Organisational Structure - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

Annual Report 1999-2000Organisational StructureGOVERNING BODYChairmanProfessor C.V. SubramanianA-8, Damayanthi Apartments17, South Mada StreetNungampakkamChennai 600 034MembersProfessor V.S. RamamurthySecretary or his NomineeDepartment of Science & TechnologyTechnology Bhavan, New Mehrauli RoadNew Delhi 110 016Shri Arun SharmaJoint Secretary& Financial Adviseror his NomineeDepartment of Science & TechnologyTechnology Bhavan, New Mehrauli RoadNew Delhi 110 016Professor M.S. SrinivasanDepartment of GeologyBanaras Hindu UniversityVaranasi 221 005Dr V.C. ThakurEx-Director, WIHG9/12, Ashirwad EnclaveDehradun 248 001Dr S.C.D. SahNo. 9, Vikaspuram EnclaveNew ForestDehradun 248 006Members (Ex-officio)Dr N.P. SinghDirectorBotanical Survey of IndiaP-8, Brabourne RoadCalcutta 700 001Dr S.K. AcharyyaDirector GeneralGeological Survey of India27, Jawaharlal Nehru RoadCalcutta 700 0161Professor N.K. MehrotraDepartment of BotanyLucknow UniversityLucknow 226 007Member-Secretary (Ex-officio)Professor Anshu K. SinhaDirectorBirbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyLucknow 226 007Non-Member Assistant Secretary (Ex-officio)Shri S.C. BajpaiRegistrarBirbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyLucknow 226 007RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCILChairmanProfessor P.S. RamakrishnanProfessor of EcologySchool of Environmental SciencesJawaharlal Nehru UniversityNew Mehrauli RoadNew Delhi 110 067Member-Convener (Ex-officio)Professor Anshu K. SinhaDirectorBirbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyLucknow 226 007MembersProfessor M.S. SrinivasanDepartment of GeologyBanaras Hindu UniversityVaranasi 221 005Professor S.K. TandonDepartment of GeologyUniversity of DelhiDelhi 110 007Professor K. GopalanEmeritus ScientistNational Geophysical Research Institute

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyUppal RoadHyderabad 500 007Professor J.S. SinghDepartment of BotanyBanaras Hindu UniversityVaranasi 221 005Professor S.N. AgasheDepartment of Botany, Bangalore University401, 41st Cross, 5th BlockJayanagarBangalore 560 041Professor Manju BanerjeeDepartment of BotanyCalcutta University35, Ballygunge Circular RoadCalcutta 700 019Shri Kuldeep ChandraRegional Director, ONGCKDM Institute of Petroleum Exploration9, Kaulagarh RoadDehradun 248 195Professor V.N. Raja RaoCentre of Advanced Study in BotanyUniversity of MadrasGuindy CampusChennai 600 025Professor K.S. ManilalD-37, Jawahar NagarCalicut 673 006Member (Ex-officio)Shri Ravi ShankerSenior Deputy-Director GeneralGeological Survey of IndiaNorthern Region, Sector ‘E’ AliganjLucknow 226 020FINANCE & BUILDING COMMITTEEChairman (Ex-officio)Professor C.V. SubramanianA-8, Damayanthi Apartments17, South Mada Street, NungampakkamChennai 600 034MembersShri Arun SharmaJoint Secretary& Financial Adviseror his NomineeDepartment of Science & TechnologyTechnology Bhavan, New Mehrauli RoadNew Delhi 110 016Dr S.C.D. SahNo. 9, Vikaspuram EnclaveNew ForestDehradun 248 006Shri S.P. ElhenceChief Engineer (Retd.), UPPWDB-87, Indira NagarLucknow 226 016Member (Ex-officio)Professor Anshu K. SinhaDirectorBirbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyLucknow 226 007Non-Member Secretary (Ex-officio)Shri S.C. BajpaiRegistrarBirbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyLucknow 226 007Non-Member Secretary (Ex-officio)Shri S.C. BajpaiRegistrarBirbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyLucknow 226 0072

Annual Report 1999-2000ORGANISATIONAL SET-UPRESEARCHADVISORYCOUNCILGOVERNINGBODYFINANCE &BUILDINGCOMMITTEECHAIRMANDIRECTORTHRUST AREAUNITS ANCILLARYTO RESEARCHREGISTRARAntiquity of LifeGondwana Supercontinent:Regional Geology, Floristics,Terrane Accretion, PlateTectonics and ConfigurationBiopetrology of Indian Coals inrelation to Coal Bed MethaneFloristics of PetroliferousBasinsQuaternary Vegetation, Climateand MonsoonPublicationLibraryMuseumHerbariumChemicalProcessingWorkshopSEMEDPFinance and AccountsEstablishmentStores & PurchaseWorks, Building &MaintenanceScientific Activities(Administrative)Transport &Guest HousePhotographyResearch Co-ordinationand Planning Cell3

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyResearchThrust Area: Antiquity of LifeProject 1: Palaeobiology and biostratigraphy of Precambrian BasinComponent 1: Search for oldest biological remains in Archaean (till July 1999)P.K. Maithy & Rupendra BabuThe sections of the interlinked stratiform topseudocolumnar stromatolites collected from the ‘F’member of carbonate sequence of Kasia Formation,Iron Ore Supergroup exposed near Barbil, Orissa wereprepared. The stromatolites resemble Weedia andIrregularia reported from Canada (2730 Ma). Thesmall size of stromatolites may be either due to simpleorganisation of biota or ecological conditions.Component 2: Morphotaxonomical studies of biological remains of both micro- and megafossils fromthe Meso/Neoproterozoic sediments of the Kurnool and ChhattisgarhManoj Shukla, Mukund Sharma & Rupendra BabuShukla and Sharma studied microfossilscomprising smooth walled acritarchs includingFig. 1Thalllophytic algae from Kurnool Super Group (1cm=100µm)coiled algae belonging to Obruchevella noncarbonaceousmega remains, viz., Longfengshania,Chuaria circularis, Tawuia sp., Beltina danai andMorania antiqua from the Owk Shale Formationexposed near Ankireddipalle village, KurnoolDistrict, Andhra Pradesh. Collected cherts from theKoilkuntla Limestone Formation and ichnofossils/dubiofossils from the Paniam Quartzite Formationin Kurnool District (A.P.). Also visited variouslocalities in Kaladgi and Bhima basins during FieldWorkshop organised by Geological Society ofIndia. Recorded vertical burrows and studiedichnofossils/dubiofossils from the PaniamQuartzite Formation. They are grouped under threebroad categories. (i) medusoid-like forms, (ii) algalmats, and (iii) spindle-shaped forms fromKoilkuntla Limestone Formation, Kurnool Groupand thallophytic algae— Thallophyca simplicaZang, a form reported earlier from the LateProterozoic sediments of South China andThallophyca sp. showing affinity to modern genusUlva from the chert bed.Babu studied organic-walled microfossils, viz.,acritarchs, algae and Vase-Shaped Microfossilsboth in thin sections and macerated residue from4

Annual Report 1999-2000the chert bands intercalated in grey limestonebelonging to Lakheri and Balban Limestoneformations and Sirbu Shale Formation exposed inBundi District, Rajasthan and its adjoining areas.The complexity of acritarch increases from older(Lakheri Limestone) to younger (BalbanLimestone) formations of Bhander Group. Organicwalledmicrofossils are being reported for the firsttime from the Balban Limestone Formation. Alsostudied carbonaceous macrobiota belonging toChuarid, Moranid, Beltanid and septatefilamentous forms for the first time from the SirbuShale Formation of Bhander Group exposed aroundNayagaon and Arauli villages of Bundi District.This assemblage indicates shallow water and quietenvironmental conditions. The macrobiotaresembles known Neoproterozoic assemblage ofother countries. The organo-sedimentarystructures-stromatolites are mostly branched formsbelonging to genus Baicalia from the BalbanLimestone Formation exposed near Kamleshwarji,Bundi District. Analysis of the studied macrobiota,organic-walledmicrofossils andpresence of stromatolitesfrom older toyounger formationsof Bhander Groupindicate Early–Neoproterozoicage. Thepresence of organicwalledmicrofossilsand the type ofsedimentation areboth indicative ofFig. 2Myxococcoides from the chert band ofBalban Limestone Formation x 1000.intermittent shallow environment during BhanderGroup.Visited 14 localities for collection ofpalynological samples and mega remains from theChandi Limestone, Gunderdehi Shale andCharmuria Limestone formations of Raipur Groupexposed around Raipur District and its adjoiningareas in Madhya Pradesh.Thrust Area: Gondwana Supercontinent: Regional Geology,Floristics, Terrane Accretion, Plate Tectonicsand ConfigurationProject 2: Floristics and biostratigraphy of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic ofHimalayasComponent 1: Floristics and stratigraphy of the Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sediments of the TethyanHimalaya and their regional relationshipVijayaRock samples (50) from Laptal Sancha MallaTrack of Spiti Shale Formation have been workedout for palynological study. Yields of samples werepoor and had no significant spore-pollen taxa, exceptgenus Callialasporites, to assess the palynologicaldating of this section. Further palynologicalinvestigation is needed for precise palynostratigraphyof the Spiti Shales.Component 2: Permian plant fossils from North-Eastern HimalayasSuresh C. Srivastava, A.K. Srivastava, Rajni Tewari & A.P. Bhattacharyya5

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanySrivastava (SC) and Bhattacharyya completedthe maceration of 18 samples from Lichy-Zerosection from Subansiri District, ArunachalPradesh. Also macerated 5 samples from RaktiKhola, Darjeeling District, West Bengalcomprising carbonaceous shales and coal. Nomiospores have been recovered in these samples.Tewari and Srivastava (AK) recorded plantfossils from Lower Member of Bhareli Formationexposed in Pinjoli Nala section situated onBhalukpong-Bomdila Road section, WestKameng District, Arunachal Pradesh. Theassemblage is represented by Gangamopteriskarharbariensis, Glossopteris communis, G.stenoneura, G. longicaulis, G. indica, G.tenuifolia, G. spatulata, G. taeniensis, G. subtilis,G. sp. cf. G. decipiensis, Noeggerathiopsishislopii, Samaropsis ganjrensis, seed-bearingorgan, Vertebraria indica and equisetalean leaves.The flora is comparable with that of LowerBarakar Formation of peninsular Gondwana ofIndia. Taxonomic identification and comparativesignificance of Permian plant fossils fromTindharia, Kalijhor Nala section of DarjeelingCoalfield and Rohtak Khola section of Sikkimarea are under progress. Systematic descriptionand photodocumentation of the specimens werecompleted.Project 4: Floristics, biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironment ofGondwana sedimentsComponent 1: Morphotaxonomy, floristics, evolution, biostratigraphy and palaeo-environmentalstudies of Son-Mahanadi, Damodar, Panagarh and Birbhum basinsShaila Chandra, Suresh C. Srivastava, Anand-Prakash, Archana Tripathi, Vijaya, Ram Awatar,K.J. Singh, & K.L. MeenaChandra and Singh completedidentification of 300 impression andcompression specimens collectedfrom 5 localities, viz., Behra Nalasection near Banapati Village(locations 1 & 2), Iria Nala sectionnear Prem Nagar Village, nearBasantpur Village and Ledho NalaSection near Karamdiha Village ofTatapani-Ramkola Coalfield area,Madhya Pradesh. The study indicatesLate Permian to ?Triassic age affinity.Singh and Chandra identifiednew branched fructification possiblybelonging to Peltaspermales fromBehra Nala section. Photography anddraft of results are completed. Singhidentified an equisetalean fertilegenus showing compact cone fromthis section of Late Permian age.Singh also visited Mand-RaigarhFig. 3Umkomasia sp., female fructification of Dicroidium genus from the late Permian of Behra Nala6

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotanysuggesting Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous age of thesediments. Also visited Sohagpur and Mand-Raigarhcoalfields for collection of bore-core and outcropsamples.Meena processed 40 surface samples collectedfrom the south bank of Chaturdhara Nala section, IbriverCoalfield, Orissa. The location of these samplesis one km away from the junction of Basundhara Nalasection. Besides, processing of 20 samples fromLakhanpur Hill, District Jharsuguda was alsocompleted along with scanning and photography ofimportant palynotaxa. The quantitative analysis is inprogress. Also completed scanning, photography andcounting of samples from bore-holes IBT-4, 5 & 6which were collected from Tangadih Block,Jharsuguda. Recorded the Late Permian (Raniganj age)palyno-assemblage from the samples. Visited districtsJharsuguda, Sundargarh (Ib-river Coalfield) and alsothe Surguja District (Hasdo-Arand Coalfield, MadhyaPradesh) for collection of palynological samples.Component 2: Morphotaxonomy, floristics, evolution, biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmentalstudies of Satpura and Wardha-Godavari basinsA.K. Srivastava, Pramod Kumar, Neerja Jha, Rajni Tewari & A.P. BhattacharyyaSrivastava and Tewari undertook study on plantfossil assemblages recovered from Pench Eastunderground mine and open cast project of ShivpuriI, II and Kukurmunda collieries. Morphotaxonomyand cuticular investigations are under progress.Dominance of Glossopteris species and absence ofKarharbari floral elements affiliate the flora withUpper Barakar seams locally numbered as I and II inPench Valley Coalfield of Satpura Basin.Kumar recorded palynofossils from Late Triassicbeds of Denwa Formation of Anhoni region,Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh. Palynoassemblagescomprise Brachysaccus, Falcisporites,Krempipollenites, Satsangisaccites, Staurosaccites,Minutosaccus, Aratrisporites, Ashmoripollis,Samaropollenites, Denwasporites, etc., along withsome Jurassic elements—Haradisporites scabratus,Dictyophyllidites, Callialasporites cf. dampieri,Podocarpidites sp., Vitreisporites sp., etc. Thisassemblage suggests mixture of cool temperateupland and warm dry climate in low land areas withseasonal fluctuations. Presence of dinocysts indicatesthe deposition of beds in lacustrine set up. Alsostudied morphographically a prepollen Denwasporitesgen. nov. from Denwa exposed in subsurfacein an artesian well cutting south of Anhoni village.Spore, bilaterally symmetrical, oval and bear aproximal monolete suture and smooth to weaklyintrapunctate exine.The palyno-assemblage comprising fungal andalgal remains along with the palynomorphs of UpperDenwa beds have been recorded from BagraFormation (the youngest unit of Mahadeva Group).The palyno-assemblage shows the continuity of theDenwa palynomorphs and is palynologically assignedto Rhaetian age. Also recorded a fossilisedmicroscopic, wingless ectoparasitic anopluran insect(from Bagra Formation) and a larval form ofendoparasite (from Denwa Formation) from UpperTriassic sediments. Both specimens show parasitichabitat with the former on mammals and the latter inthe intestinal region of fishes. Taxonomy ofPhthiraptera has been discussed.Jha analysed samples from Gattugudem borecoreSGG-1, Godavari Basin. Palynoflora at 53.75-55.40 m shows dominance of striated disaccates—Striatopodocarpites and Faunipollenites andsubdominance of Scheuringipollenites. Study ofsamples from bore-core GKGD-27 of Rampur areahas revealed presence of Late Permian palynoassemblage-Striatopodocarpites+Striasulcites at96.35 m depth. Study of samples in bore-core GC-17 from Krishnavaram block of Chintalpudi subbasinhas revealed the presence of Mesozoicpalynoflora in lithologically designated BarrenMeasures and Lower Kamthi formations. Palynoassemblage-1(recognised at 109 m) is characterisedby dominance of Falcisporites and Lunatisporites,whereas Palyno-assemblage-2 (between 75-76 mdepth) is characterised by the dominance ofClassopollis. These assemblages are characterised bythe presence of certain significant taxa, viz.,8

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyBanerji and Jana studied theanatomical features of petrifiedconiferous female cones belonging to thegenus Araucaria of the familyAraucariaceae from Sonajori locality ofRajmahal Basin. Anatomy of cone axis,bract scale, ovuliferous scale and seedsshows various significant features relatedto their developmental stages. Siliceouscherts from different sites of Nipania havealso been cut and slides prepared foridentification of various taxa. Presenceof Nipaniophyllum- leaves, Carnoconites- cones and numerous coniferous shootsand woods indicate the dominance ofPentoxyleae and coniferales in themegafloral assemblage.Jana studied the plant megaflora of GardeshwarFormation which is characterised by the dominanceof conifer remains. Wide morphological variationswere noticed in the forms referred to the generaElatocladus and Pagiophyllum. The plant assemblagealso contains Lycopodium ghoshii, ?Gleichenia sp.,Dictyophyllum sp., Taeniopteris sp., etc. Freshcollection was made from that part of the MadhyaPradesh which is adjacent to the eastern border ofGujarat and also from Gardeshwar and Than regions.Petrified wood remains were found in abundance inwestern part of Madhya Pradesh.Tripathi analysed Dubrajpur sediments frombore-holes RJU-5 (Pachwara Coalfield) and RJMC-4 (Mahuagarhi Coalfield) of Rajmahal Basin formarker species. A critical analysis of known palynoassemblagesfrom Rajmahal Formation is being done.Also analysed Dubrajpur sediments (325.07-380.75m) of bore-hole RJNE-32 for palynodating. Thedominance of Arcuatipollenites is recorded in LateTriassic palynofloral composition andArcuatipollenites tethyensis zone is identified. Thiszone is correlatable with the Polycingulatisporitescrenulatus zone of Australia which ranges from EarlyNorian to Late Hettangian. On the basis of changeover of palynological characteristics and firstappearance of taxa Classopollis and Callialasporitesin the palynoflora for the first time, palynologicaltransition from Late Triassic to Early Jurassic isidentified in Rajmahal Basin.10Fig. 5Araucaria mirabilis (Spegazzini) Windhausen-Transverse section of cone - seed complex,Rajmahal Basin x 16.Rajanikanth carried out xylotomical studies onthe petrified woods of the Pranhita-Godavari Grabenwhich demonstrates variable distribution of growthrings and lack of consistency in the seasonalaccumulation pattern. Studies on the taxaAraucarioxylon and Podocarpoxylon exemplifyabundance of wood taxa consonance with thedistribution of leaf taxa. Leaf fossils are invariablysmall in size and indicate long transport to thedepositional site. Abundant leaves of conifers in theassemblage suggest their woody nature and morepotential of preservation. The significant taxa includeElatocladus, Pagiophyllum, Brachyphyllum,Satpuria, Araucaria, Stachyotaxus and others.Compilation and analysis of Mesozoic Gondwanawoods suggest climatic impact on the nature ofgrowth rings.Prakash carried out the morphotaxonomic studiesof plant fossils from Uppugunduru of VemavaramFormation. The recorded genera and species arePtilophyllum cutchense, P. acutifolium, Taeniopterisspatulata, Dictyozamites indicus, Pterophyllumfooteanum, P. morrisianum, Brachyphyllumvemavarensis sp. nov., Pagiophyllum sp., Elatocladusplana and Taxites sp. The fossil flora is dominatedby cycadophytes and conifers. While comparing thefloral assemblage with other contemporaneousassemblages it has been observed that Vemavaramfloral assemblage is akin to Gollapalle and Sehorafloral assemblages of Early Cretaceous age.

Annual Report 1999-2000Component 2: Morphotaxonomy, floristics, evolution, biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmentalstudies of Triassic-Cretaceous of South Rewa-Satpura basinsShyam C. Srivastava & Neeru PrakashA long standing controversial problemregarding the rachis of Dicroidium leaves reportedfrom Nidpur bed (Triassic) has been resolved onthe basis of forked-rachis found in Dicroidium frond.Out of the forked forms, 3 distinct species(Dicroidium nidpurensis, D. papillosum and D.odontopteroides) have been identified. Dicroidiumodontopteroides common form is the first reportfrom India; which has been ascertained upon itscuticular features. It serves as tool for the correlationof Triassic beds of other Gondwana countries.Besides, microphotography and sketches have alsobeen prepared.In addition, Srivastava worked out fruitingbodies of seed attached organs; their taxonomicdifferentiation is in progress.Project 14:Accretionary evolution and tectonics of Terranes in Ladakh-Karakoram SectorA.K. SinhaThe Indus-Tsangpo Suture has come intoexistence due to subduction followed by continentalcollision (55-60 Ma) between Indian and Eurasianplates. While considering the recent palaeogeographicreconstruction of Pangea during Late Palaeozoic itappears that a southern belt of Asian microcontinentscomprise several continental blocks and numerousfragments that have coalesced since the Mid-Palaeozoic along with the closure of Tethys. Theorigin, migration, assembly and timing of accretionof all these blocks to their present tectonics is notwell known and there is no Permo-Triassic crust leftin the present day Indian Ocean. The oldest oceancrust adjacent to the west African and Antarctic is ofEarly or Middle Cretaceous (approx. 120-130 Ma).The Karakoram-Hindukush microplate in the westand the Qiangtang-Lhasa Block in the central andeastern segment of South Asia margin are amongthose blocks already welded with Asian plates around120-130 Ma ago, before the collision of India withthe collage of plates forming Peri-Gondwanianmicrocontinents. But the reconstruction ofpalaeogeographic configuration remain incompletedue to paucity of authentic geologic informationavailable from Karakoram, Pamir and western Tibet.Discovery of Early Permian plant remains andLate Asselian (~280-275 Ma) palynomorphs for thefirst time from Karakoram terrane provides crucialclue regarding the palaeogeographic reconstructionof the Karakoram-Himalayan block in the Permiantime. This finding indicates that during Early Permiantime the Karakoram microcontinent was located notfar from the Salt range of Indian sub-continent—situated somewhere intermediate between the IndianPlate and the Qiangtang-Lhasa microcontinent,around 35° southern latitude from Equator. SinceKarakoram microcontinent cannot be a part of IndianPlate as Indus-Tsangpo Suture mark the site of Indianand accreted fragments of Asian microcontinents, itis suggested that Karakoram terrane was welded toAsia sometimes during Late Jurassic or EarlyCretaceous. Interestingly the present geotectonicposition of Karakoram between 34°-36° northernlatitude from Equator suggest an approximately 60°latitudinal movement since Early Permian (LateAsselian, 275 Ma) to present. On the basis of stagesof batholith growth, it is also concluded that ShyokSuture is older than Indus Suture and closedsometimes between 75-100 Ma. The accretionaryprocesses in the Karakoram region began prior to thefinal closure of Indus Suture.11

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyThrust Area : Biopetrology of Indian Coals in relation toCoal Bed MethaneProject 6: Coalification processes and depositional environment of coaland associated sedimentsComponent 1: Organic matter characterization from plant fossils and DOM in Cenozoic sedimentsAnand Prakash, G.P. Srivastava, Manoj Shukla & Madhav KumarStudied the remains of a Mealybug andCentipede from the resin lumps associated with thesediments of Warkalli Formation of Kerala Coast.The insects belong to two new species—Pseudococcus miocenia and Scolopendramiohardwikei. Several egg cavities and galleriesfilled with organic matter have also been studied.The study of dispersed organic matter (DOM)in lignitic clay samples (6) from Amberiwadi,Sindhudurg Formation (Maharashtra Coast)indicates the dominance of structural terrestrial,leaf, epidermal tissues, woody fragments, resins,black debris, spores and pollen grains. Wellpreservedangiosperm leaves and cuticlesbelonging to families Lauraceae, Magnoliaceae,Myrtaceae, Moraceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Loranthaceae,Symplocaceae and Dioscoraceae arerecorded from middle part. The detailedmorphotaxonomic study shows that the cuticles ofsome plants of Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Moraceaeare apparently more resistant to degradation thanother forms, possibly because of the richness ofcertain biopolymers in their cellular tissues. Theplants of Lauraceae and Myrtaceae containaromatic oil glands, whereas milky juice is foundin the plants of Moraceae. The preservation oforiginal features in the cuticles of these plantsindicates that the aromatic compounds and milkysap make epidermal tissues more resistant to decay.SEM and EDAX analytical observation wasalso carried out to observe detailed cellularstructure of dispersed leaf cuticles (jointly withUsha Bajpai). The study has been focused on theorganisation of stomatal apparatus, accessory cellsand effect of micro-organisms over it. It has beennoticed that certain inorganic minerals areassociated with the biodegraded epidermal tissues.Macerated 8 lignitic clay samples from Kundraclay mine, Kerala to study DOM types. The slidesof productive samples have been prepared andscanned. Also visited Mahuadanr Valley, Palamu(Bihar) and collected plant fossils including leaves,carbonised woods and samples for palynologicalstudy from the Tertiary sediments.Component 2: Biopetrographic evaluation, genesis and depositional history of Indian coals(I) Organic petrological evaluation of Karanpura coal deposit (Damodar Basin) in relation tocarbonization properties, genesis and depositional historyB.K. Misra & B.D. Singh12

Annual Report 1999-2000Finalised petrological investigations on theKarharbari coals, represented by Bachra seams(Lower & Upper) from Ray-Bachra and Churi minesof the North Karanpura Coalfield. The subbituminousto high-volatile bituminous C rank (i.e.low rank- R omax. 0.40%- 0.54%) coals dominantlycontain mixed (vitrinite-rich as well as inertiniterich)and fusic coal types and are of poor quality.Visited Central Mine Planning and DesignInstitute Limited and Central Coalfields Limitedoffices at Ranchi for discussions and consultationsof reports related to coals of Bokaro Coalfield,especially about the potential areas for coal bedmethane. Collected samples of Early Permian Barakarcoal seams from Kathara, Jarangdih, Sawang andGovindpur collieries (open cast as well as fromunderground mines) of East Bokaro Coalfield. Thecoals are normally bright banded in nature.(II) Biopetrology of Wardha-Godavari Valley coalsO.S. SarateThe petrological study of coals from DurgapurOpen Cast Mine, Wardha Valley Coalfield hasrevealed that they are mostly represented by vitriniterichand mixed coal types. The maximum reflectanceon vitrinite in oil (R omax. %) ranges between 0.50to 0.62% suggesting that the coals have attained highvolatilebituminous C (sub-bituminous A) rank. Thesecoals are comparable with the coals of Kondha andNanduri Blocks of the Wardha Valley Coalfield intheir overall petrographic composition.(III) Biopetrographic evaluation of coals from Satpura Gondwana Basin with an emphasis on depositionalpattern and utilization potentialAlpana Singh & B.D. SinghFinalised petrological investigations both undernormal incident and fluorescence modes on the coalsfrom Mohan, Damua, Nandan and Tandsi mines ofKanhan area and the results were presented at theInternational Conference on “Coal bed methane”,Calcutta. The composition of coal macerals (rich invitrinite group and perhydrous vitrinite + liptinite)and rank (average R omax. 0.61-0.97%) indicate thatthese Early Permian Barakar coals are within thethreshold of methane generation (especially the coalsfrom Nandan-Tandsi sector).Studied microconstituents of Barakar coals fromEklehra and Mathani mines of Pench area to assessthe nature and composition of coals. The coals havevariable proportions of vitrinite and inertinitemacerals and dominantly contain mixed coal types.The rank values, determined through reflectancemeasurements on vitrinite particles, indicate that thecoals have attained sub-bituminous A to high-volatilebituminous C stages. Comparative study has revealedthat the coals of Pench area are of poor quality andlow rank than the Kanhan area as they containnormally high amount of mineral matter. A westwardincreasing trend in coal quality and rank has beenobserved in the southern part of Satpura Basin.(IV) Organic petrographic evaluation of coal seams from Talcher CoalfieldRakesh Saxena & Jyotsana RaiPetrological study of coals from Belanda andKalinga areas shows the presence of low rankvitrinite group of macerals. Maceral trend suggeststhat petrographic facies, viz., vitric, fusic, vitrofusicand fusovitric have played an important role in thegenesis of Talcher coals. It further indicates the13

