english final - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

Annual Report 

2004-2005

1946 

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

Published by 

The Director 

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany 

Lucknow 226 007 

INDIA 

Phone : +91-522-2740008/2740011/ 

2740399/2740413 

Fax : +91-522-2740098/2740485 

E-mail : director@bsip.res.in 

publication@bsip.res.in 

Website : http://www.bsip.res.in 

ISSN No : 0972 - 2726 

Joint Editor 

Compilation 

Proof Reader 

Typeset 

Visuals 

: A. Rajanikanth 

: RPCC & Administration, BSIP 

: R.L. Mehra 

: Syed Rashid Ali & Madhavendra Singh 

: Courtesy Museum 

Produced by 

: Publication Unit 

Printed at : Army Printing Press, 33 Nehru Road, Sadar Cantt., Lucknow 226 002 

November 2005

We are grateful to the 

Department of Science and Technology, 

Government of India, New Delhi, 

to 

the Governing Body 

and 

the Research Advisory Council 

of the Institute for 

continued support and guidance 

With 

Best Compliments 

Naresh C. Mehrotra 

Director

Contents 

Foreward................................................................................................................................ (i) 

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

Organisational Structure 

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

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

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

Organisational set-up ............................................................................................. 4 

Research 

Thrust areas, Projects and Components ................................................................ 5 

Additional Research Contributions....................................................................... 27 

Collaborative Work .............................................................................................. 29 

Sponsored Projects .............................................................................................. 34 

Recognition ............................................................................................................................ 36 

Representation in Committees/Boards................................................................................... 37 

Lectures delivered ................................................................................................................. 39 

Deputation/Training/Study/Visit in India/Abroad.................................................................... 41 

Deputation to Conferences/Symposia/Seminars/Workshops ................................................. 43 

Papers presented at Conferences/Symposia/Meetings ......................................................... 44 

Consultancy/Technical Assistance rendered.......................................................................... 46 

Units 

Publication ............................................................................................................ 47 

Library ................................................................................................................. 48 

Museum ............................................................................................................... 49 

Herbarium ............................................................................................................ 50 

Electronic Data Processing ................................................................................. 51 

Section Cutting ..................................................................................................... 51 

Foundation and Founder’s Day Celebrations ......................................................................... 52 

National Science Day ............................................................................................................53 

Distinguished Visitors ............................................................................................................. 54 

Reservations and Concessions............................................................................................... 54 

Status of Official Language ................................................................................................... 55 

The Staff 

Scientists .............................................................................................................. 57 

Technical Personnel ............................................................................................. 58 

Administrative Personnel ..................................................................................... 58 

Appointments and Promotions ............................................................................................... 60 

Research Papers published .................................................................................................... 61 

Abstracts published ................................................................................................................ 65 

General Articles/Reports published ........................................................................................ 68 

Papers accepted for publication ............................................................................................. 70 

Audit and Accounts ............................................................................................................... 72

Foreword 

Established in 1946, the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP) is dedicated to develop and promote 

the science of Palaeobotany. The organisation has since grown into a premier research centre devoted to all relevant 

aspects of fundamental and applied Palaeobotany, keeping in view its multiple dimensions in enriching Botanical and 

Earth System sciences. 

It is my pleasure to present the Annual Report of the BSIP for the year 2004-05. It provides a summary of 

the research and various other activities of the Institute. A general overview of the research contributions is presented 

followed by a summary of the highlights so that it serves the purpose of a reference material with a list of scientific 

publications. The targets defined under various projects/components have been by and large met and the details of 

research work conducted are incorporated. Collaborative research with other scientific and academic institutions 

has been very active both nationally and internationally. A MOU between Institute and Geological Survey of India 

(Coal Wing) has been signed for palynological and petrological studies of selected areas of Gondwana coal basins. 

Steps for long-term major collaborations with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, Delta Studies Institute, 

Visakhapatnam, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, National Institute of Oceanography, Goa and 

National Center for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa in the field of Quaternary palaeoclimate and Industrial 

application of Palynology have been taken and are at various stages of formulation of MOU. The Institute also 

provided expertise to various academic institutions and scientific organisations. 

Constant support and guidance received from the Chairman and Members of the Governing Body and the 

Research Advisory Council have been quite encouraging in shaping the research activities of the Institute. I express 

my sincere thanks and gratitude to all of them. 

It is since the last month of period of report that I took over as Director of this Institute, which has been my 

alma matter. The progress of the Institute reported in the Annual Report is the outcome of concerted efforts of 

Institute staff. In this context, I would like to record my sincere appreciation to the efforts of Dr. Jayasri Banerji who 

has been looking after the duties of then Director (Officiating) till February, 2005. 

The report has been compiled by the Research Planning and Coordination Cell and brought out by the 

Publication Unit with inputs from scientific, technical and administrative personnel. 

N.C. Mehrotra 

Director

Executive Summary 

The research activities of the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP) are categorized under 14 

projects. Research work has been carried out under the umbrella of five Thrust Area Programmes— 1) Precambrian 

biotic events, 2) Gondwana floristics, palaeoclimate and palaeoecology: relevance to breakup of Gondwanaland, 

3) Biopetrology of coals and its relevance to coal bed methane, 4) Palaeobiology of Phanerozoic basins and its 

bearing on hydrocarbon potential, and 5) Quaternary vegetation, eustatic sea level changes, global climate change 

and anthropogenic impact, besides certain Special Activities. 

The academic activities of the Institute during 2004-05 include publication of 86 research papers, 56 

scientific abstracts, and 32 reports/articles, besides 43 research papers, which are accepted for publication. Two 

scientists have been deputed abroad under inter-academy exchange programme of INSA. One scientist visited 

China on invitation, and another six scientists and one technical officer have been deputed for attending various 

conferences. Several scientists (23) and technical personnel (3) were deputed to attend different national and 

international conferences/ seminars/ workshops held in the country and 37 research papers were presented at 

different centers of India. 

Important Research Contributions 

• Microfossils and carbonaceous mega remains recovered from the Sirbu Shale Formation exposed in Pathana 

Nala (near Maihar, MP) do not support the existence of Pc-C boundary in the section, established earlier 

through isotope studies. 

• The distribution of microorganisms in Mesoproterozoic Jaradag Fawn Limestone (Semri Group) exposed 

in the Son Valley suggests that the precipitates were mainly deposited inorganically without active participation 

of cyanobacteria. 

• Palynomorph assemblages from various coal-bearing Gondwana sequences of Birbhum, Rajmahal, Sohagpur, 

Ib-river, and Wardha-Godavari valley coalfields were analysed for biostratigraphic dating and correlations. 

• Plant fossils investigated from various Gondwana successions of South Rewa, Mahanadi, Satpura, Wardha, 

Pranhita-Godavari, etc. basins have helped in interpreting floristic evolution and palaeoecology of the regions. 

• It is inferred that the Early Cretaceous leaves of Ginkgo from Jabalpur Formation are evolutionary advanced 

than the deeply dissected leaves of Ginkgoites rajmahalensis of other basins. 

• The possible presence of calamitalean axis possessing alternating grooves at the nodal region and Cordainthustype 

of seeds indicate the presence of extra-gondwanic elements in Satpura Gondwana Basin. 

• An impression specimen of ?Lichen/Fungi found on coniferous wood interpreted as the evidence of mutualism 

or saprophytic habit during Cretaceous in the Rajmahal flora. 

• Recovery of a new species of Circoporoxylon has further supported floral similarities of Rajmahal and Kota 

wood assemblages. 

• Variety of azonate and gulate megaspores has been identified from Barakar and Raniganj formations of Godavari 

Valley coalfields. 

• Coals from Rajmahal and Wardha basins and lignite from Neyveli field have been evaluated for their maceral 

characterization in relation to economic suitability and CBM potentiality.

• Plant remains (wood, leaves and fruit) investigated from various Tertiary beds of Kachchh, Manipur, Himachal 

Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Darjeeling, South India, etc. have helped in interpreting floristics, palaeoecology, and 

phytogeography of the regions. 

• Palynoflora from various Tertiary sequences of Rajasthan, Kachchh, north-east India, K-G basin, etc. 

investigated for stratigraphic zonation and correlation. 

• Diversified calcareous algal flora has been studied from the Palaeocene Ninniyur Formation, Ariyalur (TN) in 

relevance to palaeoenvironmental significance. 

• The Apectodinium dinocyst peak is integrated with negative carbon isotope excursion in the Jathang Hill 

Section, Mawsynram Plateau (Meghalaya) and used to identify the global Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal 

Maximum (PETM) Event. Palaeocene/Eocene boundary in the section is demarcated as per the latest 

concepts. Presence of Sparnacian (latest Palaeocene) sediments is identified for the first time in this region. 

Occurrence of impersistent coal horizons in Khasi Hills is supposed to be related to the global extreme 

warming event associated with PETM. 

• Several Palaeosol horizons, characterized by lateritic horizon associated with iron oolitic bands, have been 

identified in the basal part of Subathu Formation from Nilkanth and Tal valley areas (Uttaranchal). 

• Pollen analysed sediment cores/samples from Shahdol District (MP), Chilka Lake (Orissa), Mandi District 

(HP), Kumaun Himalaya, and around Dilli Colliery (Assam) for depicting Quaternary vegetation and climatic 

phases. 

• Presence of reworked palynomorph (?Permian) trapped in Antarctic continental ice sheet proves the nearness 

of the existing sedimentary rocks. 

• Archaeobotanical studies related to ancient plant economic practices carried out from certain archaeological 

excavation sites of Uttar Pradesh to generate considerable information on agricultural economy and other 

botanical remains. 

• Tree ring analysis data of deodar (Cedrus deodara) samples from Uttarkashi (Uttaranchal) shows that the 

age of oldest sample extends back to 1287 AD, helping in maximizing the climate signals in mean tree-ring 

chronology. 

• Reconstructed three major palaeolakes in the Ladakh region. Also studied soft-sediment deformation 

structures and established a chronology for the palaeo earthquake that may have hit the region during the 

Late Quaternary times. 

• Ultrastructure studies have been carried out on fruits/seeds of some species of Terminalia of family 

Combretaceae to understand developmental stages of the pericarp and other details. 

• Radiocarbon dating of certain palynologically analysed samples was done. Besides, designed a mini glass 

system that can determine precisely the carbon content of a small quantity of sediment sample (about 150 

mg). 

Memorandum of Understanding 

As per the MOU signed between Institute and Geological Survey of India (Coal Wing), initiated collection 

and studies of samples of different coalfields of the country with the objective of intra-/inter-basinal correlation 

through high-resolution stratigraphic and palynological, and coal petrological studies on selected areas of Gondwana 

coal basins. The Institute already has an MOU with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to work on the 

palynostratigraphy and source rock potential studies of Siwalik and Subathu sediments of Himachal Pradesh, and 

Quaternary palynological studies of K–G Basin.

Steps for long term major collaborations with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (on source rock palynology), 

Delta Studies Institute, Visakhapatnam (on delta/basin modelling in relation to hydrocarbon exploration), Wadia 

Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun (on Himalayan stratigraphy), National Institute of Oceanography (on 

Quaternary palaeoclimate of marine coastal areas) and National Center for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa 

(on Antarctica palaeoclimate study) have been taken and are at various stages of formulation of MOU/discussions. 

Certain Private Sector Oil majors have also approached Institute for biostratigraphical studies. 

Commemoration & Memorial Lectures 

On the occasion of 58 th Foundation Day of the Institute, Professor P. Ramachandra Rao of Banaras 

Hindu University (Varanasi) delivered the 8 th Jubilee Commemoration Lecture on Trees: An Engineer’s Delight 

at the Institute on September 10, 2004. 

On Founder’s Day (November 14 th ), Professor A.K. Singhvi of Physical Research Laboratory 

(Ahmedabad) delivered the 34 th Birbal Sahni Memorial Lecture on the topic The Human Dimension of 

Geosciences. Professor S.K. Tandon of University of Delhi (New Delhi) delivered the 50 th Sir Albert Charles 

Seward Memorial Lecture on Stratigraphic Records of Late Quaternary Climate Shifts in the Thar and its 

Margins. 

National Events 

Like every year, Institute celebrated Independence Day and Republic Day. The National Science Day has 

been observed in accordance with directions from the DST with the theme being ‘Celebration of Physics’. Few 

lectures, and a debate competition, a collage competition, a Face-to-Face programme on ‘Tsunami’ for school 

students, and a speech-competition on the topic ‘Space Science is a Luxury for India’ for degree-students were 

organized at the Institute. The National Technology Day has also been observed as open house. A lecture on this 

day was delivered by Sri G.S. Srivastava, Ex-Dy. Director General, GSI on Geoscientific Database Management.

BIRBAL SAHNI INSTITUTE OF PALAEOBOTANY 

Annual Report 2004-2005 

Organisational Structure 

Chairman 

Professor J.S. Singh 

Professor of Botany 

Department of Botany 

Banaras Hindu University 

Varanasi 221 005 

Governing Body 

Professor S.B. Bhatia 

Former Professor of Geology 

University of Chandigarh 

441, Sector 6 

Panchkula 134 109 

Members (Ex-officio) 

Members 

Professor V.S. Ramamurthy 

Secretary (or his Nominee) 

DST, Technology Bhavan 

New Mehrauli Road 

New Delhi 110 016 

Shri Arun Sharma (up to 24.02.2005) 

Shri K.P. Pandiyan (w.e.f. 25.02.2005) 

Joint Secretary 

& Financial Adviser or his Nominee 

DST, Technology Bhavan 

New Mehrauli Road 


Dr H.K. Gupta 

Secretary, 

Department of Ocean Development, 

Mahasagar Bhavan, Block 12 

CGO Complex, Lodhi Road 


Professor G.K. Srivastava 

Former Professor of Botany 

University of Allahabad 

Allahabad 211 002 

Professor M.P. Singh 

Pro-VC and Head, 

Department of Geology 

Lucknow University 


Director General 

Geological Survey of India 

27, Jawaharlal Nehru Road 

Kolkata 700 016 

Director 

Botanical Survey of India 

P-8, Brabourne Road 


Member-Secretary (Ex-officio) 

Director, 



Non-Member Assistant Secretary (Ex-officio) 

Registrar, 



1 

d:\data\BSIP Annual Report\GF\Final




RESEARCH ADVISORY COUNCIL 

Chairman 

Professor G.K. Srivastava 

Former Professor of Botany 

University of Allahabad 


Member-Convener (Ex-officio) 

Director 



Members 

Dr K.R. Gupta 

Adviser (ESS), DST 

Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road 


Professor B.D. Sharma 

Kathmandi 

Narnaul 123 001 

Professor A.K. Singhvi 

Planetary and Geosciences Division 

Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura 

Ahmedabad 380 009 

Dr N.D. Mitra 

49 D, Townshend Road 

Bhawanipur 


Professor C.G.K. Ramanujam 

Emeritus Professor, Dept. of Botany 

University P.G. College of Science 

Osmania University, Saifabad 

Hyderabad 500 004 

Professor P.K. Khare 

Department of Botany 

Allahabad University 


Dr. R.R. Rao 

Director Grade Scientist 

CIMAP Research Station 

Allalasandra, GKVK PO 

Bangalore 560 065 

Dr. Debabrata Ray 

Executive Director 

KDM Institute of Petroleum Exploration 

9, Kaulagarh Road 

Dehradun -248 195 

Professor D.M. Banerji 

Department of Geology 

Delhi University 

Delhi 110 007 

Member (Ex-officio) 

Senior Dy. Director General 

Geological Survey of India 

Northern Region 

Sector ‘E’, Aliganj 


Non-Member Secretary 

Dr. Jayasri Banerji or her Nominee 

(up to 28.02.2005) 


53, University Road, Lucknow 226 007 

2



FINANCE AND BUILDING COMMITTEE 

Chairman (Ex-officio) 

Professor J.S. Singh 

Chairman, Governing Body 



Members 

Shri Arun Sharma (up to 24.02.2005) 

Shri K.P. Pandiyan (w.e.f. 25.02.2005) 

Joint Secretary & Financial Adviser 

or his Nominee, DST, New Delhi 

Professor M.P. Singh 

Member, Governing Body 



Shri V.P. Garg 

71, Mall Avenue 

Avas Vikas Colony 


Member (Ex-officio) 

Director 



Non-Member Secretary (Ex-officio) 

Registrar 



3




ORGANISATIONAL SET-UP 

GOVERNING BODY 

CHAIRMAN 

RESEARCH 

ADVISORY 

COUNCIL 

FINANCE AND 

BUILDING 

COMMITTEE 

DIRECTOR 

REGISTRAR 

THRUST AREAS 

RESEARCH GROUPS 

UNITS ANCILLARY 

TO RESEARCH 

ADMINISTRATION 

Precambrian biotic events 

Gondwana floristics, palaeoclimate 

and palaeo-ecology: 

Relevance to breakup of 

Gondwanaland 

Biopetrology of coals and its 

relevance to Coal Bed 

Methane 

Palaeobiology of Phanerozoic 

basins and its bearing 

on hydrocarbon potential 

Quaternary vegetation, 

eustatic sea level changes, 

global climatic change and 

anthropogenic impact 

Special activities 

Publication 

Research Planning 

and Co-ordination 

Cell 

Library 

Museum 

Herbarium 

Geochronology 

Maceration 

Laboratory 

Section Cutting 

Workshop 

Scanning Electron 

Microscope 

Finance and Accounts 

Establishment 

Scientific Activities 

Stores & Purchase 

Works, Building and 

Maintenance 

Transport and 

Guest House 

Electronic Data 

Processing 

Photography 

4



Research 

Thrust Area: PRECAMBRIAN BIOTIC EVENTS 

Project 1: Biodiversity and Sedimentary history in Meso-Neoproterozoic 

sediments of Vindhyan and Chhattisgarh Supergroups 

Component 1: Biodiversity in Meso-Neoproterozoic sediments of the Vindhyan Supergroup 

Studied microfossils and carbonaceous mega remains from 

the Sirbu Shale Formation, exposed in Pathana Nala 

near Maihar, Satna District (Madhya Pradesh). The 

carbonaceous mega remains are Chuaria, Tawuia and Beltinia. 

Organic walled microfossils belonging to the genera. 

Leiosphaeridia atava, L. incrasatula. L. gigantia, 

Trachyhystrichoides ovalis, Baltisphaeridium perrarum, 

Synsphaeridium, Nucellosphaeridium minuta, Octoedryxium 

sp., Lophosphaeridium, Vandalosphaeridium sp. and 

Strictosphaeridium were also recovered. Based on isotope 

studies the other workers have opined that Pc-C boundary lies 

in this section, whereas this study does not support their 

contention. 

Manoj Shukla 

Further studies of the Jaradag Fawn Limestone 

Formation (~1.6 Ga) of the Semri Group exposed in the Son 

Valley show diversified microbial assemblage and carbonate 

precipitate patterns. Eoentophysalis is the dominant organism 

in the assemblage that appeared to have formed the laminae of 

stromatolitic cherts. Dominance of Eoentophysalis is analogous 

to modern stromatolites growing in arid intertidal to supratidal 

habitat where in modern Entophysalis is commonly found 

associated with the stromatolitic laminae. Co-occurrence of 

these microbes and precipitates probably can be related to 

depositional environments of the Mesoproterozoic tidal flats 

with high carbonate saturation. Distinct patterns of the 

precipitation can be attributed to Mesoproterozoic timescale. 

Petrological observations on Jaradag Fawn Limestone 

Formation suggest that it contains carbonate precipitate 

patterns that are subsequently silicified and preserved in bedded 

and stromatolitic cherts that are typical of peritidal carbonates 

of Mesoproterozoic age. The distribution of microorganisms 

suggests that the precipitates were deposited inorganically 

without active participation of cyanobacteria except 

Eoentophysalis, which contributed in the formation of 

stromatolitic chert (cyanobacterial mat). 

The carbonaceous mega remains studied on the Olive 

Shale Formation of the Semri Group exposed in Newari region 

of the Sonbhadra District have revealed the presence of 

probable bryophytic remains in the assemblage. Detailed studies 

are in progress. 

Mukund Sharma 

Component 2: Biodiversity in Meso-Neoproterozoic sediments of the Chhattisgarh Supergroup 

Studied the shale and chert samples belonging to 

Tarenga Formation (upper part of Raipur Group) from the Kodwa 

village, Durg District. Both carbonaceous macro- and 

microfossil forms are recorded. The carbonaceous macrofossils 

belong to Chuarid and Longfengshanid groups. Also 

recovered some additional organic-walled microfossils (OWM) 

comprising cyanobacterial remains and acritarchs. The 

cyanobacterial remains- both coccoid and simple, coiled with 

or without mucilaginous sheath and branched trichomes 

belonging to the chroococcaceae, oscillatoriaceae and 

stegonemataceae families are noticed. The acritarchs belong to 

genera Leiosphaerida, Baltisphaeridium, Granomarginata, 

Micrhystridium, and Beudingiisphaeridium of 

Sphaeromorphida and Sphaerohystrichomorphida subgroups 

in the present assemblage. The dominance of the 

acanthomorphs in the assemblage indicates terminal Proterozoic 

age and interferences of two distinct environments for the 

upper part of the Chhattisgarh Supergroup. 

Rupendra Babu 

5




Thrust Area: GONDWANA FLORISTICS, PALAEOCLIMATE AND PALAEOECOLOGY: 

RELEVANCE TO BREAKUP OF GONDWANALAND 

Project 2: Floral evolution and Biostratigraphic significance in Damodar 

and Son-Mahanadi basins 

Component 1: Palynostratigraphy and patterns of evolution in palynofloras through Permian and 

Mesozoic sequences in Damodar-Panagarh-Birbhum Basin 

Worked out detailed spore-pollen species distribution 

in the lithosequence comprising coal horizon 

and Mesozoic successions (in bore-hole DPD-3) 

from Deocha-Pachami area, Birbhum Coalfield (WB). In this 

strata (about 692.00 m thick), very quick changes in sporepollen 

compositions have been observed, that has resulted in 

the identification of the basal most Permian (Talchir Formation) 

and Barakar Formation- a time transgressive lithounit (Lower 

Permian to Lower Triassic). The Dubrajpur Formation 

encountered in DPD-3 represents Upper Jurassic strata, having 

hiatus at its base. This hiatus extends in stratigraphy from Mid 

Triassic to Mid Jurassic. To decide the biostratigraphic status 

of Dubrajpur Formation in sub-surface Mesozoic Succession 

from Deocha-Pachami area palynological study has also been 

done on strata (particularly of approx. 128 m thick ), encountered 

in bore-holes DPD-3, 6 and 15. The data put forth a big gap of 

Lower to Middle Jurassic in the studied sequence. 

Vijaya 

Component 2: Floristics, biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental studies of the Gondwana 

sediments in Sohagpur Coalfield 

Carried out palynological analysis of samples from borehole 

SNB-2 and demarcated Early Permian (Lower Talchir) 

palynoassemblage at 826.15 to 586.45 m depth, showing 

dominance of Plicatipollenites, Parasaccites in association 

with striate bisaccate and a few trilet spores. At depth 579.60 to 

278.30 m, an Early Permian (Lower Barakar) palynoflora have 

been recorded, which shows dominance of Scheuringipollenites 

followed by striated bisaccates and a few taeniate 

pollen. The preservation of spores and pollen was very poor at 

the contact zones of the three dykes (at 372.85-482.65 m, 519.25- 

521.25 m, and 547.00-550.85) encountered, and they were black 

in colour, which may be attributable to the thermal effect. 

Ram Awatar 

Component 3: Morphotaxonomy, floristics, evolution, biostratigraphy and palaeo-environmental 

studies of Ib-River Coalfield (Orissa) and Mand-Raigarh Coalfield (M.P.) 

Completed chemical processing of samples from boreholes 

IBL 3, 5 and 9 (Lakhanpur Area), Ib-river Coalfield, but 

could not find enough palynospores for dating and correlation. 

Also completed processing of surface samples collected from 

the tributary of Hasdo-river, near Baikunthpur village. Carried 

out scanning of important palynotaxa, and prepared photo 

plates for interpretation of the results (Talchir palynoflora). 

K.L. Meena 

6



Component 4: Palaeofloral and dispersed organic matter characterization in Early Cretaceous 

deposits of central India 

The Early Cretaceous deposits exposed at clay mine 

cut section near Chhoti Pali village and environs (Umaria 

district) embody Ginkgoalean leaves and ovules attributed to 

Ginkgo and Ginkgoites, resembles with extant genus Ginkgo 

biloba. The extant Ginkgo biloba shows several ancestral fossil 

records. The Early Cretaceous deposits of Jabalpur Formation 

embody bilobed compressed leaves; while other recorded forms 

from older deposits show transitional features in evolutionary 

lineage. These fossil forms retained primitive as well as 

advanced vegetative features that coexisted during long 

geological time span. An evolutionary trend is also visible in 

Ginkgoalean seeds as the mature ovules grow in size and 

numbers are reduced due to reduction in number of ovules and 

pedicles. They tend to become contiguous by virtue of 

shortening and eventual loss of pedicles. Therefore, it is inferred 

that the Early Cretaceous leaves of Ginkgo from Jabalpur 

Formation are evolutionary advanced than the deeply dissected 

leaves of Ginkgoites rajmahalensis of other basins. 

Studied another Early Cretaceous deposits 

(carbonaceous shale) exposed at nala cut section on the way 

from Chandia to Umrar River. This shale embody well preserved 

plant fossils belonging to Ptilophyllum flora, spore-pollen and 

organic matters, while upper sandstone layer contain 

disarticulated pieces of skeletons (?tetrapods). 

Well-diversified and well-preserved plant fossils are 

collected from blackish-gray shale exposed in mine cut section 

at Belkher (Amravati District, MS). They are represented by 

Matonidium indicum, Cladophlebis indica, Ptilophyllum 

cutchense, and P. acutifolium. Taeniopteris spatulata, 

Brachyphyllum sehoraensis, Elatocladus plana and 

Araucarites cutchensis. The flora shows dominance of 

pteridophytes and conifers. Comparative analysis suggests that 

Leaf with petiole of fossil Ginkgo biloba from Jabalpur Formation 

the flora is coeval to Dhragdhara, Gadeshwar and Himmatnagar 

floral assemblages of western India. Macerated about 50 

samples collected from Jhala, Tekan and Machrar River section 

for palynofacies study. Slides of productive samples have been 

made and scanned. 

Madhav Kumar & Neeru Prakash 

Component 5: Morphotaxonomy, floristics, biostratigraphy and palaeoecological studies in Korba 

and Hasdo-Arand coalfields 

Processed, photographed (56 specimens) identified, and 

studied megafossil specimens (around 230) collected from 

southern part of Korba Coalfield (Chhattisgarh State). Seven 

species of Glossopteris viz., G. communis, G. indica, G. 

browniana, G. maculata, G. taeniodes, G. euryneura and G. 

feistmantelli along with the taxa Gangamopteris obliqua, 

Noeggerathiopsis hislopii, Lidgettonia mucronata and 

Venustostrobus sp. have been identified. The overall 

assemblage suggests an Upper Barakar age to this flora. 

K.J. Singh 

7




Project 3: Vegetational patterns, Palaeogeography and Palaeoenvironmental 

analysis of Satpura-Wardha-Godavari and Gujarat- 

Rajasthan basins 

Component 1: Palaeobotany, evolution, biostratigraphy and palaeoecology of Gondwana sediments 

of Wardha-Godavari Basin 

Systematically described and finalised study on 

megafossils from Kamthi Formation of Bazargaon- 

Satnaori and Semda areas of Kamptee Coalfield, Wardha 

Basin. The assemblage comprises equisetales, viz. Trigygia 

speciosa, Schizoneura gondwanensis, equisetalean axes, 

filicales– 2 species of the genus Neomariopteris (N. hughesii, 

N. polymorpha), glossopteridales– 21 species of the genus 

Glossopteris, two scale leaves, a seed taxon– Maheshwariella 

sp., and cordaitales– Noeggerathiopsis sp. The assemblage is 

similar to that of Raniganj Formation of Damodar Basin and 

indicates an Upper Permian age. 

Macerated samples from Barakar Formation of Majri, 

Hindustan Lalpeth, Durgapur, Padampur and Ballarpur collieries 

(Wardha Valley) for recovery of palynomorphs. The samples 

have yielded a rich assemblage of palynofossils. Quantitative 

and qualitative study is in progress (with Neerja Jha). Also 

studied palynomorphs from Permian Gondwana Sequence of 

Umrer Coalfield, Nagpur district. The microspores assemblage 

(22 genera and 40 species) is characterized by dominance of 

radial monosaccates (chiefly Parasaccites) and subdominance 

of non-striate disaccates (chiefly Scheuringipollenites). 

Presence of Crucisaccites and Caheniasaccites is also 

recorded. Karharbari palynozone has been demarcated in 

lithologically designated Barakar Formation. A paper has been 

finalized on the aspect (with Neerja Jha & A. Rajanikanth). 

Rajni Tewari 

Component 2: Palynology of Gondwana sediments of central and southern parts of Godavari Basin 

and its phytogeographic significance 

Early Triassic palynoassemblage recorded at 140.50 m 

in bore-hole SSP-133 shows high percentage of taeniatecingulated 

cavate miospores, viz. Lunatisporites, 

Lundbladispora and Densoisporites along with presence of 

stratigraphically significant taxa Chordasporites, 

Klausipollenites, Lunatisporites and Playfordiaspora. Striate 

disaccates decline at this level. Occurrence of megaspores is 

also noticed. 

Identified a variety of azonate and gulate megaspores 

from Barakar and Raniganj formations of Kachinapalli and 

Gundala areas of Godavari Valley coalfields. Detailed study is 

in progress (with Rajni Tewari). Late Permian (Raniganj) 

palynoflora has been recorded in equisetalean axes bearing 

sediments in bore-hole MSP-21 (at 142.5-143.0 m). 

Neerja Jha 

Component 3: Biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental studies in Wardha and northern part of 

Godavari Valley Coalfield 

Work could not be reported due to sudden demise (in June 2004) of A.P. Bhattacharyya. 

Component 4: Morphological and evolutionary significance of Satpura Gondwana flora and their 

bearing in stratigraphy, palaeoecology and palaeoenvironment 

Carried out the morphotaxonomical analysis, 

description, identification and comparison of different types of 

seeds belonging to different species of Cordaicarpus, 

Samaropsis, Alatocarpus, Cornucarpus, and two new types 

showing long stalk and large size (>2 cm in diameter). The affinity 

and affiliation of Arberiella-type of sporangium has also been 

discussed. The possible presence of calamitalean axis 

possessing alternating grooves at the nodal region and 

Cordainthus- type of seeds indicate the presence of extragondwanic 

elements in Satpura Gondwana Basin. The finding 

further supports the presence of mixed flora in the typical flora 

of Gondwana represented by Botrychiopsis, Buriadia, 

Rubidgea along with the glossopterid forms. The different 

types of flora at successive horizons have been discussed to 

examine the palaeophytodiversity trends in Indian scenario. It 

has been observed that there is direct and indirect bearing of 

palaeobotanical investigations in the conservation of present 

day biodiversity. Further study is under progress. A field work 

was also undertaken to different areas of Pench-Kanhan Valley 

and Pathakhera Coalfield for fresh collection of plant fossils. 

A.K. Srivastava 

8



Component 5: Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems of peninsular India 

Xylotomical investigations on petrified woods of Kota 

Formation brought out abundance of Podocarpean and 

Araucarian members. Recovery of a new species of 

Circoporoxylon further support floral similarities of Rajmahal 

and Kota wood assemblages. Taphonomic studies on leaf 

assemblages of Gangapur Formation indicate allochthonous 

nature of deposition of plant parts. Preservational anomalies 

noticed were attributed to micro-environmental factors. 

Preferential segregation of Equisetalean axes confined to certain 

locales suggests niche preference. Terrestrial phytoecosystems 

of East Coast were assessed for taphonomic inferences. 

A. Rajanikanth 

Component 6: Palaeofloristics of the Jurassic-Cretaceous sequences of Gujarat and Rajasthan 

Study of fossil flora from Isoetites-rich locality near Than 

in Surendranagar District (Gujarat) revealed the presence of 

algal mat bearing strata as well as strata with bryophytic 

remains– Thallites over and above the Isoetites-bearing strata. 

The algal mat is composed of Vaucheria-like algal filaments, 

which at places are overlain by the remains of Cladophlebis 

kathiawarensis, Brachyphyllum sp., etc. The overlying layer 

contains Thallites. It seems that these algae were growing in 

pockets in the shallow water remains of the drying up ancient 

pond, which ultimately got preserved in the form of algal mat in 

small patches. After complete depletion of water, when marshy 

habitat was developed, the Thallites started growing over it. 

These Thallites got preserved over the sediments on which 

these were growing to give the Thallites-bearing strata. These 

evidences clearly indicate that fresh water condition was 

prevailed at the time of deposition in studied area. 

B.N. Jana 

Project 4: Floral evolution and Biostratigraphy of Rajmahal Basin 

Component 1: Terrestrial megafloral change during Mesozoic in Rajmahal Basin 

Carried out megafloral investigation of petrified and 

impression specimens recovered from Hiranduba and Sonajori 

localities. An impression specimen of ?Lichen/Fungi has been 

found on coniferous wood showing evidence of mutualism or 

saprophytic habit during Cretaceous in the Rajmahal flora. 

Besides impressions, study of structurally preserved petrified 

seeds and other plant remains are also in progress. 

Jayasri Banerji & A.K. Ghosh 

Component 2: Biostratigraphy of Gondwana sediments in Rajmahal Basin 

A search for presence of marker species in the subsurface 

Mesozoic (Dubrajpur and Rajmahal formations) sequence 

shows presence of Triporoletes reticulates, Aequtriradites 

spinulosus, A. verrucosus, Ruffordiaspora australiensis, R 

purbeckensis, Coptospora microgranulosa, C. kutchensis, C. 

verrucosa, Januasporites spinifer, J. spinulosus, 

Contignisporites glebulentus, etc. The palynoflora observed 

in bore-hole RJHC-1 is diversified and rich in comparison to 

that recorded in bore-holes RJKS-1, RJSJ-7 and RJSJ-8 of 

Brahmini Coalfield of the basin. 

