The results reveal that the water-chemistry of Nalas and Rivers is superior to that of the Tals on account of their cations, anions and other properties. The calcium ions dominate within anions and bicarbonates within anions in all the waters irrespective of their sources and locations. Calcium and magnesium ions show a close resemblance in their concentration but sodium ions exhibit an erratic variation. Seasons too play a vital role on chemical characteristics/composition of the waters. The paper concludes with some suggestions.

The loss of species following disturbances may reduce the resilience of ecosystems to stress. It is thus understood that diversity of plant species may affect the functional processes in a disturbed ecosystem. This paper reports on the biomass accumulation patterns in litter, roots, and microbial biomass across changing community characteristics along a successional gradient in a regrowing broadleaved forest following felling and in a pine forest on abandoned agricultural lands in a subtropical environment of north-eastern India. The species diversity index had a linear relationship with litter, fine roots and microbial biomass accumulation in the broadleaved forest regrowths, while density and basal area of pine trees were negatively correlated to these functional processes. Over all, there were significant positive correlations among litter, fine roots and microbial biomass. These results suggest that woody vegetation characteristics could be an index to explain the biomass dynamics of the three soil biological processes that increased during community development following disturbances. Species evenness index had no relationships with the biological processes. Nevertheless, the usage of community characteristics as an index of biological processes could be ecosystem specific in general and type of successional vegetation in particular.

Plant species diversity of plantation forest and degraded forest in Surajpur block (Barotiwala) of Kuthar Forest Range in Kunihar Forest Division of Himachal Pradesh was studied in October, 2000. The number of herbs and grasses species under plantation forest and degraded forest was 31 m^-2 and 25 m^-2, respectively. On the basis of importance value index (IVI), Justicia simplex and Andropogon sp. were observed to be the dominant herbs under plantation forest and degraded forest, respectively. In general, distribution of most of plant species was contiguous. Index of dominance was lower and index of diversity was higher for shrubs and herbs species under plantation forest than that of degraded forest. Index of diversity for herbs was 4.40 in plantation forest and 3.70 in degraded forest. The index of dissimilarity for herbs between plantation forest and degraded forest was high indicating remarkable degree of dissimilarity in herbs species. However, there was plenty of similarity between plantation forest and degraded forest as far as shrubs species under them was concerned. The soil under plantation forest has better fertility status in comparison to degraded forest.

The materials used in this study were obtained from 19 seed sources selected from different geographical areas under the species in the state of Himachal Pradesh. These 19 seed sources were evaluated for variability studies in cone and seed characters. Significant differences (p=0.05) were observed among provenances for cone length, cone diameter and seed weight indicating that a significant amount of genetic variation exists among provenances for these traits. Wide ranges in the means were exhibited for cone weight (79.4-314.40 g), No. of seed (124-230), seed weight (1.5-15.5 g) and No. of scale (120-215). In all cases the standard error were lower than their respective means. All characters were found to have positive and highly significant genetic correlation except cone length and seed weight (0.39). In all the cases genotypic correlations were larger than the phenotypic correlations. The heritability estimates were high for all traits except seed weight (16.26%). The highest values were obtained for cone weight 66.43% followed by cone length 56.73% and cone diameter 53.04%. Cone weight, which recorded highest estimate of heritability also recorded highly significant genetic correlation with all traits. Although heritability estimates in broad sense may give useful indication about the relative value of selection in the materials, heritability along with genetic gain is more useful than the heritability alone in predicting the resultant effect for selecting the best genotypes for a given trait.

Allured by the potential productivity of clonal plants, various agencies including Forest Department are increasingly raising such plantation for boosting productivity of marginal forests and reclaiming degraded lands as well as other difficult sites. The ‘True to the type’ genotype of the clonal plantation dictates productivity but it is ensured by survival per cent in a plantation. In sites having a poor survival history, the well-perceived yield advantages of clonal plantations may dwindle significantly, if its survival dips. Comparison between 8.5-year-old clonal and seedling plantations in a site having deterring physical and chemical soil properties revealed poor survival of clonal plants. Thriving clonal plants grew as per the popular notions and accumulated non-significantly higher G50, GBH, height and wood biomass per plant than seedlings, till 7.5 years age. In ninth year, rising casualty in clonal plants reversed the growth pattern and higher wood biomass yield was observed in seedling plants. Also, GBH:G50 ratio, which usually indicated similar growth in clonal and seedling trees, titled in favour of seedling plans.