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotanyprevalence of fluctuating conditions in the coalswamp. Low rank (R omax. 0.60-0.70%) and compositionmake these coals unsuitable for coal bedmethane generation but make them useful for thermalpower generation.Component 3: Sedimentary organic matter characterization of Indian lignitesRakesh Saxena & Jyotsana RaiLignite samples (20) from Panandhro andRajpardih areas, Gujarat were processed for infraredstudies. The IR-spectra were recorded using Kbrpellet and mull technique which suggest that theresinous matter associated with these lignites is ofterpenoid nature. Some known resins of Agathis werealso studied through IR-spectra. Further work is inprogress. In addition, 12 samples have also beenprocessed for DOM studies.Processed 35 samples from a bore-well of Eoceneage, Akri lignites, Rajasthan and observed DOM. Itindicates selective biodegradation of varied plantparts represented by amorphous, structured terrestrial,biodegraded terrestrial organic matter along withblack and brownish black debris and fungal fruitingbodies. Selected samples from these lignites underfluorescence mode indicate the presence of wellpreservedalginites, cuticles and fungal fruiting bodiesalong with foraminifers, fromboidal and octahedralpyrite crystals in abundance in some samplesindicating reducing conditions followed by bacterialbiodegradation.Component 4: Biopetrography and geochemistry of coals, oil shales and organic matter in LatePalaeocene-Oligocene sediments from northeastern IndiaB.K. MisraCompleted quantitative assessment of maceralsof coal samples (36) from Makum and Dilli-Jeyporecoalfields, Assam. Fluorescence microscopic studyon 20 samples was also completed. The coals arevitrinite rich and have high proportion of fluorescingmacerals (perhydrous vitrinite and liptinite).Thrust Area : Floristics of Petroliferous BasinsProject 7: Morphotaxonomy, floristics, biostratigraphy andsedimentological studies of Tertiary sediments of Lesser HimalayasComponent 1: Floristics and biostratigraphy of Pre-Siwalik sedimentsJ.S. Guleria, Samir Sarkar, Rashmi Srivastava & Vandana PrasadGuleria and Srivastava studied fossil leaf and fruitremains of Mitragyna and leaves of Syzygium andArthromeris from Pre-Siwalik sediments of Kasauli,Himachal Pradesh. In addition, some more leafremains of Semecarpus (Anacardiaceae), Chukrasia,Heynea (Meliaceae), Terminalia (Combretaceae),Tephrosia (Fabaceae), Lasianthus (Rubiaceae), Ficus(Moraceae), Donax (Marantaceae), Poacites(Poaceae) have been identified. A field trip was alsoundertaken for systematic collection of plant14

Annual Report 1999-2000megafossils from Pre-Siwalik sediments of HimachalPradesh and Tertiary sediments of Jammu region.Sarkar and Prasad carried out morphologicalstudy of various species of the genus ThalassiphoraEisenack & Gocht from the Eocene rocks of ShimlaHills. The diagnosis of this genus has been emendedin order to accommodate forms having endocyst withan antapical projection. One species- T. subathuensisis proposed as new. The stratigraphic distribution ofthis species has been found to be restricted to LateYpresian–Early Lutetian transitional part of theSubathu Formation (Late Ypresian). A new fungalgenus Koshaliathyrites (represented by only onespecies- K. sahnii) has also been instituted from theformation. A probable microthyraceous affinity issuggested for this fungal fruiting body. Also recordedfor the first time Lamiaceous pollen grains referableto Ocimumpollenites (Kar) from the SubathuFormation exposed along the Koshalia Nala, nearChakki ka More, Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh.This record from the Lesser Himalaya indicates thatthe genus Ocimum was more wide spread duringEarly Eocene time than hitherto known.Studied palynofloral assemblage recovered froma 366 m thick stratigraphic section of the SubathuFormation, exposed near the village Chamla, MorniHills (Haryana). The recorded palynoflora consistsof a variety of dinoflagellate cysts, spores, pollengrains, fungal and algal remains. Five assemblagezones along with one barren zone have beenrecognised. The selective association and distributionof elements have been ascribed to the changingenvironment of deposition due to sea level changes.Two transgressive and one regressive phases of theSubathu Sea have been identified on the basis ofdinocysts/spore-pollen assemblages ratios.Recovered fossilized filaments of theCyanophycean alga Scytonema (Nostocales) referableto the genus Palaeoscytonema from the basalhorizons of the Subathu succession (Late Thanetian),exposed near the village Bidasini, Tal Valley, GarhwalHimalaya, Uttar Pradesh. This is the first record ofthis alga from Indian Tertiary rocks. Two species- P.eocaenicus and P. talensis are proposed as new.Palaeoenvironmental significance of these taxa havealso been made in the light of the distribution ofmodern Scytonema in India. Also recordedCyanophycean algal mats rich in generaPalaeoscytonema and Gloeocapsomorpha prisca(Zalessky) for the first time from the basal part of theSubathu succession.Rich palynofloral assemblage is recovered fromSubathu samples from the Kutharnala section (H.P.)and Nilkanth (U.P.). 408 samples were collected from10 sections from the Lower Tertiary rocks of ShimlaHills, Morni Hills, Nilkanth, Dogadda and Tal Valleyareas. Sarkar also visited Central National Herbarium,BSI, Howrah for comparing fossil lamiaceous pollengrains recovered from Late Ypresian sediments ofShimla Hills with the pollen grains of the extant taxa.Component 2: Floristics, biostratigraphy and sedimentological studies of Siwalik sedimentsM.R. Rao, S.K.M. Tripathi, Mahesh Prasad & G.K. TrivediRao carried out chemical processing of thesamples from the Middle Siwalik sediments ofBilaspur area, Himachal Pradesh and from the PinjorFormation of Ghaggar River section and Nadah ofPanchkula areas (Haryana). Scanning andphotodocumentation of selected taxa have beencompleted. The assemblage recovered from theBilaspur area is mainly represented by Striatriletes,Lycopodiumsporites, Inaperturopollenites,Pinjoriapollis and Pinuspollenites. Gymnospermpollen are dominant in the assemblage overangiospermous pollen followed by pteridophyticspores. The recovery of palynoassemblage fromGhaggar River section is poor and mainly representedby Pinuspollenites (Pinus). However, assemblagerecovered from the sediments of Nadah area consistsof algal and fungal remains and spores-pollen. Theassemblage is dominated by gymnospermous andpteridophytic spores followed by angiospermouspollen. On the basis of affinities with the modern15

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotanyplant families, a tropical-subtropical climate has beeninferred during the time of sedimentation. Thepresence of Zygnema (alga), Lycopodium,Ceratopteris, fungal remains and angiosperm pollencollectively suggest existence of moist and swampyconditions. The presence of grass pollen (Poaceae)indicates existence of herbaceous flora. Based on theoverall palynofloral assemblage, a wet grassland withopen and mixed flora during the Pinjor sedimentationhas been inferred. The temperate elements viz., Abies,Picea, Pinus and Magnolia appear to be derived fromthe nearby upland areas of the rising Himalaya.Tripathi completed studies on palynofossilsrecovered from Middle Siwalik sediments exposedalong Nandni-Nagrota Road, Jammu. The palynoflorais represented by pteridophytic spores of the familiesCyatheaceae, Schizaeaceae, Parkeriaceae andPolypodiaceae. Gymnosperm pollen related to Pinus,Podocarpus, Abies and Picea are profusely recordedin the assemblage. Angiosperm families present inthe assemblage are: Magnoliaceae, Compositae andCtenolophonaceae. Interestingly one sample hasshown abundant occurrence of Ctenolophon pollenwhich, so far, were never reported in such highfrequency in the Siwalik sediments. Studies indicatethat the flora is represented by cold lovinggymnosperms and angiosperms occupying highelevations as well as those growing in fresh waterswampy habitats of warm and humid climate.Prasad carried out investigation on leafimpressions collected from Siwalik sediments ofBilaspur, Himachal Pradesh area for the first time.About 10 leaf impressions have been identified withthe extant taxa, viz., Fissistigma wallichii(Anonaceae), Hydnocarpus alpinus (Flacourtiaceae),Cratoxylum pruniflorum (Clusiaceae), Trichileacommoroides (Meliaceae), Meliosma pinnata(Sabiaceae), Millettia pachycarpa (Fabaceae),Castonopsis tribuloides (Cupiliforae) and Ficusbenjamina (Urticaceae), besides a wing of fruit ofDipterocarpaceous taxa, Anisoptera curtsii. Thepresent day distribution, habit and habitat of the abovecomparable taxa indicate that there was a prevalenceof evergreen to semi-evergreen forests under warmhumid climate around Bilaspur, Himachal Pradeshin the Himalayan foot hills as compared to the extantmixed deciduous forests. Studied plant fossils fromSiwalik sediments of Tanakpur (Uttar Pradesh) reveala variety of taxa belonging to 16 families of dicotsand one monocot. Also visited Central NationalHerbarium, Howrah for the identification of plantfossils (leaf, fruit, and seed impressions) collectedfrom the Siwalik sediments of Himachal Pradesh,Uttar Pradesh and Nepal.Trivedi processed rock samples (34) forpalynological study from Subansiri Formationexposed along Doimukh-Kheel-Sagali Road section,Papum Pass District, Arunachal Pradesh. Theassemblage is dominated by reworked Palaeozoicpalynomorphs, viz., Rhizomaspora, Platysaccus, etc.indicating that the Gondwana sediments wereexposed nearby and were the source rocks for theyounger Tertiary sediments. The assemblage alsoincludes bisaccate gymnospermous pollen of Pinus(Pinuspollenites), Abies (Abiespollenites),Polypodiaceaeosporites, Araucariacites, besidesfungal forms (chiefly Frasnacritetrus and fungalhyphae). Another 25 surface rock samples ofSubansiri Formation exposed on Likabali-AlongRoad section, West Siang District were chemicallyprocessed. Recovery of palynofossils was poor.Project 8: Tertiary floristics of peninsular IndiaComponent 1: Tertiary floral diversity in North-East IndiaR.K. Saxena, Samir Sarkar, R.C Mehrotra, Madhav Kumar & B.D. MandaokarSaxena and Sarkar recorded a palynofloralassemblage, consisting of 37 genera and 53 species,from the Siju Formation (Middle Eocene) exposedalong Simsang River near Siju, South Garo Hills,Meghalaya. The assemblage is dominated bydinoflagellate cysts and acritarchs (73%) followed16

Annual Report 1999-2000by fungal remains (26%), whereas spores-pollen (1%)are rare. Three new species, viz., Cleistosphaeridiumsijuensis, Collumosphaera garoensis andThalassiphora indica are proposed. On the basis offrequency and distribution of palynotaxa, twocenozones—Homotryblium pallidum Cenozone andCleistosphaeridium sijuensis Cenozone have beenproposed. These cenozones can be recognized by theircharacteristic and restricted palynotaxa. Thepalynoflora indicates prevalence of tropical (warmhumid)climate and presence of mangrove elementsalong the shore and also wet evergreen forest furtherinland. The environment of deposition has beeninterpreted as marginal marine. The palynoflora hasbeen compared with the Eocene assemblagesrecorded from various sedimentary basins of Indiaand has been assigned Middle Eocene age. Besides,morphotaxonomic study of the palynoflora recoveredfrom the Siju Formation exposed in a stream sectionat Jenggitchakgre in West Garo Hills is being carriedout. Chemical processing of the samples from theRewak Formation has also been taken up.Mehrotra studied Nypa fruits along with a fewleaf impressions collected from Oligocene and LowerMiocene sediments of Assam and Mizoram. Arhizome-like structure collected from the BuruaiColliery near Jowai (Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya), wasalso studied in detail and finalised.Kumar macerated about 60 samples collectedfrom exposed sedimentary sequences of Surma-Tipam (Mio-Pliocene) at Jowai Badarpur Road andBarail Group (Late Oligocene) at Upper Assam. Theslides of productive samples have been scanned andphotodocumentation of selected palynotaxa andorganic matters recovered from these sequences havebeen completed. The quantitative analyses of thesepalynotaxa are in progress.Mandaokar recordeda rich palynofloralassemblage consisting ofdinoflagellate cysts,fungal remains, pteridophyticspores, gymnospermousand angiospermouspollen fromDulte area about 120 kmeast of Aizawl, Mizoram.The presence of fungalremains—Dicellaesporites,Cucurbitariaceites,Phragmothyritesindicates warm and humidclimate. The assemblageindicate Early Mioceneage for studied sequence.Palaeoecological interpretationbased upon theirknown botanical affinitieshighlights the presence ofmangrove, fresh water,swamp and water edgeecological groups. Thecomposition of palynologicalassemblagesuggest that DulteFormation was depositedin a deltaic condition richin terrigeneous detrituswhere fungal elementsthrived.Fig .6Teredolites clavatus Leymerie fromthe upper Bhuban Formation,Mizoram.Component 2: Tertiary floristics of peninsular IndiaJ.S. Guleria, K. Ambwani, J.P. Mandal, M.R. Rao, S.K.M. Tripathi, R.S Singh & Anil AgarwalGuleria studied fossil dicotyledonous woodsfrom the Deccan Intertrappean sediments ofKachchh, Gujarat. Among them 5 have beenidentified as woods of Homalium, Hydnocarpus,Stemonurus (= Gomphandra), Bischofia andMallotus belonging to families Flacourtiaceae,Icacinaceae, Bischofiaceae and Euphorbiaceae,respectively. The findings are palaeoclimaticallyvery significant as the genera identified indicatemoist condition with plenty of rainfall at the time17

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotanyof preservation of the woods contrary to prevailingdry conditions today. Studied and tentativelyidentified a few woods and leaf remains fromNeogene and Eocene sediments of Rajasthan.Detailed work is under progress.Ambwani processed lignite samples collectedfrom Neyveli Lignite Mine II for palynologicalstudies. The qualitative and quantitative analysesof pollen-spores present were carried out. Theangiospermous taxa were dominant in the totalassemblage. Two cenozones were recognised withinthe lignite section—(i). Ctenolophonidites costatusCenozone, and (ii) Trilatiporites erdtmaniiCenozone where the Ctenolophonidites costatusmarks the upper limit of the lignite deposit.Photodocumentation of the palynotaxa has beencompleted. Finalised the study on the palynologyof bore-hole SV—70 of Mine III. Also visited TamilNadu and collected rock samples for palynologicalstudies from Neyveli, Pondicherry, Murutandi andnearby areas.Mandal studied palynomorph assemblage fromthe type section of Harudi Formation (Early MiddleEocene) of Kutch Basin for stratigraphic correlationand palaeoenvironmental interpretation. Theassemblage is dominated by Botryococcus anddinocysts. The major constituent of the angiospermpollen are Lakiapollis ovatus and Spinizonocolpitesechinatus. The assemblage suggests a very shallowmarine near shore environment of deposition ofthese sediments. Two sections from Khari Nadibelonging to Chasra Formation (Miocene) have alsobeen worked out for palynomorph. Only threesamples have yielded pollen and spores. Theassemblage is dominated by Striatriletes.Angiosperm pollen are rare and represented mainlyby Palaeomalvaceaepollis, Hibisceaepollenites andCompositoipollenites. However, there are nogymnospermous pollen or dinocysts in theassemblage. Also visited various localities of SWKutch and collected 200 palynological samplesbelonging to different formations.Rao completed morphotaxonomy andidentification of spore-pollen recovered fromAmberiwadi and Kalwiwadi sections, Sindu DurgDistrict, Maharashtra. The palynologicalassemblages consist of fungal remains, pteridophyticspores and angiospermous pollen. Dinoflagellatecysts are also recorded. The fungal remains,represented by 15 genera and 20 species belongingto Microthyriaceae and Basidiomycetes, aredominant in the assemblage over pteridophyticspores (8 genera and 15 species) and angiospermouspollen (10 genera and 20 species). The palynoflorasuggests a warm and humid climate (tropicalsubtropical)with plenty of rainfall during thedeposition of sediments. The environment ofdeposition has been interpreted as near shore withsufficient fresh water or fresh water swamps nearby.Dinoflagellate cysts have been reported for the firsttime from these sediments, thus indicating themarine influence at the time of deposition.Tripathi continued palynological studies onsediments collected from Akli Formation, GiralLignite Mine, Barmer District (Rajasthan). Richpalynofloral assemblages have been recorded fromshale, lignite and lignitic shale samples of thisformation. The assemblage is constituted bydinoflagellate cysts, fungal remains, pteridophyticspores and angiosperm pollen. The assemblage isdistinctly dominated by monosulcate pollen whichmay be related to the family Arecaceae (Palmae).Different species of Spinizonocolpites, a fossil pollenhaving affinity with modern brackish water PalmNypa, is recorded in high frequency. The assemblageshows the presence of many forms which are similarto Spinizonocolpites in aperture characters but differin shape and size of processes. Variations in thesepollen indicate that modern Nypa pollen aremorphologically less variable than their fossilcounterparts.Singh processed rock samples (68) from the cliffsection at Papanasam (Kerala). Some samples yieldedrich and diverse palynofossils comprising of fungalremains, pteridophytic spores and angiospermicpollen. Fungal remains are represented byNothothyrites, Phragmothyrites, Parmathyrites,Dicellaesporites, Pluricellaesporites; the spores arerepresented by Cyathidites, Lycopodiumsporites,Crassoretitriletes, Polypodiisporites. The angiospermicpollen are diverse mostly dominated byQuilonipollenites, Margocolporites, Malvacea-18

Annual Report 1999-2000rumpollis and Meliapollis. Some reworked pollen andspores of Palaeocene-Eocene are also recovered alongwith this typical Miocene assemblage.Agarwal carried out sectioning and investigationof carbonised woods (14) from Kerala. Structuraldetails could be observed in one wood and its studyis in progress. Sectioning and investigations of theremaining carbonised woods are in process. Studied5 petrified woods from Sattanur locality, Pondicherry.One wood seems to be new tentatively belonging tofamily Podocarpaceae and the rest of the woods havepoor structural details. Morphological and SEMinvestigations of one fruit tentatively belonging tofamily Rubiaceae and study of cuticles from Ratnagiriare also in progress.Fig. 7Fossil carbonised Rubiaceous fruit from Amberiwadi,Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra.Component 3: Palaeofloristics of sedimentary sequences associated with Deccan TrapsR.S. Singh & Rashmi SrivastavaSingh visited Lalitpur District, Uttar Pradesh tostudy the volcano-sedimentaries exposed near VillagePapro. It was observed that the lowermost rockexposed is Kaimur Sandstone which is overlain byabout 3 m of conglomerate. Above it about 2 m ofvolcanic ash is deposited. The Deccan basalt is foundresting on this ash bed which is in turn harbours thechert containing gastropods and palynofossils.Previously it was contemplated that the chert isinfratrappean in position but our study reveals that itis supratrappean. The presence of Dandotiasporapseudoauriculata, Lakiapollis ovatus, Matanomadhiasulcitesmaximus and Proxapertites sp. alsoconfirms an Upper Palaeocene age. Azolla cretaceawas recovered earlier from an ash bed.Srivastava studied and photodocumented anumber of fossil dicot woods from Ghansor, SeoniDistrict, Madhya Pradesh. Also studied fossildicotyledonous woods from the Deccan Intertrappeansediments of Kutch, Gujarat.Project 9: Marine micropalaeontology of petroliferous basinsComponent 1: Calcareous skeletal algae from the Tertiary sequences of Meghalaya and Kutch basinsA.K. GhoshAnalysis and interpretations (specifically onpalaeoenvironment and palaeobathymetry) have beenmade on the algal flora recovered from the LateOligocene (Chattian) sediments of southwesternKutch, Gujarat. The algal flora recorded from theManiyara Fort Formation indicate moderate toslightly high-energy reef framework during the timeof deposition of the sediments. Moreover,preponderance of Coralline algae indicates open shelfenvironment. The algal genera prefer to grow at abathyal level of 20-40 m. It is estimated that the algalforms thrived in a shallow, open shelf environmentat approximately 20 m depth. In addition, recoveredcalcareous algae from the Early Miocene(Aquitanian–Burdigalian) sediments (Khari Nadi andChhasra formations) of southwestern Kutch. Also19

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotanyvisited 17 new localities for the collection of rocksamples from the Oligocene and Miocene sedimentsof southwestern Kutch. The outcrop sections weremeasured, lithocolumns prepared, photographs of theoutcrops were taken and samples (124) were collectedsystematically.Component 2: Integrated phytoplankton biozonation and palynofacies analysis of Cretaceous-Tertiarysequences of Meghalaya and Kutch with emphasis on bioevents, time boundaries andpalaeoenvironmentRahul Garg & Khowaja-AteequzzamanRecorded rich and diversified dinoflagellate cystsassemblages from almost throughout the LangparFormation, Therriaghat area, Meghalaya. Theassemblage contains significant stratigraphic markers,viz., Damassadinium cf. manicatum, Fibrocysta licia,Senoniasphaera inornata, Spiniferites hyalospinosusand S. cryptovescicularis. The assemblage is datedto be Danian in age. FAD of the genus Apectodinium(A. hyperacanthum) in the uppermost part of theformation suggests demarcation of Danian-Selandianboundary. Photodocumentation of the assemblage ispartly carried out. Also recorded moderately to wellpreservednannofossil assemblages from severallevels from Langpar Formation. Successiveappearances of marker species in the section, viz.,Cruciplacolithus tenuis, Coccolithus pelagicus andNeochiastozygus species help to assign thenannofossil assemblages to the Standard NP2 - NP3Zones of the Danian. Identification anddocumentation of nannofossils are partly done.Analysis of dinoflagellate cyst associations,through ca 70 feet thick Type Naredi section(Thanetian-Ypresian), Kutch Basin has revealedsignificant variations in the assemblages indicativeof changing palaeoenvironmental conditions.Predominance of Muratodinium/ Thallasiphora, andabundance of well-preserved terrestrial plant debris(mostly cuticles) at several levels in the lower part ofthe section suggest low salinity, near shoreenvironment with intermittent anoxic bottomconditions. Reduction in Muratodinium/Thallasiphora population and increase in chorate/skolochorate cysts (Operculodinium/Polysphaeridium/Spiniferites)in the middle and upper part,along with amorphous organic matter documentsonset of normal marine conditions. This is alsoindicated by Assilina-rich marls and limestone at thetop of the section.Component 3: Neogene microfossils from Andaman and Nicobar Islands and their stratigraphicalsignificanceAnil Chandra & R.K. SaxenaCompleted studies on fossil diatoms andsilicoflagellates from two sections (Inglis Formation)of Havelock Island. Neogene Tropical Diatom Zonesare recognised from Rossiella paleacea Zone (NTD1)to Nitzschia miocenica Zone (NTD12) in the diatomassemblages from Lacam Point and HavelockSouthwest sections which indicate Miocene age forthe Inglis Formation. Also completed studies on fossildiatoms and silicoflagellates from two sections(Sawai Bay Formation) of the Neill Island.Thalassiosira convexa Zone (NTD13) to Nitzschiareinholdii Zone (NTD16) are recognised in the diatomassemblages from Neill East Coast and Neill NippleHill sections which show Miocene-Pliocene age forthe Sawai Bay Formation.A bibliography covering all publications on thegeology of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is undercompilation. Also carried out field work in the GreatNicobar Island. Various sections belonging to theArchipelago Group were studied and samples werecollected for the study of siliceous microfossils.20

Annual Report 1999-2000Thrust Area: Quaternary Vegetation, Climate and MonsoonProject 10: Quaternary vegetation and palaeoenvironmentComponent 1: Palaeovegetation and Palaeoclimate studies of Quaternary sediments from HimalayasChhaya Sharma, M.S. Chauhan & Asha GuptaSharma and Chauhan constructed pollendiagram and pollen spectra from Dewar Tal,Garhwal Himalaya.Gupta completed pollen analysis of profileSRT-III (85 cm deep) from Saria Tal, KumaunHimalaya and constructed pollen diagram whichis divisible into 4 zones. The study indicatespresence of mixed oak forest in the region withfluctuating warm and humid climate since LateHolocene. Also completed pollen analysis ofsurface samples from Saria Tal and preparedpollen diagram. Modern pollen deposition broadlyreflects floristic composition in the area. Pollenanalysed another profile SRT-I (2.0 m) from SariaTal. Palyno-assemblage recovered showsdominance of non-arboreals over arboreals.Among arboreal Quercus and Pinus are chiefelements. Non-arboreals show predominance ofPoaceae followed by Cyperaceae. Aquatics arerepresented by Typha, Potamogeton, Pediastrum,Nymphaea and Lemna, etc. Fungal remains areencountered in all samples. The vegetationalscenario reflects presence of mixed Oak-Chirpineforest in the region with warm and humid climate.Fig. 8A view showing human interference (building construction and cutting ofSalix trees) at Saria Tal, Nainital District, Kumaun Himalaya.Also undertook field trip to Kumaun Himalayain order to survey and collect material for studyfrom potential sites in Nainital and Champawatdistricts; collected a dozen sedimentary profilesand a large number of moss cushions fromdifferent localities.Component 2: Origin and history of tropical forests in peninsular IndiaS.K. Bera, M.S. Chauhan & Anjum FarooquiBera analysed 1.5 m thick sediment profilefrom Kaki Forest Division, Mikir Hills, Assamand recovered pollen. The profile is dated 12210± 110 yrs B.P. at 80 cm depth. The interpretationof palynological data and construction of pollendiagram are in progress.Chauhan completed pollen analysis of 2.0 mdeep sediment core from Kerha Swamp, SidhiDistrict, Madhya Pradesh. The study has revealedthat between 1600 to 800 yrs B.P. this area hadopen tropical deciduous Sal (Shorea robusta)forests under dry climatic regime. Between 80021

