Feature Article

This paper details work being carried out at the Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat (Assam) on genetic conservation and improvement of economically important bamboo species.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands is the largest archipelago system consisting of over 200 islands, over 300 inlets and constitute one of the hotspot of biodiversity. 3,552 plant species are known from these islands. As regards bamboos not much work has been done because most of the areas are unexplored.

Out of the 1,500 bamboo species occurring worldwide, India has around 130 bamboo species belonging to 23 genera, in which more than 50% of the Indian bamboo resource is confined to North East. As many as 78 bamboo species (both indigenous and exotic) belonging to 19 genera have been reported from this region. Bamboo plays an important role in the socio-economy of tribal populace of the region.

Bamboo is an important natural resource in the socio-economic, cultural, ecological and functional context with 1500 well documented uses. Having high strength, elasticity and wear resisting characteristics, it grows rapidly and matures in a short period (3-5 years) with high yield, easy to manage, strong in regeneration, lasts for long time and sprouts new shoots after yearly harvests.

Successful programme to conserve lions is beginning to implode on itself The Asiatic lion is quite vulnerable.

Click here to Enlarge View The rapid disappearance of the Arctic sea ice in recent years and a record melt in 2007 due to global warming has led to a mad rush among countries bordering the region to claim petroleum deposits beneath the ocean floor At stake is About 22 per cent of the world

From the Gir National Park in Gujarat to the Sunderbans in West Bengal, lions and tigers are ranging far beyond territories administered by the forest department. Communities that have traditionally been accommodative are now unsettled, their patience worn thin by the rising incidents of human-animal conflicts. Yet, the debate on human-animal conflicts, an understanding of which is basic to conservation research and practice in India, has reached a strange impasse. Nobody quite knows what to do. Meanwhile, reality is outstripping knowledge as well as application.

Click here to Enlarge View The only home of the Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica), the protected area at Gir, Gujarat, spreads over 1,421 sq km. Of this, 258.7 sq km is designated as National Park, while 1,153.4 sq km is designated a sanctuary. Another 470.5 sq km forest area serves as the buffer zone, consisting of reserve, protected and unclassed

Tigers attack people. People impatient, they are second priority. What is the way out?

July 24, 2007. Hungry and exhausted after fishing all day on the Bidyadhari river, Amirul Naiya, his two brothers and three other fishermen pulled

A lion-tolerating people, too, are changing Maldharis are former nomads who rear cattle for their livelihood. They are now settled inside and on the outskirts of Gir protected area in small colonies called nesses. At present there are 54 nesses inside the sanctuary. They are still very lion-tolerant.