019089   Angusamy N;Loveson V J;Rajamanickam G V (Dep of Earth Sci, Tamil Univ, Thanjavur-613005) : Zirocon and ilmenite from the beach placers of southern coast of Tamil Nadu, east coast of India. Indian J Mar Sci 2004, 33(2), 138-49.

Zircons were studied from the two different zones of enrichment of placer deposits namely, Kanyakumari-Kuttankuli (KK) and Kallar-Vaippar (VP) along the southern coast of Tamil Nadu. The average heavy mineral contents were 67 wt.% for KK and 64 wt% in VP region. The heavy mineral assemblage of the two zones were akin to each other. However, monazite was present in the KK region. In KK, zircons were rounded (44.5-63.2%) overgrown (4.1-16%), and euhedral (9-4.9%) while in VP, they are largely broken (47.8-59.6%) rounded (22.2-38.9 %) and enhedral (7.3-8.1%). Mean length and breadth of zircons of KK and VP ranged from 0.22-0.26 mm and 0.07-0.13 mm and 0.06-0.16 mm and 0.07.0.11 mm respectivel. Zincons of VP are more fine-grained and well rounded than KK> The northerly currents, in the Gulf of Mannar, must have trasported and deposited the heavy minerals due to the inflection of coastline, and downwarped basinal structure. REE pattern of zircons exhibit Eu and Ce anomalies which could be explained only in terms of crystallochemical factors and the bulk, compositional differences of the melt. In the study area, abudance of rounded zircons, length/breadth (L/B) ratios, reduced major axis (RMA) angles, indicated that the source rock for zircons must have been primarily of charnockites. The distribution, composition and REE content of zircons compare well with that of other countries where it is currently under exploitation.

9 illus, 5 tables, 33 ref

019088   Aggarwal A K;Kaura S K;Chhachhia D P;Sharma A K (Coherent Optics Division, Central Scientific Instruments Organization, Sector-30, Chandigarh 160 030) : A compact holographic optics-based interferometer. Curr Sci 2004, 87(2), 228-32.

A compact holographic optics-base interferometer involving the use of minimal bulk optical components is described. The optical arrangement in the proposed system involves a simple alignment procedure, and conventional holographic recording material is used in the formation of holographic optical elements. Recording schemes for the formation of holographic optical elements and related techniques for the realization of the proposed interferometer along with typical experimental results are presented. The interferometer is quite suitable for performing optical test studies on phase (transparent) objects in real time.

5 illus, tables, 18 ref

019087   Agarwal K K;Agarwal G K (Dep of Geology, Univ of Lucknow, Lucknow-226007) : Effects of erosion on stable thrust wedges : A new perspective in sandbox analogue modelling. Curr Sci 2004, 87(2), 235-9.

Scaled sandboxanalgue models have been used to simulate the growth of Coulomb thrust wedges in isotropic cohesionless and anisotropic cohesionless materials. The internal and surface geometry of such wedges is controlled mainly by parameters like the coefficient of basal friction and the physical properties of the deforming materials. The effects of erosion on a stable Coulomb wedge have been studied and are described. In the experiment the uppermost 2 cm material of a developed wedge has been scraped-off, thus reducing the overburden on the wedge. This also changes the surface slope angle of the stable wedge. In order to maintain the critical angle of the wedge (fixed for every combination of deforming material and basal detachment) there is a noticable renewed internal deformation by reactivation along some older thrust planes as well as some new planes of detachment that also develop on further contraction in an otherwise stable wedge. The wedge once again starts deforming along these thrusts and also grows vertically. The study proposes that the effects of erosion or mass deficiency in a stable wedge under contractional tectonic environment lead to renewed tectonic activity in the organic areas. The removal of material in the oroganic areas is caused mainly by natural processes or its enhanced many folds by anthropogenic activities. The experimental results clearly demonstrate that such activities in may cause a renewed phase of tectonics in the orogenic areas, which are already subjected to the processes causing severe mass imbalance.

3 illus, 1 table, 25 ref

017168   Sundaresh;Gaur A S;Sila Tripati;Vora K H (National Inst of Oceanography, , Dona Paula, Goa-403 004) : Underwater investigations off Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1231-7.

Mahabalipuram the famous centre of Pallava art and architecture, is situated on the coast of Tamil Nadu. The local traditions and the foreign accounts vividly refer to the submergence of six temples out of seven the existed here. Recent underwater archaeological explorations in the area have revealed many structural remains including fallen walls, scattered dressed stone blocks, a few steps leading to a platform and many other structural remains. The structures were badly damaged and scattered owing to strong underwater currents and swells. Due to thick biological growth, engravings on the stone blocks, if any, cound not be noticed. Based on its alignment and form, they are considered to be of man-made in origion. Based on the archaeological evidences on land, the earliest possible date of these structures is estimated to be around 1500 years BP. The major cause of the submergence of the these structures is severe coastal erosion prevailling in the region.

8 illus, 21 ref

017167   Srivastava A;Nagpal B N;Saxena R;Wadhwa T C; Shiv Mohan;Siroha G P;Jitendra Prasad;Subbarao S K (NO, , 20 Modhuban, Delhi-110 092) : dMalaria epidemicity of mewat region, District Gurgaon, Haryana, India: a GIS-based study. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1297-1303.

5 illus, 5 tables, 5 ref

017166   Shobana V;Sukumaran G B;Chanrasekaran C G (Dep of Geology, Presidency College, Chennai-600005) : Geology and commercial significance of granitoids and the associated rocks of the tirttani area Thruvallur district Tamil Nadu. Indian Miner 2004, 38(1), 35-45.

Relates to geological and commercial aspects of granites and the associated roch types, occurring in and around Tiruttanic of Thiravallur District in Tamil Nadu. A detailed geological survey of the area has revealeed the occurance of granitic rocks followed by basic dykes which have very good market as dimensional stones. The granitic rocks appear to have been subjected to methamorphism and migmatisation, which are evident in their varied textural features. The are coarse to fine grained with varying colours (shades of grey and pink). Distinct to feeble gneissisity is noticed in the granitoids. Basic dykes graverse the grantitic rocks in different directions constituting a reticulare system. The dykes also show varied texture-aphanitic to phaneric texute with rare porphyritic texture. The study reveals the occurrence of certain commercial grade granites such as Colmbo Juparana. Zelore white, Forest Green, Grey Pearl Black granite etc., which can be economically exploited from the study area whose locations are indicated in this work.