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotanyto 400 yrs B.P., the decline in Sal and asimultaneous expansion of Bombax, an importanttree of savannah, together with betterrepresentation of dry elements such as Diospyros,Aegle marmelos, etc. suggest that the climateturned more dry than before. Since 400 yrs BPand onwards the expansion of Sal and itsassociates such as Terminalia, Anogeissus,Madhuca indica, etc. denotes onset of moistclimatic conditions in the region.Also carried out pollen analysis of surfacesamples (8) from the Sal forests distributed inKusmi, Sidhi District. The overall pollenassemblage depicts that Shorea robusta and itsclose associates, viz., Madhuca indica,Terminalia, Anogeissus, Lagerstroemia, etc. arenot represented appropriately in the pollen spectraas compared to their occurrence in the forestfloristics. The under-representation of these taxacould be attributed to their entomophilous modeof pollination as well as poor preservation ofpollen. Among the non-arboreals, Poaceae,Cyperaceae, Cheno/Ams, Asteraceae andRanunculaceae are the major constituents ofground flora. In general, the pollen spectra do notreflect the existing vegetation in the region. Pollenanalytical investigation of a core (1.0 m) fromJarbokho (Kusmi) has shown the goodrepresentation of both arboreals and nonarboreals.The arboreals viz., Shorea robustafollowed by Madhuca indica, Terminalia,Emblica and Lagerstroemia are the principalforest components. The herbaceous elements arerecorded consistently in high values. The overallvegetational composition envisages the existenceof rich tropical deciduous Sal forests in the region.Undertook a field excursion to DistrictShahdol, Madhya Pradesh and adjoining areas andcollected 6 sediment cores from swamps and 41surface samples from different forest stands forpollen analytical investigation. A detailed surveyof forest floristics was also conducted with anecological perspective.Farooqui studied 25 surface and subsurface(40-60 cm deep) samples from south-eastern flankof the Pulicat lagoon with respect to vegetationalsuccession in the area with sea level andsubsequent configurational changes. Results showthe depositional phase in this part of the navigablelagoon. The psammophytes are the dominantvegetation with the commercial plantation ofCasuarina and Eucalyptus that renders the surfaceand subsurface soil moisture not conducive forthe establishment of the pioneer species requiredfor mangrove succession. This also promoteserosion both aeolian as well as fluvial. As a resultthe sand spit is fast prograding (NW) which mayclose the inlet of the lagoon in the future becausethe Sriharikota sand spit is also prograding (SE).Carried out palynological study of peat sediments(at 4.0-4.2 m) in a 9.0 m sedimentary profile fromwestern flank of the dried part of Pulicat lagoon,collected at 3.0 m (a.s.l) in Kasdredinilam area(Sulurpet). Similarity in the mangrovepalynological assemblage, both the coresediments indicates palaeostrandline during EarlyHolocene that formed the peat and this distanceis presently 18 km inland from the presentshoreline. The presence of the peat sediments atdifferent depths with similar palynologicalassemblage points to the neo-tectonic activity inthe region.Completed stratigraphic study of heavyminerals as placer deposits in a 190 cm (19samples) deep sedimentary soil dated to 3500 yrsB.P. from Pichavaram, Tamil Nadu that suggestseither the change in the provenance or influenceof energy regime or a variation in both that mighthave affected the littoral forest of the estuarythrough time. Studied a 170 cm (17 samples)sedimentary soil samples dated to 2140 yrs B.P.from Pichavaram with reference to organodebrisand its relation to changing sea level/climaticchanges. Also studied the modifications in leafcuticle/epidermis of Rhizophora apiculata(collected from Pichavaram) through LM andSEM. Visited Kolleru Lake, Pulicat Lake andPichavaram (Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu) andcollected 8 sedimentary profiles for palynologicalinvestigations.22

Annual Report 1999-2000Component 3: Studies of lake sediments in Rajasthan desert proxy climate signalsChhaya Sharma & Chanchala SrivastavaConstructed pollen diagram of 2.0 m deepsedimentary profile from Punlota Lake (Degana),Nagaur District. Based on the fluctuations seen inthe representation of prominent arboreals and nonarboreals,the pollen diagram is divided into fourpollen assemblage zones, starting from bottom to top.Each pollen zone is prefixed by the abbreviations DGsignifying the investigated site: (i) Pollen zone DG-I(200-175 cm): Around 9200-8050 yrs B.P. the regionhad predominantly non-arboreal vegetation under aridclimatic condition, (ii) Pollen zone DG-II (175-85cm): Around 8050 to 3810 yrs B.P. warm and moistconditions prevailed reflected by the establishmentof savannah type vegetation together with increasein the fern as well as fungal spores, (iii) Pollen zoneDG-III (85-25 cm): Around 3810-1325 yrs B.P.decrease in warm and moist conditions is seen assavannah phase is replaced by reduction in arborealtaxa as well as fern spores and grasses withsimultaneous increase in Cyperaceae and Cheno/Ams, etc. and (iv) Pollen zone DG-IV (25-0 cm):Comparatively drier or more or less similar conditionsare witnessed as in the preceding phase except forthe increase in Poaceae and Caryophyllaceae.The palynological investigations corroboratesatisfactorily with geochemical studies which revealmajor change in elemental abundance, i.e., increasein concentration of all major- Al, Fe, Ca and Mg andtrace- Mn, Ba, Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn elements around4200 yrs B.P. (radiometric date) thereby indicatingmaximum precipitation (rainfall). Higher elementalabundance above 1.0 m boundary in the sediment isattributed to the factor of accelerated weathering inconsequence to the greater amount of precipitation.Carried out pollen analysis of surface samples(4) from Bagundi, Barmer District and constructedtheir recent pollen spectra. It revealed dominance ofnon-arboreal vegetation, viz., Poaceae, Cyperaceae,Cheno/Ams, Capparis, Convolvulaceae, etc. overarboreal vegetation, viz., Acacia, Prosopis, Zizyphus,etc. A more or less true composition of thesurrounding vegetation is seen. Continued pollenanalytical investigations of a sedimentary profile (4.0m) from Bagundi, an extinct salt lake. It revealedmainly non-arboreal type of vegetation, viz., Poaceae,Cyperaceae, Cheno/Ams, Caryophyllaceae,Tubulifloreae, Urticaceae; fern spores—Alternariaand Helminthosporium, etc. Completed chemicalprocessing of 2.40 m deep sedimentary profile fromPachpadra, an extinct salt lake in Barmer District.Preliminary investigations have revealedpalynomorphs of Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Tubulifloreae,Portulaca sp. amongst non-arboreals and Holoptelea,Ephedra of arboreals.Component 4 :Palaeomangroves and palaeoclimate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands duringQuaternary PeriodAsha KhandelwalCompleted pollen analytical studies of sedimentprofile collected from Netaji Nagar, Little Andaman.The pollen diagram has been phased into three pollenzones (NN-1, NN-2, NN-3) depicting transgression,regression and again transgression of the sea. Alsopollen analysed 10 samples of a Quaternary sectiondated to: BS-1595; 36,550 ± 870 yrs B.P., collectedfrom R.K. Puram, Little Andaman. The palynodebrisexhibited poor assemblage of pollen grains, fungalspores, fern spores, microforaminifera, etc. However,the stray occurrence of both core and peripheralmangroves are recorded. Compiled data onpalaeoclimate and palaeovegetation in SouthAndaman since 20,000 yrs B.P. as reflected bypalynostratigraphy.Prepared a model of modern pollen deposition23

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotanybased on the pollen analytical studies of 10 surfacesamples collected from Little Andaman and SouthAndaman. In general, the pollen assemblage obtainedin surface samples reflect the floristic compositionof the surrounding vegetation in a sufficientlyconsistent way. However, some of the vegetationdetails are not reflected in the pollen assemblage.Pollen analysed 2 samples of mangrove honeycollected from thickets of mangrove forests of SouthBay and Jackson Creek, Little Andaman. Recordedthe multifloral assemblage of pollen grainsconstituted of Excoecaria, Salmalia, Symplocos,Morus, Potamogeton, Anagallis, Rhizophora,Asteraceae, Poaceae, etc.Component 5: Aerobiology in relation to pollen production, dispersal and preservation of pollen grainsAsha KhandelwalScreened the damp-air-spora sample under SEM.It exhibited a large number of biodegraded pollengrains and spores. The microbes closely allied tobacteria or fungi are found responsible for thebiological degradation of aerobioparticles. Thelocalised destruction was found common in most ofthe cases forming holes of different sizes and thenumber varied from one to many. They apparentlyassociate with their host as saprophyte and deform thesporoderm to such an extent that taxonomic identityof pollen/spores is completely lost. It is envisaged thatthe infected pollen and spores might be acting as ‘aircarrier’for the pathogens to help them in their dispersal.Thus, when these aerobiopollutants are inhaled, it maylead to complicated health problem as the chances ofinfection is doubled.Project 11: Archaeobotany and dendrochronologyComponent 1: Ancient plant economy of pre- and proto-historic sites in northern and western IndiaK.S. Saraswat & Chanchala SrivastavaSaraswat carried out study on the carbonisedbotanical remains recovered through thearchaeological excavation of a wide range of depositsat Mesolithic site, Damdama in Pratapgarh District,Uttar Pradesh. About 1.50 m thick deposit ofMesolithic culture at the site, characterised by stonetool industry, has revealed 41 graves containing 48skeletons of late Stone Age men, dated to about 8000yrs B.P. during early Holocene times. The finds ofseeds and fruits are the largest as yet recorded forsuch an early archaeological context in India andmeaningfully furnish the evidence of the shift fromthe hunter-gatherer economy of Stone Age people tothe sedentary life style of early Neolithicagriculturalists in the Ganga Valley.A portion of morphologically well preservedseeds and fruits of wild grasses, sedges and somedicotyledonous plants, avoiding heat-distorted andmutilated specimens, permitted the safe identificationof foxtail-grass (Setaria cf. glauca), crowfoot-grass(Dactyloctenium aegyptium), job’s tear (Coixlachryma-jobi), goose-grass (Eleusine indica), Barrugrass(Sorghum halepense), panic-grass (Panicumspecies), bull-grass (Paspalum species), flatsedge(Cyperus species), bulrush (Scirpus species), gular(Ficus glomerata), heliotrope (Heliotropiumindicum), wild jujube/jharberi (Zizyphusnummularia), dock/jangli palak (Rumex cf. dentatus),vis-khapra (Trianthema cf. portulacastrum), bhuianwala(Phyllanthus asperulatus), tulsi/basil(Ocimum cf. sanctum), dayflower (Commelina cf.benghalensis), wild rice (Oryza cf. rufipogon),goosefoot (Chenopodium species), kharanti (Sidaspecies) and tickclover (Desmodium species). Theseeds and fruits of foxtail-grass, job’s tear, bull-grass,gular, goosefoot or bathua, jharberi and wild rice, andalso the leaves and tender shoots of goosefoot, jangalipalak and dayflower may have been gathered for food.24

Annual Report 1999-2000The carbonised tuber pieces comparable to thoseof Cyperus rotundus, are suggestive of the probableexploitation of starch rich rhizome also forconsumption. It is tantalizing to observe that a fewpieces of carbonised husk, comparable to those ofsome form of Oryza sativa (cultivated rice) have beenencountered in the mixture of wild rice remains.Further, an impression of husk in a burnt mudcladalso support the identification of cultivated rice. It isdifficult to dismiss the possibility that the mixture ofrice remains would have been the product of longtermintrogression and the invasion of rice crop bysagetally adapted wild types, during the course ofsome incipient stage of cultivation. Only scantyassemblage of wild rice and early domestication isevident, but emergence of agriculture seems to havedefinitely taken place. Patterns of on-site depositionare too irregular and subsequent disturbances are toocommon, which hamper the sequential reconstructionof events of rice cultivation from the wild populations.Pre-domestication cultivation is also archaeologicallyinvisible - as a clinal process. But the evidence ofsome sort of agriculture at Mesolithic Damdamaduring early and mid-Holocene times is the earliestone in India and it is indeed to be reckoned with.Srivastava undertook a field-trip to ancient siteat Charda, Nanpara Tehsil, Bahraich District in UttarPradesh for the collection of archaeobotanicalmaterial in collaboration with the excavation teamfrom the Department of Ancient Indian History andArchaeology, Lucknow University. The samplescomprising of carbonised seeds, fruits, woodcharcoals, etc. were collected in large number fromthe cultural phases of Kushan, Northern BlackPolished Ware and pre-Northern Black PolishedWare.Component 2: Tree ring analysis for reconstruction of Quaternary environmentR.R. Yadav & A. BhattacharyyaYadav studied the tree core samples of Abiesspectabilis collected from four forest sites in Rargari,Bugdyar, Porting and Tola in Munsyari, Pithoragarh,Uttar Pradesh. Around 250 tree core samples from120 trees were mounted and processed for crossdating of tree-ring sequences. Cross dating andmeasurement of ring-width sequences are in progressto prepare tree-ring chronology.Bhattacharyya studied 6 discs of Teak collectedfrom Dhekana under Tinmari Forest Circle,Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh. Rings havebeen counted along two radii each of sample whichranges from 102 to 158. Widths of each ring weremeasured. Further measurement and dating of othersamples towards chronology preparation are inprogress. Completed dating and measurement of allthe 41 tree-ring samples of Cedrus deodara collectedfrom Kashipur near Malari, Garhwal Himalayas.Verification of these dates using computer programis in progress.Project 12:Cenozoic palaeofloristics of Andaman IslandsComponent 1: Integrated nannofossil biostratigraphy and palaeooceanography of Neogene Mudturbiditesof Andaman Nicobar BasinS.A. JafarIn view of the Catinaster-like nannofossils earlierrecovered from the samples of Hut Bay Formationrather poorly exposed in Little Andaman Island, adetailed photodocumentation of calcareousnannofossils including rare but marker species ofdiscoasters was completed. Catinaster-like formsprovide a basis for proposing a revised evolutionarylineage which has global application in furtherimproving the resolution of Early Middle Miocenechronobiostratigraphy; this time slice is reputed to25

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotanycontain source rock for giant oil fields of SEAsian region. The Hut Bay Formation withits type area in Little Andaman Island, wasreassigned to Sphenolithus heteromorphuszone (see text-figure) = NN5/CN4 = Magneticchron C5B = Langhian = absolute age ca. 15Ma.Field-work was conducted in the localitieslying in the southern and southeastern regionsof Port Blair, to study and collect samples fromophiolite suite of rocks associated withAndaman flysch containing beddedradiolarites. Saw Mill Road section of LittleAndaman Island, poorly exposing Mudturbiditesof Hut Bay Formation was sampledagain by digging older horizons, fornannofossil study. Massive algal limestonesof Quaternary age, overlying Mud-turbiditesof Hut Bay Formation, though contact wasnever seen, were sampled in two widelyseparated localities of Little Andaman Island.Also visited NGRI, Hyderabad fordiscussions relating to the genesis andbathymetric significance of beddedradiolarites in the evolution of Andaman-Nicobar Basin; it was agreed upon by Drs Rao andJafri that some key sections of flysch sequencesalready dated by palynological means (data providedProject 13: Geochronometry and Isotope studiesComponent 1: Radiocarbon dating of deposits relating to Quaternary Period and archaeobotanicalinvestigations and chemical analysis of sediments for palaeoenvironmentalinterpretationsG. RajagopalanFig. 9A. Discoaster druggii Bramletter & Wilcoxon 1967B. Sphenolithus heteromorphus Deflandre 1953.C. Reticulofenestra sp.D. Discoaster variabilis Martini & Bramlette 1963.E. Thoracosphaera heimii Kamptner 1941.F. Helicosphaera intermedia Martini 1965.(2.5 cm = 10 µm)by me) be taken up for initiating palaeomagneticstudies to be followed by that of Neogene Mudturbidites.A total of 140 samples were processed in theRadiocarbon Lab during the year; of these 125 weredated. The routine dating of samples from differentinvestigations has been continued using QuantulusLiquid Scintillation Counter. Windows basedsoftware EASY VIEW has been loaded and testedfor analysis of Quantulus data. Using this programanalysis of different spectra of 14 C counting data,statistical test and age calculation are carried out.The SQP (spectral quench parameter) measuredusing the internal standard of the Quantulus systemis being used regularly to correct counting efficiencydue to self quenching while calculating results. TheRack beta liquid scintillation counting unit isconnected to the same computer which recordsQuantulus data . A new software was loaded forautomatic recording of counting data. Dating of highcounting samples are being carried out using Rack26

Annual Report 1999-2000beta system. Correction for the counting efficiencyon the basis of external standard ratio in the case ofRack beta is being routinely carried out.Dating of some profile samples were carried outfor determining the chronology of palaeofloristicsand climate changes in the respective regions. The14C age of peat samples from Phulera, Kumaon,Uttar Pradesh at 3.65 m works out to 15900 ± 150yrs B.P. Two calcareous Late Quaternary sedimentsamples (at 60.5 m) from Little Andaman, Andamanand Nicobar islands were dated as 36550 ± 870 yrsB.P. One peat sample (at 20, 50 cm) fromPriyadarshini Lake, Antarctica was dated to 7190 ±300 yrs B.P. One sediment sample (at 50 cm) fromSamkharbasti, Kaki forest, Assam was also datedas 11020±140 yrs B.P. Dating of carbonaceoussediment samples (at 31.20-31.24 m) from SurinsarLake, Jammu & Kashmir was carried out andmeasured as 2900 ± 100 yrs B.P.Dating of palaeolakes in Karnataka namely atVaddrakuppe, Chelukavadi and Muguru MysoreDistrict were carried out in order to understand theorigin of these lakes in relation to Late Quaternarytectonic activity. The results are: Vaddrakuppe (90cm) 13870 ± 270 yrs B.P., Muguru (25 cm) 9760 ±220 yrs B.P. and Chelukavadi (surface) 6480 ± 180yrs B.P. Four charcoal samples were dated fromMalhar, Chandoli District, Uttar Pradesh fordetermining ancient plant economy of pre- andprotohistoric sites in northern and NW India throughpalaeobotanical studies.A number of trial runs were carried out for directconversion of charcoal, wood to lithium carbide forthe synthesis of benzene for 14 C dating andparameters like temperature and pressure ofabsorption have been standardised. The aboveprocedure will result in saving of one step ofpreparation in 14 C dating namely preparation of CO 2,eliminate isotopic fraction error of that step, savingof processing time and liquid nitrogen. But it hasFig. 1027

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotanybeen found that the above procedure leads to lowerspectral quench factor and lower efficiency. Themicrowave digestion system (MDS 2100) is beingused regularly for preparation of samples forchemical analysis.Project 15:Special ActivityComponent 1: Floristics and phytogeography of tropical and subtropical forestsK. Ambwani & D.C. SainiAmbwani studied 60 pollen taxa belonging toAsteraceae, Solanaceae, Acanthaceae, Euphorbiaceae,Caesalpinaceae, Apocynaceae, Solanaceae,Myrtaceae, Baringtoniaceae, Sapindaceae, Lamiaceae,Primulaceae, Elaeocarpaceae and Arecaceae.For detailed exine morphology of the taxa, SEM studyof Arenga pinnata, Licuala spinosa, Nypa fruticansand Caryota urens belonging to Araceae was done.The photodocumentation was completed. Furtherstudy of other taxa of this group is under progress.A detailed morphological study of angiospermouspollen Anonidium (Anonaceae) was alsocarried out under SEM and was employed to assessthe affinity of this Tertiary fossil pollen grains havingreticulate exine patterns. Also carried out surfacemorphology of some of the mangroves leaves—Heritera formis, Aegiceros corniculata, A. alba,Xylocarpus sp. and Kandalia candalia andcompleted photography using SEM. For the study ofmorphotaxonomy of modern pollen, field work tocollect the living pollen flora from Assam andMeghalaya was also undertaken. About 60 taxabelonging to angiosperms, gymnosperms as well aspteridophytes were collected.Saini undertook a floristic survey of East SidhiForest Division, Madhya Pradesh to study the floristicdiversity and phytogeography of the area and tocollect extant plant materials for Herbarium. Thestudied area is bounded by Bagdora Game Sancturyin the north, West Sidhi Division in west, MirzapurDistrict, Uttar Pradesh in east and Sarguja District inthe south. The area, comprising Deosar, Chtrangi andSingrauli tehsils of Sidhi District is divided into sixforest ranges—Chtrangi, Jiyawan, Bargawan, Sarai,Waidhan and Mada. Two forest types—Tropical drydeciduous Sal forest and Tropical dry deciduousMixed forest have been observed in this division.Degraded bamboo forests are found in both the foresttypes. The main constituents of the forests are Shorearobusta, Terminalia tomentosa, Diospyrosmelanoxylon, Emblica officinalis, Buchananialanzan, Anogeissus latifolia, Casearia tomentosa, etc.About 450 plant specimens, 70 samples of fruitsand seeds and 15 samples of wood blocks of differentspecies have been collected from above mentionedareas. These specimens are being processed andidentified in the Herbarium.28

Annual Report 1999-2000Contributions other than Project WorkShaila Chandra prepared a chapter entitled“Glossopteridales—Foliage and Fruits from India”for book ‘Gondwana Alive’ to be published fromSouth Africa.Shaila Chandra, K.J. Singh & ShreerupGoswami completed sorting of megaspores fromthree more locations from Tatapani-Ramkola area,Madhya Pradesh. In all, megaspores from eightlocations from Early to Late Permian and EarlyTriassic sediments have been recovered and theirstudy is in progress.K.J. Singh finalised a chapter entitled“Horsetails from India” for book ‘Gondwana Alive’to be published from South Africa.A.K. Srivastava described minute size acarinlikearchnid arthropod discovered in midrib regionof Glossopteris leaf belonging to Barakar Formationof Raniganj Coalfield. The first evidence ofassociation and interaction of mite in Gondwana floraof India was discussed.A.K. Srivastava & Rajni Tewari examined thedevelopment of Glossopteris flora throughGangamopteris and Glossopteris stages from EarlyPermian to Late Permian. Appearance, disappearance,continuance and affiliation of different taxa in LowerGondwana formations of India indicate that floraattained its maturity and diversity with specificassociation of genera and species during EarlyPermian (Karharbari-Barakar transition), Late EarlyPermian (Barakar Formation), Early Late Permian(Barakar Formation and Raniganj Formation), andLate Permian (Kamthi Formation). In otherGondwana countries, associated genera and speciesare different but they also demonstrate comparativedevelopmental pattern of Glossopteris flora. Therelevant data and observation have been compiledand finalised.Rajni Tewari compiled and evaluated amorphological data on Glossopteris leaves of Indiafor evolutionary significance. Factors influencingextinction of the genus have been analysed and apaper entitled “Evolutionary failure of Glossopteris—A view point” has been finalized. Taxonomic revisionof Glossopteris schopfii (Maheshwari & Tewari) hasalso been done. Studied the morphotaxonomy anddistribution of Indian Gondwana megaspores and areport is being compiled.A. Rajanikanth & Rajni Tewari compiled dataon Gondwana woods from India and their growth ringpatterns for interpretation of palaeoenvironment. Alsostudied fossil leaf impressions of Gondwana affinityfrom Pisdura locality, Nand-Dongargaon sub-basinof Wardha-Pranhita Valley.A. Rajanikanth carried out xylotomical studieson the fossil woods of Tadwai Forest Block,Warangal, Andhra Pradesh provided by ForestDepartment.Anil Chandra, R.K. Saxena & A.K. Ghoshcompleted the detailed study on the calcareous algalflora from the Car Nicobar Island and the LittleAndaman Island.R.K. Saxena prepared and finalised a manuscriptentitled “Palynostratigraphy of the Tertiary sedimentsof Meghalaya, northeastern India- present status andgaps”.R.K. Saxena & S.K.M. Tripathi initiated toprepare a monograph including study of all the fungalremains known so far from the Indian sediments. Themonograph will include morphotaxonomic restudyof fossil fungal taxa, their reallocation, wherevernecessary, proposal of new genera and species,comments on their extant relationships, keys foridentification of various genera of fungal spores andfruit bodies, etc. The detailed account of each taxonwill be accompanied by suitable illustrations. Alsofinalised a manuscript dealing with the taxonomicand nomenclatural study of Dyadosporites, recordedfrom the Indian Tertiary sediments.R.K. Saxena & G.K. Trivedi initiated to preparea catalogue, including all records of spores and pollenfrom the Indian Tertiary sediments published during1989 to 2000. This will update the earlier catalogueon Indian Tertiary spores and pollen (Saxena, 1991),which includes spore-pollen records published up to1988.S.K.M. Tripathi, R.K. Saxena & V. Prasadprepared and finalised a manuscript dealing with thepalynostratigraphic study of the Tura Formation29

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany(Early Eocene) exposed along the Tura-Dalu Road,West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India.J.P. Mandal & Samir Sarkar carried out criticalmorphotaxonomic evaluation of two pteridophyticspore genera – Dandotiaspora (Sah, Kar & Singh,1971) and Lygodiumsporites (Potonié, 1956) for thepreparation of a pteridophytic spore atlas. Collectionof data from published literature is now being done.J.P. Mandal & Madhav Kumar described 12fossil taxa— Polygonacidites frequens, Perfotricolpitesneyvelii, Lanagiopollis eocaenicus,Tiliaepollenites cf. rotundus, Tiliaepollenites sp.Favitricolpites assamensis, Strobilanthidites cf.africanus, Retitrescolpites africanus, Retitricolporitescf. guianensis, Corsinipollenitesjussiaeensis, Discoidites bornensis and Tinalipollenitesduttae from Naogaon Formation toDhekiajuli Formation of the Tinali well- 7, UpperAssam. The fossils are compared with similar pollentypes from extant dicotyledonous species. Thestratigraphic and palaeoecologic significance of thefossil forms is analysed in the light of geologicaldistribution and habitat of the comparable moderntaxa. It is observed that only four taxa are suitable asecological indicators but none of them can be usedas a stratigraphic marker for distant basins.Rakesh Saxena finalised two papers entitled“Geological and biostratigraphical studies of coalbearingsediments in West Bokaro Basin, Bihar,India” and “Permian spore and pollen grains fromWest Bokaro Basin, Bihar, India”.Mahesh Prasad & E.G. Khare finalised amanuscript on the fossil woods from DeccanIntertrappean beds of Nawargaon, Maharashtra.Besides, some leaf impressions from same beds havebeen identified belonging to the families—Anonaceae, Meliaceae, Clusiaceae, Sterculiaceae,Anacardiaceae and Urticaceae.Anjum Farooqui & Usha Bajpai studied underSEM the leaf cuticle/epidermal traits of Rhizophoraapiculata Bl. growing in shallow estuarine coastalwet land, adapting to salt stress related to sea leveland climate. The excess salt exuded through corkwart-likestructures that are found to be modificationsof the stomatal complex. The salt exuded fills thestomatal cavity that appears small in the initial stagesbut enlarges in the later stages, perhaps due to pressureexerted by excess salt filled in. Thus, during dryperiod when the water is physiologically not availablein coastal wet-land ecosystem, the salt exuded on theleaf surface absorbs water from the atmosphere andsupplements the water need of plants. During therainy season it is washed off from the leaf surfacerevealing the plant from excess salt and leaving spacefor more salt exuadation.Chhaya Sharma, Chanchala Srivastava, M.S.Chauhan, Asha Gupta, Anjum Farooqui, RatanKar, Anjali Dixit, P.S. Ranhotra & Indra Goelunder took a field excursion to Kukrail Forest(Lucknow) for the testing of newly fabricated manualcorer and collected a 1.0 m deep sediment core forpollen analysis and 2 samples for radiocarbon dating.Chhaya Sharma & S.K. Bera visited IndianInstitute of Technology, Kanpur to procure GravityCorer for collection of sedimentary cores fromAntarctica and to discuss about Sambhar Lake profilecollected by Dr Rajiv Sinha from Rajasthan. Six coresamples were taken for pollen analysis.S.K. Bera prepared a research proposal for theselection to 19 th Indian Scientific Expedition toAntarctica for submission to DOD, New Delhi.Engaged in the arrangement of apparatus,Microscope, chemicals and other essential items forsetting a laboratory at Antarctica during 19 thExpedition and visited NCAOR, Goa to deposit theofficial luggage for loading in container vessel of theship.Chanchala Srivastava undertook a field trip toNew Delhi as per the invitation from the Director ofMuseum, ASI regarding analysis of soil samples fromthe garden plots laid around the Humayun’s Tomb.As there were no chances for preservation ofcarbonised content of macro-remains in the area, threesoil profiles were collected for polleniferous materialby cutting trenches of 2.70, 2.10 and 2.00 m depthsalong-with 8 14 C dating samples and 4 surfacesamples; to have the know-how of the gardeningactivities during Mughal Period at this historical site.Completed chemical processing of two soilprofiles (2.70 & 2.00 m depths). Their studies haverevealed low pollen frequency, but the samples’productivity in organic content is very high. They30

