International E - Publication Proceedings of UGC-SERO, Sponsored Two Day National SeminarOn

Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth

Dec, 21-22, 2015

Organized by

Department of Botany Girraj Govt. College (Autonomous) College with potential for Excellence NAAC Reaccredited with ‘B’ Nizamabad-503002, Telangana State

In Collaboration with Department of Botany, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad

Editors: Sri. K. Devender Babu, Head, Dept. of Botany, Girraj Govt. College, NZB Mrs. T. Umakiran, Asst. Prof., Dept. of Botany, Girraj Govt. College, NZB Dr. A.A. Haleem Khan, Asst. Prof., Dept. of Botany, Telangana University, NZB

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ISBN: 978-93-84659-29-5

Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth iii

Mr. K. Devender Babu Head, Dept. of Botany Girraj Govt. College (A), Nizamabad

FOREWARD OF THE CONVENER I feel myself justified in selecting the title “Biodiversity Conservation – Role of Student Youth” for this Seminar. The aggrieved nature and its expression in the form of disturbances in the seasonal cycles, increased earth’s temperature, sudden calamities etc., are because of its excess expliotation. Nature continuously interacts with its living component, exchange energy via (Bio-geo) Natural cycles. Living variability of the Biosphere is Biodiversity. Living forms and their surroundings uninterruptedly interact and exchange energy, through cyclic paths and mechanism because of excess interference of human kind is disturbed. Excess interference is harming natures balance and functions, altering the energy flow. Population explosion is compelling the society for indiscriminate exploitation to fulfill the needs. Result is rapid urbanization, industrialization with effluent release and deforestation. All these are causing harm to Bio-diversity and changing its functions. The imbalance in nature’s structure and Ecosystems are altering the energy flow directions. Debates and discussions to conserve nature and its biodiversity at international level are already started (Earth summit, Reo conference, Hyderabad convention and recent Paris summit). A positive step in this direction is the recent cop of Paris where in the resolution to reduce Earth’s temperature by 2o was passed. We hope and look forward for its implementation. The present seminar is endeavoring to switch on a debate at local level, create awareness and sensitize educated youth and to carry the message rural to society. Though laws are made to protect nature, they are to be implemented and monitored. I express my sincere and honest gratitude to beloved Chief Minister of Telangana State, Sri. K. Chandra Shekar Rao garu for proposing and implementing ‘Haritha Haaram’. My sincere thanks are to UGC (SERO) for funding to organize this seminar. My sincere thanks to Dr. V. Rajendra Prasad garu, Principal of the College, also to the advisory Committee and my Colleagues and all the persons who have directly or indirectly helped for successful organization of the event. I also extend my thanks to Dr. A. A. Haleem Khan and Mrs. T. Umakiran for their herculean task of shaping the souvenir.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth iv ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Girraj Govt. College is an Autonomous institution affiliated to Telangana University. This institute is one among the government college with NAAC reaccreditation ‘B’ .This is the only institutions of Northern Telangana in the state got approve with the status of CPE by UGC. It has sustained an integrated development of all faculties. It has contributed to the academic development of the region and the nation as a whole. Its alumni have distinguished themselves nationally and internationally. This institution is serving the nation by providing accessible affordable and meaningful education to all needy sections of society and enriches subject potential of the rural background students to excel in the field.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY

The Department of Botany was established in 1956, since the inception of the college, the stakeholders of the department are UG teachers. This department is intended to update knowledge in the subject content to keep pace with changes taking due to advancements in science & technology across the globe. The department has got linkages with Botany Depts. Of various universities such as Osmania, Kakatiya, Telangana and University of Hyderabad, Regional Rice & Sugarcane Research Station, Agriculture Polytechnic, Rudrur, Forest Dept. NZB, Horticulture Dept., NZB. The department has developed botanical and rose garden in the College campus. Botanical garden is unique in if self as it possesses 92 genera of Gymnosperms, Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons with diverse habitats such as herbs, shrubs, climbers, tree (annuals, biennials, and perennials). Garden preserves rare medicinal plants in the campus along with ornamental flora of pleasant aroma. Flora identification, students study projects ,regular field trips and botanical tours are taken up by the department a Voluntary service programmes such as tree plantation in and outside the campus, importing knowledge to the rural community on preserving the flora and also organizing blood donation camps and renders Voluntary service to needy sections of the society .

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth v CONTENTS S. No. Title Authors & Affiliations Page No. 1 Bio-Diversity Conservation – Role of Dr. MRG Reddy 1 Student Youth 2 Plant Wealth of Telangana State M. Venkat Ramana, 2 Department of Botany, Nizam College (OU), Hyderabad 3 Studies on Local Endangered Plant K. Devender Babu, K. Gangadhar 3 Diversity and Need for Conservation Dept. of Botany, GG College, Nizamabad 4 Effect of Bruchid (Callosobruchus Venkatesham .V*, R.S. Meena and P.Vijay Kumar chinensis) on Stored Chickpea Dept. of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Institute of Agricultural 3 Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, Uttar Pradesh 5 Value of biodiversity for ecological S.P. Adhikary1 and Mohan Behara2 sustainability 1Dept. of Botany, Aska Science College, Aska, Ganjam, Odisha- 761111 4 2Department of Botany, PVKN Govt. College, Chittoor, AP. 6 Timber yielding plants and their utilities in *Vijigiri Dinesh and V. Jalander Adilabad district of Telangana State *Dept of Botany, Shri Renukadevi Arts, Commerce and Science College, 4 Mahur, Dist: Nanded Department of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad 7 Identification of Freshwater Algae in Two M. Srinivas & *M. Aruna 5 Lakes of Medak District *Department of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad 8 Status of Rice Genetic Resource in India- G. Praveen Kumar, N. Sandhyakishore and B. Joseph. A Review Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur, Nizamabad. 5 Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyd., T.S. 9 Medicinal Plants of Nizamabad District Gaddam Srinivas Reddy*, Dr. T. Venugopala Swamy** *Department of Zoology, Govt. Junior College for Boys, Nizamabad 5 **Department of Zoology, Giriraj Govt. College, Nizamabad 10 Microbial diversity: the need to think big Shaik Akbar Pasha 6 and small Dept. of Microbiology,GirrajGovt College, Nizamabad 11 Monitoring of pesticide residues in market P. Vijay Kumar, P. Geethareddy, V. Venkatesham, V.ShashiBhushan 6 samples of Cauliflower in Hyderabad 12 Role of Young Farmers to Boost Nagendar Rao Kamtam, Ch. Chaitanya Biodiversity by Practicing Dept. of Botany, Govt. Degree and PG College (M), Adilabad 6 Integrated Pest Management 13 Identification of Algal Species from K.Sampath and J. Chapla Bethupally Lake of Sathupally Zone, Hydrobiology Lab, Department of Botany, Osmania University, 7 Khammam (Dist.), Telangana State Hyderabad 14 Studies on Ethno-Medicinal Plants for Thirunahari Ugandhar Womenfolk’s Health Care in Ramagiri Department of Botany, SRR Govt. Arts & Science College Karimnagar – 7 Fort of Mahadevapur Reserve Forest in 505001 (T.S) Karimnagar District of Telangana Region 15 An Ethno Botanical Study on K.Anuradha selected flowers used in Dept. of Botany, Government Degree College, Siddipet, Medak 7 Bathukamma Festival Dist., Telangana State 16 Assessment of soil quality under teak Dr. Tanneru P.K plantation area at Dharmabad Dept. of Botany, Lal Bahadur Shastri Mahavidyalaya Dharmabad, Dist: 8 Nanded 17 Study of Phyco – Biodiversity and Water N. Ramamurthy Quality in Koilsagar Project of Dept. of Botany, MVS Govt. UG & P.G. College, Mahabubnagar-509001 8 Mahabubnagar District, Telangana (India) 18 Assessment of water quality parameters of S.Suresh and N.Ramamurthy Koilsagar project in Mahabubnagar Dept. of Botany, MVS Govt. UG & PG College, Mahabubnagar -509 001 8 district, Telangana, India 19 Biodiversity of Soil Invertebrate Fauna in T.Venugopala Swamy*Gaddam Srinivas Reddy** the Fields of Borgoan Village of Dept. of Zoology, Girraj Govt. College (A), Nizamabad* 9 Nizamabad-District, Telangana-India Dept. of Zoology, Govt. Junior College (B), Nizamabad** 20 Ethnomedicinal plants used to cure skin S Balaraju diseases by tribals of Mahabubnagar Department of Botany, MVS Govt. UG & PG College, Mahabubnagar 9 district, Telangana state 509 001, Telangana

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth vi 21 Medicinal Importance of Seeds and Their M. Sharath Goud, B. Kalpana1, R. Devilal, B. Sadasivaiah*, Nirmala Babu Utilization Mahabubnagar District, Rao1 9 Telangana. Department of Botany, Govt. Degree & PG College, Wanaparthy T.S. 1Department of Botany, Osmania University, Hyderabad 22 Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal * Dr. M. Mamatha, Prashanthi Sandepogu Fungi in Medicinal plants from Telangana Dept. of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad 10 University Campus, Nizamabad Dist., T. S. 23 Diversity of Aquatic Macrophytes in N. Nagasameera & M. Aruna. 10 Gandhipuram Cheruvu (Lake), Khammam Department of Botany, Telangana University Nizamabad, Telangana. Dist. 24 Rhizosphere Mycoflora of Some Wilted V. Jalander and B.D. Gachande* Cultivars of Pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan Department of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad 10 (L.) Millsp.] *Department of Botany, N.E.S. Science College, Nanded

25 Effect of Invasive Plant Species on SaivenkateshKorlam1, SujanaPapani2, Vishnu Priya Mylisetti3 Phytodiversity 1, 2 Dept. of Botany, P.V.K.N.Govt. College, Chittoor, A.P. 11 3 Dept. of Botany, Govt. Degree College (W), Ananthapur, 26 Conservation of Traditional Medicinal Dr. Ghan Singh Malothu, A.Soumya, A. Naveena, P. Sai Ganesh 11 Plants in Adilabad District Department of Botany, Govt. Degree and PG College, Adilabad T.S. 27 Significant Medicinal Plants Used For M. Hemalatha Arthritis Collected From Ardhagiri Hills a Dept. of Botany, PVKN Govt. Degree College, Chittoor 11 Sacred Grove of Chittoor District 28 Biodiversity for a World without hunger Y. Shwetha, A. Rama (BZC) 12 Botany Department, GirrajGovt College, Nizamabad 29 Bird Census on Godavari River in relation *Balkhande J.V., Waghmare B. D., Shaikh Azeem I., Bhowate C.S. and to Conservation strategy of Aquatic birds Kulkarni A.N. 12 in Nanded (Maharashtra State). *Dept. of Zoology, D. B. College, BhokarTq. Bhokar Dist. Nanded (MS). Dept. of Zoology & Fishery Science, Science College, Nanded. (MS). 30 Plantlet Regeneration through Callus 1Devaraju Srinivas, 2M.Venkateshwarlu and 3T.Ugandhar Induction from Cotyledonary Explants of 1Department of Botany, Telanagana University- Nizamabad 12 Sapindus emarginatus (Vahl). 2Department of Botany, Kakatiya University-Warangal 3Department of Botany, SRR Govt. Arts & Science College - Karimnagar 31 Diospyros melanoxylon (Tendu leaf) is M. Chandra Kumar1 and Smt. T. Uma Kiran2 one of the major economic resources of Dept. of Zoology, Govt. Degree College, Nirmal, Adilabad(D) 13 Tribal people of Northern Telangana. Department of Botany, Girraj Govt. College, Nizamabad. 32 Different biochemical and Ethnomedicinal V. Madhu Uses of Tippa-teega (Tinospora Dept. of Botany, Government Degree College, Tiruvuru, Krishna, A.P. 13 cordifolia) 33 Burning for biodiversity or burning the M. Deepthi 13 biodiversity? Dept. of Zoology, GirrajGovt College (A), Nizamabad 34 Every Organism has the Right to Live Maroju Sandhyarani 14 35 An Assessment of Phytoplankton *Bimbisar D. Waghmare and A.N. Kulkarni Population and Seasonal Variation in Dept. of Fishery Science, N.E.S. Science College, Nanded (M.S.) India 14 Lendi River, District Nanded, Maharashtra, India 36 Preventing the Extinction of an Iconic M. Deepthi, M. Sandhya Rani Globally Endangered Species – Dept. of Zoology, GirrajGovt College (A), Nizamabad 14 Leadbeater’s Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) 37 Floristic Biodiversity and its Conservation A.A. Haleem Khan, 14 Dept. of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad 38 Fluoride in the Ground Water and Their D. Vijaya Lakshmi, K. Jeevan Rao, T. Prabhakar Reddy and Impact on Human Beings in Ramannapet C. PadmaVeni 15 Mandal of Nalgonda District KrishiVigyan Kendra, Rudrur, Nizamabad Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Telangana. 39 The sugarcane woolly aphid, Chintala Srilakshmi* and Sravanthi Guntupalli Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner Research scholars, Department of PHM and PBD 18 (Hemiptera: Aphididae): an exotic pest National Institute of Plant Health Management, Rajendranagar, T.S.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth vii and its status in India 40 Medicinal Herb: Solanum nigrum L. and R. Rajakala, B. VidyaVardhini, A.A.Haleem Khan 18 its uses Dept. of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad 41 Agrobiodiversity and conservation of Sravanthi Guntupalli* and Chintala Srilakshmi agrobiodiversity Research scholars, Department of PHM and PBD 19 National Institute of Plant Health Management, Rajendranagar (T.S.) 42 Impact of synthetic fertilizers and K. Abhijit and E.VenkataRamana pesticides on Biodiversity of Agro- Dept. of Chemistry, Govt. Arts & Science College, Armoor, Nizamabad, 20 Ecosystem in Modern Age Agriculture T.S. 43 Role of Agricultural Crop Diversity in N. Sandhya Kishore*, M.Pallavi, G.Praveen Kumar, T.Prabhakar Reddy, Nutritional and Food Security in India J. Kamalakar, Firdoz Shahana, V. Bharathi and B. Joseph 22 Regional sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur, Nizamabad (T.S.) 44 The effect of brassinosteroids on S.Anuradha*and S. Seeta Ram Rao phytoremediation of Cd from soil using Department of Botany, 25 Solanum lycopersicum L. Osmania University, Hyderabad 45 Folklore medicinal plants and utilization T.UmaKiran1 and M. Chandra Kumar2 by villagers of Nizamabad district of 1. Dept. of Botany, GirrajGovt.College, Nizamabad 30 Telangana 2. Dept. of Zoology, Govt. Degree College, Nirmal 46 Increasing Awareness and Pro-active Dr V Rajeshwar1 and Smt. P. Latha2 policies of the state in Improving Director(E), All India Radio(FM) Nizamabad & Karimnagar, 31 Environment and bio-diversity in Dept. of Botany, Govt. Degree College, Armur, Nizamabad (T.S.) Nizamabad District 47 Agriculture and Green Revolution A.A.Haleem Khan, Naseem*, B. Vidya Vardhini Dept. of Botany, *Dept. of Pharmaceutical Chemistry 37 Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad (T.S.) 48 Phytoremediation of Toxic Metals from R. Lalitha Soil Govt Degree College, Kukatpally, R.R. Dist. (T.S.) 40

49 Impacts of Biodiversity Change on Human G. Srivani 40 Health MSN laboratories, Hyderabad (T.S.) 50 Medicinal Value of Acalypha indica Linn. B. Sheerisha, B. VidyaVardhini, A.A.Haleem Khan 42 Dept. of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad 51 Formation of Biodiversity Management Deepak Parmar Committees and Preparation of People’s Dept. of Botany, Govt. Degree College, Armoor, Dist. Nizamabad 43 Biodiversity Registers 52 Agrobiodiversity: With Special Reference *P.Rupa, ** N. Laxmibhavani, ***A. Chandrashekar Reddy and ****P. to Crop Diversity of Telangana, India Ayodhya Reddy *Dept of Botany, GDC (A) (P.G), Siddipet, Medak (D) 48 **Dept of Botany, UCS, Saifabad, O.U, Hyderabad, ***Dept. of Botany, Sai brilliant Jr. College, Gajwel, Medak ****Dept of Zoology, GDC (A), Siddipet, Medak (D) 53 Role of NSS Volunteers in Conservation M. Sunitha1 T. Devanna2 S. John Sukumar 3 M. Srinivasa Rao 4 52 of Biodiversity Government Degree College, Armoor. 54 Agrobiodiversity M.V.V. Satyaveni, N. Siddulu, and A. Ramana Rao 54 Dept. of Botany, Nagarjuna Govt. College (A), Nalgonda 55 Phytoplankton Diversity from Kinnerasani K. Rajyalaxmi and M. Aruna* Dam of Khammam District in Telangana Department of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad. 55 State, India 56 Necessity to promote Biodiversity Nilofer Naaz, B. Vidya Vardhini, A.A. Haleem Khan 55 Conservation Department of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad 57 Taxonomic novelties and vegetative Mitta Mahendranath and K. Madhavachetty* diversity assessment of Horsley Hills, Department of Botany, SVUCS, 56 Andhra Pradesh, India Sri Venkteswara University, Tirupati. 58 Conservation of Agro-biodiversity Role of M. Sarswathi 56 Women Dept. of Economics, GDC (M) Nirmal. 59 Phytochemical Screening of Drimia indica C. Meera Saheb 57 Dept. of Botany, PVKN Govt. Degree College, Chittoor 60 Medicinal plants used to cure allergy in Dr. Ratna Manjula, R. 59 Khammam District of Telangana, India Dept. of Botany, Government Degree College, Rammannapet,

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth viii Nalgonda District, Telangana, 530 003, India 61 Medicinal Plants – Biodiversity B. Rakesh Chandra 61 Conservation mTatva, Bangalore 62 Impact of Persistent Organic Pollutants on A. Shalini, 62 Biodiversity Dept. of Chemistry, Govt. Degree College for women, Nirmal 63 Importance of Biodiversity for N. Jyothi 64 Development Dept. of Commerce, GDC, Armoor, 64 Effect of Fly Ash and Farm Yard Manure T. Prabhakar Reddy, D. Vijaya Lakshmi and J. Kamalakar on Soil Biochemical Activity and Yield of Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur 66 Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana. 65 Need to Conserve Eastern Ghats N.S.Srinidhi, Vidya Jyothi Institute of Technology, Hyd. Biodiversity – Awareness through an Dr. C. Uma Maheshwar Reddy, Greens’ Alliance for Conservation of 72 NGO Eastern Ghats (GrACE) 66 Study of Soil Nutrient Status and J. Kamalakar, B. Joseph and T.Prabhakar Reddy. Identification of Soil Related Constraints Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur, Nizamabad. 75 of Agro Bio Diversity Park, PJTSAU, Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Hyderabad for Sustainable Development Telangana.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 1 Bio-Diversity Conservation – Role of Student Youth Dr. MRG Reddy Addl. PCCF (C), MoEF & CC, Regional Office, Chennai Introduction: The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is commonly referred to as biodiversity. The number of species of plants, animals and microorganisms, the enormous diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth. A healthy biodiversity provides a number of natural services for everyone:  Ecosystem services, such as o Protection of water resources o Soils formation and protection o Nutrient storage and recycling o Pollution breakdown and absorption o Contribution to climate stability o Maintenance of ecosystems  Biological resources, such as o Food o Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs o Wood products o Ornamental plants o Breeding stocks o Diversity in genes, species and ecosystems  Social benefits, such as o Research, education and monitoring o Tourism o Cultural values The cost of replacing these (if possible) would be extremely expensive. It, therefore, makes economic and development sense to move towards sustainability. Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play. For example, a larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops; greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms; and healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters. It is observed that human activity is causing massive extinctions. Despite increased efforts at conservation, it has not been enough and biodiversity losses continue. The costs associated with deteriorating or vanishing ecosystems will be high. However, sustainable development and consumption would help avert ecological problems. Preserving species and their habitats is important for ecosystems to self-sustain themselves. Yet, the pressures to destroy habitat for logging, illegal hunting and other challenges are making conservation a struggle. One type of ecosystem that perhaps is neglected more than any other is perhaps also the richest in biodiversity – the coral reefs. Coral reefs are useful to the environment and to people in a number of ways. However, all around the world, much of the world’s marine biodiversity face threats from human and activities as well as natural. At the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth summit), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was born, 192 countries, plus the EU, are now Parties to that convention. In April 2002, the Parties to the Convention committed to significantly reduce the loss of biodiversity loss by 2010. Global Warming: The climate is changing. The earth is warming up and there is now overwhelming scientific consensus that it is happening and human-induced. With global warming on the increase and species and their habitats on the decrease, chances for ecosystems to adapt naturally are diminishing. Many are agreed that climate change may be

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 2 one of the greatest threats facing the planet. Recent years show increasing temperatures in various regions, and / or increasing extremities in weather patterns. Why Biodiversity Conservation is important? Biodiversity is both essential for our existence and intrinsically valuable in its own right. This is because biodiversity provides the fundamental building blocks for the many goods and services a healthy environment provides. These include things that are fundamental to health, like clean air, fresh water and food products, as well as the many other products such as timber and fiber. Other important services provided by our biodiversity include recreational, cultural and spiritual nourishment that maintain personal and social wellbeing. Conserving the biodiversity is, therefore, an important task for all people. The main threats to our biodiversity are:  loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitat  the spread of invasive species  unsustainable use of natural resources  climate change  inappropriate fire regimes  changes to the aquatic environment and water flows Biodiversity is the life support system of this planet –depend on it for the air to breathe, the food to eat and the water to drink. Wetlands filter pollutants from water, trees and plants reduce global warming by absorbing carbon and bacteria and fungi break down organic material and fertilize the soil. It has been shown that native species richness is linked to the health of ecosystems, as is the quality of life for humans. The connections between biodiversity and the sustainable future appear closer and closer the more one look in to. Role of Student Youth in Biodiversity Conservation:  To acquire a basic understanding of the environment and its associated problems of natural resources.  Feeling of concern for the environment and protection of natural resources.  Be active agents of environmental awareness.  Students can have a project and share with others; can make their schools and homes more environment friendly; can participate in large community projects; and they can start recycling programme in their school.  Students can motivate their parents to recycle the waste, turn off the unnecessary lights, appliances, etc.  They can be part of the solution. Plant Wealth of Telangana State M. Venkat Ramana, Department of Botany, Nizam College (OU), Basheerbagh, Hyderabad, 500001. Email: [email protected] Telangana is a one of the 29 states in India with the city of Hyderabad as its capital. The state is bordered by the states of Maharashtra to the North and North West, Chhattisgarh to the North, Odisha to the North East, Karnataka to the West, and Andhra Pradesh to the East and South and with an area of 114, 840 square kilometers. The area is divided into two main regions, the Eastern Ghats and the plains. The Eastern Ghats are part of Mahaboobnagar and Khammam districts and majority of the area is under plains. In terms of forest cover area the state has over 67.5 lakh acres forming 23.8 percent of its geographical area and diversity and in richness of the species comparing with its neighboring state is very poor. The type of forest met within the state is mostly dry and mixed dry deciduous forests, dry savannah and open scrub forests. The moist deciduous/evergreen forest can be seen in only Khammam and parts of Mahaboobnagar. Coming to the plant wealth (flowering plants) of state is as per published data is total 1945 species (includes cultivars) representing 147 families were reported. In terms of endemic species are very scanty, there are only few herbaceous species (ca. 20) are endemics to the state few of them are Alysicarpus mahabubnagarensis, Habenaria ramayyana, Ledebouria hyderabadensis, Lipocarpa reddyi, etc., and there are no tree species are endemic to State of

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 3 Telangana. Even in terms of medicinal plants it is very poor and there are few species due to overexploitation from the natural habitats are threatened such as Andrographis nallamalayana, Butea monosperma var. lutea, Ceropegia bulbosa, Ceropegia spiralis, Decalepis hamiltonii, Cochlospermum religiosum, Gloriosa superba, Mareva oblongifolia etc., In the presentation plant resources/wealth of telangana state including protected area network, threats to the natural habitats, conservation measures, endemics and threatened species of the state and its importance will be discussed in detail. Studies on Local Endangered Plant Diversity and Need for Conservation K. Devender Babu, K. Gangadhar Dept. of Botany, GG College, Nizamabad Biodiversity is the living component of the Universe. These diversified species (Plant & Animals from Micro to Mega sizes) inhabit and get localized to particular Geographical areas in course of time based on their Morphological and Physiological needs. Rapid changes are taking place inhabitations with respect to atmospheric parameters such as rainfall, temperatures, humidity and water supply because of increase in human population density, indiscriminate exploitation, urbanization and industrialization. These alterations are badly affecting certain plants specie within the vicinity of Nizamabad Dist. of Telangana and the number of certain plant species is alarmingly diminishing and leading to their disappearance. Observations and surveys made in the past are indicating that the following plant species are at the verge of disappearance. S. No. Vernacular Name Botanical Name Family 1 Moduga (Indian flame of the forest) Butea monosperma Fabaceae 2 Balarakkisa Argemone mexicana Papavaraceae 3 Addhasaram Vasica adhathoda Acanthaceae 4 Vaayila Vitex nigunda Verbinaceae 5 Triangular Spurge, Square Spurge, Square milk hedge, Fleshy Euphorbia antiquoram Euphorbiaceae spurge 6 Budda basada Physalis minima Solanaceae 7 Ramamulaga Solanum xanthocarpum Solanaceae 8 Brahmmi Centella asiatica Umbelliferae 9 Kookudu Sapindus species Sapindaceae 10 Jeedi Semecarpus anacardium Anacardiaceae 11 Vippa Madhuca_longifolia Sapotaceae 12 Nalleru Cissus quadrangularis Vitaceae 13 Guruvinda Abrus precatorius Fabaceae All the above plants species have economic importance and some of them are more prominent for Ethno medicinal values. The plant diversity is the nature’s treasure to be conserved for future generation. Hence the study is aimed at an extensive survey to work out the diminishing rates of the species per year consecutively and also to formulate solutions to conserve them at local level. Key Words: Endangered, Ethno medicinal, Effect of Bruchid(Callosobruchus chinensis) on Stored Chickpea Venkatesham .V*, R.S. Meena and P.Vijay Kumar Department of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005, Uttar Pradesh, India. *E-mail: [email protected] The damage caused by pulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. were determined by releasing five pairs of adults in a glass jars each containing 500g chickpea grains. The population buildup of pulse beetle and germination percentage of seeds was 164.59(mean number of pulse beetles) and 27.67 per cent, respectively after 30 days of release which increased with increasing period of storage resulting in 3009.27 and 99.59 per cent, respectively after 120 days. Similarly the mean seed damage, weight loss increase was positively correlated with increased period of storage.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 4 Key words: Chickpea, Pulse beetle and Losses. Value of biodiversity for ecological sustainability S.P. Adhikary1 and Mohan Behara2 1Department of Botany, Aska Science College, Aska, Ganjam, Odisha- 761111 2Department of Botany, PVKN Govt. College, Chittoor, AP. E-mail: [email protected] Biodiversity is the backbone of agriculture, aquaculture, animal husbandry and forestry and it is linked with social, religious and cultural practices of a region. Therefore, deep understanding of biodiversity is needed for regional development and restoring degraded landscape. Biodiversity, as defined by the convention on Biological Diversity, means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. The value of biodiversity can be separated into two categories: anthropocentric and intrinsic/ethical value. Anthropocentric value is comprised of direct and indirect economic benefits to human beings but ethical value is based on a respect for life, a reverence for the living world and a sense of intrinsic value in nature and a concept of divine creation. The direct use value benefits are derived from nature and involve direct human interaction with the natural elements. The indirect use value refers to the benefits derived from nature through ecological functions and the various services provided by the ecosystem for the welfare to human beings. Biodiversity provides a range of goods from agricultural crops to medicines and fibers, to which a direct value and cost can be assigned. Consumptive use value is usually assigned to goods consumed locally that are neither bought nor sold and therefore do not contribute to the economy of a country. People “living off the land” obtain the goods that they need for survival from the environment. Productive use values are assigned to those goods harvested from the environment, which are bought and sold locally, nationally or internationally. Biological diversity also provides economic benefits without being consumed i.e. indirect economic value. These benefits include, but are not limited to the following environmental processes and ecosystem services: i) Nutrient cycle ii) Pollution breakdown and absorption iii) water resources protection iv) soil formation and amendment v) regulation global process such as atmosphere and climate vi) Ecotourism and recreational vii) Pollination and seed dispersal viii) Control of agricultural pests ix) Educational and scientific value x) spiritual value xi) Aesthetic value. In addition to above value non-use values are included potential (optional) value, existence value and bequest value (value of knowing that something will be there for future generations). There are strong ethical arguments for the preservation of biodiversity. These arguments can be readily accepted by the general public because of their foundations in the value system of most religious, philosophies and cultures. Protecting biological diversity can be justified from an economical as well as from an ethical standpoint. Biodiversity provides a variety of environmental services from its species and ecosystems that are essential at global, regional and local levels. Generally, decision-makers respond best to economic benefits derived from the use of natural environmental. An important focus is that evidence has shown that the improvement in health services has been heavily dependent on the world’s rich biodiversity. The challenge therefore lies in the question- “how many valuable species will go extinct before they are discovered”. In a nutshell, preservation of biological resources is essential for the well-being and long term survival of mankind. Biodiversity is common human heritage so loss of each organism limits our future options. Timber yielding plants and their utilities in Adilabad district of Telangana State *Vijigiri Dinesh and V. Jalander *Dept of Botany, Shri Renukadevi Arts, Commerce and Science College, Mahur, Dist: Nanded Department of Botany, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad Trees are important to humankind not only economically, environmentally and industrially but also spiritually, historically and aesthetically, for they support human life through various means by providing a wide range of products for survival and prosperity. Trees are mostly used for timber purposes. The present ethno- botanical explorations conducted in forest areas of Adilabad resulted in the information on the timber yielding plants used for different purposes. Information gathered from Adilabad district indicates that the tribal’s and other village people of this region possess good knowledge of plants used for different purposes, but their continuous and

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 5 progressive exposure to modernization may result in extinction of such rich heritage of knowledge in the course of time. Besides medicine, food, fiber plants which yield timber are extensively used in the region for various purposes. The Present communication deals with 42 species of timber yielding plants which belong to 21 families. Keywords: Timber resources, Timber utility, Adilabad, Telangana State. Identification of Freshwater Algae in Two Lakes of Medak District M. Srinivas & *M. Aruna *Department of Botany, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad, Telangana, India. Email: *[email protected] The present preliminary study is carried to finding the algal members present in two different ecosystems in Medak District. The samples were collected in sample bottle, brought to laboratories and preserved in 4% formalin and identified and recorded. Among all algal members majority of algal members are belongs to Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophycaeae, Cyanophyceae & Euglenophyceae were identified and recorded. The study reveals that in Medak District the major lakes were abundantly contain the dominant of Chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae. Among the Chlorophyceae members like Cholorella, Pediastrum, Scenedesmus, Closterium, Ankistrodesmus, Spirogyra and Spirulina were recorded and identified few were abundant. In Bacillariophyceae: Cyclotella, Melosera, Navicula, Pinnulareia, Syndera were recorded. In Cyanophyceae: Oscillatoria, Anabaena was identified. In Euglenophyceae: Euglena, Phacus were found in this investigation. These ecosystems are exhibiting rich algal diversity. Key words: Algae, Ecosystems, Medak District. Status of Rice Genetic Resource in India- A Review G. Praveen Kumar, N. Sandhyakishore and B. Joseph. Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur, Nizamabad. Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana. Genetic diversity is the major resource for rice breeding to develop high yielding and quality cultivars. A three-fold increase in productivity in India in the last five decades (1960-2010), a laudable achievement in rice production is a result of untiring efforts made by rice researchers through the application of scientific plant breeding methods. As on today more than thousand high yielding rice varieties including hybrids have been developed and released which are suitable for diverse agro-ecological situations prevailing in the country. Only a few mega varieties were widely cultivating. There is a general perception among rice researchers that genetic diversity is narrowing down over the last few decades, as we have not witnessed any breakthrough in yield levels after the first quantum jump that happened in mid 1960s. The marginal incremental yield gains have become common due to reduction in genetic diversity. However, the replacement of genetically variable land races by improved high yielding rice varieties, use of fertilizers and pesticides, development of irrigation and increasingly market oriented production have contributed to the loss of genetic diversity, known as genetic erosion. Maintenance of broad genetic diversity is important not only to explore elite genetic resources to develop high yielding, good quality and multiple resistant rice cultivars but also to ensure high and stable rice production. Collection and conservation of germplasm, using diversified parents in breeding programs are important to prevention of genetic erosion and genetic vulnerability. Key words:-Agro-ecological situations, Rice, Genetic diversity, Genetic erosion, Germplasm, Varieties. Medicinal Plants of Nizamabad District Gaddam Srinivas Reddy*, Dr. T. Venugopala Swamy** *Department of Zoology, Govt. Junior College for Boys, Nizamabad **Department of Zoology, Giriraj Govt. College, Nizamabad Medicinal plants have been identified and used throughout human history. They are nature’s wonderful gift to mankind and are involved in India’s very rich and ancient heritage of traditional systems of medicine i.e. Ayurveda, Sidda and Unani.Unfortunately these traditions have been largely eroded because of lack of support and recognition as well as rapid destruction of natural habitats which has been lead to shrinkage of medicinal plants. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80 percent of the population of some Asian and African countries presently uses herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 6 The present survey conducted in the forest areas of Nizamabad district during the years 2012-2015. Nizamabad District is located in the north-western region of Telangana state of India. The geographical limit of the district extends to 7,956 Sq. Kms and is spread over to 923 villages of 36 mandals. The district lies between 18°5’and 19° of the Northern latitudes and 77° 40’ and 78° 37’ of the Eastern longitudes. The data presented here is based on personal observation and information gathered with veteran tribal people and local Naatu vaidyas, Moolika vaidyas and Ayurveda vaidyas. In the present survey we have observed and gathered the information about 85 medicinal plants available in the district. All the species have been identified and documented as per the taxonomical procedures. In course of time collected data is tabulated with botanical name, family name, local name and parts used for medicinal values. Microbial diversity: the need to think big and small Shaik Akbar Pasha Dept. of Microbiology, Girraj Govt College, Nizamabad Biodiversity - is the term given to the variety of species on Earth resulting from billions of years of evolution. This biodiversity depends on the wide variety of Plants, Animals and Microorganisms. Microbes live on this planet since more than three billions of years (before the Plants and Animals) and due to their capability of enormous metabolic versatility they play key role in in biogeochemical processes such as the carbon, nitrogen cycles and form the foundation of every known ecosystem , Even our own bodies contain 10 times more microbes than human cells, and many are vital for good health. Despite the functioning of whole biosphere depends absolutely on the activities of the microbial world, the microbial world remains largely an undiscovered country. Less than 1 percent of all microbial species have been identified, leaving huge gaps in our overall understanding of life. Behind the awareness of microbiologists for their crucial role, until now only few microbes, and mainly involved in human diseases, had been characterized e.g. the genome sequence, metabolic pathways. The explosion of genomic tools in 2000s such as the automation of sequencing platform has accelerated the possibility to sequence many other microorganisms relevant in environmental field e.g. pyrosequencing, single microbial cell sequencing. The use of metagenomics can overcome difficulties to characterise the uncultivable microbes, particularly metatranscriptomics, and Metaproteomics are new approaches which can promise a deeper knowledge of microbial communities and their interaction within the ecological network. In the future the acquired knowledge of microorganisms could open new avenues such as the potential use of microbial processes to support the sustainable development. Keywords: Microbial Diversity, Metatranscriptomics, Metaproteomics Monitoring of pesticide residues in market samples of Cauliflower in Hyderabad P. Vijay Kumar, P. Geetha reddy, V. Venkatesham, V.Shashi Bhushan The cauliflower samples were collected from three different local vegetable markets viz., Shamshabad, Mehdipatnam and Gudimalkapur in and around hyderabad and analyzed pesticide residues for most frequently applied nine pesticides namely, chloropyrifos, profenophos, cypermethrin, acephate, ethion, methylparathion, carbendazim, triazophos and quinalphos by following the validated QuEChERS method. The results revealed that, market samples of cauliflower contained no pesticide residues, which indicates that residues which were present are below MRL (Maximum residue limit). Role of Young Farmers to Boost Biodiversity by Practicing Integrated Pest Management Nagendar Rao Kamtam, Ch.Chaitanya Dept. of Botany, Govt. Degree and PG College (M), Adilabad One of the major conflicts relative to biodiversity preservation is between protecting the natural world and its various ecosystems and maintaining agricultural production systems. If we are to survive as a species, food production is paramount. But the gradual destruction of forests, watersheds, and other natural habitats-natural systems almost always associated with expanding agriculture-could lead to their eventual demise. Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an ecological approach to suppress pest species, employs tactics that cause the least ecological disruption. A focus on interactions of pests, crops, control methods, and the Environment rather than on individual weeds, insects, or diseases would be more eco-friendly. There is a need and urgency for proponents of IPM and biodiversity to work together, but they have rarely been considered as partners for a sustainable future. The bringing

