The National Academy of Sciences, India

DNA Club

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, INDIA

REGIONAL RESOURCE AGENCY FOR ESTABLISHING DNA CLUBS

2007

A Project Sanctioned

NATIONAL BIORESOURCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

The National Academy of Sciences, India

5, Lajpatrai Road, Allahabad – 211 002

Phone : 0532-2640224; Fax 0532-2641183

Email : nirajnatacademy@hotmail.com

A Pious Task

Recently, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India has launched a programme for making the students aware of the importance of our natural resources, as to conserve the fast depleting resources has now become the need of hour ; and this is not possible without the active involvement of the students and general mass. As the Academy is already involved in such activities, the D B T has given this pious task to the Academy along with other such prestigious Institutions of high scientific repute as

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation,Chennai,T E R I,Gujarat Council of Science City, A T R E E,Bharati Vidyapeeth and a few others.

The main objective of this programme is to establish D B T’s Natural Resources Awareness Club ( D N A Club) in the schools and colleges to create awareness about the natural resources among the students in order to equip them with relevant skills for bioresource conservation. The details of the responsibilities of the school/college (D N A Club) is given below.

For every school the total number of days for DNA Club activities would be of maximum of 25 days in an academic year as per the following details

The activities for the students of class 6-8^th would be –

(a) Invited Lectures – (Two lectures in each month starting from September 2007 and ending in December 2007)

For total 5 days in an Academic year (two lectures/demonstrations per day).
On the topics/areas like-different types of Ecosystems and Conservation Measures; Wild life and Endangered species; Medicinal Plants; Totem and Taboos with their ethical significance; Flora & Fauna and its importance etc.

(b) Discussion Forum – (in the months of January & February 2008)

For total 3 days in an Academic year
For a group of 20-30 students
On the topics covered in lectures/ demonstrations held as above.

(c) Exposure Visits – (in December 2007 & June 2008)

For total 5 days in an Academic year
For a group of 20-30 students.
Visit to National Parks/Zoo/reserved forest areas/botanical gardens/national heritage along with the subject experts.
Emphasis will also be on Nature-Man-Ethnic complex.

(d) Project Works – (Christmas holidays)

For total 5 days in an Academic Year.
To make them familiar with the laboratory tools, lab to land programmes and to develop know how of the basic principles of conservation of natural resources.

(e) Contests - (February 2008)

For total 3 days in an Academic year.
Painting and Quiz contests on environment/natural resources/conservation issues.

(f) Workshops – (in May & July 2008)

Total Two workshops in a year.
Each workshop will be for 2 days only.
For developing skills of herbarium preparation, working and non-working models on issues related to biodiversity and conservation.

The activities for the students of class 9-11th would be –

(a) Invited Lectures - (Two in each month starting from September 2007 and ending in December 2007)

For total 5 days in an Academic year (two lectures/demonstrations per day).
On the topics/areas like-application of remote sensing; r-DNA technology, IPR issues, Molecular markers etc.

(b) Discussion Forum – (in the months of January & February 2008)

For total 3 days in an Academic year
For a group of 20-30 students
On the topics covered in lectures/ demonstrations held as above.

(c) Exposure Visits - (in December 2007 & June 2008)

For total 5 days in an Academic year
For a group of 20-30 students.
Visit to National Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Companies, Pollution Control Board and Laboratories etc. with the subject experts.
Emphasis will be on conservation and enhancement of bioresources.

(d) Project Works - (Christmas holidays)

For total 5 days in an Academic Year.
To make them familiar with the laboratory oriented biodiversity and biotechnology projects such as DNA isolation, microprobe, microbial and tissue culture etc.

(e) Contests – (February 2008)

For total 3 days in an Academic year.
Essay writing, debate, oration and exhibition contests on environment/natural resources/ conservation issues.

(f) Workshops – (in May & July 2008)

Total Two workshops in a year.
Each workshop will be for 2 days only.
For developing skills of conservation strategies and planning at the local/regional level etc.

The National Academy of Sciences, India as RRA will arrange a meeting at the interval of six months in regular manner with all the DNA Clubs to make an assessment of the activities going on; and will submit a report to DBT, New Delhi updating the ongoing activities and the progress report.

