Abstract: Centella asiatica a perennial, aromatic medicinal herb known as “miracle elixir of life” has been used as folk medicine and also scientifically oriented medicine. The medicinal herb, Centella asiatica (L.) Urban known as Gotu kola has been reported to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities. In particular, a remarkable body of scientific research exists on the therapeutic properties of preparations of C. asiatica or its triterpenes in the treatment of skin diseases. Centella asiatica has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The active compounds including penta-cyclic triterpenes, mainly Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic and Madecassoside are effective in healing skin disorders such as repairing small wounds caused by injury or burns, heals atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, eczema etc. TECA is purified standardized extract of Centella asiatica composed of Madecassic acid, Asiaticoside, and Asiatic acid.The mechanism involve wound treatment with TECA that collagen synthesis, fibroblast proliferation, management of keloids, regulating inflammatory cytokines and chemokines via TGF-β /Smad Signaling, NF-κ B Signaling. This madecassoside may significantly inhibit the production of IL-1β released by P. acnes stimulated THP-1 cells that might suppress P. acnes-induced inflammatory response. Also Centella play a pivotal role in cosmetology treating photo-ageing skin, cellulite and striae. The C. asiatica extract regulate the metabolism happening in the cells of the connective tissue, shows anti-inflammatory and draining activity and modulates microcirculation.
Key words: Acne, Atopic Dermatitis, Burns, Centella asiatica, Madecassoside, Photo-ageing.

Abstract: Though the medical sciences have made enormous advances, plants are still considered as a potential source of drugs for treating various diseases worldwide.Plants are used extensively for the treatment of different health conditions with a high rate of recovery. The present study on ethnobotany was carried out to identify the plants and their parts that are used for the treatment of snakebite by the tribal population of Jhargram district. The study was conducted by taking interviews of the knowledgeable informants like tribal medical practitioners, elderly members of the tribal community and house-wives with structured questionnaire in the remote places of the district. The study investigated and listed 43 plants that are commonly used for snakebite treatment. Among them, herbs are dominated followed by trees, climbers, shrubs and grass. There are total 29 families, out of which 23 families were dicotyledons and 6 families belong to monocotyledons. This ethnobotanical study mainly emphasized on the documentation of those plants which are used for snakebite treatment and found it important for future use. The study may also influence other pharmacologists, ethno botanists and phytochemists for further extensive studies on medicinal plants used by tribal people of different parts of West Bengal.
Key words:  Ethnobotany, Knowledgeable informants.Medicinal plants,Snakebite, Traditional knowledge

Abstract: This research focuses on the screening, identification and evaluation of cellulolytic activity exhibited by different species of Chaetomium, a filamentous fungus known for its diverse enzymatic capabilities. Cellulose, a complex polysaccharide found in plant cell walls, is a promising feedstock for bioenergy and biorefinery applications. Different microorganisms, especially filamentous fungi, play an important role in the breakdown of cellulose using cellulase enzymes.The fungal cellulase ismore thermostable that makes them a better choice for industrial applications.During collection of deteriorated cellulosic samples,9 different genera of fungi were encountered. Among them the most dominant was Chaetomium with35 different species. These species were evaluated for their cellulolytic activities.The occurrence of several species of Chaetomium in the survey prompted further investigation of relatively less studied species.This evaluation was carried out based ondetermination of the cellulolytic activity in terms of loss in weight of filter paper followed by enzyme assays viz., determination of extracellular enzyme activities with respect to exoglucanase andendoglucanase activities of 10 selected species (which showed more than 25% loss in weight of filter paper) viz., C. globosum, C. mollicellum, C. subspirale, C. olivaceum,C. convolutum, C. fibripilum, C. cochliodes, C. erraticum, C. Brasiliense and C. senegalensis . C. cochliodes showed maximum cellulolytic activity in terms of loss in weight of filter paper where as C. Subspirale recoded maximum activities for both exoglucanase and endoglucanase enzymes. C. olivaceum exhibited least activities in both the cases. The findings contribute to the understanding of Chaetomium as a valuable cellulolytic resource for sustainable bioprocessing.
Key words:  Chaetomium, cellulolytic enzymes, cellulose, endoglucanase, exoglucanase, fungi

