Organisational Structure - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

Annual Report 2000-2001 

Organisational Structure 

GOVERNING BODY 

Chairman 

(w.e.f. 20.06.2000) 

Professor C.V. Subramanian 

Professor Ashok Sahni 

A-8, Damayanthi Apartments 

Dean of University Instruction & 

17, South Mada Street, Nungampakkam Professor of Geology 

Chennai- 600 034 

Panjab University 

Chandigarh – 160 014 

Members 

Professor V.S. Ramamurthy, 

Professor V.S. Ramamurthy, 

Secretary or his Nominee 

Secretary or his Nominee 

Department of Science & Technology 

DST, Technology Bhavan 

Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road 

New Mehrauli Road 

New Delhi – 110 016 New Delhi – 110 016 

Shri Arun Sharma, Joint Secretary 

Shri Arun Sharma, Joint Secretary 

& Financial Adviser or his Nominee 

& Financial Adviser or his Nominee 

Department of Science & Technology 

DST, Technology Bhavan 


New Mehrauli Road 

New Delhi -110 016 New Delhi -110 016 

Professor M.S. Srinivasan 

Dr. H.K. Gupta, Director 

Department of Geology 

National Geophysical Research Institute 

Banaras Hindu University 

Uppal Road 

Varanasi- 221 005 Hyderabad – 500 037 

Dr V.C. Thakur 

Professor J.S. Singh 

Ex-Director, WIHG 

Department of Botany 

9/12, Ashirwad Enclave Banaras Hindu University 

Dehradun- 248 001 Varanasi- 221 005 

Dr S.C.D. Sah 

†Professor D.D. Pant 

No. 9, Vikaspuram Enclave 

106, Tagore Town 

New Forest Allahabad – 211 002 

Dehradun -248 006 

Members (Ex-officio) 

Dr. N.P. Singh 

Dr. N.P. Singh 

Director 

Director 

Botanical Survey of India 

Botanical Survey of India 

P-8, Brabourne Road 

P-8, Brabourne Road 

Calcutta -700 001 Kolkata -700 001 

Dr S.K. Acharyya 

Dr S.K. Acharyya 

Director General 

Director General 

Geological Survey of India 

Geological Survey of India 

27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road 

Calcutta- 700 016 Kolkata - 700 016 

1

2 

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany 

Professor N.K. Mehrotra 

Professor M.P. Singh 



Lucknow University 


Lucknow -226 007 Lucknow – 226 007 

Member-Secretary (Ex-officio) 

Professor Anshu K. Sinha, Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany 

Non-Member Assistant Secretary (Ex-officio) 

Mr. S.C. Bajpai, Registrar, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany 

RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL 

Chairman 

(w.e.f. 01.10.2000) 

Professor P.S. Ramakrishnan 


School of Environmental Sciences 


Jawaharlal Nehru University 


New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi -110 067 Varanasi - 221 005 

Member-Convener (Ex-officio) 

Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany 

Members 

Professor M.S. Srinivasan 

Dr. K.R. Gupta 


Adviser (ESS), DST 



Varanasi - 221 005 New Delhi –110 016 

Professor S.K. Tandon 

Professor B.D. Sharma 


Kathmandi 

University of Delhi Narnaul – 123 001 

Delhi- 110 007 

Haryana 


Professor I.B. Singh 





Varanasi -221 005 Lucknow – 226 007 

Professor K. Gopalan 

Dr. N.D. Mitra 

Emeritus Scientist 

49 D, Townshend Road 

National Geophysical Research Institute 

Bhawanipur 

Uppal Road, Hyderabad- 500 007 Kolkata – 700 025 

Professor S.N. Agashe 

Professor S.N. Agashe 

Department of Botany, Bangalore University 

Department of Botany, Bangalore University 

401, 41st Cross, 5th Block 401, 41 st Cross, 5 th Block 

Jayanagar 

Jayanagar 

Bangalore - 560 041 Bangalore – 560 041 

Professor Manju Banerjee 

Professor Manju Banerjee 



Calcutta University 

Calcutta University 

35, Ballygunge Circular Road 35, Ballygunge Circular Road 

Calcutta - 700 019 Kolkata - 700 019


Shri Kuldeep Chandra 

Shri Kuldeep Chandra 

Regional Director, ONGC 

Executive Director, ONGC 

KDM Institute of Petroleum Exploration 

KDM Institute of Petroleum Exploration 

9, Kaulagarh Road 9, Kaulagarh Road 

Dehradun -248 195 Dehradun -248 195 

Professor V.N. Raja Rao 

Professor P.K. Khare 

Centre of Advanced Study in 


Botany, University of Madras 

Allahabad University 

Guindy Campus Allahabad – 211 002 

Chennai- 600 025 

Professor K.S. Manilal 

Professor S.B. Bhatia 

D-37, Jawahar Nagar 441, Sector 6 

Calicut- 673 006 

Panchkula – 134 109, Haryana 

Member (Ex-officio) 

Shri Ravi Shanker 

Shri Ravi Shanker 

Senior Dy. Director General 

Senior Dy. Director General 

GSI, Northern Region, Sector ‘E’ 

GSI, Northern Region, Sector ‘E’ 

Aliganj, Lucknow- 226 020 Aliganj, Lucknow- 226 020 

Non-Member Secretary (Ex-officio) 

Registrar, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany 

FINANCE & BUILDING COMMITTEE 

Professor C.V. Subramanian 

Chairman, Governing Body 


Chairman (Ex-officio) 

(w.e.f. 01.10.2000) 

Professor Ashok Sahni 

Chairman, Governing Body 


Shri Arun Sharma 

Joint Secretary & Financial Adviser 

or his Nominee, DST, New Delhi 

Dr S.C.D. Sah 

Member, Governing Body 


Members 

Shri Arun Sharma 

Joint Secretary & Financial Adviser 

or his Nominee, DST, New Delhi 

Professor M.P. Singh 

Member, Governing Body 


Shri S.P. Elhence 

Shri V.P. Garg 

Chief Engineer (Retd.), UPPWD 

71, Mall Avenue 

B-87, Indiranagar 

Avas Vikas Colony 

Lucknow- 226 016 Lucknow – 226 001 

Member (Ex-officio) 

Director, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany 

Non-Member Secretary (Ex-officio) 

Registrar, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany 

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ORGANISATIONAL SET-UP 

CHAIRMAN 

GOVERNING 

BODY 

RESEARCH 

ADVISORY 

COUNCIL 

FINANCE & 

BUILDING 

COMMITTEE 

DIRECTOR 

THRUST AREAS 

RESEARCH GROUPS 

UNITS ANCILLARY 

TO RESEARCH 

ADMINISTRATION 

Antiquity of Life 

Gondwana Supercontinent: 

Regional Geology, Floristics, 

Terrane Accretion, Plate 

Tectonics and Configuration 

Biopetrology of Indian Coals in 

relation to Coal Bed Methane 

Floristics of Petroliferous 

Basins 

Quaternary Vegetation, Climate 

and Monsoon 

Research Planning 

and Co-ordination Cell 

Publication 

Library 

Museum 

Herbarium 

Maceration 

Laboratory 

Workshop 

Scanning Electron 

Microscope 

REGISTRAR 

Finance and Accounts 

Establishment 

Scientific Activities 

Stores & Purchase 

Works, Building & 

Maintenance 

Transport & 

Guest House 

Electronic Data 

Procesing 

Photography 

4


Research 

Thrust Area: Antiquity of Life 

Project 1: Palaeobiology and biostratigraphy of Precambrian Basin 

Component 2: Morphotaxonomical studies of biological remains of both micro- and mega-fossils 

from the Meso/Neoproterozoic sediments of the Kurnool and Chhattisgarh 

Studied macrofossils comprising 

Longfengshania and Tawuia from the Owk Shale 

Formation exposed at Ankireddipalle village and also 

recovered more thallophytic algae from the chert bed 

in Koilkuntala Limestone Formation, Kurnool Group 

exposed near Nandikotkur in Kurnool district, Andhra 

Pradesh. Fresh collection of ichnofossils/dubiofossils 

from the Panium Quartzite Formation has also been 

studied. The forms present are broadly grouped into 

three categories: i) Medusoid like forms, ii) Spindle 

shaped forms, and iii) Algal mat texture. 

M. Shukla & M. Sharma 

Studied diversified organic-walled microfossils 

(OWM) in macerated residue and thin sections of 

materials from the Charmuria Limestone and 

Gunderdehi Shale formations, Raipur Group, 

Chhattisgarh Supergroup. Assemblage comprised of 

acritarchs and cyanobacteria from the interbedded 

dark gray shales and cherts in Charmuria Limestone 

Formation exposed around Katgi and Basin villages. 

The acritarchs belong to sphaeromorphida group and 

a few forms are comparable with earlier reported 

forms, viz. Margominuscula simplex, M. rugosa, 

Granomarginata prima and Baltisphaeridium 

dubium. Colonies of sphaeroidal cells and trichomes 

represent cyanobacteria. OWM comprising large 

sized acritarch of sphaeromorphida group and rarely 

cyanobacteria have been recovered in Gunderdehi 

Shale Formation exposed around Bilaigarh village. 

These forms are comparable with known forms of 

acritarchs, viz. Leiosphaeridia pellucida, 

Favososphaera conglobata, Granomarginata minuta, 

Lophoshaeridium truncatum and Cyanobacteria, viz. 

Myxococcoides ramapuraensis and Eomycetopsis 

rugosa. An assessment analysis indicates that the 

sizes of dominating acritarchs of sphaeromorphida 

group increase from older Charmuria Limestone 

Formation to younger Gunderdehi Shale Formation. 

The acritarch of sphaeromorphida group are dominant 

in the recovered assemblage of Gunderdehi Shale 

Formation. Cyanophycean algal remains are mostly 

preserved in cherts of the Charmuria Limestone 

Formation. The OWM assemblage suggests early 

Neoproterozoic age and calm depositional 

environment for the lower part of the Raipur Group. 

R. Babu 

Thrust Area: Gondwana Supercontinent: Regional Geology, Floristics, 

Terrane Accretion, Plate Tectonics and Configuration 

Project 2: Floristics and biostratigraphy of Palaeozoic 

and Mesozoic of Himalayas 

Component 1: Floristics and stratigraphy of the Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sediments of the Tethyan 

Himalaya and their regional relationship 

5


Rock samples (30) from Laptal Chojan La section 

of Spiti Shale Formation, Malla Johar area have been 

worked out for their spore-pollen. The characteristic 

taxa, viz. Callialasporites spp, Murospora florida, 

Cicatricatisporites australiensis, Aequitriradites 

spinulosus, Appendicisporites sp,, etc. evidence the 

Oxfordian to Berriasian age correlation for the 

formation. The palynozones identified have been 

compared with the known Ammonite zones to 

develop an integrated biostratigraphy of Spiti Shale 

unit in the Tethyan Mesozoic sequence. 

Vijaya 

Component 2: Permian plant fossils from North-Eastern Himalayas 

Observation, description, morphotaxonomy and 

photodocumentation of Permian plant fossils from 

Tindharia, Pankhabari, Kalijhore nala sections of 

Darjeeling and Rohtak Khola section of South Sikkim 

district have been carried out in detail. The 

assemblages are represented by following species: 

Gangamopteris cyclopterioides, G. major, G. 

clarkeana, Gangamopteris sp., Glossopteris 

communis, Gl. indica, Gl. stenoneura, Gl. varia, Gl. 

vulgaris, Noeggerathiopsis hislopii, equisetalian axes 

and vertically and horizontally preserved Vertebraria 

axes. The compilation of floristic data and 

stratigraphical significance of the flora are under 

progress. Carbonaceous shale samples from different 

sections of Tindharia, Baman Pukharia, Pankhabari 

and Rohtak nala were chemically processed. 

Although the samples are devoid of megaspores, 

seeds and cuticles, but presence of Botryococcus-algal 

colony in almost all the samples are significant. The 

palaeoecological significance of the algae is being 

studied. 

R. Tewari & A.K. Srivastava 

Chemically processed coal and carbonaceous 

shale samples from Kalijhora, Rakti Khola and 

Bamon Pokhari areas of Darjeeling district (WB) for 

palynological analysis. Carbonaceous shale samples 

from Kalijhora nala section have yielded 

palynofossils, represented by Scheuringipollenites 

maximus, Alisporites sp., Distriatites sp., 

Faunipollenites varius, Striatopodocarpites and 

Microfoveolatispora. A number of Botryococcus 

algal colonies have also been found. 

A.K. Srivastava & A.P. Bhattacharyya 

Project 4: Floristics, biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of 

Gondwana sediments 

Component 1: Morphotaxonomy, floristics, evolution, biostratigraphy and palaeo-environmental 

studies of Son-Mahanadi, Damodar, Panagarh and Birbhum basins 

Completed identification of 350 impression and 

compression specimens from eight localities of 

Mand–Raigarh coalfield, Chattisgarh, viz. Kantasar 

nala section near Dokripari village, Mand river 

section near Ambetikra temple, Kasaia nala section 

near Kasaia village, Gersaghat section near Gersa 

village, Saria nala section, and Barod, Jindal and 

Mand open cast projects. The plant fossils indicate 

Early to Late Permian age (Karharbari, Barakar and 

Kamthi formations) for the various beds. Photography 

of important taxa is also completed. Singh again 

visited the coalfield area and collected above 250 

megafossil specimens belonging to Glossopteris flora 

from Barakar and Kamthi formations exposed in 

different nala sections and collieries. 

S. Chandra & K.J. Singh 

Traced the marker spore-pollen species from the 

coal-bearing and Kamthi sediments of Talcher 

coalfield (Orissa). The Permo-Triassic palynofloral 

transition has been recorded in the subsurface 

material. The change of palynoflora is gradual. The 

variation in the pattern of change over the distribution 

of nonstriate and taeniate bisaccate pollen is more 

6


significant than the cingulate spores at the P/Tr 

transition in coalfield as compared to the pattern 

observed in Damodar basin. A paper on the study 

has been finalised. Additional samples were collected 

from five bore-holes drilled in the coalfield area for 

further palynological studies. 

A. Tripathi 

Carried out microscopic observation to search 

spore–pollen species in 500 m thick Gondwana 

sediments in bore-hole DPD-6 from Deocha– 

Pachami area, West Bengal. Further study is in 

progress for precise dating of the three stratigraphic 

units— Barakar, Dubrajpur and Rajmahal formations. 

Vijaya 

Recorded the palynofossils, such as 

Callialasporites trilobatus, Cyathidites australis, 

Callispora foveolata, Cicatricosisporites ludbrookii 

and Aequitriradites spinosus from Parsora Formation 

(Ghorari and Kamari nala sections) indicating Late 

Jurassic/Early Cretaceous age of the sediments. Three 

palynoassemblages have been identified in bore-hole 

SKM-6, Sohagpur coalfield (MP). The 

palynoassemblage-I (depth 254.00-163.40 m) of late 

Early Permian age reveal the prominence of 

Scheuringipollenites and Faunipollenites in 

association with Barakarites, Ibisporites, 

Rhizomaspora and rarely Parasaccites. The 

palynoassemblage-II (157.40–139.50 m) of Late 

Permian age contains high percentage of 

Faunipollenites, Striatopodocarpites and 

Crescentipollenites. The youngest palynoassemblage- 

III (137.15-77.90 m) exhibits similar palynotaxa as 

in palynoassemblage-II, but with additional records 

of Falcisporites, Goubinispora, Satsangisaccites, 

Densoisporites, Playfordiaspora, Klausipollenites 

and Nidipollenites and assigned Late Permian/Early 

Triassic age. Permo-Triassic transitionary 

palynofossils have been recorded in this coalfield for 

the first time. Also collected samples of bore-hole 

cores and outcrops in Sohagpur and Mand-Raigarh 

coalfields. Chemical processing of samples from 

bore-holes ROP-8 and MJB-1 of Mand-Raigarh has 

been completed. Quantitative analysis of the 

productive samples is in progress. 

Ram-Awatar 

Processing of sub-surface samples from borehole 

TKE-2 of Talcher Coalfield (Orissa) has been 

carried out. Completed the chemical processing of 

surface samples from the Baki Bihar area 

(Chaturdhara nala section) and from the Basundhra 

nala section. Prepared slides, scanned and 

photographed important palynotaxa from Ib-River 

coalfield (Orissa). Finalised a manuscript on 

palynofossils from bore-holes IBT-4, 5 and 6. 

Recovered two palynoassemblages belonging to Late 

Permian (Raniganj age) and upper Barakar 

palynoflora in the samples collected from the north 

of Gopalpur village, Basundhra nala section. Also 

finalised a manuscript on palynoflora recovered from 

bore-holes IBT-2, 3 and 7. 

K.L. Meena 

Component 2: Morphotaxonomy, floristics, evolution, biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental 

studies of Satpura and Wardha-Godavari basins 

Investigated plant fossils from Thisgora and 

Mathani areas of Pench valley coalfield. The flora is 

represented by the species of Gangamopteris, 

Glossopteris, Euryphyllum, Palaeovittaria, sterile 

and fertile foliage shoots of Buriadia. Systematic 

description and specific delineation of the flora on 

the basis of external morphological features and 

cuticular structures are being carried out. 

Noeggerathiopsis leaves recovered from Rawanwara 

area have yielded well-preserved cuticles. Externally 

all the leaves are similar to N. hislopii. Three distinct 

types of leaf cuticles have been observed. Cuticular 

preparation, description and photodocumentation of 

the specimens and cuticles are complete. The 

taxonomic significance of cuticular features vis-a-vis 

morphological characters in the generic and specific 

circumscription of Noeggerathiopsis leaves are under 

progress. 

7


Bulk maceration of samples from Rawanwara 

Khas, East Pench and Sethia collieries has yielded a 

variety of megaspores. Each megaspore is being 

studied under dry and wet conditions under incident 

light. They are further treated with nitric acid and 

alkali for the recovery of inner body. Some of the 

well-preserved megaspores have been examined 

under SEM, and have been assigned to genera— 

Talchirella, Duosporites, Barakarella, Jhariatriletes, 

Ancorisporites and Singraulispora. A new gulate 

megaspore Satpuraspora showing characteristic 

furcate exine ornamentation has been identified. A 

manuscript dealing with structural features of gulate 

megaspores under LM and SEM has been finalised. 

A.K. Srivastava & R. Tewari 

Processed and analysed samples (50) from borehole 

MAB-1 of Bottapagudem area, Chintalpudi subbasin. 

Two palynoassemblages have been identified 

in 220 m thick sedimentary sequence. 

Palynoassemblage–I occuring at the depth of 173 m 

is characterized by the dominance of 

Striatopodocarpites and Faunipollenites along with 

statigraphically significant taxa, viz. Klausipollenites, 

Guttulapollenites, Vitreisporites, Strotersporites, 

Osmundacidites, Crescentipollenites, Corisaccites 

and Chordasporites. Palynoassemblage-II (144-120 

m) shows dominance of striate disaccates, chiefly 

Striatopodocarpites and Faunipollenites and sub 

dominance of Densipollenites along with 

stratigraphically significant taxa, viz. Lunatisporites, 

Klausipollenites, Falcisporites, Guttulapollenites, 

Playfordiaspora, Vitresporites, Lundbladispora and 

Strotersporites. These palynoassemblages belong to 

Raniganj palynoflora and have been dated as Late 

Permian in age. Fossilized animal remains identified 

as insect abdomen, cutin and antinae parts have also 

been recorded in Permian sediments of Godavari 

Graben. 

N. Jha 

Described two palynoassemblages from borehole 

WM–14 drilled in Mahadoli area, Chandrapur 

district (Maharashtra): i) Scheuringipollenites 

dominant assemblage which represent lower Barakar 

mioflora and ii) Parasaccites–Densipollenites 

dominated assemblage along with Falcisporites and 

Satsangisaccites. The later is comparable to lower 

Triassic palynoflora due to presence of younger 

elements. Presence of Parasaccites suggests a cooler 

climatic condition at the time of deposition. The lower 

Barakar palynoflora suggests a positive evidence for 

Lower Gondwana coal in the area. Samples from 

another bore-hole (BR-134, Baranj Block) have also 

been chemically processed. Gondisporites 

assemblage zone has been recovered. A field work 

was undertaken in Wardha valley coalfield around 

Chandrapur, Yeotmal and Wardha districts of 

Maharashtra and coal, shale and carbonaceous shale 

samples were collected from different bore-hole cores 

and open cast mines. Megafossils from Nand nala 

section in Umrer coalfield have also been collected. 

A.P. Bhattacharyya 

Component 3: Ultrastructure of fossil cuticles and megaspores and comparative studies on selected 

modern taxa 

Completed transmission electron microscopic 

(TEM) studies of the cuticular membrane (CM) of 

peltaspermaceous taxon of Mesozoic pteridosperms 

Lepidopteris sp. and compared it with three other taxa 

of Mesozoic pteridosperms. It was found that the 

structural configuration of CM varies for each taxon. 

Two taxa of living cycads (Zamia fischeri and Z. 

furfuracea) have also been investigated under TEM. 

The CM in all the four species— Cycas circinalis, 

C. revoluta, Zamia fischeri and Z. furfuracea shows 

a polylamellate outermost zone, though faintly so in 

Z. furfuracea. Dispersed cuticles from the sediments 

were also studied for ultrastructure under TEM. These 

show well-preserved structures. SEM studies on the 

sporoderm of megaspores recovered from Barakar 

shales of a coal mine near Hahajore, Hura Basin, 

Rajmahal Hills have been done. A variety of 

megaspores have been sorted out from the bulk 

maceration sample. Light microscopic studies have 

been completed. Inner body in all the megaspore taxa 

is absent. 

U. Bajpai 

8


Project 5: Floristics, biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of 

Mesozoic sediments 


studies of Triassic-Cretaceous flora of East-Coast Gondwana, Rajmahal and Gujarat 

basins 

Carried out anatomical study of petrified 

female araucarian cones and anatomical features 

of each part of the cone have been critically 

assessed. On the basis of character analysis, these 

cones classified under Araucaria mirabilis 

(Spegazzini) Windhausen section-Bunya of the 

family Araucariaceae. In addition to female cones, 

two male coniferous cones (probably Araucarian) 

are also recovered from the Sonajori locality but 

due to lack of sufficient data and incomplete 

preservation, identification remains incomplete. 

Also studied a fossil wood from the same locality, 

identified as Araucarioxylon sp. Section cutting of 

Sonajori and Nipania cherts is continued for 

identifications of various plant remains. 

J. Banerji & B.N. Jana 

Studied the megafloral assemblage from 

Isoetites-rich beds near Than locality. In spite of 

repeated collection from the same locality no fertile 

specimen of Isoetites could be recovered so far. In 

morphological appearance Isoetites sp. from the 

area apparently resembles Isoetes janaianus known 

from Kachchh in the nature of lobed corm and 

entire margin of sporophylls. The species has been 

found abundantly towards the peripheral region of 

a shaly bed which is overlain by a huge sandstone 

sequence. It is assumed that Isoetites sp. was 

growing towards the margin of a pond and was 

deposited in situ condition in shale sequence. 

B.N. Jana 

Evaluated the recently identified Late Triassic- 

Early Jurassic palynological assemblages from the 

Dubrajpur sediments (bore-hole RJNE-32) of 

Rajmahal Basin in terms of dominance/subdominance, 

overall composition and First 

Appearance Datums of specific biomarker genera, 

viz. Stereisporites, Foveosporites, Enzonalasporites, 

Playfordiaspora, Arcuatipollenites, 

Infernopollenites, Classopollis, Araucariacites and 

Callialasporites, etc. On the basis of changing 

pattern of palynological characteristics, seven 

palynoevents have been identified in the strata. 

Besides, the palynofloras from the Rajmahal 

Formation were analysed for the specific 

composition. Undertook field work in Rajmahal 

and Birbhum areas and collected subsurface 

12 cm 

Conifer strobilus from the Lameta Formation, Nand-Dongargaon Sub- 

Basin. X 2 

9


samples from south of Brahmini Coalfield. Also 

visited Geological Survey of India, Kolkata to 

discuss the palynological reports and future plan 

for sampling. 

A. Tripathi 

Carried out studies on the plant megafossils 

of the Gangapur Formation, Pranhita-Godavari 

Graben. Association of cycadophytes, conifers and 

pteridophytes within the plant assemblage indicate 

gymnosperm dominant vegetation during the time 

of deposition. Studied equisetalean stem 

impressions of variable morphology. Plant 

megafossil impressions of pteridphytes and 

conifers from the Kota Formation were also 

studied. They are invariably small in size. Also 

studied conifer strobilus and stem impressions 

from the Lameta Formation, Nand-Dongargaon 

sub-basin. Robust nature of conifers facilitated 

their preservation. Undertook field work in the 

Wardha-Pranhita-Godavari and collected a number 

of plant fossils from Kota, Gangapur and Lameta 

formations. A number of associated animal fossils 

were also noticed. 

A. Rajanikanth 

Investigated megafossils from Eddala-Gattu 

locality of Raghavapuram. The recorded genera are 

Cladophlebis indica, Sphenopteris sp., Baiera sp., 

Taeniopteris spatulata, Ptilophyllum cutchense, P. 

acutifolium, P. sahnii and Elatocladus 

jabalpurensis. In general, cycadophytes and 

conifers dominate the assemblage, whereas 

pteridophytes are comparatively less. The 

palaeofloral assemblage is contemporaneous to 

Vemavaram and Gollapalle floral assemblages of 

East Coast and Sehora floral assemblage of 

Jabalpur Formation (MP). The floral assemblage 

is assigned Early Cretaceous age. 

N. Prakash 


studies of Triassic-Cretaceous of South Rewa-Satpura basins 

Study of detached fertile organs has been 

completed. Two new taxa Townrowea and 

Douglasea have been identified. Their 

morphographic and cutinized structure are quite 

different from each other. These forms appear to 

be similar to the conifers of northern and southern 

hemispheres, but because of their detachment from 

the main organ and having no fertile unit 

definitively attached, they could be attributed to 

any of the known genera, viz. Voltzia, 

Voltziostrobus and Voltziopsis. Townrowea has 

been isolated in attached condition as well, but 

fertile units have shed off due to fully mature 

fructification. 

S.C. Srivastava & N. Prakash 

Recovered diverse and abundant leaf 

impressions from Chui Hill, Jabalpur Formation, 

Satpura Basin. Excellently preserved leaves in 

reddish-pink clay show dominance of conifers 

(Elatocladus sp., E. jabalpurensis, Brachyphyllum 

jabalpurensis sp. nov., Pagiophyllum chawadensis, 

Araucarites minutus, Satpuria sehoraensis) 

followed by bennettitales (Anomozamites sp., 

Ptilophyllum cutchense, P. acutifolium) and 

pteridophytes. Cycadales is represented by 

Taeniopteris spatulata. The floral assemblage is 

compared with floral assemblages of Satpura and 

South Rewa basins and found to be younger than 

Chaugan and older than Bansa floral assemblages 

and belongs to Early Cretaceous age. 

N. Prakash 

10


Project 14: Accretionary evolution and tectonics of Terranes in Ladakh- 

Karakoram Sector 

Compiled geological information on subduction 

and accretion tectonics of Himalayan and Karakoram 

terranes and their palaeogeographic configuration and 

Himalayan mountain building and plate tectonics. It 

has been established that Himalayan mountain 

building is the product of a collision between the 

Indian and Eurasian plates along the Indus-Tsangpo 

Suture Zone (ITSZ), which began during the Eocene 

epoch. The 2,500-km long suture has been recognised 

as one of the best examples of continent to continent 

collisional suture zone. It has come into existence as 

a result of subduction followed by soft continental 

collision (55-60 Ma). Rocks of the Shyok Suture Zone 

(SSZ) form adjacent to the ITSZ in the northern part 

of the Ladakh magmatic arc, an important tectonised 

zone. The rocks of SSZ are represented by distinct 

set of highly compressed tectonic slices. These slices 

have been transcurrently displayed by the active 

Karakoram fault. Thrusting and crustal thickening 

probably began in the northern Himalayas during the 

Late Eocene-Oligocene epochs, perhaps owing to 

restacking of the thinned crust of the north Indian 

continental margin followed by a major uplift of the 

Himalayas beginning in the Early Miocene. It is now 

a generally accepted argument that the broader area 

of the Himalayan Mountains with the Tibetan Plateau 

is made up of a series of microplates accreted to Asia 

before the India-Asia collision. The ophiolitic bodies’ 

abduction and some pre-collisional thrusting 

occurred, too, before syn- and post-collisional 

structural complication and tectonics. Successive 

neotectonic phenomena led to the uplift and grandeur 

of the Himalayan mountain chain embracing the 

loftiest peak on our globe- the Everest. 

The Karakoram Mountain ranges occupying a 

significant tectonic unit in the north of Himalayan 

syntaxial belt and Indus Suture Subduction zone of 

Indian and Asian plates. The synthesis of data 

confirms that the accretionary and collision processes 

in the Karakoram region had been initiated prior to 

the Indo-Eurasian collision. This result is a pointer 

and suggests that SSZ was active subduction related 

feature earlier to the activities along the ITSZ. The 

successive magmatic activities have acted as stitching 

plutons leading to the accretion to Karakoram terrane 

with the Asian plate. Discovery of Permian plant 

fossils provides crucial clue regarding the 

palaeogeographic reconstruction of the Karakoram- 

Himalayan block; which indicates that during Early 

Permian time the Karakoram microcontinent was 

located not far from the Salt Range (presently in 

Pakistan) of Indian sub-continent. It is suggested that 

Karakoram terrane was welded to Asia some time 

during Late Jurassic or Early Cretaceous. In the light 

of new data emerging from inaccessible Karakoram 

mountain terrane, it is advisable to collect more data 

from adjoining area to make final conclusion. 

A.K. Sinha 

Thrust Area : Biopetrology of Indian Coals in relation to Coal Bed 

Methane 

Project 6: 

Coalification processes and depositional environment of coal 

and associated sediments 

Component 1: Organic matter characterization from plant fossils and DOM in Cenozoic sediments 

11


Pyrite framboids occurring on degraded leaf 

cuticles were observed under SEM and EDAX 

systems (with U. Bajpai). The investigations from 

Late Tertiary sediments of Mahuadanr valley, Palamu 

indicate that framboidal pyrites are formed in the 

cavities and cell lumens of degraded leaves and other 

plant entities under reducing conditions and are the 

result of the activity of mainly sulphate reducing 

bacteria. Pyrite framboids occur in clusters and as 

solitary spherules. The elemental analysis and organic 

matter substrate of framboids indicate that the C, Fe 

and S are the main constituents. However, N and O 

are also present in sufficient quantity. The 

morphological characters of bacterial colonies are 

generally retained during mineral uptake to form 

framboids. Srivastava and Shukla visited Neyveli 

lignite field, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu and 

collected lignite samples, leaf compressions, lignified 

woods and resin lumps from different mines. 

Microbial action on dispersed and compressed 

leaf cuticles from clay, shale and carbonaceous shale 

of various geological periods (Early Carboniferous- 

Kotshu Hills, J&K; Permian- Lohapity, Jharia 

coalfield; Late Triassic-Janar and Haral villages, 

South Rewa Basin; Early Cretaceous- Sehora, 

Jabalpur, and Naicolam, Trichurapalli; Tertiary- 

Bihpuria well #1, Upper Assam; Miocene- 

Amberiwadi, Maharashtra; Pliocene to Pleistocene- 

Mahuadanr valley, Palamu, Bihar) have been studied 

under LM, SEM and TEM (with U. Bajpai and N. 

