Among the different causes of forest fires, accidental causes result into more than 90 per cent fires followed by natural causes. Socio-economic factors, viz., land holding and social participation play an important role in the management of forest fires. This finding was further conformed by the regression analysis. However, education was found inversely related. The lack of interaction with forest department was reported as an important factor for the non-participation of the respondent in the forest fire control.

Thirteen forest stands located perpendicular to a river course were studied for species composition and regeneration pattern in the Bhabhar belt located at the foothill of the Himalaya characterized by tropical climate. The study area was severely impacted by anthropogenic disturbances. In the stands complete dominance by any one species was lacking except one stand were Sal (Shorea robusta) the late successional Dipterocarpaceae species grew pure. In a few stands trees of Holoptela integrifolia, Dalbergia sissoo and Tectona grandis (planted), Trewia nudiflora and Acacia catechu were present in sizable number. Mallotus phillipensis is the greatest reproducer in this study area recruiting generally many more seedlings and saplings than other forest species. This non-fodder species had comparatively better regeneration than good fodder species.

Studies to evaluate the plant diversity and growth forms in alpine pasture of Talra Wildlife Sanctuary of District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh were carried out during August, 2003. Total 75 species of plant, comprising of 7 grasses, 4 sedges, 4 leguminous forbs and 60 non-leguminous forbs were recorded from the area. On the basis of Importance Value Index (IVI).  Sibbaldia cuneata O. Ktze., was found to be the dominant species followed by Geum elatum Wall ex D. Don., Ligularia amplexicaulis DC., Primula denticulata Smith and Saxifraga parnassifolia D. Don. The distribution of all the plant species was contagious. Index of dominance was 0.036 and index of diversity 5.386. The contribution of tall forbs, short forbs and cushioned and spreading forbs in the alpine pasture was 29.33%, 54.66% and 16.0% respectively.

Effect of forest fire on woody vegetation and regeneration behavior was studied in Chir pine forest situated between 1150-1800 m in Solan Forest Division in Himachal Pradesh, India. Four fire affected Sites and one control Site were surveyed for floristic composition, density, basal area, IVI, A/F, Shannon-Weaver index, Simpson’s Index of dominance (Cd), Species richness (d), Sorenson index (S) and natural regeneration potential of tree and shrubs. A total of 3 tree species and 10 shrub species were recorded on the five experimental sites. Fire resistant species were observed more in selected Chir pine forests. There was not observed any consistent trend for density, basal area, IVI, H. Sorenson’s index of similarity between fire affected and control sites for trees. Density and basal area in fire affected sites were lesser than control sites for shrubs. Contagious pattern of distribution for trees and shrubs was common. Seedlings density of trees and shrubs was higher on occasional fire affected sites than control sites. Density of saplings of trees was higher in control sites than fire affected sites.

Chir pine forests occurring at 750 amsl (Site 1) and 1400 amsl (Site 2) in Western Himalaya were studied for vegetation characteristics and under-canopy assemblages. The vegetation was sampled using quadrats. Total of 40 plant species belonging to 27 families were encountered in the sampling plots. Members of Asteraceae, Leguminosae and Rosaceae dominated the Chir pine under-canopy. At both the Sites, species to genera ratio was found to be one. Amongst the two Sites, the number of tree and shrub species was more at Site 1; while that of herbs was more at Site 2. Higher tree and shrub diversity was recorded at Site 1, 0.63 and 1.32 respectively, while Site 2 had higher (2.12) herb diversity. In general, both Sites had higher shrub and herb diversity compared to tree diversity. Chir pine forests at lower altitude (Site 1) were found to be more diverse than at higher altitude (Site 2). Above ground biomass of Chir pine at the study Sites ranged from 302 t/ha at Site 1 to 338 t/ha at Site 2. The density, diversity and biomass estimate from the present study area are comparable to other Chir pine forests in the Western Himalaya; however, regeneration potential of the present area was recorded to be comparatively poor.

This investigation was aimed to evaluate the impact of changes in incident radiation through crown modification on crop performance. Different shade intensities created through tree crown management significantly affected growth, physiological attributes and yield related parameters in Vigna mungo (syn. Phaseolus mungo) and Pisum sativum grown as understorey field crops with Morus alba under rainfed conditions. The crown management treatments namely, no crown removal, 25, 50 and 75% crown removal resulted in 91, 85, 63 and 47% shade, respectively. Plant height, number of flowers, leaf area of crops was reduced significantly with the increase in shade intensities and decrease in distance from the tree trunk. Higher pods per plant, grains per pod, grain yield and harvest index were observed at lower shade intensities. Growth and yield were maximum in open control (without tree); while unmanaged canopy of Morus trees caused overall yield reduction of 42% beneath canopy up to 3 m distance from the tree trunk. The crown management regulated physiological attributes in the field crops. The maximum photosynthetic rate was recorded for open plot plants, which declined in plants beneath dense canopy. The amount of water transpired from the crop plants decreased with increase in shade intensity. The conversion efficiency was maximum for plants growing as sole crop which decreased with increasing shade intensities. Based on the results of present investigation, it can be recommended that out of the four tree canopy management options tried i.e. 0, 25, 50 and 75% crown removal; 75% crown removal causing least negative effects on crop growth and yield may be adopted as a compromised crown management practice.

