Research - Ministry of Environment and Forests

Annual Report 2006-2007Environmental Research and DevelopmentIntroduction and ObjectiveMinistry has been funding research in multidisciplinaryaspects for environmental andecosystems protection, conservation andmanagement at various universities, institutions ofhigher learning, national research institutes andnon-governmental organizations in identified thrustareas under its Research & Development (R&D)Programme. The Research & Development Schemeof the Ministry is a Central Plan Scheme forconservation and management of environmentsince 1985 and is looked after by Research &Ecoregeneration (RE) Division of the Ministry.The objectives of the scheme are to generateinformation required to develop strategies,technologies and methodologies for betterenvironmental management. It also aims atattempting solutions to the practical problems ofresource management, conservation of naturalresources and eco-regeneration of degraded areas.Further, the scheme also aims at strengtheninginfrastructure to facilitate research and scientificmanpower development.Progress of Various ActivitiesDuring the year Ministry brought out newguidelines for supporting research clearly indicatingthe order of priority and broad research themes tobe supported in the identified thrust areas in thefollowing three modes:-✦✦✦Suo-moto proposals, which can be submittedat any time of the year.Competitive invited proposals to besubmitted when called for depending uponthe specific needs of policy making includinginformation required for internationalnegotiations and implementation of planschemes. Selection among the proposalsreceived in response is made competitively onthe basis of technical soundness.Non-competitive commissioned proposals tobe invited directly from one or a network ofresearch institutes depending on the specificneeds of policy making etc. Thematic ExpertGroups are being setup to examine andrecommend research proposals for fundingby the Ministry.The environmental research in RE Divisionof Ministry is being supported under various subschemesas given below:-✦✦✦✦Environment Research Programme (ERP)– Brown AgendaEcosystem Research Scheme (ERS) – GreenAgendaResearch Programme for Eastern and WesternGhats – Location SpecificPitambar Pant National EnvironmentFellowship Award✦ B.P. Pal National Environment FellowshipAward for Bio-diversityDetails about Pitambar Pant NationalEvironment Fellowship Award and B.P. Pal NationalEnvironment Fellowship Award for Bio-diversityare given in Chapter 10 under “Fellowships andAwards”.Environment Research Programme (ERP)Environment Research Programme (ERP)deals with problems related to pollution anddevelopment of suitable cost effective technologiesfor abatement of pollution. Emphasis is laid ondevelopment of eco-friendly biological and otherinterventions for prevention of pollution anddevelopment of strategies, technologies andinstruments etc. for control of pollution. Projectsare also encouraged for development ofbiodegradable plastics, epidemiological studies,ways and means to reduce impact of mining,chemical pollution of soils, and hazardoussubstances including pesticides, heavy metals etc.Projects related to waste recycling and resourcerecovery from waste along with the developmentof eco-friendly and cleaner technologies are givenpriority.During the year, three meetings of theEnvironment Research Committee (ERC) wereheld to review / monitor the ongoing projects andto consider the new proposals. One hundred and1377

Ministry of Environment & Forests138eight new projects were considered by thecommittee and based on the recommendations, 14new projects have been sanctioned during theperiod. Progress of 90 ongoing projects wasreviewed and monitored during the year. Twentythree projects have been completed under theprogramme during the period.Ecosystem Research Scheme (ERS)Ecosystem Research Scheme is an interdisciplinaryprogramme of research whichemphasizes ecological approach for studying therelationship between man and environment. Theobjective of the programme is to develop a basiswithin the field of natural and social sciences forrational use and conservation of resources forgeneral improvement of the relationship betweenman and his environment. The programme seeksto provide a scientific basis to solve the practicalproblems of resource management. The programmealso seeks to provide a scientific knowledge andtrained personnel needed to manage the naturalresources in a rational and sustainable manner.Ecosystem studies become even more important asthe Earth’s environmental ecosystems areincreasingly being affected at all levels. Ecologicalunderstanding and research in this area offertangible hope for addressing extremely complex andpotentially devastating assaults on local, regionaland global ecosystems. Under the scheme, emphasisis laid on multi-disciplinary aspects ofenvironmental conservation with emphasis on ecosystemapproach consistent with the identifiedthrust areas and orientation.During the year, Expert Committee forEcosystem Research Scheme (ERS) met four timesto consider new proposals as well as to monitor theon-going projects. Eighty five new projectsconsidered by the committee and based on therecommendations, 10 new projects have beensanctioned during the period. Progress of 41ongoing projects was reviewed and monitoredduring the year. Thirteen projects have beencompleted under the programme during the period.Eastern and Western Ghats Research Programme(E&WGRP)The Eastern and Western Ghats ResearchProgramme addresses itself to location-specificproblems of resource management in the Easternand Western Ghats regions of the country. Theregion is suffering from destruction of habitats ofits unique plant and animal life due to floods,siltation, deforestation etc. besides shortage of food,fodder and fuel for rural population and shortageof raw material for the industries. Under thisprogramme, studies relating to bio-diversity, landuse, impact of developmental activities etc. are takenup to restore the environmental quality of theregion.During the year, four meetings of the ExpertCommittee for Eastern and Western Ghats ResearchProgramme (E&WGRP) were held to consider 67new proposals as well as the monitoring of 26 ongoingproposals. Twelve new projects were initiatedand 10 projects were completed. Three new PolicyResearch proposals were also sanctioned during theyear.Details of the projects sanctioned andcompleted under various schemes during the yearare given in Annnexure-III and Annexure-IVrespectively.BudgetThe total allocation for R&D Scheme during2006-07 is Rs. 4.2 crores. The entire amount islikely to be utilized for ongoing and new projects,based on the recommendations of the ExpertCommittees.Summaries / Research finding of some of theProjects completed during the yearTechnology development for the recovery ofNickel (Ni) and Cadmium (Cd) values from spentNi-Cd batteries using an environmental friendlyhydrometallurgical routeBatteries are daily used in many portableelectronic devices such as cellular phones,computers, video recorders etc. Spent Ni-Cdbatteries are considered hazardous due to thepresence of toxic Cd. Objective of the project wasto develop a hydrometallurgical flowsheet for therecovery of Cd, Cobalt (Co) and Ni from spent