A GLIMPSE OF VACATION TRAINING PROGRAMME (VTP)

In the end of the session (in the month of June/July 2008) the Academy will organise a Vacation Training Programme for the selected teachers and students from the DNA Clubs to give them training to sustain the D N A Club activities in future.

The course curriculum and activities for Vacation Training Programme has been given below -

A. Introduction to biodiversity and bioresources

Introduction to biodiversity and bioresources-their importance.
Genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystems diversity.
Distribution of terrestrial and aquatic bioresources, microbial bioresources.
Value of bioresources – direct and indirect values, ethical values.
Natural and wild resources-medicinal plants, economically/industrially useful palnts and animals, parasites & predators.
Ecologically relevant resources-keystone species, pollinators, natural predators.
Bioresources maintained by and in man made ecosystems. Genetic resources, agrobiodiveristy.
Ethinic knowledge bases, folklore knowledge bases.
Threats to bioresources.
Conservation and sustainable use of bio-resources.
Intellectual property rights and bioresources.
Biotechnology and bioresources-scope, limits & precautions.
Emerging avenues and careers in the fields of biodiversity, bioresources and biotechnology.

B. Exploring the Environment and understanding local bioresources

Practical hands on activities would be carried on as visits to forms and meetings with former community, documenting and studying local biodiversity, field visits to nature parks/wild life areas, visits to national laboratories and institutions.

A detailed discussion on the first hand experience would be held after every visit/meetings as above.

C. Interactive Sessions

This will include group discussions and presentations by the participants on the topics of curriculum, painting/poster sessions on biodiversity and conservation issues, web page designing on bioresources, street plays on environmental causes, A.V. Film presentations and celebration of important events/days.

D. Individual Projects by the students/teachers

Specific projects would be assigned to each student and teacher on community participation for biodiversity conservation, herbarium preparation, tissue culture, DNA isolation etc.

Each student/teacher will work on such project under the guidance of an expert for field studies, library research and data collection, analysis and impact assessment related to the project.

E. Wrap-up Session

Experience sharing
Power Point presentation by the students and teachers.
Get together with eminent scientists.
Award of prizes and certificates.

Office- bearers in the R R A

(1) Prof. P.K. Seth, General Secretary of the Academy and C.E.O. Biotech Park, Lucknow, is the Project Co-ordinator.

(2) An Apex Advisory Committee has also been constituted to look after the over all progress of the project, consisting of –

Prof. S.P,.S. Khanuja, Director, CIMAP, Lucknow – Chairman
Prof. J.S. Singh
Prof. Paramjit Khurana
Prof. Veena Tandon
Prof. R. S. Nadgauda

(3) Dr Niraj Kumar, Assistant Executive Secretary, N A S I, is the Principal Investigator (PI).

(4) Dr. Md. Masood, MNASc, has been appointed as Co-PI for the project.

(5) The Local Advisory Committee (LAC) from outside RRA has also been constituted -

Prof. J.S. Singh - Chairman

Formerly Emeritus Professor

Dept. of Botany, B H U

Prof. D.K. Chauhan, D.Phil., FBS, FSLSc, FIASc

Professor of Biodiversity and Conservation

Department of Botany

University of Allahabad

Allahabad

Prof. U.C. Srivastava, D.Phil., FNASc

Department of Zoology

University of Allahabad

Allahabad

Prof. P.K. Khare

Senior Professor

Department of Botany

University of Allahabad

Allahabad

D N A Club Members

A tentative list of schools that have been short listed in the three states (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar ), is given below

Schools / Colleges from Uttar Pradesh (UP)

1. Miss.Kaveri Adhikari, Principal, Tagore Public School (C B S E Affiliated) 179, Attarsuiya,Allahabad. Ph. No-0532-2659049 , Coordinator: Mr. Sanjai Srivastava , Ph No- 9450614059 (M)

2. Sri R.M. Chaudhary, Principal, D.A.V. Intermediate College, Mehdawal, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ph. No-05548-243541, Coordinator:Sri. Jagdish Prasad Mishra, Ph. No. 05548-243541

3. Principal , T.D. Intermediate College, Jaunpur, Coordinator: Sri Dinesh Kumar Singh, Ph. No. 9451663208 (M)

4. Sri. Prabhat Kumar Sharma, Principal, Prabhat Academy (Affiliated to ICSE), Astabhuja Nagar, Pratapgarh, Ph. No- 053242-221750, 9415350940(M)

