CESS NEWS ISSN 0972-3633 CESS NEWS Newsletter of the Centre for Earth Science Studies Vol. 16 March 2006 No. 1 CESS ORGANISES XVIII SCIENCE CONGRESS - 2006

Dr. A.E. Muthunayagam, Executive Vice President, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment delivering the presidential address. Seen on the dias from left to right are Dr. K.R.S. Krishnan, Member Secretary, KSCSTE, Prof. C.G. Ramachandran Nair, Chairman, KSC Committee, Dr. V.N. Rajashekharan Pillai, Acting Chairman, University Grants Commission, Dr. Harsh K. Gupta, former Secretary, Department of Ocean Development, Government of India, Dr. P.K. Iyengar, Former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. M. Baba, Director, CESS, Dr. J.K. Sharma, Director, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Dr. Prakash Kumar, PSO, KSCSTE.

The Eighteenth Kerala Science Director, Kerala Forest Research for Science, Technology & Congress was held at the Centre for Institute, read out his inaugural speech. Environment and the creditable Earth Science Studies between 29th to In his speech, the Chief Minister endeavours such as “Sastraposhini” – 31st January 2006. In the inauguration reminded the scientists of the Prime a scheme for science education, rd function held on 29th January, Dr. A.E. Minister’s speech at the 93 session of SPYTiS – scheme for financial and Muthunayagam, Executive Vice the Indian Science Congress in which technical assistance to talented young President, Kerala State Council for he stressed the need to evolve a high school students, Biotechnology Science, Technology and Environment knowledge based system for farmers Incubator Facility in support of new (KSCSTE), presided. In the absence of to make full use of the newer biotechnology products and a the Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri. technologies. He highlighted the programme to enhance the livelihood Oommen Chandy, Dr. J.K. Sharma, formation of the Kerala State Council of traditional bamboo dependants. The CM talked about the state’s proneness to natural hazards of different kinds and the pioneering efforts made by CESS to suggest mitigative measures. He also announced the government’s plan to bring out a new policy and an act for disaster management. In his presidential address, Dr. A.E. Muthunayagam, Executive Vice President, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment spoke about the importance of science and technology in modern life. He highlighted the efforts the Council has Dr. V.N. Rajashekharan Pillai, Acting Chairman, University Grants Commission releasing the proceedings of the 18th Kerala Science Congress. taken to stimulate scientific research Roorkee; Dr. R.N. Iyengar, IIT, Kanpur; Dr. P.K. Thampi, Advisor (Retd), CESS; Dr. C.P. Rajendran, Dr. N.P. Kurian and Dr. S. Murali Das (Scientists of CESS). Topical lectures on science were delivered by Dr. K.G. Nair, former Director, Sophisticated Test and Instrumentation Centre, Prof. M.K. Prasad, former Pro-Vice Chacellor, Calicut University and Dr. K.R.S. Krishnan, Director, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment. On the second day more than 200 papers were presented in five parallel sessions and a poster session. The papers belonged to nine subject categories, namely, physical sciences, Clockwise from top left (1) Dr. P.K. Iyengar, Former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission delivering chemical sciences, life sciences, forestry, the P.K. Gopalakrishnan Memorial Lecture. (2) Dr. V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Acting Chairman, wildlife and environment, earth system University Grants Commission delivering the P.R. Pisharoty Memorial lecture. (3) Prof. C.G. science, health science, agriculture, Ramachandran Nair, former Chairman of the erstwhile State Committee for Science Technology and fisheries and veterinary science, Environment delivering the first P.T. Bhaskara Panikkar Memorial Lecture. (4) Dr. Harsh K. Gupta, former Secretary, Department of Ocean Development, Government of India delivering the Keynote engineering and technology and Address in the theme session. biotechnology. There were about fifty papers in the competition section for December 2004 event and the to be operational by 2007. the Young Scientist Award in each contributions made by CESS in The following speakers delivered subject category. understanding the phenomena behind lectures on various topics of the this event. India has gone ahead with The third and final day of the Kerala Congress focal theme “Natural Science Congress 2006 had three the development of an integrated Hazards and Management Strategies”: monitoring system for the oceanogenic sessions followed by the valedictory disasters that include tsunami and Dr. C.V.R. Murty, former Director, session. The first session showcased storm surges. This system is expected Central Buildings Research Institute, four science and technology institutions of the State. · Departments of Biosciences of Kerala University · National Transportation Planning and Research Centre. · Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology · Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd. The second session had presentations by sixteen school students who participated in the National Children’s Science Congress. The children were awarded a cash incentive of Rs. 2000 by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment. In the third session, Prof. C.G. A scene from the poster presentation hall. Ramachandran Nair, former Chairman