1 illus, 2 tables, 11 ref

017165   Rao K N;Murali Krishna G;Hema Malini B (Geo-Engng Dep, Geo Dep, Andhra Univ, Visakhapatnam-530 003) : Kolleru lake is vanishing - a revelation through digital processing of IRS-1D LISS-III sensor data. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1312-16.

Digital processing of the IRS-1D LISS-III image revealed a highly degraded stage of the Kolleru lake. Among the several techniques tried, image enhancement through automatic log residuals method clearly indicated that about 42% of the 245 km² lake area was encroached for aquaculture and 8.5% more area was occupied for agriculture, while the rest of the lake is either being dried out by reclamation or i infested with weed. The study provides unambiguous visual information on the alarming levels of human-induced environmental degradation of Kolleru lake, which is one of the important coastal wetland ecosystems in teh country.

4 illus, 1 table, 11 ref

017164   Ramesh K;Shadaksharaswamy N (Dep of Geology, Bangalore Univ, Bangalore-560056) : Structure petrography and geochemistry of gneisis and charnockites of Chamarajanagar, Southern Karnataka. Indian Miner 2004, 38(1), 8-26.

Field, petrographic and geochemical date is presented for the foliated Charnockite and gneisses from Chamarajanagar area of Southern Karnataka. The area lies well within the amphlibolite to granulite facies transition zone. The major lithology includdes othe supracrustals, ultramafic rocks, amphibolite, gneisses, charnokites, granite and dolerities of different ages. Field observations show a complex deformational history and complex pattern of parallel shears, fractures and faults. The area under study exhibitied innumerable parallel minor sheaz zones. The shear zones noticed in the study area are the replicas of the regional shear zone (Moyar - Bhavani shear) along which upliftment of the terrain had taken place and various intrusive boides have been emplaced. Major and trace element data of gneisses and charnokite despite their tronddhyjemitic composition indicate low K₂O/SiO₂ ration. Foliater Charnockite exhibited slightly higher Fe₂O₃, high Na₂ O relative to K₂O and CaO. Gneisses and charnockites together show depletion of LIL elements, which is considered to be diagnostic of Chammarajanagar area and this, can be attributed to the formatin of gneisses from foliated charnockites due to retrogression

4 illus, 2 tables, 34 ref

017163   Raj R;Mulchandani;Bhandari S;Maurya D M; Chamyal L S (Dep of Geology, M.S. Univ of Baroda, Vadodar 390002) : Channel shifting of a highly sinuous meandering river in alluvial plain, Vishwamitri river, Mainland Gujarat. Curr Sci 2004, 86(12), 1647-53.

River meandering is an inherent characteristic of drainages in an alluvial plain. However, the style and degree of meandering depends on a number of geological factors, including tectonics. Investigated the Vishwamitiri river, a tributary of Dhadhar river flowing through Gujarat alluvial plain. The river follows a slope deviatory course and exhibits a narrow, highly sinuous and deeply incised meandering channel. Several lines of evidence, including satellite and topographic data, stratigraphic and sedimentological data and subsurface structural data have helped in understanding the controls on the channel morphoslogy of the Vishwamitri river. The study has also revealed that the course of the Vishwamitiri river has shifted towards east in the last 35 years, in response to neotectonic activity.

8 illus, 2 tables, 21 ref

017162   Rai S C;Sharma P (G.B.Pant Institute of Himalayan, Environment and Development, North-East Unit, Vivek Vihar, Itanagar-791113) : Carbon flux and land use/cover change in a Himalayan watershed. Curr Sci 2004, 86(12), 1594-6.

2 tables, 19 ref

017161   Padmakumari V M;Ahmad S M (National Geophysical Res Inst, , Uppal Road, Hyderabad-500 007) : Ash layer at ~ 8 Ma in ODP site 758 from the Bay of Bengal: evidence from Sr, Nd isotopic compositions and rare earth elements. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1323-5.

Strontium and neodymium isotopic compositions are widely used to delineate the provenance of sedimentary formations. These isotopes have characteristic signatures for crust and mantle material and therefore can distinguish between volcanic and other rock types. Reports here ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ε_Nd (O) and rare earth delements (REE) of bengal. The age model for this site is based on biostratigraphy, which shows good agreement with teh Sr-isotope derived ages. Most of the samples have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of ~ 0.712 and ε_Nd(O) of ~ - 12, except one sample (at ~ 8.2 Ma) that exhibits distinctly low radiogenic Sr and high radiogenic Nd (⁸⁷Sr⁸⁶SrSr=0.708 and ε_Nd(O) = - 1.1). REE pattern of this sample looks similar to that reported for volcanic ash from Toba, Sumatra. Suggested this sample to be a tephra layer, which originated from the Indonesian Volcanic Arc and got inter-stratified with the sediments. Results clearly show that Sr and Nd isotopes can identify this ash layers that otherwise may not easily be recognized.

3 illus, 18 ref

017160   Natarajan D;John Britto S;Balaguru B; Nagamurugan N;Soosairaj S;Arockiasamy D I (Microbiology Dep, Kandaswami Kandar's Coll, P Velur, Namakkal-638 182) : Identification of conservation priority sites using remote sensing and GIS - a case study from Chitteri hills, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1316-23.

Conservation of the forest resources is being rightly considered as an urgent task to be pursued through out the world. This communication deals with the delineation of conservation priority sites for effective management in the Chitteri hills, forming a part of the eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu using, IRS 1C-LISS III satellite data and GIS overlay analysis. the various thematic layers such as vegetation type, species richness, endemic and red-listed plant species, biotic pressure zone and socio-economic value zone are overlaid using GIS in order to identify conservation-priority zones. This study reveals that about 8.2% (5367.85 ha) of the total hill area could be delineated as conservation priority zone.

5 illus, 3 tables, 20 ref

017159   Naganoor P C;Venkataiah;Appanagoudar S M (Dep of Earth Sciences, P.G.Centre, Gulbarga Univ, Krishnadevarya Nagar, Sandur-583119) : Charcerisation of titaniferous magetite deposite of Madanagere area Ankola Taluk north Kanara Distric Karnataka. Indian Miner 2004, 38(1), 70-4.

