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"Mangroves are specialised trees that grow in the interface between ocean and the land. They form the skin along the coastline that protects the coastal areas from erosion, hurricanes, cyclones and many other natural calamities that arise from the sea. Globally, mangroves comprise only 80 different species that grow in saline habitats. Apart from protecting coast line, from erosion, hurricanes, cyclones mangroves offer enormous tangible and intangible services to human kind by providing livelihoods in the form of fishing and tourism for local communities, sequestration of carbon in mangrove sediments, balancing the food chain etc. Despite of all these they face challenges for survival due to various threats that arise due to increasing urbanisation. Among the current threats to mangrove ecosystems are cyclones, storms and floods as natural threats and anthropological interference such as encroachments for dwelling, aquaculture and other livelihood purposes. Mangroves exhibit a variety of adaptations viz. morphology, anatomy, physiology, seed and seedlings development and succession mechanisms. Maharashtra comprises about seventeen species of true mangroves and few associates, widely distributed throughout the coastal districts. Mangroves in Maharashtra are protected under forest laws, despite this sometimes they are destroyed and illegally transported to various locations. At present, many publications are available on the ecology, morphology and taxonomy of mangroves, but the information on wood anatomy is very scarce. Thus a need was felt to generate the data which will help the decision makers in analysing the illegally cut wood source. This will also be crucial in conservation of mangroves. Therefore, a research project was undertaken by Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bangalore to study the wood anatomy of seventeen mangrove species grown along the coastline of Maharashtra. The data so obtained from the study is compiled along with morphological features of each species and is being published in the form of this book and will be highly beneficial tool in understanding and identifying the source of wood that belongs to mangrove species. The present contribution will help to identify a mangrove species both in the field and laboratory based on morphology and wood anatomy. "
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Protected areas are sacred lands capable of providing us a kinship with wondrous wild creatures and plants, our fellow travellers on this planet. We need to ensure their persistence for posterity. Scientific wildlife mangement plans form the foundation of a protected area but they need vision and long term planning. This book provides the essential framework, processes and procedures. It is based on integration of modern scientific precepts and practises with social, cultural, economic and administrative realities. It is designed to address multiple spatial scales and links with plans for forest management and those for social and economic development on the surrounding managed landscapes.
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"A Wonderful Concept." - RUSKIN BOND LEARNING ABOUT INDIA WAS NEVER SO MUCH FUN! They say a picture is worth a thousand words. We agree. We say that a single alphabet is worth a hundred words. You will agree. "INDIA:An Alphabet Ride" uses illustrations and A, B, C to tell you everything you neded to know about the country without the boredom of formal textbooks. Get ready for a thrilling ride through India's states and cities, visit its heritage sites, learn about its customs, tast the diverse food and dance to its many festivals and sounds. -
The book gives a gripping, first-hand account of the author’s nine-week long stay in Kargil (during the encounter) and his experiences. He succinctly details the operation with special emphasis on the human side of the conflict. The graphic depiction of the war and candid interviews with the top brass makes for a true-to-life experience for the reader.
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This book lays out the scientific , legal, political and cultural struggle to defend the sovereignty of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge. Corporate war on nature and people through patents and corporate Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) has unleashed an epidemic of biopiracy, including important legal battles of fighting biopiracy including neem, wheat and basmati which are synthesised in this book. It is the first detailed legal history of the international and national laws related to biodiverity and IPR. The attempt to 'enclose the commons of biodiversity and biodiversity related knowledge through patents and intellectual property rights ( IPRs) is the final step in the series of enclosures that began with the rise of colonialism. The recovery of the commons through the reocgnition of common creativity of nature and people, paves the way for a future beyond piracy and monopoly, it wakes us to the origins of life in nature and knowledge in culture. It sows the seeds of shared abundance.
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Advances in technology have set the stage for a major shift in how we fight wars and gather intelligence. Drones - cheap and plentiful - are poised to support and, in some cases, supplant current weapons, at a fraction of the cost. Not everyone is convinced. How can small drones with limited battery life stay in the air long enough to achieve anything on a strategic scale? And how can anything so small make an impact? But with new tchnology that allows drones to draw energy from the environment and swarms of thousands of drones acting together, their impact is anything but small. From anti-personnnel weapons to miniature demolition devices and high-temperature incendiaries, new technology is making small drones into true engines of destruction. The high cost of miliary aircraft, the rise of biomimetic technology, advances in the science of swarming behaviour - all of these are leading us to a future where drone swarm rules the skies. "Swarm Troopers" will show you what that future looks like and explore whether or not we''ll be ready for both the opportunities and threats it may bring.
