Guide 2012-2013
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Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology MISSION GUIDE will catalyze the process of ameliorating hardships to human beings in desert ecosystems of Gujarat, following sound ecological principles and carefully using scientific knowledge, imaginative technology and capital MANDATE Focus on desert, arid and semi-arid ecosystems of Gujarat, with special emphasis on Kachchh. Develop benchmark database for ecosystems of Kachchh and thereafter undertake continuous monitoring and trend-analysis through specific research activities Identify problem areas and evolve appropriate solutions and management strategies with the help of applied research Formulate and implement relevant projects that would provide models for emulation Disseminate ecological information and communicate action plans to suit local conditions, through extension and other programmes Provide consultancy and training to NGO's, Government officials, corporate sectors and other natural resource managers, in the principles of ecology, integrated management and sustainable development. Contents DIRECTOR’S NOTE ................................................................................................................ 1 INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES ................................................................................ 7 NATIONAL CONFERENCE .................................................................................................. 11 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS ....................................................................................................... 14 PUBLICATIONS ..................................................................................................................... 35 BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF GUIDE ................................................................................ 40 HIIGHLIGHTS OF ACHIEVEMENTS .................................................................................. 45 DIRECTOR’S NOTE Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology under the Chairmanship of Ms. (GUIDE), stepping into its 18th year, Vijayalaxmi Sheth. continues to function as a pioneering dryland research institute striving to In yet another attempt to acquire address the needs of community global eminence and to draw through its research agenda. In order worldwide attention towards Kachchh to fulfill its avowed mandate to dryland issues, GUIDE had signed a achieve a synergy of science and MoU with STEPS Center of Sussex community in the field of ecology and University, Brington, UK and initiated a environment, GUIDE has made added collaborative research programme on progress. The stewardship and “Climate Change and Uncertainty unflinching effort rendered by our from Below and Above”. As part of this Chairman Shri S. G. Mankad, IAS (Retd.) and the Board of Governors of GUIDE are enabling us to function with vigor and quality over the previous years. The contract tenure of Prof. G. Agoramoorthy as Honorary Director of GUIDE has come to an end on 2nd June 2012. The Chairman, Board of Governors (BoG) of GUIDE has appointed Shri R. V. Asari, IFS (Retd.) as Advisor in GUIDE during July 2012 and later appointed as Director of GUIDE from 29th September 2012. Further, the initiative, Dr. V. Vijay Kumar attended Board of Governors has constituted a the inception meeting of the project Management Committee for partners at Kolkata during the period monitoring the day to day between 21st and 26th August 2012. administrative programmes of GUIDE Another follow-up meeting was conducted between 25th and 28th January 2013 at Ahmedabad for finalizing a common methodology for the study areas in India. The workshop was attended by Dr. Lyla Metha, IDS, Sussex University, UK; Mrs. Uapsona Ghosh, IMHR, Kolkata; Dr. Alankar, JNU, Delhi; Shri Shibaji Bose and GUIDE was represented by Director, Joint Director and Scientists. A follow-up field trip to project locations in GUIDE Annual Report 2012-13 Page 1 Kachchh, Gujarat was organized SANDHAN, Gandhinagar and between 31st January and 4th February Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat, 2013. The team consisting of Dr. Lyla Gandhinagar in areas of research, Metha, Director and Joint Director of technical, training, faculty and GUIDE visited Kanmer village at Rapar students exchange programme. taluka, Jakhau village at Abdasa GUIDE had also arranged a stall in the taluka and Bhirandiyara village in Education Pavilion during the Vibrant Banni in Kachchh in connection with Gujarat 2013 event. the project. To add a feather in the GUIDE’s cap, Dr. V. Vijay Kumar, Joint Director of GUIDE participated in the 4th International Conference on Drylands, Deserts and Desertification held between 12th and 15th November, 2012 at Bluastein Institutes for