The present study was conducted in a 12 km² sacred Khecheopalri Lake Watershed in the Sikkim Himalaya. The Lake is known for its sanctity, pristine condition, multi ethnicity and also as famous tourist destinations of Sikkim. The influx of tourists is high with visible impact of disturbance on the Lake and its watershed. The anthropogenic pressure has led to land use/cover change of the watershed in the past decade with increase of agricultural land at the expense of forests. The forested vegetation composition in the lake watershed forest has density of 248 trees/ha with sub-canopy species being dominated in the lower diameter class. The local people remove about 28% wood from annual biomass increment and the canopy species have reduced considerably because of fuelwood and timber collection resulting in invasion of some opportunistic species in the regeneration stage. The pressure of grazing is also high resulting in removal of 47% of annual primary production of floor phytomass during 1998. Therefore, the anthropogenic pressure on the watershed forest needs to be minimized for minimizing the soil erosion processes and thus maintaining the health of the Lake.

The growth behaviour of three tree species viz. Neem, Shisham and Siris in Marathwada region of Maharastra has been statistically analyzed. Seven years data records pertaining to height and collar diameter of these species have been used for the purpose. It has been found that Siris gives maximum yield in terms of volume of its stem. Non-linear modeling techniques have been used to predict the volume of stem of these species.  Collar diameter is first predicted thought a non linear model, then height of the tree is predicated using the predicted collar diameter. Finally, volume of the trunk of trees has been predicated using the predicted values of height and collar diameter.

Different plant species such as, Dalbergia sissoo, Azadirachta indica, Terminalia arjuna, Syzygium cuminii, Tectona grandis, Melia azedarach, Shorea robusta, Delonix regia, Sweitenia macrophylla, Cassia fistula, Terminalia arjuna, Albizia lebbeck, Leucaena leucocephala, Mangifera indica and Pterospermum acerifolium were planted using suitable amendments for the bio-reclamation of mine spoil at Tata Steel experimental site, Jamadoba, Dhanbad during the period (2001-02). Among the planted species, four species viz. Dalbergia sissoo, Melia azedarach, Tectona grandis, Cassia fistula were selected for the determination of growth parameters. Physico-chemical parameters such as, moisture content, water holding capacity (WHC), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC) and other major available nutrients (NPK) of the amended mine spoil has been significantly (p<0.05) improved as compared to the control ones. The growth and vigour of the planted species at amended site were considerably enhanced obviously due to the nutrient enrichment through the gradual decomposition of leaf litter. Based on the plant growth performance, Dalbergia sissoo, was found to have best suited plants for mine spoil reclamation than the other studied plant species.

Intercharacter correlation was analysed for eight growth characters in sixty clones of Populus deltoides under nursery conditions in three different environments. Strong positive correlation was observed among sprouting percentage, survival percentage, total height and basal diameter, invariably in all the three environments. Correlation coefficient indicated the feasibility of selection of clones simultaneous for low tapering and higher values of total height as well as basal diameter. The results obtained are discussed with the findings of other scientific workers.

Khirk (Celtis australis Linn.) is an important multipurpose tree species, which has a great potential in Social/Agroforestry practices in the North-Western Himalaya. Since seed regeneration is a problem, rooting cutting is one of the options for carrying mass multiplication programme in this valuable species. Experiments were therefore conducted to ascertain the effects of donor stage, pre-conditioning (girdling), cutting portion and auxin treatments on rooting behaviour of Khirk. Auxin IBA in 0.2-1.0% concentration mixed with or without other chemicals (5% sucrose + 5% captan) was used for the treatment of cuttings. The cuttings taken in rainy season (July) and from tree donors performed remarkably better than those taken in spring and pole/sapling stage, respectively. The sub-apical and the girdled cuttings resulted in significantly superior rooting and root quality as compared to the apical and non girdled ones. Further, interaction effect revealed a maximum 90 per cent rooting when girdled cuttings from sub-apical portion were treated with 0.4% IBA-talc formulation in monsoon season.