Annual Report 1999-2000contain large number of wood charcoals and cuticlepieces, sections of gymnospermous woods showingcross-field pits (mainly Podocarpoid); Acritarchs,Concentricysts, fungal spores (mainly Ascospores,Negrospores), monolete and trilete fern spores; pollenof Plantago sp., Cerealia type, Cyperaceae,Brassicaceae, Tubulifloreae, Lamiaceae, Cheno/Amsand Cedrus deodara, a transported one. Photographeddifferent taxa encountered and prepared theirphotoplates.Asha Gupta finalised a manuscript dealing withfungal remains from Tertiary deposits exposed atSirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh.S.A. Jafar compiled data for a manuscriptentitled “Darwinism rescued against Catastrophism:Evidence of Fossil Phytoplankton at Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary”.G. Rajagopalan & B. Sekar finalised the dataon interpretations of climatic changes around TsokarLake, Ladakh during the last 33 kyrs years B.P. onthe basis of chemical data and its comparison withother sites. Elemental analysis using atomicabsorption spectrometer have been carried out for theanalysis of samples from Paradise Lake, Selapass,Arunachal Pradesh and the interpretation of chemicaldata for inferring climatic changes on the basis ofchemical analysis, 14 C dating and palynological data(Dr A. Bhattacharyya) is in progress.Collaborative WorkIndo-Russian Integrated Long TermProgramme (ILTP) (INT/ILTP/B-2.22, w.e.f.February 01, 2000)A project entitled “Floral and climatic evolutionbased on Geologic and Biotic events duringPrecambrian and Phanerozoic Time” has beeninitiated under ILTP of co-operation in Science andTechnology between India and Russia under the Coordinatorshipsof Prof. A.K. Sinha (Director) andProf. M.A. Akhmetiev (Russia). A preliminary reportrelated to following themes along with future planshas been prepared:Precambrian microbiota,Permian Western Subangarida and GondwanaFlora,Jurassic and Cretaceous floras: Comparativestudies,Palaeoclimatic studies of Cenozoic tropical andextratropical realm, andIsotope and geochronological data generation andinterpretation.Shaila Chandra & K.J. Singh [& Drs GeneMapes & G. Rothwell (USA)]Completed colour and black and whitephotographs and observations of Conifer formsBuriadia and Birsinghia.Suresh C. Srivastava & Madhav Kumar [&†Prof. S.K. Dutta, Dibrugarh]Macerated 97 samples (depth interval 4446-1915m, Palaeocene - Mio-Pliocene) from Bihpuria wellno. 1, North Lakhimpur District, Assam. A richorganic matter, microforaminiferal linings,dinoflagellates and spores and pollen grains have beenrecovered from about 65 samples. The slides ofproductive samples have been scanned and frequencyof various types of organic matter from Palaeogenesequence have been calculated.Chhaya Sharma [& B.S. Kotlia (Nainital)]Completed pollen analysis of 6.5 m thickQuaternary section from Phulera (Champawat),Kumaon Himalaya and constructed the pollendiagram. Also completed the pollen analysis ofsurface samples from the region and constructed therecent pollen spectra.Chhaya Sharma & M.S. Chauhan [& RajivSinha (IIT, Kanpur)]Finalised a manuscript entitled“Sedimentological and pollen studies of cores fromLake Priyadarshini, Eastern Antarctica” inferring thepalaeoclimatic oscillations in the region during last8000 years.M.S. Chauhan & G. Rajagopalan [& R.K.Mazari (Dehra Dun)]Prepared and finalised a manuscript entitled“Vegetation and climate in upper Spiti region,Himachal Pradesh during late-Holocene” explaining31

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotanythe movement of mountain glaciers owing to climaticshifts in the region since last 2300 years.Asha Khandelwal [& Jyotsana Srivastava &Sunita Singh (Lucknow University)]Carried out air-monitoring for 3 months underEnvironment-oriented Projects “Grass pollen:Production, aerial incidence and allergy” (with JS)and “Study on aerial prevalence of Partheniumhysterophorus pollen in relation to pollen allergy”(with SS) at five different places (BSIP- terrace, BSIPground,Lucknow University, Sarvodaya Nagar andGaneshganj) of Lucknow. It provided usefulinformation on post-rainy and early winter seasonperiodicity of two important allergenic biopollutants.Chhaya Sharma & S.K. Bera [& D.K. Upreti(NBRI, Lucknow)]Pollen analysed 8 surface samples (5 mosscushions and 3 dry algal mat) from near PriyadarshiniLake, Antarctica collected by Dr Upreti, NBRI,Lucknow. The study reveals the occurrence of grasses,few herbs and some exotic arboreals including fungaland algal spores.S.K.M. Tripathi & Madhav Kumar [& Dr M.Kedves (Hungary)]Transmission Electron Microscopic studies onpartially degraded pollen grains of Phoenix sylvestriswere made. More or less radially oriented andcomparatively large regular pentagonal biopolymerunits were observed on the tectal surface of the exine.These biopolymer units were examined by using therotation method. In the peripheral region of one ofthe pentagonal biopolymer units peculiar penroseunits were also noticed.Jayasri Banerji [& Shashi Kumar(Bangalore)]Identified various taxa of the fossil assemblagesfrom different localities of Rajmahal and East Coastbasins of India.Rahul Garg [& Prof. S.K. Singh (Lucknow)]Integrated biostratigraphy, Sea level changes andEnvironmental patterns of Indian Jurassic Shelves— Well-preserved dinoflagellate cyst assemblages aredocumented from basal part of Jhurio Hill sectionand lower part of Kanthkote Hill section. Lowdiversity dinocyst assemblage from Jhurio sectionincludes Ctenidodinium ornatum, C. tenellum,Meiurogonaulax sp. Rigaudella aemula,corresponding to benthic foraminiferal Garantellaornata Zone of Late Bathonian. Dinocystassemblages from basal shales of Kanthkot Memberare rich and diverse. Occurrence of Dingodiniumjurassicum, D. tuberosum, Scrinodinium crysta-6%4%3%3%2%3%1%2%3%3%2%2%6%3%2%1% 1%1%2%1%1%3%1%1%42%LarixPinusPodocarpusBetulaUlmusMyrtaceaeSalmaliaSolanaceaeRutaceaeOleaceaePoaceaeTubulifloraeUrticaceaeFabaceaeRubiaceaeCheno\AmsEuphorbiaceaeCaryophyllaceaeFern monoleteBryophytic sporesCosmariumOther Algal sporesFungal remainsAcritarchUnidentifiedModern pollen-spore at Priyadarshini lake, Antarctica32

Annual Report 1999-2000llinum, Aldorfia dictyota, Gonyaulacysta jurassicais indicative of Kimmeridgian age.Rahul Garg & Khowaja Ateequzzaman [& DrRajiv Nigam (NIO, Goa)]Dinoflagellate cysts from marine sediments asindicators of past environmental changes along thewestern Indian Coast — 15 surface sediment samplesfrom Arabian Sea near Marmagao (received fromNIO) have been processed for studying dinoflagellatecyst distribution. Seven samples of shallow waterdepths (up to 50 m) are productive of well-preservedorganic-walled dinoflagellates, which are otherwiserich in amorphous organic debris. The dinoflagellateassemblage shows high relative abundance ofTuberculodinium vancampoae followed by cysts ofthe Protoperidinium group (Brigantedinium spp.,Stelladinium spp., Multispinula quanta). Other rarebut ecologically significant species in the assemblageinclude Polykrikos schwartzii, Algidasphaeridium sp.cf. A. spongium, etc. The remaining 8 samples fromdeep water (~3000 m) region are processed forcalcareous dinoflagellates and strewn slides prepared.The samples are productive of a rich calcareousdinoflagellate assemblage. Significant species includeSphaerodinella albatrosiana, Orthopithonellagranifera and Thoracosphaera heimii.Jyotsana Rai & Rahul Garg [& Prof. S.K.Singh (Lucknow)]Datable nannofossils assignable to earliestCallovian NJ12 Ansulasphaera helvetica Zone arerecorded from the basal part of Kuldhar section,Jaisalmer. The marker species include A. helvetica,Stephanolithion hexum, S. octum, S. bigoti,Cyclagelosphaera wiedmanii. Photodocumentationof the assemblage is completed.Jyotsana Rai & Rahul Garg [& Prof. S.Kumar (Lucknow)]Nannofossil assemblage comprising over 50species is recovered from sandstone unit (?LametaFormation) overlying Coralline Limestone and Marlsof Bagh Formation exposed in Chakrud I section, nearZeerabad, Bagh area. The assemblage includescosmopolitan marker Ceratolithoides aculeus alongwith Broinsonia parca, Lucianorhadus cayeuxi,Eifellithus eximus, Eprolithus floralis,Microrhabdulus undosus, Marthasterites furcatusand is assigned to UC15/CC20 zone of late EarlyCampanian age. Photodocumentation of theassemblage is completed.K. Ambwani & A. Agarwal [& Dr S.K. Saha(Chandigarh)]Finalised two manuscripts entitled “Firstoccurrence of Garugaoxylon bangladeshensis gen.et sp. nov. from Lalmai Hills, Comilla District,Bangladesh” (jointly with Dr R.K. Kar) and “Fossilwood of Barringtonia (Lecythidaceae) fromRamgarh, Chittagong Hill Tract, Bangladesh”.Samir Sarkar [(& G. Corvinus (Kathmandu,Nepal )]Finalization of palynological work carried out onthe Siwalik rocks of Surai Khola and its adjoiningareas of Nepal is continuing. Detailed morphologicalstudy of zygospores of various species ofZygnemataceae, viz., Spirogyra, Zygnema,Mougeotia, etc. recovered from Mio-Plio- Pleistocenesediments of Nepal were carried out.R.C. Mehrotra & B.D. Mandaokar [(& R.P.Tiwari (Mizoram) & V. Rai (Lucknow)]An ichnofossil Teredolites clavatus Leymerie isdescribed for the first time from Ramrikawn stonequarry near Aizawl, Mizoram. It belongs to the UpperBhuban Formation of Surma Group and is Lower-Middle Miocene in age. Its presence indicates deltaicenvironment of deposition. A manuscriptincorporating results of these studies has beenfinalized and documented.Mahesh Prasad [& P.P. Tripathi (Balrampur,UP)]Investigated plant megafossils from Siwaliks ofKoilabas area. Some more palaeobotanical data havebeen gathered from this area and utilised in thepreparation of a manuscript entitled “Furthercontribution to the Siwalik flora from the Koilabasarea, Western Nepal”.Mahesh Prasad [& S.K. Bhattacharyya(Ahmedabad)]Work on Stable Carbon Isotopic composition ofSiwalik Palaeosol and its relation to C 3/C 4plants andclimate has been started. About 50 carbonisedsamples collected from different sections of Siwaliksequence of Surai Khola, Western Nepal have beenprocessed at Physical Research Laboratory(Ahmedabad) for their isotopic analysis. The work isunder progress.33

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanySponsored ProjectsProject : Search of palyno-event evidences for thestatus of Jurassic sequence on IndianPeninsula (Sponsored by DST, New Delhi, No.DST/ESS/CA-17/96)Vijaya & Sanjay SinghChemical processing of 100 samples fromDubrajpur sediments in bore-hole DPD—3, BirbhumCoalfield (West Bengal) has been done. In 18.00 to317.00 m thick strata, 50 samples have yieldedpalynomorphs. Search for marker spore-pollenspecies has been made in favour of Jurassic depositsin this Gondwana sequence comprising Rajmahal,Dubrajpur and Raniganj formations.Vijaya carried out palynological study of 4outcrop sections of the Kota Formation in thePranhita-Godavari Valley to re-assess the age of thislithological unit (with Dr G.V.R. Prasad, Jammu). Inall the sections genus Callialasporites is wellrepresented,along with other species of stratigraphicsignificance- Murospora florida, Contignisporitescooksoniae. It suggests the Upper Jurassic age affinityfor the Kota type section exposed near Kota Village.Also compiled the palynological data from theJurassic successions in various Mesozoic basins onIndian peninsula to prepare the palyno-eventstratigraphy for Jurassic sequence.Project : Deccan Intertrappean palynoflora andits implication for the demarcation of K/TBoundary (Sponsored by DST, New Delhi, No.DST/ESS/CA/A4—16/96)K. Ambwani [R.K. Kar & Ashok Sahni]Spermatites and Costatheca are recorded for thefirst time from the Deccan Intertrappean beds ofMohgaon-Kalan and Padwar, Madhya Pradesh, India.These two genera are found in association with LateCretaceous marker palynological fossils like Azollacretacea, Ariadnaesporites sp., Gabonisporitesvigourouxii and Aquilapollenites bengalensis. To findout the living counter part of Spermatites, Azollapinnata R. Brown was studied and it was observedthat the indusium of the megasporangium of thisspecies resembles very much Spermatites in shape,size, ornamentation and in the presence of a cuitinizedcap. The abortive megasporangium with indusiumdoes not dissolve and hence could be regarded asSpermatites after fossilization. The indusium in A.pinnata grows out as a ring-wall below the sorus andcovers it completely except for a micropyle – likeopening at the top which could apparently resemblean integument round the ovule of a seed plant.Project : Geochemical and palynological methodsof Quaternary climate study using lakedeposits (Sponsored by CSIR)Chhaya Sharma & DN Yadav (up to 15-6-99)Palynological as well as elemental analysis workon Bagundi profile from Rajasthan has beencontinued.Project : The transition of lacustrine fauna andfloral communities across Pleistocene-Holocene in Jammu and Ladakh (Sponsoredby DST, New Delhi, No. DST/ESS/CA/A4—22/96)Chhaya Sharma & Anjali Dixit (& M.A. Malik,Jammu)Investigated sedimentary core (38.0 m deep)retrieved of Surinsar Lake in Jammu region. Pollendiagram constructed from 26 pollen analysed samplestaken out at interval of about 1.00 m from thelithocolumn has been arbitrarily divided into fourPollen Assemblage Zones, based on the changeswitnessed in vegetation pattern to interpret theclimatic fluctuations:Pollen Zone 1— Quercus-Ulmus-Artemisia-Poaceae Assemblage: Vegetation sequence duringthis early phase had mainly mixed broad leaved-oakforests with ground vegetation comprised mainlygrasses, followed by Artemisia, Ranunculaceae andUrticaceae. The overall emerged vegetationcomposition reflects warm and moist climate in the34

Annual Report 1999-2000region.Pollen Zone II— Quercus-Ulmus-Pinus-Artemisia-Poaceae Assemblage: This phase denotesa change in the composition of mixed broad leavedoak forests along with this, simultaneous increase inPinus, thus, reflecting that the climate turned lessmoist compared to the preceding phase.Pollen Zone III— Pinus-Poaceae Assemblage:Considerable reduction in Quercus as well as otherbroad leaved taxa with a marked increase in Pinusattaining its maximum by development. Replacementof mixed broad leaved oak by pine dominated forestsdetermine this phase. This marked change in thevegetation pattern signify the onset of cold and dryclimatic conditions in the region.Pollen Zone IV— Pinus-Quercus-PoaceaeAssemblage: Gradual decline in Pinus associatedwith simultaneous increase in Quercus and otherbroad-leaved taxa is witnessed. The change in thevegetation pattern reflects amelioration in the climateduring the period.Generating detailed pollen analytical data throughsequential palynostratigraphical investigations of theSurinsar Lake profile. Study of Mansar Lake samplesis also in progress. Undertook field work to Jammuand Kashmir and collected surface samples from theregion.Project : High altitude plant species response toglobal climate change (Sponsored by G.B. PantInstitute of Himalayan Environment andDevelopment Kosi-Katarmal, Almora,Department of Environment, New Delhi, No.GBPI/IERP/98-99/02/567)R.R. Yadav & Jayendra SinghCollected tree-core samples of around 270 treesbelonging to Pinus wallichiana, Picea smithiana,Cedrus deodara, Abies spectabilis from areas aroundGangotri in Uttarkashi, Uttar Pradesh Himalaya. Treecore samples were mounted and processed for crossdating. Ring-width measurement of Pinuswallichiana has been completed. The statisticalanalysis of ring-width measurements was done toevaluate the climatic signal in tree-rings.Project : Analysis of climatic changes vis a visglacial fluctuations using pollen and tree-ringdata in Gangotri Glacier area, GarhwalHimalayas (Sponsored by DST, New Delhi, No.ES/91/018/97)A. Bhattacharyya & P.S. RanhotraRelevant literature regarding distribution ofplants in the Western Himalaya especially aroundGangotri have been studied. A field trip to GangotriGlacier was undertaken by one of us (PSR).Preliminary survey and observations were maderegarding geomorphological features (morainicridges, earth-pillars, striations on rock surfaces) anddistribution of plants in relation to altitude. Eightsurface samples including sediments and mosscushion, in which 1 moss sample from Chirbasa (9km from Gangotri towards Goumukh); 3 surfacesediments and 2 moss samples from Bhujbasa, (5 kmfrom Chirbasa) and 2 surface sediments from flatsnear Goumukh Glacier) were collected to understandpollen/vegetation relationship of this region. All thesesamples were macerated for pollen analysis. Pollencount is in progress.Project : Analysis of climate changes in EasternHimalayan region using tree ring data(Sponsored by DST, New Delhi, No. DST/ (ESS/44/01/98)A. Bhattacharyya & Vandana ChaudharyStudied relevant literature regarding distributionof conifers in the eastern Himalayan region especiallyaround Mishmi Hills, Lohit District, ArunachalPradesh. A field trip was undertaken to Mishmi Hillsand collected 176 tree cores from 90 trees of Pinusmerkusii growing in Walong, Dichu, Dong valleysand other sites of this region growing at altitudearound 2000 to 2500 m. Beside this, 4 cores fromtwo trees of Cephalotaxus growing around MayadiaPass (2655 m) in Dibang Valley were also collected.35

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyRecognitionChhaya SharmaChaired Technical Session- 6 at “XVIIIndian Colloquium on Micropaleontology andStratigraphy” held at Ujjain in January, 2000. AlsoCo-opted as an Organiser and Chairperson for theSymposium on “Palynostratigraphy of Quaternaryof Himalaya” and to chair a session on ‘PolarPalynology’ for 10 th International PalynologicalCongress to be held in June, 2000 at Nanjing, China.Nominated outstanding woman of the 20 th Centuryby American Biographical Institute, Inc., USA.Chhaya Sharma, Chanchala Srivastava & D.N.YadavAwarded ‘Commendation Certificate’ for the bestposter presentation entitled “Holocene history ofvegetation and climate of fresh water Punlota Lakein Eastern Rajasthan, India” at the XVI Conventionof Indian Association of Sedimentologists held atUniversity of Jammu, Jammu in October, 1999.A.K. Srivastava & Rajni TewariNominated as Member, National Working Groupof International Geological Correlation Programme(IGCP) Project- 411: Geodynamics of Gondwanalandderived terranes in East and South Asia.Asha KhandelwalCo-chairperson at 10 th National AerobiologicalConference held at Vishakhapatnam from December,1999.C.M. NautiyalCo-chaired a session in the NCSTC-MESTECWorkshop on Science Communication held at Imphal,Manipur during September, 1999.Samir SarkarAwarded ‘Dr D.N. Wadia Award’ for the bestposter presentation entitled “Sedimentary organicmatter as an indicator of depositional environmentin the Surai Khola Siwalik succession (Miocene-Pliocene) of Western Nepal” at the XVI Conventionof Indian Association of Sedimentologists held atUniversity of Jammu, Jammu in October, 1999. Alsoco-chaired a Session in the Convention and anotherat the XVII Indian Colloquium onMicropalaeontology and Stratigraphy held at Ujjainin January, 2000.Archana TripathiAwarded ‘Dr P.N. Srivastava Medal-1999’ (amedal and citation) for the best piece of research workdone in BSIP (Scientist ‘D’ category) during 1997-99.S.K.M. TripathiAwarded the ‘Commemorative Medal’ of the CellBiological and Evolutionary MicropaleontologicalLaboratory, Botany Department, Szeged University,Szeged, Hungary for the year 1999.Madhav KumarAwarded ‘Diploma’ of the Cell Biological andEvolutionary Micropaleontological Laboratory,Botany Department, Szeged University, Szeged,Hungary for the year 1999.Mahesh PrasadAwarded ‘Chandra Dutt Pant Medal 1999’ forthe best piece of research work done in BSIP(Scientist ‘C’ category) during 1995-98. AlsoAwarded ‘Commendation Certificate’ for the posterpresentation entitled “Plant fossils from Siwaliksediments of Tanakpur area in the Himalayan foothills of Uttar Pradesh and its palaeoclimateimplication” at the XVI Convention of IndianAssociation of Sedimentologists held at JammuUniversity, Jammu in October, 1999.36

Annual Report 1999-2000Representation in Committees/BoardsA.K. Sinha Co-ordinator, National Earth Science in Indo-Russian Projects under DST. Member, International Lithosphere Programmeof INSA, New Delhi. Member, Antarctica Team Selection Board, AntarcticaResearch Centre, Goa, DOD, Govt. of India. Chief Editor, “The Palaeobotanist”. Chairman, National Organising Committee, “InternationalSymposium on Multifaceted Aspectsof Tree Ring Analysis”, BSIP, Lucknow. Convener, F-1 special Symposium on GlobalTectonic Zones, “31 st International GeologicalCongress”, Brazil. Member, National Organising Committee, “InternationalConference on CBM: Prospects andPotentialities”, Calcutta. Member, Local Advisory Committee, RegionalScience Centre, Lucknow. Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, Researchand Development Aspects of Conservation,Ministry of Human Resource Development,Govt. of India. Guest Editor, Special Issues of Himalaya, IndianScience News Association, Calcutta.G. Rajagopalan Member, Research Advisory Council, Wadia Instituteof Himalayan Geology, Dehradun. Member, National Organising Committee, NuclearTrack Society of India, Calcutta. Member, Academic Committee of School of ArchaeologicalDating, Jadavpur University, Calcutta.Shaila Chandra President, The Palaeobotanical Society, Lucknow. Co-ordinator, International Project “GondwanaAlive”.Suresh C. Srivastava Chief Editor, “Geophytology”.Anand Prakash Councillor, Executive Council, The PalaeobotanicalSociety, Lucknow. Treasurer, Indian Association ofPalynostratigraphers. Member, Bureau of Indian Standards, Solid MineralFuels Sectional Committee - PCD – 7.S.A. Jafar Organizing Secretary, Lucknow Chapter, ZaheerScience Foundation, New Delhi. Member, International Professional Planning“Architekten ueber Grenzen-Initiativkreis”.K.S. Saraswat Member, Editorial Board, “Ethnobotany”.Chhaya Sharma Vice President, International Council ofBiodeterioration of Cultural Property. Member, Advisory Committee, Journal of BengalNatural History. Councillor, Executive Council , ThePalaeobotanical Society. Member, Indian Society of Remote Sensing forRemote Sensing day Celebration Committee.A.K. Srivastava Member, Advisory Board, Journal“Neobotanica”. Member, Advisory Committee, Journal“Vasundhara”.Member, Editorial Board and Treasurer, IndianSociety of Geoscientists.G.P. Srivastava Treasurer, The Palaeobotanical Society,Lucknow.Usha Bajpai Member, Technical Advisory Committee of U.P.Environmental Concern. Member, Managing Council, Indian Associationof Palynostratigraphers.Rahul Garg Member, Editorial Board, “Journal of the PalaeontologicalSociety of India”. Member, Managing Council, Indian Associationof Palynostratigraphers.Neerja Jha Editor, “Geophytology”.37

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyB.K. Misra Member, Bureau of Indian Standards, Solid MineralFuels Sectional Committee - PCD – 7. Joint Secretary, Indian Society of Geoscientists.C.M. Nautiyal General Secretary, National Children’s ScienceCongress (U.P.).R.K. Saxena Secretary and Member, Editorial Board, IndianSociety of Geoscientists.Archana Tripathi Member, Jurassic Microfossil Group, InternationalSubcommission on Jurassic Stratigraphy. Member, Acritarch Subcommission. Editor, “Quarterly Journal of Geological Associationand Research Centre”.Vijaya Corresponding Member, Committee for QuantitativeStratigraphy. Voting Member, International Commission onTriassic Stratigraphy.A. Bhattacharyya Organising Secretary, “International Symposiumon Multifaceted Aspects of Tree Ring Analysis”held at BSIP, Lucknow.Asha Gupta Member, Executive Council, Scientist’s Uniqueand Researcher’s Yare Association. Member, Board of Editors, “Flora & Fauna”.Madhav Kumar Joint Secretary, The Palaeobotanical Society,Lucknow.A. Rajanikanth Assistant Editor, “The Palaeobotanist”.O.S. Sarate Councillor, Executive Council, ThePalaeobotanical Society, Lucknow.Rakesh Saxena Member, Research Board of Advisors, ABI,U.S.A. Associate Member, International Committee forCoal and Organic Petrology.Mukund Sharma Editor, “Geophytology”. Assistant Editor, “The Palaeobotanist”. Executive Editor, “Vigyan Alok”.38

Annual Report 1999-2000Lectures DeliveredBy Institute’s scientists outsideA.K. Sinha Geological evolution of Himalayas: Subductionof Indian Plate and accretion of Karakoram Platein the light of new palaeobotanical data at GeologicalInstitute of Russian Academy of Sciences,Moscow (October, 1999). Tectonic framework of Himalayan andKarakoram collision zones at Moscow State University,Moscow (October, 1999).G. Rajagopalan Dating Methods for Geological samples two lecturesfor M.Sc. Students, Lucknow University,Lucknow (April, 1999).K.S. Saraswat Emerging trends of Harappan plant economy inIndia at the Department of Ancient Indian History,Culture and Archaeology, Banaras HinduUniversity, Varanasi (February 22, 2000).Chhaya Sharma Modern and Early-Holocene pollen data fromPriyadarshini Lake, Antarctica key-note addressat XVII Indian Colloquium on Micropaleontologyand stratigraphy, Ujjain (January 27,2000).C.M. Nautiyal Communicating Science through Radio and EffectiveScience Communication through Audio-Visual Medium at the Workshop on Science Writing/Journalismorganised at Imphal by ManipurCouncil for Science Technology and Environmentunder a scheme of NCSTC, DST (September4 & 6, 1999).A. Bhattacharyya Trees as an indicator of climatic changes (inHindi) at Akashvani, Lucknow (February 29,2000).A. Rajanikanth What motivates a scientist? at Science MotivationCamp, Institute for Integrated Society Development,Lucknow (December 21, 1999).S.K. Bera Palynology - a unique subject in Plant Sciencesduring XIX th Indian Scientific Expedition toAntarctica, Maitri (January 26, 2000).G.K. Trivedi Tertiary fossil flora of Arunachal Pradesh at G.B.Pant Institute of Himalayan Studies and Development,Itanagar Unit, Itanagar (May 5, 1999).By outside scientists in the InstituteDr Rajiv SinhaAssistant ProfessorIndian Institute of Technology, KanpurLake sedimentology and palaeoclimatic analysisin the icy continent of Antarctica (on April15, 1999).Dr K.K. SharmaScientist ‘F’Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, DehradunCosmogenic nuclides: a new tool to measure preciseerosion-uplift rates in Himalaya and Tibet(on April 29, 1999).Dr Krishnanand SinhaProject Co-ordinatorIndira Gandhi Planetarium, LucknowQuantal leaps in Astronomy: courtesy small concepts,National Technology Day Lecture (on May11, 1999).39