Annual Report 2006-2007Ni-Cd batteries on lab scale. For the first time,Cyanex 923 was used for the clear separation andrecovery of Cd from chloride leach liquors of spentbatteries containing Cd-Co-Ni. Separation andrecovery of metals from sulphate leach liquors wascarried out using P based extractants such as Cyanex301, Cyanex 272 and TOPS 99. Cyanex 301 gaveclear separation of Cd from others but strippingwas difficult and it was possible with hydrochloricacid only. This was found to be the drawback ofthe route. Cd raffinate can be treated for Coseparation by Cyanex 272 and Ni can be separatedif we take up for Ni metal production by solventextraction-stripping or simple crystallization/orprecipitation to recover it as sulphate/hydroxide.Treatment of effluent containing valuable/toxicmetal ions and its recovery by electrodialysisThe project aimed at developingelectrodialysis process with conducting spacers forthe treatment of effluents containing valuable/toxicmetal ion and its recovery by concentrating it about10 times, while treated water (with TDS less than100 ppm) recycled for further application.Interpolymer of polyethylene styrene-di-vinylbenzene copolymer based ion-exchange membranesand ion-conducting spacers were prepared andcurrent voltage experiments were carried out inwhich ion-exchange membranes were kept injuxtaposition to similar type of conductingspacers(CS) in equilibrium with differentelectrolytic solutions. An electrodialysis(ED) unitwith seven cell pairs of ion-exchange membranesand conducting spacers in treated compartmentswas fabricated and its performance was tested inNaCl, CuCl 2and NiCl 2solutions in order to explorethe effect of CS on the energy efficiency. It wasfound that concentration polarization wassuppressed, while limiting current improved withCS in comparison to non conducting spacer (NCS).ED with CS would found to be suitable processfor the recovery of heavy metal ions, present in lowconcentration.Adaptive research on improvement of naturalgrasslands in district Sirmour of HimachalPradeshThe project was undertaken to carry outadaptive research on improvement of naturalgrasslands. Types of grasslands existing in thedistrict Sirmour were studied by recordingobservations on frequency of various grasses. In midand high hills it was Themeda- Arundinella typesof grasslands with species like Heteropogon contortusChrysopogon gryllus and Rottbaellia spp. forming amajor part of the grasslands. In low hill areas, itwas Dichanthium- Cenchrus—Lasiurus type ofgrasslands which have degraded to Dichanthium-Chrysopogon fulvus - Cynodon type as these speciesform the major constituent of grass cover.Studies lead to the conclusion that Napierbajrahybrid (NB-37) can be successfully introducedin all the three environments. PSS 1 cultivar ofSetaria anceps performed well in all threeenvironments while, S-92 was good for mid hillareas only. PGG-9 of Panicum maximum can besuccessfully introduced in low and mid hills whileHima 4 of Festuca arundinacea performed well inhigh rain fall high hill areas.Good diversity in the existing natural grasseswas observed and 61 grass species belonging to 40genera were collected from the district.Insect faunal diversity of Buxa Tiger Reserve,Jalpaiguri, West BengalThe study was undertaken to providesystematic baseline data on the insects of Buxa TigerReserve, their composition, richness, diversity,biogeography, seasonal diversity, adaptive featuresand habitat specificity. Rajabhatkhawa was therichest of all the localities (habitats) in terms of taxa;Premonsoon is the best season for diversityassessment; Random sampling is the best methodof recognising taxa; Coleoptera is represented bymaximum number of individuals.A total of 465 species under 307 generabelonging to 82 families of 11 orders were collectedand reported. Of these two species are new toscience, 13 new to India, 51 new to West Bengal,22 new to the distinct Jalpaiguri, and 19 new tothe study area, insect fauna in bulk was composedof Oriental-Malayan elements.1397

Ministry of Environment & Forests140Reproductive biology and genetic diversity of threeeconomically useful forest tree species of WesternGhatsA study on pollination mechanism includingthe time of anthesis, pollinating agents antherdehiscence, in vitro pollen germination, pollen tubegrowth and stigma receptivity of Buchannanialanzan (Anacardiaceae), Terminalia chebula(Combeteraceae), Garcinia indica (Clusiaceae) andVateria indica (Dipterocarpaceae) was carried out.An attempt to assess the prevailing diversity in abovefour tree species growing in Western Ghats has beenmade. Phenology including appearance ofvegetative buds, flowering, fruiting, seed dispersaland germination of all the four selected trees wasstudied. Garcinia indica is a gynodioecious tree inwhich dehiscence occurred 15-20 minutes prior toanthesis. It is a wind pollinated species. In others,flowers opened in the mid night and continued tillmorning followed by anther dehiscence. The flowersoffer pollen and nectar for the visitors, whichinclude honeybees, butterflies, wasps and black ants.In-vitro pollen germination was highest in 15%sucrose solution (10% for V. indica). Stigma wasmost receptive at the time of anther dehiscence. InV. indica receptivity lasted for single day while inG. indica stigma became receptive one day beforeanthesis. In T. chebula and B. lanzan stigma wasreceptive for two days.Genetic diversity was observed inmorphological, economical and biochemical traitsin all plant species collected from five different sitesin Western Ghats. The fruits and seeds collectedfrom Yellapur and Calicut were richer in proteinand carbohydrate content. The GasChromatography analysis of oil extracted from seedsof B. lanzan and G. indica collected from Kankavaliand Dapoli have a higher oleic acid content andless palmitic acid. High Performance LiquidChromatographic (HPLC) analysis showed thatfruits of T. Chebula collected from Yellapur havehigher tannic acid content, than fruits samples fromother sites. HPLC was also carried out to analysehydroxy citric acid concentration in fruit rind ofG. indica from the fruit collected from various sites.Flowers collected from various sites showedvariation in size, number of stamens, petals andcarpels in B. lanzan.Litter insect dynamics with special reference toecological succession and chemical ecology alongvarying altitudes in the Wynad and Coorg forestsof Western GhatsDiversity and abundance of liter arthropodfauna in relation to the litter chemical quality wasassessed along the altitudes of Wynad forest andthe Coorg-Brahmagiri forests of Western Ghats.Succession pattern of litter insects and litterchemical quality variation during different phasesof litter decomposition and litter decompositionstudies and Coorg-regions were analysed during theimplementation of the projects.It was observed that the pattern of altitudinaldistribution, diversity and abundance of the litterinsect along elevation gradients differ widely in twogeographically closely placed regions. Acomprehensive litter faunal inventory andaltitudinal distribution of litter arthropods fromWynad & Coorg-Brahmagiri forests of WesternGhats has been prepared for the first time. Sitespecificreference to regional forest floor insectinventory of the study sites are provided and alsothe forests are ranked based on the litter qualityindicators along an elevation gradient. Lack of aconsistent pattern in the community structure ofinvertebrate communities along different altitudinalgradients has important consequences forconservation and biodiversity managementpractices indicating generalizations about thealtitudinal distribution of litter invertebrate faunain Western Ghats may not be accurate based onstudies along a few altitudinal transects.Decomposition rates were observed to befaster in the low altitudes of Wynad and highaltitudes of Coorg. There distinct phases wereobserved during litter fanual succession. Parallelrelationship between fauna and chemical loss waspresent at all regions except at Periya in Wynad andPaithalmala at Coorg region. Faunal analysis duringsuccession indicated clear differences between thelitter arthropod communities with mites andcollembolan dominating the earlier stages,coleopters, spiders and ants in the mid stages andtermites and predatory coleopterans in the late

