EPCOENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING & COORDINATION ORGANISATION

(An Autonomous organisation under Government of Madhya Pradesh)Bhopal

Biosphere Reserve Information Service (BRIS) Vol. 1 (No. I) , 2001

Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve

Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve

CoordinatorDr. R. P. Singh

Research Associate Dr. (Mrs.) Neelima Tripathi (Partly) &

Mr. Sharad Nema (Partly)

Project Assistant Mr. Rajnish Kumar Rai

Designing & Layout Hardeep Singh Saini

Education Officer, WWF-India (MPSO)

(EPCO)ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING & COORDINATION ORGANISATION

(An Autonomous organisation under Government of Madhya Pradesh) Paryavaran Parisar, E-5, Arera Colony,

Bhopal-462 016

Published by

Environmental Planning & Coordination Organisation(EPCO), Bhopal

For Further details contact:

Dr. R. P. SinghCoordinator, Pachmarhi Biosphere ReserveEnvironmental Planning & Coordination Organisation(EPCO)Paryavaran Parisar, E-5 Sector, Arera Colony, Bhopal-462 016Tel.: +91-0755 466970, 464318, 465686, (R) 468321,Fax: +91-0755-462136Email: epcobpl@bom6.vsnl.net.inWebsite: www.epcobpl.org

Contents

Page No

1 Editorial i - ii

2 Biosphere Reserves – General Information 01 - 08

3 Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve - Special Features 09 - 16

4 Ongoing Research Projects under National BR Programme 17 - 18

5 Ph.D. Summary 19 - 21

6 Research Papers Abstract/ Summary 22 - 27

7 News Items 28 - 33

8 Bibliography 34 - 36

Annexures (I – IV) 37 - 44

Editorial

India is one of the 12 megabiodiversity countries of the world. It represents two realms(Paler actic and Indian Malayan) and three basic biomes (tropical humid forests, tropical dryor deciduous forests and warm deserts or semi-deserts. It has 2 hot spots. Biogeographicallythe whole country has been divided into 10 zones. There is vast protected are network (PAN)all over the country.

UNESCO initiated the idea of Biosphere Reserves in 1973-74 under its Man & Biosphere(MAB) programme. Under the programme representative parts of natural and culturallandscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or acommination therefore are designated as Biosphere Reserves. In India, the NationalBiosphere Reserve Programme was initiated in 1986 and so 12 for BRs have beendesignated all over the country. Efforts are been made to designated atleast one BR in eachbiographic zone .The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve located at Satpura Hill-ranges in CentralIndia in the State of Madhya Pradesh, was designated as Biosphere Reserve in the March1999. Environmental Planning & Coordination Organisation (EPCO) is the Nodal Agencyon behalf of Govt of Madhya Pradesh for Implementation of Management Action Plan.

The Central Government has constituted an Indian National Man and Biosphere (MAB)Committee to advice and oversee Implementation of Management Action Plan and variousresearch projects in these BRs. One of the thrust area of BR is provide support for research,monitoring, education and information exchange related to local, national and global issuesfor conservation and development. Various relevant organizations have been encouraged todevelop innovative, interdisciplinary research proposals for Biosphere Reserves includingmodeling system for integration of social, economic and ecological data. The Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests, Government of India, has designated Lead / CoordinatingInstitutions for various Biosphere Reserves to serve as a focal point for assisting informulation for research projects and collection and dissemination of research basedinformation for use in better management of Biosphere Reserves.

Environmental Planning and Coordination Organisation (EPCO) has also been identified asLead/Coordination Institution for Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. Under this programmefollowing responsibilities have been fixed:

∗ Collection, synthesis, and dissemination of research based information in respect ofPachmarhi Biosphere Reserves from all sources.

∗ Interaction with regional research organizations for development of suitable researchprojects.

∗ Interaction with Biosphere Reserve managers to assess the research needs and crucialissues requiring research efforts.

∗ Publication of compendium of upto date information and bringing bi-annual publicationsaims at educating stakeholders.

i

∗ Any other assignment which may be entrusted by Central/State Government to achievethe larger objectives of the scheme.

In order to fulfil the objectives, the information have been collected from various publishedresearch papers, literature, books, journals, news papers, Ph.D thesis, etc. As it is the firstvolume of the biannual publication, the emphasis has been given to give a brief informationabout Biosphere Reserves in general and special feature of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve .Besides, attempt has been made to include bibliography, ongoing research projects, newsitems, abstracts/summaries of research papers, format for the project submission, guidelinefor emolument and other condition for research personnel and that institution, Ph.Dsummary etc.

Attempts have been continuing to update available information on various aspects ofPachmarhi. It is hoped that information will help to researchers, managers, local inhabitants,planners, administrators, scientists, NGOs, CBD etc . I would also request to our all readersspecially researchers/ scientists to provide us a copy of the their research papers/books onPachmarhi Biosphere Reserve so that we may incorporate the summary / abstracts of theresearch papers/books for disseminating these to larger users through our subsiquentpublications. This would also result in creation of data bank in EPCO. These would also helpto identify the main issues to find out the gaps so as to avoid duplication and to deviseappropriate applied research projects for the Management Action Plan of Pachmarhi BR,which would ultimately helpful in conservation of biodiversity of the area and socio-economic upliftment of the people residing in area.

I am pleased to inform your that our next issues will be mainly focussed on for nominationof Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve for UNESCO-MAB net followed by abstract/summery ofresearch papers/ books already published on Pachmarhi BR. We would also like toincorporate popular articles, notes, environment issues, or any other matter, which would berelevant to conservation and management of Pachmarhi Biosphere reserve.

The information given in this volume is also available on our website.

The comments/suggestions as per objective of the project would be welcome forimprovement of the information service.

Date: April 30, 2001 Dr R P SinghEditor

i

ii

Notified Biosphere Reserves (as on April,2001)

S.No Name of theBiosphereReserve

Date ofNotification

Geographicalarea(km2)

Location (State)

1. Nilgiri 01-08-86 5520 Part of Wynad, Nagarhole,Bandipur and Madumalai,Nilambur, Silent Valley andSiruvani Hills (Tamil Nadu,Kerala and Karnataka)

2. Nanda Devi 18-01-88 2236.74 Part of Chamoli, Pithoragarh &Bageshwar districts (Uttaranchal)

3. Nokrek 01-09-88 820 Parts of Garo Hills (Meghalaya)

4. Manas 14-03-89 2837 Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon,Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamprup andDarang districts (Assam)

5. Sunderbans 29-03-89 9630 Part of delta of Ganges &Brahamaputra river system (WestBengal)

6. Gulf of Mannar 18-02-89 10500 Indian part of Gulf of Mannarbetween India and Sri Lanka(Tamil Nadu)

7. Great Nicobar 06-01-89 885 Southern most islands ofAndaman and Nicobar (A&NIslands)

8. Similipal 21-06-94 4374 Part of Mayurbhanj district(Orissa)

9. Dibru-Saikhowa 28-07-97 765 Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukiadistricts (Assam)

10. Dehang Debang 02-09-98 5111.5 Part of Siang and Debang valleyin Arunachal Pradesh

11. Pachmarhi 03-03-99 4926.28 Part of Hoshangabad, Betul andChhindwara districts (MadhyaPradesh)

12. Kangchendozonga 07-02-2000 2619.92 KangchendozongaNational Park and surround Parkarea in Sikkim

&& Biosphere Reserves – General Information

1.0 Introduction

The idea of ‘Biosphere Reserves’ was initiated by UNESCO in 1973-74 under its Man andBiosphere (MAB) Programme. The MAB, launched in 1970 by UNESCO, is a broad basedecological programme aimed to develop within the natural and social sciences a basis for therational use and conservation of the resources of the biosphere and for the improvement ofthe relationship between man and the environment; to predict the consequences of today’sactions on tomorrows world and thereby to increase man’s ability to mange efficiently thenatural resources of the BRs. The approach emphasizes the importance of the structure andfunctioning of ecological systems and their mode of reaction when exposed to humanintervention including impact of man on the environment and vice versa. MAB is primarily aprogramme of research and training and seeks scientific information to find solution ofconcrete practical problems of management and conservation. The concept of BiosphereReserve (BR) was refried by the task force of UNESCO's MAB programme and wasformally launched in 1976.

Biosphere Reserve is an International designation made for representative parts of naturaland cultural landscapes extending over large area of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystemsor a combination thereof. Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are designated to deal with one of themost important questions of reconciling the conservation of biodiversity, the quest foreconomic and social development and maintenance of associated cultural values. Theseareas are Internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO’s Man andBiosphere (MAB) programme after receiving consent of the participating country.

2.0 Characteristics of Biosphere Reserves

v Biosphere Reserves are protected areas of land and/or coastal environments whereinpeople are an integral component of the system. Together, they constitute a world-wide network linked by international understanding for exchange of scientificinformation.

v The network of BRs includes significant examples of biomes throughout the world.

v Each BR includes one or more of the following categories:-

i. BRs are representative examples of natural biomes

ii. BRs conserve unique communities of biodiversity or areas with unusual naturalfeatures of exceptional interest. It is recognized that these representative areasmay also contain unique features of landscapes, ecosystems and genetic

variations e.g. one population of a globally rare species; their representativesand uniqueness may both be characteristics of an area.

iii. BRs have examples of harmonious landscapes resulting from traditional patternsof land-use.

iv. BRs have examples of modified or degraded ecosystems capable of being restored tomore natural conditions.

v. BRs generally have a non-manipulative core area, in combination with areas inwhich baseline measurements, experimental and manipulative research,education and training is carried out. Where these areas are not contiguous, theycan be associated in a cluster.

v Each BR should be large enough to be an effective conservation unit and toaccommodate different uses without conflict.

v BRs provide opportunity for monitoring, research, education and training on naturaland managed ecosystems. They will have particular value as benchmarks or standardsfor measurement of long-term changes in the BR as a whole.

v A BR must have adequate long-term legal protection.

v In some cases, BRs coincide with, or incorporate, existing or proposed protected areas,such as National Parks, Sanctuaries or Project Tiger Nature Reserves. The concept hasthe great advantage of being flexible and it is likely that it will continue to evolve asexperience grows.

v Each BR exemplifies voluntary cooperation to conserve and use resources for the wellbeing of people at local, national, regional and global levels.

v It is a system where planners, scientists, mangers and local people participate inevolving integrated programme to manage land and water to meet human needs and atthe same time conserving natural process and ecological resources through sustainableresource use which does not reduce the future use potential of the resources.Maintenance of long term health of representative ecosystems is the ultimate goal ofBRs, which will ensure survival of future human generations.