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Kargil: The Tables Turned provides a comprehensive review of past motivations and events; it covers the operational aspects of the 1999 war in their entirety and highlights the heroism, amd sacrofoce of the young officers and soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces.It brings out useful military lessons and perspectives. The book analyses India's political and diplomatic responses, and the role of the USA, China and G-8 concluding chapter speculates on the future of Indo-pak relations and highlights some unique aspects of this South Asian conflict.
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Bhitarkanika is one of India's most exciting biodiversity regions. This book focuses on it as a case study to understand protection and conservation efforts.
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This is the much-awaited Hindi edition of the popular "Field Guide to Indian Mammals" by Vivek Menon
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Written in a light and humorous style, this is the exclusive and official biography of FM Sam Manekshaw, in its revised and updated form. -
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Unparalleled in scope and study, this book is a must on every naturalist’s bookshelf. It documents the nature and habitat on wildlife in India.
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This is a beautiful leather bound large format limited edition of the Roget's thesuarus for book lovers.
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"This volume addresses how the leadership of China and the PLA view what size of PLA best meets China’s requirements. Among other things, this analytical process makes important new contributions on the question of PLA transparency, long an issue among PLA watchers. A great deal of emphasis has been put on understanding not only how, but also why a military modernizes itself. Some of the determining factors are national policies and strategy, doctrine, organizational structure, missions, and service cultures."
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This book calls for speed and stealth in military action. It states the case that in the emerging era of asymmetrical warfare, where threats emerge faster than we can expect and in a variety of ways, we need to be ready for a new form of warfare.
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Here is the official report of the Pakistan army for the 1947-49 operations.
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"This work is a chronicle of all aircrew killed either in accidents or during operations in the aircraft of the Indian Air Force including those from the Indian Army, the Indian Navy as well as the foreigners. These pages also include names of those Indian air warriors, who perished either while on deputation with other agencies like Indian Navy, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Aviation Research Centre, Helicopter Corporation of India, etc. and while serving with the Royal Air Force or when undergoing flying courses abroad. This book has recorded all casualties that occurred right from the inception of the Indian Air Force, 8 October 1932, till 31 December 2012 - a span covering the period of the first 80 Years of the Indian Air Force. This work is the author's humble tribute and homage to these air warriors. "
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The prime objective of forestry is not only to grow forest stands through to maturity in a healthy state but also to protect wood from biological degradation after conversion and during use. In this integrated approach, the role of a pathologist in forest management and timber utilisation can be appreciated in its proper perspective. Part 1 of this book talks about the general principles. Part 2 deals with the dieases of trees. Part 3 discusses causes, effects and control of microbial degradation of wood.
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" an ideal gift" - Khushwant Singh "a charming book." - Vinod Mehta " dog lovers come together in this beautiful volume to celebrate their pet project." - India Today "when you open this compilation of canine stories, the heart will turn a trifle treacle pudding-ish." Hindustan Times " Your degree of involvement with a dog notwithstanding, you'll find the confessional quality in "Dogs and Us" stirring." - Times of India
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An excellent biography of a distinguished army officer.
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In this volume the author, the then GOC, Indian Peackeeping Force ( IPKF) gives a first hand account of the initial induction and operations of the IPKF in Sri Lanka. He describes the trials and tribulations of the IPKF as it grappled with an operational situation inexorably tangled with politics. The IPKF went in as peacekeepers, with the responsibility to disarm the LTTE, if necessary by force, and maintain law and order. But clear cut orders regarding possible IPKF action against the LTTE were never issued. Therefore, when the time came to fight the LTTE the IPKF found itself as a disadvantage. This compelling narrative is an important addition to the extensive literature on the IPKF in Sri lanka. Sold under Exclusive Distribution with Manohar
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"Dating back several centuries, Nangiarkoothu is a rare form of classical Sanskrit theatre from South India that is performed only in the temple, and only by a female solo artiste. Teyyam another art form from Kerela is a sacred folk ritual dance performed from December to April where it is believed that the spirit of the local deity enters the performer's body. Legacy Keepers is a meticulously research and beautifully produced book that is a moving journey of discovery into the hearts of the passionate artistes who perform rare classical and folk dances in remote corners of India and keep the heritage alive. They have broken boundaries, stereotypes, old caste or gender based societal structures to emerge as performers who fight the odds to preserve India's ancient culture."
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This book emphasizes the need for a successful understanding of silvicultural systems for efficient forest management.