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyDeputation/Training/Study/Visit Abroad/in CountryRahul Garg & Vandana PrasadAttended contact programme on “SequenceStratigraphy” organised by Society of PetroleumGeophysicists and sponsored by the DST under SERCProgramme in Earth Sciences at Dehradun fromAugust 23-27, 1999.A.K. SinhaVisited Moscow from October 13-26, 1999 underthe Indo-Russian Integrated Long Term Programme(ILTP). During this period, finalised the collaborativeproject entitled “Floral and climatic evolution basedon geologic and biotic events during Precambrianand Phanerozoic time”. The discussion was held withthe Russian counter-part to extend scientificprogramme under the specified scientific areas ofBSIP and the Institute of Russian Academy ofSciences. It was agreed upon that after the fullimplementation of the project, exchange of scientistswill start. Later the project is approved by the JointIndo-Russian Commission and implemented fromFebruary 1, 2000.Also invited to attend the State Funeral of LateAcademician A.L. Yanshin on October 14, 1999 atthe main building of Russian Academy of Sciencesin Moscow. Academician Yanshin was a greatscientist and the architect of joint Indo-Russianprogramme. He was a strong supporter for theinitiation of BSIP collaborative programme withvarious Institutions of Russian Academy of Sciences.A.K. Sinha & A. RajanikanthAttended the “65 th Annual Meetingof Indian Academy of Sciences,Bangalore” as invitee organised atCentral Drug Research Institute,Lucknow from October 29-31, 1999.S.K. BeraParticipated in “19 th IndianScientific Expedition to Antarctica”from November 28, 1999 to March 9,2000. Journey was performed by airfrom Mumbai to Cape Town (SouthAfrica) and subsequently by a Germanship Magdalena Oldendorff to40Antarctica to increase the camping duration in themain land. Earlier, completed pre-Antarctic TrainingProgramme at Auli and medical examination atAIIMS, New Delhi (August 31-September 18, 1999)as a part of selection for the Expedition. Alsopresented a palynological research proposal beforeSelection Committee at Department of OceanDevelopment, New Delhi on August 6, 1999.A number of lake sites, valleys and Nunatak inand around Schirmacher Oasis, east Antarctica weresurveyed. Collected a large number of samplesincluding moss cushions, soil, moraines, dry algalmat, snow and ice and one lake sediment profile fromZub Lake near Maitri and adjoining areas. Daily airsampling was done by exposing glycerine smearedslides using Burkard Sampler on voyage starting fromCape Town to Antarctica and on return voyage fromAntarctica to Cape Town for the first time for a periodof two and half months in the history of IndianExpedition. Finalized and submitted the report ofwork done during Expedition.C.M. Nautiyal, A. Rajanikanth, Mukund Sharma& Jyotsana RaiAttended “VII National Children ScienceCongress” as its Secretary (CMN) and Members Jury(AR, MS & JR) held at Barabanki from December4-5, 1999.A. RajanikanthAttended the “Science Motivation Camp”Part of Zub Lake showing pipe line supplying water to Maitri Station

Annual Report 1999-2000organised by Institute for Integrated SocietyDevelopment, Lucknow from December 20-24, 1999.Samir SarkarAttended a short course on “Deep waterSedimentary systems: Key advances, latest techniquesand current trends” given by Dr D.A.V. Stow,Southampton University, England, at GeologyDepartment, Jammu University, Jammu.R.R. YadavPresented the project entitled “Tree-linefluctuation along the high-land Himalaya inHimachal Pradesh” at the Project EvaluationMeeting under Plant Sciences of DST, New Delhi onFebruary 2, 2000.Mahesh PrasadVisited Physical Research Laboratory,Ahmedabad for finalization of a collaborative projecton “Stable Carbon isotopic composition of Siwalikpaleosols” with Dr S.K. Bhattacharyya, Earth ScienceDivision.B. SekarAttended “National Symposium on Managementof Micronutrient deficiencies in Alluvial Plains”organised by Society for Sustainable use of Chemicalsin Agriculture and ICAR, New Delhi from August18-20, 1999.41

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyDeputation to Conferences/Symposia/Seminars/WorkshopsC.M. Nautiyal Symposium Vision for Space Science and Technologyheld at Physical Research Laboratory,Ahmedabad from August 12-13, 1999.Manoj Shukla & Mukund Sharma Field Workshop on Integrated Evaluation of theKaladgi and Bhima basins organised by GeologicalSociety of India, Bangalore in October 1999.Chhaya Sharma, J.S. Guleria, Vijaya, SamirSarkar, Chanchala Srivastava, Ram Awatar,Mahesh Prasad, Rashmi Srivastava, G.K. Trivedi& Anjali Dixit XVI Convention of Indian Association ofSedimentologists held at University of Jammu,Jammu from October 24-30, 1999 [Also participated(except G.K. Trivedi) in the post-Conventiongeological field excursion on National Highwayfrom Jammu to Srinagar with special referenceto land slide hazards].All the Scientists of BSIP and JRF of SponsoredProjects International Symposium on Multifaceted Aspectsof Tree Ring Analysis, held at B.S.I.P., Lucknowfrom November 15-16, 1999.A. Bhattacharyya National Symposium on Frontiers of Researchin Plant Sciences held at Calcutta University, Calcuttafrom December 2-4, 1999. Workshop on Application of Remote Sensing forSnow and Glacier investigations held at SpaceApplications Centre, Ahmedabad on March 5,2000.B.K. Misra, Alpana Singh & B.D. Singh International Conference on Coal Bed Methane:Prospects and potentialities held at Calcutta onDecember 3, 1999.G. Rajagopalan Anacon’99 held at Nehru Centre, Bombay fromDecember 11-19, 1999.Asha Khandelwal & M.R. Rao 10 th National Conference of Aerobiology and itsapplication held at Vishakhapatnam from December21-23, 1999.K.S. Saraswat & Chanchala Srivastava Joint Annual Conference: Indian ArchaeologicalSociety (IAS) XXXIII, Indian Society for Prehistoricand Quaternary Studies (ISPQS) XXVIIand Indian History and Culture Society (IHCS)XXIII held at Deccan College, Pune from December27-30, 1999.A.K. Sinha & C.M. Nautiyal 87 th Session of Indian Science Congress held atPune University, Pune from January 3-7, 2000.Chhaya Sharma, Samir Sarkar & Neerja Jha XVII Indian Colloquium on Micropalaeontologyand Stratigraphy held at Vikram University,Ujjain from January 27-29, 2000 (Also participatedin the post-Colloquium field excursion tothe Deccan Trap area at the outskirts of Indoreon January 30, 2000).Chhaya Sharma, R.R. Yadav, A. Bhattacharyya& Jayendra Singh IGBP sponsored PAGES - Workshop on SouthAsian Palaeo-environment (PW- SAP) held atIITM, Pune from February 4-5, 2000.Asha Khandelwal National Seminar on Eco-Environmental Concerns2000 and Beyond held at Lucknow University,Lucknow from February 25-26, 2000.A.K. Ghosh National Conference on Plants, Microbes andEnvironment held at University of Burdwan,Burdwan from March 11-12, 2000.Neerja Jha, A. Rajanikanth, Mukund Sharma,Alpana Singh & Puneet Bisaria Bhuvigyan evam Khanan Workshop sponsoredby Council for Scientific and Technical Terminology,New Delhi and held at Directorate of Geologyand Mining, Lucknow from April 20-22,1999.42

Annual Report 1999-2000Papers presented at Conferences/Symposia/MeetingsArya R, Guleria JS & Srivastava R—Fossilremains of Syzygium Gaertn. and Arthromeris J.Sm. from the Kasauli sediments of HimachalPradesh, North-West India. XVI Convention ofIndian Association of Sedimentologists, Jammu,October 1999.Bhattacharyya A—Temporal growth variation ofCedrus deodara in relation to climatic changesin the western Himalaya. National Symposiumon Frontiers of Research in Plant Sciences,Calcutta, December 1999.Bhattacharyya A—Tree ring analysis from EasternHimalayan region. PAGES Workshop on SouthAsian Palaeoenvironment, Pune, February 2000.Bhattacharyya A—Application of remote sensingin palaeoclimatic studies. Workshop on RemoteSensing for snow and ice studies, Ahmedabad,March 2000.Bhattacharyya A, Chaudhary V & Gargen JT—Analysis of tree ring data of Abies pindrowaround Dokriani Bamak Glacier, GarhwalHimalayas, in relation to climate and glacialbehaviour during recent past. InternationalSymposium on Multifaceted Aspects of Tree RingAnalysis, Lucknow, November 1999.Chaudhary V & Bhattacharyya A—Tree ringanalysis of Larix griffithiana from northernSikkim and western Arunachal Pradesh, EasternHimalaya and its response to climate.International Symposium on MultifacetedAspects of Tree Ring Analysis, Lucknow,November 1999.Ghosh AK—Benthic calcareous algae fromPetroliferous basins of India and theirsignificance. National Conference on Plants,Microbes and Environment, Burdwan, March2000.Guleria JS & Srivastava R—Growth ring studiesin Indian woods and their significance.International Symposium on MultifacetedAspects of Tree Ring Analysis, Lucknow,November 1999.Guleria JS, Srivastava R & Arya R—Occurrenceof Mitragyna Korth. in Neogene sediments ofKasauli, Himachal Pradesh and its palaeoclimaticand palaeoecological significance. XVIConvention of Indian Association ofSedimentologists, Jammu, October 1999.Jha N—Mesozoic palynoflora from Sattupalli Block,Chintalpudi Sub-basin, Andhra Pradesh. XVIIIndian Colloquium Micropalaeontology &Stratigraphy, Ujjain, January 2000.Kar RK, Sahni A, Ambwani K & Dutta D—Palynological assemblages from the DeccanIntertrappeans: implications for regionalcorrelation and K/T boundary. Deccan TrapBasalts and the K/T Boundary, Ahmedabad.Khandelwal A—Biodeterioration ofaerobioparticles: Scanning Electron Microscopicstudy. 10 th National Conference on Aerobiologyand its applications, Vishakhapatnam, December1999.Khandelwal A—Eco-friendly afforestation: Aspectsand Prospects. National Seminar on Eco-Environmental Concerns 2000 and Beyond,Lucknow, February 2000.Kumar B, Das Sharma S, Dayal AM, Kale VS &Shukla M—Carbon and strontium isotopegeochemistry of Proterozoic carbonates of theKaladgi and Bhima basins, South India. FieldWorkshop Integrated Evaluation of the Kaladgiand Bhima basins, Bangalore, October 1999.Malik MA, Sharma C, Sudan CS & Singh H—Coring method employed for recovery of 40 msediment core from the lakes of Jammu. XVIConvention of Indian Association ofSedimentologists, Jammu, October 1999.Mazari RK, Kumar R, Bagati TN, Chauhan MS& Rajagopalan G—Holocene climate changesin part of Higher Trans Himalayan TransitionZone, Himachal Pradesh, India. PAGESWorkshop on South Asian Palaeoenvironments,Pune, February 2000.Misra BK—Application of biopetrology in theassessment of coal bed methane. InternationalConference on Coal Bed Methane: prospects and43

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotanypotentialities, Calcutta, December 1999.Park W-K, Seo J-W, Lee J-H, Yadav RR &Ovtchinnikov D— Development of tree-ringchronologies of Pinus densiflora and theirapplications in South Korea. InternationalSymposium on Multifaceted Aspects of Tree RingAnalysis, Lucknow, November 1999.Prasad M—Plant fossils from Siwalik sediments ofTanakpur area in the Himalayan foot hills of UttarPradesh and its palaeoclimatic implications. XVIConvention of Indian Association ofSedimentologists, Jammu, October 1999.Rajanikanth A & Tewari R—Growth rings asclimate indicators in the Indian Gondwana.International Symposium on MultifacetedAspects of Tree Ring Analysis, Lucknow,November 1999.Ram-Awatar—Palynostratigraphy of subsurface Palisediments, Sohagpur Coalfield, M.P., India. XVIConvention of Indian Association ofSedimentologists, Jammu, October 1999.Rao MR & Rajanikanth A—Spore-pollen: reliableecological signatures. 10th National Conferenceon Aerobiology and its applications,Vishakhapatnam, December 1999.Saraswat KS—Plant economy of Early Harappansat Ancient Kunal, District Hisar, Haryana. AnnualArchaeological Conference, Pune, December1999.Sarkar S—Sedimentary organic matter as anindicator of depositional environment in the SuraiKhola Siwalik succession (Miocene-Pliocene) ofwestern Nepal. XVI Convention of IndianAssociation of Sedimentologists, Jammu, October1999.Sarkar S & Prasad V—Morphological study ofThalassiphora Eisenack & Gocht from thePalaeogene rocks of Lesser Himalaya, India. XVIIIndian Colloquium Micropaleontology &Stratigraphy, Ujjain, January 2000.Sharma C—Synoptic evaluation of Late Quaternaryvegetational and climatic data generated fromHimalayan lake sediments with special referenceto Sikkim and Darjeeling region. PAGESWorkshop on South Asian Palaeoenvironment,Pune, February 2000.Sharma C, Dixit A & Malik MA—Palaeoclimaticinferences from Lacustrine sediments fromSurinsar Lake, Jammu. XVII Indian ColloquiumMicropaleontology & Stratigraphy, Ujjain,January 2000.Sharma C, Srivastava C & Yadav DN—HoloceneHistory of vegetation and climate of fresh waterPunlota Lake in Eastern Rajasthan, India. XVIConvention of Indian Association ofSedimentologists, Jammu, October 1999.Sharma M, Shukla M & Kale VS—Stromatolitesof the Kaladgi Basin: their systematics ageimplications and biostratigraphy. Field WorkshopIntegrated Evaluation of the Kaladgi and BhimaBasins, Bangalore, October 1999.Singh A & Singh BD—Petrology of the Kanhancoals, Satpura Gondwana Basin (India) vis-à-viscoal bed methane. International Conference onCoal Bed Methane: prospects and potentialities,Calcutta, December 1999.Sinha AK—Tectonics involving subduction andaccretion of Himalayan and Karakoram terranesand their palaeo-geologic configuration. 87 thSession on Indian Science Congress, Pune,January 2000.Srivastava C—Plant economy at Ancient Mahorana,Sangrur District, Punjab (ca. 2300 B.C. -200A.D). Annual Archaeological Conference, Pune,December 1999.Trivedi GK—Palynology of the Dafla Formation(Early-Middle Miocene) exposed alongBhalukpong-Bomdila Road, West KamengDistrict, Arunachal Pradesh. XVI Convention ofIndian Association of Sedimentologists, Jammu,October 1999.Vijaya & Prasad GVR—Re-appraisal on age ofKota Formation. XVI Convention of IndianAssociation of Sedimentologists, Jammu, October1999.Yadav RR & Singh J—Tree-ring chronologies fromWestern Himalaya, India. PAGES Workshop on SouthAsian Palaeoenvironment, Pune, February 2000.44

Annual Report 1999-2000Doctoral Degree awarded———————————————————————————————————————————————————Name Supervisor Title of the thesis UniversityShinjini Suresh C. “Biopetrological study of Lower Lucknow University,Sarana Srivastava Gondwana coals from Tatapani- LucknowRamkola Coalfield, Surguja District,M.P., India”Vandana A. Bhattacharyya “Dendroclimatological studies from Lucknow University,Chaudhary the eastern Himalayan region” Lucknow———————————————————————————————————————————————————Consultancy/Technical Assistance renderedSixty-seven samples have been dated in theRadiocarbon Lab as a part of consultancy servicesoffered by the Institute. Also technical assistance(Radiocarbon dating of samples) rendered tofollowing agencies:Geological Survey of India, Lucknow.Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology,Dehradun.Kumaon University, Nainital.National Institute of Oceanography, Goa.National Geophysical Research Institute,Hyderabad.Anna University, Chennai.Deccan College, Pune.Centre for Earth Science Studies, Trivandrum.Agharkar Research Institute, Pune.G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan EnvironmentDevelopment, Sikkim.National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land UsePlanning, Nagpur.Consultancy services were carried out inScanning Electron Microscopy in different disciplinesof Biological Sciences to the following agencies:Department of Marine Geology and Geophysics,Cochin University of Science andTechnology, Cochin.SGN Khalsa College, Sri Ganganagar,Rajasthan.Zoology Department, Lucknow University,Lucknow.Department of Geology, Banaras HinduUniversity, Varanasi.Faculty of Dental Sciences, KGMC, Lucknow.Chhaya Sharma & S.K. Bera investigated 5 soilsamples of Kothiakhand and Rayka, Gujarat,Department of Geology, M.S. University Baroda,Vadodara and submitted the report.Chhaya Sharma, S.K. Bera & M.S. Chauhancompleted pollen analytical investigations andsubmitted the report of the 45 core samples receivedfrom Geological Survey of India.J.S. Guleria provided technical assistance to MrR.V. Patwardhan, Nasik in identification of woodssample.B.D. Singh analysed coal samples (3), receivedfrom Dr D.K. Sharma, Indian Institute of Technology,New Delhi to determine the rank by reflectivitymeasurements on vitrinite maceral and to assess themaceral composition.45

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyUnitsPublicationJournal - The PalaeobotanistVolume 47 and 48 of the Journal were publishedincorporating research papers on various topicalaspects, maps and figures. A detailed “Instructionsto Authors” was also published. A new getup andformat has been adopted. Manuscripts for the Volume49 have been processed. Contents of the Abstracts ofVolume 48 are hosted on the Web-site of the Institute.MonographText of “Monograph - An introduction toGymnosperms, Cycas and Cycadales” by ProfessorD.D. Pant (Ex-Head, Botany Department, AllahabadUniversity) has been processed and necessaryadditions have been made. Relevant figures have beenselected and processed for resketching andretouching.NewsletterNewsletter (June 1999) was published withinformation on important activities of the Instituteincluding participation in exhibitions, conferences,Hindi Pakhwara (fortnight), new additions to libraryand related information along with pertinentphotographs.Annual ReportBilingual (English/Hindi) Annual Report 1998-99 was published consisting of Research reports,conference participation, Awards, research paperspublished, Foundation/Founder’s Day function,Annual Accounts and related matters with relevantgraphics and photographs.Conference-AbstractsAn abstract Volume of the ‘InternationalSymposium on Multifaceted Aspects of Tree RingAnalysis’ including field trip information with mapand elegant page cover was published.Hand-outsBiographical sketches of guest speakers Dr NityaAnand, Ex-Director CDRI, Prof. David J. Batten,University of Wales, U.K. and Dr Hari Narain, Ex-Director, NGRI, Hyderabad and Lecture themes onFoundation Day and Founder’s Day were published.Also invitation cards of the Foundation Day andFounder’s Day celebrations and Tree-RingSymposium were printed.In addition to these a brochure containing conciseinformation of Institute’s history, aims, activities andachievements was published. A colourful Greeting2000 depicting Antarctic Continent and anAsteraceous pollen was also printed.Sale of Institute Publications: This year thepublication of the Institute netted an income of Rs.1,12,550.90.46

Annual Report 1999-2000LibraryMajority of Library holdings have beencomputerised and strengthened different servicecounters for the benefit of its users. Improvedinfrastructural facilities and efficiency measures havebeen adopted.The current holdings of Library are as under:Particulars Additions during Total1999-2000Books 63 5,291Journals 3 10,821Reprints 130 36,046Reference Books 60 317Hindi Books 7 153Ph.D. Thesis — 89Reports — 46Maps & Atlases — 61Microfilms/Fisches — 294CD — 15Currently the Library is receiving 153 journals,(82 are subscribed and 71 are in exchange). Thereare 161 registered card holders with the Library.Exchange UnitJournals received on exchange basis 71Reprints of research papers purchased 37Reprints sent out in exchange 2800Institutions on exchange list 64Individuals on exchange list 378Computer Aided LibraryComputerisation of library assets being donethrough LAN under UNIX O/S continues. Softwareemployed is UNIFY RDBMS and the utilities areprogrammed in ‘C’ giving different levels ofsecurities. Database of library’s holdings of journalscontinued through dBase III+ package.Current Awareness ServiceLibrary launched its long awaited “CurrentAwareness Service” using CDS/ISIS package whichprovides concise abstract or short notes about theresearch publications often accompanied by some otherdetails like serial number, title, author/s, subject area,source of record, etc. An index (Era-wise) of articles isgiven at the end to facilitate easy retrieving of the articles.Lucknow Networking (LUCKNET)Prepared “Catalogue of Current Serials” of BSIPLibrary during 1999-2000 on dBase III+ andsubmitted to the Chairman “LUCKNET WorkingGroup” (Lucknow Network) IM, Lucknow.LaminationLamination of rare and fragile old books/journals/ reprints, etc. is in progress.Xeroxing FacilitiesLibrary extended xeroxing facility to the institutesscientists on yearly quota basis. This facility is alsoavailable to the scientists of other organisations.The following scientists from differentorganisations availed the Library facilities:Mr S.K. Saha, Department of Geology, PanjabUniversity, Chandigarh.Dr P.K. Mishra, Department of Botany, LucknowUniversity, Lucknow.Mr Anshu Singh, Department of Microbiology,Lucknow University, Lucknow.Mr Vivek Kumar, Ph.D. Scholar (Pharmacognosy),Lucknow University, Lucknow.Mr Kamlesor Rai, Research Scholar, BotanyDepartment, Lucknow University, Lucknow.Mr N.R. Satyanarayana, Department of Library& Information Science, Lucknow University,Lucknow.Dr P.R. Nanjunda, Director, BangaloreUniversity, Bangalore.Prof S.K. Singh, Botany Department, GorakhpurUniversity, Gorakhpur.Mr Shyamkishore & Mr Sarvesh Singh,Department of Botany, Lucknow University,Lucknow.Mr Mohd. Hasis Azimkhan, Department ofGeology, Aligarh Muslim University,Aligarh.Mr Pankaj Srivastava, National BotanicalResearch Institute, Lucknow.47

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyMuseumThe Institute joined the Nation in celebratingNational Technology Day on May 11, 1999 in abefitting manner. An exhibition about the Instituteand its activities was erected. Students fromuniversity, colleges and schools visited and took keeninterest.A Science Motivation Camp was organized incollaboration with an NGO-Institute of IntegratedSociety Development under the umbrella of NationalCouncil of Science Technology and Communication,New Delhi. Talented students of local schools andcolleges camped in the Institute’s campus. Besidestaking them to different Labs, Museum, Herbariumand Library of the Institute, arrangement was madefor delivering lectures by experts. Visit to otherNational laboratories was also arranged.Work on Inventory part III of Type and Figuredspecimens is under progress. A slide was loaned toDr Paul Kenrick of Natural History Museum, London,UK for further study.Type and Figured Specimens/Slides/NegativesThe scientists of the Institute depositedspecimens/slides/negatives of their researchpublications as under:Particulars Addition during Total1999-2000Type and Figured Specimens 109 5935Type and Figured Slides 146 11,834Negatives 288 15,757New CollectionSpecimens/samples were collected by thescientists from 201 localities of the country anddeposited in Museum for investigations as under:Specimens SamplesProject- 1 302 263Project- 4 — 322Project- 5 1,129 —Project- 6 — 426Project- 7 117 928Project- 8 6 335Project- 9 — 122Project- 10 6 335Project- 11 — 41Project- 12 — 9Presentation of fossil specimensSets of fossil specimens were gifted to thefollowing Institute/Colleges with in the country underour educational programme- Palaeobotany forEducation:Department of Geology, Kumaon University,Nainital (U.P.)Department of Botany, P.G. Centre KolarCampus, Kolar (Karnataka).Department of Botany, University of Calcutta,Calcutta.Department of Geology, Panjab University,Chandigarh.Institutional VisitorsDepartment of Botany, Vinoba Bhave University,Hazaribagh (Bihar).Department of Botany, D.A.V. College,Azamgarh (U.P.).A.M.D.M.M. College, Kanpur (U.P.).Department of Botany, B.B. (P.G.) College,Jhansi (U.P.).Department of Botany, Bundelkhand University.Department of Museology, Calcutta University,Calcutta.Department of Geology, Lucknow University,Lucknow.Department of Botany, Lucknow University,Lucknow.Teachers of Army Public School, Lucknow.Teachers of Referesher Course, LucknowUniversity, Lucknow.Darrang College, Tezpur (Assam).48

Annual Report 1999-2000HerbariumThe main objective of Herbarium is to collectextant plant materials from field and theirmaintenance along with their preparations. About 596plant specimens, 15 samples of wood blocks and 500samples of fruits and seeds were collected fromdifferent localities in India. About 123 wood slides,562 wood core samples and 23 pollen slides wereadded to the Herbarium. Data feeding work forInventory of Carpothek has been completed.Preparation of cards and data feeding work incomputer for preparation of Inventory of Sporothekand Xylarium are in progress.Herbarium HoldingsParticulars Additions during Total1999-2000HerbariumPlant specimens 596 16,921Leaf specimens - 520Laminated mounts of - 40venation patternXylariumWood blocks 15 4,059Wood discs - 60Wood cores 562 1,032Wood slides 123 4,146Palm slides - 3,195(stem, leaf, petiole, root)SporothekPolleniferous materials - 1,390Pollen slides 23 11,714CarpothekFruits/seeds 500 3,326Materials receivedFruits and seeds—Thirty samples of fruits andseeds were gifted by Dr Veena Chandra, Herbarium,Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun.Wood slides—One hundred twenty three woodslides were gifted by Dr Uttam Prakash, Retd. DeputyDirector, BSIP, Lucknow.Herbarium facilities provided toDr Shubhlal Sah, King George Medical College,Lucknow, U.P.Dr P.G. Kale, Department of Bioscience, R.J.College, Mumbai, Maharashtra.Dr Kartikey Tripathi, Department of Botany,Shibli National College, Azamgarh,U.P.Mr Hoshiar S. Tak and Mr Amit Kumar,Department of Botany, S.G.N. College, SriGanganagar, Rajasthan.Other VisitorsDr S.B. Chaudhary, Vinoba Bhave University,Hazaribagh, Bihar.Dr P.K. Nigam, Department of Botany, P.P.N.College, Kanpur, U.P.Dr Gagan Singh, Institute of Environment andManagement, Lucknow, U.P.Dr (Mrs) Rajni Bajpai, Department of Zoology,Govt. P.G. College, Hamirpur, U.P.Dr A.R. Saxena, Department of Botany, D.A.V.College, Azamgarh, U.P.Dr Veena Chandra, Herbarium, Forest ResearchInstitute, Dehra Dun, U.P.Institutional VisitorsTeachers attending Refresher Course, AcademicStaff College, Lucknow University,Lucknow.Students of Botany Department, Vinoba BhaveUniversity, Hazaribagh, Bihar.Students of Bal Vidya Mandir, Lucknow.Students of Botany Department, Shibli NationalCollege, Azamgarh, U.P.Students of Botany Department, D.A.V. College,Kanpur, U.P.Students of Botany Department, D.A.V. College,Azamgarh, U.P.Students of Botany Department, Govt. P.G.College, Hamirpur, U.P.49