Committed to Our Earth, Our Future 3 NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON CLOUD PHYSICS A National Workshop on Cloud Physics was conducted by CESS during March 24-25, 2006. Organised as a part of the project on Cloud Physics being taken up by CESS, the workshop brought together several scientists working in areas related to cloud physics and research students from different Universities and institutions. The Workshop was inaugurated by Dr. A.E. Muthunayagam, Executive Vice Prof. J. Srinivasan, Chairman, Mechanical Sciences Division and Professor, Centre for Atmospheric President, Kerala State Council for and Ocean Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore speaking during the panel discussion at the Science, Technology and Environment, National Workshop on Cloud Physics held at CESS during March 24-25, 2006. in a function chaired by Prof. R.R. Science, Bangalore, Dr. R. Vijayakumar, at least one instrumented aircraft Kelkar, former Director General, India Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, has to be established. Meteorological Department. Pune, Dr. Someshwar Das, National · Suitable co-ordinated programmes The speakers at the Workshop included Centre for Medium Range Weather in cloud physics, including Prof. R.R. Kelkar, Dr. P.V. Joseph, Prediction, NOIDA, Dr. K. airborne measurements and Emeritus Scientist, Atmospheric Parameswaran, VSSC and others. The modelling, should be evolved by Science Department, CUSAT, Prof. J. Workshop concluded with a Panel CESS, SPL, IMD and CUSAT, and Discussion which recommended, among Srinivasan, Chairman, Mechanical · CESS should take the initiative other things, that: Sciences Division, and Professor, to conduct SERC schools in Centre for Atmospheric and Ocean · A national facility for conducting cloud physics and related Sciences (CAOS), Indian Institute of cloud microphysical parameters with themes

Subhash, N., Shiny Sara Thomas., Technology, Chennai, Eds. G. Bhakar of Research Papers, Western Ghat Cell, Rupananda J Mallia and Mini Jose. (2005) Raju, et al, Allied Publishers Pvt. Ltd, Planning and Economic Affairs Dept., Tooth Caries Detection by Curve Fitting pp.544-552. pp.34-38. of Laser-Induced Fluorescence Emission: A Comparative Evaluation Chattopadhyay, S. (2005) “Ecological Mahamaya Chattopadhyay. (2006) with Reflectance Spectroscopy, Lasers in security as a base for social security: “Catchment characteristics and water Surgery and Medicine, Vol. 37, pp 320- Context Kerala. Geog. Rev of India, quality: A case study from a forested 328. Vol.67. No.2, pp. 109-125. watershed in upper Kall Ar Region, Trivandrum”, In: Sustainable Natural Radhakrishna, T. and Chetty, T.R.K. Soman, K. (2006) “Biogeochemical Resource Development, Compendium (2006) “ Symposium on supercontinents indicators of landuse changes in the of Research Papers, Western Ghats Cell, and evolution of earth in the context provenance of south Kerala rivers”, In: Planning & Economic Affairs Dept., pp. of Indian shield” Jour. Geol. Soc. India, Sustainable Natural Resource 19-23. 2006,Vol. 67, 255-259. Development, Compendium of Research Papers, Western Ghats Chattopadhyay, S., Asarani, L. and Battacharyya, P., Bhattacharyya, K.K., Cell, Planning & Economic Affairs Sangeetha, P.V. (2006) “Water quality Kumar, V., Nayak, B., Mohandas, P.N., Dept., pp.1-5. variations as linked to landuse pattern: Vidyadhar, A., Narayanaswamy, A case study in Chalakudy river basin, Chattoraj, U.S. and Maulik, S.C. (2006) Narayanaswamy and Terry Machado (2006) “Significance of water harvesting Kerala”. Current Science, Vol.89, No.2, Studies on medium grade ilmenite- 2163-2169. depleted beach placer deposit of structures in lateritic terrain: A case study Chavakkad ponnani coast, Kerala. In: from Amachal watershed region, Rajendran, C.P., Kusala Rajendran, Proceedings of the International Trivandrum”. In: Sustainable Natural Duarah, B.P., Baruah, S. and Anil Seminar on Mineral Processing Resource Development, Compendium Earnest. (2006) Reply to comment by