Annual Report 2006-2007phases at both regions irrespective of the altitude.The present study provide a baseline data onthe distribution and diversity of litter invertebratesin Wynad and Coorg region and gives ampleevidence of the altitudinal variation in theabundance of decomposer assemblages and theirrelationship with litter chemical quality.National Natural Resource Management System(NNRMS)ObjectiveThe Scheme of National Natural ResourceManagement System (NNRMS) involvesutilization of remote sensing technology for accurateinventory of resources such as land, water, forests,minerals, oceans, etc. and to utilize this informationfor monitoring changes in ecological system. ThisScheme is looked after by the RE Division of theMinistry. A Standing Committee on Bio-resourcesand Environment (SC-B) has been constituted bythe Planning Commission under the Chairmanshipof Secretary (E&F) with the following objectives:✦✦Optimal utilization of country’s naturalresources by a proper and systematicinventory of resource availability.Reducing regional imbalances by effectiveplanning and in tune with the environmentalefforts✦ Maintaining the ecological balance with aview to evolve and implement theenvironmental guidelines.The Standing Committee on Bio-resourcesand Environment (SC-B) constituted by thePlanning Commission advises on the methods ofusing the remote sensing technology for optimaluse and management of natural resources in thecountry. In order to streamline the projectsNNRMS, SC-B has constituted a Technical &Financial Sub-Committee to scrutinize/review allthe proposals submitted for funding underNNRMS, SC-B from the technical and financialangle. Only those proposals recommended by theSub-Committee are taken up by NNRMS, SC-Bfor financial assistance. The Committee alsooversees and monitors the progress of sanctionedprojects.The SC-B had identified 49 priority areas fortaking up remote sensing based studies in tune withkey environment and ecological issues of thecountry. They encompassed forest, grassland, plantand faunal resources, wastelands, land degradation,water and air pollution etc. for informationrequirements for the Man and Biosphere ReserveProgramme and some typical areas like mining,coastal areas, wildlife habitats, etc.The potential user agencies for utilizing theoutcome/information generated in the projectssanctioned by the Ministry under NNRMSprogramme are the Central GovernmentDepartments / Agencies, and the Ministry itselfincluding its various organizations under itsadministrative control like FSI, ZSI, BSI etc.Progress / Achievement made during the yearDuring the year, two Meetings of Technicaland Financial Sub – Committee of National NaturalResource Management System on Bio-resourcesand Environment (NNRMS, SC-B) were held toreview the ongoing projects and evaluate the newprojects from financial and technical angles. TheSub – Committee recommended eight new projectsfor consideration of Standing Committee ofNNRMS, SC-B. One Meeting of the StandingCommittee of National Natural ResourceManagement System on Bio-Resource andEnvironment was also held. The Committeeconsidered eight new proposals and recommendedeight projects under NNRMS Programme. Out ofthis, seven projects have been sanctioned. TheCommittee also reviewed the recently completedprojects and accepted the Final Technical Reportsof six recently completed projects.The following projects were also monitoredby the Steering Committee of the respectiveprojects:✦✦✦Forest Type Mapping of India’s Forests on1:50,000 scale (entire country)Mapping of Wildlife Sanctuaries andNational Parks on 1:12,500 scaleCoastal Studies (including mangroves and1417

Ministry of Environment & Forestscoral reefs) on 1:25,000, and for selectedareas on 1:5000 scale✦ Snow and Glaciers Studies of entireHimalayas (1:2, 50,000/1:50,000 scales)G. B. Pant Institute of HimalayanEnvironment & Development, Kosi-Katarmal, AlmoraIntroductionG.B. Pant Institute of HimalayanEnvironment and Development (GBPIHED),established in August 1988 by the Ministry as anautonomous Institute has been identified as a focalagency for Research & Development onEnvironment and Development related issues inthe Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). The Instituteexecutes its mandate through the Headquarterslocated at Kosi-Katarmal, Almora (Uttarakhand),and its four regional Units located at Mohal-Kullu(Himachal Unit), Srinagar (Garhwal Unit),Pangthang (Sikkim Unit) and Itanagar (NE Unit),so as to promote S&T initiatives for overalldevelopment in the IHR. The R&D activities ofthe Institute are essentially multi-disciplinary innature and based on conscious efforts to inter-linknatural and social sciences to promote sustainabledevelopment in the region. Institute’s activities arecentered on seven core programmes, viz., Land andWater Resource Management, SustainableDevelopment of Rural Ecosystem, Conservation ofBiological Diversity, Ecological Economics andEnvironmental Impact Analysis, EnvironmentalPhysiology and Biotechnology, InstitutionalNetworking & Human Investment and IndigenousKnowledge Systems (IKS). The project sites arespread over different parts of IHR and have beenselected carefully keeping in view the biophysicalheterogeneity and location-specific needs of theinhabitants. All activities are need-based, targetorientedand time-bound. Research, demonstrationand dissemination are underlying elements of allproject activities to develop technology packages.Fig 56. Experiments on tea physiology at GBPIHED142