N and P resorption efficiencies were studied in three years old eight tropical tree species planted on mine spoil. Of the eight species Albizia lebbeck, Albizia procera, Dalbergia sissoo and Pongamia pinnata were legumes while Azadirachta indica, Holoptelia integrifolia, Madhuca indica and Terminalia arjuna were non-legumes. Both groups of plants have shown higher resorpton efficiency for both nitrogen and phosphorus. But they potentially differed in terms of N and P resorption efficiency. Non-legumes have shown higher efficiency for N resorption and lower efficiency for P resorption while contrary to this, legumes have shown lower efficiency for N resorption and higher efficiency for P resorption.

The consumption and utilization of Shisham leaves by the larvae of Plecoptera reflexa was determined and the food consumption was found maximum in fifth instar larvae i.e. 108.96 mg and assimilation was also recorded maximum in fifth instar i.e. 70.21 mg and body growth followed the same trend as it was maximum i.e. 25.22 mg in fifth instar and minimum in first instar i.e. 0.05 mg.

The present study was undertaken to study the economics of Poplar cultivation and constraints being faced by the Poplar growers. Three types of Agroforestry systems (AFS) were studied; AFS-I (Wheat-kharif fodder), AFS-II (Sugarcane for first three years and then Wheat-kharif fodder for the successive years) and AFS-III (Potato- kharif fodder for first year and then Wheat- kharif fodder for the successive years). The highest net present value (NPV) was Rs. 116068.60 per acre in Ludhiana for AFS-II in 6th year while it was Rs. 126891.90 per acre for AFS-II in 6th year in Ropar. Annuity value (AV) was also highest for AFS-II in 6th year in both Districts. Internal rate of return (IRR) was highest for AFS-II in both the districts i.e. 53.82 per cent in Ludhiana and 51.72 per cent in Ropar District. Benefits cost ratio (BCR) was highest in 6th year i.e. 4.79 for AFS-II in Ludhiana and 5.43 for AFS-II in Ropar Districts. The most prominent production problems were the problem of interculture in block plantation of Poplar and lack of technical know-how. The major problems related to marketing of Poplars were unregulated markets of forest products and price fluctuations. It was concluded that the Poplar cultivation was a remunerative venture. However, their profitability could be further enhanced through Govt. intervention and enhanced management of Poplar plantation.

Distribution, taxonomic account, ecological note and threat of Selaginella pulvinata, a fern-allied, of which only two specimens are available in India is given need for its conservation is emphasized.

In the valley of Kashmir, with temperate climatic conditions, the complete leaf fall in Mulberry occurs during November and the plants enter into dormancy. The sprouting of winter buds starts during the last week of March. Growth of Mulberry after the dormant period depends upon the food material accumulated in the stems/stumps during the previous autumn. Mulberry plants when subjected to leaf plucking during autumn exhibited a marked decline in growth and yield in following spring. When 100% leaf plucking was resorted to in autumn, sprouting of winter buds during the subsequent spring decreased by 14.29% and leaf yield per plant got reduced by 30.66% as compared to the plantation where no leaf plucking was done. The decline in yield and growth parameters may be attributed due to insufficient accumulation of food reserves in the plant by virtue of leaf plucking during autumn.

Interactive effect of bioinoculants (Azospirillum brasilense, Azotobacter chroococcum and Glomus mosseae) with chemical fertilizers was studied on growth, rhizosphere activity and nutrient uptake of Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana var. rotundifolia Lam.). Plant growth measured as plant height and shoot dry weight of Ber seedlings was significantly improved upon inoculation with nitrogen fixing bacteria or AM-fungi with maximum growth when coupled with 50% of recommended N and P fertilizers. Application of P fertilizers significantly reduced per cent root infection and density of AMF spores. Similarly nitrogenase activity of the rhizosphere soil was also decreased in the presence of N fertilizer. Maximum N uptake was observed with nitrogen fixing bacteria while P with AM-fungi. About 50% of recommended N and P can be saved by employing nitrogen fixing bacteria (A. brasilense or A. chroococcum) and AM-fungi (G. mosseae) respectively in raising sturdy and healthy Ber seedlings.