3.0 Functions of Biosphere Reserves

i Conservationv To ensure the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic

variations;v To encourage the traditional resource use systems;

v To understand the patterns and processes of functioning of ecosystems;v To monitor the natural and human-caused changes on spatial and temporal

scales.

ii Developmentv To promote, at the local level, economic development which is culturally,

socially and ecologically sustainable;

v To develop the strategies leading to improvement and management of naturalresources.

iii Logisticsv To provide support for research, monitoring, education and information

exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation anddevelopment;

v Sharing of knowledge generated by research through site specific training andeducation; and

v Development of community spirit in the management of natural resources.

4.0 Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries of Biosphere Reserve are local people, scientists, government decision-makersand the world community.

5. 0 Objectives

It may be noted that BRs are not a substitute or alternative, but a re-enforcement to theexisting protected areas. The objectives of the Biosphere Reserve Programme, as envisagedby the Core Group of Experts are as follows:

v To conserve the diversity and integrity of plants and animals within naturalecosystems;

v To safeguard genetic diversity of species on which their continuingevolution depends;

v To provide area for multi-faceted research and monitoring;

v To provide facilities for education and training; and

v To ensure sustainable use of natural resources through most appropriatetechnologies for improvement of economic living of local people.

These objectives should be oriented in such a way that BRs are the units wherein thebiological, socio-economic and cultural dimensions of conservation are integrated

together into realistic conservation strategies.

6.0 Criteria

The criteria for selection of sites for BRs as laid down by the Core Group of Experts in 1979are as fallows;

i Primary criteria

v A site that must contain an effectively protected and minimally disturbed corearea of value of nature conservation and should include additional land or watersuitable for research and demonstration of sustainable methods of research andmanagement.

v The core area should be typical of a bio-geographical unit and large enoughto sustain viable populations representing all trophic levels in the ecosystem.

v The management authority must ensure encouragement to research andmonitoring and enlist co-operation of the local and regional understanding inplanning and managing the area for conservation and human benefit.

ii Secondary criteria

v Areas having rare and endangered species.

v Areas having diversity of soil and micro-climatic conditions andindigenous varieties of biota.

v Areas potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes ofliving for harmonious use of environment

7.0 Zonation of Biosphere Reserves

In order to undertake activities relating to biodivesity conservation and development ofsustainable management aspects, BRs are demarcated into 3 to 5 inter-related zones. Theseare (i) natural or core zone (ii) manipulation or buffer zone (iii) transition or restoration zoneand (iv) stable cultural zone. In general, core zone and buffer zone are recognised for mostof the BRs in India . Ideally, all the components of a BR must belong to the same biome

7.1 The Core Zone: The core zone is kept absolutely undisturbed. It must containsuitable habitat for numerous plant and animal species, including higher order predators andmay contain centres of endemism. Core areas often conserve the wild relatives of economicspecies and also represent important genetic reservoirs. The core zone also contains places of

exceptional scientific interest. A core zone secures legal protection and management andresearch activities that do not affect natural processes and wildlife are allowed. Strict naturereserves and wilderness portions of the site are designated as core areas of BR. Whilstrealizing that perturbation is an ingredient of ecosystem functioning, the core zone is to bekept free from all human pressures external to the system.

7.2 The Buffer Zone: In the buffer zone, which adjoins or surrounds core zone, usesand activities are managed in ways that protect the core zone. These uses and activitiesinclude restoration, demonstration sites for enhancing value addition to the resources, limitedrecreation, tourism, fishing, grazing etc. which are permitted to reduce its effect on corezone. Research and educational activities are to be encouraged. Human activities, if naturalwithin BR, are likely to continue if these do not adversely affect the ecological diversity. Inbuffer zone, manipulative macro-management practices are used. Experimental researchareas are used for understanding the patterns and process in ecosystem. Modified ordegraded landscapes are included as rehabilitation areas to restore the ecology in a way thatit returns to sustainable productivity.

7.3 The Transition Zone : The transition area is the outermost part of a BiosphereReserve. This is usually not delimited one and is a zone of cooperation where conservationknowledge and management skills are applied and uses are managed in harmony with thepurpose of the Biosphere Reserve. This includes settlements, croplands, managed forests,and area for intensive recreation and other economic uses characteristics of the region.

Existing legally protected areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves andReserves/Protected forests) may become part of the BR without any change in their legalstatus. On the other hand, inclusion of such areas in a BR will enhance their national value.It does not mean that BRs are to be established only around the National Parks and WildlifeSanctuaries.

8.0 Legal Framework

Rules and regulations provide a broad planning approach to conservation and wise useof resources of BRs. These aim to ensure that:

1) National land and water use planning measures take full account of the functionsand values of BRs, and

2) Conservation of their biodiversity is guaranteed for sustainable use of benefits of BRs.

The Action Plan of BRs must therefore, be developed and implemented in conformity withother relevant national policies affecting BRs, relevant sections of Plan documents, NationalConservation Strategy & Policy Statement on Environment Development (1992), theNational Action Plan on Biodiversity (1997), the National Forest Policy (1988), the NationalWater Policy (1987), Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ), Environmental Protection Act

(1986), Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972) and its amendment (1991) and other relevant actstogether with the relevant planning documents.

After review of existing laws, institutions and practices, National planning related to BR isrequired to be reviewed. Appropriately amended economic valuation of BRs should beapplied and the role of the stakeholders in the process should be ensured (so that the Planincorporates both top-down and bottom-up approaches). The corporate sector should beincluded and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and restoration of degradedecosystems within BRs must be integrated into the planning process.

At present BRs are established within the framework of existing laws including Wildlife(Protection) Act, 1972. The respective State Governments can examine rules and regulationsspecifically for BRs, if existing laws are inadequate to deal with the requirements of theBiosphere Reserves.

9.0 How Biosphere Reserves differ from Wildlife Sanctuaries and NationalParks ?

v Its emphasis on overall bio-diversity and landscape rather than some specific flagshipspecies.

v Its emphasis on the importance of research activities; and

v It takes into account the overall developmental activities and resolves conflicts betweendevelopment and conservation and ensures increased and broad based local people’sparticipation compared to the Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks Programme.

v Special attention is given on different components of BRs like landscapes, habitats,species, and land races.

A wide range of development efforts, in which Government agencies are engaged, follow asustainable, environment friendly, people oriented course. The Biosphere Reserves areideally suited to serve as laboratories for such sustainable development. This requiressustained coordination amongst different development agencies of the Government.

10.0 Thrust area for Education, Research and Monitoring

Research and monitoring in each BR is very crucial to understand regular impacts of themanagement practices on ecosystem health. The Universities, Colleges, ResearchInstitutions, Non-Governmental Organisations, etc. are encouraged to formulate andimplement research projects in BRs. Such proposals are considered by the CentralGovernment for funding. Various relevant organisations are encouraged to developinnovative, interdisciplinary research proposals for BRs, including modeling system forintegrating social, economic and ecological data. The Central Government has designatedLead/Coordinating Institutions for each existing BR to serve as focal point for formulation of

research projects and collection & dissemination of research based information for use inbetter management of BRs.

10.1 Research and Development: The following thrust areas are recognized forresearch and development:

1. One of the gaps in the establishment of BRs is the size, shape and design of the BR.There is a SLOSS (Single Large or Several Small) debate for the size of reserves.Similarly, the relative merits of round versus long linear reserves need to be assessed.The design requires integrated knowledge on eco-geographical aspects, socio-economicaspects of local communities, magnitude of biodiversity, political and economic factorsand categories of people who use the reserve. Determination of research anddevelopment programmes aimed at finding answers to the above questions are givenpriority. Determination of monitoring regimes which include the identification ofindicators, the frequency at which monitoring done is an important component of themanagement of BR. Research and development programmes related to monitoringregime should be second priority.

2. The role of species in the maintenance of ecosystem health and their response to naturaland man made disturbance regime are critical inputs for the management of BRs.

3. Ecological rehabilitation of degraded habitats is of prime importance in themaintenance of biodiversity as well as in the sustainable use of landscapes and speciesfor economic benefit of the local communities. Research and development in the areaof ecological restoration should be given priority. This may also include propagationtechnique for rare, endemic species.

4. Valuing of biodiversity may provide the basis for the economic management of theBRs. Consequently, natural resource accounting form an important component ofresearch and development. Preparation of biological resource audit for BRs should begiven priority.

5. Besides the above major thrust areas, the following areas are also recognised as priorityareas in research and development;

v Identification of appropriate technologies compatible with the goals of conservationand evaluation of environmental and socio-economic efficiency of the identifiedtechnologies.

v Applied researches for increasing the efficiency of food crops, animal husbandryand other domestic sectors that bring down the local pressure on forests;

v Identification of factors that lead to environmental degradation and sustainable useof biological resources.

v Development of alternative means of livelihood for local populations when existingactivities are limited or prohibited within the BR.

v Identification of institutional mechanisms that ensure equitable sharing of benefitsfrom resources available in buffer zone.

v Distribution and ongoing changes in diversity at the landscape, habitat, species, landraces levels.

v Impact of ongoing development programmes, various commercial and subsistenceactivities on the distribution of diversity.

v Alternative possibilities for income generation and subsistence biomass supplies tothe local communities and their likely impacts on the distribution of diversity.

v Institutional mechanisms for ensuring involvement of local people in sustainable anddistribution of diversity.

v Institutional mechanisms for ensuring involvement of local people in sustainableand diversity friendly uses of natural resources.

v Screening of elements of biodiversity for potential commercial, especially novelbiotechnological applications.

Proforma for Application for grant for Research Projects is given in Annexure-I. Theguidelines for emoluments and other conditions of service for research personnel andbenefits for research progrmme for BR is given in Annexure - II.

10.2 Education and Training: Conservation, education and training among the localcommunities, public and visitors is an essential component of the management of BRs. Forthe long term maintenance of ecosystem health, audio-visuals depicting the role of BRs inprotecting life supporting systems and the need to caring for earth through sustainable use ofresources should be given priority. Attempt should be made to present to our people the truevalue of our plant and animal diversity and made them accept its relevance in their own life.Training to the local youth in skills that enable them to undertake participation roles in themanagement of BRs is also crucial for the long term maintenance of BRs. Designing oftraining package is also a priority area and imparting training is an aspect of management.Development and demonstration of integrated resource management with people’sparticipation in buffer zone villages is also a part of the training. In addition, training andeducation of the personnel responsible for management of BRs may also be assured in orderto assimilate modern concept and understanding about conservation and sustainable use ofbiological resources.

(Source : Extracts from Guideline for Protection, Maintenance, Research and Developmentin Biosphere Reserves, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India 1999)

&& Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve – Special Features

1.0 Notification of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve

Pachmarhi area was designated as Biosphere Reserve by Government of India videnotification no J - 220116/17/94-BR dtd 3rd March 1999 on the basis of Project Documentprepared by Environmental Planning and Coordination Organisation (EPCO), anautonomous body under the Department of Housing and Environment, Government ofMadhya Pradesh, and after getting concurrence from the Govt of Madhya Pradesh.

