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(Tfac) of the R&D Scheme for Conservation MINUTES OF EIGHTEENTH MEETING OF TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL APPRAISAL COMMITTEE (TFAC) OF THE R&D SCHEME FOR CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT OF THE MoEF&CC HELD ON 19th NOVEMBER, 2020 & 20th NOVEMBER, 2020 AT INDIRA PARYAVARAN BHAWAN, MoEF&CC, NEW DELHI THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCING The 18th meeting (virtual) of the Technical and Financial Appraisal Committee (TFAC) for ‘Research & Development (R&D) for Conservation and Development’ Scheme of the MoEF&CC was held under chairmanship of Prof C.R. Babu on 19th November& 20th November, 2020 at MoEF&CC, Brahmaputra Conference Hall, First Floor, Vayu Wing, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi. The Committee members and project investigators attended the meeting through Videoconferencing. List of the participants is at Annexure-l. 1.1During present meeting, only fresh proposals submitted during current financial year, i.e., after 1st April, 2020, have been considered in the 18th Meeting of TFAC. The proposals submitted upto 31st March, 2020 are required to be revised and resubmitted using latest data and information. 1.2 The Ministry has received requests for no cost extension of following three projects: 1.2.1 F.No.19-112/2010-RE-“Sequential Production of Bio-diesel, Ethanol, Hydrogen and Methane as a “Biorefinary” Concept using Leather Solid Wastes and Effluent Treatment Sludges”. PI: Dr. P. Shanmugam Scientist EII, CLRI, Adyar, Chennai. Objective of the project Project Status of the Project Details 1. A better waste to energy technology from Duration: 3 This case was leather, slaughterhouse solid waste and Years considered in 6th treatment plant sludge by recovering biodiesel, Meeting of TFAC held bio-ethanol, biohydrogen and biomethane than D.o.S- on 17.07.2019.The the existing solid waste management 31.12.15 committee had technology. recommended for Total cost – extension of tenure 77,11,400 2. Paradigm shift from biomethanisation upto 31st March, 2020. technology for solid wastes into a bio-refinery. The same has been Released so th far:-73,35,486 extended upto 30 3. High energy output form solid wastes and September, 2020. high GHG emission reduction. The PI has requested 4. Genetically Modified Organisms that can for extension upto 31st maximize the bioethanol, biohydrogen and March, 2021. biomethane recovery. 5. Optimum CSTR gas mixing system for gas liquid and solid separation, a new digester technology. 6. To scale up and develop a pilot studies for the four-stage sequential production of bio-diesel, bioethanol and biohydrogen and biomethane from the complete conversion of Leather solid waste and treatment plant sludges The Committee has recommended for no cost extension of the proposal upto 31stMarch, 2021. 1.2.2 F.No.19-150/2014-RE- “Phytoremedial Assessment of Metal Tolerant Flora in the Vicinity of Metal Based Industrial Clusters of Western Tamil Nadu” PI: Dr. P. Thangavel, Department of Environmental Science, Periyar University, Salem Objective of the project Project Details Status of the Project 1. To investigate the availability of soil heavy Duration: 3 Years This case was metals and minerals nutrient profiles in the D.o.S: 15.09.16 considered in 6th vicinity of metal based industries in western D.o.C:30.03.2020 Meeting of TFAC held Tamil Nadu especially Coimbatore, Tiruppur Total cost – on 17.07.2019. and Salem. 50,67,710 Released The extension has 2. To identify the existing metal tolerant amount:- already been granted plants and their rhizosphere metal and 39,09,150 upto 31st March, 2020. nutrient profile in the vicinity of metal based industries for the above mentioned district. Email has been received requesting for 3. To assess the phytoremediation efficiency extension of tenure of collected native plants from the metal upto 30th Sept, 2021 based industries with the several established without any additional biological factors/ criteria. cost due to University is closed for faculty and 4. To categorize the collected mettallophytes research scholars as into indicator, excluder, accumulator and the hostel was hyper accumulator- this will be potentially converted into COVID- useful for remediation of metal contaminated 19 hospital to treat the soils in terms of hypo extraction and positive patients. phytostablization strategies. The PI has requested for extension upto September, 2021. The Committee recommended for no cost extension of the project upto 30thSeptember, 2021. 