Archana Tripathi 

9




Thrust Area: 

BIOPETROLOGY OF COALS AND ITS RELEVANCE TO COAL BED 

METHANE 

Project 5: Origin, Depositional environment and Economic potential of 

Indian Coal and Lignite deposits 

Component 1: Biopetrological and geochemical characterization of Indian lignites 

Processed 20 selected samples collected from lignite and 

associated sediments from different areas of Gujarat 

and Rajasthan for petrological and geochemical 

characterization. Petrological study under fluorescence mode 

shows typical association of alginite with this material. This 

indicate their probable oil generating potentiality. they are also 

rich in huminite group of macerals (humocollinite, 

humodetrinite). The lignites show higher reflectance (0.218- 

0.468) in comparison with Neyveli lignite (0.208-0.246). Typical 

cut section of rootlet, consisting of phlobaphanitic 

microconstituents, has also been recorded from Neyveli lignite 

suggesting their vegetal source. Besides some leaf cut sections 

show crassi-cutinite. Preliminary study of FTIR characterization 

of resins shows carbonyl peaks suggesting their low rank 

nature. Fresh collection of lignites (through channel sampling 

technique) were made from the newly opened mine sections of 

Mine IA, Mine I and Mine II of Neyveli area and a few bore 

core samples from Mannargudi area to understand the pattern 

of maceral variance in time and space. 

Rakesh Saxena 

Component 2: Biopetrological investigations on coals of Wardha-Godavari Valley coalfields in 

relation to coal bed methane 

Completed the possessing of coal samples for petrological study of the coals from Phukeshwar area and Kayar Block, 

Wardha Valley Coalfield, Maharashtra. The elemental study of the coals from Junad Open Cast Mine of this coalfield has revealed 

that these coals contain low frequency of sulphur as compared to the coals of the adjoining Telwasa Mine. 

O.S. Sarate 

Component 3: Petrological evaluation of Rajmahal Basin coals in relation to economic potentiality 

and depositional history 

Compiled maceral, microlithotype and vitrinite 

reflectance (rank) data of the coals (representing seams— IV 

and V) encountered in bore-hole CM-109 from Hura Coalfield. 

The sub-bituminous A to high-volatile bituminous C stage (R o 

0.40-0.54%) coals are found to be rich in trimacerite and of 

max. 

mixed type (inertinite- as well as vitrinite-rich) associated with 

dispersed mineral matter, indicating inferior quality for selective 

utilization. Observation under blue light excitation have shown 

appreciably high amount of hydrogen-rich macerals (liptinite + 

perhydrous vitrinite), chiefly constituted by sporinite (sporespollen) 

and liptodetrinite (detritus). High amount of hydrogenrich 

macerals in the coals render them suitable for liquefaction. 

Finalized microconstituents and rank data of the coals 

(representing seams I–VIII) encountered in bore-hole RCH-3 

from Chuperbhita Coalfield. Various compositional models 

utilizing the data have been prepared for assessing the coal 

types and related conditions of deposition of seams. In general, 

these sub-bituminous A to high-volatile bituminous C stage 

coals are of mixed types. Study under fluorescence mode 

showed high concentration of hydrogen-rich macerals in these 

coals. 

Alpana Singh & B.D. Singh 

Component 4: Petrological investigation of coals from Jhilimili-Sonhat-Sohagpur coalfields (Son 

Basin) in relation to coal bed methane and carbonization properties 

Due to instrumentation problems the specified work 

could not be carried out. Instead, a Collaborative-Consultancy 

Programme on Sohagpur coals has been taken up with Central 

Mining Research Institute (Dhanbad). Investigations on borehole 

coal samples were carried out for macerals and their 

association, characetrization, and mineral matter association 

were studied and also done photomicrography. Range of 

reflectance on samples was also measured. In addition to that 

measurement and study of microcleat on certain coal blocks 

were carried out. The report was finalized and communicated. 

B.K. Misra, B.D. Singh & Alpana Singh 

10



Component 5: Petrographic atlas of Indian coals and lignites 

Searched and recorded the maceral exsudatinite on a 

large number of coal pellets for their correct identification and 

proper characterization. Computer-scanned hundreds of photomicrographs 

(exposed under normal and fluorescent lights) of 

macerals of Indian coals and lignites, besides associated mineral 

matter in order to compile them in the form of an atlas. 

Photomicrography on coal pellets and scanning of 

photomicrographs and their trimming and sharpening through 

computer was also done. 

B.K. Misra & B.D. Singh 

Thrust Area: PALAEOBIOLOGY OF PHANEROZOIC BASINS AND ITS BEARING ON 

HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL 

Project 6: Palaeofloristics, Evolutionary trends and Palaeoenvironment of 

Late Cretaceous-Cenozoic basins 

Component 1: Tertiary floristics of north-western peninsular India 

Studied 50 wood samples (thin sections) from the 

Tertiary sediments of Bhavnagar and Kachchh districts of 

Gujarat. Identified a few wood samples from the Plio- 

Pleistocene sediments of Piram Island (Bhavnagar). The 

identified woods represent the modern genera Cynometra, 

Diospyros, Ficus, Millettia- Pongamia, Cassia and a palm wood. 

From the Eocene deposits of Vastan lignite mine, Surat, 

4 types of dicotyledonous woods have been identified. In 

addition, palynological investigation of Vastan samples is 

undertaken (with J.P. Mandal), and recovered a rich 

palynoassemblage dominated by angiospermous pollen. Some 

of the important taxa identified are— Acanthotricolpites, 

Dracaenoipollis, Florschuetzia (Rhizophoraceae), 

Proxapertites, Spinozonocolpites (Nypa), etc. The assemblage 

suggests deposition of lignite in deltaic conditions under 

brackish water influence and prevalence of warm, humid tropical 

climate. 

J.S. Guleria 

Component 2: Palynology, facies analysis, palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental studies on 

Palaeocene-Eocene sediments in Rajasthan Basin 

Carried out comprehensive study of palynofloras 

recorded from Giral lignite mine and those from bore-holes drilled 

near Kapurdi and Jalipa in Barmer district, with an aim to 

correlate sequences. Palynological assemblage from the lignite 

mine and that from the bore-hole MJ-4 are very similar as, both 

of these exhibit coastal elements as the dominant constituents. 

The assemblage is marked with profuse occurrence of 

monosulcate pollen assignable to different species of 

Spinizonocolpites. These forms possess an extended sulcus 

parallel to the polar axis and exhibit spinulate exine. This pollen, 

in all probabilities is related with modern brackish water Palm 

Nypa. Other significant monosulcate pollen taxa present in the 

assemblage are Kapurdipollenites gemmatus and K. baculatus. 

These pollen also possess an extended sulcus but are distinctly 

different in exinal characters. Affinity of these pollen with those 

of Nypa can not be ruled out. Another interesting monosulcate 

form is Retiverrumonosulcites barmerensis. The sulcus in this 

pollen is small and is characteristically bordered with clavae of 

varying sizes. It is significant to note that these forms are 

confined to the Barmer Basin only. 

S.K.M. Tripathi 

Component 3: Tertiary floristics of peninsular India from Ratnagiri, Neyveli, Kerala, Bahur Basin 

(Pondicherry) and the adjoining areas 

Carried out sectioning and investigation on 50 

carbonised woods collected from Ratnagiri beds, Neyveli lignite 

and Kerala. Investigated fossil fruits and leaves from Ratnagiri, 

Payangadi mines (Kerala) and Neyveli, and identified some of 

fossil leaves, fruits and seeds after comparing them with their 

modern counterparts at CNH (Howrah). Further study is in 

progress. SEM study of fossil leaves and seeds/fruits is also 

in process. Further contribution of fossil leaves from Neyveli 

lignite is in process. Undertook a field work in Kerala (Varkala, 

Cannanore, Payangadi, Kundra, Quilon), Tamil Nadu (Neyveli 

lignite), Pondicherry and adjoining areas and collected varied 

plant megafossils (fruit, leaves, carbonized and petrified 

woods). Sorting and documentation of fresh materials have 

been completed. Sectioning of remaining woods, seed/fruits 

and morphological /SEM study of leaf cuticles will be continued. 

Anil Agarwal 

11




Component 4: Palaeofloristics of sedimentary sequences associated with Deccan Traps 

Studied plant and animal remains from the Deccan 

Basalts of Khandwa district (MP) near Onkarmandhata temple. 

A unique fossilization of tree trunk of palm wood, fragmentary 

palm leaf, algal remains and fungal and pteridophytic spores 

are found in random cut basalt section. The fauna includes 

Physa prinsipii and microgastropods. The fossilization is by 

typical vesicular basalt with characteristic ophiolitic stucture. 

They seem to be in the initial stages of silicification when they 

were engulfed by sudden lava flows. 

Rashmi Srivastava 

Component 5: Palynology of the Deccan Intertrappean sediments: Implication and correlation 

The section exposed (3-15 m, Mahadek Formation) near 

the village Pungtung (in Pynursla Plateau, Khasi Hills, 

Meghalaya) contains about 2-3 feet thick carbonaceous shale 

band sandwiched in between sandstone, which was found to 

be palynologically productive. The assemblage comprises of 

Cyathidites australis, Cyathidites minor, Todisporites major, 

Todisporites minor, Biretisporites potoniaei, 

Lygodiumsporites eocenicus, Intrapunctisporites 

pachyexinus, Concavisporites concavus, Azolla cretacea, 

Contignisporites bellus, Microfoveolatosporites 

mahadekensis, Lycopodiumsporites specious, 

Dictyophyllidites spp., Cicatricosisporites spp., 

Appendicisporites spp., Contignisporites assamicus, 

Triporoletes reticulatus, Araucariacites australis, 

Ariadnaesporites intermedius and other porate and colpate 

angiosperm pollen. It is deduced that Ariadnaesporites, 

Triporoletes, Minerisporites, Azolla and Cicatricosisporites 

are common marker taxa of both marine and non-marine 

Maastrichtian sediments of India. Aquilapollenites, 

Gabonisporites and Mulleripollis are restricted to the 

Intertrappean deposits. Araucariacites australis is the most 

dominant species in the marine Late Cretaceous deposits of 

Meghalaya, which suggests the existence of moderately high 

hinterland near the depository basin. The assemblages 

recovered from both Intertrappean deposits and its equivalent 

deposits of Meghalaya are dominated by pteridophytic spores 

and indicate a uniform warm and humid climatic conditions 

during the deposition of the Late Cretaceous sediments. Deccan 

intertrappean rock samples are also collected from Rangareddy 

district, Andhra Pradesh and Gulbarga district, Karnataka for 

palynological study. 

R.S. Singh 

Component 6: Evolution and diversification of the flowering plants in the Assam-Arakan Basin 

during Tertiary 

Investigated the leaf impressions from the Disang 

sediments of Manipur in detail and finalized a paper on the 

same (jointly with J.S. Guleria and R.K.S. Hemanta et al. of 

Manipur Univ.). The paper describes for the first time a rich 

megafloral assemblage from the Upper Disang (Late Eocene) 

and Lower Barail (Early Oligocene) sediments of Imphal Valley. 

The assemblage consists of two types of palm leaves, 16 types 

of dicotyledonous leaves, one type of fruiting axis, a 

leguminous fruit and a bark impression, which indicate the 

existence of warm and humid tropical vegetation at the time of 

deposition. 

R.C. Mehrotra 

Fruiting shoots of flowering plant from the Early 

Oligocene sediments of Imphal Valley, Manipur 

12



Component 7: Study on Tertiary plant megafossils of north-west Himalayas 

Investigated some leaf remains from the Lower 

Miocene sediments of Dharmsala, Himachal Pradesh. Fossil 

leaves belonging to 6 families and 7 genera have been reported 

from the Kasauli Formation. The genera are— Semecarpus 

(Anacardiaceae), Chukrasia and Heynea (Miliaceae), Tephrosia 

(Fabaceae), Mallotus (Euphorbiaceae), Donax (Marantaceae) 

and Poacites (Poaceae). Among these remains of first five genera 

have been reported for the first time from the area. The floral 

remains indicate existence of a tropical low land vegetation in 

contrast to the present day cooler vegetation in the area. 

J.S. Guleria & Rashmi Srivastava 

Component 8: Siwalik Foreland Basin: Floristics, evolutionary pattern and climate 

Carried out morphotaxonomic study of plant fossils from 

Siwalik of Darjeeling district (WB), which reveals the presence 

of some more taxa showing their close resemblance with extant 

taxa of families– Anonaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, 

Sterculiaceae, Malvaceae, Burseraceae, Sapindaceae, 

Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae, Combretaceae, Lythraceae, 

Rubiaceae, Ebenaceae, Oleaceae, and Apocynaceae. The habit 

and habitat and present day distribution of modern equivalent 

taxa indicate that evergreen to moist deciduous elements with 

medium to large leaves were flourishing during Middle Miocene 

around Oodlabari and nearby studied areas. Some of the moist 

deciduous elements are still found to grow there. 

A manuscript on plant remains (wood, leaves and fruit) 

showing similarity with the genus Dipterocarpus Gaertn. from 

Siwalik of Arjun Khola western Nepal has been prepared. It 

reveals that the comparable species of the genus Dipterocarpus 

do not grow now in the Himalayan foot hills of India and Nepal, 

but are presently distributed in the evergreen forests of South 

east Asian regions. This suggests that after prevailing 

unfavourable conditions such moist loving species could not 

survive there. Also collected plant megafossils (woods, leaves, 

fruits) from different Siwalik sections exposed in Tanakpur and 

nearby areas of Uttaranchal. Palynological samples were also 

collected from lower and middle Siwalik sediments. Identification 

of above 30 leaf impressions of Siwalik sediments has been 

carried out at CNH (Howrah). 

Mahesh Prasad 

Component 9: Neogene of sub-Himalayas of Arunachal Pradesh: Palynostratigraphy, floristic pattern 

and climate 

Studied palaeopalynology of Dafla and Subansiri 

formations exposed on Kimin-Ziro Road, Papumpare district. 

The palynological rock samples are chemically processed, and 

yielded very poor pollen-spores. The recovered palynomorphs 

are mostly recycled Permian forms-Rhizomaspora and 

Verticipollenites with few Tertiary palynomorphs, like 

Striatriletes and Frasnacritetrus. 

G.K. Trivedi 

Project 7: Palynostratigraphy and Palaeoenvironment of Cenozoic basins 

of peninsular India 

Component 1: Palynological investigation of the Eocene sediments of Shillong Plateau 

Undertook traverses along Tura-Dalu Road in West Garo 

Hills district and Siju-Baghmara Road in South Garo Hills district 

(Meghalaya) to understand the stratigraphic set-up of the area 

and to collect samples from the Siju, Rewak and Kherapara 

formations for palynological studies. Macerated 34 samples 

from the Rewak Formation of Siju-Baghmara Road Section. 

Scanning of slides and photodocumentation and study of 

palynofossils have been taken up. The important palynotaxa 

recorded are– Cyathidites australis, Striatriletes susannae, 

Intrapunctisporis intrapunctis, Polypodiisporites ornatus, 

Polypodaceaesporites major, Retitricolpites sp., 

Densiverrupollenites eocenicus, Pellicieroipollis 

langenheimii, Operculosculptites sp. etc., besides 

dinoflagellate cysts. The study is in progress. 

R.K. Saxena & G.K. Trivedi 

13




Component 2: Palynological study of Tertiary sedimentaries and its bearing on the evolution of 

palynoflora of Kachchh Basin 

Palynoassemblage recovered from the early Eocene 

sediments exposed near Waghopadar village is rich both in 

number and variety. Quantitatively, angiospermous pollen 

grains dominate over the spores. Dinocysts are absent in the 

assemblage. Morphotaxonomic study of the palynotaxa has 

been taken up. A few important elements of the assemblage are 

Paripollis broachensis, Lakiapollis ovatus, Arengapollenites 

achinatus, Spinizonocolpites baculatus, Tricolpites 

reticulates, Striacolporites striatus, Cheilanthoidspora 

monoleta, Pellicieroipollis langenheimii. 

J.P. Mandal 

Component 3: Tertiary palynostratigraphy and palaeoecology of east coast of India 

Completed chemical processing of samples from Pangidi 

and Duddukuru (K-G Basin), Niniyur, Kallamedu and 

Adnankurichi Limestone mines of Ariyalur area (Cauvery 

Basin). Morphotaxonomy, identification and data interpretation 

of spore-pollen recovered from Adnankurichi mines and Niniyur 

sections have been taken up and continued. The important 

genera recorded are– Lygodiumsporites, Palmidites, 

Liliacidites, Retitricolporites, Graminidites. 

Palynological investigations on the MECL Sellur borehole, 

Tiruvarur district (Tamil Nadu) has been completed. The 

assemblage consists of 18 genera and 28 species of algal and 

fungal remains and angiosperm pollen. The important genera 

are– Botryococcus, Inapertisporites, Polyadosporites, 

Palmidites, Iridacidites, Meliapollis, Tamilipollenites, 

Cuddaloripollis and Tricolporopilites. On the basis of 

palynological data, the age of the sediments is assigned to 

Early Miocene. The data depict a tropical (warm and humid) 

climate with plenty of rainfall during the time of deposition. 

Palynofossils belonging to lowland, freshwater swamp and 

water edge and sandy beach elements have been identified. 

The deposition took place in a far sea-shore environment with 

sufficient fresh water. 

M.R. Rao 

Component 4: Palynostratigraphy and palynofacies analysis of Tertiary sediments of Upper Assam 

Basin 

Macerated 50 samples from mine cut section exposed at 

Tirap Colliery (Tikak Parbat Formation, Late Oligocene), district 

Margherita. The palynoassemblage recovered from coal, 

carbonaceous shale and clay samples contain spores of 

Striatriletes complex, Pteridacidites sp. Cyathidites minor, 

Dictyophyllidites kyrtomatus; pollen of Hibisceaepollis sp., 

Tricolpites reticulates, Polyadopollenites miocenicus, 

Malvacerumpollis sp., etc. The fungal fruiting bodies of 

Phragmothyrites sp., Pluricellaesporites sp. and some 

reworked Permian saccate pollen grains have also been 

identified in the assemblage. The DOM has been identified as: 

structured terrestrial, biodegraded terrestrial, amorphous, resins, 

black debris and brown phytoclasts, etc. The relative abundance 

of the organic matter shows that frequency of biodegraded 

terrestrial and amorphous is higher in the base of the section. 

The resin globules and black debris are next to them. While 

samples from upper beds display rich black debris followed by 

structured terrestrial, biodegraded, amorphous and resins. The 

results indicate that during the deposition of basal sequence 

reducing condition was prevalent which was gradually replaced 

by moderate reducing-oxidizing towards the top. The overall 

palynoassemblage and palynofacies data show deltaic-swampy 

set up under subtropical regime. 

Madhav Kumar 

Component 5: Palynological investigation of Miocene sediments of Tripura and Mizoram 

Palynoassemblage recovered from Upper Bhuban 

Formation of Chowngte section, Southeastern zone of Mizoram 

are assigned to an early Miocene age, based on the occurrence 

of tropical-subtropical stratigraphical marker taxa 

(Malvacearumpollis, Pteridacidites, Hibisceaepollenites, 

Compositoipollenites, Alnipollenites, Lygodiumsporites, 

Todisporites etc.). The presence of Spinizonocolpites 

echinatus referable to Nypa suggests a shoreline inhabitant. 

The occurrence of salt loving taxon Polyporina, which today 

belongs to a coastal marsh vegetational community, supports 

the presence of tidal swamps near the area of deposition. The 

diversity of angiosperm palynotaxa, which forms the bulk of 

assemblage, is thought to indicate a dense low land vegetation 

cover. The sediments were deposited in marginally marine 

evident under influence, as indicated by the presence of rare 

dinoflagellates. The Upper Bhuban Formation is mainly 

14



composed of course upward succession of shale, sandstone, 

interbedded siltstone and greyish cross bedded sandstone, 

interpreted to be deposits of delta distributary channel in the 

proximity of shoreline. Also undertook a field trip to Mizoram 

and collected rock samples (350) to study the spores-pollen 

and vegetation relationship in the region. The 

photodocumentation of related specimens of fossils are also 

done. 

B.D. Mandaokar 

Project 8: Marine micropalaeontology of Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins: 

Implications on Palaeoenvironment and Sea Level changes 

Component 1: Jurassic nannofossils from western Indian continental shelves and their 

palaeobiogeographic implications 

Prepared and studied 70 samples representing Chari, Katrol 

and Umia formations from Jara, Jumara, and Keera 

Domes (Kutch). Besides, samples from Lakhapar section, 

Umia Plant Bed and Panandhro were also prepared. A well 

preserved and diverse nannofossil assemblage comprising 

Ansulasphaera helvetica, Biscutum constans, 

Cyclagelosphaera margerelii, Ethmorhabdus gallicus, 

Lotharinguis crucicentralis, L. sigillatus, Podorhabdus 

grassei, Stephanolithion bigotii bigotii, S. hexum, S. 

specciosum, Thoracosphaera saxea, Watznaueria barnesae, 

W. britannica, W. manivitae and W. ovata is recovered from 

glauconitic mudstones representing non-gypsiferous unit from 

the base of Jara Dome section. The non-gypsiferous shales are 

underlain by gypsiferous shales and carbonaceous shales and 

are overlain by three characteristic highly fossiliferous 

Oxfordian age ammonite containing bands of Dhosa oolite 

capping the section with intermittent hard calcareous shales. 

The gypsiferous, non-gypsiferous and Dhosa oolite in 

ascending order represent Chari Formation and only the nongypsiferous 

shales is rich in cosmopolitan and substitute marker 

and other units are practically devoid of nannofossils. 

Presence of age diagnostic nannofossil taxa, viz A. 

helvetica, S. bigotii, S. hexum, W. manivitae in the assemblage 

allows correlation with A. helvetica (NJ 12) and S. bigotii (NJ 

13) of late Callovian age. Finalized a manuscript on calcareous 

nanofossils from the Bhuj Member lacking any datable marine 

fossils. Also visited IIT, Mumbai for consultation and discussion 

with Dr. S.K. Biswas on problems related with Kutch Mesozoics. 

Jyotsana Rai 

Component 2: Micropalaeontology of fossil algae from Late Cretaceous-Early Palaeocene sequence 

of Cauvery Basin 

Studied palaeoenvironmental significance of calcareous 

algae from the Ninniyur Formation (Palaeocene) in Ariyalur 

District of Tamil Nadu. The algal flora is diversified and is 

represented by Corallinaceans (Lithophylloids, Mastophoroids 

and Melobesioids), Sporolithaceans, Geniculate Corallines, 

Solenopores and Dasyclads. As a whole Corallinaceans are 

preponderant in this calcareous algal assemblage. The 

assemblage of the lower unit of Ninniyur Formation indicates 

shallow shelf facies, i.e. back-reef environment with low energy 

condition. The composition of the algal forms recorded from 

the middle unit of the formation is indicative of middle-shelf, 

low energy environment, whereas, assemblage of the upper 

unit indicates patch–reef environment in the close vicinity of 

near-shore, lagoonal to tidal, medium energy environment. 

A.K. Ghosh 

Component 3: Dinoflagellate cysts and palynofacies study of the Upper Cretaceous-Palaeocene 

succession of the south Shillong Plateau: Implications to palaeoenvironment and 

relative sea level changes 

New morphotypes representing early Wetzelieloid taxa 

are recorded in the Jathang Hill dinocyst assemblage. The forms, 

showing overlapping characters between Apectodinium and 

Rhombodinium may represent a new genus having a significant 

bearing on the evolutionary lineage of this biostratigraphically 

important dinoflagellate cyst group. 

Dinoflagellate cyst productive levels have been 

identified in the Latmawksing Hill and Siju-Rewak Sections. 

Documentation of palynomorphs and dinoflagellate cysts from 

Tura-Dalu Section is carried out. 

Rahul Garg, Khowaja Ateequzzaman & 

Vandana Prasad 

15




A manuscript highlighting biostratigraphic potential of 

dinoflagellate cysts in the Maastrichtian-Danian succession 

of Khasi Hills is finalized. FAD/LAD of significant marker 

cosmopolitan taxa are documented and compared with low 

latitude global records. 

Rahul Garg & Khowaja Ateequzzaman 

Carried out documentation and detailed morphological 

study of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages recovered from closely 

sampled Jathang Hill Section with specific reference to the global 

warming event across the Palaeocene-Eocene boundary. The 

Apectodinium peak is closely integrated with negative carbon 

isotope excursion, matching the global IETM (PETM) Event. 

Palaeocene/Eocene boundary in the section is demarcated as 

per the latest concepts. Presence of Sparnacian sediments is 

identified for the first time in this region. Relative proportion of 

Apectodinium, other dinoflagellate cysts, palynomorphs and 

organic matter are documented and a palynofacies distribution 

chart has been updated, indicating short-lived marine pulses in 

a coastal swamp setup. Occurrence of impersistent coal 

horizons is supposed to be related to the global warming event 

associated with IETM. An integrated chronobiostratigraphic 

scheme for the Palaeocene/Eocene boundary section of Khasi 

Hills is proposed. Manuscript is revised as per the referee’s 

suggestions, incorporating Carbon isotope data. 

Carried out palynofacies study based on the 

characterization of various organic matter types and their 

relative proportion in the vertical section of Palaeocene-Eocene 

succession of Cherrapunji and Jathang sections. On the basis 

of relative proportion of different palynofacies constituents, 

the succession of both areas is subdivided into 4 palynofacies 

units- I, II, III, IV, facilitating interpretation of the depositional 

environment and relative sea level changes. The sandy shale 

and bioturbated horizon of the lower horizon of Cherrapunji 

section corresponds to Unit I and is considered as a 

retrogradational sequence of the Transgressive Systems Tract. 

The bioturbated horizon in this unit is interpreted as mfs or 

maximum starvation or downlap surface. The palynofacies 

characteristics of foraminiferal limestone of Cherrapunji and 

lower part of Lakadong Sandstone of Cherrapunji and Jathang 

sections represent the Unit II are indicative of decelerating sea 

level and corresponds to High Stand Systems Tract. The 

gradual increase in the terrestrial organic matter, mangrove 

palynomorphs and dinoflagellate cysts in the Palynofacies Unit 

III of Cherrapunji and Jathang sections points towards 

establishment of restricted marine lagoonal environment of 

deposition during Early Transgression. The sharp increase in 

marine component of Unit IV indicates inundation of the shelf 

and increased water depth with reducing environment of 

deposition as a result of the maximum transgression. 

Vandana Prasad, Rahul Garg & 

Khowaja Ateequzzaman 

Component 4: Palynostratigraphy and palaeoenvironment analysis of the Lower Tertiary rocks, N- 

W Himalayas: Implication to palaeoclimate and foreland basin evolution 

Carried out palynostratigraphical study of the Lower 

Tertiary sediments of Dharmsala and its adjoining areas of 

Himachal Pradesh. Rock samples (353) belonging to 22 measured 

stratigraphic sections were processed for the study. Processed 

samples are mostly unproductive or extremely poor in 

palynofossils. However, samples from the Gaj Khad, Manjhi Khad 

and Churon Khad have yielded rich palynoflora. The palynofloras 

from the Dharmsala sediments of the Churon Khad and Manjhi 

Khad are represented by 18 genera and 37 species of algal and 

fungal remains, pteridophytic spores and gymnospermous and 

angiospermous pollen grains. The assemblage is represented by 

Striatriletes, Polypodiaceasporites, Polypodiisporites, 

Compositoipollenites, Monoporopollenites, Pinuspollenites, 

etc. Quantitatively, algal zygospores are the most dominant 

element in the assemblage. Significant taxa of the palynoflora 

have been compared to those of the extant members of the 

families, viz. Cyatheaceae, Dicksoniaceae, Osmundaceae, 

Schizeaceae, Parkeriaceae, Polypodiaceae, Arecaceae, Poaceae, 

Sapotaceae and Mimosaceae. The data have been interpreted 

throwing light on its dating potential and environment of 

deposition. The preponderant occurrence of coniferous pollen 

grains particularly represented by the members of Abietineae 

indicates definite Neogene affinity of the palynofloral 

assemblage. The sediments seem to have been deposited under 

fresh water conditions. 

Morphotaxonomical study of the recovered 

palynofossils from the Eocene sediments exposed along Manji 

Khad (near Kunihara) has been partly done along with the 

selective photography of the palynofossils. Also undertook a 

field work for systematic collection of palynological samples 

as well as for field observations of Dharmsala and Subathu 

formations of Dharmsala and its adjoining areas. 

Samir Sarkar 

Palynofacies studies along with sedimentological 

studies (in collaboration) were performed in the Subathu 

Formation of Nilkanth and Tal valley areas of Uttaranchal for 

the detailed palaeoenvironmental interpretation as well as sea 

level changes in this region. Several Palaeosol horizons have 

been identified in the basal part of Subathu Formation in the 

studied areas. The paleosols are characterized by lateritic 

horizon associated with iron oolitic bands. It is suggested that 

the high precipitation and warm and humid climate of Late 

Palaeocene resulted in the constant influx of water that resulted 

in the chemical and physical weathering and leaching of soluble 

material and accumulation of insoluble residue. The XRD 

analysis in collaboration indicates dominance of Kaolinite and 

Smectite clay mineral. 


16



Project 9: Palaeofloristics and Palaeoclimate of Andaman and Nicobar 

Basin 

Component 1: Neogene microfloristics of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and their stratigraphic 

sequence 

Finalized biostratigraphic studies utilizing diatoms and 

silicoflagellates of Late Neogene deposits from Sawai Bay 

(Neill Island) and Long (Havelock Island) formations. 

Anil Chandra (till December 2004) 

Component 2: Palaeomangroves and palaeoclimate in Andaman and Nicobar Islands during 

Quaternary period 

The palynological studies of 25’ exposed Quaternary 

section in R.K. Puram, Little Andaman (BS-1595; 36,550 ±870 

yrs. BP) exhibited the history of mangrove development and 

sea level changes since 36,000 yrs BP. Three major palynological 

zones were identified exhibiting stable sea levels required for 

the establishment of mangrove forest. Overall Late Quaternary 

pollen data recording mangrove evolution in Andamans show 

similarity with the data sets obtained from Eastern Indonesia 

and Northern Australia. 

Asha Khandelwal 

Thrust Area: QUATERNARY VEGETATION, EUSTATIC SEA LEVEL CHANGES, GLOBAL 

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT 

Project 10: Quaternary vegetation, Palaeoclimate and Palaeoseismisity 

Component 2: Studies on palaeovegetational and palaeoclimatic changes in Madhya Pradesh using 

pollen proxy records 

Completed pollen analysis of a 1.3 m deep sediment core 

from Jalda, Shahdol District, depicting 3 vegetational 

and climatic phases, based on the fluctuations in major 

arboreals and non-arboreals. Phase I is marked by the presence 

of tropical deciduous sal forests mainly constituted of Shorea 

robusta associated with Madhuca indica, Emblica officinalis, 

Sapotaceae, Schrebera and Butea under moist climatic 

condition. Subsequently (Phase II), the sal forests became 

sparse as indicated by the considerable decline in Shorea 

robusta. However, its associates remained more or less same. 

This change in the vegetational composition signifies that a 

relatively less moist climate prevailed in the region. Finally 

(Phase III) the sal forests got diversified as demonstrated by 

the improved frequencies of Shorea robusta along with 

Madhuca indica, Lagerstroemia, Emblica officinalis and 

Buchanania. This increase in the forest floristics might have 

occurred due to enhancement in precipitation. 

Pollen analysed 10 core samples from a 2.5 m deep 

sediment core from Jogi-chhapar, Shahdol District. The pollen 

assemblage obtained has revealed that Shorea robusta, 

Madhuca indica, Lagerstroemia, Terminalia, Butea, Syzygium, 

Sapotaceae, Anacardiaceae etc. are the major tree taxa. Grasses, 

sedges, Tubuliflorae, Ranunculaceae, Cheno/Am. etc., are the 

prominent constituents of herbaceous complex. The 

preponderance of fern spores envisages their origin from the 

local sources. The overall floristic composition suggests the 

presence of tropical deciduous forests in the region. 

M.S. Chauhan 

Component 3: Studies on Quaternary vegetation and climate of western Himalayas 

Studied multidisciplinary aspects of lacustrine 

sediments from Sukha Tal (Naini Tal District), Kumaun Himalaya 

to understand the knowledge of temperate zone since Early 

Holocene (around 8700 ±170 yrs BP). The investigated profile 

is comprised of silty-clay with or without sand, granules and 

pebbles. Palaeontological evidences show that in earlier part 

17




of sequence (Early–Middle Holocene) the studied area had no 

Molluscs, but near onset of Late Holocene numerous specimens 

came in to existence, indicating change in climate to suitable 

humid conditions. Geochemical analysis shows that in the 

beginning of sequence (Early Holocene) the area had high 

representation of organic matter and low carbonate contents, 

reflecting humid climate. Subsequently (around Mid Holocene), 

organic matter became low and carbon contents high, indicating 

change in climate towards dry conditions. Thereafter (around 

Late Holocene), organic matter again became high and 

carbonate contents low, reflecting restoration of humid 

conditions at the region. 

Pollen analysis reveals that in the beginning of sequence 

the area had predominance of non-arboreals with poor presence 

of arboreals (mainly Pinus) but soonafter arboreals (particularly 

Quercus and Pinus with their associates, i.e. Ericaceae, Ulmus, 

Carpinus, Betula, Celtis, Picea and Ephedra, etc.) showed 

marked enhancement with corresponding fall in non-arboreals 

and resulted in establishment of mixed oak forest with warm 

and humid climate. Such forest continued onwards but faced 

considerable decline in Middle Holocene and re-expansion near 

onset of Late Holocene, indicating deterioration and again 

amelioration of climatic conditions respectively. Data generated 

from different analyses broadly corroborate with each other. 