Prakash). It has been observed that most of the leaves 

or leaf fragments start undergoing various 

degradational processes, as soon as they are detached 

from the parent plant body. The pathogen (fungi and 

bacteria) enters the leaf tissue through stomata, pore 

or cracks and first degrades non-lignified components 

present between cuticular layers and then the other 

parts. These fungi and bacteria rapidly colonize the 

plant fragments including leaf litter when buried 

under the sediments. The observations under SEM 

and TEM shows three characteristic stages of 

degradation of leaf cuticles affected by fungal 

attack— hyphal invasion, penetration and dissolution 

of tissues. In case of bacteria infestation, corrosion, 

cavity formation and tunneling represent various 

degradational phases. These processes ultimately 

contribute towards the formation of amorphous 

organic matter types. 

Anand-Prakash, G.P. Srivastava, M. Shukla & 

M. Kumar 

Component 2: Biopetrographic evaluation, genesis and depositional history of Indian coals 

(I) Organic petrological evaluation of Karanpura coal deposit (Damodar Basin) in relation to carbonization 

properties, genesis and depositional history 

Studied microconstituents (macerals and 

microlithotypes) of coals from Kargali Seam of 

Kathara colliery to assess the nature and composition 

of coals. The coals belong to Early Permian Barakar 

Formation of East Bokaro coalfield. In general, these 

coals are found to be rich in vitrinite group (38-74%, 

vitric and fusovitric coal types) followed by inertinite 

and liptinite groups. Likewise, their vitrite, clarite, 

vitrinertite and duroclarite microlithotypes are high. 

The rank values (R o max 

0.82 - 0.94%) determined 

through reflectance measurements on maceral 

vitrinite indicate that the coals have attained highvolatile 

bituminous A stage. On the basis of coal 

types, it appears that the Kargali Seam originated 

dominantly from woody vegetation under anaerobic 

(wet-reducing) condition with occasional aerobic 

(dry-oxidative) conditions. The rank and composition 

of coals indicate that these coals are within the 

threshold of methane (thermogenic) generation. 

B.K. Misra & B.D. Singh 

12


(II) Biopetrology of Wardha-Godavari Valley coals 

The biopetrological investigations on coals 

representing Kosar (bore-hole KDR-43), Dongargaon 

(BH KDR-38) and Mahadoli (BH WM-16) areas of 

the Wardha valley coalfield has revealed that the coals 

contain remarkably low (14-20%) mineral matter 

association. The ternary and binary (m.m.f.) plottings 

have suggested that the middle seam in Dongargaon 

and Kosar areas of the Yeotmal district contain mixed 

type of coal. However, the top seam in Dongargaon 

area contains vitric type of coal and the middle seam 

in Mahadoli area (Chandrapur district) is represented 

by fusic coal type. The vitrinite reflectance study of 

the coals from Mahadoli area has indicated a gradual 

increase in the values (R o max 

0.53-0.62%) from the 

bottom to the top part of the seam. The top and the 

middle seams of the Dongargaon area possess similar 

reflectance values (0.59-0.62%) as recorded from the 

top part of the seam in Mahadoli area. However, the 

top seam near Kosar village contains low reflectance 

values (0.53-0.54%) The coals in all the three areas 

have attained high volatile bituminous C stage of the 

rank. 

O.S. Sarate 

(III) Biopetrographic evaluation of coals from Satpura Gondwana Basin with an emphasis on depositional 

pattern and utilization potential 

Finalised a paper entitled “Petrology of Kanhan 

coals, Satpura Gondwana Basin (India) vis-à-vis coal 

bed methane”. Estimated macerals of Early Permian 

Barakar coals from Eklehra and Mathani mines of 

Pench area under fluorescence mode. The subbituminous 

A to high-volatile bituminous C stage 

mixed types (vitrinite: 13-59%, inertinite: 22-60%) 

coals have low amount of liptinite (6-15%). However, 

under fluorescence mode hydrogen-rich liptinite 

macerals show manifold increase (11-38%). The 

liptinites are found to be chiefly constituted by 

sporinite (spores-pollen) and liptodetrinite (detritus). 

On the basis of coal types, the seam of studied area 

appears to have formed chiefly from woody and 

herbaceous vegetation with frequent spells of 

oxidative (aerobic) conditions affecting the organic 

matter. A field work was undertaken in Kanhan valley 

coalfields and collected coal/shale samples from 

Mohan (Maori Incline), Ambara (Shastri and 

Bhawani), Ghorawari (Jharna) and Rakhikol (Bansi 

Incline) underground mines. The channel samples 

representative of top, middle and bottom sections of 

Seam I (MECL III Top) belonging to Early Permian 

Barakar Formation were collected. The coals are 

generally of bright banded in nature, and the seam is 

expected to have potential for coal bed methane 

generation. 

A. Singh & B.D. Singh 

(IV) Organic petrographic evaluation of coal seams from Talcher Coalfield 

Coals studied from Belanda and Kalinga areas 

show the dominance of inertinite, vitrinite and exinite 

group of macerals. Telocollinite and desmocollinite 

form the characteristic sub maceral of vitrinite group, 

while the semifusinite, fusinite and inertodetrinite 

constitute inertinite components. Sporinite, resinite, 

cutinite form exinite group of maceral. Maceral 

pattern of these coals on triangular and two axial 

diagrams suggest that most of the coals lie in 

fusovitric-vitrofusic groups. However, fusic and vitric 

groups were also recorded. It suggests that fluctuating 

oxidative and reducing conditions prevailed during 

the genesis of Talcher coals. 

R. Saxena & J. Rai 

13


Component 3: Sedimentary organic matter characterization of Indian lignites 

Twenty selective resinites from lignite beds 

of H.D. Patel block of Panandhro, Bhuri Devi areas 

of Rajpardeeh, Kharsalia and Ghogha areas of 

Bhavnagar were processed for Fourier Transform 

Infrared studies. The characteristic pattern of FTIR 

peaks of the chronostratigraphically different resins 

indicate the similar plant source. Variations in the 

aromatic and aliphatic peak pattern were noticed in 

fresh and oxidized resin. Three papers on the intraand 

inter-seam characterization have been finalised. 

Further work is in progress. A field work was carried 

out to collect fresh materials at Panandhro, Jara 

dome, Jhura dome, Rajpardeeh, Vastan, Ghalla nala, 

Surat in Gujarat; Akli and Sindri areas of Barmer 

and Kuldhar nala of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. 

R. Saxena & J. Rai 

Component 4: Biopetrography and geochemistry of coals, oil shales and organic matter in Late 

Palaeocene-Oligocene sediments from northeastern India 

Petrographic investigation on coal and non-coal 

samples from 18 m (Main seam: 60 Feet Seam) and 

A (A1-A3: 4 m – 2 m thick) group of seams 

respectively from Tikak Parbat colliery of Makum 

coalfield and 5D Incline of Dilli-Jeypore coalfield 

was completed. Under normal incident mode, the 

coals are exhibit high vitrinite macerals (48-72%), 

mainly the telocollinite and desmocollinite. Mainly 

resinite and subordinate amounts of sporinite, cutinite 

and suberinite macerals form the liptinite macerals 

(up to 15%). Maceral exsudatinite is present 

sporadically. The macerals of inertinite group are 

generally low to moderate in amount (9-16%) 

constituted mainly by semifusinite, fusinite and very 

commonly present fungal spores, sclerotia and 

hyphae. Pyrite, clastics and calcite are the main 

associated mineral matter (7-18%) of the coals. Pyrite 

is usually the dominant mineral occurring both in 

primary (framboids, euhedra and granules) and 

secondary (encrustations and in-fillings) forms. Under 

fluorescence mode, the coals appear to be rich in 

perhydrous vitrinite, liptodetrinite and resinite 

macerals with low quantities of sporinite, cutinite and 

suberinite. Fluorinite and exsudatinite macerals are 

sporadic to common. Rank of the coals varies 

between high volatile bituminous C to B stages (R o max. 

0.66-0.72%). However, the coals from Dilli-Jeypore 

are of relatively lower rank than those of the Makum. 

The coals from Makum and Dilli-Jeypore coalfields 

appear to have originated from autochthonous woody 

tropical vegetation predominantly under mildly 

alkaline anoxic milieu. 

B.K. Misra 

Thrust Area : Floristics of Petroliferous Basins 

Project 7: Morphotaxonomy, floristics, biostratigraphy and 

sedimentological studies of Tertiary sediments of Lesser Himalayas 

Component 1: Floristics and biostratigraphy of Pre-Siwalik sediments 

14


Finalised a paper dealing with leaf-impressions 

of Arthromeris and Syzygium from the Kasauli 

sediments of Himachal Pradesh. In addition a draft 

manuscript of a paper describing leaf-impressions 

belonging to six taxa has also been prepared. 

J.S. Guleria & R. Srivastava 

Carried out palynological investigations of the 

Subathu Formation in the Lesser Himalayas. The 

Subathu Formation (Late Thanetian-Middle Lutetian) 

from Himachal Pradesh and Haryana contains distinct 

reworked Permian and Cretaceous palynofossils 

along with characteristic Late Ypresian and Early 

Lutetian palynofloras. The pollen assemblage consists 

of 17 genera and 22 species of pteridophytic spores, 

gymnospermous pollen and dinoflagellate cysts. Of 

these, 10 genera and 13 species belong to Permian, 

whereas others are of Cretaceous in age. The Permian 

palynotaxa are well preserved, while the Cretaceous 

forms are generally broken and highly oxidised. The 

palaeogeographic significance of these reworked 

palynofossils in the Subathu Formation has been 

interpreted. The basal part of the Subathu Formation 

(Late Thanetian–Early Ypresian), exposed at Nilkanth 

(Uttaranchal) and its adjoining areas were studied for 

palaeoenvironmental interpretations. Total carbonate 

and organic matter content of cyanobacteria-rich 

sediments were estimated. SEM studies were 

performed to locate biogenic carbonate particles 

associated with the cyanobacterial filaments. 

Decreased clastic supply and climate induced 

fluctuating environmental conditions of intertidal– 

supratidal zones provided ideal conditions for the 

establishment and rapid proliferation of 

cyanobacterial mats in the area. 

Palynological study of the stratotype section 

(Kuthar Nala) of the Subathu Formation indicates that 

this succession span the Late Ypresian and part of 

the Early Lutetian time interval. Several characteristic 

biostratigraphical markers are identified. Based on 

dinocyst distribution a new palynological zonation 

scheme has been proposed for this formation. 

Palynofloral assemblages recovered from two 

sections (Chamla and Kharak) have also been 

evaluated to throw light on the role of reducing 

environmental conditions on the development of 

black facies during sedimentation of Early Eocene 

rocks in the Morni Hill. Morphological study of 

various species of the algal genus Pediastrum has 

been carried out. Critical analysis of various 

morphotypes reveals that there are intraspecific 

morphological variations in shape, size and structure. 

The stratigraphic distribution of this species has been 

found to be restricted to Late Ypresian–Early Lutetian 

transitional part of the Subathu Formation. 

Palaeoenvironmental significance of fresh water 

Pediastrum in marine sediments of the Subathu 

sediments is now being worked out. A field work 

was also undertaken along with Professor I. B. Singh 

(Lucknow Univ.) for systematic collection of 

palynological samples as well as field 

sedimentological studies of lower horizons of the 

Subathu Formation of Nilkanth and its adjoining areas 

of Uttaranchal. Cyanobacteria rich bands were 

identified in the basal part of Subathu Formation of 

Nilkanth and Tal valley sections. Reconnaissance 

survey was also carried out at several localities to 

find out their lateral extensions on regional scale. 

S. Sarkar & V. Prasad 

Odontochitina operculata (Wetzel) Deflandre & Cookson, 1955, a reworked 

Cretaceous palynofossil from the Subathu Formation 

15


Component 2: Floristics, biostratigraphy and sedimentological studies of Siwalik sediments 

Carried out chemical processing of the samples 

from the lower-middle Siwalik sediments of Dhangar 

area (Bilaspur district) and Jwalamukhi-Ranital- 

Kangra Road section (Kangra district) of Himachal 

Pradesh and Morni hills, Haryana. Scanning and 

photodocumentation of selected taxa have been 

completed. Striatriletes, Lycopodiumsporites, 

Inaperturopollenites, Pinjoriapollis and 

Pinuspollenites mainly represent the assemblage 

recovered from the Dhangar area. In this assemblage, 

gymnosperm pollen are dominant over angiosperm 

pollen followed by pteridophytic spores. The 

palynoflora recorded from Jwalamukhi-Ranital- 

Kangra Road section is represented by pteridophytic 

spores— Pteridacidites (Pteris) and Striatriletes 

(Ceratopteris), gymnospermous pollen— 

Pinuspollenites (Pinus) and Abiespollenites (Abies), 

angiospermous pollen— Pinjoriapollis (Magnolia), 

Inaperturopollenites and Graminidites. The recovery 

of palynofossils from Morni hills is poor and mainly 

represented by Striatriletes, Pinuspollenites and 

Pinjoriapollis A field work was undertaken to study 

various Siwalik sediments exposed at Nadah area, 

Gaggar River section in Panchkula and adjoining 

areas; Khetpurali section, Haryana; Markanda River 

section (middle Siwalik); Saketi (lower Siwalik); 

Bilaspur-Mandi Road section and Haritalyangar and 

adjoining areas, Bilaspur district and 180 samples 

were collected for palynological study. 

M.R. Rao 

Finalised the results of palynological and 

sedimentological studies carried out on middle 

Siwalik sediments exposed along Nandni-Nagrota 

Road on Jammu-Srinagar Highway. The sequence 

(about 1600 m thick) is represented by couplets of 

medium- to coarse-grained, gravely, multistoried 

sandstone complexes and silty-muddy fine-grained 

horizons. The fine-grained muddy horizons are 

divisible into two facies associations— floodplain and 

interfluve associations. The floodplain facies 

association is related to channel processes and is the 

product of sedimentation on flood plains mainly by 

vertical accretion. In contrast, the interfluve 

association characterised by silt; mud and fine sand 

units are completely mottled, laterally persistent, 

highly oxidised and are unrelated to channel 

processes. Such fine-grained horizons imply 

sedimentation on Doab areas (interfluve) lying 

between the major rivers, and acting as independent 

domain of sedimentation 

where deposition took place 

in higher sloping surfaces, 

ponds, lakes, low-lying 

areas and minor channels, 

creeks and abandoned linear 

valleys. These fine-grain 

horizons yielded palynofossils. 

Pteridophytic spores, 

gymnosperm and angiosperm 

pollen dominate the 

palynoflora. Spores of the 

families Cyatheaceae, 

Schizaeaceae, Parkeriaceae 

and Polypodiaceae 

represent pteridophytes. 

A view of Gaggar River section (Top of Pinjor Formation) Panchkula, Haryana 

16


Gymnosperm pollen of the family Pinaceae are 

profusely recorded. Angiosperm pollen though less 

in number belong to the families Magnoliaceae, 

Asteraceae and Ctenolophonaceae. Samples 

representing the older sediments of the studied section 

are characterised by presence of little in situ organic 

matter (cuticle and woody elements), profuse 

bisaccate pollen derived from gymnosperm plants 

growing at higher reaches and also the organic matter. 

Presence of pollen of plants inhabiting the high 

elevations and the absence of spore/pollen 

assemblages representing the local flora coupled with 

increased thickness of channelised sand bodies may 

also imply incision of the rivers into their valleys. As 

a result of this, the flood plains were probably very 

narrow, regularly flooded and did not allow the 

growth of local flora. Occurrence of higher and lower 

elevation pollen elements in same samples indicates 

that the areas lying at different elevations acted as 

the provenance for the middle Siwalik sediments. It 

may also indicate that the Himalayan orogeny was 

episodic and different lithotectonic units gained 

heights at different times. The characteristic presence 

of Ctenolophon in the upper level of Middle Siwalik 

succession (at 1,080 m level) is indicative of a drastic 

change in the climate, which became more humid 

during the later phases of sedimentation. This 

inference is corroborated by the increased thickness 

of the sand bodies (40-60m) and the frequent 

occurrence of the gravely horizons in the upper levels 

of the Middle Siwalik succession implying increased 

energy in the system. 

S.K.M. Tripathi 

Carried out morphotaxonomical study of the 

plant fossils from Siwalik sediments of India, Nepal 

and Bhutan. Photodocumentation of the leafimpressions 

collected from Siwalik sequence of 

Suraikhola (Nepal) has been completed. Leaf fossils 

belong to extant taxa— Dipterocarpus alatus, Shorea 

stellata, Lagunaria patersonii, Ochna integrifolia, 

Sterculia montana, S. eusifolia, Xylosma japonica, 

Xerospermum glabrala, Rouria rugosa and Cynometra 

simplicifolia. A manuscript about the flora of 

lower Siwalik sediments of Bilaspur (HP) has been 

prepared. The plant assemblage consists of 10 taxa 

belonging to tropical 

angiosperm families— 

Anonaceae, Flacourtiaceae, 

Clusiaceae, 

Meliaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, 

Sabiaceae, 

Fabaceae, Moraceae 

and Palmae. Based on 

habit, habitat and 

physiognomic 

characters of the 

fossils, palaeoclimate 

of the area has been 

discussed. A paper on 

the plant fossils from 

Siwaliks of Tanakpur 

(UP) area is also being 

prepared. Visited 

Central National 

Herbarium, Howrah 

for the identification 

of plant fossils (leaf, 

fruit and seed 

impressions) collected 

from Siwalik 

sediments of India and 

Nepal. About 35 leafimpressions 

and two 

fruits have been 

identified with extant 

taxa. The details of 

herbarium sheets of 

A fossil leaf cf. Millettia pachycarpa 

(Fabaceae) - an evergreen element form 

Lower Siwalik sediments of Bilaspur 

area H.P. x 1 

the identified species have been noted and 

photographed. Also collected a variety of plant 

megafossils from measured outcrop sections of 

Siwalik sequence of Suraikhola, western Nepal. 

M. Prasad 

Processed samples from Subansiri Formation of 

the Likabali-Along Road section (West Siang district) 

and Kimin Formation of Itanagar-Naharlagun Road 

section (Papumpare district) of Arunachal Pradesh 

for palynological study. The assemblage is dominated 

by reworked Palaeozoic Gondwana palynomorphs, 

like Crescentipollenites sp., Indotriradites sp., 

Parasaccites sp., Platysaccus sp., Primuspollenites 

17


sp., Rhizomaospora sp., etc. with few Tertiary forms, 

like Striatriletes susannae, Polypodiaceaesporites 

sp., Pinuspollenites sp., Abiespollenites sp., besides 

some fungal forms, mainly Frasnacritetrus sp. The 

distribution of the families in the assemblege indicates 

a tropical to subtropical climate during the deposition 

of the sediments. Presence of reworked Permian 

palynofossils indicates that the Lower Gondwana 

sediments were extensively developed in the region 

and were the source rocks for these younger Tertiary 

sediments. Presently, the Permian sediments are well 

exposed to the north of the studied localities. Field 

work was undertaken to collect palynological samples 

from Itanagar-Naharlagun Road section and Likabali- 

Garu-Along Road section. About 114 rock samples 

and about 36 fossil woods were collected from in 

and around Likabali, West Siang district. 

G.K. Trivedi 

Project 8: Tertiary floristics of peninsular India 

Component 1: Tertiary floral diversity in North-East India 

Recorded rich palynofloral assemblages from the 

Siju and Rewak formations (Middle-Late Eocene) 

exposed in a stream section at Jenggitchakgre and 

along Tura-Dalu Road in West Garo Hills 

(Meghalaya). Dinoflagellate cysts and acritarchs 

dominate the Siju palynoflora, whereas the Rewak 

palynoflora is mainly represented by spores-pollen 

followed by fungal remains and dinoflagellate cysts. 

Predominant palynotaxa of the assemblage are 

Achomosphaera alcicornu, A. ramulifera, 

Homotryblium floripes, H. tenuispinosum, 

Operculodinium centrocarpum, O. major, 

Cordosphaeridium fibrospinosum, etc. The 

palynoflora indicates prevalence of tropical (warmhumid) 

climate and presence of mangrove elements 

along the shore. It has been interpreted that the Siju 

Formation was laid down over the unstable shelf in a 

shallow sea. The dominance of terrestrial elements 

and decrease of dinocysts indicates a regressive phase 

during the sedimentation of the Rewak Formation. 

The palynoflora have been compared with the Eocene 

assemblages recorded from various sedimentary 

basins of India. Representation of Areoligera 

undulata, Areosphaeridium arcuatum, Homotryblium 

floripes, Distatodinium ellipticum, etc. suggests a 

Middle Eocene age for the Siju Formation. The 

overlying Rewak Formation is dated as late Eocene 

on the basis of palynofossils. Chemical processing 

of the samples from the Boldamgiri/ Baghmara 

Formation has also been taken up. 

R.K. Saxena & S. Sarkar 

Fossil fruit of Sterculia villosa from Oligocene sediments of Makum Coalfield, Assam X 1 Modern fruit of Sterculia villosa X 1 

18

Studied in detail two fossil fruits collected from 

the Oligocene sediments of Makum Coalfield 

(Assam). They belong to Sterculia of Sterculiaceae 

and Barringtonia of Lecythidaceae. The plant remains 

from the ?Oligocene sediments of Mizoram were also 

studied and further study is in progress. Study of fossil 

woods from other Tertiary localities of Assam and 

Tripura are in progress. Also collected fossil material 

from the Barail sediments of the Makum Coalfield. 

R.C. Mehrotra 


Studied various types of dispersed organic 

matters (DOM) recovered from Bihpuria #1 well 

(depth 4,494–1,915 m) from North Lakhimpur district 

(Assam). The biodegraded and amorphous OM 

contains rich inorganic and organic pyrite framboids 

at various depth levels. The behaviour and frequency 

of OM as well as morphology of pyrites (under SEM) 

are analysed and illustrated. Palynological rock 

samples were collected from Karim Ganj and 

Margherita districts, Assam. Macerated about 50 rock 

samples collected from pit and mine sections of Tirap 

and Ledo collieries, Makum Coalfield to study 

palynofossils, DOM and genesis of pyrite framboids 

over biodegraded plant tissues. The 

palynoassemblage contains varied Tertiary pollen and 

rich recycled Permian pollen grains. The pyrite 

framboids occurred on biodegraded or amorphous 

OM are densely packed ‘raspberry like’ aggregates 

of equigranular micron sized spherules. The selected 

samples were analysed (with U. Bajpai & V.K. 

Singh) in EDAX analyzer system to determine 

content of mineral elements (S, Fe, C, O, P, Mg, Mn, 

Ca, Cu, etc.) in formation of pyrite. The genesis of 

pyrite exhibit prevalence of euxenic condition during 

the deposition of the strata of Ledo coal seams. 

M. Kumar 

Utilised palynological data from Mizoram to 

analyse deposits of the Miocene age. Keifang 

sediments are cyclic alternation of light and dark grey 

Clusters of pyrite framboids, a biodegraded plant tissue from carbonaceous 

shale of Tirap Coalfield (Late Oligocene), Margherita District, Assam 

shale with interbedded siltstone, sandstone package 

and minor mudstone. Cyclicity was probably driven 

by high frequency sea level changes. Light-grey layer 

containing shallow-water bioclasts was formed when 

Keifang exported material, whereas the dark grey 

layers are dominantly pelagic. High stand deposits 

contain shallow-water components, such as 

pteridophytes, angiosperms, gymnosperms and 

epiphytic fungal remains. Whereas, the low stand 

turbidites are dominated by abraded bioclastics 

detritus. Palynofloral assemblage consists of 42 

genera and 45 species. The qualitative analysis of the 

assemblage reveals that Polypodiaceae, 

Lycopodiaceae, Cyathiaceae, Gleicheniaceae, 

Podocarpaceae, Pinaceae, Palmae, Oleaceae, 

Malvaceae and Compositae represent warm and 

humid climate. The common occurrence of diverse 

types of palynoassemblage in Keifang Formation 

indicates coastal tropical moist vegetation during 

Early Miocene. Field work was done in Tertiary 

localities around Lunglei, Saiha, Aizawl, Tlabung, 

Kolasib, Lawngtlai, Tuipang and adjacent regions and 

collected 350 samples for palynological studies. 

B.D. Mandaokar 

19


Component 2: Tertiary floristics of peninsular India 

Studied and identified a number of woods from 

the Intertrappeans and Neogene sediments of Gujarat. 

The woods belong to various genera, viz. Afzelia- 

Intsia, Bauhinia, Cynometra, Ficus, Sterculia, etc. 

Identified some dicot and palm leaf-remains from 

Eocene of Rajasthan. Also finalised a paper on the 

Intertrappean woods of Kachchh (with R. 

Srivastava). 

J.S. Guleria 

Collected and processed lignite samples from 

exposed section (6-27 m) of mine II of Neyveli lignite 

field. The palynological assemblage recovered from 

the samples belongs to 33 genera and 40 species, out 

of which 23 genera belong to angiosperms, 5 genera 

(8 species) to pteridophytes and 5 genera belong to 

fungi. The recorded assemblage attributes Miocene 

age for the lignite deposits and indicates that the 

lignite was deposited in a moist tropical forest along 

with inland elements. Carried out study to understand 

evolution, palaeogeographic distribution and 

extinction of the genus Trilatiporites (= 

Sclerosperma) with context to Indian sub-continent. 

K. Ambwani 

Studied rock succession in two sections from 

Fulra nala (Fulra Limestone Formation, Late-Middle 

Eocene) of Kachchh Basin. One section has yielded 

palynofossils. The assemblage mainly contains 

Aplanosporites and dinocysts besides few 

Margocolporites, Tricolporopilites and pteridophytic 

spores. A few palynotaxa comparable to Tasmanites 

and Tetraploa have also been recovered. Section of 

Khari Nadi Formation (Early Miocene) near Kunri 

village has yielded Striatriletes, Khariasporites, 

Palaeomalvaceaepollis, Hibisceaepollenites, 

Meliapollis and Pinuspollenites. The 

palynoassemblage compares well with Striatriletes 

susannae zone (Kar, 1985) except dinocysts which 

are meagre in the present assemblage. A few 

Bombacacidites pollen of smaller size have been 

recovered from Naredi Formation (Early Eocene). A 

paper has been finalised highlighting their 

phytogeographical significance and discussing the 

stratigraphic antiquity of the fossil Bombacaceae 

pollen in India. 

J.P. Mandal 

Completed the morphotaxonomy and 

identification of spore-pollen recovered from 

Parachuri and Vidyamandir well sections, Ratnagiri 

district (Maharashtra). The palynological 

assemblages consist of fungal remains 

(Phragmothyrites, Notothyrites, Parmathyrites, 

Kutchiathyrites, Ratnagiriathyrites, Lirasporis, 

Dicellaesporites, Dyadosporonites, Multicellaesporites, 

Pluricellaesporites & Staphalosporonites), 

pteridophytic spores (Lygodiumsporites, Striatriletes, 

Pteridacidites, Osmundacidites, Cyathidites and 

Polypodiaceaesporites) and angiospermous pollen 

(Quilonipollenites, Plumbaginacipites, Dipterocarpuspollenites, 

Retitrescolpites. Lakiapollis, 

Ctenolophonidites, Verrutriporites, Clavaperiporites 

and Malvacearumpollis). The palynoflora suggests a 

warm and humid climate (tropical-subtropical) with 

plenty of rainfall during the deposition of sediments. 

The environment of deposition has been interpreted 

as nearshore with sufficient fresh water or freshwater 

swamp near by. The Heliospermopsis represents the 

salt glands of mangrove plants. 

M.R. Rao 

Continued the morphotaxonomic study of 

palynofossils recovered from Akli Formation, Giral 

lignite mine, Barmer district (Rajasthan). 

Dinoflagellate cysts, fungal remains, pteridophytic 

spores and angiosperm pollen constitutes the 

assemblage. The flora is distinctly dominated by 

monosulcate pollen appearing to be related to the 

family Arecaceae (Palmae). Based on qualitative and 

quantitative analyses two zones were identified in the 

studied sequence. The lower zone is characterised 

by high frequency of dinoflagellate cysts along with 

low number of pteridophytic spores suggesting the 

deposition of this part of sediments under shallow 

marine environment. The upper zone is distinctly 

dominated by angiosperm pollen having affinity with 

coastal elements and the palms. Most of the 

20


palynotaxa present in the assemblage shows affinity 

with plants confined to tropical to subtropical regions. 

Palynofloral comparison of the present assemblage 

with those recorded from other Tertiary sediments of 

Rajasthan, Kutch and Meghalaya indicates Late 

Palaeocene age. 

S.K.M. Tripathi 

Analysed Tertiary sediments (Quilon and 

Warkalli formations) of Kerala for palynomorphs. 

Angiosperm pollen (48 genera with 68 species) 

dominates the assemblages followed by pteridophytic 

spores (27 genera with 32 species). Fungal remains 

are present in all the assemblages. An analysis of 

ecological grouping based on their affinities with 

extant plant shows that fresh water swampy and water 

edge plant communities dominate over montane, 

mangrove and other vegetation types. The behaviour 

of plant communities through rock succession shows 

that the deposition of sediments took place under 

transgressive and regressive phases. Following taxa 

are common to all the assemblages: 

Polypodiisporites, Lycopodiumsporites, Crassoretitriletes, 

Todisporites, Iridacidites, Striatriletes, 

Cyathidites, Quilonipollenites, Lakiapollis, 

Ctenolophonidites, Retitrescolpites, Tricolporopollis, 

Malvacearumpollis, Chenopodipollis, Ericipites, 

Dipterocarpusopollenites and Dermatobrevicolporites. 

The assemblages of Quilon and Warkalli 

formations do not show much difference in floral 

composition and hence the two formations may 

represent a facies variation. These assemblages are 

comparable to Miocene assemblage of Assam, Tamil 

Nadu and Kutch. 

R.S. Singh 

Carried out investigation on the materials from 

Ratnagiri, Goa, Kerala, Pondicherry and its adjoining 

areas. Sectioning and study of 40 carbonised woods 

from Kerala were done and study is in process. 

Structural details could be observed in two wood 

samples. Morphological and SEM investigation of 

carbonised woods, fruits and cuticles from Ratnagiri 

are in process. One wood from Kalviwadi, 

Sindhudurg district (Maharashtra) is tentatively 

identified with family Sonneratiaceae. Detailed 

studies were also made on dispersed angiospermous 

leaf cuticles from Sindhudurg Formation (Miocene) 

of Ratnagiri district. Photodocumentation, 

observation, description of the same have been done 

and affinities discussed. One of the cuticles has 

revealed a unique kind of stomatal structure not 

reported so far from any living or fossil plant group. 

Other cuticles are assignable to dicot families. Two 

papers have been finalised on these aspects (with R. 

Tewari and K. Ambwani). Another paper on fruit 

(Amberiocarpon gen. et sp. nov.) from Amberiwadi 

village, Sindhudurg district has also been finalised 

(with K. Ambwani). 

