Plant Pathology, Ecology & Environment, Geographic Information System (GIS), Physico-chemical Characteristics of Water & Soil, Aquatic Microbiology [including Taxonomy of Algae, Bacteria (except Taxonomy), Extra-Aquatic and Terrestrial (Basidiomycetes and Ascomyetes) Fungi and Zooplankton], Aquatic and Terrestrial Macrophytes, Bioaccumulation and Bio-magnification of Heavy Metals, Elimination of undesirable chemicals and Microbes from raw water, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Management Plan (EMP), Cactus & Succulents, Phenological studies, ex-situ Conservation of endemic and threatened plants (viz. Introduction of plants, Plantation, Propagation/Multiplication, Training/Arboriculture, etc.) in Botanic Gardens including Environmental Designing for Landscaping, Museum, Conservatories, Water-bodies, Environmental Training and Awareness along with associated events.

 

 

 

Other than taxonomic studies of Algae and Fungi,EIA, EMP, ex-situ Conservation in Botanic Gardens including Environmental Designing for Landscaping, Museum, Conservatories, Water-bodies, Environmental Training and Awareness along with associated events.

 

 

 

Presently working on the following 2 projects are as follows :

 

i. Project - 1 : ex-situ conservationof endemic, threatened and economic plant species in the associated garden of CRC.

ii. Project - 2 : Documentation of phenological data on flowering and fruiting every month.

 

 

PHONE : 0532 2250179; Mob. : 9868775754

 

e-MAIL : drsheo_kumar[at]rediffmail[dot]com; alsheo63[at]gmail[dot]com

 

 

ON GOING OTHER PROJECTS : In addition to above mentioned under PRESENTLY WORKING ON FAMILY / TRIBE / GENUS OR FLORA OF (AREA)

 

 

COMPLETED PROJECTS : 21 projects/schemes completed successfully are as follows :

 

Since 06.07.1985 altogether 21 projects including 4 schemes of MOEF&CC were successfully carried out and so far inventorised 931 species (comprising algae 590 species, bacteria 12 species, extra-aquatic fungi 62 species, zooplankton 64 species, polychaetes 3 species, isopoda 2 species, amphipoda 1 species, Aeromycoflora 85 species and asco & basidiomycetes 112 species), introduced 812 species in Botanic Gardens under ex-situ conservation (comprising endemic 179 species, threatened 80 species, economic 151 species, medicinal 160 species, ornamental 153 species and others 85 species), databases developed/ updated for 419 introduced species and 402 medicinal plants, enlisted and photographed 268 conserved seeds and studied phenology of 588 species are as follows :

 

 

All introduced/conserved plants/tree species of the botanic garden were routinely maintained with assistance of MTS and against the target of 4 species during 2017-18 and 10 species during 2018-19, altogether 195 individuals of 85 species under the categories endemic (50), threatened (24), medicinal (71), economic (52) and ornamental (8) species were conserved under ex-situ conservation.

 

2. Documentation of phenological data on flowering and fruiting every month (Nov., 2017 to Mar., 2019) :

 

Altogether, 2,389 individuals of 588 plant species were studied for phenological studies in CRC, among 554, 305 and 220 species formed flowers, fruits and seeds respectively.

 

 

During the period along with Administrative assignments as H.O.O., altogether 4,737 individuals of 680 plant/tree species were introduced in botanic garden, among 324 species were new comprising Endemic (83), Threatened (40), Economic (118), Medicinal (103) and Ornamental (130), Cactus (32) and 24 succulents, 1 each as per CITIES, Gymnosperm, Psychoactive,Primitive plant as well as 5 aquatic plants including 3 species of different Era i.e. Psilotum nudum (L.) P. Beauv. and Equisetum hyemale L. of Silurian & Devonian and Carboniferous period respectively of Paleozoic Era and Gingko biloba L. of Jurassic period of Mesozoic Era were introduced in the BGIR. Besides, 30 different colours roses including ‘Green Rose’ i.e. Rosa chinensis ‘Viridiflora’, 20 new species of Orchids among Vanila planifolia, 10 specimens of Pittosporum eriocarpum Royle (endemic & critically threatened) and National Flower Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. also introduced and still flourishing very well.