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 7 together of two key groups: those who study and appreciate the importance of biodiversity and IPM practitioners who help ensure that food and fiber production minimizes degradation of the environment. Age old agricultural practices have many of IPM methods which were adopted by farmers unknowingly. However, today with advancements in science to work toward these goals, scientists, educators, NGOs, government officials, extension agents, and young farmer groups are the major focus. Farmers who practice IPM promote biodiversity on a day to day basis, and their participation is critical to the conference’s success. Identification of Algal Species from Bethupally Lake of Sathupally Zone, Khammam (Dist.), Telangana State K.Sampath and J.Chapla Hydrobiology Lab, Department of Botany, Osmania University, Hyderabad Lakes, rivers, and reservoirs are most important resources and used for several purposes like drinking, irrigation and fishery. The Bethupally Lake is located in Ramanagaram village, 5km east of Sathupally town of Khammam district. The Bethupally Lake is one of the most important water resources in Sathupally mandal for agriculture, and fishery for the local people. It receives water from the neighboring lands, and forest hills by canals. Good quality of water is required for living organisms. Now a day’s fresh water has become reduced due to pollution. Algae are important indication of water pollution (Gunale,1991). The quantity, quality and abundance of algae is determined by the nature and composition of water viz; its temperature, dissolved oxygen content, pH, amount of dissolved organic matter, chlorides and various pollutants. The intension of the present study is to identify the algal species in Bethupally Lake. According to survey conducted, the area of lake was very high but due to land encroachments, area is reduced. As this is the first report, monthly collection of algal samples were made for a period of one year (June 2014 to May 2015). Algal samples were collected in sterilized bottles and preserved in 4% formalin. The collected samples were identified based on their morphological characters under microscope with the help of text books of Cox (1996), Desikachary (1959) and Prescott (1978). In the present study four groups of algae viz. Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae were identified. The species belongs to Chlorophyceae viz.Oedogonium, Spirogyra, Senedesmus, Pediastrum, Cosmarium were dominant in lake water. The species viz.Oscillatoria, Anabaena, Spirulina, Chroococcus belongs to Cyanophyceae, the species viz.Navicula, Synedra, Pinnularia belongs to Bacillariophyceae and Euglena species belongs to Euglenophyceae were identified. Studies on Ethno-Medicinal Plants for Womenfolk’s Health Care in Ramagiri Fort of Mahadevapur Reserve Forest in Karimnagar District of Telangana Region Thirunahari Ugandhar Department of Botany, SRR Govt. Arts & Science College Karimnagar – 505001 (T.S) Email:[email protected] The use of herbs for therapeutic purpose is as old as human history. In India a major part of population is dependent on the traditional medicine derived from plants for primary health care system. The interest in the use of traditional system of medicine has gained popularity globally. The developed countries are shifting their focus to further research based on the indigenous knowledge collected from aboriginal people. The present study Women folk’s Health care ethno-medicinal plants reported from Ramagiri Fort of Mahadevapur Reserve Forest in Karimnagar District of Telangana region. Many herbalists inhabit in the forest only for collection and selling of medicinal plants.Thestudy has not been systematically explored and enumerated the indigenous medicinal plants till date. In the present study as many as 55 plants species from 30 families useful in women folk’s health care were recorded along with their Scientific names, vernacular names plant parts used and uses in brief. The plants reported in this study are claimed to be the most effective remedies for condition such as leucorrhoea, gonorrhea, disorders during delivery. Pregnancy, menstruation and other fertility related complaints in women. An Ethno Botanical Study onselected flowers used in Bathukamma Festival K.Anuradha Dept. of Botany, GovernmentDegree College,Siddipet,Medak Dist., Telangana State E-mail:[email protected] An ethno botanical study was conducted on the flowers used by local people inBathukamma festival.The present work is an effort to recognize and record the medicinalvalues ofthe 19flowers

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 8 which are used in traditional floral festival. The flowers of Celosia argentea, Cassia auriculata, Mirabilis jalapa,Chrysanthemum, Cucurbita pepo,Hibiscus,Gomphrenaglobosa,Jacquemontiapentanthos,Tabernaemontanadivaricata,Calendula officinalis,Crossandra,Nerium,Tagetes,Luffa,Jasminum,Rosa,Portulaca grandiflora, Ipomoea hederifoliaandClerodendrumchinenseare used by local people for various diseases.The data was collected from traditional healers. Most of the medicinal plants are taken orally with or without combination of other plants. The botanical name, family name, vernacular name, parts used, purpose of drugs are given. Key words:Ethno Botany, Ethno medicinal drugs,Bathukammafestival, Telangana , Traditional healers Assessment of soil quality under teak plantation area at Dharmabad Dr. Tanneru P.K Department of Botany, Lal Bahadur Shastri Mahavidyalaya Dharmabad, Dist Nanded In the present study an attempt has been made at regional level to identify and collect the biological resource from natural local habitats with respect to soil conservation and sustainable use of it. The cycling and recycling of nutrients increases the efficiency of the resource use in the ecosystem there by achieving the ecosystem stability. Present study was conducted to assess the quality of soil in terms of soil nutrients and other physicochemical properties under Tectonagrandis plantation area locally at Dharmabad. The samples were collected diagonally at four spots in plantation area and their adjacent non tree fields as control, from soil depth of 0 to 20 cm and analyzed for pH, % of Organic carbon (O-C), % of Nitrogen (N), available Phosphorus (P) and Bulk density (Db). The study revealed that the mean levels of N, O-C and P under the T. grandis plantation were higher than its control plot. Therefore it is recommended that Tectona grandis should be used for agriculture practices particularly where soil needs some level of improvement in Nitrogen and Phosphorus or else waste material like leaf litter and organic matter should be collected and used by the local farmers to enrich soil nutrients or to prepare compost. Study of Phyco – Biodiversity and Water Quality in Koilsagar Project of Mahabubnagar District, Telangana (India) N. Ramamurthy Dept. of Botany, MVS Govt. UG & P.G. College, Mahabubnagar-509001 Koilsagar project is an existing medium irrigation project located near Bollarum (Vill), Devarakadra (Mandal) of Mahabubnagar district of Telangana. The project is a construction across Peddavagu stream which is a tributary of Krishna river. There are two main canals. The left flank canal is about 14.48 km length and it irrigates 3000 acres and the right flank canal length is 25.74 km and it irrigates 9000 acres. The project is completely enriched by hills on all sides except for a small portion on the South Eastern region where a raised bound extending for about 1.5Km marks its boundary. These water is using for irrigation and drinking purpose. The project remains totally isolated from all other aquatic systems in the area and is totally at the mercy of the monsoon rainfalls that lash the region. The present study was to assess the water quality and to identify the importance of algal species in koilsagar project which is situated at Mahabubnagar district of Telangana. It is well established fact that life in water depends upon the physico-chemical factors. In the present investigation water samples were collected every two months once during July, 2013 to May, 2014. The Physico-Chemical parameters such as PH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Turbidity, Phosphates, Nitrates, Alkalinities, COD and BOD were studied from 4 different stations. The phytoplankton diversity was studied in relation to some physico-chemical parameters. A total of 20 species of phytoplankton were identified belongs to Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and cyanophyceae. Assessment of water quality parameters of Koilsagar project in Mahabubnagar district, Telangana, India S.Suresh and N.Ramamurthy Dept. of Botany, MVS Govt. UG & PG College, Mahabubnagar -509 001 Water is an essential and precious natural resource for sustaining life and environment which is available in abundance as a free gift of nature and water is an important component in the ecosystem. Due to increased human population, industrialization, use of fertilizers and man-made activities water is highly polluted with different harm full contaminants. Natural water contaminates due to weathering of rocks and leaching of soils, mining process etc.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 9 It is necessary that the quality of drinking water should be checked at regular time intervals, due to use of contaminated drinking water, human population suffers from varied of water borne diseases. In the present study water samples were collected from Koilsagar project, which is located at Mahabubnagar district. This project has two main canals. The left flank canal is about 14.48 km length and it irrigates 3000 acres and the right flank canal length is 25.74 km and it irrigates 9000 acres.The physico-chemical parameters were studied included temperature, PH, TDS, turbidity, hardness, alkalinity, phosphates, chlorides, nitrates, calcium, magnesium etc. and studied for a period of one year i.e., from March, 2014 to February, 2015. These physico-chemical parameters were compared with WHO standards and also with normal tap water. The results indicate that the Koilsagar project water can be used for domestic, irrigation and Pisciculture purpose. Biodiversity of Soil Invertebrate Fauna in the Fields of Borgoan Village of Nizamabad-District, Telangana- India T.Venugopala Swamy* Gaddam Srinivas Reddy** Department of Zoology, Girraj Government College (A), Nizamabad* Department of Zoology, Government Junior College (B), Nizamabad** Most diversity at the species level was found in the soils of terrestrial environment. The fertility of the soil represents abundance of soil fauna, mostly belongs to the invertebrate groups viz.. Acarina, Arachnida, Chilopoda, Coleoptera, Collembola, Diplopoda, Dipteria, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Isopoda, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Oligochaeta, Mollusca and Nematoda. Most of the invertebrates inhabits in the leaf litter and surface layer of the soil, particularly confined to the rhizosphere region. The temperature, pH and humidity or moisture content of the soil has profound effect on abundance and density of soil fauna. In the present study about 40 litter mixed samples were collected from selected cultivated and an adjacent uncultivated area located in the Nizamabad, district. Four samples were collected at random from each area in every month for the period of five months from August, 2015 to December, 2015 in the Ziploc polythene bags and brought to laboratory for further investigation. Microfauna was extracted by using Tullgren extraction funnel and observed under binocular microscope. Large animals were separated by hand picking method and recorded the count. In a total of 2717 animals found in the 40 collected samples 1415 were found in uncultivated land and 1302 were found in the cultivated agriculture land belong to different species and different phyla. Earthworms (Oligochaeta) were found in abundance in uncultivated area, compared to the cultivated area. The least abundance animals were spiders (Arachnida). The relative Density value for earthworms was 13.63/m2 and to millipedes (Diplopoda) was 1.13/m2.The highest frequency value showed by earthworms was 100/m2 and the least frequency value showed by millipedes. No significant difference was found in most of the animal species if so found in some of the species attributed to use of fertilizers and pesticides by the farmers. Ethnomedicinal plants used to cure skin diseases by tribals of Mahabubnagar district, Telangana state S Balaraju Department of Botany, MVS Govt. UG & PG College, Mahabubnagar 509 001, Telangana An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to gather the information about utilization of plant resources for treatment of skin diseases in tribal habitations of Mahabubnagar district. The information on the utilization of the medicinal plants for the treatment of skin diseases was collected on the basis of personal interviews with traditional healers. The aim of the study is not only to prescribe remedies for skin diseases in human beings but also to draw attention for the need towards a detailed study on medicinal plants in this area which could provide novel remedies /leads for other dreadful diseases. In the present paper 21 plant species belongs to 15 different families were used to treat in skin diseases have been enumerated with botanical name, vernacular name, families, used parts and mode of treatment. Medicinal Importance of Seeds and Their Utilization Mahabubnagar District, Telangana M. Sharath Goud, B. Kalpana1, R. Devilal, B. Sadasivaiah*, Nirmala Babu Rao1 Department of Botany, Government Degree & PG College, Wanaparthy- 509 103, Mahabubnagar District 1Department of Botany, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana E mail:[email protected] Mahabubnagar is one of the largest districts in the newly formed state of India. The major soils in the district are black cotton and red. Krishna and Thungabhadra are major rivers that flow in the district and they enrich

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 10 the floristic wealth of the district. Paddy, Groundnut, Maize, Jowar, Cotton, Vegetables are the common crops in the district. Most of them are non-irrigated. Generally all parts of the plants are used as medicinal but mainly Roots, Leaves and seeds. Seeds are the major parts that have medicinal properties. In the present study, the authors could collect 668 seeds of wild and naturalized plants from Nallamala forests. Among 668 seeds, 252 seeds are used to cure several diseases by Chenchus. Among them some of the important medicinally used seeds are Abrus precatorius (Diarrhoea), Asparagus racemosus (), Caesalpinia bonduc (Leprasy), Holorrhena pubescens(Diarrhoea), Mucuna pruriens (Parkinson), Ocimum tenuiflorum (Cooling agent), Senna angustifolia (Laxative), Strychnos potatorum (Anti Diabetic), Tribulus terrestris (Diuretic). The present paper deals with the medicinal importance of seeds used by Chenchu tribals in Nallamala forests and other people in Mahabubnagar district. Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Medicinal plants fromTelangana University Campus, Nizamabad Dist.,Telangana State * Dr.M.Mamatha,PrashanthiSandepogu Dept. of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have mutualistic relationships with more than 80% of terrestrial plant species. This symbiotic relationship is ancient and would have had important roles in establishment of plants on land. Samples were examined using the wet-sieve method. Different Species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were identified from the soil samples of Medicinal plants. The species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are Acaulospora (1 species), Entrophodpora (1 species), Glomus (6 species) Scutellospora (1 species). Acaulospora and Glomus were dominantat the study site. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spore density ranged from 25 to 100 per 100 g soil (average 62% in the month of July – November), and the species richness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ranged from1-7 (average 4.4% ) Although the ecological and Biodiversity factors have effect on the plants, their associated symbiotic fungi.And these associations are not as diverse as we had expected, possibly because arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are not specific to their host plants. Key words: Rainfall, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,Diversity,Ecosystem. Diversity of Aquatic Macrophytes in Gandhipuram Cheruvu (Lake), Khammam Dist. N. Nagasameera & M. Aruna. Department of Botany,Telangana University Nizamabad,Telangana. Email:[email protected] A macrophyte is an aquatic plant that grows in or near water and is emergent, submergent, Floating or free floating.Macrophytes serve as food for aquatic organisms. In present study GandhipuramCheruvu(lake)is located in sub-locality komatlagudem,kamepally mandal of the district and is about 36 kilometers away from the district headquarters of Khammam. During the study period macrophytes were collected from different site of gandhipuram cheruvu(lake),they were handpulled, collected in large polythene covers and brought in laboratories and specimen were washed dipped into 2% mercuric chloride, dried and they were identified.The most commonly found are water spinach(ipomoea),water lettuce(Pistia),water hyacinth(Eichhornia) waterlily(Nymphea) lotus(Nelumbosp.)water fern(Salvinia),musk grass(Chara),hydrilla(Hydrilla sp.).The aquatic plants were identified with the help of taxonomic manuals and aquatic monographs.Study of this aquatic macrophytes have a high capability to improve water quality by removing heavy loads of nutrients and toxic metals from water .The utility of aquatic macrophytes for the stimulated conditions to improve the water quality has always been a question of much research. The available information of species to meet the standards of water quality is still to be completed. Keywords: Aquatic macrophytes, gandhipuram cheruvu, Khammam Rhizosphere Mycoflora of Some Wilted Cultivars of Pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] V. Jalander and B.D. Gachande* Department of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad (T.S.), India *Department of Botany, N.E.S. Science College, Nanded (M.S.), India Email: [email protected] The rhizosphere mycopopulation of deferent pigeon pea varieties differed considerably. The rhizosphere effect was always greater in the healthy plants than diseased. Colony counts/g of dry soil was also higher in the healthy plants. Several Aspergillus and Penicillium particularly Aspergillus nidulans. Were characteristic of the

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 11 rhizosphere in both the diseased anf healthy plants. The minimum rhizosphere effect was manifested by variety ICP- 2376 infected with the wilt pathogen Fusarium oxysporu f.sp. udum maximum in case of AKT-9912 was observed. Key words:Rhizosphere Mycoflora, Pigeon pea varieties, Wilt disease. Effect of Invasive Plant Species on Phytodiversity Saivenkatesh Korlam 1, Sujana Papani 2, Vishnu Priya Mylisetti3 1, 2Dept. of Botany, P.V.K.N.Govt.College, Chittoor, A.P. 3 Dept. of Botany, Govt. Degree College (W), Ananthapur, A.P [email protected] Invasive Species are the species which are non-natives of a particular geographical area, but arrive from an unknown area and establish a considerable population size by spreading by their own. These species are the one of the significant threats for the loss of the wealth of Plant biodiversity, i.e., Phytodiversity. Sometimes these species will affect the overall Ecosystems, crating much ecological imbalance. Some places like Islands are more vulnerable to these Invasive species as most of the Species diversity in those areas are strictly Endemic in nature by virtue of their geographical isolation from the remaining areas of land. As soon as a new species enter the area, definitely the existing plant species will face a problem of competition for survival in different ways. Modification of the habitat, Predation of native species, competition among the species, Attacks of novel pathogens, Hybridization with the existing species leading to loss of genetic diversity of the ecosystem are the main consequential effects of Invasive species. Key Words: Invasive species, Phytodiversity, Ecosystems, Genetic diversity. Conservation of Traditional Medicinal Plants in Adilabad District Dr. Ghan Singh Malothu,A.Soumya, A. Naveena, P. Sai Ganesh Department of Botany, Government Degree and PG College, Adilabad – 504001, India E-mail: [email protected] Adilabad District is one among 10 Districts of Telangana State. District population is 2737738. It is at Latitude-19.6, Longitude-78.5. Adilabad District occupies an area of approximately 16128 square kilometers. It’s in the 358 meters to 159 meters elevation range. This District belongs to Southern India. It is too hot in summer. Adilabad District summer highest day temperature is in between 33° C to 45° C. Average temperatures of January is 25° C , February is 27° C , March is 31° C , April is 35° C May is 38° C. About 100 and above medicinal plants are identified in various surveys in Adilabad forest divisions. Especially tribal families of forest area since long time they are directly depends on traditional medicinal plants, these tribal villages cure several regular health disorders. They are used as ethno medicines for various severe diseases like jaundice, cancer, etc. Other common diseases and health complaints like Abortion, Anti inflammations, Asthma, Arthritis, Blood Pressure, Bleeding, Cough, Diabetes, Dandruff, Diarrhea, Fertility improvement of male, Fever, Jaundice, Kidney disease, Ladies White Discharges, Muscular Pains, Pains, Paralysis, Ring Worm, Sugar, Scorpion Bite, Skin Allergy, Stomach Pain, Skin Diseases, STD’s, Snake Bite, Tooth ache, Wound healing are cured by using of various plants found in the tribal healers of Adilabad district. Some of major medicinal plants are Achyranthes aspera for tooth ache, Butea Monosperma for pain, Cassia Occidentalis for sugar and pain. Ecilpta alba for hair falling, Phyllanthus Emblica for skin deseases, Pongamia Pinnata for blood pressure, Tridax procumbens for wound healing etc. Potentially Adilabad district contain rich of medicinal plants flora. By the process of modernization and urbanization percent of forest area is reduced so we have to conserve valuable medicinal plants for our future. Significant Medicinal Plants Used For Arthritis Collected From Ardhagiri Hills a Sacred Grove of Chittoor District M. Hemalatha Dept. of Botany, PVKN Govt. Degree College, Chittoor E mail: [email protected] Sacred Groves are very important areas of Biodiversity richness, where the species are protected by means of some religious feelings of the local people. Ardhagiri is one of such sacred groves located in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. This area is well known for its Plant species diversity which is having immense medicinal importance both traditionally and pharmacologically. The present study is related to the medicinal plants which are used to cure Arthritis such as Breynia retusa, Butea monosperma, Coccinia grandis, Tinospora cordifolia

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 12 Linn.,Hemidesmus indicus Linn., Cissampelos pareira Linn., Cleome gynandra Linn.,Leucas aspera Linn., are distributed in this area. Out of these plant species some are common plants showing abundant distribution but few are endemic to the area of Seshachalam hill ranges of Eastern Ghats, which is the hot spot of Biodiversity. Key words: Sacred Groves, medicinal plants, arthritis, hot spot, biodiversity. Biodiversity for a World without hunger Y. Shwetha, A. Rama (BZC) Botany Department, Girraj Govt College, Nizamabad [email protected] Mainly in our Country, Deforestations is the main cause for the Extinction of species; to control this problem, plantations arerequired. “EVERY PART OF THE WORLD IS GREEN IF EVERY HEART OF THE HUMAN IS GREEN”. Today in our society, the area of water is decreasing by industrializations,“WITHOUT WATER, EVERYTHING WITHERS”. Water pollutions: It causes death of aquatic animals. This is due to release of sewage disposal, plastics. Industrial wastes in to sea and also due to the leakage of oil from oil tankers in to sea causes death of marine organisms. Awareness regarding water pollutions is the solutions to control this problem. “ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL, KEEP BIODIVERSITY OR OUR FUTURE MAY FALL”. The future of Biodiversity is in our hands Learn about Biodiversity Teach others about Biodiversity Conserve biodiversity now Bird Census on Godavari River in relation to Conservation strategy of Aquatic birds in Nanded (Maharashtra State) *Balkhande J.V., Waghmare B. D., Shaikh Azeem I., Bhowate C.S. and Kulkarni A.N. *Dept. of Zoology, D. B. College, Bhokar Tq. Bhokar Dist. Nanded(MS). Dept. of Zoology & Fishery Science, Science College, Nanded. (MS). Avian fauna occupies a special position in an aquatic Ecosystem. Wetland is a special type of ecosystem which supports to the variety of local and migratory bird species by providing the specific habitat component such as abundant food to the herbivores and carnivores bird species. Present study based on census of birds on Godavari river in the month of January 2014. During this census student of B.Sc. III and research scholars were participated. The aim of the study was to aware the importance of birds among the young students. During the study total 773 birds of 45 different species were identified and counted. Among this 45 species 6 species were migratory birds they are Black Winged Stilt, Painted Stork, Common Sandpiper, Rudy Shell Duck, Northern Pintail and Spoonbill. These birds are found abundant during the study period. Keywords: Birds census, Godavari, Nanded Plantlet Regeneration through Callus Induction from Cotyledonary Explants ofSapindus emarginatus (Vahl). 1Devaraju Srinivas, 2M.Venkateshwarlu and 3T.Ugandhar 1Department of Botany, Telanagana University- Nizamabad 2Department of Botany, Kakatiya University-Warangal 3Department of Botany, SRR Govt. Arts & Science College - Karimnagar Email: [email protected] Sapindus emarginatus vahl commonly known as soap nut tree. It has very high economic and medicinal values in saponin industry and is also being used for important medicinal properties. Soap nut contain saponin. It uses medicinal and commercial Tree species. High content of saponins and sugars has been reported in the fruit pericarp the plant has been successfully plantlet regeneration via callus induction from cotyledon explants under in vitro condition. In this study the cotyledon explants of two weeks old seedlings of S. emarginatus were induced for callus induction on MS media containing different combinations and concentrations of growth regulators. Different callusing media containing varying levels of 2.4-D/IAA/NAA (1.0-5.0mg/L) were tested for callus induction response. Maximum (90%) callusing response was obtained from cotyledon explants on MS medium containing (3.0mg/L) NAA. After 8 weeks of induction the calluses were transferred on different regenerated media containing varying level of BAP/Kn/TDZ (1.0-5.0mg/L). Maximum shoot bud differentiation from callus culture was achieved

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 13 on MS Medium fortified with BAP (3.0mg/L). Elongation and further development of shoot buds into shoots were achieved on MS medium supplemented with NAA (0.5mg/L) and BAP (3.0mg/L). This is the first report of in vitro callus induction and plantlet regeneration in S. emarginatus. The regenerated elongated shoots were transferred to Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) (1.0mg/L–5.0mg/L) for root induction. Rooting was observed within two weeks of culture. Rooted plantlets were successfully hardened under culture conditions and subsequently established in the field conditions. The recorded survival rate of the plants was 86%. Plants looked healthy with no visually detectable phenotypic variations. Diospyros melanoxylon (Tendu leaf) is one of the major economic resources of Tribal people of Northern Telangana. M. Chandra Kumar1 and Smt. T. Uma Kiran2 Department of Zoology, Government Degree College, Nirmal, Adilabad District. Department of Botany, Girraj Government Degree College, Nizamabad. Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb. belong to the family Ebenaceae which is endemic to Indian sub-continent. It is one of the most characteristic trees of dry deciduous forest throughout India covering entire Indian peninsular region. A Beedi is thin Indian cigarette filled with Tobacco flake and wrapped in tendu leaves. Tendu leaves are considered as most suitable wrappers due to their enormous production, agreeable flavor, flexibility, resistance to decay and capacity to retain fire. The tendu plants are pruned in the month of February and March and mature leaves are collected after about 45 days. The leaves are collected in to bundles of 50 to 100 leaves. The leaves are dried in sunlight for about a week. The dried leaves are sprinkled with water to soften them and then filled tightly in jute bags and exposed to direct sunlight for 2 days. The bags thus packed and cured can be stored till their use in Beedi manufacture. Approximately 4 million workers are employed in beedi rolling though they get chronic exposure of tobacco through cutaneous and nasopharyngeal routes. Beedi rollers are mostly women (65%). In Northern Telangana rural poor women make bulk of the labour force in Beedi rolling (76-95%). This presentation is an attempt to understand how Diospyros melanoxylon leaves support economically the tribal and rural people of Northern Telangana, Unit wise revenue generated in Nizamabad District for the period of 7 years and health hazards due to occupational beedi rolling. Key words:Diospyos melanoxylon Roxb., Ebenaceae, Beedi, Health Hazards. Different biochemical and Ethnomedicinal Uses of Tippa-teega (Tinospora cordifolia) V. Madhu Department of Botany, Government Degree College, Tiruvuru, Krishna (Dist), Andhra Pradesh, India Tinospora cordifolia(Willd.) Miers ex Hook F & Thomas(Family: Menispermaceae) common names “Amrita” or “Guduchi in Telugu Tippa-teega, is the well-known traditional medicinal plant in our country. In Ayurveda medicine this plant considered as most divine herb. It is a large, deciduous extensively spreading climbing shrub with several elongated twining branches. The plant is distributed throughout the tropical region of India. In this research work, we have isolated some chemical compounds from the Tippa-teega, now it is the considered as a valuable source of natural product for development of medicines and also for the development of industrial chemical products. A larger number of chemical compounds have been isolated from varies parts of Tippa-teegae.g, leaf, stem, bark, root, etc. In this work, we have been studied for biological and chemical and analysis with the IR spectroscopy technique. The uses, clinical and ethnomedicinal studies of Tippa-teega have been made along with their safety evaluation. Keywords: Tippa-teega, Biochemical, Ethnomedicinal. Burning for biodiversity or burning the biodiversity? M.Deepthi Dept. of Zoology, Girraj Govt College (A), Nizamabad Prescribed burning is a common and valuable management tool for forest practitioners, but bothfrequent burning and the exclusion of fire may result in significant changes in vegetation communities. As a result, there has been considerable debate regarding the costs and benefits of prescribed burning for biodiversity with little resolution. In 1986, Forests NSW (formerly the Forestry Commission of NSW) established a long term study in the Eden region in south-eastern Australia in an attempt to record medium to long term ecological changes in response

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 14 to three prescribed burning regimes (fire exclusion, routine burning and frequent burning) in logged and unlogged forests. Here we present some of the results from this study and use these to highlight issues for biodiversity conservation in fire management planning. Anthropogenic burning regimes resulted in changes to plant species diversity within the study area but these changes were minor and less than the magnitude predicted from other studies. The major change occurring within the study appeared to be a natural response of the vegetation to the time since the last wildfire and this occurred independently of the imposed management regime. These results suggest that, while some prescribed burning regimes have minimal direct adverse impacts, they also fail to stimulate the recruitment of many plant species and thus may have longer term indirect impacts. In developing fire management plans, consideration should also be given to the intensity, seasonality and frequency of the burns because these factors will affect the conservation of biodiversity. Every Organism has the Right to Live Maroju Sandhyarani Various types of animals, birds, insects, plants and trees existing in one place, is called bio-diversity. Nothing is useless and harmful in the nature. Bio-diversity exits more in the forest. Every organism has relationship with the other organism. Every organism has the right to live. All organism living on earth directly or in directly depends on each other. So, it is our duty to protect each and every organism. Due is ignorance, man is cutting down the forest, hunting animals which is leading to imbalance of nature and destruction of bio- diversity. MOA was a flightless bird lived in New Zealand and was hunted by Maori people, PASSENGER PIGEON of North America became extinct in 1914, the QUAGGA of South Africa was hunted for meat and leather and wooly mammoth is a large elephant also became extinct. SAVE THE ANIMALS An Assessment of Phytoplankton Population and Seasonal Variation in Lendi River, District Nanded, Maharashtra, India *Bimbisar D. Waghmare and A.N. Kulkarni Department of Fishery Science, N.E.S. Science College, Nanded (M.S.) India *[email protected] Lendi River is one of the tributary of river Manar, originates at Malkapur Dist. Latur and joins to river Manar at Degloor, Dist. Nanded. Water of this Semi-perennial river is used to perform various activities such as industrial, irrigation, fisheries and human activities. A total of 20 species of phytoplankton were recorded during the present study period. These include 13 species of Chlorophyceae, 4 species of Cyanophyceae and 3 species of Bacillariophyceae.Plankton samples were collected at regular intervals of one month at 3 stations from July, 2010 to June, 2011. Keywords: Phytoplankton, Seasonal Variation, Population, Lendi, River, Nanded. Preventing the Extinction of an Iconic Globally Endangered Species – Leadbeater’s Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) M.Deepthi, M. Sandhya Rani Dept. of Zoology, Girraj Govt College (A), Nizamabad Leadbeater’s Possum is an iconic but globally endangered species largely confined to the wet ash forests of Victoria, south-eastern Australia. The species is at risk of extinction as a result of widespread logging, recurrent wildfire, and the rapid decline of populations of large old hollow-bearing trees – the single most critical habitat element for Leadbeater’s Possum. We outline why recent strategies aimed at conserving Leadbeater’s Possum appear unlikely to be effective in preventing the species’ extinction. We outline what we believe to now be the only current viable approach to conserve this species. This is the rapid transition to a large protected forest reserve system where the primary process threatening the species – widespread industrial clear-felling – is removed. Floristic Biodiversity and its Conservation A. A. Haleem Khan Dept. of Botany, University College of Science, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad-503322, E mail: [email protected] Biodiversity means the diversity of living organisms within species, between species of ecosystems.Thisvariability among living organisms from all sources including inter alia, terrestrial, marine, fresh

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 15 aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part of . Floristic biodiversity provides the basic material for food, fuel, fibers, clothing, medicines, housing and raw materials for industries. It is important for the protection and maintenance of soil and regulation of climate. Approximately seven thousand plant species around the world have been cultivated or collected by humans for food among them twelve are cultivated as major crops. India is one of the 12 mega diversity regions of the world that supports an enormous biodiversity of ancient lineage. It is estimated that over 45,000 species of plants are accounted in this region, which represent 11% of the known plant species of the world. Nearly 17,500 species of flowering plants belonging to 2,250 genera and 315 flowering plant families occur. The floristic diversity of the country is divided into various biogeographic regions such as Trans Himalaya, West Himalaya, East Himalaya, North-East India, Deccan region, Western Ghats, Arid and Semi-arid zone, Indian desert, Indian coasts and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Eight thousand plant species reported to be medicinal are found in different ecosystems in our country. There are a number of medicinal plants such as Aquilaria malaccensis, Dioscorea deltoidea, Podophyllum hexandrum, Pterocarpus santalinus, Rauvolfia serpentina, Saussurea lappa and Taxus wallichiana have become endangered. The medicinal plants from Western Ghats are Rauvolfia serpentina, Gloriosa superba, Cassia angustifolia, Withania somnifera, Chlorophytum sp., Catharanthus roseus, Andrographis paniculata, Phyllanthus amarus, Trichopus zeylanicus, Janakia arayalpathra, Utleria salicifolia, Aristolochia tagala, Piper barberi, Adenia hondala, Garcinia sp., Thottea siliquosa, Caryota urens, Adhatoda beddomei, Myristica malabarica, Coscinium fenestratum that offer immense prospects for bioprospection. The main threats to biodiversity are: habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation, spread of invasive alien species, over-exploitation of species, and pollution and climate change. Conservation of biodiversity Botanical institutions: such as botanic gardens and herbaria, provides crucial support for CBD implementation. Identification and monitoring – ecological and taxonomic fieldwork; production of floras, checklists and field guides. In-situ conservation – habitat restoration and re-creation; species recovery and reintroduction. Ex-situ conservation – controlled safeguarding of germplasm in seed banks; micropropagation of rare species; maintenance of living collections and genetic management of species for reintroduction. Sustainable use – research into medicinal use, agriculture and traditional knowledge. Research and training – training courses and workshops; lab internships; field training; graduate supervision; capacity building. Public education & awareness – programmes for schools; adult education; signs, trails and tours for visitors; communication via radio, newspapers, TV, books. Access and benefit-sharing – agreements and permits for fieldwork and exchange between institutions; building links and collaborations with other institutions. Exchange of information, technical and scientific co-operation – joint research and publications; exchange of facilities. Fluoride in the Ground Water and Their Impact on Human Beings in Ramannapet Mandal of Nalgonda District D. Vijaya Lakshmi, K. Jeevan Rao, T. Prabhakar Reddy and C. Padma Veni Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Rudrur, Nizamabad Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Telangana. Email: [email protected] The WHO and BIS has been decided fluoride concentration up to 1.0 to 1.5 mg L-1 as a permissible limit for drinking but 1.5 to 4.0 mg L-1 result in dental fluorosis, whereas with prolonged consumption at still higher fluoride concentration > 4.0 mg L-1 dental fluorosis leads to skeletal fluorosis. 30 ground water samples collected from different villages of Ramannapet mandal of Nalgonda district were chemically analyzed for determining the fluoride ion concentrations. Fluoride present in the ground water samples of Ramannapet mandal varied from 0.53 to 3.86 mg L-1. Lowest and highest concentrations of fluoride were recorded in Venkatapuram and Rontakolla villages, respectively. Especially higher fluoride concentrations were observed in bore well than open well. The results of this study helps in enhancing awareness of health hazards of contaminated water with fluoride.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 16 Key Words: Ground water, Fluoride, Ramannapet mandal, Nalgonda district, Telangana State, fluorosis Introduction Over all 200 million people in worldwide and 65 million people among 29 states of India are facing the problem with fluorosis as groundwater of Indian aquifers varies from < 1.0 to 25.0 mg L-1. The probability of occurrence of high fluoride concentration in ground and surface water was detected in varies states in India. Telangana state is facing major problem with fluoride pollution because ground water is used as drinking and an irrigation source, a natural occurrence of excessive amounts of F levels in ground water. Nalgonda is the worst effected district with a presence of excess F in ground water in the state of Telangana. In spite of continuous efforts by the government, external support agencies, NGOs and private enterprises the problem still remains unsolved. The main natural sources of inorganic fluoride (F) in soil are weathering and dissolution of rocks and minerals, emissions from volcanoes and marine aerosols. Natural contamination of groundwater sources of F are derived by the solvent action of water on the rocks and the soil of the earth crust as dissolved salts is a major constraint mainly in regions characterized by arid and semiarid climates (Rao and Mamatha, 2004). The existence of F in ground water may serve as a proxy indicator of the potential problem as fluorosis. This high concentration of F affects all the life forms in the soil. Hence theperiodical measurements and control of the concentration of F is very important to avoid both biological and environmental damage. Endemic fluorosis caused by F in the environment is a global geochemical disease. Studies on these aspects a survey was conducted in Ramannapet mandal, an investigation entitled “Fluorides in the Ground Water and their Impact on Human Beings in Ramannapet Mandal of Nalgonda District”. Materials and methods As part of this investigation, a survey was carried out in Ramannapet mandal of Nalgonda district by covering all the villages, with a view to assess the fluoride status. From each village one water sample was collected with the help of a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS). Geographical information viz., latitude and longitude of the benchmark sites were recorded, so that the delineation of the areas having F pollution can be done and ground water F status maps can be prepared by depicting the element in water at village level. Totally 30 benchmark sites were fixed depending on the number of villages of study area for collection of water samples at each site in September. Water samples have been collected from the existing sources (open wells and bore wells) of ground water in the study area for investigation and chemical analysis. Stoppered polythene bottles of one liter capacity were used for collecting water samples. Each bottle was washed with dilute HCl and then rinsed thoroughly with distilled water. Prior to sampling, the bottle was rinsed thoroughly with the water drawn from the source. During collection of water samples, water was pumped out from bore wells and open wells for about half an hour. The samples were stored at 40C until used for fluoride analysis (APHA, 1985). Fluoride was analyzed by using Specific Ion Electrode method Wedepohl (1969). Results and Discussion Ground water is the only source of potable water for majority of people in the study area. Fluoride present in the ground water samples of Ramannapet mandal varied from 0.53 to 3.86 mg L -1 F with average of 1.71 mg L-1 F. Lowest (0.53 mg L-1 F) and highest (3.86 mg L-1 F) content of fluoride was recorded in Venkatapuram and Rontakolla village of Ramannapet mandal Especially higher fluoride concentrations were observed in bore well than in open well. As per drinking water standards of ICMR (1975), the highest desirable concentration of F is 1.0 mg L-1 in tropical countries and that of maximum permissible level is 1.50 mg L-1 F. Out of 30 samples, 16 samples of the ground water samples have F content greater than that of maximum permissible limit of 1.50 mg L-1 F. On an average, maximum concentration of F was noticed in Rontakolla village of Ramannapet. Therefore drinking water is sufficient to produce severe form of dental fluorosis and mild form of skeletal fluorosis consumed for a period of 15 to 20 years. Possible source of F in ground water are weathering and leaching of F bearing minerals.