2.0 Location and Project Area

The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve lies in between latitude 22o11’ to 22o 56’ N and 77o 47’ to78o 52’ E longitude and covers three civil districts of Hoshangabad, Betul and Chhindwaraof the State. The location of BR area is given in Annexure- III. The total area is 4987.38 sq.km. It envelops three wildlife conservation units viz. Bori Sanctuary (485.72 sq. km),Satpura National Park (524.37 sq. km), and Pachmarhi Sanctuary (417.78 sq km). The area(1427.00 sq km) comprising Satpura N.P, Bori and Pachmarhi Sanctuaries, has also beennotified as Project Tiger in August 2000. Satpura National Park comprises the core zone andthe remaining area of 4525.93 sq. km surrounding the core zone serves as buffer zone.

The boundaries of the area (starting from the north west corner near Pathrota on Itarsi-Nagpur P W D road State Highway No.22 and moving clockwise) are as follows:

North: The road along north side of the Tawa left bank canal north of Pathorota at thepoint where it meets the P W D road eastwards to Kandai-Kalan, then northwards alongpucca road to Gurra Railway Station, again northwards along pucca road to Rampur toMarora, to Tawa river and across it, and along pucca road to Babai (partly), then all alongPWD road eastwards via Semri (south of PWD road) Sohagpur (including town), Shobhapur(South of PWD road), Pipariya, Bankhedi (including town), upto Dudhi river. (Survey ofIndia Toposheet 1:50,000 scale, Nos. 55F/14, 55 J/2, J/5, J/6, J/9).

East: Along the east bank (right bank) of Dudhi river, southwards (upstream) upto Mukundavillage upto which the river is the inter- district boundary between Hoshangabad andNarsinghpur and Chhindwara and Narsinghpur districts, then southwards (upstream) intoChhindwara district via Pindrai, Kosmi, Nagdaun, to Ghaki along the Tehsil boundary viaGotikhera, Jamandhar, Sahra Jaramandal, Harta Kachhar upto Rengadhana, then alongupstream of chitrewa river upto Dongra, then along road via Chhindi, Thanakhera, Sidhauli,Jaitpuri, Bijori connecting Piparia-Chhindwara State Highway, then to Tamia. From Tamiaalong Kachha road via Kalardharna, Itawa, Gonawari, Karanpipariya , Moari, Garadei.Chikhalmau upto Jamai , including town (Survey of India Sheets 1:50,000 scale, Nos. 55 J/9,J/10, J/11, J/12,J/15).

South : Jamai in Chhindwara district westwards along metal road (Jamai-Damua) toSwamikhapa, Dugariya, Nimdhana upto Damua (partly), then northwards along Bor Nallahupto Kangla, then along Kachha road via Bharuakhapa, Tarai, then westwards alongfoootpath to Matuya via Bulumpati, Hardukhera along the boundary between Chhindwaraand Betul, then along footpath via Bhandarpani, Kilandev to Imlikhera, then to Bhanpur,then along kaccha road via Jambodip Pahar, Nischintpur upto Chopna, then westwards alongpucca road via Hirapur joining PWD road (SH-23) at Shahpur excluding urban area.(Survey of India sheets 1:50,000 scale, Nos.55J/12,J/8, J/7, J/3, J/4 and F/16)

West: From Shahpur in Betul District, along SH-23 (Nagpur-Bhopal road) northwards viaBhaunra, Sukhtawa, Kesla upto Pathrota and crossing of Tawa left bank canal. (Survey ofIndia sheets 1:50,000 scale, Nos. 55 F/16, F/15, F/14).

3.0 Zonation

Core Zone: The Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve will have a core zone of 524.37 sq. km i.e.Satpura National Park

Buffer Zone: The remaining area of 4462.93 sq km will serve as buffer zone of theBiosphere Reserve.

4.0 Topography, Geology and Climate

Biogeographically the area falls in Deccan Peninsula (06) and Biotic Province - CentralHighlands (6A).

The altitude varies from 320 to 1352 m. Satpura hill ranges run east to west. The generalconfiguration of the area is hilly undulating terrain and at places precipitous having deepgorges around Mahadev hills in Pachmarhi plateau. The Satpura hill ranges run east to west,and the Pachmarhi Plateau is practically in the centre of the area having an elevation ofaround 1050 m. The Pachmarhi hills have steep slopes in the north and in the south it isstraight exposing the bare rocks. Some of the conspicuous hilly areas are Jambudweep,Dhoopgarh, Handikho, Mahadev, Chauragarh and Bee Fall. Amongst these the Dhoopgarh ishighest point (1352 msl) in the State. The area exhibits variety of geological rock and soilformations. The Archean Phyllites and Schists, the Jurassic, Permian Gondwana sandstoneformations of Bagra, Denwa, Pachmarhi series, Cretaceous, Ecocene, Deccan trap sills andDykes and recent Alluviam are found in the area. Pachmarhi BR has typical monsoonicclimate with three distinct seasons summer rainy and winter. The variation in climate occursfrom place to place. The Pachmarhi plateau is cool in summer and has heavy rainfall in rainyseason, where as low lands in Narmada basin are uncomfortably hot in summer with lessrain fall. The mean daily maximum temperature ranges from 260 to 420 C and minimum 9.70

to 250 C depending upon season.

5.0 Landuse Pattern

The landuse of the area based on Landsat Imagery of April 1990 and November -January1991-92 comprises forest (65.2%), agriculture (27.7%), water bodies (4.2%), wasteland(2.5%) and builtup land (0.5%). Of the total forest cover, the closed forest constitutes 85.3%,open forest 8.2%, degraded forest 4.2% and forest blank 2.3%. The Tawa reservoir is themajor constituent of the water bodies. The close forest constitute 85.3% of the total forestcover while the open forest cover is 8.2%. The degraded forest constitute 4.2% of the totalforest area, while the forest blank is 2.3%. Of the total wasteland the gullied and ravinouslands constitute 1.4% only and the rest (98.6%) comprise land with/ without scrub. Of thetotal areas covered under water bodies 30.2% fall under river/streams and the rest (69.82%)falls under reservoir and tanks. This indicates a bit of consistency in the effects of human useon the ecosystem. Thus the area is large enough to be effective as conservation unit.

6.0 Conservation History

From the rock paintings in the Pachmarhi BR we know that people were in the area over areaover 10,000 years ago. In 1962, when Capt.James Forsyth entered in the valley, the touristregion was virtually unpopulated. Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve has long conservationhistory. The scientific management and conservation of the Indian forests started in 1862 bydemarcating Bori Reserve Forest, which lies in Bori Sanctuary. This also resulted inestablishment of Forest Department in India. The system of firelines to control thedestructive annual summer fires were also first laid out in Bori. Thus the area finds uniqueplace in the history of management of forest of India. History

The Ramayana and Mahabharata speak of the entire tract south of Jamuna as a land ofwilderness inhabited by demons, while religious hermits of Aryan races dwelt in hermitagesin their midst. By the fourteenth century the area had come to be called ‘Gondwana’ after theGond tribe who chiefly inhabited it. In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, many Rajputclans, who by Akbar's time probably had succeeded in reclaiming the Narmada valley foragriculture, infiltrated this vast land of the aborigines. The Gonds retired to the higherplateau and slopes, to continue their hunting, and their own method of ‘Dahya’ or shiftingcultivation. In course of time, even the larger plateau were invaded by the aggressivenortherners. The aborigines remained only in charge of those lands, which were too arduousto till by the northerner’s methods.

This land was racked by much unrest due to the tensions between Marathas and Moguls andwas ransacked by Pindaris and renegade soldiers. Around 1818, with the advent of Britishrule and administration, the Pindaris were liquidated. The British too were more occupied inthe fertile plains and cared less for the aborigines and their jungles. The great ‘SepoyMutiny’of 1857, which nearly ousted the British, brought in a better administrative set up.In 1861 the Central Provinces was created, with Sir Richard Temple as the first ChiefCommissioner.

In 1861, the Forest Department was set up in Central Provinces under Capt. G.F. Pearson ofthe Madras Army, who was appointed Superintendent of Forests, with Capt. J. Forsyth ofBengal Staff Corps as one of his assistants.

In 1862, the Forest Department of Central Provinces started in a building named BisonLodge in Pachmarhi. The original house no longer exists, but at the same spot anotherbuilding has been constructed, also called Bison Lodge, which has lately been converted intoa Forestry Memorial and Museum by the Forest Department.

The earliest forest reservation in the State of Bori Reserve was done in 1865, the year theIndian Forest Act was for the first time promulgated by the Crown. This was superseded bythe Indian Forest Act, 1927, which, with amendments still holds good.

The landholding system, put on systematic basis in Akbar’s time also evolved along withsocial and political changes, uptil now there is only one type of land holder-the land owner-known here as ‘malik makbuza’ literally meaning the owner possessor, and a definite ceilinghas been put on the quantum of land held.

7.0 Floral Attributes

The area is virtually a junction of forest representative types prevailing in the State. It is anatural junction of two most important timber species viz. teak and Sal. The entire forest canbe broadly classified into three major types viz. moist deciduous, dry deciduous, centralIndian sub tropical hill forest. However, it can further be classified into seven types based onmicroclimatic conditions, soil types, topographical features etc . The moist deciduous forestcan further be classified into moist teak forest, slightly moist teak forest, moist mixeddeciduous forest. The dry deciduous forest can be classified as southern tropical dry teakforest, southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest. The central Indian sub-tropical hillforest are confined to hill top of Pachmarhi Plateau, specially in Pachmarhi Sanctuary. Thesite is exposed and having very poor soil. The area supports more xerophytic vegetation thatclosely resembles the tropical dry deciduous forests though rather enriched by higherproportion of evergreen vegetation.

The BR area is rich in plant diversity and ‘gene pool’ as the combination of differentclimatic and edaphic factors at various altitudes give rise to rich and luxuriant vegetationwhich is amongst the richest in central India . As many as 37 species of epiphyitic mossesand 46 species of terrestrial mosses,57 species of bryophytes belonging to 34 genera and 17families; 94 species of pteridophytes belonging to 18 families and 46 genera; 7 species ofgymnosperms belonging to 3 families; 1190 species of angiosperms (flowering plants)belonging to 127 families and 633 genera have been reported in the area. About 50 speciesof angiosperms are yet to be identified. The flora as known today is distributed in 180families of which 54 are represented by just one genus each, and 29 are represented by twoor three genera each. Many of the thallophytes, bryophytes and pteridophytes are found hereexclusively because of the special topographical and climatic features of the locality, and are

not to be found for hundreds of kilometres around in other areas. The presence of so manyplant families with just one representative and half, and as many as again with just two orthree representatives points to the relict nature of the vegetation.