 

 

This database was re-organised by incorporatingentries of 322 new species and thus the same was updated for 419 species comprising Aquatic 6, Gymnosperms 22, Ornamental Plants 122, Palms 41, Species existing in Green Belt/Woodland41, Succulents 19, Zingiber 10 and Others 158 species.

 

 

Existing database was also re-organised by rectifying 767 errors, incorporated 109 missing entries and added entries of 103 new species thus the same was updated for 402 medicinal plants.

 

 

Taken over charge of this scheme including more than 335 files from Dr. R.K. Rai, processed five old projects for Lead and General Gardens and just before publication of its Guidelines thoroughly edited, corrected errors, incorporated photographs, including its getup, etc. in consultation with the then Advisor.

 

 

Altogether 8,278 photographs of Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes fungi were taken during photographic exploration in AJCBIBG among 2,432 photographs were sorted out for identification which were in consultation with downloaded 10,403 identified specimens from reputed Database of the world like America, California, Hongos de Costa Rica, United Kingdom and relevant publications of Sharma (1995), Das and Sharma (2005) and Das (2009) altogether 112 species were identified.

 

 

All conserved plants under ex-situ Conservation including Environmental Awareness, Scientific, Technical (Largest spread tree, Cactus and Largest leaf bearing aquatic plants) and Administrative matters w.r.t. Store, Purchase, Legal Matters (PIL Court Cases), etc. with assistance of 250 field and office staff, Developmental/Management Work of the garden and promotion of Rajbhasha were carried out successfully. Besides, altogether 3,511 prop roots of >20 cm girth at DBH of the Great Banyan Tree was recorded after 10 years.

 

 

All conserved 403 potted cactus and succulents in Cactus House were maintained properly. Besides, altogether 1,038 descriptions and 3,179 images of identified Cactus and Succulents were downloaded from reputed websites for reference and along by consulting referred publications of Graf (1963), Backberg (1976) identified altogether existing 21 healthy species followed by studied 9 diseased species possibly caused by different causal factors comprising Bacterial (1), Fungal (3), Viral (1) and Insects (4).

 

 

For preparation of a national checklist of algae w.r.t. Class : Cyanophyta, 54 species belonging to 19 genus of assigned 2 Order viz.Chaemosiphonales and Stigonematales were compiled from reputed journal/proceedings published between 1950 and 2003 and submitted in Technical Section, BSI on 03.01.2007.

 

 

Altogether 386 species belonging to Class comprising Chlorophyceae (89), Bacillariophyceae (215), Euglenophyceae (39), Dianophyceae (9), Xanthophyceae (5), Chrysophyceae (3) and Cryptophyceae (2) were identified from 104 phytoplanktonic samples sampled from different water bodies of Maldah District. Along with this, one species of aqautic Bryophytes namely, Ricciocarpos natans (L.) Corda in Opiz (Hepaticae) was recorded as new record from West Bengal and identified more than 35 macrophytes which were encountered in the studied water bodies during the survey.

 

 

Rendered Scientific and Technical Assistance/Services in monitoring of about 150 ongoing and new projects for funding for Systematic studies in Plants and Animal sciences after scrutiny of their Proposals/Progress Reports, Utilization Certificates, Cumulative Expenditure and release of grants to ensure that studies initiated are taken to a logical and fruitful end. Services also extended for organizing a Review Workshop and Steering Committee Meeting for AICOPTAX Scheme held from 19^th to 21^st May, 2005 at Coimbatore. Similarly, services also rendered for MAP for Mangroves & Coral Reefs and FRLHT for conservation of precious natural resources of the country and Medicinal plants. Besides, all other assigned targets w.r.t. i. Review Workshop and Steering Committee Meeting for AICOPTAX Scheme, ii. Meeting for the Janki Ammal National Award for Taxonomy (2004 - 05), iii. Workshop on Stakeholder Consultations for Designation of Little Rann of Kutchh as Biosphere Reserve in the State of Gujarat and iv. Brain Storming Session on Taxonomy in 21^st Century : Issues, Concerns and Opportunities held on 4^th July, 2005 at MOEF&CC, New Delhi were duly met to a greater extent.

 

 

This project was handled independently, requisite work along with other developmental projects of Govt. of India and outside India (Bangladesh and Mongolia) like Highways, Airport, Urban Development, etc. were carried successfully. Also worked sincerely for accreditation of the Company for i. ISO 9001 : Procedure for Preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP), ii. Bid Document of Environment for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme, iii. Formats for Data Collection from Field and different Highways Engineering Divisions and iv. Proposal for Environmental Clearance for Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.