Abstract: The study, undertaken in January 2023, aimed to observe the avifaunal status of Barkheda Lake in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan. The primary objective was to document various avifaunal species present during the winter season in the area. Photographic evidence of the avifauna was captured using a DSLR camera, and identification was conducted by both an experienced expert and with the assistance of a field guide. A total of 21 bird species, representing 17 different families, were identified at the site. The assessment of IUCN status revealed that only one species was classified as near-threatened, while the remaining 20 species were categorized as least concerned. 11 birds were found as terrestrial while 10 were aquatic birds. 6 birds were most common in the study area, 9 were found as common and 6 were rare. Residential status of birds revealed that 14 were found as resident of the place and another 7 birds were winter visitors.
Key words: Avifauna, Barkheda lake, Jaipur, IUCN.

Abstract: Agnihotra is an important practice of Vedic period which is performed for peace, happiness and prosperity. During ancient age, it was performed many times in a day by the Vedic people. Agnihotra was an important part of their routine life. Fumes of Yagya purify the surrounding environment by removing foul odors replaced with various volatile organic compounds. But in the modern time it is performed only on some special occasions like ceremonies, festivals and on other worships. Ancient time people were uses various medicinal plants for curing harmful diseases by performing fumigation method. Present study is focused on the medicinal plants which are applied to perform a very ancient religious practice of the Kumaun Himalaya and effect of their components when offered in Agnihotra as Havan material or their medicinal uses. A questionnairebased survey was conducted in major religious places of Almora for collecting the information on plants used in the worship on different occasions. In result a total of 34 medicinal plants are recorded from four major religious sports of Kumaun. Out of which maximum 24 plants are applied in the worship of lord Shiva at Jageshwar shrine. Apart from this, 29 such medicinal plants along with their chemical constituents have also been studied which are mentioned in the Vedic text and these are applied in Agnihotra . This study will be important in preserving this plant-based Vedic practice of Kumaun as well as these important medicinal plants and an attempt has also been made to emphasize the plants which are used in making incense and Havan material.
Key words:  Medicinal plants, Vedic rituals (Agnihotra), common diseases, volatile component, major religious spots of Kumaun.

Abstract: The present study evaluated population dynamics of cladoceran in relation to water quality parameters in the flood plains of Subansiri River basin. The correlation coefficient (r) between cladoceran abundance and water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), free carbon dioxide (FCO₂), total alkalinity (TA), total hardness (TH), calcium hardness (CaH), chlorides, nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N), phosphate phosphorus (PO₄-P), pH, air temperature (AT), water temperature (WT), salinity, specific conductivity (SC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) in three categories of flood plains: deep water rice field (DWR), flood plain lakes (FPL) and oxbow lake (OBL) demonstrate location specific variability in the regulation of cladoceran abundance. A positive correlation with TA (r=0.118, 0.153, 0.123); NO₃-N (r=0.019, 0.355, 0.383); AT (r=0.381, 0.094, 0.267); WT (r=0.519, 0.033, 0.287) and negative correlation with TDS (r=-0.752, - 0.230, -0.045) in DWR, FPL and OBL respectively indicated more influence of chemical factors on community dynamics of cladoceran rather physical factors. All other parameters like DO, BOD, TH, CaH, pH Chloride, PO₄-P also influences cladoceran abundance. Study revealed that seasonality of water quality parameters influence dynamics of floodplain biotic community.
Key words:  Cladocera, Community dynamic, Correlation, Density, Flood plain wetland, Water quality.

Abstract: Barred cuckoo-dove is a species of bird which is native to South and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the family Columbidae and is listed under Least Concern category in the IUCN Red List. This species is sexually dimorphic. Males have unbarred head and neck with extensive purple and green gloss. Females are heavily barred on head, neck and underparts with gloss which are restricted to nape and side of neck. We recorded Barred cuckoo-dove Macropygia unchall in a commercial area of district head quarter town, Kokrajhar incidentally as part of a routine survey. Generally a forest bird species,a total ofnine individuals were seen perching on the tin roof of an old concrete house, covered under the moderately dense canopy of Eucalyptus tree Eucalyptus globules . As birds are regarded as the biological indicator which signifies the health of the ecosystem, it is important to preserve the existence of any species of wild birds that are present around us.
Key words:  Commercial, dove, forest, habitat, monsoon season, Urban.