The occurrence of relict population of Sal (Shorea robusta ) in the predominant teak bearingarea is a unique ecological phenomenon in the biosphere reserve. A distance of separates thispatch about 160-km from the nearest major body of Sal forest in East Mandla and northBalaghat Divisions. The area is the upper limit for the growth of Sal. It is also the westernlimit of Sal growth, thus making the area unique.

Out of the 21 preservation plots identified in the State covering various representative foresttypes, four plots lies in the Pachmarhi BR. The Government of India has identified 26endemic centres all over the country. The Pachmarhi-Satpura ranges located in PachmarhiBR is one of these endemic centres. The occurrence of sub tropical hill forest at Pachmarhialso makes area unique.

Pachmarhi plateau is a Botanist’s paradise. Presence of deep gorges on the Pachmarhiplateau have resulted in creation of several water falls, marshy places, perennial streams andhills of various elevations. Some of gorges are deep enough with narrow bank resulting instoppage of the sunrays at the bottom of perennial streams. Such perennial streams and darkshady gorges has resulted in growth of several moisture loving species of ferns, orchids,bryophytes, algae and many tiny herbs of immense ecological and economical values. Someof the rare and important species which are observed to be localized, may be considered as“gene bank” of rare species in these localities. Out of 71 species of pteridophytes 48 speciesbelong to ferns and rest to fern allies. Several angiospermic plants are also observed to berare in the BR area. Some of the important species of ferns are Psilotum, triquetra, Isoetespanchanaii, Selaginella exigua, Ophioglossum nudicaule, tree ferns i.e. Cyathea gigantea,and C. spinulosa etc. are found in Pachmarhi BR. The existence of several species likePsilotum nudum, Lycopodium cerenum, Polybotrya appendiculata, Lygodum flexuosum,Cyathea spinulosa, Polysticum ambile and several medicinal plants are in danger due toconstant visit of students of Universities/Institutions. A few clumps of rare and endemicspecies of bamboo (Bambusa polymorpha) occurs in the moist teak forest of Bori Reserve.In Pachmarhi BR there are several species like Melastoma melabaricum, Murrayapaniculata, Holmskioldia sanguinea, Blumea lanceolaria and Sophora interrupta which arenot found any where else in the State. It is one of the area where natural forests support largesized wild mango trees whose offsprings have arisen along suitable site, dispersed by manand animals. However, these trees even in the National Park area are not safe from ravagesof development. Along streams and water courses fine riparian forests are encountered withrich mango, Jamun, Arjun and Manilkara tree. The “gene pool” rich sites are visited bytourists constantly and local medicinal plant collectors for exploitation, thus threatening theexistence of these rare and endemic species.

8.0 Faunal Attributes

The faunal composition represents the Deccan Penninsular zone of biogeographicclassification of India . The great diversity of geo-morphology and vegetation give rise tomultitude of habitats and ecological riches that support rich wildlife. The Satpura NationalPark as well as Bori and Pachmarhi Sanctuaries have a much better population of wildlifethan other reserved forest areas. The area has long history and tradition of wildlifeconservation. Once upon time major animals like lions, elephants, wild buffaloes, Barasingawere present in the area (Forsyth 1919). However, these animals had disappeared now. Mostof the Pachmarhi BR is covered with dense forest vegetation and forms an ideal habitat forwild animals. Over 50 species of mammal, 254 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles, 50species of butterflies and numerous other forms of animals are found in the area. The steepvertical scarps are home to numerous raptors like honey buzzard and black eagle . Alsonesting here vulture and honeybees. These forests have both gray as well as the red junglefowl which are usually found separately either in north or south India, respectively. Amongthe other birds represented are Malabar pied Hornbill, Malabar whisting Thrush and paradisefly catcher. The presence of numerous streams, dense foliage wild flowers, woodland edgesand damp patches attract numerous colorful butterflies including orange Oakleaf, BlackRajah, Great Eggfly, Blue Pancy etc.

The wildlife belonging to schedule I, II, III & IV occur in the area. As per 1992 census 42tigers, 74 panthers, 3475 wild boar, 964 barking deers, 1223 guars, 981 cheetals, 981Samphars, 1282 Rhesus macaque, 6 crocodiles and several other animal species have beenreported in Pachmarhi BR. The reptiles population specially lizards, gecleos, skinks,amphibia etc. have yet to be thoroughly studied. Submergence of Tawa reservoir and Denwariver provide ample habitats for fishes, crocodiles and otters. Atleast 14 species of mammalsand reptiles are endangered including Tiger, Gaur or Indian Bison. Several species likeRhesus monkeys, Indian giant squirrels and Flying squirrels are endemic to the area. Thecrested serpent eagles are also rare species.

9.0 Archaeological Caves/Centres/Manmade Heritage

In the vicinity of the Pachmarhi plateau there are large number of cave shelters of greatarchaeological interests, contained in them are a number of rock paintings executed by thetribes. Some of these may be around 100 years old while a majority of these paintings belongto historical age, being 2500 to 1500 years old. Among them Mahadeo, Catacomb,Jatashankar, Pandav caves, Mandiadeo are important from archaeological point of view. Thepainting depicts warrier with sword and shields, bows and arrows and also elephants, tigers,panthers, Cheetals, dogs, peacock, horses etc. Paintings of women are less common thanmen. A deal can be learnt from the painting which are among the finest example of rockpaintings in India. The old public buildings at Pachmarhi plateau constitute the mostvaluable cultural heritage handed down from the past.

10.0 Cultural Attributes

The area is rich culturally. Mainly tribal inhabited it in the past. The hills around Pachmarhiwere supposed to be sacred because of Mahadeo or Shiva of Hindus. The Handi-Khoh, adeep gorge, is said to be the retreat of a monstrous serpent. Jambu-Dweep is also a gorge cutinto the soft rock at the bottom of which is a cavern in the rock which has been cut by wateraction to resemble a giant lock of matted hair and sure enough called ‘Jatashankar’. Ingeological terms they are called Stalactites and Stalagmites. Two important Hindus festivalsare observed in this locality with great fan fare. Nagpanchmi is observed in Shravan (July-August) and Maha Shivratri is held in March. More than 12,000 pilgrims come to attendthese festivals.

11.0 Aesthetic Attributes

The Pachmarhi plateau is always famous for its beautiful landscape. It is also famous as hillstation par excellence for those who wish to retreat from hubbub and bustle city of life. Thehilltops and slopes are fully clothed with vegetation, whereas the level lands on the plateauare vast open grassy glades (meadows), the likes of which are not to be found in any hillstation. These ecological glades, is the unique phenomenon.

The area includes Dhupgarh, the highest peak (1352 m above MSL) in Madhya Pradeshfollowed by Chauragarh and Mahadev caves. Chauragarh is a spectacular flat topped peakand is topped by Shiv Shrine much venerated and visited by people from surrounding plainspecially from Maharashtra. The Asirgarh Fort (in ruins) in Betul district is an old seat ofGond/Korku rule.

The hills of Mahadeo sandstone, which is made of soft rock, is cut into deep gullies by watererosion creating spectacular water falls all around Pachmarhi plateau, aided by rifts in thegeological strata. Patalkot, closely to Tamia in Chhindwara district, which is small hamlet ofAdivasis approachable by a steep footpath and hence insulated from civilization, anAnthropologists paradise.

12.0 Socio- economic Attributes

The area comprises 622 villages. The area is largely an agricultural rural setting withpreponderance of forest indicative of its hinterland situation. Agriculture is the mainstay ofthe population. Out of total population of 2,17,820 (1981 census), the scheduled castesaccount for 14.3% and the scheduled tribes account for 41.5%. The average family holdingis only 3-4 ha. The literacy rate is low (21%). The cattle and goats are reared in largenumbers in the area. Agriculture is the main source of income. Working in the forest area isthe supplementary source of income for the village lying in the vicinity of the area. Thevillage houses are generally constructed with muds and wooden poles. Common Hindu andMuslim festivals are observed in the area.

13.0 State of Tourism

The title “Queen of the Satpura” is richly deserved by Pachmarhi. The place is MadhyaPradesh’s most verdant Jewel, a place where Nature has found exquisite expression in amyriad enchanting ways. As one begins the bone jarring road journey from Hoshangabad toPiparia , one wants to question the wisdom of setting out to enjoy a holiday in the hills ofCentral India, but once beyond Matkuli the visitor is more than adequately compensateduntil the sheer calm and beauty of the plateau take completely by surprise.

Most of places of tourist attraction are located at Pachamrhi plateau, inside the national parkor adjacent to Pachmarhi sanctuary. The places of worth seen at and around Pachmarhi area,Priyadarshani point, Hondi Khoh, Apsara Vihar, Rajat Prapat, Raj Giri, Lanjee Giri, DutchesFall, Sundar Kund, Jatashankar, Chhota Mahadeo, Manadeo, Chauragarh, Dhupgarh,Pandav cave, Cave Shelters. In Bori sanctuary, Churna, is also base for tourism. For a trulywilderness experience, the visitor or can arrive upto Neemghan through Panarpani gate. Theflat land and good visibility along with rich wildlife makes excursions here unforgettable.

Tamia in Chhindwara district is also a scenic spot and does small group visit tourist spot in summer.More than 1.00 lakh tourists, mainly domestic tourists, visit the Pachmarhi area. Maximum number oftourist visit in May-June followed by October-December. Every year several groups of students visitPachmarhi area mainly for Botanical excursion and adventures.

14.0 Management Aspects

The State Government has appointed Environmental Planning and CoordinationOrganisation (EPCO) as Nodal Agency for Implementation of Management Action Plan ofPachmarhi Biosphere Reserve. The Executive Director, EPCO is the Ex-officio, Director ofPachmarhi BR. While the Director of Satpura National Park is ex-officio Field Director,Pachmarhi BR.

At State level, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Housing & Environment Deptt hasconstituted Coordination Authority for preparation of Management Action Plan and itsimplementation at field level. For implementation of the project at field level, a FieldImplementation Authority has also been constituted. The composition of the State levelCoordination Authority and Field level Implementation Authority is given in Annexure-IV.

The Annual Management Action Plan is prepared by EPCO on the basis of feed back givenby Implanting agencies and researchers. After the approval of the Field level ImplementingAuthority and State level Coordination Authority, the proposal is submitted to Govt. of Indiafor sanction.

& Ongoing Research Projects under National BR Programme

1. Development of Indicators (Ecological, Economic and Social inInstitutional terms) for Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystem inBuffer Zone of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve

Dr. R. K PandeySenior Scientist, Ecology & Biodiversity DivisionState Forest research Institute, Polypather, Jabalpur (MP)

Objectives: Considering the theme of the project development of indicators forsustainable forest management of forest ecosystem within the buffer zone andtransition areas of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, the following objectives areconsidered for identifications of indicators:v Assessment of structure and function of forest ecosystem in the study area.v Biological diversity sustained in the study site.v Assessment of utilisable resources and dependency (earning sources) on forest of local inhabitants (villagers).v Social organisation and their occupational pattern of people residing in the

project site.

