Dr. Shyam Viswanath

Designation: Scientist-E

Qualification: B.Sc( Agriculture), M.Sc. (Forestry), Ph.D. (Forestry)

Area of Specialization:

  • Agroforestry

  • Forestry

Research Interests: 

  • Traditional Agroforestry system evaluation,

  • Agro ecosystem management,

  • Carbon sequestration,

  • Biodiversity conservation,

  • Policy and legal issues in conservation,

  • Financial analysis of Agroforestry models

Expertise and Other Interest: 

  • Bamboo,

  • Sandal and teak Agroforestry system design management and analysis

  • Biodiversity and climate change

  • GIS

 

Honors/Awards/Fellowships/Recognition:

 

  • ICFRE Research fellowship in 1990 FRI, DehraDun, India.

  • ICAR - Agricultural Research Service in Forestry discipline in 1992

  • FAO fellowship  for advanced training in Agroforestry in 1996  at  School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Univ of Florida,  USA.

  • Recognized doctoral guide of FRI Deemed University, Dehradun. Presently guiding 7 students for Ph.D in FRI Deemed university in the capacity of main guide/supervisor on various agroforestry/forestry  related topics.

Research Publication:

Number of Research Papers Published:  46

Details of Research Papers Published:

  1. Sathyakumar, S & S.Viswanath 1992. The nesting site of the Khalij pheasant. World Pheasant Association Newsletter  16: 20.

  2. Viswanath,S;  SureshChand and D.K.Pandey 1993. Paddy - Babul combination : A   popular agroforestry system in Chhatttisgarh region of M.P.  Tropical Sylvics  1 (1&2): 16-17.

  3. Viswanath, S & P.K. Kaushik 1993. Acacia nilotica -paddy combination of Chattisgarh,India. Asia Pacific Agroforestry News. 5: 10.

  4. Reddy, G.R.S. & S. Viswanath, 1993. Agroforestry for rural poverty alleviation. Journal of Tropical  Forestry. 9: 242-251.

  5. Viswanath, S. 1994.  Acacia nilotica (Linn.) Willd ex. Del.: An evaluation  of the tree for Agroforestry  systems in semi-arid regions of India. Range Management & Agroforestry  15: 105-112

  6. Viswanath, S; N.K. Bhagat and D.K.Pandey  1994. Interference,  Competition and Allelopathy in    Agroforestry. Tropical Sylvics  2 (1) : 6 -7.

  7. Viswanath, S;  P.K Kaushik;  Suresh Chand  & D.K.Pandey  1994. The Butea tree...for lac and rice  production in India . Agroforestry Today. 6:10.

  8. Viswanath, S; ,P.K Kaushik; D.K Pandey & Suresh Chand  1994. MPTS in Agroforestry practices in Chattisgarh region of  Madhya Pradesh. In  Multipurpose tree species for Agroforestry in    India. (Eds) N.G.Hedge and J.N. Daniel, BAIF,  Pune. Pp, 42-46.

  9. Purushothaman,  S &  S.Viswanath 1994.  Preserving biological diversity. An operational model to study and contrast.  Indian Journal of Tropical Biodiversity. 1(2): 161-173.

  10. Pandey, D.K; G.R.S Reddy  and S. Viswanath  1995. Agroforestry modelling for poverty alleviation. Tropical Sylvics 3 (1) : 15 -17. 

  11. Viswanath, S;  Surendran,T;  Chacko, K.C  and Suresh Chand. 1995. Effect of Fruit grading, presowing    treatments and media on germination and growth of Tectona grandis Linn.F. Journal of  Tropical Forestry 11(11): 99-109.

  12. Ginwal, H.S,  Mohit Gera, and Viswanath,  S. 1995. Fertilizer effects on growth and nodulation of Albizia   procera seedlings. Nitrogen Fixing Tree Research Reports.13: 32-37.

  13.  Purushottaman,  S;  Mukundan, K  & Viswanath, S. 1996. The impact of cement klin dust on rural  economy-A case study.  Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics  51 (3): 407 – 411.

  14. Viswanath, S; P.K. Kaushik; D.K. Pandey;  K.S. Negi & N.C. Pant 1997. Effect of pruning treatments on Sesbania sesban (L.) Pers.  alley cropped with maize and cowpea. Range Management and Agroforestry  18 (1): 71-78.

  15. Viswanath, S; P.K. Kaushik; D.K. Pandey & Amit Sahai  1998. Effect of  Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd ex. Del . on rainfed paddy crop in Chattisgarh,.MadhyaPradesh. Annals of Forestry. 6(1): 103-109. 

