Current Science

Maneesh Singh Bhandari ¹, Rajendra Kumar Meena ¹, Harish Singh Ginwal ¹, Ashok Kumar ¹, Shailesh Pandey ¹

Affiliations
1 Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248 006, IN

Abstract

A seminar on tree improvement and forest biotechnology was held recently, in which a total of 83 delegates representing 25 institutes from all over India participated. The seminar was divided into two technical sessions besides the inaugural and panel sessions. Ten invited lectures by eminent scientists were delivered during the seminar.

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Maneesh S. Bhandari ¹, Rajendra K. Meena ¹, Shailesh Pandey ², Vinay K. Varshney ³, A. Biju Kumar ⁴

Affiliations
1 Division of Genetics and Tree Improvement, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248 195, IN
2 Forest Pathology Discipline, Division of Forest Protection, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248 006, IN
3 Chemistry and Bioprospecting Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248 006, IN
4 University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 695 581, IN

Abstract

The 2018 International Biodiversity Congress (IBC 2018) focused on the theme ‘Biodiversity for ecological civilization’ through the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. Over 800 delegates from India and abroad attended the event. The congress was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Kumar Chamling, who stressed the need for protecting the Himalayan biodiversity hotspots and suggested an organic India mission by 2050. The event hosted six plenary, ten technical and three poster sessions under six themes. In total, 27 invited plenary lectures were delivered by eminent scholars and 92 papers were presented by the delegates.

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Maneesh S. Bhandari ¹, Rajendra K. Meena ¹, Brijmohan Rana ², Shailesh Pandey ³, Harish S. Ginwal ¹

Affiliations
1 Division of Genetics and Tree Improvement, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248 195, IN
2 Govind National Park, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand 249 128, IN
3 Forest Pathology Discipline, Division of Forest Protection, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248 006, IN

Abstract

The northwestern Himalayan region of India is endowed with rich floral diversity and natural species variation, especially in trees such as fir and spruce. In 2019, forest surveys conducted at Har-ke-Dun valley of Govind National Park (GNP), Uttarakhand, India, revealed an interesting observation of survivability and adaptability of cedar (Cedrus deodara, viz. deodar) on Picea smithiana which was recorded (Figure 1). Perhaps, the evolutionary and ecological forces describe it as a natural disjunction. The surveyed forest area is on a steep slope (65°) dominated by cedar and P. smithiana (geospatial data: lat. 31°05′58.4″; long. 78°17′31.0″ and altitude 2240 m amsl). Picea smithiana is a long tree of 20 m height and 0.65 m diameter at breast height (DBH).

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Shailesh Pandey ¹, Sudhir Singh ¹, Mohd. Yusuf ¹, Amit Pandey ¹

Affiliations
1 Forest Protection Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun 248 006, IN

Abstract

Insect pests and diseases can cause serious damage to natural/man-made forests. Many records on such losses have already been reported worldwide. Therefore, the solution should focus on keeping the pest/pathogen population at low levels, which will not interfere with the management objectives. A seminar on current challenges in the management of forest insect pests and diseases was held recently. Fifty-seven delegates, including eminent scientists, researchers, academicians from colleges and universities, farmers and personnel of the State Forest Departments (SFDs) participated in the event. The seminar aimed to share knowledge and ideas on the available techniques and technologies for the management of forest insect pests and diseases.

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