5. Principal , M.D. Jain Intermediate College –Agra, Coordinator: Mr. M.C. Jain , Ph. No. 9411602187(M)

6. Sri Karuna Shanker Shukla, Principal, S.D.B.B. Rama Intermediate College-Pilibhit, Ph No- 05882-252158, Coordinator: Sri Laxmi Kant Sharma, Ph. No. 9411283878 (M)

7. Sri P. Rath, Principal , C.P Vidya Niketan Intermediate College, Kaimganj, Farrukhabad , Ph. No. 05690-32123 , Coordinator- Dr. N. D. Singh (Vice Principal)

8. Principal , N.A.S.Intermediate College- Meerut , Ph.No. 0121-4009819 , Coordinator:Sri Deepak Sharma , Ph, No. 0121-2768624 , 9358414442 (M)

9. Principal, Parker Inter College-Moradabad , Ph. No. 0591-2325592 , Coordinator: Sri Manoj Prabhakar , Ph. No. 0591-6535637, 9719440554 (M)

10. Principal , Mahgaon Inter College-Kaushambi , Ph. No. 0532-2734445 , Coordinator: Waseem Ahmad, Ph. No. 9450614358 (M)

School / Colleges from Madhya Pradesh (MP)

1. Sri S.D. Shah , Principal , Bonanza Higher Secondary School, Rewa Road – Satna , Ph. No. 07672-223888, 224932

2. Principal , Govt. Excellence Higher Secondary School – Maihar , Coordinator: Atul Kumar Garg , 9425162100 (M)

3. Sri G. Rama Subba Reddy, Principal , Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Biker- Datia , Ph. No. 07522-268205 , Coordinator: Sri M. P. Sharma , Ph. No. 07522-268378

4. Principal , Govt. Excellence Higher Secondary School – Sidhi

5. Principal , E.C.I. School – Rewa , Coordinator: Mirza Daniel , Ph. No. 9827387856 (M)

6. Principal , Govt. R.P. School- Panna

7. Principal , Central Academy Higher Secondary School- Shehdol , Ph.No. 07652-241532 , Coordinator: Sri Sanjay Kr. Mishra , Ph. No. 07652-241532

8. Sri S.S. Chauhan, Principal , Meenakshi Educational Institute , Kali Tigade, Gopalganj, Saugor (Sagar) , Ph. No. 9302910585 (M) , Coordinator: Mr. Saurabh Rai

9.Principal, Shealeng Home English Higher Secondary School, Mahoba Road, Chattarpur , Ph. No. 9425141469 (M)

10 Principal , Mother Teresa Higher Secondary English School, Khajuraho, M.P., Ph. No. 07685-272518, Coordinator: Dr. A.K. Dubey, Ph. No. 09425143654 (M)

School/Colleges from Bihar

1 Mrs. Rupa Sinha , Principal , Chapra Central School, Sadar-Chapra , Ph. No. 06152-223456 , Coordinator:Sri Deepak Kr. Sharma

2. Mrs. R. Kumar , Principal , St. Pauls School – Hazipur, Ph. No. 06224-272520, Coordinator: Mr. V. K. Vicky, Ph. No. 9835264868 (M)

3. Principal , Prabhat Tara ( Intermediate College)- Muzaffarpur

4. Principal, St. Joseph’s Convent, Mahendru Ghat – Patna

5 .Principal , D.A.V. Intermediate College

Programmes held recently at R R A

Workshop on Biological Sciences & Orientation Programme for the D N A Club

The workshop on Biological Sciences & Orientation Programme for the D N A Club was inaugurated on Sept 07, 2007 in the auditorium of the National Academy of Sciences India .The Academy organised the programme as a part of its Science Communication Activities as well as Orientation for the Members of the D N A Club (it is worth mentioning that recently a Project on “Establishment of Regional Resource Agency for the Department of Biotechnology’s Natural Resources Awareness Club “ has been sanctioned by the D B T, Govt of India to the Academy) . Prof J S Singh Emeritus Professor of the Department of Botany, B H U,Varanasi while delivering his Key- note Address on Biodiversity in the Inaugural Session emphasized the importance of biodiversity for checking mass extinction of the species . Prof S L Srivastava, Coordinator of the Science Communication Programme, welcomed the teacher-participants of the intermediate colleges from about 45 schools of the three states - U.P., M. P. and Bihar, the Fellows & Members of the Academy, Teachers of Allahabad University and other Institutions of Allahabad. Dr Niraj Kumar, Principal Investigator for the Project and Assistant Executive Secretary of the Academy conducted the Inaugural Session of the workshop. Prof U C Srivastava, Convener, gave a brief account of the activities to be held in three days . Prof C B L Srivastava, formerly Professor and Head of the Deptt. of Zoology,Allahabad University, proposed the vote-of-thanks. Also present on this occasion were Dr M. S. Sinha, Executive Secretary of the Academy, Prof Dipika Kaul,Prof Pratima Gaur, Prof Anita Gopesh,Prof D K Chauhan, Prof S P Tiwari, Dr O N Srivastava,Dr K P Singh, Dr V C Srivastava, Dr Balbir Singh and others.