Committed to Our Earth, Our Future 5 Trivandrum on 20 February 2006. CESS ESTABLISHES PERMANENT GPS · “Environmental sustainability and STATIONS IN ANDAMANS institutions” at the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering, Trivandrum as part of a short term course on ‘Role of technical institutions and experts in local level development’ on 17 March 2006.

· “Environmental protection and local self government institutions” as part of the Regional Seminar on Human Rights awareness for elected representatives of local self government organized by ‘Human Rights Commission’ at Kottayam on 18 March 2006.

Dr. K. Soman delivered lectures GPS station at Hut Bay, Little Andaman “Landuse landscape changes in the Western Ghats and implications: need CESS has established 3 permanent GPS stations in the Andaman and Nicobar for resource conservation” and Islands, to monitor the crustal deformation in this active plate boundary that has “Biogeochemical indicators of landuse generated a great earthquake in 2004. These stations are in Diglipur, Car Nicobar changes in the provenance of south and Hut Bay. These research efforts are part of the Centre’s research initiatives. Kerala rivers” for participants of the College, Pandalam on 27 March 2006. State Level Awareness Training – cum CONFERENCE / SEMINAR/ workshop organised by the Western WORKSHOP Dr. Srikumar Chattopadhyay attended Ghats Cell, Planning Board during 16 - the International Conference on “An Dr. Srikumar Chattopadhyay delivered a 19 January 2006. agenda for Kerala’s development, 2006- lecture on “Disaster management lessons 2016” as a convener of the panel and from Tsunami” in the UGC sponsored Dr. A.S.K. Nair delivered a lecture on panelist of “Urban development”, national seminar held at Lekshmipuram “Watershed Based Development and organised by the AKG Centre for College of Arts and Science, Neyyoor, Management Practices in India with Research and Studies during 9 - 11 Kanyakumari on 17 March 2006. special emphasis to the Western Ghat December 2005. Development Programmes in Kerala” to Dr. M. Baba gave a talk on Dr. R. Ajayakumar Varma functioned as the participants of the ‘Management “Geoinformatics for Environmental one of the Session Conveners in the Development Programme for Officers Management” in the National Workshop International Congress on Kerala of Agriculture Department at IMG on on ‘Space Application for Mankind’ Studies, organised by the AKG Centre 1 February 2006 organised jointly by Systems Society of for research & Studies, during 9 - 11 India and VSSC on 2 January 2006. PARTICIPATION IN TRAINING December 2005 at Trivandrum. Dr. N.P. Kurian delivered a talk on PROGRAMMES Following papers were presented in the “Geomorphological Impacts of seminar on “Sustainable Natural C.K. Sasidharan attended the Training December 2004 tsunami” in the seminar Resource Development” organised by Programme on “Data warehousing and on post - tsunami changes organized by Western Ghat Cell, Planning and Data Mining - transforming information SIFFS & MPEDA on 14 March 2006. Economic Affairs Department on 19 into insight” sponsored by Dept. of Dr. R Ajaykumar Varma delivered a talk January 2006. Science & Technology, Govt. of India, on “Solid Waste Management - issues conducted by Administrative Staff · Narayanaswamy, “Significance of and initiatives in Kerala” as part of the College of India, Hyderabad during 27 water harvesting structures in lateritic National Seminar on ‘Environmental February to 3 March 2006. terrain: A case study from Amachal Management and Waste Disposal’ at NSS watershed region”.