2. Population Dynamic of some Endangered Species (Mammalian RodentSpecies) around Falls in the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve

Dr. Vinoy Kumar ShrivastavaReader, Deptt of Biosciences, Barkatullah University, Bhopal

Objectives: The main objective of this study is to observe the habit and habitat,population dynamic, determination of home range and territory and effect of humaninterference (due to tourism, hunting by tribal, water pollution created by tourism) onthe various endangered mammalian rodent species. Besides this, captive breeding willalso be done to increase the population of endangered mammalian rodent species bynatural and artificial treatment i.e., hormonal treatment. The utility of the project willbe to save and increase the population of endangered mammalian species inPachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

3. Conservation Strategy for Sustenance of Threatened Bioresources ofPachmarhi Forest Division (M.P.)

Dr. Ashok K. Jain ,Professor,School of Studies in Botany, Jiwaji University, Gwalior

Objective: The main objective of the study is:

v To make extensive survey of various forests areas of Pachmarhi.

v To collect information regarding multifarious uses of plants for various purposes

v To find out the rare, threatened and endangered plant species of the region.

v To study conservation practices of plants by local people or tribals.

v To propagate rare and threatened plants with low reproductive capacitiesthrough standard techniques.

v To study the herbivore pattern amongst different animal species and its impact on rate of survival of plants.

v To study the biotic and natural factors affecting the survival of threatenedspecies.

v To prepare the computer simulations of the species diversity model.

4. Analysis of Landuse Changes in and around Pachmarhi BiosphereReserve using Remote Sensing and GIS Technique

S.Khan, Dr. R. K. Singh & Alok ChoudharyRemote Sensing Application Centre, Council of Science & Technology, KishanBhawan, Arera Hills, Bhopal

Objectives: The main objective of the project is to study the temporal changes inBiosphere Reserve area within a span of 10 years (1990–2000) through remotesensing techniques and develop methodology to monitor changes in landuse /landcover of the area as a result of management practices in the study area.

& Ph. D. Summary

Plant Diversity and Community Patterns of Tropical Evergreen Forests,Pachmarhi Hills, M.P.

Sudhir kumar PathakInstitute of Environment Management and Plant Sciences

Vikram University,Ujjain, M.P.

The study area is located at Pachmarhi plateau and lies withen 22°28'N and 78°26' E. Inpresent work 13 sites have been selected according to their phytogeographical situation,microclimatic conditions and habitat conditions.

The main objectives of the work was: (i) to catalog the phyto-diversity of the Pachmarhi hilland to generate concrete knowledge of biotic diversity in the absence of which effectiveconservation of plant resource is not possible .(ii) to examine the relationship betweendiversities of different taxonomic groups in different habitats, and to identify indicatorgroups.(iii) preserve essential ecological processes that are responsible for maintaining offloristic richness of hill e.g. restoration of micro-climatic conditions at many places anddevelops undisturbed conditions.(iv) natural restocking of rare and endangered species ofadjacent (exploited areas).(v) propagation and multiplication of rare and endangered speciesby cutting and suitable vegetative propagation methods.

In the study area 5 types of community organizations have been recorded. These are due todifferences in topographical situation, soil and micro-climatic set-up. These are as follows

* The Sal forest dominated by Shorea robusta at the top of the hills.

* The mixed evergreen forest in the middle zones of the hills and around thePachmarhi plateau dominated by Mangifera indica, Terminalia tomentosa,Terminalia bellerica, Sygygium cumini and Anogeissus latifolia .

* The mixed dry deciduous forest dominated by good quality of teak (Tectonagrandis) at low region and associated with Albizzia lebbeck, Chloroxylon swietenia,Pterocarpus marsupium, Terminalia tomentosa etc.

* The grassland and meadow vegetations on the flat plateau dominated by perennialgrasses like, Andropogan pumatus, Heteropogan contortus, Themeda triandra,Cymbopogn martinii, Pseudosorghum helepense etc. Here grassland has developeddue to secondary succession.

* Dry thorn forest formed on dry exposed rock where soil is very poor. The speciesfound here are mostly Euphorbia, Manilkara hexandra, Rhus parviflora, Tecomastants, Lantana camara, etc.

Community pattern is also very peculiar and characteristics to the present environmental set-up. On the top of the hills and at higher altitude, there is dominance of Sal forest with fewassociates species. In Sal forest, there is no stratification and ground flora is very poor and atmany places this is naked. Sal constitutes almost pure forests over considerable areas. Thecommon associates are Mallotus philippensis, Mangifera indica, Albizia procera, Terminaliabellirica, Grewia asiatica, Flacourtia indica, Gmelina arborea, Syzygium cumini, etc. whichare supported by climbers like Bauchinia vahlii, Dioscorea sp, Celatrsus paniculata .

The species diversity of Sal forest was very poor. There was dominance of monogenericspecies only in many places. Total 32 species have been recorded and species importancevalue (SIV) of Sal was 68.23, which is highest number in all types of community. Thediversity of species was maximum in mixed deciduous forest which is occupied at lowerregions of the hills, where Sal and teak both are dominant. The SIV of the Sal was 32.16 andteak was 17.24. Topographical changes and hill directions have different micro-climaticconditions. Hill facing opposite to sun has always more moisture and humidity compared toside facing to sun. On such ecological condition, there is dominance of mixed evergreenforest, which is dominated by Sal and mango. The SIV of the both species was 43.61 and22.44, respectively. In areas where forest has been removed, there is dominance of tallgrasses intercepted by some medium size trees e.g. Rhus parviflora, Tecoma stans, Emblicaofficinalis and Terminalia spp. In many places there is exposed rock facing to sun which aredominated by Euphorbia nerifolia, Rhus parviflora, Tecoma stans, Lantana camera. TheMaximum SIV (48.51) is noted in case of Rhus parviflora.

The complexity index (CI) is a indicative of species richness and stakes of forest withrelation to rainfall. The CI of 5 types of forest has been determined to compare the speciesrichness and structure. The maximum value of the CI was found in case of Sal forest. Thevalue was 231.6 while maximum diversity species was found in case of mixed dry-deciduous forest. The lowest CI was noted in thorn forest. The stem density recorded for thearea reveals that it is greater in Sal forest and lower in grassland and meadow communityBasal area contribution was also higher in Sal forest, and minimum value of (29.3) ingrassland and meadows. The diversity index was higher in dry deciduous forests.

Plant diversity has also been described from lower (hepatic) to higher taxa (angiosperms). Atotal of 1173 species have been recorded in the area. The hepatic flora includes 57 species ofbryophyte belonging to 34 genera distributed to 17 families ( 27 species belonging to 18genera and 9 families of acrogynous jungermanniales, 5 species belonging to 3 genera and 3families of anacrogynous jungermanniales, 20 species belonging in 9 genera and 4 familiesof the marchantiales, 5 species belonging to 3 genera and 1 family of anthocerotales). ThePtredophytic flora includes 46 genera, belonging to 18 families and 94 species.Besides these,37 species of epiphytic mosses and 46 species of terrestrial mosses have also been recordedunder hepatic flora.

The Angiospermic flora include, 935 species belonging to 546 genera distributed to 114families. The third position of Asteraceae and seventh position of Lamiaceae, which are

more temperate in nature, indicate the semi-temperate nature of the vegetation. InPachmarhi area 4 species of gymnosperms have been recorded in the area. Themonocotyledonous families namely Poaceae, Cyperaceae and orchidaceae account 50%under the ten dominance of monocotyledonous plant in the area.

The percentage of dicot is 75.8% and that of monocot is 24.1% . While the value of dicotand monocot was 73.1% and 26.9% on the basis of study carried by Mukherjee (1984).

Present study also indicates that there is dominance of mesophytic flora of this hill due tohigh rainfall and more humid conditions. The most parts of the plateau has been naked anddisturbed. The micro-climatic conditions of many places have been altered resulting indeclining in flora & fauna of this region. The factors responsible for micro-climate changesand declining of the flora & fauna are as follows:

* Development of the hill in the light of the tourism and tourist attraction of this placehas been increased now days in manifolds.

* Construction of forest road and approach road at various picnic spots.

* A large number of botanical tours visited these places from all parts of country tocollect the flora and fauna at this place.

* Large scale collection of biological materials by biological suppliers.

* Collection of medicinal plants by local people and also by various Ayurvedic andUnani medicinal practitioners.

* Deforestation of local and tribal peoples in search of fire and fuel wood.

* Damage caused by the large spread of exotic species like Lantana.

* Cutting and grazing by local people.

(Source: Ph.D. Thesis submitted to Vikram University, Ujjain, M.P.,2001)

& Research Papers Abstract/ Summary

The Genus Riccia in Pachmarhi with SEM details of Spores of two Species

R.Udar and A. Agarwal.Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow (UP)

Riccia covernosa Hoffm. emend. Raddi and R. stricta Duthie ex Arnell have been describedfrom Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. The former had been erroneously recognized so for inIndian bryology, under the specific epithet R. crystallina L. while the latter is new to Indianbryoflora, previously known from South Africa. The taxonomic details as well as the SEMdetails of spores of both the species have been given in this publication.

(Source: J. Indian Bot. Soc. 64: 246-250, 1985.)

Status of Faunas in Protected Areas -The case studies of Eight Protected Areas ofMadhya Pradesh (India)

R.B.S. Kushwah & V. Kumar*Assistant conservator of forest, Sanjay National Park Sidhi-486661, Madhya

* Facullty , Indian Institute of Forest Management, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal- 462003

The diversity of the forests of Madhya Pradesh including the Protected Areas (PAs) isadversely affected by geometric rise in population which caused the serious depletion ofnatural resources and which in turn affected the management of forests and PAs. Therefore,the study attempts to investigate(i) the status of flora and faunas; (ii) computing theeconomic indicators, and (iii) assessing the social economic status of the people of the PAsin each of the eight PAs of Madhya Pradesh.

All the protected areas taken up for the present study are located in the State of MadhyaPradesh. The PAs were selected randomly representing one National Park and one sanctuaryi.e two PA units from each biogeographic zone/ Province. It is hard to define biodiversity inmathematical terms. So biodiversity indices are used for this purpose. The Shannon Wienerbiodiversity index based on the proportional abundance of the species, provide an alternativeapproach to the measurement of biodiversity.