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Health effect of fluoride in human beings Figure 1: Soil available fluoride status map of Ramannapet mandal Fluoride is consumed or used in excess (more than 1.5 mg L-1 F), it can cause health problems in the young and old. Various forms of fluorosis may arise from excessive intake of F through drinking water. If fluoride is consumed in more than 4.0 ppm, it can promote the dental fluorosis in children. If F is consumed in more than 10.0 ppm, it can promote from dental fluorosis to skeletal fluorosis and crippling skeletal fluorosis, possibly cancer (Dissanayake, 1991). The survey was conducted to study the incidence level of F in human beings in the study area starting from mild dental fluorosis to crippled severe skeletal fluorosis and identified the reasons. Table 1: Fluoride status of ground water samples in different villages of Ramannapet mandal Type of water F- Type of water F- S.No Name of the Village S.No Name of the Village source (mg L-1) source (mg L-1) 1 Ramannapet Borewell 1.46 16 Suraram Borewell 2.43 2 Neernemula Openwell 0.78 17 Thurkapalle Borewell 2.76 3 Shobanadripuram Borewell 0.95 18 Venkatapuram Openwell 0.53 4 Laxmapuram Borewell 1.72 19 Kunkudupamula Borewell 1.27 5 Nidhanpalle Openwell 0.98 20 Peddabavigudem Borewell 2.09 6 Bogaram Borewell 1.03 21 Yennaram Borewell 1.98 7 Thummalagudem Borewell 1.15 22 Kallonikunta Borewell 2.04 8 Yellanki Borewell 2.28 23 Kakkireni Openwell 0.94 9 Siripuram Borewell 2.07 24 Pilligudem Borewell 2.82 10 Dubbaka Borewell 2.52 25 Uttatoor Borewell 1.54 11 Rontakolla Borewell 3.86 26 Iskilla Openwell 0.97 12 Munipampula Borewell 2.35 27 Lacchigudem Borewell 2.08 13 Palliwada Openwell 0.92 28 Janampalle Borewell 2.04 14 Nagulanchagudem Borewell 1.29 29 Sanjeevaiahnagar Openwell 0.85 15 Bachuppala Borewell 1.37 30 Kommaigudem Borewell 2.23 Dental fluorosis Dental fluorosis is an accumulation of F in teeth and is caused by ingestion of F during the period of tooth development, i.e. prior to tooth eruption. Nearly 75 % of the people living in the study area are suffering with dental fluorosis due to continuous drinking of F containing drinking water. Fluoride at excessive consumption levels causes the enamel to lose its luster. In its mild form, dental fluorosis is characterized by the appearance of white, opaque areas on the tooth surface, and in severe form, it is manifested by the appearance of yellowish brown to black stains and severe pitting of the teeth. This discoloration may be in the form of spots or horizontal streaks. Normally, the degree of dental fluorosis depends on the amount of fluoride exposure up to the age of 8–10. The effect of dental fluorosis may not be apparent if the teeth are already fully grown prior to excessive F exposure (Krishnamachari, 1986). Skeletal fluorosis Skeletal fluorosis is characterized by increased bone mass and density, accompanied by a range in skeletal and joint symptoms. Nearly 10 % of the people living in the study area are suffering with skeletal fluorosis due to continuous drinking of excess fluoride containing drinking water. In early stages, the symptoms include pain and stiffness in the backbone, hip region, and joints, accompanied by increased bone density (Osteosclerosis). The stiffness increases steadily until the entire spine becomes one continuous column of bone, a condition known as ‘‘poker back’’. As this condition progresses, various ligaments of the spine can also become calcified and ossified. In its most advanced stages, fluorosis produces neurological defects, muscle wasting, paralysis, crippling deformities of the spine and major joints, and compression of the spinal cord. The threshold level of fluoride ingestion needed to cause skeletal fluorosis varies depending on water intake, water quality, and other dietary factors (Reddy et al., 1985).

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 18 Conclusion The results of the study area indicate that some villages are affected with endemic fluorosis, and the concentration of fluoride ion in all water sources varies from place to place. All of these results may arise due to the nature of rock and soil formation. Especially higher concentrations were observed in bore wells than in open wells water. Finally the results are suggesting that the some area fully contaminated with fluoride and not suitable for drinking purpose and proper care must be taken by the people. The sugarcane woolly aphid, Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner (Hemiptera: Aphididae): an exotic pest and its status in India Chintala Srilakshmi* and Sravanthi Guntupalli Research scholars, Department of PHM and PBD National Institute of Plant Health Management, Rajendranagar-500030, India. Email: [email protected] Some exotic species have been intentionally introduced to India, while others come in accidentally. Sugarcane woolly aphid, Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner has been recently reported in outbreak proportions from western and southern India. Though the pest was first reported from West Bengal in 1958 and later from other parts of Northeast India, it had not made its way to other parts of India. It has been recorded on ten species of plants in India. Recently, attempts were made to predict the potential geographic spread of the pest by using two computational approaches, viz. GARP and DIVA-GIS. The studies indicated that the pest has low probability of spreading to eastern parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh and is not likely to spread to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the coastal areas. Apart from Maharashtra and Karnataka, the woolly aphid has spread to Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh (RRS, Rudrur and RRS, Vuyyuru), Bihar and Uttaranchal. The role of resistant varieties and biological, cultural and mechanical control in managing the pest needs to be carefully evaluated. Sprays of the entomopathogenic fungus M. anisopliae are being recommended and are also proving effective. Dipha and Micromus are the two important predators which can suppress the emerging population of Ceratovacuna lanigera. For control erect field cages of size 5 x 5 meters made up of 50 per cent shade net and bamboo poles on a six month old sugarcane crop colonized by the aphids. After the aphid has multiplied and covered the plant to an extent of 60 to 70 per cent, release 50 grownup larvae or pupae of Dipha/Micromus. The predators will multiply on the developing aphid populations and about 1500 to 2500 predators can be harvested from a single cage in about 60 days. The cages can be relocated to fresh locations for further production of the predators. During periods of pest abundance, the predators can also be multiplied on woolly aphids in the laboratory. Experiment in field have shown that release of either 1000 larvae of Dipha or 2500 larvae of Micromus per hectare as soon as the occurrence of woolly aphids is seen resulted in very good control of the pest in 45-60 days. Releases should however be repeated based on reoccurrence of the pest. Key words: Sugarcane wooly aphid, Pest status, Control, Fungi, Predators. Medicinal Herb: Solanum nigrum L. and its uses R. Rajakala, B. Vidya Vardhini, A.A.Haleem Khan Dept. of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad Description:Solanum nigrum is a common herb or short-lived perennial shrub, found in most of forest areas. This plant is one of the cosmopolitan among wild plants. This plant is frequently found by the road side, growing along with crops and in damp and shady places as a weed. S. nigrum is also called as black night shade and garden night shade.The plant is an annual weed that grows up to 80 cm tall; seeds of plant germinate in spring and summer. The habit is a light yellow color, tap root system and many lateral roots. Stem is erect, measures 200-1000mm long, green or purple in color, branch from the base and along their length. The habit is shrubby, rarely woody; stem is dependent on the environment. Leaves grow singly, oval shaped, acute tipped with petiole 5-8 mm long. Flowers are alternate that arise from the stem above the leaf axils, 3-12 flowers in inflorescence-umbel like cymes. The peduncle and pedicels bent downwards after fruit formation. Flowers are star shaped, with five petals and yellow anthers. Calyx-5, rounded with acute tips. Petals-5, star shaped, white, short tube with 5, bent back, lance shaped, white, folded lobes. Stamens-5, grouped in a cone around the pistil. The filaments are very short. Anthers-5, erect, prominent, yellow and longer than the filaments, pollen is large. Fruit- drooping berry, soft, juicy, color is off green and turns dull black or purplish. Seeds are yellow to dark brown, drop shape and flat.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 19 Uses of Solanum nigrum:  The leaf, stem and fruit of S. nigrum are used for various ailments.  S. nigrum is used as both food and medicine.  The plant is anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and antipyretic.  As per Chinese medicine, the plant is anti-cancer agent particularly in cancers of the digestive system.  It is used to cure inflammation, ring worm, ulcers, testicular swelling, gout and ear pain.  Fresh leaves of S. nigrum are used to reduce pain and inflammation.  The leaves material is applied to burns and relieves for ulcers. The gargling of leaf juice relieves mouth sores and ulcers.  It is a diuretic and helps in the discharge of urine.  The leaves are used as remedy to treat digestive problems. The juice of the leaves is used to cure flatulence, peptic ulcers and dysentery.  The decoction of leaves and fruits are used to cure fever.  The leaf paste applied on the burns give relief.  The green berries mashed and massaged to treat ringworms.  The juice of the leaf relieves painful periods.

 The decoction of berries and flowers used for cough and cold. Agrobiodiversity and conservation of agrobiodiversity Sravanthi Guntupalli* and Chintala Srilakshmi Research scholars, Department of PHM and PBD National Institute of Plant Health Management, Rajendranagar-500030, India. Email: [email protected] Abstract:Agro-biodiversity is the result of the interaction between the environment, genetic resources and management systems and practices used by culturally diverse peoples, and therefore land and water resources are used for production in different ways. Thus, agro-biodiversity encompasses the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms that are necessary for sustaining key functions of the agro-ecosystem, including its structure and processes for, and in support of, food production and food security (FAO, 1999). Agro-biodiversity is the result of natural selection processes and the careful selection and inventive developments of farmers, herders and fishers over millennia. Agro-biodiversity is a vital sub-set of biodiversity. Many people’s food and livelihood security depend on the sustained management of various biological resources that are important for food and agriculture. Agricultural biodiversity, also known as agro-biodiversity or the genetic resources for food and agriculture, includes: Harvested crop varieties, livestock breeds, fish species and non-domesticated (wild) resources within field, forest, rangeland including tree products, wild animals hunted for food and in aquatic ecosystems (e.g. wild fish);Non-harvested species in production ecosystems that support food provision, including soil micro-biota, pollinators and other insects such as bees, butterflies, earthworms, greenflies; and Non-harvested species in the wider environment that support food production ecosystems (agricultural, pastoral, forest and aquatic ecosystems). An emerging paradigm for on-farm conservation of agro-biodiversity, common elements of the paradigm to promote on-farm conservation include the following. That the spread of modern varieties has been mainly responsible for an overall loss of traditional varieties; That ex situ conservation is static, and in situ conservation

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 20 dynamic and therefore preferable; That natural crossing on-farm between crops and their wild relatives results in characters of use to farmers; That all traditional varieties are `locally adapted', and therefore of greater value to farmers than modern varieties. Threats to Biodiversity The enormous genetic diversity is being lost mainly due to genetic erosion, genetic vulnerability and genetic wipe- out. These processes are not mutually exclusive, but are in fact, operating together driven by the demand of an increasing population and rising expectations. Developmental pressures on the land resources, deforestation, changes in land use patterns, natural disasters are contributing to abundant habitat fragmentation/destruction, of the crops and their wild relatives. Social disruptions or war also pose a constant threat of genetic wipe-out of such promising diversity (OECD, 1996). Over exploitation and also introduction of invasive alien species are the other factors contributing for the loss of the genetic resources. More recently, the global warming and high degree of pollution have also been recognized as one of the causes for loss of biodiversity (Myers, 1994). Conservation Strategies i. In situ conservation: In-situ conservation means the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings and, in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the surroundings, where they have developed their distinctive properties (UNEP, 1992, 95). In situ conservation enables to preserve evolutionary processes that generate new germplasm under conditions of natural selection, maintain important field laboratories for crop biology and biogeography. It also serves as a continuous source of germplasm for ex-situ conservation. Further, for those countries, which have abundant crop germplasm resource, it provides an important option for conservation with a wider participation. ii. Ex situ conservation: Ex- situ conservation refers to the conservation of germplasm away from its natural habitat. This complementary approach for conservation had begun on a wide scale about three decades ago and is now practiced, to some extent, in almost all countries as a means to conserve crop species diversity for posterity. This strategy is particularly important for crop gene pools, and can be achieved by propagating/ maintaining the plants in genetic resource centre, botanical gardens, tissue culture repositories or in seed gene banks (OCED, 1999). Various approaches are employed for the ex situ conservation depending upon the mode of reproduction and nature of plants to be conserved. Seed gene banks deals with the conservation of seeds with 'orthodox' seed behaviour (which can withstand drying below a certain moisture level). Apart from seed gene banks, in vitro repositories or cryobanks are also widely employed for the conservation of germplasm where either the seeds are unable to withstand drying below a certain moisture level i.e., 'recalcitrant seeds' or seeds are not produced at all i.e., vegetative propagated plants (OECD, 1999). The details of these strategies have been discussed latter in the text. Impact of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides on Biodiversity of Agro-Ecosystem in Modern Age Agriculture K.Abhijit, E.Venkata Ramana Department of Chemistry, Govt. Arts & Science College, Armoor, Nizamabad Dist-503224 Introduction Biodiversity is the combination of different types of life found on the Earth and the variations within species. It is a measure of the variety of organisms present in different ecosystems. This can refer to genetic variation, ecosystem variation, or species variation (number of species) within an area, biome, or planet. Biodiversity has unique role in ecosystem and in balancing nature’s equilibrium. From ancient songs agriculture and civilization are to be treated as two sides of the same coin. Usually agriculture is not that much simple but it has complex under lied biodiversity which has been evolving from time to time. Agriculture in each demographic area develops new type of unique ecosystem and obviously different food chain dependencies. As far as we are practicing organic and natural methods in cultivation it gives positive outlook. Consequences of Modern age cultivation methods As advancements in science and technology there is been changes in every aspect which is related to mankind and the agriculture is not remained untouched. In the race of green revolution consumption of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are inevitable for all the economies of the world. These are more or less alien chemicals for the Mother Nature in their administer form. Usage of these fertilizers and pesticides brings crucial changes in the evolved Agri-Ecosystem and its stakeholders.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 21 Pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are the worst enemy of the man on this planet. It not only contaminates lithosphere, but also pollutes the atmosphere. Pesticides include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides or rodenticides. These are persistent pollutants obtained during interaction of lithosphere and biosphere. They are cumulative poisons in the body; they usually accumulate in food chain and are hence hazardous, whereas a synthetic fertilizer demolishes basic soil chemistry and its microbial content. There are certain utter threatening alarms in this context in various stake holders of Agri-Ecosystems; Impact on biodiversity of insects Insects are not that’s worse as possessed most of them are beneficial bugs that perform significant services like pollination and even pest control. The concept of beneficial is subjective and only arises in light of desired outcomes from a human perspective. In farming and agriculture, where the goal is to raise selected crops, insects that hinder the production process are classified as pests, while insects that assist production are considered beneficial. In horticulture and gardening; pest control, habitat integration, and 'natural vitality' aesthetics are the desired outcome with beneficial insects. But modern age cultivation incorporated several pesticides which vanish these ecofriendly bugs such as Minute pirate bug, Earwig, Big-eyed bug, Beneficial nematodes, Assassin bug, Damsel bug, Mealybug destroyer, Soldier beetle, Green lacewing, Syrphid fly, Tachinid fly, Ichneumon wasp and Trichogramma wasp. Impact on biodiversity of habitual plants other than crops Most of the plants in farms other than cultivated ones can be treated as weed. A weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, "a plant in the wrong place". Examples commonly are plants unwanted in human-controlled settings, such as farm fields, gardens, lawns, and parks. Taxonomically, the term "weed" has no botanical significance, because a plant that is a weed in one context is not a weed when growing in a situation where it is in fact wanted, and where one species of plant is a valuable crop plant, another species in the same genus might be a serious weed, such as a wild bramble growing among cultivated loganberries. While the term "weed" generally has a negative connotation, many plants that people widely regard as weeds also have unrevealed role in ecosystem which is very sensitive issues where the Agro researchers should pay their attention. It is to understand the virtue the plants in broader aspect as few of these plants stabilize the soil composition and exhibit beneficial properties. A number of weeds, such as the dandelion (Taraxacum) and lamb's quarter, are edible, and their leaves or roots may be used for food or herbal medicine. Burdock is common over much of the world, and is sometimes used to make soup and medicine in East Asia. Some weeds attract beneficial insects, which in turn can protect crops from harmful pests. Weeds can also prevent pest insects from finding a crop, because their presence disrupts the incidence of positive cues which pests use to locate their food. Weeds may also act as a "living mulch", providing ground cover that reduces moisture loss and prevents erosion. Weeds may also improve soil fertility; dandelions, for example, bring up nutrients like calcium and nitrogen from deep in the soil with their tap root, and clover hosts nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its roots, fertilizing the soil directly. The dandelion is also one of several species which break up hardpan in overly cultivated fields, helping crops grow deeper root systems. Some garden flowers originated as weeds in cultivated fields and have been selectively bred for their garden-worthy flowers or foliage. An example of a crop weed that is grown in gardens is the corncockle, (Agrostemma githago), which was a common weed in European wheat fields, but is now sometimes grown as a garden plant. In this concern usage of herbicides and weedicides usage in past few decades totally disturbs the Ecosystem where habitual and less impact native herbs and weeds ruined consequently which leads to propagation of alien varieties of weed such as Parthenium species. Impact on biodiversity of birds and animals Many varieties of birds and animals are the major stake holders of agro-ecosystem which are directly or indirectly affected by the agrochemicals like fertilizers and pesticides as these products incorporated in their food chain and due to bio magnifications. Birds and other animals may, by their actions, improve conditions in various growing situations, and in such cases are also beneficial. Birds assist in the spread of seeds by ingesting the fruits and berries of plants, then depositing the seeds in their droppings. Other animals, such as raccoons, bears, etc. provide similar benefits. All these animals and birds are severely perished due to pesticides and there is a great down fall in birds and animals which are the part of this Agro-Ecosystem, the best example is sparrows.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 22 Impact on biodiversity of soil microbes Many different soil microorganisms are responsible for nutrient recycling (for one, through decomposing plant residues) and other soil building and maintaining activities. Mixed culture of beneficial microorganisms such as photosynthetic bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas sp.) lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus sp.), yeast (Saccharomyces sp.) and fermenting fungi can positively improve the soil fertility as well as plant productivity. The Productive Microbes as an effective alternative tool for manipulation and managing the overall microbial ecology of complex and diverse systems. These soil microbes play a vital role in sustainable maintenance soil nutrients. Certain microscopic nematodes (worms) are beneficial in destroying and controlling populations of larvae that are damaging or deadly to crops and other plants. They are commonly used in organic gardening for their ability to kill various kinds of harmful larvae (fungus gnats, flea larvae, spidermites, weevils, grubs, rootworms, cutworms,etc.) Pesticides and synthetic fertilizers not only affect the population of these microbes but also bring irreversible changes in physico-chemical parameters of soil like pH, concentration of sulphates, nitrates and carbonates. Conclusion In agriculture, controversy surrounds the concept of beneficial stake holder like insects, birds, animals, herbs and soil microbes. Much of this has to do with the effect of agrichemicals, like insecticides, herbicides and large quantities of synthetic fertilizers, on what are considered beneficial. Citing the reduction or elimination of various organisms as a side effect of agrichemical-based farming, some argue that critical damage is being done to the Ago-Ecosystem, to the point where conventional agriculture is unsustainable. For example, if bee populations are reduced by insecticides aimed at other pests, pollination is inhibited and crops don't appear. If soil microorganisms are killed off, natural soil regeneration is inhibited, and reliance on mechanical and chemical inputs to keep the soil viable is increased. The longer term impact of these conditions has not been determined. Commercial ventures currently exist to provide pollinators and biological pest control. It is not the time of thinking but time for step up for concrete action in this regard. We should clearly understand this evolved Agro-Ecosystem and its biodiversity in broader context. Agriculture is not just a simple form of cultivating desired plants but there are a lot of things beyond it. Agro scientist should consider the fate each and every stake holder of Ago-Ecosystem and redesign the cultivation methods and Agro-Chemists must synthesis safer green agrichemical products for protection of biodiversity. Role of Agricultural Crop Diversity in Nutritional and Food Security in India N. Sandhya Kishore*, M.Pallavi, G.Praveen Kumar, T.Prabhakar Reddy, J.Kamalakar, Firdoz Shahana, V. Bharathi and B.Joseph *Corresponding Author: Dr. N. Sandhya Kishore, Scientist (Plant Breeding), Regional sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur, Nizamabad-503188. Email: [email protected] Important crops and their products The Indian subcontinent is very rich in biological diversity, harboring around 49,000 species of plants, including about 17,500 species of higher plants. The Indian gene centre holds a prominent position among the 12 mega-gene centers of the world. It is also one of the vavilovian centre of origin and diversity of crop plants. Two out of the 25 global hot spots of biodiversity, namely the Indo-Burma and Western Ghats/ Sri Lanka are located here. India possesses about 12% of world flora with 5725 endemic species of higher plants belonging to about 141 endemic genera and over 47 families. About 166 species of crops including 25 major and minor crops have originated in this part of the world. Wild relatives of crop plants are also know to occur here. Presently, the Indian diversity is composed of rich genetic wealth of both native as well as introduced types, i.e. India is a primary as well as a secondary centre of diversity for several crops, and has also regional diversity for several South/ Southeast Asian crops as described below: 1. Primary centre of diversity for crops: Rice, black gram, been, pigeon pea, cucurbits (like smooth gourd, ridge gourd and pointed gourd), tree cotton, jute, jackfruit, banana, mango, Syzygium cumini/jamun, large cardamom, black pepper and several minor millets and medicinal plants like Rauvolfia serpentina and Saussurea costus.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 23 2.Secondary centre of diversity for African crops: Finger millet, pearl millet, sorghum, cowpea, cluster bean, okra, sesame, Niger and safflower; tropical American types such as maize, tomato muskmelon/Curcumas species, pumpkin/Cucurbita species, chayote /chou-chou, chilies and Amaranthus. 3. Regional (Asiatic) diversity for crops: Maize, barley, amaranth, buckwheat, proso millet, foxtail millet, mung bean/green gram, chickpea, cucumber, bitter gourd, snake gourd and some members of tribe Brassicae. It is also observed that over dependence on handful of species rice, maize, wheat and potato which provide 50 per cent of world’s caloric intake (FAO, 2010), has seen of 100 of species and varieties of food plants marginalized and becoming increasingly irrelevant in national agricultural production systems and economies. The relative importance of various crops is changing significantly over the years. Crops like soybean, sunflower, groundnut and cotton have gained more acreage leading to decreasing cultivation of other crops of local importance. The economic and policy changes are the major reasons and changes in socio economic status, life style, crop diversification for increased profitability, market scenario etc. cultivation of industry based crops barley (Hordeum vulgare) for malt industry, low erucic acid brassica lines, cultivars having good marketability and returns (potato, soybean, French bean, onions etc.) and species having buy back policy (medicinal plants) has resulted in gradual replacement of native land races. Major crop species of Indian origin Crop Groups Crops (Botanical names) Cereals and millets Rice (Oryza sativa), little millet (Panicum sumatrense), kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) Grain legumes Black gram (Vigna mungo), moth bean (V. aconitifolia), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), horse gram/kulthi (Macrotyloma uniflorum), velvent bean ( Mucuna utillis) Fruits Mango (Mangifera indica), banana (Musa sp.) jamun (Syzygiumcumini), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), citrus group, lime and others, karonda (Carissa congesta), khirni (Manilkara hexandra), phalsa (Grewia asiatica),bael (Aegle marmelos), wood apple (Feronla limonia) kokam (Garcinia indica) Vegetables Eggplant (Solanum melangena) ridge gourd and smooth gourd (Luffa sp.), round gourd /tinda (Praecitrullus fistulosus), pointed gourd/parval (Trichosanthes dioica), taro/arbi (Colocasia esculenta), yam (Dioscorea sp.), jimikand (Amorphophallus campanulatus ), kundri (Coccinia indica ), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), rat tailed radish/ mungra (Raphanus caudatus) Oil seeds Rai, sarson and toria types (Brassica sp.) Fibres Jute (Corchorus capsularis), cotton (Gossypium arboreum), sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea) Medical and aromatic Rauvolfia serpentina, Saussurea lappa, Indian belladonna (Atropaacuminata), Indian barberry (Berberis aristata) Commiphora wightii Spices and condiments Turmeric (Curcuma domestica), ginger (Zingiberofficinale),cardamom (Elettaria cadamomum), Bengal/large cardamom (Amomum aromaticum), long pepper (Piper longum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), betle leaf (Piper betel) and Cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp.) Other crops Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) , bamboos (Bambusa arundinacea, Dendrocalamus hamiltoni, Sinocalamus giganteus), Sesbania sesban, tea (Camellia sinesis) Nutritional Status and the impact on society In spite of several national Nutritional intervention programs, India faces huge nutrition challenges as the prevalence of micro nutrient malnutrition continues to be a major public health with an associated economic cost of 0.8 to 2.4 per cent of the GDP. Most vulnerable segments of the population are children, adolescents, pregnant human and lactating mothers (Arlappa et.al., 2010) with estimates from the national family health survey (IIPS, 2007). Indicating that about 46 per cent of the children under 5 years of age, particularly those leaving in rural areas are moderately to severely underweight, 38 per cent are moderately to severely stunted and approximately 19 percent are moderately to severely wasted (thin for height) (kanjilal et.al., 2010).In addition to malnutrition disorders, India is at the top of diabetes projections list with a massive 87 million people to be affected by 2030. India needs to implement preventive measures to reduce the burden of Diabetes as the annual cost of diabetic care would be very huge approximately 90.20 million rupees due to escalating costs of treatment, hospitalization and management of complication(Azam, 2015) Importance of Millets in Agriculture The advantages of cultivation of millet crops include drought tolerance, crop sturdiness, short to medium duration, low labour requirement, minimal purchased inputs, resistance to pests and diseases. Millets are C 4 crops and hence are climate change compliant. There are varieties particularly in little millet and proso millet which mature in 60-70 days; yet providing reasonable and assured harvests even under most adverse conditions. India is a store-house of highly valuable genetic variability. Millets sequestrate carbon and thereby reduce the burden of greenhouse gas. Millets have been called nutri-grains since they are rich in micronutrients like minerals and B-

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 24 complex vitamins. Additionally millets are also rich in health promoting phytochemicals, and can be used as functional foods. Despite these attributes, millets are losing their pride of place in production and consumption in India. In recent year, there has been some effort towards reviving millets. Table1: Area production and yield of Millets during 50 years.

Crop/year Indicator 1955-56 1965-66 1975-76 1985-86 1995-96 2005-06 2008-09 2011-12 Jowar Area 17.36 17.68 16.09 16.10 11.33 8.68 7.53 6.25 Production 6.73 7.58 9.50 10.20 9.33 7.63 7.27 5.98 yield 387 429 591 633 823 880 962 962 Bajra Area 11.34 11.97 11.57 10.65 9.32 9.58 8.75 8.78 production 3.43 3.75 5.74 3.66 5.38 7.68 8.88 10.27 yield 302 314 496 344 577 802 1015 1171 Ragi Area 2.30 2.70 2.63 2.41 1.77 1.53 1.38 1.18 production 1.85 1.33 2.80 2.52 2.50 2.35 2.04 1.92 yield 800 492 1064 1049 1410 1534 1477 1641 Small millets Area 5.34 4.56 4.67 3.16 1.66 1.06 0.91 0.80 production 2.07 1.56 1.92 1.22 0.78 0.47 0.45 0.46 yield 388 341 412 386 469 443 491 565 Total millets Area 36.34 36.91 34.96 32.30 24.08 22.08 18.57 18.6 production 14.07 14.21 19.96 17.59 17.98 18.14 18.61 18.63 Yield 387 385 571 545 747 870 1003 1096

Note: Area: Million ha; Production: Million tons; Yield: Kg/ha Source: Agricultural Census, Directorate of Economics and statistics, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of India NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH VALUE OF MILLETS Nutrients in millets and cereals Nutrient content of cereals and millets is given in Table 2. The data on the basis of analysis done at the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad and may be updated with incorporation of information on varietal variations. Millets in general are rich source of fibre, minerals and B- complex vitamins. Among the millets, pearl millet (Bajra) has the highest content of macronutrients and micronutrients such as iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Phosphorous, folic acid and riboflavin. Finger millet (ragi) is an extraordinary source of calcium. Though low in fat content, it is high in PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) (Antony et al., 1996). It is also rich in essential amino acids, like lysine, threonine, valine, sulphur containing amino acids. Bioavailability of nutrients from millets High fibre content and presence of some anti-nutritional factors like phytates and tannins in millets affect bioavailability of minerals. Dietary fibre has health benefits like good bowel movement, and reduction in blood cholesterol and sugar. Besides fibre, millets are also rich in health–promoting phytochemicals like polyphenols, lignans, phytosterols, phyto-oestrogens, phytocyanins. These function as antioxidants, immune modulators. Detoxifying agents etc. and hence protect against age-related degenerative diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes, cancer etc. (Rao et al., 2011). Table 2: Nutrient content of cereals and millets per 100 g (Gopalan et al.,1989) Grain nutrient Bajra Jowar Ragi Fox tail Proso Barnyard millet Kodo Rice Milled Maize Wheat flour millet millet milled Energy 361 349 328 331 341 397 309 345 342 346 Protein (g) 11.6 10.4 7.3 12.3 7.7 6.2 8.3 6.8 11.1 12.1 Fat (g) 5.0 1.9 1.3 4.3 4.7 2.2 1.4 0.4 3.6 1.7 Calcium (mg) 42.0 25.0 344 31.0 17.0 20.0 27.0 10.0 10.0 48.0 Iron (mg) 8.0 4.1 3.9 2.8 9.3 5.0 0.5 3.2 2.3 4.9 Zinc (mg) 3.1 1.6 2.3 2.4 3.7 3.0 0.7 1.4 2.8 2.2 Thiamine (Vit.B1) (mg) 0.33 0.37 0.42 0.59 0.21 0.33 0.33 0.06 .042 0.49 Riboflavin (Vit. B2) (mg) 0.25 0.13 0.19 0.11 0.01 0.10 0.09 0.06 0.10 0.17 Folic acid mg 45.5 20 18.3 15.0 9.0 - 23.1 8.0 20 36.6 Fibre g 1.2 1.6 3.6 8.0 7.6 9.8 9.0 0.2 2.7 1.2 As functional foods In recent years, the term functional foods has been used for foods that promote health through prevention of specific degenerative diseases like diabetes, CVD, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, cataract etc. This effect is due to the presence of health- promoting and bioactive phytochemicals in plant foods.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 25 Epidemiological studies have shown that diets rich in plant foods, including whole grains are protective against the non-communicable diseases due to protective effects of health promoting phytochemicals and some nutrients. Millets which are a treasure trove of health–promotive phytochemicals have received attention for their potential role as functional foods. Being non glutinous, millets are safe for people suffering from gluten allergy and celiac disease. They are non-acid forming and hence easy to digest. They are also non-allergenic (Saleh et al., 2013). Processing methods like soaking, malting, decortication, and cooking affect anti- oxidant content and activity (Saleh et al., 2013). Millet and diabetes: Epidemiologically lower incidence of diabetes is reported in millet consuming populations (Saleh et al., 2013). The diabetes preventing effect of millets is primarily attributed to high fibre content. Some antioxidant phenols in millets also tend to have anti-diabetic effect. Sorghum is rich in phenolic compounds and antioxidants. (Awika et al., 2004). Among minor millets, fox tail and barnyard millet have low glycemic index (40- 50). University of Agriculture Science, Dharwad (and others) have prepared ready to eat foods from these minor millets and demonstrated their anti-diabetic effects. Many processed traditional foods have been prepared from minor millets and pearl millets. However systematic studies to validate their glycemic index are needed. Millets and other degenerative diseases: Diets high in fibre and antioxidants have been shown to have beneficial effect on serum lipid profile besides blood sugar. Some forms of cancer are also prevented by high fibre diets. Millets being high in fibre, antioxidants and complex carbohydrates are potential candidates for having beneficial effects against diseases like CVD cancer and ageing in general. Few in vitro and animal studies support this view but well controlled studies in human are needed. In conclusion, millets have potential for protection against age –onset degenerative diseases. This is an area where more work is needed since these diseases are increasing in India. Demand for millets can also be increased by (i) Creating awareness regarding their environmental sustainability, nutritional and other health benefits,(ii) Making them available through PDS (iii) Value addition (iv) Inclusion under feeding programmes like mid-day meal, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). As the largest producer of millets, India can capture world market with appropriate validated functional foods. Better utilization of local and often only locally known plant species in diversified cropping systems can be an important first step toward secure food provision in times of un certainty such local crops are directly consumed as staple foods, can provide valuable nutrients as part of a healthier diet. Agriculture development and biodiversity conservation are sometimes perceived as opposing interests. But in many cases, such conflicts do not exist and they are certainly not inevitable. In fact, evidence shows that integrating biodiversity and agriculture is beneficial for food production, eco-system, health and for economically and ecologically sustainable growth. The effect of brassinosteroids on phytoremediation of Cd from soil using Solanum lycopersicum L. S.Anuradha*and S. Seeta Ram Rao Department of Botany, Osmania University, Hyderabad E Mail: [email protected] Abstract: The present study was aimed at investigating and comparing the effect of brassinosteroids (BRs) on cadmium (Cd) accumulation in tomato. Application of exogenous BRs increased Cd accumulation in tomato shoots, improving potential for phytoremediation of contaminated soils. 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) was used to boost the assisted phytoextraction of Cd in contaminated soil collected. The effect of EBL treatment on tomato plants were investigated in terms of dry weight biomass, Cd accumulation and phytoextraction efficiency. The results clearly indicate that exogenous application of BRs can positively assist the phytoextraction by increasing the biomass production and metal accumulation. Further increase in metal accumulation in plants could be related to both the role of BRs in the enhancement of plant resistance to stress and induce growth in plants thus improving their phytoremediation capabilities. Key Words: cadmium, brassinosteroids, phytoextraction, Solanum lycopersicum. Introduction: Heavy metals are considered to be one of the main sources of pollution in the environment. Heavy metal contamination affects the biosphere in many places worldwide (Raskin and Ensley 2000). Excess concentrations of some heavy metals in soils such as Cd (II), Cr (VI), CuII), Ni (II), and Zn (II) have caused the disruption of natural aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems (Meagher 2000). The chemical format of heavy metals in soil solution is dependent of the metal concerned, pH and the presence of other ions (Das et al. 1997). The toxicity

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 26 symptoms observed in plants in the presence of excessive amounts of heavy metal may be due to a range of interactions at the cellular level (Hall 2002). In addition, heavy metals stimulate the formation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (Sandalio et al. 2001). Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that is of great concern in the environment, because of its toxicity to plants, animals and humans (Kirkham 2006). It is not an essential for plants but can be readily taken up and accumulated by plants, which poses a serious health issue to humans through the food chain (Tu dureanu and Phillips 2004). Cd reduces plant biomass production and alters the metabolism of plants if it is accumulated in plants. Therefore economic and effective techniques are needed to remediate Cd-contaminated soils. The remediation of metal contaminated sites often involves expensive and environmentally invasive and civil engineering based practices (Marques et al.2008). Arrange of technologies such as fixation, leaching, soil excavation have been used for the removal of metals. Many of these methods have high maintenance costs and may cause secondary pollutions or adverse effect on biological activities, soil structure and fertility (Haque et al.2008). Phytoremediation is an emerging technology, which uses green plants to remove heavy metals from contaminated soils, has grabbed attention in recent years. One of the sub- group of phytoremediation is phytoextraction i.e. a way by which plants remove contaminants from soil and concentrate them in the harvestable parts of the plants. In phytoremediation the plant uptake capability and the availability of the pollutants in the media are important. Further, in order to increase the metal uptake by crop plants a chemical additive is applied to the plant this process is termed “assisted phytoextraction”. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) play an important role in modern agriculture and proper applications of certain PGRs improve agriculture and thereby benefit environments (Schmidt 1990). PGRs could not only regulate plant growth but also enhance resistance to various environmental stresses. Plant growth regulators are capable of augmenting the recovery of contaminants from the soil by plants (Zhang et al. 2003). Lopez et al. (2007) reported that gibberellic acid, kinetin mixtures improved hyperaccumulation of lead and zinc in alfalfa plants. In the present study the effect of brassinosteroids (BRs) on Cd uptake by Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) was investigated. Brassinosteroids are new group of phytohormones with significant growth promoting activity (Rao et al. 2002). Brassinosteroids are regarded as plant growth regulators with pleiotropic effects as they influence diverse development process such as seed germination, plant growth, rhizogenesis, flowering, senescence, and abscission. The work with brassinosteroid biosynthetic mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana (Li et al. 1996), Pisum sativum (Nomura et al. 1997) and tomato (Koka et al. 2000) have provided compelling evidence that brassinosteroids are essential for plant growth and development. In addition, Brassinosteroids also confer resistance to the plants against abiotic stresses (Vardhini et al. 2006). The ability of brassinosteroids to confer resistance to plants against salt stress (Anuradha and Rao 2001) and osmotic stress (Vardhini and Rao 2003) was reported. The capability of exaggerated growth as induced by brassinosteroids can effectively utilized to induce growth in hyperaccumulators of heavy metals, thus can be improved their phytoremediation capabilities. With their stress-protective properties, enthused by the hyperaccumulating capabilities of tomato as hyperaccumulators the proposed study aimed to explore the possibility of improving phytoremediation capability of tomato plants by employing brassinosteroids. Materials and Methods 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) employed for the present study was purchased from M/s CID Technologies Inc., Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Seeds of tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. Var Arkavikas were procured from the

Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University, Hyderabad, India. Cd in the form of cadmium chloride (CdCl2. H2O) was used. Preliminary experiments were conducted employing different concentrations of Cd and 10, 20, 30, mg/kg Cd was chosen as metal stress concentration. From a wide range of concentrations 0.5and 1.0µM conc of EBL was selected where significant growth promotion was observed. Chemical treatment: On 10th and 20th day foliar spray of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) was given to all treatments except control and treatments with Cd 10, 20, 30 mg alone. During the plant growth the plants were watered everyday with deionized water. Microcosm set up: Each microcosm was prepared according to Barbafieri (2000), using 50g of contaminated soil mixed with 150g of inert silica pellets in a 250ml PET jars with 8 tomato seeds. A total of 30 microcosm were prepared and put in a growth chamber [N K System BIOTRON (Model: LPH -200-RD), Nippon Medical and

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 27 Chemical Instruments Company Limited, Japan]. The plants were allowed to grow in growth chamber under conditions of 25°C temperature, 60 % relative humidity and 4000-lux light intensity from fluorescent tubes with a photoperiodic cycle of 12 hours light and 12 hours dark. Microcosms were differentiated by 10 sets of different treatments with three replicates per treatment. These sets were made up of i) Control ii) Cd10mg/ iii) Cd 20mg/kg iv) Cd 30mg/kg v) Cd 10/20/30 mg/kg supplemented with 0.5µM/1.0µM EBL Plant harvesting and biomass determination: Tomato plants were allowed to grow for 30 days and were harvested by carefully removing the whole plant. The whole plant of different treatments were washed in deionized water, dried, weighted for biomass determination and powdered for metal analysis. Metal content in plants: Powered samples were digested in a nitric/perchloric acid mixture and microwave digested. Cd content in solutions was determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) by Plasma Quad (V.G. Elemental Ltd, Winsford, Cheshire) at NGRI–National Geophysical Research Institute- Hyderabad, India. Statistical data: The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Post Hoc Test (Multiple Comparisons). The differences were considered significant if P was at least ≤0.05. The mean values have been compared and alphabets are used in the table to highlight the significant differences between the treatments. Results Effect of EBL on plant biomass Exposure of tomato plants to various concentrations of Cd induced morpho- phytotoxicity symptoms on the plants exposed to the higher level. The symptoms were mostly observed on the mature leaves, which indicated signs of chlorosis and early senescence. Table 1 show the biomass produced from ten sets of microcosm. Foliar spray of EBL showed an increase in biomass of 30%, compared to the mean values of the control plants. EBL at 0.5µM conc induced a higher increase in the overall biomass when compared to 1.0 µM conc. Biomass from microcosm treated with only Cd showed a decrease in biomass at Cd 40mg/kg. However supplementations of EBL enhance the biomass in Cd 40mg/kg by 52%. Treatment of BRs on Cd10mg and Cd 20mg produced a meaningful increase in the plant biomass. Effect of EBL on heavy metal accumulation Plants from each microcosm were analyses for Cd content (Table 2). The uptake and accumulation of Cd increased with increased in Cd levels. Plants treated with 40mg showed maximum accumulation of Cd (77% increase) over the control followed by plants treated with 30mg by (27% increase). Supplementation of EBL to stressed plants further increased the Cd concentration in the plant. EBL at 0.5 µM caused significant increase in Cd in all the treated plants. EBL at 0.5 µM caused 18% increase in Cd 40mg plant compared to Cd 40mg alone. Effect of EBL on phytoextraction efficiency The phytoextraction efficiency was obtained from the product of the dry weight produced and the accumulation of metal in the plant tissues. It is the most reliable criteria for comparing the different crops or different methods involved in the performance of phytoextraction (McGrath and Zhao, 2003). EBL treatment showed a higher Cd phytoextraction efficiency when compared to the control plants. EBL at both the conc enhance the phytoextraction efficiency in the plants. EBL at 0.5 µM showed a significant increase in phytoextraction efficiency. Discussion The present study clearly indicates that the exogenous application of EBL had a positive effect on plant biomass, metal accumulation and phytoextraction efficiency. Generally plants under heavy metal stress showed reduced plant biomass and metabolic changes. It has been suggested that metal damage could be alleviated by using exogenous PGRs which would improve metal tolerance in plants (Anuradha and Rao, 2007). Application of kinetin to Carthamus tincturius plants grown on a lead spiked soil alleviated the toxic effects of pollution and increased the dry matter was reported by (Sayed, 1999).In the present study EBL increased the plant biomass, by enhancing cell division, photosynthetic activity and aided the accumulation of dry matter. Similarly Lopez et al. (2005) found increased in lead concentration in roots and leaves of Medicago sativa L when the plants received 100 µM of indoleacetic acid in addition to EDTA. Liphadzi et al. (2006) also found improvements in metal uptake in Helianthus annus L. when indole acetic acid was given to leaves and soil. Cd accumulation

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 28 Present study showed that the Cd accumulation in tomato plants increased with increasing Cd addition level. Further foliar spray of EBL enhanced the Cd accumulation in the plants. Exogenous application of EBL may penetrate the leaf surface via phloem into leaf parenchyma and then to xylem where it could form a complex with Cd causing detoxification or perhaps BRs are changing the permeability of the membranes which in some way affect the transport of Cd. Considering this we expect that foliar spray of EBL would activate plant growth and improve tolerance in Cd-induced stress. Similar accumulation of Ni in rape shoots by putresine was reported by (Shevyakova et al.2011). Dumal (2011) also reported that exogenous glycinebetine and trehalose increased lead accumulation in an aquatic plant (Lemma gibba L.) The study clearly shows a positive result in the phytoextraction efficiency when EBL was applied. The study also supports the hypothesis that the phytoextraction can be improved by increasing both the dry mass and the metal accumulation in the upper parts of the plants by PGRs. Utilization: Tomato is an herbaceous usually sprawling plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family that is typically cultivated for the purpose of harvesting its fruit for human consumption. Tomato crop has been shown to have an exceptionally high tolerance for heavy metals (Baker et al., 2000). Their quick growth, great biomass and potential for phytoextraction of metals make them some of the highest yielding vegetable crops which are beneficial for phytoremediation. Tomato plants will decrease some of the metal elements present in the dump soil before the soil can be used as compost or for agricultural purpose. Therefore tomato can be used as indicator plant in the metal contaminated areas as Cd and production risk level can be defined before agricultural activities. Conclusion: In this study tomato has shown the ability to absorb Cd in contaminated soil keeping them from expanding their reach into the environment and preventing further contamination. Further application of exogenous plant growth regulators like BRs reduced the side-effects caused by Cd in tomato plants and improvement in growth parameters indicate that this method is feasible for assisted phytoextraction in heavy metal contaminated soils. The use of EBL, in these experimental conditions, has the potential to improve assisted phytoextracton in contaminated soils. PGRSs could represent a valid strategy to reduce the risk of metal leaching, since it can give a further increase in the phytoextraction efficiently and can reduce the toxic effects on plants. Further, the cost of the phytoremediation in the field could have a relevant increase due to the use of BRs. Further experiments are needed in order to gain insights into the mechanisms involved in Cd uptake using plant hormones.

-1 Treatments DW(mg MC ) Treatments DW(mg MC-1) Control 550±4.23a Control 550±4.23a Cd10mg/kg 360±5.20g Cd10mg/kg 360±5.20g Cd20mg/kg 410±3.42f Cd20mg/kg 410±3.42f Cd30mg/kg 240±5.33d Cd30mg/kg 240±5.33d

Cd10mg/kg+0.5μM EBL 420±3.42e Cd10mg/kg+0.5μM EBL 420±3.42e 340±5.06gh 340±5.06gh Cd10mg/kg+1.0μM EBL Cd10mg/kg+1.0μM EBL 480±4.01b 480±4.01b Cd20mg/kg+0.5μM EBL Cd20mg/kg+0.5μM EBL 400±4.27f 400±4.27f Cd20mg/kg+1.0μM EBL μ Cd20mg/kg+1.0 M EBL 420±3.98e 420±3.98e Cd30mg/kg+0.5μM EBL Cd30mg/kg+0.5μM EBL 460±5.02c 460±5.02c Cd30mg/kg+1.0μM EBL Cd30mg/kg+1.0μM EBL

Table 1. Effect of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on dry weight biomass (DW) of whole plant of tomato from Microcosm (MC) treated and not treated with Cadmium (Cd). The values are means of three individual experiments. N=3 for ± SE.The differences were considered significant if P was at least ≤ 0.05. he mean values have been compared and lower case alphabets are used in the figures to highlight the signifcant differences between the treatments.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 29 Table 2. Effect of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on Cd content in whole plant of tomato from Microcosm (MC) treated and not treated with Cadmium (Cd). The values are means of three individual experiments. N=3 for ± SE.The differences were considered significant if P was at least ≤0.05. the mean values have been compared and lower case alphabets are used in the figures to highlight the signifcant differences between the treatments. Table 3. Effect of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on phytoextraction efficiency in whole plant of tomato from Microcosm (MC) treated and not treated with Cadmium (Cd). The values are means of three individual experiments. N=3 for ± SE.The differences were considered significant if P was at least ≤0.05. the mean values have been compared and lower case alphabets are used in the figures to highlight the signifcant differences between the treatments. Treatments Cd (μg MC-1) Treatments Cd content (ppb) Control 428±3.45g Control 256.26±3.85g Cd10mg/kg 354±4.50i Cd10mg/kg 152.00±3.05i Cd20mg/kg 540±5.03e Cd20mg/kg Cd30mg/kg 650±4.88b Cd30mg/kg 326.10±4.25e 455.20±3.57b Cd10mg/kg+0.5μM EBL 390±4.20h Cd10mg/kg+0.5μM EBL 358±5.04i 194.48±2.95h Cd10mg/kg+1.0μM EBL Cd10mg/kg+1.0μM EBL 152.50±3.27i 564±4.29d Cd20mg/kg+0.5μM EBL Cd20mg/kg+0.5μM EBL 492±3.94f 377.92±3.43c Cd20mg/kg+1.0μM EBL Cd20mg/kg+1.0μM EBL 281.76±3.18f 730±5.10a Cd30mg/kg+0.5μM EBL Cd30mg/kg+0.5μM EBL 585±4.65c 533.88±3.67a Cd30mg/kg+1.0μM EBL Cd30mg/kg+1.0μM EBL 338.22±4.10d

Folklore medicinal plants and utilization by villagers of Nizamabad district of Telangana T.Uma Kiran1 and M.Chandra Kumar2 1. Dept. of Botany, Girraj Govt.College , Nizamabad 2. Dept. of Zoology, Govt. Degree College, Nirmal Abstract: The present investigation deals with the folklore medicinal plants of rural Nizamabad district, Telangana. The indigenous knowledge of the village dwellers, the herbal medicine practitioners, traditional healers and the information of native plants used for medicinal value were collected through personal interviews. The study revealed medical uses of medicinal plants. The scientific name, family, vernacular name, part used and traditional practice of different species, are discussed here for the treatment of various diseases. Introduction: Folklore medicine is traditional method adopted by village people. Traditional medicine as practiced non-professionally by people isolated from modern medical services and usually involving the use of plant derived remedies on an empirical basis. The indigenous people are well acquainted with the properties and uses of plants of their surroundings. The knowledge of modern plants has been accumulated in the course of many centuries based on different medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, Unani and Sidda. In India, it is reported that traditional healers use 2500 plant species and 100 species of plants serves regular source of Medicine. India is one of the 12 mega Biodiversity centers with 2 hot spots of Biodiversity in the North Eastern region and Western Ghats. Nizamabad is one of the most important Districts in Telangana. It is bounded in the North by Adilabad District, East by Karimnagar District, South by Medak District and West by Bidar District of Karnataka and Nanded District of Maharashtra. Materials and Methods: Data presented here is based on Personal interviews with Village dwellers, traditional healers, and Herbal medicine practitioners. Information gathered was documented in Data sheets prepared. Results and Discussion During present observation and interaction with the village dwellers and others plants were enumerated with their medicinal importance. S.No Local name Scientific name Family Plant part Uses used 1 Thuthura benda Abutilon indicum Malvaceae Leaves To dissolve kidney stones 2 Pindi kura Aerva lanata Amaranthaceae Seeds and leaves Used for insects and snake bites on the skin. To treat hemorrhoids,

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 30 post partum bleeding To dissolve kidney stones. 3 Sudhi nimma Citrus medica Rutaceae Fruit To dissolve kidney stones 4 Donda Coccinia grandies Cucurbitaceae Leaves To dissolve kidney stones 5 Kalabanda Aloe vera Liliaceae Succulent stem To cure skin diseases, liver diseases, constipation and piles 6 Vepa Azardirachta indica Meliaceae Leaves & seeds To cure skin diseases, used as anti- bacterial ingredient, Anti-helminthic, insecticidal 7 Vellulli Allium sativum Liliaceae Underground stem, Bulbs Diuretic, carminative, stomachic, anti- helminthic, to cure nervous diseases 8 Uttareni Achyranthes aspera Amaranthaceae Leaves and roots To cure dental problems, piles, colic boils. It is diuretic. Used for pyrrhoea. 9 Ranapala Bryophyllum pinnatum Crassulaceae Leaves To cure diarrhea, dysentery, cholera. Leaves are antiseptic, astringent. Leaf Juice dissolves kidney stones, reduces hypertension 10 Budidha gummadi Benincasa hispida Cucurbitaceae Fruit Regulation of body temperature, to get cure from constipation, acts as blood coagulant, helps to remove urinary stones, enhances memory power 11 Jilledu Calotropis procera Asclepiadaceae Stem and leaves Fermentation for swellings and to reduce knee joint pains, stomachic, 12 Boppayi Carica papaya Caricaceae Fruit and leaves Anti-helminthic, stomachic, treatment for malaria. 13 Tangedu Cassia auriculata Fabaceae leaves, flowers , Seeds, roots Root decoctions used against diabetes urinary diseases and constipation. To cure skin diseases and Asthma. It has anti bacterial activity. Powdered seeds give relief in rheumatism. 14 Saraswathi aku Centella asiatica Apiaceae Leaves To improve memory, remedy for skin diseases, ulcers. Used for improving the blood and nervous system 15 Shankapushpam Clitoria ternatea Fabaceae Leaves, flower, roots To treat sexual ailments, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, anti-stress activity. 16 Daniyalu Coriandrum sativum Umbelliferae Leaves and seeds Used to treat throat infection. It is stomachic, diuretic, carminative 17 Jeela karra Cuminum cyminum Apiaceae Seeds Beneficial for poor digestion, swellings, vomiting, chronic fever. Also has anti microbial and anti fungal properties. 18 Pasupu Curcuma longa Zingiberaceae Rhizome Anti septic, Anti helminthic. It is given in diarrhea, jaundice and urinary troubles. 19 Ummetta Datura stamonium Solanaceae Flower, seeds Pain reliever, to treat bronchitis, treating fistulas 20 Usiri Emblica officianalis Euphorbiaceae Fruit Source of Vitamin-C, to cure cough, hyper acidity and diabetes 21 Nilgiri Eucalyptus obliqua Myrtaceae bark, leaves Oil extracted from leaves are used for treatment for asthma and bronchitis and skin diseases. 22 Marri chettu Ficus bengalensis Moraceae Fruit, aerial roots, bark, Bark has anti diabetic effect. Leaves are used as remedy for bacterial infections, painful joints and swellings. Milky latex remedy for bleeding piles, gum infections. Aerial roots are remedy for Diarrhoea. 23 Medi chettu Ficus racemosa Moraceae Bark Used to cure skin boils 24 Gorinta aku Lawsonia inermis Lythraceae leaves Anti-helminthic, relieves from dysentery, liver disorders, body heat regulation 25 Kakara kaya Momordica charantia Cucurbitaceae Fruit Anti- diabetic, stomachic, anti helminthic agent. 26 Jajikaya Myristica fragrans Myristicaceae Fruit Carminative , digestive, astringent 27 Sabza aku Ocimum basilicum Lamiaceae Leaves, seeds Reduces ear infection and heals minor wounds. 28 Tulasi Ocimum tenuiflorum Lamiaceae leaves Leaves are expectorant, leaf juice is given in chronic fever, hemorrhage dysentery and used to check vomiting 29 Nallamandu Papaver somniferum Papaveraceae Seeds, leaves To reduce body pains 30 Nela usiri Phyllanthus niruri Euphorbiaceae Leaves, roots Used as remedy for kidney stones, liver disorders, bacterial infections,

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 31 diabetic treatment. 31 Thamalapaku Piper betel Piperaceae leaves Anti septic. Leaf juice is used to treat indigestion diarrhoea and laryngitis. 32 Mirialu Piper nigrum piperaceae Fruit, root Appetizer, anti-dote, used to treat bronchitis, cold. 33 Gangavalli Portulaca oleracea Portulaceae Leaves, stem Source of Vitamin –A, Vitamin-C and B-Complex. Anti oxidant, rich in omega-3 fatty acids-reduces coronary heart diseases. used to treat bacillary dysentery, hemorrhoids, post partumbleeding 34 Badam Prunus amygdalus; Rosaceae fruits, nut Increases brain activity, and high Syn. Prunus communis density lipoproteins. Regulate blood pressure. 35 Agise / avise Sesbania grandifolia Fabaceae Leaves, Flowers Anti-inflammatory, used to cure Leucorrhoea, Vaginal infections, Migraine small pox and it is used as mouth freshener, 36 Allaneredu Syzygium cumini Myrtaceae Fruit Relieves stomach pain, carminative, anti-diuretic. Cures digestive disorders It has anti diabetic property. Increases hemoglobin 37 karakkaya Terminalia chebula Combretaceae Fruit Stomachic, fruit pulp is given in chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, asthma, urinary disorders, vomiting and liver disorders. 38 Tippateega Tinospora cordifolia Menispermaceae Leaves Good for anemia, diabetes. It is a blood purifier and treat liver disorders.

39 Vavilaku Vitex negundo Lamiaceae Leaves To reduce body pains, anti- inflammatory 40 Penneru gadda Withania somnifera Solanaceae Roots, Leaves Restorative tonic, reduce nervous disorders, aphrodiasiac, used to treat rheumatic pain, inflammation of joints 41 Allam Zingiber officinale Zingiberaceae Rhizome Carminative, digestive stimulant, stomachic. Used to treat piles , rheumatism and pulmonary diseases Increasing Awareness and Pro-active policies of the state in Improving Environment and bio-diversity in Nizamabad District Dr V Rajeshwar1 and Smt. P. Latha2 1. Director(E), All India Radio(FM) Nizamabad & Karimnagar , 2. Dept. of Botany, Govt. Degree College, Armur, Dist Nizamabad. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract:It is an indisputable issue that, environmental degradation is a worldwide phenomenon after industrial revolution and scientific advancements, which is badly impacting the bio-diversity. The environmental degrading factors include, rising population on the one side and diminishing animals and plant are another side. In addition, there are industrial radiations and waste, garbage and disposal of poisonous materials into the sea and on to the land area are greatly contributing to the environmental degradations worldwide, effecting bio-diversity. The same type of scenario can be observed in the Nizamabad district areas also. The air is polluted due to smoke coming from the Sugar and bread Factories which are located near to the towns. The two and four wheeler vehicles utilities are increasing, so as the emissions. The forest area of the district is only 22 per cent which is 11 percent below the environmentally acceptable 33 per cent of the land should be covered with forest area. But thanks to the realizations of scientists and educationists about the environmental degradations and their concern for human, animal and plant i.e. bio-diversity on the earth. The planners and state are now concerned about environmental degradations and focusing to improve the environmental conditions, to safeguard the bio-diversity. This environmental awareness among scientist, educationists, policy makers, administrators and common people made them to participate in improving the environmental conditions and thereby increasing the bio-diversity. This paper discusses about major factors which have helped in the improvement of the environmental conditions in the district such as water conservation, wild life protection and forests, social forestry, agricultural activities, irrigation dams, flora and fauna, industrialization and environmental protection acts operating in the district.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 32 Key words: Awareness, Bio-diversity, Environment, Policies, State. Introduction: Geographical location:Nizamabad is predominantly an agricultural and animal husbandry district. Its geographical areas are extended to 7,956 Sq. Km. The district is lying between 18- 10´ and 19 North latitude and 77- 40´ and 78- 37´ East longitudes and is one of the northern districts of the Andhra Pradesh state. The district is bounded on the North by Adilabad district and on the East by Karimnagar district, on the South by Medak district on the West by Nanded district of Maharashtra State and Bidar of Karnataka State. The river Godavari, which enters in the state from Maharashtra constitutes the northern boundary of district, This river also separates the Nizamabad from Adilabad district of Telangana. The district is far away from the seacoast and the climate is in Arid-Tropical nature. Therefore, the annual rainfall in the district is around 1000 mm. The monsoons period in the district is from June to September. The temperatures variations are observed and the minimum temperature is 13.7oC and maximum is 39.9oC Centigrade. At times the temperature falls as low as 6o C Centigrade in December-January months and touches as high as 47o C Centigrade in May months. The district has 923 Villages in 36 Mandals, out of which 866 villages are inhabited and 57 are uninhabited. Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Armur, Bodhan are the towns with administration set up of municipalities. Lands and Hills of Nizamabad: The land is very important factor which determine the flora, fauna, agricultural practices and bio-diversity in the district. The soils prevailing in the district are black and chalka (Sandy looms) type covering 55% and 45% respectively of the total area. The adjoining areas of Maharashtra state such as the areas of Bodhan, Madnoor and Banswada are mostly black cotton soils, while the rest of the areas of the district are of Chalka type soil. Nizamabad district, which is located on the Deccan Plateau, only the table land is spread throughout the district. The Hills of any considerable range are quite rare, but isolated peaks and rocky clusters occur frequently. The hills which occurs here and there are of rocky Archean and Deccan trap formations. The predominant hills in the district are Archean type which occupies a very large area of 85% compared to Deccan trap formations. A few minor hill range areas are found in the eastern and western parts of the district which houses wild animals and birds. Agriculture and Agrarian Bio-diversity: Agriculture is the major economic activity of Nizamabad district and main source of agrarian bio-diversity. Agriculture is the backbone of the district's economy and about 81% of the working populations depend on agri- culture. The major crops in the district are Paddy, Maize, Sugar cane, Turmeric, Jowar, Soyabeans, Wheat, Chilies, Sunflower, Pulses, Cotton, Pulses, Groundnut and Tobacco. However, Paddy, Sugar Cane and Turmeric occupy an important place in the District. Paddy is cultivatedin all most all the villages but predominantly in Nizamabad, Armur, Banswada, Bodhan and Kamareddy mandals. Sugarcane cultivated inNizamabad, Bodhan, Banswada, Kamareddy, Domakonda and Yellareddy mandals. Turmeric cultivated in Armoor, Kammerpally, Morthad, Balkonda and Bheemgal mandals. Cotton cultivated in Madnoor, Bodhan and Banswada mandals. Maize is cultivated in Nizamabad, Armoor, Bheemgal, Kamareddy, Domakonda mandals. Groundnut cultivated in Madnoor, Bodhan mandals. The farmers of the districts are using modern farming machines such as Tractors , Harvesters , Power Tillers , Paddy Thrashers, Maize spellers, Sugarcane Crushers, Groundnut decorticators etc. Forests and Bio-diversity: Forests in Nizamabad district are distributed mostly on hilly, undulating and sloppy terrain. The forest is covering an area of 1.81 lakh hectares, which 22.6 percent of the total geographical area of the district. As per National Forest Policy, about 33 per cent of the area should be covered under forests to maintain ecological balance and other advantages. There is, therefore, an urgent need to bring barren lands under social forestry to support ecological balancing by increasing bio-diversity. The main forest composition of the district is tropical dry deciduous, dry mixed deciduous, dry deciduous scrub, dry savannah and grasslands and secondary dry deciduous forests. The forest area is represented by a hot summer and generally dry temperate climate. The districtis a home to variety of flora and fauna. The environment of the district is an ideal place to hold variety of wildlife. The wildlife like the tiger, deer, fox, jackal, wild dog, wild bear, birds etc., are found. Flora and Bio-Diversity: As discussed earlier, around 22 per cent of the district land is covered under forest and Jungles. The thick forest belt produces Eucalyptus, teak ebony, black wood, nallamaddi, vippa, bijasal and tarwar. The forest produce, which includes timber, fuel, bamboo and beedi-leaves, yields good revenue to the department. Most of the village women are Beedi workers in the district. Mangoes as horticulture and Custard apples in the forest regions are grown well in

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 33 the district. The teak forests, for which the district was once famous, have been considerably reduced due to indiscriminate and un-scientific exploitation. Coming to renewable resources the woods once felled take long spells about 20 years to regenerate hence that which comes from forests is not assured and also requires very cautious approach as indiscriminate felling of forests is disastrous. Therefore the only alternative is to exploit agriculture sector, which is poised to provide renewable raw material for manufacturing industry not only in substantial quantities but also of wide variety of bio-diversity. Fauna and Bio-Diversity: Very few Tigers, Panthers, Jungle -cats, wild-sheep, blue-bulls, black bucks, Sambar, spotted deer, wild- porcupines etc., are some of the common animals found in the district. Birds like ducks, parrots, teal, jungle fowls, peacocks, partridges, pigeons etc., are also seen in the forests. The wild animals are protected in the forest areas of Pocharam and Alisagar in the district. But the fauna, like the flora, is under danger and unless urgent conservation measures are not taken, this once beautiful district is likely to become barren in the near future. The district is however, is very rich in livestock and animal husbandry. The farmers cultivate domestic animals such as Buffalos, Cows, Oxen, Sheep and Goats, Donkeys, Hens and others. Objectives of the Study: The environment protection from degradation is a very important concern for Bio- diversity point of view and is a global issue. In this scenario, it is very essential to assess the awareness campaigns and pro-active policies undertaken to protect the environment in the Nizamabad district. The study was under taken to answer the following questions. 1) To study the Conservation water resources in the district and their use in irrigation and improvement of environment. 2) To study the efforts made to protect the wildlife and forest to improve the flora and fauna in the district. 3) To study the efforts made to increase the forest ratio to 33 per cent using social forestry concept. 4) To study awareness campaigns undertaken in the district. 5) To assess the industrial potential in the district and the norms to be followed in the establishment and licensing of the industries in the district. The following are the pro-active projects and policies under taken by the government to protect the environment from degradation in the district so as to improve the bio-diversity. Some of them are: Rivers and Irrigation Projects: Manjira and Godavari are the two major rivers flowing through the district. There are two major river valley projects in the district which are very useful in enhancing the agriculture, bio-diversity and they are, Nizamsagar at the South Western end on Manjira river and the other Sri Ramsagar (Pochampad) in the north east on Godavari river. The Godavari river originates in the Western ghats at Triambak, near Nasik in Maharashtra State. It flow about 113 Kms on the Northern boundary of the district, and enters Karimnagar district. Sree Ram Sagar, a major irrigation project was constructed on this river at Pochampad village of Nizamabad District, covering in down flow to Karimnagar and Adilabad districts and some parts of Warangal district. The benefit is received by only 23 villages in Nizamabad district covering 1394 Hectares. Of these 23 villages, 14 villages are under Balkonda Mandal, 8 villages are under Mortad mandal and 1 village is under Kammarpally mandal. There are plans to increase the irrigation to other villages also. The project has also hydroelectric power station with an installed capacity of 3x9 M.V.A. The river Manjeera rise in Patoda Taluq of Bidar district in Karnataka crosses Nizamabad district from South-west and joins Godavari near Kandakurthi village in Renjal mandal. The Nizamsagar project was constructed on this river near Achampet village in Nizamsagar Mandal. The project has also hydro-electric power station with an installed capacity of 3x5 M.V.A. This Project was originally contemplated for utilization of 58.00 TMC of water to irrigate 2, 75,000 acres in Banswada, Bodhan, Nizamabad and Armoor Taluks of Nizamabad District. The underground water potential in plain areas of the district is also substantial. There are other irrigation projects in the district also such as Pocharam, Ramadugu, Kalyani, Nallavagu, Peddavagu, Koulasnala and Gupthpa. In addition irrigation is also carried out with the help of Canals, Tanks, Tube Wells, left irrigation etc., in the district. However irrigation under various sources was decreasing due to inadequate rainfall received. This shows the agriculture in the district is mostly depends up on rainfall. Therefore, safeguarding of environments is very essential

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 34 to avoid repetition of droughts and also to increase bio-diversity. Action plans were prepared for drought proofing in the district to avoid fluctuation in agricultural yield and in rural economy. Pocharam Forest & Wildlife Sanctuaries: The Nizam of Hyderabad developed this forest. Pocharam Forest was the favorite hunting ground of the Nizam and he declared it as a wild life sanctuary in the early part of 20th century. Named after the Pocharam Lake, it is spread over 130 Sq. km. It is located 15 km from Medak and 115 km from Hyderabad. Surrounded by lush green forest, it is rich in flora and fauna and attracts a lot of winged visitors, like the Bar-Headed Goose, Brahminy Bucks and Open Billed Stork. There is a center for Eco-tourism where visitors can see five species of Antelopes and Deer. The sanctuary is home to animals like Leopard, Forest Cat, Wild Dog, Wolf, Jackal, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara, Chital, and Four horned Antelope. The district forest department prohibits poaching of animals and trade in products derived from the protected animals as part of bio-diversity. The criminal cases are booked and Penal Punishments will be imposed on culprits who violate the forest laws. Regulation of movement and transit of forest produce as discussed above with duties on such produce. Ashok Sagar, a picturesque lake with beautiful rocks and garden, situated 7 kms from Nizamabad on Basar road is becoming a tourist place. Alisagar is 10 Kms from Nizamabad and 2 kms off the Nizamabad-Basar road. This man-made reservoir built in the 1930s offers a wonderful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city life. The forest spread along with the summer house, well laid out gardens, an island and hilltop guest house make it a favoured getaway. Adding to the attraction is the deer park and facilities for trekking and water sports. It offers everything a tourist can look for. There is an Alisagar Deer Park in the district where one can find exquisite flower gardens and excellent hillocks. Social Forestry and Bio-Diversity: Protection of plants and forestry is a social responsibility of the every citizen. Different government departments and Gram panchayats are being roped in for this purpose. The district has around 21 nurseries. Last year around 15 lakh saplings are grown which are to be planted under the Social Forestry programme in the district during monsoon season. It is estimated that, around half of the saplings are planted in Government lands while the rest in the private lands. The Telangana state is also promoting Haritha Haram to promote social forestry and bio- diversity. They were planted mainly in the premises of schools, colleges, hostels, primary health centres (PHCs), religious places, market yards, industries and along roads and railway lines. The district administration has plans under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan to take up responsibility of planting three lakh saplings at various schools. Efforts are being made to involve villages for this purpose. Indira Kranthi Patham and District Rural Development Agency, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan will take up responsibility of plantation work to promote social forestry. Similarly, the District Water Development Agency will look into the showing of 30,000 bio-diesel plants at all Primary Health Centres and hospital premises in the district. There is a provision for planting of bio-diesel sapling and fruit bearing plants under social forestry to plant in field bunds and in barren and wastelands. Industries: The district industries centre at Nizamabad provide excellent opportunities for investment in industries such as 1) Agro Based Industries: Maize Starch Powder, Corn flakes, Ethanol, Rice Bran Oil, Cotton ginning 2) Horticulture based Industries: De hydration of Vegetables and Fruit Processing, Cold storage, Floriculture 3) Mineral based industries: Granite Polishing 4) Textile based Industries, Spinning mills The important large and medium industries located in the district are; 1) Nizam Deccan sugar Factory, Bodhan 2) Sukhjit Starch, Maize, Liquid Glucose, Mubaraknagar, 3) NZB. Corn products, Sarangapur, 4) NZB. Co-op sugars, Sarangapur, 5) Vajra Granites, Baswapur 6) Feno Fibres, Thanakalan, Yedapally (M) 7) NCS Gayatri Sugars, Adloor, Yellareddy, 8) ABK Newspaper Publications, Nizamabad 9) Sugar factory at Kamareddy 10) NZB Agro- Pvt ltd, Khanapoor, 11) Indur Green power home Pvt ltd , Renjal uses biomass for power generation 12) Sri Bhavani Distilleries (Ind) (P) NZB., which produces Alcohol . All these industries are given permission after clearance from the department of environment and forest for controlling the emissions, poisonous gases and wastes which degrade the environment and impact on bio-diversity. The district administration confers certificates and prizes to those industrialists who protect the environment by following the standards of environmental protection practices in their industries.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 35 The National Environment Awareness Campaign is carried out in the district on 5 June every year. The Government departments, non-governmental organizations, District administration, Colleges and institutions, community organizations and other agencies participate in the campaign. They also organize programmes for creating environmental awareness and impact of global warming due to degradation of climate. Recently, Print, Radio and few colleges have organized ‘Biodiversity Conservation’ campaigns and awareness programmes in the district. The district administration and colleges conducts essay writing, elocution and painting competitions on World Environment Day and prizes were distributed to winners. The district administration confers certificates and prizes to the industrialists, environmental activists and students for their contribution to environmental protection to increase bio-diversity. In additions the district, the environmental day is celebrated every year. Awareness on environment is carried out through Workshops, Training Courses, Camps, Padyatras, Rallies, Public Meetings, Exhibitions, Competitions, folk media, science fairs, Radio and TV talk shows etc., This year, World Environment Day was celebrated in a grand way in Nizamabad. An awareness rally with the theme “Your Planet Needs You-Unite to Combat Climate Change” was taken out under the aegis of Telangana State Pollution Control Board from the collectorate to Police Parade Grounds. Representatives from Jana Vignana Vedika, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Indian Medical Association, Indian Red Cross Society, Andhra Pradesh Nursing Homes Association, several officials and un-officials participated in it. Planting of saplings on this day was organized throughout the district. Environmental Protection laws in the District: Environmental protection measures have been implemented for regulation of emissions of pollutants of air and water in the district. There are four different degrees of state intervention, viz. regulation of information, standards, licensing and price controls. Licensing is the highest degree of state intervention because the firm has to take prior approval from the regulatory agency in order to produce and market the product. The state intervention involves in the administration and implementation of environmental laws to protect environment and bio-diversity. Some of them are as follows: I. Environmental Laws After the 1972 UN Conference on Environment and Human Development at Stockholm, the Indian government enacted the Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1981 (Air Act), and the Environmental Protection Act of 1986. An outline of the environmental legislation(s) in India is given below which are applicable to the studied areas also. 1. The Water Act of 1974 (Amendment, 1988) This is the first law passed in India with an objective to ensure that the domestic and industrial pollutants are not discharged into rivers and lakes without adequate treatment. The reason is that such a discharge renders the water unsuitable as a source of drinking water for the purposes of irrigation and to support marine life. The Pollution Control Boards at Central and State levels were enforcing standards for factories discharging pollutants into bodies of water. 2. The Air Act of 1981 (Amendment, 1987) The objective of the Air Act of 1981 was to control and reduce air pollution. The working of this Act and the enforcement mechanisms are similar to that of Water Act. 3. Environmental Protection Act, 1986 (The EP Act) The EP Act is meant to protect and improve the environment of the nation. It is an umbrella legislation that consolidated the provisions of the Air and the Water Acts. It was environmental disastersthat prodded the Indian Government into passing comprehensive environmental legislation, including rules relating to storing, handling and use of hazardous waste. Government formulates the national environmental standards, prescribe procedures for managing hazardous substances, regulate industrial locations, establish safeguards for preventing accidents collect and disseminate information regarding environmental pollution. The EP Rules of 1986 empowers the formulation of Standards for emission of environmental pollutants. In general the Rules were formulated for working and conduct of business under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The formulated rules are: the Hazardous waste (Management and Handling) Rules of 1989, the Public Insurance Act of 1991 (Amendment, 1992), and Biomedical waste (Management and Handling) Rules of 1998, etc. The civil and criminal penalties are imposed under EP act for the violation of its pollution standards. For example, it imposes a penalty for non-compliance of standards with a fine up to Rs 1, 00,000 or imprisonment up to five years or both.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 36 4. The Product Liability Insurance Act, (1991) The focus of this Act was to provide for the payment of immediate compensation to the victims of industrial accidents. 1. Functional and Structural aspects of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): The CPCBas a nodal agency, it tries to promote cleanliness of surface and ground water; to prevent, control and abate air pollution; to advise central government in the matters of prevention of water and air pollution; to co- ordinate activities of states and settle disputes; to direct and provide assistance to State Boards in prevention of water and air pollution; to formulate minimum national standards; to recognize laboratories for the analysis of samples; to submit expert reports based on the directions of the Court; and to promote research, training and dissemination of information about the prevention of water and air pollution.It consists of experts from Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), National Test House, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), National institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), and Consumer Organizations. The Board has developed 37 and 31 categories of industrial effluent and emission standards respectively. This is in addition to ambient air, ambient noise, automobile and fuels quality specifications for petrol and diesel. (b) Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) The CPCB promotes Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) in clusters of Small-Scale Industries (SSIs) because of the SSIs may have financial constraints, lack space and installation of small effluent treatment plantsat their respective units may not be viable. In addition to this, the CPCB shall keep an eye on whether the established CETPs are effectively working or not. Otherwise, the purpose of its establishment may not be served. (c) Eco labelling Rapid industrialization and urbanization changed the production and consumption patterns. In such a situation, the activities of regulatory agencies alone are inadequate to manage the entire activities. Therefore, a pro-active and promotional role is arisen by the manufacturers and the consumers to prevent environmental pollution with the use of Eco-mark scheme to indicate the product is eco-friendly to the consumer. The manufacturers are given incentives who adopt green technology to produce Eco-friendly products. The Ministry of Environment and Forests then notifies them in the Gazette. In fact, the guidelines encompass the extraction of raw material for manufacturing of a product to disposal of the used product by the consumer. The Eco-mark label is awarded to consumer goods that satisfy the specified environmental criteria and the quality requirements of Indian standards. Since 1991 the Eco- mark criteria has been finalised and notified for more than 16 product categories. (d) Hazardous Waste Management The waste generated by households, hospitals, industries and their improper disposal creates health hazards. The Hazardous Waste Rules, 1989 under the EP Act and the EP Rules direct that hazardous waste disposal sites have to be designed and managed in such a way that no harmful substances reach the biosphere and hydrosphere in an unacceptable quantity. The Board has issued directions to District Pollution Control Committees (DPCCs) to monitor the steps taken by the municipalities for the prevention, control and abatement of pollution in the district. Conclusion Awareness about environmental protection, Biodiversity and pro-activities of the state government are increasing in the district for protection of environment and to facilitate increasing of bio-diversity. Initiatives, such as wild life protection, development of Alisagar, construction of Major and Minor irrigation projects in the district contributed greatly for the stabilization of forest and environment. But, the environmental quality is continuously polluted due to lack of information with respect to scientific knowledge, legal delays and poor monitoring of complianceof the regulatory schemes in the district. Unfortunately, environmental degradation persists due to negligence and improper monitoring. Industrial pollutant testing should be carried regularly to stop emissions and water polluting wastes immediately from the industries. Deforestation and forest produce control needs immediate attention to stop forest depletion. Promotion of nurseries and increase in production of saplings are required and free distribution of saplings to each village under social forestry is required. Steps such as social forestry needs greater push for accelerating the desired forest ratio to increase from 22 per cent to 33 per cent of areas in the district should be covered with forest for equitable environment and to increase bio-diversity.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 37 Agriculture and Green Revolution A.A.Haleem Khan, Naseem*, B. Vidya Vardhini Dept of Botany, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad-503322 *Dept of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad-503322 E mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract: Man of pre-historic time’s food and bread from wildlife resources, progress in time demanded for cultivation of crops. Forest life was prime source of exchange among the different groups and civilization. Tools and techniques were improved in agriculture to increase yield and enhance earnings. Farming of plants suffered lot of obstacles – soil erosion, scarcity of water, scant rainfall, lack of seeds supply, industrialization and labour problem, pests attack, etc. Development in science witnessed of machine use in farming of plants, synthetic chemicals as fertilizers, herbicides, weedicides and pesticides. Over application of synthetic chemicals in agriculture, increased input and reduced output. These chemicals created resistant pest species and physico-chemical characteristics of soil. Decreased output and loan debts for agriculture forced peasants in critical financial condition. In 1960s Dr. William Gadd, introduced term Green revolution that refers to the development and use of such HYV seeds which led to phenomenal increase in the output of food crops. This developmental change in agriculture brought about by the substitution of traditional techniques and methods of cultivation by modern ones. Presently techniques - genetic engineering, transgenic plants, tissue culture brought gradual changes in farming. There are several constrains of technical developments in agriculture. Different economical aspects and present scenario of agriculture will be assessed. Introduction: Agriculture, also called farming or the cultivation of plants and other life forms for food, fiber, biofuel, drugs and other products used to sustain and enhance human life. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the development of civilization. The history of agriculture dates back thousands of years, and its development has been driven and defined by greatly different climates, cultures, and technologies. However, all farming generally relies on techniques to expand and maintain the lands that are suitable for raising domesticated species. For plants, this usually requires some form of irrigation, although there are methods of dryland farming; pastoral herding on rangeland is still the most common means of raising livestock. In the developed world, industrial agriculture based on large-scale monoculture has become the dominant system of modern farming, although there is growing support for sustainable agriculture (e.g. organic agriculture). Until the Industrial Revolution, the vast majority of the human population labored in agriculture. Pre-industrial agriculture was typically subsistence agriculture in which farmers raised most of their crops for their own consumption instead of for trade. A remarkable shift in agricultural practices has occurred over the past century in response to new technologies, and the development of world markets. This also led to technological improvements in agricultural techniques, such as the Haber-Bosch method for synthesizing ammonium nitrate which made the traditional practice of recycling nutrients with crop rotation and animal manure less necessary. Agriculture is still an economic mainstay of many countries, employing about 60 per cent of the workforce and contributing an average of 30 per cent of gross domestic product. Although the efforts of the agricultural research and development communities over the last 40 years have led to successes in improving yields, increasing incomes and contributing to food security, these successes have not been automatic and they have not occurred everywhere. Rural communities and households continue to demonstrate tremendous adaptive capacity in the face of economic and social change, but this capacity needs appropriate social, institutional and political support. Even more challenging, the necessary increases in food production will have to occur at the same time as the climate is changing and as climate variability increases. Agricultural and food systems globally face considerable challenges in the coming decades. The demand for food continues to increase rapidly, as a result of various drivers. Current estimates of human population in 2050 range from 7.96 billion to 10.46 billion; the medium variant estimate is 9.19 billion. Continued population growth could be a significant impediment to achieving improvements in food security in some countries, even as world population stabilizes sometime during the present century. Food demand is also strongly affected by urbanization. More people now live in urban settings than in rural areas. The next few decades will see unprecedented urban

