1994-95 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

1994-95
habit and habitat of the recorded taxa and the morphological characters of the fossil leaves
indicated that the area enjoyed a tropical climate with plenty ofrainfaJi during Mio-Pliocene
times in contrast to the present day climate with reduced precipitation.
Programme 5.7
Objective
PROJECT 6
Mahesh Prasad
Palynology, palaeoecology and palaeogeography of the Tertiary
sediments of Nepal Himalaya
To study palynofossils from the Mio-Pliocene
sedimellIs
To carry OlltpalYllozonation and age determination of assemblages
together with reflections on the past vegetation and environment
of deposition
Palynollora from the Siwalik Group of rocks exposed in the Surai Khola and Arjun
Khola areas have been studied. Several palynoassociations have bcen recognised in the
Siwalik succession between) 3 to 2 Ma. TIle data has been interpreted and plotted against a
chronostratigraphic control. A standard successional palynolloral model li"Omwestern Nepal
has been prepared for comparative study. Progressive enrichment of Neogene palynolloras
of Himalaya due to evolutionary changes and inflow/outllow of plant taxa from the adjoining
areas is envisaged to have shaped the present day Iloras.
Samir Sarkar
U10STRATtGRAPHY AND PALYNOFACIES or PETROI.II'EROUS
BASINS
OF EAST INOlA
Programme
Objective
6. t
Tertiary tloral history of northeast India
To s/rldy morphotaxonomy of megafossilsfrom the Palaeogene
and Neogene sediments of Assam, Meghalaya and Arllnachal
Pradesh
To reconstruct Tertiaryfloralhistol); palaeo-ecology and phytogeography
Systematic descriptions of one hundred specimens comprising leaves, fruits and
seeds from Makum Coalfield were completed. Draft of a paper entitled, "Evolution and
diversilicaIion of angiosperms in Northeast India during Tertiary" was prepared. A paper on
more than 20 taxa from Makum Coaltield was also finalized. Modern counterparts of the
fossil taxa indicate a Iropical climate with high precipitation. The presence of some coastal
forms indicates near-shore deposition of the beds.
N. Awasthi & R.C. Mehrotra
Programme 6.2
Palynostratigraphy of sedimentary rocks in Therriaghat
section and its correlation with Jaintia and Garo Hills
sediments
Objective
of different Tertiary forllla­
To work. Ollt palynostratigraphy
tions
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