Paris Agreement recognized the role of forests as carbon sink for mitigation of climate change, under Article 5 as REDD+, i.e., reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. Forest cover change analysis was done between two time periods 2005 and 2015 to assess the forest degradation. Carbon sequestration potential of the forests of Sikkim for mitigating climate change is also estimated. Benefits of implementing of REDD+ in Sikkim involving local communities as stakeholder to conserve and sustainably manage the forest is assessed. Gaps and challenges faced by the stakeholder in implementing REDD+ at project level are also highlighted.

A total of 17 lichens growing over leaves in the forest of Goa are enumerated. Out of the total eight obligate (Coenogonium dilucidum, Fellhanera  bouteillei, Mazosia phyllosema, Porina karnatakensis, P. nitidula, P. rufula, Strigula nitidula, S. phyllogena) and two facultative (Dirinaria confluens, Graphis pyrrhocheiloides) foliicolous species are recorded for the first time from Goa. A sterile specimen of Echinoplacais identified up to genus level based on thallus morphology and anatomical characters. Brief descriptions for the species new to Goa are provided.

Firstly thirty two genotypes of the species, collected from different areas, were evaluated for growth traits, mineral nutrients and proximate principles after four years in a previously raised  progeny trial.  In this way  top eighteen genotypes were selected and grafted separately on seedling stock of the same species and a clonal  seed orchard was  established which consisted of eighteen clones (grafted) raised in RBD with three replications. After five years the observations were recorded on individual  ramet viz;  plant height, basal diameter, leaf width, leaf length, number of branches, petiole length and green leaf yield. Significant differences among clones were observed for different morphometric traits. Various genetic parameters and correlation coefficients for different growth  characters were determined. The highest percent GCV (33.20) and PCV(36.02) as also heritability (84.95) were exhibited by green leaf yield while maximum  GA (3.23) was noticed in  leaf width. The highest percent  GG (61.86) was recorded for green leaf yield. Significantly positive correlations were observed  between plant height and basal diameter (0.6086), plant height and green leaf yield (0.8461), basal diameter and green leaf yield (0.6924), leaf width and leaf length (0.6490), leaf width and green leaf yield (0.5688) and  leaf length and green leaf yield (0.4225).

Cherrapunjee has ragged terrains and deep slopes. Barren rocks without any vegetation cover are dominating feature of the area. Study on soil physico-chemical properties done for re-establishment of vegetation in near future. Soils were shallow, coarse textured, less fertile in terms of available nutrient (N, P, K and Ca, Mg), and are acidic. Soil erosion is severe. Dominant plant species are Saccharum spontanum, Neyraudia reynaudiana, Setaria glauca, Axonopus compressus, and Imperata cylindrica. Some dicotyledonous species such as Trifolium repens, Robustum spp, Schima wallichii, Eugenia sp., Musanda sp. Toona ciliata, Pandanus odoratissimus, Erythrina arborescens, Myrica esculenta, Pinus kesiya, Alnus nepalensis, Exbucklandia populania etc. were observed as natural vegetation in patches. Soil conservation practices such as bench terrace, stone bunding, grassed water ways etc. can be adopted. Soil erosion could be controlled by developing grasses and pasture land. Planting nitrogen fixing herbs and shrubs at the initial stage may be done for buildup of soil nutrient and organic matter. Soil mulching along with the fertilizer treatment may prove effective for initial establishment of plantation.

To make a comparative study on the impact of green manure (legume, non legume and weed species) and inorganic fertilizer on crop yield and fertility status in soil an experiment was conducted for two successive years in shifting cultivation areas of Assam. Among the different green manure studied maximum yield of rice was recorded in legume green manure (1687.6 kg kgh^-1) followed by inorganic fertilizer (1566.6 kgh^-1) applied plot in initial year. However during successive year productivity was recorded low in fertilizer applied plot compared legume, non legume and weed green manure. Same trend was noticed in productivity of Maize also. Significant increase of nutrient uptake was observed in green manure treated plot. Fertilizer applied plot showed low value during successive year. Acidity of the soil increased due to release of organic acid during decomposition of green manure. Input of biomass to the soil contributed in increment of organic carbon, nitrogen and other mineral nutrients and thus maintaining productivity as well as fertility status in soil.

