1995-96 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

1995-96
Programme 5.5
Objective
Maceration
To develop information on phytogeography and understanding
of the orogeny of Himalaya
Morphotaxonomic study of the recovered palynofossils from the Tattapani and
Metka coal mines were carried out. Photodocumentation of the selected palynotaxa was
made. Data interpretation of the recorded palynoflora from Beragua and Kalakot coal mine
areas was done. Three distinct palynofloral associations have been recognised in the
Subathu succession of Tattapani and its adjoining areas. A comparison of the present
dinocyst association with the one recorded earlier from Shimla hills of Himachal Pradesh
reveals close similarity. Palynofloral composition dominated by dinocysts confirms a shallow
water nearshore marine environment of deposition for the Subathu Formation. A
paper entitled "Palynofossils from the Subathu Formation (Eocene) of Jammu and their
palaeoenvironmental significance" was finalized.
Palynofossils have been recorded at several stratigraphic levels of Siwalik succession
in Mansar and Uttarbani areas of Jammu. Qualitatively as well as quantitatively they
are very poorly represented. Detailed morphotaxonomic study is in progress.
Samir Sarkar
ductive.
Programme 5.6
Palynostratigraphy of the Tertiary sediments
Ladakh Himalaya
To systematically
To establish palynozonation
study spores and pollen
of Kargil Basin,
To reconstruct the past vegetation. environment of deposition
and palaeogeography
of samples collected last year was done but the samples proved unpro-
R.K. Saxena & Samir Sarkar
Neogene Himalaya : floristics, evolntionary patterns and
climate
Objective To undertake extensive study of fossil plants from Neogene
sediments of different regions of the Himalaya
To build up floral successionfor interpreting palaeoecology, phytogeographyand
evolution of the Himalayan/lora
Leaf-impressions from the Kasauli Formation were sorted, cleared and photographed.
Out of the specimens investigated, a frond has been identified as Acrostichum, a
coastal fern from near Daghota, Kalka-Shimla Road. Tlus fem is of special significance as
it indicates persistence of coastal envirolUnent in the vicinity of Kasauli-Kumarhatti during
Lower Miocene.
N. Awasthi, J.S. Guleria, M. Prasad & Raslmu Srivastava
Morphotaxonomical study of plant remains including woods, leaves, fmits and
seeds from Siwalik sedin,ents of Arjunkhola, Suraikhola and Rehr has been carried out.
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