A. Agarwal 

Component 3: Palaeofloristics of sedimentary sequences associated with Deccan Traps 

Macerated samples from the Deccan 

Intertrappean beds, exposed about 3 km. NNE of the 

village Papro, Lalitpur (UP), to confirm the earlier 

results. During the process “paraphyses” of the fern 

Acrostrichum was recovered showing marine 

influence at the depositional site. Palaeocene marker 

species are common to the assemblage recovered 

from this Intertrappean bed. Samples from areas 

around Naskal, (AP) were also macerated and the 

palynomorphs are typical to the Maestrichitian 

assemblage. Recovery of dinoflagellate cysts is 

significant for palaeoenvironment of this 

Intertrappean site. A detail study of the assemblages 

from Naskal is in progress. Also undertook field work 

for the collection of Intertrappean rock samples from 

Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh 

R.S. Singh 

Carried out work on dicotyledonous woods from 

Ghansor, Seoni district (MP). A number of fossil 

woods were cut, studied and photoducumentated. The 

woods were tentatively identified as Hydnocarpus 

and Homalium (Flacourtiaceae), Grewia (Tiliaceae), 

Elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpaceae), ?Euphoria 

(Sapindaceae) and ?Barringtonia (Lecythidaceae). A 

paper dealing with Deccan Intertrappean woods of 

Kachchh was also finalised (with J.S. Guleria). 

R. Srivastava 

21


Project 9: Marine micropalaeontology of petroliferous basins 

Component 1: Calcareous skeletal algae from the Tertiary sequences of Meghalaya and Kutch basins 

Taxonomic study of coralline algae from thin 

sections of Tertiary (Oligocene and Miocene) 

limestone samples of Kachchh Basin was carried out. 

Late Oligocene (Chattian) coralline algae have been 

recorded from the topmost member (Bermoti 

Member) of Maniyara Fort Formation exposed in the 

Bermoti stream in a locality about 0.5 km SE of 

Bermoti village and also in the stream near village 

Bernani. The Chattian algal assemblage comprises 

species of Lithophyllum and Mesophyllum. Late 

Lower Miocene (Burdigalian) coralline algae have 

been recorded from the Chhasara Formation exposed 

along the Khari Nadi near the village Chhasara. The 

Burdigalian algal flora is represented only by species 

of Corallina. Interpretation has been made on the role 

of calcareous algae especially in evaluating 

palaeoecology and palaeobathymetry. The 

environment of deposition of Maniyara Fort 

Formation was marginal marine, littoral to shallow 

inner-shelf. Marine trangressive environment shifted 

from lagoon to medium - high-energy open shelf 

environment when coral bioherms were formed. 

Attempts have been made to provide information on 

the depth distribution of coralline incrusting 

associations and from the Oligocene of southwestern 

Kachchh. In addition a conceptual model of mediumenergy 

reef formation has been proposed on the basis 

of Late Oligocene (Chattian) algal forms. Taxonomic 

study on the coralline algae from Tertiary (Paleocene) 

sediments of Meghalaya have also been done on the 

samples of Lakadong Limestone Member, collected 

from K.L.M.C Limestone quarry, near Bholaganj 

(about 0.5 km west of western bank of Um 

Sohryngkew River). The coralline algal flora 

comprises species of Lithoporella, Sporolithon, 

Phymatolithon, Lithophyllum and Mesophyllum. 

A.K. Ghosh 

Component 2: Integrated phytoplankton biozonation and palynofacies analysis of Cretaceous-Tertiary 

sequences of Meghalaya and Kutch with emphasis on bioevents, time boundaries and 

palaeoenvironment 

Dinoflagellate cyst bioevents identified in the 

upper Cretaceous-Palaeocene succession of the Khasi 

Hills (Meghalaya) are summarized. Detailed 

morphotaxonomical studies on some dinoflagellate 

cysts belonging to Apectodinium are carried out. 

These are characterized by a broader than long cyst 

lacking apical horn, reduced or absent antapical horns 

and broad lateral horns. These cysts differ from 

known Apectodinium species in overall shape and 

horn characteristics and are considered to represent 

a new species of the genus. LM/SEM investigation 

of selected samples from the Lakadong Sandstone to 

study preservational status of dinoflagellate cysts/ 

organic matter in relation to the fluctuating anoxic 

bottom conditions indicated by Apectodinium-rich 

assemblage is carried out. Evidences of bacterial 

decay and pyrite-relic structures are noted on the 

dinocyst walls and terrestrial organic matter. 

Palynofacies investigations of the lower part of the 

Mahadeo Formation (Therriaghat area) revealed 

significant variations in the vertical distribution of 

dinocysts and land-derived organic matter (marine/ 

terrestrial component). Stratigraphic levels with high 

terrestrial component in the basal part of the 

succession are found to contain dinocysts in 

moderate/low numbers and reworked Permian 

palynomorphs. These are interspersed with levels rich 

in dinocyst assemblages (dominated by chorate cysts). 

Occurrence of Xenascus ceratoides in this assemblage 

is significant as its LAD indicates Lower/Upper 

Maastrichtian boundary. 

R. Garg, Khowaja-Ateequzzaman & V. Prasad 

Recorded additional marker nannofossil taxa 

from the Langpar Formation (Danian) to update agesignificant 

bioevents in the Upper Cretaceous- 

22


Palaeocene succession. Two biozones and three 

subzones are identified in the upper part of the 

formation. 

R. Garg 

Integrated dinoflagellate cyst data with larger 

foraminifer data from Lakadong Limestone/ 

Sandstone succession of Cherrapunji Plateau and 

Therriaghat area for precise age determination and 

palaeoenvironmental interpretations. These evidences 

are further utilized to understand lateral facies 

development and relative sea level changes in the 

Upper Palaeocene succession of the Khasi Hills. 

Apectodinium-rich dinoflagellate cyst assemblages 

(Late Thanetian Ahy/Aau Biozones) recovered from 

sediments associated with coal-bearing strata of the 

Lakadong Sandstone suggest that the deposition of 

this coal unit was a short-lived event close to the 

Palaeocene-Eocene boundary. The predominance of 

Apectodinium indicating reduced salinity with anoxic 

bottom conditions supports estuarine to coastal 

swamp environment of this coal-bearing sandstone. 

The studies have established close stratigraphic 

correspondence between Apectodinium Acme (Aau 

Biozone) and the larger foraminifer Ranikothalia 

nuttali-Miscellania miscella Assemblage (Shallow 

Benthic Zones SBZ5-SBZ6). Based on this 

correlation, it is concluded that the coal-bearing 

Lakadong Sandstone on the Cherrapunji Plateau is 

the synchronous lateral facies equivalent of the upper 

part of the Lakadong Limestone of the basinal 

Therriaghat section. The Lakadong Limestone/ 

Sandstone succession represents a progradational 

sequence developed during sea level highstand in Late 

Palaeocene times. The Therria Sandstone-Lakadong 

Limestone/Sandstone sequence of Khasi Hills is 

interpreted as deposits of the transgressive and 

highstand system tracts, representing a single 

depositional sequence between post-Langpar and post 

Lakadong sea level falls, corresponding broadly to 

the 3 rd order cycles TA 2.1 – TA 2.3. A paper is 

finalized on this aspect. Also documented the 

occurrence of stratigraphically significant dinocyst 

taxa from the upper part of the Langpar Formation 

and identified three informal biozones. Vertical 

distribution of different cyst associations (viz. 

Spiniferites group, Cordosphaeridium group, 

Glaphyrocysta group and Senegalinium group) is 

recorded for palaeoenvironmental interpretations. 

Field work in parts of the Khasi and Garo Hills was 

carried out to study and collect samples from selected 

Upper Cretaceous–Tertiary sections. 336 samples in 

all were collected from Weiloi–Mawsynram, Tura– 

Barrengapara, and Siju–Rewak areas. Detailed 

sampling was done from thin coal–bearing horizons 

of Lakadong Sandstone in Jathang and Mahadek– 

Langpar transition near Lawbah (Mawsynram area). 

Lower and upper contacts of the Siju Limestone with 

Tura and Rewak formations have been investigated 

and sampled in detail in Dilni River and Siju–Rewak 

area. Significant lateral facies changes in Siju 

Formation are documented. 

R. Garg & Khowaja-Ateequzzaman 

Identified successive first appearance of some 

additional marker dinoflagellate cyst taxa from the 

Naredi Formation (Kachchh Basin) which are 

significant for age determination and biozonation. 

Occurrence of C. cornuta / K. nuda in the basal part 

(below the “Venericardia beaumonti” Bed) indicates 

definite Palaeocene age. M. fimbriatum, common 

through out the succession, ranges from Late 

Thanetian to early Lutetian in age. First appearance 

of A. multispinosum, G. exuberance/G. vicina above 

the ‘VB’ Bed suggests early Ypresian age as these 

species have their FAD at or just above the 

Palaeocene-Eocene boundary. Three informal 

biozones are proposed. Also documented dinocysts 

recovered from the basal part of the Fulra Formation. 

Khowaja-Ateequzzaman & R. Garg 

Apectodinium paniculatum — dinoflagellate cyst, Lakadong Sandstone, 

South Shillong Plateau 

23


Component 3: Neogene microfossils from Andaman and Nicobar Islands and their stratigraphical 

significance 

Recorded diatom and silicoflagellate assemblage 

from the mudstone and chalk beds of the Archipelago 

Group (Neogene) exposed along North-South Road 

in Great Nicobar Island. Morphotaxonomic study of 

this assemblage has been done and its biostratigraphic 

potential is being assessed. Completed compilation 

of field data from the Great Nicobar Island. An 

annotated synopsis of the geological studies so far 

carried out in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is 

being prepared. It will include bibliographical details 

and abstracts of papers published on all aspects of 

geology of the Islands. 

A. Chandra & R.K. Saxena 

Component 4: Late Mesozoic-Tertiary nannofossils from Andaman and Nicobar Islands and their 

biostratigraphical implications 

Scanning Electron Microscopic documentation 

from Neill Island (East Coast and Nipple Hill section) 

is carried out. The assemblage contains reworked 

Cretaceous and Palaeogene nannofossils. The 

assemblage belongs to Discoaster bergrenii Zone 

(CN 9A) of Okada and Bukry and the lower part of 

the Discoaster quinqueramus Zone (NN-11) of 

Martini of Late Miocene age. A manuscript entitled 

“Late Miocene endoskeletal dinoflagellates from 

Sawai Bay Formation, Neill Island, Andaman sea, 

India” is revised as per referee’s suggestions. 

J. Rai 

Thrust Area: Quaternary Vegetation, Climate and Monsoon 

Project 10: Quaternary vegetation and palaeoenvironment 

Component 1: Palaeovegetation and Palaeoclimate studies of Quaternary sediments from Himalayas 

Prepared data sets of all the investigated profiles 

from Himalaya for construction of global maps of 

biomes 6,000 and 18,000 yr. BP in consultation with 

Dr. Sutra and Professor Sandy Harrison of Germany. 

C. Sharma 

Completed pollen analysis of profile SRT-I (2 

m thick) from Saria Tal, Kumaun Himalaya and 

constructed pollen diagram. Study has unrevealed 

palaeovegetation and corresponding climate of the 

temperate zone of the region since Middle Holocene. 

Around 4,950 yr. BP area had predominance of 

nonarboreals with pine forest. Quercus encountered 

rarely but showed gradual increase onwards, 

indicating ameliorating trend of climate. At the onset 

of Late Holocene Quercus acquired marked 

enhancement with corresponding fall in nonarboreals, 

resulted establishment of mixed oak forest with 

change in climate towards more warm and humid 

conditions but the frequency of mixed oak forest did 

not remain constant and faced phases of depression 

and expansion, indicating fluctuating climatic 

conditions during Late Holocene. Also carried out 

palaeontological investigation of lacustrine 

sediments from Saria Tal and prepared 2 figures 

which show specific distribution of Molluscs, 

supporting the results of pollen analytical 

investigations. Undertaken geochemical analysis of 

sedimentary profile ST (3.5 m deep) from Sukha Tal 

and prepared a figure which shows inverse relation 

in total organic matter (TOM) with total carbonate 

contents (TCC) throughout the sequence. About 

24


lower half part of profile contains fluctuating high 

TOM and low TCC, indicating existence of wet 

climate at the region. The subsequent half part shows 

considerably low TOM and abruptly high TCC, 

reflecting change in climate towards dry conditions. 

The top of profile again contains high TOM and low 

TCC, showing restoration of earlier conditions. Also 

carried out chemical processing of profile ST from 

Sukha Tal. Prepared two manuscripts on the above 

aspects. 

A. Gupta 

Component 2: Origin and history of tropical forests in peninsular India 

Carried out the pollen analytical studies of a 1.5 

m deep sediment profile (12210 ±110 yr. BP at 80 

cm level) from Aki forest Division in Mikir hills 

(Assam). The study predicts that in the last 15,000 

yrs. there have been four stages of vegetation 

developments reflecting directly on brief phases of 

climate such as very arid, arid, semi arid, warm and 

humid. The abundance of grasses both cultivated as 

well as wild throughout the pollen diagram has 

revealed the existence of an open savannah forest. 

The arboreal vegetation is poor and represented by a 

few scattered tropical trees and shrubs. Both monolete 

as well as trilete ferns are well documented in the 

assemblage. Some degraded pollen and spores along 

with fungal spores and hyphae are also found in the 

sediment. The low occurrence of few extra regional 

plant taxa like Pinus, Picea, Abies, Larix, Betula and 

Alnus are indicative of long distance transportation 

of pollen from high elevation. 

S.K. Bera 

Completed pollen analytical investigation of 1.5 

m deep sediment core from Barkullah Swamp, 

Shahdol district (M.P.) and prepared pollen diagram. 

Three phases of vegetation development have been 

recognized in the region since prior to 3,000 yrs. BP— 

i) Phase I- indicates existence of the open tropical 

deciduous forests composed of a few trees of 

Madhuca indica, Terminalia, Lagerstroemia, 

Emblica officinalis, etc. in warm and less moist 

climatic condition, ii) Phase II- indicates that mixed 

deciduous forests became dense and diversified due 

to immigration of Shorea robusta (sal) as well as 

increase in the frequencies of Madhuca indica, 

Lagerstroemia, Adina cordifolia and Holoptelea in 

response to amelioration of climate which probably 

turned warm and moist, and iii) Phase III- is marked 

by the establishment of modern sal forests as 

evidenced from the expansion of Shorea robusta 

together with its associates, such as Madhuca indica, 

Terminalia, Holoptelea, etc. This significant change 

in the floristic pattern reflects the prevalence of moist 

climate in the region. 

Pollen analysis of 5 surface samples was carried 

out from Dongar-Sarbar, Shahdol district to study 

modern pollen/vegetation relationship in the region. 

Among the recovered arboreal taxa, Madhuca indica 

and Shorea robusta are somewhat better represented, 

whereas Emblica officinalis, Terminalia, 

Lagerstroemia, Buchanania, etc. are recorded 

sporadically. The poor representation of most of the 

tree taxa could be inferred to their entomophilous 

mode of pollination as well as poor preservation of 

pollen in the sediments. On the other hand, the good 

representation of herbaceous taxa, viz., grasses, 

sedges, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae and 

Tubuliflorae exhibits a close coherence with their 

actual composition in the ground flora. Pollen analysis 

was done 10 samples from a 1.5 m deep core in 

Dongar-Sarbar area. The pollen assemblage obtained 

has shown the presence of tropical deciduous sal 

forests in the region. The analysis of the remaining 

samples is in progress. Finalised a paper entitled 

“Pollen record of vegetation and climatic changes in 

northeastern Madhya Pradesh during last 1,600 

years”. 

M.S. Chauhan 

Studied two sedimentary soil profiles from Adyar 

estuary. The geochemical data reveals the input of 

toxic concentration of heavy metals, especially 

arsenic (50 - 100 µg/g), lead (400 - 1000 µg/g) and 

copper (80 - 400 µg/g) in surface soil as well as in 

profiles. Most of the arsenic in soil is water-soluble. 

25


Accumulation of these in plants was also analysed. 

The palynostratigraphical records show occurrence 

of mangrove forest during Early Holocene in the 

estuary that declined during Late Holocene. The 

anthropogenic pressure from Chennai city is fast 

deteriorating the aesthetic value of the estuary. 

Palynostratigraphical studies from Kolleru Lake (AP) 

indicates the shrinking of lake in the present day due 

to pressure of aquacultutre and pisciculture practiced 

in large scale decreasing the biodiversity in the area. 

Preliminary analysis shows high concentration of 

heavy metals (arsenic, lead, and copper) in surface 

soil and sedimentary soil profile studied from 

Pichavaram (TN). High concentration of these was 

observed in the leaves of mangroves. 

A. Farooqui 

Component 3: Studies of lake sediments in Rajasthan desert proxy climate signals 

Carried out LM and SEM studies of palyno taxa 

of families Malvaceae, Capparidaceae and 

Sterculiaceae collected from Rajasthan in order to 

facilitate the specific identification of the recovered 

fossil pollen and to ascertain the affinities of the 

genera and species to determine possible evolutionary 

trends in these families. Completed the pollen 

analytical investigations of 1.40 m deep sedimentary 

profile from Pachpadra, an extinct salt lake in Barmer 

district. The pollen diagram has been divided into 

three zones; each prefixed by the abbreviations PP, 

signifying the investigated site. Pollen zone PP-I 

(125-140 cm) is palynologically barren and is mainly 

comprised of sandy material with very little clay. PP- 

II (70-125 cm) reflects poor occurrence of Poaceae, 

Cyperaceae, Tubulifloreae, etc. comprising sandy 

surface and with little clay. Pollen zone PP-III (0-70 

cm) revealed good frequency of palyno-taxa, viz. 

Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Tubulifloreae, Brassicaceae, 

Convolvulaceae, Portulaca sp., Solanum 

xanthocarpum amongst non-arboreal and Mimosa sp., 

Syzyzium sp., Holoptelea, Ephedra sp., etc. of 

arboreal. Pollen of Pinus roxburghii, transported to 

the site has also been recorded. Pollen of Dendropthoe 

falcata, the epiphyte Loranthaceae has also been 

recovered. Completed pollen analytical investigation 

of 4.00 m deep sedimentary profile from Bagundi, 

another extinct salt lake, situated 30 km from 

Pachpadra town towards Barmer. Studies have 

revealed the dominance of non-arboreal over arboreal 

as witnessed in Pachpadra profile. Most of the 

samples turned out non-productive, except for the 

upper part (0-90 cm) with blackish clay sediment. 

Finalized manuscript based on the studies of surface 

samples from Bagundi. 

C. Sharma & C. Srivastava 

Component 4 :Palaeomangroves and palaeoclimate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands during 

Quaternary Period 

Pollen analysis in ten samples (nos. 11-20) of 

Quaternary section (BS-1595; 36,550 ±870 yr. BP) 

from R.K. Puram, Little Andaman was done. The 

palynodebris exhibited poor assemblage of pollen 

grains, fungal spores, fern spores, microforaminifera, 

etc. The pollen of Poaceae, Urticaceae, Acanthaceae, 

Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Oleaceae along 

with mangrove constituents (Rhizophora, 

Excoecaria, Heritiera) have been encountered in 

varying frequencies. Trilete and monolete fern spores 

were found in great abundance in some of the 

samples. Reworked striate, disaccate pollen of older 

horizons were also encountered. 

A. Khandelwal 

Pollen of Holoptelea integrifolia X 1000 

26


Component 5: Aerobiology in relation to pollen production, dispersal and preservation of pollen grains 

Detailed information of 28 plant taxa was 

collected for an atlas of air borne pollen grains of 

Lucknow plants and their allergenic significance. It 

includes data on their name, local identity, family, 

distribution, habit and habitat, flowering period, 

pollen incidence in the air of Lucknow and other parts 

of country, duration, peak and percentage in annual 

pollen calendar, pollen morphology and allergenic 

significance. The recorded taxa are Ailanthus excelsa, 

Amaranthus spinosus, Argemone mexicana, Albizzia 

procera, Azadirachta indica, Crataeva religiosa, 

Cannabis sativa, Cassia fistula, Cynodon dactylon, 

Chenopodium album, Dactylactenium aegyptium, 

Delonix regia, Eragrostris tenella, Eucalyptus 

citriodora, Emblica officinalis, Grevillea robusta, 

Holoptelea integrifolia, Kigelia pinnata, Moringa 

oleifera, Morus alba, Parthenium hysterophorus, 

Pithecolobium dulce, Prosopis juliflora, Putranjiva 

roxburghii, Polyalthia longifolia, Ricinus communis, 

Salmalia malabarica and Terminalia arjuna. The 

work is in progress. 

A. Khandelwal 

Component 6: Vegetational history and climate during Quaternary in Antarctica 

Pollen analyses of the samples from Priyadarshini 

lake collected by Dr. Rajiv Sinha, IIT, Kanpur (50 

cm deep profile-II) and Dr. D.K. Upreti, NBRI, 

Lucknow (surface samples) was carried out. The 

studies have unraveled Early Holocene vegetation 

scenario. The studies corroborate more or less with 

the earlier investigated profile (profile-I) from the 

lake. There is overall dominance of nonarboreal taxa 

over arboreal. The arboreal pollen, viz. Larix, Pinus, 

Podocarpus, Betula, Myrtaceae, Oleaceae, etc., have 

the origin in far off subtropical and temperate regions 

and have been transported thousands of kilometers 

through upthermic winds, whereas the nonarboreals 

include mostly grasses and Caryophyllaceae having 

local origin representing very few taxa growing in 

Antarctica. Cosmarium, 

the most dominant alga 

besides other algal and 

fungal remains too are 

present in most of the 

samples. The analytical 

work carried out on 

surface samples from 

Antarctica is finalised 

and a manuscript is 

completed. The study (by 

Bera) of air samples 

over southern ocean 

records the low 

occurrence of pollen/ 

Thick iceshelf, Indian Bay 

spore and insect scale, wings, plant fragments, algal 

and fungal filaments indicating the long distance 

distribution of microbiota in the air. 

C. Sharma & S.K. Bera 

Visited IIT, Kanpur to procure Gravity Corer 

(HYDROBIOS) and to discuss (with Dr. Sinha) about 

the drilling methods in remote lake sites in Antarctica. 

Completed the detail work done during 19 th 

Expedition. Visited NCAOR, Goa under 20 th 

Expedition programme and engaged in the 

arrangement of equipment, chemicals and other items 

for setting a laboratory at Antarctica. Procured a large 

number of palynological samples including moss 

turfs, frozen soil, dry algal mat, moraine, lake water, 

27


snow and blue ice from different lake sites, valleys, 

nunataks and Polar ice bed in and around Schirmacher 

oasis of East Antarctica. Recovered one lake sediment 

profile from ‘Long Lake’ (70º45’20" S & 11º4’ E), 3 

km west of Priyadarshini Lake during 20 th Expedition. 

Daily air sampling was done by exposing glycerin 

smeared slides using Burkard air sampler starting 

from 40ºS of Capetown (South Africa) to Antarctica 

over Southern Ocean and on return voyage from 

Antarctica to Capetown respectively. A manuscript 

is also finalised on this study (with A. Khandelwal). 

S.K. Bera 

Project 11: Archaeobotany and dendrochronology 

Component 1: Ancient plant economy of pre- and proto-historic sites in northern and western India 

Continued study on the botanical remains from 

the non-agrarian Mesolithic site of Early Holocene 

times in Pratapgarh district (UP). In earlier examined 

material, damage caused by water-sieving, however, 

appeared to be considerable in the form of cracking 

on the surface of highly fragile grains and seeds, 

fortuitously preserved in carbonised state. In the 

current approach, retrieval of some exceedingly 

carbonised seeds and fruits by scooping them from 

the mudclods of Mesolithic habitation deposits was 

an scrupulous task, but some poorly preserved 

specimens are recovered in intact form. The species 

of Rumex, Dactyloctenium, Setaria and Desmodium 

were of similar kinds as reported earlier. A few grains 

of bristlegrass (Setaria cf. verticillata) and a small 

piece of rachilla of rice, however, made new 

additions. A broken piece of rice grain with a small 

part of husk attached, provided certain conformity 

with domesticated form of Oryza sativa. A few small 

pieces of wood charcoals, on being sectioned and 

studied, were found belonging to those of Ziziphus 

sp., Bambusa sp., Butea monosperma and Capparis 

sepiaria/horrida. 

‘Putranjeeva’ (Drypetes roxburghii) with holes 

made across them from Imlidih-Khurd, 

Gorakhpur (Ca 1300-800 B.C.) strung up in a 

necklace form (scale in mm) 

Study of 

botanical remains 

recovered through 

the archaeological 

excavation at an 

ancient mound in 

the village 

Malhar, situated 

on the bank of 

Karamnasa River, 

Chandauli district 

(UP), was carried out. From a wide range of cultural 

deposits dated from about 1800 to 800 BC, crop 

remains homologies with the certain grains and seeds. 

Remains of some weeds and other wild taxa in highly 

mutilated condition were also encountered in 

association of the crop assemblage. Study of large 

number of wood charcoals revealed the presence of 

trees and shrubs of mahua, khair/babul, salai, palash, 

dhera, anwala, heens/jhiri, dahia, gular, chebulic or 

harra, bamboo, etc. Further studies are in progress. 

An affluent annexation was also made in the plant 

economy of ancient Imlidih-Khurd in Gorakhpur 

District, already worked out during 1998-99. 

Voluminous quantities of ashy contents containing 

enormous, minute bits of carbonised material, 

recovered during excavation, were repeatedly 

analysed. An embracive search led to the explicit 

identification of a large number of seeds and fruits. 

The find of lichen (Everniastrum cirrhatum), 

from the cultural stratum datable between 1300 and 

800 BC is to be reckoned with for its use as an 

ingredient of spices and medicine. Vernacularly 

known as ‘Chharila’, occurs on the bark of trees in 

the temperate forests of Himalayas, at the elevations 

of 1000-4000 m. the use of ‘Putranjeeva’ (Drypetes 

roxburghii) nuts is also evidenced highly alluring one, 

in the cultural lexicon. A few nuts with holes made 

across them suggest to had been strung up in a 

necklace. It is a unique evidence of a definite aspect 

of human philosophical thought and activity, during 

1300-800 BC at Imlidih-Khurd. The opulent data 

generated would lend a hand in the reconstruction of 

ecological surroundings of this settlement, during 

1700-800 BC Not surprisingly, many plants recorded 

28


do have economic uses and may be regarded to have 

been manipulated for varied purposes by ancients. A 

field work was undertaken to an ancient site in a 

village Ojiyana, Bhilwara district, Rajasthan, where 

Rajasthan circle of Archaeological Survey of India 

carried out a systematic excavation to delve into an 

indigenous, less known and lesser studied ‘Ahar 

Culture’ of Mewar region, flourishing during third 

and second millennia BC A large amount of 

carbonised material was collected, from a wide range 

of cultural deposits at the site. 

K.S. Saraswat 

Carried out investigation on a rich collection of 

botanical remains retrieved through archaeological 

excavations at an ancient mound in Charda-Jamoga 

village, district Bahraich (UP). The remains of seeds 

and fruits, from a wide range of cultural deposits, 

datable from about 800/700 BC to 1100 AD, reflect 

an advanced state of agricultural economy. The finds 

include the remains of field-crops belonging to barley, 

rice, bread-wheat, dwarf-wheat, ragi/ African millet, 

Kodon, pigeon-pea, chick-pea, khesari/ grass-pea, 

lentil, field-pea, aconite bean, cow-pea, black gram, 

green gram, kulthi/ horse-gram, linseed, sesame, and 

cotton. A seed of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is 

also important to suggest its cultivation for its fruits. 

Stones and fruits of jujube (Ziziphus sp.) and the seeds 

of silk-cotton tree (Salmalia malabarica) and the 

herbaceous species of Crotolaria, have also been 

encountered. Associated finds of weeds and other 

wild taxa have been identified. A field work to the 

ancient site at Pirvitani Sariff in village Trilokpur, 

district Sravasti, U.P. was made for the collection of 

archaeobotanical remains through excavations, being 

conducted by the Department of Ancient Indian 

History and Archaeology, Lucknow University, 

Lucknow. 

C. Srivastava 

Component 2: Tree ring analysis for reconstruction of Quaternary environment 

Cross-dated the tree-core samples of Abies 

spectabilis from Rargari, and Bugdyar in Munsiyari, 

Pithoragarh. The ring-widths of dated samples were 

measured and chronologies prepared. The chronology 

from Bugdyar (prepared from 24 tree-core) extends 

from AD 1778-1998, however the chronology from 

Rargari (22 tree-core) extends from AD 1721-1998. 

The chronology statistics such as mean sensitivity 

inter-correlation between tree samples indicate that 

the tree growth is moderately sensitive to climatic 

variations. The detailed tree-growth/climate 

relationship study is being worked out. 

R.R. Yadav 

Analysed teak (Tectona grandis) core samples 

from 23 trees and 13 discs from Parambiculum Forest 

Division, Kerala. Tree-cores were mounted and 

polished for the analysis. Tree rings were counted 

through Skeleton Plot technique. Number of ring 

range from 31 to 246 years. Several tree-cores of 

Pinus gerardiana from Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh 

were also analysed. Tree rings have been counted. 

Number of rings range from72 to 579. Samples are 

found to have a large number of missing rings, which 

are identified and dated through ‘cross dating’ 

technique. 

A. Bhattacharyya 

Project 13: Geochronometry and Isotope studies 

Component 1: Radiocarbon dating of deposits relating to Quaternary Period and archaeobotanical 

investigations and chemical analysis of sediments for palaeoenvironmental 

interpretations 

29


A total of 160 samples were processed in the 

Radiocarbon Lab during the year, of these 152 were 

dated. The routine dating has been continued using 

Quantulus Liquid Scintillation Counter. The spectral 

quench parameter measured using the internal 

standard of the Quantutlus system is being used 

regularly to correct counting efficiency due to self 

quenching while calculating results. The motor unit 

for vertical movement of the sample in the counting 

chamber in the Quantulus became defective. This part 

was procured and replaced at the end of November, 

but the counting of samples was continued using the 

less sensitive Rackbeta unit. Dating of high counting 

samples is being carried out using Rackbeta system. 

Efficiency correction for counting due to selfquenching 

has also been carried out in the same 

manner as in Quantulus system. Nine different kinds 

of samples (carbonates, cellulose, barley, etc.) were 

dated as a part of 4 th International Radiocarbon intercomparison 

measurements conducted by University 

of Glasgow (UK). The results agree very well with 

measurements carried out at 83 laboratories world 

over. 

A peat sample (depth at 80 cm) from Kukrail 

was dated for reconstruction of climate and vegetation 

history around Lucknow. The age at was found to be 

100 ±90 Yr. BP showing a high sedimentation rate. 

Deeper samples are needed to infer the past vegetation 

changes. Organic mud samples from Jarbokho (at 90 

cm), Sidhi District and Barkullah (at 25 cm), Sahdol 

District were dated (Jarbokho- 1360 ±90 YBP, 

Barkullah- 3020 ±90 YBP) for chronological 

reconstruction of vegetation and climate in different 

regions of MP. Organic mud samples (130-150 cm) 

from Dongar Sarbar, Sahdol District were dated (9470 

±130 YBP) to reconstruct the temporal and spatial 

distribution of tropical deciduous forest in central 

India. Silty clay samples (at 4.0 m) from Dokriani 

Bamak Glacier, Uttarkashi were dated (9050 ± 40 

YBP) for the reconstruction of climatic changes 

around that region and to link glacial fluctuations in 

relation to 14 C dates. Carbonaceous sediment samples 

from Bhojbas, Gangotri was also dated to understand 

the climatic changes vis-à-vis glacial fluctuations. 