Asha Gupta 

Component 4: Palaeoclimatic studies in Schirmacher Oasis, east Antarctica using palynological as 

well as chronological parameters 

Pollen analysis of 10 bulk ice samples from continental 

ice sheet and 5 water samples from glacial melt reflects poor 

occurrence of transported air borne pollen, fungal spores, 

diatoms and algal filaments. Presence of reworked palynomorph 

(?Permian) trapped in huge ice sheet proves the nearness of 

the existing sedimentary rocks. The generated palynodata will 

be helpful for Antarctic ice core study. A 0.8 m sediment profile 

of Long lake II reflected two fold climatic oscillations, i.e cold 

and humid – warm and humid. Due to less carbon content 

radiometric dates are not feasible. More deeper sediment cores 

from polar region are required. 2 foliose lichen patches out of 6 

were productive as evidenced by few grasses, desmids, algal 

filaments and fungal fruiting body. Out of 8 moss peat samples, 

only 3 from near vicinity of Russian Research Station (East 

Antarctica) indicate occurrence of transported grass pollen 

along with other local elements, like desmids, algal filaments, 

fungal spores, etc. One-meter silty clay exposure from huge 

moraine cone was not dated due to less carbon content and 

samples were barren except a few diatoms and fungal spores. 8 

moraine samples did not show any significant palynological 

result. 

S.K. Bera 

Antarctic Ice Cap 

Reworked 

Palynomorph 

Occurrence of reworked palynomorph in continental ice sheet is indicative of nearness of Gondwana sedimentary 

rocks in Eastern Antarctica. 

18



Component 5 : 

History of mangrove vegetation in India: Mahanadi Delta 

Pollen analysed 10 samples from profile (BS-1152 ±30,625 yrs. BP) collected from Bhagwanpur (Orissa). 

The samples exhibited varying frequency of palynodebris, such as pollen, spores, dinoflagellate cysts, 

microforaminifera, pseudoschizea, etc. The encountered core mangroves taxa included Rhizophora, Sonneratia, 

Heritiera, Avicennia, Excoecaria, etc. The hinterland taxa, such as Holoptelca, Salvadora, Emblica, Oleaceae, 

and Fabaceae were recorded along with Poaceae, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Cyperaceae, etc. 


Component 6 : 

Climate and vegetational succession in tropical forests of Mikir plateau and upper 

Assam plain, North East India during Quaternary 

Pollen analysis of 10 moss cushion and subsurface soil samples from across the Dilli river around Dilli 

Colliery, Dibrugarh District signifies the existing of tropical deciduous forest as evidenced by the palynoassemblage 

recovered from the sediment. Occurrence of degraded pollen-spores along with adequate fungal spores and filaments 

in the sediments indicates the microbial activity during sedimentation. The further palynological study of two onemeter 

soil sections exposed near Dilli river is in progress. A manuscript entitled ‘Pollen rain in and around Dilli 

Colliery, Assam’ is finalized. 

S.K. Bera 

A view of Independence Day Celebrations 2004 

19




Project 11: Proxy climatic signals from Marine and Coastal sediments 

during Late Quaternary 

Component 1: Dinoflagellate cysts from marine sediments as proxy indicators of 

palaeoenvironmental changes along the western shelf of India during Late 

Quaternary 

Study of low frequency organic walled dinoflagellate cyst 

assemblages from surface sediment samples from 

shallow depths (~50 m) revealed enhanced proportion 

of Tuberculodinium vancomoae having preference for lower 

salinity and warm water. It may be useful as indicator of warm 

and humid conditions with enhanced precipitation (related to 

rainfall/monsoon). 

Processing of 5.5 m core samples (Gravity core GC 7; 2 

cm interval), (provided by Dr. Rajiv Nigam, NIO ,Goa) was taken 

up to study down core variations in specific dinoflagellate cyst 

associations, especially Protoperidinioid group and open marine 

forms (belonging to Gonyaulacoids), besides allocthonous 

terrestrially derived organic matter. 

Rahul Garg & Khowaja Ateequzzaman 

Component 2: Algal evidence for Late Quaternary palaeoenvironment changes in the Bengal Basin 

Processed 73 samples belonging to 7 profiles of Sarsanka 

lake, East Midnapur district for algal remains. A total of 53 

diatom taxa belonging to 22 genera were identified in the 

sediments. Significant constituents of the assemblages are 

Amphora spp. Nitzschia spp., Rhopalodia spp., Mastogloia 

spp., Synedra spp., Surirella spp., Cyclotella spp., 

Cocscinodiscus spp., Biddulphia spp., Thalssiosera spp. 

Several species of diatoms were examined under SEM. 

Continued analysis of surface sediment diatom 

assemblages in depth profiles along the Ramnagar Khal 

towards Mohana to describe the relationship between species 

distribution and salinity and waterdepth of deposition. 

Preliminary data interpretation was made. The diversity of the 

diatom flora in the surface sediments is much lower near the 

mouth of Mohana than the inner part of the Ramnagar Khal. 

The decrease in number of species is related to the increase in 

salinity southward. The composition of the diatom assemblages 

varies significantly from Ramnagar towards Mohana. 

According to their distribution in the sediments three main 

ecological groups have been distinguished. Also undertook a 

field trip to Digha and Sarsanka areas and collected 3 cores 

from Sarsanka Lake. For the understanding of modern algal 

distribution pattern in the region, 29 surface soil samples as 

well as water samples from different depth and salinity level 

were collected. Hydrological data were also collected from 10 

different environmental setups using soil and water analysis 

kit 

Samir Sarkar 

Component 3: Quaternary mangrove vegetation, environment, climate, ecology and sea level changes 

in south-east coast of India 

Studied two sedimentary soil profiles from Kolleru lake 

area. The lake is separated from the Bay of Bengal in the east 

by about 11 km stretch of Kaikalur sand ridges and swales 

extending between the Krishna and Godavari river delta. The 

soil sediments from Kolleru lake area ranging from 1.5 to 2 m 

depth from the ground surface dates back to 2600 ±100 yrs. BP. 

Palynological results show Late Holocene lacustrine deposition 

and no mangrove pollen or any other marine forms were 

recorded. The north-eastern flank of the lake joins the sea 

through a narrow 20 km long Upputeru channel. Near its mouth, 

the mangroves are only a millennium old. 

A 7 m soil section from Annamalainagar dates back to 

5640 =/- 100 yrs. BP. Evidences of mangroves here are at 3.5 m 

below mean sea level indicating a paleoshoreline 18 km inland 

from the present shoreline. The mangrove line receded 8 km 

seawards reaching Natarajapuram in ~2000 yrs. span. Therefore, 

in the beginning of Late Holocene mangroves occupied a larger 

area than present. Deterioration of mangroves since Late 

Holocene was also accompanied by its migration towards the 

northeast of the estuary. Also surveyed and collected surface 

soil and core samples from Adyar/ Cooum estuary, Ennore Creek 

and environs (Chennai), Cuddalore and adjoining Pichavaram 

estuary. 

Anjum Farooqui 

20



Estuarine Evolution and the shrinking mangroves in the active northern part of Cauvery delta since ~ 5670 + /- 120 yrs BP : A palynochronostratigraphical 

record 

Project 12: Palaeoethnobotanical investigations of Archaeological sites 

Component 1: Palaeoethnobotany: Ancient man, plants and environment in north and northwestern 

India- Studies of botanical remains from the ancient sites at Tokwa in 

District Mirzapur, UP 

Carried out investigations on the carbonized remains 

recovered through archaeological excavations during 

2003 at Neolithic Tokwa. The evidence generated from 

a wide range of cultural deposits at different depths, datable 

from 2200-1500 BC, revealed the cultivation of rice, barley, bread 

wheat, dwarf wheat, lentil, field pea, grass pea, green gram, 

moth bean, horse gram, linseed and Indian mustard. Associated 

with these crop plants, the remains of the seeds and fruits of 

weeds and other taxa have also been identified as belonging to 

Vicia sativa, Coix lachryma-jobi, Setaria cf. glauca, 

Chenopodium album, Fimbristylis sp., Emblica officinalis, 

Ziziphus nummularia and Annona cf. squamosa. Among these 

carbonized remains the evidence of Annona cf. squamosa 

(custard apple), a native of South America is to be reckoned 

within the context of Indian Archaeology. Quite a good number 

of wood charcoal pieces were processed for section cutting. 

Anatomical features preserved in some of them led to specific 

identification of the elements of deciduous forest, such as 

Terminalia bellerica, Tectona grandis, Syzygium cf. cumini, 

Streblus asper, Madhuca indica and Bambusa sp. 

Prepared draft manuscript on the plant remains of Ahar 

Culture (3000-1500 BC) from Ojiyana, Bhilwara district, 

Rajasthan. Undertook field excursion to ancient site at Jogna 

Khera, Kurukshetra district, Haryana to participate in the 

archaeological excavations and a rich collection of carbonized 

material was collected. 

A.K. Pokharia 

21




Component 2: Palaeoethnobotany: Ancient man, plants and environment in north and north-western 

India- Studies of botanical remains from ancient sites in UP 

Undertook field visit to two ancient sites at Ahirua 

Rajarampur (tehsil Chhibramau) and Siyapur (tehsil Tirwa), 

district Kannauj, where excavations were carried out under the 

UGC-Project “Archaeology of Ganga Plain”. Archaeobotanical 

materials were collected in fairly good amount from cultural 

deposits of Painted Grey Ware (PGW), Northern Black Polished 

Ware (NBPW) and Kushana Period. Site at Siyapur had 

additional deposit of pre-PGW. Both the sites are situated at a 

distance of 80 km on the bank of river Ishan, a tributary of 

Ganga. From Kumhar Tal, lying at the southern end of the 

mound at Ahirua Rajarampur, soil samples were also collected 

from a 4 m deep sedimentary profile for palyno-investigations. 

Carried out morphological investigation of seed and fruit 

remains from above ancient sites (approx. 1000 BC–300 AD) to 

build up plant economy practiced by the ancient settlers and 

the regional ecological conditions in the past. The field-crop 

finds belong to cereals (barley, rice, ragi millet, kodon-millet), 

pulses (lentil, khesari/grass-pea, field pea, green gram, black 

gram, horse-gram/kulthi, aconite/moth bean), seeds of oil yielding 

plant (field brassica), jujube, and Leguminous fruits; seeds of 

silk-cotton fibre. Both the sites exhibit similar ancient plant 

economy at the present preliminary stage of investigations. 

Total 28 types of weeds and wild taxa recovered so far, belong 

to wild grasses— blue stem grass, wild oat, crow-foot grass, 

barnyard grass (sawan), goose grass, panicum grass, blue or 

Meadow grass; sedges— flat sedge, spikerush sedge, 

fimbristylis sedge, bulrush, etc. Other finds are of tick-clover/ 

savivan, indigo, hairy indigo, blue alfalfa, sweet clover (safed 

senjhi), piazi, mullein, common vetch, pigweed, white goosefoot 

(bathua), day-flower faint, lalsabuni, night-shade; labbibi 

(khat-palak), sleepy catchfly which grows as a field weed. 

Dactyloctenium aegyptium (crow-foot grass) and all 

the sedges, Commelina benghalensis (day-flower faint), 

Trianthema portulacastrum (lalsabuni) may have been the 

weeds in summer group crops like rice; whereas Indigofera 

hirsuta (hairy indigo), Melilotus alba (sweet clover, safed 

senjhi), Vicia sativa (common vetch), Amaranthus sp. 

(pigweed), Chenopodium album (white goose-foot, bathua) 

represent the weed components in winter crops like wheat and 

barley in the ancient agriculture at the site. Verbascum thapsus 

(mullein) is occasional member along water channels, whereas 

Polygonum barbatum, Rumex dentatus (labbibi, khat-palak) 

representing moist and swampy localities in the surrounding 

of habitational deposits. 

Chemical processing and palyno-investigations were 

also carried out of soil samples from Kumhar Tal in the vicinity 

to reconstruct palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate in this dry 

region of Ganga plain. The upper 2 m profile with clay deposit 

has revealed palynotaxa of Poaceae, Caryophyllaceae, 

Leguminoseae, Malvaceae (particularly Sida sp.), Rutaceae 

(Aegle marmelos), Asteraceae (Vernonia cinerea), Symplocos 

sp. (moist element), Casuarina sp., Cedrus sp., monolete and 

trilete fern spores, Spyrogyra Zygospore, Acritarchs, 

Ceratopteris (Aquatic fern), Liliaceae (aquatic). The frequency 

of pollen count starts decreasing with the increase in sand 

deposit between 2 and 4 m depth downwards. 

Chanchala Srivastava 

Project 13: High resolution Climate variability based on 

Dendrochronological study 

Component 1: Development of high-resolution proxy climate records for the western Himalaya 

Completed dating of 20 deodar (Cedrus deodara) samples 

collected from Bhaironghati (Uttarkashi), Uttaranchal. 

The age of oldest sample extends back to 1287 AD. 

The previously prepared chronology supplemented with more 

samples would help in maximizing the climate signals in mean 

tree-ring chronology. Finalized a manuscript on spring 

temperature reconstruction extending back to AD 1226. 

R.R. Yadav 

Carried out pollen analysis from 2 m deep sediment 

profile (10 samples) from Parashar Lake, Mandi District (HP). 

The pollen assemblage has revealed the good representation 

of conifers, viz. Pinus, Cedrus, Abies, Picea together with the 

broad-leaved taxa (Quercus, Alnus, Betula, Ulmus and 

Lonicera). On the other hand grasses, sedges, 

Chenopodiaceae/ Amaranthaceae, Artemisia, Caryophyllaceae 

and Rosaceae are the major constitute of ground flora. Also 

pollen analysed 6 surface samples from Tundabhuj area, located 

in the alpine belt of Kullu District. The alpine steppe elements 

(grasses, sedges, Artemisia, Rosaceae, Impatiens, Polygonum, 

etc.) are recorded in good frequencies. The broad-leaved taxa 

(Rhododendron, Betula, Alnus and Salix) are met within 

moderate to low values. The excessively high frequencies of 

conifers (Pinus, Abies, Cedrus and Picea) denote the 

transportation of their pollen by upthermic winds from the 

adjoining temperate belt. Prepared a draft of paper entitled 

“Vegetation and climatic shifts in the alpine belt of Himachal 

Pradesh during last 1300 years”. 

M.S. Chauhan 

22



Component 2: Analysis of climatic changes based on multi-proxy data during last 1000 years from 

peninsular and Himalayan regions 

Measured ring width of Cedrus deodara collected from 

the Kinnaur and adjoining areas and prepared tree-ring 

chronologies from several sites. Also measured ring width from 

tree cores of Tectona grandis from the Nilambur (Kerala) and a 

chronology, extending from 1813-2003 AD, has been prepared. 

The Mean Vessel Area (MVA) chronology of Teak made through 

Image Analysis has been analysed further to understand 

temporal relationship with climate. The study shows that MVA 

of Teak at Hoshangabad, the central part of India exhibits 

positive correlation at June, but negative in May with the 

precipitation, and with the temperature correlation is negative 

in February. However, at the southern part of India, 

Parambikulum (Kerala), MVA has positive correlation during 

May and negative in February and March with precipitation; 

and with temperature, May is found negative. 

Pollen analysis made from a 130 cm deep profile (SKYS) 

at the left bank of Rukti River, (3500 m masl) Sangla, Himachal 

Pradesh covering almost entire Holocene shows that during 

early to mid Holocene climate was warm and moist and later, i.e. 

since 3000 yrs. B.P it was comparatively drier. 

Amalava Bhattacharyya 

Project 14: Special Activities 

Component 1: Accretionary evolution, tectonics and palaeoclimate in Lahaul-Spiti, Ladakh and 

eastern Karakoram regions: Study based on tectonics, geochemistry, sedimentology, 

petrography, magnetostratigraphy and palaeobotanical evidences 

Finalized a paper based on palynological studies “First 

record of Middle-Late Jurassic palynomorphs from 

Lamayuru complex, Indus Suture Zone, Ladakh”. It was 

observed that Jurassic palynomorphs recovered from Khangral 

village were reworked from Zanskar-Lamayuru Complex Tethyan 

realm and transported through the Lamayuru to Nindam Basin 

during ongoing geodynamic processes operative within the 

India-Asia trench forearc subduction complex between 

Cretaceous-Palaeocene time span. Another paper “Miocene 

palynological assemblage from Nindam Formation, Ladakh 

Himalaya and its implication on palaeoenvironment” highlighted 

the occurrence of reworked Permian and Mesozoic spore-pollen 

and in situ palynomorphs consisting of microthyriaceous, 

ascostromata and bisaccate pollen, assignable to Lower 

Miocene assemblage. Tropical to sub-tropical climate is 

deduced during the deposition of these sediments. The mega 

fossil, collected from Hemis Gompa, about 50 km SE of Leh, 

Indus Suture Zone ~500 NNE of Gompa, identified as 

Amesoneuron hemisiensis, a new fossil palm leaf from Ladakh. 

Detailed study is in progress. Maceration of samples from 

Chiktan Nala and Fotula areas has been completed. 

Quantitative analysis and photodocumentation and compilation 

of data are in progress. 

Finalized a paper entitled “Quaternary geology, tectonics 

and distribution of palaeo- and present- fluvio/glacio lacustrine 

deposits in Ladakh, NW Indian Himalaya” study based on field 

observations. Shyok river valley, situated in the trans Himalayan 

region of NW India, has numerous well preserved fluviolacustrine 

Quaternary sediment deposits. Continuous 

sedimentation and lowering of the lake base resulted into thick 

deposition in the late Quaternary times. Being in the vicinity of 

the Karakoram fault, which has a right lateral shift of rate of 10.7 

+-0.7 mm/year (Chevalier et al., 2005), it is presumed that tectonic/ 

seismic activities may have been responsible for blocking the 

river flow and thereby transforming into a lake. Later due to 

either excessive water/sediment load or tectonic/seismic 

activity, the lake water drained out and the region regained its 

original river valley status. The coupled effect of continuous 

upliftment and river incision has exposed > 1000 m of these 

deposits. 

Based on seismicity in the region and preliminary data 

on geochemistry, mineralogy and mineral magnetic studies of 

~50 m thick sequence at different intervals as the entire section 

stands out a vertical cliff which is inaccessible and covered by 

debris flow with tens to hundreds of meters of boulder beds. 

Three levels of soft sediment deformation structures in the 

middle part are recorded at ~26,960, ~24,300 and ~21,000 yrs BP 

indicative of 3 major seismic tremors in the region, probably 

due to the Karakoram fault activation. In general, the sediment 

is silty/clayey in nature with rare sandy beds. Quartz, feldspars, 

mica with little Illite/chlorite are the major constituents. Poor 

sorting and low Chemical Index of Alteration values (CIA ~55- 

60) indicate the dominance of mechanical weathering and 

nearby source region of the sediment. The presence of 

secondary CaCO 3 

precipitates at the bottom and top parts and 

high magnetic susceptibility values in the top part suggests 

intermittent warmer phases. 

Finalized another paper “Weathering of rocks in Ladakh 

region of India: implications to tectonics and climate”. Freezing 

and thawing, diurnal temperature variation and frost action are 

the dominant mode of weathering in Ladakh region. Secondary 

clay mineral formation is insignificant. Consequently, there is 

little chemical change even up to the most weathered stage. 

The little variation in chemical distribution is rather related to 

23




physical disintegration and redistribution through limited melt 

water supply, which produces little chemical variation but its 

amount is so small that it does not carry the elements to long 

distance. Moreover the dry and high velocity wind precipitates 

the dissolved load at different stages indicated by sudden 

enrichment of highly mobile elements (Ca, Na) in differentially 

weathered samples. The identical nature of chondrite normalized 

REE patterns further support the redistribution of elements 

within the system itself. Although lichen/microbe induced 

chemical weathering is producing cation depleted residual 

material but their distribution is so localized that it does not 

affect the overall composition. The almost similar values of 

CIA at a given site suggest that the regolith is nothing but the 

ground up rock mass and has not attained any level of chemical 

maturity. All these signatures clearly indicate that ongoing uplift 

and cold dessertic climate is supporting only physical 

weathering processes in this region. 

Ram Awatar, Anupam Sharma, Rajeev Upadhyay 

(till 19.07.2004) & Binita Phartiyal 

Component 3: Growth ring studies in fossil woods and their significance in palaeoclimate 

Carried out data collection on the occurrence of growth rings in Deccan Intertrappean and Neogene woods. 

J.S. Guleria 

Growth ring studies on petrified woods of Kota Formation brought out various thickening patterns of tracheidal walls. 

Variations in the size of tracheidal cells examined suggest micro-physiological influence. 


Component 4: Floral diversity and ecology of Mahuadanr beds, Chachhari Valley, Palamu 

Completed interpretation of result based upon floral data generated and compilation of work. Also visited Herbarium of 

Botanical Survey of India (Central Circle), Allahabad for comparative study of recovered fossil leaves. 

G.P. Srivastava (till September 2004) 

Component 5: Cryptic morphology of seeds/fruits of the flora of Karnataka (western Ghats) using 

SEM/TEM techniques and bearing on ecology 

Carried out SEM studies of fruits/seeds of some species 

of Terminalia of family Combretaceae. In general, it is noticed 

that the seeds are solitary or paired, elongate-cylindric or 

fusiform in shape, suspended by funicle in the small cavity of 

thick woody endocarp. A sort of differentiation has been 

noticed in the mesocarp. It is thin-walled, with sclerotic cells 

and sub-reticulate or sub-spiral thickening. T. arjuna has large 

ellipsoidal cells with spiral thickening, T. balarica possesses 

sclerotic cells with scattered reticulate thickening, T. cattapa 

has densely scattered cells abundant near exocarp and subreticulate, 

and in T. tomentosa sclerotic cells are smaller in size 

and arranged in a thick sub-spiral. The testa is thin, brown and 

composed of cuboid to sub-cuboid cells, which are not lignified 

in all the species. 

Ultrastructure studies have been carried out on fruit 

pericarp in Terminalia arjuna to understand developmental 

stages of the pericarp. A very thin layer of cuticle covers the 

outer surface of pericarp– the epicarp. The epicarp is developed 

from the outer epidermis of the ovary wall. The cells are highly 

meristematic. The cell cytoplasm is dense and granular with 

ribosomes in abundance and other organelles like mitochondria, 

endoplasmic reticulum and chloroplast nucleus. The shape of 

the mitochondria shows great variation from round to ovate to 

elongate with a shallow depression on the periphery of certain 

mitochondra. Endoplasmic reticulum consists of long tubular 

structures covered with ribosomes, and short smooth flattened 

vesicular structures. Cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum 

are seen closely attached to the plasmalemma and at certain 

regions the cisternae tip seems to be dilated to form vesicles, 

which are liberated into the cytoplasm. Chloroplasts are round, 

oval, elongated and are distributed on the peripheral part of the 

cytoplasm. The grana fret work is not found to be well-organized 

in the proplastids, but in mature pericarp it is well-developed. 

Plastoglobules and ribosomes are observed with starch grains. 

Lipid bodies are present and are electron opaque. The nucleus 

is rounded oval in shape with a double membrane structure; 

nucleolus is seen near the periphery. The chromatin material is 

found attached to the inner membrane of nuclear envelop. 

Vacuoles are not observed in the young stages but in mature 

cells vacuoles are observed of various sizes. Fusion between 

the adjacent vacuoles is frequent. Nucleus is seen in the center 

or near the tangential walls. 

24



Developing chloroplast showing starch grains and lipid bodies (Fruit Pericarp) 

In mature fruit, cells of the epicarp become thick-walled 

and covered with thick corrugated cuticle. The cells consist of 

a central large vacuole and relatively less dense peripheral 

cytoplasm; the latter has abundance of endoplasmic reticulum. 

Mitochondria are seen in large numbers. Chloroplast contains 

1-2 starch grains. The abundance of ribosome and ribosomestudded 

endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm suggests a 

high rate of protein synthesis. The presence of ribosomes in 

chloroplasts indicates the protein synthesis capability of 

chloroplasts. 

Usha Bajpai 

Component 6: Aerobiology in relation to pollen production, dispersal and preservation of pollen 

grains 

Added more data in manuscript entitled “An atlas of 

air-borne pollen grains of Lucknow plants and their allergenic 

significance”. Collected some fresh polleniferous material to 

study pollen production per anther. Photo-documentation of 

air-borne pollen grains, graphical presentation of annual pollen 

data, correlation of air-borne pollen incidence with 

meteorological data and as well as with the patients of allergenic 

history visiting KGMC are continued. 


Component 7: Floristic and ethnobotanical studies of Bastar (Chhattisgarh) and Shahdol (MP) 

districts and automation of herbarium using software 

Studied 1,190 plant specimens collected from 

Pushprajgarh Range of Anuppur Forest Division (Shahdol 

district). This range is characterized by hilly terrain and 

undulating topography. People inhabit a very small plain area 

scattered throughout the range. Several rivers, channels, nallah 

and ponds are the source of water of this area. The climate of 

the area is slightly cooler and moist. The area comprises subtropical 

vegetation with pure sal forest, mixed forest, scrubs, 

grassland and aquatic vegetation. Identified 285 plant species 

belonging to 165 genera of 108 families from the above 

collection. All the plant specimens have been processed and 

poisoned with insecticide and fungicides. 

25




Finalized a paper on Ethnobotanical studies of Baiga 

and Gond tribes. Collected data of about 8 plant species (living 

and fossil) from published literatures for Herbarium database. 

The photo-documentation and computer scanning of about 

112 extant and 60 related specimens of fossil and 

archaeobotanical samples have also been done. 

D.C. Saini 

Component 8: An isotope and geochronometry based approach to decipher palaeoclimate records in 

Indian lake sediments and its synthesis with pollen based information 

Finalised work on collected Loktak Lake samples to 

decipher palaeoclimate and prepared a manuscript. The results 

indicate climatic change to drier conditions about 640 years 

ago in that region as evidenced in pollen records. The reduction 

in domination of aquatic vegetation with time is also evidenced 

in the increased carbon to nitrogen ratio in later years. The 

work of pollen analysis was extended to another sedimentary 

deposit Motiya dol (in Madhya Pradesh) and corroborated 

with 14 C date, measurements of carbon, nitrogen, as well as of 

other elements using EDX to facilitate comparison. The C/N 

ratio in this lake’s sediments is much higher than the Loktak 

samples. More analyses on these samples are in progress. 

C.M. Nautiyal & M.S. Chauhan 

Component 9: Radiocarbon dating of deposits relating to Quaternary geological and archaeobotanical 

investigations and chemical analysis of sediments for palaeoenvironmental and 

palaeoclimatic studies 

A total of 175 samples have been processed for 

radiocarbon dates that include one oxalic acid standard and six 

background samples. Out of these, 83 samples belonged to the 

Institute, while 12 and 80 samples were dated on collaboration 

and payment basis respectively. However, among all these 

samples as many as 20 samples could not be dated due to the 

very poor yield of CO 2 

. This situation prompted to design a 

mini glass system (see Fig. below) that can determine precisely 

the carbon content of a small quantity of sediment sample (about 

150 mg). The measured carbon content helps to decide for 

further processing of the same sample. 

Supriya Chakraborty (Team work) 

System for the determination of carbon content in sediment organic matter 

26



Component 10 : Stable isotope mass spectrometry laboratory for palaeoenvironmental studies 

The proposal for establishing a Stable Isotope Ratio 

Mass Spectrometry Laboratory has been revised in more cost 

effective way. It was proposed that only a sample processing 

lab (of Rs. 3-4 lacs) can be set up but no mass spectrometer. 

The samples can be processed in this laboratory and can be 

analysed in some other laboratory equipped with a mass 

spectrometer. 

Supriya Chakraborty 

Component 11 : Establishment of Palaeobotanical-Geochemical laboratory 

The matter to establishment of laboratory has been 

initially discussed and subsequently presented before the 

Research Advisory Council of the Institute. The RAC 

recommended that further action on the issue may not be taken 

for the time being. 

Anupam Sharma 

Emeritus Scientist Project 

Project : Lake sediment pollen analytical studies in Rajasthan to 

reconstruct the vegetational history and climatic changes since 

Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). 

Keoladeo National Park (Ghana), Bharatpur— Prepared 

the pollen diagram of the pollen analysed 4.4 m deep 

profile collected from Ghana. Studies have revealed very 

interesting past history of this wetland. According to the local 

belief and the available records, the wetland is not more than 

300-400 yrs old, but the palynological investigations have 

shown that 20,000 yrs ago or may be even beyond a big lake 

existed at the site, which today has turned into a shallow 

depression. It has also indicated that Bharatpur region had 

enough rainfall to feed this big lake. Subsequently, the lake 

gradually turned too shallower due to fast silting, lesser rainfall, 

climatic change, etc. Studies have also revealed that the earlier 

thickly forested (dominated by Holoptelea) scenario has been 

changed into the scrub jungles presently seen around the 

wetland. 

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Ghana)— Pollen analysis 

of some samples from another 2.6m deep trench profile from the 

same wetland area have yielded good assemblage of pollen/ 

spores. 

Moti Jheel— Pollen analysed 3.35 m deep dug out trench 

profile from Moti Jheel situated about 2 km from Ghana wetland 

and prepared a pollen diagram. This jheel area is presently under 

cultivation. It is revealed that this flat land too was a lake about 

6,000 yrs ago and beyond ( 14 C date of 5230+ 460 yrs BP at 3.00 

m depth). It was most probably connected with the main Ghana 

Lake in the remote past (deeper samples remain to be collected 

for pollen analysis). The studies have shown that around 6,000 

yrs ago the area was occupied by savannah type vegetation, 

represented mainly by Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Chen/Ams, 

Urticaceae, Brassicaceae, Holoptelea etc. and it compares well 

with the upper part of the Ghana Pollen diagram. 

Preliminary pollen analysis of trial samples collected from 

Buda Pushkar and Foy Sagar (Ajmer) lake sites have 

demonstrated that the profiles are palynologically productive. 

Detailed pollen analytical investigations of the two sites can 

be undertaken. Preliminary investigations from Sentahl Sagar, 

Ramgar Jheel and Chhaparwale Sagar (Jaipur) sites have 

revealed poor pollen productivity. 

Chhaya Sharma 

27




Additional Research Contributions 

Completed the palynological studies of subsurface strata 

(Raniganj and Parsora formations) from two bore-holes 

(SSM-1 and 2) of Mahuli-Mahasop area, Singrauli 

Coalfield (southern extension), Chattisgarh. In all, 5 assemblages 

have been identified, which suggest deposits of latest Permian 

(Assemblage I, in SSM-2), earliest Triassic (Assemblage II, in 

SSM-2), and late Triassic (Assemblage I, SSM-1; Assemblage 

III, in SSM-2; Assemblage II, in SSM-1) in age. Thus, the Permo- 

Triassic boundary is inferred between 542.00 and 537.00 m in 

bore-hole SSM-2, whereas the occurrence of marker paleosol 

horizon at 509.50 m in the same bore-hole determines the 

lithological break between the top of the Raniganj and the basal 

Parsora Formation. Absence of the major part of Early and 

Middle Triassic deposits is also proved palynologically. The 

results have been compiled and finalized. 

Visited the Geological Survey of India office at Kolkata 

to discuss the modalities of MOU between BSIP and GSI and 

plan for the field work and collection of samples in coal-bearing 

Gondwana basins. Traversed the Brahmini River Section, 

Talcher Coalfield, Orissa and collected samples for palynological 

studies. 

Archana Tripathi & Vijaya 

Finalized a paper entitled “Palynostratigraphy and 

depositional environment of Lower Gondwana sediments in 

Raigarh Basin Chhattisgarh”. Lower and upper Karharbari 

palynoflora have been identified in the assemblage. Besides, it 

has also been observed that cold climate with medium to high 

humidity was prevailing during the deposition of Early Permian 

sediments in this coalfield. 

Ram Awatar 

Studied Lower Gondwana carbonaceous sandy shale 

exposed along the Umrar River and adjoining hillocks near 

Umaria (MP) for palynoflora and organic matter. The OM 

contents comprise rich black debris, biodegraded, amorphous 

and structured terrestrial matter, mainly composed land derived 

plant fragments. The palynoflora exhibit two palynozones— 

the basal most sequence is characterized by a dominance of 

Callumispora and Jayantisporites, while the younger is 

represented by the dominance of Parasaccites- 

Plicatipollenites and zonate triletes in association with striatebisaccate 

pollen affiliated to the Lower and Upper Karharbari 

miofloras respectively. 

Ram Awatar, Madhav Kumar & Neeru Prakash 

Study of micro-cleats and micro-structures in nonbanded 

Tertiary coals of Assam and Meghalaya was carried 

out in order to ascertain the influence of maceral on their nature 

and pattern. 

B.K. Misra 

A thallus section has been recorded from the coal 

petrographic pellet representing the Queen Seam of Koyagudem 

area of Godavari Valley Coalfield (Andhra Pradesh). The 

anatomical features of the specimen show very close 

resemblance with the Marchantiales Group of the Bryophytes. 

O.S. Sarate & Navita Budhraja 

Investigations on the plant megafossils from the 

Siwalik of Koilabas, Nepal reveals the presence of some new 

taxa, viz, Clinogyne dichotoma (Marantaceae), Ochno squrrosa 

(Ochnaceae), Berchemia hamosa (Rhamnaceae) and 

Glochidion arborens (Euphorbiaceae) in the area. 

Mahesh Prasad & H.D. Dwivedi (BSRS) 

Palynological study in the Siwalik sediments of 

Koilabas (Nepal) has been carried out for the first time. A 

palynoassemblage consisting of algal and fungal remains, 

pteridophytic spores, gymnospermic and angiospermic pollen 

recovered from the area. A warm and humid tropical–subtropical 

climate has been inferred during the deposition of sediments. 

M.R. Rao, Mahesh Prasad & E.G. Khare 

A catalogue, including all records of spores and pollen 

from the Indian Tertiary sediments published after 1988 up to 

2004, has been prepared and is being finalized for publication. 

This will update the earlier catalogue on Indian Tertiary spores 

and pollen (Saxena 1991), which includes spore-pollen records 

published up to 1988. 

R.K. Saxena & G.K. Trivedi 

Analysis of an early Eocene palynoassemblage 

recovered from a bore-hole BGG-3 drilled by Coal wing GSI in 

Birbhum Coalfield (West Bengal) is in progress. The assemblage 

is rich and the distributional pattern of taxa is being analysed 

to interpret environment of deposition. Presence of mangrove 

elements, like Spinizonocolpites, Paleosantalacaepites 

indicates that marginal marine conditions extended into the 

interior of West Bengal up to Birbhum district. 