The one microscopic and x-ray investigations of the titaniferous magnetitite deposits of the Madanagere area, revealed the presence of magnetic and ilmenite. IImenite occurs as discrete interstitial phase within the polgonal magnetic grains. It also occurs as exsolved phase as internal granules and lamellae in mangetite. Through 1.11% V₂O₅ is noticed in the titaniferous magnetiite,no mineral of vanadium is detected either by one microscopic or x-ray studies. The low intensity wet mangetic separation produced 55.9 wt magnetic fractin containing 64.85% Fe 2.88 <128>% Fe, TiO₂ 1.62% V₂ O₅ and 44.1 wt.% non magnetic fraction containing 47.1% Fe 17.42%TiO₂ and 0.46% V₂O₅. The magnetic fraction can be used for the recover of vanadium by salt roasting and leaching technique.

1 illus, 3 tables, 9 ref

017158   Michael McCarthy (Maritime Archaeology Dep, Western Australian Maritime Museum, Cliff Street Fremantle, Western A, ) : Australian underwater heritage at sea and abroad. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1268-75.

Apart from the many shipwrecks, submerged Aboriginal sites, sunken aircraft, abandoned jetties, port-related structures, occasional homestead and terrestrial maritime structures that remain preserved in Australian local waters, there are elements of its heritage in other seas. This paper will briefly touch on the management of the submerged and terrestrial maritime heritage on Australian shores and it will also comment on two important elements of the Australian maritime heritage in the Atlantic, HM Ship Roebuck (1701) at Ascension Island and the French exploration corvette L'Uranie (1820) and an adjacent land camp in the Falkland Islands. These sites were examined by a team from the Western Australian Maritime. Museum in March 2001 which was led by this author as part of a program designed to search for an examine two of the most important elements of Australia's maritime heritage overseas.

9 illus, 20 ref

017157   Manders M R;Chandraratne W M;Dayananda A M A; Muthucumarana R;Weerasena K B C;Weerasingha K D P (NO, , Kerkstraat 1, 3811 CV, Amersfoort, The Netherlands) : The physical protection of a 17th century VOC shipwreck in Sri Lanka. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1251-5.

Since 2002 a group of Maritime Archaeologists from Sri Lanka, the Netherlands and australia are excavating a 17th century VOC shipwreck in the harbour of Galle in Sri Lanka. This excavation is part of a larger project that involves training local experts, research and the restoration of Dutch Heritage in Galle. This includes the Fort and the wreck of the Avondster. The article deals specifically about the consolidation of the shipwreck. Due to changes in the the environment, the wreck is now heavily degrading. First it will be physically protected against further deterioration and then systematically excavated in sections.

8 illus, 19 ref

017156   Malathi M N;Jagannathappa M N;Srikatappa C (Dep of Geology, Univ of Mysore, Mansagangotri) : Fluid inclusions from charnockites calc-granulites and khondalites from Madukkarai Tamil Nadu India. Indian Miner 2004, 38(1), 53-64.

Moderate to low density carbonic fluids (0.88 to 0.55 g/cc) and low salinity aqueous fluids (5 to 12 wt% NaCI eqv.) occur in charnokites and calc-granulites of Madukkarai in Tamil Nadu. Apart from CO₂, mixed CO_2- H₂O inclusions which are 3-phase inclusions containing H₂O (liquid) + CO₂ (liquid)+ CO₂ (gas) at room temperature occur in charnockites. Garnet, silimanite, biotite bearing gneiss (khnondalite) contain relatively high density CO₂ fluids (0.07-0.93 g/cc) when compared to charnockites. The CO₂ isohores of calc-ilicate rocks pass below P-T box, indicating to their entrapment during post-neck metamorphic conditions. Based on the occurrence of low density CO₂-rich inclusions and biphase H₂O-rich inclusions in both calc-slicates and in retrogressed charnockites and intersection of their isochores, retrograde metamorphism (M2) in the Madukkarai area is estimated to be around 350°C at pressure of 2-3 kbar.

7 illus, 2 tables, 17 ref

017155   Kimothi S;Bhattacharya B K;Semalty P D;Pandey V K;Dadhwal V K (Phys Dep, S R T Campus Coll, H N Bahuguna Garhwal Univ) : Estimation of ground insolation using METEOST data over India. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1308-12.

Ground insolation or hort-wave incoming radiation (SWR) at the ground is an important input in models of vegetation productivity, hydrology, ecological functioning, crop growth, etc. but is measured over limited number of stations, which fail to capture is spatial variability. A physical retrieval scheme was used for mapping insolation using METEOSAT VISSER sensor data over the Indian landmass for the winter season. The analysis covered the months of November-December 1998 and January 1999, and used five daytime aequisitions of meteosat visible (0.3-1.1 μm), thermal (10.5-12.5μm), water vapour (6.5-7.5 μm) channel data. A total of 450 images per band per month was processed to retrieve instantaneous, daily total and five day average total Swr over India. The estimated SWR was compared with teh ground-measured pyranometer data over 18 Indian land stations acquired from India Meteorological Department. This validation for instantaneous SWR at 10:00 and 14:00 h, and daily total SWR for six selected dates (1,5,10,15,20, 25) of each month indicated root mean squared error (RMSE) of 62.51 -91.93 Wm^-2, i.e. 15-18% of observed mean and 1.14-1.74 MJm^{-2 respectively. When five-day averages for the three-month period were compared, METEOSAT-derived data had a RMSE of 1.93 MJm-2, which is 12% of the mean over pooled data.}

2 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

017154   Kanishkan (Geological Survey of India, , Kolkata-700016) : Geological structures and their impact of granite quarrying. Indian Miner 2004, 38(1), 46-52.

The commercial exploitation of granite for export market in India is known since late sixties. In the initial years, the activity was mostly confined to exploitation of boulders and sheet rocks. Later, with the boon for export market during eighties, search forayed into new varieties, with the result a number of quarries had sprung up in the country within a short spell. Today, the granite export market has more or less then stablished despite the stiff blobal competition and fluctations in price. The wide spread opening of quarries has possed many technical problems by not achieving an optimum recovery and also export size rough blocks and in the process many of such operation have to be abandoned. In this context, an in depth study was carried out to assess the technical reason for such large scale failure and the findings mainly attribute to the structural deformity of the sheet rocks. The study has focussed on three sets of geological structures viz., favourable; unfavourable and disastruous, which ultimately decide the success and failure in an operatin. The reasoning of such categorisation has further been elaboated with suitable case studies taken our from different hard rock sources of the country. A synoptic account of this froms the theme of this paper.

illus, 1 table, 2 ref

017153   Joseph W D R;Pradhan N R;Suneel Singh; Narayana Rao (School of Phys, Univ of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500 046) : Electroabsorption spectroscopy: a versatile tool to measure optical nonlinearities. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1283-7.