Persea bombycina King, (Som) and Litsea monopetala, (Soalu) are grown abundantly for rearing of Muga Silkworm Antheraea assama for production of lustrous golden muga silk in North Eastern Region particularly in Assam. Package of practices for propagation and raising of systematic plantation of both the species have been developed and adopted by the farmers ar large scale. Plants become ready for silkworm rearing after 3 years of plantation. To provide additional income, regular cultural practices and to increase production and productivity per unit area an experiment was conducted at Regional Muga Research Station, Boko in lower Assam by cultivating intercrops both in Kharif and Rabi seasons during the years 1996 to 1999 in Soalu plantations raised in 3x3 and 4x4 metre spacing. Net return per acre from intercrops in both spacing has been worked out. The effect of intercrops on plantations has also been studied through leaf yield and its contributing characters. The study reveals that Cucumber in kharif season and Brinjal in rabi season are most remunerative in both spacing. Intercropping helps in increase in leaf yield to the tune of 135 kgs per acre in 3x3 metre and 192.5 Kgs per acre in 4x4 metre spacing during gestation period.

A study was conducted with objectives to know the status of nutrients in some soils and plants growing abundantly in the east Khasi District of Meghalaya State. Results showed that the soils of cultivated site were highly acidic, rich in organic carbon and N, low to medium in available P and medium in K supply. Micronutrients in forest area were in sufficient quantity.  The available Zn was low and Fe was at toxic level in cultivated soil. Plants were richer in macronutrients concentration growing in cultivated than forest soils. The concentration of leaf Fe in ginger and turmeric was extremely higher indicated its toxicity. There was a greater accumulation of Mn and Zn by Eupatorium odoratum and Cu by Litsea cubeba growing in the forest soils.

The paper gives an account of the use pattern of Common Indian Monitor (Varanus bengalensis) among Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The Nyishi tribe constitutes nearly 22% of tribal population in the State. Varanus bengalensis is used often as food supplement, in therapeutic cultural and trades. The high rate of killing, 3-4 animals/month in a village and their eggs, poses threats for survival of the species in Arunachal Pradesh.

Several species of bryophytes are pioneers on new ground, thus bryo-cover serves as ideal seed bed by binding the soil and retaining high moisture content. Bryophytes due to lack of cuticle absorb nutrients directly from the atmosphere, whereas antibiotically active substances in them inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The present article focuses on the potential of bryophytes in forest establishment.

Bryophytes along with some Algae and Lichens form the primary components of the terrestrial ecosystem. They are often found in close association and intermingled with each other. A cyanophycean alga, Stigonema cf. minutum (C.A.Agardh) Hassall has been found growing as an epiphyte on Frullania tamarisci. The association is peculiar as the algal filaments form a close net all over the surface of phorophyte. F. tamarisci, a new phorophyte for an epiphytic cyanohycean alga from India is being reported.

An illustrated morpho-taxonomical account of 5 species of the genus Fissidens Hedw. viz., F. involutus Mitt. subsp. curvato-involutus (Dix.) Gangulee, F. subpulchellus Norkett, F. diversifolius Mitt., F. taxifolius Hedw., F. sylvaticus Griff. var. auriculatus (C. Muell.) Gangulee of Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary (Bilaspur Division, Chhattisgarh) has been provided for the first time.

The paper deals with four species of the genus Cyrtomium Presl occurring at Uttaranchal. C. macrophyllum is a new record from Uttaranchal, whereas C. falcatum and C. nervosum are new records for Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas respectively. Artificial key for identification, correct nomenclature, diagnostic features and illustrations of all the 4 species have been provided to facilitate easy identification.