J.P. Mandal & Vijaya 

A nannofossil assemblage comprising Coccolithus 

eopelagicus, Cribrocentrum reticulatum, Cyclicargolithus 

floridanus, Helicosphaera seminulum, Reticulofenestra 

dictyoda, R. coenura, R. minuta, Sphenolithus moriformis, S. 

predistentus, Discolithina sp., Pemma basquensis, 

Cyclococcolithus kingii, Zygrahablithus bijugatus, 

Lanternithus minutus, Discoaster? Tani, Blackites sp., and 

Lithostromation simplex is documented from Dilini River 

section of South Shillong Plateau. Out of 46 samples only one 

sample (DN 16) showed presence of datable but little 

recrystallized nature of nannofossils. The discoasters and 

helicoliths most useful for dating Palaeogene sequences are 

28



notably absent due to recrystallization but abundance of 

cosmopolitan marker Cr. reticulatum and presence of S. 

predistentus and Cy. floridanus the assemblage is assigned to 

NP 17 Zone (emended Discoaster saipanensis Zone, Rai 1988) 

of Bartonian age. 

Jyotsana Rai & Rahul Garg 

Studied paddy field indicator diatoms and rice and 

grass phytolith in the Lahuradewa Lake sediments in Ganga 

plain. The studies indicate that the rice cultivation started during 

7000 yr BP in this region. Due to their extremely resistant nature 

to decay phytolith studies are now being carried out as a new 

palaeoecological tool for deciphering palaeoclimatic fluctuation 

in dry regions of Ganga basin. 


Studied heterogeneity of coralline red algae and their 

implications on palaeoenvironment from the late Palaeocene 

sequence of South Shillong Plateau. The assemblage is 

represented by the genera Lithoporella, Lithothamnion, 

Mesophyllum, Sporolithon, Corallina and Jania. On the basis 

of abundance and diversity of these corallines it has been 

interpreted that the algal forms thrived in a shallow warm, 

tropical to subtropical environment and the sea water was 

moderately agitated, sunny and clear. 

A.K. Ghosh 

Prepared a research note dealing with remarkable 

condition– pollen inside pollen, observed in Salvia leucantha 

Cav. (Lamiaceae) and its possible reason. Salvia leucantha is 

native to Mexico and has been naturalized in India in subtropical 

and temperate zones of Himalaya.Its polleniferous material, 

procured from Kumaun 

showing polymorphism 

of pollen, i.e. 4 to 11- 

colpate, spiraperturate, 

dyad and triad) has also 

shown several pollen 

snaring another pollen. 

The receptor and 

embedded pollen are of 

same as well as of 

different types. The 

number of embedded 

pollen is often one but occasionally 2-3 or more pollen may 

also occur inside one receptor. Such a surprising condition can 

not be natural but the outcome of conventional technique, i.e. 

acetolysis followed by centrifugation used for the palynological 

investigations. 

Asha Gupta 

SEM/TEM studies on biodegradation of cuticle 

membranes (CM) have shown degree of cuticle preservation. 

In one type of pteridosperm CM was highly stratified at fine 

structure level, which shows resistance to biodegradation. 

Usha Bajpai 

Received four samples as per the project work Fifth 

International Radiocarbon Inter-comparison programme 

conducted by the University of Glasgow, Glasgow. The 

samples- Barley mash (VIRI-A), seed (VIRI-B), Barley mash 

(VIRI-C), and another seed (VIRI-D) have been analysed and 

the result will be sent shortly. 


29




Collaborative Work 

Adiversified assemblage of organic-walled microfossils 

comprising 36 forms of the benthic and planktonic forms 

(cyanobacteria, acritarchs and Vase shaped 

microfossils) has been recovered in petrographic thin sections 

from the lenses and bedded chert belonging to Buxa Dolomite 

exposed near Igo Bridge, Daring-Basar road in West Siang 

District of Arunachal Pradesh including one new species. In 

this, assemblage 17 taxa of cyanobacterial remains belonging 

to Chroococcaceae, Nostocaceae and Oscillatoriaceae; 18 forms 

of Acritarchs belonging to Sphaeromorphida, Scaphomorphida 

and Sphaerohystrichomorphida subgroups; and one Vase 

shaped microfossils (Melanocyrillium hexodiadema) are 

present. The present assemblage of microbiota compares well 

with the known assemblage from the latest Proterozoic/Vendian 

sediments of northwest and central Lesser Himalayas (India) 

and its equivalent sediments in other parts of the world. 

Presence of both benthic and planktonic forms in the 

assemblage indicates deposition in lagoonal tidal flat condition, 

whereas contact with open sea was occasionally available. 

The petrographic thin sections of Buxa dolomite, from 

Kameng area and the Menga window in the Upper Subansiri 

District also shows presence of non-mineralized sponges. 

These sponges are being reported for the first time from the 

locality. The assemblage of these fossil specimens represents 

three types of extinct sponge forms. The present forms are 

simplest metazoans having numerous small pores on their body 

surface and hence justify their placement in Phyllum Porifera 

(Pore bearers). They show cellular grade constructions and 

loose aggregation of cells bound into soft tissues. All sponges 

have skeleton which provides them strength and rigidity. From 

the study, we believe that the ancient sponges may not be 

having the mineralized skeleton made by spicules and forms 

with the organic skeleton and morphology similar to existing 

forms may be found in ancient sediments. 

Manoj Shukla & Rupendra Babu [& V.C. Tewari 

(WIHG, Dehradun) & Prabhat Kumar (Lucknow] 

Recorded an assemblage of microbial remains 

comprising cyanobacteria, multicellular tissue of algal thalli 

(thallophytes) belonging to Rhodophyta, Acritarchs and Vase 

shaped microfossils (VSM) from the phosphetic black 

chertlenticles and shale partings associated with quartz arenite 

of Chambaghat Formation in the Kamlidhar Syncline, Sirmaur 

District, Himachal Lesser Himalaya. Presence of VSMs, a 

Rhodophyte Wengania and the decreasing diversity of 

microplanktons, viz,. medium sized leiospherids and few 

acanthomorphs indicates a Terminal Proterozoic age for these 

sediments. 

Manoj Shukla & Rupendra Babu [& V.K. Mathur & 

D.K. Srivastava (GSI, Northern Region, Lucknow)] 

Initiated collection and studies of surface and 

subsurface samples of different coalfields of India with the 

objective of intra-/inter-basinal correlation through highresolution 

stratigraphic and palynological studies on selected 

areas of Rajmahal-Birbhum, Damodar Valley, Son Valley, 

Mahanadi Valley, Satpura, and Wardha-Godavari Valley basins. 

Ceratin coal samples from Son Valley have also been received 

for petrographic study. 

MOU between BSIP & GSI (Coal Wing) 

Proposed and finalized a mission oriented collaborative 

project with Singreni Collieries Company Limited to study the 

palynostratigraphical aspect of coal-bearing sequences (NJ) 

and to take up biopetrological study of the coals from some 

selected areas (OSS) of the Godavari Valley Coalfield. Visited 

the area for procurement of samples, scientific discussions, 

and consultation of literature and reports. Completed 

processing of samples from different bore-holes— MSP-25 (25 

samples), A/335 (22 samples), MSP-27 (11 samples), and MSP- 

26 (25 samples). Carried out quantitative analysis of samples 

from MSP-25 and results are communicated to SCCL. 

Neerja Jha & O.S. Sarate [& SCCL (Kothagudem, Andhra 

Pradesh)] 

Albian limestone building algae of the Kallakudi 

Formation, (Dalmiapuram), Cauvery Basin have been analysed 

for their palaeoecological significance. Eight species of 

calcareous algae – Parachaetetes asvapatii, Sporolithon sp., 

Lithothamnion sp., 

Lithophyllum sp., 

Pseudoamphiroa propria, 

Neomeris cretaceae, 

Salpingoporella verticelata 

and Agardioliopsis 

cretaceae are recorded. 

Among these P. propria and 

S. verticelata are first records 

from the Indian lithological 

succession. Distribution of 

these forms under lagoonal 

to reefoidal environments 

have been traced. The 

reported assemblage 

represents admixture of 

updwelling and nonupdwelling 

marine seasonal 

floras of Albian times in the Cauvery Basin. 

Sporolithon sp 

A. Rajanikanth [& P.K. Mishra, S. Kishore & S.K. Singh 

(Botany Dept., Lucknow University) 

& A.K. Jauhri (Geology Dept., Lucknow University)] 

30



Prepared a paper on the intertrappean plant and animal 

remains in the Deccan basalts of Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. 

The reported biota represent palm woods and leaves remains 

(Palmoxylon, Amesoneuron), fungal spores, pteridophytic 

spores and tissues of algal and higher plants, in addition to 

moisture loving molluscs (Physa prinsipii) and 

microvertebrates. 

J.S. Guleria & Rashmi Srivastava [& K.S. Mishra 

(GSI, Hyderabad)] 

Palynological studies on shale and lignite samples from 

Matasukh and Kashnau, Nagaur, Rajasthan were initiated. 

Lignite samples yielded a rich and diversified assemblage, 

dominated by angiosperm pollen. The assemblage is 

characterized by high frequency of pollen belonging to the 

family Miliaceae. The recovered palynoflora resembles closely 

with those recorded from Late Palaeocene and Early Eocene 

sequences of Barmer and Bikaner basins of western Rajasthan 

and Matanomadh Formation of Kutch. Based on the present 

assemblage the studied sequence of Marh Formation is dated 

as Late Palaeocene in age. Most of the modern counterparts of 

the palynofossils are tropical to subtropical in present day 

distribution. 

S.K.M. Tripathi [& S.C. Mathur (J.N.V. University, 

Jodhpur)] 

(Combretaceae) and Anisoptera, Dipterocarpus, 

Dryobalanops, Shorea (Dipterocarpaceae), Cynometra 

(Fabaceae), and Croton/ Mallotus (Euphorbiaceae). Fungal 

infection is also observed in two wood samples. Further work 

is in progress. 


[& Noriko Kagemori & Kazuo Terada (Japan) & 

Yance Mandang & Sapri Hadiwisastra (Indonesia)] 

Search for hominid fossils and lithics in the Siwaliks 

and Narmada Valley of India— Collected 37 samples (7 from 

Dhansi, 26 from Surajkund, 5 from Baneta formations) from cliff 

sections of Hathnora and adjoining areas. Radio carbon dating 

was done for the sample (SF-16) of Surajkund Formation (date 

is 24280 ±390 yrs BP) and another sample (BF-3&4) of Baneta 

Formation (9701 yrs BP) at the BSIP. On the basis of pollen/ 

spores recovered in all the samples it could be inferred that 

during 24000 to 20000 yrs BP, the area might have covered with 

open vegetation constituted of grasses, Chenopodiaceae/ 

Amaranathaceae and Asteraceae along with sparsely 

distributed trees (Symplocos and Holoptelea). The overall 

vegetation assemblage is suggestive for the prevalence of cool 

and dry climate regime during the period of sediment 

accumulation. The record of marshy elements, such as sedges 

(Cyperaceae) and Polygonum together with the aquatic 

elements Potamogeton and Typha and algal remains (Spirogyra 

Finalized a paper on the plant 

megafossils from Siwalik sediments of 

Suraikhola. Comparison of morphological 

features between the fossils and extant 

taxa reveals that they are comparable to 31 

species belonging to 18 angiospermous 

and one pteridophytic families. Of these 

22 species are new to the Tertiary flora of 

Indian subcontinents. The analysis of 

floral assemblage of different horizons of 

Suraikhola sequence indicates that the 

Lower Siwalik Formation (Bankas and 

Chorkhola) have evergreen to semievergreen 

elements. An increase of 

deciduous elements in the composition is 

noticed towards towards the close of 

Middle Siwalik and the beginning of Upper 

Siwalik formations. This change in the 

vegetation pattern of different formations 

reflects the change in climatic condition 

through the ages during Mio-Pliocene 

times. 

Mahesh Prasad [& S.M. 

Pandey (M.L.K.College, Balrampur)] 

Palaeobotanical study on the fossil woods from Java 

Island, Indonesia— From the collected fossils from different 

localities, viz,. Cidokom, Genteng, Gobang, Pasirketug, Sepang 

Sindey Tegal and Tenjo, about 50% woods belong to 

Dipterocarpaceae. Few woods are identified as Dellinea 

(Delliniaceae), Polyalthia (Annonaceae), Terminalia 

Preliminary Quaternary Palaeoclimatic inferences from Narmada Valley, Madhya Pradesh 

and Zygnema) denotes the existence of water bodies/ponds/ 

lakes in the close proximity of the site of investigation. This 

vegetation scenario and corresponding climatic event is 

equivalent to the Last Glacial Maximum episode, which has 

been globally witnessed between 18000 to 22000 yrs BP. 

M.R. Rao [& Rajeev Patnaik (Panjab Univ., 

Chandigarh)] 

31




The palynological investigation of the Siwalik 

sediments exposed at west of Tapt Kund near Rehar on Lamahi- 

Nepalganj road in Kapilwastu district (Nepal) yielded a total of 

28 genera and 39 species, an assemblage dominated by fungal 

spores and conidia followed by gymnospermous, pteridophytic 

and angiospermous elements. Occurrence of a low rainforest 

type of vegetation is suggested during the sedimentation of 

Siwalik rocks. A brief comparison with known Siwalik palynoflora 

from various parts of India and Nepal allows us to suggest that 

the age of the palynoflora is Late Miocene. The palynoflora 

indicates a subtropical humid climate due to the dominant 

occurrence of fungal spores and conidia. Continued finalization 

of work on the Palynostratigraphical study of the Siwalik 

sediments of ArjunKhola and its adjoining areas of Central 

Nepal. 

Samir Sarkar (& G. Corvinus (Nepal Research Center, 

Kathmandu, Nepal)] 

Carried out palynological investigation of the Subathu 

Formation exposed at Rajpura in the Punch district of J&K. The 

recorded palynofloral assemblage consists of dinocysts, spores, 

pollen, fungal and algal remains. Quantitatively, dinoflagellate 

cysts are the major constituents of the assemblage. Some of 

the dominant taxa are— Homotryblium, Glaphyrocysta, 

Cordosphaeridium and Operculodinium. The palynofossils 

are suggestive of Early Eocene age. Fossil insects were also 

recorded for the first time from the Subathu Formation along 

with these palynofossils. Critical morphotaxonomic analysis 

was also carried out on the genus Leiosphaeridium recovered 

from the Subathu sediments exposed near Muthal, Udhampur 

district. 

Samir Sarkar [& G.M. Bhatt (Jammu University, Jammu)] 

Carried out chemical processing of 246 samples (depth 4285- 

90–10-20 m) of Janauri Well–2 in connection with project 

Palynostratigraphy and source rocks potential studies of 

Siwalik and Subathu sediments of Himachal Pradesh and 

their correlation with subsurface Tertiary sequence of Punjab 

Plains. 54 samples are proved to be palynologicaly productive. 

However, the samples are extremely poor in palynofossils. 

Samples from depth levels: 3375-80 m, 3540-45 m, 3625-30 m, 

3705-10 m, 3725-30 m and 3730-35 m are comparatively rich in 

palynofossils. 

The palynofossils recovered consists of pteridophytic 

spores, gymnospermous and angiospermic pollen grains and 

algal colonies. Fungal spores and sclerotia have also been 

recovered at several levels.The pteridophytic spores are 

referable to Parkeriaceae (Striatriletes), Cyathiaceae 

(Cyathidites), Polypodiaceae (Polypodiisporites, 

Polypodiaceaesporites), Lycopodiaceae (Lycopodiumsporites). 

Among pteridophytic spores Striatriletes constitutes 

the most predominant taxon. The gymnospermous pollen are 

referable to Pinaceae (Pinuspollenites , Abiespollenites, 

Laricoidites). The angiospermous pollengrains are referable 

to both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous taxa. The 

monocotyledonous pollen are referable to Palmae 

(Palmaepollenites) and Gramineae (Monoporopollenites). 

Dicotyledonous members are Mimosaceae (Polyadopollenites), 

Malvaceae (Malvacearumpollis) and Nymphaeceae. Fresh 

water alga represented by Pediastrum has been found. 

Samir Sarkar [& ONGC (Dehradun)] 

Studied two vibracores from southern flank (Core I - 

2.9 m) and north-western flank (Core II - 2 m) of Iskapalli lagoon 

for vertical lithological variations in relation to depositional 

environments and mangrove vegetation influenced by the past 

coastal dynamics, the northern part of the wave dominated 

Penner delta (Andhra Pradesh). Palynological results show 

evidence of mangroves in the middle of Late Holocene (2090 

yrs BP) that later declined. A gradual north-western shift of the 

estuary and mangroves is manifest in the sedimentary sequence 

of younger age (1640 yrs BP). 

Studied 19 surface soil samples from Godavari delta 

and one Off Shore core samples dated 4600 yrs BP. The surface 

samples studied belong to subtidal (sublittoral) to least intertidal 

(littoral) coastal zone. Since this zone is periodically submergent 

and/or an emergent environment was stressful for organisms. 

However was bioloially populous because of the availability of 

abundant nutrients. Samples represent important subenvironment 

of the delta during seasonal hydroperiods that 

indicate variable influence of brackish water-fresh water revealed 

by the consistency of palynomorphs. The gravity core soil 

samples (Off Godavari: SK-23, 3.5 m), deposited since 4600 +/- 

240 yrs BP, indicate 4 successive cycles of relative sea level 

highstand system tract (HST). The percentage of marine 

palynomorphs, abundant Copepod egg shells, fragments of 

Scolecodonts, linings of Foraminfera. Fresh water-brackish 

water forms and terrestrial clastic forms recorded in succession 

since middle Holocene indicate two intermittent cycles of relative 

HST and LST tract until ~2300 yrs BP. Later, a longer period of 

LST was recorded punctuated by a brief period of abundant 

Botryococcus colony and other fresh water algal forms 

sometime around 1650 +/- 100 yrs BP. A period since last 

millennium shows HST with its peak coinciding with the 

Medieval Warm Period and then reducing gradually. 

Anjum Farooqui [& T.Y. Naidu & Rajashekhar Reddy (DSI, 

Visakhapatnam)] 

Studied 3 core samples (62 samples) from Bet Dwarka 

Island dated Middle and Late Holocene, which showed cyclicity 

in climate and sea level changes during Holocene. Two cycles 

of relative sea level rise were recorded with the help of 

palynology— i) ~ 4000 yrs BP, and ii) ~1800 yrs BP (i.e. 2 nd 

century AD). Low percentage of mangroves suggests sparse 

population in the island or its far distance from the depositional 

site. The fall of 2 nd century human habitation (evident by 

Kushana coins found here) could be due to intermittent rise 

and fall of sea level creating deltaic instability. 

Anjum Farooqui [& A.S. Gaur & K.H. Vora (NIO, 

Goa)] 

International project- Holocene evolution of Chilka 

Lake, anthropogenic impact and pollution problems: 

Accomplished the pollen analysis of deepest core CHI 9 

32



(7.80 m) from Chilka Lake, dated back to 11,245 ±180 yrs. BP. 

The statistical analysis of data and eco-based arrangement of 

plants, such as core and peripheral mangroves, mid land, upland 

taxa, drifted and re-worked taxa have been done. Prepared the 

pollen diagram exhibiting relative values of different 

palynomorphs recovered from the profile. The palynological 

results of several other investigated Mid-Late Holocene profiles 

(Balugaon, Rambha, Nalabana, Dangmal, Bhowania) could be 

correlated with the upper portion of CHI 9. The synergistic 

approach of geochemical studies (carried out by one of the 

collaborators, Prof. D.W. Zachmann) with palynology in CHI 9 

profile would help in understanding the problem of degeneration 

of mangroves related with eutrophication and chemical pollution 

in the water of Chilka. Eight samples from another core (CHI 

51) have been chemically processed, which were also collected 

by Dr. Scharf and Prof. M. Mohanti from the lake. 

Asha Khandelwal [& Burkhard Scharf 

(UFZ Centre for Environment Research, Germany)] 

Accomplished pollen analysis a 2.8 m deep trench 

profile from Lahuradewa Lake, Sant Kabir Nagar District (UP). 

The study has shown that around 9500-8700 yrs BP, open 

vegetation mainly comprised of grasses, sedges, Artemisia, 

Cheno/Am. with scanty trees, viz,. Holoptelea, Aegle marmelos 

and Terminalia occurred in the region under cool and dry 

climate. Between 8700-5700 yrs BP, a few more trees, such as 

Bombax, Emblica officinalis and Lagerstroemia invaded the 

open vegetation in response to amelioration of climate. The 

retrieval of cerealia and other culture pollen implies the inception 

of agricultural practice in the region. Around 5700-2600 yrs BP, 

the considerable enhancement of Bombax together with 

Holoptelea, Terminalia, Madhuca indica, etc. envisages the 

establishment of groves of forests with the onset of humid 

climatic condition. Between 2600-1400 yrs BP, the climate turned 

more humid as well indicated by the enrichment of the groves 

of forests in floristic diversity. Since 1400 yrs BP onwards the 

groves of forests became sparse owing to change of climate 

from humid to relatively less humid. 

M.S. Chauhan & A.K. Pokharia [& R. Tiwari (U.P. State 

Archaeology) & I.B. Singh (Lucnow University)] 

Carried out pollen analysis of 10 samples from three 

sediment cores from the ancient water reservoirs comprising 4 

from Devrajpur (1.12-3.08 m depth) and 3 each from Nagauri 

(0.23-1.38 m) and Karondih (0.21-1.72 m) located adjacent to 

archaeological sites in Vidisha district (Madhya Pradesh), dating 

back to 2 nd century BC. The pollen assemblage has portrayed 

the presence of open vegetation constituted of grasses, Cheno/ 

Am., Asteraceae, together with scattered trees of Madhuca 

indica, Lagerstroemia, Terminalia, Barringtonia, Syzygium, 

etc. during the course of sediment deposition. The meagre 

presence of trees could be attributed to the exploitation of the 

forests by the ancient settlers, in order to fulfill their various 

requirements. All the areas were under intense agricultural 

practice as evidenced from the recovery of cerealia and other 

culture pollen taxa. The frequent presence of pollen of aquatic 

plants, viz,. Potamogeton, Lemna, Typha, etc. and fresh-water 

algae denotes that the water reservoirs were quite large in 

expanse. 

M.S. Chauhan [& Julia Shaw (Oxford, England)] 

Palynological analysis made from 125-meter deep 

profile from Lamayuru palaeolake, Ladakh, Trans-Himalayan 

Region provides a broad idea of temporal succession of 

vegetation vis-à-vis climatic changes during last glacial period. 

This profile covers major part of the last glacial period since the 

base of it has been assigned to a 14 C date around 35 ky BP. 

The study shows that migration of trees or scrubby taxa within 

steppe took place around 35 ky and later period when climate 

was comparatively less arid than before and its further increase 

around 22 ky BP might have happened under much favaourable 

climatic conditions. Subsequently climate had turned to be 

cooler and drier with the expansion of steppe taxa. Pollen grains 

of conifers recored in this region might be of extra local origin 

as these are also recorded in the modern pollen spectra of the 

region far away from their sources at the lower sub-alpine and 

temperate forest. 

A. Bhattacharyya [& B.S. Kotlia (Nainital)] 

Pollen analysed from several subsurface sediments of 

exposed lacustrine sediment section from Polour, Iran. The study 

provides a broad idea of temporal succession of vegetation 

vis-a-vis climatic changes during middle part of the last glacial 

period. It has been recorded that climate was comparatively 

moist (less arid) around 33-35000 year BP when there was 

development of open forest within the prevailing steppe 

vegetation under semi arid environment during major time span 

of last glacial period. 

A. Bhattacharyya [& Habib Alimmhammadian & Ashok 

Sahni (Chandigarh)] 

Investigated micromorphological features of five seeds 

of the genus Rhododendron of Ericaceae collected from Sikkim 

Himalaya. R. campylocarpum shows regular ridges and grooves 

on the outer walls with densely arranged pits, R. ciliatum has 

pits arranged at intervals, R. dalhousiae has slit like pits, R. 

glaucophylum has densely arranged pits like R. campylocarpum 

but smaller in size, and R. griffithianum shows longitudinally 

arranged small pits. The data is important for taxonomy within 

the genus Rhododendron. 

Usha Bajpai [& Sandeep Kumar (G.B. Pant Institute, 

Gangtok)] 

SEM study of the cuticle membrane has shown distinct 

variation in species of the genus Citrus belonging to the family 

Rutaceae. The shape of the cells varies from irregular, polygonal 

to pentagonal with undulated or smooth anticlinal walls, group 

of thick walled cells present, which varies in number in some 

species. Trichomas are present only on the lower surface or on 

the margins. 

Usha Bajpai [& C.L. Verma (Lucknow University)] 

33




Analysis of pollen, C/N ratios and ä 13 C OM 

from a 1.2 m 

sediment profile collected from a palaeolake deposit from Sangla, 

Kinnaur (HP) provides climatic history over the last 9800 yrs of 

this region. The C/N ratios until 4000 cal yr BP indicate that the 

organic matters were predominantly from the aquatic 

production. This is also supported by the pollen data when 

climate aws warm-moist. Subsequently, the lake level started to 

fall due to decrease in summer monsoon rainfall. This decrease 

in lake level has been manifested in the carbon isotopic ratio of 

the OM that showed a +2%o change. This is the time when 

d 13 C OM 

attained a value of –23%o, being the maximum for the 

available record. Subsequently the lake underwent a few dry 

and humid phases until about 1000 cal yr BP and got completely 

desiccated around 800 cal yr BP due the emergence of dry 

phase. This is also reflected in pollen data when there is sudden 

increase of pine pollen along with Chenopodiaceae. 

S. Chakraborty & A. Bhattacharyya [& S.K. 

Bhattacharya (PRL, Ahmedabad)] 

Carried out pollen analysis of 10 samples from 

sedimentary core of Sambhar Lake, Jaipur. It has revealed the 

dominance of non-arboreal over arboreal depicting scrub type 

of vegetation. Exotic taxa such as Pinus, Alnus have also been 

encountered. Further studies are in progress. 

Chhaya Sharma [& Rajiv Sinha (IIT, Kanpur)] 

Completed pollen analysis of a 1.4 m deep profile from 

Bakhira Tal, Kabirnagar. Preliminary investigations have 

revealed that this lake is palynologically productive. Detailed 

palynological investigations can be undertaken from this lake 

collecting deeper profile from a suitable site. 

Chhaya Sharma [& P.N. Shah (NRSA, Lucknow)] 

Finalized the paper entitled “Soil erosion of a durable 

Agrosystem during the last two millennia on the Central Ganga 

Plain” on Misa Tal profile. Pollen records have revealed that 

this region experienced low rainfall and occupancy of agriculture 

as deduced from the sparse pollen of trees, aquatics and culture 

taxa during 2000 to 1850 yrs BP. Between 1850 and 300 yrs BP, 

the improvement in trees, aquatics and culture pollen taxa 

reflects the increase in rainfall and agricultural practices. Since 

300 yrs BP onwards, the reduction in rainfall and agricultural 

prosperity is inferred by pollen evidence. 

Chhaya Sharma & M.S. Chauhan [& I.B. Singh (Lucknow), 

R. Wasson (Canberra, Australia) & A.K. Singhvi (PRL, 

Ahmedabad)] 

Finalized a paper entitled “Correlative evidences of 

monsoon variability, vegetation and Human inhabitation in 

Sanai Lake deposits; Ganga Plains, India”. The pollen, isotope 

and geochemical studies from the site has depicted dry climatic 

conditions in the central Ganga Plain during 15000 to 13000 yrs 

BP. Enhanced humidity around 13000 to 5800 yrs BP led to 

submergence of marshes and establishment of a large lake as 

indicated by the increase in warmth-loving aquatic plants and 

lower O 18 values. This is followed by and arid event during 5000 

to 2000 yrs BP and from 1700 yrs BP, there is evidence of climatic 

amelioration. 

Chhaya Sharma & M.S. Chauhan [& S. Sharma (Germany) 

& I.B. Singh (Lucknow)] 

Completed pollen analyses of all the 23 lichen/moss 

cushions from Antarctica and found only 8 samples 

palynologically productive. The recovered taxa are Larix, Ulmus, 

Alnus, Palmae, Oldenlandia, Poaceae, Cheno/Ams., 

Cyperaceae, Brassicaceae etc. Lower group is represented by 

recovered spores of fern, moss (in abundance), fungal spores, 

etc. Besides, a good number of fruiting bodies and cysts have 

also been recovered. Finalisation of the work is in progress. 

Chhaya Sharma & Shantanu Chatterjee [& D.K. 

Upreti (NBRI, Lucknow)] 

34



Sponsored Projects 

Project— Analysis of Climatic changes and glacial 

fluctuations using pollen and tree-ring data, in 

Gangotri Glacial area, Garhwal Himalayas. 

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

97) 

Climate changes during Holocene around the Gangotri 

glaciers have been made based on pollen supplemented 

with the magnetic susceptibility and ä 13 C data from 

subsurface sediments and tree ring data. The study reveals 

that around 9000 yrs BP climate was warm-moist which was 

changed to comparatively drier climatic conditions around 8300- 

7600 yrs BP. Around 7600-6000 yrs BP, the climate reverted to 

warm-moist. Subsequently after 6000 yrs BP to around 3000 yrs 

BP climate again became drier. Around 2000 yrs BP, climatic 

condition became cooler and moister and further amelioration 

took place around 1700 yrs BP. Around 1000-850 yrs BP the 

sharp increase of steppe elements reflect a trend towards drier 

climatic conditions. During recent times, climate again reverted 

to warmer conditions reflected by the increase of Betula, Pinus 

and other trees. The most salient feature recorded in the study 

is the sharp rise in magnetic parameter and also the increase of 

ä 13 C values around 5000-4000 yrs BP suggesting drier climate. 

Palynological data also support this. Besides, based on tree 

ring data of Deodar (Cedrus deodara), Blue Pine (Pinus 

wallichiana) and Birch (Betula utilis) climatic changes and 

glacier fluctuations during last several decades around 

Gangotri glacier have also been studied. It could be 

hypothesized that the fast retreat of glacier might be cumulative 

effect of several climatic parameters, which enhance tree growth, 

i.e. increased precipitation of March-April and June associated 

with increased winter temperatures and low snowfall. The 

detailed report has been submitted to DST. 

A. Bhattacharyya & P.S. Ranhotra (till March 2004) 

[& I.B. Singh (Lucknow) & N. Basvaiah (Mumbai)] 

Project— Cretaceous megafloral and coprolitic-derived plant 

assemblage from the Deccan Trap associated 

sedimentary sequences in the Dongargaon, 

Pisdura area Maharashtra. (Sponsored by DST, 

New Delhi, No. ESS/23/VES/114/2000 dated July 

05,2001) 

Based on the palynomorphs and plant tissue 

fragments recovered from large sized coprolites, interpreted 

the results related to the potential sources of food exploited by 

dinosaurs and evolutionary events, besides palaeoecology, 

during Upper Cretaceous time. A large number of plant 

fragments (woody tissues, algal remains, cuticles, flowers, seeds 

and pollen-spores) were recovered from the coprolites, 

suggesting herbivorous nature of the animals. Discovery of 

seed-like structure belonging to Arecaceae from dinosaurian 

coprolites of Pisdura suggests that they also consumed the 

palm trees. Discovery of fossil wood-rotters (Lithoporales 

zeerabadansis) woody perennial fungi from Dhar district (MP) 

and fossil fungi (Colletrotrichum, Phragmothyrites, 

Notothyrites) from the coprolites pointed out that the dinosaurs 

lived in tropical-sub-tropical climate. Presence of 

dicotyledonous woods belonging to Lecythidaceae and 

Sapindaceae from Lameta Formation signifies the evolution of 

angiosperms during Maastrichtian time. Occurrence of grass 

seeds (Cyperaceae) in the Deccan Intertrappean sediments 

indicates origin and development of grasslands during Upper 

Cretaceous. The detailed report has been submitted to DST. 

K. Ambwani, Rashmi Srivastava & Debi Dutta (till February 

2005) [& R.K. Kar] 

Project— Tree-line dynamics in highland Himalayas, Himachal 

Pradesh (Sponsored by DST, New Delhi, No. 65/ 

SERC/99 dated 15/3/99) 

Colonization patterns of Pinus wallichina, Abies 

spectabilis, Juniperous macropoda and Betula utilis at various 

sites in western Himalaya show that species have migrated to 

upper elevations during the past century. However, the rate of 

migration has varied with species and site. Pinus wallichina 

has been found to be highly sensitive. Tree growth and climate 

relationships in Himalayan pine show that October-December 

temperature conditions are directly related with ring widths. 

The high temperatures during June show that the temperature 

may not be the limiting factor for the growth of the trees unlike 

at northern high-latitude treeline sites where summer 

temperature is crucial for tree growth. The relationship between 

tree growth and temperature in Abies spectabilis is found to be 

poor. The Juniperous macropoda has been found to be highly 

sensitive to site conditions. Temperature conditions during the 

months prior to the growing season are directly related with 

growth. The detailed report has been submitted to DST. 

R.R. Yadav & Bhasha Dubey (till September 2004) 

Project— Palynological, biopetrological and dispersed 

organic matter (DOM) study of Deccan 

Intertrappean sediments with reference to 

Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) transition. 

(Sponsored by DST No. SR/FTP/ES-51/2000) 

Continued palynological studies on the Deccan 

Intertrappean sediments of Anjar (Gujarat) and Padwar (MP), 

and recorded a diverse palynoassemblage comprising of 

megaspores and dispersed spore-pollen of pteridophytes, 

gymnosperms and angiosperms from both the localities. The 

characteristic palynofossils are Azolla cretacea, 

Ariadnaesporites ariadnae, Gabonisporites vigourouxii, 

Aquillapollenites bengalensis, Achrostichumsporites 

35




meghalayensis, Lycopodiumsporites sp., Todisporites major, 

Contignisporites sp., Costatheca diskoensis, Spermatites 

ellipticus, etc. On the basis of these species, a Maastrichtian 

age has been assigned for the sediments. 