Phytosociological study of Populus euphratica community in the Trans Himalayas of Ladakh was conducted. The vegetation was a high altitude riverain forest with low species diversity (H´=0.8569) and high concentration of dominance (Cd=0.5162). In the upper layer P. euphratica dominated the association with IVI value of 219.26 while in the middle layer Berberis ulicina was the dominant species (IVI=57.33). A change in nomenclature of the forest under type 13/1S2 in the Forest Types of India is suggested in light of the present observations.

The growth performance of 17 years old seven tree species namely Salix tetrasperma, Robinia pseudoacacia, Alnus nitida, Populus deltoides, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Pinus roxburghii and Dalbergia sissoo was evaluated in riverain site of Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh. The growth performance of these tree species were recorded in the order of Populus deltoides > Alnus nitida > Salix tetrasperma > Eucalyptus tereticornis > Robinia pseudoacacia > Pinus roxburghii > Dalbergia sissoo. The species like Populus deltoids, Alnus nitida, Salix tetrasperma and Eucalyptus tereticornis are more suitable for plantation along the river basin of Kullu valley as they exhibited high growth under such conditions.

The study was conducted on Chir pine stand (Pinus roxburghii Sargent) at Barog range (R-31) under Solan Forest Division (H.P.) during the year 2004-2005, to develop volume prediction model based allometric relationships between stand volume and stem growth parameters (DBH and Height). Among various linear and non-linear function, both log-linear and power function performed comparatively better over other functions. In both the functions, DBH and Height parameters explained 99 per cent and 95 per cent of variation in the stem volume, respectively. However, the power function outperformed the log-linear function, when data were subjected to chi-square test of goodness of fit and thereafter using Theil-U test. The predicted volumes based on DBH and Height was cross validated and the DBH proved to be the best predictive parameter for stem volume estimation.

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. is one of the important tree species used in modern plantation forestry programme. The genetic divergence analysis helps in assessing the genetic diversity within the species and also provide information for developing breeding plan, establishment of seed orchards and exploitation of heterosis through hybridization. In the present study attempts were made to assess the genetic diversity among the different open pollinated families of E. camaldulensis based on growth parameters at 24 months of age in three different locations.

Three synthetic pyrethroids viz. alphamethrin (Alphaguard 10 EC), cypermethrin (Bilcyp 10 EC) and deltamethrin (Decis 2.8 EC) in different concentrations were tested against the 4th instar larvae of E. machaeralis. All the insecticidal formulations were found superior to the control. Foliar sprayings of 0.02 per cent cypermethrin and deltamethrin 0.01 per cent were highly effective to control the larvae. Deltamethrin 0.01 per cent was proved effective, safer and economical as compared to cypermethrin 0.01 per cent for the control of these larvae.

The Present investigation based on experiment conducted at Kotdwara Forest Division nursery to assess the effects of certain type of treatment for increasing regeneration potential of common fodder tree species especially having tough seed coat viz., Bauhinia variegata (Kachnar), Linn.; Grewia disprema (Dayamul), Schleichera oleosa (Kusum) and Terminalia bellirica (Bahera). It was found that hard seed coat act as a barrier for general seedling growth on natural condition. The percentage germination of seed has been found to be very low which affects regeneration under natural condition. The present study was undertaken to find out the effect of various pre-sowing treatment on such fodder tree species to get early germination with good germination percentage.

The morphological features are the basis of taxonomic identification of Mulberry species. The leaf morphology and venation pattern have been described in 4 Indian Mulberry species i.e., M. indica, M. alba, M. laevigata and M. serrata of the family Moraceae. The median strand joined and formed the mid rib, which extends into secondary in the opposite of both sides of lamina. The veins turned into a dense reticulum. The overall venation is reticulate with marked diversity in the mode of ramification. The development of areole showed variation in different species. The leaf size of Morus species varied and a wide range i.e., M. indica (120.00–234.00 cm²), M. alba (168.00–253.00 cm²), M. laevigata (204.00–480.00 cm²) and M. serrata (168.00–272.00 cm²). Number of strands ending into petiole is more or less similar in all species, which ranges from 3–5 but the venation pattern is thick in case of M. laevigata and M. serrata. The areole number/mm² varies from 1.54–5.20 and areole size from 0.18–0.65/mm² in different species. The areole number is higher in M. laevigata and M. serrata and lower in M. indica and M. alba. The leaf morphological characters, the foliar venation pattern, areole formation, number of veins ending into petiole and veins/areole are the important features for identification of different Morus species at the vegetative stage. The minor venation, which ramifies into lamina also indicates the leaf quality i.e., palatability to silkworm.

