Globally, there is increasing realization of the dependence of humans on ecosystems and the role by forests in providing important ecosystem services. Forests are the chief source of livelihood in developing countries in general and mountains in particular. The five Indian Himalayan states constitute about 12.84% of the total geographical area of the country. The Indian Himalaya holds key to India’s ecological security and is the major provider of various forest products and hydro power. The Himalaya is the store house of glaciers which provides perennial river systems for mountain inhabitants as well as millions of people living downstream for settlements, agriculture and industries. Good forest cover in Himalayan states is central to maintain ecological balance and environmental stability as it prevents soil erosion and land degradation. India’s National Forest Policy (NFP) of 1988 aims at maintaining 66% of the geographical area in the hills under forests. The present forest cover of 31.05% of the total geographical area of the Indian Himalayan states is way behind the target set by NFP-1988. But to reach the target set by NFP, the area under forest change due to direct and indirect causes. Climate change too has its impact on Himalayan forests resulting in change in forest community structures. Only strategy is to ensure that forests of Himalayan states are not further degraded. Therefore, urgent need is to utilize the forests in a sustainable manner with focus on minimum depletion. Union government and the respective state governments must lay special emphasis to mitigate all the threats that result in depletion of forest resources through multi-pronged, long-term and integrated approaches, so that Himalayan forests continue to benefit mankind for the present as well as future generations.

It is being increasingly realized that the forests play a critical role in global carbon cycle and after significant potential to capture carbon and thus could play important role in climate change mitigation. In this background, based on growing stock of forest available in Ranchi district of Jharkhand State of India, carbon budget was prepared and comparing the past figures of growing stock; temporal carbon dynamics was also analysed. The above analysis leads to the carbon stored in the forest (Sal stratum) has decreased from 1981 to 1996, but it has increased in the forest (Misc. stratum). This suggests for mixed forest, which are otherwise also desirable for ecologically reasons – are doing better, compared to some what amonoculture “Sal” forest. This gives a lead to think about possible changes in current forest management approach, as the miscellaneous forest are doing better in given constraints. The study also hints for more efforts on plantation in poorly stocked forest areas i.e. “Open canopy” and “Scrub” forests – which can help in sequestering more carbon as well. Also by using wood preservation treatments, the service life of wood used in the district can be increased to 3.07 times.

The survey revealed complete destruction of bryo-vegetation from ground to the height of 15-17 at Kausani due to forest fire which erupted in 2002 in the areas which were completely gutted in fire. The fire period was intense and long and most of the thalli growing over there were burnt completely. The remnant marks of burnt thalli of Marchantia sp. and Plagiochasma sp. were well preserved on soil or substratum. However, the impact of firer was also noticed in the surrounding area where the thalli were burnt partially. Some of the species completely vanished from the site e.g. Hylocomium splendens, Pottia trunchtula which were seen earlier.

Willows (Salix fragilis L. And S. alba L.) are important cultivated trees in cold desert environment of the Lahaul valley for meeting fuel wood, fodder, small timber and other resource requirements of the people. Willows are cultivated on terraces of agricultural fields, wastelands, along with water channels (kuhls) and around settlements through traditional shoot-cutting plantation method. However, S. fragilis is more widely cultivated species as compared to S. alba in the Lahaul valley. At the end of Ist years growing season, length of coppices under CBH category of 1-30 cm was recorded maximum at Kuthar (1.25+0.01 m) and lowest at Khoksar (0.85+0.04 m). Similar trend was also recorded for coppice length under all the CBH categories at the end of IInd and IIIrd year’s growth seasons. Thus the longest coppices were at Kuthar village followed by Hinsa, Jahlma and smallest at Khoksar village. Diameter of coppice was also highest at Kuthar (11.34 + 0.53 mm) followed by Hinsa (9.76+0.32 mm), Jahlma (8.28+0.72 mm) and lowest value at Khoksar (7.04+0.13 mm). Emergence of coppices showed direct relationship with increase of the CBH categories of the trunks. The number of coppices during first year were lowest (28.00+2.00) under 1-30 cm CBH category of trunk followed by 30-60 cm (83.00+5.83), 60-90 cm (137.00+12.61) and highest (218.00+13.56) in >90 cm circumference category. Under all the CBH categories survivals of coppices were >80% at the end of IInd year and ~70% at the end of IIIrd year. Emergence of highest number of coppices resulted in lesser numbers of survival in the end of IIIrd year. Willow was found socially best accepted and ecologically suitable species as a source of renewable energy under cold desert environment of the Lahaul valley where a few other tree species survives due to prolong subzero temperature and xeric soil conditions.