A number of epiphyllus and mycorrhizal fungi have 

been recovered from the dinosaurian coprolites (Group A type 

Coprolite of Matley, from Pisdura area, Maharashtra). The 

common forms recorded are Colletotrichum cf. capsici, 

Erysiphe sp., Uncinula sp., Phragmothyrites eocaenica and 

Glomus sp. The occurrence of these fungal elements reflects 

the food habit and environment of the dinosaurs. It is inferred 

that the dinosaurs might have lived in tropical-subtropical 

conditions. Also undertook field excursion and collected 

samples from the Deccan Intertrappean localities at Shahpura, 

Padwar and Dindori. 

Ratan Kar 

Project— Long-term climate change in the western Himalaya 

using high-resolution tree-ring data (Sponsored 

by DST, New Delhi, No. ES/48/ICRP/005/2001 

dated March 23, 2002) 

Tree-ring samples of Cedrus deodara and Juniperus 

macropoda from Lahul and Spiti District, Himachal Pradesh 

were collected during field trip in May-June. The samples were 

processed for crossdating of growth ring sequences. Ring 

widths of 45 dated deodar samples were measures and analysed 

for the preparation of tree-ring chronology. 

R.R. Yadav, Jayendra Singh (till 25.08.2004), 

Rajesh Chaturvedi (till 25.06.2004) & K.G. Mishra (since 

November 2004) 

Project— 

Analysis of climate changes in north-east India 

during last several thousand years using pollen 

and tree-ring data. (Sponsored by DST, New 

Delhi, No. SR/S4/ES-15/2002) 

Preparation of floating chronology based on analyses 

of the sub fossil wood collected from Arunachal Pradesh is in 

progress. Tree-ring chronology of Tsuga dumosa (D.Don) 

Eichler extending from A.D.1421 to 2000. (580 years) from Talley 

Valley, Lower Subansiri District have been made for tree growth 

/climate analyses. Tree-ring samples of Cedrela toona Roxb. a 

fast growing deciduous tree collected from Lava forest of 

Kalimpong subdivision, Darjeeling Himalaya have been 

analyzed to understand its dendroclimatic potentiality. A 180- 

year (AD 1824-2003) ring-width chronology of this tree has 

been made. Analyses of tree growth climate relationship suggest 

that precipitation during April and May have direct relationship, 

whereas August, September and October have negative role 

on the growth of this tree. With temperature, April and August 

have positive role but it exhibit negative role with February and 

March. Climatic signal exhibited by Signal-noise ratio has been 

found to be low, in future collecting larger number of tree-ring 

samples of this taxa from adjoining localities of the region may 

enhance the climatic signal which is necessary for the 

reconstruction of climate 

Pollen, Magnetic susceptibility and δ 13 C studies from 

Arunachal Pradesh are in progress. 

A. Bhattacharyya & S.K. Shah [& I.B. Singh (Lucknow) & 

N. Basvaiah (Mumbai)] 

Project— Reconstruction of Late Quaternary environments 

in Saurashtra and Mainland Gujarat: A study 

based on palynofacies analysis (Sponsored by 

DST, New Delhi, No. SR/S4/ES-49/2003) 

Collected estuarine sediments from coastal areas of 

Saurashtra and Mainland Gujarat. Carried out a multidisciplinary 

study— phytolith, palynofacies, magnetic susceptibility (in 

collaboration) and clay mineralogy (in collaboration) on 2.5 m 

profile of Late Holocene estuarine sediments of Mahi estuary, 

Kothiakad locality of Mainland Gujarat for the reconstruction 

of paleoclimate. The study reveals the presence of 3 climatic 

fluctuations described here as Phase I, II and III. Phase I (3660- 

~3400 yrs BP) shows a gradual weakening of SW monsoonal 

activity overlapped by enhanced winter disturbances that lead 

to the development of cool climatic conditions. These 

conditions terminated at the beginning of Phase II (~3400-~3000 

yrs BP) with a brief intense warm and humid pulse at 3320 yrs 

BP due to increased SW monsoonal activity. In Phase III (~3000- 

2850 yrs BP) SW precipitation fluctuated greatly with 

considerable increase in warm summer conditions, somewhat 

similar to the present day climatic scenario in this region. The 

weak SW monsoonal activity around ~3500 yrs BP also 

coincides with the global cool and arid phase. The study also 

discusses the possible link between rise and fall of Harappan 

phase of Indus civilization and the monsoonal variability during 

Late mid Holocene in this region. 

Several dinocyst rich horizons along with rich 

terrestrial debris have been identified from the Quaternary 

sediments near Harshad creek, Saurashtra and estuarine zone 

near Hansot, Mainland Gujarat. 

Vandana Prasad, Mani Sharma (till 17.01.2005) & Vartika 

Singh (since 14.02.2005) 

Project— Environment of deposition and biostratigraphy of 

Early Tertiary lignites of Rajasthan and 

adjoining areas (Sponsored by DST, New Delhi, 

No. SR/S4/ES-75/2003.) 

A field trip to Vastan, Surat was undertaken and rock 

samples were collected for palynological studies. Also jointly 

undertook a field trip to Barmer and Jaiselmer for collection of 

samples. Chemical processing of rock samples from Vastan 

lignite mines was initiated. 

S.K.M Tripathi & Divya Srivastava (since 12.01.2005) 

36



Recognition 

Rahul Garg 

Invited as Subject Expert for Earth Sciences and 

Glaciology for selection of projects for the XXIII and XXIV 

Antarctica Expedition by NCAOR, Goa. 

G.S. Guleria 

Chaired a Technical Session at the International 

Conference on Modern Trends in Plant Sciences with Special 

Reference to Role of Biodiversity in Conservation held at 

Amravati (MS) in February 2005. 


Elected Fellow of the Indian Aerobiological Society. 

Chaired a Technical Session of the 13 th National 

Conference on Aerobiology held at Institute of Sciences, 

Nagpur in January-February 2005. 

Binita Phartiyal 

Awarded “Dr. Chunnilal Kathiyal Medal - 2004” for 

the best piece of research work done in the Institute (Scientist 

- A category). 

M.R. Rao 

Invited as Resource Person for the National 

Workshop on Sequence Stratigraphy organized by the 

Department of Geology, Bangalore University, Bangalore during 

November 4-6, 2004. 

Rakesh Saxena 

Chaired Session IV- Key Note Lecture on ‘Marine 

sediment based Climatic Variability during Holocene’ delivered 

by Dr. Rajiv Nigam at National Seminar on Geoscience and 

Environment held at Chennai in January 2005. 

Dr G. P. Srivastava, Scientist ‘E’, retired on 30.09.2004 along with his colleagues 

37




Representation in Committees/Boards 

Ram Awatar 

- Councilor, Executive Council, The Palaeobotanical 

Society 

Rupendra Babu 

- Corresponding Member, International Working Group- 

IGCP Project-493. 

S. C. Bajpai 

- Member, UP State Committee for Year of Scientific 

Awareness-2004. 

Usha Bajpai 

- Member, Executive Committee, Electron Microscope 

Society of India. 

- Member, Managing Council, Indian Association of 

Palynostratigraphers. 

- Member, Technical Advisory Committee of U.P. 

Environmental Concern. 

Jayasri Banerji 

- Vice President, The Palaeobotanical Society 

- Chief Editor, The Palaeobotanist. 


- Executive Member, International Society of 

Environmental Botanist 

Rahul Garg 

- Member, Executive Committee, The Palaeontological 


- Member, Editorial Board, Journal of the 

Palaeontological Society of India. 

- Editor, Geophytology. 

A.K. Ghosh 

- Elected Member, Managing Committee, Boys’ Anglo 

Bengali Inter College 

- Judge, District level Children Science Congress–2004, 

- Judge, State level Children Science Congress–2004, 

Asha Gupta 

- Member, Board of Editors, Flora and Fauna. 

- Member, Executive Committee, International Council 

for Biodeterioration of Cultural Property. 

- Member, Executive Committee, Society for Plant 

Research. 


- Member, Editorial Board, Indian Journal of 

Aerobiology. 

- Member, International Association of Aerobiology 

B.K. Misra 

- Member, Bureau of Indian Standards, Solid Mineral Fuel 

Sectional Committee–PCD-7. 

- Joint Secretary, Indian Society of Geoscientists. 

C.M. Nautiyal 

- Joint Convenor, Academic Committee, NCSC-2004. 

- General Secretary, State Coordination Committee, NCSC- 

2004. 

- Member, UP State Committee for Year of Scientific 

Awareness-2004. 

Neeru Prakash 

- Judge, 12 th State Level National Children Science 

Congress-2004 

Jyotsana Rai 

- Members, Jury, 12 th State Level Children’s Science 

Congress 

- Member, Jury, 12 th State Level Children’s Science 

Congress 


- Assistant Editor, The Palaeobotanist. 

- Editor, BSIP Newsletter. 

- Member, National Working Group IGCP Project- 435. 

- Member, International Working Group IGCP Project- 

506. 

- Member, Research Board of Advisors, ABI, NC. 

Rakesh Saxena 

- Member, Panel Discussion on Post Tsunami 

Rehabilitation Scenario, Chennai 

R.K. Saxena 

- Secretary, The Palaeobotanical Society 

- Member, Editorial Board, Geophytology. 

- Secretary and Member, Editorial Board, 

Indian Society of Geoscientists. 

Mukund Sharma 

- Assistant Editor, Palaeobotanist 

- Joint Secretary, The Palaeobotanical Society of India, . 

Corresponding Member, International Working Group- 

IGCP Project-493. 

- Editor, BSIP Newsletter. 

Manoj Shukla 

- Treasurer, The Palaeobotanical Society 

- Member, Executive Council, The Palaeontological 


38



- Member, International and National Working Group- 

IGCP Project– 493, The Rise and Fall of the Vendian 

Biota. 

- Judge, State Level Children’s Science Congress-2004. 

B.D. Singh 

-Associate Member, International Committee for Coal 

and Organic Petrology (ICCP). 

Y.P. Singh 

- Panel Judge, Web Wizard Event of Macfair- 2004). 


- Chief Editor, The Palaeobotanical Society 

- Member, Editorial Board and Treasurer, Indian Society of 

Geoscientists. 

- Member, National Organizing Committee, International 

Conference on Modern Trends in Plant Sciences with 

Special Reference to the Role of Biodiversity in 

Conservation 

Chanchala Srivastava 

- Member, Organizing Committee, Joint Annual 

Conference-2004: Indian Archaeological Society, 

Indian Society for pre-Historic & Quaternary Sciences, 

Indian History and cultural Society. 

Archana Tripathi 

- Member, Acritarch Subcommission, Commission 

Internationale de Microflora du Palaeozoique. 

- Member, Spore Pollen Working Group, CIMP. 

- Member, Subject Expert Committee on Earth and 

Atmospheric Sciences for WOS-A, DST. 

Vijaya 

- Voting Member, International Commission on Triassic 

Stratigraphy. 

- Member, National Working Group IGCP Project- 434. 

R.R. Yadav 

- Editor, Geophytology. 

39




Lectures Delivered 

BSIP Scientists 

S.C. Bajpai 

• Solar Energy: An infinite Source of Energy and Birbal Sahni 

Institute of Palaeobotany: A Pioneer Research Institute devoted 

to Palaeobotany at University College of Science, Mohanlal 

Sukhadia University, Udaipur (January 19, 2005). 

• Energy Efficient Buildings for Composite Climates at Navyug 

Kanya Post Graduate College, Lucknow (February 21, 2005) 

A. Bhattacharyya 

• Prospects of Tree-ring and Pollen Data in Analyzing Fluvial 

Environment in a DST sponsored Training Programme on Fluvial 

System at Dept. of Geology, M.S. University, Baroda 

(November 2004). 

• Dendrochronology and Dendroclimatology and Tree-ring Study 

in India in a DST sponsored SERC School on Crustal 

Deformation and Tectonic Geomorphology Module1: Concepts 

in Quaternary Geology at IIT, Kanpur (March-April 2005). 


• Stable Isotopes Systematic and Radiocarbon Geochronology 

(short courses) at the SERC School on “Concepts in Quaternary 

Geology” sponsored by DST and held at IIT, Kanpur (March 

30-31, 2005). 

A.K. Ghosh 

• Feed back of the 2 nd Foundation Training Programme for 

Scientists and Technologists in the DST sponsored Review/Brain 

Storming Session– DST Training held at New Gurgaon (October 

23, 2004). 

C.M. Nautiyal 

• Hindi mein janruchi vigyan lekhan during Hindi Workshop at 

BSIP (May 20, 2004). 

• Mangal Grah par Manav ki Dastak (Radio talk) on National 

Channel in Vigyan Bharati (May 26, 2004). 

• Venus Transit at Bal Vidya Mandir, Lucknow (June 8, 2004). 

• Science Projects in Review Workshop on NCSC by VICAS/ 

RVPSP (DST) at Allahabad (August 12-13, 2004). 

• Hindi mein vyavhar at Kribhco, Lucknow (September 28, 

2004). 

• Measurement and Quantitative Evaluation of Scientific Attitude 

at National Seminar on Scientific Attitude: Role of Media, 

Rajasthan University, Jaipur (November 29-30, 2004). 

• Science Communication (2 lectures) at PA University, 

Ludhiana (January 13-14, 2005). 

• Physics in Palaeobotany at LBS PG College, Gonda (February 

4, 2005). 

Neerja Jha 

• Pollen and Spores tell the Age of the Rocks at Bal Vidya Mandir 

Senior Secondary School (Charbagh), Lucknow. 


• Pollen allergy at St. John’s College, Agra (September 13, 2004) 

Jyotsana Rai 

• Kyon aate hain Bhukamp at All India Radio, Lucknow. 


• Past Plant Extinctions at Department of Botany, Jammu 

University, Jammu (February 9, 2005). 

• Palaeobotany and Allied Sciences at Lucknow Christian College, 

Lucknow (February 25, 2005). 

• Empowerment through Information and Biotechnologies at 

AIMS Academy, Gonda (March 30, 2005). 

Rakesh Saxena 

• Coal and Oil Energy (Key Speaker) at Kishan Ucchtar 

Madhyamic Vidhyala, Gonda (January 23, 2005) 

• Coal and Lignites (four lectures) at Geology Department, Punjab 

University, Chandigarh (March 2005) 

B. Sekar 

• Isotopic dating techniques and Archaeological Chemistry (a series 

of six lectures) at Institute of Archaeology, New Delhi (July 15- 

16, 2004). 

Mukund Sharma 

• Inter-relationship (Position and Connection) between South China 

Block vis a vis Australia and India in SWEAT Hypothesis: 

Neoproterozoic Biogeography and Organismal Constraints at 

IGCP-440 National Workshop, Thiruvananthapuram (November 

19, 2004). 

Y.P. Singh 

• Computer applications for UGC Sponsored Remedial Coaching 

Program at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow 

(November 11, 2004). 


• Late Palaeozoic Plant Fossil Assemblages from India at National 

Conference on Recent Trends in Botany, Chandrapur 

(December19, 2004) 

G.P. Srivastava 

• Angiosperm taxonomy (series of 12 lectures) to M.Sc. students 

at Department of Botany, Lucknow University, Lucknow (April- 

May 2004) 


• Origin and Evolution of Indian Forest: A Palaeobotanical 

Analysis at Institute of Advanced Studies in Education, 

Department of Education, Lucknow in an orientation programme 

for science school teachers (March 8, 2005). 

40



Lectures by outside scientists 

Professor J.C. Kapur, Programme Director, Indian Institute of 

Public Administration, New Delhi 

• e-Governance: Possibilities and Constraints (August 20, 

2004) 

Shri G.S. Srivastava, Ex-Dy. Director General, Geological 

Survey of India 

• Geoscientific Database Management (National 

Technology Day Lecture; May 11, 2004) 

Prof. Dr. Cheng-Sen Li & Prof. Yu-Fei Wang, Institute of 

Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China 

• Climate, Vegetation and Landscape in China: Present 

and Past Conditions (December 14, 2004) 

Dr. William Wright, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, New 

York, USA 

• Reconstruction of Asian Monsoon Variability from Treerings: 

A new beginning (November 03, 2004) 

Dr. Tomasz Zielonka, Institute of Botany, Krakow, Poland 

• Application of tree-ring studies in understanding the 

Forest Dynamics in Europe (November 19, 2004) 

Professor J.C. Kapur, Programme Director, Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi 

delivering a lecture on e-Governance: Possibilities and Constraints (August 20, 2004) 

41




Deputation/Training/Study/Visit Abroad/in Country 

R.C. Mehrotra 

On invitation from Professor Cheng-Sen Li, visited 

Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing for 

one month during April-May, 2004 for strengthening the 

scientific collaboration with Chinese scientists. 

Jayasri Banerji, G.P. Srivastava, Archana Tripathi & B.D. 

Singh 

On invitation from the Secretary (Science and 

Technology), visited Ranchi during May 25-29, 2004 and 

presented the Institute’s proposal for developing the Birbal 

Sahni Memorial Science Centre (at Sahibganj) and Fossil Park 

(at Mandro) in Rajmahal Hills before Honourable Chief Minister 

of Jharkhand State. 

Akhil Antal 

Attended Computer Karyashala organized by ITRC, 

Lucknow from June 7-11, 2004. 

Asha Gupta 

Visited Sierra Nevada and National Park during 

associated field excursions of XI International Palynological 

Congress, Granada (Spain) held in July 2004. Also visited 

Alhambra’s Museum, Museum of Fine Arts and Generalife 

palace. 

Y.P. Singh 

Attended the Tech-ed Event of Microsoft held at New 

Delhi from August 25-27, 2004. 

Dhirendra Sharma & Avanish Kumar 

Attended Short Term Training in Libsys Software 

organized by Libsys Corporation and held at Gurgaon from 

September 13-23, 2004. 

Rakesh Saxena 

Attended Workshop on Academia– Industry Interface 

Seminar organized by Petrotech Society and held at INSA, 

New Delhi during September 17-19, 2004. 

B.K. Misra, Rakesh Saxena, O.S. Sarate, B.D. Singh & Anupam 

Sharma 

Participated in the Seminar on Advances in FTIR 

Instrumentation and its Applications organized by Micro 

Device Metrohm Limited at Hotel Taj Residency, Lucknow on 

September 22, 2004. 

A.K. Ghosh 

Attended 2 nd Foundation Training Programme for 

Scientists and Technologists held at Indian Institute of Public 

Administration, New Delhi, sponsored by DST during July 5- 

September 24, 2004. Also participated in Review/Brain Storming 

Session–DST Training organised by IIPA New Delhi and held 

at Heritage Village, Manesar, New Gurgaon during October 23- 

24, 2004. 

A. Bhattacharyya, Anupam Sharma & Vandana Prasad 

Participated in DST sponsored Training Programme 

on Fluvial Systems held at Department of Geology, MS 

University, Baroda from November 16-25, 2004. As a resource 

person, Bhattacharyya provided Field Training to the 

participants regarding sample collection of pollen and tree-ring. 

Manoj Shukla & J.S. Guleria 

Attended 1 st NIAS–DST Course for Senior Scientists– 

Administrators on Multidisciplinary Perspective in Science and 

Technology held at National Institute of Advanced Studies, 

Bangalore during November 15–27, 2004. 

P.S. Katiyar & Y.P. Singh 

Attended Open Source Technology and Linux 

Seminar organized by UPTEC Lucknow on November 19, 2004. 

D.C. Saini 

Deputed to accompany Dr. Tomasz Zielonka, Visiting 

Scientist (under INSA/Polish Academy of Science Bilateral 

Exchange Programme) on a field trip to Dudhwa National Park, 

Lakhimpur-Khiri (UP) during November 25-26, 2004. 

C.M. Nautiyal 

Attended 52 nd and 53 rd Meetings of NARAKAS held 

at CDRI, Lucknow in August 2004 and in February 2005, 

respectively. Also attended National Seminar on Scientific 

Attitude: Role of Media organised by Rajasthan University, 

Jaipur and NCSTC/ DST during November 29-30, 2004. 


Attended the European Plant Taphonomy Meeting- 

November, 2004 held in The Netherlands and presented a 

research paper. Also visited different Museums and Botanical 

Gardens, viz. -Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Hortus Botanicus, 

National Museum of Ethnology (Leiden), National Museum, 

Central Museum, Palaeobotanisch Museum Budapestlaan, 

Universite Museum (Utrecht), Museum of Natural Sciences, 

City Museum (Brussels), NEMO Science Centre, and Rijks 

Museum (Amsterdam). 

Rajni Tewari 

After attending the European Plant Taphonomy 

Meeting- November, 2004 held in The Netherlands visited 

different Museums and Botanical Gardens, viz. -Rijksmuseum 

van Oudheden, Hortus Botanicus, National Museum of 

Ethnology (Leiden), National Museum, Central Museum, 

Palaeobotanisch Museum Budapestlaan, Universite Museum 

42



(Utrecht), Museum of Natural Sciences, City Museum 

(Brussels), NEMO Science Centre, and Rijks Museum 

(Amsterdam). 

Attended Hindi Workshop organised by Nagar 

Rajbhasha Karyanvayan Samiti at CDRI, Lucknow during 

September 1-2, 2004. 

Manoj Shukla 

Participated in National Working Group Meeting IGCP– 

493 ‘Rise and Fall of Vendian Biota’ held at GSI, Kolkata on 

December 6, 2004. 

Anupam Sharma 

Participated and presented a project proposal 

“Quaternary sedimentary records of Mahi River Basin, 

Mainland Gujarat: A multidisciplinary approach” in the DST 

sponsored Shallow Sub Surface Meeting held at JNU, New 

Delhi during December 17-18, 2004. Also carried out geochemical 

investigations in the National Facility for Geochemical Research 

at School of Environmental Sciences, JNU. 

Ram Awatar & D.C. Saini 

Deputed to accompany Prof. Cheng-Sen Li and Prof. 

Yu-Fie Wang, Visiting Scientists (under INSA/Chinese Academy 

of Science Bilateral Exchange Programme) on a field trip to 

Tropical forest of South India for 22 days during December 

2004-January 2005. In the process also attended National 

Seminar on Sedimentary Resources and Environments held at 

Annamalai University, Annamalainagar on December 20-22, and 

XIV Annual Conference of Indian Association for Angiosperm 

Taxonomy held at Thiruvananthapuram on December 29-31, 

2004. 

A. Bhattacharyya 

Attended the Group Monitoring Meeting held at the 

University of Madras, Chennai from December 22-23, 2004 in 

connection with the review of progress of the sponsored project 

Analysis of climatic changes in North-East India during last 

several thousand years using pollen and tree-ring data. 

Mukund Sharma 

Participated in DST sponsored SERC Winter School 

on Geological Mapping of Sedimentary Terrain in Cuddapah 

Basin, Kurnool area (AP) organised by GSI, Training Institute, 

Hyderabad during January 3-29, 2005. 


Deputed to give courses on Stable Isotope 

Systematics and Radiocarbon Geochronology at the SERC 

School on “Concepts in Quaternary Geology” held at IIT, 

Kanpur during March 27- April 16, 2005. 

43




Deputation to Conferences/Symposia/ 

Seminars/Workshops 

A. Bhattacharyya, S. Chakraborty & B. Sekar 

• International Workshop on Indian Monsoon and 

Climate Variability during Holocene held at 

Bangalore from May 17-18, 2004. 

Asha Gupta 

• XI International Palynological Congress held at 

Granada, Spain from July 4-9, 2004. 

A. Bhattacharyya & B. Sekar 

• Joint Asia Oceania Geosciences Society 1 st Meeting 

and Asia Pacific Hydrology & Water Resources 2 nd 

Conference held at Singapore from July 5-9, 2004. 

S.K. Bera 

• National Workshop on Indian Antarctic Research 

Programme: Achievements of 23 rd and Planning for 24 th 

Antarctic Expedition held at NCAOR, Goa from July 19-20, 

2004. 

Vijaya 

• 32 nd International Geological Congress held at 

Florence, Italy from August 20-28, 2004. 

S. Chakraborty & B. Sekar 

• Workshop User Interaction Meeting on Accelerator 

Mass Spectrometry of Radiocarbon held at 

Bhubaneshwar from August 26-27, 2004. 

R.R. Yadav & Bhasha Dubey 

• Indo-EU Workshop on Climate Change and Natural 

Disasters held Hyderabad from September 6-10, 2004. 

Asha Khandelwal & A. Rajanikanth 

• National Conference on Environmental Ethics for 

Sustainable Development held at Mumbai from 

September 1-2, 2004. 

• Workshop on Environmental Management and 

Pollution Control Awareness held at IEM, Lucknow 

on September 18, 2004. 

M.R. Rao 

• National Workshop on Sequence Stratigraphy held 

Bangalore from November 4-6, 2004. 

A. Rajanikanth & Rajni Tewari 

• European Plant Taphonomy Meeting-2004 held at 

National Museum of Natural History, Naturalis, Leiden, 

The Netherlands from November 12-13, 2004. 

Mukund Sharma 

• IGCP-440 National Workshop on Rodinia Assembly 

and Break-up held at Thiruvananthapuram on 

November 19, 2004. 

A.K. Srivastava, O.S. Sarate & B.D. Mandaokar 

• National Conference on Recent Trends in Botany held 

at Chandrapur, Maharashtra from December 19-20, 

2004. 

Chanchala Srivastava, M.S. Chauhan, Vandana Prasad, A.K. 

Pokharia & B. Sekar 

• Joint Annual Conference: Indian Archaeological 

Society XXXVIII, Indian Society for Prehistoric and 

Quaternary Studies XXXII and Indian History and 

Culture Society XXVIII and National Seminar on the 

Archaeology of the Ganga Plain held at Lucknow 

from December 28-31, 2004. 

Rakesh Saxena 

• National Seminar on Geoscience and Environment 

(NASGEN) held at Chennai from January 27-28, 2005. 


• 13 th National Conference on Aerobiology held at 

Nagpur Mumbai from January 31-February 2, 2005. 


• 1 st J&K State Science Congress held at Jammu from 

February 7-9, 2005. 

J.S. Guleria, Mahesh Prasad, Rajni Tewari, Madhabi 

Chakraborty & E.G. Khare 

• International Conference on Modern Trends in Plant 

Sciences with Special Reference to the Role of 

Biodiversity in Conservation (ICPSBC–05) held at 

Amravati (Maharashtra) from February 17-20, 2005. 

C.M. Nautiyal, Ram Awatar & D.C. Saini 

• Paryavaran, Swasthyay, Jaiv evam Suchna 

Prodogiki: Nutan Sopan- HIMVAS-2005, 1 st 

International Scientific Conference through Hindi 

medium held at ITRC, Lucknow from February 

28-March 2, 2005. 


• European Geosciences Union 1 st General Assembly 

and Symposium held at Nice France from April 2004. 

• IGCP 464 Workshop held at Marine Wing GSI, 

Visakhapatnam from March 30-31, 2005. 

44



Papers presented at Conferences/ 

Symposia/Meetings 

Bera SK – Late Quaternary climatic history of Schirmacher 

Oasis and origin of polar lakes, East Antarctica as 

deduced from lake sediments and glacial organodebris 

using sedimentological, palynological and 

chronological parameters. National. Workshop Indian 

Antarctic Research Programme.: Achievements of 23 rd 

& Planning for 24 th Antarctic Expedition, Goa, July 

2004. 

Bhattacharyya A – Climatic changes in the western Himalayan 

region during Holocene. Joint AOGS 1 st Annual 

Meeting & 2 nd APHW Conf., Singapore, July 2004. 

Bhattacharyya A & Ranhotra PS – Temporal and spatial aspects 

of western Himalayan climate and their implications to 

monsoon dynamics. Workshop Indian Monsoon and 

Climate Variability during Holocene, Bangalore, May 

2004. 

Chakraborty S – Investigating the Arabian Sea corals as a 

proxy record for the Indian monsoon. Workshop 

Indian Monsoon and Climate Variability during 

Holocene, Bangalore, May 2004. 

Chakraborty S – Use of AMS in studying Ocean-Atmospheric 

variabilities. Workshop User Interaction Meeting on 

AMS of Radiocarbon Dating, Bhubaneswar, August 

2004. 

Chauhan MS, Pokharia AK & Singh IB – Pollen records of 

Holocene vegetation and climatic changes from 

Lahuradewa Lake, Sant Kabir Nagar District, U.P. Joint 

Annual Conf. IAS, ISPQS & IHCS and National 

Seminar Archaeology of Ganga Plain, Lucknow, 

December 2004. 

Dwivedi HD & Prasad M – Siwalik (Middle Miocene) leaf 

impressions from Koilabas area in the Himalayan foot 

hills of western Nepal and their significance. 

International Conference Modern Trends in Plant 


Biodiversity in Conservation, Amravati, February 

2005. 

Farooqui A – Biodiversity of mangroves during Holocene from 

south-east caost of India. Symposium.1 st European 

GeoscieneUnion, France, April 2004. 

Farooqui A – The Evolution of Pichavaram mangroove and 

environment since Middle Holocene: A Palynological 

record. IGCP 464 Workshop, Visakhapatnam, March 

2005. 

Guleria JS, Srivastava R & Misra KS – A rare occurrence of 

plant and animal fossils in the Deccan basalts of 

Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, India. International 

Conference Modern Trends in Plant Sciences with 


Conservation, Amravati, February 2005. 

Gupta A – Late Quaternary vegetation in temperate zone of 

Kumaun Himalaya– Palynological assay. XI 

Inernational Palynological Congress, Granada, Spain, 

July 2004. 

Jha N & Tewari R – Occurrence of Late Permian palynomorphs 

and equisetalean axes in Sattupulli Area, Chintalpudi 

Subbasin, Andhra Pradesh. International Conference 

Modern Trends in Plant Sciences with Special 

Reference to the Role of Biodiversity in Conservation, 

Amravati, February 2005. 

Khare EG, Rao MR & Prasad M – Palynology of Lower Siwalik 

sediments (Middle Miocene) from Koilabas area, 

western Nepal.International Conference Modern 

Trends in Plant Sciences with Special Reference to 

the Role of Biodiversity in Conservation, Amravati, 

February 2005. 

Khendelwal A – Management of mangroves around Chilka Lake, 

Orissa, India. Nationa Conference Environmental 

Ethics and Sustainable Development., Mumbai, 

September 2004. 

Khendelwal A – Pollen in air and surface sediments of Lucknow, 

India: a critical assessment. 13 th Natinoal Conference 

Aerobiology., Nagpur, January-February 2005. 

Mandaokar BD – Depositional environment and age of the 

sediments (Early Miocene) in Chowngte Mizoram, 

India. National Conference Recent Trends in Botany, 

Chandrapur, December 2004. 

Pokharia AK & Saraswat KS – Ancient crop economy from 

Ojiyana, Bhilwara District, Rajasthan. Joint Annnul 

Conference IAS, ISPQS & IHCS and National 

Seminar Archaeology of Ganga Plain, Lucknow, 

December 2004. 

Prasad M – Fossil remains of the genus Dipterocarpus Gaertn. 

in the Churia (Siwalik) sequence of western Nepal and 

its phytogeographical significance. International. 

Conference on Modern Trends in Plant Sciences with 


Conservation, Amravati, February 2005. 

45




Prasad V, Sharma M, Saxena A & Singh IB – Fossil diatom 

assemblages from Lahuradewa Lacustrine sediments 

as clues for Human activity. Joint Annual Conf. IAS, 

ISPQS & IHCS and National. Seminar Archaeology 

of . Ganga Plain, Lucknow, December 2004. 

Rajanikanth A – Vestiges of vanquished plants: A reminder to 

modern man. National Conference Environmental 

Ethics and Sustainable Development, Mumbai, 

September 2004. 

Rajanikanth A – Role of print media in environmental 

awareness. National Workshop Environmental 

Management and Pollution Control Awareness, 

Lucknow, September 2004. 

Rajanikanth A – Mesozoic terrestrial plant life of Pranhita- 

Godavari Basin, India. European Plant Taphonomy 

Meeting, Leiden, The Netherlands, November 2004. 

Rajanikanth A – Indian Gondwana: A traverse. 1 st J&K 

State Science Congress., Jammu, February 2005. 

Ram Awatar – Paryavaran evam Swasthya Sanrakshan men 

Lavanodvidh (mangrove) Paudhon ki upyogita tatha 

yogdan (in Hindi). HIMVAS-2005, 1 st International. 

Scientific Conference through Hindi medium, ITRC, 

Lucknow, February-March 2005. 

Rao MR – Role of palynology in biostratigraphic zonation and 

correlation of the Tertiary sediments in Kerala Basin. 

National Workshop Sequence Stratigraphy., 

Bangalore, November 2004. 

Sahni A, Rana RS, Loyal RS, Saraswati PK, Mathur SK, Rose 

KD, Tripathi SKM & Garg R – Western margin 

Palaeocene-Lower Eocene lignites: Biostratigraphic 

and palaeoecological constraints. 2 nd APG 

Conference., Khajuraho, September 2004. 

Saini DC – Amarkantak chhetra ki Rog Niwarak avam Swasthyvardhak 

Van-aushadhian (in Hindi). HIMVAS-2005, 1 st 

International . Scientific Conf. through Hindi medium, 

ITRC, Lucknow, February-March 2005. 

Saraswat KS & Pokharia AK – Plant resources in the Neolithic 

economy at Kanishpur, Kashmir. Joint Annual 

Conference IAS, ISPQS & IHCS and National Seminar 

Archaeol of Ganga Plain, Lucknow, December 2004. 

Sarate OS – The coal of Junad Open Cast Mine and its 

biopetrographic constitution, Wardha Valley Coalfield, 

Maharashtra. National Conference Recent Trends in 

Botany, Chandrapur, December 2004. 

Saxena R – Recent trends in petrological characterization of 

Indian coal and lignite. National Seminar Geoscience 

and Environment., Chennai, January 2005. 

Sekar B – BSIP contributions on Palynology and 14 C data for 

reconstruction of Quaternary vegetation of India. 

Workshop User Interaction Meeting on AMS of 

Radiocarbon Dating, Bhubaneswar, August 2004. 