The eight PAs selected were the Bandhavgarh (BNP), Indravati (INP), Madhar (MNP),Satpuda (SNP), National Parks and Nauradehi (NWS), Pachmarhi (PWS), Ratapani (RWS),Sanjay – Dubri (SDS), sanctuaries of Madhya Pradesh.

The BNP, SNP, PWS, RWS, SDS are situated in the “central highland” biogeographic zone.The BNP, RWS, SDS, comes under the province of Vindhya – Baghelkhand and the, SNP,

and PWS, in the Satpura –Maikhal.The INP is situated in the Eastern highland zone and theMNP in the semi – arid zone. The NWS is situated in the “semi-arid” biogeographic zonewithin the Malwa plateau.

The major biomass are tropical dry and moist deciduous, tropical secondary scrub forests inthe PA under study. The vegetation status of INP is vulnerable and of BNP, MNP and SNP,is endangered. The biodiversity values of BNP, INP, SDS, and RWS are high speciesdiversity, regional connectivity, large predator prey system. For MNP and NWS thebiodiversity values consists of moderate species diversity. For SNP and PWS there are highspecies diversity and regional connectivity and large predator – prey system.

The data reveals that among the national parks, the faunal species- diversity and species –richness as well as evenness of the distribution of species is moderate in BNP and MNPwhile these are good in INP and SNP. The value of Shannon Wiener biodiversity index forfauna is maximum (1.998) in SNP, while it is minimum (1.631) in BNP among the NationalParks. This shows that better species diversity and species richness in SNP in comparison tothe other three NPs. For SDS the Shannon index value (1.8493) and the index of evennessvalue (0.842) is highest among all eight PAS , while for PWS these are minimum (1.4383biodiversity index; 0.508 index of evenness value).

Therefore, the areas of these PAs (BNP, INP and PWS) with lower and moderate diversityindices are needed to be given more attention for protection and conservation of biodiversity.In fact, these areas being peripheral to territorial divestions are more affected by the bioticpressures from the adjoining villages which need to be minimized. Moreover, the highestpressure from tourists in PWS has to be regulated in order to improve the condition and thus“ Eco-tourism plan” should be prepared.

Thus, the study is not only of academic interest but relevant for management of the protectedareas (PAs).

The Shannon diversity index for Panthera tigress is maximum (0.0364)for BNP followed byINP (0.0213). For Panthera pardus its value is maximum (0.369) for SDS followed by(0.365) SNP. This justifies the “ Tiger Reserve” status of the BNP and INP under the ProjectTiger India . The species Babalns bubalis (wild buffalo) is well represented only in INP (withbiodiversity index value (0.1222). Among herbivores, the biodiversity index is maximum(0.3669) for Carvus aris in INP. For Carvus unicolor the index is maximum (0.338) in SNP,followed by RWS (0.2894). The above faunal diversity has been supplemented by studyingthe RDB status and abundance of the faunal species in the PA with the help of secondaryand primary information. The secondary information was taken from the data bank ofWildlife Institute of India, (WII), Dehradun which was further confirmed by theobservations in the field (i.e the primary data).

(Source: J. of Tropical Forestry,Vol 16, 68-80, April -June, 2000)

Ethnobotanical Observations at Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh)

M Oommachan , A. Bajaj and S.K.MasihDeptt. Of Biological Sciences, R.D. University, Jabalpur (MP)

Pachmarhi presents a unique and very interesting flora and fauna. It is situated at 22 ° 28'Nlatitude and 78°26' longitude, on an elevation of 1067M. The present paper deals with thedetails of certain plants used by the tribals and forest dwellers of this region for multifariouspurposes. In the paper 61 ethnobotanical important plant species with botanical, local,family names are enumerated with their tribal uses. Out of these, 22 species are additionsto the Flora of Pachmarhi.

(Source: J. of Tropical Foresty, Vol. 6(2), 157 – 162, April – June, 1990)

Integrated Landuse Strategy for Conservation: The Satpura Case

V.B.Sawarkar and H.S. PanwarWildlife Institute of India

P.O. New Forest, Dehradun- 248006,India

The cluster of three protected areas, the Satpura National Park (524 sq.km), the Bori WildlifeSanctuary (486 sq. km) and the Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary (417 sq km) forming acompact unit of 1427 sq. km in the Satpura hill ranges within the Hoshangabad district ofMadhya Pradesh is unique area of high natural and derived land resource values. The salientnatural values are conservation of soil water- regime, biodiversity and endangered species.The main resource values, on the other hand, are timber, firewood, forest pastures,agriculture, irrigation and fisheries. Ancient rock paintings are an important culturalresource, which along with the rare flora and wildlife are affected by poorly organised andcontrolled educational and tourism activities. These resource values are being viewed fromdisparate management stand points by different agencies working for their own set ofpriorities, strategies and management goals. The overall picture is one ofcompartmentalization. The process vitiates the overall landuse ethic, the compatibility andsustainability being the main victims. Such examples are by no means uncommon in tropicalecosystems burdened with multifarious demands on the different resources managed bydifferent agencies. Typifying the Satpura case, this paper attempts to evolve an integratedapproach, which while allowing sustainable utilization of the different resources will also beable to safeguard the vital environmental concerns.

(Source: Tropical Ecosystem; Ecology and Management, Edited : K.P. Singh and J.S.Singh, pp. 207-214, Wiley Eastern Limited, New Delhi, 1992)

Scenes of head hunting in the rock art of the Pachmarhi hills

Meenakhsi DubeyIndira Sangeet Kala Visvavidyalaya, Khairgarh, 491889, (India)

This paper describes the author’s discovery of painted rock shelters in the Pachmarhi hillsand , in particular, discusses scenes depicting head hunting. The existence of painted rockshelters was first brought to the notice of D. H. Gordon by G. R. tlunter in 1932 when thelatter carried out excavations there in 1932 and again in 1934-1935. The later excavationsrevealed that the cultural sequence within this region began during the Mesolithic period.The rock paintings of this area are known to extend from the Mesolithic to the historicperiod.

The rock paintings of the Mesolithic clearly depict a society of hunters and gatherers, andillustrate the relationship between man and animals. The compositional elements of thesedrawings are highly developed. The subject matter of this period is principally dominated bythe variety of animal hunting activities.

Most of the rock paintings in the Pachmarhi hills, however, belong to the historic period.The main subject depicted during this period is conflict and scenes portraying clashesbetween two persons or groups are very common. The paintings depicting horsemen armedwith swords and shields are superimposed on the earlier paintings portraying the life ofhunters and gatherers. The majority of the rock paintings are executed in red, white andyellow pigments, prepared from hematite or other iron oxides.

There are hunting scenes, scenes of dancing and fighting, petroglyphs showing domesticchores, mother and child, as well as activities like fishing, honey collection, etc,. There arealso pictures of apparently deified animals. Several depictions of severed heads in the rockpaintings at Pachmarhi was also observed. The only country, other than India, where similarseveral heads have been reported is Peru. Dr. Nunz of Cuba has discovered twoanthropomorphic petroglyphs holding severed human heads.

The tradition of human sacrifice to appear the gods and goddesses has been documentedamongst Indian tribes, particularly the Gonds and Korkus. The rock paintings provide furtherevidence of human sacrifice.

The warring factions beheaded the vanquished enemy and carried away the heads as wartrophies to show the folk who had stayed behind. There are scenes showing a man holding ahuman head in one hand and a weapon in the other and it seems that he is running away andlooking backwards, giving the impression that the enemy is chasing him. Such depictions ofhead hunting are prominent in the shelter located in Langi Nadi Hill area. The painting is 50x 50 cm and is bichromatic, in-filled with white and outlined in red.

The rock shelter at Barkachar (locally called Swem Aam) also contains a pictograph of aheadhunter. This figure is 30 x 30 cm and is contained within a mural of seemingly unrelatedfigures.

Another shelter depicting head hunting is known as Nagdwari, situated approximately 35 kmfrom Pachmarhi town. The paintings in this shelter are similar in style to those found atSwem Aam and Langi Nadi.

The maximum number of figures of headhunters has been found on the rock shelter at RajatPrapat. These paintings show three men, each holding head while running in the samedirection (right to left) looking back over their shoulders.

All the figures have sharp features and are well proportioned. The men wear some form ofheadgear, earrings and an loin cloth. The severed head is held in the right hand and a swordin the left hand. All the hunted heads have headgear, earrings and or necklace similar tothose of the head-hunters.

The hill tribe communities in the Pachmarhi hills were hunters till the 10th country A.D andthey abandoned this practice due to the influence of Hindu Sadhus who penetrated the deepforest to perform penance in the Pachmarhi hills.

These rock paintings are attributed to belong to the early historic period due to the followingevidences:

a) the head hunters hold a sword-like weapon, which clearly indicates the use of metalslike iron, prevalent during the historic period, and

b) a radical change is also noticed in the paintings of this period. By this time the artist’s perception had remarkably improved and careful attention is paid to anatomical details which were lacking in the earlier periods.

(Source: Man and Environment XVI, (2); 81- 85 1991).

Birds of Pachmarhi

B.B. Oamaston

The study has been carried out at Pachmarhi plateau. A total of 135 species of birds has beenreported. The birds have been classified into common, rare, frequently visitors andoccasionally visitors. In most of cases the breeding seasons of the birds have also beendescribed.

Some of the common species of birds found around Pachmarhi include, Corvusmacrorhynchus, Corvus splendens, Dendrocitta rufa, Parus atriceps, Machlolophushaplonotus, Crateropus canorus, Pellorneum ruficeps, Alcippe phaeocephala, Myiophoneushorsfieldi ,Zosterops palpebrosa, Egithina nigrilutea, Chloropsis jerdoni, Molpasteshaemorrhous, Olocompsa fuscicaudata, Sitta castaneiventris , Dicrurus caerulescens,Orthotomus sutorius, Teplcrodacnis pondicerianus, Pericrocotus peregrious, Graucalusmacii, Oriolus melanocephalus, Acridotheres tristis, Siphia parva, Cyornis tickelli,Culicicapa ceylonensis, Hypothymis azurea, Rhipidura albifrontata, Rhipidura pectoralis,Pratincola caprata, Ruticilla rufiventris, Thamnobia cambaiensis, Copsychus saularis,Geocichla cyanus, Gymnorhis flavicollis, Passer domesticus, Melophus melaniocterus,Ptuynoprogne concolor, Hirundo erythropygia, Anthus maculatus, Anthus rafulus,Arachnecthra asiatica, Piprisoma squalium, Liopicus mahrattensis, Iyngipicus hardwickii,Brachypternus aerantius, Thereiceryx zeylonicus, Xantholoema hoematocephala, Coraciasindica, Alcedo ispida, Halcyon smynensis, Lophoceros birostris, Upupa indica, cypselusaffinis, Caprimulgus indicas, Hierococcyx varius, Centropous sinensis, Paloeornisnepalensis, Paloeornis torquatus, Paloeornis cyanocephalus, Bubo bengalensis, Scopos giu,Scops bakkamoena, Athene brama, Glaucidium radiastum, Hieraetus fasciatus, spilornischeela, Butastur teesa, Milcus govinda., Astur badius, Pernis cristatus, Crocopusphoenicopterus, Crocopus chlorogaster.