In the First Technical Session Prof G K Srivastava, formerly Professor and Head of the Deptt. of Botany,Allahabad University, gave a talk on Recent Advances in Taxonomy. Technical Session II was held in the Deptt. of Botany, A. U. under the supervision of Prof. D K Chauhan and Prof S P Tiwari.

On the next day the workshop started with the lecture of Prof C B L Srivastava on Evolutionary Systematics ; after which an interesting lecture on Five Kingdom System was delivered by Prof. U.C. Srivastava .The participants also visited the Animal Museum in the Department of Zoology, Allahabad University under the guidance of Prof. Anita Gopesh and Prof. Krishna Kumar,followed by Experimental Work and Demonstration under overall supervision of Prof U C Srivastava.

The morning session on the third day was devoted to Biotechnology and an illustrative lecture was delivered by Prof Krishna Misra, a senior Fellow of the Academy ; followed by demonstrations on microbiology under the supervision of Prof. G.L.Tiwari, Dr.Rama Kant Ojha and Dr. Richa Tandon. A lecture on Lessons on Ecology for Aquarium keeping was also delivered by Prof. C.B.L. Srivastava.

The Valedictory Session was Chaired by Prof P K Seth, General Secretary of the Academy and Chief Executive Officer, Biotech Park,Lucknow. Prof Seth, in his address appealed to the participants to spread the message of conserving nature, among the students and general mass .In the end, Dr. M.S. Sinha proposed the vote-of-thanks; and the certificates of participation were given to the teachers.

A Report on the Workshop on Some Aspects of Chemical Pollution

The Academy organized a Workshop on Some Aspect of Chemical Pollution under its Science Communication Activity on November 5-6, 2007, under the convenership of Dr. (Mrs.) Sharda Sundaram and Dr. Mohammad Masood (both are Member of the Academy). Total 80 teachers from about 35 institutions of U.P., M.P. and Bihar participated in the Workshop. During the inaugural function held on 5th November, 2007 in the Auditorium of the Academy, Prof. S.L. Srivastava, Coordinator, welcomed the participant- teachers, Fellows and Members of the Academy present on the occasion and other distinguished guests. The key- note address on “Chemical Pollution and Green Chemistry” was delivered by Dr. Anil Kumar, a distinguished Scientist from National Chemical Laboratory, Pune and also the Vice- President of the Academy.

Dr. Anil Kumar discussed various causes of air, water and soil pollutants. These are all due to Chemical Pollutions, created by industrial discharges, operational discharges from oil rigs, mining discharges and agricultural run- off, persistent pollutants such as pesticides, insecticides etc. He also talked about the status and hazards of chemical pollution. In a measure to combat this pollution, Dr. Kumar stressed to understand the term “Green”, in order to adopt the ecofriendly biosphere, without producing toxic chemical. Dr. Mohammad Masood introduced the theme of the Workshop and Dr. Sharda Sundaram proposed a vote of thanks. The inaugural function was conducted by Dr. Niraj Kumar.

Dr. Mohammad Masood demonstrated the techniques of water testing using the water analysis kit developed by himself for testing of 12 parameters such as pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, acidity, hardness, presence of NH3, iron, chloride, manganese sulphate, dissolved oxygen and arsenic in the water. After the demonstration, the kits alongwith the protocols for water testing were distributed among the participants, so that they could perform the testing of water- quality, at their respective places.

