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Prakriti Vol 2 Issue 13

Prakriti Vol 2 Issue 13

PRAKRITI, 11th January 2020, Vol.II, Issue 13

Weekly magazine

P R A K R I T I Quest For Nature

Flora of the week Fauna of the week of the week

Hardwickia binata smithii socialis or or or Parsiddha Ruddy Ashy Prinia

Officers’ Club Central Academy for State Forest Service, Dehradun P R A K R I T I, 11 JANUARY 2 0 2 1, V O L. II, I S S U E13

FLORA OF THE WEEK Hardwickia binata Parsiddha, Anjan

Hardwickia binata ( Anjan ): Habitat and distribution:

It is a moderate sized to large tree (25 to 30 m It is a characteristic tree of the dry height) with drooping branches. The bark of deciduous forest and can grow on tree is greyish brown in color, rough with shallow, gravelly soils. It is found deep cracks and it darkens with age. The in western Himalayas up to compound leaves have only two leaflets elevation of 1500 m and dry open which are joined at base. forests of central and South . In southern India, it is particularly The timber obtained from the tree is the found in Kadapa, Nellore and hardest and heaviest among timbers from Ceded districts and in valleys of trees found in India. It is also durable and Cauvery and Bhavani rivers. termite resistant.

Kingdom Plantae Phylum Angiospermae Class Eudicots Order Fabales Family Fabaceae Genus Hardwickia

Species binata Uses:

The bark of tree is used for making ropes. The timber is used for making agricultural equipment like cart wheels, oil mills, pestles and ploughs. Oleo-resin extracted from the heart wood is used in manufacture of varnishes. Resin exuding from the heartwood is used for dressing the sores of elephants.

The resin obtained from tree is used in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. The bark contains tannins and is astringent. It is used in the treatment of diarrhea, worms, indigestion and leprosy.

Fun facts:

Ropes of Hardwickia and coconut were used to capture elephants in ancient times. The elephants are fond of the bark and sweet-smelling oil of Hardwickia.

Propagation: Seed - fresh mature seed has a high fertility rate and germinates readily with moderate moisture. Germination is epigeous. Growth and survival of seedlings are improved by mulching and shade. Seed may sometimes retain viability for 1 or even 2 years.

Central Academy For State Forest Service Guided by: Photography & Compiled by: RAKESH P.O. New Forest, Dehradun- 248006, Uttarakhand Shri Kunal Satyarthi, IFS, President, Officers’ Club Shri CHANDRA| SFS 2019 – 21| P1 Ph : 0135-2754575/ Fax: 0135-2756168; E-mail : Pradeep Wahule, IFS, Vice President, Officers’ Club [email protected] P R A K R I T I, 11 JANUARY 2 0 2 1, V O L. II, I S S U E13

FAUNA OF THE WEEK Herpestes smithii Ruddy Mongoose

The ruddy are usually found in hills Reproduction and and forests, generally preferring to hide. The life Development:-They can breed expectancy of the ruddy mongoose isn't known, all year round, with a litter of 1 but generally, the mongoose has been known to to 3 and a gestation period of live anywhere between 7 and 13 years of age. At 40 to 60 days, so it is safe to its full size, its body can reach between 39 and 47 assume that the ruddy centimeters, or 15.3 and 18.6 inches, with its tail mongoose's breeding habits are being between 33 and 36 centimeters, or 13 and similar. All mongoose 14.2 inches. The mongoose is a light , make a high pitched noise weighing only around 0.95 and 1.85 kgs, or 2 and during mating season known as 4 pounds. Mongooses generally have long bodies, giggling, used to call to their with short legs, rounded ears, tapered snouts and potential mates and secure long faces. Their fur tends to be brown or grey, them during the actual breeding however some species have striped coats or ringed process. tails. They are incredibly adaptable , who prey on a huge variety of species and strive in a Amazing facts: Kingdom Animalia wide range of habitats Mongooses use alarm calls to warn others of the presence of danger. Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Mongooses are extremely quick and agile. This allows them to Order effectively dodge the attacks of snakes with relative ease. Suborder