Floristic analysis of New Amarambalam Reserve Forests, situated in the Western Ghats of India and forming part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, based on surveys conducted during 1997-2000, has been presented in the paper. The forest area extents to about 265 km2, at an altitudinal range of 40-2600 m above msl. The area is the abode of almost all the forest types of the Indian Peninsula, preserved in an almost pristine state. Intensive floristic survey of the area recorded of a total of 1135 taxa of angiosperms, which belonged to 136 families and 644 genera. The flora is composed of 78 per cent dicotyledons and 22 per cent monocotyledons. Phytogeographical analysis of the flora revealed very high endemism, and almost 21 per cent of the total flowering plants recorded from there were those endemics to Western Ghats of India. Among them, 12.5 per cent were species restricted to Southern part of the Western Ghats. Peninsular Indo-Sri Lankan elements represented 15 per cent of the total flora, which demonstrates the affinity of the region with that of the adjacent ocean Island. Regarding the pattern of distribution of various species outside India, 66 per cent of them were of Indo-Malayan and South and South-East Asian range and 30 per cent of the total flora were composed of pluri-regional species or wides. There were only four per cent taxa in the flora, which are either exotic weeds or escapes from cultivation, showing the less disturbed status of the vegetation.

Population of Clostera fulgurita (Walker) can be regulated by natural enemies. Canthecona furcellata Wolff (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a predatory bug and Aleoides percurrens Lyle (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), larval parasitoid have potential in regulating the population of this defoliator. Both these biocontrol agents are host density dependent. Temperature range of 20-25oC for Aleoides and 15-20oC for Canthecona is optimum for the development of their population. Adult longevity of Aleoides was more during August-October with maximum parasitisation during October-November, 2003.

Studies on correlation coefficient and genetic variability along with heritability were conducted in Plum cultivars. A wide range of variability along with high estimates of genotypic coefficient variability and phenotypic coefficient of variability was noted for plant spread North-South and East-West spread, tree volume, yield and fruit weight. High heritability noted for days taken to maturity, yield, fruit weight, fruit length and fruit diameter, Total soluble solids and acidity. High genetic advance was recorded for days taken to maturity, yield and fruit weight. Genetic gain was found high for plant spread (E-W), yield and fruit weight, which might be assigned to additive gene action.

Wet and ravine forest areas of Nainital locality was surveyed to assess the VAM infection in some selected plant roots. Fine roots of selected plants were carefully dug out, washed and stained using root clearing methods and observed under microscope. Out of 18 plant roots only 16 were found to be associated with VA mycorrhiza. Acer pictum and Berberis species had no VAM colonization in this study. Percentage root colonization varied among the selected plant roots. In Valeriana wallichii 100% infection was observed whereas it was only 31% in Myrsine semiserrata. Vesicles were very common in VAM infected plant roots. The per cent infection was observed more in herbaceous plants followed by shrubs and woody plants. All the plant species surveyed were screened for the first time for VAM from Nainital, Kumaun Himalaya.

A new species of Poaceae, Tripogon velliangiriensis Murugesan and Balasubramaniam, from Tamil Nadu, India is described and illustrated.

Six species of Angiosperms are being reported for the first time from the State of Himachal Pradesh, all collected from Sirmaur District during recent floristic surveys. These are: Angelica archangelica Linn. var. himalaica (Cl.) Nasir, Diphylax griffithii (Hook. f.) Kranzl., Onosma thomsoni Hook. f., Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. var. chinensis, Trachelospermum axillare Hook. f., and Tricholepis roylei Hook. f.

A new variety of Phyllocephalum rangancharii viz.  var. agastyamalayanum from Kerala, India is described and illustrated.

Grewia kothayarensis sp. nov., a new species of Tiliaceae is described with illustration from Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India.

Doon valley is famous for monocultures of moist Sal resulted due to various silvicultural operations in the past. However, in recent years these forests were subjected to numerous anthropogenic perturbations, which have posed a great threat to their existence. In the present paper, we have analyzed the diversity and structure of moist Sal forests and compared them with the previous studies. After analyzing the results, we found that these forests are still dominated by the Sal tree. However, the structure of shrub and herb layers has been changed. These layers, once dominated by shade loving Clerodendrum viscosum, are now being dominated by xerophytic species like Mallotus philippensis, Litsea glutinosa, Flacourtia indica etc. The general diversity of tree, shrub and herb layers has increased in these forests and so is the heterogeneity.

Cupaniopsis anacardioides is an exotic species and native to Australia. Seeds matured in the month of June. For best germination performance, three media were tested namely Top of Paper, Between Paper and Sand. Maximum germination and vigour index were recorded in top of Paper Medium.

Four taxa of Plagiochila, P. detecta Grolle et So, P. defolians Grolle et So, P. perserrata Herz. and P. hattorii Inoue have been described for the first time from India territory. Report of P. detecta from India also introduces the section Cobanae in India. Plagiochila hattorii, which was earlier treated under P. parvifolia Lindenb., is considered here as a genuine species and is reported for the first time from India.

Pleione hookeriana (Lindl.) B.S. Williams is reported here for the first time from Garhwal Himalaya. A brief description along with photographs is provided.

Scapania contorta Mitt., a poorly known Himalayan species is described, for the first time with complete details of sporophyte. A key to the Indian species of section Plicaticalyx (Müll.Frib.) Potemkin and a note on the diversity and distribution of the genus in the country is provided.