The sample at 0.50-0.54 m depth in the profile dates 

to 5990 ±120 YBP and the one at 1.20-1.24 m depth 

dates to 8730 ±170 YBP. Interpretation of glacial 

fluctuations on the basis of the palynological, 

chemical and age data are being finalised. 

Carbonaceous samples from Sukha Tal, Nainital were 

dated to reconstruct the palaeovegetation and climate 

of the area. The age at depth 230-235 cm works out 

to 8260 ±170 YBP and at depth 335-340 cm it is 

3790 ±110 YBP. 

One Carbonaceous sediment sample (at 28.96 m) 

from Mansar Lake, J&K was dated (8530 ±130 YBP) 

for reconstruction of environment change with time 

of that region. Carbonaceous clay samples from 

Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi was also dated. Dating 

of carbonaceous samples (at 1.0 m depth) from 

Sulurpet (AP) was undertaken to infer the chronology 

of Holocene sea level and climatic changes, the age 

is found to be 2310 ±140 YBP. Peat samples (at 3.0 

m) from Kasredinilam, Sulurpet was also dated (4800 

±180 YBP) to study the neotectonic movement in 

the area and the data are being correlated with Pulicat 

Lake and other East Coast regions. Peats (141-145 

cm) from Adyar, Chennai was also dated (16680 ±280 

YBP) to derive the history of mangrove vegetation 

during Late Quaternary. Peats (1.25-1.35 m) from 

Siro, Arunachal Pradesh was dated (>40,000 YBP) 

to study the climatic changes in eastern Himalayas. 

Carbonaceous samples (at 21-60 cm depth) from Zub 

Lake, East Antarctica were dated (1310 ±140 YBP) 

to understand the past climate of the region. Charcoal 

sample (at depth 2.75 m) from Dadupur, Lucknow 

was dated (3380 ±160 YBP) to understand the ancient 

plant economy from Pre-historic and proto-historic 

sites. 

G. Rajagopalan 

30


Project 15: Special Activity 

Component 1: Floristics and phytogeography of tropical and subtropical forests 

Studied the diagnostic morphological characters 

of angiospermous pollen taxa under SEM in relation 

to LM. The morphographical characters were noted 

to supplement the preparation of pollen atlas. Further, 

a detailed SEM study of pollen taxa Psudophoenix 

vinifer, Phoenix sylvestris, P. tomentosa and 

Plectocomia engleri belonging to Arecaceae was 

carried out. It was found that the monosulcate pollen 

grains of Psudophoenix resemble with the fossil 

pollen grains of Quilonipollenites. Also visited 

Central National Herbarium, Howrah for the detailed 

study of pollen type specimens. 

K. Ambwani 

Carried out studies on the flora of Sidhi District, 

MP. The vegetation of the district is predominantly 

dry deciduous, with Teak forest, covering much of 

the area in the north and the northwest of Kaimur 

hills and Kehanjua hills. The hilly moist localities to 

the central and south and the other scattered localised 

patches with more precipitation or having more 

humid condition possess moist deciduous vegetation 

with Sal forests. The vegetation of this area comprises 

of tree, shrubs and herbs. The trees, shrubs and woody 

climbers are perennial. Almost all the herbaceous 

plants are seasonal. Thus, the vegetation of the district 

may be studied under two categories— i) permanent 

vegetation, and ii) seasonal vegetation. Floristic 

survey of south Sahdol Forest Division was 

undertaken and plant specimens (800), polleniferous 

materials (300 samples), wood blocks (10), and fruits 

and seeds (200 samples) were collected. 

Ethnobotanical survey of Gond and Bagia tribal areas 

was carried out and documentation of various uses 

of about 100 plants was completed. Samples of 60 

medicinal plants were also collected. Processing of 

collected plant materials is being done. SEM 

photograph of nuts of different species of genus 

Fimbristylis (Cyperaceae) was taken to study detail 

morphology (with K. Ambwani). 

D.C. Saini 

31


Contribution other than Project Work 

Finalised a chapter on Permian Ferns in India 

for book ‘Gondwana Alive’ to be published from 

South Africa. 

S. Chandra & K.J. Singh 

Finalised a chapter on Lycopod Galore for 

book ‘Gondwana Alive’ to be published from South 

Africa. Also compiled the distribution pattern of 

megaspores in different horizons of India during 

Permian. In spite of their plentiful occurrence, the 

megaspores show inconsistent stratigraphic 

distribution pattern. Their number is low in Talchir, 

increases in Karharbari and Barakar, and decreases in 

Barren Measures and Raniganj formations. The 

megaspores of Talchir Formation are usually simple 

in structure with a smooth (laevigate) escosporium and 

unpitted mesosporium. However, structural complexity 

increases in the overlying Karharbari and Barkar 

formations from where all the three kinds the azonate, 

zonate and gulate megaspores are reported. The 

azonate exhibit a variety of ornamentations. The zonate 

and gulate megaspores are absent from Barren 

Measures and Raniganj formations. Exosporium in 

these formations too, exhibits only few variations. 

R. Tewari 

Analysed the subsurface material received 

from the Coal Wing, Geological Survey of India from 

Tatapani-Ramkola and Singrauli coalfields. During 

a field trip (along with Vijaya) to Singrauli Coalfield 

subsurface as well as outcrop samples were collected 

from Mahuli block. 

A. Tripathi 

Compiled data to establish the 

phytostratigraphical succession in the Glossopteris flora 

of India. Fragmentary remains of plants and spore–pollen 

have been reported from the beds directly overlying the 

glacial boulder bed. The earliest known plant fossils 

are gymnosperms and are represented by the species of 

Gangamopteris and Pantophyllum. The palynological 

assemblage from this level is predominated by 

monosaccate pollens. The succeeding assemblage shows 

an increase in number of Glossopteris sp., and the first 

appearance of definite pteridophytes in the flora. Oldest 

Gondwana coals were laid down at this level. The next 

zone is a true Glossopteris dominated assemblage, the 

palynological assemblage reflecting a marked increase 

in the percentage of disaccate-striate pollen. It is followed 

by a very poor assemblage, which, however, is rich in 

Densipollenites pollen. The younger assemblages are 

richest in variety and number of pteridophytes and 

gymnosperms, which reflects both in macro– and microflora. 

U. Bajpai 

Studied the nature of sedimentary organic matter 

from Suket Shale Formation (850-900 Ma), Vindhyan 

Supergroup exposed in Mandsaur district (MP) under 

LM and SEM. It shows the prominence of structured 

and grey amorphous types of organic matter. Two types 

of framboids are seen, one with smooth surface and other 

with spinules. The framboids are syngenetic in origin. 

The presence of framboids suggests the prevalence of 

euxinic conditions during the deposition of Suket Shales. 

The organic matter is highly mature and seems to have 

released certain types of hydrocarbons during successive 

stages of diagenesis. 

M. Shukla, U. Bajpai, M. Kumar, G.P. 

Srivastava & Anand-Prakash 

Finalised a paper entitled “Biostratigraphy and 

palaeoecology of Lower Permian sediments of West 

Bokaro Coalfield, Bihar, India”. 

R. Saxena 

Prepared a paper entitled “Sedimentary organic 

matter characterisation from intermontane Karewa Basin 

of Kashmir valley”. The study has shown the evidences 

of forest fire/bacterial degradation in the Kashmir 

lignites. 

R. Saxena, O.S. Sarate & Anand-Prakash 

Checked literature and prepared reference cards 

for a catalogue of Indian Tertiary plant megafossils 

published during 1989-2001 to update the earlier 

catalogue (Srivastava, 1991). 

R. Srivastava & J.S. Guleria 

32


Prepared a paper entitled “Morphotaxonomical 

study on fossil leaves of Ficus from Late Holocene 

sediments of Sirmur District, H.P., India” (with M.P. Sah). 

M. Prasad & M.S. Chauhan 

Started work on a monograph including study 

of all the fungal remains known so far from the Indian 

sediments. This will include morphotaxonomic restudy 

of fungal taxa, their reallocation, wherever necessary, 

proposal of new genera and species, comments on their 

extant relationship, keys for identification of various 

genera of fungal spores and fruit bodies, etc. The 

taxonomic part will consist of original diagnosis and 

taxonomic and nomenclatural synonyms of each genus 

and species; and holotype, type locality, horizon and 

age, Indian records (with all relevant details) and present 

status of each taxon and type. The detailed account of 

each taxon will be accompanied by suitable illustrations. 

R.K. Saxena & S.K.M. Tripathi 

Worked on a catalogue, including all records 

of spores and pollen from the Indian Tertiary 

sediments published from 1989 to 2000. This will 

update the earlier catalogue on Indian Tertiary spores 

and pollen (Saxena, 1991). 

R.K. Saxena & G.K. Trivedi 

Listed all known pteridophytic spore taxa with 

their Indian geographic occurrence and stratigraphic 

range to review and synthesis present state of knowledge 

of some selected spores from the Indian Tertiary 

sediments in connection with the preparation of an atlas. 

35 taxa have been selected for critical evaluation at 

species level. 

J.P. Mandal & S. Sarkar 

Evaluated critically the palynological record of 

angiosperms published from Indian Tertiary sediments 

for identifying phytogeoprovinces and their 

development in time and space. Attempts have been 

made to find out the extant analogue of the fossil forms 

for better understanding of the development processes 

and evolutionary significance of different forest types. 

A manuscript on this aspect has been prepared. 

S. Sarkar 

Carried out taxonomic study of coralline algae 

from Middle Pliocene sequence of Car Nicobar Island. 

Altogether 21 limestone samples (126 slides) have been 

analysed and amongst these 10 samples (60 slides) are 

productive. The assemblage comprises species of 

Sporolithon, Lithothamnion, Mesophyllum, 

Lithophyllum, Hydrolithon, Amphiroa, Corallina and 

Arthrocardia. Further study and interpretation are in 

progress. 

A. Chandra, R.K. Saxena & A.K. Ghosh 

Studied dispersed organic matters (DOM) in 

Neogene-Pleistocene sediments of site- 218 of the DSDP 

Leg 22, Bengal Fan Indian Ocean to assess depositional 

characteristics and sedimentary environment. The lower 

part of the core represents rich biodegraded terrestrial 

OM, while upper part exhibit rich structured terrestrial 

types and black debris. Spores and pollen grains are few. 

Some recycled Mesozoic palynotaxa have also been 

recorded throughout the sequence. The behaviour pattern 

of OM indicates gradual replacing of reducing condition 

from base to oxidizing condition towards upper part of 

the sequence. 

M. Kumar, A. Chandra & R.K. Saxena 

Compiled stratigraphic records of dinoflagellate 

cysts reported from the Indian Mesozoic-Cenozoic 

sedimentary sequences (post 1989 period) to update the 

existing computer database to prepare a revised version 

of the earlier Catalogue on the Indian Dinoflagellate 

Cysts (Khowaja-Ateequzaman, 1991). 

Khowaja-Ateequzzaman & R. Garg 

Updated the draft of a proposed DST sponsored 

collaborative project (BSIP & NIO) entitled 

“Geochemical and palynological investigation to 

decipher variations in the intensity of oxygen minimum 

along western margin of India during Late-Quaternary” 

to incorporate studies on pollen, dinoflagellate cysts and 

marine palynomorphs (organic remains of marine 

zooplankton) emphasising their significance in 

palaeoclimate related studies on the Arabian Sea 

sediments. 

G. Rajagoplan, C. Sharma, R. Garg & 

Khowaja-Ateequzzaman 

33


Carried out LM and SEM documentation of 

nannofossil assemblage from the basal most level of 

Jara Dome section, Kachchh. The assemblage contains 

marker Ansulsphaera helvetica, Stephanolithion bigotii, 

S.hexum, S.speciosum, Watznaeuria manivitae along 

with other Jurassic nannoflora. The assemblage is 

assignble to NJ 12a A.helvetica zone. A manuscript on 

the aspect is prepared. Another manuscript entitled “An 

overview of nannofossil records of India” has been 

completed. 

J. Rai 

Prepared the project proposal entitled “Forensic 

palynology - A new research frontier for BSIP”. 

C. Sharma & M.S. Chauhan 

Finalised two papers entitled ‘Biodeterioration: 

An aerobiological approach’ and ‘Aeromycological 

studies in relation to biodeterioration of cultural 

properties’. 

Discussion and interaction were made with Prof. 

Sandy Harrison and other members of INDSUBIO in 

documentation of pollen and plant macrofossil data sets 

for 6,000 and 18,000 yr. BP during Workshop held in 

Germany. Also helped in construction of global maps 

of biomes using a standard objective biomisation 

technique based on plant functional types (PFT). Also 

prepared Lucknow pollen data set of 48 surface samples 

(mud, soil, water and moss-cushions) collected from 

different parts of city and adjoining areas on the basis 

of recognised plant functional types for inclusion in 

BIOME 6000. 

A. Khandelwal 

Continued work from the garden plot area laid 

around historical site Humayun’s Tomb, New Delhi to 

have a know-how of the gardening activities during 

Mughal times. Pollen analytical investigations of soil 

samples (2.70 & 2.00 m deep profiles) have been 

completed. Three samples from trench-I, measuring 260- 

270 cm, 160-170 cm and 80-100 cm, have been 14 C 

dated to 7970 ±220 Yrs. B.P., 2120 ±200 Yrs. B.P. and 

1670 ±170 Yrs. B.P. respectively. Samples in the upper 

horizon only seem to date close to Mughal period. The 

palynomorphs recovered are very low in frequency. 

However, productivity in organic content is very high. 

Large number of wood charcoals and cuticle pieces, 

fragments of conifer woody tissues showing cross-field 

pit areas have also been recorded. 

The study has recorded the sporadic occurrence 

of non-arboreal pollen grains belonging to Poaceae, 

Cyperaceae, Brassicaceae, Tubulifloreae (Asteraceae), 

Acanthaceae, Cheno/Ams and fungal spores of 

Ascospores, Nigrospores, Tiliospores, Helminthosporium 

etc. indicating open type of vegetation. Besides, 

the frequent encounter of large-sized Cerealia type of 

pollen along with other culture pollen taxa such as 

Plantago, Brassicaceae, Cheno/Ams and charcoal pieces 

in good number through out the sequence implies that 

the area was under agricultural practices. Pollen of 

Asteraceae in appreciable number are of particular 

significance to suggest that this area was being used as 

pasture land by the local inhabitants through early time. 

Cedrus deodara pollen denotes its transportation from 

Himalayan region. The fragmentary gymnosperm woody 

tissues showing the cross-field pits of Pinoid, Piceoid and 

Taxodioid types, suggest the economic use of soft-woods 

made available from Himalayan forests. Fern spores, leaf 

cuticle showing stomata, Concentricystis and Acritarchs, 

etc. have also been scantily found. 

C. Srivastava 

Submitted two revised write-ups— i) Radio ke 

liye lekhan, and ii) Saakshatkar, to Indian Science 

Communication Society, Lucknow for the Distance 

Education Course on Science Journalism under NCSTC/ 

DST programme, initiated during the Workshop held at 

BSIP (in 1998). 

C.M. Nautiyal 

Finalised the data on interpretation of climatic 

changes around Surinsar Lake (Jammu) based on 

elemental analysis, 14 C dating of sediment samples and 

palynological study. Interpretation of glacial fluctuations 

on the basis of the palynological, chemical and 14 C age 

data of sediment profile from an outwash plain at 

Bhojwasa near Gangotri Glacier, Garhwal Himalayas 

have also been finalised. Holocene sea level changes 

on the basis of palynostratigraphical and geochemical 

studies of Pichavaram, Tamil Nadu have also been 

finalised. The microwave digestion system MDS 2100 

is being used regularly for preparation of samples for 

chemical analysis and palynological studies. 

B. Sekar & G. Rajagopalan 

34


Collaborative 

Work 

Completed a monograph entitled “Precambrian 

stromatolites of India and Russia” under Integrated 

Long Term Program of Co-operation in Science and 

Technology (ILTP). 

M. Sharma & A.K. Sinha (under ILTP: Indo- 

Russian) 

Partially degraded pollen of Arenga pinnata, 

Borassus flabellifer and Caryota urens were studied 

with the aim to observe the morphological changes. 

Degradation was achieved in the three sets of 

experiments: i) pollen were treated with 2- 

aminoethanol for a period(s) of 1, 2 and 3 days, 

followed by ii) oxidation of pollen with the help of 

1% dil. KMnO 4 

for a period of 24 hrs, and iii) pollen 

grains treated with 2-aminoethanol were kept in 

merkaptoethanol for 24 hrs. Pollen were separately 

dissolved in 50% glycerine for 30 days to study the 

nature of exine, intine and protoplasmic contents. 

Based on the features observed after these 

experiments, four groups were identified in the 

studied pollen grains— A) unchanged monosulcate 

pollen grains, B) open pollen grains with endexine 

and protoplasm contained within the pollen, C) open 

pollen with ectexine and without endexine and 

protoplasm, and D) the endexine and protoplasm 

without the ectexine. Statistical data of pollen 

constituting each group was collected. Alteration and 

variation in morphology of the studied pollen grain 

are documented. 

S.K.M. Tripathi & M. Kumar [& 

Professor M. Kedves (Hungary)] 

Finalised a manuscript entitled “A fossil 

wood of Dryobalanops from Pliocene deposits of 

Indonesia”. 

R. Srivastava [& Noriko Kagemori (Wood 

Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan)] 

Dinoflagellate cysts from marine sediments 

as indicators of past environmental changes along 

the Western Indian Coast— 35 surface samples 

collected under the PAGES Programme from the 

eastern Arabian Sea off the Karwar-Marmagao Coast 

(ranging from less than 50m to ~3000m depth) have 

been analysed to study distribution pattern of organicwalled 

and calcareous dinoflagellates in westernmost 

sediments. While organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts 

are observed to predominate in samples from 

shallower depths, other marine palynomorphs 

(organic remains derived from marine zooplanktonthe 

primary consumers) have been found to occur in 

fairly good numbers (with dinocysts playing a 

subordinate role) in samples of increasing depths in 

some regions on the shelf. Among these microfossils, 

copepod egg-envelopes and exoskeleton remains, 

tintinnid loricae, scolecodont remains foraminiferal 

inner linings etc. have been identified. Some of these 

palynomorphs are known to constitute the relatively 

labile component of the marine organic matter/ 

palynodebris assemblages and are supposed to be 

useful as proxy indicators of productivity and 

preservability of organic matter in the marine realm. 

R. Garg & Khowaja-Ateequzzaman [& Dr. 

Rajiv Nigam (NIO, Goa)] 

A manuscript is completed on the 

stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental significance 

of Early Campanian nannofossils recovered from 

sandstone unit (? Lameta Formation), overlying 

corraline limestone/marls of the Bagh Formation and 

underlying the Deccan Traps, exposed in Chakrud, 

near Zeerabad, Bagh area. 

J. Rai & R. Garg [& Prof. S. Kumar (Lucknow 

University)] 

Work on stable carbon isotopic composition 

of Siwalik Paleosols and its relation to C 3 

/ C 4 

plants 

and climate has been carried out. About 60 paleosol 

samples from Siwalik sequences of Suraikhola 

(Nepal) were analysed. The observation suggests a 

major shift in the carbon and oxygen isotopic 

composition at 6.5 Ma, which corroborates the 

existing record of, established Asian monsoon in 

Indian subcontinent. In addition to climatic shift at 

6.5 Ma the present result indicates a change in the 

climate at 3.5 Ma supported by shift in d 13 C and d 18 C 

values. 

35


A systematic collection of paleosol samples 

(about 450) from Upper, Middle and Lower Siwaliks 

of Suraikhola has been done. The Isotopic analysis 

of these samples is being carried out at PRL. 

Investigated plant megafossils (petrified woods and 

leaf-impressions) from Siwaliks of Lakshmi River 

section, southeast Bhutan. A paper on this aspect 

has been finalised. The presence of 

Dipterocarpaceous taxa along with other moist to 

evergreen elements in this assemblage indicate that 

tropical evergreen forest with few moist deciduous 

taxa flourished under warm humid climatic condition 

in the Himalayan foothill of Bhutan during Mio- 

Pliocene times. 

M. Prasad [& Dr. S.K. Bhattacharya (PRL, 

Ahmedabad)] 

Finalization of palynological work carried out 

on the Siwalik rocks of Arjun Khola section of Nepal 

is continuing. Palynological analysis from a 3 m 

thick peat profile from Sitalpur has been carried out. 

The profile is dated 15320 ±280 yr. BP at base and 

13270 ±190 yr. BP at the top. Data interpretation is 

in progress. 

S. Sarkar [& G. Corvinus (Nepal 

Research Center, Kathmandu)] 

A rich palynofloral assemblage (66 taxa) is 

recovered from a measured stratigraphic section at 

Inglis Island, Andaman Sea. Stratigraphically 

important taxa suggest an Early Miocene age to the 

strata and the assemblages indicate a tropical– 

subtropical climate during the deposition of the 

sequence. Finalized a manuscript on this study. 

S. Sarkar [& J. Daneshian & V. Sharma 

(Delhi)] 

Finalization of palynological work carried out 

on the Siwalik rocks collected from three measured 

stratigraphic sections— Mansar, Uttarbaini and 

Nagorta of Jammu. 

S. Sarkar [& G.M. Bhatt (Jammu)] 

Re-investigated some samples from 6.5 m 

thick Quaternary section from Phulera (Champawat). 

Around 18 ka the region had cold and dry climate, 

depicted through open type vegetation comprising 

chiefly the grasses, sedges, Cheno/Ams, Asteraceae, 

Rannunculaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Primulaceae, etc. 

Studies corroborate satisfactorily with the earlier 

generated data from Bhimtal-Naukuchiatal Basin and 

Wadda lake sites, depicting identical palaeoclimatic 

scenario in the Kumaun region. Finalisation of 

manuscript on the aspect is in progress. 

C. Sharma [& Dr. B.S. Kotlia (Nainital)] 

Completed pollen analysis of samples (23) 

from a 2.3 m deep trench dug out at Sanai Jheel, Rai 

Bareli (UP). Studies have revealed open type of 

vegetation, dominated by grasses and followed by 

sedges, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae 

together with sparsely distributed few arboreal 

(Madhuca indica, Holoptelea, Aegle marmelos, etc.). 

Pollen denote that the site was under cultivation. 

Frequent encounter of aquatic elements (Typha and 

Potamogeton) together with fresh water alga- 

Botryoccocus indicates that a prominent lake was 

present at this site. 

C. Sharma & M.S. Chauhan [& Prof. I.B. Singh 

(Lucknow University)] 

Ultrastructural studies of Angiosperm leaf 

cuticle and structure and development of epicuticular 

wax layer— Processing of samples of Citrus species 

has been initiated. 

U. Bajpai [& Prof. C.L. Verma (Lucknow 

University)] 

Investigated plant megafossils from Tertiary 

of Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh. 

R.C. Mehrotra [& Dr. A. Joshi (GSI, 

Itanagar)] 

36


Sponsored 

Project : Search of palyno-event evidences for the 

status of Jurassic sequence on Indian 

Peninsula (Sponsored by DST, New Delhi, No. 

DST/ESS/CA-17/96) 

Finalised the palynological studies carried out 

and compiled the palyno-data for preparation of final 

Project Report. Also revised the manuscript on the 

age of Kota Formation, Pranhita-Godavari valley. 

Vijaya 

Project : Deccan Intertrappean palynoflora and 

its implication for the demarcation of K/T 

Boundary (Sponsored by DST, New Delhi, No. 

DST/ESS/CA/A4—16/96) 

Projects 

Compiled and finalised the project report and 

submitted to DST. Some of the important 

achievements under this project are— i) the oldest 

record of fresh water diatoms (Melosira) from the 

Deccan Intertrappean sediments was reported for the 

first time, ii) two unisexual flowers, Flosvirulis 

deccenensis and Flosfemina intertrappea were 

described from the beds of Mohgaon-Kalan, 

Chhindwara District (MP), iii) re-description of 

Sahnipushpam Shukla was done to assess its correct 

floral morphology, iv) two intertrappean sedimentary 

beds and three traps from the Padwar dug out well 

were reported for the first time, and v) the K/T 

transition at Padwar well (MP) and Umshrongkew 

river section (Meghalaya) were demarcated for the 

first time based on the palynological recovery. 

Pollen depositional model of Mansar Lake, Jammu 

MANSAR LAKE 

37


However, further detailed work on the K/T boundary 

is necessary to demarcate a precise transition. 

K. Ambwani [R.K. Kar & A. Sahni] 

Project : The transition of lacustrine fauna and 

Floral Communities across Pleistocene- 

Holocene in Jammu and Ladakh (Sponsored 

by DST, New Delhi, No. DST/ESS/CA/A4—22/ 

96) 

Continued the pollen analysis of the 38 m 

deep sedimentary profile from Surinsar Lake. The 

studies have unraveled the vegetation history of Early 

Holocene. Prepared the manuscript entitled 

“Holocene climatic inferences from lacustrine 

sediments from Surinsar Lake, Jammu”. Also 

completed pollen analysis of part of another profile 

from Mansar Lake. Undertook field trip to Jammu 

and collected large number of surface samples from 

Surinsar and Mansar lake sites. 

C. Sharma & A. Dixit (& M. A. Malik, Jammu) 

Project : High altitude plant species response to 

global climate change. (Sponsored by G.B. Pant 

Institute of Himalayan Environment and 

Development Kosi-katarmal, Almora, 

Department of Environment, New Delhi, No. 

GBPI/IERP/98-99/02/567) 

Collected about 200 tree-core samples of Pinus 

wallichiana from various sites around Gangotri. The 

ring-widths of dated samples were measured. A 410- 

year (AD 1590-1999) long chronology has been 

prepared. The meteorological data of Shimla station 

were correlated with the ring-width chronology. The 

study showed that the winter temperature (December- 

February) is directly related, whereas June-July 

temperature negatively related with the tree growth. 

Additional samples of Pinus wallichiana from five 

more sites distributed in tree-line zones near 

Bhaironghati and Harshil, Uttarkashi were collected 

to supplement the previous data for climatic studies. 

The samples have been mounted and are being 

processed for cross dating and ring width 

measurements. The tree core samples of Taxus 

baccata, Abies pindrow and A. spectabilis were also 

collected from various areas around Yamunotri to 

prepare tree-ring data network. Collection of samples 

for pollen analyses was also carried out from the 

Valley of Flowers, Garhwal Himalaya. 

R.R. Yadav, S.K. Bera & J. Singh 

Project : Analysis of climatic changes vis a vis glacial 

fluctuations using pollen and tree-ring data in 

Gangotri glacier area, Garhwal Himalayas. 

(Sponsored by DST, New Delhi, No. ES/91/018/ 

97) 

Carried out a field work in and around 

Gangotri Glacier area and collected tree ring samples 

and subsurface sediments for dendrochronological 

and palynological studies. In all 325 tree-cores from 

different conifer trees and one broad-leaved taxa were 

collected from diversified forests of the region. For 

the pollen analysis subsurface sediments were 

collected from twelve trial trenches at different 

altitudes (9 from Bhujwasa outwash plain and 3 from 

Tapoban palaeolake). 

Subsurface sediments at different depths of 

the sediment profiles have been processed for C-14 

dating. So far four samples have been dated from two 

profiles. These are 600 +90 yr. BP (at 0.30-0.40 m) 

and 1590+200 yr. BP (0.80-0.90 m) of 1.25 m deep 

BH/I profile. For the other 1.40 m deep profile, dates 

are 5990+120 yr. BP and 8730+170 yr. BP at the 

depths of 0.50 to 0.54 m and 1.20 to 1.24 m 

respectively. Pollen analysis of one profile has been 

completed. This study shows that there are three 

climatic phases since around last 2000 years, i.e. cold 

and moist climate around 2000 to 1700 yr. BP, warm 

and moist 1700 to 850 yr. BP and towards aridity 

during 850 yr. BP to recent. Detailed palynological 

studies of rest of the profiles are in progress. Besides, 

chemical analysis and loss on ignition test for organic 

contents and carbonate contents of few profiles were 

made. All the tree-core samples were mounted in 

wooden frames and polished for analyses. The 

counting and dating of the tree rings are in progress. 

A. Bhattacharyya, R. Kar & P.S. Ranhotra 

38


Project : Analysis of climate changes in Eastern 

Himalayan region using tree ring data. 

(Sponsored by DST, New Delhi, No. DST/ (ESS/ 

44/01/98) 

Tree ring samples of Pinus kesiya, P. merkusii, 

P. wallichiana, Tsuga dumosa were mounted and 

polished. Dating of Pinus merkusii samples has been 

completed. Four chronologies of the species were 

developed for the four different sites. Longest 

chronology dates from AD 1705 to 1999. Tree 

growth/climate relationship analysis is in progress. 

Dating of Pinus kesiya and Tsuga dumosa is in 

progress. One of the sediment profiles was macerated 

and the pollen counting is in progress. C-14 date 

shows these sediments to be above 40, 000 yr. B. P. 

A field trip was undertaken in Shillong and 

adjacent areas of Meghalaya and the Lower Subansiri 

District of Arunachal Pradesh. Total 473 cores from 

236 trees were collected from three different conifer 

species, viz. Pinus kesiya, P. wallichiana and Tsuga 

dumosa. Besides, tree-core samples, two sediment 

profiles were also collected. One 1.45 m deep section 

was taken from the right bank of the river Kileii that 

comes from the Ziro and goes upto Pynegro. Thick 

logs as well as pieces of wood are exposed on the 

either side of the river but are most prominent on the 

right side only. At places, woods can be seen on the 

river bed also. Total 11 samples at 10 cm interval 

were collected from this profile for both pollen and 

C-14 analysis. The other section, which is 5.64 m 

deep, was collected from a place adjacent to Peak 

lodge, Ziro, along a roadside. Total 41 samples were 

collected along with 2 wood samples (present inside 

the peat). 

A. Bhattacharyya, V. Chaudhary & K. 

Verma (up to 17.11.2000) 

39


Recognition 

A.K. Sinha 

Presided over the 1 st Session— Geology in 

the Himalayas at 15 th Himalayas-Karakoram-Tibet 

Workshop held at Chengdu, China in April, 2000. 

Unanimously elected the ‘Chairman’ of 

National Committees of the International Lithosphere 

Program by the General Body for the period of five 

years (since August 2000) at 31 st International 

Geological Congress, Brazil. 

Convened the Special Symposium F-1— 

Global Tectonic Zones at 31 st International 

Geological Congress held at Rio de Janerio, Brazil 

in August, 2000. Elected ‘President’ of Earth 

Sciences System for 89 th Session of Indian Science 

Congress, Lucknow (2001-2002). 

J. Banerji 

Co-chaired the first scientific session of the 

National Symposium on Recent Advances in Geology 

and Resource Potential of the Kachchh Basin held 

at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during 

December 2000. 

C. Sharma 

Chaired Technical Session— Quaternary 

Palynology at 10 th International Palynological 

Congress held at Nanjing, China in June 2000. 

C. Sharma & A. Dixit 

Awarded Gold Medal for best Research Paper 

entitled “Holocene climatic inferences from 

lacustrine sediments from Surinsar Lake, Jammu” 

presented at the National Symposium on Ecophysical 

Consequences of Environmental pollution held at 

Narendra Deo University, Faizabad (UP) in 

November-December, 2000. 

R. Garg, J.S. Guleria, A. Tripathi & Vijaya 

Elected Fellows of The Palaeobotanical 

Society, Lucknow. 

A. Khandelwal 

Co-chairperson, 34 th National Convention of 

the Indian College of Allergy & Applied Immunology 

held at Lucknow from September 29-30, 2000. 