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 38 growth particularly in Africa and Asia. Urbanization has considerable impact on patterns of food consumption, but it is not necessarily associated with a reduction in food insecurity. Historically, the exchange of food and agricultural products has been a key driver of globalization, as was the case with salt, spices, and sugar in earlier centuries. Today, the globalization of the agrifood system is far different in nature: it is more pervasive and deeper, less driven by raw materials, more service- and technology- intensive, and more integral to economic and societal change. Food retailers (as well as restaurants and home producers) serve a world population of more than 6.5 billion and are supplied by the food processing and trading industries, which procure from the farm sector, which is supplied by agricultural input industries. Transactions and trade occur between all these segments, and each becomes more integrated at a global scale, with big players in each of the industries. Modern agronomy, plant breeding, agrochemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers, and technological improvements have sharply increased yields from cultivation, but at the same time have caused widespread ecological damage and negative human health effects. Selective breeding and modern practices in animal husbandry have similarly increased the output of meat, but have raised concerns about animal welfare and the health effects of the antibiotics, growth hormones, and other chemicals commonly used in industrial meat production. Genetically Modified Organisms are an increasing component of agriculture today, although they are banned in several countries. Agricultural food production and water management is targeted as an increasingly global issue that is fostering debate on a number of issues. Significant degradation of land and water resources, including the depletion of aquifers, has been seen in recent decades, and the effects of global warming on agriculture and of agriculture on global warming are still not fully known. The major agricultural products can be broadly grouped into foods, fibers, fuels, and raw materials. Specific foods include cereals (grains), vegetables, fruits, oils, meat and spices. Fibers include cotton, wool, hemp, silk and flax. Green Revolution: Green Revolutionrefers to a series of research, development, and technology transfer initiatives, occurring between the 1940s and the late 1970s that increased agriculture production worldwide, particularly in the developing world beginning most markedly in the late 1960s. The initiatives, led by Norman Borlaug, the "Father of the Green Revolution" credited with saving over a billion people from starvation, involved the development of high yielding varieties of cereal grains, expansion of irrigation infrastructure, modernization of management techniques, distribution of hybridized seeds, synthetic fertilizers, and pesticides to farmers. The term "Green Revolution" was first used in 1968 by former United States Agency for International Development (USAID) director William Gaud. The Green Revolution spread technologies that had already existed before, but had not been widely used outside industrialized nations. These technologies included modern irrigation projects, pesticides, synthetic nitrogen fertilizer and improved crop varieties developed through the conventional, science-based methods available at the time. The novel technological development of the Green Revolution was the production of novel wheat cultivars. Agronomists bred cultivars of maize, wheat, and rice that are generally referred to as HYVs or “high-yielding varieties”. HYVs have higher nitrogen-absorbing potential than other varieties. In recent years India is experiencing a rapid economic growth, especially after the 1990s when India started to liberalize its economy in a full scale. However, the author emphasizes the critical importance of the preceded 1980s when Indian agricultural sector registered a high growth rate. The Green Revolution in India started in the late 1960s and with its success India attained food self-sufficiency within a decade. Genetically engineered (GE) crops and foods have been commercially available in the United States since 1995 and their adoption around the world followed, showing increases each year since their introduction. Whereas the majority of the acreage is in the United States, most farmers who grow these crops reside outside the United States—more than 10 million of the 12 million adopters are in developing countries. These GE crops created by recombinant DNA (rDNA) have been overwhelmingly accepted by farmers, but some consumers remain skeptical. When contemplating environmental impacts of GE crops, it is important to consider that the fundamental issues raised are similar in many ways to those encountered with crops created by other genetic modification methods, such as mutation or marker assisted selection, and cultivated in other ways, such as the use of integrated pest management and organic and biocontrol methods. Bt Crops:Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a widespread soil bacterium, produces insecticidal proteins called Bt toxins. There are many Bt strains that produce characteristic sets of toxins, each with its own activity spectrum that targets

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 39 larvae of specific insect species. For example, some Bt toxins kill larvae of particular species of moths and butterflies; others kill larvae of certain species of beetles or mosquitoes. Bt sprays have been used to control insects since the 1920s, but use of specific Bt toxins has increased dramatically since 1996 with the introduction of GE crops. Bt toxins are also called Cry toxins because they exist as crystals inside the bacterium. Full length Cry toxins are inactive until cleaved to generate their active form in the insect midgut. Binding of activated forms of Cry toxins to receptors in the midgut is generally believed to be essential for toxicity. According to one model, after binding to midgut receptors, activated toxins form oligomers that create pores in midgut membranes, causing contents to leak, ultimately killing the larvae. The precision of Bt proteins for certain insects and their lack of effects in mammals are due to the specificity of receptor binding. Genetically Engineered Crops Food crops were first domesticated from wild species approximately 10,000 years ago when nomadic hunter-gatherers shifted to an agrarian lifestyle. Through human involvement in plant selection a profound effect was exerted on the genetic landscape, as plant species with favorable mutations were selected for propagation. Biodiversity in agroecosystems, which reflects not only species richness, but also the diversity of their interactions, continued to decline with changes in agricultural practices and plant breeding efforts, both of which focused on providing the high yields demanded by expanding populations. These negative effects on biodiversity, sometimes termed genetic erosion, also led to loss of weed species, killing of non-target pests, and destruction of natural habitats for insects and wild animals. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been introduced in the agricultural system and on the market of consumer goods in the last 10–20 years, initially in the USA but also increasingly in developing countries. Since the discovery of genetic engineering, with its potential to modify DNA of living organisms, discussion and controversy have been abundant. Genetically modified crops and foodstuff have been highly controversial for environmental, health, and ethical reasons. The controversies have been worldwide, for reasons that include distrust of the regulatory authorities, scientists and technocratic decision making. In food biotechnology, genetic modification techniques have been most extensively applied to enhance enzyme production by microorganisms used in food manufacture. In agriculture, the focus has been mostly on producing genetically modified crops that are resistant to insects, viral pathogens, and commonly used herbicides, such as Monsanto's Roundup. Experiments are also under way to produce crops with enhanced nutritional and health benefits (functional foods and nutriceuticals), and with the capacity to produce pharmaceuticals (pharming). The metaphor of ‘crops becoming factories, producing vaccines, plastics, industrial starches, and feed supplements and enzymes’ captures the trajectory of this type of research. Major issues Concerns about the introduction of GMOs in crops and in food concentrate on four mutually overlapping areas: environmental concerns; public health concerns; ethical concerns about “tampering with nature” and individual choice; and a combination of ethical and socio-economic concerns related to the issues of patenting. The environmental risks include the possibility of a transfer of the introduced genes to wild plants and non-target insects, and the subsequent emergence of resistant or highly invasive insects and weeds. There is also the possibility of harmful changes in the nutritional status of foods, and decline of the biodiversity of wildlife as a result of changes in the availability of food. Among the health concerns, allergenicity and antibiotic resistance are most often mentioned. Kuiper et al. also discusses the possibility of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of recombinant DNA from GM crop-derived foods to human gut microflora or the human or animal genome, as gene transfer between different organisms is quite common in nature and a driving force in evolution. Despite globally organized opposition, few innovations in agriculture have spread so rapidly as transgenic crops. Still, much remains to be done — particularly the expansion of disease-resistant varieties, increased yields, biofortification of food for poor consumers, substitution of plant-produced targeted endotoxins for broad-band pesticides and, perhaps most crucially, drought-resistant and salt-resistant cultivars. The imperative to develop more versatile and resilient crops for vulnerable farmers and nations is aggravated by the twin global challenges of climate change and ensuring the sustainability of agriculture. The precision, flexibility and speed of genetic engineering in comparison with alternatives become vital when time and resources are short. There is now consid-

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 40 erable evidence that this technological potential is real for the most precarious agroecologies and poorest rural people. Phytoremediation of Toxic Metals from Soil R. Lalitha Govt Degree College, Kukatpally, R.R. Dist. Email: [email protected] Phytoremediation is an emerging technology which uses plants to remove pollutants from contaminated sites. This plant based technology has gained importance in the recent years as a cheap efficient and environment friendly technology for removing toxic metals. Plant based technologies for metals. Plant based technologies for metal contaminations are extraction, volatilization, stabilization and rhizofiltration. Various soil and plant factors such as soil’s physical and chemical properties, plant and microbial exudates, metal bioavailability, plant’s ability to uptake, accumulate, translocate, sequester and detoxify metal amounts for phytoremediation efficiency. We often think of plants primarily as a source of wood, food and fiber. Secondarily we may also appreciate their presence for aesthetic reasons as well as for providing habitat for other species. Increasingly, however, their value as an environmental counterbalance to industrialization processes is being appreciated. Plants have long been recognized for their consumption carbon dioxide and more recently, of other industrial byproducts. Now phytoremediation is used as a technique for removal of toxic metals from soils. Phytoremediation Technologies PHYTOEXTRACTION: The removal of inorganic contaminants from the soil through plant uptake and subsequent harvest and removal of biomass. Phytoextraction is typically used to remove metals from the soil. PHYTODEGRADATION: The breakdown of contaminants by metabolic process in plant also includes breakdown of contaminants in soil by enzymes or other products produced by the plant. RHIZOFILTRATION: the contaminants are broken down by enhanced microbial activity in the rhizosphere PHYTOVOLATILIZATION: This process sequesters or reduces contaminant bioavailability through precipitation or immobilization of contaminants in the soil on the root surface or within the root tissues. PHYTOSTABILIZATION: Plants are used to stabilize contaminated –soils or sediments, thus protecting them from transport by wind or water erosion. The main function is to contain the contaminated material. Advantages of Phytoremediation Phytoremediation is passive and performed without removal of the contaminated soil which requires less maintenance and fewer external energy inputs than alternative treatments, phytoremediation with vegetation also improves site aesthetics creates habitat and can restore ecological function to the site. Alternative treatments are more labor and energy intensive, often more costly and unsustainable. Limitations of Phytoremediation Phytoremediation usually work on sites with low levels of contamination, because these sites have reduced risks and immediate cleanup may not be required. Toxic substances may enter the food chain via grazers, birds or other animals that consume leaves or seeds of plants used for phytoremediation. The burning of leaves of plants containing harmful chemicals could contaminate the air. It requires more space and time than alternative remediation strategies. The rapid increase in population coupled with fast industrialization growth causes serious environmental problems including the production and release of considerable amounts of toxic waste materials in to the environment. Heavy metals are natural components of earth’s crust, but in many ecosystems the concentration of several heavy metals had reached toxic levels due to consequence of anthropogenic activities. These metals are considered to be indestructible poisons and their accumulation in soil for a long period may be highly fatal to living organisms. So phytoremediation the use of plants to extract toxic metals from contaminated soils can be used as an environment friendly clean up alternative for metal contaminated soils which avoids dramatic landscape disruption and preserves the ecosystem. Impacts of Biodiversity Change on Human Health G. Srivani MSN laboratories, Hyderabad When animal and plant species go locally extinct, genetic diversity is reduced, biological communities

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 41 become altered, and ecosystems begin to lose their key functions. Services provided by genetic building blocks, species and ecosystem processes may become compromised, diminish in effectiveness, or even shift from being positive influences on health to having negative consequences. Systems with lower genetic diversity are less buffered against degradation due to human activities or natural disasters. They potentially provide fewer direct resources e.g. foods and medicines. Impacts on provision of food and medicines The provision of food and medicines provides the main link between biodiversity and human health. All food species, whether hunted or gathered in the wild, or grown in the most intensive production systems, occur within ecosystems whose productivity is impacted by the activity of other elements that exist within those ecosystems. The current decline in dietary diversity that ensures essential components such as proteins, fatty acids and vitamins, in both rural and urban populations, may lead to serious deficiencies of minerals, vitamins and trace elements with negative effects on human health. Societal and health care systems can buffer or exacerbate the impacts High income, high GDP (Gross Domestic Product), effective water and sanitation infrastructure and good quality available health care (high quality medical systems and easy access to health professionals) may buffer the negative impacts of biodiversity loss or degradation on human health. Conversely, impoverishment and poorer, inaccessible health care services can exacerbate them. Impacts of climate change on disease emergence Climate change is expected to affect disease incidence and emergence by:  shifting the geographic locations of hosts, vectors and disease causing parasites into new regions;  altering the abilities of parasite species to survive, reproduce, and be transmitted from hosts to humans;  Increasing the frequency and intensity of floods and droughts that create health threats by disrupting sanitation and drinkable water supplies. Such extreme climate events also create a favorable environment for many diseases, such as diarrhea. The World Health Organization has estimated that 67% of vector borne diseases are driven by climate variability. For example, with changing climate conditions in the future, the malaria agent, the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, might be able to spread into new areas. On the other hand, historically affected areas might become uninhabitable by the parasite and its mosquito vectors and thus malaria-free. Challenges As global population rises towards nine billion in 2050, trade-offs between human well-being and competing uses of resources and physical space for food supply and energy production will make it more difficult to maintain functioning levels of biodiversity. Much of future global population growth will occur in areas where human health is at greatest risk because of poverty and natural resource scarcity. Simultaneously, this is where there is significant potential for disease transmission from the wild into human populations. Climate change adds uncertainty. It becomes more difficult to predict which biotic resources and ecosystem functions may be needed for human adaptation to projected food supply disruptions and ecosystem alterations. There will also be shifts in disease patterns and risks, as well as more direct health threats. WHO estimates that half of childhood deaths in low-income countries are caused by malnutrition. Large-scale conversion of cropland to other forms of production, including non-food energy production coupled with inadequate pricing of agricultural goods and services might increase the risk of deaths from malnutrition in the future. Conflicts can arise between short-term benefits versus long-term costs. There are tradeoffs between positive and negative impacts of local biodiversity. For example, malaria can be reduced in the short term by draining wetlands, but in the long term this loss of wetlands causes major shortages in traditional foods and livelihoods (e.g. local fisheries collapse). Shifts to irrigated agriculture increase food production and improve nutrition but, conversely, also expand habitat for mosquitoes. In tropical and sub-tropical regions, this raises the local incidence of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever. While there are multiple benefits of biodiversity, biodiversity can also pose a risk to human health and quality of

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 42 life. For example, in the case of HIV and SARS, there is evidence pointing to the shift of these diseases from animal populations to humans being sparked by increased hunting and consumption of bush meat. Expectations  Management of biodiversity to benefit human health and well-being will require specific policies at appropriate levels (e.g. regional, national, sub-national) that address health needs and criteria for good quality of life of the particular cultures that are affected.  Full economic evaluation of human management of resources, energy strategies and potential developmental pathways should be based on sound planning and development policies.  Responses that mitigate the impacts of ecosystem changes on human health often involve policies and actions outside the health sector.  Quantifying impacts of biodiversity loss on quality of life requires careful assessment using direct measures where outcomes from interventions that change biodiversity cannot be readily anticipated. Medicinal Value of Acalypha indica Linn. B. Sheerisha, B. Vidya Vardhini, A.A.Haleem Khan Dept. of Botany, Telangana University, Nizamabad Plant Morphology: Acalypha indica belongs to family: Euphorbiaceae. It is common herb growing up to 75 cm tall. A. Idica is a Medicinal herb .which is found in India, Pakistan, Yemen and Africa. It grows as a weed in waste areas Gardens and road side. Tap Root system is present. Stem is aerial erect, branched. Leaves are Ovate, Inflorescence is catkin. Flowers are green unisexual in axillaries spikes. Female flowers below held in shallow by cup shaped bracts with toothed margins, Male flowers above very small yellowish green. Fruit is capsule measuring 1.5 *2 mm, 3- lobed tuberculated pubescent. Seeds sub-globes, fruiting thought year. Systematic Classification:Common Names of A. indica Linn: Kingdom - Plant Haritha Manjari - in Ayurvedic Phylum - Tracheophyta Indian Acalypha - English Sub- Phylum – Euphyllophyta Kuppaimeni - Tamil Division – Magnoliophyta Khokali, Kupi - Hindi Class - Magnaliopsida Kuppigidda - kannada Order – Malpighiales Kuppamani - Malayalam Family – Euphorbiaceae Kuppichettu - Telugu Tribe – Acalyphace Genus - Acalypha Species - indica A. indica: Roots, Leaves, Stalks are used for Medicinal purposes Chemical Constituent: The Chemical compounds acalyphine and triacetone amine have been extracted from A. indica. The other chemical constitutes include cyanogenic- glucosides and Alkaloids. Medicinal Uses: In vaidyamanorama for Acalypha plant is used to cure toothache (with Zingiber officinale). The purnaruavaadi churna a compound formulation of Acalypha in vidyamanorama used as an aspartic appetizer and stomach ache.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 43 The herb possesses carminative, expectorant, diuretic and emetic properties in folk medicine. A. indica reportedly possesses diuretic, purgative, Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal and anthelmintic properties. This medicinal plant is traditionally used for treating intestinal worms, tooth gum problems, stomach aches, hernia, Rheumatism, Bronchitis, Asthma, Pneumonia, Scabies and skin diseases. It can be used externally and internally for medicinal purpose. Acalypha leaves juice can be applied externally in scabies and other skin diseases. The Tribes in the Nilagiri hills uses its leaves paste to wash and clean their bodies. In Waste Africa the leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. In traditional Tamil siddha it is believed to rejuvenate body. Indian Acalypha is also eaten by cats to cure constipation and indigestion. The cats search for this plants and chew its leaves and roots. Active Principle and Pharmacology: Alcoholic extracts of tender shoots and leaves and roots shows Anti-microbial activity. the juice is found to possesses antitumorproperties. The plant contains a cyanogenic glucoside and two alkaloids-acalphine and triacetone amine possibly a degradation product of glucoside. The other constituents are N-octocosanol, β-sisto sterol, Kaempferol, Quebrachitol, tannin, resin and essential oil, hydrocyanic acid. Common Uses in Day to Day Life:  Intestinal parasite, constipation respiratory problems phlegm: Leaves in water for few hours, filter and take this water in dose of 2 teaspoon full.  Intestinal Parasites: Leaves are washed well and dry completely pulverized to prepare powder. ¼ and ½ teaspoon powder with lukewarm water is suggested to be taken.  Stomach infection: Leaves are grind with few garlic pods, to be consumed with rice.  Piles: Prepare powder with tulasi leaves in equal amount take this powder (2-3 pinches) with little amount of ghee trice a day.  External Uses: Insects bite, boils, inflammation use the Leaves paste. Apply this paste on affected areas.  Skin diseases Eczema, Psoriases, Ringworms, tinea versicolor, skin fungal infection. Grind the handful of leaves and add salt 1 teaspoon in this paste eternally apply on skin disorders.  Headaches: Apply leaves juice on affected areas.  Muscular pain: Prepare extracted leaves juices and add equal amount of sesame oil, cook this oil till all water evaporates and only oil remains, apply thus prepared oil in lukewarm condition.  Skin Rashes: Prepare a poultice of its leaves and apply at affected areas.  Skin wounds Itching: Mix its leaves paste with haldi and apply at effected area. Formation of Biodiversity Management Committees and Preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers Deepak Parmar Dept. of Botany, Government Degree College, Armoor, Dist. Nizamabad Abstract: Biodiversity or Biological diversity is the sum total of all life on the Earth. Biodiversity is a multi- disciplinary subject involving diverse activities and actions. The stakeholders in biological diversity include the Central Government, State Governments, institutions of local self-governmental organizations, industry, etc. Under the Biodiversity Act 2002 the idea of biodiversity management committees (BMCs) was introduced to the country, and the BD rules elaborated on their functions. BMCs are envisaged as the third rung of decision-making on who will access, use, and/or conserve biological diversity in the local area under their jurisdiction. Data for the formation of BMC’s was collected from the National Biodiversity Authority and data for the Urban and Rural Local bodies was collected from Local government Directory of Government of India. Till September 2015 only 37769 BMC’s were formed in the country which is approximately 15% of the total Local Bodies present in India. Only 10% of Gram panchayats have formed the BMC’s in Telangana state. The Biodiversity Management Committees shall facilitate preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers. The Registers shall contain comprehensive information on availability and knowledge of local biological resources, their medical or any other use or any other traditional knowledge associated with them.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 44 The percentage of PBR’s prepared in the constituted BMC’s is only 7%. When we considered the percentage of PBR’s prepared to the Total Local Bodies we find that it is less than 1%. In respect of Telangana the percentage of PBR’s prepared in the BMC’s constituted it is only 1% and percentage of PBR’s prepared to the total local bodies is only 0.09%. As a first step of conservation, sustainable utilization and Benefit sharing of Biodiversity resources is documentation of the knowledge found at local level, until and unless the BMC’s are formed 100% and PBR’s are also prepared it is very difficult to preserve the local knowledge and traditions associated with Biodiversity. Hence it is very important to constitute BMC’s and prepare the PBR’s at earliest for the conservation, sustainable use and benefit sharing of the Biodiversity. Introduction Biodiversity or Biological diversity is the sum total of all life on the Earth. It includes the vast array of life forms, their individual genetic make-up, their life processes and their inter relationships in communities and ecosystem. India is one of the 12-mega diverse countries of the world. With only 2.5% of the land area, India already accounts for 7.8% of the global recorded species. India is also rich in traditional and indigenous knowledge, both coded and informal. Background India is a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992). Recognizing the sovereign rights of States to use their own biological resources, the Convention expects the parties to facilitate access to genetic resources by other Parties subject to national legislation and on mutually agreed upon terms (Article 3 and 15 of CBD). Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity recognizes contributions of local and indigenous communities to the conservation and sustainable utilization of biological resources through traditional knowledge, practices and innovations and provides for equitable sharing of benefits with such people arising from the utilization of their knowledge, practices and innovations. Biodiversity is a multi-disciplinary subject involving diverse activities and actions. The stakeholders in biological diversity include the Central Government, State Governments, institutions of local self-governmental organizations, industry, etc. I n 2004, India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) officially gazetted the implementing rules for the Biological Diversity (BD) Act, 2002. It is under the BD Act that the idea of biodiversity management committees (BMCs) was introduced to the country, and the BD rules elaborated on their functions. BMCs are envisaged as the third rung of decision-making on who will access, use, and/or conserve biological diversity in the local area under their jurisdiction. Section 41 of the Act states that .(1) Every local body shall constitute a Biodiversity Management Committee within its area for the purpose of promoting conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biological diversity including preservation of habitats, conservation of land races, folk varieties and cultivars, domesticated stocks and breeds of animals and microorganisms and chronicling of knowledge relating to biological diversity. (2) The National Biodiversity Authority and the State Biodiversity Boards shall consult the Biodiversity Management Committees while taking any decision relating to the use of biological resources and knowledge associated with such resources occurring within the territorial jurisdiction of the Biodiversity Management Committee. (3) The Biodiversity Management Committees may levy charges by way of collection fees from any person for accessing or collecting any biological resource for commercial purposes from areas falling within its territorial jurisdiction Accordingly, the United Andhra Pradesh passed the“Andhra Pradesh Biological Diversity Rules”, 2009 and later the Telangana Government formulated the Telangana State Biological Diversity Rules 2015 on 14 May 2015. Rule 22 of the Telangana State Biological Diversity Rules states that Sub-Rule (1) Every local body shall constitute a Biodiversity Management Committee within its area of jurisdiction.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 45 Accordingly, Biodiversity Management Committees are to be constituted at Zilla Parishad, Mandal Parishad and Gram Panchayat level as well as at Municipality and Municipal Corporation level. The key mandate of the Biodiversity Management Committees will be to ensure conservation, sustainable utilization and equitable sharing of benefits from the biodiversity. The Biodiversity Management Committees will be responsible for ensuring the protection of the knowledge recorded in the people’s Biodiversity Registers, especially to regulate its access to outside agencies and individuals. (9) The other functions of the Biodiversity Management Committees are to advise on any matter referred to it by the State Biodiversity Board or Authority for granting approval, to maintain data about the local aids and practitioners using the biological resources. (12) The Committee shall also maintain a Register giving information about the details of the access to biological resources and traditional knowledge granted, details of the collection fee imposed and details of the benefits derived and the mode of their sharing. (13) The Biodiversity Management Committee at Gram Panchayat / Mandal Parishad Municipality / Municipal Corporation level may decide the terms on which it would permit access to biodiversity resources and associated knowledge to different parties for various purpose within their jurisdiction and levy charges by way of collection of fees from any person for accessing or collecting any biological resource for commercial purpose from the area falling within its jurisdiction. (15) The Gram Panchayat / Municipality / Municipal Corporation level Biodiversity Management Committees shall prepare a Biodiversity Management Plan using output from People’s Biodiversity Register and will be responsible for or participate in its implementation. Objective: To analyze the present state of formation and functioning of BMC’s and preparation of PBR’s in India with particular reference to Telangana state. To assess and measure BMC’s setup at National for the effective implementation of NB 2002in Material and Methods  Study the legislation and Action Plan for the implementation of Biological Diversity (BD) Act, 2002 and Telangana State Biological Diversity Rules  Analysis of the implementation strategies of Biological Diversity (BD) Act, 2002 and Telangana State Biological Diversity Rules with respect to BMC’s and PBR’s.  Collection of data corresponding to formation of BMC’s in various states of India.  Collection of data corresponding to formation of BMC’s in districts of Telangana state  Collection of data corresponding to preparation of PBR’s .  Assessing the present state of progress in Biological Diversity (BD) Act, 2002 and Telangana State Biological Diversity Rules with reference to formation of BMC’s and preparation of PBR’s. Formation of Biodiversity Management Committees Data for the formation of BMC’s was collected from the National Biodiversity Authority and data for the Urban and Rural Local bodies was collected from Local government Directory of Government of India Following is the status of Formation of BMC’s in India:

S.No Name of the State No. of Districts Urban Local No. of Mandals No. of Gram Total No. of BMC's No. of BMC's % Bodies Panchayats to be Constituted Actually Constituted

1 Andhra Pradesh 13 120 660 12918 13698 1107 8 2 Arunachal Pradesh 17 17 151 1780 1948 43 2 3 Assam 21 133 191 2193 2517 171 7 4 Bihar 38 136 534 8398 9068 0 5 Chatttisgarh 27 185 146 10787 11118 27 0 6 Goa 2 14 191 205 54 26 7 Gujarat 26 247 223 14062 14532 3405 23

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8 Himachal Pradesh 12 50 77 3243 3370 155 5 9 Haryana 21 79 126 6208 6413 0 10 Jharkhand 24 41 259 4424 4724 66 1 11 Jammu & Kashmir 22 77 320 4172 4569 0 12 Karnataka 30 258 176 6006 6440 4636 72 13 Kerala 14 93 152 941 1186 1043 88 14 Madhya Pradesh 51 417 313 22871 23601 23743 101 15 Maharashtra 34 402 351 28004 28757 890 3 16 Manipur 10 37 3011 3048 52 2 17 Meghalaya 9 9 94 18 Mizoram 22 913 935 221 24 19 Nagaland 19 1219 1238 10 1 20 Odisha 30 114 314 6211 6639 230 3 21 Rajasthan 33 228 295 9894 10417 31 0 22 Punjab 22 178 146 13083 13407 55 0 23 Sikkim 4 7 176 183 13 7 24 Tamil Nadu 31 700 385 12524 13609 16 0 25 Telangana 9 69 438 8695 9202 710 8 26 Tripura 8 20 35 591 646 217 34 27 Uttar Pradesh 75 646 821 59160 60627 32 0 28 Uttarkhand 13 92 95 7970 8157 751 9 29 West Bengal 19 128 341 3342 3811 176 5 Total 608 4538 6569 248220 259327 37769 15 Analysis Till September 2015 only 37769 BMC’s were formed in the country which is approximately 15% of the total Local Bodies present in India. Highest Number of BMC’s are formed in Madhya Pradesh which has achieved 100% BMC’s in the all Local Bodies of the state. Highest Number of BMC;s are formed In Madhya Pradesh(100%), Kerala(88%), Karnataka (72%) and Tripura (34%) in the remaining states less than 25% of BMC are formed in the states. In Telangana state if we take the formation of BMC’s in the districts S.No. Name of the District No. of Urban No. of No. of Gram Total No. of BMC's Actual No. of % Local Bodies Mandals Panchayats to be Constituted BMC's Constituted 1 Adilabad 5 52 866 918 135 15 2 Karimnagar 12 57 1207 1264 38 3 3 Khammam 6 41 671 712 119 17 4 Mahbubnagar 9 64 1330 1394 124 9

5 Medak 8 46 1077 1123 110 10 6 Nalgonda 7 59 1176 1235 82 7 7 Nizamabad 4 36 718 754 102 14 8 Rangareddy 8 33 688 721 93 13 9 Warangal 9 50 962 1012 94 9 Totals 68 438 8695 9133 897 10 Only 10% of Gram panchayats have formed the BMC’s in Telangana state. People’s Biodiversity Register The Biodiversity Management Committees shall facilitate preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers. The Registers shall contain comprehensive information on availability and knowledge of local biological resources, their medical or any other use or any other traditional knowledge associated with them.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 47 The People’s Biodiversity Registers shall be prepared at the Gram Panchayat/ Mandal Parishad, Municipality / Municipal Corporation level by the respective Biodiversity Management Committee by using the process and the format set by the Board. The status of preparation of PBR’s in India is as follows: S.No Name of the State Total Number Number of % Number of Number of % of Local PBR BMC's Actually PBR Bodies Constituted

1 Andhra Pradesh 13698 28 0.204409 1107 28 3

2 Arunachal Pradesh 1948 0 43 0

3 Assam 2517 6 0.238379 171 6 4

4 Bihar 9068 0

5 Chatttisgarh 11118 7 0.062961 27 7 26

6 Goa 205 0 54 0

7.. Gujarat 14532 133 0.915222 3405 133 4

8.. Himachal Pradesh 3370 0 155 0

9 Haryana 6413 0 0 0

10 Jharkhand 4724 11 0.232854 66 11 17

11 Jammu & Kashmir 4569 0

12 Karnataka 6440 468 7.267081 4636 468 10

13 Kerala 1186 758 63.91231 1043 758 73

14 Madhya Pradesh 23601 704 2.982924 23743 704 3

15 Maharashtra 28757 37 0.128664 890 37 4

16 Manipur 3048 10 0.328084 52 10 19

17 Meghalaya 9 0 94 0

18 Mizoram 935 3 0.320856 221 3 1

19 Nagaland 1238 0 10 0

20 Odisha 6639 76 1.144751 230 76 33

21 Rajasthan 10417 0 31 0

22 Punjab 13407 0 55 0

23 Sikkim 183 0 13 0

24 Tamil Nadu 13609 0 16 0

25 Telangana 9202 9 0.097805 897 9 1

26 Tripura 646 126 19.50464 217 126 58

27 Uttar Pradesh 60627 11 0.018144 32 11 34

28 Uttarkhand 8157 22 0.269707 751 22 3

29 West Bengal 3811 76 1.994227 176 76 43

Total 259327 2485 1 37769 2485 7 The percentage of PBR’s prepared in the constituted BMC’s is only 7% Highest number of PBR’s prepared is in Kerala which is 73% Followed by Tripura (58%) and West Bengal (43%) Though Madhya Pradesh has achieved 100% in formation of BMC’s but the percentage of PBR’s prepared is only 3% When we considered the percentage of PBR’s prepared to the Total Local Bodies we find that it is less than 1% In respect of Telangana the percentage of PBR’s prepared in the BMC’s constituted it is only 1% and percentage of PBR’s prepared to the total local bodies is only 0.09%.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 48 Conclusion: Biodiversity is first and foremost a local item. It is through our daily activities that we impact biodiversity and it is through local actions that the situation can be addressed efficiently.Hence the success of state biodiversity boards is measured in terms of the number of committees set up. In addendum 2014 to National Biodiversity Action Plan 2008 National Biodiversity target is by 2020 significant population of the country, especially youth is aware of values of biodiversity and steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably. National Biodiversity Act was formed in 2002 and was implemented in 2004, in this 11 years up to 2015 only 15% of BMC’s have been constituted and less than 1% of the PBR’s have been prepared. In Telangana, the act came in action in 2009 through AP Biodiversity Rules and till now only 10% of BMC’s have been constituted and 1% of PBR’s prepared. By this trend it is very difficult to achieve the National Action Plan for Biodiversity targets till 2020. And as first step of conservation, sustainable utilization and Benefit sharing is documentation of the knowledge found at local level, until and unless the BMC’s are formed 100% and PBR’s are also prepared it is very difficult to preserve the local knowledge and traditions associated with Biodiversity. It is very possible that we may lose the sources, traditions and knowledge associated with Biodiversity until and unless it is documented in PBRs Revised PBR guidelines 2013 issued by the National Biodiversity Authority states that the PBR is important base document in the legal arena as evidence of prior knowledge and hence careful documentation is necessary. Hence it is very important to constitute BMC’s and prepare the PBR’s at earliest for the conservation, sustainable use and benefit sharing of the Biodiversity. Agrobiodiversity: With Special Reference to Crop Diversity of Telangana, India *P.Rupa, ** N. Laxmibhavani, ***A. Chandrashekar Reddy and ****P. Ayodhya Reddy *Dept of Botany, GDC (Autonomous) (P.G), Siddipet, Medak (D), Telangana, **Dept of Botany, UCS, Saifabad, O.U, Hyderabad, ***Dept. of Botany, Sai brilliant Junior College, Gajwel, Medak, (D), Telangana ****Dept of Zoology, GDC (Autonomous), Siddipet, Medak (D), Telangana. Email: [email protected] Abstract: Agricultural biodiversity is a vital sub-set of biodiversity. The variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture. Agro bio diversity includes crop diversity, wild plant diversity, aquatic diversity, livestock diversity, microbial diversity, genetic diversity and arthropod diversity. The present paper mainly focused on crop diversity of India as well as Telangana, also discussed the changes in cropping systems of traditional to modern, and especially in Telangana and researcher added few suggestions to the conservation of diversified crops. Key words: Agro biodiversity, Crop diversity, Telangana, and Conservation Introduction Agricultural biodiversity is a vital sub-set of biodiversity. Food and livelihood security of many people depend on various biological resources that are important for food and agriculture. Agricultural biodiversity is also known as agro biodiversity or the genetic resources for food and agriculture. It includes harvested crop varieties, livestock breeds, fish species and non-domesticated (wild) plants within the field, forest, tree products and wild animals. Non- harvested species in agro biodiversity that support food provision, including soil microorganisms, pollinators and other insects such as bees, butterflies, earthworms, greenflies. Definition of Agrobiodiversity The variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms that are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture, includes crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries. It comprises the diversity of genetic resources (varieties, breeds) and species used for food, fodder, fiber, fuel and pharmaceuticals. It also includes the diversity of non- harvested species that support production (soil micro-organisms, predators, pollinators), and those in the wider environment that support agro-ecosystems (agricultural, pastoral, forest and aquatic) as well as the diversity of the agro-ecosystems (Source: FAO, 1999a). It has also been defined broadly as “the part of biodiversity which nurtures people and is nurtured by people” (FAO, 1995). The Role of Agrobiodiversity Experience and research have shown that agro biodiversity can:

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 49  Increase productivity, food security, and economic returns.  Reduce the pressure of agriculture on fragile areas, forests and endangered species.  Make farming systems more stable, and sustainable.  Conserve soil and increase natural soil fertility and health.  Contribute to sustainable development.  Increase diversifies products and income opportunities.  Help maximize effective  Use of resources and the environment.  Reduce dependency on external inputs.  Improve human nutrition and provide sources of medicines and vitamins.  Conserve ecosystem structure and stability of species diversity.