Annual Report 2006-2007Fig 57. In-vitro shoot multiplication in A.Balfourii(A), and hardened in-vitro raised plants of R.maddeniready for field transfer (B).Objectives✦✦✦The Institute has the three broad objectives:To undertake in-depth research anddevelopment studies on environmentalproblems of the Indian Himalayan Region;To identify and strengthen the localknowledge of the environment and contributetowards strengthening researchers of regionalrelevance; andTo evolve and demonstrate suitabletechnology packages and delivery systems forsustainable development of the region inharmony with local perceptions.Activities undertaken so farDuring the year, the targeted R&D activitiesof the Institute were undertaken under thefollowing seven core programmes:✦ Land and Water Resource Management✦✦✦✦Sustainable Development of RuralEcosystemsConservation of Biological DiversityEcological Economics and EnvironmentalImpact AssessmentsInstitutional Networking and HumanInvestment✦ Environmental Physiology andBiotechnology and✦Indigenous Knowledge Systems.State-wise status✦At the Himachal Unit, the studies on✦✦✦conservation of biodiversity, impact ofhydropower projects, air quality monitoringfor assessment of impact of vehicular trafficdue to tourism and plant physiology were themajor focus.At the Garhwal Unit, Uttarakhand the majorfocus was placed on medicinal plantcultivation, demonstrations of rural and costeffective technologies, documentation ofindigenous knowledge and soil fertilitystudies.At the Sikkim Unit, the main emphasis wason conservation of rare and threatened plants,GPS campaigns, and disaster managementtrainings and ecophysiology of plants.At the NE Units, efforts were put ondocumentation of indigenous knowledge oftravel communities, NTFPs use, and soilfertility studies. Technology backstopping ofNGOs is another programme. Thedemonstrations, dissemination and capacitybuilding activities of the stakeholders areinherent in all the R&D efforts.Progress / Achievement made during the year✦✦Land and water being the fundamentalresources for the region and issues involvedin their conservation and management R&Dactivities were focused on traditional land andwater management systems, water availabilityand use pattern, water discharge from springsof different geology, land use and land cover,in selected catchments of IHR. Studies werecontinued on glacial retreat and sedimentdischarge pattern in Gangotri, Thelu,Dokriyani and Milam glaciers inUttarakhand. To understand and quantify thedynamics of tectonic deformation rate, datawas retrieved from the Global PositioningSystem installed around the four regionalUnits and Institute HQs and also for landslidemonitoring in certain localities inUttarakhand and Sikkim.Quantification of resources and their usepatterns for rural development planning areanother important area for natural resource1437

Ministry of Environment & Forests✦management. Surveys were continued forresource dependency including pasture useby the migratory livestock in the selectedlocations of the region. Biodiversityconservation efforts were focused on:✧✧✧✧consolidation of information ontemperate plant endmics;biodiversity studies in protected areas(i.e., Cold Desert Biosphere Reserveand Manali, Kais and KhokhanWildlife Sanctuaries);up-gradation of ex-situ gene banks; andpromotion of conservation educationthrough participatory mechanisms.The database on Himalayan bioresources wasfurther strengthened through:✧✧updating information on plants fromTrans, North West and West Himalaya;diversity assessment of pollinators,avifauna, and fishes; and✦from various types of soil were developed asinoculants, which improved survival of invitro raised plants and influenced plantgrowth. The use of chemicals onimprovement of root formation in cuttingsand seed germination of Podophyllumhexandrum and P. peltatum was appliedextensively for plant propagation.Experiments on seed germination (Hypericumperforatum, Swertia angustifolia, S. chirayita)and propagation protocols (Hedychiumspicatum; Malus sp.; Selinum tenuifolium).Himalaya being a sensitive domain issusceptible for changes due to developmentalactivities. Studies were therefore undertakento analyze the impact of urbanization andtourism on air quality in selected destinationsin HP and socio-economic andenvironmental impacts (soil and water quality,biodiversity) of vegetable and tea cultivationin Uttarakhand hills.✦✧biodiversity database for HimalayanBiosphere Reserves.In order to strengthen the conservation effortsfurther, propagation protocols for some of therare threatened and economically importantplants were continued to be developed, someof these were adopted for large-scalemultiplication and field demonstration.Active ingredients of medicinal plants, suchcompounds were quantified for selection ofelite stock plants. Several bacteria, isolated✦✦The hydropower generation from theHimalayan rivers is another important thrustpush forward by the Government. Therefore,EIA studies and formulation ofenvironmental management plans for a fewhydropower projects in Uttarakhand andHimachal Pradesh were undertaken.Indigenous knowledge system (IKS) isanother area that has vast potential forconservation and sustainable use of resources.Documentation of IKS was therefore carriedout relating to pastoralism, weather indicatorsin central Himalaya, crop field soil fertilitymanagement, pest control practice in thetraditional societies of Manipur and NEregion. The IKS digital library has addedmore datasets based on published literatureon IKS in the Himalayan region. Throughthe Integrated Ecodevelopment ResearchProgramme (IERP) of the Institute, theinfrastructure, expertise and scientificmanpower available in the IHR wereeffectively complemented.Fig 58. Screening of various landraces of rice collectedfrom Central Himalayas✦The demonstration activities make anotherimportant aspect of the R&D programmes144