The present paper reports the results of the intensive investigation carried out in a temperate forest of district Uttarkashi, Uttarakand, to assess the variations in floristic diversity along with the increasing altitudinal gradient. A total of 436 plant species have been recorded from the forest under study.

The present investigation was conducted in village Goshal, located in Lahaul and Spiti cold desert district of Himachal Pradesh, India during 2010 to 2013 to assess nutrient status and nutrient flow in two major ecosystems viz; Agro Ecosystem, and Alpine Pasture Ecosystem. In Alpine Pasture Ecosystem of the 70 percent aboveground biomass which is grazed by the animals 50 percent  decomposed after penning and returned back to the system, and rest 50% goes to the yard and in the form of FYM goes to the agricultural fields thus removed out of the system. In Agro Ecosystem, Since 90 percent of aboveground biomass is harvested for fodder and winter stall feeding and in the form of FYM it returns back to agricultural fields and 100 percent of belowground and 10 percent of aboveground nutrient remains as such in the field, which get decomposed and the nutrients are returned back to the system.

Radula campanigera Mont., so far known from Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Kusaie, New Zealand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Tahiti, is here described and illustrated from West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh in Eastern Himalaya. The species was earlier reported in Indian bryoflora from Nicobar Islands, Karnataka, Meghalaya and Sikkim, but all previous records of its occurrence in the country were unfounded. Hence the present report constitutes its first authentic record for India.

Forests play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance and considered as an important source of carbon sequestration. India is 10^th most forested country in the world with 21.34% of its geographical area under forest cover. But at the same time this fact cannot be overlooked that India has been declared as second most populous country of the world with over 1.21 billion people as per the census figures of 2011. One source project India as world’s most populous country by 2025. With this rate of increase of human population has induced lots of pressures on available natural resources of the country in terms of illicit felling, fuel wood and fodder extraction, timber, NTFPs etc. This anthropogenic pressure depletes the natural resources, degrade the carbon stock, decrease the carbon sequestration rate, enhance the carbon di oxide concentration in the environment etc. A socio economic questionnaire survey in ten villages was carried out on the highly sensitive southern boundary of Corbett National Park to find out the quantum and impact of fuel wood extraction on the park. The study resulted that the villages around the buffer zone exert more pressure in terms of fuel wood extraction. The study reveals the urgency to tackle the issue by involving community in sustainable management of forests and generating livelihood opportunities for them to reduce the magnitude of their dependence on nearby forest.

Surveys  conducted  during the  epidemic  defoliation in Sal forests of  Kanha  Tiger  Reserve, Mandla Forest Division, Madhya Pradesh, revealed the occurrence of four insect defoliators belonging to the order Lepidoptera, viz. Caviria sericea Moore (Lymantriidae), Hyposidra talaca Walker (Geometridae) Trabala vishnou Lefroy (Lasiocampidae) and Trypanophora semihyalina Kollar (Zygaenidae). The defoliation period was observed to be rainy season of the year (July-October). Defoliation intensity was noticed to be varied greatly. Complete defoliation of Sal trees was recorded and some ranges were observed to be severely affected. Among the insect species recorded, C. sericea is the first record of occurrence of Sal defoliator.

Dalbergia rostrata Hassk., a climbing legume collected from Great Nicobar Island is reported as a new distributional record to Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

A new species of Syzygium bournei is described and illustrated from the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India.

Tripogon paramjitianaus Murugesan & al., a new species collected from the Velliangiri hills of Coimbatore district, the Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, South India is described and illustrated.

Six Sedges: Cyperus eragrostis, C. pilosus, Pycreus membranaceus, P. polystachyos var. microdontus, Schoenoplectus  litoralis and Scleria parvula are being reported as new distributional records for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Lindernia molluginoides  (Benth.) Wettst.is reported for the first time from Odisha State. Detailed description, photoplate and relevant notes are provided.

The present paper deals with 13 plant species recollected from Murlen National Park for Mizoram, India after collections of Gage (1901). While two species were collected once before only. Thus it can be assumed that these 15 plant species are extremely rare in Mizoram.

While surveying the localities of Poonch and Ladakh for the collection of agarics during the monsoon season, a number of gilled mushrooms belonging to family Psathyrellaceae were collected. In the present paper 9 taxa belonging to family Psathyrellaceae are described along with field photographs, microphotographs and line drawings.