Electroabsorption spectra are recorded at room temperature for free-base hydrogen tetratolylporphyrin (H₂TTP) dispersed in poly (methyl methacrylate) polymer. The electroabsorption spectrum of H₂TTP recorded at the second harmonic (2Ω) of the applied electric field frequency Ω, has a line shape that resembles the mathematical first derivative of the linear absorption spectrum. The observed line-shape is as expected for electric field dependence of change in polarizability contribution to electroabsorption. The third-order non-linear susceptibility χ⁽³⁾leading to the second hyperpolarizability (γ) of H₂TTP is estimated to be 0.388 x 10^-30 esu at 53s nm, which is comparable with that measured through degenerate four-wave mixing technique.

4 illus, 23 ref

017152   Gaur A S;Sundaresh;Tripati S (National Inst of Oceanography, , Done Paula Goa-403 004) : An ancient harbour at Dwarka: study based on the recent underwater explorations. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1256-60.

Dwarka, an ancient harbour and an important religious centre of the Hindus, has played an important role in the history of maritime activities of Okhamnaddal region since the early historical period. Gomati creek, located at the eastern side of Dwarka, served as a safe harbour till the 19th century Ad. Offshore explorations have brought to light a large number of stone structures which appear to be the remains of an ancient jetty. This hypothesis is supported also by the discovery of a large number of stone anchors of various types in Dwarka waters. The typology of anchors has indicated that Dwarka was an important port since historical period. Maritime activities increased many folds during the medieval period. This flourishing port and religious capital is believed to have submerged under the sea after the death of Lord Krishna. Highlights the results of the offshore explorations carried out during the last two decades in the Dwarka waters.

7 illus, 55 ref

017151   Flatman J C (Sch of Histrory and Archaeology, Cardiff Univ, P O Box 909, Cardiff, Wales, UK) : The iconographic evidence for maritime activities in the middle ages. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1276-82.

The analysis of maritime scenes in medieval illuminated manuscripts has a long established history dating back to the 19th century. Manuscript illuminations have been used in particular to analyse specific details such as shipping and sea life. But what of the broader picture of the maritime world? Depictions of the maritime environment survive in great number in illuminated manuscripts, and offer an insight into the contemporary perception of this distinctive locale. This broader perspective will be explored in this paper, highlighting common themes and notable absences of maritime imagery, exploring the origins of artists and their inspiration and clarifyign the types of volume maritime imagery appears in, and changes over time. In particular, the paper will explore the vexed question of iconographic accuracy, particularly the accuracy of distances and perspective - the geographical sense of the world as depicted in illuminations and how these reflect on medieval cognition, the mental maps' of sea, land and sky used to guide a mariner to safe landfall.

1 table, 39 ref

017150   Das I;Shukla A K;Mohan M (Marine and Water Resources Group, Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad-380 015) : Aerosols in northeast Arabian Sea during the Indian winter monsoon: a study using sunphotometer measurement. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1304-08.

January is the month of the northeasterly monsoon over the Indian peninsula. Continental and anthropogenic aerosols are advected from the land to the ocean and mix with the marine atmosphere. This is an ideal time to study the dispersal fo continental aerosols into the marine atmosphere. This communication presents the results of the sun photometer-measured aerosol optical depth (AOD) on board Sagar Kenya over the northern Arabian Sea on its 186th mission, from 3 to 20 January 2003. The temporal, spectral and spatial variations of AOD are investigated. Relationship between AOD and relative humidity and variations in AOD and the Angstrom exponent from coastal to far-coastal regions of the ocean with respect to the prevailing wind conditions has been presented.

7 illus, 27 ref

017149   Chate D M;Pranesha T S (Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorolgy, , Pune 411008) : Field measurements of sub-micron aerosol concentration during cold season in India. Curr Sci 2004, 86(12), 1610-13.

Sub-micron particle size distribution and temperature were measured at six levels immediately above the ground surface during 8-16 December 1997 and 24-28 December 1998. Diurnal observations were made at every three-hour interval at all the levels. Continuous measurements of aerosol concentration were made from 0300 to 1000 h at I m level. During this period particle concentration decreases from 0300 h, attains a minimum value between 0600 and 0700 h, and then maximum at 0900 h. Particles ≥0.075μm show systematic variation in concertration, whereas particles <60>0.075μm show large fluctuations with time during 0300 to 1000h. Concentration of particles of size 0.075-0.75μm shows a minimum at 15-cm levle where the temperature is maximum. However, particles of size 0.013μm undergo Brownian diffusion and thus do not show any trend with temperature. The phenomena of thermophoresis and fog scavenging are discussed in terms of these results.

2 illus, tables, 16 ref

017148   Bidyananda M;Mitra S (Ion Microprobe Lab, Phys Res Lab, Ahmedabad-380 009) : Roor temperature <. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1293-6.

Chromite samples showing ferritchromitization from the greenstone belt of South India were characterized using electron probe microanalysis and Mossbauer spectroscopy. Mossbauer study shows oxidized nature of the samples and depicts three symmetric doublets for iron, two of which are assigned to Fe²⁺(A) and third assigned to Fe³⁺. Samples do not show any significant change in their equilibration temperature, which they attained during igneous cooling, in the later low-grade metamorphism undergone by the greenstone belt.

1 illus, 2 tables, 41 ref

017147   Bhattacharyya D;Mukherjee P K;Ray A K; Sengupta S (Geological Survey of India, , 27 Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata-700 013) : Arsenic-polluted groundwater in West Bengal: a cost-effective remedy. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1206-09.

5 illus, 3 tables, 10 ref

017146   Bhandari N (Planetary Sci and Exploration Program (PLANEX), , hys Res Lab) : Scientific challenges of CHANDRAYAAN-1: the Indian lunar polar orbiter mission. Curr Sci 2004, 86(11), 1489-98.