Annual Report 2006-2007Fig 59. Training Programmes among the rural communities coordinated by GBPIHED7of the Institute. Demonstrations relating toland and water resources conservation toaccrue the direct benefits such as fodderproduction was one such example. To achievethis, Sloping Watershed EnvironmentalEngineering Technology (SWEET) packagefor rehabilitation of community wastelandexecuted over 120 ha in 11 different localitieswas maintained and monitored for fodderproduction and other benefits. Under thePARDYP (People and Resource Dynamics)Project integrated water harvesting linkedwith pisciculture helped over 52 farmers of25 villages (Table-21). The water harvestinglinked with off-season vegetables and cashcrop cultivation, high-yielding agriculturalcrops, nursery development, etc., have beenadopted by 145 farmers of 39 villages. Inaddition, rehabilitation of degradedcommunity lands through silvi-pasture andother rehabilitation approaches at eightlocations (in Kumaun and Garhwal hills)Table-21. Adoption of integrated fish farming and earning over a period of six yearsItems 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005No. of farmers engaged 2 15 20 40 45 52No. of villages covered 2 9 15 22 24 25Total no. of tanks 3 22 35 61 67 70Total inputs (Rs.) 2,900 18,300 32,800 43,200 44,500 46,000Total income (Rs.) 6,200 67,700 97,620 178,370 183,700 190,500Net income (Rs.) 3,300 49,400 64,820 135,170 139,200 144,500145

Ministry of Environment & Forests146✦✦significantly improved the ground cover andproduced around 65 tonnes of fodder grass.The Village Environment Action Plan(VEAP) developed by the Institute wasimplemented in a model village (Railkot;Distt. Almora) jointly with NCC under“Operation PARADE” project. The maincomponents of the project were: wastelandrehabilitation, rainwater harvesting andcapacity building of the inhabitants onenvironment-friendly technologies.Strengthening the Rural TechnologyComplex and demonstration centers at Kosi-Almora, Garhwal and NE Units for trainingand extension of environment-friendly andcost-effective technologies among a range ofuser-groups continued to be one of the mainactivities. Through this activity 35 trainingprogrammes covering a total of 3160 peoplewere trained. Trainings were imparted onprotected cultivation, bio-composting,mushroom cultivation, vegetable cultivation,agroforestry, horticulture, multipurpose treeplantations, cash crop cultivation, waterharvesting, fish cultivation, bio-briquetting,soil conservation, watershed management,waste land development, etc. to the farmersselected by different Governmentorganizations NGOs, and students.Promotion of conservation education inschool/college students and teachers throughorientation courses and training workshopsand involvement of youth in real timeweather observations, improved the outreachof the Institute.Demonstrations on income generatingactivities such as cultivation of medicinal andaromatic plants (MAPs), value-addition inwild edibles and bamboo resources were alsoextended among the rural areas of the region.A bamboo network programme improved theoutreach in terms of elite stock raising andits distribution to user groups and plantation.The existing ex situ gene banks of the Institute[i.e. Arboretum (HQs & Sikkim Unit); herbalgardens (HQs, Sikkim & HP Unit)] werefurther strengthened through newintroductions and area expansion.Research on Biosphere ReservesResearch and development projects aresupported in the designated Biosphere Reserves andpotential sites. During the year, nine researchprojects were completed which provided baselinedata in the scientific management of these Reserves.Important achievements include:✦✦✦Database for land resources and strategy fortheir management in Nanda Devi BiosphereReserveDevelopment of Desert Biosphere ReserveLand use changes in Panchmarhi BiosphereReserve, and✦ Monitoring of elements of Biodiversity inBiosphere ReserveA list of completed projects under the schemeis given in Annexure-IV. During the year, five newresearch projects were also invited which aimed atmonitoring of Biodiversity for long termconservation as per details at Annexure-III.Research on Wetlands, Mangroves and CoralReefsWetlandsA Research Sub-Committee on Wetlands hasbeen constituted to identify more wetlands ofFig 60. A view of Indian Corals (Acropora sp.)

Annual Report 2006-20077Fig 61. Mangroves with seedlings – a species needs extensive conservationnational importance and to supplementmanagement action plan for intensive conservationon thrust areas of research.During the year, four research projects weresanctioned as detailed at Annexure-III.Mangroves and Coral ReefsThe Research Sub-Committee on Mangrovesand Coral Reefs has been constituted to supplementbaseline information on priority areas of researchthrough research projects for effective executives ofManagement Action Plans.The research Sub-Committee on Mangrovesand Coral Reefs met on June 2, 2006 in theMinistry and reviewed the ongoing researchprojects. The Committee also considered 22 newprojects and recommended only seven projectswhich are being processed for financial assistanceby the Ministry.Indian Council of Forestry Research andEducationIntroductionIndian Council of Forestry Research andEducation (ICFRE) is an apex body in nationalforestry research system with the mandate todevelop a holistic approach through need basedplanning, promoting, conducting and coordinatingresearch, education and extension covering allaspects of forestry for ensuring scientificmanagement of forests, tree improvement, forestproductivity through scientific and biotechnologicalresearches, bioremediation of degraded land,efficient utilization of forest produce, value additionof forest products, conservation of biodiversity andclimate change, appropriate agro forestry modelsfor various agro ecological zones, policy research,environmental impact assessment and integratedpests and disease management.147

