EditorialBy Asna Inamdar (S.Y.B.Sc B)It's a new year and a new beginning at SIES. The academic year is about to end, our Zoology Department had been to this beautiful and amazing place in Chandrapur, which is Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Tadoba is home to a variety of species, be it tigers, leopards, jungle cats, sloth bears, bisons, wild dogs, spotted deer and many more as such. The jungle safari and the gypsy rides were truly adventurous. Be it the silence we had to keep to listen to the animals' calls, the sharp eye we were supposed to keep to spot an animal, or the excitement of seeing a tiger, five feet close, on our very first day of the safari, it was a marvellous experience. The whole jungle has a breathtaking view and fills one's heart with satisfaction. Tadoba also houses a wide range of beautiful birds which we saw during the trip. Being a beautiful place, Tadoba is also very eco-friendly and clean. The guides we met there told us about the strict discipline and care taken to avoid the messing up of the jungle. They take immense care not to throw litter or any plastic material on the jungle floor as it pollutes the area.Recently, in the latest census, it was revealed that the tiger numbers are up by 30 per cent from 1,706 to 2,226 and it had been possible with the help of the Special Tiger Protection Force that patrols the Pench National Park on the border of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. In 2012, alarmed at India's dwindling tiger population, 13 tiger reserves were identified for raising, arming and deploying the STPF. 28 women are the part of the Pench-Tadoba team. They walk inside the jungles 20 to 25 km on average, where they often encounter wild animals. But there is another species far deadlier than the tigers, leopards and sloth bears that often cross their path: Humans -- poachers and hunters.They ensure that the tigers in Tadoba and Pench can roam free of poachers' traps, guns and poisons. It also includes ensuring that the forest produce is not smuggled out and also includes avoiding man-animal conflict. No tiger has died of poaching in their area since the Pench-Tadoba STPF was raised. For this, the 28 women were honoured with a Special Tiger Award by Sanctuary Asia in December 2014. Due to the dedication of these people, we are able to witness the true beauty of India and the spectacular views she has to offer. There is a lot seen and a lot yet to be seen. Nature never ceases to provide, so we should never cease to explore! Appreciate Life around you!

Volume 4 Issue 3Feburary 2015

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EDITOR WEB PUBLICITYARTICLESASNA INAMDAR VIDHI SHETTYPRANJALI TRIPATHI

PHOTO GALLERY

Maya on the prowl

Yellow footed green pigeonState bird of Maharashtra

Beeteater

Dhole

Chief Editor: Dr. Harsha Mehta. Mentors: Dr. Smita Durve and Mr. Madhavan Gopalan

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E-NEWSLETTER BY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Tadoba- Andhari Tiger Reserve, A Tiger Lover's Paradise

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra is the oldest national park in the state. It was declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1993. Tadoba is bursting with life and animals like the tiger, leopard, sloth bear, hyaena, jackal, wild dog, blue bull and sambar inhabit the reserve. The park features thick teak forests and a beautiful lake. Scenic treks with interesting wildlife sightings are assured at Tadoba and it is rightly called 'The Jewel of Vidharba'.

The name 'Tadoba' is the name of the God "Tadoba" or "Taru", praised by the tribal people who live in the dense forests of the Tadoba and Andhari region, while the Andhari River that meanders through the forest, gives the 'Andhari' name.

Legend holds that Taru was a village chief who was killed in a mythological encounter with a tiger. A shrine dedicated to the God Taru now exists beneath a huge tree, on the banks of the Tadoba Lake. The temple is frequented by adivasis, especially during the fair held every year in the Hindu month of Pausha, between December and January.

The Gond kings once ruled these forests in the vicinity of the Chimur hills in Chandrapur district. Hunting was completely banned in 1935. Two decades later, in 1955, 116.54 sq. km. was declared as Tadoba National Park under the Madhya Pradesh National Park Act. The area was ceded to the state of Maharashtra in 1956. In 1986, an area of 509 sq. km. adjacent to the reserve was notified as the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary. The two sanctuaries were subsequently integrated and in 1993, it became a Project Tiger Reserve.

The local population comprises mainly Gond tribals who speak Marathi and Gondi. The tribals use the forest for several natural products. In these families, a newborn child is fed the nectar of the Mahua flower even before mother's milk to symbolise that the child and the tree will support each other all their lives.

Tadoba lies in the Moharli hills of the West Chandrapur Forest Division of Maharashtra. The terrain is hilly with a gradual slope from north to south. The altitude of the hills averages about 200-350 m. The Tadoba Lake is a 120 ha. water body located in the heart of the reserve. This lake is a perennial water source that the area depends on, especially during the dry summer months. Other wetland areas within the reserve include the Kolsa lake and Andhari river. Thick forests are relieved by smooth meadows and deep valleys. Cliffs, talus and caves provide refuge for several animals

The land vegetation is typical Tropical Dry deciduous type having Teak as dominant species. Some of the major tree species found within the protected area are Teak, Ain, Arjun, Behada, Bija, Bhera, Bor, Bel, Chichwa, Dhawada, Kusum, Mahua, Mowai, Phetra, Rohan, Salai, Semal, Shisham, Sisoo, Shivan, Surya, Sirus, Tendu.Taboda is bursting with life. It houses several endangered species. The apex species of the reserve is the tiger. This elusive felid, is actually quite easily spotted here during the summer months near the few scarce watering hles. The leopard and the jungle cat are some of the other carnivores that share these forests. The jackal, hyena, Indian wild dog, civet, sloth bear may also be encountered. The reserve is also renowned for the gaur. Large herds of chital and sambar may be seen. The sturdy nilgai and the swift-footed four-horned antelope are also residents of this reserve. The muntjac (barking deer), chevrotain (mouse deer), common langur, flying squirrel and wild pig also abound.