Co-chairperson, Geoenvironmental studies: 

Indian Scenario held at Jhansi from November 9- 

10, 2000. 

C.M. Nautiyal 

Chosen for ‘UP Vigyan Sancharak Award’ 

for contribution to science communication by VICAS 

and District Science Club, Allahabad. Co-chaired the 

Valedictory Session of the Science Writing/ 

Journalism Workshop, Palampur (HP). 

S. Sarkar 

Chaired a session at 10 th International 

Palynological Congress held at Nanjing, China in 

June 2000. 

S.C. Srivastava 

Chaired the one scientific session in Indian 

Botanical Conference held at Meerut (UP) in October 

2000. Received Mellennium Medal of CBEM 

Laboratory, Hungary. 

A. Gupta 

Chaired Technical Session “Quaternary 

Palynology” at 10 th International Palynological 

Congress held at Nanjing, China in June 2000. 

40


Representation in Committees/ Boards 

A.K. Sinha 

Project-Investigator, International Long Term 

Programme, Indo-Russian Projects under DST. 

Chief Editor, “The Palaeobotanist”. 

Member, Local Advisory Committee, Regional 

Science Centre, Lucknow. 

Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, Research 

and Development Aspects of Conservation, 

Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. 

of India. 

Guest Editor, Special Issues of Himalaya, Indian 

Science News Association, Calcutta. 


Member, National Organising Committee, Nuclear 

track Society of India, Calcutta. 

Member, Academic Committee of School of Archaeological 

Dating, Jadavpur University, Calcutta. 

Anand-Prakash 

Councillor, Executive Council, The 

Palaeobotanical Society (up to December, 2000). 

Treasurer, Indian Association of 

Palynostratigraphers. 

Member, Bureau of Indian Standards, Solid Mineral 

Fuels Sectional Committee- PCD – 7. 

J. Banerji 

Vice President, The Palaeobotanical Society, Lucknow. 

S. Chandra 

Co-ordinator, International Project “Gondwana Alive”. 

K.S. Saraswat 

Member, Editorial Board, “Ethnobotany”. 

Member, Research Degree Committee (Botany), 

H.N.B. University, Srinagar. 

C. Sharma 

Vice President, International Council of 

Biodeterioration of Cultural Property. 

Member, Advisory Committee, Journal of Bengal 

Natural History. 

Councillor, Executive Council, The Palaeobotanical Society. 

K. Ambwani 

Member, Board of Directors, American Biographical 

Institute, Raleigh. 

Member, Selection Committee, SEM. 

R. Garg 

Member, Executive Committee and Editorial Board, 

“Journal of the Palaeontological Society of India”. 

Member, Managing Council, Indian Association 

of Palynostratigraphers. 

Editor, “Geophytology” 

Member, The Indian Society of Applied 

Geochemists (ISAG) 

J.S. Guleria 

Editor, “Geophytology”. 

R.K. Saxena 

Secretary, The Palaeobotanical Society, Lucknow. 

Member, Editorial Board “Geophytology”. 

Secretary and Member, Editorial Board, Indian 

Society of Geoscientists. 

A.K. Srivastava 

Chief Editor, Journal “Geophytology”. 

Member, Advisory Board, Journal 

“Neobotanica”. 

Member, Advisory Committee, Journal 

“Vasundhara”. 

Member, Editorial Board and Treasurer, Indian 

Society of Geoscientists. 

Member, National Working Group, IGCP 

Project- 411 “Geodynamics of Gondwanaland 

derived terranes in East and South Asia”. 

G.P. Srivastava 

Vice President, Museum Association of India. 

Treasurer, The Palaeobotanical Society, Lucknow 

(up to December, 2000). 

Member, Editorial Board Geophytology (up to 

December, 2000). 

A. Tripathi 

Member, Jurassic Microfossil Group, Interna- 

41


 

 

 

 

tional Subcommission on Jurassic Stratigraphy. 

Member, Acritarch Subcommission. 

Editor, “Quarterly Journal of Geological Association 

and Research Centre”. 

Member, Spore Pollen Working Group, CIMP. 

Member, Executive Committee, LUBDAA. 

Vijaya 

Corresponding Member, Committee for Quantitative 

Stratigraphy. 

Voting Member, International Commission on 

Triassic Stratigraphy. 

U. Bajpai 

Member, Technical Advisory Committee of U.P. 

Environmental Concern. 

Member, Managing Council, Indian Association 

of Palynostratigraphers. 

Member, Executive Committee, Electron Microscope 

Society of India. 

N. Jha 

Editor, “Geophytology” (up to December, 2000) 

A. Khandelwal 

Member, Organising Committee, 34 th National 

Convention of the Indian College of Allergy & 

Applied Immunology, Lucknow. 

B.K. Misra 

Member, Bureau of Indian Standards, Solid Mineral 

Fuels Sectional Committee- PCD – 7. 

Joint Secretary, Indian Society of Geoscientists. 

C.M. Nautiyal 

National Co-ordinator, National Children’s Science 

Congress-2000. 

Nominated Convener, NCSTC-Network, New 

Delhi since Jan.2001. 

M.R. Rao 

Joint Secretary, The Palaeobotanical Society, Lucknow. 

R. Saxena 

Associate Member, International Committee for 

Coal and Organic Petrology. 


Member, IOP Sahni Medal Committee. 

Honorary Affiliate Member in Palaeobotany, Botanical 

Society of America. 

A. Gupta 

Member, Executive Council, Scientist’s Unique 

and Researcher’s Yare Association. 

Member, Board of Editors, “Flora & Fauna” 

B.N. Jana 

Councilor, Executive Council, The 

Palaeobotanical Society. 

M. Kumar 

Joint Secretary, The Palaeobotanical Society (up 

to December, 2000) 

R.C. Mehrotra 

Member, Executive Council, The 

Palaeobotanical Society. 

J. Rai 

Member, Jury 7 th District level National Children’s 

Science Congress, Lucknow. 

A. Rajanikanth 

Assistant Editor, “The Palaeobotanist”. 

Judge, District Level Childrens Science Congress. 

Judge, Science Motivation Programme, IISD, Lucknow. 

Member, National Working group, IGCP 434, 

Land-ocean interactions during the Cretaceous 

in Asia. 

M. Sharma 

Editor, “Geophytology” (up to December, 2000). 

Assistant Editor, “The Palaeobotanist”. 

Executive Editor, “Vigyan Alok”. 

R. Tewari 

Member, National Working Group, IGCP 

Project- 411 ‘Geodynamics of Gondwanaland 

derived terranes in East and south Asia’. 

A. Farooqui 

Member, Executive Committee, Internationl Society 

of Environmental Botanists, NBRI, Lucknow. 

42


By Institute’s scientists outside 

Lectures 

A.K. Sinha 

The Geologic evolution of Himalayan Mountain 

System at Government Autonomous Science 

College, Jabalpur (July 10, 2000). 

Tectonic frame-work of Himalayas: 

Palaeogeologic reconstruction and Plate 

tectonics at Southompton Oceanographic Centre, 

School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, European 

Way, Southompton, UK (August 21, 2000). 

Evolution of Himalayas through Geological Time 

Scale at Refresher Course (for teachers) in Botany 

organised by Department of Botany, University 

of Lucknow (November 29, 2000). 

Geological evolution of Himalayas and the role 

of Precambrian stromatolites in Tectonostratigraphic 

interpretation at DST sponsored 

Winter School/Training Course “Precambrian 

Palaeobiology: Techniques and Methodology”, 

Department of Geology, Lucknow University 

(December 2000). 

Himalayan mountain building and Plate 

tectonics, invited lecture of Earth System 

Sciences at 88 th Session of Indian Science 

Congress, New Delhi (January 2001). 

Implication of Plate tectonics in the enigmatic 

tectonic frame-work along the Himalayan- 

Karakoram transect, Key-note address at Seminar 

“Geology and Natural Environment of the Lesser 

Himalaya: Present Status and Strategy for the next 

two Decades”, Nainital (March 23, 2001). 


Two lectures on Dating Methods to M.Sc. 

students at Lucknow University, Lucknow (April 

2000). 

G.P. Srivastava 

Angiosperm Taxonomy, series of twelve lectures 

to the M.Sc. Plant Sciences students at Botany 

Department, Lucknow University. 

Delivered 

M. Shukla 

Proterozoic carbonaceous mega-remains at DST 

sponsored Winter School/Training Course 

“Precambrian Palaeobiology: Techniques and 

Methodology”, Department of Geology, Lucknow 

University (December 2000) 

R. Garg 

Acritarchs and their geologic significance and 

Dinoflagellate Ancestors, “Possible 

Dinoflagellates” and presumed Dinoflagellate 

Biomarkers in the Precambrian- Cambrian at 

DST sponsored Winter School/Training Course 


Methodology”, Department of Geology, Lucknow 

University (December 2000) 

J.S. Guleria 

Plant fossils and antiquity of some common 

angiospermous plants in India at Refresher 

Course in Botany organised by Department of 

Botany, University of Lucknow (April 24, 2000). 

U. Bajpai 

Bio-deterioration of cuticular membrane: 

Ultrastructural studies— Plenary lecture at 

National Seminar on Bio-deterioration of 

Materials at DRDO, Defence Materials and Stores 

Research and Development, Kanpur (February 

2001). 

C.M. Nautiyal 

Selection of Topics for science Writing and 

various sources of Scientific Information and 

Science Writing for Radio. 

S.K. Bera 

Pollen grain and its role in Palaeoclimatic studies 

at Maitri Research Station, Antarctica. (January 

15, 2001). 

43


M. Sharma 

Proterozoic microbial build-up at DST 

sponsored Winter School/Training Course 


Methodology”, Department of Geology, 

Lucknow University (December 2000). 

J. Rai 

Mahan Vaigyanik Dr. Birbal Sahni at All India 

Radio, Lucknow in ‘Vidyarthiyon ke liye’ 

Programme (July 17, 2000). 

By outside scientists in the Institute 

Shri C.V. Singh 

General Manager, Tata Engineering and Locomotive 

Company Limited, Lucknow 

Six Sigma and innovation for Global 

competitiveness (Engineers Day lecture on 

September 15, 2000) 

Professor S.C. Santra 

Department of Environmental Sciences, Kalyani 

University, Kalyani 

Environmental impact assessment: Current status 

in India (on October 20, 2000) 

44


Deputation/Training/Study/Visit Abroad/in Country 


Participated as Resource Person in DST 

sponsored Workshop on Fluvial Geomorphology with 

special reference to Flood plains held at Indian 

Institute of Technology, Kanpur from April 3-4, 2000. 

K.S. Saraswat 

Attended All India Official Language 

Conference held at Central Drug Research Institute, 

Lucknow from April 13-14, 2000. 

A.K. Sinha 

Participated in the Post-15 th Himalayas- 

Karakoram-Tibet Workshop Himalayas Field 

Excursion— Lhasa-Gyangze-Xigaze-Tingri 

(Rongbuk)-Khasa (Zham)-Kathmandu from April, 

25 th to May 04, 2000. 

C.M. Nautiyal 

Attended Science Communication Workshop 

held at HP Agricultural University, Palampur as a 

Resource Person, organised by SCERT, Solan and 

NCSTC, DST during April 25-28, 2000. Also 

attended the Science Communication Course as a 

faculty member by Vigyan Parishad, Allahabad 

University, Prayag (under a programme of NCSTC, 

DST) on December 9, 2000. 

Attended 45 th Half-yearly Meeting of 

NARAKAS held at Central Drug Research Institute, 

Lucknow on February 22, 2001. 

K.S. Saraswat & P. Bisaria 

Attended 41 st Official Language Management 

and Policy Implementation Seminar cum Workshop 

organised by Rajbhasha Sansthan, New Delhi and 

held at Solan, Himachal Pradesh from April 26-28, 

2000. 

C. Sharma & A. Gupta 

Visited different Institutions and historical 

places in Nanjing and suburbs (China), viz. Nanjing 

Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Academia 

Sinica; Zhongshan Botanic Garden, Dr. Sun 

Yetsen’s Mausoleum, Confucious Temple, Meiling 

Palace and Yangshan Tablet Material during Mid- 

Congress Field trip of 10 th International 

Palynological Congress in June, 2000. 

S.C. Bajpai, P. Bisaria & Renu Srivastava 

Attended Joint Hindi Workshop held at Central 

Drug Research Institute, Lucknow from July 6-7, 

2000. 

C. Sharma, A. Khandelwal & A. Bhattacharyya 

Attended INDSUBIO (INDian SUbcontinent 

BIOmisation) Workshop held at Max-Planck Institut 

fur Biogeochemie, Jena, Germany from July 20-22, 

2000. In the workshop modern (0 year) pollen/ 

vegetation relationship in context of preparation of 

vegetation map based on pollen data for Indian 

subcontinent was discussed. 

A. Tripathi 

Attended National Conference on e-Security, 

Computer Society of India held at Bangalore during 

July 29-30, 2000. 

S.K. Bera 

Attended Pre-Antarctica Expedition training 

program at ITBP, Auli and Basudhara and medical 

examination at AIIMS, New Delhi from August- 

September, 2000 as a part of selection for 20 th 

Expedition. Also attended “De induction course of 

adaptation to the Antarctic stress” organised by 

Defence Research Institute of Physiology and Allied 

Sciences, New Delhi from October 14-16, 2000. 

Participated in 20 th Indian Scientific Expedition to 

Antarctica from December 23, 2000 to March 22, 

2001. 

R. Kar & P.S. Ranhotra 

Attended the DST sponsored 5 th Glaciology 

Training Course, organized by Geological Survey 

of India, Lucknow from August 21 to September 17, 

2000. 

45


A.K. Sinha, G. Rajagopalan, K. Ambwani, R. 

Garg, M. Shukla & M. Sharma 

Participated as Resource personnel in DST 

sponsored Winter School/Training Course in 

Precambrian Palaeobiology: Techniques and 

Methodology organised at the Department of 

Geology, University of Lucknow between December 

4-18, 2000. 

R. Tewari 

After attending the 10 th RPP Meeting held at 

Guarulhos, Sao Paulo (Brazil) in December, 2000 

visited British Museum of Natural History, London 

to observe Palaeozoic and Mesozoic plant 

megafossils, viz. a number of Glossopteris species 

and species of Ptilophyllum, Pterophyllum, 

Dicroidium, etc. 

R.C. Mehrotra & R. Srivastava 

Deputed (on request from Divisional 

Commissioner, Jabalpur) to visit Ghughua area 

situated near Shahpura, Dindori District (MP) in 

connection with development of the National Fossil 

Park and establishment of a small museum on the 

request of district authorities. Mehrotra and 

Srivastava also collected a number of plant fossils 

from the area and nearby Deccan Intertrappean 

localities. 

M. Sharma 

Visited Geological Institute, Moscow from 

January 17 to February 16, 2001 under Integrated 

Long Term Programme between India and Russia. 

C. Sharma, K. Ambwani & A. Bhattacharyya 

Attended Group Monitoring Workshop of 

DST Sponsored Projects held at Nagpur from 

February 22–24, 2001 and presented their highlights 

of the work. 

S. Sarkar 

Participated in the post seminar field 

excursion in the Nainital and its adjoining areas of 

Uttaranchal on March 25, 2001. 

S. Goswami 

Participated in the DST sponsored Contact 

Programme on “Art of Petrography: a valuable guide 

for Petrologists” held at Department of Geology, 

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi in the months 

of September-October, 2001. 

46


Deputation to Conferences/Symposia/Seminars/Workshops 

A.K. Sinha 

• 15 th Himalayas-Karakoram-Tibet Workshop 

held at Chengdu, China from April 22-24, 2000. 

• 88 th Session-Indian Science Congress held at 

New Delhi from January 3-7, 2001. 

C. Sharma, S. Sarkar & A. Gupta 

• 10 th International Palynological Congress held 

at Nanjing, China from June 24-30, 2000. 

S. Chandra 

• 6 th International Organisation of Palaeobotany 

Conference held at Qinhuangdao, Hebei 

Province, Republic of China from July 31-August 

3, 2000. 

A.K. Sinha & M. Sharma 

• 31 st International Geological Congress held at 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from August 6-17, 2000. 

V. Prasad 

• 2 nd International Conference on Application of 

Micro- and Meio-organisms to Environmental 

Problems held at Winnipeg, Canada from August 

28–September 1, 2000. 

A. Bhattacharyya & V. Chaudhary 

• High Asia Dendrochronology Workshop held at 

Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, New York, 

USA from September 12-14, 2000. 

• Symposium-Neogene climate of Indian Ocean 

and the Indian Subcontinent held at IIT, 

Kharagpur from March 28-29, 2001. 

A. Khandelwal 

• 34 th National Convention of the Indian College 

of Allergy and Applied Immunology held at 

Lucknow from September 29-30, 2000. 

• National Seminar-Geoenvironmental studies: 

Indian Scenario held at Jhansi from November 

9-10, 2000. 


• 23 rd Indian Botanical Conference held at Meerut 

from October 14-16, 2000. 

A. Farooqui 

• National Seminar on Coastal Evolution, 

Processes and Products and Annual Convention 

of Indian Association of Sedimentologist held at 

Cochin in October 2000. 

O.S. Sarate & A. Dixit 

• National Symposium on Ecophysiological 

Consequences of Environmental Pollution held 

at Faizabad (UP) from November 6-8, 2000. 

R. Tewari 

• 10 th RPP (Reuniao de Paleobotanicos e 

Palinologos) Meeting held at University of 

Guarulhos, Guarulhos, Sao Paulo, Brazil from 

December 11-16, 2000. 

J. Banerji, J.S. Guleria, J.P. Mandal, B.N. Jana, 

J. Rai & A.K. Ghosh 

• National Symposium on Recent Advances in 

Geology and Resource Potential of the Kachchh 

Basin held at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 

from December 21-23, 2000. 

M. Shukla, U. Bajpai, M. Kumar & N. Prakash 

• 24 th Annual Conference of Electron Microscope 

Society of India on Electron Microscopy and 

Allied Fields held at Chandigarh from February 

9-11, 2001. 

U. Bajpai & A. Khandelwal 

• National Seminar on Biodeterioration of Materials 

held at Kanpur from February 17-18, 2001. 

A.K. Sinha, S. Sarkar, S.K.M. Tripathi, R. Kar & 

P.S. Ranhotra 

• Seminar Geology and Natural Environment of 

the Lesser Himalaya: Present Status and Strategy 

for the next two Decades held at Nainital from 

March 23-25, 2001. 

47


Papers presented at Conferences/Symposia/Meetings 

Bajpai U - Ultrastructure of cuticular membrane of 

extint and extant taxa of gymnospers of India. 

24 th Ann. Conf. EMSI, Chandigarh, February 

2001. 

Bajpai U, Kumar M & Singh VK - Morphology, 

size and EDAX analysis of pyrite framboids 

on degraded plant tissues in coal and shales 

of Ledo Coalfield, Assam. 24 th Ann. Conf. 

EMSI, Chandigarh, February 2001. 

Banerji J - Mesozoic megaflora of Kachchh Basin 

and its palaeoecological interpretation. Nat. 

Symp. Rec. Adv. Geol. & Res. Potent. 

Kachchh Basin, Varanasi, December 2000. 

Bhattacharyya A & Chaudhary V - Trees- natural 

recorders of past climate: Some studies from 

India. Symp. Neogene climate Indian Ocean 

& the Indian Subcontinent, Kharagpur, 

March 2001. 

Chandra S - Distribution of Late Devonian-Permian 

plant sequences in India. 6 th IOP Conf., 

China, July-August 2000. 

Farooqui A - Potentials of multi-proxy data in 

analyzing estuarine depositional 

Environment. Nat. Sem.Coastal Evol. 

Process. & Prod. and Ann. Conv. IAS, 

Cochin, October 2000. 

Ghosh AK - Palaeoecology and taxonomy of the 

Tertiary coralline algae from southwestern 

Kachchh. Nat. Symp. Rec. Adv. Geol. & Res. 

Potent. Kachchh Basin, Varanasi, December 

2000. 

Guleria JS 2000 - Endogeneous fungi in silicified 

woods of Kachchh, Gujarat. Nat. Symp. Rec. 

Adv. Geol. & Res. Potent. Kachchh Basin, 

Varanasi, December 2000. 

Gupta A - Palaeovegetation and past climate of Late 

Holocene from temperate zone in Nainital 

District, Kumaun Himalaya. 10 th IPC, 

China, June 2000. 

Jana BN - Palaeopalynology of Kachchh: Mesozoic 

megaspores. Nat. Symp. Rec. Adv. Geol. & 

Res. Potent. Kachchh Basin, Varanasi, 


Kar R, Bhattacharyya A, Ranhotra PS & Sekar 

B - Palynological evidences around Gangotri 

Glacier area, Garhwal Himalayas. Workshop 

Geol. & Nat. Envir. Lesser Himalaya: Present 

Status and Strategy for the next two decades, 

Nainital, March 2001. 

Khandelwal A - Dominant and air-borne pollen 

grains of Lucknow. 34 th Nat. Conv. Indian 

college of Allergy & Applied Immunology, 

Lucknow, September 2000. 

Khandelwal A - Biodeterioration: An aerobiological 

approach. Nat. Sem. Biodeterioration of 

Materials, Kanpur, February 2001. 

Khandelwal A, Kohli D & Gupta HP - A 

palynological record of mangrove vegetation 

at Chandrapur, Chilka Lake, India. Workshop 

Geoenvironmental studies: Indian Scenario, 

Jhansi, November 2000. 

Kumar M, Bajpai U, Prakash N, Shukla M, 

Anand-Prakash & Srivastava GP - 

Structural changes in biologically degraded 

leaf cuticles during early diagenesis. XXIV 

Ann. Conf. EMSI, Chandigarh, February 

2001. 

Mandal J - Depositional environment and palynomorphs 

from the lignite mines of Kachchh. Nat. Symp. 

Rec. Adv. Geol. & Res. Potent. Kachchh Basin, 


48


Prakash N - Structural changes in biologically 

degraded leaf cuticles during diagenesis. 14 th 

EMSI Conf., Chandigarh, February 2001. 

Prasad V & Sarkar S - Depositional environment 

of the Subathu Formation (Late Thanetian- 

Early Ypresian) in the Garhwal Himalayas, 

India – Evidence from Cyanobacterial mats. 

2 nd Int. Conf. Appl. Micro- & Meio-organisms 

to Environmental problems, Canada, August- 

September 2000. 

Rai J - Early Callovian nannofossils from Jara Dome, 

Kutch, western India. Nat. Symp. Rec. Adv. 

Geol. & Res. Potent. Kachchh Basin, 


Rigby JF & Chandra S - Permian flora of the 

Mersey Coal Measures, Tasmania. 6 th IOP 

Conf., China, July-August 2000. 

Sarkar S - Diversification of angiosperms in India 

through ages (Palaeocene–Pliocene). 10 th 

IPC, China, June 2000. 

Sarkar S & Prasad V - Palynological evidences of 

sea level changes during Early Eocene in the 

Morni Hills, Lesser Himalaya, India, 10 th 

IPC, China, June 2000. 

Sharma C, Chauhan MS, Bera SK, Sinha R & 

Upreti DK - Early Holocene 

sedimentological and palynological studies 

from lake Priyadarshini, Eastern Antarctica. 

10 th IPC, China, June 2000. 

Sharma C, Dixit A & Sekar B - Holocene climatic 

inferences from lacustrine sediments from 

Surinsar lake, Jammu based on pollen and 

chemical analysis. Nat. Symp. Eco-physiol. 

Consequ. Envir. Poll., Faizabad, November 

2000. 

Sharma M & Shukla M - Gigantism in 

Neoproterozoic carbonaceous mega-remains, 

a possible marker event: evidences from the 

Bhima and the Kurnool basins of south India. 

31 st Int. Geol. Congr. Brazil, August 2000. 

Shukla M, Bajpai U, Kumar M, Srivastava GP & 

Anand-Prakash - Nature of sedimentary 

organic matter from Suket Shale Formation, 

Vindhyan Super Group, District Mandsaur, 

Madhya Pradesh. XXIV Ann. Conf. EMSI, 

Chandigarh, February 2001. 

Sinha AK - Subduction and accretion tectonics of 

Himalayan and Karakoram terranes and their 

palaeogeological configuration. 15 th 

Himalayas-Karakoram-Tibet Workshop, 

China, April 2000. 

Sinha AK - Continental subduction of Indian margin 

in Himalayan orogens leading to 

development of ultrahigh pressure 

metamorphic (UHPM) regim. 31 st Int. Geol. 

Congr., Brazil, August 2000. 

Sinha AK, Chandra R & Upadhyay R - Tectonic 

framework of Himalayas-Karakoram 

orogenic subduction zones in Ladakh and 

eastern Karakoram. 31 st Int. Geol. Congr., 

Brazil, August 2000. 

Srivastava SC & Prakash N - Reconstructed 

pteridophytic fossils and palaeogeographic 

distribution. 23 rd Indian Bot. Conf., Meerut, 

October 2000. 

Tewari R - Megaspores from Late Palaeozoic of 

India- Structural trends and stratigraphic 

correlation. 10 th RPP Meeting, Brazil, 


Tripathi SKM & Shukla U - Palynological and 

sedimentological studies on Middle Siwalik 

sediments exposed in Jammu area. Sem. 


Status and Strategies for the Next Two 

Decades, Nainital, March 2001. 

49


Consultancy/Technical Assistance rendered 

Sixty-four samples have been dated in the 

Radiocarbon Lab as a part of consultancy services 

offered by the Institute. Also technical assistance 

(Radiocarbon dating of samples) rendered to 

following organizations/individuals: 

Geological Survey of India, 

Anna University, Chennai, 

Kumaon University, Nainital, 

National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, 

Deccan College, Pune, 

ASI, Bhopal, 

Centre for Earth Science Studies, Trivandrum, 

and 

Prof.P.K.Banerji, Emeritus Scientist, CSIR, 

Jadavpur University, Calcutta 

K. Ambwani & V.K. Singh provided 

consultancy services in Scanning Electron 

Microscopy to the scientists/students of the different 

Institutions and Universities. 

J.S. Guleria identified fossil samples sent by 

Commissioner of Jabalpur as bone pieces and 

submitted a report on that. 

M. Shukla & R. Babu extended help to 

Professor A.D. Ahluwalia and his student Sandeep 

Walia of Department of Geology, Chandigarh 

University for the isolation of microbiota from the 

sediments of Krol-Tal succession, Lesser Himalaya. 

A. Khandelwal imparted aerobiological 

training to two M.Sc- 4 th Semester students of 

Environmental Science, Lucknow University for their 

environment oriented aerobiology projects: i) Study 

on aerial prevalence of Parthenium hysterophorus 

L. pollen in relation to pollen allergy, and ii) Biomonitoring 

of grass pollen and grass pollen allergy. 

M.R. Rao provided technical assistance to 

Mr. Salman Velayati, Department of Geology, Tehran 

University, Iran for the identification of Tertiary 

spore-pollen recovered from the metamorphic rocks 

exposed at Kord Kouy, Gorgan, north-east of Iran. 

C. Srivastava provided practical training and 

interpretational assistance to Mr. A.P. Singh, M.Sc. 

student in Environmental Science, Lucknow 

University, on the problem entited Palaeoethnobotanical 

studies at ancient Charda-Jamoga 

(ca. 800 BC-1100 AD), District Bahraich (UP). 

S.K.M. Tripathi provided scientific 

assistance to Miss Nidhi Rai, 4 th Semester student of 

Environmental Science, Lucknow University in 

completing her Project report on Role of Palynology 

in hydrocarbon generation and crude oil pollution. 

M.S. Chauhan carried out the pollen analysis 

of one Quaternary sample from Meghalaya received 

from Geological Survey of India. 

R.C. Mehrotra & R. Srivastava helped in 

identification of big logs of fossil woods and other 

plant megafossils placed in the Ghughua fossil park 

situated near Shahpura, District Dindori (MP). 

A. Farooqui provided scientific assistance 

to two students of M.Sc. Environmental Sciences, 

Lucknow University for their dissertation on Impact 

of Anthropogenic pressure on coastal vegetation in 

Adyar and Pichavaram estuaries. 

50


Units 

Publication 

Journal - The Palaeobotanist 

Annual Report 

Volume 49(1) and 49(2) of the Journal were 

published incorporating research papers on various 

topical aspects. The latter volume was a collection 

of research papers on the palaeobotanical 

contributions of BSIP in North-East India. It was 

released on Founder’s day (14 th November) by Shri 

B.C. Bora, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, 

ONGC. Papers for the Volume 49(3) have been 

processed and edited. 

Monograph 

Galley proof of the text of “Monograph - An 

introduction to Gymnosperms, Cycads and 

Cycadales” by Professor D. D. Pant has been 

processed and necessary corrections were 

incorporated. Relevant figures were processed for 

resketching and retouching. 

Newsletter 

Newsletter (June 2000) was published with 

information on important activities of the Institute 

including participation in exhibitions, conferences, 

Hindi Pakhwara (fortnight), new additions to library, 

new administrative 

measures 

and related information 

along 

with pertinent 

photographs. It 

was released on 

Foundation Day 

(10 th September) 

by Prof. K.B. 

Powar, Secretary 

General, Association 

of Indian 

Universities. 

Bilingual (English/Hindi) Annual Report— 

1999-2000 was published consisting of Research 

reports, Conference participation, Awards, Research 

papers published, Foundation/Founder’s Day 

function, Annual Accounts and related matters with 

relevant graphics and photographs. It was released 

on Founder’s Day (14 th November) by Prof. Ashok 

Sahni, Chairman, Governing Body. 

Hand-outs 

Biographical sketches and lecture themes of 

talks delivered on Foundation Day and Founders Day 

by the guest speakers Prof. K.B. Powar, Shri B.C. Bora 

and Late Prof. S.S. Raghuvanshi were published. 

Invitation / Greeting Cards 

Invitation cards of the Foundation Day and 

Founders Day celebrations were published. Two 

colourful Greetings—2001 depicting fossil Mosquito 

recovered from an Amber and another showing logo 

of the Institute were printed. 

Sale of Institute Publication 

Chairman, Governing Body, Prof. Ashok Sahni releasing Annual Report 1999-2000. 

This year the 

publication 

of the Institute 

netted an 

income of Rs. 

2,38,281/-. 

51

The infrastructure facilities specially 

computer hardware has been updated and Library is 

disseminating the information about new arrival on 

Institute Website. The contents of Current Awareness 

Service have also been incorporated on web page 

(http//www.bsip.res.in). 

The current holdings of Library are as under: 

Particulars Additions Total 

during 2000-2001 

Books 28 5,319 

Journals 09 10,830 

Reprints 135 36,181 

Reference Books — 317 

Hindi Books — 153 

Ph.D Thesis — 89 

Reports — 46 

Maps & Atlases — 61 

Microfilm/Fisches — 294 

CD 19 34 

Currently the Library is receiving 159 journals, 

(81 are subscribed and 78 are in exchange). There are 

155 registered card holders for use of the Library. 

Exchange Unit: 

Journals received on exchange basis 78 

Reprints of research papers purchased 47 

Reprints sent out in exchange 1,520 

Institutions on exchange list 65 

Individuals on exchange list 165 

Computer Aided Library: 

Computerisation of Library assets being done 

through LAN 

under UNIX O/S 

continues. 

Software 

employed is 

UNIFY RDBMS 

and the utilities 

are programmed 

in ‘C’ giving 

different levels 

of securities. 