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyElectronic Data ProcessingWith the continuous efforts of the Electronic DataProcessing Unit, the Institute’s Web site was launchedon November 14, 1999 with the address “www.bsipindia.org”.Also the unit has successfully setup the64 KBPS Leased line Internet connection in theInstitute. The connectivity was commissioned onJanuary 11, 2000 with the Domain Name“bsip.res.in”.The Hardwares- 4 servers (Pentium-II Compaqsystems), Router (CISCO make) and Leased LineModem (RAD ASM20) for Internet were procured.All are being configured on Windows NT platform.For Internet access in the Institute Local AreaNetwork has been planned which will provide facilityat 60 nodes which can be extended further. Thehardwares for LAN-Switch (DLINK), UTP Cable CatV, four Hubs (24 port) and other LAN accessorieshave been procured. The cabling work has beenstarted. The procurement of MS-Exchange and MS-Proxy softwares and one External CD-Writer and oneSection CuttingColour Scanner is being processed.Windows based Application Software in VisualBasic has been developed for the fossil Cataloguefor Project 9- Marine micropalaeontology ofpetroliferous basins, using Access RDBMS.Already developed Softwares (Payroll Package,Pension Package, GPF Package and Income TaxPackage, etc.) on different platforms have been madeY2K compliance specially for the Account Section.The Revised Estimates and Budget Estimates andother yearly reports of the section are also preparedfor the year 2000-2001. The assistance to sectionsincludes modification of menu driven payrolls andpension software packages. The data-base of dailyHindi words is also enhanced.The Unit has also assisted Scientific, Technicaland Administrative staff in preparing graphicalpresentation, charts and tables, layout fortransparencies and OHP sheets, manuscripts ofresearch papers, scanning and modifying pictures,graphs and other illustrations.Section Cutting Unit is an essential requirementfor megafossil workers who primarily work onpetrified/ silicified material and require details ofanatomical features for identification. The unitprepares and provides slides of thin sections as wellas polished slices of fossil materials as per the needof scientists.During the year 425 samples of chert material,limestones and petrified woods were cut. A total of600 slides of thin sections and 405 polished slices offossil material were prepared. The sliced samplescomprise mostly of bigger and hard material. A fewsamples were also cut and polished for presenting tovarious organisations and individual scientists as giftsamples on behalf of the Institute. In addition, sectionsand slides were prepared for collaborative andsponsored projects work under taken at the Institute.Logi-Tech polishing machine which was notfunctioning due to some mechanical problem was setright. About 100 lapped slides of uniform thicknesswas prepared. Besides, 25 slides were prepared asper scientists requirement.A number of students and scientists visiting theInstitute also observed the functioning of the Unit.The visitors were told about the various stepsinvolved in preparations of thin sections of fossilmaterial. Practical demonstrations were also givento some of the interested visitors.50

Annual Report 1999-2000Foundation Day and Founder’s DayOn September 10, 1999 theFoundation Day of the Institute wascelebrated. On this occasion Dr NityaAnand, FNA, Former Director, CentralDrug Research Institute, Lucknow andScientist Emeritus delivered ‘ThirdGolden Jubilee CommemorationLecture’ on the topic “DrugResearch:Today and Tomorrow”.Professor C.V. Subramanian, FNA,Chairman, Governing Body of theInstitute presided over the function.Many guests and scientists from andoutside Institute attended the function.On 14 th November, 1999 - theFounder’s Day, the Institute’s staff anddistinguished guests from otherorganisations offered Pushpanjali on theSamadhi of the Founder Professor Birbal Sahni inthe campus. Same day in the evening two memoriallectures were organised as usual:Padmashri Dr Hari Narain, FNA, MemberAdvisory Council, Directorate General ofHydrocarbons, Govt. of India and Former Director,National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabaddelivered the ‘29 th Birbal Sahni Memorial Lecture’on the topic “The role of Earth Science in the nextCentury”.Professor C.V. Subramanian, FNA, Chairman, Governing Body of the Institute presiding overthe Foundation Day Function.Professor David J. Batten, Institute of Geographyand Earth Sciences, University of Wales, UnitedKingdom delivered the ‘45 th Sir Albert CharlesSeward Memorial Lecture’ entitled “Palaeobotanicaland palynological perspectives on the EarlyCretaceous environment of Southern England.”Professor J.S. Singh, FNA, Banaras Hindu University,Varanasi and Member Research Advisory Council ofthe Institute presided over the function and awardedTM Harris International Medal to Prof DJ BattenPadmashri Dr Hari Narain, FNA, paying tributes to the founderProfessor JS Singh awarded TM HarrisInternational Medal to Professor DJ Batten51

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyNational Science DayDistinguished VisitorsTo popularise the science of Palaeobotanyamongst the students and other people of the country,National Science Day was celebrated from February21-28, 2000 on the theme “Recreating interestand excitement in Basic Science”. In this connection,a mobile exhibition on Indian Fossil Plants wastaken out to the Colleges and Schools of rural areasand of Lucknow, viz., Ram BharoseMaiku Lal Inter College, Telibagh;Shyam Manohar Mishra Inter College,Bakshi Ka Talab; Babu Triloki SinghInter College, Kakori; J.P. Convent,Dhawan, Chinhat; and Desh BharatiPublic School, Rajajipuram. The students,teachers and public of adjoiningareas took keen interest in the exhibits.An art competition was held forstudents on 27 th February in whichabout 400 children participated. Anopen house quiz was jointly organisedby BSIP and Regional Science Centre,Lucknow on 28 th February in the Institute,about 300 students participated in it. Besides,educational film and slide show on scientific themeswas also arranged. An exhibition on plant fossils wasthrown open to the visitors. Prizes were distributedto winners at Regional Science Centre by the Director,BSIP.Children participating in Art Competition on National Science DayDr Hari NarainFormer Director,National Geophysical Research Institute,HyderabadShri Amitabh PandeJoint SecretaryDepartment of Science & Technology,New DelhiDr Hario TonazellsUniversity of Sao Paulo,BrazilDr Brendan BuckleyLamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Palisades,USAShri Dinesh RaiSecretary, Science & TechnologyGovernment of U.P.,LucknowMs Nina Sahay1417 W. Tonny UnitChicago II. 60626,USADr Nitya AnandFormer DirectorCentral Drug Research Institute,LucknowProfessor David J. BattenInstitute of Geography and Earth SciencesUniversity of Wales,UKProfessor M. KedvesJ.A. University, Szeged,HungaryDelegates of the International Symposium—“Multifaceted Aspects of Tree Ring Analysis”.52

Annual Report 1999-2000Status of Official LanguageTo promote the usage of Hindi in official work,many concrete steps were taken. Institute continuedto be an active member of Nagar RajbhashaKaryanvayan Samiti (NARAKAS), UNIT- 6. Themeetings of the Institute’s Rajbhasha KaryanvayanSamiti were held as per schedule during the year underthe Chairmanship of Professor A.K. Sinha, Director.It has been suggested unanimously to enhancethe usage of Official Language in variousdepartments/sections of the Institute and to interactwith other scientific organisations in this regard.Hindi abstracts for the volume 47 and 48 of theInstitute’s journal “The Palaeobotanists” wereprocessed for publication. Annual Report for the year1998-1999 was also prepared in Hindi. Hindi sectionof the Newsletter (June – 1999) was processed.For doing maximum work in Hindi in theInstitute, prizes (cash) were distributed on theoccasion of Founder’s Day (November 14 th ). The‘first prize’ winners were Drs Anil Chandra and R.K.Saxena, ‘second prize’ winners were Drs G.P.Srivastava, Manoj Shukla and Puneet Bisaria, and‘third prize’ winners were Mr P.K. Bajpai, Mr PremPrakash, Mr Pradeep Mohan, Mr Madhukar Arvindand Mr Y.P. Singh.Hindi TerminologyOne Hindi terminological word hasbeen on display daily. For this purposewith the help of multilingual softwaresimple database was prepared oncomputer.Hindi PakhwaraThe year 1999-2000 was the GoldenJubilee year of the Official Language.To mark the occasion, Hindi Pakhwarawas organised in the Institute in a specialway. Many functions were held in theInstitute from September 14-28, 1999,in which staff of the Institute participatedin a befitting manner. The inauguralceremony was held on September 16 thand the function was presided over byProf. A.K. Sinha, Director of the Institute, Prof. S.P.Dixit, Former Head, Hindi Department, LucknowUniversity and Dr R.L. Singh, Chief Conservator,Forests, U.P. Government graced the occasion. Prof.Dixit delivered a lecture on “Hindi mein vaigyanikshodh lekhan”, whereas Dr Singh shared someinteresting memories of forest life. On this occasion,a debate on the topic ‘Kya parmanu astra vishwashanti hetu awashyak hain’ was also held. The First,Second and Third winners were Mr Sanjay Singh,Dr Mukund Sharma and Dr A. Rajanikanthrespectively.On September 20 th , a “Hindi Typing Contest” washeld in which Mr Hari Lal, Km Chitra Chatterji andMr Ajai K. Srivastava were the prize winnersrespectively. A “Short Essay Contest” on the topic‘Bharat ki vigat 50 varshon ki vaigyanik uplabdhian’was held on 22 nd September. The top three contestantswere Dr Rajni Tewari, Dr Chanchala Srivastava andDr Neerja Jha respectively. On September 24 th a“Prashna Manch Contest” was organised betweenfive teams, namely, Himalaya, Vindhya, Aravali,Sahyadri and Nilgiri. The configuration of a teamcontained three persons each. The winner team was‘Nilgiri’ and the members of the team were DrMukund Sharma, Mr Sundeep Bisaria and Mr K.C.Chandola. The runner up team was ‘Aravali’. Dr A.‘Kavi Sammelan’ during Hindi Pakhwara53

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyRajanikanth, Dr K.J. Singh and Dr VandanaChaudhary were the members of that team. “A HindiElocution Contest” was held on September 27 th , inwhich only ‘Ahindibhashi’ contestants of the instituteparticipated. The winners were Mrs V. Nirmala, MrsRita Banerji and Dr A. Rajanikanth respectively.The concluding function was held on 28 thSeptember. On this occasion a colourful ‘KaviSammelan’ was organised. The function was presidedover by Dr (Smt) Shakuntala Kalra, Reader, HindiDepartment, Maitri College, New Delhi. A galaxy oflocal Hindi poets, namely Prof. Ram Swaroop‘Sindoor’, Shri Vali ‘Asi’, Shri Surya Kumar Pandey,Shri Rajendra Verma, Shri Vahid Ali ‘Vahid’, ShriKunwar ‘Kusumesh’, Km Ranjana Sharma, ShriSarvesh Asthana, Shri Bhola Nath ‘Adheer’ and ShriAshok Mishra ‘Pravasi’ enthralled the audience.MiscellaneousVarious administrative forms of establishmentunit were made bilingual and museum write ups,labels, hoardings, folders, hand outs, etc. weretranslated in Hindi. Four Quarterly reports, consistingthe information of Hindi activities of the Institute,were made in Hindi and sent to DST, New Delhi.Reservations and ConcessionsTo provide adequate representations to ScheduledCastes and Scheduled Tribes and Other BackwardClasses for posts meant for direct recruitment, theGeneral Reservation Orders of the Government ofIndia as applicable to Autonomous Bodies and asamended from time to time are sincerely beingfollowed by the Institute. The Roster for reservationof Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and OtherBackward Classes is maintained by post-based Rosteras directives of the Government of India, Departmentof Personal and exempted from the purview of theGeneral Reservation Orders.The Government of India orders issued from timeto time for reservation in respect of blind, deaf andorthopaedically handicapped candidates are applicablein Group “C” and Group “D” posts of the Institute.54

Annual Report 1999-2000The StaffDirectorProfessor Anshu K. SinhaScientists(The names are in alphabetical order according to ‘surnames’)Scientist ‘G’Dr Govindraja RajagopalanScientist ‘F’Dr Anil ChandraDr (Mrs) Shaila ChandraDr Syed A. JafarDr Anand PrakashDr (Mrs) Chhaya SharmaDr Suresh C. SrivastavaScientist ‘E’Dr Krishna AmbwaniDr (Ms) Jayasri BanerjiDr Rahul GargDr Kripa S. SaraswatDr Ramesh K. SaxenaDr Manoj ShuklaDr Ashwini K. SrivastavaDr Gajendra P. SrivastavaDr (Mrs) Archana TripathiScientist ‘D’Dr Anil AgarwalDr (Mrs) Usha BajpaiDr Jaswant S. GuleriaDr (Mrs) Neerja JhaDr (Mrs) Asha KhandelwalDr Pramod KumarDr Jagannath P. MandalDr Basant K. MisraDr Mulagalapalli R. RaoDr Chandra M. NautiyalDr Samir SarkarDr Rama S. SinghDr Shyam C. SrivastavaDr S.K.M. TripathiDr (Ms) VijayaDr Ram R. YadavScientist ‘C’Dr Annamraju RajanikanthDr Rupendra BabuDr Samir K. BeraDr Amalava BhattacharyyaDr Anant P. BhattacharyyaDr Mohan S. ChauhanDr (Ms) Asha GuptaDr Brijendra N. JanaDr Khowaja AteequzzamanDr Madhav KumarDr Bhagwan D. MandaokarDr Kindu L. MeenaDr Rakesh C. MehrotraDr (Mrs) Neeru PrakashDr Mahesh PrasadDr (Mrs) Jyotsana RaiDr Ram AwatarDr Dinesh C. SainiDr Omprakash S. SarateDr Rakesh SaxenaDr Mukund SharmaDr (Mrs) Alpana SinghDr Bhagwan D. SinghDr Kamal J. SinghDr (Mrs) Chanchala SrivastavaDr (Mrs) Rashmi SrivastavaDr (Mrs) Rajni TewariDr Gyanendra K. TrivediScientist ‘A’Dr (Mrs) Anjum FarooquiDr Amit K. GhoshDr (Mrs) Vandana PrasadSponsored ProjectMr Sanjay Singh,Junior Research Fellow (till 13.02.2000)Miss Debi Dutta,Junior Research FellowMr Jagdish Prasad(Field/Lab Attendant)55

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyTechnical PersonnelPublicationMr R.L. Mehra (Technical Assistant ‘E’)Mr Syed Rashid Ali (Technical Assistant ‘D’)LibraryMrs Kavita Kumar (Technical Officer ‘A’)Mr V.K. Nigam (Technical Assistant ‘E’)Mr Sumit K. Manna (Technical Assistant ‘D’)Mr Dhirendra Sharma (Technical Assistant ‘D’)Mr S.R. Yadav (Technical Assistant ‘C’)Mr Avanish Kumar (Technical Assistant ‘A’)MuseumMr P.K. Bajpai (Technical Officer ‘B’)Mrs Sunita Khanna (Technical Officer ‘A’)Mr Prem Prakash (Technical Officer ‘A’)Mr Sanjai Kumar Singh (Technical Assistant ‘D’)Mr Raj Kumar Tantua (Technical Assistant ‘D’)Mr Pawan Kumar (Technical Assistant ‘A’)Technical ServicesMr P.S. Katiyar (Technical Officer ‘B’)Mr K. Nagapooshanam (Technical Officer ‘B’)Mr Madhukar Arvind (Technical Assistant ‘E’)Mr A.K. Ghosh (Technical Assistant ‘E’)Mr V.S. Panwar (Technical Assistant ‘E’)Mr Y.P. Singh (Technical Assistant ‘E’)Mr Dhirendra Kumar Pal (Technical Assistant ‘D’)Mr Madhavendra Singh (Technical Assistant ‘D’)Mr Chandra Bali (Technical Assistant ‘C’)Mr C.L. Verma (Technical Assistant ‘C’)Mr M.S. Rana (Technical Assistant ‘A’)Mr S.C. Singh (Technical Assistant ‘A’)Mr A.K. Srivastava (Technical Assistant ‘A’)Mr Om Prakash Yadav (Technical Assistant ‘A’)Administrative PersonnelRegistrarMr S.C. BajpaiHerbariumMr Diwakar Pradhan (Technical Officer ‘A’)Mr. S.M. Vethanayagam (Technical Assistant ‘D’)PhotographyMr Pradeep Mohan (Technical Assistant ‘E’)Mr D.S. Bisht (Technical Assistant ‘D’)Laboratory ServicesDr B. Sekar (Technical Officer ‘C’)Dr (Mrs) Madhabi Chakraborty (TechnicalOfficer ‘B’)Mrs Indra Goel (Technical Officer ‘B’)Mrs Asha Guleria (Technical Officer ‘B’)Dr E.G. Khare (Technical Officer ‘B’)Mr T.K. Mandal (Technical Officer ‘B’)Mr V.K. Singh (Technical Officer ‘B’)Mrs Reeta Banerjee (Technical Officer ‘A’)Mr Chandra Pal (Technical Officer ‘A’)Mr V.P. Singh (Technical Officer ‘A’)Mr A.K. Srivastava (Technical Officer ‘A’)Mr R.C. Mishra (Technical Assistant ‘E’)Mr Keshav Ram (Technical Assistant ‘E’)Mr Shreerup Goswami (Technical Assistant ‘D’)Mr S. Suresh K. Pillai (Technical Assistant ‘D’)56Accounts OfficerMr J.C. SinghPS to DirectorMr S.P. ChadhaSection OfficersMr Ramesh ChandraMr N.N. JoshiMr I.J. MehraMr H.S. SrivastavaMr R.K. TakruMaintenance OfficerMr R.B. KukretiAccountantMr I.J.S. BediAssistantsMrs Ruchita BoseMrs Usha ChandraMr R.K. KapoorMrs V. NirmalaMr Dhoom SinghMrs P. Thomas

Annual Report 1999-2000StenographerMrs M. Jagath JananiHindi TranslatorDr Puneet BisariaUpper Division ClerksMr Hari LalMrs Swapna MazumdarMr M. PillaiMr Gopal SinghMr K.P. SinghMr Koshy ThomasMr N. UnnikannanLower Division ClerksMr Akhil AntalMs Chitra ChatterjeeMr Mishri LalMr S.S. PanwarMr Rameshwar PrasadMrs Shail S. RathoreMr A.K. SrivastavaMrs Renu SrivastavaDriverMr Nafees Ahmed (‘II’)Mr D.K. Misra (‘I’)Mr M.M. Mishra (‘I’)Mr Pushpendra K. Misra (‘I’)Mr V.P. Singh (‘I’)Attendants ‘III’ (SG)Mr Raja RamAttendants ‘III’Mr K.C. ChandolaMr Prem ChandraMr Ram DeenMr Ram KishanMr Sunder LalMr Haradhan MohantiMr Kesho RamMr SatruhanMr Ram SinghAttendants ‘II’Mrs Maya DeviMrs MunniMr Kailash NathMr Mani Lal PalMr Sri RamMr Mohammad ShakilMr Bam SinghMr Kedar N. YadavAttendants ‘I’Mr R.K. AwasthiMr K.K. BajpaiMr Ram DheerajMr V.S. GaikwadMrs Ram KaliMr Hari KishanMr Deepak KumarMr Inder KumarMr Ramesh KumarMr Dhan Bahadur KunwarMr S.C. MishraMr Ram UjagarMaliMr Rameshwar Prasad Pal (Skilled ‘III’)Mr Ram Chander (Unskilled ‘I’)Mr Ram Kewal (Unskilled ‘I’)Mr Mathura Prasad (Unskilled ‘I’)AppointmentsMr Sanjai Kumar Singh, Technical Assistant ‘D’,w.e.f. 08.12.1999.Mr Dhirendra Sharma, Technical Assistant ‘D’, w.e.f.10.12.1999.Mr S.M. Vethanayagam, Technical Assistant ‘D’,w.e.f. 10.12.1999.Mr Madhavendra Singh, Technical Assistant ‘D’,w.e.f. 15.12.1999.Mr Dhirendra Kumar Pal, Technical Assistant ‘D’,w.e.f. 16.12.1999.Mr Shreerup Goswami, Technical Assistant ‘D’,w.e.f. 20.12.1999.Mr Digamber Singh Bisht, Technical Assistant ‘D’,w.e.f. 22.12.1999.57

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyMr Raj Kumar Tantua, Technical Assistant ‘D’, w.e.f.23.12.1999.Mr S. Suresh Kumar Pillai, Technical Assistant ‘D’,w.e.f. 27.12.1999.Mr Sumit Kumar Manna, Technical Assistant ‘D’,w.e.f. 03.01.2000.Mr Syed Rashid Ali, Technical Assistant ‘D’, w.e.f.06.03.2000.Mr Akhil Antal, Lower Division Clerk, w.e.f.28.04.1999.Mr Pushpendra Kumar Misra, Driver ‘I’, w.e.f.13.01.2000.Mrs Ram Kali, Attendant ‘I’, w.e.f. 04.05.1999.Dr Vandana Chowdhuri, Research Associate (DSTSponsored Project) w.e.f. 27.05.1999.Mr Parminder Singh Ranhotra, Junior ResearchFellow (DST Sponsored Project) w.e.f.27.05.1999.Miss Anjali Dixit, Junior Research Fellow (DSTSponsored Project) w.e.f. 27.05.1999.Mr Sandeep Bisaria, Lab Assistant (DST SponsoredProject) w.e.f. 27.05.1999.Mr Jayendra Singh, Project Assistant (Dept. ofEnvironment Sponsored Project) w.e.f.31.12.1999.Dr Ratan Kar, Research Associate (DST SponsoredProject) w.e.f. 21.02.2000.Miss Kiran Verma, Junior Research Fellow (DSTSponsored Project) w.e.f. 28.02.2000.PromotionsDr G. Rajagopalan, Scientist ‘G’, w.e.f. 01.04.1999.Dr Syed A. Jafar, Scientist ‘F’, w.e.f. 01.04.1999.Dr (Mrs) Chhaya Sharma, Scientist ‘F’, w.e.f.01.04.1999.Dr Krishna Ambwani, Scientist ‘E’, w.e.f.01.04.1999.Dr Rahul Garg, Scientist ‘E’, w.e.f. 01.04.1999.Dr Ramesh K. Saxena, Scientist ‘E’, w.e.f.01.04.1999.Dr Manoj Shukla, Scientist ‘E’, w.e.f. 01.04.1999.Dr (Mrs) Archana Tripathi, Scientist ‘E’, w.e.f.01.04.1999.Dr Anil Agarwal, Scientist ‘D’, w.e.f. 01.04.1999.Dr G.K. Trivedi, Scientist ‘C’, w.e.f. 01.04.1999.Dr E.G. Khare, Technical Officer ‘B’, w.e.f.01.04.1999.Mrs Reeta Banerjee, Technical Officer ‘A’, w.e.f.01.04.1999.Mrs Kavita Kumar, Technical Officer ‘A’, w.e.f.01.04.1999.Mr Chandra Pal, Technical Officer ‘A’, w.e.f.01.04.1999.Mr V.P. Singh, Technical Officer ‘A’, w.e.f.01.04.1999.Mr A.K. Srivastava, Technical Officer ‘A’, w.e.f.01.04.1999.Mr Y.P. Singh, Technical Assistant ‘E’, w.e.f.01.04.1999.Resumption of dutyMr S.C. Bajpai resumed his duties as Registrar w.e.f.17.12.1999 (AN) after his deputation to BabaSaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar University,Lucknow, as Registrar.RetirementsDr Prabhat K. Maithy, Scientist ‘F’ retired on31.07.1999.Mr Saryu Prasad, Attendant ‘III’ (Special Grade)retired on 29.02.2000.ObituaryMr Sia Ram, Attendant ‘III’ (Special Grade) expiredon 29.07.1999.58

Annual Report 1999-2000Papers publishedAhmad SM, Patil DJ, Rao PS, Nath BN, Rao BR& Rajagopalan G 2000. Glacial-interglacialchanges in the surface water characteristics ofthe Andman Sea: evidence from stable isotopicratios of planktonic foraminifera. Proc. Indian.Acad. Sci. (Earth Planet. Sci.) 109: 1-4.Ambwani K 1999. Investigations on a fossilagavaceous axis from Neyveli Lignite, TamilNadu, India. Palaeobotanist 48: 245-250.†Antal JS & Prasad M 1999. Morphotaxonomicstudy of some more fossil leaves from the LowerSiwalik sediments of West Bengal, India.Palaeobotanist 47: 88-98.†Antal JS, Prasad M & Khare EG 1999. In situfossil wood of Dipterocarpus Gaertn. in theHimalayan foot hills of Darjeeling District, WestBengal, India. Biol. Mem. 25: 25-28.Bajpai Usha 1999. Arrangement of sporopolleninunits in the megaspore sporoderm of the genusSelaginella. Proc. Ann. Conf. E.M.S.I.(DMSRDE), Kanpur: 118-120.Bajpai Usha & Singh SM 1999. On an enigmaticfossil plant from the Permian of South KaranpuraCoalfield, India. Palaeobotanist 48: 137-140.Bhattacharyya A & Yadav RR 1999. Climaticreconstructions using tree-ring data from tropicaland temperate regions of India: a review. IAWAJ., Netherlands 20: 311-316.Chandra A, Saxena RK & Ghosh AK 1999.Coralline algae from the Kakana Formation(Middle Pliocene) of Car Nicobar Island, Indiaand their implication in biostratigraphy,palaeoenvironment and palaeobathymetry. Curr.Sci. 76: 1498-1502.Chandra R, Upadhyay R & Sinha AK 1999.Subduction and collision related magmatism inthe Shyok Suture and eastern Karakoram.Palaeobotanist 48: 183-209.Chaudhary V, Bhattacharyya A & Yadav RR1999. Tree-ring studies in the eastern Himalayanregion: prospects and problems. IAWA J.,Netherlands 20: 317-324.Dutta SK, Bhuyan D & Kumar M 1998. Record ofpalynodebris from the Upper Disang- LowerBarail groups around Kohima District, Nagaland.Geophytology 27: 61-65.Farooqui A 1999. Biostratigraphic studies ofPichavaram mangrove swamps andenvironmental changes during Holocene. J.Gondwana Geol. Soc. Spl. Vol. 4: 293-300.Farooqui A & Bajpai U 1999. Stomatalmodifications for salt exudation in Rhizophoraapiculata Bl. Proc. Ann. Conf. E.M.S.I.(DMSRDE), Kanpur: 121-124.Ghosh AK & Maithy PK 1999. Fossil algae fromthe Maastrichtian of Kallankurichchi Formation,Ariyalur Group. Geosci. J. 20: 35-40.Guleria JS 2000. Adhatoda vasica Nees as anepiphyte on Xylosma longifolium Clos-A newrecord. Indian Forester 126: 311-312.Guleria JS & Mehrotra RC 1999. On some plantremains from Deccan Intertrappean localities ofSeoni and Mandla districts of Madhya Pradesh,India. Palaeobotanist 47: 68-87.Gupta A 1998. Spore types in Bryophytes. Chenia,Int. Symp. 2000’s Bryology 5: 39-48.Jafar SA & Singh OP 1999. Late MioceneCoccoliths from Neill Island, Andaman Sea,India. J. Palaeontol. Soc. India 44: 119-134.Kedves M, Borbola A, Tripathi SKM & KumarM 2000. Thermal effect on some extant palmpollen. Plant Cell Biol. Devel., Hungary 11: 166-183.Kumar B, Das Sharma S, Shukla M & Sharma M1999. Chronostratigraphic implications of thecarbon and Oxygen isotopic composition of theProterozoic Bhima Carbonates, southern India.J. Geol. Soc. India 53: 593-600.Kumar M, Anand-Prakash, Srivastava GP &Shukla M 2000. Dispersed organic matter(DOM) types and depositional environment ofNeogene sediments of Mahuadanr Valley,Palamu, Bihar. J. Geol. Soc. India 55: 317-325.Kumar P 1999. Denwasporites gen. nov. : Aprepollen from the Upper Triassic of India.Palaeobotanist 48: 27-29.Kumar P 2000. Palynodating of Denwa Formation,Satpura Basin, India. Plant Cell Biol. Devel.,59

