The ethnobiological studies of Santhal tribe in Jharkhand reveal that certain aspects of their  ethnic knowledge need to be integrated in biodiversity conservation. The religious tenets of this tribe have great potential to help in conservation of some economically useful plants such as Areca catechu (Supari), Ficus religiosa (Pipal), Madhuca longifolia (Mahua), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Semecarpus anacardium (Bhelwa), Shorea robusta (Sal) and Terminalia alata (Asan) in the entire region. The conservational insight of Santhals mirrors in their livestock composition indicating the domestication of fewer goat-sheep and more swine for meat protein aiming solely to avoid hunting of wild animals.

Study on Physico chemical properties of soil is important for sustainable management of agricultural crops, field trees and for their economic growth. Here, we quantify the impact of soil nutrient variation on the population growth of Grewia optiva Drummond with variable climate and heterogeneous soils. The impacts on growth parameters (tree height, crown spread, leaf traits, fruit dimensions) of selected populations of Grewia optiva Drummond statistically analyzed using one way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient. Five composite soil samples were taken at 15-30cm depth, on seven selected districts of Himachal Pradesh viz., total 35 samples were analyzed for physiochemical properties. Soil of Mandi district registered with acidic pH as compared to soil pH of other districts. There was significant difference in pH, OC, EC, N, P, K and in Bulk density within selected population of each district. pH range of moderately acidic to moderately alkaline (according to standard soil classification) founded best for growth of this species. There was highly positive correlation observed between Nitrogen and leaf area(0.33), Phosphorus and leaf area (0.45). 100 leaf fresh weight showed highly positive correlation with Nitrogen (0.37) and organic carbon (0.39).100 leaf dry weight showed highly positive correlation with Nitrogen and Organic Carbon. Crown spread showed highly positive correlation with Organic carbon (0.29), Nitrogen (0.38) and with Phosphorus (0.30). Moderately Positive correlation observed between Potassium and 100 fruit dry weight (0.15). 50% of soil texture observed as sandy loamy and sandy clay loamy.

Gigantochloa gangasinghiana, a new bamboo species collected from Bambusetum of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun is described and illustrations are provided. It was earlier identified as Oxytenthera abyssinica. Species was flowered during the months of November-February, 2020-2021. Its distinction from the closely related species i.e. Gigantochloa apus (Schult. & Schult.) Kurz and Gigantochloa manggong Widjaja has been provided.

Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume (Orchidaceae) is an epiphytic orchid which is distributed in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka, China, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Indo-China. It is commonly known as fox tail orchid due to the presence of beautiful pendent inflorescences which is having huge floricultural and therapeutic potential in the market. The whole plant is used by the local practitioner for the treatment of various ailments. The natural populations of this species are gradually declining because of unscrupulous collection pressures. The present manuscript deals with the botany, economic utility with their mode of propagation and conservation status of the species in terms of past & present research.

Flagellaria indica, a mangrove associate is rediscovered from the mangrove forests of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve of West Bengal, India after a lapse of 117 years. Detailed description, photo plate and notes on its distribution, habitat and uses are provided.

The present paper reports Hedychium flavescens as a new record to the flora of Himachal Pradesh. The detailed description, photo-illustration and field notes are provided to facilitate easy identification of the species.

In this communication Lindernia dubia has been reported as new to the flora of Uttar Pradesh.

Melhania futteyporensis Munro ex Mast and Sida sivarajanii Tambde, Sardesai & A.K. Pandey belonging to the family Malvaceae are reported here as additions to the flora of Telangana from Amrabad Tiger Reserve and Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary respectively. Brief descriptions along with phenological data and colour photo plates are provided for easy identification and future reference.

Molineria capitulata (Lour.) Herb. is reported as a new distributional record for the flora of Tamil Nadu. Detailed description, ecology and photographs are provided for easy identification.

The genus Pyrus L. is reported as an addition to the non-indigenous flora of Odisha. The description, nomenclature, phenology and other relevant details are provided for easy identification and better understanding of the taxa.

Mesoptychia morrisoncola (Horik.) L. Söderstr. & Vá?a – earlier known in Indian bryoflora from Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir, is described for the first time form Sikkim in Eastern Himalaya. Identification key to the Indian species of the genus has been provided.

Five years field explorations in the state of Andhra Pradesh resulted into the documentation of 303 taxa of bryophytes representing 299 species and one subspecies and two varieties belonging to 119 genera and 50 families. Of these, thalloid Hepaticae comprises 51 species belonging to 13 genera and 9 families; foliose Hepaticae comprises 34 species belonging to 19 genera and 9 families; Anthoceratae comprises three species belonging to three genera and two families; acrocarpous mosses comprise 136 taxa belonging to 134 species, 44 genera and 13 families; pleurocarpous mosses comprise of 79 species belonging to 39 genera and 17 families. Systematic enumeration of all the taxa in a tabular form and critical analysis of bryophyte diversity of the state of Andhra Pradesh is presented.