Data-base of 

library holdings 


Library 

Late Prof. S.S. Raghuvanshi releasing the Current Awareness Service Bulletin. 

of journals continued through dBase III+ package. 

Current Awareness Service: 

Current Awareness Service (CAS) completed 

one year in its revised form. Library has been sending 

bimonthly CAS bulletin to renowned institutions and 

scientists throughout India who are interested in 

palaeobotany, earth sciences and related fields. 

Lamination and Xeroxing: 

Lamination and xeroxing of old and rare 

publications are in progress. Xeroxing facility is 

provided to institute scientists and also to scientists 

of other organisations. 

The following Institutions/organisations availed 

the Library facilities: 

Department of Physical Geology and Mining, 

Tehran University, Iran 

Department of Botany, Lucknow University, 

Lucknow 

Department of Botany, CIMAP, Lucknow 

Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, 

Lucknow. 

Institute of Mass Communication in Science and 

Technology, Lucknow University 

Department of Geology, University of Delhi, 

Delhi 

D.A.V. College, Kanpur 

Department of Geology, Banaras Hindu 

University, Varanasi 

Department of Botany, University of Burdwan, 

Burdwan 

Department of Botany, University of Allahabad, 

Allahabad 

Department of 

Earth Sciences, 

Kurukshetra 

University, 

Kurukshetra 

and Kumaun 

University, 

Nainital. 

52


Museum 

Work on preparation of inventory of type and 

figured specimens – III is under progress. Prof. B.D. 

Sharma, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas 

University, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) has deposited his type 

and figured specimens (86) and slides (159) to the 

Museum of the Institute. Museum is playing an 

important role in dissemination and popularisation 

of palaeobotanical knowledge. 

An exhibition was held at Lucknow University 

in the month of December on the occasion of 

Lucknow Vishva Vidyalaya Mahotsav. The plant 

fossils attracted large number of students and general 

public. Institute joined the Nation in celebrating 

Engineers’ Day (September 15 th ) by observing this 

day as an open house. We also celebrated National 

Technology Day (May 11 th ) and National Science Day 

(February 28 th ). A Science Motivation Camp for 

talented students was jointly held at the Institute with 

the Institute for Integrated Society Development. The 

students were taken round the Museum, Herbarium 

and Labs of the Institute. Lectures were also arranged 

for them. The Director gave away the prizes to the 

winners. The aim of holding such camps is to create 

interest of young students towards science. 

Type and Figured specimens/slides/negatives 

The scientists of the Institute deposited 

specimens/slides/negatives of their research 

publications as under: 

Particulars Types Additions during Total 

2000-2001 

Type and Figured Specimens 213 6,148 

Type and Figured Slides 277 12,111 

Negatives 290 16,047 

New Collections 

Specimens/samples were collected and 

deposited by the scientists from 108 localities for 

investigations as under: 

Specimens Samples 

Project-4 381 709 

Project-5 506 16 


Project-7 336 501 


Project-9 - 208 



In addition, the scientists under various 

sponsored projects running at the Institute also 

collected 324 samples. 

Plant Fossils Gifted 

Specimens to the following Centres/Institutions 

during the year were gifted: 

Abroad - 

Prof. Kazuhiko Uemura, Department of Geology 

National Science Museum, 2-33-1-Hyakumin- 

CHO, Shinzuku-Ku, Tokyo-169. 

Within the Country - 

The Head, Zakir Husain College, L.N.L. Marg, Delhi 

University, Delhi 

The Head, Department of Botany, Dharmarao 

College of Science, Aheri, Maharashtra 

The Head, Department of Botany, SKVT College, 

Anada Gardens, Rajmundry (Andhra Pradesh) 

Department of Museology, University Museum of 

Science, AMU, Aligarh 

The Head, Department of Botany, ASC College, 

Taloda, Maharashtra 

The Principal, Sarojini Naidu Govt. Girls PG 

College, Shivaji Nagar, Bhopal 

The Principal, Govt. CHD College, Maharajpur 

District, Chhatarpur, M. P. 

Institutional Visitors 

Student of Botany Department, Dibrugarh University, 

Assam 

Student of Botany Department, Delhi University, 

New Delhi 

Teachers attending Refresher Course, Academic Staff 

College, Lucknow University 

Student of Kendrya Vidyalaya, Gomtinagar, 

Lucknow 

Student of Botany Department,Vidya Sagar College 

for Women, Kolkata 

53


Herbarium 

During the period about 900 plant specimens, 

30 wood blocks, 400 polleniferous materials and 400 

samples of fruits and seeds were addedd in the Herbarium 

from east Sidhi Forest Division (MP). All 

these plant materials were processed, identified, 

registered and incorporated in their respective 

sections and families. Correction in inventory of 

Carpothek is being done. Preparation of cards and 

data feeding work for preparation of inventory of 

Sporothek and Xylarium are in progress. 

Holdings:— 

Particulars Additions during Total 

2000-2001 

Herbarium 

Plant specimens 900 17,821 

Leaf specimens 50 570 

Laminated mounts 

of venation pattern 10 50 

Xylarium 

Wood blocks 30 4,089 

Wood discs 5 65 

Wood cores 438 1,470 

Wood slides - 4,146 

Palm slides 

(Stem, leaf, petiole, root) - 3,195 

Sporothek 

Polleniferous materials 400 1,790 

Pollen slides 25 11,739 

Carpothek 

Fruits/Seeds 432 3,358 

Show Cases installed 

Display of herbarium sheets of Professor Birbal 

Sahni’s collection, 1941 

Display of specimens of Professor K.N. Kaul’s 

gift, 1934-1961 

Display of herbarium sheets representing Indo- 

Japanees Expedition, 1960 

Display of Photographs 

Photographs bearing the dominant taxa contributing 

air borne pollen in Lucknow. 

Photographs of Antarctica Expedition—1999-2000. 

Herbarium facilities provided to 

Mr. Praveen Sarkar, Department of Environmental 

Science, Gurukul Kangri University, 

Haridwar (UP). 

Dr. H.O. Sharma, Government KRG College, 

Gwaliar (MP) 

Dr. Rakesh Kumar, F.G.P.G. College, Rai Bareili (UP) 

Dr. R.B. Srivastava, Department of Botany, M.S.P.G. 

College, Muzafferpur (Bihar) 

Dr. M.P. Verma, Department of Botany, L.N.T. College, 

Muzafferpur (Bihar) 

Dr. K.L. Meena, Silviculturist, Sal Region, Haldwani 

Forest Division, Nainital (Uttarakhand) 

Mr. C.B. Chhimwal, Silviculture Research Office, Sal 

Region, Haldwani, Nainital (Uttarakhand) 

Mr. R.K. Singh, St. Andrew’s College, Gorakhpur 

(UP). 

Distinguish visitors 

Dr. Dorian Q. Fuer, Institute of Archaeology, 

University College, London. 

Mr. Pierre Bourgue, Mayor of Montreal, Canada. 

Mr. Robert Smith, Advisor of the Mayor, City of 

Montreal, Canada. 

Mr. U. Srivastava, President, Board of Trustees, 

Bharat Bhawan Foundation, Montreal, 

Canada. 

Mr. C.B. Singh, Motri Dom, West Montreal, Bharat 

Bhawan Foundation, Montreal, Canada. 

Mr. S.C. Rai, Mayor of Lucknow, India. 

Prof. S.N. Bhatacharya, Department of Museology, 

University of Calcutta, Kolkata, (WB). 

Institutional Visitors 

Students of Botany Department, L.N.T. College, 

Muzafferpur, Bihar. 

Team of Silviculture Scientists, Sal Region Haldwani 

Forest Division, Nainital. 

Students of J.K.M. Inter College, Kanpur. 

Teachers attending Refresher course, Academic Staff 

College, Lucknow University, Lucknow. 

54


Electronic Data Processing 

Proxy, Mail, DNS and Backup Servers are 

successfully configured on Windows NT platform. 

Proxy Server provides the Internet security from 

unauthorized access and it will also control the 

access authority at the workstation. External hosts 

do not connect directly to clients in Institute 

Network. The client communicates with the proxy 

server, which in term relays approved client requests 

to servers and then relays responses back to clients. 

E-mails accounts for scientists, units/sections have 

been opened through Mail Server using Institute 

Domain Name( i.e. BSIP.RES.IN). The cabling 

work of Local Area Network (LAN) completed and 

it provides the Internet Connectivity in the Institute 

at the 60 nodes. At present 29 Pentium Computers 

are connected through LAN which Provides 24 hrs. 

Internet facility to the Institute employees through 

64 KBPS leased line internet connection. This year 

Institute procured six Pentium-III 866 MHz 

computers, six inkjet printers, six 500VA offline 

UPS, three HP laser Jet printers and one internal 

CD-writer. 

Menu driven Software package using dBase– 

III+ has been developed for inventory management 

of the store. It will keep record of consumable and 

non-consumable items and will facilitate the issuereturn 

system of the stores. Through it, we can get 

status of any items, current holding of any individual 

or section and we generate several reports like total 

issue/return from an individual or section, re-order 

an item, generate “no dues certificate” etc. A 

windows based software package in Visual Basic 6.0 

with MS-Access RDBMS for Museum is being 

prepared. It will keep the computerized data of fossil 

specimens. This will help in generating various 

reports like photography slips for details of type and 

figured specimens, locality data forms and the status 

of restricted toposheets. 

Payroll / pension packages developed for 

accounts section have been modified as per their 

latest requirements and the yearly report/ audit report/ 

balance sheet for the Year 2000-2001 have been 

prepared. The Unit has provided constant support to 

the scientific staff of the Institute in preparing charts, 

tables, graphic presentations, manuscripts etc. 

Section Cutting Unit 

Section Cutting Unit is one of the important 

units of the Institute where fossil and rock 

samples are cut and their thin sections are made. 

During the year about 400 slices and 600 slides of 

thin sections of fossil material were prepared for 

detailed investigation as per requirements of the 

scientists. 

An automatic polishing machine with 

hydraulic vacuum system was added to the unit. The 

machine was designed and fabricated indigenously. 

A number of scientists and students who visited the 

Institute also visited the Unit. They were briefed 

about various machines available and steps involved 

in preparation of thin sections. 

55


Foundation Day and Founder’s Day 

On September 10, 2000 the Foundation Day of 

the Institute was celebrated. On this occasion 

Professor K.B. Powar, Secretary General, Association 

of Indian Universities, New Delhi delivered ‘Fourth 

Golden Jubilee Commemoration Lecture’ on the topic 

“Research in the Universities and linkages with National 

Institutions”. Professor Ashok Sahni, FNA, 

Chairman, Governing Body of the Institute presided 

over the function. Many guests and scientists from 

and outside Institute attended the function. 

Shri B.C. Bora, 

Chairman-cum-Managing Director, 

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, New 

Delhi delivered the ‘30 th Birbal Sahni Memorial Lecture’ 

on the topic “Fossil fuels and energy security”. 

†Dr. S.S. Raghuvanshi, Ex-Professor of 

Botany, Lucknow University, Lucknow delivered the 

‘46 th Sir Albert Charles Seward Memorial Lecture’ 

entitled “Some frontline areas in Biology”. The 

Chairman, Governing Body of the Institute presided 

over the function. 

On November 14, 2000— 

the Founder’s Day, the 

Institute’s staff and 

distinguished guests from other 

organisations offered Pushpanjali 

on the Samadhi of the 

Founder Professor Birbal Sahni, 

FRS in the campus. Same day, 

two memorial lectures were 

organised : 

A view of Foundation Day function 

National Science Day 

On February 28, 2001 National Science Day 

was celebrated on the theme “Information Technology 

for Science Education” on a low profile due to earth 

quake in Gujarat. An exhibition on earth quake, its 

genesis and precautionary measures was created at 

the Institute. The students and general public were 

highly appreciated the exhibition. The local media 

both print and electronic covered the event. 

56


Distinguished 

Visitors 

Mr. Pierre Bouraque 

Mayor of Montreal, 

Canada 

Dr. S.C. Rai 

Mayor of Lucknow, 

India 

Mr. Robert Smith 

Advisior to the Mayor of Montreal, 

Canada 

Mr. C.B. Singh 

Bharat Bhavan, 

Montreal, 

Canada 

Prof. K.B. Powar 

Secretary General, 

Association of Indian Universities, 

New Delhi. 

Mr. B.C. Bora 

CMD, 

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, 

New Delhi 

†Dr. S.S. Raghuvanshi 

Ex Professor of Botany, 

Lucknow University, 

Lucknow 

Professor M. Kedves 

J.A. University, 

Szeged, 

Hungary 

Professor B.B. Lal 

Ex-DG, 

Archaeological Survey of India, 

New Delhi 

57


Status of Official Language 

To promote the usage of Hindi in official work, 

many concrete steps were taken. Institute continued 

to be an active member of city’s Official Language 

Implementation Committee (Nagar Rajbhasha 

Karyanvayan Samiti— NARAKAS), Unit– 6. Four 

meetings of the Institute’s Rajbhasha Samiti were 

held during the year. Samiti has unanimously decided 

to enhance the use of official language in various 

departments/sections of the Institute and to interact 

with other scientific organisations in this regard. 

Abstracts of the research papers for the volume 

49, nos. 1, 2 & 3 of the Institute’s journal ‘The 

Palaeobotanist’ were translated in Hindi for 

publication. Annual Report of the Institute for the 

year 1999-2000 was documented in Hindi. The report 

received a ‘Shield’ and a ‘Commemoration 

Certificate’ from the Chairman, NARAKAS during 

its 45 th half-yearly meeting held at Central Drug 

Research Institute, Lucknow. Hindi section of the 

BSIP Newsletter (June – 2000) was also processed. 

As per the instructions of the Department of 

Science and Technology, Govt. of India “Reply of 

the questionnaire for parliamentary material on 

reservation for and employment of SCs and STs in 

various central institutions/organisations of the DST” 

was prepared on Microsoft Word and the same was 

sent to DST, New Delhi along with its English 

version. Four quarterly reports and one annual report 

consisting of the information regarding Hindi 

activities of the Institute were prepared on MS Word 

and sent to DST. Two half-yearly Reports were also 

prepared on MS Word and sent to the NARAKAS, 

Lucknow. During the year, Institute participated in 

two half-yearly meetings of the NARAKAS. 

For doing maximum work in Hindi in the 

Institute, cash prizes were given away by Professor 

Ashok Sahni, Chairman, Governing Body on the 

occasion of Founders Day (November 14 th ). In this 

category, two 1 st prizes (Rs. 1000/- each) were given 

to Dr. Anand Prakash and Dr. K.S. Saraswat, three 

2 nd prizes (Rs. 600/- each) were received by Drs. 

(Mrs.) Usha Bajpai, Dr. (Mrs.) Rashmi Srivastava 

and Sri H.S. Srivastava, and five 3 rd prizes (Rs. 300/ 

- each) went to Dr. (Mrs.) Alpana Singh, Sri Chandra 

Pal, Sri Chandra Bali, Sri Gopal Singh and Sri K.C. 

Chandola. 

Hindi Terminology 

During the year one Hindi term has been on 

display daily. For this purpose, with the help of 

multilingual software, a database was prepared on 

computer. 

Hindi Fortnight 

During September 14-28, 2000 Hindi fortnight 

was organised, in which staff of the Institute 

participated in a befitting manner. The contest 

inauguration ceremony was held on 16 th September 

and the function was presided over by Professor A.K. 

Sinha, Director. Noted literateur and Historian of 

Lucknow city, Shri Yogesh Praveen graced the 

occasion as Chief Guest. His lecture on “Lucknow 

ke vikas mein Nariyon ka yogdan” was very well 

appreciated. On this occasion a ‘debate’ on the topic 

“Mahila arakshan ki upadeyata” was also held. The 

first, second and third winners were Dr. S.A. Jafar, 

Mrs. Rita Banerjee and Sri Madhavendra Singh 

respectively. 

On 19 th September “Hindi noting and Précis 

writing” contest was held in which Dr. K.J. Singh, 

Sri Avinesh K. Srivastava and Dr. D.C. Saini were 

the 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd prize winners respectively. An 

‘essay contest’ on the topic “Ikkeesween shatee mein 

soochna praudyogiki” was held on 20 th September. 

The top two positions went to Sri Syed R. Ali (1 st ), 

Ms. Kiran Verma (2 nd ) and Sri Madhavendra Singh, 

Ms. Anjali Dixit and Sri K.C. Chandola shared third 

place. On 22 nd September a ‘Prashnamanch contest’ 

was organised among seven teams, namely Gomti, 

Brahmaputra, Kaveri, Narmada, Tapti, Ganga and 

Sutlej. Each of the team had one person each from 

Scientific, Technical and Administrative staff. The 

winning team was Gomti (members: Dr. Rakesh 

Saxena, Sri Avinesh K. Srivastava and Sri Avinash 

58


K. Srivastava). Brahmaputra team (members: Dr. 

A.K. Ghosh, Sri S.K. Manna and Sri S.S. Panwar) 

got the second position, while Kaveri team 

(members: Dr. Rahul Garg, Sri V.K. Singh and Sri 

M. Pillai) received the third prize. ‘Hindi Elocution 

contest’ was held on 25 th September. The winners 

were Dr. K.J. Singh (1 st ), Sri K.C. Chandola (2 nd ) 

and Dr. Rakesh Saxena and Mrs. Rita Banerjee 

(jointly 3 rd ). On 26 th September, a ‘Hindi Terminology 

contest’ was held in which Sri. V.K. Singh, Ms. Kiran 

Verma and Mrs. Ruchita Bose secured 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd 

positions respectively. Hindi fortnight was concluded 

on 28 th September. On this day, all first prize winning 

entries were put on display. On the Founder’s Day 

(Nov 14 th ), the winners of various activities of the 

Hindi fortnight were awarded a medal and a 

certificate each. 

Miscellaneous 

Based on a survey on status of Hindi 

knowledge of Institute, information was sent to the 

Department of Official Language. It was found that 

more than 90% of Institute staff (excluding class ‘D’) 

has working knowledge of or proficiency in Hindi. 

A summary for a popular book on Palaeobotany and 

related aspects was processed for publication 

proposal. In addition, various administrative forms 

of the Institute were made bilingual and a number of 

official Hindi letters were drafted. For the different 

exhibitions, various museum write-ups, labels, 

hoardings, folders, hand-outs, etc. were translated in 

Hindi. Dr. Puneet Bisaria provided assistance to Mr. 

Sanjai Gaur of Lucknow University to prepare a 

practical book on functional Hindi. 

A view of Hindi Pakhwara celebrations 

59


Reservations and Concessions 

To provide adequate representation to 

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Other 

Backward Classes for posts meant for direct 

recruitment, the General Reservation Orders of the 

Government of India as applicable to Autonomous 

Bodies and as amended from time to time have been 

sincerely being followed by the Institute. The Roster 

for reservation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled 

Tribes and other Backward Classes is maintained by 

post-based Roster as directives of the Government 

of India, Department of Personnel and exempted 

from the purview of the General Reservation Orders. 

The Government of India orders issued from 

time to time for reservation in respect of blind, deaf 

and orthopaedically handicapped candidates were 

made applicable in Group “C” and Group “D” posts 

of the Institute. 

60


Director 

Professor Anshu K. Sinha 

Scientists 

(The names are in alphabetical order according to ‘surnames’) 

Scientist ‘G’ 

Dr Govindraja Rajagopalan 

Scientist ‘F’ 

Dr (Ms) Jayasri Banerji 

Dr Anil Chandra 

Dr (Mrs) Shaila Chandra 

Dr Kripa S. Saraswat 

Dr (Mrs) Chhaya Sharma 

Scientist ‘E’ 

Dr Krishna Ambwani 

Dr Rahul Garg 

Dr Jaswant S. Guleria 

Dr Ramesh K. Saxena 

Dr Manoj Shukla 

Dr Ashwini K. Srivastava 

Dr Gajendra P. Srivastava 

Dr (Mrs) Archana Tripathi 

Dr (Ms) Vijaya 

Scientist ‘D’ 

Dr Anil Agarwal 

Dr (Mrs) Usha Bajpai 

Dr (Mrs) Neerja Jha 

Dr (Mrs) Asha Khandelwal 

Dr Jagannath P. Mandal 

Dr Basant K. Misra 

Dr Chandra M. Nautiyal 

Dr Ram Awatar 

Dr Mulagalapalli R. Rao 

Dr Samir Sarkar 

Dr Rakesh Saxena 

Dr Rama S. Singh 

Dr (Mrs) Chanchala Srivastava 

Dr Shyam C. Srivastava 

Dr S.K.M. Tripathi 

Dr Ram R. Yadav 

The 

Staff 

Scientist ‘C’ 

Dr Rupendra Babu 

Dr Samir K. Bera 

Dr Amalava Bhattacharyya 

Dr Anant P. Bhattacharyya 

Dr Mohan S. Chauhan 

Dr (Ms) Asha Gupta 

Dr Brijendra N. Jana 

Dr Khowaja Ateequzzaman 

Dr Madhav Kumar 

Dr Bhagwan D. Mandaokar 

Dr Kindu L. Meena 

Dr Rakesh C. Mehrotra 

Dr (Mrs) Neeru Prakash 

Dr Mahesh Prasad 

Dr (Mrs) Jyotsana Rai 

Dr Annamraju Rajanikanth 

Dr Dinesh C. Saini 

Dr Omprakash S. Sarate 

Dr Mukund Sharma 

Dr (Mrs) Alpana Singh 

Dr Bhagwan D. Singh 

Dr Kamal J. Singh 

Dr (Mrs) Rashmi Srivastava 

Dr (Mrs) Rajni Tewari 

Dr Gyanendra K. Trivedi 

Scientist ‘A’ 

Dr (Mrs) Anjum Farooqui 

Dr Amit K. Ghosh 

Dr (Mrs) Vandana Prasad 

Sponsored Project 

Miss Debi Dutta, JRF (till 11.10.2000) 

Mr Jagdish Prasad, 

Field/Lab Attendant (till 13.06.2000) 

Dr Vandana Chowdhuri, Research Associate 

Mr Parminder S. Ranhotra, JRF 

Miss Anjali Dixit, JRF 

Mr Sandeep Bisaria, Lab Assistant 

Mr Jayendra Singh, Project Assistant 

Dr. Ratan Kar, Research Associate 

Miss Kiran Verma, JRF (resigned w.e.f. 

17.11.2000) 

61


Technical 

Personnel 

Publication 

Mr R.L. Mehra (Technical Assistant ‘E’) 

Mr Syed R. Ali (Technical Assistant ‘D’) 

Library 

Mrs Kavita Kumar (Technical Officer ‘A’) 

Mr V.K. Nigam (Technical Assistant ‘E’) 

Mr S. K. Manna (Technical Assistant ‘D’) 

Mr Dhirendra Sharma (Technical Assistant ‘D’) 

Mr S.R. Yadav (Technical Assistant ‘C’) 

Mr Avanish Kumar (Technical Assistant ‘B’) 

Museum 

Mr P.K. Bajpai (Technical Officer ‘C’) 

Mrs Sunita Khanna (Technical Officer ‘A’) 

Mr Prem Prakash (Technical Officer ‘A’) 

Mr S.K. Singh (Technical Assistant ‘D’) 

Mr R.K. Tantua (Technical Assistant ‘D’) 

Mr Pawan Kumar (Technical Assistant ‘A’) 

Herbarium 

Mr S.M. Vethanayagam (Technical Assistant ‘D’) 

Photography 

Mr Pradeep Mohan (Technical Officer ‘A’) 

Mr D.S. Bisht (Technical Assistant ‘D’) 

Laboratory Services 

Dr B. Sekar (Technical Officer ‘D’) 

Dr (Mrs) Madhabi Chakraborty (Technical Officer ‘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 Officer ‘A’) 

Mr Keshav Ram (Technical Assistant ‘E’) 

Mr Shreerupa Goswami (Technical Assistant ‘D’) 

Mr S. Suresh K. Pillai (Technical Assistant ‘D’) 

Technical Services 

Mr P.S. Katiyar (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 D.K. 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 ‘B’) 

Mr S.C. Singh (Technical Assistant ‘B’) 

Mr A.K. Srivastava (Technical Assistant ‘B’) 

Mr Om Prakash Yadav (Technical Assistant ‘A’) 

Administrative 

Registrar 

Mr S.C. Bajpai 

Accounts Officer 

Mr J.C. Singh 

PS to Director 

Mrs M. Jagath Janani 

(Officiating) 

Section Officers 

Mr I.J. Mehra 

Mr R.K. Takru 

Mr Ramesh Chandra 

Mr N.N. Joshi 

Maintenance Officer 

Mr R.B. Kukreti 

Accountant 

Mr I.J.S. Bedi 

Assistants 

Mr R.K. Kapoor 

Mrs V. Nirmala 

Mr Dhoom Singh 

Mrs Ruchita Bose 

Mrs Usha Chandra 

Mrs P. Thomas 

Personnel 

62


Hindi Translator 

Dr. Puneet Bisaria 

Upper Division Clerks 

Mr Hari Lal 

Mr Koshy Thomas 

Mrs Swapna Mazumdar 

Mr K.P. Singh 

Mr Gopal Singh 

Mr M. Pillai 

Mr N. Unnikannan 

Mrs Shail S. Rathore 

Mrs Renu Srivastava 

Mr Mishri Lal 

Mr S.S. Panwar 

Lower Division Clerks 

Mr Rameshwar Prasad 

Mr Avinash K. Srivastava 

Ms Chitra Chatterjee 

Mr. Akhil Antal 

Drivers 

Mr Nafees Ahmed (‘II’) 

Mr D.K. Misra (‘I’) 

Mr V.P. Singh (‘I’) 

Mr M.M. Mishra (‘I’) 

Mr. P.K. Misra (‘I’) 

Attendants ‘III’ (SG) 

Mr Raja Ram 

Attendants ‘III’ 

Mr Satruhan 

Mr Sunder Lal 

Mr Prem Chandra 

Mr K.C. Chandola 

Mr Haradhan Mohanti 

Mr Ram Singh 

Mr Kesho Ram 

Mr Ram Deen 

Mr Ram Kishan 

Attendants ‘II’ 

Mrs Munni 

Mr Sri Ram 

Mr Bam Singh 

Mr Kedar N. Yadav 

Mrs Maya Devi 

Mr Kailash Nath 

Mr Mohammad Shakil 

Mr Mani Lal Pal 

Attendants ‘I’ 

Mr Ram Ujagar 

Mr Ram Dheeraj 

Mr K.K. Bajpai 

Mr Dhan B. Kunwar 

Mr Hari Kishan 

Mr S.C. Mishra 

Mr V.S. Gaikwad 

Mr Ramesh Kumar 

Mr R.K. Awasthi 

Mr Inder Kumar 

Mr Deepak Kumar 

Mrs Ram Kali 

Mali 

Mr Rameshwar Prasad Pal (‘III’) 

Mr Mathura Prasad (‘I’) 

Mr Ram Chander (‘I’) 

Mr Ram Kewal (‘I’) 

63


Appointments and Promotions 

Appointments 

Mr. Saurabh Pradhan, Technical Assistant ‘A’ w.e.f. 

21.11.2000. 

Miss Nandani, Attendant ‘I’ w.e.f. 15.05.2000. 

Mrs. Beena, Attendant ‘I’ w.e.f. 30.03.2001. 

Promotions 

Dr. (Ms) Jayasri Banerji Scientist ‘F’, w.e.f. 

01.04.2000. 

Dr. Kripa S. Saraswat Scientist ‘F’, w.e.f. 01.04.2000. 

Dr. Vijaya, Scientist ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2000. 

Dr. Jaswant S. Guleria, Scientist ‘E’ w.e.f. 

01.04.2000. 

Dr. Rakesh Saxena, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2000. 

Dr. (Mrs.) Chanchala Srivastava, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 

01.04.2000. 

Dr. Ram Awatar, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2000. 

Dr. B. Sekar, Technical Officer ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2000. 

Mr. P.K. Bajpai, Technical Officer ‘C’ w.e.f. 

01.04.2000. 

Mr. R.C. Mishra, Technical Officer ‘A’ w.e.f. 

01.04.2000. 

Mr. Pradeep Mohan, Technical Officer ‘A’ w.e.f. 

01.04.2000. 

Mr. M.S. Rana, Technical Assistant ‘B’ w.e.f. 

01.04.2000. 

Mr. Ajay K. Srivastava, Technical Assistant ‘B’ w.e.f. 

01.04.2000. 

Mr. S.C. Singh, Technical Assistant ‘B’ w.e.f. 

01.04.2000. 

Mr. Avanish Kumar, Technical Assistant ‘B’ w.e.f. 

01.04.2000. 

Mr. Mishri Lal, UDC w.e.f. 01.06.2000. 

Mr. S.S. Panwar, UDC w.e.f. 01.06.2000. 

Mrs. S.S. Rathore, UDC w.e.f. 01.06.2000. 

Mrs. Renu Srivastava, UDC w.e.f. 01.06.2000. 

Mrs. Jagath Janani, Officiating PS to Director w.e.f. 

01.11.2000. 

Retirements 

Dr. Pramod Kumar, Scientist ‘D’ retired on 

30.04.2000 (AN). 

Dr. Suresh C. Srivastava, Scientist ‘F’ retired on 

30.06.2000 (AN). 

Dr. Syed A. Jafar, Scientist ‘F’ voluntary retirement 

w.e.f. 30.11.2000 (AN). 

Mr. H.S. Srivastava, Section Officer retired on 

28.02.2001 (AN). 

Dr. Anand Prakash, Scientist ‘F’ voluntary retirement 

w.e.f. 26.03.2001 (FN). 

Termination 

Mr. K. Nagapooshnam, Technical Officer ‘B’ services 

terminated w.e.f. 19.04.1998 (AN). 

Obituary 

Mr. Diwakar Pradhan, Technical Officer ‘A’ expired 

on 14.04.2000. 

64


Research Papers published 

Agarwal A & Ambwani K 2000. Canariocarpon 

ratnagiriensis gen. et sp. nov. from 

Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India. 

Palaeobotanist 49: 93-100. 

Agarwal A, Ambwani K, Saha SK & Kar RK 

2000. Fossil wood of Barringtonia 

(Lecythidaceae) from Ramgarh, Chittagong 

Hill Tract, Bangladesh. Phytomorphology 

50(3-4): 333-336. 

Ahmad SM, Patil DJ, Rao PS, Nath BN, Rao BR 

& Rajagopalan G 2000. Glacial-interglacial 

changes in the surface water characteristics 

of the Andaman Sea: Evidence from 

stable isotopic ratios of planktonic 

foraminifera. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Earth 

& Planet Sci.) 109(1): 1-4. 

Ambwani K & Kar RK 2000. Occurrence of 

Anonidium - like pollen in the Tura Formation 

(Palaeocene) of Meghalaya, India. 


Anderson JM, Anderson HM, Archangelsky S, 

Bamford M, Chandra S, Dettman M, Hill 

R, Mcloughlin S & Rosler O 1999. Patterns 

of Gondwana plant colonisation and 

diversification. Alex Du-toit Symp. 10 th 

Gondwana, South Africa, J. African Earth 

Sci. 28(1): 145-167. 

Arya R, Guleria JS & Srivastava R 2001. New 

records of plant fossils from the Kasauli 

sediments of Himachal Pradesh, North-West 

India. Phytomorphology 51(1): 63-69. 

Bajpai U 2000. Ultrastructure of the sporoderm in 

megaspores of some Indian Selaginellas. 

