Hibiscus sidiformis Baill. (Magnoliopsida: Malvales: Malvaceae): A New Addition to the Flora of India

An extensive field investigation conducted in some pockets of the Western Himalaya (India) revealed the presence of two moss taxa, namely Trachypodopsis formosana Nog. (Meteoriaceae) and Bucklandiella nitidula (Cardot) Bedn. -Ochyra & Ochyra (Grimmiaceae), as new record for India. A comprehensive taxonomic key encompassing all known species within India for both taxa, along with an account of their distinctive morphological attributes are provided. The present study resulted into the extension of the known range of distribution of these two taxonomically significant moss species beyond China for former species while beyond China and Japan for latter.

The genus Ophiorrhiza belongs to Rubiaceae, with about 64 species recorded from India. Ophiorrhiza japonica is recorded here for the first time in Manipur, India. Its taxonomic description is provided along with photographs for easy identification.

Memecylon clarkeanum Cogn., a vulnerable species, is reported as a new record for Karnataka from primeval sacred forest, Rameshwara Devarakadu of Hulkodu village in the region of Sharavathi river basin, Sagar taluk, Shivamogga district, central Western Ghats. The present discovery highlights the importance of sacred groves in conserving rare, endangered and endemic flora. Prior to this, the species was reported as a new record for India from Kerala in 2012. The present paper illustrates the range extension of the species further towards northern latitudes up to central Western Ghats, Karnataka. The study assessed distributional range, habitat, ecology, status of threat, and vulnerability for planning conservation measures.

Twelve species ofSibbaldia L. are recognised, including one new combination and one new record for India. Key to the species, correct nomenclature of taxa dealt with, their systematic account, range of distribution, both in India and outside are given and specimens examined cited.

<p>Article published in the journal Tropical Lepidoptera Research</p>

Campylanthus pungens O. Schwartz. (Scrophulariaceae) is reported from Bhuj, Kachchh District of Gujarat, as a new record for India. Detailed taxonomical characteristics, habitat ecology and associated floral information are provided.

The monotypic ginger genus Stadiochilus R. M. Sm. with S. burmanicus R. M. Sm. earlier known from Myanmar is reported here as a new record for India from the state of Nagaland. A detailed taxonomic description along with photographic illustrations of S. burmanicus is given. For conservation purposes, the IUCN status of this species has been evaluated as Endangered. The present field study ascertained that extraction of timber and non-timber forest products, forest fires and shifting cultivation are the major threats to the species in the locality in Nagaland reported here.

Aspidistra yingjiangensis L. J. Peng (Asparagaceae: Nolinoidae) earlier known from Yunnan province in China is reported here as a new record for India from the state of Nagaland. A detailed taxonomic description along with photographs of the diagnostic characters is presented. Detailed comparison of the morphological characters of A. yingjiangensis with A. longifolia Hook. f., the only known Indian Aspidistra, has been given.

Arthonia redingeri Grube, a new record from India. The taxon is characterized by its red coloured lirellate ascomata and transversely 3-septate, small ascospores with strongly pigmented lower septum. It is an interesting addition to the lichen flora of India and detailed taxonomic description with illustrations are provided herewith for easy identification of the taxon.

The Par-Tapi-Narmada river link envisages transfer of surplus water from west flowing rivers between Par and Tapi in Gujarat State, India to water deficit areas in North Gujarat. The scheme is located mainly in southern Gujarat but it also covers part of the areas of Maharashtra, North of Mumbai on the Western Ghats of India. The main aim of Par-Tapi-Narmada link is to transfer the surplus waters of Par, Auranga, Ambica and Purna River basins to take over part of Narmada Canal command (Miyagam branch) after providing enroute irrigation. It is proposed that water saved in Sardar Sarovar Project, as a result of this transfer, would be taken further northwards to benefit water scarce areas of north Gujarat and also westwards in Saurashtra and Kutch regions. The construction of seven reservoirs on Par-Tapi-Narmada River Link Project would affect land use/land cover, settlements and infrastructure facilities within and around reservoir area. Thus, the submergence impact analysis of all the seven reservoirs of this project have been carried out by using remote sensing and GIS techniques for planning and designing of the structures. Out of the seven reservoirs, the paper discusses submergence analysis of Kelwan Dam reservoir which is located in geologically complex region of the Dangs district. The study attempts to assess the present problems of submergence of land, forest, agriculture, settlements and infrastructure facilities by using GIS techniques for taking alternative remedial measures prior and during construction of the dams.