The Indian Space Research Organisation is planning to send a polar orbiting satellite called CHANDRAYAAN-1 to the Moon, for remote sensing of the lunar surface. The scientific objectives of the proposed mission are simultaneous geochemical, mineralogical and photogeological studies of the whole lunar surface. The payloads include hyperspectral imager for mineralogical mapping, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for elemental mapping camera and a laser altimeter, leaving a provision for some additional instruments, which may enhance the capability of this mission in achieving its objectives. A plausible launch scenario using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) suggests that a lunarcraft (dry weight 440 kg), carrying about 60 kg of payloads can be inserted in a 100 km altitude polar orbit around the Moon with adequate fuel (about 80 kg) for orbit maintenance to sustain it for two years of observations for complete coverage of the lunar surface. Here we describe the scientific reasons for undertaking such a mission and some of the major scientific challenges. The purpose of this article is to involve the scientific community of the country in formulating the best possible objective and participating in the mission.

3 illus, 3 tables, 27 ref

017145   Bera S K (Birbal Sahni Inst of Palaeobotany, , 53 Univ Rd, Lucknow-226 007) : Late holocene palaeo-winds and climatic changes in eastern antarctica as indicated by long-distance transported pollen-spores and local microbiota in polar lake core sediments. Curr Sci 2004, 86(11), 1485-8.

2 illus, 10 ref

017144   Athiyaman N;Jayakumar P (Centre for Underwater Archaeology, Tamil Univ, Thanjavur-613 005) : Ancient anchors of Tamil Nadu coast and ship tonnage analysis. Curr Sci 2004, 86(9, 10), 1261-7.

The coastal region of Tamil Nadu played a major role in maritime activities even before the Christian era. In the course of such activities some of the ships which visited this coastal region, lost their anchors made of stone or metal. Presents the details of a few of such anchors recovered by the Centre for Underwater Archaeology of Tamil University, Thanjavur. an attempt is made to find the possible dates of these anchors and to calculate the approximate tonnage of ships served by these anchors. Information on a few stone anchors found in the west coast region is also used in this analysis. Our study suggests the need of further analysis of the anchors that are found in the Indian coastal water. This can provide interesting results regarding the characteristics of ships that floated in Indian waters.

12 illus, 2 tables, 20 ref,

017143   Arumugam M;Prabhakaran R;Sivalingam C (Dep of Earth Sciences, Annamalai Univ, Annamali Nagar-608002) : Geology and mineralogy of the uttatur phosphate nodules Ariyalur Tamil Nadu, South Indian. Indian Miner 2004, 38(1), 27-34.

Cretaceous formation near Ariyalur is one of the significant exposed sequences in South India. The straigraphic sequences are represented by upper Gondwana, which lies over the Archean and unconformably followed by the Uttatur, Trichinopoly, Ariyalur and Niniyur formaitions. The Uttatur stage consists of lower clay rich member and upper sandy clay member with an intermediate stage consisting of phosphatic nodules. There are four types of nodules in the the Uttatur stage. They are phosphatic nodules with/without calcite and gypsum enrustation, clay carbonate nodules and silty clay nodules. The X-ray diffraction studies of phosphatic nodules and clay carobonate noduels were carried out for mineralogical indentification. Carbonate fluorpatite (francolite) is the major mineral and kaolinite/chlorite, montmorilonite and quartz are found as minor accessory minerals in the phosphatic nodules. The phosphatic nodules were deposited on the edge of the continental shelf environment in sheltered basin cut off from the sea and under the condition of desiccation during upper cretaceous period.

3 illus, tables, 20 ref

016116   Sharma J V;Lhouvum G;Chauhan S;Banwari Lal; Singh T P;Paul V (NO, Energy & Resource Institute, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi) : Rehabilitation of red mud ponds at Indal, Belgaum (Karnataka). Indian For 2004, 130(5), 481-97.

Bauxite residue, also known as red mud, is a by-product of the Bayer Process. Bauxite is composed principally of the monohydrate and trihydrate forms of alumina in varying proportions. The research study was conducted to rehabilitate used red mud ponds of INDAL (Indian Aluminium Company Ltd.), Belgaum, Karnataka, India, by identifying suitable trees, grasses, and legume species as well as amenders, including bacteria and mycorrhizae, to improve the physico-chemical condition of red mud deposits and convert it to a substrate. Amenders such as gypsum, FYM (farmyard manure), fly ash/vegetative dust in different proportions, forming three basic combinations, A, B, and C, were developed. These three combinations were then treated with the bacteria and mycorrhizae both alone, and in combination, to form twelve treatments and one control. The research study showed that there is remarkable change in the physical and chemical properties of red mud after amendment, which provides the platform for plantation growth. The best combination found for treating red mud ponds was: Red mud + 20% FYM + 10% Gypsum + 15% Fly ash + Bacteria + Mycorrhizae for four tree species, Prosopis juliflora, Acacia nilotica, Pangamia pinnata and Melia azedarach, and three grass/legume species Brachiaria mutica, Chloris gayana, and Sesbania sesban.

7 ref

016115   Reddy N B;Prasad K S S (Dep of Geology, S.V. Univ, Tirupati-517502) : Pyroclastic fluoride in ground waters in some parts of tadpatri taluk, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. Indian J envir Hlth 2003, 45(4), 285-8.

Fluorosis is a disease affecting the teeth and bones and caused by excessive ingestion of fluoride through drinking water. Fluoride concentration in ground water samples of the study area varies from 1.2 to 2.1 ppm., which is much above the permissible limit. The probably source of fluoride in ground water is fluoride bearing minerals like apatite, micas and clay minerals etc., present in the country rocks like shales and pyroclastic materials of the study area. The sample survey is carried out to know the incidence of fluorosis in this area which reveals that more than 43% of the inhabitants are affected by dental fluorosis and 0.4% by skeletal fluorosis.

2 illus, 2 tables, 15 ref

016114   Reddy M K;Rama Rao K G;Murahari Rao P (Neeri Zonal Laboratory, , Hyderabad-500007) : Major inorganic ion compostion of atmospheric aerosols at the coastal site in Visakhapatnam city India. Indian J envir Hlth 2003, 45(4), 305-10.