Palaeobotanist 49(1): 17-21. 

Banerji J 2000. Megafloral diversity of the Upper 

Gondwana sequence of the Rajmahal Basin, 

India. J. African Ear. Sci. 31: 133-144. 

Banerji J 2000. Occurrence of angiosperm remains 

in an Early Cretaceous Intertrappean bed, 

Rajmahal Basin, India. Cret. Res. 21: 781- 

784. 

Banerji J & Jana BN 2000. Early Cretaceous 

megaflora of Bartala Hill, Rajmahal Basin, 

India. Palaeobotanist 49(1): 51-56. 

Bera SK 2000. Modern pollen deposition in Mikir 

Hills, Assam. Palaeobotanist 49: 325-328. 

Bera SK & Farooqui A 2000. Mid Holocene 

vegetation and climate of South Indian 

montane. J. Palaeontol. Soc. Ind. 45: 49-56. 

Chaudhary V & Bhattacharyya A 2000. Tree ring 

analysis of Larix griffithiana from the Eastern 

Himalayas in the reconstruction of past 

temperature. Curr.Sci. 79: 1712-1716. 

Chauhan MS, Mazari RK & Rajagopalan G 2000. 

Vegetation and climate in upper Spiti region, 

Himachal Pradesh during late Holocene. 

Curr. Sci. 79(3): 373-377. 

Farooqui A 2000. Leaf cuticular and epidermal traits 

and elemental status in Rhizophora species 

in a coastal wetland ecosystem. 

Phytomorphology 50(3&4): 317-325. 

Farooqui A & Rai V 2000. Heavy minerals and 

coastal vegetation during Late Holocene in 

Pichavaram, Tamil Nadu, India. In: V. 

Rajamanickam (ed.) A handbook of Placer 

Mineral deposits, Tamil University, 

Thanjavur: 151-158. 

Farooqui A & Vaz GG 2000. Holocene sea level 

and climate fluctuations: Pulicat lagoon – A 

case study. Curr. Sci. 7(10): 1484-1488. 

Garg R & Khowaja-Ateequzzaman 2000. 

Dinoflagellate cysts from the Lakadong 

65


Sandstone from Cherrapunji area: 

biostratigraphical and palaeoenvironmental 

significance and relevance to sea level 

changes in the Upper Palaeocene of Khasi 

Hills, South Shillong Plateau, India. 


Guleria JS & Srivastava R 2000. Observations on 

the fossil fern Goniopteris prolifera Presl. 

and its present status. Phytomorphology 50 

(1): 11-13. 

Guleria JS, Srivastava R & Prasad M 2000. Some 

fossil leaves from the Kasauli Formation of 

Himachal Pradesh, North-west India. 

Himalayan Geol. 21 (1-2): 43-52. 

Kedves M, Horvath A, Tripathi SKM & Kumar 

M 2001. Symmetry operations on the Quasi 

Crystalloid biopolymer system of the 

sporopollenin of Phoenix sylvestris Linn. 

from India. Plant Cell Biol. Devel., Hungary 

13: 76-86. 

Khandelwal A 2001. Survey of aerospora by 

Rotorod Sampler: Qualitative and 

quantitative assessment. Aerobiologia 17: 77- 

83. 

Khandelwal A & Gupta HP 2000. Mangrove 

history since 1,500 years B.P. at Dangmal, 

Baitarni-Brahmani Delta, Orissa, India. 


Kotlia BS, Sharma C, Bhalla MS, Rajagopalan 

G, Subramanian K, Bhattacharyya A & 

Valdiya KS 2000. Palaeoclimatic condition 

in the Late Pleistocene Wadda Lake, eastern 

Kumaun Himalayas (India). Palaeogeogr. 

Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol. 162(1-2): 105- 

118. 

Maithy PK & Babu R 2000. Organic-walled 

microfossils from the Bhagwar Shale (Semri 

Group), Rohtasgarh District, Bihar and their 

implication for the age. Geosci. J. 21: 17-23. 

Mandal J 2000. Occurrence of Pilatrisyncolpites 

from the Early Eocene of Kutch Basin and 

its implication. Geosci. J. 21(1): 69-21. 

Mandal J & Kumar M 2000. Stratigraphic 

significance of some angiosperm pollen from 

the Tinali Oil field, Upper Assam, India. 


Mandaokar BD 2000. Palynology of coal bearing 

sediments of the Tikak Parbat Formation 

(Oligocene) from Namchik-River section, 

Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh, 

India. Tertiary Res. 20(1-4): 37-46. 

Mandaokar BD 2000. Palynology and 

palaeoenvironment of the Bhuban Formation 

(Early Miocene) of Ramrikawn near Aizawl, 

Mizoram, India. Palaeobotanist 49: 317-324. 

Mandaokar BD 2000. Palynology of the coal 

bearing sediments in the Tikak Parbat 

Formation from Jeypore Colliery, Dilli- 

Jeypore coalfields Assam, India. J. 

Palaeontol. Soc. India 45: 173-185. 

Meena KL 2000. Palynodating of subsurface 

sediments of bore–hole IBH-6 in Ib–River 

Coalfield, Orissa, India. Geophytology 

29(1&2): 111-113. 

Mehrotra RC 2000. Study of plant megafossils from 

the Tura Formation of Nangalbibra, Garo 

Hills, Meghalaya, India. Palaeobotanist 49: 

225-230. 

Mehrotra RC 2000. A new rhizome-like structure 

from near Jowai, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. 


Mehrotra RC 2000. Two new fossil fruits from 

Oligocene sediments of Makum Coalfield, 

Assam, India. Curr. Sci. 79(10): 1482-1483. 

Mehrotra RC & Mandaokar BD 2000. Leaf 

impressions from Oligocene sediments of 

66


Manmao Triap District, Arunachal Pradesh, 

India. Palaeobotanist 49: 311-315. 

Misra BK 2000. Petrography, genesis and deposition 

of Tertiary coals from Northeastern India. 


Pokharia AK & Saraswat KS 2000. Wood charcoal 

remains from ancient Sanghol, Punjab (Ca. 

100-300 AD). Pragdhara 10: 149-171, plates 

119-134. 

Prakash N 2000. Floral diversity of two fossils sites 

(Dudhkol and Sitalpur) of Rajmahal 

Formation, Bihar, India. Palaeobotanist 

49(1): 57-64. 

Prasad M & Tripathi PP 2000. Plant megafossils 

from the Siwalik Sediments of Bhutan and 

their climatic significance. Biol. Mem. 26 (1): 

6-19. 

Rajanikanth A, Venkatachala BS & Ashok 

Kumar 2000. Geological age of the 

Ptilophyllum flora - A critical reassessment. 

Mem. Geol. Soc. 46: 245-256. 

Rao MR 2000. Palynological investigation of the 

Kherapara Formation (Oligocene) exposed 

along Tura-Dalu Road near Kherapara, West 

Garo Hills District, Meghalaya. 


Sarate OS 2000. A distribution pattern of the 

microconstituents in the coals of Kondha and 

Nandori blocks, Wardha Valley Coalfield, 

Maharashtra, India. Minetech 21(5&6): 33- 

47. 

Sarkar S 2000. Occurrence of algal zygospore 

Debarya (Zygnemataceae) from Miocene 

rocks of Western Nepal. Sci. & Cult. 66(3- 

4): 157-158. 

Sarkar S & Prasad V 2000. Palaeoenvironmental 

significance of dinoflagellate cysts from the 

Subathu Formation (Late Ypresian–Middle 

Lutetian) of Koshalia Nala section, Shimla 

Hills, India. Him. Geol. 21(1& 2): 167-176. 

Sarkar S & Prasad V 2000. Palynostratigraphy and 

depositional environment of the Subathu 

Formation (Late Ypresian-Middle Lutetian), 

Morni hills, Haryana, India. J. Palaeontol. 

Soc. India 5: 137-149. 

Saxena RK 2000. Palynology of the Neogene 

sediments of Northwestern India. Misc. Publ. 

GSI 64: 11-22. 

Saxena RK 2000. Palynostratigraphy of the Tertiary 

sediments of Meghalaya, Northeastern India 

– present status and gaps. Palaeobotanist 

49(2): 163-175. 

Saxena RK & Sarkar S 2000. Palynological 

investigation of the Siju Formation (Middle 

Eocene) in the type area, South Garo Hills, 

India. Palaeobotanist 49(2): 253-267. 

Shukla M, Kumar P, Anand-Prakash, Srivastava 

GP & Kumar M 2000. Resin embedded 

insects and other organic remains from 

Warkali Formation, Kerala Coast, India. J. 

Geol. Soc. India 56: 315-319. 

Singh J & Yadav RR 2000. Tree-ring indications 

of recent glacier fluctuations in Gangotri, 

western Himalaya. Curr. Sci. 79(11): 1598- 

1601. 

Singh KJ 2000. Plant biodiversity in Mahanadi 

Basin, India, during the Gondwana period. 

J. African Earth Sci. 31(1): 145-155. 

Singh KJ & Chandra S 2000. Additional 

palaeobotanical information from Madhupur 

Village, Talcher Coalfield, Orissa. 


Sinha R, Sharma C & Chauhan MS 2000. 

Sedimentological and pollen studies of Lake 

67


Priyadarshini, Eastern Antarctica. 

Palaeobotanist 49 (1): 1-8. 

Srivastava AK, Abbas SR, Mehrotra RC & 

Srivastava R 2000. Cecidomyiid leaf galls 

from Palaeocene leaf of Northeast India. Acta 

Palaeobotanica 40 (1): 43-47. 

Srivastava R & Suzuki M 2001. More fossil woods 

from the Palaeogene of Northern Kyushu, 

Japan. IAWA Journal 22: 85-105. 

Srivastava SC 2000. Genus Krauselitheca 

Srivastava, a detached microsporangium 

from Middle Triassic (Nidpur) of India 

displaying pteridophytic affiliation Indian 

Fern J. 17: 202-208. 

Srivastava SC & Banerji J 2001. Pentoxylon plant: 

A reconstruction and interpretation. Cell Biol. 

Devel., Hungary 13: 11-18. 

Srivastava SC, Manik SR & Prakash N 2001. 

Observation on Triassic seeds with remarks 

on their morphology in fossil state. Bot. 

Essays, Jaipur: 183-216. 

Srivastava SC, Manik SR & Prakash N 2001. 

Chaturvedeacarpon chauhanii, a new seed 

associated with other seed genera from two 

hundred million years old (± 225 MY 

Triassic) rocks of India. Plant Cell 

Incompatibility News Letter 30: 98. 

Srivastava SC & Prakash N 2000. Climatic 

fluctuation based on two hundred million 

years old (± 225 M.Y. Triassic) plants in India 

Peninsula: A significant advance in Botany. 

Glimpses in Botany: G.S. Paliwal Sests Chrift 

Vol., APH Publishing Corporation, New 

Delhi. 

Tewari R & Srivastava AK 2000. Plant fossil 

assemblage from the Talchir Formation, 

Auranga Coalfield, Bihar, India. 


Tewari R & Srivastava AK 2000. Plant fossils from 

Bhareli Formation of Arunachal Pradesh, 

North east Himalaya, India. Palaeobtanist 49: 

209-217. 

Tewari R, Srivastava RK, Saraswat KS & Singh 

KK 2000. Excavations at Malhar, District 

Chandauli (U.P.)-1999: A Preliminary 

Report. Pragdhara 10: 69-98, plates 65-91. 

Tiwari RP & Mehrotra RC 2000. Fossil woods 

from the Tipam Group of Mizoram, India. 

Ter. Res. 20: 85-94. 

Tripathi A 2001. Permian, Jurassic and Early 

Cretaceous palynological assemblages from 

subsurface sediments in Chuperbhita 

Coalfield, Rajmahal Basin, India. Rev. 

Palaeobot. Palynol. 113: 237-259. 

Tripathi SKM, Saxena RK & Prasad V 2000. 

Palynological investigation of the Tura 

Formation (Early Eocene) exposed along 

Tura-Dalu Road, West Garo Hills, 

Meghalaya, India. Palaeobotanist 49(2): 239- 

251. 

Trivedi GK & Saxena RK 2000. Palynofloral 

investigation of the Kopili Formation (Late 

Eocene) exposed near Umrongso in North 

Cachar Hills District, Assam, India. 


Upadhyay R, Chandra R, Sinha AK, Kar RK, 

Chandra S, Jha N & Rai H 2000. Discovery 

of Gondwana plant fossils and palynomorphs 

of Late Asselian (Early Permian) age in the 

Karakoram Block. Terra Nova, Oxford 11: 

278-283. 

Valdiya KS & Rajagopalan G 2000. Large 

palaeolakes in Kaveri basin in Mysore 

Plateau: Late Quaternary fault reactivation. 

Curr. Sci. 78: 1138-1142. 

68


Valdiya KS, Rajagopalan G, Nanda AC, Suresh 

GC & Upendra T 2000. Neotectonic lake 

and vertebrate fossils in Hemavati 

Catchment, Hassan District, Karnataka. J. 

Geol. Soc. India 55: 229-237. 

Vijaya 2000. Recognition of Potential palyno-events 

in the Jurassic Sequence of India and their 

correlation in Australia, Proc.5 th Int. Symp. 

Jurassic System: 237-248. 

Vijaya & Roy A 2000. Late Lower Jurassic 

palynomorph assemblage in the Dubrajpur 

sediments, Birbhum District, W.B. India. 


Yadav RR & Park WK 2000. Precipitation 

reconstruction using ring-width chronology 

of Himalayan cedar from western Himalaya: 

preliminary results. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 

(Earth Planet. Sci.) 109(3): 339-345. 

Vijaya 2000. Palynology of the Jurassic-Cretaceous 

transition in the Rajmahal Formation, W.B., 

India. Alcheringa 24: 125-133. 

69


Abstracts 

Anil Kumar, Gopalan K & Rajagopalan G 2000. 

Mesoproterozoic age of the Vindhyan 

sediments, Central India from Glauconite Rb- 

Sr Systematics. Goldschmidt J. Conf., 

Cambridge Publ. 5(2): 606. 

Bajpai U 2000. Glossopterid fructifications and their 

stratigraphical distribution in India. X 

Reuniao de Paleobot. e Palinologos, 

Guarulhos, Sao Paulo, Brazil: 

Bajpai U 2001. Ultrastructure of cuticular membrane 

of extinct and extant taxa of gymnosperms 

from India. 24 th Ann. Conf. EMSI, 

Chandigarh: 

Bajpai U, Kumar M & Singh VK 2001. 

Morphology, size and EDAX analysis of 

pyrite framboids on degraded plant tissues 

in coal and shales of Ledo Coalfield, Assam. 

XXIV Ann. Conf. EMSI, Chandigarh: 70. 

Banerji J 2000. Mesozoic megaflora of Kachchh 

Basin and its palaeoecological interpretation. 

Nat. Symp. Rec. Adv. Geol. & Res. Pot. 

Kachchh Basin, Varanasi: 3. 

Chandra S 2000. Distribution of Late Devonian- 

Permian plant sequences in India. 6 th IOP 

Conf., Qinhuangdao, China: 

Farooqui A 2000. Late Holocene sea-level climate 

and anthropogenic record from Pichavaram, 

Tamil Nadu. Workshop Geoenvironmental 

studies- Indian Scenario, Jhansi: 9-11. 

Farooqui A 2000. Potentials of multi-proxy data in 

analyzing estuarine depositional environment. 

Nat. Sem. Coastal Evol. Proc. & Prod. 

: 15-16. 

Ghosh AK 2000. Palaeoecology and taxonomy of 

the Tertiary coralline algae from southwestern 

published 


Pot. Kachchh Basin, Varanasi: 41. 

Guleria JS 2000. Two fossil woods from Piram, a 

coastal island off the coast of Bhavnagar, 

Gujarat. Nat. Sem. Coastal Evol. Processes & 

Products and XVII Conv. IAS, Cochin: 42-43. 

Guleria JS 2000. Endogenous fungi in silicified woods 

of Kachchh, Gujarat. Nat. Symp. Rec. Adv. Geol. 

& Res. Pot. Kachchh Basin, Varanasi: 9. 

Gupta A 2000. Palaeovegetation and past climate 

of Late Holocene from Temperate Zone in 

Nainital District, Kumaun Himalaya. 10 th 

IPC, China: 58. 

Jana BN 2000. Palaeopalynology of Kachchh: I 

Mesozoic megaspores. Nat. Symp. Rec. Adv. 

Geol. & Res. Pot. Kachchh Basin, Varanasi: 5. 

Jana BN 2000. Palaeopalynology of Kachchh: II 

Mesozoic spores and pollen. Nat. Symp. Rec. 

Adv. Geol. & Res. Pot. Kachchh Basin, 

Varanasi: 6. 

Jha N 2000. Permian palynoflora of India and 

Antarctica: Phytogeographic evidence for 

palaeoposition of India in Gondwana. 10 th 

IPC., China : 

Kar R, Ranhotra PS, Bhattacharyya A & Sekar 

B 2001. Palynological studies around 

Gangotri Glacier, Garhwal Himalayas. Nat. 

Sem. Geol. Nat. Envir. Lesser Himalaya: 

Present Status and Strategy for the next two 

decades, Nainital: 

Kedves M, Priskin K, Tripathi SKM & Kumar 

M 2001. Experimental LM studies on recent 

Palm pollen grains. Congr. Tropical & 

Subtropical Palynology (America-Africa), 

Jardian Botanico Nacional, Havana, Cuba: 32. 

70


Khandelwal A 2000. Human-induced landscape 

changes around Chilka Lake, Orissa, India 

during the last four millennia. 10 th IPC, 

China: 83. 

Khandelwal A 2000. Aeromycological studies in 

Lucknow in relation to biodeterioration of 

cultural properties. Nat. Sem. 

Biodeterioration of Cultural Heritage, New 

Delhi: 21. 

Khandelwal A 2000. Dominant and air-borne pollen 

grains of Lucknow. 34 th Nat. Conv. Indian 

College of Allergy & Applied Immunology, 

Lucknow: 59. 

Khandelwal A 2000. Biodeterioration: An 

aerobiological approach. Nat. Sem. 

Biodeterioration of Materials, Kanpur: 4. 

Khandelwal A, Kohli D & Gupta HP 2000. A 

palynological record of mangrove vegetation 

at Chandrapur, Chilka Lake, India. Workshop 

Geoenvironmental studies: Indian Scenario, 

Jhansi: 17. 

Khandelwal A, Tewary R, Misra L, Saxena R, 

Srivastava A & Chatterji S 2000. 

Comparative account of air-borne pollen 

grains at five different places in Lucknow, 

India. 10 th IPC, China: 83. 

Kumar M, Bajpai U, Prakash N, Shukla M, 

Anand-Prakash & Srivastava GP 2001. 

Structural changes in biologically degraded 

leaf cuticles during early diagenesis. 14 th Ann. 

Conf. EMSI, Chandigarh: 66. 

Mandal J 2000. Depositional environment and 

palynomorphs from the lignite mines of 


Pot. Kachchh Basin, Varanasi: 7. 

Park W-K, Seo JW, Kim YJ, Yadav RR & 

Pumijumnong N 2000. Relationship 

between El-Nino events and tree-ring 

chronologies of Pinus densiflora in Korea. 

Int.Conf. Dendrochronology for the third 

Millennium, Mendoza, Argentina: 85. 

Prasad V & Sarkar S 2000. Depositional 

environment of the Subathu Formation (Late 

Thanetian-Early Ypresian) in the Garhwal 

Himalayas, India – Evidence from 

Cyanobacterial mats. 2 nd Int. Conf. Appl. 

Micro-and Meio-organisms to Environmental 

problems, Canada: 104-105. 

Rai J. Early Callovian nannofossils from Jara Dome, 

Kutch, western India. Nat. Symp. Rec. Adv. 

Geol. & Res. Pot. Kachchh Basin, Varanasi: 

Rajanikanth A 2000. Leaf fossils as climate 

signatures in the Early Cretaceous sediments 

of India. 6 th Conf. IOP, China: 104-105. 

Ram-Awatar 2000. Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous 

palynofossils from Parsora Formation, South 

Rewa Basin, M.P. 10 th IPC, China: 136. 

Ram-Awatar 2000. Recent development on the 

palynological studies of the Supra- Barakar 

sediments in South Rewa Basin, M.P. 27 th 

Conv. IAS, Cochin: 43-44. 

Rao MR & Patnaik R 2000. Palynology of Pliocene 

sediments of Pinjor Formation, Haryana. 10 th 

IPC, China: 136-137. 

Rigby JF & Chandra S 2000. Permian flora of the 

Mersey Coal Measures, Tasmania. 6 th IOP 

Conf., Qinhuangdao, China: 

Sarkar S 2000. Diversification of angiosperms in 

India through ages (Palaeocene–Pliocene). 

10 th IPC, China: 146. 

Sarkar S & Prasad V 2000. Palynological evidences 

of sea level changes during Early Eocene in 

the Morni Hills, Lesser Himalaya, India. 10 th 

IPC, China: 146. 

71


Sarkar S & Prasad V 2001. Significance of 

reworked Permian and Cretaceous 

palynofossils in the Subathu Formation (Late 

Thanetian-Middle Lutetian) of Lesser 

Himalayas. Sem. Geol. & Nat. Envir. Lesser 

Himalayas: present status and strategy for 

the next two decades, Nainital: 78. 

Sharma C, Chauhan MS, Bera SK, Sinha R & 

Upreti DK 2000. Early Holocene 

sedimentological and palynological studies 

from lake Priyadarshini, Eastern Antarctica. 

10 th IPC, China: 151-152. 

Sharma C, Dixit A & Sekar B 2000. Holocene 

climatic inferences from lacustrine sediments 

from Surinsar Lake, Jammu based on pollen 

and chemical analysis. Nat. Symp. Eco-phys. 

Consequ. Envir. Poll., Faizabad : 70-71. 

Sharma M & Shukla M 2000. Gigantism in 

Neoproterozoic carbonaceous megaremains, 

a possible marker event: evidences from the 

Bhima and the Kurnool basins of south India. 

31 st Int. Geol. Congr., Brazil: 104. 

Shukla M, Bajpai U, Kumar M, Srivastava GP & 

Anand-Prakash 2001. Nature of 

sedimentary organic matter from Suket Shale 

Formation, Vindhyan Super Group, District 

Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh. 14 th Ann. Conf. 

EMSI, Chandigarh: 97. 

Sinha AK 2000. Subduction and accretion tectonics 

of Himalayan and Karakoram terranes and 

their palaeogeological configuration. 15 th 

Himalayas-Karakoram-Tibet Workshop, 

China : 86-87. 

Sinha AK 2000. Continental subduction of Indian 

margin in Himalayan orogens leading to 

development of ultrahigh pressure 

metamorphic (UHPM) regime. 31 st Int. Geol. 

Congr., Brazil: 

Sinha AK, Chandra R & Upadhyay R 2000. 

Tectonic framework of Himalayas- 

Karakoram orogenic subduction zones in 

Ladakh and eastern Karakoram. 31 st Int. Geol. 

Congr., Brazil: 

Srivastava R & Guleria JS 2000. Leaf impressions 

from the Kasauli sediments of Himachal 

Pradesh, and their palaeoenvironmental and 

climatic significance. Nat. Sem. Coastal Evol. 

Processes and Products & XVII Conv. IAS, 

Cochin: 44-45. 

Srivastava SC, Prakash N & Banerjee R 2000. 

Reconstructed pteridophytic fossils and 

palaeogeographic distribution. 23 rd Indian 

Bot. Conf, Meerut: 41. 

Tewari R 2000. Megaspores from Late Palaeozoic of 

India- Structural trends and stratigraphic 

correlation. Revista Geosciencias, Brazil: 233. 

Tripathi A 2000. Palynology evidences for the 

palaeoposition of India during Early 

Cretaceous. 10 th IPC, China: 169. 

Tripathi SKM & Shukla U 2001. Palynological and 

sedimentological studies on Middle Siwalik 

sediments exposed in Jammu area. Sem. 


Status and Strategies for the next Two 

Decades, Nainital: 71. 

72


General Articles/Reports published 

Bera SK 2000. Conference report— An Expedition 

to Antarctica (1999-2000). Palaeobotanist 

49: 133-135. 

Bhattacharyya A 2000. Conference report— 

International Symposium on Multifaceted 

Aspects of Tree ring analysis, Lucknow 

(November 15-19, 1999). Palaeobotanist 49: 

137-138. 

Bisaria P 2000. Saraswati Nadi— Bhartiya sanskriti 

ka swarnim itihas. Vigyan. (in Hindi). 

Farooqui A 2000. Holocene sea-level fluctuatiom: 

Pulicate lagoon. BSIP Newsletter (June): 10. 

Jha N 2000. Dak Tikaton mein Puravanaspathi 

vigyan. Avishkar. (in Hindi) 

Jha N 2000. Conference report— 17 th Indian 

Colloquium on Micropalaeontology and 

Stratigraphy, Ujjain (January 27-29, 2000). 


Khandelwal A 2000. Five decades of Aerobiology 

at Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 

Lucknow. BSIP Newsletter (June): 9. 

Khandelwal A 2000. Technical Report (Part 1&2) 

AICP Aeroallergens and Human health: 

aerobiological studies (Lucknow region). 

Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of 

India, New Delhi: 1-20. 

Khandelwal A 2001. Conference report— 

INDSUBIO Workshop, Max Plank Institute 

for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany (July 

20-22). Palaeobotanist 49: 540. 

Khandelwal A 2001. Conference Report- National 

Seminar on Geoenvironmental studies: 

Indian Scenario Jhansi. Palaeobotanist 49: 

545. 

Misra BK, Singh A & Singh BD 2000. Conference 

report— International Conference on Coal 

Bed Methane: Prospects and potentialities, 

Calcutta (December 3, 1999). Palaeobotanist 

49: 138-139. 

Rai J 2000. Urja ke pramukh srotra: Koyala evam 

Methane Gas. Gyan Vigyan Ank, CDRI, 

Lucknow 12: 27-29. (in Hindi) 

Rajanikanth A 2000. Environmental degradation- 

A threat to human survival. Newsletter PWA: 

14-15. 

Rajanikanth A 2000. Shell syndrome. Newsletter 

BSIP: 11-12. 

Rao MR 2000. Conference report— 10 th National 

Conference on Aerobiology and its 

application, Vishakhapatnam (December 20- 

22, 1999). Palaeobotanist 49: 139-140. 

Saraswat KS & Srivastava C 2000. Conference 

Report— Joint Annual Conference of Indian 

Archaeological Society, Indian Society for 

Pre-Historic and Quaternary Studies and 

Indian History and Culture Society 

(December 27-30, 1999), Pune, India. 


Saraswat KS, Srivastava C & Pokharia AK 2000. 

Palaeobotanical and palynological 

investigations. Indian Archaeology 1993-94: 

A Review, pp. 143-145, plates 32-33. 

Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi. 

Saraswat KS, Srivastava C & Pokharia AK 2000. 

Palaeobotanical and palynological 

investigations. Indian Archaeology 1994-95: 

A Review, pp. 96-97, plates XLII-XLV. 

Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi. 

Sarkar S 2000. Manav jeevan me Paragkan ki 

bhumika. Vigyan Garima Sindhu, New Delhi 

30: 39-40. (in Hindi) 

Saxena RK 2000. Uttar-pashchimi Bharat ke Upari 

Shiwalik avasadon kaa Puravanaspatik 

adhyayan. In: J.K. Johri et al. Arthik 

Udaarikaran Neetiyon ke Paripekchhya mein 

Swadeshi Prodyogiki kee Prasangikta: 208- 

212. (in Hindi) 

73


Sinha AK, Singh BD & Srivastava SC 2000. 

Palaeobotanical contributions of BSIP in 

North-East India: A status report. 


Srivastava AK 2000. Glossopteris flora: The source 

material for the formation of Indian coal. 

Minetech 21: 28-31. 

Srivastava R 2000. Bhartiya vano ka udbhav evum 

vikas: Puravanaspatik vishleshan. Vigyan 

Garima Sindhu 30: 49-53. (in Hindi). 

Srivastava R 2000. Kitne purane Aam, Kela, Jamun, 

Laung, Kathal aur Nariyal. BSIP Newsletter, 

June 2000: 18 (in Hindi). 

Tewari R 2000. Vigat pachas varshon men Bharat 

ki Vaigyanik uplabdhiyan. . BSIP Newsletter 

(June): 15-17. 

Tripathi A 2000. Jeevashm. Newsletter LUBDDA 

3: 4. (in Hindi) 

74


Papers accepted for publication 

Agarwal A & Ambwani K—Ambericarpon 

devgarhensis gen. et sp. nov. from 

Amberiwadi village, Sindhudurg District, 

Maharashtra, India. Palaeobotanist. 

Agarwal A & Ambwani K—Distinctive stomatal 

structure from dispersed leaf cuticles of 

Sindhudurg Formation, Maharashtra, India. 

Curr. Sci. 

Agarwal A, Tewari R & Ambwani K— 

Observation on dispersed angiospermous leaf 

cuticles from Sindhudurg Formation, 

Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India. 

Phytomorphology. 

Ambwani K, Kar RK & Sahni A—Reinvestigation 

on Sahnipushpam Shukla from 

the Deccan Intertrappean sediments of 

Madhya Pradesh, India. Ameghinania. 

Bajpai U—Ultrastructure of the leaf cuticle in Cycas 

circinalis Linn. Palaeobotanist. 

Bajpai U—Comparison of ultrastructure of the 

cuticle in some extinct and extant taxa of 

gymnosperms from India. Plant Cell Biol. & 

Devel., Hungary. 

Bajpai U, Kumar M, Shukla M, Anand-Prakash 

& Srivastava GP—Nature and composition 

of pyrite framboids and organic substrate 

from degraded leaf cuticles of Late Tertiary 

sediments, Mahuadanr Valley, Palamu, Bihar. 

Curr. Sci. 

Bhattacharyya A, Chaudhary V & Gargen JT— 

Analysis of tree ring data of Abies pindrow 

around Dokriani Bamak glacier, Garhwal 

Himalayas, in relation to climate and glacial 

fluctuations during recent past. 

Palaeobotanist. 

Chauhan MS, Rajagopalan G, Sah MP, Phillip G 

& Virdi NS—Pollen analytical study of Late 

Holocene sediments from Trans Yamuna 

segment of western Doon Valley of 

Northwest Himalaya. Palaeobotanist. 

Guleria JS & Srivastava R—Fossil dicotyledonous 

woods from the Deccan Intertrappean Beds 

of Kachchh, Gujarat, Western India. 

Palaeontographica. 

Farooqui A—Micromorphology and adaptation of 

leaf epidermal traits in Rhizophoraceae to 

coastal wetland ecosystem. Palaeobotanist. 

Farooqui A—Trace metal and mangroves in Tamil 

Nadu coastal region, India- A case study. 

Proc. 6 th Int. Conf. Biogeochem. Trace 

Elements, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. 

Farooqui A & Sekar B—Holocene Sea level/ 

climatic changes evidenced by 

palynostratigraphical and geochemical 

studies. J. Geol. Soc. India. 

Garg R & Khowaja-Ateequzzaman— 

Dinoflagellate cysts from the Lakadong 

Sandstone from Cherrapunji area: 

biostratigraphical and palaeoenvironmental 

significance and relevance to sea level 

changes in the Upper Palaeocene of Khasi 

Hills, South Shillong Plateau, India. 