Agrobiodiversity is Central to Overall Biodiversity

Source: FAO, 2009 Components of Agro Biodiversity Crop Diversity Crop diversity also referred as plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), the diversity within and among crops, their wild relatives and wild edible plant species. This diversity has evolved over thousands of years in a dynamic interaction between nature and humans, as part of their agricultural activities. It provides the biological foundation for food production and food security and contributes to economic development (Second Global Plan of Action, FAO, 2011). About 7000 species are used in agriculture but now three (wheat, rice and maize) provide half of the world plant derived calorie intake. Crop diversity includes food grains, cash crops, plantation crops and horticulture crops. Wild Plant Diversity In India, the tribal and rural people traditionally used about 9500 wild plants for various purposes such as medicine, food, fodder, fuel, fiber, essence, culture and other miscellaneous purposes (Mishra and Mishra, 2014). Most of the wild food plants are rich in nutrients, minerals and vitamins (swain et al., 2013). Majority of the wild edible plant species are consumed by tribal and nontribal poor people due to their poor economic condition and medicinally used against different diseases. Live Stock Diversity Livestock production is booming. It already accounts for 40% of the world’s agricultural gross domestic product, and livestock production is the fastest-growing sub-sector of agriculture (FAO 2009). Livestock are used by humans to provide a wide range of products and services. Global meat and milk production are expected to double in the first half of the 21st century (FAO 2009). Foods derived from animals are an important source of nutrients (Givens, 2010) .Of about 50000 known mammals and bird species only about 40 have been domesticated. These species provide people not only food but also clothing, fertilizer and fuel.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 50 Aquatic Diversity Aquatic biodiversity is the rich and wonderful variety of plants and animals from crayfish to catfish, from mussels to mayflies, from tadpoles to trout that live in watery habitats (Hendrik and Martens 2005). Aquatic biodiversity can be defined as the variety of life in the freshwater, tidal, and marine regions of the world and their interactions. Aquatic biodiversity encompasses freshwater ecosystems, including lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers, streams, groundwater, and wetlands. It also consists of marine ecosystems, including oceans, estuaries, salt marshes, sea grass beds, coral reefs, kelp beds, and mangrove forests. Aquatic biodiversity includes all unique species, their habitats and interaction between them. It consists of phytoplankton, zooplankton, aquatic plants, insects, fish, birds, mammals, and others. Aquatic biodiversity has enormous economic and aesthetic value and is largely responsible for maintaining and supporting overall environmental health. Humans have long depended on aquatic resources for food, medicines, and materials as well as for recreational and commercial purposes such as fishing and tourism. Microbial Diversity Microorganisms are very diverse and include all the bacteria, protozoa, archaea, microscopic fungi, algae and rotifers. The diversity of microorganisms is critical to the functioning of the ecosystem, because there is the need to maintain ecological processes such as decomposition of organic matter, nutrient cycling, soil aggregation and controlling pathogens within the ecosystem (Kennedy1999). Microbial diversity provides vital properties to the agro biodiversity to maintain soil fertility, pest resistance and large scale production of plant products. Arthropod Diversity The number of arthropod species varies between 1,170,000 and 5 to 10 million and account for over 80% of all known living animal species (Anna Thanukos, 2008). Arthropod diversity includes insects, spiders and other arthropods often act as natural enemies of crop pests. Insects and arthropods serve as pollinators, essential agents for the production of crop plants. Genetic Diversity Genetic diversity includes variability of DNA or genes from one species to another species (variation within species). It is play vital role in the polygenetic and evolutionary studies of various crop varieties as well as medicinal plants. In recent years many researchers have been used various molecular markers to study the genetic combinations and variabilities among the different species. Methodology: Primary data has been collected form official websites of Indian Council of Agriculture and Research (ICAR), Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), Department of Agriculture, India as well as Telangana and seasonal field research. Secondary data has been adopted from articles, research papers and newspapers. Crop Diversity in India India is top producer country of many crops. The major crops in India can be divided into four categories viz.  Food grains : Rice, Wheat, Maize, Millets and Pulses,  Cash Crops : Cotton, Jute, Sugarcane, Tobacco, and Oilseeds,  Plantation Crops: Tea, Coffee, Coconut and, Rubber and  Horticulture crops : Fruits and Vegetables On the basis of seasons, the crops in India have been divided into three categories viz. Rabi crops: The Rabi crop is the spring harvest or winter crop in India. It is sown in October last and harvested in March /April every year. Major Rabi crops in India include Wheat, Barley, Mustard, Sesame, Peas etc. Kharif crops: Kharif crop is the summer crop or monsoon crop. Kharif crops are usually sown with the beginning of the first rains in July, during the south-west monsoon season Major Kharif crops of India include Millets (Bajra and Jowar), Paddy (Rice), Maize, Black gram, Groundnut, Red Chilies, Cotton, Soybean, Sugarcane, Turmeric etc.. Zaid crops: Zaid Crop is grown in some parts of country during March to June. Prominent examples are Muskmelon, Watermelon, Vegetables of cucurbitaceae family such as bitter gourd, pumpkin, ridged gourd etc. Major Crops of India  Rice: Rice is a Kharif crop. It covers one third of total cultivated area of India. India has abundant resources of wild species of paddy particularly Oryza nivara, O. officinalis and O. granulata. The wild species of paddy can be found in many different natural habitats, from shade to full sunlight, and can be

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 51 either annual or perennial in nature According to an estimate, about 50,000 land races of paddy are expected to exist in India (Sanjay etal.).  Wheat: Wheat is the second most important crop of India after Rice. It’s a Rabi Crop. It is the staple food in north and north western India. It’s a winter crop and needs low temperature for its cropping.  Coarse Cereals / Millets: Coarse Cereals / Millets are the short duration warm weather (Kharif) crops used both as food and fodder. Important millets are Jawar, Bajra, Ragi etc. The areas under these crops have fallen drastically in recent years in India. The coarse cereals and millets are grown in areas with high temperature and are called dryland crops.  Maize: Maize (Zea mays L) is one of the most versatile emerging crops having wider adaptability under varied agro-climatic conditions. Globally, maize is known as “Queen of Cereals”. In India, maize is the third most important food crops after rice and wheat. Maize in India, contributes nearly 9 % in the national food basket.  Pulses: Most pulses are leguminous crops and provide proteins to the vegetarian population. Major pulses of India include Gram, Tur or arhar (Pigeon Pea or Red Gram), urd (black gram), mungdal (green gram), masur (lentil), kulthi (horsegram), matar (peas), etc.  Sugarcane: Sugarcane belongs to bamboo family of plants and is indigenous to South Asia. In India, it is one of the most important Kharif crops.  Cotton: Cotton is the most important fiber crop and cotton seed is used as a vegetable oil and fodder of cattle for better milk production. Cotton is a Kharif Crop and grows in tropical and subtropical areas. Cultivated Species of Cotton in India are G.hirsutum, G.barbadense, G.arboreum and G.herbaceum  Groundnut: Groundnut is most important oil seeds of India. Ground nut accounts for half of the major oilseeds produced in India. India is the second largest producer of groundnut after China. Grown as both as kharif and Rabi crop but 90-95% of the total area is devoted to kharif crop.  Tea: India is the largest producer and consumer of black tea in the world. Tea is grown in 16 states in India. Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala account for about 95 per cent of total tea production. The Statistics Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization reported that, India had grown to become the world's largest producer of the following agricultural products: Fresh Fruit, Lemons and limes, Castor oil seeds, Sunflower seeds, Sorghum, Millet, Spices, Okra, Jute, Beeswax, Bananas, Mangoes, guavas, Ginger, Chick peas, Pigeon peas, Papayas, Chilies peppers, fennel, and coriander. India is the world's third largest producer of eggs, oranges, coconuts, tomatoes, peas and bean. Crop Diversity in Telangana The changes in cropping systems of Telangana indicate a significant decrease in the diversity of crops sown, which have been decreased from 27 to 10 in the Kharif (monsoon) season with a shift from traditional inter-cropping system to a mono cropping system. In the olden days farmers were followed the traditional cropping system. This system included diversified crops such as Little Millet (Samalu), Sorghum (Pacha Jonnalu, tella Jonnalu), Horse Gram (Nalla Ulavalu, and tella Ulavalu), Ground Nut (Palli), Pearl Millet (Sajjalu) Foxtail Millet (Korralu) Red Gram (Erra Kandulu, Tella Kandulu and Nalla Kandulu ),Green Gram (Pesarlu), Tymol Seeds (Vamu) Sesame (Manchi Nuvvulu), Niger (Gaddi Nuvvulu) ,Cowpea( Bebberlu), Safflower (Tella Kusumalu), Sunflower (Nalla Kusmalu), Bengal Gram (Manchi Senegalu), Black Gram (Minmulu) and Paddy (Vadlu). S.No. Major crops Cultivated areas Varieties 1 Rice Top three producer states are West Bengal, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Pusa RH-10, Other rice growing states include Tamil nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, PusaSugandh-2 Jharkhand, Uttara khand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Assam Pusa Basmati-4 Maharashtra. Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Telangana (Pusa 1121) and Kashmir Valley Pusa Sugandh-5 (Pusa 2511) Improved Pusa Basmati – 1 (Pusa 1460) 2 Wheat U.P, Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,, Rajasthan and Pusa Basant (HD 2985) Haryana Pusa Tripti (HD 2833) VSM (HD 2733) Pusa Gold (WR 544) HI 1563 3 Coarse Cereals / Millets Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya TNSC-1 International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 52 Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Telangana APFB-2 GFB-1

4 Maize A.P., Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu and National Capital H-10655, Region, Delhi NECH-117 HQPM-1 JC-1441 5 Chick Pea Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, U.P., M.P, Chattisgarh, Pusa 1108 (Kabuli) Maharashtra and Gujrat Pusa 5028 (Pusa Bheema) Pusa 547 (Desi) 6 Pigeon peachick Pea Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Western U.P. A.P, Telangana and Delhi Pusa 991 Pusa 992 Pusa 2001 7 Indian Musturd Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttara khand, Orissa, Jharkhand Pusa Karishma (LES-39) and U.P. Pusa Mahak (JD-6) Pusa Mustard 21 (LES 1 27) 8. Cotton Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Maharashtra, Karnataka, A.P and LH 900, Telangana LH 1556, F846, AKA 8401, AKH 4, AKH 5,

9 Groundnut Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh , Telangana and Tamil Nadu Punjab-I, Kopergeon-3, KG-61-240, C-501 Source: ICAR & CCI Bulletins: Diversified crops and their varieties cultivating in India. Telangana grows 27 important crops in Kharif and Rabi seasons put together covering an area of about 53.51 lakh ha. The important crops grown are Rice (14.19) lakh ha, Maize (6.63) lakh ha, Pulses (6.11) lakh ha, Groundnut (1.89) lakh ha, Cotton (18.13) lakh ha, Chillies (0.83) lakh ha and Sugarcane (0.41) lakh ha. (Department of Agriculture, Telangana 2014). Conclusion Agricultural Biodiversity includes all components of biological diversity of relevance to food and agriculture. The variety and variability of plants, animals and micro-organisms at genetic, species and ecosystem level which are necessary to sustain and play key functions in the agro-eco system. Agro biodiversity has been slowly and naturally evolving since the beginning of life. Human existence (and that of most other organisms) is heavily dependent on primary producers, i.e. plants. Food security and self-sufficiency particularly depends on the availability of crop genetic diversity. Crop diversity contributes to the stability and sustainability of farming systems. In addition, the crop diversity contributes as a direct or indirect source of several products, viz., medicines, life-saving drugs, vitamins, minerals, various industrial products etc. The changes in cropping systems of Telangana indicate a significant decrease in the diversity of crops sown, with a shift from traditional inter-cropping system to a mono cropping system. Biotic and abiotic stresses such as drought, environmental degradation, pests, diseases, agricultural practices failures, high yield varieties, high market prices are affecting the farmers towards the selection of few cash crops cultivation only. Here significant government policies are needed for the conservation of crop diversity. Role of NSS Volunteers in Conservation of Biodiversity M. Sunitha1 T. Devanna2 S. John Sukumar 3 M. Srinivasa Rao 4 Government Degree College, Armoor. Abstract: The world is giftedly composed of living beings. The variety of flora and fauna beautiful makes our living layer than life. But now conditions are not that easy. This natural heritage is being ruined consistently at a rapid place. The impacts over our environment are drastic and must be positively catalyzed and controlled in no time. The thought of in heritage this nature and biodiversity from our forefathers might be considered a wrong approach. The truth must be clear to us, that this earth is a hired property from our upcoming generations and we must return it to them with positive interest and advantageous investment. The role of NSS becomes very important in this context as constitution of India also envisages that it is fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment. Biodiversity:- Biodiversity the variety of all living organisms including ecosystems, plants, animals, their habitats and genes is fundamental to life on earth. The term biodiversity is used to describe variety and population of non-human

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 53 life here on planet earth. Biodiversity includes everything from tiny microbes to blue whales. All plant and animal species are interconnected and depend upon one another, forming a web of life. These connections create a more biologically diverse world able to protect itself from damage such as viruses and wildfires. Need of Biodiversity:- We need biodiversity for its invaluable ecosystems services, providing oxygen, food, clean water, fertile soil, medicines, shelter, protection from storms and floods, a stable climate and recreation. Total biodiversity is disappearing at 1000 times the normal rate due to human civilization. Disruptions such as population growth, pesticide use, monoculture farming, gardening and climate changes reduce biodiversity and threaten human health, livelihood and survival. Protecting Biodiversity:- We are part of nature and so rely upon what it provides to us like food, drink, medicines and materials. We need to protect and encourage life and habitat upon which life depends, not only for our own survival and the survival of our descendants but also to give back what we and generations before us have taken away. Since consumption of resources is a root cause of biodiversity loss, we can consume less and be more mindful about what we consume. We need to leverage our purchasing power to help protect biodiversity by consuming products that do not harm the environment. Biodiversity & National Service Scheme (NSS):- The idea of NSS was conceived in 1969 to involve the youth in constructive service. NSS volunteers work in adopted villages, colleges, urban slums for serving the cause of society such as environmental protection, health, literacy etc., In present scenario environmental damages is causing loss to the national economy in billions. In spite of Government Policies and no. of laws nothing concrete has been done at the individual level to fight the environmental protection. The role of NSS becomes very important in this context as constitution of India also envisages that it is fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment. With some simple changes we can, as individuals lessen our own adverse impacts. As a group of individuals we have more power to make a difference most people don’t actively try to harm nature and it’s often tricky to see the connections between what we do each day and the consequences as a result. Evolved role of NSS in biodiversity in current scenario:- We are treating environment aspect in socio, economic aspect. More focus should be created on sensitization activities. Here are some outlooks about which we can bring awareness among the people in order to conserve our biodiversity.  Sensitization in the villages  Motivating village stakeholders.  Co-ordination between agriculture experts, agriculture officials, research personnel and peasant group.  Representing and resolving the problems of farmers.  Skits / Play on role of biodiversity.  Conducting school level competitions.  NSS volunteers should adopt few plantation areas.  Steps to be taken on forest conservation.  Create bio literacy among village people.  Reduce or quit the pesticides and fertilizers in gardens. They have adverse effects on wildlife population and run off into water sources effecting plants & animals.  Invest and grow wildlife friendly gardens. Volunteer for your local wildlife trust, community garden or conservation group.  Reduce, Reuse and Recycle with an emphasis on Reduce buy less non-essential stuff so that less waste goes into the landfill.  Use an environmental friendly personal and household cleaning product which reduces the chemical contamination of habitat.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 54  Buy local organic food and drink which helps reduce fertilizers and pesticides going into the environment which in turn reduces negative impacts on nearby beneficial insects and adjacent fresh water biodiversity.  Vote - find out about legislation affecting biodiversity. Support people and groups who are acting on long term ecological sustainability. 1. Main Author, Dept. of Chemistry, Govt. Degree College, Armoor. 2. Co-Author, Dept. of History, Govt. Degree College, Armoor. 3. Co-Author, Dept. of English, Govt. Degree College, Armoor. 4. Co-Author, Dept. of Microbiology, Govt. Degree College, Armoor. Agrobiodiversity M.V.V. Satyaveni, N. Siddulu, and A. Ramana Rao Department of Botany, Nagarjuna Government College (A), Nalgonda, Telangana. Email: [email protected] Agro biodiversity or (Agricultural biodiversity) is a fundamental feature of farming systems around the world. Agricultural biodiversity also provides ecosystem services on farms, such as pollination, fertility and nutrient enhancement, insect and disease management, and water retention. As the environmental movement unfolds, the importance of biodiversity and long-term sustainability are indisputable.It encompasses many types of biological resources tied to agriculture, including: • Genetic resources—the essential living materials of plants and animals; • Soil organisms vital to soil fertility, structure, quality and health; other genetic material developed by breeders; • Naturally occurring insects, bacteria and fungi that control insect pests and Diseases of domesticated plants and animals; • Livestock (small and large, lineal breeds or thoroughbreds) and freshwater fish; • Edible plants and crops, including traditional varieties, cultivars, hybrids and • Agro ecosystem components and types (polyculture/monoculture, small-/Large-scale, rain-fed/ irrigated, etc.) Indispensable for nutrient cycling, stability and productivity Agro biodiversity therefore includes not only a wide variety of species and genetic resources, but also the many ways in which farmers can exploit biological diversity to produce and manage crops, land, water, insects and biota. The concept also includes habitats and species outside farming systems that benefit agriculture and enhance ecosystem functions. Over many centuries, farmers have employed numerous practices to use, enhance and conserve this diversity in traditional farming systems. Many such practices continue today: Wild plant and animal species in surrounding habitats also provide services and value to the farming system. Traditional farming methods that maximize diversity include the small-scale poly cultural systems, sometimes called ‘home gardens’, which are still found today in many regions. Numerous studies show that shifting cultivation systems, especially in traditional forms, are agro ecologically diverse and contain numerous plant species. These can also be relatively sustainable in certain areas of the world, especially where economic and demographic pressures for growth are low. Other methods that support high biodiversity are traditional agro forestry systems. Farmers often integrate leguminous trees, fruit trees, trees for fuel wood and types that provide fodder on their coffee farms. The trees also provide habitat for birds and animals that benefit the farms. For example, a shaded coffee plantation in Mexico supports up to 180 species of birds that help control insect pests and disperse seeds. Ethno botanical studies show that the plants are medicinally more useful. Such knowledge is used to make production decisions in various circumstances, for example to select species that are suited for diverse soil types, to expand options of crops to cultivate and/or for conservation purposes. Another important dimension of traditional agro biodiversity is the use of so called ‘folk varieties’, also known as landraces. It is defined a ‘geographically or ecologically distinctive populations [of plants and animals] which are conspicuously diverse in their genetic composition’. Landraces are products selected by local verities. In some areas farmers have developed complex techniques to select, store and propagate the seeds of land races. The numerous practices used for enhancing biodiversity are tied to the rich cultural diversity and local knowledge that support the livelihood of agricultural communities. In many societies, rural women are particularly knowledgeable about plant and tree species and about their uses for health care, fuel and fodder, as well as food.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 55 Agro biodiversity losses Agro biodiversity losses and global food insecurity Developments in agriculture over the last 30 years have brought significant increases in global production, partly as a result of expansion of cropland, partly through changes in technologies over time. What is lacking is the analysis needed to bring biodiversity and sustainable systems to fruition. However, at the same time, the model and patterns of industrial agriculture and the ‘Green Revolution’ have exacted significant biophysical and socio-economic costs and disadvantages in many parts of the world, in both north and south. One of the main concerns has been the serious degradation of natural resources, including soils, water and biodiversity, in and around agricultural land. These trends not only do social harm, but also can undermine productivity. This in turn contributes to food insecurity, which affects some 800 million to 1 billion people worldwide. At the same time, natural resources (including diverse plant genetic resources) are distributed unequally within nations, in regions and across the world. These trends pose tremendous challenges to efforts to meet growing demand for food while conserving resources—one of the most important being the need to address the threat from the erosion of agro biodiversity. The erosion of agro biodiversity is manifested in many different ways and on many different levels, both within farming systems and off farms, in natural habitats and in communities around the world. The various threats to biodiversity emanate from common root causes, linked to prevailing assumptions, conflicting policies and inappropriate production practices, as explained below. Genetic diversity Although people consume approximately 7,000 species of plants, only 150 species are commercially important, and about 103 species account for 90 per cent of the world’s food crops. Just three crops—rice, wheat, and maize—account for about 60 per cent of the calories and 56 per cent of the protein people derive from plants. Reduction in diversity often increases vulnerability to climatic and other stresses, raises risks for individual farmers, and can undermine the stability of agriculture. In Bangladesh, for example, ‘promotion of HYV [high-yield varieties] rice monoculture has decreased diversity, including nearly 7,000 traditional rice varieties and many fish species. The production of HYV rice per acre in 1986 dropped by 10 per cent from 1972, in spite of a 300 per cent increase in agrochemical use per acre. In India, by 1968 the so-called ‘miracle’ HYV seed had replaced half of the native varieties; but these seeds were not high-yielding unless cultivated on irrigated land with high inputs of fertilizer, which poor farmers cannot afford. As a consequence, in many areas the expected production increases were not realized. Highly nutritious as well as robust in lateritic soils, has been threatened with extinction because of its replacement by modern crop varieties. Coffea arabica was first obtained from forests of south-west Ethiopia that have virtually disappeared. Uniform varieties are also common in export crops of bananas, cacao and cotton, replacing traditional diverse varieties. Such changes have increased productivity, but the risks of narrowing varietal selection have become clear over time. Many fruit and vegetable are now extinct. So many local verities are no longer available. So many wheat verities are vanished after HYVs were introduced. Phytoplankton Diversity from Kinnerasani Dam of Khammam District in Telangana State, India K. Rajyalaxmi and M. Aruna* Department of Botany, University College, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad. E-mail: [email protected] Algae play significant ecological role and are being extensively used as indicators of water pollution because they are natural inhabitants of water. Phytoplankton density and their association as biological indicators in the assessment of water quality have been studied by many workers. The present paper deals with seasonal algal periodicity and physico-chemical parameters of Kinnerasani dam of Khammam district in Telangana state. The density of Cyanophyceae was more during monsoon and winter, in summer the density of Chlorophyceae was dominant. The population of Bacillariophyceae was more or less equal at all seasons in the dam. There existed considerable diversity in the algal population including pollution indicator species belonging to Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae. Necessity to promote Biodiversity Conservation Nilofer Naaz, B. Vidya Vardhini, A.A. Haleem Khan Department of Botany, University College, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad Evolution has witnessed approximately 3.5 billion years ago resulted in the number and variety of plants, animals and other living forms in the biosphere. The beauty of nature exists in its richness of variety of living things.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 56 The sum of living organisms in micro and macro size is together coined with term ‘biodiversity’. The richness of biodiversity depends upon the area and climatic conditions of particular region. The area shows variation in genus or species or ecosystem in biome based on genetic alterations. The biodiversity serve valuable services to ecosystem like provide oxygen, food, clean water, fertile soil, shelter. The unlimited consumption of natural resources has become root cause of biodiversity loss resulting in the threat to environment. The improvement of species diversity of plants and animals increases food yield, wood, carbon utilization, soil nutrient remineralization, resistance to various barriers and soil organic matter. The use of ecofriendly products and practices are important need of the day to protect the greenery and biodiversity. Landscape, aesthetics, culture heritage, outdoor recreation and spiritual significance are needed to be improved to propagate the clean atmosphere of future generations. Taxonomic novelties and vegetative diversity assessment of Horsley Hills, Andhra Pradesh, India Mitta Mahendranath and K. Madhavachetty* Department of Botany, SVUCS, Sri Venkteswara University, Tirupati. In this research Assessment of flora and vegetation communities through biosystematics approach and in preparing a comprehensive database has been built from the available data of the unexplored at Horsley hills of Andhra Pradesh, India. The main goal of this research is to reveal the internal floristic diversity, complete taxonomic enumeration of flora of this habitat type, to document the actual quality of these hills and to analyze the biotic factors which determine or affect these two aspects. Identification of plant taxa has been done according to Local Floras, NCBI taxonomy and Plant list search engines and Status according to IUCN 2013 ver 13. GPS documented with Garmin GPS and the Way points were analyzed with Google Earth. APG III classification was followed. Diversity studies made with Microsoft Excel ver.2007 and Origin 7.0 Ver. Studies done on Vegetation diversity assessment and floristic exploration was during (2012 -2015) in different seasons at various specific geographic locations and altitude of Horsley Hills. The study revealed Taxonomic novelties and there is no uniform population of a single species adapted to Horsley Hill environment and there has been more at risk in the population if environment and ecological habitat changes occur and there is great need for conservation of ecomarker species. Conservation of Agro-biodiversity Role of Women M. Sarswathi Dept. of Economics, GDC (M) Nirmal. Biodiversity is an indication of varied biological wealth. This wealth provides communities with food, medicine, raw material for housing and a wide range of goods and services, and genetic resources for agriculture, medicine and industry. However, habitat alteration and destruction, pollution, improper land husbandry, erroneous agricultural practices, and erosion of traditional knowledge about managing biological resources, lack of community initiatives and a lack of appropriate local legislation have destroyed the biological resources in our eco-systems. The concept of biodiversity in agriculture has been referred to as agro biodiversity. Agro biodiversity includes all crops and livestock and their wild relatives, and all interacting species of pollinators, symbionts, pests, parasites, predators and competitors. In agriculture, the influence of human beings in the domestication of biological resources has shaped the diversity of living forms. In the process there is continuous gain and loss. However, in the last century the balance turned to loss. There is irreversible loss of genesis of major concern for global food security. The role of farmers in the development of diversity in agriculture is crucial. Not only have natural processes and conditions contributed to the creation of agro biodiversity. The most frequently cited evidence for genetic erosion is indirect: the diffusion of modern, high-yielding varieties into areas once known for crop diversity. It is observed that women are closely linked to the environment and they are primarily responsible for the gathering of fire wood, collection of fodder, wild food and growing of subsistence crops for survival. Besides fire-wood, collection of water and caring for animals are also some major activities of women to promote conservation of agro- biodiversity. Conservation needs to be promoted through the means of economic incentives. An incentive for conservation is any inducement which is specifically intended to incite or motivate local people to conserve biodiversity. The current global view is that rural men and women are the managers of biodiversity and hold in-depth knowledge of local plants; they are thus the custodians of plant genetic resources, highlighting the key role of rural women in agro biodiversity- based food production systems.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 57 Phytochemical Screening of Drimia indica C. Meera Saheb Dept. Of Botany, PVKN Govt. Degree College, Chittoor E-Mail: [email protected] Abstract:Flowering bulbous plants were important throughout the centuries to mankind. Not only admired for their beauty, but were also associated with mythology, medicine, religion and served as a food supply in certain countries. Bulbous plants have been used in medicine and folklore since earliest times. Bulbs have been used in medicine as early as 1554 B.C. Primitive tribes use bulbous plants widely for herbal medicines and even witchcraft (Eliovson, 19967). One such bulb is Urginea maritima used to cure dropsy (Speta, 1980). Approximately 14% of the bulbous plants are used for traditional medicine (Mander, 1997). An annual amount of 270 million tons of plant material is harvested, processed and sold as traditional medicine (Gosling, 1998). Drimia indica also has its own uniqueness in medicinal values as well as the results regarding phytochemical screening. Review of literature Lectin (Agglutinin) was isolated from the bulbs of Tulip gesneriana (Oda and Minami, 1986; Oda et al, 1987). Four isolectins were isolated from the bulbs of Crocus sativum(Saffron) (Oda and Tatsumi ,1993), Fructo- Oligosaccharides from (red squill), Urginea maritime (Praznik and Thomos,1993).Forty-one bufadienolides were isolated from the bulbs of U. maritima (Kopp et al, 1995), Nine bufadienolides and one lignan from the bulbs of U. maritima (Lizuka et al, 2001). Two bufadienolides-6 beta-acetoxy-3 beta, 8 beta, 14 beta-trihydroxy-12-oxobufa-4, 20, 22-trienolide and 14 beta-hydroxy bufa-3, 5, 20, 22-tetraenolide from the bulbs of Drimia robusta and U.epigea respectively (Chantal Koorbanally et al, 2004). Fresh bulbs of U. sanguinea yielded stigmasterol, phloroglucinol, phlorin, scillaren A, a novel compound 5 alpha-4,5-dihydroscillaren A(1), salicylic acid and 3-hydroxy-4- methylbenzoic acid (Majinda et al,1997). A new spirocyclic nortriterpene, 22-acetoxy-15-dexo-eucosterol was isolated together with a corresponding pentaglycoside from the bulbs of Velthemia viridifolia (Amschler et al, 1998). Thirteen homoisoflavonoids ; nine of which are new (Silayo et al,1999) and three novel compounds, 5,7-dimethoxy -3-(4-methoxy benzyl) chroman -4- one, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-3-(3-hydroxy-4- methoxy benzyl) chroman -4-one from the bulbs of Scilla nervosa (Bangani et al,1999). Secondary metabolites of S.plumbea, Ledebouria cooperi and L.ovatifolia were isolated and identified (Pohl et al, 2001). The bioactivity and ethnobotany of Southern African hyacinthacs were reviewed and isolated phyto constituents from the crude extract (Pohl et al, 2000). Over one hundred polyhydroxylated alkaloids have been isolated from Hyacinthacian family members and others (Alison et al, 2001). Bulbs of S.natalensis and L.ovatifolia were screened pharmacologically and phytochemically(Sparg et al, 2002). The first report on isolation of a homoisoflavanone from an Ornithogaloideae representative, Ornithogalum longibracteatum has yielded 7-0-mithyleucomin of the 3-benzyl -3-hydroxy-4- chromanone type (Mulholland et al, 2004). Seventeen homoisoflavanones were isolated from Southern African Hyacinthaceae species, one from the Madagascan gentian Tachiadenus longiflorus and four were of synthetic origin (Karen et al, 2005). Phytochemical analyses of acetone extracts revealed in Asparagus africana and U. ultissima two classes of phytochemical diversity and Aloe barberri had only one (Bako et al, 2005). From the bulbs of both Resnova humifusa and Eucomis Montana, 12 homoisoflavanoids were identified (Chantal Koorbanally et al, 2006). Bulbs of U.lydenburgensis have yielded two bufadienolides scillicyanosidin and lydenburgenin (Crouch et al, 2006). Four homoisoflavanones were isolated from the bulbs of L.revoluta (Moodley et al, 2006). Two bufadienolides have been isolated from the bulbs of the poisonous South African geophyte D. depressa (Crouch et al, 2007). Bufadienolides–rubellin and riparianin were isolated from the bulbs of D. macrocentra and U. riparia respectively (Moodley et al, 2007). Representatives of three sub families Hycinthaoideae, Ornithogalodeae and Urgineoidea were investigated phytochemically and found homoisoflavanones, steroidal compounds namely, cholestane glycosides and bufadienolide glycosides respectively (Drewes et al, 2011). PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 58 Phytochemical screening of the species Drimia indica was done by the standard procedures prescribed by Amara singham et al (1964); Bhattacharjee (1956); Das and Battarcharjee(1970); Gibbs(1974); Harborne(1984); Wall et al (1954); Frans woarth (1966); Cambie et al (1961); Kokate et al (1999). Preparation of the extract The plant parts (Bulb, Scape, and Leaf) were washed with water, chopped into small fragments and shade dried. The dried samples are grounded into powder and stored in polythene containers at room temperature. These samples are used for further screening of secondary metabolites. 20g of powder in 200ml of solvents were kept in dark for one day. These extracts are concentrated under reduced pressure to one third volume and used for testing of nearly 10 components namely alkaloids, Flavonoids, phenols, steroids, saponins, tannins, lignins, Indols and glycosides. 1. Test for Alkaloids: To the plant extract chloroform was added and the residue obtained was digested with 1% HCl. The resulting acidic solution was divided into 2 parts. To one part was added the Mayer’s reagent and to the second part Wagner’s reagent was added. i) Mayer’s reagent test: Mayer’s reagent was prepared by adding 1.3g of Mercuric chloride and 5g of Potassium Iodide which were dissolved separately in 60ml and 10ml ofdouble distilled water then both the solutions were mixed and diluted to 100ml. Development of precipitation and turbidity shows the presence of alkaloids. ii) Wagner’s reagent test: Wagner’s reagent was prepared with 2g of Potassium Iodide and 1.27g of Iodine dissolved in distilled water and they were diluted to 100ml distilled water. Development of yellowish white precipitate shows the presence of alkaloids. 2. Test for Flavonoids i) Shinoda’s test: To few ml of the extract few drops of Conc. HCl is added and followed by addition of small pieces of magnesium ribbons. Development of pinkish red colour shows the presence of Flavonoids. ii) Ferric chloride test: To few ml of the extract, few drops of Ferric Chloride solution was added. Formation of blackish red colour indicates the presence of Flavonoids. 3. Test for Phenolic Compounds i) Phenols test: To few ml of plant extract 1 or 2 drops of 1% Ferric chloride solution is added. Formation of Intense blue colour indicates the presence of phenols. ii) Ellagic acid test: Few ml of the extract was treated with a few drops of 5 % acetic acid and few drops of 5% sodium nitrate solution. If muddy or brown precipitate indicates the presence of Phenols. 4. Test for Steroids: i) Salkowski test: Few ml of the extract CHCl3 was added followed by the addition of Conc.H2SO4. Formation of red colour shows the positive test for steroidal compounds. ii) Liebermann’s Burchard test: Few ml of the extract is treated with 0.5 ml of CHCl3 followed by adding Conc. H2SO4 along the sides of the test tube.Formation of green colour indicates the presence of steroids. 5. Test for Saponins: The plant extract was evaporated to dryness, Tap water is added and shaken vigourously in the graduated cylinder for 15 minutes. Formation of persistant 2 cm honey comb froth was taken as positive test for Saponins. (Cambie et al., 1961). 6. Test for Tannins i) Gelatin test: The methanolic extract was concentrated and the residue was dissolved in water and tested with 1% gelatin solution (1g of gelatin dissolved in 10g NaCl w/v solution). Apperance of white precipitate is taken as positive test for Tannins. ii) Ferric chloride test: To 5 ml of the extract a few drops of ferric chloride was added. A blackish precipitate indicates the presence of Tannins. 7. Test for Anthocyanidins: To 5 ml of the extract equal volume of methanolic HCl was added. The Formation of red or purple colour considered as positive test for Anthocyanidins. 8. Test for Lignins i) Lignin test: The plant extract was tested by adding conc. HCl and 2% furfuraldehyde. Development of red colour indicates the presence of Lignin. ii) Labat test: The extract was mixed with gallic acid. It develops olive green colour indicates the positive test for Lignins. 9. Test for Indole