Ministry of Environment & Forests148ICFRE has eight regional research institutesand four advanced research centres in different biogeographicalzones of the country to cater to theforestry research needs of the nation. These are asfollows:Research Institutes✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦Forest Research Institute (FRI), DehradunInstitute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding(IFGTB), CoimbatoreInstitute of Wood Science and Technology(IWST), BangaloreTropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI),JabalpurRain Forest Research Institute (RFRI), JorhatArid Forest Research Institute (AFRI),JodhpurHimalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI),ShimlaInstitute of Forest Productivity (IFP), RanchiAdvanced Research Centres✦✦✦✦Objectives✦✦✦✦Centre for Social Forestry and Eco-Rehabilitation (CSFER), AllahabadCentre for Forestry Research and HumanResource Development (CFRHRD),ChhindwaraForest Research Centre (FRC), HyderabadAdvanced Centre for Bamboos and Rattans(ACBR), AizawlTo undertake, aid, promote and coordinateforestry education, research and applicationsthereof.To develop and maintain a national libraryand information centre for forestry and alliedsciences.To act as a clearing-house for research andgeneral information related to forests andwildlife.To develop forestry extension programmesand propagate the same through mass media,✦✦audio-visual aids and other extensionmachinery.To provide consultancy services in the fieldof forestry research, education and alliedsciences.To undertake other jobs considered necessaryto attain these objectives.Activities undertaken by the Council✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦An integrated community based forestmanagement project sponsored by PlanningCommission of India is being implementedin Bihar by ICFRE.Preparation of Catchment Area TreatmentPlan (CATP) for bauxite mining inMuliagalugu, Anantagiri and SunkermettaReserve forests in favour of Andhra PradeshMineral Development Corporation(APMDC) is under completion by ICFRE.Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradunoptimized reaction conditions to modify a-cellulose (Av. DP 816) obtained fromBamboo, (Dendrocalamus strictus) intohydroxypropyl cellulose using variedconcentration of propylene oxide, NaOH,hydroxypropylation time and temperature.FRI, Dehradun has prepared particle boardfrom sisal fiber blended with parthenium. Itqualifies for most of the properties of particleboard.FRI, Dehradun has optimized conditions toproduce (Alkaline Peroxide MechanicalPulping) APMP pulp from Eucalyptustereticornis.FRI, Dehradun has produced and testedLignosulphonate from dry pine needle.FRI, Dehradun conducted isolation ofBipolaris from different clones of P. deltoidesand their photographic documentation.Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI),Jodhpur has raised nursery for clonal plantsof Jatropha from stem-cuttings of four localand twenty strains from Tamil Nadu andKerala supplied under network programme.

Annual Report 2006-2007✦✦✦✦Oil of selected accessions has been testedwhich varied from 25% to 35% on seedweight basis.AFRI, Jodhpur has conducted experimentson use of cheaper alternatives to mediacomponents, which show the potential ofsago and isabgol as viable solidifying agentsin Tissue culture.AFRI, Jodhpur identified four species ofwood boring insects, which causeconsiderable damage to the living standingtrees of Tecomella undulate. Three species oftermites are also observed to be associatedwith the infestation in T. undulata. They causea considerable damage to the dead wood aswell as living trees.Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI),Shimla has raised demonstration plots ofmedicinal plants at Deedagh (High altitude),Kalat (Mid altitude) and Salahan (Loweraltitude) covering an area of over 0.05 ha ateach locations under Good Idea Fund Projectin district Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh. Plotsas established included species of Actonitum,Valeriana, Picrorhiza, Rauwolfia, Withania,Aloe vera etc.Centre for Social Forestry and Eco-Rehabilitation (CSFER), Allahabad hascompleted plantation work and analysis ofdata for progeny trial under the NOVODBoard Project titled ‘Research andDevelopment of Jatropha under NationalNetwork Programme’.Progress/Achievements during the year✦✦✦FRI, Dehradun has studied variations inlignin, extractives and ash in case of subabulcollected from different geographical regions.FRI, Dehradun has identified Earliellascabrosa as a white rot causing fungus in storedwood of poplars.As part of ex-Situ conservation projectAngelica glauca, Valeriana wallichii,Nurdostachys jatamansi and Eremostachyssuperba collected from Gopeshwar Mandal✦and Kaddu Khal were introduced in BotanicalGarden by FRI, Dehradun.Fifteen Bamboo species other than existingin FRI Bambustum were collected fromArunachal Pradesh and introduced in thebambusetum of FRI, Dehradun.✦ Institute of Wood Science and Technology(IWST), Bangalore estimated the viscosityand density of oil of Pongamia pinnata seedscollected from all four silvicultural zones ofKarnataka.✦ AFRI, Jodhpur has identified five promisingclones for Eucalyptus camaldulensis out ofthirty clones planted.✦✦✦AFRI, Jodhpur has completed modelplantation work and establishment ofexperiments at Kaushalgarh, Saira (Rajasthan)and Dahod (Gujarat) as per guidelines ofDBT with planting stock of B. bambos andD. strictus. Initail data recorded after onemonth and survival percentage is more than90 at all sites.Documentation of traditional knowledgeregarding various uses of plants by the tribalsof Hoshangabad circle was done in TropicalForest Research Institute (TFRI), Jabalpur.TFRI, Jabalpur conducted vegetation study,profile study and microclimatic study atJagdalpur (CG) ecotone area.✦ HFRI, Shimla has raised, maintained anddistributed seedlings of around 90,000medicinal plants under National MedicinalPlant Board funded project to various endusers including State Forests Departments,Non-governmental organizations andfarmers.✦CSFER, Allahabad has developed theplanting stock of medicinal plants asagroforestry cash crop for local farmers.Other Activities✦The ICFRE organized a meeting ofstakeholders on “Proposed policy reforms toremove the barriers to CDM Afforestation1497

Ministry of Environment & Forests✦✦✦✦and Reforestation (A/R) Projects” onSeptember 14-15, 2006.FRI, Dehradun celebrated ‘Centenary’ on thetheme ‘Research Achievements of FRI sincelast 100 years’ on June 5-6, 2006.FRI, Dehradun organized a conference on‘Natural Products and Biodiversity:Chemistry and Utilization’ on November 2-3, 2006.FRI, Dehradun organized an InternationalSeminar on ‘Planted Forest : Eco-systemGoods and Services’ from December 13-15,2006.Sir Brandis Walking Trail was laid out in thecity center of FRI, Dehradun to provideinformation on tree diversity.Comparison of progressInitiatives has been taken for establishmentof Van Vigyan Kendra in each State/UT for undertaking research activities of the institutes andtraining of the stakeholders. State/UT-wise statusof research projects is given in Table-22.Indian Institute of Forest Management,BhopalIntroduction and ObjectivesIndian Institute of Forest Management(IIFM) was established in 1982 as an autonomousinstitution of the Ministry in response to therecommendations by the National Commission onAgriculture. It is a registered society and governedby a Board of Governors.150Table-22. State/UT-wise statusName of state No. of Projects No. of ongoing No. of Projectscompleted in Projects in initiated in2005-2006 2005-2006 2005-2006Andhra Pradesh – 8 1Andaman & Nicobar – – 1Arunachal Pradesh 2 5 –Assam 10 8 6Bihar – 1 –Gujarat – 2 –Haryana 3 2 –Himachal Pradesh 4 27 8Jharkhand 2 10 1Karnataka 2 8 6Kerala 2 11 2Manipur 2 4 –Meghalaya 3 5 –Mizoram 2 3 1Nagaland 3 4 –Punjab 4 – 2Rajasthan 8 14 5Tamil Nadu 5 13 6Tripura 3 4 –Uttarakhand 8 18 20Uttar Pradesh 1 1 –West Bengal 1 8 –Total 65 156 59