Studies were undertaken for knowing the correlation among morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. In different climatic zones of Northern India. The results showed that morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters of Dalbergia sissoo clones showed positive correlation with each other at different sites viz. Lachhiwala (Dehra Dun), Lalkuwan (Haldwani) Bithmera (Hisar) and Pandhori Mindo Mind (Hoshiyarpur). Hence, for a successful tree improvement programme, screening and selection of the clones of this species must be based on their performance with respect to morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters collectively rather than the single parameter.

Species diversity, relative dominance and spatial distribution of woody plants species in the high hills of Western Himalayas were studied. The study area was poor in species diversity, both in terms of species richness and evenness. The highest values of Shannon’s index were 1.984 and 2.136 for trees and shrubs respectively. Maximum sites were having lower values of Jaccard’s index (J’) and higher values of concentration of dominance (Cd). Evenness in the shrub communities was more as compared to tree communities. Twenty of the 24 sites were dominated by conifers. Pinus gerardiana dominated maximum number of sites (8) followed by Cedrus deodara (6 sites). Most of the species were contagiously distributed in most of the communities and only a few had random or regular distribution.

The documentation of forest wealth in the Himalayas is of great importance because of biotic pressure on them. The applied system of management and conservation of forests is of immediate concern for the present and future generation. Such study is useful to known the type of plant community development through succession under single stand management system. The present study revealed the dominance of Cedrus deodara an endemic species of Indian Himalayas in all Periodic Blocks with maximum dominance in PB II. Among different PBs maximum diversity in species was found in PB IV with highest density of Quercus floribunda followed by Cedrus deodara and Pinus wallichiana. Among shrub species Berberis aristata showed maximum dominance in PB I, PB II and PB IV. However, Sarcococca saligna was dominant in PB III and as a next dominant species in PB I and PB II. It also showed highest density in PB I, PB II and PB III. While Berberis aristata indicated highest density in PB IV. Among herbaceous vegetation most dominant species was Eragrostis nutans in all periodic blocks. The maximum regeneration of Cedrus deodara was found in the decreasing trend as PBI >PB >PB >IV >PBIII >PBII. The maximum contribution to regeneration among various Periodic Blocks was of Cedrus deodara followed by Quercus floribunda, Pinus wallichiana and Quercus leucotrichophora.

The present study was carried out in three forest stands – SI, S2 and S3, located at 1900 m, 2600 m and 2800 m elevations, in Darjeeling. The stands harboured the typical broadleaved species of the East Himalayan Moist Temperate forests. Vegetation analysis for trees and saplings was carried out by quadrat method and the density (D), basal area (BA) and diversity were evaluated. A total of 24 tree species were recorded, of which S I had 13 species (D-740 ha^-1, BA-48.23 m³ ha^-1) and was dominated by Castanopsis purpurella. At S2, there were 12 species (D-840 ha^-1, BA – 63.04 m² ha^-1) with dominance of Lithocarpus pachyphylla and Rhododendron spp. At S3, there were 9 species (D-620 ha-1, BA-30.33 m² ha^-1) with Cryptomeria japonica and Rhododendron spp. Dominating. The sapling layer was poorer in comparison with a total of 16 species. There were only 8, 9 and 5 species at S1, S2 and S3, respectively and the density ranged between 480 ha^-1 and 900 ha^-1. Both the trees and saplings showed low similarity values between the stands and a predominantly random distribution pattern. The tree and sapling diversity ranged between 2.917-3.385 and 2.305-3.026, respectively.