Ghosh AK—Significance of benthic calcareous 

algae from petroliferous basins of India. 

Indian J. Experiment. Biol. 

Kar RK, Sahni A, Ambwani K & Dutta D— 

Spermatites and allied fossils from the 

Deccan Intertrappean (Late-Cretaceous) beds 

of India with remarks on their affinity. Rev. 

Palaeobot. Palynol. 

75


Kedves M, Priskin K, Tripathi SKM & Kumar 

M—Variations in LM morphology of 

partially degraded Palm pollen grains from 

India. Plant Cell Biol. Devel., Hungary. 

Khare EG, Prasad M &Awasthi N—Contribution 

to the Deccan Intertrappean flora of 

Nawargaon, Wardha, District, Maharashtra, 

India. Palaeobotanist. 

Kumar M, Mandal JP, Dutta SK, Bhuyan D, Das 

B, & Saikia B—Palynostratigraphy of the 

subsurface sediments of Upper Assam Basin, 

India. Geobios. 

Mandaokar BD—Palynology and palaeoecological 

interpretation of Dulte Formation (Surma 

Group) Early Miocene, Aizawl, Mizoram, 

India. Palaeobotanist. 

Mandaokar BD—Palynoflora from the Keifang 

Formation (Early Miocene) Aizawl, India and 

its environmental significance. J. Palaeontol. 

Soc. India. 

Meena KL—Palynostratigraphic studies of Late 

Permian sediments from Tangadih Area, Ib- 

Himgir Basin, Orissa, India. Palaeobotanist. 

Meena KL—Raniganj–Barakar flora recovered from 

surface samples exposed in Basundhara Nala 

section, Ib-River Coal Field, Sundergarh, 

Orissa. Palaeobotanist. 

Mehrotra RC, Mandaokar BD, Tiwari RP & Rai 

V—Teredolites clavatus from the Upper 

Bhuban Formation of the Aizawl District, 

Mizoram, India. Ichnos. 

Prasad M, Chauhan MS & Sah MP— 

Morphotaxonomical study of fossil leaves of 

Ficus from Late Holocene sediments of 

Sirmur District, Himachal Pradesh, India and 

their significance on climate. 

Phytomorphology. 

Prasad M &Tripathi PP—Plant megafossils from 

the Siwalik Sediments of Bhutan and their 

climatic significance. Biol. Mem. 

Rao MR—Palynostratigraphic zonation of the 

Tertiary sediments of the Kerala Basin, India. 

In: DK Goodman and RT Clarke (eds.) Proc. 

9 th Int. Palynol. Congr., Texas, USA. 

Saini DC—Flora of Bahraich District, Uttar Pradesh- 

IV. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 


V. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 


VI. J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 

Sarate OS—Petrological investigations on the coals 

of from Durgapur Open Cast Mine, Wardha 

Valley Coalfield, Maharashtra, India. 

Minetech. 

Sarate OS—Biopetrology of the coals from 

Krishnavaram area, Chintalapudi sub-basin. 

Godavari Valley Coalfields, Andhra Pradesh, 

India. J. Geol. Soc. India. 

Saxena RK—Palynological investigation of the 

Sindhudurg Formation in the type area, 

Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India. 

Proc. 16 th Indian Colloq. Micropalaeont. 

Stratigr. Goa, (1998), ONGC Bull. 

Sekar B—Interpretations of climatic changes around 

Tsokar Lake, Ladakh during the last 33 kyrs 

YBP on the basis of chemical data. 


Sharma C—Palynostratigraphy of Himalayan 

lacustrine sediments. Proc. 9 th IPC. 

Sharma C—Modern pollen rain vis-a-vis reflected 

vegetation in Himalaya. Proc. 9 th IPC. 

76


Singh A—Rank assessment of Panandhro lignite 

deposit, Kutch Basin, Gujarat. J. Geol. Soc. 

India. 

Singh A—On a striking fluorescing microcomponent 

from Indian Tertiary lignites. Int. J. Coal 

Geol. 

Singh A & Singh BD—Petrology of Kanhan coals, 

Satpura Gondwana Basin (India) vis-à-vis 

coal bed methane. Proc. Int. Conf. Coal Bed 

Methane, Kolkata. 

Singh RS & Kar RK—Palaeocene palynofossils 

from the Lalitpur Intertrappean beds, Uttar 

Pradesh, India. J. Geol. Soc. India. 

Singh RS & Rajanikanth A—Occurrence of Azolla 

cretaceae Stanley from Meghalaya, North- 

Eastern India. Palaeobotanist. 

Srivastava C—Plant economy at ancient Mahorana, 

District Sangrur, Punjab (ca. 2300 B.C.-A.D. 

200). Proc. Joint Ann. Conf. of IAS, ISPQS 

& IHCS, Pune. 

Srivastava C—Ancient plant economy at Charda- 

Jamoga, District Bahraich, U.P. (ca. 800 B.C.- 

A.D. 1100). Book “Excavations at Charda”, 

Dept. of Ancient Indian History and 

Archaeology, Lucknow University. 

Tewari R—Glossopteris ashwinii a new name for 

Glossopteris schopfi Maheshwari and Tewari 

1992. Palaeobotanist. 

Tripathi A—Palynological events during the Late 

Triassic-Early Jurassic time in India. 


Tripathi A—Role of pteridophytic spores in Early 

Cretaceous stratigraphy and in demarcating 

Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary in India. In: 

Advances in Pteridology, University of 

Rajasthan. 

Vijaya—Search for Jurassic in subsurface Mesozoic 

sediments, Birbhum District, West Bengal, 

India. Bull. ONGC. 

Vijaya & Prasad GVR—Age of Kota Formation, 

P–G Valley, India. J. Palaeont. Soc. India. 

77


AUDIT REPORT 

to the Governing Body of the 

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow 

We have audited the attached Balance Sheet of Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow, as at 

31st March, 2001, Income and Expenditure Account and Receipt & Payment Account for the year ended on 

that date and subject to our comments and observations as given in attached Annexure ‘A’, we report that :- 

In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us the said 

accounts 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, 2001. 

(ii) 

(iii) 

In the case of Income and Expenditure Account, of the excess/deficit of income over expenditure 

for the year then ended, and 

In the case of Receipt and Payment Account, of the receipts and payments of Institute for the 

year then ended. 

For Singh Agarwal & Associates 

Chartered Accountants 

Date : 26.06.2001 

Place : Lucknow 

Sd/- 

Mukesh K. Agarwal 

(Partner) 

78


ANNEXURE - ‘A’ 

(Annexed to and forming part of the Audit Report for the year ended 31st March, 2001) 

Comments/Audit Observations on Accounts of Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow 

for the year ended 31st March, 2001 

ACCOUNTS 

1. The Institute is getting separate grants for Plan & Non-Plan expenses based on the budgets approved 

by the DST. During the year under report, the institute has utilised Rs. 1,48,10,000/= relating to non-plan 

head, from Plan head budget with the approval of its Governing Body. It seems that DST grant is not 

commensurate with the requirement of the Institute under non-plan. 

2. Unsettled advances (capital head) pending for recovery/adjustment as on 31/3/2001 is that of Rs. 

1,33,18,359/=. Out of this old unsettled advances, under the head “Research Apparatus & Equipment” and 

“books & journals” are to be properly taken care of at the Institute level for early adjustment. 

LIBRARY 

3. No physical verification of the library books was carried out by the management during the year under 

audit. It was explained to us, that as per Central Government Rules, the library stocks are physically verified 

after a time-gap of 5 years. Last physical verification was done in April,1997 and the next is due in April, 

2002. The periodicity of verification should be changed to a practical one. 

PUBLICATIONS 

4. On scrutiny of records of the priced publications of the Institute, it has been observed that during the 

last several years, the Institute had brought-out publications on different subjects with an objective to sellout 

the same, in the market. The stock position of these priced publications as on 31.03.2001 was Rs.28.76 

lacs apart from the reserved stock of Rs. 4.65 lacs. Thus the total stock of the publications stood at Rs. 33.41 

lacs at the close of the year, which seems to be on higher side. Practical assessment has to be made for the 

quantity to be got printed together with its economics etc, so that wastage and blockage of funds can be 

avoided. 

STORES 

5. The Fixed Assets register & stores register is being maintained properly. Physical verification was last 

carried-out in 1999 but no authentication, in the form of signatures/ initials etc, was visible on the registers. 

6. The Institute, being a non-profit earning organisation, no depreciation on fixed assets has been provided. 

RESERVE FUND & PENSION FUND 

7. Reserve Fund amounting to Rs. 126.51 lacs was utilised during the year with the approval of Governing 

Body. Pension Fund of Rs. 49.73 lacs is still not invested & continues to appear in the books as on 31.03.2001. 

EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND 

8. As against the total reserves of Rs. 286.21 lacs against the Employees Provident Fund as on 31.03.2001, 

a sum of Rs. 255.37 lacs was invested with Nationalised Banks and other organisations as prescribed under 

the provisions of the Bye-Laws of the Institute. 



Date : 26.06.2001 

Place : Lucknow 

Sd/- 


(Partner) 

79


Seriatim Replies to the comments offered by the Chartered Accountants on 

the final accounts of the Institutes for the Year 2000-2001 

ACCOUNTS 

1. The matter was taken up with the DST. However, the DST could release only Rs. 190.00 lacs under 

non-plan and hence the Institute had no option than using Plan funds to disburse the salary and pension 

relating to non-plan with the approval of the Governing Body. 

2. The efforts are being made by the Institute to settle the outstanding advances of 1,33,18,359/=. 

LIBRARY 

3. The Library is holding more than 50,000 publications. For physical verification of Library books, the 

Institute follows the rules as applicable in other Government Organisations. As per these rules, next physical 

verification of Library books is due in April 2002. 

PUBLICATIONS 

4. As per the revised publications policy, the print order for the journal “The Palaeobotanist” has been 

reduced from 400 copies to 300 copies. Similarly, the copies of other publications to be printed are critically 

reviewed before giving print orders. The Institute is giving wide publicity to sell the old stock of publications. 

The stock of publications in future years will be considerably reduced. 

STORES 

5. The authentication was made by the Officer who conducted the physical verification as per normal 

practice. 

6. No depreciation on fixed assets has been provided as per normal practice so far. 

RESERVE FUND & PENSION FUND 

7. Reserve Fund amounting to Rs.126.51 lacs was utilised with the approval of the GB for disbursement 

of salary and pension under non-plan. 

EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND 

8. No comments. 

Sd/- 

J.C. Singh 

(Accounts Officer) 

Sd/- 

S.C. Bajpai 

(Registrar) 

Sd/- 

Anshu K. Sinha 

(Director) 

80



Balance Sheet as at March 31, 2001 

Fig. in Rupees 

Previous Year (Liabilities) Current Year 

1999-2000 Sources of Funds 2000-2001 

94885471 1. Capital Fund 101520471 

17636058 2. Current Liability 2556240 

0 3. Excess of Income 1908696 

12650889 4. Reserve Fund 0 

4942816 5. Pension Fund 4942816 

877757 6. Donated Fund 890222 

123185 7. Deposit Accounts 148686 

26096917 8. General Provident Fund 28620765 

157213093 Total 140587896 

Previous Year (Assets) Current Year 

1999-2000 Application of Fund 2000-2001 

1. Fixed Assets 

84438618 I) Owned Assets 87660155 

671075 II) Donated Assets 671075 

192000 2. Investments 151000 

13387481 3. Excess of Expend. over Income 0 

14833297 4. Loans and Advances/Deposits 18542085 

12650889 5. Reserve Fund 0 

4942816 6. Pension Fund 4942816 

26096917 7. General Provident Fund 28620765 

157213093 Total 140587896 

CERTIFICATE 

Certified that the figures of Assets as shown in the Balance Sheet have been reconciled with the total 

figure of Assets shown in the relevant Registers of the Institute. 



Sd/- 


(Partner) 

Sd/- 

J.C. Singh 


Sd/- 

S.C. Bajpai 

(Registrar) 

Sd/- 


(Director) 

81

3 

82 


Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending March 31, 2001 


Previous Year 1999-2000 Summary Current Year 2000-2001 

Plan Non Plan Total Plan Non Plan Total 

Income 

26729844 17300000 44029844 1. Grants 25365000 31650889 57015889 

0 361051 361051 2. R and D Receipts 0 561932 561932 

0 50670 50670 3. Misc. Income & Recoveries 0 1571248 1571248 

0 166753 166753 4. Interest 0 211354 211354 

26729844 17878474 44608318 Total 25365000 33995423 59360423 

Expenditure : 

18477663 14043787 32521450 1. Pay & Allowances 16745415 19550471 36295886 

638494 69641 708135 2. Academic Expenses 1147706 0 1147706 

569260 32035 601295 3. Expenses on Units/Services 679773 7169 686942 

Anciliary to Research 

559325 0 559325 4. Travelling Expenses 361121 0 361121 

58540 301497 360037 5. Publication Expenses 21504 153532 175036 

3189478 437358 3626836 6. Contingencies 3656207 708177 4364384 

1532077 0 1532077 7. Maintenance & Repairs 1033171 0 1033171 

1705007 2994156 4699163 Balance Carried Down 1720103 13576074 15296177 

26729844 17878474 44608318 Total 25365000 33995423 59360423 

1705007 2994156 4699163 Balance of Income & Expenditure 0 0 0 

Less Appropriation during the Year 

0 0 0 Reserve Fund 0 0 0 

0 0 0 Pension Fund 0 0 0 

Balance Transfered to Capital Fund 1720103 13576074 15296177 

1705007 2994156 4699163 Net Excess of Income over Expend. 1720103 13576074 15296177 




Sd/- 


(Partner) 

Sd/- 

J.C. Singh 


Sd/- 

S.C. Bajpai 

(Registrar) 

Sd/- 


(Director)


Receipts and Payments Account for the year ending March 31, 2001 


83 

Receipts Plan Non-plan Total Payments Plan Non-plan Total 

To Opening Balance By Fixed Assets 6104442 0 6104442 

Bank Current Account 

Revenue & Capital 730 -17775145 -17774415 

By Pay And Allowances 16745415 11736668 28482083 

G.P.F. 0 0 0 

By Retiring Expences 0 7813803 7813803 

Deposit A/C Capital 100435 0 100435 

Revenue 22750 0 22750 By Academic Expenses 1147706 0 1147706 

By Expn Services/Units 679773 7169 686942 

Anciliary To Research 

Cash In Hand 0 491 491 

By Travelling Expenses 361121 0 361121 

By Publication Expenses 21504 153532 175036 

By Maintenance & Repairs 1033171 0 1033171 

Donation Account 0 14681 14681 By Contingencies 3656207 708177 4364384 

To Project Accounts 

By Advances 1720000 103500 1823500 

Opening Balance 1360200 0 1360200 

Grants 607674 0 607674 By General Provident Fund 284266 7425158 7709424 

To Grants : 32000000 19000000 51000000 

By Miscellaneous Payment 86575 3970073 4056648 

To Refund Of Cnr Advance 0 0 0 

To Donation And Endowment 

By Investment/Appropriation Fund 12650889 0 12650889 

Maturity 0 41000 41000 

By Deposit Account 12500 0 12500 

Interest 0 12465 12465 

By Project Account 1734107 0 1734107 

To R & D Receipts 0 561932 561932 

By Donation Account 0 0 0 

To Admn. Receipts 370841 12588239 12959080 

By Closing Cash & Bank Balances 

To Deposit Account 49401 0 49401 

Deposit Account (C.n.r.) 130936 0 130936 

To Interest 0 6212 6212 

Current Account(capital) 541958 0 541958 

To Misc Income & Recovery 0 1569599 1569599 

Deposit Account (Revenue) 17750 0 17750 

To Pension Fund 

G.p.f 0 0 0 

Opening Balance 0 4942816 4942816 

Addition 0 0 0 Current Account (Revenue) 833 -3316042 -3315209 

To Reserve Fund Cash In Hand 0 179 179 

Opening Balance 12650889 0 12650889 Donation Account 0 68146 68146 

Addition 0 12650889 12650889 

Project Accounts 233767 0 233767 

To Other Receipt 0 0 0 

Pension Fund 0 4942816 4942816 

Reserve Fund 0 0 0 

Total 47162920 33613179 80776099 Total 47162920 33613179 80776099 


Sd/- 

Sd/- 

Sd/- 


J.C. Singh 

S.C. Bajpai 


Sd/- 


(Registrar) 

(Director) 


(Partner) 

Annual Report 2000-2001

© BIRBAL SAHNI INSTITUTE OF PALAEOBOTANY, LUCKNOW 226 007, (U.P.) INDIA 

Compiled by 

Research Planning and Coordination Cell 

Produced by 

Publication Unit 

Published by 

The Director 


Lucknow 226 007 

INDIA 

Phone : 91-522-/324291/323206/ 

325822/325945 

Fax : 91-522-381948/374528 

E-mail : director@bsip.res.in 

publication@bsip.res.in 

Website : http://www.bsip-india.org 

Front Cover : Plant Fossil heritage of Rajmahal Hills, Jharkhand (Courtesy-Museum). 

Back Cover : In situ Petrified Wood in Rajmahal Hills, Jharkhand (Courtesy-Prof. A.K. Sinha). 

Printed at :Dream Sketch, 29 Brahm Nagar, Lucknow 226 020 Ph: 368630 

November 2001

Acknowledgements 

We are grateful to the Department of Science and 

Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, to the 

Research Advisory Council and the Governing Body of 

the Institute for continued support and guidance.

Contents 

Preface ................................................................................................................................... (i) 

Executive Summary .............................................................................................................. (ii) 

Organisational Structure 

Governing Body ....................................................................................................1 

Research Advisory Council ...................................................................................2 

Finance and Building Committee ..........................................................................3 

Institute’s Organisational set-up ............................................................................4 

Research 

Thrust areas, Projects & Components ...................................................................5 

Contributions other than Project Work ................................................................32 

Collaborative Work .............................................................................................35 

Sponsored Projects ..............................................................................................37 

Recognition............................................................................................................................40 

Representation in Committees/Boards ..................................................................................41 

Lectures delivered .................................................................................................................43 

Deputation/Training/Study/Visit abroad/in Country .............................................................45 

Deputation to Conferences/Symposia/Seminars/Workshops ................................................47 

Papers presented at Conferences/Symposia/Meetings ..........................................................48 

Consultancy/Technical Assistance rendered .........................................................................50 

Units 

Publication ...........................................................................................................51 

Library .................................................................................................................52 

Museum ...............................................................................................................53 

Herbarium ............................................................................................................54 

Electronic Data Processing ..................................................................................55 

Section Cutting ....................................................................................................55 

Foundation Day & Founder’s Day ........................................................................................56 

National Science Day ............................................................................................................56 

Distinguished Visitors ...........................................................................................................57 

Status of Official Language ...................................................................................................58 

Reservations and Concessions ...............................................................................................60 

The Staff 

Scientists ..............................................................................................................61 

Technical Personnel .............................................................................................62 

Administrative Personnel ....................................................................................62 

Appointments & Promotions ...............................................................................64 

Papers published ....................................................................................................................65 

Abstracts published ...............................................................................................................70 

Articles/Reports published ....................................................................................................73 

Papers accepted for publication .............................................................................................75 

Audit and Accounts-Balance Sheet for the year 2000-2001 .................................................78

Preface 

The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow is a foremost research institution committed to 

dissemination of palaeobotanical knowledge. The organisation has a long tradition of collaborative research 

both at regional and global level. Research programmes have been reoriented to focus on the topical aspects 

of fossil plant study and its applications. Inter-disciplinary approach has been adopted to generate new data 

and noval interpretative outcome. The Institute functions as an autonomous organisation under the Department 

of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. 

Research challenges and problems in the chosen area of scientific search have been formulated under 

five identified thrust areas and thirteen research projects. Methodologies of studies have been interpolated 

with state of the art equipment and technological know-how. Selected aspects of plant evolution, palaeoclimate, 

palaeo-palynology, coal-petrology, isotope investigation, stratigraphic and tectonic studies have been provided 

a new momentum and inquiry. 

Individual, group and collaborative efforts have been encouraged to broad-base the anticipated research 

output. External agencies have also been extended Institute’s expertise in the form of consultancy, contract 

research and training. Besides, scientist’s experience has been utilised in advising establishment of national 

fossil parks and their importance in eco-tourism. 

I am extremely happy to forward this report, depicting participatory involvement at various levels. The 

advice and guidance of the Governing Body and the Research Advisory Council has been a constant inspiration 

to accomplish target oriented tasks. The help extended by project co-ordinators and senior scientists is 

appreciated. Untiring inputs by the members of Research Planning and Coordination Cell ; Publication Unit, 

Museum and other scientific, technical and administrative staff helped to bring out this document. I thankfully 

acknowledge their co-operation. 


Director 

(i)

ANNUAL REPORT 

2000-2001 

1946 

BIRBAL SAHNI INSTITUTE OF PALAEOBOTANY, LUCKNOW 

(An Autonomous Institute under Department of Science and Technology, Government of India)

Executive 

The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 

Lucknow, a premier research organization dealing 

with academic and applied aspects of palaeobotany 

is carrying out research activities during the period 

2000-2001 in 13 projects of IX Five Year Plan under 

the following Thrust Area Programmes: 

1. Antiquity of Life 

2. Gondwana Supercontinent: Regional geology, 

floristics, terrane accretion, plate tectonics and 

configuration 

3. Biopetrology of Indian coals in relation to coal 

bed methane 

4. Floristics of petroliferous basins 

5. Quaternary vegetation, climate and monsoon 

In the year 2000-2001, 74 research papers and 

48 abstracts were published and 50 papers were 

accepted for publication. 8 scientists were deputed 

to attend International conferences, while 18 scientists 

attended the conferences organized in the country. 

Scientists in various conferences presented 32 

research papers. 

Important Research Contributions 

The main research work is concerned with the 

understanding of plant evolution through geological 

time. Emphasis has been made to derive knowledge 

about the diversification of Pre-Cambrian life, 

diversity, distribution and inter-basinal correlation of 

Gondwana and Tertiary flora and to understand 

interaction between the climate and change of 

vegetation in Quaternary Period. 

• A reasonably diversified macrofossil assemblage 

consisting of Longfengshania, Tawuia, and 

thallophyte algae has been recorded in Kurnool 

Group. Organic Walled Microfossils (OWM) 

from Chhatisgarh Basin exhibit distinctive size 

variation through stratigraphy. 

Summary 

• Himalayan mountain building is the product of 

collision of Indian and Eurasian plates beginning 

in Eocene. It is suggested that Karakoram terrane 

was included to Asia during Late Jurassic-Early 

Cretaceous. 

• In the Permian deposits of NE Himalaya plant 

megafossils and microfossils occur along with 

Botryococous colony. Pollen assemblages of 

Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous age (Spiti 

Shale) are correlated with Ammonite zones. 

• Plant assemblages of Satpura and Mand Raigarh 

coalfields indicate the presence of Karharbari 

floral elements in Lower Barakar and their 

disappearance in Upper Barakar flora. 

• Petrological studies on coals of Kargali Seam, 

Bokaro coalfield indicate its composition and 

rank within the threshold of methane 

(thermogenic) generation. Coals of Makhum and 

Dilli Jaypore coalfields originated from woody 

tropical vegetation under mildly alkaline, anoxic 

milieu. 

• Similarity of Intertrappean flora of Kachchh with 

that of Central India suggests that the two floras 

are coeval. The occurrence of moisture loving 

elements signifies tropical climate with plenty of 

rainfall during the deposition. 

• Kasauli Formation (H.P.) has yielded wellpreserved 

leaf impressions. Drastic change in the 

climate during upper part of Middle Siwalik has 

been suggested due to presence of Ctenolophon 

pollen. 

• Palynoflora of Miocene deposits of Ratnagiri 

indicates nearshore environments with fair 

representation of mangrove plants. 

• Integration of dinoflagellate cyst data with other 

fossil and stratigraphic parameters has helped in 

establishing a sequence stratigraphy for Late 

Palaeocene deposits of Meghalaya which were 

(ii)

deposited in sea level highstand. Siju Formation 

was deposited in tropical warm-humid climate 

with mangrove vegetation in the coastal zone of 

the shallow sea. 

• Pollen data set of the Himalaya has been utilized 

to prepare global maps of biomes at 6000 and 

18000 years B.P. 

• In Shahdol district (M.P.) the establishment of 

modern Sal forest has been dated around 3000 

years BP. 

• Concentration of heavy metals, particularly 

arsenic (50 - 100 µg/g), lead (400 - 1000 µg/g) 

and copper (80 - 400 µg/g) have been found in 

the sediments of Adyar estuary. Anthropogenic 

factors are decreasing the biodiversity in the area. 

• Record of lichen (Evermiastrum cirrhatum) from a 

cultural horizon of 1300–800 B.C. indicates its use 

in spices and medicines in ancient time. There is 

evidence for use of Putranjeeva (Drypetes 

roxburghii) nuts in necklace during the same period. 

• Tree-ring chronology has helped in establishing 

chronology and climate variation dating back to 

AD 1721-1998 in different parts of the Himalaya. 

• Pollen analysis of the sediments of Priyadarshini 

Lake, Antarctica revealed existence of Early 

Holocene vegetation in the region. Presence of 

arboreal pollen indicates long transport through 

upthermic winds. 

• Determination of radiocarbon dates along with 

pollen studies has helped in understanding 

changes in vegetation history of Holocene. 

• The finding of resin embedded insect fossils 

discovered by Institute’s scientists was 

highlighted by Nature News India. 

Some significant research publications 

Banerjee J 2000. Occurrence of angiosperm remains 

in an Early Cretaceous Intertrappean bed, 

Rajmahal Basin, India. Cret. Res., United 

Kingdom 21: 781-784. 

Garg R & Khowaja-Ateequzzaman 2000. 

Dinoflagellate cysts from the Lakadong Sandstone 

from Cherrapunji area: biostratigraphical and 

palaeoenvironmental significance and relevance 

to sea level changes in the Upper Palaeocene of 

Khasi Hills, South Shilong Plateau, India. 

Palaeobotanist 49 : 461-484. 

Tripathi A 2001. Permian, Jurassic and Early 

Cretaceous palynological assemblages from 

subsurface sediments in Chuperbhita coalfiled, 

Rajmahal Basin, India. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol., 

Amsterdam 113 : 237-259. 

Upadhyay R, Chandra R, Sinha AK, Kar RK, Chandra 

S, Jha N & Rai H 2000. Discovery of Gondwana 

plant fossils and palynomorphs of Late Asselian 

(Early Permian) age in the Karakoram Block. 

Terra Nova, Oxford 11: 278-283. 

Vijaya 2000. Palynology of the Jurassic-Cretaceous 

transition in the Rajmahal Formation, W.B., 

India. Alcheringa, Australia 24: 125-133. 

Yadav RR & Park W-K 2000. Precipitation 

reconstruction using ring-width chronology of 

Himalayan cedar from western Himalaya: 

preliminary results. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 

(Earth Planet. Sci.) 109(3): 339-345. 

Important Achievements 

Antarctica Expedition— One scientist participated 

in 20 th Indian Antarctica Expedition from December 

23, 2000 to March 22, 2001. Collected a large number 

of palynological samples including moss trufs, frozen 

soil, dry algal mat, moraine, lake water, snow and 

blue ice from different lake sites, valleys, nunataks 

and Polar ice bed in and around Schirmacher oasis 

of East Antarctica. A lake sediment profile from 

‘Long Lake’, 3 Km west of Priyadarshini lake was 

also procured. During the expedition, daily air 

sampling was done by exposing glycerine smeared 

slides using Burkard air sampler. 

(iii)

Forensic Palynology— A draft paper on the 

objectives and the setting of Forensic Palynology Lab 

in the Institute is prepared. Prof. Mildenhall – an 

internationally reputed expert in Forensic Palynology 

who presently heads the Institute of Geology and 

Nuclear Sciences at Lower Hutt, New Zealand when 

approached for his advice and help in our new 

endeavour to organize and setting Forensic 

Palynology Laboratory commented the “much of the 

excellent palynological research coming out of BSIP 

is directly applicable to forensic palynology and BSIP 

has a very strong background to build on”. 

Integrated Long Term Programme between BSIP 

and Russian Academy of Sciences— Under the 

project entitled ‘Floral and climatic evolution based 

on Geologic and Biotic events during Precambrian 

and Phanerozoic Time’ under ILTP co-operation in 

Science and Technology between India and Russia, 

Dr. Mukund Sharma, visited Geological Institute, 

Moscow from January 17 to February 16, 2001. A 

comparative study on the Russian and Indian 

Stromatolites has been finalized. A study has been 

initiated with Dr. V.N. Sergeev on comparative study 

of microbial remains of Anabar Uplift and Turukhan 

Uplift of Siberia. Dr. V.N. Sergeev and Dr. S. 

Naugholnykh were awarded the ILTP Fellowship by 

DST, Government of India to work at Birbal Sahni 

Institute of Palaeobotany. 

Monograph— A monograph entitled “Precambrian 

Stromatolites of India and Russia” is being finalized 

under the Integrated Long Term Programme of cooperation 

in Science & Technology (Indo-Russian). 

In the present monograph 90 form genera are 

systematically described. An extensive photodocumentation 

and line-diagrams of these forms have 

been provided. There are fourteen plates of 

stromatolite taxa showing three-dimensional pictures 

and the morphological details in the outcrops and in 

polished slabs. 

Monograph entitled “An introduction to 

Gymnosperms, Cycas and Cycadales” of late Prof. 

D.D. Pant, Allahabad, is ready for publication. 

Consultancy Services— The Institute has provided 

consultancy services to various organizations, viz., 

Geological Survey of India; Anna University, 

Chennai; Kumaoun University, Nainital; National 

Institute of Oceanography, Goa; Deccan College, 

Pune; Centre for Earth Science Studies, 

Thiruvanantapuram and other organisations. 

Library— Library is disseminating the information 

about the latest literature on palaeobotany through 

Current Awareness Service Bi-monthly Bulletin as 

well as on web-site http://www.bsip.res.in. The 

Library is well connected with all the leading libraries 

of the world through Internet. 

K-Ar Geochronological Laboratory— The MS-10 

Mass Spectrometer donated by the Director, National 

Geophysical Research Institute as a mark of good-will 

gesture is being installed, and process is on to restart 

the K-Ar Lab. 

Memorial Lectures 

Fourth Jubilee Commemoration Lecture on 

10 th September 2000 was delivered by Professor K.B. 

Powar, Secretary General, Association of Indian 

Universities on Foundation Day. Shri B.C. Bora, 

Chairman-cum-Managing Director, ONGC Ltd. 

delivered the 30 th Birbal Sahni Memorial Lecture on 

the topic ‘Fossil Fuel and Energy Security’ and 

Professor S.S. Raghuvanshi, Ex-Professor of 

Lucknow University delivered the 46 th Sir Albert 

Charles Seward Memorial Lecture on “Some 

Frontline areas in Biology” to mark the Founder’s 

Day Function on 14 th November 2000. 

Web Site and Internet Access 

The contents of the Institute Web-Site is available at 

www.bsip-india.org and is regularly updated. The 

detailed information about the vacancies and the 

Training Course being conducted by the Institute are 

incorporated on the Web-site. Proxy, Mail, DNS and 

Backup Servers are successfully configured on 

Windows NT platform. Proxy Server provides the 

Internet security from unauthorized access and it will 

also control the access authority at the workstation. 

(iv)

Organisational Structure - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

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