 

 

The extracts of potent plant species were used for elimination/removal of Bacteria and Hazardous Chemical from Raw Water and performed Biochemical Studies followed by Toxicity and Histo-pathological Studies in Albino Rat, etc.

 

 

Studied i. Impact of Air Pollution and Microbial Studies on Terrestrial Plant Species by Biochemical Studies, ii. Mitigation by Spraying of Pesticides/Insecticides, Hormones and Fertilizer to Increase the Yield by Retention of Flowers and Fruits on Panicle and iii. Isolated the Mycoflora from affected Tree Species using Isolation Procedures.

 

 

 

 

 

The outcome of the above five projects (No. 17 to 21) were collated from scientific researches and floristic studies undertaken during respective time period comprises to Physico-Chemical Studies for i. 20 Parameters of Raw Drinking Waters, ii. 5 Parameters of Benthic Sediments of Dug Well and River and iii. Level of Heavy Metals i.e. Fe, Cu, Ag, Zn, Mn, Hg & Pb present in water and soil samples. Similarly, Microbiological (Biodiversity) studies for i. 12 Bacterial species, ii. 62 Extra-Aquatic Fungi in different/specific culture media, iii. 142 Algal species, iv. 64 Zooplanktonic species from different water sources, v. 3 Polychaetes (basically marine which have eruhyalinically adapted the freshwater condition and found in river Ganga), vi. 2 Isopoda and 1 Amphipoda from 100 ft deep tubewell (Handpump) water (As per British Museum, London, out of 3 specimens, 2 species were new on this globe (1 each for Genus and Species) and vii. 85 Aero-mycoflora from outside and inside the College library.

 

 

 

 

1. KUMAR, S. 2012. Role of Gardens for Betterment of Mankind in Changing Climate. Proc. XXXV All India Conference of the Indian Botanical Society and National Symposium on Role of Plants and Microbes for the betterment of Mankind in the Changing Climate organised in the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara 6: 148, 0019-4468.

2. KUMAR, S. AND P. GUPTA 2012. Impact of Changing Climate on Cyanoprokaryotes. Proc. XXXV All India Conference of the Indian Botanical Society and National Symposium on Role of Plants and Microbes for the betterment of Mankind in the Changing Climate organised in the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara S-6: 6, 0019-4468.

3. HAMEED, S.S. AND S. KUMAR 2009. Attempts of artificial pollination and fruit setting in Lodoicea maldivica (J.F.Gmel.) Pers. in AJC Bose Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah. ENVIS, 14(1): 3-4, 0974-1992.

4. GUPTA, P. AND S. KUMAR 2008. Anabaena azollae Strasb. from Maldah District, West Bengal. 95^th Ind. Sc. Cong., Visakhapatnam, A. P. II(48): 32, 0373-0786.

5. GUPTA, P. AND S. KUMAR 2007. Occurrence of Euryale ferox Salisbury and its effects on ecology of water bodies of Maldah District, W.B. 94^th Ind. Sc. Cong., Annamalai Nagar, 0373-0786.

6. KUMAR, S. AND G. S. GIRI2006. Victoria Lindl., the Giant Water Lily in Indian Botanic Garden Howrah, India. ENVIS Newsletter, Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata 11(1 & 2): 8-11, 0974-1992.

7. GUPTA, P. AND S. KUMAR 2006. Nodularia spumigena Mortens ex Born. et. Flah. – A new record from lake of Maldah District, W.B. Proc. 93^rd Ind. Sc. Cong., Part III, Hyderabad, 16-17, 0373-0786.

8. KUMAR, S.,J. LAL AND P. GUPTA2005. Ricciocarpos Corda in Opiz (Hepaticae) from Maldah District, West Bengal : A new generic record from Gangetic Plain. Bulletin of Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata (new name Nelumbo),47(1-4): 131-132, 0976-5069.

9. GUPTA, P. AND S. KUMAR 2005. Microcystis aeruginosa Kützing Bloom in Ponds of Maldah District, W.B. Bulletin of Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata, (new name Nelumbo),47(1-4): 115-120, 0976-5069.