Crocodiles are another highlight of the reserve. The reptilian fauna includes species such as the endangered Indian python and the common Indian monitor. Terrapins, star tortoises, common cobra and Russel's viper also occur in Tadoba.

Tadoba is also an entomologist's paradise. 74 species of butterflies have been recorded including the pansies, monarch, mormons and swordtails. Two endangered species include the Danaid Egg Fly and the Great Egg Fly. Dragonflies, stick insects, jewel beetles and the praying mantis are other insects in the reserve. The signature spider, giant wood and red wood spiders are often seen in the monsoon and soon after. Some hunting spiders like the wolf spiders, crab spiders and "lynx" spiders are also common.

195 species of birds have been recorded, including three endangered varieties. interesting species include the orange-headed thrush, Indian pitta, crested treeswift, stone curlew, crested honey buzzard, paradise flycatcher, bronze-winged jacana and lesser golden backed woodpecker. Warblers and the black-naped blue flycatcher exist here and the call of the peacock may often be heard. Tarun Menon TYBSc C

ALPHAFETOPROTEIN AS A TUMOR MARKER.

Hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) is the most common cause of primary liver neoplasms ( abnormal growth of tissue in a part of body, characteristics of cancer ) and is one of the main causes of death in patients with the liver cirrhosis.

Detection of hepatocellular carcinoma can be difficult as most of the patients who develop this tumor have no symptoms other than those related to their longstanding liver diseases. The onset of the abdominal pain, weight loss, early satiety , jaundice and a palpable mass in the upper abdomen usually indicate an advanced cancer.

Studies performed in several countries have demonstrated that the periodic use of abdominal ultrasound and a blood tumor marker called ' alpha fetoprotein' may lead to early detection of small hepatocellular carcinomas in patients at high risk.

What is alpha fetoproteins?Alpha fetoprotein (AFP, also sometimes called as alpha-1-fetoprotein, alpha fetoglobulin of alpha fetal protein ) is a major plasma protein produced by the yolk sac and then by the liver during the fetal development.In human , AFP is encoded by AFP gene .this gene is located on the q arm of chromosome no 4. AFP is thought to be the fetal form of albumin . It binds to the copper, nickel, fatty acid and billirubin.

It is a glycoprotein with 591 amino acids and a carbohydrate moiety. It is found in all mammals . Early studies of protein similar to AFP is found in birds, amphibians, reptiles and likely in sharks.

Tumor markerTumor markers are substances that can be found in the body when cancer is present . Most tumor markers alone are enough to show that cancer is present . Most tumor markers can be made by normal cells as well as cancer cells . Sometimes , noncancerous diseases can also cause levels of certain tumor markers to be higher than normal. Hence it is always advisable to check tumor markers in light of other diagnostic test too.

So how AFP is used as tumor marker?AFP is normally produced by a developing fetus. AFP levels begin to decrease soon after birth and are usually undetectable in the blood of healthy adults except during pregnancy.

Having said this , it is clear that in adults, children and non pregnant women its level are next to negligible . In case it is detected in the blood , it signifies something is wrong in the body and hence acts as a tumor marker. The amount of AFP in the blood of pregnant woman can help see whether the baby may have problems such as spine bifida, anencephaly and intrauterine death. It is also used for screening other chromosomal problems such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21) or Edwards syndrome ( trisomy 18 ).Elevated level in non pregnant women and in men suggest the presence of either Primary liver cancer or Germ cell cancer ( cancer that begins in the cells that give rise to eggs or sperms) of the ovary or testicles

Stomach cancer. Brain tumor . Renal cell cancer. Hodgkin's disease. Non cancerous conditions that causes elevated levels of alpha fetoproteins include Benign liver conditions. Liver cirrhosis. Hepatitis. REFERENCE RANGE : AFP � 6.0 ng/mL. in non pregnant subjects.

AFP is becoming more and more common for surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic viral hepatitis ( HCV, HBV) or risk factor of liver cirrhosis. AFP levels are found elevated in patients with no signs of cancer, diagnosed with HCV and HBV infections.

It is also interesting to note that the elevated levels of AFP in several patients are devoid of any hepatitis infections. Upon investigation, it is found to be diagnosed with multiple complications such as germ cell tumors, chronic jaundice , alcoholism, strong long term medications etc.

Yet due to unavailability of any more sophisticated markers or tests, a vast majority of basic as well as clinical studies strongly suggest that AFP is one of the best diagnostic entities for HCC of both cirrhotic and non cirrhotic origin. -Pranjali Tripathi MSc Part II