2009 February 28th was an auspicious day for the scientific community of the nation, especially that of Kerala. The day witnessed the pioneer attempt to form a consortium of scientists, academicians and educationists retired from various institutions in India and was a grant success. A total of 45 scientists including 23 eminent, retired personalies attended the meeting.
The first senior scientists meet was conducted at School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. The programme was organised by Tropical Institute of Ecological Science (TIES), School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam and Kerala State council for Science, technology and Environment, and supported by Department of Science and Technology as part of National Science day celebrations, 2009.
The programme began with a silent prayer at 10.15 AM. Dr. Nelson Abraham, Coordinator TIES Senior Scientists Consortium welcomed the gathering. He briefly explained the aim and objectives of the consortium too. Dr. K.V George, President, TIES gave a brief summary on various projects and programmes undertaken by TIES. He explained the vision and mission of the leading environmental organization of Kerala.
Dr. A. Sukumaran Nair, Former Vice- Chancellor, M. G University inaugurated the meet. He praised the noble vision and action- packed agenda of the organizers. Utilization of expertise and experience achieved through a lifetime is the need for the senior scientists of the hour, especially in the wake of emerging environmental and socio- economic issues, he said. In developed nations people can work till they want but here it is compulsory to retire by the age 55 or 60 or a maximum 65. After retirement they are compelled to keep idle, away from the limelight of the society or a minority will shift to entirely different fields of business or socio- political activities. This is damaging not only to the scientific community but at large to the society. Hence a solid platform for retired scientists is essential to launch programmes to extent the expertise of senior scientists to the society and to implement research projects that seek valid solution for emerging ecological and socio- political problems. Dr. A. Sukumaran Nair concluded his speech with an assurance to participate in the future programmes of senior scientists consortium.
Dr. A.P Thomas, Director and Dean, School of Environmental Sciences then briefly explained the agenda of TIES Senior Scientists Consortium. He told that the scientists and academicians have the duty to return their achievements and expertise to the society. He reiterated that, in a developing country like India, even in terms of economics, the affluent community has such a liability. However our systems are not conducive in any manner for such an investment. TIES Senior Scientists Consortium will make a new, effective and sustainable platform for the target group, to extent their expertise through school/ college/ community level interactions and research projects. It also aims at the enhancement of physical, emotional, social and intellectual well- being of the senior scientists.
Dr. Nelson P. Abraham then anchored an open forum of senior scientists assembled there. Eminent personalities shared their expertise and suggestions for implementing creative projects using senior scientists.
The open forum placed the following action plan/ suggestions for the Senior scientists’ consortium.
1.The name, contact details and areas of expertise of each scientists participated should be circulated among the members as a data bank of participants of Senior scientists’ meet’09.
2.Collection and popularization of the findings and discoveries of senior Indian scientists’. A website will be launched soon for this purpose.
3.Take up small projects, activity orientation programmes in fundamental science for school children.
4.To conduct scientific experiments on the biological effect of Tobacco, Drugs, Alcohols etc. to create awareness among the public on the adverse effects.
5.Launch awareness programmes among the public on how to have a balanced nutritional food habit.
6.Associate with community development programmes by government.
7.Senior Scientists’ – student (school/ college) interaction, to motivate them or developing a carrier in science, to develop quench of knowledge.
8.School/ College oriented programmes to impart knowledge on newly emerging scientific fields.
9.Survey on environmental problems of Kerala.
10.Develop programmes for utilizing the skilled man power, in research and community development programmes.
11.TIES will act as a platform for conducting projects of senior scientists’
12.Register senior scientists as research guides of TIES and provide facilities for their research students.
13.TIES will develop the concept of senior scientists, village, yo accommodate the experts one campus.
The meeting was concluded by 1.30 PM followed by a sumptuous launch.

TIES team completed its second phase of biodiversity studies in Sabarimala-Karimala ranges of PTR. Dr.K.V George, President and well known plant taxonomist lead the team. Dr.Punnen Kurian, Mr.Manuel Thomas, and Mr. Abin Varghese were in the team. Extensive explorations to the interior forest were conducted.
Elephant scat found in the interior elephant passages were found clogged with plastic carry bags and sachets. Though the area is declared as plastic banned zone tonnes of plastic packed ites have been sold in every season especialy in the traditional trekking path from Azutha to Pampa (18 Km.). It is urgent to implement strict measures to control all types of plastics in the area during sabarimala pilgrimage seasons (including every 1st of Malayalam month).

An ambitious project to educate the students and public to biodiversity and its conservation, TIES has launched a novel field guide series for various taxa of Kerala. Student field guide is a three fold multi colour wax coated folder depicting orginal pictures of specific group of animals such as butterflies, dragon flies, birds etc. The first of this series, “Common Dragonflies and damsel flies of Kerala” was released on 18th April 2008 at a simple function held at Kottayam by Prof. E. Kunhikrishnan. Four of the series Common butterflies, common dragon flies and damsel flies, common frogs, and common wildflowers of Kerala, are being ready for publication.
Each of the series has colourful pictures and basic taxonomical details of 48 species of the respective fauna/flora. Besides the common name, scientific name, vernacular name and essential details such as preferred habitat or a specific habit that enables identification is given.
‘Common butterflies’ field guide is prepared by Ms. Devi Mukundan an aspirant PG student of Department of Zoology, CMS College, Kottayam. She draws the pictures given in the guide with watercolour. Pictures are scientifically perfect and one of the excellent drawings in this field that we ever had.
‘Common dragon flies and damselflies’ includes photographs of 48 commonly seen species, taken by Dr.Abraham Samuel, K., Vice-President, TIES, based on his four year intense field trials.
Dr.M.I.Andrews is the man behind ‘common frogs of Kerala’ who have enough experience in the field of Amphibian diversity of the state. This is a pioneer work in this area.
P.Manoj, Senior Naturalist of Casino group of Hotels has prepared the ‘Common wild plants’ including his excellent photographs taken during exhaustive nature trails that conducted regularly for the past several years.
Student field guide series is an attempt to make laymen or students who have a passion in their mind aware on the biodiversity of the area. The beginner can use these guides as excellent start up. For more copies and details contact: info@tropicalinstitute.in

Kerala’s climate is of typical monsoon manifestations, however in recent years it has been changed the normal cyclicity. This year instead of hot-summer months Kerala experienced severe rain for more than a month since March and still the intermittent showers continuing. The recent rain has showed the morphology of North-East monsoon and caused extensive crop damage, especially with paddy. Though this rain is described as a local phenomenon by the meteorologists, there is enough ground to link this unseason rain to global climatic changes. The recent developmental spur in the state tremendously transformed the bio-geo morphology of Kerala. The sprout of high rise buildings and fast depletion of greenery from urbans and townships has certainly contributed to this unforeseen changes. The increasing carbon credit of the state is still an unattended issue. TIES urges all conservationists to respond to this note with valid suggestions.