Desert Research, Sede Boqer Campus of Ben- Gurion University, Israel. Hehadpresented a paper on “Reclamation of the Greater Rann of Research and academic Kachchh, Gujarat, India – A pilot collaboration with Yobe State approach” under the theme “Soil and University and Desert Research Land Restoration in Drylands”. Monitoring Control Centre (DRMCC), Nigeria is also afoot. As a follow up, a team of four members visited GUIDE during April 2012 under the leadership of Prof. Musa Alabe, Vice Chancellor, Yobe State University, Nigeria and signed an MoU with GUIDE. This MoU facilitates both the organizations for faculty exchange, collaborations between professionals working within the same field, joint research and development for controlling To augment the rigour of the desertification and training of faculties. academic activity of GUIDE, Director and Joint Director had attended the As a follow-up of the MoU, Dr. V. Vijay meeting of “International Academic Kumar had visited DRMCC during the Institutions” held between 9th and 10th period between 16th and 26th February January, 2013 as part of Vibrant 2013 for initiating collaborative Gujarat. GUIDE had signed MoUs with research, academic and training Pandit Deenadayal Petroleum programmes. Prof. Musa Alabe, Vice University, Gandhinagar; Gujarat Chancellor, Yobe State University National Law University, Gandhinagar; GUIDE Annual Report 2012-13 Page 2 arranged meetings with high level In order to strengthen its scientific officials at DRMCC, Yobe State manpower and to enhance its University and Government of Nigeria. accomplishment, GUIDE has recruited During the trip, Dr. V. Vijay Kumar a team of qualified and experienced scientists (Dr. G. Thirumaran, Dr. Shalini Dhayani Dr. Nimisha Tripathi and Dr. Deepak Dhayani) and researchers (Ms. Dipa Lalwani, Ms. Bhoomi H. Bakori, Ms. Anasuya Rawat, Mr. Rajesh Choudhari and Mr. Mayur Goswami) with multi-disciplinary background who will work on different aspects of diverse ecosystems, biodiversity and livelihood opportunities in Kachchh visited desert areas and Oasis in Yobe, and other places of Gujarat. Abuja and Kano states of Nigeria. As a part of the collaboration with CASII, initiatives have been taken to conduct CoHaB project for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in GUIDE during the month of November 2013. Another MoU was signed with Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation (GSFDC), GoG, Vadodara for undertaking NTFP analysis of GSFDC Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology and APSEZL for characterization of soil, (GUIDE), Bhuj, ever since its water, air in APSEZL, Mundra. National establishment in May 1995, has been and State level collaborative research working steadfastly to address programmes were proposed to NEERI, different ecological issues pertaining Nagpur; GEER Foundation, to arid and semi-arid regions of Gandhinagar and S.P. University, Gujarat in general and Kachchh in Anand on different biological and particular. In continuation of this, ecological aspects. GUIDE organized a national awareness Dr. V. Vijay Kumar attended the programme in collaboration with consultation workshop on “Strategies Gujarat State Biodiversity Board, for disaster risk reduction of vulnerable Gandhinagar and K.S.K.V Kachchh occupations” at Ahmedabad jointly University, Bhuj-Kachchh on organized by CEPT University, “Biodiversity Conservation and Ahmedabad and Kyoto University, Management with Some Emphasis on Japan. Guggal” on 22nd January 2013 at K.S.K.V Kachchh University, Bhuj- Kachchh. The main objective of the GUIDE Annual Report 2012-13 Page 3 symposium was to bring a The GUIDE laboratory has been conglomeration of research and recognized as “State Air & State Water academic institutions, government Laboratory” by the GPCB, and non-government organizations, Gandhinagar on 3rd September 2010 policy makers and various and the recognition is extended up to stakeholders dedicated to research, 2nd September 2013. The laboratory conservation and restoration of and infrastructure facilities developed wetlands with an aim to establish a during the previous year have further nationwide awareness on biodiversity been strengthened by adding Act and biodiversity conservation and equipments like New Brunswick shaker, its management. Deep freezer, Millipore ultra pure water, Geographical Positioning As a part of its recognition by K.S.K.V. System, Rotary vacuum Flash Kachchh University, Bhuj, GUIDE has Evaporator (Total Cost Rs. 12 jointly undertaken teaching lakhs)from the project grant of DST, programme of M. Sc. (Environmental New Delhi. A team of well-trained Science) course and the third batch of analysts is working full time and the students passed out during May 2012. laboratory is now poised to undertake A plan to commence integrated a broad range of advanced master’s programme with the ecological research envisaging the Kachchh