The effect of BAP (6-benzyl aminopurine) on bud break in the back bulbs of Calanthe yuksomnensis was studied. For this purpose, the back bulbs were soaked in aqueous solution of BAP (20-200 mg/l) for 24 hours. The back bulbs were packed in transparent polyethylene bags with moist sawdust and stored in dark at room temperature for 40 days. The BAP concentration 20-100 mg/l increased number of sprouted back bulbs whereas higher concentration decreased the number of sprouted bulbs. The highest number of sprouted bulbs was obtained from BAP 100 mg/l treatment and maximum shoot bud length was recorded from the back bulbs soaked in solution containing 40 mg/l BAP. These sprouted back bulbs when planted in medium containing (1:1:1) leaf mould, farm yard manurer and garden soil (v/v) unfolded their leaves and developed into complete plant.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of locally available eco-friendly material for breaking the dormancy in Mimusops elengi Linn. At College of Forestry Ponnampet. Among the different seed treatments hot water treatment gave significantly higher germination over other treatments. Lowest germination was observed in mechanical seed coat breaking. Both germination value and germination energy was found maximum in hot water treatment and minimum in mechanical treatment.

The present paper highlights the morphological parameters of seedling of P. cineraria – a multipurpose tree species of Indian desert. Seedling development was observed for 35 days up to 8^th leaf stage. Seed germination was macaranga type. Paracotyledons were opposite, isocotylar, fleshy and persistent up to 7^th or 8^th leaf stage. Hypocotyl was looped when young and epicotyl was zig-zag and aculeate after second leaf stage. First leaf was uni-pinnate – paripinnate, stipulate with four to six pairs of pinnae whereas second and subsequent leaves were bipinnate – papipinnate, stipulate and alternate. Days and date of appearance of paracotyledons and different leaves and shoot: root length ratio (SRLR) have also been recorded.

A protocol for seed germination and seedling culture of Cymbidium aloifolium (L.) Sw. and C. bicolor Lindl. Was developed. Green “matured” capsules containing seeds were surface sterilized and cultured on various media compositions. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with or without 10% coconut water (CW) promoted higher rate of initial seed germination. This was followed by modified Knudson’s C and Phytamax media supplemented with or without 10% CW. Further studies on seedling multiplication revealed that MS medium supplemented with 10% CW was more effective in axillary shoot proliferation. Rooted seedlings were successfully acclimatized to the greenhouse environment. Results of this study demonstrate that Cymbidiums can be successfully propagated through asymbiotic germination method for possible use in re-introduction in situ and conservation projects.

Seventeen exotic mulberry germplasm accessions were evaluated for propagation traits for two seasons to assess their genetic potential in tropical dry climate. The sprouting percentage after 30 days was observed maximum in M. rotundiloba (88.44%) followed by Kenmochi (87.79%), Shrim-2 (86.57%) and minimum in Fernodias (61.90%). Maximum survival percentage after 90 days followed the same trend as sprouting. The trend of survival percentage of saplings gradually decreases as the age of the saplings increased may be due to environmental influence. The selection of mulberry accession for commercial exploitation, survival is considered one of the important criteria as it is propagated through vegetative means.

To select superior progenies having higher nutrients and better proximate principles, the seeds were collected during March and April from phenotypically superior trees of Bauhinia variegata Linn. Growing at 32 sites in the natural distribution area in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand. These were sown in the nursery in the last week of June. After sixteen month’s growth the leaf samples from the progeny were collected and analysed for their mineral nutrients and proximate principles viz., N, P, K, Ca, Mg, dry matter crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, total ash and nitrogen free extract. All the mineral nutrients and proximate principles were found to vary significantly among sites/genotypes. Significant correlation between different character pairs indicated the possibility of indirect selection in the species.