This paper describes the first record of charophyte gyrogonites from the late Miocene (Tortonian; ~ 11–10 Ma) Tapar locality of Kachchh, Gujarat State, western India. The recovered charophyte assemblage is constituted by Chara globularis var. aspera, C. globularis var. globularis, Lychnothamnus cf. sahnii, Lychnothamnus sp. and Nitellopsis sp. In addition, the present article discusses the palaeoenvironment based on the recorded charophyte gyrogonites (this study) and previously known faunal data (mainly vertebrates) from the Tapar locality, Kutch Basin, western India. Further, considering the significant extension of the biostratigraphic range [especially the First Appearance Datum (FAD)] of fauna from the Kutch Basin (in particular from the Tapar locality), we herein make an attempt to compare biostratigraphically the faunal assemblages from Kutch with those from the Siwalik Group, north India.

The Semnopithecus entellus can be broadly classified into two morphotypes based on tail carriage, namely the northern and the southern types (NT & ST). The borderline between these morphotypes runs along the Tapti-Godavari rivers in peninsular India. However there have been anecdotal reports of range extension of NT in peninsular India. To investigate this scenario we undertook an intensive survey of S. entellus morphotypes along the borderline districts in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The GPS coordinates of the two morphotypes were mapped using MapInfo professional software and the resulting map was compared with the map generated by Roonwal. Results indicate that NT S. entellus range limit fall further south of Roonwal’s borderline. This incongruence in NTs distribution between the present study and Roonwal’s might be due to natural range extension of NTs in some areas or a product of sampling artifact. Furthermore in parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka human mediated translocations might have also contributed to this range extension.

A total of 139 species of birds belonging to 45 families were recorded in the study area from September 2011 to July 2012. 67 species of these were residents, 28 were residents and local migrants, 22 were residents and winter migrants, 17 were winter migrants and 5 species were winter migrants as well as passage migrants. The order Passeriformes was highest in dominance followed by Charadriiformes, Ciconiiformes, Coraciiformes and Anseriformes. Among the bird species recorded the Darter ( Anhinga melanogaster ) , Painted Stork ( Mycteria leucocephala ), Oriental White Ibis ( Threskiornis melanocephalus ), Lesser Flamingo ( Phoenicopterus minor ) , Black-tailed Godwit ( Limosa limosa ), Eurasian Curlew ( Numenius arquata ), Black-bellied Tern ( Sterna acuticauda ) and European Roller ( Coracias garrulous ) are Near Threatened species (IUCN 2011).

We report sightings of the agamid lizard Trapelus agilis (Olivier, 1804) commonly known as the Brilliant Ground Agama, from the state of Gujarat in India. Trapelus agilis is known to be present in the state of Rajasthan from India, but its presence in Gujarat had not been confirmed due to absence of substantial records beside one old record from 1880s. We report sightings of T. agilis on two separate occasions in the years 2014 and 2015 from the region of Banni grasslands in Kachchh district of Gujarat. The observations and the nature of the habitat are described in detail. These recent sightings prompt for a systematic survey of T. agilis in the Kachchh landscape in India.

The multiple, geo-physical, socio-cultural and agro-economic diversities of Kachchh pose a complex mix of opportunities and challenges in determining a livelihood base for the people. The opportunities refer to diverse resource base consisting of large land mass, mineral deposits and long coast line besides an enterprising community and strong social capital built through generations of migratory links outside the region. Some of the major challenges facing the region, however, are frequent drought, severe scarcity of water along with increasing salinity; inappropriate management, aggravating the initial disadvantages with respect to natural resources; and physical remoteness. Third sector assumed importance in Kachchh after the devastating earthquake that shook the entire Gujarat, Kachchh being the epicentre. NGOs, Civil society groups, religious institutions, community organisations played a very crucial role in the rehabilitation process. Keeping that momentum going, many NGOs shifted their focus to livelihood, education, health and basic infrastructure issues in Kachchh afterwards. Oxfam (GB) being one of such funding agency, focused on livelihood issues with the help of various grass-root NGOs. In this context, the present study attempts to identify the role of third sector in addressing some of the aforementioned issues. Analysis of the study is based on a baseline survey of about 2600 households conducted in twenty-six villages of Kachchh district. Key words: Third sector, drought-prone regions, development, livelihood, Kachchh, India.