Atmospheric aerosols were sampled at a coastal site and analyzed for H⁺,NH H⁺4,Ca H⁺⁺,Mg H⁺⁺, Na⁺, SO4 H^-, HCO ^-3, CI^- and No3^-. The analysis demonstrated that these ions are the main contitutents of the aerosols samples. The correlation coefficients are calculated for each possible pair of anions and cations. Ionic balance in the ambient aerosols indicate that the main compounds existed are in the order of sodium chloride; bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium; sulphates of sodium, magnesium and calcium; and nitrates of sodium, magnesium and calcium. The existence of cations has exceeded the nations which indicate that ionic composition of the aerosols are not very much determined by background marine nature but may also be due to transport to polluted air masses from the surrounding areas.

2 illus, 2 tables, 7 ref

016113   Karthikeyan G;Shunmuga Sundarraj A;Elango K P (Dep of Chemistry, Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed Univ), Gandhigram-624302) : Mapping of fluoride endemic areas and correlation studies of fluoride with other quality parmeters of drinking water of veppanapalli block of Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu. Indian J envir Hlth 2003, 45(4), 281-4.

193 drinking water samples from water sources of 27 panchayats of Veppanapalli block of Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu were analysed for chemical quality parameters. Based on the fluoride content of the water sources, fluoride maps differentiating regions with high/low fluoride levels were prepared using Isopleth mapping technique. The interdependence among the important chemical quality parameters were assessed using correlation studies. The experimental results of the application of linear and multiple regression equations on the influence of hardness, alkalinity, total dissolved solids and pH on fluoride are discussed.

1 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

016112   Harsh N S K;Verma S K;Sharma S K (Forest Pathology Div, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun) : Gall rust of Acacia modesta - a new disease record. Indian For 2004, 130(4), 461-2.

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014499   Yadav A K;Jain P K;Sunder Lal (Dep of Chem, M.L.V. Govt. College, Bhilwara (Rajasthan)) : Geochemical study of fluoride in ground water of Behror tehsil of Alwar district (Rajasthan). Res J Chem Envir 2003, 7(3), 43-7.

A study has been undertaken for the determination of fluoride in drinking water taken at random from Behror and its suburbs with the help of ion selective electrode method. Fluoride concentration has been found out in irrigation and drinking water drawn from open wells, bore wells and hand pumps. The ground water samples of forty villages of this Tehsil were collected. The fluoride concentration values vary from 0.2 ppm to 5.2 ppm. In this Tehsil, villagers were suffering with dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis and gut fluorosis. Authors have suggested villagers to use alum and lime to avoid all type of fluorisis. From the observations, it may be inferred that fluoride is present in permissible limits (WHO-2003) in most of the villages studied but luoride level is unacceptable in drinking water samples taken from some villages of Behror Tehsil.

2 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

014498   Vinoj V;Satheesh S K (Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012) : Direct and indirect radiative effects of sea-salt aerosols over Arabian Sea. Curr Sci 2004, 86(10), 1381-90.

Estimation of the indirect radiative effect of aerosols requires an understanding of the role of aerosols in influencing cloud properties. Several investigation have focused on the determination of the indirect effect, but most of them were confined to the anthropogenic (man-made) sulphate aerosols. Studies on the indirect effect of natural aerosols (such as sea salt) are rather few. A simple approach has been used to determine the indirect effect of sea-salt aerosols over the Arabian Sea for different seasons using long-term data available from ship-borne and island-based observations in the past. Demostrates that the indirect radiative effect of sea-salt (natural)aerosols (at the top of the atmosphere) is as large as -7± 4 Wm^-2 when compared to the direct rediative effect of -2±1 Wm^-2, and hence cannot be ignored. These values are larger than the anthropogenic aerosol forcing (<126>5.0±Wm^-2) reported over this region. The high variability in indirect effect from -4Wm^-2 to around -18 Wm^-2 brings out the importance of natural aerosols in this region. The study also demostrates the important role of wind speed on aerosol characteristics and hence its impact on direct and indirect radiative effects. The magnitude of inidrect radiative effect (and uncertainty) is several-fold more than the direct radiative effect of sea-salt aerosols.

7 illus, 1 table, 29 ref

014497   Verma I J;Das H P;Ghanekar M G (Division of Agricultural Meteorology, Meteorological Office, Pune-411 005) : A study of water requirement of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in gangetic plains. Mausam 2004, 55(2), 339-44.

Agro meterological aspects of sugarcane (variety CO-1148) at Lucknow has been studied. A data set of 10 years, whenever this variety was grown between 1980-1996 was availed for this purpose. The crop phenology was divided into four phase i.e., germination, tillering, vegetative growth and maturity. Evapotranspirative demands were obtained and discussed, besides the crop coefficients, irrigation intervals and the amount of additional water needed by the crop were also computed. The study revealed that vegetative growth stage is the most important phase, when evapotranspirative demand is maximum. The water use efficiency also attains the peak value in this phase. An interval of 7-days with about 35mm of water during germination and a fortnight interval with nearly 70mm of water in the rest of the period is needed by sugarcane for growth and high yields.

2 illus, 2 tables, 12 ref

014496   urushottam;Singh B (Division of Agricultural Extension, Indian Agricultural Research Institute-100012, New Delhi) : Organizational issues in implementation of watershed management programme. Indian J Soil Conserv 2004, 32(1), 51-3.

A study was conducted through selecting farmers, project personnel and scientists who were associated to watershed development. Organizational issues perceived by farmers at field level on implementation process are-contact farmers selected as Mitra Kisans, unrealistic expectations were created in the beginning and conflicts were observed between Mitra Kisans and project staff especially on wages and payment. Project personnel perceived that the reasons for lack of people's participation in watershed development program was primarily due to lack of training of grass root workers; and needs, knowledge and suggestions of farmers were not taken care. Scientists/experts who were not directly involved in programme implementation has, also perceived improper execution and lack of co-ordination in departments for poor performance of programme.

3 tables, 5 ref

014495   Sudhuram Y (Nat Inst of Oceanography, Regional Centre, 176, Lawsons Bay Colony, Visakhapatnam 530 017.) : Record decrease of sea surface temperature following the passage of a super cyclone over the Bay of Bengal. Curr Sci 2004, 86(3), 383-4.

3 illus, 5 ref

014494   Sudhishri S;Dass A;Patnaik U S;Choudhury P R (Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Center, PB No-12, Sunabeda-763 002, Koraput (Orissa)) : Upliftment of tribal woman through integrated watershed development. Indian J Soil Conserv 2004, 32(1), 36-43.

