Annual Report 2011-12
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Annual Report 2011-12 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 ........................ 12 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS ............................. 14 PUBLICATIONS .......................................... 30 BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF GUIDE ....... 32 HIGHLIGHTS OF ACHIEVEMENTS ........... 35 DIRECTOR’S NOTE international linkages would Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology strengthen international collaborative (GUIDE), stepping into its 17th year, research programmes and enhance continues to function as a pioneering research acumen. The stewardship dryland research institute striving to and unflinching effort rendered by address the needs of community our Chairman Shri S. G. Mankad, IAS through its research agenda. In order (Retd.) and the Board of Governors of to fulfill its avowed mandate to GUIDE are enabling us to function achieve a synergy of science and with vigour and quality over the community in the field of ecology and previous years. environment, GUIDE has made added progress. To add a feather in the GUIDE’s cap, In order to strengthen its scientific manpower and to enhance its accomplishment, GUIDE has recruited a team of highly qualified and experienced scientists (Dr. Nimisha Tripathi and Dr. Pranav Pandya) and researchers (Dr. Rohitkumar Patel, Dr. Mital Kannaria, Sh. Dayesh Parmar, Mr. Dr. V. Vijay Kumar, IC Director of th Nainesh Patel, Ms. R.Leka Meera, Sh. GUIDE participated in the 5 IUCN Nanda Gopal, Sh. Abhinav M. Mehta, Asia Regional Conservation Forum at Sh. Nilesh Sharma, Ms. Kiran Chitroda, Incheon, South Korea during the th th Mrs. Sudha Kumari) with multi- period between 27 and 30 disciplinary background who will work September 2011. This Forum was on different aspects of diverse graced by eminent personalities from ecosystems, biodiversity and livelihood India, including; Honourable Chief opportunities in Kachchh and other Minister of Asam State- Sh. Tarun places of Gujarat. Kumar Gogoi, The President of IUCN - Dr. Ashok Khosla, Vice President of Prof. G. Agoramoorthy, Distinguished IUCN-India - Sh. Karthikeya V. Professor, Tajen University, Taiwan Sarabhai, Director of SACON – Dr. P. has joined GUIDE as Honorary A. Azeez and Prof. B. C. Choudhury, Director on 3rd June 2011. His vast Wildlife Institute of India. GUIDE Annual Report 2011-12 Page 1 In yet another attempt to acquire NTFP analysis of GSFDC and APSEZL for global eminence and to draw characterization of soil, water, air in worldwide attention towards Kachchh APSEZL, Mundra. dryland issues, GUIDE had earlier National and State level collaborative signed MoU with Tajen University, research programmes were proposed Taiwan and CASII, India. Indeed, with GEER Foundation and S.P. research and academic collaboration University, Anand on different aspects with Yobe State University and Desert of ecology. Research Monitoring Control Centre (DRMCC), Nigeria is also afoot. As a Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology follow up, a team of four members (GUIDE), Bhuj, ever since its visited GUIDE during April 2012 under establishment in May 1995, has been the leadership of Prof. Musa Alabe, working steadfastly to address Vice Chancellor, Yobe State University, different ecological issues pertaining to Nigeria and signed a MoU with GUIDE. arid and semi-arid regions of Gujarat This MoU will enable both the in general and Kachchh in particular. In organizations for faculty exchange, continuation of this, GUIDE organized a national conference on “Wetland Conservation for Sustainable Development” during 17th and 18th February 2012 at KSKV Kachchh University, Bhuj-Kachchh. The main objective of the symposium was the conglomeration of research and academic institutions, government and collaborations between professionals non-government organizations, policy working within the same field, joint research and development for controlling desertification and training of faculties. Another MoU was signed with Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation (GPCB), GoG, Vadodara for undertaking GUIDE Annual Report 2011-12 Page 2 makers and various stakeholders on 3rd September 2010 and the dedicated to