  16. Viswanath, S; P.K. Kaushik & U. Prakasam  1998. Biomass production and survival of Sesbania sesban in alley cropping. Forest, Farm and Community Tree Research Reports  3: 59-61.

  17. Viswanath, S; G.R.S. Reddy & N.C. Pant 1999. Prospects of alley cropping in Central India. In Forestry Research in Conservation of Natural Forests. (Eds) R.S. Negi et al, ICFRE, DehraDun. Pp,190- 197.

  18. Viswanath, S; P.K.R. Nair; P.K. Kaushik  & U. Prakasam  2000. Acacia nilotica trees in rice fields: A traditional agroforestry system in Central India. Agroforestry Systems 50 (2): 157-177.

  19. Purushothaman, S;  S.Viswanath & C. Kunhikannan 2000. Economic valuation of extractive conservation in a tropical deciduous forest in Madhya Pradesh, India. Tropical Ecology  41 (1).61-73.

  20. Viswanath, S; G.R.S. Reddy; P.K. Kaushik, U. Prakasam; P. Srivastava & A.K. Sah. 2000.  Babul (Acacia   nilotica) +Rice system of Chattisgarh,TFRI Research Bulletin, Agroforestry series-2.

  21. Viswanath,S  and  M.George. 2000. Designing wind breaks in farm forestry. SYLVA PLUS  8(1): 11-12.

  22. Viswanath,S; P. Manivachakam and  M.George 2001.  Casuarina in Agroforestry Practices.  In    Casuarina : Improvement and Utilization. (eds) Gurumurthi  K., A. Nicodemus and Siddappa . IFGTB Publication, Coimbatore, pp 187-192.

  23. Viswanath,S ; R.P. Singh and R.C. Thapliyal. 2002. Seed germination patterns in a Himalayan moist temperate forest. Tropical Ecology 43 (2): 265-273.

  24. Viswanath, S. 2002. Growing ‘casuarinas’ in Southern India. APANews 21: 12-14 

  25. Viswanath,S;  Maria Dominic Savio and B. Gurudev Singh. 2002. Neem in Farm Forestry Practices in Tamilnadu: Prospects And Opportunities. ENVIS Forestry  Bulletin 2(1): 23-27.

  26. Sathyakumar, S and S.Viswanath  2003. Observations on food habits of Asiatic black bear in Kedarnath Wild life Sanctuary, India: Preliminary evidence on their role in seed germination and dispersal. URSUS  14 (1) : 103-108.

  27. Viswanath,S ; R.P. Singh and R.C. Thapliyal. 2004. Soil seed bank dynamics of Himalayan boxwood (Buxus wallachiana) in a Himalayan moist temperate . Tropical Ecology (in press).

  28. S. Viswanath, R.S. Peddappaiah, V. Subramoniam, P. Manivachakam  & M. George. 2004. Management of Casuarina equisetifolia  in Wide-row Intercropping Systems for  Enhanced Productivity. Indian Journal of Agroforestry (in press)

  29. Viswanath, S; P.K.R. Nair; P.K. Kaushik & U. Prakasam 2000. Acacia nilotica trees in rice fields: A traditional agroforestry system in Central India. Agroforestry Systems 50 (2): 157-177

  30. Purushothaman, S; S.Viswanath & C. Kunhikannan 2000. Economic valuation of extractive conservation in a tropical deciduous forest in Madhya Pradesh, India. Tropical Ecology 41 (1).61-73.

  31. Viswanath,S and M.George. 2000. Designing wind breaks in farm forestry. SYLVA PLUS 8(1): 11-12

  32. Siddappa, S. Viswanath, C. Muralidhara Rao and S. Saravanan 2001. Problems in cultivation and utilization of forest trees and medicinal plants in Tamil Nadu. In Proceedings of the National Workshop on Policy and Legal issues in cultivation and utilization of Bamboos, Rattans and Forest trees in Private and Community lands. KFRI, pp.109-111.

  33. Sidadappa & S. Viswanath 2002. Strengthening efforts of NGO’s in participatory Natural resource management through Agroforestry-an operational experience from Coimbatore. In Proceedings of the Workshop on Joint Forest Management and Watershed Development. Vol-II.. Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Pp 29-38.

  34. Viswanath,S; P. Manivachakam and M.George 2001. Casuarina in Agroforestry Practices. In Casuarina : Improvement and Utilization. (eds) Gurumurthi K., A. Nicodemus and Siddappa . IFGTB Publication, Coimbatore, pp 187-192

  35. Viswanath,S ; R.P. Singh and R.C. Thapliyal. 2002. Seed germination patterns in a Himalayan moist temperate forest. Tropical Ecology 43 (2): 265-273.