Sekar B – Emerging evidences of antiquity of human 

settlements in some areas of western coast of India 

transgressed by sea. Joint AOGS 1 st Annual Meeting 

& 2 nd APHW Conference, Singapore, July 2004. 

Srivastava C – Emerging trends of palaeoethnobotanical 

investigations at ancient Ahirua Rajarampur and 

Siyapur, Kannauj district, U.P. Joint Annual 

Conference IAS, ISPQS & IHCS and National Seminar 

Archaeology of Ganga Plain, Lucknow, December 

2004. 

Tewari R – Significance of fossil plant cuticles in palaeocology. 

European Plant Taphonomy Meeting, Leiden, The 

Netherlands, November 2004. 

Tewari R – Permian megafloristics of Wardha Basin, 

Maharashtra. International. Conference Modern 


the Role of Biodiversity in Conservation, Amravati, 

February 2005. 

Tewari R, Srivastava RK, Singh KK, Saraswat KS, Singh IB, 

Chauhan MS, Shekar B, Pokharia AK, Saxena A, 

Prasad V, Sharma M & Joglekar PP – Epilogue: 

Implications for the archaeological studies in Ganga 

Plain. Joint Annual Conference IAS, ISPQS & IHCS 

and National Seminar Archaeol. Ganga Plain, 

Lucknow, December 2004. 

Vijaya – An Early Cretaceous record of volcanism in the 

Panagarh area, West Bengal, India: Palynological 

evidence. 32 nd Internatioanl Geological Congress, 

Florence, August 2004. 

46



Consultancy/Technical Assistance rendered 

The consultancy services were provided to the following 

Institutes/Organisations for Radiocarbon Dating of a 

variety of samples: (Institute earned a total amount of 

Rs. 4,38,000/-) 

Geological Survey of India, Kolkata (28 

samples) 

Mahatma Gandhi University, Gandhinagar (1 

sample) 

National Institute of Oceanography, Goa (14 

samples) 

Institute of Rajasthan Studies, Udaipur (2 

samples) 

Center for Earth Science Studies, Trivandrum 

(16 samples) 

Archaeological Survey of India, Nagpur (8 

samples) 

Cochin University of Science and 

Technology (21 samples) 

Rohilkhand University (6 samples) 

Vakkom M Foundation (20 samples) 

Deccan College, Pune (2 samples) 

Geological Survey of India (Northern Region), 

Lucknow (6 samples) 

SEM Unit has provided consultancy services in 

sample processing for ultrastructure, scanning electron 

microscopy and EDX analysis to the scientists/scholars of 

following Institutes and University Departments: (generated 

revenue of Rs. 40,100/-) 

National Botanical Research Institute, 

Lucknow 

Department of Metallurgical Engineering, 

BHU, Varanasi 

Department of Botany, Institute of Science, 

Nagpur 

GB Pant University of Agriculture, Pant 

Nagar 

Central Mining Research Institute, Dhanbad 

K.G. Medical University, Lucknow 

Botany Department, Lucknow University 

Zoology Department, Lucknow University 

Physics Department, Lucknow University 

Provided consultancy services to Methane Emission 

Division of the Central Mining Research Institute, Dhanbad 

for the Coal Petrographic (mainly maceral characterization and 

associated mineral matter), reflectance range and microcleat 

study (including photographs) on 72 bore-core coal samples. 

(generated revenue of Rs.1,44,000/-). 

Archana Tripathi provided scientific and technical 

assistance to a M. Phil., student of School of Studies in Geology, 

Vikram University, Ujjain (MP) in palynological techniques and 

identification of spore-pollen. Also supervised the work of 

Mrs. Babita Singh, Junior Research Fellow, CSIR, New Delhi, 

on “Palynological dating and correlation of coal bearing rocks 

from Talcher Coalfield, Orissa, India”. 

J.S. Guleria provided scientific assistance in 

identification of wood samples to Dr. R. Satheesh, School of 

Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University 

Kottayam, Kerala; in investigation and identification of leaf 

impressions to Ms T.N. Priya, Asst. Geologist, GSI, Nagpur; 

and in his M.Sc. Dissertation Project on Palaeobotany-Tertiary 

megaflora of India to Mr. Arun Kumar of Geology Department, 

BHU. 

B.K. Misra & B.D. Singh provided scientific assistance 

in Coal and Coke Petrology (both under normal and 

fluorescence modes) to Sri Prakash Singh, Research Fellow of 

Central Mining Research Institute, Dhanbad. Also assisted in 

observation of coal under SEM for nature of mineral association 

in organic microconstituents. 

S.K.M. Tripathi imparted scientific training to Miss 

Priya, Assistant Geologist, Geological Survey of India, Nagpur 

to carry out palynological studies. 

Rakesh Saxena updated the Training Manual for coal/ 

lignite petrological study. Also prepared the present state of 

art in methods, principals and application in coal and lignite 

characterization for M. Sc. (Hons.) students of School in 

Geology, Punjab University, Chandigarh. 

S.K. Bera provided training on various maceration 

techniques and other scientific assistance to Sri S.K. 

Basumatary, Lecturer in Goalpara College (Assam) and 

registered in Lucknow University for Ph.D. degree under 

supervision. 

47




Units 

Publication 

Journal— The Palaeobotanist 

The journal Volume 53(1-3) consisting of 21 Refereed 

papers, Conference reports, Award write up, Obituary and 

Archives was published with state of the art printing 

technology. Papers for the Volume 54(1) are being processed. 

BSIP Newsletter 

Newsletter 2004 was published (in June) with information 

on important activities of the Institute including participation 

in exhibitions, conferences, new additions to library, Memorial 

Lectures, National Science Day and Technology Day 

celebrations, important research finds, science meet reports 

and related information along with relevant visuals. Hindi 

activities including Hindi Pakhwara celebration, reports, articles 

in Hindi, kavitain, Hindi Essay, etc, were also incorporated in 

this Newsletter. 

Annual Report 

Bilingual (English/Hindi) Annual Report—2003-2004 

was published with a new page design incorporating Institute’s 

activities like Research, Conference participation, Awards, 

Research papers published/accepted, Foundation/Founders’ 

Day celebrations, reports of different units, Annual Accounts 

and related aspects with relevant graphics and photographs. 

Hand-outs 

Brief biographical profiles and themes of lecture of 

eminent speakers— Professor P. Ramachandra Rao, Vice 

Chancellor (BHU, Varanasi), Professor S.K. Tandon (Univ. of 

Delhi) and Professor A.K. Singhvi (PRL, Ahmedabad) delivered 

on the occasion of Foundation Day and Founders’ Day were 

published. 

Profile 

A profile of Lifetime achievements in the field of 

Palaeobotany by Professor K.R. Surange, Ex-Director of this 

Institute was designed and published for distribution. 

Sale of Institute Publication 

This year the publication of the Institute netted an 

income of Rs. 1,07,240/- 

Professor P. Ramachandra Rao, Vice Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, releasing the BSIP 

Newsletter - 7 on the Foundation Day. 

48



Librar 

ary 

Library is committed to serve to its users efficiently. To 

enhance the library facilities, work is carrying out Current 

Awareness Service, which is also available on the 

Institute’s web site (http://www.bsip.res.in). A new bibliographic 

service Georef has been acquired to assist the scientists to 

referencing work. 

The current holdings of library are as under: 

Particulars Additions during 2002-03 Total 

Books 58 5,536 

Journals 123 12,374 

Reprints 341 37,090 

Reference Books 04 325 

Hindi Books 15 285 

Ph.D. Thesis - 91 

Reports - 46 

Maps & Atlases - 61 

Microfilm/ Fisches - 294 

CD 15 72 

Currently the library is receiving 141 journals (80 

through subscription and 67 in exchange). There are 151 

registered card holders using the library facilities. 

Exchange Unit 

Journals received on exchange basis 67 

Reprints of research papers purchased 18 

Reprints sent out in exchange 626 

Institutions on exchange list 66 

Individuals on exchange list 146 

Computer Aided Library— The library has a fully 

integrated multi-user LIBSYS 4 Software package with Web 

OPAC. The computerization of the literature is in progress. 

Most of the journals are also available on line to users. 

Current Awareness Service— Current Awareness 

Service has completed 5 years. Library is regularly sending 

this bimonthly bulletin to different institutions and scientists 

throughout the country who are interested in Palaeobotany, 

Earth sciences and related fields. 

Lamination and Xeroxing— To preserve the old and 

rare literatures, the lamination and xeroxing of such publications 

is done. Xeroxing facility is also provided to Institute scientists 

as well as to out side scientists and organizations on payment 

basis. 

The following Institutions/Organizations availed the 

library facilities: 

Botanical Survey of India, Allahabad. 

Agharkar Research Institute, Pune. 

Department of Botany, University of Burdwan, 

Burdwan. 

Department of Geology, SNSRKS College, Saharsa. 

Department of Geology, Banaras Hindu University, 

Varanasi. 

Department of Botany, Institute of Science, Nagpur. 

Department of Geology, University of Jammu, 

Jammu. 

Department of Earth Sciences, Kurukshetra 

University, Kurukshetra. 

Departments of Botany and Geology, Lucknow 

University, Lucknow 

49




Museum 

Adisplay pannel exhibiting the photographs of fossils is 

added in the Museum hall. These photographs show 

excellent preservation of plant fossils and were 

presented to the Institute by Drs. Giraud Foster and Norman 

Barker of Baltimore, U.S.A. Museum is playing an important 

role in popularizing and dissemination of Palaeobotanical 

knowledge. It was kept open for the students and common 

public during the celebrations of National Technology Day 

(May 11, 2004) and National Science Day (February 28, 2005). 

Several students, guests and people from different walks of life 

visited the Institute’s Museum round the year and watched the 

fossil specimens with great interests. Seven sets of plant fossil 

specimens were gifted to different institutions of the country. 

The scientists of the Institute deposited specimens, 

slides and negatives of their research publications as detailed 

below: 

Holdings 

Particulars Additions during Total 

2004-2005 

Type and figured specimens 78 6,465 

Type and figured slides 56 12,513 

Negatives of above 265 16,821 

Samples/specimens were collected by the scientists 

from 193 localities of the country and deposited in the Museum 

for investigation as under: 

Project Specimens Samples 

Project– 1 8 223 

Project– 2 207 317 

Project– 3 - 324 

Project– 5 1 186 

Project– 6 981 199 

Project– 7 - 123 

Project– 11 - 439 

Project– 12 31 38 

Project– 14 98 40 

Samples collected other than Institute Projects— DST 

sponsored Projects (17 specimens and 149 samples). 

Samples received from other organization— 443 

samples from ONGC (collaborative project), 267 samples from 

Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town, 

South Africa, and 10 samples from Dr. Julia Shaw, University of 

Oxford, UK. 

Fifty-two type specimens of fossil Charophytes 

have been presented to BSIP by Professor S.B. Bhatia, FNA, 

Emeritus Professor, Panjab University, Chandigarh. 

Specimens gifted within the country to the following centers: 

Sir Padampat Singhania, Educational Center, Kamla 

Nagar, Kanpur 

Department of Botany, Karorimal College, University 

of Delhi, Delhi 

Mahila Vidyalaya Degree College, Lucknow 

Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Sri Nagar 

Lal Bahadur Shastri Post Graduate College, Gonda 

Department of Botany, Annamalai University, 

Chidambaram 

Govt. Maharaja P.G. College, Chatterpur, Madhya 

Pradesh 

Institutional Visitors 

Department of Geology, Nagaland University, 

Kohima (Nagaland) 

Department of Botany, Vinova Bhave University, 

Hazaribagh (Jharkhand) 

Department of Botany, Andhra University, 

Visakhapattanam (AP) 

P.G. Department of Botany, V.K.S. University, Ara 

(Bihar) 

Presidency College, Kolkata (WB) 

Govt. Model Science College, Jabalpur (MP) 

K.N.I. PG College, Sultanpur (UP) 

Department of Botany, L.B.S. P.G. College, Gonda 

(UP) 

Department of Botany, D.B.S. College, Kanpur (UP) 

Forestry Training Institute, Kanpur (UP) 

Teachers Attending Refresher Course, Academic 

Staff College Lucknow University, Lucknow 

Alternative Energy Research Development and 

Training Center, Lucknow 

Exon Inter College, Campbell Road, Lucknow 

50



Herbarium 

Added about 1,100 plant specimens, 196 samples of 

polleniferous materials, 8 samples of wood blocks and 

130 samples of fruit and seeds from Dudhwa National 

Park, Lakhimpur-Kheri (UP), and Tropical forests of Tamil Nadu 

and Kerala to enhance the reference materials of Herbarium. All 

plants materials were processed. About 16 samples of food and 

medicine value were also collected from above mentioned 

localities for Institute’s Museum. Data feeding in computer for 

Herbarium digitization is in progress. 

Holdings 

Particulars Additions during Total 

2004-2005 

Herbarium 

Plant specimens 1,100 22,371 

Leaf specimens 200 973 

Laminated mounts 6 66 

of venation pattern 

Xylarium 

Wood blocks 8 4,148 

Wood discs 2 68 

Wood cores 1,203 5,832 

Wood slides - 4,180 

Palm slides - 3,195 

(stem, leaf, petiole, root.) 

Sporothek 

Polleniferous materials 196 3,016 

Pollen slides - 12,237 

Carpothek 

Fruits & seeds 130 4,331 

Museum Samples 

Medicinal & food plant 16 91 

Herbarium facilities provided 

Sri V.K. Singh, Department of Botany, Vinoba Bhave 

University, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. 

Dr. R.C. Srivastava, Botanical Survey of India, 

Central Circle U.P., Allahabad. 

Sri Bharu Goyal, Department of Botany, M.S. 

University, Baroda. 

Miss Mamta Singh Yaduvanshi, Department of 

Botany, M.L.S. University, Udaipur. 

Visitors: 

(USA). 

Korea. 

Dr. Willian E.Wight, Columbia University, New York 

Dr. Han Mi Gyeong, Government Museum, South 

Prof. Cheng-Sen Li, Institute of Botany, Chinese 

Academy of Science, Beijing. 

Prof. Yu-Fei Wang, Institute of Botany, Chinese 

Academy of Science, Beijing. 

Dr. Tomaz. Zelonka, Polish Academy of Science, Poland. 

Students of G.B. Pant University, Pantnagar, Nainital 

(Uttranchal). 

Students of Christian Medical College and Hospital 

Ludhiana (Punjab). 

Students of Kamla Nehru Institute, Sultanpur (UP). 

Forest Guards (Trainees) of State Forest Research 

Institute, Kanpur (UP). 

Teachers Attending Refresher Course, Academic Staff 

College, Lucknow University, Lucknow (UP). 

51




Electronic Data Processing 

256 KBPS Internet Connection with Radio link facility 

from Software Technology Park of India (Lucknow) has been 

commissioned in the Institute. Proxy, Mail and DNS Servers are 

successfully configured on Redhat Linux ES 3.0 Operating 

System. This provides 24 hours Internet facility to the staff. At 

present, 68 computers are connected with the LAN. E-mail 

accounts for scientists and various units/sections of the 

Institute have been opened through Mail Server on Institute’s 

Domain Name (BSIP.RES.IN). The inter-connectivity of windows 

with Linux Server has also been configured, so that the Windows 

users can use Linux security and services. 

This year, Institute has procured ten USB Pen Drives, 

one Iomega external CD Writer and three 800 VA APC UPS. 

Corel Draw Graphics suite 12 and Sigma Plot 9.0 softwares are 

also procured. Work for Institute’s web site (http:// 

www.bsip.res.in) is almost complete and is being tested on the 

Institute’s Server. List of palaeobotanical words for spelling 

check has been compiled. The work of English to Hindi 

translation of palaeobotanical words is in progress. 

Payroll, Form16 and Pension packages are modified as 

per the requirements and also the Institute’s Annual Accounts, 

Budget and Revised Estimates are prepared. The section is 

regularly providing help to the scientists in preparing the 

multimedia presentations, charts, graphs, lithologs and other 

research related diagrams for their publications and 

documentation. 

Section Cutting Workshop 

The unit is one of the important units of the Institute 

where fossil and rock samples are cut and their thin sections 

are prepared. During the year above 435 samples were cut and 

about 1,250 slides were prepared. In addition, 250 slices were 

made and polished for detailed examination by the scientists. 

A number of scientists, students and teachers visited 

the Unit. The visitors were given live demonstration of cutting, 

polishing and preparation of thin slides of the fossil materials. 

52



Foundation Day 

The Institute celebrated its 58 th Foundation Day on September 10, 2004. On this occasion Professor P. Ramachandra Rao, 

Vice Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, delivered ‘8 th Jubilee Commemoration Lecture on the topic “Trees: An 

Engineer’s Delight”. Professor S.B. Singh, Vice Chancellor, Lucknow University, Lucknow presided over the function. Many 

guests and scientists from various organisations of Lucknow attended the function. 

Founder’s Day 

The Founder’s Day was celebrated on November 14, 

2004. Institute staff and distinguished guests offered floral 

tributes (Pushpanjali) on the Samadhi of the Founder 

Professor Birbal Sahni, in the precincts of BSIP. Same afternoon 

two memorial lectures were organized to commemmorate Prof 

A.C.seward and his pupil Prof Birbal.. 

Professor A.K. Singhvi, Planetary and Geosciences 

Division, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad delivered 

the ‘34 th Birbal Sahni Memorial Lecture’ on the topic “The 

Human Dimension of Geosciences”. 

Professor S.K. Tandon, Research and International 

Relations and Dean, Department of Geology, University of 

Delhi, New Delhi delivered the ‘50 th Sir Albert Charles Seward 

Memorial Lecture entitled “Stratigraphic Records of Late 

Quaternary Climate Shifts in the Thar and its Margins”. 

Professor J.S. Singh, Chairman, Governing Body of 

the Institute presided over the function. Several guests, 

welwishers and scientists from outside institutions graced the 

occasion. 

Professor S.K. Tandon, Research and International Relations 

and Dean, Department of Geology, University of Delhi, New 

Delhi offering tributes to Sahnis. 

Professor A.K. Singhvi, Planetary and 

Geosciences Division, Physical Research 

Laboratory, Ahmedabad offering tributes to 

Sahnis. 

53




National Science Day 

In accordance with directions from the DST, the National 

Science Day-2005 was celebrated for a fortnight (February 

15-28) this year with the theme being “Celebration of 

Physics” to commemorate the centenary of Einstein’s great 

discoveries in 1905. Four lectures were organized at the 

Institute, including two by outside speakers. On February 15, 

Institute scientist S. Chakraborty delivered a lecture on 

Harmonic Oscillations and their Applications to 

Palaeoclimate. The Officiating Director Dr Jayasri Banerji spoke 

on the significance of the year and highlighted the achievements 

of Einstein. A debate competition for school students was 

organized on February 22. Thirty-one students spoke for and 

against the topic “Space Science is a Luxury for India”. On 

February 24, a lecture on Einstein and Theory of Relativity by 

Prof. G.P. Gupta, Head, Department of Physics (Lucknow 

University), portrayed Einstein as a great intellectual. Prof 

Gupta explained relativity in a simple manner with illustrations. 

On February 26, a collage competition for school students was 

organized on ‘Tsunami: Causes and Effects’ at Institute campus. 

About 70 students from 9 institutions participated. A ‘Face-to- 

Face’ programme for school students on ‘Tsunami’ was joined 

in by Institute scientists- R.K. Saxena, C.M. Nautiyal, S.K.M. 

Tripathi and Mukund Sharma during which a large number of 

students asked questions on various aspects of tsunami. 

The Valedictory function was held on the National 

Science Day (February 28) with Prof. Devendra Sharma, Ex Vice- 

Chancellor (Indore and Gorakhpur Universities) as the Chief 

Guest who, with illustrations, explained how Einstein’s theory 

helped in understanding stellar behaviour. Institute scientist 

C.M. Nautiyal in his talk on Planets, Plants and Physics 

outlined the geological, geographical and climatic conditions 

on various planets; discussed how they were greatly governed 

by physical laws and illustrated how it would influence life 

forms, if any. A speech-competition for degree-students was 

also held on this day on the topic “Space Science is a Luxury 

for India”. The officiating Director chaired the session and 

paid tributes to Professors Raman and Einstein. The Chief Guest 

gave away prizes to winners of various competitions. In all, 24 

prizes were awarded in the form of science books, etc. All 

participants of collage competition were given small booklets 

of Prof C.V. Raman’s lecture titled ‘Why the Sky is Blue’. The 

Day was observed as an Open House. 

Prof. Devendra Sharma along with winners of National Science Day Competitions. 

54



Distinguished Visitors 

Dr. Giraud Foster, 917 Poplar Hill Road, Baltimore, 

Maryland, U.S.A. 

Shri G.S. Srivastava, Ex-Dy. Director General, 

Geological Survey of India, 

Lucknow 

Professor P. Ramachandra Rao, Vice-Chancellor, 

Banaras Hindu University, 

Varanasi 

Professor S.B. Singh, Vice Chancellor, Lucknow 

University, Lucknow. 

Professor S.K. Tandon, University of Delhi, New Delhi. 

Professor A.K. Singhvi, Physical Research Laboratory, 

Ahmedabad. 

Dr. William E. Wright, Columbia University, New York, 

U.S.A. 

Dr. Benjamin I. Cook, University of Virginia, U.S.A. 

Dr. A.K. Singh, Central Mining Research Institute, 

Dhanbad. 

Professor Devendra Sharma, Ex Vice-Chancellor (Indore 

and Gorakhpur Universities), 

Lucknow 

Dr. Cheng-Sen Li, Institute of Botany, Beijing, China 

Dr. Yu-Fei Wang, Institute of Botany, Beijing, China. 

Professor Jagdish C. Kapur, Indian Institute of Public 

Administration, New Delhi. 

Dr. Nikki Grainger, Department of Health, London, U.K. 

Dr. Arsenio B. Ella, Forest Products Research and 

Development Institute, DST College, Laguna, 

Philippines 

Reservations and Concessions 

The Institute is following Government of India norms, as 

applicable to Autonomous Bodies and as amended from time 

to time, for the reservations and concessions of Scheduled 

Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes 

(OBC) and Physically Handicapped Persons for the posts meant 

for direct recruitment 

Acting Director Dr. Jayasri Banerji welcoming Dr. R.N. Lakhanpal during the 

Hindi Pakhwara celebrations 

55




Status of Official Language 

The efforts to promote use of Hindi in official work 

continued in earnest throughout the year. The staff 

was encouraged to increase use of Hindi in official 

and scientific work. The institute has been an active 

member of the Nagar Rajbhasha Karyanvayan Samiti, 

Lucknow (Unit 6) and was represented in its 52 nd and 

53 rd half-yearly meetings. The Quarterly and Half yearly 

reports to DST and NARAKAS were sent regularly. 

Hindi abstracts of research papers published in 

the Journal ‘The Palaeobotanist’ continue to be prepared 

and published. The Annual Report is published in Hindi 

also. The Newsletter of the Institute is bi-lingual. This 

year, 3 scientists submitted abstracts to the International 

Conference on Hindi Madhyam mein Antarrashtriya 

Vaigyanik Sangoshthi held at ITRC, Lucknow. In addition, 

a number of Institute scientists delivered science lectures, 

published popular science articles and broadcast radio/ 

TV science programmes in Hindi. Some scientists were 

invited to deliver lectures in science writing seminars also. 

Hindi Workshop 

To promote the use of Hindi, a one day Hindi 

Workshop was organised on May 20, 2004 at the 

Institute. Dr V.N. Tiwari from CDRI, Lucknow delivered 

2 lectures dealing with various aspects of using Hindi in 

official work. He also answered queries from the audience 

on appropriate use of Hindi, while Institute scientist CM 

Nautiyal delivered a lecture on communicating science 

in Hindi. 

Hindi Fortnight 

The event was celebrated during September 14- 

29, 2004 with enthusiasm and witnessed participation 

from all sections of the staff. A ‘Kavi Sammelan’ on 

15 th September had renowned poet Dr Kunwar Bechain 

as the Chief Guest. Several other invited poets as well as 

six institute poets regaled the audience with their poetry 

till late evening. Over the fortnight, a number of 

competitions were organized for the institute staff. The 

winners included Dr Rashmi Srivastava and Dr Rajni 

Tewari (I), Mrs Renu Srivastava and Mrs SS Rathore 

(II), and Mr TK Mandal and Mr DK Pal (III) for 

Antakshari; Mr Ram Ujagar (I), Mr Deepak Pandey 

(II), and Mr Ajay K. Srivastava (III) for typing; Mr TK 

Mandal (I), Mr DK Pal (II), and Mr Subodh Kumar 

(III) for Essay Writing; and Mr Avinesh Srivastava and 

Mr Pushpendra Misra (I), Mr TK Mandal (II), and 

Dr Neerja Jha, Mr DK Pal and Mr Avinash Srivastava 

(III) for Spot the Error. In the Quiz, the teams 

comprising of Dr A Rajanikanth, Dr Rajni Tewari and 

Ms Anupam Jain (I), Dr Rakesh Saxena, Mr EG Khare 

and Shri Deepak Pandeya (II); Dr RR Yadav, Dr SK 

Participants of ‘Kavi Sammelan’ held on 15 th September, 2004. 

56



Bera and Mr Avinash Srivastava (III) bagged the prizes. 

On the concluding Day, a debate competition was held 

and the winners were Dr Neerja Jha (I), Dr RK Saxena 

(II) and Mr KC Chandola (III). A special prize as the 

best non-Hindi speaking participant was announced for 

Dr A Rajanikanth. The Chief Guest on the occasion was 

Dr RN Lakhanpal, a former Distinguished Scientist of 

BSIP. Dr MB Bande, another former BSIP scientist, 

also spoke on the occasion. Dr Jayasri Banerji chaired 

the concluding session. 

Hindi Protsahan Puraskar 

On the Founders’ Day, Prof. JS Singh, Chairman 

GB, gave away cash prizes to encourage the use of 

Hindi. Dr CM Nautiyal and Mr RB Kukreti received 

first prizes. The second prizes went to Dr DC Saini, 

Mr RL Mehra and Mr RK Kapoor. The third prizes were 

given to Dr Jyotsana Rai, Mr SK Singh, Mrs SS Rathore, 

Mr MM Misra and Mr Ram Ujagar. 

typing competition', judged by Dr. Mukund Sharma and 

Mrs. Nirmala, and judged Mr. Umesh Kumar, Mr. Hari 

Lal and Ms. Chitra Chatterji as I, II and III prize winners 

respectively. In the 'Spot the Error competition' held on 

September 24th, Dr. (Mrs) Navita Budhraja, Mr. T.K. 

Mandal and Dr. Mukund Sharma won I, II and III prizes 

respectively. In various competitions, participation and 

performance of even those belonging to non-Hindi 

speaking regions was a highlight. 

Prof. H.L. Nigam, former Vice-Chancellor, APS 

University, Reewan delivered his speech as a Chief Guest 

during the Valedictory function on 30th September. His 

thoughts on 'Scope of Science Writing in Hindi' were 

very well received by the audience.The programme was 

chaired by Dr. Jayasri Banerji. This was followed by 

release of the bi-lingual Telephone Directory of the 

Institute. Registrar Mr. S.C. Bajpai proposed the Vote 

of Thanks. 

Miscellaneous 

Several office-forms and letters were translated/ 

made bi-lingual leading to increased use of Hindi in official 

correspondence. A noticeable improvement has also 

been seen in internal correspondence in Hindi. The 

process to procure Hindi software for Institute’s 

computers was initiated so that computers become bilingual 

in accordance with official directive. 

Equivalent terms for administrative terms were displayed 

on the notice board. 

Rita Banerji (III). In the 'Hindi Essay competition' 

held on September 22nd and judged by Dr. Archana 

Tripathi and Dr. S.K.M. Tripathi, winners were Mr. T.K. 

Mandal (I), Dr. (Mrs) Navita Budhraja (II) and 

Mrs. Anjali Trivedi (III). On 23rd September, 'Hindi 

57




The Staff 

Director 

Dr. Naresh C. Mehrotra (w.e.f. 01.03.2005) 

Scientists 

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

Scientist ‘F’ 

Dr (Ms) Jayasri Banerji (Officiating Director, 

up to 28.02.2005) 

Dr Anil Chandra (retired w.e.f. 31.12.2004) 

Dr Rahul Garg 

Dr Ramesh K. Saxena 

Dr Manoj Shukla 

Dr Ashwini K. Srivastava 

Dr Gajendra P. Srivastava (retired w.e.f. 

30.09.2004) 

Dr (Mrs) Archana Tripathi 

Scientist ‘E’ 

Dr Anil Agarwal 

Dr (Mrs) Usha Bajpai 

Dr Jaswant S. Guleria 

Dr (Mrs) Neerja Jha 

Dr (Mrs) Asha Khandelwal 

Dr Jagannath P. Mandal 

Dr Basant K. Misra 

Dr Mulagalapalli R. Rao 

Dr Samir Sarkar 

Dr Rama S. Singh 

Dr S.K.M. Tripathi 

Dr Ram R. Yadav 

Dr (Ms) Vijaya 

Scientist ‘D’ 

Dr Rupendra Babu 

Dr Samir K. Bera 

Dr Amalava Bhattacharyya 

Dr Anant P. Bhattacharyya (expired on 

21.06.2004) 

Dr Mohan S. Chauhan 

Dr (Ms) Asha Gupta 

Dr Brajendra N. Jana 

Dr Khowaja Ateequzzaman 

Dr Madhav Kumar 

Dr Bhagwan D. Mandaokar 

Dr Kindu L. Meena 

Dr Rakesh C. Mehrotra 

Dr Chandra M. Nautiyal 

Dr (Mrs) Neeru Prakash 

Dr Mahesh Prasad 

Dr (Mrs) Jyotsana Rai 

Dr Annamraju Rajanikanth 

Dr Ram Awatar 

Dr Dinesh C. Saini 

Dr Omprakash S. Sarate 

Dr Rakesh Saxena 

Dr Mukund Sharma 

Dr (Mrs) Alpana Singh 

Dr Bhagwan D. Singh 

Dr Kamal J. Singh 

Dr (Mrs) Chanchala Srivastava 

Dr (Mrs) Rashmi Srivastava 

Dr Shyam C. Srivastava (dismissed w.e.f. 

23.03.2005 F.N.) 

Dr (Mrs) Rajni Tewari 

Dr Gyanendra K. Trivedi 

Scientist ‘C’ 

Dr Supriya Chakraborty 

Dr (Mrs) Anjum Farooqui 

Dr Amit K. Ghosh 

Dr (Mrs) Vandana Prasad 

Dr Anupam Sharma 

Dr Rajeev Upadhyay (resigned w.e.f. 

19.07.2004) 

Scientist ‘A’ 

Dr (Mrs) Binita Phartiyal 

Dr Anil K. Pokharia 

Emeritus Scientist 

Dr (Mrs) Chhaya Sharma 

Birbal Sahni Research Scholar 

Sri Himanshu D. Dwivedi 

Ms Ruby Ghosh 

Sri Bikash Gogoi 

Ms Shruti Mishra 

Sri Om Prakash 

Ms Aradhana Singh 

58



Tec 

echnical Per 

ersonnel 

Technical Officer ‘D’ 

Dr B. Sekar 

Technical Officer ‘C’ 

Sri P.K. Bajpai 

Dr (Mrs) Madhabi Chakraborty 

Mrs Indra Goel 

Mrs Asha Guleria 

Sri P.S. Katiyar 

Dr E.G. Khare 

Sri T.K. Mandal 

Sri V.K. Singh 

Technical Officer ‘B’ 

Mrs Reeta Banerjee 

Mrs Sunita Khanna 

Mrs Kavita Kumar 

Sri Chandra Pal 

Sri Prem Prakash 

Sri V.P. Singh 

Sri Y.P. Singh 

Sri Avinesh K. Srivastava 

Technical Officer ‘A’ 

Sri Madhukar Arvind 

Sri Subodh Kumar 

Sri R.L. Mehra 

Sri R.C. Mishra 

Sri Pradeep Mohan 

Sri V.K. Nigam 

Sri Keshav Ram 

Technical Assistant ‘E’ 

Sri Chandra Bali 

Sri A.K. Ghosh 

Sri V.S. Panwar 

Sri S.R. Yadav 

Technical Assistant ‘D’ 

Sri Syed R. Ali 

Sri D.S. Bisht 

Dr Shreerup Goswami (resigned w.e.f. 

25.06.2004) 

Sri D.K. Pal 

Sri S. Suresh K. Pillai 

Sri Dhirendra Sharma 

Sri Madhavendra Singh 

Sri S.K. Singh 

Sri Raj K. Tantua (on lien w.e.f. 04.03.2005 

for 2 years) 

Sri S.M. Vethanayagam 

Technical Assistant ‘C’ 

Sri C.L. Verma 

Technical Assistant ‘B’ 

Sri Avanish Kumar 

Sri M.S. Rana 

Sri S.C. Singh 

Sri Ajay K. Srivastava 

Technical Assistant ‘A’ 

Sri Pawan Kumar 

Sri Saurabh Pradhan (resigned w.e.f. 

16.09.2004) 

Sri Om Prakash 

Sponsored Project Personnel 

Dr Ratan Kar, Project Investigator 

Dr (Mrs) Navita Budhraja, Research Associate 

(tenure ended w.e.f. 31.07.2004) 

Sri Jayendra Singh, Research Associate (resigned 

w.e.f. 25.08.2004) 

Sri Santosh K. Shah, SRF 

Ms Debi Dutta, SRF (tenure ended w.e.f. 28.02.2005) 

Sri Rajesh Chaturvedi, JRF (resigned w.e.f. 

25.06.2004) 

Mrs Babita Singh, JRF (resigned w.e.f. 30.09.2004) 

Mrs Mani Sharma, JRF (resigned w.e.f. 17.01.2005) 

Ms Bhasha Dubey, JRF (tenure ended w.e.f. 