Cambium of seven tropical trees was studied in relation to structure, organization, arrangement and dimensional variation of its different components – the fusiform and ray initials. The area and frequency of ray initial units were also worked out in the different tree species investigated.

The present paper examines the cost, return and resource use efficiency in lac cultivation on major lac host plants. This paper is based on the analysis of data collected on 400 lac growers of Ranchi and West Singhbhum district in the year 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. Primary data was collected from the respondents with the help of pre-tested schedule/questionnaire. Simple tabular and Cobb Douglas production function was used for the present analysis. The total cost of lac cultivation was found to be Rs. 5,132, Rs. 9,347 and Rs. 68,808 per 100 host trees for Palas (Butea monosperma). Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana) and Kusum (Schleichera oleosa), respectively. The high cost of cultivation on Kusum was due to high labour and broodlac requirement. The net return was found to be Rs. 9,772, Rs. 19,543 and Rs. 1,62,837 for Palas, Ber and Kusum, respectively. Analysis of variance indicated that 76.46%, 66.73% and 68.26% variation in total income from lac for Palas, Ber and Kusum, respectively was explained by four variables like number of host utilized, number of human labour days, utilized, amount of broodlac in kg and value of other inputs in Rs.. Out of these human labour days utilized and amount of broodlac inoculated were significant at 5 per cent level of significance in explaining the variation. This showed increase in the level of human labour days utilized and amount of broodlac inoculated resulted in enhancing efficiency of lac cultivation on all the three hosts, contributing significantly towards gross return. Marginal value product analysis suggested a significant scope for increasing lac production at growers level by vertical growth in lac cultivation i.e. increase in production by using more input on the same host.

Efficacy of three varietal toxin of Bacillus thringiensis, viz., var. thuringiensis and its exotoxin, var. dendrolimus endotoxin, var. kurstaki endotoxin and their commercial formulation of Dipel 8, were investigated against the fifth instar larvae of Spirama retorta Cram. The results showed that this insect was highly susceptible to B.t., irrespective of toxin. Larval morality started only after three days and maximum larval mortality was obtained after three days of continuous feeding of B.t. sprayed young leaves. Among the tested varietal toxins B.t. var. kurstaki endotoxin proved to be highly effective at 1.5% of spray.

Eria globulifera Seidenf. (Orchidaceae), known from Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur in India, is reported for the first time from Sikkim and North-West Himalaya. The same is described and illustrated here.

The paper presents an enumeration of 35 algal species belonging to 22 genera under 12 families from four classes are recorded from Renuka Lake, wetland in Himachal Pradesh. This study has revealed the rare and dominant algal taxa in the lake. An earlier report on the algal flora in the lake has also been discussed.

Seven species of edible macrofungi namely Cantharellus cibarius, Coprinus comatus, Geopora arenicola, Ramaria formosa, Ramaria flavo-brunnescens, Sparassis crispa and Termitomyces striatus belonging to Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes have been illustrated and arer being described for the first time from Jammu Province of Jammu and Kashmir state. Their habitat description, taxonomic features, edibility and economic status and ethnomycological details have been incorporated in the present communication. Out of these seven species. Termitomyces striatus is new report from Jammu and Kashmir state, whereas remaining six species constitute the first authentic report from the Jammu Province.

Ipomoea laxiflora H.J.Chowdhery & M.R.Debta, a new species of the genus Ipomoea L., (Convolvulaceae) is described from Uttarakhand, India along with a photo plate.

Garari Cleistanthus collinus (Roxb.) Benth. ex Hook.f. is one of the important deciduous forest species in Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh. In the present study, infected fruits of C. collinus were collected and larvae in different age group were recovered. These larvae were reared in laboratory. The seed borer was identified at Entomology Division of Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur as Virachola isocrates (Lycaenidae). It attacks from June to September. This insect has been reported for the first time as insect pests on fruits and seeds of Garari (Cleistanthus collinus) it is recorded adversely affect the natural regeneration of C. collinus in Seoni district. Virachola isocrates was also recorded from the samples collected from Jabalpur. Betul and Balaghata Districts of Madhya Pradesh.

