This report enumerates in brief the status of medicinal and aromatic plant genetic resources introduced, established and maintained in the field gene bank of Regional Station, Bhowali since 1986. A total number of 239 accessions comprising of 190 species belonging to 105 genera in 36 families has been conserved ex- situ. The dominant genera of medicinal and aromatic plant wealth are Achillea (11), Calendula (05), Datura (06), Hypericum (05), Matricaria (03), Mentha (04), Papaver (04), Pelargonium (05), Plantago (12), Salvia (11), Solanum (05). This paper also highlights the importance of some promising and potential medicinal and aromatic plants and efforts made to popularize them.

Studies made to ascertain the distribution of neem tree in Karnataka indicated that out of 10 agro-climatic zones in Karnataka, the neem trees are abundant in 7 zones. The zones having neem tree in abundance are I to VIII, except VII where it is sparse. In the other two zones, i.e., IX and X, the trees are absent. The districts having the neem trees in abundance are Bidar, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bellary, Bijapur, Belgaum, Dharwad, Chitradurga, Tumkur, Kolar, Bangalore, Mandya and Mysore. They are sparse in Shimoga, Hassan and Chikkamagalur districts. The trees are totally absent in Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts.

The paper presents the important Minor Forest Produce (MFP) of Mizoram with emphasis on Bamboos, Canes, Medicinal plants and Orchids resources. It also highlights their conservation, management, preservation and exploitation on sustainable basis.

A comprehensive analysis of neem seed samples for azadirachtin-A (aza) was carried out from trees growing in different agro-ecological zones of India.The aza content varied from 0.3 to 0.9% on kernel dry weight basis. The variation in other parameters like oil per cent, 100 seed wt. and kernel to seed ratio was also high among samples, but relatively lower than the variation for azadirachtin. None of the factors like soil type, rainfall, tree age and fruit ripening stage had direct influence on the aza per cent kernels. Seeds from trees of comparable age growing at same location showed 10 fold variation in the aza content. The data revealed that azadirachtin content of neem ecotypes could be a genetically controlled trait and the wide variation among individual trees may be due to cross pollination in neem. Selection of plus trees and production of saplings from them through vegetative propagation might help in establishing seed orchards or clonal plantations for producing quality seed with high azadirachtin for the biopesticide industry.

The feasibility of raising a better combination of grass and legume to meet the fodder requirement of the watershed, besides controlling the runoff and soil loss was tested in the non-arable area of Palar watershed during 1993-94, 1994-95 and 1995-96. Establishment and growth characters of Cenchrus ciliaris grass with legume Stylosanthus scabra in 3:1 mixed stand were significantly superior over other combinations. The same treatment produced the highest green fodder yield of 29.4 t/ha-1 and least runoff and soil loss of 167.9 mm and 3041.2 kg/ha-1 respectively which were 27.5 and 43.15 per cent lesser than control.

Non-Timber Forest Products are one of the most important forest resources which play significant role in the economy of tribal communities depending on forests. This paper delineates the NTFP species at a tribal village in Eastern Ghats of North Coastal Andhra Padesh and illustrates how NTFPs enable the development of tribal economy and preserve forest ecology through Joint Forest Management programme.

The lac cultivation is mainly carried out in Chhotanagpur plateau of Bihar and adjoining areas of other states like M.P., W.B., U.P. and Maharashtra mostly by tribals inhabiting in remote villages and forest areas. It is normally a subsidiary source of income for farmers of these areas. Out of total lac produced in India (average 20,000 tonnes) more than 80% is exported to about 100 countries. An attempt was made to identify and discuss the problems of lac growers in the changing national scenario. These problems include non-renumerative price received by lac growers, fluctuation of price, shrinkage in area of lac cultivation, irregular distribution of host trees, shortage of broodlac, unawareness of improved methods of lac cultivation and other technological problems and lack of proper marketing facilities. These problems are the hurdles for sustained lac production in the country. Lac cultivation has potential and provides economic support to rural family. It needs little care unlike other agricultural crops and does not interfere with other agriculture processes, as the host trees for lac culture (Butea monosperma, Zizyphus mauritiana, Schleichera oleosa, Acacia auriculiformis and others) are mostly on barren or unutilised land. Minimum support price to lac growers, stable market, utilisation of unexploited host tree for lac cultivation, free movement of brood and sticklac from one state to other, adoption of improved technique of lac cultivation, problem oriented research and development, coupled with support from NGOs and GOs will help sustained supply of lac and uplift the socio-economic status of lac growers.