30.09.2004) 

Ms Nisha Chandra, Research Assistant (tenure 

ended w.e.f. 23.09.2004) 

Administrative Personnel 

Registrar: Sri Suresh C. Bajpai 

Accounts Officer: Sri R.K. Takru 

Maintenance Officer: Sri R.B. Kukreti (retired 

w.e.f. 31.03.2005) 

Section Officer 

Sri I.J.S. Bedi 

Sri R.K. Kapoor (Officiating) 

Sri I.J. Mehra 

59




Mrs V. Nirmala 

Private Secretary: Mrs M. Jagath Janani 

Accountant: Sri Dhoom Singh (Officiating) 

Assistant 

Mrs Ruchita Bose 

Mrs Usha Chandra 

Sri Hari Lal 

Mrs Swapna Mazumdar (Officiating) 

Sri K.P. Singh (Officiating) 

Sri Koshy Thomas (Officiating) 

Mrs P. Thomas 

Stenographer: Sri M. Pillai 

Upper Division Clerk 

Ms Chitra Chatterjee (Officiating) 

Sri Mishri Lal 

Sri S.S. Panwar 

Sri Rameshwar Prasad (Officiating) 

Mrs Shail S. Rathore 

Sri Gopal Singh 

Sri Avinash K. Srivastava 

Mrs Renu Srivastava 

Sri N. Unnikannan 

Lower Division Clerk 

Sri Akhil Antal 

Driver 

Sri Nafees Ahmed (‘III’) 

Sri D.K. Mishra (‘II’) 

Sri M.M. Mishra (‘II’) 

Sri V.P. Singh (‘II’) 

Sri P.K. Mishra (‘I’) 

Class ‘D’ Personnel 

Attendant ‘IV’ (Technical) 

Sri K.C. Chandola 

Attendant ‘III’ 

Sri Haradhan Mohanti 

Sri Kesho Ram 

Sri Prem Chandra 

Sri Ram Deen 

Sri Ram Kishan 

Sri Ram Singh 

Attendant ‘II’ 

Mrs Maya Devi 

Mrs Munni 

Sri Kailash Nath 

Sri Mani Lal Pal 

Sri Mohammad Shakil 

Sri Shri Ram 

Sri Bam Singh 

Sri Kedar NathYadav 

Attendant ‘I’ 

Sri R.K. Awasthi 

Sri K.K. Bajpai 

Mrs Beena 

Sri Deepak Kumar 

Sri Vishwanath S. Gaikwad 

Sri Hari Kishan 

Sri Inder Kumar 

Sri Dhan B. Kunwar 

Sri Subhash C. Mishra 

Ms Nandani 

Sri Ram Dheeraj 

Mrs Ram Kali 

Sri Ram Ujagar 

Sri Ramesh Kumar 

Mali 

Sri Rameshwar Prasad Pal (‘III’) 

Sri Ram Chander (‘I’) 

Sri Ram Kewal (‘I’) 

Sri Mathura Prasad (‘I’) 

60



Appointments and Promotions 

Appointments 

Dr Naresh Chandra Mehrotra, Director w.e.f. 01.03.2005. 

Dr Shantanu Chatterjee, Research Associate (under Emeritus 

Scientist) w.e.f. 11.06.2004. 

Mrs Mani Sharma, Junior Research Fellow w.e.f. 11.06.2004. 

Sri Krishna Gopal Mishra, Junior Research Fellow w.e.f. 

01.11.2004. 

Miss Divya Srivastava, Junior Research Fellow w.e.f. 12.01.2005. 

Miss Vartika Singh, Junior Research Fellow w.e.f. 14.02.2005. 

Miss Jyoti Sharma, Junior Research Fellow w.e.f. 23.02.2005. 

Sri Jagdish Prasad, Field Assistant w.e.f. 29.10.2004 

Promotions 

Dr Ashwini K. Srivastava, Scientist ‘F’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr (Mrs) Usha Bajpai, Scientist ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr (Mrs) Neerja Jha, Scientist ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr (Mrs) Asha Khandelwal, Scientist ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr Basant K. Misra, Scientist ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr Mulagalapalli R. Rao, Scientist ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr Samir Sarkar, Scientist ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr Ram R. Yadav, Scientist ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr Rupendra Babu, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr Anant P. Bhattacharyya, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr Mohan S. Chauhan, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr (Ms) Asha Gupta, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr Khowaja Ateequzzaman, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr (Mrs) Jyotsana Rai, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr (Mrs) Alpana Singh, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr Bhagwan D. Singh, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr (Mrs) Rashmi Srivastava, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr (Mrs) Rajni Tewari, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr (Mrs) Anjum Farooqui, Scientist ‘C’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr Amit K. Ghosh, Scientist ‘C’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Dr Gajendra P. Srivastava, Scientist ‘F’ w.e.f. 01.04.2003. 

Dr Rama S. Singh, Scientist ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2003. 

Dr S.K.M. Tripathi, Scientist ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2003. 

Dr Bhagwan D. Mandaokar, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2003. 

Dr (Mrs) Neeru Prakash, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2003. 

Dr Rahul Garg, Scientist ‘F’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Dr Ramesh K. Saxena, Scientist ‘F’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Dr Manoj Shukla, Scientist ‘F’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Dr (Mrs) Archana Tripathi, Scientist ‘F’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Dr Anil Agarwal, Scientist ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Dr Kindu L. Meena, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Dr Gyanendra K. Trivedi, Scientist ‘D’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Dr (Mrs) Madhabi Chakraborty, Technical Officer ‘C’ w.e.f. 

01.04.2002. 

Mrs Asha Guleria, Technical Officer ‘C’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Sri T.K. Mandal, Technical Officer ‘C’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Mrs Sunita Khanna, Technical Officer ‘B’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Sri R.L. Mehra, Technical Officer ‘A’ w.e.f. 01.04.2002. 

Sri V.K. Singh , Technical Officer ‘C’ w.e.f. 01.04.2003. 

Sri V.K. Nigam, Technical Officer ‘A’ w.e.f. 01.04.2003. 

Sri Keshav Ram, Technical Officer ‘A’ w.e.f. 01.04.2003. 

Dr E.G. Khare, Technical Officer ‘C’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Sri P.S. Katiyar, Technical Officer ‘C’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Mrs Reeta Banerjee, Technical Officer ‘B’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Mrs Kavita Kumar, Technical Officer ‘B’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Sri Chandra Pal, Technical Officer ‘B’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Sri V.P. Singh, Technical Officer ‘B’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Sri Avinesh K. Srivastava, Technical Officer ‘B’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

Sri S.R.Yadav, Technical Assistant ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2003. 

Sri Chandra Bali, Technical Assistant ‘E’ w.e.f. 01.04.2004. 

61




Agarwal A & Rajanikanth A 2004. Podocarpacean wood from 

the Cretaceous of Cauvery Basin. Palaeobotanist 53: 

173-176. 

Ambwani K, Kar RK, Srivastava R & Dutta D 2004. Occurrence 

of urticaceous fruit from Deccan Intertrappean beds 

of Mohgaon Kalan, Chhindwara District, Madhya 

Pradesh. Geophytology 32: 29-33. 

Bera SK 2004. Late Holocene palaeo-winds and climatic 

changes in Eastern Antarctica as indicated by long 

distance transported pollen-spores and local 

microbiota in polar lake core sediments. Curr.Sci. 

86(11): 1485-1488. 

Bhattacharyya AP & Srivastava AK 2004. Palaeobotanical 

investigations of Permian sediments of Darjeeling area, 

north-east Himalaya, India. Geophytology 33: 73-79. 

Chauhan MS, Sharma C, Singh IB & Sharma S 2004. Proxy 

record of Late Holocene vegetation and climate 

changes from Basaha Jheel, Central Ganga Plain. J. 

Palaeontol. Soc. India 49: 27-34. 

Jana BN 2004. Diversity in the Lower Cretaceous fossil flora 

of Dhrangadhra Formation, Gujarat. Geophytology 33: 

81-85. 

Jha N 2004. Palynological dating of coal-bearing sediments 

from the Bottapagudem area, Chintalpudi sub-basin, 

Andhra Pradesh. Palaeobotanist 53: 61-67. 

Kar RK, Ambwani K, Agarwal A & Saha SK 2004. Remarks on 

Glutoxylon burmense (Holden) Chowdhury from Lal 

Mai Hills, Comilla District, Bangladesh. 

Palaeobotanist 53: 137-142. 

Kar RK, Mohabey, DM & Srivastava R 2004. Angiospermous 

fossil woods from the Lameta Formation 

(Maastrichtian), Maharashtra. Geophytology 33: 21- 

27. 

Kar RK, Sharma N & Kar R 2004. Occurrence of fossil fungi 

in dinosaur dung and its implication on food habit. 

Curr. Sci. 87(8): 1053-1056. 

Khowaja-Ateequzzaman & Garg R 2004. Re-interpretation of 

archaeopyle type in dinoflagellate cyst Leberidocysta 

?scabrata (Jain & Taugourdeau-Lantz) Stover & Evitt 

1978 and its taxonomic reallocation. J. Micropalaeont. 

23: 11-14. 

62 

Research Papers published 

Refereed Journals 

Khowaja-Ateequzzaman & Garg R 2004. Callaiosphaeridium 

scabratum sp. nov. – A new dinoflagellate cyst species 

from the Early Turonian of Cauvery Basin, India. 


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

2004. Biodegradation of leaf cuticles during 

fossilization: A preliminary study. J. Palaeontol. Soc. 

India 49: 151-157. 

Kumar M & Borgohain R 2005. Palynofacies analysis and 

depositional environment of Bihpuria well-A, North 

Bank of Brahmputra River, Upper Assam Basin. J. Geol. 

Soc. India 65: 70-82. 

Kumar M, Saxena RK & Chandra A 2004. Dispersed organic 

matter from Neogene and Pleistocene sediments of Site 

218 of Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 22, Bengal Fan, 

Indian Ocean. Palaeobotanist 53: 155-160. 

Mandal J & Vijaya 2004. Oligocene–Miocene 

palynoassemblage from subsurface Cenozoic 

sediments, West Bengal, India. Alcheringa 28: 493- 

503. 

Mandaokar BD 2004. Age and depositional environment of 

Upper Bhuban Formation of Champhai area (Eastern 

Mizo Hills), India: A palynological approach. 


Mandaokar BD, Mehrotra RC & Mazumdar BI 2004. Fossil 

woods from Middle Miocene sediments of Karimganj, 

Assam, India. Geophytology 32: 119-121. 

Mehrotra RC, Pande N & Ralimongla 2004. Two fossil woods 

from Miocene sediments of Changki, Mokokchung 

district, Nagaland. Geophytology 32: 79-82. 

Mishra PK, Rajanikanth A, Jauhri AK, Kishore S & Singh 

SK 2005. Albian limestone building algae of Cauvery 

Basin, South India. Curr. Sci. 87: 1516-1518 

Pande AC, Bhattacharya DD, Jha N, Misra RS & Chandra S 

2004. Discovery of Lower Permian palynomorphs from 

the Manjir Formation, Chamba district, H.P.– A 

breakthrough study. J. Geol. Soc. India 63: 665-669. 

Phartiyal B, Sharma A, Upadhyay R, Ram Awatar & Sinha AK 

2005. Quaternary geology, tectonics and distribution 

of palaeo- and present fluvio/glacio lacustrine deposits



in Ladakh, NW Indian Himalaya: Study based on field 

observations. Geomorphology 65(3-4): 241-256. 

Prakash N & Kumar M 2004. Occurrence of Gingko Linn. in 

Early Cretaceous deposits of South Rewa Gondwana 

Basin, Madhya Pradesh. Curr. Sci. 87: 1512-1515. 

Prakash N & Rajanikanth A 2004. Podocarpoxylon 

bansaense n. sp. from the Bansa beds, South Rewa 

Gondwana Basin. Palaeobotanist 53: 177-180. 

Prasad M, Ghosh R & Tripathi PP 2004. Floristics and climate 

during Siwalik (Middle Miocene) near Kathgodam in 

the Himalayan foot hills of Uttranchal, India. J. 

Palaeontol. Soc. India 49: 35-93. 

Prasad M & Khare EG 2005. Cuticular study on the fossil 

leaves from Churia (Siwalik) sediments of Arjun Khola 

sequence, western Nepal. Palaeobotanist 53: 105-112. 

Rajanikanth A & Tewari R 2004. Environmental implications 

of Gondwana wood studies in India. Palaeobotanist 

53: 69-82. 

Ram Awatar, Mukhopadhyay A & Adhikari S 2004. 

Palynostratigraphy of sub-surface Lower Gondwana, 

Pali Formation, Sohagpur Coalfield, M.P., India. 

Palaeobotanist 53: 51-59 

Rao MR 2004. Palynological investigation of the Sindhudurg 

Formation (Miocene) exposed at Kalwiwadi, 

Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra, India. 


Sarate OS 2004. Biopetrological investigations on the coals 

of Kosar, Dongargaon and Mahadoli areas, Wardha 

Valley Coalfield, Maharashtra. J. Geol. Soc. India 63: 

406-414. 

Saxena RK & Khare S 2004. Palynological investigation of 

the Jayamkondacholapuram Well 12, Tiruchirapalli 

District, Tamil Nadu, India. Geophytology 34(1-2): 

Sharma M & Sergeev VN 2004. Carbonate precipitate patterns 

and associated microfossils in Mesoproterozoic 

Formation of India and Russia– A comparative study. 

Precambrian Res. 134: 317-347. 

Sharma M & Shukla M 2004. A new Archaean stromatolite 

from the Chitradurga Group, Dharwar Craton, India and 

its significance. Palaeobotanist 53: 5-16. 

Shukla M, Babu R, Mathur VK & Srivastava DK 2004. First 

record of Euendolithic biota from the basal part of Tal 

Group in Himachal Lesser Himalaya, India. Curr. Sci. 

87(7): 868-870. 

Shukla M, Babu R, Mathur VK & Srivastava DK 2005. 

Additional terminal Proterozoic organic-walled 

microfossils from the Infra Krol Formation, Nainital 

Syncline, Lesser Himalaya, Uttaranchal, India. J. Geol. 

Soc. India 65(2): 197-210. 

Singh J & Yadav RR 2005. Spring precipitation variations over 

the western Himalaya, India, since A.D. 1731 as 

deduced from tree rings. J. Geophys. Res. 110, D01110, 

doi: 10.1029/2004JD004855. 

Sinha AK, Jha N & Upadhyay R 2004. Additional information 

on palynological dating of Chhongtash Formation in 

eastern Karakoram and its phytogeographical 

significance. Curr. Sci. 86(5): 719-723. 

Srivastava AK & Tewari R 2004. Morphological and cuticular 

studies of Permian Noeggerathiopsis leaves. 

Geophytology 32: 83-89. 

Srivastava C 2004. Wood remains from Ahichchhatra, District 

Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh (ca. 475 B.C. to A.D. 1280. 


Srivastava R & Guleria JS 2004. Leaf impressions from 

Kasauli sediments of Himachal Pradesh and their 

palaeoenvironmental significance. Geophytology 

32: 97-106. 

Srivastava R & Guleria JS 2004. A Fossil wood of 

Anacardiaceae from Deccan Intertrappean sediments 

of Betul District, Madhya Pradesh, India. 

Geophytology 33: 53-56. 

Srivastava R & Kar RK 2004. Record of new petrified 

epiphyllous fungi (Polyhyphaethyrites) from the 

Deccan Intertrappean beds of Mohgaon Kalan, 

Madhya Pradesh. Curr. Sci. 86: 866-867. 

Tewari R & Mehrotra RC 2004. Cuticular fragments from the 

Makum Coalfield, Tinsukia District, Assam and their 

climatic significance. Phytomorpholgy 53: 269-284. 

Tewari R, Rajanikanth A & Jha N 2004. Permian Gondwana 

megaspores from Wardha Basin, India. Palaeobotanist 

53: 35-50. 

Tripathi A 2004. Palynology evidences of hitherto 

unrecognised Jurassic sedimentation in Rajmahal 

Basin, India. Revista Italiana di Paleontologia e 

Stratigrafia 110(1): 35-42. 

Tripathi A 2004. Unique organic remains from Upper Permian 

coal bearing horizon in Talcher Coalfield, Orissa, India. 

Palynology 28: 121-128. 

63




Tripathi SKM, Kumar M & Kedves M 2004. Advantages of 

the use of C60 fulleren/benzol solution in the 

ultrastructure investigation: A case study of Cycas 

rumphii Miq. pollen grains. Curr. Sci. 87(6): 769-771. 

Tripathi SKM, Kumar M, Kedves M & Jacso D 2004. SEM 

investigations on partially degraded pollen grains of 

family Malvaceae. Plant Cell Biol. Devel. 16: 57-67. 

Upadhyay R, Ram Awatar, Kar RK & Sinha AK 2004. 

Palynological evidence for the Palaeocene evolution 

of forearc basin, Indus Suture Zone, Ladakh, India. 

Terra Nova 16:216-225. 

Upadhyay R, Ram Awatar, Kar RK & Sinha AK 2005. First 

record of Middle-Late Jurassic palynomorphs from the 

Lamayuru complex, Indus Suture Zone, Ladakh, India. 

Curr. Sci. 88(6): 980-986. 

Yadav RR, Park W-K, Singh J & Dubey B 2004. Do the western 

Himalayas defy Global Warming? Geophysical. Res. 

Letters 31: doi 10. 1029/2004GL020201. 

Yadav RR, Singh J, Dubey B & Chaturvedi R 2004. Varying 

strength of relationship between temperature and 

growth of high-level fir at marginal ecosystems in 

western Himalaya, India. Curr. Sci. 86(8): 1152-1156. 

Venkatachala BS, Mandaokar BD & Kar RK 2004. Further 

observations on Meyeripollis Baksi & Venkatachala 

(1970). Palaeobotanist 53: 169-172. 

Other Journals 

Chauhan MS 2004. Late Holocene vegetation and climatic 

changes in eastern Madhya Pradesh. Gondw. Geol. 

Mag. 19(2): 165-175. 

Guleria JS, Sekar B & Nair MV 2004. A report on the 

identification of a wood sample of ship excavated from 

Thaikkal, Alappuzha District, Kerala. Sci. & Cult. 70(3- 

4): 169-170. 

Meena KL 2004. Palynology of surface sediments exposed in 

Basundhara nala, Ib-River Coalfield, Sundargarh 

District, Orissa, India. Minetech 25(4): 51-56. 

Meena KL & Goswami S 2004. Palynostratigraphic studies of 

Late Permian sediments from Tangadih area, Ib-River 

Basin, Orissa, India. Minetech 25(1): 18-26. 

Singh BD 2004. Coal petrology evaluation of Turra Seam from 

Singrauli Coalfield, Son Basin. Minetech 25(2-3): 3-18. 

Sinha AK, Jha N & Upadhyay R 2004. Karakoram 

Perigondwana Prant ka ek abhinna anga- 

Puraparaganuvik praman (in Hindi). BVAAP (June): 86- 

91. 

Proceedings & Edited books 

Awasthi N & Mehrotra RC 2005. Givotioxylon 

ricinodendroides gen. et sp. nov. a fossil wood from 

the Neogene sediments of Tirap district, Arunachal 

Pradesh. In: P.R. Reddy et al. (eds) Gleanings in 

Botanical Research: Current Scenario, CGK 

Ramanujam Comm. Vol., Dattsons, Nagpur: 255-258. 

Bajpai U 2004. Scanning electron microscopy and its 

application in the study of plant tissues. In: P.C. 

Srivastava (ed.) Vistas in Palaeobotany and Plant 

Morphology: Evolutionary and Environmental 

Perspectives, Prof. D.D. Pant Mem.Vol.: 295-306. 

Banerji J 2004. Mesozoic megaflora of Kachchh Basin and its 

palaeoecological interpretation. In: P.C. Srivastava (ed.) 

Vistas in Palaeobotany and Plant Morphology: 

Evolutionary and Environmental Perspectives, Prof. 

D.D. Pant Mem.Vol.: 199-206. 

Bera SK 2005. Pollen interplay in and around Dokriani Glacier, 

Uttarkashi, Garhwal Himalayas, U.P. In: P.R. Reddy et 

al. (eds) Gleanings in Botanical Research: Current 

Scenario, CGK Ramanujam Comm. Vol., Dattsons, 

Nagpur: 407-413. 

Bera SK & Gupta HP 2005. Vegetation and environment of 

Palni Hills, South India since 50,000 years BP. In: P.R. 

Reddy et al. (eds) Gleanings in Botanical Research: 

Current Scenario, CGK Ramanujam Comm. Vol., 

Dattsons, Nagpur: 163-174. 

Chakraborty S 2004. Coral records: a unique means to 

investigate monsoon variabilities. Proc. Int. PAGES 

Workshop: Late Quaternary Environment Change: 

Emerging issues, Pondicherry: 193-195. 

Chandra S & Singh KJ 2005. Floristic evaluation of Talchir 

Formation and its equivalents in other parts of 

Gondwana. In: P.R. Reddy et al. (eds) Gleanings in 


Ramanujam Comm. Vol., Dattsons, Nagpur: 

Farooqui A 2005. Palaeoenvironment and palaeoecology of 

Bet Dwarka Island during Late Holocene. In: A.S. Gaur 

and Sundaresh (eds.) Excavation Report of Bet 

Dwarka Island (2001-02). Publs. Aryans Books 

International, New Delhi: 91-97. 

Farooqui A, Farooqui SA & Sekar B 2004. Vegetation pattern 

since 4000 yrs. BP in Lalitpur, India: Mansarovar Lake– 

a case study. Proc. Int. PAGES Workshop: Late 

64



Quaternary Environment Change: Emerging issues, 

Pondicherry: 247-250. 

Ghosh AK, Chandra A & Saxena RK 2004. Middle Pliocene 

non-geniculate and geniculate coralline algae from the 

Car Nicobar Island, India. In: P.C. Srivastava (ed.) Vistas 

in Palaeobotany and Plant Morphology: 


D.D. Pant Mem. Vol.: 249-262. 

Guleria JS 2005. On the occurrence of two monocots in the 

Deccan Intertrappean sediments of Kachchh, Western 

India. In: P.R. Reddy et al. (eds) Gleanings in Botanical 

Research: Current Scenario, CGK Ramanujam Comm. 

Vol., Dattsons, Nagpur: 233-244. 

Guleria JS, Mehrotra RC & Awasthi N 2005. On the 

nomenclature of Cenozoic megafossils. In: P.R. Reddy 

et al. (eds) Gleanings in Botanical Research: Current 


Nagpur: 301-310. 

Jana BN 2004. Fossil flora of Kachchh– 1: Mesozoic 

megaspores. In: P.C. Srivastava (ed.) Vistas in 

Palaeobotany and Plant Morphology: Evolutionary 

and Environmental Perspectives, Prof. D.D. Pant Mem. 

Vol.: 221-227. 

Kapoor HM, Maheshwari HK & Bajpai U 2004. Evolutionary 

history of the northern margin of Gondwana 

Supercontinent during the late Palaeozoic. In: P.C. 



Perspectives, Prof. D.D. Pant Mem. Vol.: 119-131. 

Khandelwal A & Misra L 2005. An analysis of aeromycoflora 

at a vegetable market of Lucknow. In: A.J. Solomon 

Raju (ed) Changing Trends in Pollen Spore Research, 

Today & Tomorrow’s Printer and Publ.: 1-10. 

Maheshwari HK & Jana BN 2004. Spores and pollen of 

Ptilophyllum flora of Kutch Basin, India. In: P.C. 




Maithy PK & Babu R 2004. Some new informations on the 

carbonaceous macrofossils Chuaria, Tawuia and 

related remains from the Indian Mesoproterozoic 

sequence. In: P.R. Reddy et al. (eds) Gleanings in 


Ramanujam Comm. Vol., Dattsons, Nagpur: 175-188. 

Mandaokar BD & Ambwani K 2005. Tertiary plants and animal 

megafossils from Arunachal Pradesh, India. In: P.R. 

Reddy et al. (eds) Gleanings in Botanical Research: 

Current Scenario, CGK Ramanujam Comm. Vol., 

Dattsons, Nagpur: 259 -265. 

Rao MR 2005. Angiosperm pollen in stratigraphy with special 

reference to Oligocene-Miocene sediments of south 

India. In: P.R. Reddy et al. (eds) Gleanings in Botanical 

Research: Current Scenario, CGK Ramanujam Comm. 

Vol., Dattsons, Nagpur: 153-162. 

Sahni A, Rana RS, Loyal RS, Saraswati PK, Mathur SK, Rose 

KD, Tripathi SKM & Garg R 2004. Western margin 

Palaeocene-Lower Eocene lignites: Biostratigraphic 

and palaeoecological constraints. 2 nd APG Conf., 

Khajuraho (electronic version). 

Saini DC 2004. Ethno-phyto-toxicological studies at Sidhi 

district in Madhya Pradesh. In: PC. Chaturvedi & N.K. 

Sharma (eds.) Ethnomedicinal plants, Pointer 

Publishers, Jaipur (Rajasthan)-India: 192-225. 

Sarkar S & Corvinus G 2004. Palaeoecological significance 

of Zygospores of Zygnemataceae in the Siwalik 

sediments of Nepal. In: Keshri, Kargupta & Mustafa 

(eds.) Glimpes of Indian Phycology, published by 

Bishen Singh, Mahendrapal Singh, Dehradun , India: 

291-300. 

Saxena RK, Ghosh AK & Chandra A 2004. Calcareous algae 

from the limestone unit of the Hut Bay Formation 

(Middle-Late Miocene) of Little Andaman Island, India. 

In: JP Keshri & AN Kargupta (eds.) Glimpses of Indian 

Phycology. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 

Dehradun: 275-301. 

Sharma M & Shukla M 2004. Studies in Palaeo-Meso- 

Proterozoic stromatolites from the Vempalle and 

Tadpatri formations of Cuddapah Supergroup, India. 

In: P.C. Srivastava (ed.) Vistas in Palaeobotany and 

Plant Morphology: Evolutionary and Environmental 


Srivastava AK 2004. Evolutionary perspective of glossopterid. 

In: P.C. Srivastava (ed.) Vistas in Palaeobotany and 

Plant Morphology: Evolutionary and Environmental 


Tiwari RS & Tripathi A 2005. Ultrastructural studies of spore 

genus Indotriradites Tiwari 1964. In: P.R. Reddy et al. 

(eds) Gleanings in Botanical Research: Current 


Nagpur: 102-118. 

Verma CL, Maurya ON & Bajpai U 2004. Micromorphology 

of two species of Murraya L. In: P.C. Srivastava (ed.) 

Vistas in Palaeobotany and Plant Morphology: 


D.D. Pant Mem. Vol.: 409-414. 

65




Abstracts published 

Bera SK 2004. Late Quaternary climatic history of Schirmacher 

oasis and origin of polar lakes, East Antarctica as 

deduced from lake sediments and glacial organodebris 

using sedimentological, palynological and 

chronological parameters. Nat. Workshop Indian 

Antarctic Research Programme: Achievements of 23 rd 

& Planning for 24 th Antarctic Expedition, Goa: 35-36. 

Chakraborty S 2004. Use of AMS in studying the oceanatmospheric 

variabilities. User Interaction Meeting on 

AMS of Radiocarbon, Bhubaneswar: 

Chakraborty S 2004. Investigating Arabian Sea corals as a 

proxy record for the Indian monsoon. Indian Monsoon 

and Climate Variability during Holocene, Bangalore: 

33. 

Chauhan MS, Pokharia AK & Singh IB 2004. Pollen records 

of Holocene vegetation and climatic changes from 

Lahuradewa Lake, Sant Kabir Nagar District, U.P. Nat. 

Sem. Archaeology of the Ganga Plain, Lucknow: 41. 

Dived HD & Prasad M 2005. Siwalik (Middle Miocene) leaf 

impressions from Koilabas area in the himalayan foot 

hills of western Nepal and their significance. Int. Conf. 

Modern Trends in Plant Sciences with Special 


Amravati: 131. 

Guhey R, Sharma M & Sinha D 2004. Stromatolites from 

Neoproterozoic Indravati Basin, Chhattisgarh, their 

morphotaxonomy and palaeoenvironment. Nat. Sem. 

Sedimentary Basins Reso. Envir. & XXI Conv. Indian 

Assoc. Sedimentol. 

Guhey R, Sharma M & Thakur P 2004. Proterozoic columnar 

stromatolites from Indravati Basin, Chhattisgarh, their 

morphology and stratigraphic significance. 32 nd Int. 

Geol. Congr., Florence, Italy: Session T 03.01. 

Guleria JS, Srivastava R & Misra KS 2005. A rare occurrence 

of plant and animal fossils in the Deccan basalts of 

Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, India. Int. Conf. Modern 


the Role of Biodiversity in Conservation, Amravati: 

146. 

Gupta A 2004. Late Quaternary vegetation in temperate zone 

of Kumaun Himalaya– Palynological assay. Pollen 14: 

499. 

Jha N & Tewari R 2004. Occurrence of Late Permian 

palynomorphs and equisetalean axes in Sattupulli 

Area, Chintalpudi sub-basin, Andhra Pradesh. Int. 

Conf. Modern Trends in Plant Sciences with Special 



Khare EG, Rao MR & Prasad M 2005. Palynology of Lower 

Siwalik sediments (Middle Miocene) from Koilabas 

area, western Nepal. Int. Conf. Modern Trends in Plant 


Biodiversity in Conservation, Amravati: 133. 

Khendelwal A 2004. Management of mangroves around Chilka 

Lake, Orissa, India. Nat. Conf. Envir. Ethics 

Sustainable Devel., Mumbai: 20-21. 

Khendelwal 2005. Pollen in air and surface sediments of 

Lucknow, India: a critical assessment. 13 th Nat. Conf. 

Aerobiol., Nagpur: 15. 

Kumar M 2005. Recycled palynoflora in Late Oligocene and 

Miocene sediments of Assam: their significance in 

interpretation of depositional environment. Int. Conf. 

Modern Trends in Plant Sciences with Special Reference 

to the Role of Biodiversity in Conservation, Amravati: 

134. 

Mandaokar BD 2004. Depositional environment and age of 

the sediments (Early Miocene) in Chowngte Mizoram, 

India: A palynological approach. Nat. Conf. Recent 

Trends Botany, Chandrapur: 50. 

Mandaokar BD 2005. Meliola from the Oligocene coals of 

Makum coalfield, Assam and its environmental 

significance. 13 th Nat. Conf. Aerobiology, Nagpur: 59. 

Nautiyal CM 2005. Vigyan ka badalta swaroop: Prabandhan ke 

liye kuchh vichar bindu. HIMVAS-2005, 1 st Int. Scientific 

Conf. through Hindi medium, ITRC, Lucknow: 96. 

Pokharia AK & Saraswat KS 2004. Ancient crop economy 

from Ojiyana, Bhilwara District, Rajasthan. Joint 

Annual Conf. IAS, ISPQS & IHCS and Nat. Sem. 

Archaeol. Ganga Plain, Lucknow: 24 

Prakash N 2005. Early Cretaceous megaspores from Satpura 

Basin, Madhya Pradesh. Int. Conf. Modern Trends in 

Plant Sciences with Special Reference to the Role of 


Prasad M 2005. Fossil remains of the genus Dipterocarpus 

Gaertn. in the Churia (Siwalik) sequence of western 

Nepal and its phytogeographical significance. Int. 

66






Prasad V, Sharma M, Saxena A & Singh IB 2004. Fossil diatom 

assemblages from Lahuradewa Lacustrine sediments 

as clues for Human activity. Joint Annual Conf. IAS, 

ISPQS & IHCS and Nat. Sem. Archaeol. Ganga Plain, 

Lucknow: 45. 

Rajanikanth A 2004. Mesozoic terrestrial plant life of Pranhita: 

Godavari Basin, India. European Plant Taphonomy 

Meeting, Leiden, The Netherlands: 20. 

Rajanikanth A 2005. New Palaeobotany in an emerging 

partnership approach. Int. Conf. Modern Trends in 

Plant Sciences with Special Reference to the Role of 

Biodiversity in Conservation, Amravati: 144-145. 

Rajanikanth A 2005. Indian Gondwana: A traverse. 1 st J&K 

State Sci. Congr., Jammu : 171-172. 

Ram-Awatar, Kar RK, Upadhyay R, Phartiyal B, Sharma A & 

Sinha AK 2004. Discovery of the Middle-Upper 

Jurassic palynofossils from the Indus-Suture Zone, 

Ladakh Himalaya, India. 32 nd Int. Geol. Congr., 

Florence, Italy: A321GCWR8T. 

Ram-Awatar, Kumar M & Prakash N 2005. Palynofacies 

analysis of Lower Gondwana sediments, exposed along 

the Umarar River Section, South Rewa Basin, Madhya 

Pradesh, India. Int. Conf. Modern Trends in Plant 



Ram-Awatar, Phartiyal B & Sharma A 2004. Reworked 

Gondwana palynofossils from the Nindam forearc 

basin, Indus Suture zone, Ladakh Himalaya, India. 21 st 

Conv. Indian Assoc. Sedimentol., Annamalainagar: 28. 

Rao MR 2004. Role of palynology in biostratigraphic zonation 

and correlation of the Tertiary sediments in Kerala 

Basin. Nat. Workshop Sequence Stratigr., Bangalore. 

Saini DC 2005. Amarkantak chhetra ki Rog Niwarak avam 

Swasthy-vardhak Van-aushadhian (in Hindi). HIMVAS- 

2005, 1 st Int. Scientific Conf. through Hindi medium, 

ITRC, Lucknow: 50. 

Saraswat KS & Pokharia AK 2004. Plant resources in the 

Neolithic economy at Kanishpur, Kashmir. Joint 


Archaeol. Ganga Plain, Lucknow: 7-8. 

Saraswat KS & Pokharia AK 2004. Plant economy at 

Lahuradewa: A preliminary contemplation. Joint 


Archaeol. Ganga Plain, Lucknow: 46-47. 

Saxena A, Prasad V, Sharma M & Singh IB 2004. Phytolith in 

Lahuradewa Lake sediments as indicator of 

palaeovegetation and rice cultivation during Holocene. 

Joint Annual Conf. IAS, ISPQS & IHCS and Nat. Sem. 

Archaeol. Ganga Plain, Lucknow: 47. 

Sekar B 2004. BSIP contributions on palynology and 14 C data 

for reconstruction of Quaternary vegetation of India. 