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 59 Enrilich test: To 5 ml of the extract Enrilich reagent (5% Dimethyle amino-benzaldehyde) was added. The development of violet colour indicates the presence of Indols. 10. Test for Glycosides: Keller Kilani test: To 5 ml of the extract glacial acetic acid and 2 drops of ferric chloride is added. The contents were transferred to test tube containing 2ml of Conc. H2So4. A reddish brown colour ring was observed at the junction of two layers considered as positive test for Glycosides. Preliminary Phytochemical Screening of D. indica LEAF SCAPE BULB S. No Name of the test Cold Hot Cold Hot Cold Hot Alcohol Methanol Alcohol Methanol Alcohol Methanol water water water water water water 1 Alkaloids Mayers test + + + + + + + + + + ++ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Wagners test + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 2 Flavonoids Shinodons test + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - -

Fecl3 test + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + + + + + - - - - 3 Phenols

Fecl3 test + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - Ellagicacid test - - - - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 4 Steroids- Salkowski test + + + + + + - - + + + + + + - - + + + + + + + + + + + + Liebermann’s + + + + + + - - + + + + + + - - + + + + + + - - Burchard test 5 Anthocyanidins + + + + + + - - + + + + + + ------

Medicinal plants used to cure allergy in Khammam District of Telangana, India Dr. Ratna Manjula, R. Lecturer in Botany, Government Degree College, Rammannapet, Nalgonda District, Telangana, 530 003, India. Email: [email protected] Abstract The present study yielded 12 species belonging to 12 genera and 10 families used for curing allergy by the aborigines of the district. There are three Shurbs, four Herbs and five trees. RUTACEAE and ZINGIBERACEAE are the dominant family with 2plants followed by AMARANTHACEAE,VITACEAE, VERBANACEAE, BORAGINACEAE, MYRTACEAE, SAPOTACEAE, CONVOLVULACEAE, COMBRETACEAE families one each. One practices involved two plants and all others practices involve single plant only. The common allergy diseases are rashes, itching, blisters and cough. The common dosage forms include paste, decoction, juice. Keywords: Ethnomedicine, Allergy, Khammam district, Telangana INTRODUCTION Traditional herbal therapy is an age old practice (Rawat & Chaudhury 1998). This has cured varied diseases in the past and is still a favorite way out for the indigenous tribe. In fact, the traditional healing practices are arousing curiosity among various researches from all round the professions to go in depth into this subject (Tag et al 2005). Ancient traditional treatment methodology earns fame from its ethnic tribes, who still believe that traditional methods of application in curing many incurable diseases where modern medicine definite limitations. For the forest dwelling groups, age old practice of application plant-drugs for bone fracture, jaundice, pneumonia, diabetes, etc are still in demand to their modern counter pant (i.e. allopathic/ modern medicine). The local made herbal treatments along with enchantment for fast recovery by their local doctors are more sought after by the local tribes (Kala 2005). The Study Area Location, Topography and Geomorphology Khammam district came into existence on October 1, 1953. It was carved out from the taluks of Warangal and East Godavari districts and occupies an area of 16,029 km2 covering 46 Mandal Praja Parishads. It lies between 16° 45' and 18° 35' North latitude and between 79° 47' and 80° 47' East longitude. The total population of the district is 25, 78, 927 of which 6, 82,617 (26.46%) are scheduled tribes as per 2001 census. The district presents a rough topography with dissected uplands and hills, which sometimes exceeds 600 m. Temperature varies from 10 to 44° C. The average rainfall of the district is 1045 mm. The main tribes of the district are Koyas, Gonds/Naikpods, Lambadas and KondaReddis. The district has more than 52.6% forest land with 4 divisions. Dry deciduous, moist deciduous, riparian, scrub and grass land forest types are predominant. Though Filarial disease are important

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 60 diseases exclusive studies on it are not many, necessitating the present investigation in Khammam district of Telangana state. METHODOLOGY An ethnobotanical survey was conducted during 2008-11 among the tribal communities of the district. Elder people, medicine men, tribal physicians and village old mothers were consulted to record first-hand information on ethnomedicinal uses, methods of preparation and administration of crude drugs. The information from the tribal people was compared with literature. Enumeration Achyranthes aspera L. AMARANTHACEAE Whole plant VN: Uthareni S: Apamarga H: Chirchitta E: Prickly chaff flower An erect branched herb; leaves variable, pubescent on both sides; flowers in terminal spikes, bracts ovate, bracteoles spinous, wings hyaline, broad; stamens 5, alternating with appendaged staminodes; fruit deflexed. Twenty ml of whole plant decoction mixed with a cup of milk is taken twice a day till cure. Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa. RUTACEAE Stem bark VN: Maredu S: Bilva H: Bilva E: Bael tree Medium sized evergreen tree; leaves alternate, trifoliate, leaflets ovate- lanceolate, obtuse or subacute; flowers greenish-white, sweet scented in short panicles, calyx flat 4-5 lobed, petals 4-5, stamens many, ovary many celled; fruit berry, globose. Stem bark decoction is boiled and the steam is inhaled. Cissus quadrangularis L. VITACEAE Stem VN: Nalleru S: Asthisamhari H: Hadjora E: Adamant creeper Climbing shrub, stem fleshy, 4-angular, glabrous, winged or margined, contracted at nodes; leaves simple, ovate or reniform, thick coriaceous, tendril leaf-opposed, highly coiled; flowers greenish-red, short peduncled, umbellate cymes; berry globose, reddish brown, seed solitary, obovate, smooth. Stem is roasted on fire and juice is extracted. It is mixed with black pepper powder and administered in 20 ml dose once a day till cure. Stem is heated on fire and juice is extracted. Twenty ml of juice is mixed with 7 black pepper seeds powder and taken oraly once a day till cure. Clerodendrum phlomidis L. f. VERBANACEAE Leaf VN: Konda takkali E: Wild killed Large rambling shrubs; leaves deltoid-ovate; flowers cream, in axillary and terminal panicles; calyx campanulate; lobes 5; corolla 5; stamens 4; stigma 2-lamellate; seeds oblong or pyriform. Leaf paste mixed with curd is applied on the affected ares once a day till cure. Root paste and leaf paste of Coccinia grandis is applied on the affected areas once a day till cure. Cordia sebestena L. BORAGINACEAE Leaf VN: Jeegar chettuE: Geiger tree Evergreen, large shrubs or small trees; leaves thick-coriaceous, large, ovate, entire; flowers scarlet-orange, pedicelled, in large; sepals 5, green; petals 6-7, as long as sepals; stamens 6-7, styles 2; stigma 4, recurved; ovary bicarpellary, tetralocular; ovule1 per locule, axile; fruit lanceolate. Leaves are boiled in water and the steam is inhaled till cure. Curcuma caesia Roxb. ZINGIBERACEAE Rhizome VN: Nalla pasupu H: Kalihaldi E: Black zedoary Leaves broadly lanceolate or oblong, glabrous with a deep ferruginous purple cloud down the middle which penetrates to the lower surface; flowering bracts green; flowers pale yellow, reddish at the outer border. Rhizome paste mixed with a cup of water is administered once a day for 40 d. Eucalyptus globulus Labill. MYRTACEAE Leaf VN: Neelagiri thailamu chettu S: Nilaniryasa H: Yukeliptas E: Eucalyptus A lofty tree, with straight bole and smooth bark; leaves opposite or alternate, lanceolate and curved; flowers large, white, 1-3 together in axils; fruit capsule, dehiscing longitudinally at the mouth; seeds very small. Leaf decoction mixed with turmeric powder is boiled and the steam is fomented on the head.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 61 Limonia acidissia L. RUTACEAE Root VN: Velakkaya S: Kapittha H: Bell E: Elephant apple Armed tree; leaves alternate, imparipinnate; flowers polygamous, light red colour; calyx 5; petals 5; stamens 10; ovary globose; fruit globose, rind woody Dig one side of the tree and locate the root and cut. A pot is kept near the cut end of the root and fired around the tree with paddy straw. Sap oozed out from the root into the pot is administered in 2 spoonful once a day for 3-5 d. Madhuca indicaGmel.SAPOTACEAE Seed VN: Ippa chettu S: Madhuka H: Mowa E: Indian butter tree A large deciduous tree with milky latex, branchlets tomentose; leaves thick, clustered near the ends of the branches, linear-lanceolate, acute; flowers creamish white in axillary dense fascicles; fruit berry, ovoid, 1-4 seeded . Seed oil mixed with 100 g of leaf powder of Datura innoxia and 30 g of black pepper powder is taken in doses of 5 g once a day for 2 d. Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso CONVOLVULACEAE Leaf VN: Tegada S: Kalaparini H: Tarbut E: Indian jalap A perennial, stout twiner, much branched roots; leaves ovate or lanceolate, entire or lobed, cordate or hastate at base sparsely puberulous; flowers white, in few flowered cymes; fruit globose capsules, enclosed in enlarged brittle imbricate sepals; seeds 4 or less, glabrous, dull black. Leaf paste is applied on the affected areas. Terminalia chebula Retz. COMBRETACEAE Stem bark VN: Karakkaya S: Haritaki H: Harad E: Chebulic myrobalan Deciduous tree; leaves spiral or opposite, ovate or elliptic-obovate, coriaceous, nerves 7-9 pairs, woolly below, rounded, entire, apex subacute, glands at the base of leaf blade, sessile; spikes axillary, simple or branched; drupe obovoid, glossy, horned, faintly angled Stem bark decoction is administered in doses of 30 ml once a day till cure. Zingiber officinale Rosc. ZINGIBERACEAE Rhizome VN: Allamu S: Ardrakam H: Adrach E: Zinger Rhizomatous perennial herb, aerial shoot leafy; leaves sheathing, alternate, linear, lanceolate; flowers yellow with dark purplish spots in condensed spikes; fruit oblong, capsule. One spoonful of rhizome juice mixed with one spoonful of honey is administered once a day for 3-5 d. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The present study yielded 12 species belonging to 12 genera and 10 families used for curing allergy by the aborigines of the district. There are three Shurbs, four Herbs and five trees. RUTACEAE and ZINGIBERACEAE are the dominant family with 2plants followed by AMARANTHACEAE,VITACEAE, VERBANACEAE, BORAGINACEAE, MYRTACEAE, SAPOTACEAE, CONVOLVULACEAE, COMBRETACEAE families one each. One practices involved two plants and all others practices involve single plant only. The common allergy diseases are rashes, itching, blisters and cough. The common dosage forms include paste, decoction, juice. The forests are rich in medicinal plants, many are still not known to us. Present investigation indicates that Khammam district is blessed with magnificent diversity of ethno-medicinal plants used to cure many diseases. The present study will give new incentive to the traditional system of healthcare. Further, this approach for the treatment of allergy is a practical, cost-effective and biological safe. Medicinal Plants – Biodiversity Conservation (B Rakesh Chandra. M.Pharmacy. Clinical Account Manager at mTatva, Bangalore.) The number and variety of plants, animals and other organisms that exist is known as biodiversity. It is an essential component of nature and it ensures the survival of human species by providing food, fuel, shelter, medicines and other resources to mankind. Pharmacognosy is the study of medicinal drugs derived from plants or other natural sources. In some countries in Asia and Africa 80% of the population relies on traditional medicine (including herbal medicine) for primary health care. Quinine, physostigmine, d-tubocurarine, pilocarpine and ephedrine, have been demonstrated to have active effects. Youth have an important role in protecting biodiversity and continuing sustainable practices. We do this through social networks that span the globe, we are community leaders and powerful advocates, we are acknowledged as significant decision makers in the global market, and we bring a new outlook on the challenges that face our society. In the field of ethnobotany, biodiversity is incredibly important for

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 62 utilitarian purposes, the utility and the potential utility of these species — both plants and animals. We are talking about usefulness not only to the local peoples that we are working with and studying but potentially to ourselves as well, in other words, to global culture. The recent ethno-botanical explorations conducted in forest areas of Nizamabad resulted in the information about traditional plant uses of 77 plants species belonging to 39 Angiospermic families. Of these, maximum species belongs to Euphorbiaceae with 7 species, 6 species to Asclepiadaceae and Fabaceae each. Information gathered from Nizamabad district indicates that the tribals, and other village people of this region possess good knowledge of herbal drugs, but their continuous and progressive exposure to modernization may result in extinction of the such rich heritage of knowledge in the course of time. Diseases / ailments found prevalent in the area are skin diseases, kidney stone, tooth ache, fever and wounds. Majority of preparation are from leaves and some are of underground parts (like root, rhizome, tuber, etc). The collective efforts of ethno-botanists, phytochemists, pharmacognostists, and pharmacologists are needed to document and evaluate the efficacy and safety of the claims. Most prevalent diseases/ailments found in the areas are skin diseases and wounds (13 plants each), 9 kidney stone, 8 jaundice, 7 joint pain, etc.Following data includes botanical name of species, vernacular name family, plant part used method. Among the plant parts used in different formulations, leaves are abundantly used which is followed by stem and roots. Worldwide, between 50,000 and 80,000 flowering plants are used medicinally. Of these, at least 15,000 may face extinction due to overharvesting and habitat loss.

S.No. Botanical Name family and local Name Part Used Disease 1 Abrus precatorius L. Leaf Spermatogenesis, kidney stones, wounds (Fabaceae) ‘Gurivinda’ ‘Gurugind’ 2 Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. (Balanitaceae) Root Unwanted pregnancy ‘Gara chattu’ 3 Calotropis gigantea (L.) Ait.(Asclepiadaceae) Flower, latex, Arthritis, black marks on face, head ache ‘Jilledu’ leaf 4 Cissus quadrangularis L. Stem Piles (Vitaceae) ‘Nallada’ ‘nallaru’ 5 Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Etting. Leaf, twig, Reduce sterility, wounds ( Loranthaceae) ‘Badanica’ flower asthma 6 Pedalium murex L. Reducing heat, urinary problems and kidney stones (Pedaliaceae) ‘Yanugu pallaru’ 7 Wattakaka valubilis (L.f.) Stapf (Asclepiadaceae)‘Bandiguriginja’ Leaf Snake bite 8 Terminalia cuneata Roth. (Combretaceae) ‘Tella maddi’ Bark Chest pain 9 Sapindus emarginatus Vahl. (Sapindaceae) ‘Kunkudu’ ‘kukudu’ Fruit, bark Hair tonic, antidote to poison and animal bite, fits 10 Oxalis corniculata L. Leaf Wounds, teeth pain, boils, scorpion sting (Oxalidaceae) ‘Pulichanta’

At current extinction rates, experts estimate that the Earth is losi ng at least one potential major drug every two years.

IMPACT OF PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS ON BIODIVERSITY A.Shalini, Dept. of Chemistry,Govt. Degree College for women,Nirmal Abstract: Persistent organic pollutants (pops) are organic chemical substances persists in environment, bioaccumulate through food web and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and environment. This article examines the relationship between the chemical structure and physic-chemical properties like lipid solubility, bioaccumulation, and ability to migrate long distances, lower tendency to degradation. Probable means of introducing pops into environment, chemical substances recognized as pops popularly known as dirty dozen and their effect on human and non human species are also discussed. Attempts are made to outline best practices to be employed to control pops release into environment. INTRODUCTION: Biodiversity is the variety of different types of life found on earth and variations within species .It is a measure of variety of organisms present in different ecosystems. This can refer to genetic variation, ecosystem variation, or species variation (no. of species) within an area, biome, or planet. For the purpose of pest and disease control, crop production, and industrial processes various synthetic chemicals are in use. Some of these

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 63 are organic compounds and are resistant to environmental degradation through chemical, biological and photolytic processes persist for long periods of time in the environment ,transported by wind and water and can accumulate are reported to have had unforeseen effects on human health and the environment. Such chemical entities are known as Persistent organic pollutants (POPs). CHARACTERISTIC PROPERTIES OF POPS: STABILITY AND LIPID SOLUBILITY: POPs typically are polyhalogenated organic compounds .Due to the presence of non reactive C-Cl bonds they donot undergo hydrolysis, photolytic, chemical and biological degradation and attain great stability. More halogen content makes POPs lipophilic i.e, insoluble in water and soluble in oils, fats, liquid fuels etc. For this reason they are bioaccumulate in fatty tissues. LONG –RANGE TRANSPORT AND PERSISTENCE: POPs enter the gas phase under certain environmental temperatures and volatize from soils, vegetation, and bodies of water into the atmosphere, resisting breakdown reactions in the air, travel long distances before being re-deposited. This results in accumulation of POPs in areas far from where they were used or emitted, specifically environments where POPs have never been introduced. POPs can be present as vapors in the atmosphere or bound to the surface of solid particles. Due to this capacity for long range transport, POP environmental contamination is extensive, even in areas where POPs have never been used and will remain in these environments for long period of time BIOACCUMULATION: Bioaccumulation of POPs is typically associated with the compounds having high lipid solubility or hydrophobic nature and ability to accumulate in the fatty tissues of living organisms for long periods of time. Persistent chemicals tend to have higher concentrations and are eliminated slowly. Dietary accumulation or bioaccumulation is another characteristic of POPs. POPs work their way through the food chain by accumulating in the body fat of living organisms and becoming more concentrated as they move up the food chain from one creature to another. This process is known as biomagnification. When contaminants found in small amounts at the bottom of the food chain biomagnify, they can pose a significant hazard to predators that feed at the top of the food chain. This means that even small releases of POPs can have significant impacts. Thus POPs not only persist in the environment, but also as they are taken in by animals they bioaccumulate, increasing their concentration and toxicity in the environment PROBABLE SOURCES OF POPS IN ECOSYSTEMS: Based on the way POPs incorporated into environment they are classified as intentionally and unintentionally produced chemicals. Intentionally produced chemicals currently or once used in agriculture, disease control, manufacturing, or industrial processes. Examples include Poly Chloro Benzenes (PCB), which have been useful in a variety of industrial applications (e.g., in electrical transformers and large capacitors, as hydraulic and heat exchange fluids, and as additives to paints and lubricants) and DDT, which is still used to control mosquitoes that carry malaria in some parts of the world. Unintentionally produced chemicals, such as dioxins that result from some industrial processes and from combustion for example, municipal and medical waste incineration and backyard burning of, volcanoes and various biosynthetic pathways. However most of them are man-made. Some organic chemicals recognized as POPs are aldrin , chlordane , dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT), dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene , mirex, toxaphene,,polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) ,polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins(dioxins), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (furans).They are known as dirty dozen and are highly toxic. Several other compounds are added to this class of POPs after examining their effects on ecosystems. A number of populations are at particular risk of POPs exposure, including people whose diets include large amounts of fish, shellfish, or wild foods that are high in fat and locally obtained. For example, indigenous peoples may be particularly at risk because they observe cultural and spiritual traditions related to their diet. To them, fishing and hunting are not sport or recreation, but are part of a traditional, subsistence way of life, in which no useful part of the catch is wasted. IMPACT OF POPS ON BIODIVERSITY: Studies have linked POPs exposures to declines, diseases, or abnormalities and birth defects in a number of wildlife species, including certain kinds of fish, birds, and mammals. In humans, reproductive, developmental, behavioral, neurologic, endocrine, and immunologic adverse health effects have been linked to POPs. In addition, sensitive populations, such as children, the elderly, and those

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 64 with suppressed immune systems, are typically more susceptible to many kinds of pollutants, including POPs. Among other effects, those high levels of DDE (a metabolite of DDT) in certain birds of prey caused their eggshells to thin so dramatically they could not produce live offspring. One bird species especially sensitive to DDE was the bald eagle. Hence Exposure to high levels of certain POPs chemicals, higher than normally encountered by humans and wildlife cause damage or death resulting in extinction of species which in turn projects adverse effect on biodiversity. MEASURES TO BE TAKEN FOR THE CONTROL AND REMOVAL OF POPS IN THE ENVIRONMENT: Eliminating or restricting the production and use of the intentionally produced POPs, prohibiting and eliminating production and use or import of POPs Apply best available techniques for certain new pollution sources like municipal, hospital, and hazardous waste incinerators To raise awareness about the health and environmental impacts of persistent organic pollutants Designing degradable compounds for various beneficial purposes CONCLUSION:As we continue to study POPs, we will learn more about the risk of POPs exposure to the general public, how much certain species including people are exposed, and what effects POPs have on these species and their ecosystems. A growing number of scientists, international organizations and non-governmental organizations have devoted considerable amount of time, efforts and energy to addressing the hazards and risks posed by POPs still life threatening poisons which are either severely restricted or banned in most countries, continue to be manufactured, stored, used and traded .This may be because of irresponsible corporate behavior, shortsighted lending agencies and lack of substitutes to currently used chemical compounds. So it is the time for creating awareness about seriousness of issue and means to eliminate or minimize pops release into ecosystems to conserve biodiversity. As well as Chemists have to come forward with ecofriendly chemicals to replace toxic ones. IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT Dr. N.Jyothi Dept. of commerce, GDC, Armoor, mail id. [email protected] ABSTRACT: Biological diversity– is the term given to the variety of life on Earth. It is the variety within and between all species of plants, animals and micro-organisms and the ecosystems within which they live and interact. Ecosystems and their species perform important biological services, for example, green plants remove carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere, which helps keep the environment healthy and fit for human life. Although we still have much to learn about the often complex function of ecosystems, and about which species perform critical roles, we know that if an ecosystem is altered in any way, it might not be able to perform some of its important services. Economic arguments also provide compelling reasons for conserving species. Different species of plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms provide us with food, medicines, fuel, building materials, fiber for clothing and industrial Threats to Biodiversity. This paper tries to analyze the benefits of biodiversity and also the threats involved therein. Key words: Biodiversity, Conservation IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT 1. Source of food and income The world’s poor, particularly in rural areas, depend on biological resources for as much as 90% of their needs, including food, fuel, medicine, shelter and transportation. 70% of the world’s poor live in rural areas and depend directly on biological diversity for their livelihoods. Biodiversity serves as an important source of food and income to rural households and is an important source of alternative foods during periods of scarcity. The impact of environmental degradation is most severe among the rural population living in poverty, since they have few livelihood options. Therefore, access to and sustainable use of biodiversity by the poor are of direct relevance to efforts aimed at poverty reduction. Addressing the biodiversity challenge needs to be at the heart of international cooperation for sustainable development and poverty reduction. 2. Ecosystems, Goods and Services: a crucial role

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 65 In order to link biodiversity considerations with poverty eradication, the environmental community and the stakeholders who specifically deal with the economic and social dimensions of development need a common framework, a common language. The concept of “Ecosystem Goods and Services” (EGS) satisfies this need. For both the environmental and development communities, EGS are, simply and unanimously “the benefits people obtain from ecosystems." These include provisioning services such as food and water; regulating services such as flood and disease control; cultural services such as spiritual, recreational, and cultural benefits; and supporting services such as nutrient cycling that maintain the conditions for life on Earth. EGS such as watershed protection, pest control, nutrient cycling and pollination sustain productivity in agricultural ecosystems. When impaired or degraded, extreme poverty and hunger are more difficult to address and to overcome. In the long term, the loss of biodiversity that results in a reduction of crop and livestock genetic diversity and in the decreased availability of wild biological resources, threatens food security for the whole population. Most EGS are defined as “public goods” in plain economic terms. As such they are difficult to incorporate into markets, but it is widely believed that it is now time to overcome this through substantial and effective environmental mainstreaming processes. Biological Services Performed by Ecosystems 1. Protecting areas from soil erosion, floods and other harmful weather conditions: Vegetation cover helps to protect soils from erosion. Woodlands and hedges provide useful windbreaks in farm areas, and the vegetation on mudflats and sand dunes can help protect coastal areas from erosion by the sea and wind. 2. Reducing the risk of local and global climate change: Ecosystems help maintain a healthy balance of gases in the atmosphere. Trees and other plants store carbon and help prevent the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, reducing the risk of global warming. 3. Recycling nutrients: Bacteria and fungi play a crucial role in recycling nutrients in ecosystems. Some plants play a crucial role in the fixation of nitrogen in the soil. Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. 4. Pollination and biological control: Some animals, especially birds, bats and insects perform important functions as pollinators of food plants such as vegetables and fruit, and are also often the natural enemies of weeds, pests and diseases that can harm crops. 5. Controlling pollutants: Plants like reeds act as natural filters, helping to remove waste from surface waters and many bacteria can help break down low level pollutants. 6. Monitoring the health of the environment: Some species can indicate a change in the environment. For example, the breeding failure among birds of prey can point to a buildup of pesticides in the system. Lichens such as those found growing on your school walls and on the trees may be sensitive indicators of levels of air pollution. Economic Value 1. Food: The provision of food is the most fundamental benefit that humans get from other life forms, and humans have always depended on animals and plants for meat, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and other natural products. 2. Medicines: Wild species have been used as sources of drugs for thousands of years. The medicinal potential of plants and animals is often considered a compelling reason to conserve biodiversity as some species are highly valued for their medicinal properties. 3. Commercial uses: Human societies have traditionally used plant and animal products like wool and fur for clothing, and wood for building construction and fuel. Other plant and animal products used in industry include feathers, skins, glues, rubber, oils, waxes, starches and dyes. 4. Cultural and aesthetic values: Historically, some species have played an important role in the folklore and traditions of many cultures. Species may also have heritage value as national symbols: for example, in Ireland, the three leafed clover (Trifolium) symbolizes the nation’s identity and heritage. Biodiversity also has important recreational and aesthetic values. Biodiversity also has educational and inspirational value. 5. Intrinsic values:For example, knowing that something exists is satisfying in itself, and the loss of a charismatic species, such as giant pandas and blue whales, represents a considerable loss of ‘existence

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 66 value’. However, it is impossible to quantify and, unfortunately, many species, such as slugs and slime moulds, will never enjoy ‘existence value’. Many people also hold strong personal beliefs, feeling a great respect for the whole of nature and a responsibility to hand on to the next generation a world that is as rich in life as the world we live in today. THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY These are the main threats to biodiversity around the world. Very often large scale construction occurs in ‘fragile areas’, for example, wetland drainage and infilling. Habitat destruction changes the conditions needed for particular plants and animals to survive. 1. Invasive non-native species Species that are non-native to a particular area can sometimes spread very quickly, for example the zebra mussel and Japanese knotweed have spread rapidly in Ireland in the past two decades. As a result, these species can destabilize an ecosystem by altering habitats affecting food webs. 2. Pollution/Litter As you will remember from the Litter and Waste theme, pollution is always caused by humans. Pollution can have a huge impact, altering the balance within ecosystems, and is the cause of death for millions of animals and plants around the world every year. 3. Land Use Change/Increased Infrastructure Development This is the alteration of natural areas by humans, for example, the clearing of huge areas of rainforest in South America for farming. In Ireland, upland open habitats, such as rough grassland, scrub and heath, have been changed by agriculture and afforestation. 4. Intensive Farming Practices Extensive use and concentrations of chemical and/or biological pesticides and the removal of hedgerows are typical practices in modern-day intensive farming. Often large areas of land are planted with a single crop (monocultures) which greatly reduces the level of biodiversity in that area. 5. Climate Change It is now widely accepted that the current global rate of change in climate is as a result of human activity. As global air or sea temperature changes, even by just 1 or 2 degrees, the habitats in which species live will also change and may even become uninhabitable to some species. Effect of Fly Ash and Farm Yard Manure on Soil Biochemical Activity and Yield of Rice (Oryza Sativa (L.) T. Prabhakar Reddy, D. Vijaya Lakshmi and J. Kamalakar Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur, Nizamabad Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana. Abstract: A field experiment was conducted in a fine loamy mixed Hyperthermic Typic Haplustept soil during rabi, 2004-2005 to study the effect of fly ash and FYM on rice yield and soil engyme activities. The grain and straw yields of rice was significantly increased with fly ash, FYM and their interactions. The highest grain (5.84 t ha-1) and straw yields (7.87 t ha-1) were recorded by combined application of fly ash @ 10 t ha-1 and FYM @ 10 t ha-1 which was on par with fly ash @ 15 t ha-1 along with FYM @10 t ha-1. Application of fly ash @ 15 t ha-1 along with FYM -1 + @ 10 t ha has resulted in highest urease, dehydrogenage and cellulase activity at 30 DAT (4.48 g of NH4 released g-1 soil h-1, 5.37 mg of TPF produced g-1 soil d-1 and 3.50 mg of glucose released g-1 soil d-1), 60 DAT (4.80 + -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 g of NH4 released g soil h , 5.47 mg of TPF produced g soil d and 3.32 mg of glucose released g soil d ) and + -1 -1 -1 -1 at harvest (2.53 g of NH4 released g soil h , 3.07 mg of TPF produced g soil d and 2.16 mg of glucose released g-1 soil d-1), respectively, which was on par with application of fly ash @ 10 t ha-1 along with FYM @ 10 t ha-1 and significantly higher over control. The acid and alkaline phosphatase activity was not influenced by fly ash levels at all the stages viz., 30, 60 DAT and at harvest. However, it was significantly influenced by FYM application and their interactions. Key words: Fly ash, FYM, Rice, Yield, Soil enzymes. Introduction Fly ash is a major solid industrial waste in India. It is a by-product of thermal power stations where electricity is produced by firing finely powdered coal. Huge amount of this fly ash is produced every day at every

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 67 thermal power station in the country. This huge amount of fly ash is evolved and dumped in ash disposed areas which creates the land degradation problems and may cause potential environmental hazards in spreading diseases and leaching of unwanted chemicals into ecosystem. In an attempt to effectively solve the disposed problem of this enormous solid industrial waste, some efforts have been made to utilize it as an amendment to improve soil and its fertility and for crop production (Sahoo and Kar, 1998). The increase in activities of different enzymes can be attributed to increase in soil microbial activity and favorable soil environment due to application of fly ash and FYM (Lal et al., 1996). + The enzyme urease involves in the reactions related to break down of urea to CO2, water and NH4 . The enzyme dehydrogenase transfers electrons to one substance to another substance and is involved in degradation of carbohydrates, liquids, etc. By involving water, the enzyme phosphatase breaks ‘humus-O-P-OH bond to produce humus-OH and H3PO4, which helps to decompose humus, making P available to plants. The enzyme cellulase breaks celluloses, which are long chain of sugar units. It is important in organic matter decay. The enzyme urease, phosphatase and cellulase are the extra cellular enzymes secreted by soil microorganisms, whereas dehydrogenase enzyme exposed in intact cell. Thus, the amount and activities of these enzymes indicate essentially the biological activity of the soil. Hence, an experiment was conducted to study the effect of integrated use of fly ash and FYM on soil enzymatic activities (urease, dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase and cellulase) of an Inceptisol by taking rice as a test crop during rabi, 2004-05. Materials and Methods A field experiment was conducted in a fine loamy, mixed hyperthermic Typic Haplustept soil during rabi, 2004-05 at College Farm, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, ANGRAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. The experiment comprised of eight treatment combinations with four levels of fly ash (0, 5, 10 and 15 t ha-1) and two levels of FYM (0 and 10 t ha-1). Fly ash and FYM applied as per the treatments before transplanting the rice. All the plots have received the common doses of NPK fertilizers (120-60-40 kg ha-1). The rice var. Tellahamsa was used as the test crop. The fly ash was collected from National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Ramagundam, Andhra -1 -1 -1 -1 Pradesh. It contained the nutrients like N (27.5 mg kg ), P2O5 (29.6 mg kg ), K2O (110.5 mg kg ), S (25.4 mg kg ), Ca (7.25 mg kg-1), Mg (2.20 mg kg-1), Fe (17.50 mg kg-1), Mn (3.34 mg kg-1), Cu (0.98 mg kg-1), Zn (1.83 mg kg-1). The texture of fly ash was silty loam with pH 8.1 and EC 0.37 dS m-1. The experimental soil was sandy clay loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 7.9), non-saline (EC 0.29 dS m-1), low available N (210 kg. ha-1), available -1 -1 phosphorus (8.7 kg P2O5 ha ), medium in available potassium (180 kg K2O ha ), low in available sulphur (8.3 mg kg-1) and sufficient in micronutrient status (Fe 8.62 mg kg-1, Mn 5.56 mg kg-1, Cu 1.09 mg kg-1 and Zn 1.05 mg kg- 11). The effect of different levels of fly ash and FYM were evaluated in terms of grain and straw yield of rice at harvest and different enzymatic activities viz., urease, dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase and cellulase at periodical intervals (30, 60 DAT and at harvest) with the following procedures. + Urease activity was assayed by qualifying the rate of release of NH4 from the hydrolysis of urea as described by Tabatabai and Bremner (1972) but with some modifications as suggested by Sankara Rao (1989). Dehydrogenase activity was assayed by quatifying the mg of TPF (2, 3, 5-tri-phenyl formazon) produced and exposed as g-1soil-1d-1 as described by Casida et al. (1964). The acid and alkaline phosphatase activity was assayed by quantifying the amount of P- -nitrophenol released g-1soil-1d-1 as described by Tabatabai and Bremner (1969). Cellulase activity was measured by monitoring the release of reducing sugar using carboxy methylcellulose as substrate following the procedure outlined by Pancholy and Rice Elory (1973). Results and Discussion Yield Fly ash, FYM and their interactions showed significant influence on grain and straw yield of rice. The -1 highest grain yield was recorded by FA10FYM10 (5.84 t ha ) which was on par with FA15FYM10 and has recorded -1 about 21 per cent higher grain yield over control (FA0FYM0), (4.82 t ha ) (Table 1). Similarly, the increase in grain yield of rice due to application of fly ash was reported by Arvind Kumar et al. (1998) and Jayabal et al. (2000). The -1 highest straw yield was reported by FA10FYM10 (7.87 t ha ) which was on par with FA15FYM10 and has recorded

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 68 -1 about 17.8 per cent higher straw yield over control (FA0FYM0) (6.8 t ha ). The results obtained are in confirmation with those obtained by Arvind Kumar et al. (1998). The supply of nutrients, conducive to physical environment leading to better aeration, root activity and nutrient absorption and the consequent complementary effect would have resulted in higher grain and straw yield of rice (Selvakumari et al., 2000). Enzyme activities The enzymes urease, dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity increased upto 60 DAT which later decreased at harvest. Cellulase and acid phosphatase activity increased upto 30 DAT which later decreased by the time of 60 DAT and at harvest. Urease activity + -1 -1 -1 4 released g soil h at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest, respectively (Table 2). The highest urease activity released with application of fly ash @ 15 -1 -1 t ha along with FYM @ 10 t ha (FA15FYM10) at all the time intervals. The treatment FA15FYM10 has recorded about 2.4, 2.6 and 2.8 times increase in urease activity at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest, respectively over control

(FA0FYM0). Increase in urease activity due to application of FYM was reported by Reddy and Chhonkar (1991). Dehydrogenase activity

The treatment FA15FYM10 has recorded about 6.5, 8.0 and 13.7 per cent increase in dehydrogenase activity at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest, respectively over control (FA0FYM0). It ranged from 5.04 to 5.37, 5.02 to 5.47 and 2.70 to 3.07 mg of TPF produced g-1soil-1d-1 at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest, respectively (Table 3). Klein et al. (1971) reported that the dehydrogenase activity could be used as an index of the metabolic activity of the microbial population. Increased dehydrogenase activity was due to application of FYM was reported by Sriramachandrasekharan et al.(1997). Decreasing dehydrogenase activity due to application of fly ash to Sudan grass and oats was reported by Ajaya Srivastava and Chhonkar (2000). Acid and alkaline phosphatase activity The activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase enzyme was not significantly influenced by fly ash application at all the stages viz., 30, 60 DAT and at harvest. However, it was significantly influenced by FYM application and their interactions. Application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 has recorded 49.6 , 45.7 and 19.6 per cent increase in acid phosphatase activity at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest, respectively over FYM 0 (Table 4&5). Similarly, the alkaline phosphatase activity was increased by 36.8, 47.2 and 46.2 per cent due to FYM application at 30, 60

DAT and at harvest when compared to FYM0. The increase in phosphatase activity due to application of FYM reported by Srinivas (1993). Cellulase activity Cellulase activity ranged from 2.08 to 3.50, 2.02 to 3.32 and 1.04 to 2.16 mg of glucose released mg-1soil- 1 -1 d at 30.60 DAT and at harvest, respectively (Table 6). The treatment FA15FYM10 has recorded about 66.8, 64.3 and 108.6 percent increase in cellulase activity at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest, respectively over control (FA 0FYM0). Increase in cellulase activity under incubation studies due to application of fly ash reported by Lal et al. (1996). Table 1: Effect of fly ash and FYM on grain and straw yields of rice (Var. Tellahamsa) (t ha-1) Grain yield (t ha-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10 FA0 4.82 4.86 4.84