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyHungary 11: 9-18.Kumar P & Kumar P 1999. Insect remains fromUpper Triassic sediments of Satpura Basin, India.Curr. Sci. 76: 1539-1541.Maheshwari HK & Jana BN 2000. Nomenclaturalnote on Aequitriradites Delcourt & Sprumont1955, a genus of Mesozoic palynofossils.Geophytology 28:139-141.Maithy PK, Ghosh AK & Kumar G 1999. Firstreport of Dasycladacean alga–Cyclocrinites fromthe Ordovician of Takche Formation, Spiti, India.J. Geol. Soc. India 54: 379-385.Mandal J 1999. Fossil Rivulariaceae from the EarlyEocene of Kutch, India. J. Palaeont. Soc. India44: 135-139.Mandaokar BD 1999. Occurrence of palynofossilsfrom the Tirap River section (Disang Group),Tinsukia District, Assam. Palaeobotanist 48: 239-243.Meena KL 1998. Palynodating of Sub-surfaceKamthi sediments in Ib-river Coalfield, Orissa.Geophytology 27: 107-110.Meena KL 1999. Late Barakar flora from theChaturdhara Nala section, Ib-river Coalfield,Sundargarh, Orissa, India. Palaeobotanist 48:141-145.Meena KL 1999. Palynostratigraphic studies of subsurfaceRaniganj-Barren Measures sedimentsfrom Mand-Raigarh Coalfield, Son Mahanadi,M.P., India. Palaeobotanist 48: 217-224.Mehrotra RC, Awasthi N & Dutta SK 1999. Studyof fossil wood from the upper Tertiary sediments(Siwalik) of Arunachal Pradesh, India and itsimplication in palaeoecological andphytogeographical interpretations. Rev.Palaeobot. Palynol. 107: 223-247.Misra BK, Singh BD & Singh A 1999. Maceralalginite in Indian coals and lignites: Itssignificance and influence. Palaeobotanist 47: 37-49.Park W-K & Yadav RR 1999. Precipitationreconstruction for late Chosun Period using treering of Korean red pine. In: Park W-K (Editor)—Proc. East Asia Workshop on Tree Ring Analysis,Chungbuk National University, Republic ofKorea: 37-46.Park W-K, Yadav RR & Ovtchinnikov D 1999.Influence of climatic factors on the radial growthof Pinus densiflora from Songni Mountains inCentral Korea. In: Wimmer R & Vetter RE(Editors)—Tree Ring Analysis, CABI Publishing,U.K.: 287-297.Park W-K, Yadav RR & Seo J-W 1999. 265-yearlong May drought records from tree-rings ofKorean red pine. Proc. Korean Meteorol. Soc.1999 Spring Meeting: 267-270.Pokharia AK & Saraswat KS 1999. Plant economyduring Kushana Period (100-300 A.D.) atAncient Sanghol, Punjab. Prãgdhãrã: J. StateArchaeol. Dept. 9: 75-121.Prasad M, †Antal JS, Tripathi PP & Pandey VK1999. Further contribution to the Siwalik florafrom the Koilabas area, Western Nepal.Palaeobotanist 48: 49-95.Prasad M & Pradhan UMS 1999. Study on plantfossils from the Siwalik sediments of Far WesternNepal. Palaeobotanist 47: 99-109.Prasad V & Sarkar S 2000. Paleoenvironmentalsignificance of Botryococcus (Chlorococcales)in the Subathu Formation of Jammu and Kashmir,India. Curr. Sci. 78: 682-685.Sarate OS 1999. Manuguru coals–A petrographicevaluation, Godavari Valley Coalfields, AndhraPradesh, India. Minetech 20: 12-22.Saxena RK, Kumar M & Chandra A 1999. A newinaperturate pollen genus from the Late Miocenesediments of Site 218 of DSDP Leg 22 in theCentral Bengal Fan, Indian Ocean. Palaeobotanist47: 134-137.Saxena RK & Tripathi SKM 1999.Retitribrevicolporites is a synonym ofTricolporopollis (Tertiary pollen from India).Taxon 48: 493-496.Sekar B & Bera SK 1999. Reconstruction of pastclimatic changes around Berijam Lake, PalniHills for the last 17.7 kyr B.P. based on ChemicalAnalysis and 14 C dating. Gond. Geol. Magz. 14:51-55.Sharma C & Chauhan MS 1999. Palaeoclimaticinferences from Quaternary palynostratigraphyof Himalaya. The Himalayan Environ: 193-207.Sharma M & Shukla M 1999. Carbonaceous60

Annual Report 1999-2000megaremains from the Neoproterozoic OwkShales Formation of Kurnool Group, A.P., India.Curr. Sci. 76: 1247-1250.Shukla M, Kumar P, Srivastava GP, Anand-Prakash & Kumar M 2000. Record of resinembedded insects and related organic remainsfrom Mahuadanr Valley, Palamu, Bihar, India.Curr. Sci. 78: 385-386.Singh A & Misra BK 1999. Fluorescencemicroscopic investigations of the main ligniteseam from the Neyveli Lignitefield, Tamil Nadu,India. Palaeobotanist 48: 155-162.Singh IB, Sharma S, Sharma M, Srivastava P &Rajagopalan G 1999. Evidence of humanoccupation and humid climate of 30 ka in thealluvium of southern Ganga plain. Curr. Sci. 76:1022-1026.Singh IB, Srivastava P, Sharma S, Sharma M,Singh DS & Rajagopalan G 1999. Uplandinterfluve (Doab) deposition: alternative modelto muddy overbank deposition. Facies 40: 197-210.Singh KJ & Chandra S 1999. The plant ofNeomariopteris hughesii (Zeiller) Maithy.Palaeobotanist 48: 225-238.Singh KJ, Srivastava AK & Chandra S 2000.Coniferous foliage shoots from South RewaGondwana Basin, India. Geophytology 28: 35-40.Singh RS 1999. Diversity of Nypa in the Indiansubcontinent- Late Cretaceous to Recent.Palaeobotanist 48: 147-154.Srivastava AK 1999. Dichotomous developmentpattern in Glossopterid. Proc. Int. Scient. Conf.Dichotomy and Homology. Tyumen, Russia: 107-120.Srivastava Shyam C 1999. Reconstruction andaffiliation of Middle Triassic seeds from India.Plant Cell Bio. Devel., Hungary 16: 8-13.Sun Keqin & Chandra S 1999. Evolution andecology of the Cathaysia flora. Palaeobotanist 47:20-28.Tripathi A 1999. Talcheridium indicum a newacritarch with dinoflagellate like features fromPermian Barakar Formation of India. Ballelinodella Societa Paleontol. Italiana 38: 313-316.Upadhyay R, Chandra R, Rai H, Jha N, ChandraS, Kar RK & Sinha AK 1999. First find of theEarly Permian Lower Gondwana plant remainsand palynomorphs from the ChhongtashFormation (Upper Shyok Valley), easternKarakoram, India. Palaeobotanist 48: 7-18.Upadhyay R, Sinha AK, Chandra R & Rai H 1999.Tectonic and magmatic evolution of the easternKarakoram, India. Geodinamica Acta 12: 341-358.Valdiya KS, Rajagopalan G, Nanda AC, SureshGC & Upendra T 2000. Neotectonic lake andvertebrate fossils in Hemavati Catchment, HassanDistrict, Karnataka. J. Geol. Soc. India 55: 229-237.Venkatachala BS, Kar RK, Rajanikanth A & LyA 1999. Palynology of the Cretaceous Tertiarytransition in an Atlantic bore-core off SenegalCoast West Africa. Palaeobotanist 47: 60-67.Vijaya 1999. Palynological dating of the Neocomian-Aptian succession in the Indian Peninsula. Cret.Res., U.K. 20: 597-608.61

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyPapers accepted for publicationAgarwal A & Ambwani K—Canariocarponratnagiriensis gen. et sp. nov. from SindhudurgDistrict, Maharashtra, India. Palaeobotanist.Anderson JM, Anderson HM, Archangelsky S,Bamford M, Chandra S, Dettman M, Hill R,Mcloughlin S & Rosler O—Patterns of plantcolonisation and diversification on Gondwanaand its dispersed continental fragments. Alex DutoitSymp. Xth Gondwana, Cape Town, SouthAfrica.Arya R, Guleria JS & Srivastava R—New recordsof plant fossil from the Kasauli sediments ofHimachal Pradesh, North -West India. Curr. Sci.Bajpai U—Ultrastructure of the sporoderm inmegaspores of some Indian Selaginellas.Palaeobotanist.Banerji J—Megafloral diversity of the UpperGondwana Sequence of the Rajmahal Basin,India. J. African Earth Sci.Banerji J & Jana BN—Early Cretaceous megafloraof Bartala Hill, Rajmahal Basin, India.Palaeobotanist.Bera SK—Modern pollen deposition in Mikir Hills,Assam. Palaeobotanist.Bera SK & Farooqui A—Mid-Holocene vegetationand climate of South Indian montane. J. Palaeont.Soc. India.Chandra S—Colonisation and subsequentspeciation/ diversification on Indian Gondwanasubcontinent - Gondwana Biodiversity. Proc. XthGondw. Conf., Cape Town, South Africa.Chauhan MS—Pollen evidence of Late Quaternaryvegetation and climate changes in north-easternMadhya Pradesh. Palaeobotanist.Chauhan MS, Mazari RK & Rajagopalan G—Vegetation and climate in upper Spiti region,Himachal Pradesh during Late Holocene. Curr.Sci.Chauhan MS & Sharma C—Late HoloceneVegetation climate in Garhwal Himalaya.Palaeobotanist.Guleria JS, Srivastava R & Arya R—Occurrenceof fossil Mitragyna in the Early Miocene ofHimachal Pradesh, India. Palaeobotanist.Guleria JS, Srivastava R & Prasad M—Somefossil leaves from Kasauli Formation ofHimachal Pradesh, North-West India. HimalayanGeol.Kedves M, Horvath A, Tripathi SKM & KumarM—Symmetry operations on the quasicrystalloidbiopolymer system of thesporopollenin of Phoenix sylvestris Linn. fromIndia. Plant Cell Biol. Devel., Hungary.Khandelwal A—Survey of aerospora by RotorodSampler : Qualitative and Quantitativeassessment. Aerobiologia.Khandelwal A & Gupta HP—Mangrove historysince 1,500 yrs B.P. at Dangmal, Baitarni-Brahmani Delta, Orissa, India. Palaeobotanist.Khandelwal A & Misra L—Survey of airspora ofvegetable market of Lucknow, India.Palaeobotanist.Khare EG, Prasad M & Awasthi N—Contributionto the Deccan Intertrappean flora of Nawargaon,Wardha District, Maharashtra, India.Palaeobotanist.Maithy PK & Babu R—Organic-walledmicrofossils from the Bhagwar Shale Formation(Semri Group) Rohtasgarh District, Bihar andtheir implication for the age. J. Geosci.Maithy PK, Kumar S & Babu R—Biologicalremains and organo-sedimentary structures fromIron Ore (Archaean) of Barbil, SinghbhumCraton. Geol. Sur. India Special. Vol.Mandal J & Kumar M—Stratigraphic significanceof some angiosperm pollen from the Tinali Oilfield, Upper Assam, India. Palaeobotanist.Mandaokar BD—Palynology and palaeoenvironmentof the Bhuban Formation (Early Miocene)of Ramrikawn near Aizawl, Mizoram.Palaeobotanist.Mandaokar BD—Palynofloral investigation ofTikak Parbat Formation (Late Oligocene) ofBorjan area, Nagaland, India. Geobios.Meena KL—Palynological correlation of bore holesstudies in Ib-river Coalfield, Son-MahanadiGraben, Orissa. Palaeobotanist.Meena KL—Palynology of surface sediments62

Annual Report 1999-2000exposed in Basundhara Nala, Ib-river Coalfield,Sundargarh District, Orissa, India.Palaeobotanist.Mehrotra RC—Study of plant megafossils from theTura Formation of Nangalbibra, Garo Hills,Meghalaya. Palaeobotanist.Mehrotra RC, Mandaokar BD, Tiwari RP & RaiV—Teredolites clavatus from the Upper BhubanFormation of Aizawl District, Mizoram, India.Ichnos.Misra BK—Petrography, genesis and deposition ofTertiary coals of northeastern India.Palaeobotanist.Pokharia AK & Saraswat KS—Wood charcoalsremains from ancient Sanghol, Punjab (ca. 100-300 A.D.). Prãgdhãrã : J. State Archaeol. Dept.Prakash N—Floral diversity of two fossil sites(Dudhkol & Sitalpur) of Rajmahal Formation,Bihar, India. Palaeobotanist.Prasad M, †Antal JS, Tripathi PP & Pandey VK—Further contribution to the Siwalik flora from theKoilabas area, Western Nepal. Palaeobotanist.Rajanikanth A, Venkatachala BS & AshokKumar—Geological age of the Ptilophyllumflora - A critical assessement. J. Geol. Soc. India.Rao MR—Palynostratigraphic zonation of theTertiary sediments of the Kerala Basin, India.Proc. IX IPC, AASP. Palynology.Rao MR—Palynological investigation of theKherapara Formation (Oligocene) exposed alongTura Dalu Road near Kherapara, West Garo HillsDistrict, Meghalaya. Palaeobotanist.Saini DC—New phytogeographic record of someplants from Lucknow District, Uttar Pradesh –II. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot.Saini DC—New phytogeographic record of someplants from Lucknow District, Uttar Pradesh –III. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot.Saini DC—Flora of Bahraich District, Uttar Pradesh– II. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot.Saini DC—Flora of Bahraich District, Uttar Pradesh– III. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot.Sarkar S—Occurrence of Debarya (Zygnemataceae)from Late Miocene rocks of Western Nepal. Sci.& Cult.Sarkar S & Prasad V—Paleoenvironmentalsignificance of dinoflagellate cysts from theSubathu Formation (Late Ypresian-MiddleLutetian) of Koshalia Nala section, Shimla Hills,India. Himalayan Geol.Saxena RK—Palynostratigraphy of the Tertiarysediments of Meghalaya, Northeastern Indiapresentstatus and gaps. Palaeobotanist.Saxena RK & Sarkar S—Palynologicalinvestigation of the Siju Formation (MiddleEocene) in the type area, South Garo Hills,Meghalaya, India. Palaeobotanist.Sharma C & Chauhan MS—Late-Quaternarypollen record of vegetation and climate fromKupup Lake (Sikkim), Eastern Himalaya. J.Palaeont. Soc.Sharma C, Chauhan MS & Rajagopalan G—Vegetation and climate in Garhwal Himalayaduring last 4,000 years B.P. Palaeobotanist.Singh KJ—Plant biodiversity in Mahanadi Basin,India during the Gondwana period. Proc. XthGondw. Conf., Cape Town, South Africa.Singh KJ & Chandra S—Additionalpalaeobotanical information from MadhupurVillage, Talchir Coalfield, Orissa. Palaeobotanist.Sinha R, Sharma C & Chauhan MS—Sedimentological and pollen studies of coresfrom Lake Priyadarshini, Eastern Antarctica.Palaeobotanist.Srivastava R & Guleria JS—Grewinium, a newname for Grewioxylon Shallom non Schuster.Palaeobotanist.Srivastava Shyam C—A new seed taxon and otherassociated forms from the Triassic of India. Prof.S.N. Chaturvedi Felicitation Vol., AgraUniversity, Agra.Tewari R, Srivastava RK, Saraswat KS & SinghKK—Excavations at Malhar, district Chandauli(U.P.)- 1999: A preliminary Report. Prãgdhãrã :J. State Archaeol. Dept.Tripathi SKM, Saxena RK & Prasad V—Palynological investigation of the Tura Formation(Early Eocene) exposed along the Tura-DaluRoad, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India.Palaeobotanist.Trivedi GK & Saxena RK—Palynofloralinvestigation of the Kopili Formation (LateEocene) exposed near Umronso in North CacharHills District, Assam, India. Palaeobotanist.63

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyUpadhyay R, Chandra R, Sinha AK, Kar RK,Chandra S, Jha N & Rai H—Discovery ofGondwana plant fossils and palynomorphs ofLate Asselian (Early Permian) age in theKarakoram Block. Terra Nova.Vijaya—Palynology of the Jurassic-Cretaceoustransition in the Rajmahal Formation, WestBengal, India. Alcheringa.Vijaya & Roy A—Late Lower Jurassic palynomorphassemblage in the Dubrajpur sediments, BirbhumDistrict, West Bengal, India. Palaeobotanist.Yadav RR—Climatic variations over the westernHimalaya as deduced from tree-rings. Proc.Symp. Snow, Ice and Glaciers- A HimalayanPerspective, GSI, Lucknow.Articles/Reports publishedBajpai U 1999. Pattharon main dabe paudhe (inHindi). Vigyan Alok 2: 10-11.Bajpai U 1999. Vegetational scenario and climate ofcoal-bearing Gondwana. Environews 5: 7.Bhat GM, Pandita SK, Singh R, Malik MA &Sarkar S 1999. North west Himalayansuccession along Jammu-Srinagar Transect(Field guide). Indian. Assoc. Sedimentol.Aligarh: 1-141.Chandra A, Saraswat KS, Srivastava GP &Sharma M 1999. Recent activities in BirbalSahni Institute of Palaeobotany (MediaCommittee Report). BSIP.Farooqui A 1999. Sea level and climatic changessince the last deglaciation. Enviro News 4: 10.Guleria JS 1999. Conference Report- Systematicwood Anatomy Symposium, 7 th Latin AmericanBotanical Congress, Mexico. Palaeobotanist 48:102-103.Gupta A 1999. Conference Report- 4 th InternationalConference on Biodeterioration of CulturalProperty and 3rd International Symposium onConservation and Restoration of HistoricalObjects and Architectural Decorations.Palaeobotanist 48: 103.Jha N 1999. Hindi mein Vigyan lekhan- Samasyaeinavam nirakaran. Vish Vigyan Sandesh 5: 46-48.Khandelwal A 1999. Pollen allergy. NewsletterLUBDAA 2:15-17Saxena RK 1999. Bhukamp - Jab prithvi kaanp uthtihai. (in Hindi) Vigyan Alok 2: 4-7 & 18.Singh A 1999. “Methane gas - Abhishap BanaVardan” (in Hindi). Vigyan Alok 3: 6-7.Singh A & Singh BD 1999. Methane gas: Anunconventional energy resource. Curr. Sci. 76:1546-1553.Srivastava AK 1999. Bharatiya Koyla Shetra MeinKiton Ke Jivashm Evam Keit/Padap Sambodhonpar ek Vivechana. (in Hindi) Minetech 20: 54-56.Tewari R 1999. Internet mein simatata vishwa (inHindi). Vigyan Alok 2: 25-26.64

Annual Report 1999-2000Abstracts publishedAgarwal A & Ambwani K 1999. Angiospermousfossil fruit from Amberiwadi, District Ratnagiri,Maharashtra, India. XXII Indian Bot. Conf.,Mumbai.Ambwani K 1999. Affinities and evolution ofTrilatiporites Ramanujam (Sclerosperoma) fromthe Neyveli Lignite, Tamil Nadu, South India.XXII Indian Bot. Conf., Mumbai.Arya R, Guleria JS & Srivastava R 1999. Fossilremains of Syzygium Gaertn. and Arthromeris J.Sm. from the Kasauli sediments of HimachalPradesh, Northwest India. XVI Conv. IAS,Jammu: 70.Bajpai U 1999. Arrangement of sporopollenin unitsin the megaspore sporoderm of the genusSelaginella. Proc. XXIII Ann. Conf. EMSI,Kanpur : 118-120.Banerji J 1999. Lower Cretaceous petrified femaleand male cones from Rajmahal Hills, Bihar,India. VII Int. Symp. Mesozoic TerrestrialEcosystems, Buenos Aires: 8.Bhattacharyya A & Chaudhary V 2000. Tree ringanalysis from Eastern Himalayan region. PAGESWorkshop on South Asian Palaeoenvironments,Pune: 27.Bhattacharyya A, Chaudhary V & Gargen JT1999. Analysis of tree ring data of Abies pindrowaround Dokriani Bamak glacier, GarhwalHimalayas, in relation to climate and glacialbehaviour during recent past. Int. Symp.Multifaceted Aspects of Tree Ring Analysis,Lucknow: 9.Chandra S 1999. Late Devonian-Permian plantsuccession in India. XIV Int. Congr.Carboniferous Permian, Canada:Chandra S, Singh KJ, Mapes G & Rothwell GW1999. The Permian Coniferophytes Buriadia andBirsinghia. XVI Int. Bot. Congr., Missouri, USA:Chandra S, Singh KJ, Mapes G & Rothwell GW1999. Reconstructing Buriadia - A Permianconiferophyte form genus. XIV I.C.C.P., Calgary,Canada.Chaudhary V & Bhattacharyya A 1999. Tree ringanalysis of Larix griffithiana from northernSikkim and western Arunachal Pradesh, EasternHimalaya and its response to climate. Int. Symp.Multifaceted Aspects of Tree Ring Analysis,Lucknow: 34.Farooqui A & Bajpai U 1999. Stomatalmodifications for salt exudation in Rhizophoraapiculata Bl. Proc. XXIII Ann. Conf. EMSI,Kanpur: 121-124.Ghosh AK 1999. Late Oligocene (Chattian) Corallinealgae from southwestern Kutch mainland of Indiaand their palaeoenvironmental significance. 7 thInt. Symp. Fossil Algae, Nanjing, China: 19-20.Ghosh AK 2000. Benthic calcareous algae fromPetroliferous basins of India and theirsignificance. Nat. Conf. Plants, Microbes andEnvironment, Burdwan: 75-76.Ghosh AK, Maithy PK & Kumar G 1999.Dasycladacean Green algae from the Ordovicianof Spiti Basin, Tethyan Himalaya, HimachalPradesh, India and their connotation inpalaeoenvironment. 7 th Int. Symp. Fossil Algae,Nanjing, China: 21-22.Guleria JS & Srivastava R 1999. Growth ringstudies in Indian woods and their significance.Int. Symp. Multifaceted Aspect of Tree RingAnalysis, Lucknow: 17-18.Guleria JS, Srivastava R & Arya R 1999.Occurrence of Mitragyna Korth. in Neogenesediments of Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh and itspalaeoclimatic and palaeoecological significance.XVI Conv. IAS, Jammu: 73.Jha N 1999. Status of Barren Measures Formationin Godavari Valley - Palynological evidences:Workshop Geol. Pranhita Godavari Valley:Current status and future directions, Calcutta:Jha N 2000. Mesozoic palynoflora from SattupalliBlock, Chintalpudi sub-basin, Andhra Pradesh.XVII Indian Colloq. Micropalaeont. Stratigr.,Ujjain: 26-27Kar RK, Sahni A, Ambwani K & Dutta D 1999.Palynological assemblages from the DeccanIntertrappeans: implications for regionalcorrelation and K/T boundary. Deccan Trap Basaltand the K/T Boundary, Ahmedabad : 11-12.65

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyKhandelwal A 1999. Biodeterioration ofaerobioparticles: Scanning Electron Microscopicstudy. 10 th Nat. Conf. Aerobiology,Vishakhapatnam: 43.Khandelwal A 2000. Eco-friendly afforestation:Aspects and Prospects. Nat. Sem. Eco-Environmental Concerns 2000 and Beyond,Lucknow: 8.Kotlia BS, Sharma C, Bhalla MS & RajagopalanG 1999. Palaeoclimatic conditions in the LatePleistocene- Holocene Lacustrine Profile ofCentral Himalaya, India. INQUA Congr., DurbanSouth Africa.Kumar B, Das Sharma S, Dayal AM, Kale VS &Shukla M 1999. Carbon and Strontium isotopegeochemistry of Proterozoic carbonates of theKaladgi & Bhima Basins South India. FieldWorkshop integrated evaluation of the Kaladgiand Bhima Basins, Geol. Soc. India: 32.Malik MA, Sharma C, Sudan CS & Singh H 1999.Coring methods employed for recovering 40 mdeep sediment core from the Lakes of Jammu.XVI-Conv. IAS, Jammu: 90.Mazari RK, Kumar R, Bagati TN, Chauhan MS& Rajagopalan G 2000. Holocene climatechanges in part of Higher Trans HimalayanTransition Zone, Himachal Pradesh, India.PAGES Workshop on South Asian Palaeoenvironments,Pune: 59-60.Park W-K, Seo J-W, Lee J-H, Yadav RR &Ovtchinnikov D 1999. Development of tree-ringchronologies of Pinus densiflora and theirapplications in South Korea. Int. Symp.Multifaceted Aspects of Tree Ring Analysis,Lucknow: 35.Prasad M 1999. Plant fossils from Siwalik sedimentsof Tanakpur area in the Himalayan foot hills ofUttar Pradesh and its palaeoclimatic implication.XVI Conv. IAS, Jammu: 78.Rajanikanth A 1999. Early angiosperms in India -An evasive fossil record. Int. Bot. Congr.,Missouri, USA: 954 (5145).Rajanikanth A 1999. Post-Gondwana preangiospermmixed flora of India - Anevolutionary necessity. VII Int. Symp. MesozoicTerrestrial Ecosystems, Buenos Aires: 54.Rajanikanth A 1999. Palaeofloristics of Mesozoicsediments in the Pranhita Godavari Graben - Anintegrated analysis. Workshop on Geology of thePranhita Godavari Valley-Current Status andfuture directions, Calcutta: 30.Rajanikanth A & Tewari R 1999. Occurrence ofGondwana fossil at Pisdura, Nand DongargaonBasin. Workshop on Geology of the PranhitaGodavari Valley: Current Status and Futuredirections, Calcutta: 29.Rajanikanth A & Tewari R 1999. Growth rings asclimate indicators in the Indian Gondwana. Int.Symp. Multifaceted Aspects of Tree RingAnalysis, BSIP, Lucknow: 10.Ram-Awatar 1999. Palynostratigraphy of subsurfacePali sediments, Sohagpur Coalfield, M.P., India.XVI Conv. IAS, Jammu: 71-72.Rao MR & Rajanikanth A 1999. Spore-Pollen -reliable ecological signatures. 10 th Nat. Conf.Aerobiology and its applications,Vishakhapatnam: 29.Saraswat KS 1999. Plant economy of EarlyHarappans at ancient Kunal, district Hisar,Haryana. Joint Annual Conf.: Indian Archaeol.Soc., Indian Soc. Prehistoric and QuaternaryStudies and Indian History and Culture Soc.,Pune: 35.Sarkar S 1999. Sedimentary organic matter as anindicator of depositional environment in JammuSurai Khola Siwalik succession (Miocene-Pliocene) of western Nepal. XVI Conv. I.A.S.,:33.Sarkar S & Prasad V 2000. Morphological studyof Thalassiphora Eisenack & Gocht from thePalaeogene rocks of Lesser Himalaya, India.XVII Indian Colloq. Micropaleont. Stratigr.,Ujjain: 65.Sharma C 2000. Synoptic evaluation of late-Quaternary vegetation and climatic datagenerated from Himalayan lake sediments withspecial reference to Darjeeling and Sikkimregions. PAGES Workshop on South AsianPalaeoenvironments, Pune: 68-69.Sharma C, Dixit A & Malik MA 1999.Palaeoclimatic inferences from Lacustrinesediments from Surinsar Lake, Jammu. XVII66

