Annual Report 2011-2012 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

EBIRBAL SAHNI INSTITUT
Annual Report 2011-2012
1946
OF PALAEOBOTANY
precipitation in the present area of investigation. Detailed
study is now being done.
Samir Sarkar & [& R.K. Tantua (DGM, Lucknow)]
Late Eocene Coralline algae from the Prang
Limestone unit of Shella Formation in the Jaintia Hill
Section have been studied. Further study on facies
analysis and palaeoecological interpretation is in progress.
A.K. Ghosh [& Ajanta Sarma (G.C. College, Silchar, Assam)]
Study of fresh water diatoms and desmids collected
from the Burdwan District, West Bengal, based on light
microscopic as well as SEM observations has been
completed and the paper has been finalized for its
submission.
A.K. Ghosh [& J.P. Keshri (University of Burdwan, WB)]
A combination of petrological, elemental, Rock-Eval
pyrolysis, FTIR spectroscopic and Cupy-Gas
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry techniques has
been applied for detailed characterization of the Early
Eocene Vastan lignites (Gujarat). The documentation of
data, in relation to lignite’s economic potential, is under
progress.
B.D. Singh & Alpana Singh [& Suryendu Dutta
(IIT Bombay, Mumbai)]
The resin material from Ratnagiri and Neyveli area
were processed for FTIR and Pyrolysis GCMS studies.
The work is under progress.
Rakesh Saxena [& Suryendu Dutta & associate
(IIT, Mumbai)]
Palynological study in the sediment cores from
Mahanadi Delta— A 20 m sediment core has been studied
and a middle Holocene palaeoshore line is identified at 6-
7 m depth in the core. Results are in conformation with
the earlier records along the east coast documented in
the work carried out in the ongoing institute’s project work
(9.2).
Anjum Farooqui [& Delta Studies Institute (Visakhapatnam)]
Palynological study in trench samples Kodinar
archaeological site— The Late Harappan civilization is
existed in Kaj and Kanjetar, Kodinar coastal area. Both
the sites reveal fresh water ponding for their sustenance.
Vegetational assemblage show evidences of evergreen/
semi-evergreen forest indicating low seasonality until the
end of Middle Holocene, but later a sudden change in
climate towards dry and arid conditions perhaps led to
the downfall of Harappans from along the coast.
Anjum Farooqui [& A.S. Gaur (NIO, Goa)]
Palynological investigation is under going in a 5 m
core from SK-129.
Anjum Farooqui [& N. Pattan (NIO, Goa)]
Under TWAS-CAS Post Doctoral Programme
worked on the project entitled “Quaternary
Palaeoclimate study of the West China through the
pollen analytical investigation of lake sediments”
jointly with Chinese scientists at Institute of Botany-CAS,
Beijing, China. Carried out the chemical processing of 28
samples from a 2.8 m deep sediment core from Shaunhai-Zi
Lake, Yunan, west China. The preliminary
investigation of 10 samples from the core has depicted
the high frequencies of Pinus, Abies and Podocarpus.
Among broad-leaved elements Querecus, Betula, Alnus,
etc. are recovered in moderate to low frequencies. Fern
spores are in abundance. The analysis of remaining
samples from the core is in progress.
Anjali Trivedi [& Cheng-Sen Li
(Institute of Botany-CAS, Beijing, China)]
Pollen analyzed of 13 subsurface soils from
southwest coast of India. The pollen analysis of peat
samples reveal abundant occurrence of Rhizophoraceae,
Sonneratia and Avicennia pollen (core mangrove). The
major midland taxa are represented by Oleaceae,
Combretaceae, Fabaceae (legumes), Acanthaceae and
Meliaceae whereas, Poaceae, Lamiaceae, Urticaceae,
Asteraceae, Apiaceae and Chenopodiaceae being
ubiquitous are present in low to moderate numbers. Plant
derived organic matter includes other non pollen
palynomorphs like fern spores, algal and fungal remains
including varia. Humid climatic condition accounts for the
development of mangrove vegetation, as the abundant
rainfall increases the continental drainage.
S.K. Bera, A. Rajanikanth, Swati Dixit & Kanupriya Gupta
[& A.C. Narayana (CUSAT, Cochin)]
Studied 15 squeezed honey samples procured from
Bongaigaon district of Assam. The data documentation
and preparation of manuscript is in progress.
S.K. Basumatary, Swati Dixit, S.K. Bera [& Munmun
Brahma (Kokrajhar College, Assam) & G.C. Sarma
(Gauhati University, Assam)]
The study on agroforestry systems of Bamboo
cultivation in Garo Hills of Meghalaya is conducted.
Bamboo stands as an ideal species capable of achieving
conservation of soil and moisture, restoration of degraded
land, livelihood and economic security because of its
manifold uses and industrial applications. The study also
proves that bamboo can help to reduce our carbon
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