FA5 5.15 5.38 5.27

FA10 5.48 5.84 5.66 FA15 5.45 5.83 5.64 Mean 5.22 5.48 5.35 SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.16 0.35 FYM 0.11 0.25 FA x FYM 0.23 0.49 Straw yield (t ha-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 6.68 6.41 6.54 FA5 7.12 7.65 7.39

FA10 7.48 7.87 7.67 International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 69

FA15 7.48 7.84 7.66 Mean 7.19 7.44 7.32 SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.12 0.26 FYM 0.08 0.18 FA x FYM 0.17 0.36 Table 2: Effect of fly ash and FYM on urease activity in soil under field conditions at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest. + -1 -1 30 DAT (g of NH4 released g soil h ) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 1.78 3.45 2.62 FA5 2.23 3.82 3.03

FA10 2.91 4.44 3.67

FA15 2.94 4.48 3.72 Mean 2.46 4.05 3.25 SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.07 0.15 FYM 0.05 0.11 FA x FYM 0.10 0.22 + -1 -1 60 DAT (g of NH4 released g soil h )

FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 1.84 3.96 2.91

FA5 2.40 4.24 3.33 FA10 3.04 4.77 3.90

FA15 3.10 4.80 3.94 Mean 2.59 4.44 3.52

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.08 0.17 FYM 0.05 0.12 FA x FYM 0.11 0.24 + -1 -1 At harvest (g of NH4 released g soil h ) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 0.89 1.94 1.41

FA5 1.04 2.19 1.61 FA10 1.43 2.49 1.96

FA15 1.50 2.53 2.02 Mean 1.21 2.29 1.75

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.04 0.10 FYM 0.03 0.07 FA x FYM 0.06 0.14 + -1 -1 Initial urease activity = 1.24 (g of NH4 released g soil h ) Table 3: Effect of fly ash and FYM on dehydrogenase enzyme activity in soil under field conditions at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest. 30 DAT (mg of TPF produced g-1 d-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 5.04 5.19 5.11

FA5 5.14 5.20 5.17 FA10 5.20 5.34 5.27

FA15 5.24 5.37 5.30 Mean 5.15 5.27 5.21

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.02 0.04 FYM 0.01 0.03 FA x FYM 0.03 0.06 60 DAT (mg of TPF produced g-1 d-1) Fly ash levels (t ha-1) FYM levels Mean International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 70

FYM0 FYM10

FA0 5.02 5.28 5.15

FA5 5.13 5.34 5.23 FA10 5.25 5.47 5.36

FA15 5.28 5.47 5.38 Mean 5.17 5.39 5.28

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.04 0.09 FYM 0.03 0.06 FA x FYM 0.06 0.13 At harvest (mg of TPF produced g-1 d-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 2.70 2.83 2.76 FA5 2.79 2.93 2.86

FA10 2.89 3.07 2.98

FA15 2.90 3.07 2.98 Mean 2.82 2.97 2.90

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.03 0.08 FYM 0.02 0.05 FA x FYM 0.05 0.11 Initial dehydrogenase activity = 2.98 mg of TPF produced g-1 d-1 Table 4: Effect of fly ash and FYM on acid phosphatase activity in soil under field conditions at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest. 30 DAT (g of p-nitrophenol released g-1 soil h-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 22.56 31.60 27.08

FA5 20.66 32.00 26.33 FA10 20.33 31.00 25.66

FA15 20.63 31.40 26.01 Mean 21.05 31.50 26.27

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 1.01 NS FYM 0.71 1.54 FA x FYM 1.43 3.08 60 DAT (g of p-nitrophenol released g-1 soil h-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 21.40 29.40 25.40

FA5 20.76 30.66 25.71 FA10 20.20 30.10 25.15

FA15 20.33 29.96 25.15 Mean 20.67 30.03 25.35

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.67 NS FYM 0.47 1.01 FA x FYM 0.95 2.03 At harvest (g of p-nitrophenol released g-1 soil h-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 16.40 22.39 18.49

FA5 13.90 22.83 18.36 FA10 13.90 22.33 18.11

FA15 13.80 22.16 17.98 Mean 14.05 22.43 18.24

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.61 NS FYM 0.43 0.92 FA x FYM 0.86 1.85

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 71 Initial acid phosphatase activity = 10.7 g of p-nitrophenol released g-1 soil h-1 Table 5: Effect of fly ash and FYM on alkaline phosphatase activity in soil under field conditions at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest. 30 DAT (g of p-nitrophenol released g-1 soil h-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 20.16 27.00 23.58 FA5 20.30 27.46 23.88

FA10 19.53 27.13 23.33

FA15 19.56 27.13 23.35 Mean 19.89 27.18 23.53

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.35 NS FYM 0.25 0.53 FA x FYM 0.50 1.07 60 DAT (g of p-nitrophenol released g-1 soil h-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 19.33 34.66 27.00 FA5 18.80 25.50 22.15

FA10 18.13 24.73 21.43

FA15 18.10 24.56 21.33 Mean 18.59 27.36 22.97

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 3.60 NS FYM 2.54 5.46 FA x FYM 5.09 10.92 At harvest (g of p-nitrophenol released g-1 soil h-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10 FA0 12.23 17.13 14.68

FA5 11.90 17.40 14.65

FA10 11.46 16.93 14.20 FA15 11.20 16.96 14.08 Mean 11.70 17.10 14.40

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.18 0.39 FYM 0.13 0.28 FA x FYM 0.26 0.56 Initial alkaline phosphatase activity = 11.8 g of p-nitrophenol released g-1 soil h-1 Table 6: Effect of fly ash and FYM on cellulase activity in soil under field conditions at 30, 60 DAT and at harvest. 30 DAT (mg of glucose released g-1 soil d-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 2.08 3.18 2.63

FA5 2.87 2.94 2.90 FA10 2.76 3.48 3.12

FA15 2.76 3.50 3.13 Mean 2.62 3.27 2.94

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.15 0.34 FYM 0.11 0.24 FA x FYM 0.22 0.48

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 72 60 DAT (mg of glucose released g-1 soil d-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 2.02 3.04 2.53

FA5 2.17 3.16 2.66 FA10 2.62 3.29 2.95

FA15 2.60 3.32 2.96 Mean 2.35 3.20 2.77

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.09 0.19 FYM 0.06 0.13 FA x FYM 0.12 0.27

At harvest (mg of glucose released g-1 soil d-1) FYM levels Fly ash levels (t ha-1) Mean FYM0 FYM10

FA0 1.04 1.75 1.40 FA5 1.41 1.96 1.68

FA10 1.48 2.16 1.83

FA15 1.45 2.16 1.80 Mean 1.34 2.01 1.67

SEm+ CD (0.05) FA 0.02 0.05 FYM 0.01 0.03 FA x FYM 0.03 0.07 Initial cellulase activity = 1.02 mg of glucose released g-1 soil d-1 Need to Conserve Eastern Ghats Biodiversity – Awareness through an NGO. N.S.Srinidhi, Vidya Jyothi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad Dr. C. Uma Maheshwar Reddy, Greens’ Alliance for Conservation of Eastern Ghats (GrACE) [email protected], [email protected] ABSTRACT:Council for Green Revolution (CGR), an environmental action group is a registered public charitable society based at Hyderabad, Telangana which has been working with concern and commitment towards protection of environment and sustainable development. CGR has successfully planted around 21, 41,542 saplings through its flagship activity of “Massive Tree Plantation Programme” by involving 3, 47,572 Students of 1356 Government schools of 13 Districts of AP and Telangana. A Conservation and Restoration of Eco-Systems has been one of the areas of focus for CGR. Greens’ Alliance for Conservation of Eastern ghats (GrACE) was launched by CGR to provide an ideal platform for a national level broad spectrum people’s movement for the protection of Eastern Ghats, the unique bio-geosphere which has great environmental, social, economic, cultural and spiritual significance in the sub-continent. Over last few decades, the hill ranges and its ecosystems are experiencing severe threat and under degradation to the greed and apathy of humans. Eastern Ghats, the discontinuous range of mountains (also known as Malyadri) set along eastern coast of India, is one of the important physiographic units with great environmental, socio-economic, cultural and spiritual significance in the peninsular region of our country. The Eastern Ghats are endowed with extensively rich varieties of Biological Species geological formations and different ethnic tribes. More than 2600 plant species of angiosperms, gymnosperms and Pteridophytes including 160 species of cultivated plants, are reported to occur in the Eastern Ghats region which includes 454 endemic species belonging to 243 genera and 78 families. The rich and diverse heritage of traditional indigenous floristic and faunistic wealth in Eastern Ghats needs to be conserved as this fragile ecosystem is highly threatened due to various factors. Keywords: NGO, Eastern Ghats, Biodiversity, Flora, Fauna, Threat and Conservation. Introduction:

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 73 Eastern Ghats, the discontinuous range of mountains (also known as Malyadri ) set along eastern coast of India, is one of the important physiographic units with great environmental, socio-economic, cultural and spiritual significance in the peninsular region of our country. Starting from West Bengal, the hill ranges pass through Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, touches Karnataka and ends in Tamil Nadu. They extend over a length of 1700 Km in a north-east south-west strike in the Indian Peninsula covering an area of about 2, 50,000 Sq. Km., with an average width of 220 Km in the north and 100 Km in the south. The Mahanandi basin marks the northern boundary of the Eastern Ghats while the southern boundary is the Nilagiri hills. Major portion of the mountain range falls in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Epic Mahendra giri range of Orissa and Yarada, Papikondalu forms northern part of the ranges while Nallamalai, Yerramalais, Palakonda, Velikonda, Sheshachalam and Kambakkam forms the Central portion of the hills. North of the river Kaveri in Tamilnadu are Kollamalai, Pachamalai, Shevroy hills, Kalrayan hills, Chitteri, Palamalai and Mettur hills. The southernmost Eastern Ghats are low Sirumalai and Karantha malai hills situated in southern Tamilnadu. There are five ecological hotspots with endemic and endangered species in India, out of which two of them are in Eastern Ghats. For millions of years the Eastern Ghats have been cradles of life and civilization. The mountain ranges are rich in biodiversity, forests range from dry deciduous mixed forest to semi evergreen rain forest. Asia’s biggest tiger reserve, Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Sanctuary is located in the Nallamala range of Eastern Ghats. It is home for a rich variety of minerals, rivers, wetlands, and several ancient places of worship like Simhachalam, Annavaram, Bhadrachalam, Srisailam, Mahanandi, Tirumala, and modern temples like Nagarjunasagar dam and Srisailam project. Many primitive tribal groups such as Chenchus, Koya, Savara, Jatapu, Konda dora, Gadaba, Khond, Manne dora, Mukha Dora etc., have been living in a symbiotic relationship with their habitats in the forests and hills. Major rivers of peninsular India i.e. Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Penna and Kaveri pass through the hill ranges. Small local rivers and streams originate and emanate in hills also are the vital source of water in the region. The Eastern Ghats are endowed with extensively rich varieties of Biological Species geological formations and different ethnic tribes. More than 2600 plant species of angiosperms, gymnosperms and Pteridophytes including 160 species of cultivated plants, are reported to occur in the Eastern Ghats region which includes 454 endemic species belonging to 243 genera and 78 families. The rich and diverse heritage of traditional indigenous floristic and faunistic wealth in Eastern Ghats needs to be conserved as this fragile ecosystem is highly threatened due to various factors. Flora of medicinal and botanical interest includes an endemic cycad (Cycas beddomei) and Psilotum nudum. A small patch of the tree Shorea talura also exists within the Chittoor forest division, part of which is being maintained as a preservation plot by the Forest Department of Andhra Pradesh. The area between the Nallamalla and Seshachalam Hills is well known for the red sandal, a rare, endemic tree species that is harvested for the medicinal value of its wood. The Eastern Highlands moist deciduous ecoregion's forests are dominated by sal (Shorea robusta), in association with Terminalia, Adina, Toona, Syzygium, Buchanania, Cleisanthus, and Anogeissus. The flora of the ecoregion share many affinities with the moist forests of the Western Ghats and the eastern Himalayas. The endemic fauna of the Eastern Ghats are the Jerdon’s courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus) and grey slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus). The rare geckos found here is the Indian Golden Gecko, Rock Gecko and Sharma’s skink. Challenges: Today, unfortunately these prominent mountain ranges are under tremendous stress, degradation and damage due to human greed, population pressure, un-sustainable development, apathy by public, negligence by public servants, etc. Haphazard mining, logging, poaching, forest fires, unsustainable harvest of forest produce, pilferage of rare species, smuggling and export of rare flora and fauna, encroachments of forest land and infrastructure development, myopic industrialization, springing up of habitations with an intention to colonize and devour the forest. The forest area in the Eastern Ghats has shrunk to half of what it was at the beginning of our republic. Exponential growth and development accelerated the decline of the natural glory of Eastern Ghats has to stop.

Though Eastern Ghats is such a rich and diverse eco-geographic unit, it has not caught the attention for conservation

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 74 and to protect has national heritage. is a prominent eco-geographic unit, for ages the hill ranges were not viewed as one entity since they are dissected by river gaps, wetland and planes. There is a felt and immense need of a concerted and macro level conservation movement by the involvement of all stakeholders especially the public, for Eastern Ghats region. It is also felt that collectivizing or binding all individuals and civil society groups in to a network will bring much focus and strength to the cause. Role of NGO in saving these Eastern Ghats: 1. Hosting People’s Movements and Awareness programs to bring the issue to a national and International level of Recognition. 2. The NGO can introduce STEP (STudents or Citizen’s Environment Programme) for creating awareness on the need to conserve these Ghats. 3. The NGO can wok collectively with Government for introducing the Environmental Training Institute which will bring out much more expertise findings in saving these Ghats. 4. Can create Innovative Formulas or ideas which can be experimented in areas which are difficult for government agencies to make changes in Providing expertise and policy analysis. 5. The NGO’s can play a major role in strengthening the environmental policy frame work for the conservation of Eastern Ghats. 6. Solidarity and support to environmental defenders and opposing developmental projects. 7. And finally by promoting the status of the Eastern Ghats for a World Hertitage Site as declared to that of the Western Ghats. About GrACE: Council for Green Revolution (CGR), an environmental action group is a registered public charitable society based at Hyderabad, Telangana which has been working with concern and commitment towards protection of environment and sustainable development. CGR has successfully planted around 21, 41,542 saplings through its flagship activity of “Massive Tree Plantation Programme” by involving 3, 47,572 Students of 1356 Government schools of 13 Districts of AP and Telangana. A Conservation and Restoration of Eco-Systems has been one of the areas of focus for CGR. Greens’ Alliance for Conservation of Eastern ghats (GrACE) was launched by CGR to provide an ideal platform for a national level broad spectrum people’s movement for the protection of Eastern Ghats, the unique bio-geosphere which has great environmental, social, economic, cultural and spiritual significance in the sub-continent. Over last few decades, the hill ranges and its ecosystems are experiencing severe threat and under degradation to the greed and apathy of humans. Objectives: •Unleash a national level peoples movement for Eastern Ghats conservation through networking and creating synergies among all stakeholders. •To raise the present status of Eastern Ghats to one of the Global Biodiversity Hotspots. •To highlight the significance, issues, challenges and conservation options. • To raise the participation of all stakeholders in conservation, sustainable management of the mountains and ecosystems. •To ensure its conservation by placing it on our national agenda. •To work for Eastern Ghats Protection Authority. •To work on Policy, advocacy for the sustainability of the ranges. • To play a sentinel role in the protection of serene hills from destruction and degradation, its invaluable recourses, biodiversity, tribals, socio-economic, cultural and spiritual values of mountains. As part of this mission GrACE is planning to prepare an agenda paper with charter of demands for protection of Eastern Ghats. Beginning with Vishakapatnam, we are planning to conduct regional conventions of GrACE at Tirupati, Vijayawada, Bhadrachalam, Orissa, Tamilnadu, and ultimately a state level convention by involving all the stakeholders.

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 75 Events: GrACE has so far organized four regional conventions in parts of Eastern Ghats. Following are the details, S.No Date Convention Chief Guest In collaboration with 1 05th June 2011 Inauguration of GrACE - - 2 19th Nov 2011 First Regional Convention on Conservation Dr. P. Purandeshwari, Union Minister, Andhra University, Vishakapatnam. of Eastern Ghats, Vishakapatnam HRD. 3 10th March 2012 Second Regional Convention on Sri Dokka Manikya Varaprasad, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Conservation of Eastern Ghats, Guntur Minister for Rural Development, AP Guntur 4 30th July 2012 Third Regional Convention on Conservation Dr. K. Rosaiah, Hon’ble Governor, SRM University, Chennai of Eastern Ghats, Chennai Govt. of Tamilnadu 5 05th& 06th Dec 2013 Fourth Regional Convention on Dr. A. Chakrapani, Hon’ble Chairman, Sri Venkateshwara University, Conservation of Eastern Ghats, Tirupathi AP Legislative Assembly. Tirupathi Way Forward: 1. More conventions in this region. 2. Advocacy and lobbying for a special conservation focus and making the hills a national and global natural heritage site. 3. Forming a wider national network. 4. Bringing the status of a Hotspot as similar to that of Western Ghats. 5. Participation of masses for the wider conservation of these Ghats. STUDY OF SOIL NUTRIENT STATUS AND IDENTIFICATION OF SOIL RELATED CONSTRAINTS OF AGRO BIO DIVERSITY PARK, PJTSAU, HYDERABAD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. J. Kamalakar, B. Joseph and T.Prabhakar Reddy. Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Rudrur, Nizamabad. Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana. Abstract:- In the present study twenty representative pedons were selected based topography from various physiographic units identified in the Agro biodiversity park of PJTSAU, Hyderabad. On the basis of geomorphic units, soils were selected from upland, midland and lowlands. The soils of the Agro Biodiversity Park were studied for Available Nutrient status and soil related constrains. The results showed that variation in soil properties strongly influenced the land form and topography. The analysis data of soils Indicates that the upland soils are shallow, midland and lowland soils are medium to deep, but along the slope the depth of soil increased. Regarding organic carbon content ranged from 0.14to0.96 percent. And available nutrient status of the soils are low to medium in available N and P being 92.3 to351.5 and 6.20 to 28.6 kg ha-1,where as available K low to high 93.1 to 293.4 kg ha- 1,deficient to sufficient in available S 6.5 to21.2 mg kg-1. And the soil resource inventory for identifying the soil related constraints like erosion, run off and drainage resulting in soil material loss must be controlled with a combination of various practise in a system approach especially with trees, crops and an a biotic component may be integrated for the restoration and conservation of soil and land resources including native flora and fauna In-situ. Hence appropriate soil and water conservation practices needed to be undertaken simultaneously to conserve and preserve the Native flora and fauna which are found in Agro Bio diversity park of PJTSAU, Hyderabad. Key words:- Agro biodiversity, Topography, Available Nutrients, soil related constraints. Introduction: Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur. It is the sum total of the diversity in the biosphere in terms of number, variety and variability of all living organisms. Agro biodiversity is the subset of biological diversity which is related to the agriculture. Thus agro biodiversity is the diversity of the agricultural systems. Agro Bio Diversity is the key that sustains agricultural production and productivity. The first of its kind in India Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad, has established an Agro Bio Diversity Park (ABDP) in 60 ha area with natural ecosystem, undulating terrain rocks, boulders and hillocks in the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University campus, Hyderabad during August 2008. Out of this 30 ha area is covered under natural water tank. The Agro Biodiversity Park is aimed to preserve and conserve the native flora and fauna of Deccan plateau region through ex-situ conservation of the species and to establish 15–20 biotic communities including wild relative field crops as a repository that flourished in the region in the past. Tree blocks depicting genetic diversity such as Teak, Mahuwa, Palm, Ficus, Medicinal plants and mixed forest tree

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 76 blocks were planted in 10 ha area. In addition to plantation blocks, water ponds and water bodies were also created as a source of water for all resident and migratory bio creatures for promotion of faunal resources. At present in Agro Bio Diversity Park there are 24 species of insects, 5 species of fish and 8 spp of reptiles. Of 120 species of butterflies present in the Andhra Pradesh, 56 were recorded in the Agro Bio Diversity Park. The bird species increased from 35 to 162 within two years. Characterization helps in determining the soil potentials and identifying the Constraints in crop production besides giving detailed information about different soil properties. Thus the systematic study of physical, physico- chemical and chemical properties of the ABDP soils could help in understanding the basic characteristics of the soils and the constraints associated with the management of soils. The study of characterization of soils and their potential capabilities for further development and maintenance of park in better way (Kamalakar, 2011). Materials and Methods: In the present study the Agro Bio Diversity Park (ABDP ) of Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad is located between 170 18.5722 and 170 18.6382 latitudes and 780 24.8822 and 780 24.9612 longitudes. Physiographically the study area is located at an average elevation of 545 m above mean sea level and forms a part of Deccan plateau region. The general slope of the landis from North to South. Based on variation in topography factor it is divided into uplands, midlands and lowlands. The study area is characterized by semi-arid tropical climatic condition with the average rainfall of 768 mm of which 74 per cent is received during South-West monsoon, 16 percent during North-East monsoon and 8 per cent in summer. Mean monthly rainfall is highest in the month of August followed by September. The maximum temperature has been recorded during April i.e. 40.30C and minimum temperature in December is 13.20C . The natural vegetation consists of predominant tree species present in the area were Neem, pongamia, Mahua, Tamarind, Teak, Ficus, Bahunia, Ber, Custard apple, Carissa coronda, Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia spp. and Cassia spp. In addition, the area is also covered with natural scrub jungle as well as variety of seasonal herbs, creepers and grass species mainly dominated by Cyprus rotundus and Cynodon dactylon. Since establishment of ABDP in August 2008 onwards some plantations were developed in phased manner to create natural ecosystem such as teak, Mahua, Ficus, palms, medicinal trees and mixed forest tree species blocks with different genetic diversity. While doing plantations the exotic species like Prosopis juliflora, Lantana camera and Parthenium hysterophorous were removed so as to facilitate to promote native flora and fauna (Aariff Khan 2011). Twenty representative pedons were selected based on topography from various physiographic units identified and global position points were noticed in each profile by using GPS. Within profile horizons were identified based on the differences observed in colour, texture and resistance to penetration. Morphological characteristic features were studied in the field itself. From each horizon soil samples were collected from dug profiles in the month of April 2011. Characterization of twenty soil profiles was made distributed across the entire study area as upland, midland and low lands. After processing soil samples analysed for different parameters following standard procedures (AAOC, 1980). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Available Nutrients: Organic carbon: The data on organic carbon content in Table 1 ranged from 0.14 to 0.96 percent. All soils of the study area fall under low to medium category except profiles of lowlands as they fall under high category. The OC content in A horizon of upland profiles varied from 0.18 to 0.58 per cent. The highest OC content (0.96 per cent) observed in surface horizon of profile 20 and the lowest (0.18 per cent) was observed in bottom horizon of profile4. The surface horizons of all the profiles were higher in organic matter than subsurface horizons. A general trend of decreasing organic carbon with depth was observed in all profiles. In profile 20 the OC content was very high in the surface horizons, and a sharp decrease was observed in the lower horizons. The lowland profiles were higher in OC content than other profiles. The distribution of OC these profiles is mainly associated with physiography and land use. The OC content increased monotonically from the uplands to lowland soils, the increasing trend of OC might be attributed for the clay migration, water retention and localized micro climate. Further the differences in the amount of OC are probably due to the differences of litter

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 77 decomposition rate in the vicinity. The increased OC content in the lowlands also as a result from deposition processes and low soil erosion. This observation is in accordance with the results of Tusi et al.(2004).

Available N: The data on available N content in the soils of ABD Park indicate that the sub-soil horizons consistently recorded lower N content as compared to surface horizons. The sub soils available N ranged from 120.8 to 293.4 kg ha-1. The surface horizons consist of higher amount of available N as compared to subsurface horizons and ranged from 138.4 to 351.6 kg ha-1. Generally the available N was less, in the upland soils as compared to midland and lowland soils recorded higher N content as compared to other landform positions. The data on available N content in Agro Biodiversity Park exhibited that, the available N content consistently increased in relation to landform position, where available N content in the following order upland >midland >lowland soil. The available N content was maximum in the surface horizon and decreased regularly with depth of the profile. The less available N content in the upland soils might be due to the faster degradation and consequent removal of organic matter with alluvial and colluvial processes. The results obtained in the present study are in agreement with the findings of Thangaswamy et al. (2005). Available P: The available P content also following a similar trend along with N where subsurface recorded lower P content as compared to surface horizons (Table 1). The available P content ranged from 6.20 to 20.74 kg ha-1 in upland soils, which is comparatively low in relation to midland and lowland. The midland soils recorded a range of P content 12.26 to 27.13 kg ha-1 and whereas 12.3 to 28.6 kg ha-1 in lowland soils. In general, the available P content followed an order of upland>midland>lowland. The continuous increase in P content from upland to lowland might be attributed to the particulate accumulation through translocation of materials. Rao et al., (2008) also observed the consistent decrease in available P translocation with depth. Available K: The data on the available K content (Table 1) indicated that, K content gradually decreased with depth in all profiles. The available K was in the range of 101.4 to 177.1, 114.1 to 187.8 and 108.2 to 293.6 kg ha -1 in uplands, midlands and lowlands respectively. The available K content was in the order of upland>midland>lowland soils. The available K was comparatively high in lowlands, because of finer fractions in their A horizons and the available form of K decreased with depth. The higher content of available K in surface layer was probably due to more intense weathering, release of labile K from organic residues and translocation of the element from lower depths with capillary rise of ground water. Similar type of results, reported by in Shimoga district of Karnataka. The available K consistently increased from upland to lowland soils which might be due to the particulate migration from the upper layers to the lower soils (Rudramurthy et al., 2007). Available S: The data on available sulphur content ranged from 6.5 to 21.2 mg kg-1 in general surface soil horizons recorded higher available sulphur content as compared to sub-surface horizons in different types of topography (Table 1). In all types of soils, the lowland soils recorded higher sulphur content and followed order upland>midland>lowland horizons than sub surface horizons might be due to higher amount of organic carbon content. The higher content of carbon migration from the uplands midlands. Only one profile in uplands P 16 the available content is below critical limits i.e. 10 mg kg-1. In general in all profiles irrespective of topography the available content decreased with depth. Further sulphur being mobile might by readily migrate from uplands to lowlands (Rao et al., 2008). Soil related constraints and suitable measures for overall improvement of Agro Bio diversity Park: A critical study of the existing upland, Midland and low land soils of Agro biodiversity park (ABDP), at the University has been done, it was found that in the Upland soils, where soil is sloppy, eroded, severe runoff soil loss, shallow depth, low water holding capacity with high gravel content, and excess drainage, with low organic carbon content, less fertility and deficiency in available nutrient status of Nitrogen, phosphorus and potash was observed. Similar trend of physical properties with regard to Midland soils were observed, where medium physical properties, soil depth, less water holding capacity was recorded. Same trend with regard to physical properties in

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 78 low land soils regarding the available nutrients was noticed. Here the soil physical properties were similar to mixed parent material of alluvium and colluviums, medium to low erosion, fine texture with dipressional areas with occasional water logging was seen. For overcoming the constraints of the Agro Biodiversity Park, soils of the University, and effective management and sustainability of the flora and fauna of the park, Crop wise and soil based management practices need to be addressed. Crop Based Management Practices: For the upland soils crop management practices help and can be restored and sustained by introducing one of the effective Agroforestry practice of Tree based Agri-silvi-pastoral system,(Cowpea + Acacia nilotica + Stylosanthes hamata) with for effective arresting of soil translocation and selection of suitable study crops with smothering canopy and better establishment of root biomass, preferably legume based crop/tree mixture, which can have high canopy, in-situ integration of leaf litter and plant biomass and addition of organic manures including nutrient supply on the base of the crop need as per crop growth stages. In case of midland and low land soils Agri- silvibased crops may be selected including native flora which can produce higher amount of biomass following strict package of practices for the selected crop. Soil Based Management Practices: With regard to soil based management practices in uplands structures like terraces, contourbunding for soil and water conservation practices may be adopted. Addition of organic matter and application of inorganic fertilizers for good crop growth should be considered. Practice such as Zero or minimum tillage for soil conservation and management is best for upland soils. For mid and lowland soils similar trend is to be practiced such as terrace formation, contourbunding for soil and water conservation effectively. Addition of organic matter and application of tank silt or any other alternate similar amendments may be utilized and site specific nutrient requirement on the basis of soil and crop analysis with optimum tillage and water management strategies may be adopted on the bases of specific crop requirement. Table 1. Available Nutrient Content of Soils of Agri Biodiversity Park

UPLAND SOILS

N P K S Profiile No Depth (cm) O C (%) kg ha-1 mg kg- 1

P-4 Ap 0-10 0.38 138.42 15.2 133.41 12.2 Bw 10-39 0.32 132.35 14.5 124.52 11.6 Bc 39-65 0.24 107.21 12.61 116.34 10.7 C 65-75 0.18 101.87 10.24 109.86 9.8

P-7 Ap 0-15 0.57 221.32 17.06 126.38 14.5 Bw 15-30 0.54 140.05 18.4 118.41 12.6 CB 30-55 0.52 132.12 15.1 108.92 11.2 C 55-85 0.42 122.46 10.2 101.39 10.2

P-8 Ap 0-13 0.58 194.72 20.5 121.18 10.1 AC 13-28 0.35 181.24 19.6 109.07 9.4 C 28-82 0.22 179.18 15.8 102.86 8.2

P-10 Bw 0-15 0.48 214.12 18.05 147.82 11.5 C1 15-30 0.46 128.36 16.4 139.48 10.8 C2 30-84 0.23 121.48 11.6 122.32 9.82

P-11

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Ap 0-10 0.51 201.05 10.8 135.45 10.2 Bw 10-25 0.48 178.71 8.6 127.81 9.7 CB 25-51 0.41 131.42 7.5 106.34 8.3 C 51-90 0.29 121.56 6.2 93.58 7.1

P-12 Ap 0-18 0.46 214.45 10.2 177.12 13.1 Bw 18-39 0.43 208.36 9.6 156.08 11.4 Bc 39-63 0.25 202.15 8.1 145.02 10.7 C 63-78 0.21 172.34 6.5 132.53 8.1

P-15 Ap 0-25 0.22 216.04 19.8 129.14 13.1 Ac 25-53 0.16 134.52 18.33 116.18 11.4 C 53-88 0.14 129.78 16.09 105.65 10.7

S N P K Profiile No Depth (cm) O C (%) kg ha-1 mg kg- 1 P-16 Ap 0-10 0.56 202.95 20.74 173.74 9.8 Ac 10-50 0.53 195.47 19.62 162.38 7.4 C 50-81 0.48 147.36 18.51 137.42 6.5

P-18 Ap 0-14 0.38 143.25 9.81 141.67 13.5 Ac 14-37 0.34 120.84 8.65 130.54 12.1 C 37-68 0.25 109.52 7.18 121.78 9.5

MIDLAND SOILS S N P K Profiile No Depth (cm) O C (%) kg ha-1 mg kg- 1

P-2 Ap 0-14 0.61 312.46 25.83 144.23 15.2 Bt 14-30 0.53 251.35 19.04 136.58 13.5 Bw 30-63 0.37 191.07 17.35 125.23 11.2 C 63-95 0.31 184.54 16.78 114.08 7.8

P-3 Ap 0-13 0.65 243.32 22.92 187.94 15.1 Bt 13-29 0.59 197.81 21.06 166.32 12.8 Bw 29-47 0.56 112.29 19.75 160.19 8.5 C 47-95 0.53 111.37 15.4 146.24 10.2 P-6 Ap 0-17 0.67 250.46 23.07 149.42 17.5 Bt 17-42 0.58 224.35 18.95 125.36 15.4 CB 42-70 0.22 204.84 17.53 121.48 13.2 C 70-98 0.21 150.78 12.26 117.54 12.5 P-19 Ap 0-16 0.66 305.92 27.13 152.59 16.4 Bw 16-34 0.3 216.84 21.34 147.43 12.8 C 34-97 0.26 165.32 12.68 132.35 11.2

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LOWLAND SOILS

N P K S Profiile No Depth (cm) O C (%) kg ha-1 mg kg- 1 P-1

Ap 0 -13 0.72 334.08 26.8 293.56 21.2 Bt 13-33 0.69 281.42 24.6 218.02 18.5

CB 33-60 0.64 207.65 15.4 179.62 17.1

C 60-112 0.4 138.32 12.3 135.26 16.8

P-5 Ap 0-10 0.86 345.45 24.5 150.16 20.5

Bw 10-25 0.75 293.36 22.2 135.45 18.2

CB 25-43 0.6 214.45 20.2 127.34 16.7 C 43-100 0.51 198.26 14.1 111.82 13.8

P-9

Ap 0-16 0.88 348.23 26.01 289.17 17.8

Bw 16-30 0.7 242.08 24.02 267.34 15.3 Bc 30-105 0.54 218.92 14.25 226.78 14.6

P-13

Ap 0-15 0.7 318.34 25.05 148.52 18.1

Bw 15-35 0.37 205.55 20.06 131.46 15.2 C 35-113 0.32 181.62 19.42 125.92 10.4

P-14

Ap 0-17 0.89 326.51 24.9 282.34 19.1 Bt 17-50 0.65 258.74 21.1 251.58 16.3

C 50-100+ 0.5 226.09 17.2 223.32 14.5

P-17

Ap 0-10 0.68 324.18 26.5 134.14 18.5 Bt 10-34 0.46 273.56 21.5 123.65 16.3

Bc 34-72 0.33 182.19 18.7 118.76 15.6

C 72-115+ 0.27 173.44 16.2 108.42 12.3 P-20

Bw 0-12 0.96 351.57 28.6 181.25 18.2

C1 12-30 0.75 252.24 23.6 173.32 17.8

C2 30-58 0.58 223.35 21.4 164.65 14.2 C3 58-100+ 0.4 202.82 18.5 155.28 13.5

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in Proceedings of National Seminar on Biodiversity Conservation and Role of Student Youth 81 ABOUT EDITORS Mr. K. Devender Babu, Head, Dept. of Botany, Girraj Govt. College (A), Nizamabad. E mail: [email protected] 32 yrs of academic & teaching experience He had completed one MRP (U.G.C.-SERO)-‘Qualitative & Quantitative evaluation of leaf proteins’, Grants: Rs. 1, 80, 000. Organized National Seminars: 02 1. “Recent trends in Plant Sciences” with CPE grants 2. “Biodiversity Conservation - Role of Student Youth”-UGC-SERO Conducted Workshops: 02 Applications of Biotechnology in Plant Science Recent trends and opportunities in Plant Sciences Training: 06-Workshops, 2-Refresher Courses, 1-Orientation Programme, Participated in International & National Conferences: 06 (International conference- three day symposium-European Union-sponsored ‘NanoBioSaccharides Dissemination’ conference organized by organised by the Department of Plant Sciences, Universty of Hyderabad, Sept. 2008).

Mrs. T. Umakiran, Asst. Prof., Dept. of Botany, Girraj Govt. College (A), Nizamabad. Working on MRP (U.G.C.-SERO)-‘Biological Control of Sunflower Rust caused by Puccinia helianthi’ Grants: 2.7 lakh Ph.D. (Pursuing), Telangana University, Nizamabad. National Seminars: 02 (Co-Convener) “Recent trends in Plant Sciences” with CPE grants - “Biodiversity Conservation - Role of Student Youth”-UGC-SERO Participated in National Conferences: 05 Training: 02-Workshops, , 1-Orientation Programme,

Dr. Ahmed Abdul Haleem Khan Assistant Professor, Dept. of Botany, Telangana University, Dichpally, Nizamabad-503322, Telangana State E mail: [email protected] Research Project: UGC-BSR Research Start-Up Grant project, A Study on the Biodiversity of Endophytic Fungi in Apocynaceae, Ref: Lr. No. F. 30100/2015 (BSR) (on going)-Rs. 6.00 lakhs Invited Lectures in National seminars & Extension Lectures Delivered: 13 Membership in Professional Bodies/ Societies: Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) Membership No. L14922, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Association of India [MAPAI] Membership No. 360 Countries visited: Malaysia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Co-curricular Experience: Member, Board of Studies, Department Research Committee, Mentor, Dept. of Botany, Volunteer editor/reviewer for Science Alert scientific journals, Member in Editorial Board for International Journal of Biology, Pharmacy and Allied Sciences (IJBPAS), ISSN: 2277-4998 Organized three Lecture Workshop sponsored byIndian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, The National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad. Popular Lecture Series sponsored by Department of Biotechnology (DBT)-CTEP Training: 12 Workshops, 1 Refresher Course, 1 Orientation Programme, Publications: Book: 01, Chapters: 03, Papers: International: 10, National: 06, Conf. Proceedings: 15 Citation indices-Google Scholar: Citations: 60, h-index: 4, i10-index: 2 Total Impact factor: 27.669

International Science Community Association www.isca.in, www.isca.co.in, www.isca.net.co, www.isca.net.in