Few rare species of birds found in Pachmarhi region are Dumetia hyperythra, Otocompsafuscicaudata, Otocompsa flaviventris, Dissemurus paradiseus, Phylloscopus indicus,Acanthopneuste magnirostris, Lanius villatus, Terpsiphone paradisi, Pitta brachyura,Cuculus canorus, Cuculus micropterus, Sphenocercus sphenurus.

Dicrurus ater and Nyctiornis athertoni are the very rare species of birds found in Panhmarhiregion. Dicurus ater and Nyctiornis athertoni were seen once in the area.

The occasional visitor species of birds found in the Pachmarhi region include Pastor roseus,Stoparola melanops, Pratincola maura, Cyanecula suecica, Petrophila Cyanus, Urolonchamalabarica, Motacilla leucopsis, Motacilla melanope, Ceryle varia, Macropteryx coronata ,Eudynamis honorata, strix flammea, Ketupa zeylonensis, Pseudogyps bengaiensis, Aquilacindhiana, Spizaelus limnaetus, Circus macrurus, Falco peregrinator, Falco jugger,Tinnunculus alaudarius etc. All these species are seen during specific seasonal time periodand are present in small flocks.

The uncommon bird species found in Pachmarhi region include Pyctorhis sinensis, Cisticolacursitans, Franklinia gracilis, Prinia socialis, Prinia inornata Laulus erythronotus,Pericrocotus speciosus.

(Source: J. Bombay Nat . Hist. Soc.; 28: 453 – 461, 1923).

&& News Items

Pachmarhi first Biosphere Reserve in State5000 sq km under its sweep; Kanha, Bastar next in line

Manish Dixit , Bhopal : The Government of India has given its nod for declaring the firstbiosphere reserve of Madhya Pradesh in Pachmarhi, the Queen of Satpura. The Governmenthas also released the first installment for the purpose and the project, which is 11th biospherein the country, would be implemented soon after the funds are transferred to theimplementing agency.

The proposed Pachmarhi biosphere is located in three districts of Hoshangabad, Betul &Chhindwara. The total project area is4926.20 sq km. It envelops threewildlife conservation units ofBori Sanctuary (518.00 sq km) theSatpura National Park (area 524.37 sqkm), and the Pachmarhi Sanctuary(area 461.85 sq km).A team of the EnvironmentProtection and CoordinationOrganisation (EPCO), led by itsManaging Director and comprising officials from the various Government agencies and thedepartment concerned, have already completed their home-work and the implementationwould start soon after the transfer of funds.

Two committees have also been formed for implementing and monitoring the ManagementAction Plan.

According to sources, the Union Government has already released funds for the Project tothe tune of Rs 48 lakh to the State Government for the current year. The amount is yet to begiven to the EPCO -declared as nodal agency for the prestigious project.The thrust of theproject would be to seek active cooperation of the local people. Besides, many Governmentagencies and departments are also involved actively for the implementation of the project.On being contacted Principal Secretary, Housing and Environment, Satyanand Mishra, saidthat Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation made by UNESCO forrepresentative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large area of terrestrialor coastal, marine ecosystems or a combination thereof.

The BRs are designated to deal with one of the most important questions of reconciling theconservation of biodiversity, the quest for economic and social development andmaintenance of associated cultural values, he added.These areas are internationallyrecognised within the frame-work of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme

Biosphere Reserves in the countryv Nilgiri in Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka.v Nandadevi in Uttar Pradeshv Nokrek in Meghalayav Manas in Assamv Sunderbans in West Bengalv Gulf of Mannar in Tamilnaduv Great Nicobar in Andaman and Nicobar Islandsv Similipal in Orissav Dibru-Sailipal in Assamv Dehang- Debang in Arunachal Pradesh

after receiving consent of the participating country. Elaborating further about BRs, he saidthey are protected areas of land or coastal environments wherein people are an integralcomponent of the system. Together, they constitute a worldwide network linked byinternational understanding for exchange of scientific information. When asked howbiosphere reserve are different from wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, Mishra said "Ittakes into account the overall development activities and resolves conflicts betweendevelopment and conservation and ensures increased and broad based local people'sparticipation compared to the wildlife sanctuaries and national park programmes"

The ministry of Environment and Forest has also identified Kanha for BR but is yet to bedesignated. In addition to that, the sites of Amarkantak and Abujhmarh of Bastar are alsosuggested by the EPCO and are likely to be designated as BR soon.

(Source: M.P. Chronical, Bhopal, 7 Feb, 2000)

(Source : M.P. Chronicle, Bhopal, 25 November, 2000)

(Source : Nav Bharat ,29\11\2000)

( Source: MP Chronical ,29\11\2000)

(Source:Dainik Jagran 29\11\2000)

(Source : Nav Bharat 29/11/2000)

& Bibliography

Ananymous, 1994: Project Document for consideration of Pachmarhi area as Eco-SensitiveZone, Environmental Planing & Coordination Organisation (EPCO), Bhopal.1-40.

Anonymous, 1996: Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve Project Document, EnvironmentalPlanning and Coordination Organisation (EPCO); Bhopal, 1-107.

Ansari, A. A., 1987: Working Plan of Hoshangabad Dvn. 1987-88 to 2001-02, Govt.ofM.P., Deptt.of Forest, Bhopal.

Bir, S.S and Kumari, S., 1982: Additions to the Papilionaceous Flora of Pachmarhi hills,Madhya Pradesh,.Bull. Bot. Surv. India, 22: 45-50.

Bir, S. S and Vasudeo, S. M., 1973: Ecology and Phyto-geographical observation on thePteridophytic flora of Pachmarhi hills (Central India).India.J. Bot. Sci, 51: 297-304.

Buch, M.N., 1991:The forests of Madhya Pradesh. Govt. of Madhya Pradesh. Madhyam,Bhopal

Champion, H.C. and Seth, S.K., 1968 :A revised survey of the forest types of India.Manager Publications, Govt. of India, Delhi..

Dave, P.S., 1977: Working Plan of East +West Chhindwara Dvn. 1977-78 to 1991-92,Govt.of M.P., Deptt.of Forest, Bhopal.

Dubey, M. 1991: Scenes of Head hunting in the rock art of the Pachmarhi hills. Man andEnvironment, 14 (2); 81-85.

Forsyth. Capt.J., 1919: The Highlands of Central India, Chapman and Hall Ltd, London.

Gangopadhay, P.B. 1985: Working Plan of Pachmarhi, 1985-86 to 1994-95, Govt.of M.P.Deptt. of Forest, M.P., Bhopal.

Graham, J.D., 1915: Notes on ferns collected on Pachmarhi, C.P. J.Bombay. Nat. Hist. Soc.(233): 498-501.

Hewetson, C.E., 1951: Preparation of Flora of Madhya Pradesh and the Central parts of theIndian Union. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 50: 431-433.

Jain, D. and Kaul, A., 1986: New additions of leafy Jungermanniales in hepatic flora ofPachmarhi. Indian Sci.Assoc.73rd Cong. Delhi, January 1986, Botany Section.

Jain, D. and Kaul, A ., 1986: Preliminary report of epiphytic mosses of Pachmarhi (CentralIndia, Madhya Pradesh), Indian. Sci. Cong.Assoc.73rd Cong. Delhi, January 1986,Botany Section.

Jayson, E.A., 1990: An ecological survey at Satpura National Park, Pachmarhi and BoriSanctuaries, Madhya Pradesh, Indian. J. For. 13(4): 238-294.

Joseph, J., 1963: A contribution to the flora of Bori Reserve forests, Hoshangabad, Distt.(M.P) Bull. Bot. Surv. India. 5: 281-299.

Kapoor, S.L. and Yadav, H.L., 1962: Further contribution to the flora of Pachmarhi regionIndian. For. 88: 272-276.

Kushwah, R.B.S and Kumar, V., 1998: Cost-benefits analysis of the protected areas. Acase study of Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh, Journal of Tropical Forestry,14(11): 72-81.

Kushwah, R.B.S and Kumar, V., 2000: Status of Faunas in Protected area- The casestudies of eight protected areas of Madhya Pradesh. Journal of Tropical Forestry, 16,68-80.

Maheshwari, J.K., 1960: The vegetation of Asirgarh Hills, Madhya Pradesh. Indian J. For.86(9): 553-558.

Maheshwari, J.K., 1961: The vegetaion of Asirgarh Hills, Madhya Pradesh, J. Bombay.Nat. Hist. Soc. 58: 202-215.

Mukherjee, A.K., 1984: Flora of Pachmarhi and Bori Reserves, BSI, Howrah, pp 407.

Mukherjee, S.K., 1923: Plant succession in Satpura range near Pachmarhi (M.P.)-Apreliminary survey, J. Indian. Bot. Soc. 31: 342-351.

Oamaston, B.B. ,1923: Birds of Pachmarhi. J. Bombay. Nat. Hist Soc.; 28: 453-461.

Oommachan, M, and Masih. S.K, 1990: Ethnaobotanical observations at PachmarhiMadhya Pardesh. J. of Tropical Forestry. Vol 6(11): 157-161.

Oommachan, M, and Masih. S.K, 1992: A contribution on to the flora of Pachmarhi-Areassessment. J.Econ. Tax. Bot. Vol 16(2): 437-445.

Pande, S.K., and Shrivastava, K.P., 1952: The hepatic vegetation of Pachmarhi (M.P.): Apreliminary survey, J. Indian. Bot. Soc. 31(4): 342-351.

Pandey, R.K. and Shrivastava, J.L., 1993: Forest and Tribal. An ethnobotanicalobservations on wild medicinal plants by Bharia Tribes of Patalkot in Tamia forestsof Madhya Pradesh. J.Trop. Forest 9 (III): 109-214.

Pandey, R.K. and Shrivastava, J.L., 1993: Forest and Tribal: An ethnobotanicalobservation Pradesh. Bull. Bot. Survey India, 9(1&4): 417-30).

Pandeya, S.C and Pandit B.B. and Sharma S.C., 1974: Biomass and productioncorrelation of Teak (Tectona grandis) in natural forest in river Narmada catchmentarea in Central India and a comparison thereof with the plantations. Abst. Inter.Symp. Tropical Ecology, emphasizing organic Production. New Delhi.

Pathak, S.K. ,2001: Plant diversity and Community pattern of Tropical Evergreen forestPachmarhi Hills (M.P.). Ph.D. Thesis Submitted to Vikram University, Ujjain,(M.P.)