1.2.3 F. No. 14/8/2014-RE-Exploration of Biodiversity and Conservation issues of Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh with reference to wildlife species distribution along climate and topographical gradients PI: Dr. (Mrs.) Ashalata Devi, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Environment Science, Tezpur University, Napaam, Tezpur, Assam Objective of the project Project Details Status of the Project 1. To explore the distribution, status, and Duration: 3 The project was diversity of animal communities along Years considered in the 10th climatic and topographical gradient. D.o.S-01.02.2017 TFAC Meeting held on 2. To study the distribution of plant D.o.C-31.01.2020 11.12.2019. communities along climatic, edaphic and Total cost - topographical gradient in wildlife surveyed 38,96,640 Email has been received areas as well as other parts of sanctuary. Released so far: - from PI requesting for 3. To identify the Species specific 26,57,613 release of 3rdInstalment conservation and management issues of and grant of extension of keystone species in the study area. tenure of the project till 4. To quantify the local community pressure December, 2022 due to on biodiversity of sanctuary due to their day- prevailing situation of to-day household needs and find out COVID-19 pandemic and solution to manage it on sustainable basis. non-availability of project fund for a period of time, the project works are severely hampering. Therefore, it needs extra period of time to complete project work according to the line of objectives of the project. The Committee recommended for no cost extension of the project upto 30th September, 2021. 2.0 Confirmation of Minutes of the Seventeenth Meeting of TFAC held on 14th August, 2020 The Minutes of the 17th Meeting of the Technical and Financial Appraisal Committee (TFAC) held on 14th August, 2020 were confirmed. 3.0 CONSIDERATION OF R&D PROJECTS RECEIVED ONLINE UNDER R&D SCHEME: 3.1. Reg No 106/2020/RE: Project on “Status, ecology and conservation threats on rails (Rallidae) with special reference to climate change in selected wetlands of Tamil Nadu” PI: Dr. N. Ezhilarasi, Assistant professor in Zoology, PG and Research, Department of Zoology, Government Arts College, Coimbatore, 641018 PROJECT DETAILS Duration of the study: 2 Years Location of the Study: Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore Thematic Area: Climate Change: Vulnerability & Risk Assessment, Process, Mitigation and Adaptation Objectives of the Project: • Assess the population status and distribution of the rails in and around Coimbatore • Understand the relationship between distribution and habitat features of rails • To study the daily and seasonal activity patterns and time budget activities of the selected rail species • To understand the habitat requirement for different activities for different rail species • To study the breeding biology of selected rails • To interpret various climate factors which would cause on the breeding and feeding ecology of rails • To suggest feasible scientific management recommendations for the long run conservation of rails in Coimbatore District. Expected Output of the project: • All Rails species photographed with their key identifications • A detailed map on spatio and temporal movement of selected Rail species • A detailed map of nesting locations • A detailed map of present status, location and habitat quality of wetlands with reference to climatic changes Expected Outcome of the Project: • Scientific and feasible management recommendations for the longterm conservation of Rails • A detailed action plan for securing the Wetlands of Coimbatore District Total Project Cost: Rs.1328400 The proposed cost of the project and year wise breakup of the cost: Tenure 1st Year (In Rs.) 2nd Year (In Rs.) Total Budget (In Rs.) 2 Year 733450 594950 1328400 The component wise breakup of cost of the project: Component Year 1 (In Rs.) Year 2 (In Rs.) Total cost (In Rs.) Salary 384000 384000 768000 Equipment 150000 0 150000 Consumables 20000 20000 40000 Travel cost 50000 50000 100000 Contingency 25000 25000 50000 Institutional Charges 34450 25950 60400 Any Other 70000 90000 160000 Total Budget 733450 594950 1328400 The PI made the presentation. The committee observed that methodology provided is weak and the project requires revision. The Committee recommends that the PI may consult an expert working at Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) for revision and resubmit for further consideration by TFAC. 3.2. Reg No 77/2020/RE: Project on “The Endangered Medicinal Plants Paradigm Shift: An Assessment of Conservation and Therapeutic Knowledge through Machine and Deep Learning” PI: Dr. Krishnan Vasanth, Assistant professor Molecular Biology Lab, Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641046 PROJECT DETAILS Co-PI: Dr. A. Rajendran, Professor and Head, Department of Botany Dr. R. Rakkiyappan, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore Dr. K. PradeepaVeerakumari, Assistant Professor, Department of Statistics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore Duration of the study: 3 years Location of the Study: Tamil Nadu,
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