Annual Report 1999-2000Indian Colloq. Micropaleont. Stratigr., Ujjain:75-76.Sharma C, Srivastava C & Yadav DN 1999.Holocene History of vegetation and climate offresh-water Punlota Lake in Eastern Rajasthan,India. XVI-Conv. IAS, Jammu: 79-80.Sharma M & Shukla M 1999. Gigantism inNeoproterozoic carbonaceous megaremains, apossible marker event: Evidences from the Bhimaand the Kurnool of South India. 7 th Int. Symp.Fossil Algae, Nanjing, China : 64-66.Sharma M, Shukla M & Kale VS 1999.Stromatolites of the Kaladgi Basin: theirsystematics age implications and biostratigraphy.Field Workshop on integrated evaluation of theKaladgi and Bhima Basins, Geol. Soc. India: 36.Singh A & Singh BD 1999. Petrology of the Kanhancoals, Satpura Gondwana Basin (India) vis-à-viscoal bed methane. Int. Conf. Coal bed methane:prospects and potentialities, Calcutta : 15.Srivastava AK & Tewari R 1999.Palaeogeographical significance of Gondwanaplant fossils in South-East Asia. Int. Symp. andField Workshop Geodynamics and TectonicEvolution of China and related GondwananCoastal Fragments, China.Srivastava C 1999. Plant economy at ancientMahorana, Sangrur District, Punjab (ca. 2300B.C.-A.D. 200). Joint Annual Conf.: IndianArchaeol. Soc., Indian Soc. Prehistoric andQuaternary Studies and Indian History andCulture Soc., Pune: 44.Tewari R 1999. Evolutionary failure of Glossopteris- A view point. VII Int. Symp. MesozoicTerrestrial Ecosystems, Argentina: 60-61.Trivedi GK 1999. Palynology of the Dafla Formation(Early-Middle Miocene) exposed alongBhalukpong-Bomdila Road, West KamengDistrict, Arunachal Pradesh. XVI Conv. IAS,Jammu: 68.Trivedi GK 1999. Palynological investigation of theKopili Formation (Late Eocene) exposed alongUmsohryngkew River section, Therriaghat, EastKhasi Hills District, Meghalaya, India. Nat.Symp. Frontiers of Research in Plant Sciences,Calcutta: 75.Trivedi GK 1999. Palaeoenvironmental significanceof palynofossils from the Neogene sediments ofArunachal Pradesh, India. Nat. Workshop onArunachal Pradesh- Environmental Planning andSustainable Development Opportunities andChallenges, Itanagar:Vijaya & Prasad GVR 1999. Reappraisal on the ageof Kota Formation, P-G Valley, India. XVI Conv.IAS, Jammu:Yadav RR & Singh J 2000. Tree-ring chronologiesfrom Western Himalaya, India. PAGESWorkshop on South Asian Palaeoenvironment,Pune: 25-26.67

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyAUDIT REPORTto the Governing Body of theBirbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, LucknowWe have audited the attached Balance Sheet of Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow, as at31st March, 2000, Income and Expenditure Account and Receipt & Payment Account for the year ended onthat date and subject to our comments and observations as given in Annexure ‘A’, we report that :-In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us the saidaccounts give a true and fair view :-(i) In the case of Balance Sheet, of the State of affairs of the Institute as at 31st March, 2000.(ii)(iii)In the case of Income and Expenditure Account, of the excess/deficit of income over expenditurefor the year then ended, andIn the case of Receipt and Payment Account, of the receipts and payments of Institute for theyear then ended.For Singh Agarwal & AssociatesChartered AccountantsDate : 27.07.2000Place : LucknowSd/-Mukesh K. Agarwal(Partner)68

Annual Report 1999-2000ANNEXURE - ‘A’(Annexed to and forming part of the Audit Report for the year ended 31st March, 2000)Comments/Audit Observations on Accounts of Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknowfor the year ended 31st March, 2000ACCOUNTS1. The Accounts of the Institute are being maintained on cash basis, except a portion amounting toRs.10.00 lacs of the DST Grant from Govt. of India which was received during the financial year 2000-2001,have been accounted-for during the year under audit, on the basis of sanction.2. An unsettled advance amounting to Rs. 1317.00 is pending for recovery since 1983-84 against bookspurchased. Efforts be made for the recovery/settlement of the same.PUBLICATIONS3. On scrutiny of records of the priced publications of the Institute, it has been observed that during thelast several years, the Institute had brought-out publications on different subject with an objective to sell-outthe same, in the market. The stock position of these priced publications as on 31.03.2000 was Rs.27.07 lacsapart from the reserved stock of Rs. 4.26 lacs. Thus the total stock of the publications stood at Rs. 31.33 lacsat the close of the year.LIBRARY4. No physical verification of the library books was carried out by the management during the year underaudit. It was explained to us, that as per Central Government Rules, the library stocks are physically verifiedafter a time-gap of 5 years. Last physical verification was done in April,1997 and the next is due in April,2002.STORES5. The Fixed Assets register is being maintained on proper lines since 1988, which was produced beforeus for our examination. According to the information & explanations furnished to us, no physical verificationof fixed assets has been carried-out. More-over identification marks on the fixed assets have also not beenmade for quick and proper verification of the same.6. The Institute, being a non-profit earning organisation, no depreciation on fixed assets has been provided.RESERVES7. Reserve Fund & Pension FundDuring the year no appropriation against the Reserve Fund and Pension Fund were made out of InstituteFunds. As explained to us, separate investment could not be made against the balances of these funds to thetune of Rs. 126.51 lacs and Rs. 49.43 lacs appearing in the books under the respective heads, reason beingthe shortage of resources.8. Employees Provident FundAs against the total reserves of Rs. 260.97 lacs against the Employees Provident Fund as on 31.03.2000,a sum of Rs. 215.87 lacs was invested with Nationalised Banks and other organisations as prescribed underthe provisions of the Bye-Laws of the Institute.For Singh Agarwal & AssociatesChartered AccountantsDate : 27.07.2000Place : LucknowSd/-Mukesh K. Agarwal(Partner)69

Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanySeriatim Replies to the comments offered by the Chartered Accountants onthe final accounts of the Institutes for the Year 1999-2000ACCOUNTS1. Statement of facts. No comments.2. The amount of Rs.439.00 has since been settled leaving an unsettled advance of Rs. 878.00 for theyear 1983-84. Publisher is being regularly reminded for supply of the issues.PUBLICATIONS3. The stock position of the priced publications stands to Rs. 26.545 lacs as on 31.8.2000. Furtherefforts are being made to sell out the unsold stock.LIBRARY4. Statement of facts. Hence no comments.STORES5. Efforts are being made to verify the physical stock of the fixed assets and put an identification markthereon wherever considered necessary.6. Statement of facts, Hence no comments.RESERVES7. It is an statement of facts. Reason being shortage of funds.EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND8. Statement of facts. No comments.Sd/-J.C. Singh(Accounts Officer)Sd/-S.C. Bajpai(Registrar)Sd/-Anshu K. Sinha(Director)70

Annual Report 1999-2000Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, LucknowBalance Sheet as at March 31, 2000Fig. in RupeesPrevious Year (Liabilities) Current Year1998-99 Sources of Funds 1999-200095615315 1. Capital Fund 9488547113340328 2. Current Liability 1763605812650889 3. Reserve Fund 126508894942816 4. Pension Fund 4942816882587 5. Donated Fund 87775748784 6. Deposit Accounts 12318521950013 7. General Provident Fund 26096917149430732 Total 157213093Previous Year (Assets) Current Year1998-99 Application of Fund 1999-20001. Fixed Assets78984556 I) Owned Assets 84438618671075 II) Donated Assets 671075192000 2. Investments 19200018086644 3. Excess of expend. over income 1338748111952739 4. Loans and advances/deposits 1483329712650889 5. Reserve Fund 126508894942816 6. Pension Fund 494281621950013 7. General Provident Fund 26096917149430732 Total 157213093CERTIFICATECertified that the figures of Assets as shown in the Balance Sheet have been reconciled with the totalfigure of Assets shown in the relevant Registers of the Institute.For Singh Agarwal & AssociatesChartered AccountantsSd/-Mukesh K. Agarwal(Partner)Sd/-J.C. Singh(Accounts Officer)Sd/-S.C. Bajpai(Registrar)Sd/-Anshu K. Sinha(Director)71

3Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, LucknowIncome and Expenditure Account for the year ending March 31, 2000Fig. in Rupees72Previous Year Schedule Current YearPlan Non Plan Total Plan Non Plan TotalIncome :15890000 17800000 33690000 1. Grants 26729844 17300000 440298440 523947 523947 2. R and D Receipts 0 361051 3610510 129970 129970 3. Misc. Income & Recoveries 0 50670 506700 382000 382000 4. Interest 0 166753 16675315890000 18835917 34725917 Total 26729844 17878474 44608318Expenditure :1576711 33418402 34995113 1. Pay & Allowances 18477663 14043787 325214501229272 109000 1338272 2. Academic Expenses 638494 69641 708135733568 9045 742613 3. Expenses on Units/Services 569260 32035 601295Ancillary to research565934 0 565934 4. Travelling Expenses 559325 0 559325147508 139859 287367 5. Publication Expenses 58540 301497 3600373240436 457722 3698158 6. Contingencies 3189478 437358 36268361780962 0 1780962 7. Maintenance & Repairs 1532077 0 15320776615609 -15298111 -8682502 Balance Carried Down 1705007 2994156 469916315890000 18835917 34725917 Total 26729844 17878474 446083186615609 -15298111 -8682502 Balance of Income & Expenditure 1705007 2994156 4699163Birbal Sahni Institute of PalaeobotanyLess Appropriation during the year-5000000 0 -5000000 Reserve Fund 0 0 0-1000000 0 -1000000 Pension Fund 0 0 0Balance transferred to Capital Fund615609 -15298111 -14682502 Net Excess of Income over Expend. 1705007 2994156 4699163For Singh Agarwal & AssociatesChartered AccountantsSd/-Mukesh K. Agarwal(Partner)Sd/-J.C. Singh(Accounts Officer)Sd/-S.C. Bajpai(Registrar)Sd/-Anshu K. Sinha(Director)

73Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, LucknowReceipts and Payments Account for the year ending March 31, 2000Receipts Plan Non-Plan Total Payments Plan Non-Plan TotalTo Opening Balance By Fixed Assets 7127829 0 7127829Bank Current AccountRevenue & Capital 7918840 -21327708 -13408868By Pay and Allowances 18477663 8066558 26544221G.P.F. 0 6000 6000By Retiring Expenses 0 5977229 5977229Deposit A/C Capital 26034 0 26034Revenue 22750 0 22750 By Academic Expenses 638494 69641 708135By Expn Services/Units 569260 32035 601295Ancillary to researchCash In Hand 0 245 245By Travelling Expenses 559325 0 559325By Publication Expenses 58540 301497 360037By Maintenance & Repairs 1532077 0 1532077Donation Account 0 19511 19511 By Contingencies 3189478 437358 3626836To Project AccountsBy Advances 1854000 98100 1952100Opening Balance 1991352 0 1991352Grants 793246 0 793246 By General Provident Fund 246496 7130947 7377443To Grants : 26000000 17300000 43300000By Miscellaneous Payment 102279 3682308 3784587To Refund of CNR Advance 88556 0 88556To Donation and EndowmentBy Investment/Appropriation Fund 0 0 0Maturity 0 0 0By Deposit Account 0 0 0Interest 0 1835 1835By Project Account 1424398 0 1424398To R & D Receipts 0 361051 361051By Donation Account 0 6665 6665To Admn. Receipts 348775 11632224 11980999By Closing Cash & Bank BalancesTo Deposit Account 74401 0 74401Deposit Account (C.N.R.) 100435 0 100435To Interest 0 0 0Current Account (Capital) 0 0 0To Misc. Income & Recovery 0 49207 49207Deposit Account (Revenue) 22750 0 22750To Pension FundG.P.F 0 0 0Opening Balance 0 4942816 4942816Addition 0 0 0 Current Account (Revenue) 730 -17775145 -17774415To Reserve Fund Cash in Hand 0 491 491Opening Balance 12650889 0 12650889 Donation Account 0 14681 14681Addition 0 0 0Project Accounts 1360200 0 1360200To Other Receipt 0 0 0Pension Fund 0 4942816 4942816Reserve Fund 12650889 0 12650889Total :- 49914843 12985181 62900024 Total :- 49914843 12985181 62900024Fig. in RupeesAnnual Report 1999-2000For Singh Agarwal & AssociatesChartered AccountantsSd/-Mukesh K. Agarwal(Partner)Sd/-J.C. Singh(Accounts Officer)Sd/-S.C. Bajpai(Registrar)Sd/-Anshu K. Sinha(Director)

PrefaceThe Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany Lucknow has been a nodal centre of excellence inpalaeobotanical and allied researches. Being a family institution of Department of Science and Technology,Government of India, the organisation plays a pivotal role to disseminate the palaeobotanical and earthscience knowledge at a global level.Changing facets of technological developments opened new vistas in reorienting scientific research. Tokeep pace with speedy progress in different disciplines of science an integrated approach of research hasbeen adopted to meet the aims and objectives of the Institute. Palaeobotanical and allied earth scienceresearches have been given a new impetus under identified Thrust Areas. The present Annual Report for1999-2000 incorporates accumulated research findings during the year and various organisational activities.Systematised research information under various categories symbolises commitment by scientific staff workingunder fifteen projects. Individual, group and collaborative endeavours helped to generate new data on variousaspects of palaeoclimate, stratigraphic correlation, palaeopalynology, evolution, coal petrology, isotope studiesand related areas. In the process the expertise developed is utilised to extend services to outside agenciesunder consultancy, contract research and contract training services.I am extremely happy to forward this document, an outcome of participatory involvement at variouslevels. The advice and guidance of the Governing Body and the Research Advisory Council has been aconstant inspiration to accomplish target oriented tasks. The help extended by Dr G. Rajagopalan, projectco-ordinators and senior scientists is appreciated. Untiring inputs by the members of Research Coordinationand Planning Cell – Drs Suresh C. Srivastava, Ashwini K. Srivastava, Archana Tripathi and Bhagwan D.Singh; Publication Unit – Drs Annamraju Rajanikanth and Mukund Sharma, and other scientific, technicaland administrative staff helped to bring out this report. I thankfully acknowledge their co-operation.Anshu K. SinhaDirector(i)

Executive SummaryThe Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany hasbeen carrying out researches during 1999-2000 onvarious aspects of Palaeobotany and allied subjectsunder following Thrust Areas: (1) Antiquity of Life;(2) Gondwana Supercontinent: Regional geology,floristics, terrane accretion, plate tectonics andconfiguration; (3) Biopetrology of Indian coals inrelation to coal bed methane; (4) Floristics ofpetroliferous basins, and (5) Quaternary vegetation,climate and monsoon.Significant contributions and discoveriesFirst record of metazoan fossils like vertical burrows/ichnofossilsand medusoid remains fromNeoproterozoic Paniam Quartzite of KurnoolBasin indicates the appearance of animal life inIndian shield area.Discovery of Early Permian plant remains andLate Asselian palynomorphs from KarakoramTerrane provides crucial clue regarding thepalaeogeographic reconstruction of theKarakoram-Himalayan block in the Permian. TheKarakoram Terrane was close to the Salt Range.The micro-continents accreted with Indian Plateduring Cimmerian orogenic cycle.Permian plant fossils from Arunachal Pradeshindicate presence of Glossopterid floral elementscomparable with the flora of Barakar Formationof peninsular India. Among the Gondwana groupof plants, dichotomous development pattern inGlossopterids has been analysed on the basis ofmorphological features of leaves andfructifications.Palynological study of intra-cratonic Gondwanasequences indicate palynofloral transition fromLate Triassic to Early Jurassic sequences particularlyin Rajmahal Basin. Neocomian palynofossilinvestigations demonstrate continuity of UpperJurassic–Early Cretaceous sequences in IndianCraton.Petrological investigations of Permian Barakarcoals from Kanhan area of Satpura GondwanaBasin indicate coals within the threshold of methanegeneration.(ii)Plant bearing Tertiary sediments of Warkala Formation,Kerala coast and Mahuadanr, Bihar havebeen found to contain insect remains in resinlumps. The productive resins are suitable for thestudy of fossil DNA. A collaborative study hasbeen initiated with Centre for Cellular and MolecularBiology, Hyderabad.On the basis of fossil angiospermic remains fromTertiary sediments of Arunachal Pradesh existenceof tropical evergreen to littoral and swampyforests conditions were deduced. The flora alsoshows the migration of some plants from Malaysia.Prevalence of evergreen semi-evergreenforest under warm humid climate is interpretedaround Bilaspur in the Himalayan foot-hills onthe basis of leaf impressions recovered fromSiwalik sediments. Moist conditions with plentyof rainfall have been interpreted on the basis offossil woods of Intertrappean sediments of Kutch.Further discovery of mango fossil leaf inMeghalaya confirms the earliest record of mangoin North East Himalayan region of India duringPalaeocene (55 Ma).Selective association and distribution ofmicrofossils from Eocene rocks of Morni Hills(H.P.) indicate fluctuating environment of depositiondue to sea level changes. Palynology ofSiwalik sediments of Nadah area (Haryana) suggestspresence of wet grassland with open andmixed flora during Pinjor sedimentation.Botryococcus, an oil forming green alga has beenrecovered from Eocene rocks of Jammu andKashmir. The study is helpful in understandingthe source rock evaluation which might help inthe discovery of oil fields in the foot-hills ofHimalaya.Pollen analysis of sedimentary profile fromPunlota Lake, Nagaur District (Rajasthan) hasrevealed successive climatic phases 9200-8050yrs B.P. arid, 8050-3810 yrs B.P. warm moist,around 3810–1325 yrs B.P. decrease in warm andmoist conditions, and lastly comparatively drieror more or less similar conditions as in precedingphase.

Silty clay sediments from the lake bed,Priyadarshini, Eastern Antarctica have been processedand a low hydrolysing periglacialdepositional environment is deduced. Pollenanalysis identifies three pollen zones based onthe fluctuations in the retrieved palynomorphswhich apparently manifest palaeoclimatic oscillationsduring Holocene.Evidence of carbonised botanical remains fromarchaeological site at Mesolithic Damdama inPratapgarh District (U.P.) indicates shift from thehunter-gatherer economy of Stone age people tothe sedentary life style of early Neolithic agriculturalistsin the Ganga Valley.The tree ring chronology prepared from samplesof Abies pindrow growing around DokrianiBamak Glacier extending back to 1614 A.D. exhibitsperiods of low and high growth whichmight be linked with glacial fluctuation of thisregion.The chronology of palynologically analysed peatsamples from Phulera, Kumaon (U.P.) works outto 15900±150 yrs B.P. (C-14 age). The samplefrom Priyadarshini Lake, Antarctica is dated as7190±300 yrs B.P.During the year 61 research papers and 54 abstractswere published and 57 papers were acceptedfor publication. Thirty-five research paperswere presented in International and NationalConferences. In International Conferences 2 scientistswere deputed while 28 scientists attendedthe Conferences organised in the country.Related ReferencesBhattacharyya A & Yadav RR 1999. Climatic reconstructionsusing tree-ring data from tropical andtemperate regions of India: a review. IAWA J.20 : 311-316.Chandra R, Upadhyay R & Sinha AK 1999. Subductionand collision related magmatism in theShyok Suture and eastern Karakoram. Palaeobotanist48 : 317-324.Mehrotra RC, Awasthi N & Dutta SK 1999. Study offossil wood from the upper Tertiary sediments(Siwalik) of Arunachal Pradesh, India and itsimplication in palaeoecological andphytogeographical interpretations. Review ofPalaeobotany and Palynology 107 : 223-247.Prasad V & Sarkar S 2000. Paleoenvironmental significanceof Botryococcus (Chlorococcales) inthe Subathu Formation of Jammu and Kashmir,India. Current Science 78 : 682-685.Srivastava AK 1999. Dichotomous development patternin Glossopterid. Proc. Int. Scient. Conf. Dichotomyand Homology. Tyumen, Russia : 107-120.Upadhyay R, Chandra R, Rai H, Jha N, Chandra S,Kar RK & Sinha AK 1999. First find of the EarlyPermian Lower Gondwana plant remains andpalynomorphs from the Chhongtash Formation(Upper Shyok Valley), eastern Karakoram, India.Palaeobotanist 48 : 7-18.Upadhyay R, Sinha AK, Chandra R & Rai H 1999.Tectonic and magmatic evolution of the easternKarakoram, India. Geodinamica Acta 12 : 341-358.Vijaya 1999. Palynological dating of the Neocomian-Aptian succession in the Indian Peninsula. CretaceousResearch 20 : 597-608.International ConferenceAn International Conference on “MultifacetedAspects of Tree Ring Analysis” was organised in BSIPduring November 15-19, 1999 which provided aplatform to discuss recent trends and developmentsin this discipline. The scientific deliberations weremade by scientists from 8 countries. Institute ispublishing the proceedings in the journal ‘ThePalaeobotanist’.Antarctica ExpeditionOne of the BSIP scientists participated in “19 thIndian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica” fromNovember 28, 1999 to March 09, 2000. A number oflake sites, valleys and Nunatak in and aroundSchirmachar Oasis, East Antarctica were surveyed.Collected a large number of samples including mosscushions, soil, dry algal mat, snow and ice and onelake sediment profile from Zub Lake near Maitri andadjoining areas. The expedition is being continuedin the next year as well.(iii)

Forensic PalynologyIn order to carry out researches on forensicpalynology a core group of scientists of Quaternarypalynology is formed to undertake the study incollaboration with the organisations dealing withforensic sciences in New Zealand and USA. This isan emerging new application of palaeobotanicalresearches in forensic science and useful for PoliceDepartment.Integrated Long Term Programme between BSIPand Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)A project entitled “Floral and climatic evolutionbased on Geologic and Biotic events duringPrecambrian and Phanerozoic Time” has beeninitiated under ILTP of co-operation in Science andTechnology between India and Russia. BSIP has beenchosen as the nodal agency under the umbrella ofEarth and Planetary Sciences on palaeoclimaticresearches.MonographA Monograph entitled “An introduction toGymnosperms, Cycas and Cycadales” of Prof. D.D.Pant, Allahabad is being processed for publication.Consultancy servicesThe Institute has rendered consultancy servicesto the personnel from various organisations inradiocarbon dating, electron microscopy, palynologyand identification of fossil remains.Memorial Lectures10 th September 1999 was observed as FoundationDay. Dr Nitya Anand, FNA, Former Director, CDRIdelivered 3 rd Jubilee Lecture on “Drug Research:Today and Tomorrow”. On the Founder’s Day, theInstitute’s staff and members from other organisationsoffered ‘Pushpanjali” on Founder’s ‘Samadhi’ . Onthis occasion 45 th Sir Albert Charles SewardMemorial and 29 th Birbal Sahni Memorial lectureswere delivered by Dr D.J. Batten and Dr Hari Narainrespectively.Medal AwardsThe first “T.M. Harris International Medal” waspresented to Professor David J. Batten, Institute ofGeography and Earth Sciences, University of Wales,U.K. The Medal was awarded on November 14, 1998for his scientific contribution on “Palynofacies”.Web Site and Internet accessThe Institute web site (www.bsip-india.org) hasbeen launched on November 14, 1999. The Institutehas registered a domain “bsip.res.in” on the Internet.Internet access to scientists has been provided at 60nodes throughout the institute.(iv)

ContentsPreface ................................................................................................................................... (i)Executive Summary .............................................................................................................. (ii)Organisational StructureGoverning Body ....................................................................................................1Research Advisory Council ...................................................................................1Finance and Building Committee ..........................................................................2Institute’s Organisational set-up ............................................................................3ResearchThrust areas, Projects & Components ...................................................................4Contributions other than Project Work ................................................................ 29Collaborative Work .............................................................................................31Sponsored Projects .............................................................................................. 34Recognition............................................................................................................................36Representation in Committees/Boards ..................................................................................37Lectures delivered .................................................................................................................39Deputation/Training/Study/Visit abroad/in Country .............................................................40Deputation to Conferences/Symposia/Seminars/Workshops ................................................42Papers presented at Conferences/Symposia/Meetings ..........................................................43Doctoral Degree Awarded ..................................................................................................... 45Consultancy/Technical Assistance rendered ......................................................................... 45UnitsPublication ........................................................................................................... 46Library .................................................................................................................47Museum ...............................................................................................................48Herbarium ............................................................................................................ 49Electronic Data Processing ..................................................................................50Section Cutting ....................................................................................................50Foundation Day & Founder’s Day ........................................................................................ 51National Science Day ............................................................................................................ 52Distinguished Visitors ........................................................................................................... 52Status of Official Language ................................................................................................... 53Reservations and Concessions...............................................................................................54The StaffScientists .............................................................................................................. 55Technical Personnel .............................................................................................56Administrative Personnel .................................................................................... 57Appointments ......................................................................................................57Promotions ........................................................................................................... 58Resumption of duty .............................................................................................58Retirements ..........................................................................................................58Obituary ...............................................................................................................58Papers published .................................................................................................................... 59Papers accepted for publication.............................................................................................62Articles/Reports published ....................................................................................................64Abstracts published ...............................................................................................................65Audit and Accounts-Balance Sheet for the year 1999-2000 ................................................. 68

AcknowledgementWe are grateful to the Department of Science and Technology,Government of India, New Delhi, to the Research AdvisoryCouncil and the Governing Body of the Institute for continuedsupport and guidance.