Annual Report 2006-2007The Institute, as a sectoral managementinstitute, imparts education in forest management,which is a judicious combination of management,social, and forestry sciences. As a managementinstitute in the forestry sector, the instituteundertakes research activities of applied nature inthe field.Indian Institute of Forest Management to beamong the leading international institutions in thearea of forest, environment and developmentmanagement and, be respected, both nationally aswell as internationally, for its outstandingcontributions in the fields of education, training,research, consultancy and, thought leadership.Activities undertakenThe Institute is carrying out around 20research projects under different funding categories.Apart from these short-term projects, the instituteis implementing two long-term projects, one oncommunity Forestry and another project onSustainable Forest Management. During the year,the institute has completed another externallysponsored long-term project on ‘Capacity buildingof village level institutions for collaborative NRM’.Following are the significant findings that emergedout of research projects completed during the year:✦✦✦Recently, many farmers left medicinal plantcultivation due to high planting material andproduction cost and low prices.In Joint Forest Management (JFM), conflictsoften occur due to lack of livelihoodopportunities and hence villagers resort toillicit felling activities. The conflictmanagement capacity of a joint forestmanagement committee also depended onthe age of the committee. Human resourcedevelopment can be part of the projectprepared for Forest Development Agencies.The project aimed at exploring the potentialcorridors that can connect the Kanha andPench national parks by using GIS revealedthat wildlife migration corridors betweenthese two areas were very much possible bothin terms of physical connectivity and landavailability. Most land in the proposed✦✦migration routes is with the forest departmentand as such needs to be developed to meetanimal migration requirements.The motivational analysis revealed that EDCshould be strengthened by integrating theimmediate needs so that villagers’ level ofsurvival and safety needs can be raised andpeople start believing the relation betweenProtected Areas (PA) conservation and theirneed satisfaction and understand the role offorest department in this regard.The JFM policy had revived villager’s senseof belongingness towards forests which waslost during the period when forest was underthe full control of the Government. There wasa good amount of horizontal solidarity amongthe villagers and between the villages; but thevertical linkage between the villages and thegovernment, the NGOs, and otherstakeholders outside the village was low.✦ The Natural Resource Accounting projectdeveloped methodologies and framework foraccounting of Forest and Land in the statesof Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.The study has generated various resourceaccounting tables for land and forestry sectorrespectively using secondary and primarydata.Indian Plywood Industries Research andTraining Institute (IPIRTI), BangaloreIntroductionIndian Plywood Industries Research andTraining Institute (IPIRTI) is an autonomousresearch and training institute of the Ministry. It ismandated for research, extension, training, testingand standardization on all aspects related toproduction of plywood and other panel productsfrom wood and other lignocellulosic materials withspecial emphasis on utilization of bamboo andconverting the same to value added products likebamboo mat corrugated sheets, bamboo mat board,bamboo mat veneer composites, etc.ObjectivesThe research mandate of the instituteincludes:1517

Ministry of Environment & Forests152✦✦Research on all aspects related to productionof sawn timber, manufacturing plywood andother allied engineered and reconstitutedpanel products from wood and otherlignocellulosics including improvement ofproducts, manufacturing processes,improvement of machines and appliances,conditions of work - time and motion studies- standardization of methods of working offactories.Inspection, certification and testing of allforest products viz. plywood, wood, timber,hardboard, particleboard, chipboard,furniture, glulams, compreg, doors, paneldoors, block board, flush doors, veneeredpanels, veneers laminated panels, compositeboards, and the products of allied trade andindustry.Highlights of activities during the yearEstablishment of Particle Board Pilot PlantFacility at IPIRTI, BangaloreEstablishment of Pilot Plant for Particle boardat IPIRTI will serve many purposes:✦✦✦✦✦The plant is set up with entirely indigenousmachinery which will encourage the industryto set up bigger plant with indigenousmachinery.Exploration of the suitability of varioustimber species, soft and hard for particle boardmanufacture.Development of suitable adhesive with lowformaldehyde content and standardizeprocess parameters.HRD through training for supporting theindustry.R&D for product development.Establishment of Common Facility Centre [CFC]for Primary Processing of Bamboo and MatWeaving at ThiruchirappalliThe Center was inaugurated by the Hon’bleUnion Minister on December 16, 2006. IPIRTItook key role in preparation of specification for themachineries for the Centre, procurement ofmachineries, commissioning and installation andtraining of artisans on floor level by deputing twotechnicians from the Institute.Machineries for primary processing ofbamboo include Bamboo Cross Cutting 1No.,Bamboo Splitting 1 No., Knot removal and widthsizing 1 No., Slab making 2 Nos., Sliver making 3Nos., Mat weaving 1 No.Development of Moulded skin from bamboo matfor door shuttersBamboo mat moulded skin developed fordoor shutters is of high strength values. This willreduce the consumption of wood used in doorshutters and also serves as an import substitute forhigh density skin boards for door shutters.Progress/Achievements made during the yearSome of the research projects of IPIRTI areas follows:✦✦✦Technology Development of Phenol LigninFormaldehyde Resin/Adhesive suitable forplywood production as per Indian Standardwhere replacement of phenol partially bylignin in phenolic resin for higher gradeplywood have been developed.Development of adhesive from bio materials.Under this project utilization of bio materialsobtainable from natural renewable source arebeing used in the development of phenolicadhesives which also helps in the reductionin the use of petroleum based chemicals andalso helps in disposal of industrial wastes forbetter utilization, thereby reducing thepollution problems.Establishment of Demonstration Unit forpreliminary bamboo processing withindigenous machinery at Tiruchirapalli, TamilNadu for production of bamboo mats andtraining - The main aim of this project is tomake the availability of bamboo mats forindustrial needs to produce Bamboo MatBoard (BMB), Bamboo Mat VeneerComposite (BMVC), Bamboo MatCorrugated Sheets (BMCS) etc., .and also to