User Interaction Meeting on AMS of Radiocarbon, 

Bhubaneswar: 9. 

Sekar B 2004. Emerging evidences of antiquity of human 

settlements in some areas of western coast of India 

transgressed by sea. APHW Conf., Singapore: 780. 

Sekar B 2004. Reliability tests in 14C dating. Joint Annual 

Conf. & Archaeology of the Ganga Plain, Lucknow. 

Shah SK & Bhattacharyya A 2005. Tree-ring analysis of 

Cedrela toona Roxb. from Kalimpong, Darjeeling 

Himalaya. 1 st Prof. R. Ananthakrishnan Mem. Conf. 

on Atmospheric Science, Climate Change and 

Environmental Studies, IITM, Pune: 

Shankar R, Prabhu CN, Vijaya Kumar GT & Sekar B 2004. 

Reconstruction of paleoclimate and Human-induced 

changes from Lake/Tank-bed sediments from 

Karnataka, India: Preliminary results. Indian Monsoon 

and Climate Variability during Holocene, Bangalore: 

18. 

Sharma A, Upadhyay R, Phartiyal B & Ram-Awatar 2004. 

Sedimentological and geochemical characteristics of 

Nubra-Shyok River valley sediments, Ladakh-Himalaya. 

21 st Conv. Indian Assoc. Sedimentol., Annamalainagar: 

189. 

Sharma A, Upadhyay R, Phartiyal B, Ram-Awatar & Sinha 

AK 2004. Geochemical aspects of rock weathering in 

Ladakh and adjoining regions. 32 nd Int. Geol. Congr., 

Italy: A321GCWR8T. 

Sharma C 2004. Pollen rain at Keoladeo National Park (Ghana), 

Wetland, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. Joint AOGS 1 st Annual 

Meeting & 2 nd APHW Conf., Singapore: 762-764. 

Sharma M 2004. Microbial diversity and akinetes production 

in the environment of synsedimentary micrite 

deposition and carbonate precipitate patterns: A case 

study from Mesoproterozoic Jaradag Fawn Limestone 

Formation, Vindhyan Supergroup, Bihar, India. 32 nd Int. 

Geol. Congr., Florence, Italy: Session T18.03. 

67




Sharma M 2004. Inter-relationship (position and connection) 

between South China Block vis a vis Australia and 

India in SWEAT hypothesis: Neoproterozoic 

biogeography and organismal constraints. IGCP-440 

Nat. Workshop, Thiruvananthapuram: 19. 

Sharma M, Prasad V, Saxena A & Singh IB 2004. Microscopic 

charcoal in Lacustrine sediments of Lahuradewa, as 

evidence of Human activity. Joint Annual Conf. IAS, 


Lucknow: 48. 

Shukla M, Tewari VC, Babu R & Kumar P 2004. Vendian 

non-mineralised sponges from the Buxa Dolomite, 

Lesser Himalaya, India. Working Group Meeting 

IGCP-493, Italy. 

Srivastava AK 2004. Late Palaeozoic plant fossil assemblages 

from India. Nat. Conf. Recent Trends Botany, 

Chandrapur: 8. 

Srivastava AK 2004. Geologic history of plants and biodiversity 

conservation. Int. Conf. Modern Trends in Plant 



Srivastava C 2004. Emerging trends of palaeoethnobotanical 

investigations at ancient Ahirua Rajarampur and 

Siyapur, District Kannauj, U.P. Joint Annual Conf. IAS, 


Lucknow: 24. 

Srivastava R 2004. Palaeobiodiversity in Tertiary sequences 

of India. Int. Conf. Modern Trends in Plant Sciences 

with Special Reference to the Role of Biodiversity in 

Conservation, Amravati: 147. 

Tewari R 2004. Significance of fossil plant cuticles in 

palaeoecology. European Plant Taphonomy Meeting, 

Leiden, The Netherlands: 21. 

Tewari R 2004. Permian megafloristics of Wardha Basin, 

Maharashtra. Int. Conf. Modern Trends in Plant 



Tewari R, Srivastava RK, Singh KK, Saraswat KS, Singh IB, 

Chauhan MS, Sekar B, Pokharia AK, Saxena A, 

Prasad V, Sharma M & Joglekar PP 2004. 

Archaeological studies in Lahuradewa Area, Ganga 

Plain: 9 Epilogue: Implications for the archaeological 

studies in Ganga Plain. Nat. Sem. Archaeology of the 

Ganga Plain, Lucknow: 59-60. 

Thakur OP, Dogra NN & Sarkar S 2004. Palynology of the 

Pinjor Formation exposed at Bikram Bagh in the Sirmaur 

district of Himachal pradesh, India. Nat. Sem. Plant 

Microbes & Environment: Issues and Challenges, 

Burdwan: 96-97. 

Thakur OP, Dogra NN & Sarkar S 2005. Organodebris 

analysis of the Pinjor Formation of Upper Siwalik 

SubGroup exposed along Markanda river section near 

Kala-Amb in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. 1 st 

J&K State Sci. Congr., Jammu: 160-161. 

Thakur OP, Dogra NN & Sarkar S 2005. Record of 

palynodebris from the Subathu Formation of Madighat 

area, Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Int. 



Amravati: 140-141. 

Tiwari R, Srivastava RK, Singh KK, Saraswat KS, Singh IB & 

Sekar B 2004. Archaeological studies in Lahuradewa 

Area, Ganga Plain: 1- Excavations at Lahuradewa, Dist. 

Sant Kabir Nagar, UP. Nat. Sem. Archeology of the 

Ganga Plain, Lucknow: 

Trivedi GK 2004. Palynology of the Kopili Formation (Late 

Eocene) in Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India. XI Meeting 

Palaeobot. & Palynol., Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil: 

147. 

68



General Articles/Reports published 

Bajpai U & Ambwani K 2004. Biological specimens and 

scanning electron microscopy. Geophytology 33: 115- 

118. 

Banerji J 2004. Bharat men Rajmahal ki pahariyon se Mesozoic 

Kalp ke sahjivata ke praman (in Hindi). BSIP Newsletter 

7 (June): 25. 

Bera SK 2004. Antarctica Mahadweep: Duniya ki ek 

vishalatama khuli vaigyanic prayogshala (in Hindi). 

CSIR Mag., New Delhi. June: 121-128. 

Bera SK & Bisaria S 2004. Ozone parat mein kshati (in Hindi). 

Vigyan Pragati. June: 16-19. 

Chakraborty S 2004. User Interaction Meeting on Accelerator 

Mass Spectrometry of Radiocarbon, Bhubaneswar 

(August 26-27, 2004): An analysis. Palaeobotanist 53: 

181-187. 

Chakraborty S 2005. Stable Isotope Systematics and 

Radiocarbon Geochronology. Handbook published on 

the occasion of the SERC School, Kanpur (Mar 27- 

April 16, 2005): 108-117. 

Farooqui A 2004. Conference report— European Geosciences 

Union: 1 st General Assembly Meeting and Conference, 

Nice, France (April 26-30, 2004). BSIP Newsletter 7 

(June): 14. 

Gupta A 2004. Pollen inside pollen. BSIP Newsletter 7 

(June): 7. 

Gupta A 2004. Conference report– XI International 

Palynologycal Congress, Granada, Spain (July 4-9, 

2004). Palaeobotanist 53: 184-185. 

Jha N & Bera SK 2004. Report— Rashtriya Karyashala: Hindi 

men Takniki Lekhan, National Physical Laboratory, 

New Delhi (February 19-21, 2004), BSIP Newsletter 7 

(June): 31. 

Kar R & Kar RK 2005. Mangroves can check the wrath of 

Tsunami. Curr. Sci. 88(5): 675. 

Kar RK & Kar R 2005. Respect is earned not commanded. 

Curr. Sci. 88(4): 531. 

Khanna S 2004. The man that was: Professor Birbal Sahni. 

BSIP Newsletter 7 (June): 9-11. 

Mahapatra DP, Choudhury RK, Behra AK, Gopalan K, 

Chakraborty S, Dutta K & Somayajulu BLK 2004. 

AMS at the Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, India. 

Nuclear Instrumentation Methods in Physics 

Research B223-224: 26-30. 

Mandal TK 2004. Prachin Bharat men Vigyan (in Hindi). BSIP 

Newsletter 7 (June): 23-24. 

Nautiyal CM 2004. Variation of temperature and other climatic 

parameters during the Quaternary Period. Everyman’s 

Science XXXIX(3): 151-159. 

Nautiyal CM 2004. Mangal par jangal ya jangal par dangal. 

Gyan-Vigyan 18-19 (September): 31-34. (also reprinted 

in serialized form in VIPNET News 2(10&11). 

Phartiyal P & Phartiyal B 2004 Landscape evolution and 

human impact in the Indian Himalayas (1880-2004). 

PAGES, Paired Pictures; http://130.92.227.10/products/ 

paired_pics/Himalaya1.pdf 

Prakash N 2004. Field (poem in Hindi). BSIP Newsletter 7 

(June): 29. 

Pokharia AK & Saraswat KS 2004. Birbal Sahni Institute of 

Palaeobotany: A window on the Archaeology. 

Souvenir: Joint Annual Conf. IAS XXXVIII, ISPQS 

XXXII and IHCS XXVIII and Nat. Sem. Archaeol. 

Ganga Plain, Lucknow: 30-34. 

Rajanikanth A 2004. Sivaraj Ramaseshan- A tribute. 

Curr. Sci. 87: 8. 

Rajanikanth A 2004. Holistic Science. BSIP Newsletter 7 : 8-9. 

Rajanikanth A 2004. National Seminar on Coastal Dynamics 

and Role of Geoinformation with reference to Indian 

Peninsula.-A Report BSIP Newsletter 7 : 15. 

Sekar B 2004. Conference Report— 18 th International 

Radiocarbon Conference, Wellington, New Zealand 

(September 1-5, 2003). Paleobotanist 53: 183. 

Sekar B & Bhattacharyya A 2004. Conference Report— Joint 

AOGS 1 st Annual Meeting and 2 nd APHW Conference, 

Singapore (July 5-9, 2004). Paleobotanist 53: 185. 

Sekar B, Rajagopalan G & Chakraborty S 2004. Radiocarbon 

Dating: Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 

Lucknow. Glimpses of Geoscience Research in India: 

The Indian Report IUGS 1999-2004, Indian National 

Science Academy, New Delhi: 38-40. 

69




Singh A 2004. Jiwashmi-indhan aur Bhumandaliya taap. BSIP 

Newsletter 7 (June): 26-27. 

Singh BD & Singh A 2004. Conference report— National 

Seminar Coal Bed Methane: its Present Status and 

Future Prospects in India, New Delhi (May 29-30, 

2003). J. Geol. Soc. India 63: 460-463. 

Singh SK 2004. Report— Orientation course in Museology 

and Conservation, Allahabad (December 12, 2003- 

March 12, 2004. BSIP Newsletter 7 (June): 31. 

Srivastava AK 2004. Appropriate sampling design in 

Palaeobotany for correlating floristics with 

stratigraphy. Curr.Sci. 87: 850-851. 

Tripathi SKM 2004. Ratna, Mani evam khanij: ek adharbhut 

gyan (in Hindi). Gyan Vigyan: 55-58. 

Tripathi SKM 2004. Professor Miklos Kedves. Palaeobotanist 

53: 191-192. 

Institute staff rendering Saraswati Vandana during Founder’s Day Function 

70



Papers accepted for publication 

Abbas A, Achyuthan H & Sekar B – Organic matter, carbonate 

content and grain size variations of the Holocene 

sediments collected between Cuddalore and Odinur, 

East Coast, Tamil Nadu. Ind. J Mar. Sci. 

Bajpai U – Ultrastructure of Calophyllum inophyllum fruit. 

Palaeobotanist. 

Bera SK – Recovery of airborne palynodebris from continental 

ice sheet, Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica: A clue 

for ice core study. Curr. Sci. 

Bera SK – Pollen spore transport into Antarctica and possible 

past climatic oscillations as deduced from Radiocarbon 

dates and Palynoassemblage in polar lake sediments: 

A status review. DOD Publ. 

Bera SK & Sinha AK – The Antarctica: Prospects of 

palaeoclimatic studies. Proc. Nat. Sem. Antarctic 

Geosci., Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction & 

Palaeoclimatol., NCAOR, Goa. 

Chakraborty S – Multi-oxygen isotope analysis of ground 

based ozone: implications to tropospheric chemistry. 

Curr. Sci. 

Chauhan MS, Pokharia AK, Singh IB – Preliminary pollen 

analytical investigation of early Holocene sediments 

from Lahuradewa Lake, Sant Kabir Nagar District, U.P. 

Proc. Workshop Archaeology of the Middle Ganga 

Plain, Lucknow. 

Farooqui A – Mangrove diversity along the southeast coast of 

India since Holocene: a palynostratigraphical record. 

In: R.D. Tripathi et al. (eds.) Plant Response to 

Environmental Stress, IBD Co. Publ., Lucknow. 

Farooqui A & Hema Achyuthan – Evidence of Middle to Late 

Holocene vegetation in Adyar Estuary, Chennai. J. 

Geol. Soc. India. 

Ghosh AK & Banerji J – Biostratigraphic significance of 

megaspores from the Triassic sequence of 

Peninsular India. Proc. XIX Indian Colloq. 

Micropalaeontol. Stratigr. 

Goswami S, Singh KJ & Chandra S – Palaeontology of 

Gondwana basins of Orissa State, India: A bird’s eye 

view. J. Asian Earth Sci. 

Gupta A – Fungal remains from Tertiary deposits exposed at 

Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh, India: Useful for 

studies on biodeterioration of cultural properties. 

Biodeter. Cult. Prop. 4. 

Jha N, Tewari R & Rajanikanth A – Palynology of Permian 

Gondwana sequence of Umrer Coalfield, Maharashtra. 

J. Geol. Soc. India. 

Kar RK, Ambwani K, Dutta D & Kar R – Major floral turnover 

at Mahadeo-Langpar Formational Boundary 

above K/T Iridium layer: Is it facies controlled? J. 

Geol. Soc. India. 

Kar RK, Mandaokar BD & Kar R – Mycorrhizal fossil fungi 

from the Miocene sediments of Mizoram, 

northeast India. Curr. Sci. 

Mandal J – Bombacaceae pollen from the Indian Tertiary 

sediments and its bearing on the evolution and 

migration. Rev. Palaeobot. Palynol. 

Mandaokar BD – Depositional environment and age of the 

sediments (Early Miocene) in Chowngte Mizoram, 

India: A palynological approach. 

Micropalaeontology. 

Mandaokar BD, Upadhyay R & Mehrotra RC – Animal remains 

from the Bhuban Formation of the Lunglei District, 

Mizoram. J. Geol. Soc. India. 

Mehrotra NC, Venkatachala BS & Kapoor PN – Palynology 

in hydrocarbon exploration- the Indian scenario, Part- 

II: Spatial and temporal distribution of significant 

spores, pollen and dinoflagellate cysts in the 

Mesozoic-Cenozoic sediments of petroliferous basins. 

Mem. Geol. Soc .India. 

Phartiyal B & Kotlia BS – A geomagnetic excursion/event at 

~20,000-19,000 yrs BP recorded from the palaeolake 

sediments of Pithoragarh and Champawat districts 

(Kumaun Lesser Himalaya) Uttaranchal, India. J. Geol. 

Soc. India. 

Prakash N – Early Cretaceous conifers from Sehora, Satpura 

Basin, India. Palaeobotanist. 

Prakash N – Reappraisal of Athgarh flora with remarks on its 

age. Geophytology. 

Prasad M & Pandey SM – Fossil flora from Siwalik sediments 

of Suraikhola in the Himalayan foot hills of western 

Nepal and its phytogeographical and palaeoclimatic 

71




implications. Proc. Nat. Conf. Plant Microbebs & 

Environment: Issuse and Challenges, Burdman. 

Rajanikanth A – Vestiges of vanquished plants: A reminder to 

modern man. Proc. Nat. Conf. Environmental Ethics 

& Sustainable Development, Mumbai. 

Rajanikanth A – Status of coastal Gondwana- A floristic 

perspective. Proc. Nat. Sem. Coastal Dynamics & 

Role of Geoinformation with reference to Indian 

Peninsula, Mangalore. 

Ram-Awatar – Palynostratigraphy and depositional 

environment of Lower Gondwana sediments in Raigarh 

Basin Chhattisgarh, India. XIX Indian Coloq. 

Micropalaeontol. Stratigr., Varanasi. 

Ram-Awatar & Dutta A – Palynodating of Dhanda Pahar 

sediments and their stratigraphic status in South Rewa 

Basin, M.P., India. Proc. Workshop on Solid Fossil 

Fuel- An Introspection and Perception in Indian 

context, GSI, Kolkata. 

Ram-Awatar, Kumar M & Prakash N – Palynofacies analysis 

of Lower Gondwana sediments, exposed along the 

Umrar River Section, South Rewa Gondwana Basin. 


Rao MR – Reworked Permian and Cretaceous palynofossils 

from Miocene sediments of Mangalore, Karnataka, 

India. J. Geol. Soc. India. 

Rao PV, Kumar A, Naqvi SWA, Chivas A & Sekar B – Lime 

muds off Northwestern India: Genesis of Late 

Quaternary Lime muds off Northwestern India. Sed. 

Geol. 

Seetharamaiah J, Farooqui A, Nageshwara Rao K & Bhagwan 

KVS – Late Holocene development of Iskapalli lagoon, 

east coast, India. Indian J. Marine Sci. 

Sekar B – Reconstruction of past climate changes in Indian 

subcontinent for the last 40 ka on the basis of C-14 

dating, chemical analysis and other multi proxy data 

and their correlations with other global sites- a review. 


Sharma N, Kar RK, Agarwal A & Kar R – Fungi in the 

Dinosaurian (Isisaurus) coprolite from Lameta 

Formation (Maastrichtian) and its reflection on the 

food habit and environment. Micropaleontol. 

Sharma N, Mandaokar BD & Kar RK – Two new fossil fungi 

from the Ledo Colliery (Oligocene), Makum 

Coalfield, Assam, India. Micropalaeontology. 

Shukla M, Babu R, Mathur VK & Srivastava DK – Microbial 

remains from the Chambaghat Formation, Krol Group 

Himachal Lesser Himalaya, India and their significance. 

Curr. Sci. 

Singh KJ, Goswami S & Chandra S – Occurrence of Cordaitales 

from Lower Gondwana sediments of Ib-River Coalfield, 

Orissa, India: An Indian scenario. J. Asian Earth Sci. 

Singh RS & Kar R – Microfloral remains from Deccan 

Intertrappeans: implication in K/T transition and 

palaecology. XIX Indian Coloq. Micropalaeontol. 

Stratigr., Varanasi. 

Srivastava AK & Tewari R – Megaspore assemblage from 

Pench Valley Coalfield, Madhya Pradesh, India. 

Geopyhtology. 

Srivastava C – Botanical remains. In: D.P. Tewari (ed.) 

Excavations at Saunphari-2003, Dept. of AIH & 

Archaeology, LU Lucknow. 

Srivastava GP, Shukla M, Kumar P & Anand-Prakash – Record 

of Pillbug (Armadi/Lidium) and millipede (Polyzenus) 

remains from the resin lumps of Warkalli Formation 

(Upper Tertiary), Kerala Coast, India. J. Geol. Soc. India. 

Tewari R & Jha N – Occurrence of plant mega- and microfossils 

from Barakar and Raniganj formations of Manuguru 

Area, Godavari Graben, Andhra Pradesh, India. J. Gol. 

Soc. India. 

Tewari R, Mandaokar BD & Mehrotra RC – Cuticular study 

from the Oligocene sediments of North-East India. J. 

Appl. Biol. Sci. 

Tripathi A, Vijaya & Raychowdhuri A – Triassic palynoflora 

from Mahuli-Mahersop area, Singrauli Coalfield 

(southern extension), Sarguja District, Chhattisgarh, 

India. J. Palaeontol. Soc. India. 

72



AUDIT REPORT 

to the Governing Body of the 


53 University Road, Lucknow 

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

31st March 2005 and also the Income & Expenditure account and Receipt & Payment account for the year 

ended on that date annexed thereto. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Institute’s 

management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in India. Those 

Standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 

financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence 

supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. An audit also includes assessing the 

accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the 

overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our 

opinion. 

Further to our comments in the Annexure “A” attached, we report that: 

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

(iv) 

We have obtained all the information and explanation, which to the best of our knowledge and belief 

were necessary for the purpose of our audit; 

In our opinion, proper books of account as required by law have been kept by the Institute so far as 

appears from our examination of those books; 

The Balance Sheet and Income & Expenditure account and Receipt & Payment account dealt with by 

this report are in agreement with the books of account; 

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

said accounts give the information required, in the manner so required and give a true and fair view in 

conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in India; 

a) In case of the Balance Sheet, of the state of affairs of the Institute as at 31st March, 2005; 

b) In the case of the Income & Expenditure account, of the surplus/deficit for the year ended 

on the date, and 

c) In the case of Receipt & Payment account, of the receipts & payments of the Institute for the year 

ended on that date. 

Date : 25.08.2005 

Place : Lucknow 

For Singh Agarwal & Associates 

Chartered Accountants 

Sd/- 

Mukesh K. Agarwal 

FCA, DISA(ICA) 

(Partner) 

73




ANNEXURE - ‘A’ 

(Annexed to and forming part of the Audit Report for the year ended 31st March, 2005) 

Comments/Audit observations on accounts of Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany- Lucknow for the 

year ended 31 st March, 2005 

Comments/Observations by the Chartered 

Accountants 

ACCOUNTS 

1. The Institute is getting separate grants for Plan and 

Non-Plan expenses based on the budgets approved 

by the DST. During the year under report, the Governing 

Body has approved on 21.03.2005 in its meeting 

to use Plan head for Salary instead of Non-Plan 

Budget. 

2. Advances (capital head) unsettled and pending for 

recovery/adjustment as on 31.03.2005 under 

different heads, since long, are to be properly taken 

care of at the Institute level for early adjustment. 

Details of which are as under: 

Action taken by the Institute 

As per the approval of GB, the Salary and Allowances 

component of those Scientific and Technical staff 

members who are working under the X Five Year Plan 

Projects were charged from Plan Head instead of 

Non-Plan during the year 2004-05. 

The advance has already been settled on 27.06.2005. 

The efforts are being undertaken to settle the advances 

as soon as possible. 

Date Particulars Amount 

a) Research 

Apparatus & 

Equipment 

2003-04 Olympus 272200.00 

Singapore 

b) Books & 

Journal 

1983-84 Handbook of 878.00 

Calcareous Algae 

(Vol-7) 

2000-01 1681.44 

2001-02 8238.23 

2002-03 18307.91 

The matter has been taken up with the UPPCL, 

Lucknow for the work to be executed at the earliest 

and advance to be settled. 

The advance has already been settled on 26.04.2005. 

c) CNR 

2003-04 Exe.Engineer 562789.00 

Lucknow 

(for shifting of 

transformer) 

1999-00 Air conditioning 17799.00 

3. Institute Authorities are advised to be more cautious 

At present, most of the Pensioners are within the zero 

74




Accountants 

in calculating and deducting tax at source on Pension 

payments: 

4.The Institute should adopt double entry system of accounting 

for more effective and meaningful maintenance 

of accounting records. It will also help proper 

accounting records comparable with standards applicable 

in India. 


income tax limit. The Pensioners above income tax 

limit have submitted documentary proofs of various 

income tax saving schemes to save income tax and 

hence tax deducted at source has been regulated 

accordingly. 

Efforts are under way for the Institute to adopt double 

entry system of accounting. 

LIBRARY 

5. As per the Bye Laws/Rules of the Institute the Physical 

Verification of the Library is to be carried out at an 

interval of 2 years. Verification for the year 2004-05 

has become due but discrepancies mentioned in the 

year 2002-03 are yet to be taken up for eventual rectification. 

Physical vertification of Library for 2002-03 has been 

completed and report has been submitted. 33 

publications/books are still missing and efforts are being 

made to trace them. 

Physical verification of Library for 2004-05 is in process. 

PUBLICATION 

6. On scrutiny of records of the priced publication of the 

Institute, it has been observed that during last several 

years, the Institute had brought out publications on 

different subjects with an objective to sell out the same, 

in the market. The stock position of these priced publications 

as on 31.03.05 was Rs.43.25 Lacs apart from 

the reserved stock of Rs.6.68 Lacs. Thus, the total 

stock of the publications stood at Rs.49.93 Lacs at 

the close of the year, which seems to be on higher 

side. A 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. 

The Institute authorities are expected to make it certain 

that wasteful avoidable expenses on any account is 

avoided by effective assessment. 

The F&B Committee during its meeting held on October 

26, 2004 has recommended that the prized publications 

published before 2000 be given to Institutions/Universities 

for Institutional/ Library use free of cost on request. 

Accordingly, advertisement has been hosted in our 

Institute’s Website and advertisement has been given in 

the Current Science. Some requests from different 

Universities have already been received. The GB during 

its meeting held on September 09, 2005 has decided to 

introduce a special five years subscription offer of the 

Journal ‘The Palaeobotanist’ and has advised that letters 

be written to Heads of Departments of Botany and 

Geology of different Universities informing them of various 

Schemes available to individual and institutional 

subscribers. 

Identification of marketing agency willing to purchase the 

unsold publications on the Institute’s terms and conditions 

is also being looked into. 

75





Accountants 


STORES 

7. The Fixed Assets Register and Stores Register are 

being maintained properly. Physical verification was 

to be carried out during the year under audit. As per 

Office Memorandum dated 05.09.2003 a Committee 

was constituted for the purpose but no progress in 

this regard has been noticed. It has been informed to 

us that the job of physical verification is still continuing 

and will be completed soon. Effective and timely conduct 

of physical verification should be the prime concern 

of the said Committee to make exercise fruitful. 

As per Memorandum No.316 dated 11.07.2003, 9 

Officers were deputed for physical verification of different 

stores/ sections. 6 Officers who could not submit the 

reports were again issued a reminder on 05.09.2003 for 

completion of the physical verification of different stores. 

Out of above, 5 Officers have submitted their reports. 

Only one report of Workshop is still awaited. 

Physical verification of different stores/ sections for the 

year 2004-05 is under process. 

RESERVE FUND AND PENSION FUND 

8. Reserve Fund & Pension Fund amounting to 

Rs. 76.61 Lacs and Rs.156.42 Lacs do not represent 

investments of matching amounts. Shortfall of 

Rs. 32.94 Lacs and Rs.69.40 Lacs respectively have 

not been invested as on 31.03.2005. 

Rs.69.39 Lacs have already been invested from 

Pension Fund and Rs. 66.6 Lacs have been invested 

from Reserve Fund. 

EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND 

9. As against the total reserves of Rs.387.52 Lacs against 

the Employees Provident Fund as on 31.03.2005, 

nothing was invested during the year. Interest on investment 

in bonds of M P Electricity Board amounting 

to Rs.20.00 Lacs has neither been received nor 

accounted for on accrual basis. Only Rs.69814/- received 

in the year 2000-01 has been accounted for. 

As reported, Rs.7,30,398/- has been received in the 

year 2005-06 and balance will be received on instalment 

basis. Incomes accrued on investments made 

with other bodies are also not accounted for on accrual 

basis. 

Rs.75.00 Lacs have already been invested in the current 

financial year 2005-06. 

Now, we have received Rs.775658/- from M P 

Electricity Board as interest on our investment of Rs.20 

Lacs during the current financial year 2005-06. 

We maintain our GPF account on actual cash basis. 

OTHERS 

10. The Institute had given a portion of their building to 

Indian Overseas Bank for opening one extension 

counter over there during June 1997 but till date no 

agreement has been entered into with them and no 

rent is being recovered. The Institute informed us 

We are realising the electricity bill w.e.f. 01.09.2003 

from the IOB Extension Counter as per approval of the 

GB. 

76




Accountants 


that an understanding regarding agreement has been 

made except on some issues. Institute authorities 

are advised to take effective steps for early realisation 

of rent. 

All the conditions of the agreement have been finalised 

and the agreement is to be signed soon and the realisation 

of rent is to be started with the recovery of rent from 

01.09.2003. as per approval of the GB.the mutual 

consent basis after expiry the initial agreement. 

Date : 25.08.2004 

Place : Lucknow 



Sd/- 


(Partner) 

R.K. Takru 

(Accounts Officer) 

S.C. Bajpai 

(Registrar) 


(Director) 

77




Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow 

Balance Sheet as at March 31, 2005 

Fig. in Rupees 

CORPUS/CAPITAL FUND AND LIABILITIES Schedule Current Year Previous Year 

Corpus/Capital Fund 1 136281941.00 133345867.00 

Reserves and Surplus 2 7262615.00 5883705.00 

Earmarked/Endowment Funds 3 55284209.00 48273674.00 

Secured Loans and Borrowings 4 0.00 0.00 

Unsecured Loans and Borrowings 5 0.00 0.00 

Deferred Credit Liabilities 6 0.00 0.00 

Current Liabilities and Provisions 7 89584.00 106352.00 

TOTAL 198918349.00 187609598.00 

ASSETS 

Fixed Assets 8 116476138.00 105865179.00 

Investments-from Earmarked/ 9 54638987.00 47628452.00 

Endowment Funds 

Investments-others 10 7660785.00 6066910.00 

Current Assets, Loans, Advances, etc. 11 20142439.00 28049057.00 

Miscellaneous Expenditure 0.00 0.00 

(to the extent not written off or adjusted) 

TOTAL 198918349.00 187609598.00 

Significant Accounting Policies 24 

Contingent Liabilities and Notes 25 

On Accounts 

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) 

R.K. Takru 


S.C. Bajpai 

(Registrar) 


(Director) 

78



Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow 

Income and Expenditure Account for the year ending March 31, 2005 

Fig. in Rupees 

INCOME Schedule Current Year Previous Year 

Income from Sales/Services 12 689180.00 345292.00 

Grants/subsidies (OB, Deposit A/C and Transfer from Cap. Fund) 13 60800000.00 61595000.00 

Fees/Subscriptions 14 0.00 0.00 

Income from Investments (Income on Invest. from Earmarked/Endow. Funds transferred to Funds) 15 241965.00 183205.00 

Income from Royalty, Publication, etc. 16 107240.00 210001.00 

Interest Earned 17 736617.00 352972.00 

Other Income 18 329346.00 122957.00 

Increase/(decrease) in stock of Finished goods and works-in-progress 19 0.00 0.00 

TOTAL(A) 62877348.00 62809427.00 

EXPENDITURE 

Establishment Expenses 20 44210479.00 39917868.00 

Other Administrative Expenses, etc. 21 12241885.00 12259680.00 

Expenditure on Grants, Subsidies, etc. 22 0.00 0.00 

Interest 23 0.00 0.00 

Depreciation (Net Total at the year-end-corresponding to Schedule 8) 0.00 0.00 

TOTAL (B) 56452364.00 52177548.00 

Balance being excess of Income over Expenditure (A-B) 6424984.00 10631879.00 

Transfer to Special Reserve (sepecify each) 1378910.00 1700000.00 

Transfer to/from General Reserve to Pension Fund 2110000.00 4660000.00 

BALANCE BEING SURPLUS/DEFICIT CARRIED TO CORPUS/CAPITAL FUND 2936074.00 4271879.00 

Significant Accounting Policies 24 0.00 0.00 

Contingent Liabilities and Notes On Accounts 25 0.00 0.00 



Sd/- 

Mukesh K. Agarwal, (Partner) 

R.K. Takru 


S.C. Bajpai 

(Registrar) 


(Director) 

79





Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended March 31, 2005 Fig. in Rupees 

RECEIPT PAYMENTS 

Current Year Previous Year Current Year Previous Year 

I. Opening Balances 1. Expenses 

a) Cash in hand 258 3 2 a) Establishment Expenses(Corresponding to Schedule 20) 44210479 39917868 

b) Bank Balances b) Administrative Expenses(Corresponding to Schedule 21) 12241885 12259680 

i) In current accounts 9762159 15141645 

ii) In deposit accounts 0 

iii) Endowment deposits 0 

II. Grants Received II. Payments made against funds for various projects 

(Name of the fund or project should be shown along with 

a) From Government of India 60800000 61595000 the particulars of payments made for each project) 

b) From State Government 0 

c) From other sources(details) 0 

(Grant for capital & revenue exp. 0 

To be shown separately) 

d) Deposit Account 0 

III. Income on Investment from III. Investments and deposits made 

a) Earmarked/Endow. Funds 2032 0 a) Out of Earmarked/Endowment funds 

b) Own Funds (Utilized) 0 b) Out of Own Funds (Investments-Others) 3488910 9705000 

IV. Interest Received 8733 IV. Expenditure on Fixed Assets & Capital Work-in-Progress 

a) On Bank deposits 434390 36986 a) Purchase of Fixed Assets 10609939 3695765 

b) Loans, Advances etc. 302227 307253 b) Expenditure on Capital Work-in-Progress 

V. Other Income (specify) V. Refund of surplus money/ Loans 

i) Sale proceeds of Publications 107240 210001 

ii) Miscellaneous Income 255849 108378 a) To the Government of India 

iii) Sale of Services (Consultancy) 689180 345292 b) To the State Government 

c) To other providers of funds 

VI. Amount Borrowed 0 VI. Finance Charges (Interest) 

VII. Any other receipts (give details) VII. Other Payments (Specify) 

(Pension Contribution) 69425 14579 i) Advances to Staff 1048354 1765146 

ii) Earnest Money Refended 15748 99002 

iii) Advances to Parties -6910338 2006687 

I) Recovery of Advances 1684311 1411718 

ii) Earnest Money Deposit 0 31948 VIII.Closing Balances 

iii) FDR Matured 0 0 a) Cash in hand 371 258 

b) Bank Balances 

i) In current accounts 9401723 9762159 

ii) In deposit accounts 

iii) Saving account 

iv) Endowment deposit account 

v) Excess Expenditure 

TOTAL 74107071 79211567 TOTAL 74107071 79211565 



Sd/- 


(Partner) 

R.K. Takru 

S.C. Bajpai 

(Accounts Officer) (Registrar) 


(Director) 

80

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