Participatory Integrated watershed development over time has been considered as the most appropriate approach for sustainable development of agriculture. But the involvement of farmwomen in the planning and decision making processes has been overlooked. The training programmes are generally focused on males for their improvement the skills of poor and illiterate women get less attention. By the large less attention is given towards women who are the weaker section of the social system. Tribal women of Koraput District (Orissa) are no exception to this general situation. They are illiterate, under-nourished and overburdened with farm and household work. They pull on in very unhygienic conditions and object poverty. The women of a tribal (Paraja) dominanting micro-watershed in Kokriguda village of Semiliguda Block (Koraput) responded substantially on persistent efforts. Their drudgery in fuel wood collection and fetching potable water from long distances were reduced by installation of biogas plants and supply drinking water through a well and conveyance of unpolluted hillside spring waters through an underground pipeline system. Now they spare time for taking up activities of resource conservation and land care as well as alternate livelihood activities. However. Paraja women are relatively bold and smart having less hesitation to interact with extension agencies. Involvement of female extension personnel in village activities assured improvement in their response. Sustained health care through volunteers including lady doctors improved their participation further more. Caring for their basic needs and opinions is proving as a strong confidence building measure.

4 tables, 15 ref

014493   Sudhira H S;Ramachandra T V;Raj K S;Jagadish K S (Energy and Wetlands Res Group, Cen for Ecological Sciences, Indian Inst of Sci, Bangalore-560 012) : Urban growth analysis using spatial and temporal data. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 2003, 31(4), 299-311.

Urban growth identification, quantification, knowledge of rate and the trends of growth would help in regional planning for better infrastructure provision in environmentally sound way. This requires analysis of spatial and temporal data, which help in quantifying the trends of growth on spatial scale. Emerging technologies such as Remote Sensing, Geographic information System (GIS) along with global Positioning System (GPS) help in this regard. Remote sensing aids in the collection of temporal data and GIS helps in spatial analysis. Analysis of urban growth pattern in the form of either radial or linear sprawl along the Bangalore-Mysore highway has been dealt with various GIS base layers such as built-up areas along the highway, road network, village boundary etc. were generated using collateral data such as the Survey of India toposheet, etc. The analysis was complemented with the computation of Shannon's entropy, which helped in identifying prevalent sprawl zone, rate of growth and in delineating potential sprawl locations. The computation Shannon's entropy helped in delineating regions with dispersed and compact growth. This study reveals that the Bangalore North and South taluks contributed mainly to the sprawl with 559% increase in built-up area over a period of 28 years and high degree of dispersion. The Mysore and Srirangapatna region showed 128% change in built-up area and a high potential for sprawl with slightly high dispersion. The degree of sprawl was found to be directly proportional to the distances from the cities.

6 illus, 4 tables, 18 ref

014492   Srivastava R C;Mohanty S;Sahoo N;Verma H N; Pattnaik S K;Sahoo D (Water Technology Centre for Eatern Region, , Bhubaneswar-751 023, Orissa) : Natural resource management strategies for poverty alleviation in hilly areas of south Orissa. Indian J Soil Conserv 2004, 32(1), 44-50.

Despite high rainfall, drought is a common occurrence in Orissa, with almost every third year being a drought year. Due to this, incidence of poverty is very high in the state. Within the state, poorest rural area is south Orissa named as KBK (undivided Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput districts) districts. To alleviate the poverty of this area, it is necessary that rich natural resources of this region are managed with an aim of retarding the erosion process by retiring marginal lands from cultivation and increasing as well as stabilizing the productivity of suitable lands to meet the food requirement of the people and improving employment. For this, a study was undertaken in two panchayats to develop a strategy for natural resource planning. It was found that development of small water resources could provide irrigation to a significant area at a rate of about Rs. 10000/-ha^-1.Providing irrigation along with crop planning has potential of increasing employment potential by 200 per cent with retirement of marginal lands accounting for 58 per cent of cultivated land. Net return increased by 400 per cent even at the present state of marketing infrastructure.

5 illus, 4 tables, 6 ref

014491   Singh R D;Chandra S (Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (ICAR), , Almora-263 601, Uttaranchal) : Yield and water use of wheat under minimum irrigation and nitrogen top dressing. Indian J Soil Conserv 2004, 32(1), 78-9.

4 tables, 4 ref

014490   Singh O P (India Meteorological Department, , New Delhi-110 003) : Dynamics of monsoon trough over northwest and adjoining West Central Bay of Bengal. Mausam 2004, 55(2), 229-36.

Daily variations of surface and thermodynamical parameters in the vicinity of eastern end of the monsoon trough located over northwest and adjoining westcentral Bay of Bengal have been studied. A model sequence for the strengthening/weakening of the monsoon trough over head Bay of Bengal, which is the seat of cyclogenesis during southwest monsoon, has been proposed. Monsoon trough activity over the sea seems to possess a 4 day cycle. The primary forcing for the activation of monsoon trough appears to be the sea surface temperature (SST). The lag between peak SST and minimum surface pressure appears to be 2 days. The lag between peak SST and enhanced rainfall over Orissa seems to be 4 days.

10 illus, 12 ref

014489   Singh J P;Singh S S (RAU Irrigation Research Station, , Bikramganj (Rohtas)- 802 212, Bihar) : Climatological parameters and its variation at Bikramganj, Bihar. Indian J Soil Conserv 2004, 32(1), 69-71.

1 illus, 1 table

014488   Singandhupe R B;Sethi R R (Water Technology Centre for Eastern Region, , Bhubaneswar Orissa-751 023) : Computation of evapotranspiration by different methods- A case study. Indian J Soil Conserv 2004, 32(1), 5-9.

The annual mean daily evapotranspiraion (ET_o) of Hargreave method with single climatic parameter i.e. air temperature,constant (0.0023) and extra terrestrial radiation (Ra) at 20^oN latitude was found acceptable with FAO-56 PM as it gave 18.7% higher (4.27mm^-1/day) ET_o with minimum standard deviation 0.8 mm^-1/day. Other methods of Blaney Criddle, Radiation and Modified Penman over estimated ET_o by 50.5 to 75.5%. E_pan method under estimated by-5.56%. The standard deviation ranged from 1 to 1.9 mm^-1/day. The linear regression between FAO-56 PM and other methods, considering ranges of various climatic parameters, Hargreave method was compatible as the contribution for ET_o was51%. The contribution on ET_o in Blaney Cirddle and Modified Penman method was higher than Hargreave method (r²=0.62 and 0.57). But the climatic variables for estimation of ET_o needs larger parameter as well as the sensitivity of these methods are higher as it is measured through RMSE (2.65 aand 2.28 mm¹/day) compared to Hargreave method (0.87mm day^-1 considering FAO-56 PM as standard method.