During the session on testing of food adulterants the participants tested about 15 food items for different types of adulteration such as metanil yellow in sweets prepared by the different shops, Argemone mexicana in musterd oil, urea in milk and milk products, animal fat in vegetable oil/ ghee etc. They found the samples of sweets (mithai) from three different shop of Allahabad, adulterated; also the mustard oil of 4 brands were also found adulterated with Argemone, which is fatal for kidney and liver of the users of such brand.

On 6th November, 2007 the outstation participants went to Sangam and collected water samples from six locations of Sangam area. All these samples were tested by different groups for the level of pollution. Some of the water samples were found to be polluted. Dr. Sharda Sundaram demonstrated several experiments on air pollution (particulate matters in air), chemoluminescence and chromatography. The vaseline slides were kept at 10 places in Allahabad to detect particulate matters. It was found that Chowk air has the maximum particulates. Dr. Abhay Pandey delivered a talk on Environmental Pollution and Dr. Satyendra Singh on Chemical Reactions in the afternoon of 5th and 6th November, 2007, respectively.

During the Valedictory Function, Prof. S.L. Srivastava delivered a talk on “Green House Effect and Climate Change”, in which he discussed the solar radiation, absorption and emission of radiation in atmosphere, water and soil and how CO2 and H2O are mainly responsible for the green house effect, thereby leading to global warming and disastrous climate change. Certificate of participation were distributed to the participants.

Winter School

The National Academy of Sciences, India organized a Winter School for the first time under its Science Communication Programme from February 15 to 17, 2008 at Biotech Park, Lucknow. The DNA Club Members also participated in this school. 82 teachers and 220 students of +2 level from 30 Districts of U.P., M.P. and Bihar participated in the school. The inaugural function was held on 15th February, 2008 in Biotech Park, Lucknow with Hon’ble Sri Abdul Mannan, Minister, Science and Technology, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh as the Chief Guest. Prof. P.K. Seth, General Secretary, NASI & CEO, Biotech Park welcomed Hon’ble Sri Mannan, other distinguished guests, teachers and student-participants. On this occasion, Dr. Rakeh Tuli, Director, NBRI and CDRI, Lucknow gave a brief account of the depleting natural resources and Prof. C.B.L. Srivastava emphasized the importance of natural resources and its conservation. Sri Ram Kumar, Principal Secretary, Science & Technology Department, Govt. of U.P., presided over the function. Dr. Niraj Kumar proposed the vote-of-thanks.

After the inaugural function all the participants visited the Botanical Garden of National Botanical Research Institute observing the diversity of plant species. From there, they went to the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) to learn the techniques of conservation of plant resources and interact with the eminent scientists and researchers. In the evening, lectures were delivered by Prof. S.P.S. Khanuja, Director, CIMAP and Prof. Veena Tandon, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong in the auditorium of CIMAP. Prof. Khanuja emphasized the chronological advancements in genetics and molecular biology, while Prof. Veena Tandon dealt in detail about the types of worms and their association with the animals and human being. In the evening of 15th a nice cultural evening was enjoyed; the programme was organized by the artists of Regional Office, Geet Evam Natya Prasar, Lucknow, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India. at Biotech Park, Lucknow.

On February 16, 2008 the participants went to Biotech Park to visit Bioinformatics lab, Tissue Culture lab and DNA Bank. After the lunch they visited Regional Science Center, where they performed few experiments. In the evening of 16th Prof. R.S. Nadgauda, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Ghandhinagar and Prof. Paramjeet Khurana, Delhi University delivered illustrative lectures on Bamboo and Biotechnology, respectively.

On February 17, 2008 arrangement for the site seeing (Imambara and Bhulbhullaya) was made and after that, the participants visited Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany to learn many things about palaeontology and its methods. The afternoon of this day was exciting for the students as they saw several endangered species in the zoo.

Certificates of participantion were given to all the teachers and students who attended the school.