10. GUPTA, P. AND S. KUMAR 2004. Occurrence of Microcystis aeruginosa Kützing Bloom in Ponds of Maldah District, W.B. 91^st Ind. Sci. Cong., Part-III(Section-VII) held at Chandigarh, 12, 0373-0786.

11. GUPTA, P. AND S. KUMAR 2003. Natural and man-made wetlands of Maldah District, West Bengal. 90^th Ind. Sc. Cong., Part III(Section VII), Bangalore, 21-22, 0373-0786.

12. KUMAR, S. AND K. GOPAL 1999. Screening of plant species for inhibition of bacterial population of raw water. J. Environ. Sci. Hlth., A34(4): 975-987, 1093-4529.

13. KUMAR, S. 1999. Morphological and anatomical alterations in tadpole larvae of frog, Rana tigrina Daudin, 1802 due to toxic effect of copper, zinc and lead. J. Adv. Zool., 20(2) : 90-94, 0253-7214.

14. SAHAY, S.S., S. KUMAR and S. KUMAR 1994. Effect of distillery effluents on abiotic and biotic factors. Freshwater Bio. 6(3): 317‑321, 0046-5070.

15. KUMAR, S. AND S. KUMAR 1994. Toxicity test of heavy metals on common guppy, Lebistes reticulatus (Peter). Indian J. Applied & Pure Biol, 9(1): 19‑23, 0970-2091.

16. BILGRAMI, K.S., S. KUMAR, S.S. SAHAY and S. KUMAR 1994. Diel variations in abiotic and biotic factors of river Ganga at Bhagalpur. Environment and Ecology, 12(2): 374‑378, 0970-0420.

17. KUMAR, S. AND L.C. SAHA 1993. Freshwater algae of drinking water reservoirs at Bhagalpur. Phykos, 32(1&2) : 131‑146, 0554-1182.

18. KUMAR, S. 1993. Incidence of extra‑aquatic fungi in municipal water supply at Bhagalpur. Indian J. Applied & Pure Biol., 8(2): 87‑90, 0970-2091.

19. GHANI, T., S. KUMAR and S.R. KALE 1993. Occurrence and composition of aero‑mycoflora outside and inside the college library and their correlation with meteorological data at Bhagalpur, India. Int. J. Environ. Hlth. Res., 3(3): 130‑139, 0960-3123.

20. BILGRAMI, K.S., S. KUMAR AND S.S. SAHAY 1993. Use of quantitative and qualitative indices for evaluating water quality of Ganga. Proc. Indian Natn. Sci. Acad., B59(1): 59‑66, 0370-0046.

21. KUMAR, S. AND L.C. SAHA 1992. Density, distribution and periodicity of extra‑aquatic fungi and their correlation with physico‑chemical factors of different potable waters. Int. J. Environ. Hlth. Res., 2: 147‑159, 0960-3123.

22. KUMAR, S. 1992. Seasonal variation in bacterial population and their correlation with physico‑chemical factors in riverine system. Int. J. Environ. Hlth. Res, 2: 160‑165, , 0960-3123.

23. KUMAR, S. AND L.C. SAHA 1991. Comparison of water quality and the chemical nature of the sediments of river and wells at Bhagalpur, India. Acta hydrochim. et hydrobiol., 19(4): 411‑417, 0323-4320.

24. SAHA, L.C. AND S. KUMAR 1990.Comparative quality of potable waters at Bhagalpur, India. Acta hydrochim. et hydrobiol., 18(4): 459‑467, 0323-4320.

25. KUMAR, S. 1990. The fauna of different drinking water sources of Bhagalpur, India. Acta hydrochim. et hydrobiol., 18(6): 683‑690, 0323-4320.

26. KUMAR, S. 1990. Bacteria as indicators of drinking water quality. J. Indian bot. Soc., BHU, Varanasi, 69: 66‑67, 0019-4468.

27. KUMAR, S. AND L.C. SAHA 1989. Physico‑chemical and bacteriological properties of drinking water at Bhagalpur. Indian J. Applied & Pure Biol., 4(2): 89‑92, 0970-2091.

28. KUMAR, S. AND L.C. SAHA 1989. Assessment of drinking water quality of Bhagalpur. Biol. Bull. India, 11(1): 9‑13, 0254-2900.

