rann, Kachchh, lithological characteristics, textural analysis, sediment cores, subsurface stratigraphy
Abstract: The present communication describes the lithological characteristics of two drill cores raised from the Great Rann of Kachchh based on physical characteristics, grain size distribution, textural characteristics and X-ray radiographs. The two cores were raised from the southern fringe of the salt-encrusted region, one to the north of Dhordo (~60 m depth) in the central part of the Great Rann basin and the second from the northeast of Berada (~51 m depth) in the southern Banni plain from the southern marginal part of the basin. Based on textural characteristics, the Dhordo core is subdivided into 16 litho units and the Berada core is subdivided into 13 litho units. Based on the AMS date of 17,700+ 86 cal years BP obtained from Dhordo core at a depth of 60.13 m and 9,515 +61 cal years BP obtained from the basal part of the marine sequence in the Berada core at 38.88 m depth, we infer that the centred part of the Great Rann basin was submerged by a shallow sea by ~18 ka BP, whereas the marginal parts, including the Banni plain were completely submerged by ~10 ka BP.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58342
Title: Validation of non-invasive genetic identification of two elusive, sympatric, sister-species-tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopard (Panthera pardus)
Author: M Bhavanishankar, P Anuradha Reddy, Digpal Singh Gour and S Shivaji
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 8, 25 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Genotyping errors, leopard, species-specific identification, sympatry, tiger
Abstract: Population and conservation genetic studies of endangered species increasingly rely on non-invasively collected samples like hair and faeces. The extant genotyping errors in such samples can be further aggravated in studies on sympatric, closely related species like tiger (Panthera tigris) and leopard (Panthera pardus), where mistakes in species identification can lead to erroneous population estimation, structure and genetic diversity. In this study we assessed possible errors in identification of tiger/leopard faecal samples with published species identification markers. We further analysed a panel of cross-species, polymorphic microsatellite loci for individual identification of both tigers and leopards with an aim to understand the level of allelic overlaps between the two species and to identify a subset of loci useful in eliminating errors in species identification. Two out of four species-specific primers show cross-species amplification. The suite of microsatellite markers used in this study is informative enough to identify individuals and establish genetic diversity in both species. However, 11 out of 13 microsatellites loci exhibit overlapping alleles in tigers and leopards. One locus (Fca96) does not amplify in leopard, whereas only one locus (F 124) shows different allelic ranges in the two species. Prior to taking up non-invasive genetic studies on one/multiple sympatric species, it is important to accurately identify the origin of samples. Further, we recommend correct identification of private alleles in each species which will help in eliminating error in species identification.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58341
Title: Run-off generation from fields with different land use and land covers under extreme storm events
Author: Rishabh Dev Sharma, Rupak Sarkar and Subashisa Dutta
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 8, 25 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Land use and land cover, run-off generation, filtration, extreme storm events
Abstract: Land use and land covers (LULC) are known to influence hydrological processes like infiltration and runoff generation from the watersheds. We report here the effects of some common LULC types on run-off generation in North East India. LULC were found to be closely related to soil macroporosity and the resulting infiltration and surface run-off generation capacities under varying high-intensity rainfall events. The MACRO 5.0 model was used to simulate water transport through soils in both macropore and micropore domains. The model simulations revealed that LULC significantly influenced the moisture content adn water flow rate in both the domains. Undisturbed forest soils, having a high degree of macroporosity, showed higher preferential flow and low run-off. However, paddy fields exhibited very high surface run-off due to lower infiltration owing to hard pan formation at a shallow depth. Soils under jhum cultivation showed significant number of active macropores in the upper soil layer, whereas the macropore connectivity was apparently lost in the lower horizons. Less infiltration of rainwater was observed in the grasslands, where the surface-initiated macropores were blocked by eroded, fine soil particles. Under extreme storm events, rainfall characteristics primarily controlled the run-off generation processes as the intake capacity of the soil macropores was exceeded.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58340
Title: Magnesite in the Palaeoproterozoic metasedimentary carbonate sequence of Aravalli supergroup in Gujarat, Western India
Author: B B Sharma, P R Golani
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 8, 25 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58339
Title: Aerosat-a space-borne sensor for continental aerosols: evaluation of the conceptual model
Author: S K Satheesh and K Krishna Moorthy
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 8, 25 April 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Aerosol Satellite-AEROSAT
Abstract: Even though satellite observations are the most effective means to gather global information in a short span of time, the challenges, in this field still remain over continental landmass, despite most of the aerosol souirces being land-based. This a hurdle in global and regional aerosol climate forcing assessment. Retrieval of aerosol properties over land is complicated due to irregular terrain characteristics and the high and largely uncertain surface reflection which acts as ' noise ' to the much smaller amount of radiation scattered by aerosols, which is the ' signal ' . In this paper, we describe a satellite sensor-the ' Aerosol Satellite (AEROSAT) ' , which is capable of retreiving aerosols over land with much more accuracy and reduced dependence on models. The sensor, utilizing a set of multi-spectral and multi-angle measurements of polarized components of radiation reflected from the Earth ' s surface, along with measurements of thermal infrared broadband radiance, results in a large reduction of the ' noise ' component (compared to the ' signal ' ). A conceptual engineering model of AEROSAT has been designed, developed and used to measure the land-surface features in the visible spectral band. Analysing the received signals using a polarization radiative transfer approach, we demonstrate the superiority of this method. It is expected that satellites carrying sensors following the AEROSAT concept would be ' self-sufficient ' , to obtain all the relevant information required for aerosol retrieval from its own measurements.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None