The present study was conducted to investigate the structural differences in herbage vegetation under different aged chirpine trees at four locations, viz., Barog, Deothi, Dharampur and Tatul of Solan Forest Division of Himachal Pradesh, India. Each location had three sites representing different ages of chirpine stand, viz., sapling, pole and tree besides an open grassland. Monthly plant sampling in each site revealed ten grass species, two sedges, two legumes and two non-legumes in total. Total density and LAI of herbage was found to increase from July to August/September, thereafter, decreased up to November. Amongst the different species, in general, Themeda anthera; Panicum maximum, Chrysopogon montanus and Pollinia argentea were the major contributors to the density of herbage vegetation. Total density of herbage was higher in open grassland as compared to the three chirpine inhabited sites at all the locations. Further, LAI of herbage under chirpine sites was less as compared to LAI of herbage in open grassland during different samplings. LAI of herbage had significant relationship with density variations.

Present study deals with the certain soil and vegetation characteristics of reserve forest occurring in the Nainital (2000-2050 m) district of Kumaon in Central Himalaya in temperate region. Vegetational analysis for tree layer was carried out by quadrat method, the forest tree composition was divided into three categories, viz. Seedlings, saplings and trees. The number of tree, the density, frequency, abundance, A/F ratio, basal area and important value index (IVI) of the study sites were also reported. Total 17 tree species were present. The total density ranged from 323.2-1200 ind. ha-1 for seedlings, 122.6-583.3 ind. ha-1 for saplings and 42.9-170.1 ind. ha-1 for trees in all sites of reserve forest. The total average basal area of reserve forest ranged from 6.1-8.5, 21.1-33.8 and 32.7-153.8 m2 ha-1 respectively for seedlings, saplings and trees. The soil texture for coarse gravel ranged from 22.0-56.2%, sand 33.9-56.7%, silt 2.7-7.1% and clay 5.9-14.2% in the reserve forest. Soil bulk density varied from 0.95-1.20 gm cm-3, however the soil porosity and pH ranged from 52.8-64.2% and 5.5-6.5, respectively.

A massive survey of demand and supply of fuelwood in the Jorhat district of Assam was conducted in 1999 and 2000. Stratified sampling technique was used in the study. Total supply and consumption of the fuelwood in the district is 470084 and 494103 tonnes per year respectively. About 24019 tonnes of fuelwood, which accounts for 5 per cent of total consumption, is found to be deficit. Per capita fuelwood consumption in the district is 466 kg. Out of the total supply, homestead contributes 79% while forest and bamboo stead contribute 8 and 13% respectively. A total of 35 different fuelwood species are being exploited for energy. It seems that there is acute scarcity of suitable species for firewood in the region. As the population of the region increases there will be huge demand for fuelwood in the coming years. Therefore, more emphasis should be given for scientific selection of suitable firewood species and people should be mobilized to take up large-scale energy plantation for fulfilling their demand.

The present paper deals with Alternaria blight disease of Eucalyptus hybrid and its management. The symptoms of necrosis of leaves and shoots starting from the tip and progressively downwards giving a blighted appearance to the infected leaves and shoots on seedlings at nursery stage were observed. In order to find out an effective management of disease, seven fungicides, viz. Dithane M-45, Difolatan, Zineb, Bavistin (0.2%). Blue copper-50 (0.3%), Captan (0.2%) and Brestan-60 (0.1%) were sprayed on Eucalyptus hybrid seedlings. The results indicated that all the fungicides significantly reduced the disease incidence as compared to control. However, Brestan 60 treatment was found to be most effective which exhibited disease index per cent as 57.0 as compared to control with 86.6 per cent disease index.

Seasonal biology of rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros L. on Oil palm was studied in manure pits under field condition during January-November 2000 (Period I), February-November 2000 (Period II), March-November 2000 (Period III), April 2000 – February 2001 (Period IV) and May 2000 – January 2001 (Period V). Females laid 5 to 52 eggs singly at a depth of 9.72 cm in the moistened manure pits. The incubation period ranged from 6.75 to 11.60 days duration of first, second and third instar grubs varied from 18.40 to 27.20, 16 to 20.40 and 134 to 149.20 days, respectively. The total larval period (168.40 to 193.40 days), pre-pupal (7.20 to 16.20 days) and pupal period (15.60 to 33 days) was also found varied. Before emergence, beetle rests or remains inactive inside the cocoon for 9.20 to 15.80 days. The rate of successful adult emergence ranged from 83.39 to 90.63 per cent. The sex ratio however, varied from 1:1.12 to 1:1.46 with slight predominance of females. The average longevity of adult varied from 54.60 to 72.20 days for male and 51.80 to 69.40 days for female. Pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods ranged from 26.40 to 42.80, 11 to 14.60 and 10.80 to 18.40 days, respectively. The total life of male and female varied from 271.20 to 324.80 and 268.20 to 322 days, respectively.

