Natural resins and ole-resins are among the important non timber forest products commonly used in paints, varnishes, paper, cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical industries. Resins occur in a wide range of plants. The resins may be found in any part of the plant or may occur only in the inner tissues and are extracted from the trees by tapping the trees. Resin tapping is done by exposing the resin ducts by making suitable incision on the stem of trees. The resin is exuded from the resin canals where incision is made and is collected by various methods. Most of the natural resins are collected in small quantities by forest dwellers by adopting traditional tapping methods. The tapping methods used are brutal and injurious to the plants, often leading to their death. The technology available is old and the innovations are essential for sustainable yield and quality control. Concerted efforts by researchers and agencies such as research Institution, Universities and non-governmental agencies is urgently needed to improve method of tapping and collection for sustainable production of resins.

Rural poor around the forests are traditionally depended on forest resources for their food, shelter and obtain income through collection and marketing of NTFPs. A survey was conducted in six villages around Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram during 2005-2006, and found that NTFPs collection was a major activity for the household especially among small and landless farmers in all the surveyed villages. The NTFPs resources particularly bamboos, rattan and certain medicinal plants formed important source of livelihood for the rural folks living in and around or fringes of protected areas. It was observed that part of the NTFPs collected is exchanged for meeting cash requirements of the household but most importantly a major portion is used for consumption purpose. Since farmers grow crops only once in a year as rain-fed due to non-availability of irrigation facility, the exploit diverse NTFPs for additional income. While these products are sources of alternate employment and income generation, promotion for cultivation of NTFPs should be extensively carried out so as to improve rural economy and facilitate better forest management around the Dampa Tiger Reserve.

The present study analyses the growth responses of Jatropha curcas seedlings under different soil mixtures, fertilizer doses, irrigation frequency and soil sodicity levels. Among all the soil mixtures, seedlings of J. curcas indicated higher growth, dry weight and quality index in the mixture of soil, sand and FYM in 1:2: 2 and 1: 1: 2 ratios. Further, increasing FYM in all the combinations of soil mixture increased the seedling growth. However, increase of sand in the soil mixture beyond 1: 2: 2 ratios of soil, sand and FYM did not improve the seedling growth. The application of NPK fertilizers in soil @ 100: 75: 75 mg per seedling showed maximum growth, dry weight and quality index of seedlings. It was also observed that application of N in higher doses reduced the seedling growth and dry weight. The seedlings of this species relatively performed better up to low moisture stress level than under intermediate and high moisture stress levels. Root dry weight and root: shoot ratio, however, increased with increasing the moisture stress levels. Under various soil sodicity levels, the response of J. curcas seedlings indicated a marked reduction in growth and dry weight with increasing levels of sodicity. Further, the response breadths were comparatively lower under sodicity levels than under soil mixture, fertilizer doses and moisture stress levels.

Papilio polytes romulus has been recorded as a serious pest of Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng. in Jammu region of J.&K. State during the survey conducted from March 2008 to February 2009. Caterpillars cause tremendous loss by defoliating young and tender leaves of host plant. The pest occurs throughout the year. A comparative analysis of its luife history during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods was conducted under laboratory conditions which indicated that it takes an average of 27.0+0.86 days and 32.93+0.14 days for the completion of one generation i.e. egg to adult during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods respectively. Observations on the mean developmental period of various life stages during pre-monsoon period such as incubation, total larval period, pupal period, adult longevity was recorded as 3.2+ 0.27 days, 13.87+1.47 days, 9.4+0.57days, 6.4+0.54 days respectively. However, during post-monsoon period these stages viz. incubation, total larval period, pupal period, adult longevity was found to last for an average of 4.12+0.25 days, 18.18+1.50 days, 10.33+0.51 days, 7.2+0.50 days respectively. Feeding behaviour, extent and mode of damage caused to Murraya koenigii by caterpillars of Papilio polytes romulus was also recorded.

For extended longevity of Oroxylum indicum seeds, relationship of viability with respect to different moisture contents and storage temperatures were analyzed. Being orthodox, seeds are tolerant to desiccation as well as to low temperatures like - 1960C. Normally seeds remain viable up to 6 months, but at -100C with 5% moisture content, 80% viability was retained even after two year storage.

Seed storage studies were carried out in Simarouba glauca by keeping in a view of low seed longevity. Seeds were stored in three different containers, and exposed to four different temperatures for six months.  Results found that seed stored in plastic bins at 15oC temperature showed 49.5 % germination after 4 months and declined to 9.5 % germination over a period of six months storage, while seed stored in porous container i.e. earthen pot, recorded 28.0 % germination after six months when stored at 10oC.

This paper provides information on 50 medicinal plants belonging to 32 families used by the villagers and local people for curing various diseases of animals and human beings. Some of the important plants used for this purpose are Hygrophila, Anisomeles, Vitis, Ficus, Trichosanthes, Ammannia, Linum, Sida, Caesalpinia, Moniera, Splianthes, Teramnus, Celastrus,etc. The use of traditional medicinal plants for curing various diseases was observed to be widespread and prevalent in this area.

The present paper deals with the ethno-medico-botany of Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. 20 plant species belonging to 15 families are enumerated with knowledge of tribals for their medicinal uses in curing malaria. Plant part used, vernacular name, method of preparation of the drug and the dose of administration are given.

The present paper attempts to enlist the lesser-known aromatic plant species of the tribal district Kinnaur of Western Himalayas in India. A total of 30 aromatic plant species belonging to 29 genera under 13 families were collected and identified from the study area. These plant species are highlighted along with their botanical name, family, local/common name(s), official part(s) and their uses.

A study of medicinal plants was carried out in Acharya Nagarjuna University and its surrounding environment. Altogether 153 species belonging to 64 families were identified and their uses have been described giving their vernacular name, Telugu (Local name). The Family and Botanical name of species followed by local name and their uses have been provided in the paper.

The present paper describes ethnomedicinal climber plants of Haridwar district, Uttarakhand. An ethnomedicinal survey was conducted in study area; during 2005 and 30 species of medicinally important climbers under 24 genera and belonging to 13 families were found.

The present studies were conducted on variation in soluble extractives, lignin and holocellose content of wood of high resin yielders (HRYs) and check trees in Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii). The data on cold and hot water solubility, alcohol-benzene solubility, lignin content and holocellulose content of wood exhibited significant variation in different high resin yielders and check trees in Chir pine. Among different marked trees, the highest cold water solubility and hot water solubility was noticed in Jhojonbailly-check. UHF-4 HRY recorded maximum percentage of alcohol-benzene solubility. Lowest cold and hot water solubility was obtained for Ghandir-1 and minimum per cent of alcohol-benzene solubility was recorded in Sarkaghat check. Maximum percentage of lignin and holocellulose content was observed in Bumbloo-check and UHF-4 HRY, respectively. Whereas, minimum percentage of lignin and holocellulose was found in Hareta Road-6 and Platu-2 HRY, respectively.

The paper deals with 115 taxa of Angiosperms belonging to 24 families, 76 generas, as supplement to the Flora of Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.

Chitrakoot hill is most sacred and legendry hill for Hindu pilgrimages. It is situated on the border of Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. Selaginella chrysocaulos was collected from Satna District and is being reported for the first time from Central India. A complete description with illustration is provided.