29. SAHA, L.C., B. PANDIT AND S. KUMAR 1986. Quality of drinking water at Bhagalpur during monsoon. Nat. Acad. Sci. Letters, 9(12): 369‑371, 0250-541X.

30. SAHA, L.C., B. PANDIT AND S. KUMAR 1985. Drinking water quality of different sources at Bhagalpur. J. Indian bot. Soc., Osmania University, Hyderabad, 64: 90, 0019-4468.

 

 

 

1. KUMAR, S. AND K. GOPAL2003. Cyanobacterial toxins: Occurrence, properties and biological significance. In: J. Singh and G. Pandey (Ed), Natural Resource Management and Conservation. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi,52-74, 8127207381.

2. KUMAR, S. 2003. Population explosion and pollution. In: Y.T. JASRAI AND A. ARYA (Ed), Air Pollution Development at What Cost ? Daya Publishing House,New Delhi, 221-222, 8170352828.

3. KUMAR, S. AND L.C. SAHA 1996. Incidence of indicator bacteria in different drinking water sources. In: S.R. MISHRA (Ed), Assessment of Water Pollution. APH Publishing Corporation, New Delhi, 465-476, 8131305228.

4. KUMAR, S. 1996. Use of reliable biotool for evaluation of river water quality. In: S.R. MISHRA (Ed), Assessment of Water Pollution. APH Publishing Corporation, New Delhi, 43-61, 13: 9788131305225.

5. KUMAR, S. 1992. Deterioration in quality of drinking water due to various contaminants. In: S.R. Mishra and D.N. Saksena (Eds). Aquatic Ecology. Ashish Publishing House, New Delhi, 197-210, 8170244854.

 

 

 

For Environmental Awareness purposes to aware people at large, highlighting about properties of plants, their uses, conservation, etc. as well as future plan for development/about Institutions was covered by 165 Media through News Paper 160 (comprising 132 in Hindi, 25 in English, 3 e-News/Magazines) and 05 TV Shows, followed by 06 Brochures and 90 posters/Signage’s, etc.

 

 

 

 

1. GUPTA, P. AND S. KUMAR 2006. Nodularia spumigena Mortens ex Born. et. Flah. – A new record from lake of Maldah District, W.B. Proc. 93^rd Ind. Sc. Cong., Part III, Hyderabad, 16-17, 0373-0786.

2. KUMAR, S.,J. LAL AND P. GUPTA2005. Ricciocarpos Corda in Opiz (Hepaticae) from Maldah District, West Bengal : A new generic record from Gangetic Plain. Bulletin of Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata (new name Nelumbo),47(1-4): 131-132, 0976-5069.

 

 

 

 

 

1. 'Lal Bahadur Shastri Glocal Award for Biodiversity' on 21.05.2019 for contribution in the field of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources during a Global Conference held on Our Biodiversity, Our Food and Our Health at Central Regional Centre, Botanical Survey of India, Allahabad/Prayagraj.

2. ‘Biodiversity Conservation Award’ on 30.09.2018for contribution in the field of BiodiversityConservation, Sustainable Development and Environmental Awarenessduring anInternational Symposium on Recent Trends in Agriculture, Biodiversity and Social Sustainability (ABSS 2018) held at Central Regional Centre, Botanical Survey of India,Allahabad.

3. FIAAPC : Fellow of the Indian Association for Air Pollution Control (IAAPC), Vadodara (India) awarded on 05.06.2004.

4. Best Research Paper Under BRPM Competition (BPA Certificate-1998) of 19^th Annual Symposium of the Academy of the Environmental Biology at Bareilly in Nov., 1998.

5. Pool Officer/Senior Research Associate of CSIRin 1996 and undertaken the studies from 20.11.1996 to 19.11.1999.

6. Winner of Fun Time in Research category organised by Botanical Society, Dept. of Botany, M.S. Univ., Vadodara during 1994 – 95 dtd. 16.03.1995.

7. Awarded Merit Certificate for Excellent direction extended during Silver Jublee Celebration of Bal Vikas Exhibition of Sri Satya Sai Seva Sangsthan held from Oct 02^nd to 09^th, 1988.

 

Such Travel grants and other expenses were awarded for going to Argentina, Japan, China and United Kingdom as per details given below :

 

in 1997

1 CSIR, New Delhi for 7^th ICCML, LACAR’97, Argentina and