Feature Article

In order to sustain and promote the economy of livestock sector as complimentary component, fodder-based feeding strategies provide ample opportunities for economising the economic productivity. A vast array of forage species are grown under varying management situations in different agro-ecological regions. April 2008

The status of water birds in and around 11 lakes and 10 marshes in the Changthang Cold Desert Sanctuary, Ladakh was examined during July-August 2001. During the survey 44 species of water birds were recorded of which 19 species were breeding in various wetlands.

The present study assess spatial change in the land cover over the last decade in Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary, Adilabad district, Andhra Pradesh, India using Landsat TM and IRS P6 LISS III images. From 1993 to 2004, the forest cover had a severe change and lost about 248.87 ha. There was increase in the scrub cover to about 1637.17 ha, which was quantified to be 172.77 ha.

The

Pot experiments was conducted to observe the impact of CdCl2, CuCl2, Pb(NO3)2 and ZnCl2 on chlorophylls of Brassica juncea, Brassica rapa, Lactuca sativa, Lepidium sativum and Daucus carota. Present studies suggest that depletion of essential micronutrients like Zn and Fe; or Zn and Cu; or Fe and Mn in the plant body after heavy metal accumulation may be one of the causes for chlorophyll loss.

The present study on management of Cedrus deodara under shelter wood system is aimed at drawing attention for long sustenance of management practices. The study reflects some useful facts.

Sholas, which represent a unique vegetation complex, are very rich in biodiversity and support a high degree of endemism are known for their intrinsic values in terms of providing sustained water supply in the hills. Shola forests faced severe stress from biotic interferences like collection of firewood and fodder, recurrent man made fires in surrounding grasslands and conversion into exotic plantations, which caused their depletion.

Total heterotropic plate count (HPC), fecal coliform (FC), Escherichia coli (EC), Salmonella and Shigella were estimated in water samples collected from 21 bore wells and 15 hand pumps in and around Kanpur district, during early and post monsoon which revealed the unsanitary condition of water sources.

Under the current scenario of farming with changing natural resource base, food habits, industrialisation, maize having adaptability across diverse soil and climatic conditions has emerged as an important crop for food and nutritional security and farm economy. Among all the cereals, the growth of maize production is highest (4.2%), which is much higher than the major crops (rice and wheat). April 2008

An oil spill was simulated in microcosms in the laboratory using phytoplankton assemblage collected from Versova, Mumbai. Bombay High Crude oil, water-soluble fraction and water-dispersed fraction were added to respective tanks. Their effect was investigated on various parameters like primary productivity, growth and biomass of the phytoplankton at different time intervals.