Patidar, K.C, Main, D. and Solanki, C.M., 1985: Two species of Riccia from Pachmarhi.J.Econ.Tax.Bot. 6(3): 273-274.

Prasad, Ram, Pandey, R.K. and Bhattacharya, P., 1990: Socio-economic andEthnomedico-botanical studies of Patalkot Region. A case study of Bharia Tribes.Proceedings of National Seminar on Medicinal and Aromatic plants held at SFRI,Jabalpur on 6-7th April.

Rao, R.S and Narayanaswamy., 1960: A contribution to our knowledge of the vegetationand flora of the Pachmarhi plateau and adjacent regions.J.. Indian. Bot. Soc. 39: 222-242.

Rao, V.S., Sagaraiya, K.P., Bhadran, C.A.R and Venkatramany, P: (Eds), HundredYears of Indian Forestry. F.R.I. Dehradun.

Sawarkar, V.B. and Panwar, H.S. 1992: Tropical Ecosystem: Ecology and Management,Editor; K.P. Singh and J.S. Singh, pp. 207-214.

Saxena, H.O., 1971: Contribution to the flora of Pachmarhi, M.P. Bull. Bot. Survey of India13: 79-93.

Sengupta, G ., 1977: A resume of botanical exploration and floristic studies in the CentralIndian State of Madhya Pradesh, Bull. Bot. Surv. India. 19:71-88.

Shrivastava, R.C., 1989: Drug plant resources of Central India. New Delhi.

Shrivastava, Ravi., 1992: Working plan of North+West Betul. Dvns. 1992-93 to 2001-2002, Govt.of M.P. Deptt. of Forest.

Udar, R and Agarwal., A 1985: The Genus Riccia in Pachmarhi with SEM details ofspores of two species. J. Indian. Bot. Society, 64: 246-250.

Yadav, H.S ., 1998: Patalkot; An integrated plan, Bhopal, M.P. Vigyan Sabha (mimeo).

Annexure-I

Proforma for Application for Grant for Research Projects under BiosphereReserve Programme (to be used by Principal Investigators)

1. Title of the Project :2. Name & Designation of the Principal Investigator (PI) :3. Name & Designation of the :

Co-Investigator (co-I)4. Postal Address of the PI :

& Co-In5. Name of the Institute/ :

Organisation in which theProject will be carried out

6. Name of other Institution(s) :Organisation (s) involvedin the project

7. Duration of the Project :8. Total amount of assistance required :9. Following documents are enclosed :

i Statement I – An abstract, not exceeding one page, describing the background,objectives, methodology and figures of year-wise budget.

ii. Statement II- should contain the following:

a) State of Art of the subject including work done in India and elsewhereb) Detailed literature surveyc) Objectivesd) Detailed methodologye) Quarter-wise work-planf) PERT-Chartg) Practical relevance/utility of the project for Management of the Biosphere Reserveh) Agencies which can utilize the results of the project

iii. Statement III- giving brief background of the Investigator who will carry out theproject including papers published in the area of proposed research project

iv. Statement IV- indicating facilities (Equipment/instrument) available atInstitution/Organization for carrying out the project

v. Statement V-Project budget in the prescribed format

Project Budget

A.S.No. *Salaries & Wages I year II year III year Total

1. Investigator2. Research Associate3. SRF/JRF/SPF/JPF4. Supporting technical staff or

other personnel, if anyGrand Total:

* Please specify the rate of salary and wages per month for each category and also ratesof HRA and medical reimbursement as prescribed under rules.

B. ** Permanent EquipmentPlease also give a list of equipments already available.

Grand Total** Please specify individual items of equipment along with the cost and

Justification under the projectC. Expendables (Chemical & Glassware)

D. Travel

E. Other Project Costs, If any (please specify)

F. Contingencies

G. Institutional Charges(15% of `A’-‘F’ above)

Grand Total

Note: The proposal must be forwarded by the Head of the Organization withfollowing certificates: (i) that necessary infrastructural facilities will be provided for

the project and (ii) the permanent equipments sought under the project are notavailable with the institution. (iii) Implementing agencies at state level/viz Director ofthe Biosphere Reserves and Lead/Coordinating Institutions may be consulted before

formulating proposals.

Submission of the proposals: The proposals in respect of any items mentioned above maybe addressed to the joint Director (Biosphere Reserve), CS Division, Ministry ofEnvironment & Forests, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110003, with

intimation to Incharge, Biosphere Reserve Programme, Environmental Planning &Coordination Organistion (EPCO), E-5, Arera Colony, Bhopal-462 016

Annexure-II

Guidelines on Emoluments and other Conditions of Service for ResearchPersonnel and Benefits to Host Institutions for Research Programmes forBiosphere Reserve

The guidelines are applicable for research personnel working on R&D programme funded bythe Ministry of Environment and Forests (issued by MOEF Office Memorandum No.19/47/98-RE dated 16.7.1998)

1. Emoluments :

i Junior Research Fellows (JRFs )/Senior Research Fellows (SRFs)

Qualification Emoluments

JRF (1st

& 2nd

year)

JRF(subsequentyears)/SRF

(a)Graduate degree in Engineering disciplines & PostGraduate degree in Scientific disciplines, other thanmedical and engineering

Rs.5,000/-

Rs. 5,600/-

(b)In Medical and Engg. SubjectsMBBS/BDS/MVSc/M.Pharm., ME, M.Tech andBE/B.Tech, BVSc.B.Pharm,or equivalent with 2 yrsexperience)

Rs.6,000/- Rs. 6,400/-

The local institution should review after two years whether JRF/SRF should continue for thethird year. Similarly, at the end of the third year the local institution should review his casewhether extension for another year should be given.

ii Research Associate/Research Scientist

In programmes where there is a need to engage research personnel at a level higher thanJRF/SRF and such need has been accepted by the funding agency, the remuneration for suchpersonnel may be fixed as indicated below:

(A) Research Associates

Research Associates may be fixed at a consolidated amount within one of the 3 slabs givenbelow, depending upon the qualifications and experience.

The Institute/Organization concerned may decide the slab in which a particular associateshould be placed ; ordinarily, an Associate shall complete his tenure in that slab :

Qualification Emoluments

In Science, Medical and Engineering Subjects(Ph.D/MD/MDS and MVSc/M Pharm/ME/M.Tech with 3years research/teaching/ design and developmentexperience)

Rs.8000/- (fixed)

Rs.8800/- (fixed)

Rs.10500/- (fixed)

(B) Research Scientists They may be given the following scales:

Ø Rs. 8000-275-13500

Ø Rs. 10000-325-15200

Ø Rs.12000-375-16500

Ø Other scales below Rs.8000-13500 recommended by the 5th Pay Commission and approved by the Central Government.

iii Supporting staff

The salaries payable to supporting staff like Lab. Attendants/Field Attendants/Tech. Asstts.will be given according to the rules of the Institute/Organization in which the project issanctioned.

2 D.A. and CCA : JRFs and Research Associates will not be entitled to theseallowances. The Research Scientists will get D.A. as per rates of Central Government andCCA as per rules of the local Institutions where they are working.

3 House Rent Allowance and Medical Benefits: As at present, HRA and Medicalbenefits may be allowed to all categories viz., JRF/SRF, Research Associates and ResearchScientists as per rules of the institutions where they are working. For this purpose, thefellowship amounts, for JRF/SRF and Research Associates will be taken as Basic Pay. Incase of NGOs, these benefits will be limited to the rates applicable to Central Governmentstaff.

4 Leave and other service benefits: The existing policy to continue under whichJRF/SRF are eligible only for casual leave while Research Associates/Scientists areentitled to leave as per rules of the institutions. However, maternity leave may begiven to all categories.

5 Bonus & LTC: Not admissible to any category.

6 Retirement Benefits: These will not be applicable to JRFs/SRFs/ResearchAssociates. Research Scientists who are appointed for the duration of the project inregular scales of pay as mentioned above may be allowed to be members of theContributory Provident Fund.

7 Benefits to Host Institutes : Towards meeting their costs for overhead expensesincluding infrastructural facilities, an amount of :

Ø 15% of the total project cost without any upper limit for educational institutions; andØ 15% of the total project cost with an upper limit of Rs.2.00 lakhs – for other than

educational institutions (e.g. Laboratories & Institutes under S&T Agencies, otherDepartments) will be provided as a part of the project.

Ø On projects costing more than Rs. 40 lakhs, the quantum will be decided on a case tocase basis.

LO

CA

TIO

N-

Annexure III

Annexure IVComposition of State Level Coordination Authority and Field levelImplementation Authority

a. State level Coordination Authority

The Coordination Authority had been constituted by the Govt.of M.P. (Housing &Environment Deptt. vide letter No.F-3/51/99/32 dated 31-05-99) for the preparation of themanagement action plan and its implementation at field level. The authority will coordinatewith various departments of State Government and sort out problems, if any. Thecomposition of the committee are as follows:-

1. Director General EPCO /Principal Secretary - Chairman

Housing and Environment Govt.of (M.P)

2. Executive Director, EPCO - Member Secretary

3. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Bhopal - Member

4. Chief Conservator of Forest Wildlife division, Bhopal - ”

5. Field Director, Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve - ”

6. Director, State Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur - ”

7. Incharge, Biosphere Programme EPCO - ”

8. Director, Veterinary Services, Bhopal - ”

9. Director, Agriculture, Bhopal - ”

10. Director, Social Welfare - ”

11. Director, Town and Country Planning - ”

12. Managing Director, M P Tourism and Development - ”

Corporation, Bhopal

13. Director, Tribal Welfare - ”

19. Representative of Ministry of Environment - ”

and Forests, GOI

The Committee is free to prepare agenda and may revise as per requirement.

b. Field Level Implementing Authority

A field level Implementing Authority had been constituted by Govt.of M.P. (Housing andEnvironment Department vide order No F-3/51/32/99-Bhopal dated 8-6-99) in order toimplement various schemes at field level.

The composition of the committee is as follows.

1. Commissioner, Hoshangabad Division, Hoshangabad - Chairman

2. Collectors, (Hoshangabad, Betul, Chhindwara) - Member

3. Field Director, Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve - Member

Secretary &Coordinator

4. Incharge, Biosphere Reserve Programme, EPCO - Member

5. Director, Satpura National Park Pachmarhi - ”

6. Dy.Directors, Agriculture, (H’bad, Betul,Chhindwara) - ”

7. Dy.Directors, Tribal Welfare, (H’bad, Betul, Chhinwara)- ”

8. Dy.Directors, Social Welfare,H’bad, Betul, Chhinwara- - ”

9. Dy.Directors, Veterinary Services, H’bad Betul, Chhinwara- ”

The Committee is free to invite subject specialists, NGOs and other organizations forsuggestions and help.

Front View of EPCO Building