In various species mongooses use Family Herpestidae scent markings to mark their Genus Herpestes territory, and to communicate their reproductive status. Species smithii

Ecology and Behavior: They are unique as not much is known about the ruddy mongoose's behavior, except that it is a feisty little animal. This mongoose can attack and kill a cobra, one of the most deadly snakes there are, without being harmed at all. By bristling its fur, it can appear to be much larger than it really is, making its predators afraid and put off guard. Snakes, small lizards, rodents, and dead carcasses are among the ruddy mongoose's diet. Omnivores.

The population status of the Ruddy Mongoose is unknown, but the species is Habitat and Distribution: Ruddy Mongoose is believed to be common in some forests of central India. In central India people distributed in peninsular India, from the state of consider the mongoose to be sacred, and it is protected. The Indian population Rajasthan in the west to Bihar to the east, and in is listed on CITES Appendix III, and Schedule IV of Indian Wildlife .

(Protection) Act, 1972. The ecology of Ruddy mongoose is hardly known and future studies are required. The Ruddy Mongoose is crepuscular, is partially arboreal, and it hunts, feeds, and rests in trees. Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes smithii is distributed in the forests of Central, Western and Peninsular India, and . The ruddy mongoose is mainly a forest-living animal and prefers more secluded areas. It has also been recorded in secluded paddy fields and in comparatively open fields.

Central Academy For State Forest Service Guided by: Photography & Compiled by: P.O. New Forest, Dehradun- 248006, Uttarakhand Shri Kunal Satyarthi, IFS, President, Officers’ Club PANKAJ KUMAR| SFS 2019 – 21| Ph : 0135-2754575/ Fax: 0135-2756168; E-mail : [email protected] Shri Pradeep Wahule, IFS, Vice President, Officers’ Club P2 P R A K R I T I, 11 JANUARY 2 0 2 1, V O L. II, I S S U E13

BIRD OF THE WEEK Prinia socialis Ashy Prinia

The ashy prinia is a small warbler and a resident breeder in the Indian subcontinent. It is a common bird in urban gardens and farmlands in many parts of India, Nepal, and Srilanka. Its small size distinctive color and upright tail make it easy to identify. The northern populations have a rufous rump and back and have distinct breeding and non-breeding plumage while other population lack such variation.

Kingdom Animalia Habitat: The bird is found in dry open grassland, open woodland, scrub and in-home gardens in many cities. The northern limits of Phylum Chordata species are along the Himalayan foothills extending in to the upper Class Aves Indus river system. Order Passeriformes Male: The male has a black top, Family Genus Prinia Female: The female has a grayish black top. Species socialis Behaviors and Ecology:

It is most easily distinguished by loud snapping noise it makes during flight and the bird snapped its long tail. The non- migratory genus prinia shows biannual moult, which is rare among . A moult occurs in spring and another moult occurs in autumn. Biannual moult is theorized to be favorable when ectoparasite loads are very high.

Bird stay in pairs but roost singly on the branch of a small tree or shrub. It makes nest close to ground in a shrub or tall grass. Breeding season varies with locality and mostly after monsoons. The species is believed to be monogamous, and both male and female take part in incubation and feeding. Parents may spend more time at the nest during cool days.

Food: Like most -warblers, the ashy prinia is insectivorous & their larvae, flower’s nectar, small spiders

Voice: Zeet-zeet zeet or tchup-tchup-tchup repetitive song. Other call is a nasal tee-tee-tee.

Size: 13-14 cm

Compiled by: Central Academy For State Forest Service Guided by: P.O. New Forest, Dehradun- 248006, Uttarakhand Shri Kunal Satyarthi, IFS, President, Officers’ Club PRADEEP KUMAR| SFS 2019 – 21| Ph : 0135-2754575/ Fax: 0135-2756168; E-mail : [email protected] Shri Pradeep Wahule, IFS, Vice President, Officers’ Club P3

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