Committed to Our Earth, Our Future 7 through Coastal Regulation Zone for Dr. Mahamaya Chattopadhyay & Ms. Nandini gets best paper Coastal Hazard Management”. Nitha Bhuvanen presented a paper on “Application of RS and GIS in the award · Jeena, V.S., Mohan Kumar, G. and Ms. Nandini Ray Chaudhury, Project generation and synthesis of Sampath, S., “Diurnal patterns Assistant, DST sponsored Tsunami environmental statistics: A case study observed in Ambient Carbon project got the best presentation from Man Ar basin, south Kerala” in the Monoxide (Co) during weekdays and award for her paper National Seminar on Geoinformatics in weekends at three different entitled “Nearshore-Backshore Osmania University, during 10 - 11 environments”. Morphological Congruence and its February 2006 at Hyderabad. · Sachith Mohan, Anuroop, R.L., relevance to Tsunami Inundation on Sankar, G. and John Mathai., Dr. N.P. Kurian presented a paper ‘Beach the Coastal Zone between Colachal “Human interaction and its effect on and innershelf sedimentary dynamics in and Tuttur of Kanyakumari District, the stability of slopes. A case study an open coast’ in the International Tamil Nadu”, presented in the of the recent debris flows in the Conference of Mesoscale Processes in National Seminar on Quaternary Pashukkadavu area in the Atmosphere, Ocean and Environmental Climatic Changes and Landform Maruthonkara Panchayat, Systems (IMPA) 2006 Conference held organised by the Indian Institute of Kozhikode. at IIT Delhi during 14 - 17 February Geomorphologists (IIG) at MS 2006. University, Thirunelveli, during 26-28 · Sreebha, S. and Padmalal, D., “Sand December 2005. mining and its Environmental Impact Dr. N.P. Kurian made a presentation on on the river catchments of the Coastal Hazards Project in a meeting Dr. M. Baba was nominated to following Vembanad lake, Southwest India”. of the National Disaster Management committees · Unnikrishnan, P., Sobha, V. and Authority at New Delhi on 8 March 2006. · Member of the Kerala Dam Safety Arun, P.R., “Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Authority’ constituted by the Silica and Iron loading in the surface Dr. Terry Machado delivered a talk on . waters of Parvathyputhenar (Kerala), “Post Tsunami Changes On Marine · Southwest India. System, Environment And Socio ‘Consultative Group for Forestry Research and Management of KFRI · Ouseph, P.P., Abhilash, P.P. and Economic Status Of Coastal People” in the UGC sponsored National Seminar, constituted by KSCSTE, Sajithkumar, A., “Interpretation of Government of Kerala. Cochin esturine water quality data held on 17 March 2006 at Lekshmipuram using SPSS”. College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. R. Ajayakumar Varma was Kanyakumari. nominated to the following committees · Mahesh Mohan and Omana, P.K., “Distribution of mercury and the · Member in the State Level MEETINGS CONDUCTED threat to Vembanadu ecosystem, Committee of Experts on Ramsar site, Kerala”. A meeting of the Advisory Committee Management of Chemical Accidents constituted vide G.O.(RT)No.1796/ · Johny, C.J. and Zachariah, E.J., of the Kerala Coastal Protection Project 2005/LBR dated 01/07/2005. “Methane emission from Ashtamudi was organized at CESS on 10 March Estuary”. 2006. · Member in the Board of Studies in · Majula Unnikrishnan, Rajendran, Environmental Science of the Kerala NOMINATIONS R.K. and Ajaykumar Varma, R., University vide Notification “Geoenvrionmental appraisal of a No.Ac.AIII/1/624/05/ dated 28/ Dr. Kusala Rajendran was nominated as 10/2005. Heavy Mineral Prospect of Kerala”. a member of the Thematic Group 4 on · Rupananda Mallia, J., Shiny Sara, T., Earthquakes, for the Indian Disaster Dr. A.S.K. Nair is nominated to Rajanish Kumar, R., Anitha Mathews, Management Congress, November 2007. following committees Paul Sebastian, Jayaprakash P. Sudeep, Registrar, CESS has been · Member, District Level Madhavan and Subhash, N., elected as the Chairman, National Technical Advisory Committee, “Diagnosis of Oral Cavity Institute of Personnel Management Thiruvananthapuram District in the Neoplasms with Fluorescence (NIPM), Trivandrum Chapter for the Subject committees of (i) agriculture, Spectroscopy”. period 2006-08. soil conservation, rain water

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