research, conservation recognition is extended for the year and restoration of wetlands with an aim 2011 & 2012. The laboratory and to establish a nationwide network of infrastructure facilities developed wetland ecologists and research during the previous year have further organizations. been strengthened by adding more equipment from the project grant As a part of its recognition by K.S.K.V. sponsored by DST, New Delhi. A team Kachchh University, Bhuj, GUIDE has of well-trained analysts is working jointly undertaken teaching programme full time and the laboratory is now of M. Sc. (Environmental Science) course poised to undertake a broad range of and the second batch of students passed advanced ecological research out during May 2011. A plan to envisaging the lab-to-field approach. commence integrated master’s Laboratory facilities, besides serving programme with the Kachchh University different project requirements also is also on avail. Apart from teaching, in meet analytical requirements of GPCB, the areas of research guidance, GUIDE’s industries, farmers and other NGOs. scientists have guided students from Further, GUIDE has signed a MoU with Symbiosis Institute, Pune; S.P. University, MPSEZL, Mundra for operating an Anand; North Gujarat University, Patan environmental laboratory at MPSEZL. and K.S.K.V. Kachchh University, Bhuj. The laboratory is operational since Demonstrating their presentation July 2011. capability, GUIDE scientists and Mrs. Rita Teotia, Commissioner of researchers attended several national Rural Development of Government of and international seminars and symposia and presented research papers. Among scientific publications, notably one correspondence was made to “Research” by the Honorary Director of GUIDE. The GUIDE laboratory has been recognized as “State Air & State Water Gujarat along with a team of officials Laboratory” by the GPCB, Gandhinagar visited GUIDE and discussed about the GUIDE Annual Report 2011-12 Page 3 laboratory and other facilities available at GUIDE. To share their views and revelation, distinguished dignitaries including Prof Uriel Safriel, Ex Director, BIDR, Israel; Sh. L. Murugappan, Sr. Executive Director, IFFCO, Kandla- Kachchh; Dr. A. K. Ghosh, Ex. Director, Zoological Survey of India; Dr. Dhrubajyoti Ghosh, Regional Chair, Technology development for production of biocolors from novel microbes for application in dyeing and leather industries with DST, New Delhi; “Status of Biodiversity in the core and IUCN Commission for Ecosystem buffer zone area around the Nirma Management; Prof. V. C. Soni, Cement Plant at Mahuva, district Saurashtra University and Prof. Geeta Bhavnagar, Gujarat” with Nirma Cement Padate, M. S. University happily shared Company Ltd; and “Biological their time to visit GUIDE. Environment: Ecological Study for an Integrated Cement Plant at Vayor, Notwithstanding with the above, the district Kachchh, Gujarat”-Reliance other significant achievement is the Cement Company. publication initiatives of “State of Environment of Kachchh” (SoEK) which Moreover, the successfully completed was published through GEER projects within stipulated time Foundation, Gandhinagar in May 2011. include; Impact of Desertification and In an effort to fortify the research Climate Change in Kachchh, endeavor of the institute, many Banaskantha and Patan Districts of research proposals have also been Gujarat, Marine Monitoring of APSEZL, framed out, including the international Studies on the Impact of Salinity research proposal with Earth Watch; Prevention Structures along the GUIDE Annual Report 2011-12 Page 4 Coastal Belt of Kachchh and Micro- University, Bhuj-Kachchh for best planning of Selected Villages in Khadir performance in environmental and Pachchham Islands. research activities. The award was presented on 7th April 2012 in a The new projects initiated during the special function Chaired by the tenure include; Watershed project at Honorable Finance Minister of the Pachchham area with a budget outlay Gujarat State – Shri. Vajubhai Vala and of Rs. 1,027/- Lakhs and mangrove Minister for State – Shri. Vasanbhai monitoring studies at Mundra and Gopalbhai Ahir. The important Dhandi areas of Gujarat. Other new dignitaries include; the Vice projects include; Environmental Chancellor of K.S.K.V. Kachchh monitoring study