ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016

BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF ASSAM It gives me immense pleasure in presenting the Annual Report of Botanical Society of Assam for year 2015-2016. The report tries to focus the activities undertaken by the present Executive Committee after taking responsibility w.e.f 21.09.2015. Hoisting of BSA website and publication of online version of “Journal of Advanced Plant Sciences” were the two notable achievements of us. The numbers of life member of the Society have touched 200. We look forward despite all challenges so that we may leave behind a scientific legacy for our future generation in the field of plant science. I do offer my sincere thanks and gratitude to all the members and well wishers of Botanical Society of Assam for their help and support.

ABOUT BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF ASSAM

The Botanical society was established in the year 1992 with a view to promote interest among teachers and students of plant science as well as among plant lovers. During its course of journey since its inception it has been able to enlist a large number of individuals as well as members of the Society who are mainly the teachers of plant science in colleges and universities of Assam. Its main aim is to promote and advance the cause of Botany in NE India with particular reference to Assam and to promote Botanical study and research in different levels of education in the state of Assam and also to provide a common platform to all its members to interact among each other on matters of interest to the Society. The Society tries to fulfil the objectives by way of publication of research journal, bulletin, popular magazine and by way of holding of discussions, seminars, popular talks etc. It also joins with state as well as national level bodies to create awareness towards safeguarding our nature.

PRESENT EXECUTIVE COMMIITTEE (2015-2017) President: Working President: Vice President(s):

Dr. Soneswar Sarma Dr. T. C. Sarma Dr. K. N. Bhagawati Dr. S. N. Choudhury Dr. Dibakar Goswami Dr. Prabin Deuri Dr. Pranita Bortamuli

Secretary: Treasurer:

Dr. P. P. Baruah Dr. Chandra Baruah

Joint Secretary

Dr. M. R. Nath (Office)

Dr. Ranjan Kumar Bora (Academic)

Editor in Chief: Editor (UBP):

Dr. C. M. Sarma Dr. T.C. Sarma (GU)

Executive Editor: Dr. N. Devi Dr. Ranjan Kumar Bora

E. C. Member(s):

Dr. Nilakshee Devi Dr. Ruma Sarma Dr. Monoj Borthakur Dr. G. C. Sarma Dr. Diganta Narzary Dr. Papori Devi Dr. Reena Barman Dr. Hemen Deka Dr. Bhanu Saikia Dr. Paresh Kalita Mr. Balen Das Dr. Pranjan Barman Dr. Pradip Kr. Baruah

Dr. Dandadhar Bora Dr. Jitu Buragohain Dr. Tapan Dutta Dr. Bhaben Tanti Dr. Dipak Sagar Das Dr. J. Chutia Dr. Riju Kakati Dr. K. Tayung Dr. Krishna Kanta Medhi Mr. Sabebaro Namo Das Mr. Tulshi Upadhya Dr. Namita Nath Dr. Sarang Ranjan Patgiri

Dr. Manju Rani Devi Dr. P. J. Handique Dr. Debajyoti Bhuyan Dr. Anil Talukder

ACTIVITES OF THE YEAR

Launching of BSA Web site :

A new web site as name and style of “BOTANICAL

SOCIETY OF ASSAM” has been created and hoisted under Gauhati University websites. The Society is highly indebted to GU authority and Web Administrator of GU for providing sufficient web space for a social cause. National Science Day Celebration: 28th February is celebrated annually as National Science Day with an objective to popularise science and to nurture scientific temper among the peoples of our society. BSA

celebrated National Science Day -2016 in collaboration with Department of Botany, Dimoria College, Kamrup. Dr. T. C. Sarma was the Resource person in the programme and he delivered the NSD -2016 lecture at Dimoria College.

World Environment Day Celebration: WED-2016 was celebrated throughout the country to sensitize the citizens on the pressing environmental issues. BSA celebrated WED-2016 in collaboration with Department of Botany, THB College, Jamugurihat, Sonitpur (Asssam). The programme was started with a plantation drive by the students of Botany Department of THB College. Organisation of National Seminar: One National Seminar entitled “Alternative approaches in agriculture for sustainable environment and human health” was organised in collaboration with Department of Botany, SBMS College, Sualkuchi, Kamrup on 24th and 25th June, 2016. Prof. H. P Sarma, Rector, GU inaugurated the UGC sponsored National Seminar where 86 nos. Of research papers were presented by the researchers coming from various corners of our country. BSA rendered full academic co-operation to the SBMS College. 1st Botany Day Celebration: As proposed by Secretary, BSA in the 1st meeting of the present Executive Committee, 22nd July, 2016 was celebrated as “Botany Day” for the state of Assam to commemorate the inception of Botany teaching in this part of India. It was on 22nd July in the year 1927, the first formal class in the subject was held at Department of Botany, Cotton College. We are maintaining the legacy and bearing the torch to nurture and develop the subject in this part of the country. The BSA is committed to celebrate 22nd July every year as “Botany Day” for the state of Assam. Publication of BSA Journal: The Vol. 8 (1) of the “Journal of Advanced Plant Sciences” was published online. It is one of the innovative initiatives of the present EC to provide wide exposure to our esteem journal. The issue

comprised of 8 papers. The online version is available in the BSA website.

Executive Committee Meetings: Three Executive committee meetings were held in last year to discuss the progress of the Society’s work. Participation and response of the members were satisfactory.

New Life members: The number of Life members has now increased from 180 to 200. We are getting another 20-25 requests in this regard. It is expecting to cross 250 marks shortly.

Annual General Meeting-2016: The EC of BSA has accepted the invitation made by B. P. Chaliha College, Nagaebera (Kamrup) to hold the BSA AGM-2016. Accordingly the BSA AGM-2016 was held on 1st October, 2016 at B. P. Chaliha College where Dr. A.A. Mao, BSI (Eastern Regional Centre), Shillong delivered the BSA Annual Lecture-2016 on the topic “Taxonomy, Biodiversity and Conservation”.

Obituary Botanical Society of Assam pay tributes to Prof. Prabin Barua, ex-faculty member of the Department of Botany, Darrang College and an honourable life member of Botanical Society of Assam. The society recalls the achievement of Prof. Barua and his valuable contribution towards Botanical Society of Assam.

P P Baruah Secretary, BSA

PHOTOS