Plant hormones Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and Gibberellic acid (GA3) were sprayed in Quercus serrata auct. non Thunb. syn. Q. acutissima Carr. leaves in different concentrations (100, 300, 500, 700, 1000 ppm) and fed to the temperate oak tasar silkworms, Antheraea proylei J. from II instar to final stage larvae during spring and autumn crops. Worms fed with treated leaves showed superiority in expression of commercial characters over control which fed on leaves sprayed with distilled water only. While performance of both hormones was at par at 500 ppm dose, GA3 showed better performance than IAA at 300 and 700 ppm doses as it scored lesser than IAA in overall scoring at corresponding doses. ERR and absolute silk contents were found statistically significant in both GA3 and IAA treatments. Larval period exhibited significant differences in GA3 where SR% and larval weight were found to exhibit no significant differences in both hormonal treatments. Though spraying of GA3 & IAA 500 ppm may revolutionise oak tasar production during spring crop, spraying of both the hormones on oak leaves and subsequent feeding by silkworms exhibited no impact on stabilization of crop during autumn season.

Fresh plant of Hyptis suaveolens Poit. on hydrodistillation gave 0.6% of a light yellow coloured oil with sweet basil like odour. GC/MS study showed presence of 19 constituents, major one was cis-ocimine (26.48%) followed by caryophyllene (12.81%) and terpenyl acetate (9.86%).

A herbal preparation 's' was studied for its therapeutic values in overcoming cytochemical toxicity produced by carbon tetrachloride and fly-ash in animal model.

This communication highlights the present status of Bamboo forests in Vyara Forest Division of Gujarat in comparison to the ones existing during 1963-64. The present status has been depicted better with relevant data and supported by figures besides providing estimate production potential and indicating protection situation as well as suggesting management prescriptions.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary lies within 10o 15' and 10o 22' North latitude and 77o 8' and 77o 18' East longitude, in Devikulam Taluk of Idukki District, Kerala State. The Sanctuary covers an area of 90.44 km2 in the Western Ghats of India and was established in 1984. The major vegetation types of the area are dry deciduous forests, thorny scrubs, riparian forests, shola forests and grasslands. The Sanctuary is also the abode of 11 tribal settlements of which 4 are of Hill-pulayas and 7 are of Muthuvas. Muthuva settlements are Thayannan-kudi, Iruttala-kudi, Vellakkal-kudi, Pathu-kudi, Olla-vayal, Oli-kudi and Mangappara, where a total of 642 Muthuvas reside at present. Traditionally, Muthuvas were hunter-gatherers, fully dependent on the forest resources of the area. Over-exploitation of several species by them coupled with degradation of the forests of the area due to various factors, the plant diversity of the Sanctuary had drastically declined. In order to rehabilitate the biodiversity of the area by artifical regeneration of the species excessively exploited and rendered rare by the tribals, a study was undertaken to identify all the ethnobotanical species related to the traditional life of the Muthuvas. The survey had revealed that 83 species of wild plants are exploited by the tribals at present for their domestic use or for marketing. They also cultivate Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus Wats.) on a large scale in addition to few other crops for sale of their products to meet their financial needs. Among the 83 ethnobotanical species of Muthuvas in the Sanctuary, few are excessively exploited by them and based on their role in the ecosystem functioning and also social linkages with the triabls, they have been designated as key-stone species in the context of biodiversity rehabilitation. The paper deals with the traditional lifestyle of Muthuvas, ethnobotanical species, their habit, part used, tribal uses, distribution in different settlement areas and also key-stone species identified for artificial regeneration and rehabilitation of the biodiversity of the Sanctuary.

The present study elucidates the knowledge of the local ethnic groups of Mizoram on wild forest plants and their contribution to the local diet. These are 27 such species which are consumed by these ethnic groups in various forms.

Fresh seeds of Derris indica were stored in six types of containers, viz., glass bottles, tin boxes, plastic jars and bags of polythene, jute and cloth for a period of one year. A total of ten species of fungi were noted on seeds of D. indica with minimum number on seeds stored in plastic jars. There was no significant difference in oil content of seeds stored under different storage conditions. The seed mycoflora also did not have any significant effect on seed oil content.

This paper records the magico-religious beliefs of Kondh tribe in 30 plants or plant parts associated with worship for propeatation of super-natural power for getting relief from evils and treatment of various ailments by traditional and endemic practices like worship divination and exorcism.

Ayurveda is the oldest healing science. Its holistic approach manifested in undertaking the preparation of M.P. T.E. (Modernly Prepared Total Extract). Chemical analysis revealed that this Ayurvedic preparation consists of seven key constituents (Anti-oxidants) of herbs and was found safe and efficacious in animal and human trial.