1 illus, 3 tables, 10 ref

014487   Shirgure P S;Srivastava A K;Shyam Singh (National Research Centre for Citrus, , Nagpur-440 010) : Growth, yield and quality of acid lime under pan evaporation based drip irrigation scheduling. Indian J Soil Conserv 2004, 32(1), 32-5.

A field experiment on irrigation scheduling based on pan evaporation through drip irrigation system in six years old acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) was conducted during 1997-2000 at the research far of National Research Centre for Citrus, Nagpur. Four levels of open pan evaporation based irrigation schedules (0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9 evaporation) with respect to irrigation requirement, growth, yield and fruit quality were investigated. The study indicated that the irrigation requirement using drip irrigation system in acid lime scheduled at 0.8 of pan evaporation ranged from 15 l to 73 l and 2 l to 76 l per day^-1 during 1998-99 and 1999-2000 respectively. The annual incremental growth of plant height (0.89m) and girth (6.2cm) was more in irrigation scheduled at 0.8 of open pan evaporation was observed. Due to optimum water regime the irrigation scheduled at 0.8 of open pan evaporation showed better physiological growth of acid lime. The average fruit yield recorded was 9.45 kg tree^-1 (37.8 q ha^d in0.8 of pan evaporation irrigation schedule. The average fruit weight of treatment irrigated at 0.8 of open pan evaporation was found 37.6g. The Total Soluble Solids in fruit was more in irrigation schedule at 0.7 of open pan evaporation treatment. The juice percentage of irrigation schedule 0.8 of open pan evaporaion wasfound more (44.3%) in comparison with other irrigation schedules. Acidity of the lime was found more (6.18 and 6.16%) in irrigation schedules 0.8 and 0.9 of open pan evaporation treatments. The study indicated that the growth, yield and fruit quality of acid lime improved with 0.8 of open pan evaporation irrigation scheduling through drip irrigation system.

1 illus, 3 tables, 17 ref

014486   Schuiling R D (Dep of Earth Sciences-Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences Utrechi Univ, P O Box 80021, 3508 T A Utrecht, The Netherlands) : Palk strait: repairing Adam's Bridge with gypsum?. Curr Sci 2004, 86(10), 1351-2.

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014485   Saroj P L;Sharma N K;Dadhwal K S (Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, , Dehradun-248 195) : Resource characterization of foothill riverbed lands of north-western Himalayan region. Indian J Soil Conserv 2004, 32(1), 28-31.

Conducive edaphoclimatic conditions are principal bases for the success of desired vegetation. However, in riverbed lands of north-western Himalayan region, the high gravel content (48.26% by volume) is the major constraint. The profile study indicated that there were high variablility not only in soil: stone ratio but also in layers. Average workable top soil depth mixed with some gravels was less than even 24.45 cm. Among mechanical fractions, the silt and clay contents were very low and coarse sand alone was more than 50 percent, thereby the infiltration rate was very high (2.92 cm hr¹) and water holding capacity was medium. The soil reaction was almost netural. Overall, fertility status of the soil was medium poor, particularly in lower horizons. The water table was shallow (2.5-3m) during monsoon and deep during summer (6-7m). Though, there was no definite pattern in genesis of riverbed land development but it was noticed that these lands are formed as a result of lateral migration or shifting course of torrents (seasonal river) and layered deposition of gravels/soils eroded from the adjoining hills. These torrents are originated from the hills and widen as they enter in the foothill plains. The heavy sediment load generated by the increasing erosive processes due to unscientific cultivation on the steep slopes, deforestation, open cast mining, uncontroled grazing, construction of roads an houses on erosion prone sites etc. is carried out by the torrents and deposited in the valley lands, forming a large area unfit for crop cultivation. The area comes under humid subtropical climate receiving sufficient precipitation (1691 mm yr^-1). The maximum and minimum temperature ranges from 19 to 37≥C and 3.6 to 24°C, respectively. The wind velocity was always observed below the erosive limit. Sunshine hour and solar radiation were moderate type. Evaporation was also not high. Overall weather is conducive to support variety of vegetation if site constratints are managed properly.

4 tables, 12 ref

014484   Saroj P L;Sharma N K;Dadhwal K S (Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, , Dehradun-248 195 (Uttaranchal)) : Resource characterization of foothill riverbed lands of north-western Himalayan region. Indian J Soil Conserv 2004, 32(1), 28-31.

Conducive edaphoclimatic conditions are principal bases for the success of desired vegetation. However, in riverbed lands of north-western Himalayan region, the high gravel content (48.26% by volume) is the major constraint. The profile study indicated that there were high variability not only in soil: stone ratio but also in layers. Average workable top soil depth mixed with some gravels was less than even 24.45 cm. Among mechanical fractions, the silt and clay contents were very low and coarse sand alone was more than 50 percent, thereby the infiltration rate was very high (2.92 cm hr^-1) and water holding capacity was medium. The soil reaction was almost netural. Overall, fertility status of the soil was medium poor, particularly in lower horizons. The water table was shallow (2.5-3 m) during monsoon and deep during summer (6-7m). Though, there was no definite pattern in genesis of riverbed land development but it was noticed that these lands are formed as a result of lateral migration or shifting course of torrents (seasonal river) and layered deposition of gravels/soils eroded from the adjoining hills. These torents are originated from the hills and widen as they enter in the foothill plains. The heavy sediment load generated by the increasing erosive processes due to unscientific cultivation on the steep slopes, deforestation, open cast mining, uncontroled grazing, construction of roads and houses on erosion prone sites etc. is carried out by the torrents and deposited in the valley lands, forming a large area unfit for crop cultivation. The area comes under humid subtropical climate receiving sufficient precipitation (1691 mm yr^-1. The maximum and minimum temperature ranges from 19 to 37°C and 3.6 to 24°C, respectively. The wind velocity was always observed below the erosive limit. Sunshine hour and solar radiation were moderate type. Evaporation was also not high. Overall weather is conducive to support variety of vegetation if site constratints are managed properly.

4 tables, 12 ref