Dr Amit Kotia

The state of Rajasthan is situated between 23º3' and 30º12' N latitude and 69º30' and 78º17' E longitude. The total land area of the state is about 3,24,239 km² , out of which about 1,98,100 km² is arid and rest is semi arid. The physical features are characterized mainly by the Aravallis and to the some extent by the vindhyan formation, and the Deccan trap. A major portion of western Rajasthan has desert soils and sandy plain. Sand dunes occupy a greater part of western Rajasthan (1, 20, 983 km²). The soils of the desert plains are loamy sand to loam and eastern part has alluvial soil which supports good forests and agricultural crop. Occurrence of saline soils with pH up to 9.0 is a common feature in sandy area of Rajasthan. The average annual rainfall in the state is 525-675 mm, and the annual precipitation in different tract of Rajasthan varies from 13 mm to 1766 mm. Out of the total area, forests cover only about 37,638 km², and are rich in biodiversity. Rajasth...

The Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce is an important tree for the Thar Desert with hard climatic adaptation, represents one of the lifeline in desert habitat. This is a species represents all five F viz., Forest, Fiber, Fuel, Fodder and Food. This tree is also mythological important in local communities. High value of this species recognised as a State symbol (state tree of Rajasthan). The book covers six chapters. Chapter 1 comprises the general introduction of the plant habitat and ecology. Chapter 2 is deal with plant systematic, morphology and identification. Chapter 3 is includes the value of plant with its historical account & economic importance, market trade. Chapter 4 comprises the detail study on the improvement of plant biomass on quantitative base by using various growth factors. Chapter 5 includes the improvement of plant biomass on quality base. Chapter 6 contains the information on the major threats & conservation mitigation for P. cineraria. This book will be a precious...

Dendrobium peguanum Lindl. and Liparis deflexa J.D.Hook, are two orchid species which are reported for the first time from Chhattisgarh state (Kanger Valley National Park) or we can say past Madhya Pradesh state. The present article deals with the description and distribution map of the species.

Kanger Valley National Park (KVNP), located in Bastar district of Chhattishgarh State, occupies an area of ca 200 km 2 and represents the Deccan plateau. The park lies in the natural transitional zone of sal ( Shorearobusta ) and teak ( Tectonagrandis ). Though the park is relatively small, it supports several distinct vegetation types in close vicinity of each other, viz. Tropical Moist Deciduous, Tropical Dry Deciduous and Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests. The special habitats within the park are riverine forests, rocky outcrops and hilltops, which harbour a large number of interesting plants. So far, more than 530 species of flowering plants have been recorded from KVNP. Based on recent floristic surveys, we recorded about 30 species of orchids in this park that form nearly 45% of the total taxa reported in family from the State by the earlier workers. Of these, 23 species are being reported for the first time from this park. This paper deals with the orchid species diversity and ...

The state of Rajasthan is situated between 23o3’ and 30o12’ N latitude and 69o30’ and 78o17’ E longitude . The total land area of the state is about 3,24,239 km2 , out of which about 1,98,100 km2 is arid and the rest semi arid. The physical features are characterized mainly by the Aravallis and to the some extent by the vindhyan formation, and the Deccan trap. A major portion of western Rajasthan has desert soils and sandy plains. Sand dunes occupy a greater part of western Rajasthan ( 1,20, 983 km2). The soils of the desert plains are loamy sand to loam and the eastern part has alluvial soil which supports good forests and agricultural crop. Occurrence of saline soils with pH up to 9.0 is a common feature in the sandy areas of Rajasthan. The average annual rainfall in the state is 525-675 mm, and the annual precipitation in different tracts of Rajasthan varies from 13 mm to 1766 mm. Out of the total area , forests cover only about 37,638 km2 and are rich in biodiversity. Rajasthan ...

Kanger Valley National Park (KVNP), located in Bastar district of Chhattishgarh State, occupies an area of ca 200 km2 and represents the Deccan plateau. The park lies in the natural transitional zone of sal (Shorearobusta) and teak (Tectonagrandis). Though the park is relatively small, it supports several distinct vegetation types in close vicinity of each other, viz. Tropical Moist Deciduous, Tropical Dry Deciduous and Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests. The special habitats within the park are riverine forests, rocky outcrops and hilltops, which harbour a large number of interesting plants. So far, more than 530 species of flowering plants have beenrecorded from KVNP. Based on recent floristic surveys, we recorded about 30 species of orchids in this park that form nearly 45% of the total taxa reported in family from the State by the earlier workers. Of these, 23 species are being reported for the first time from this park. Thispaper deals with the orchid species diversity and distribution within KVNP.

The state of Rajasthan is situated between 23º3' and 30º12' N latitude and 69º30' and 78º17' E longitude . The total land area of the state is about 3,24,239 km² , out of which about 1,98,100 km² is arid and the rest semi arid. The physical features are characterized mainly by the Aravallis and to the some extent by the vindhyan formation, and the Deccan trap. A major portion of western Rajasthan has desert soils and sandy plains. Sand dunes occupy a greater part of western Rajasthan ( 1,20, 983 km²). The soils of the desert plains are loamy sand to loam and the eastern part has alluvial soil which supports good forests and agricultural crop. Occurrence of saline soils with pH up to 9.0 is a common feature in the sandy areas of Rajasthan. The average annual rainfall in the state is 525-675 mm, and the annual precipitation in different tracts of Rajasthan varies from 13 mm to 1766 mm. Out of the total area , forests cover only about 37,638 km² and are rich in biod...

Kanger Valley National Park (KVNP), located in Bastar district of Chhattishgarh State, occupies an area of ca 200 km2 and represents the Deccan plateau. The park lies in the natural transitional zone of sal (Shorearobusta) and teak (Tectonagrandis). Though the park is relatively small, it supports several distinct vegetation types in close vicinity of each other, viz. Tropical Moist Deciduous, Tropical Dry Deciduous and Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests. The special habitats within the park are riverine forests, rocky outcrops and hilltops, which harbour a large number of interesting plants. So far, more than 530 species of flowering plants have beenrecorded from KVNP. Based on recent floristic surveys, we recorded about 30 species of orchids in this park that form nearly 45% of the total taxa reported in family from the State by the earlier workers. Of these, 23 species are being reported for the first time from this park. Thispaper deals with the orchid species diversity and distrib...

Sloth bear populations in India are threatened, and the ecology and distribution of the species occurring in the region's protected areas are known, but there is no scientific basis underlying management strategies for sloth bear. We used bear indirect and opportunistic direct signs like feeding site, scats, foot print trails, claw marks on climbing trees, to study habitat use and distribution of sloth bear (Melurus ursinus) across Balaram Ambaji Wildlife Sanctuary and Danta Reserve Forest, Gujarat, India from April, 2010 to January 2011. We survey 40 grids (5 × 5 km) 3 km signs survey = 120 km × 3 = 360 km and total 766 bear signs were recorded, and for vegetation we surveyed 40 grids × 2 km vegetation transect = 80 km were sampled. A total of nine (9) vegetation types were recorded and the bear sign where crossed check with the vegetation forest type. Fruits appear to be a key resource for sloth bears, and factors affecting fruit abundance or seasonality will affect bear forag...