With a view to develop suitable method for simple, non-destructive, non-destructive and easy estimation of phyllode area of Acacia auriculaeformis A.Cunn. ex Benth. Regression analysis was undertaken with various parameters of phyllode, viz., length, width, length into width and multiple regressions with length and a width. Significant correlation was obtained with all the parameters. Equations thus derived showed highest value of coefficient of determination in case of multiple regression (0.962) and lowest with width (0.305). A model for determination of phyllode area of large number of phyllodes was also suggested.

Eight species of flowering platns, viz. Corydalis vaginans Royle, Lepidium virginicum L., Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronq., Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. Gentiana crassuloides Bureau et Franchet, Orobianche cernua Loefl. Var. pseudo-clarkei Jafri, Chenopodium murale L. and Eleocharis retroflexa (Poir.) Urb. Have been described as new records for the Flora of Ladakh. Of these Gentiana crassuloides Bureau et Franchet, Chenopodium murale L., Eleocharis retroflexa (Poir.) Urb. are being recorded for the first time from the state of Jammu & Kashmir.

Russula praetervisa Sarnari and Aureoboletus thibetanus (Pat.) Hongo and Nagas are described and illustrated for the first time form India.

Efficacy of two toxins, viz. Dendrolimus and Delfin of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner var. Kurstaki was evaluated against Crypsiptya coclesalis a serious defoliator of bamboos during monsoons. This bacterium is effective only when ingested by the larvae. Therefore spraying on food proved highly effective in causing 80-100% mortality when sprayed @ 1.5-2.0% in the laboratory.

Calamagrostis nagarum (Bor) G. Singh a rare and endemic species of Naga Hills (North-East India) that had never been collected earlier after its type, has now been rediscovered from Uttaranchal Himalaya (India).

The North East India is among the most significant global hotspots of biodiversity, and state of Arunachal Pradesh covers 32% of total area of the region. In comparison to the other neighbouring states and countries, large areas of the State of Arunachal Pradesh are under intact forest cover that provides unique opportunity to conserve biodiversity within the protected areas. This paper analyses the status of biodiversity and management of Namdapha National Park, which is also a Tiger Project and is under the active consideration of Biosphere Reserve Status. The Park falls among the select relict rainforest patches of high global significance, and has been identified as an epicenter of high endemism and biodiversity with over 1119 plants and 1399 faunal species in an area of 1985 km² (elevation variation 200-4570 m above sea level). It also provides unique habitats to four Wild Cats (Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Clouded Leopard) and only Ape (Hollock Gibbon) in India, thus conservation of this Park has larger implications not only for India but for whole of the South-east Asian countries. There has been communities living around the Park, a few settlements within the Park area are of major concern for the conservation of biodiversity. Besides, grazing, hunting, and NTFPs collections, particularly in the fringe areas, are other major threats to the biodiversity of the Park. The management suffers due to lack of proper infrastructure, enough manpower and trained personnel, which has been a major constraint in recent times. The paper highlights the need of strengthening community conservation linkages by educating people and addressing the issues of settlement, NTFP collection and hunting involving local communities in the management of Park around its buffer zone I addition to building capacity of Park management staff. Preparing comprehensive eco-development programmes for different areas and communities in and around the Park is an important issue to address long-term management of the area.

In the present study, the change monitoring of vegetation cover has been doen for the Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park of Ranchi over a period of 12 years. This involved the classification of land use using ERDAS IMAGINE software IRS LISS II data of 1991 and IRS LISS III data of 1996. The change in different class of forest in the Biological Park’s area in various periods has been analyzed critically for various reasons leading to it. The study demonstrates that Remote Sensed data can be useful for Forest/Wildlife Manager by providing them spatial information of their territory which can be analyzed in short time and at low cost, for various management purposes.