A Report on the Summer School and Vacation Training Programme

The National Academy of Sciences India organized jointly the Summer School (under Science Communication Programme of the Academy ) and Vacation Training Programme (under the DNA Club of the Deptt. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India ) on a theme –“ Natural Resources: Dynamics and Management”; starting from June 3,2008 ( including the celebration of ‘World Environment Day’ on June 5 2008) and ending in the Valedictory Function on June 23. 2008. This programme was coordinated by Prof S L Srivastava. Prof. Krishna Misra was the Course Director for VTP and Prof C B L Srivastava was the Convener of the Summer School. Distinguished scientists and experts - Prof. J.S. Singh, BHU, Varanasi, Prof. B N Dhawan, CDRI, Lucknow, Prof. P.K. Seth, Biotech Park, Lucknow, Prof. S.L. Srivastava, University of Allahabad (UOA) ,Prof. Krishna Misra, IIIT, Allahabad, Prof. C.B.L. Srivastava, (UOA), Prof. U.C. Srivastava, (UOA), Prof. C.S. Nautiyal, NBRI, Lucknow, Prof. Abhay Mansingh, Delhi University, Prof. G.K. Srivastava, (UOA), Prof. D.K. Chauhan, (UOA),Prof S.P.Misra, Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, Allahabad, Dr. Ashwani Kumar, FRI, Kanpur, Prof. P.K. Mathur, Lucknow University, Prof Jairaj Behari, ITRC,Lucknow, Prof C K Dwivedi (UOA), Prof R K Sivastava and Dr Pankaj Srivastava, M N N I T, Allahabad and many others, addressed the participants as given in the enclosed programme. 140 students and teachers from about 40 institutions of Allahabad and 18 DNA Clubs, participated actively in the programme and interacted with the experts, exhibiting keen interest, inquisitiveness and desire to understand the subject. Some of the students were well informed. The expert scientists also enjoyed interacting with them and were impressed by their active participation. The interactive sessions lasted much beyond the stipulated hours. On a special occasion Dr. S.M. Nair, Chief Coordinator, DNA Club and Senior Advisor, Centre for Environment Education(CEE), New Delhi participated in the programme on June 11 & 12,2008 and interacted with the participants.

The whole programme was divided into the following :

A. Introduction to Natural Resources: Dynamics and Management :

About 30 lectures were held to introduce the concept of Natural Resources, Biodiversity-assessment and conservation, Current Environmental Issues, Environmental Crisis, Wild Life, Food Chain, Distribution of Biodiversity Resources, Global Climate Change, Intellectual Property Rights, Pollutions, Green Chemistry and Ecosystem etc. A topic-wise details of the lectures is given in the enclosure.

B. Hands-on Activities :

Practical hands on activities were organized on the following –

1. Identification of museum specimens – Animals and Plants

2. Experiments on basic principles in Physics (about 40 experiments on electronics , mechanics, light, sound and electromagnetism)

3. Water pollution testing

4. Food adulteration testing

5. Air pollution testing – Quantitative and Qualitative

6. Tissue culture – Animal and Plant

7. DNA isolation and PCR

8. DNA Probe

9. Microscopic examination of cell organelles

10. Microbial Tissue Culture (blue green algae)

11. Mat- lab and Fuzzy for its application in solving problems related to environment.

12. Computer Animation

C. Exploring the Environment :

Field and Laboratories Visits were also organised –

1. Botanical Survey of India, Allahabad: To learn about the medicinally important plants and economic plants of central and northern India; and also making herbarium of these plants.

2. Zoological Museum, University of Allahabad: To gather information about different animal species and observe their characteristics.

3. Botanical Garden, University of Allahabad: To know about the plant diversity of Allahabad region and systematic study of hydrophytic plants.

4. IIIT, Allahabad: To perform experiments on DNA isolation and PCR. They observed Mitochondrial DNA and DNA of few plants themselves in the laboratories of IIIT.

5. M.G. Gramodaya, Chtirakoot Vishwavidyalaya, Chtirakoot: To get first hand information related to application of rural technologies for conservation of wild life.

6. Arogya Dham, Chitrakoot: To study collection of some rare medicinal plants, their processing for obtaining biologically active compounds and their pharmacological preparations. They also learnt the techniques of developing food- products from herbal material.

D. Individual Projects by the students:

The participating students prepared projects related to environment and biodiversity as –

1. Herbarium preparation of different flowering plants.

2. Mathematical modeling for different environmental pollution problems.

3. Study of Simian biodiversity of Vindhya region.

4. Herbarium preparation of some of the medicinal plants.

5. Computer Animation (related to biodiversity, wild life and environment)

6. Study of flying bats in Gupt - Godavari caves

E. Wrap-up Session:

It was divided in to following six sessions

Experience sharing
Power Point presentation and address by the teachers and students
Career counseling
Get together with eminent scientists
Assessment, and finally
Certificate and Prize Distribution