Annual Report 2006-2007The objective of the study was to evaluatethe efficacy of Biflex in controlling borers andtermite attack in wood and wood basedpanels.✦Broadening the use of bamboo technologiesin the construction of social infrastructurePhase 1: Modular prefab house using bamboomat boards was designed and fabricated.✦✦✦✦✦Fig 62. Two storey bamboo house constructionimprove the quality of the mats and increasingthe productivity with the help of bambooprocessing machinery.Setting up production and training centre forBamboo Mat at Magadi sponsored byNMBA, New Delhi - The main aim of thisproject is to make the availability of bamboomats for industrial needs to produce BMB,BMBC, BMCS etc., and also to improve thequality of the mats and increasing theproductivity with the help of bambooprocessing machinery.Development of particle board fromplantation grown timbers like eucalyptus andPoplar: This development helps to utilizetimber of plantation origin (soft and hard)for the manufacture of particle board.Development of phenolic resins for highmoisture content veneers : The objective ofthis project was to increases the productioncapacity and input of less energy for drying.Development of Moisture Resistance (MR)grade plywood by substituting thecommercial extenders by an additive(VISCOPLUS) in urea formaldehyde resinadhesive. This project is aimed to find areplacement to the commercial extendersused by the industries. This project is aimedto find the replacement to the commercialextendors used by the industries.5Ec (Biflex) against borers and termites forprotection of wood and plywood at IPIRTI :✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦Study on preferential absorption of chemicalsin dip diffusion process of veneer treatmentwith fixed type of preservative: This study willhelp to achieve uniform retention ofchemicals in treated panels at every stage.Life Cycle Analysis of BMCS : This study isaimed to predict the durability of bamboomat corrugated roofing sheets.Study on resin intake of bamboo mats at eachstage of dipping and its effect on resinproperties on bamboo mats and residual resinsolution.Development of compreg from Bamboo matand veneer from plantation timber or incombination: The compregs developed canfind application in railway coaches and forelectrical grade purposes.Development of high density shuttering gradeplywood using bamboo mat and veneers fromplantation timbers: This project is aimed toease the pressure on import of timbercurrently being used considering the demandof this product and cost reduction of the finalproduct by using bamboo mats.Development of fire retardant flush door: Todevelop doors with fire resistance propertieswherein it can meet national building coderequirements for high rise buildings.Development of Cellular Core Flush Doorfrom solid: This project is aimed to replacetimber in the core frame with bamboo ringthereby having maximum utilization ofbamboo with virtually no waste.Development of low cost phenolformaldehyde adhesive: This study reducesthe cost of existing phenol formaldehyde1537

Ministry of Environment & Forests154✦✦✦✦✦✦resin. Under this project a three stage phenolformaldehyde resin has been developed formanufacturing BWP grade panels.Effluent treatment of chemicals dischargedfrom plywood industries: This project isaimed to evolve process for reduction ofpollution level in effluent from wood basedpanel industry.Development of acoustic panel from jute, coirand sisal fibre: The objective of this project isto develop economically viable accousticpanels.Development of pilot scale facilities forresearch and training for manufacture ofparticle board and bamboo laminates : Thisproject facilitates for the development ofappropriate technologies thereby creatingtechnological capabilities in the country withsmall capacity indigeneous machinery andalso the usage of agro and forest residues canalso be made for manufacture of particleboard.Development of floor tiles – glazed and matfinish from bamboo strips : The project aimsto develop flooring material from bamboowhich can replace ceramic tiles or marbles andalso the improvement of surface design tomake the product attractive to users.Development of machine for efficient veneerfinger-jointing: The machine for veneerfinger-jointing was developed, installed andcommissioned. Trials were taken on veneersfrom different species of timbers andthicknesses. The performance of machine wasfound to be quite satisfactory.Enhancement of utilization of plantationtimbers through edge lamination: Pneumaticclamp carrier developed and installed in theplant was used for the study. Detailed studieswere carried out on finger-jointed and edgelaminated panel boards made fromrubberwood. Strength properties were alsostudied for edge laminated boards made fromanother plantation timber species, vizGrevillea robusta, using UMF resin.✦✦✦Suitability of plantation grown timber speciesreceived from Tamil Nadu for finger jointing–Phase I. Three species of timbers viz. Gravillearobusta, Acacia suma and Chloroxylonswietenia were taken up for studies. The workon three species of timber were completed.It was found that finger-jointed timbers fromthese species had strength in the range of 60-70% compared to defect free solid timberfrom the respective species.Development of products from newgeneration eco-friendly materials: Design,fabrication, installation and commissioningwork of moulding dies on hydraulic hot presswas completed for making moulded skinboard for doors using bamboo mats. Anumber of Moulded skin boards and doorswere made and were tested for strengthproperties. Finishing works on doors were alsotaken up and were at various stages of trials.Setting up of demonstrative unit of bamboomat manufacturing in collaboration with M/s Sri Sankara Educational and CharitableTrust, Trichy.The procurement of primary processingmachines for the unit at Trichy was carried out.The machinery were installed and commissioned.Wildlife ResearchWildlife Research covers ecological,biological, socio-economic and managerial aspectsof wildlife conservation in various parts of thecountry. The research projects generate valuablescientific data, help evolve study techniques relevantto the Indian ground condition, and also create agroup of trained field biologists, socio-economistand wildlife managers. The scientific informationgenerated is utilized for management of protectedareas. Wildlife research is coordinated by WildlifeInstitute of India (WII), Dehradun.A large number of research projects on diverseaspects on wildlife and coordinated by WII is atvarious stages of implementation. These projectsare either grants-in-aid projects of WII or sponsoredas collaborative projects.