The present communication reports Aeginetia indica L. (Orobanchaceae) as a new generic record to the flora of Himachal Pradesh. The plant was found growing in Malan locality of District Kangra on the roots of Dendrocalamus strictus.

Bacterial diseases caused by Pseudomonas tectonae in Teak (Tectona grandis) nurseries and young 9 to 18 months old plantations raised in the Kerala State have been recorded. P. tectonae causes cotyledon rot, collar rot and wilt of seedlings in conventional seedbed nurseries as well as root trainer nurseries and vascular wilt of plants in young plantations. Severe disease incidence resulted in partial to complete failure of nurseries and large-scale mortality of plants in young plantations. Diseases in nursery, can be managed by following proper hygiene nursery practices and also; by application of bactericides (Pantmycin/Oxytetracycline/ Streptocycline @1000 ppm as soil drench). Spread of disease from nursery to plantation can be managed by preparing planting material (stump/seedlings) from disease free nursery stock and following strict quarantine measures.

The present paper describes the rich ectomycorrhizal diversity existing in forests of Gulmarg and Bandipora in district Baramulla of Kashmir Valley. Ten hitherto unreported ectomycorrhizal fungi belonging to Basidomycota, collected and identified during the survey conducted in March-October 2005, are described.

Gymnostachyum latifolium (Dalzell) T. Anderson var. decurrens Gamble was considered endemic to Western Ghats of Kerala. The present collection from Goa extends its distribution to the Northern Western Ghats. A detailed description with illustration is provided and a lectotype has been designated.

Rheum nobile Hook.f. & Thoms. is one of the most attractive, striking and distinct looking plant, found in high Himalayan region from Nepal onwards up to Arunachal Pradesh. The large, bladder-like, drooping and overlapping cream coloured bracts of R. nobile apart from enhancing the beauty of the plant, also keep the reproductive organs warm to ensure pollination and development of seeds in the cold Himalayan environment.

An endemic orchid, Peristylus stocksii (Hook.f.) Kraenzl. Is reported from Rajasthan for the first time along with its description, illustration, photographs, location in Rajasthan and earlier distributional records in India.

A new genus Cymbidiopsis H.J.Chowdhery, with 2 species – C. macrorhiza (Lindl.) H.J.Chowdhery and C. lancifolia (Hook.) H.J.Chowdhery is described. Cymbidiopsis is allied to Cymbidium Swartz but differs in habit, vegetative characters as well as in flower structure. Besides unlike the genus Cymbidium, Cymbidiopsis has flowers with 4 pollinia in 2 unequal pairs and lip with 2 callus ridges converging to form a short tube at the base of the mid-lobe.

Species diversity of Pedicularis and associated plants in Sikkim Himalaya was studied in the year 2003-2004. On the basis of important value index (IVI) species of Ranunculus and Taraxacum were observed to be dominant in microhabitat associations. Index of richness was maximum 0.91 at Lachen, at the altitude of 3500 m and index of diversity was maximum 0.53 at Changu, 3500 m. Index of diversity was higher in Eastern Sikkim than Northern Sikkim but Index of richness was higher in Northern Sikkim.

A new variety in Microstegium has been described from Bangeshwar District in Uttarakhand along with its illustration.

Canscora stricta Sedgwick, a little known, rare and narrow endemic species of Gentianaceae; and Ipomoea littoralis Blume (Convolvulaceae), a new record for South India are described and illustrated.

The paper proposes 8 new combinations viz. Diorygma radiatum, Graphis darjeelingensis, G. awasthii, Hemithecium dispersa, Pallidogramme chrysenterodes, P. nilgiriensis, Phaeographis ceylonensis and P. dividens. Two species Helminthocarpon album and H. cherrapunjiense are made as synonyms to Diorygma radiatum.