  36. Viswanath, S. 2002. Growing ‘casuarinas’ in Southern India. APANews 21: 12-14

  37. Viswanath,S; Maria Dominic Savio and B. Gurudev Singh. 2002. Neem in Farm Forestry Practices in Tamilnadu: Prospects And Opportunities. ENVIS Forestry Bulletin 2(1): 23-27.

  38. S. Purushothaman; L.P. Swaminathan and S. Viswanath. (2003). Economics of NTFP valuation under different stakeholder scenarios in dry deciduous tracts of Peninsular India. In ‘Policies, Utilization and Conservation of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP’s) in South Asia Region’. (Eds) A. J. Hiremath, Gladwin. C. Joseph and R. Uma Shankar. Pp 53-56

  39. Sathyakumar, S and S.Viswanath 2003. Observations on food habits of Asiatic black bear in Kedarnath Wild life Sanctuary, India: Preliminary evidence on their role in seed germination and dispersal. URSUS 14 (1) : 103-108

  40. S. Viswanath, R.S. Peddappaiah & T.S. Rathore (2005). Enhancing biomass productivity of MPTs in agroforestry systems in southern India. In ‘Multipurpose trees in the tropics: Management and Improvement strategies” (Eds)V.P. Tewari and R.L. Srivastava, Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur. Pp 534-541

  41. Kunhamu, T.K.; Kumar, B.M. and S.Viswanath (2005). Tree Allometry, volume and above ground biomass yield in a seven year old Acacia mangium Willd. stand at Thiruvazhamkunnu, India. In ‘Multipurpose trees in the tropics: Management and Improvement strategies” (Eds )V.P. Tewari and R.L. Srivastava, Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur. pp 415-471.

  42. Niranjana, K.S. and S. Viswanath. 2005. Complementary sharing of resources: Silver oak in tea plantations of Western ghats, India. Asia Pacific Agroforestry News (APANews) Issue no: 26. pp 14-15

  43. S. Viswanath, R.S. Peddappaiah, V. Subramoniam, P. Manivachakam & M. George (2005). Management of Casuarina equisetifolia in Wide-row Intercropping Systems. Indian Journal of Agroforestry 6 (2): 19-25

  44. R.S. Peddappaiah, S. Viswanath, A.N. Arunkumar and R. Nainamalai (2005). Analysis of existing agroforestry practices –A study in Bellary district of Karnataka. MyForest 41 (2A): 273-277

  45. S. Viswanath, R.P. Singh and R.C. Thapliyal (2006). Seed bank dynamics of Buxus wallichiana baillon. in a Himalayan moist temperate forest. Tropical Ecology 47 (1): 145-148

  46. S. Viswanath and Dhanya B 2007. Potential of burma bamboo for integration with various farming systems in India. Asia Pacific Agroforestry News (APANews) 30: 8-10

Papers Published in Proceedings of Symposiums/Conferences : 10

  1. Siddappa, S. Viswanath, C. Muralidhara Rao and S. Saravanan 2001. Problems in cultivation and utilization of forest trees and medicinal plants in Tamil Nadu. In Proceedings of the  National Workshop on Policy and Legal issues in cultivation and utilization of Bamboos, Rattans and Forest trees in Private and Community lands. KFRI, pp.109-111.

  2. Viswanath,S ; M.George and P. Manivachakam. 2001. Casuarina equisetifolia in agroforestry practices in Tamil Nadu: Opportunities and Limitations. In Proceedings of the  Fifth Annual Workshop of Casaurina Network. IFGTB, pp 202-206.

  3. Sidadappa & S. Viswanath 2002. Strengthening efforts of  NGO’s  in participatory  Natural resource management through Agroforestry-an operational experience from    Coimbatore. In Proceedings of the Workshop on Joint Forest Management and Watershed Development. Vol-II.. Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Pp 29-38.

  4. Viswanath, S., M. George and C. Buvaneswaran 2003.Extension approaches for  promoting woody perennials in homesteads of Perur block, Coimbatore: A case study.  In Proceedings of the National Workshop on Homestead Farming, Kerala  Agricultural University, Vellainikkara, Thrissur, 6-7th March 2003. pp. 24-30

  5. S. Purushothaman; L.P. Swaminathan and S. Viswanath. 2003. Economics of NTFP valuation  under different stakeholder scenarios in dry deciduous tracts of Peninsular India. In Proceedings  of the South Asian Regional workshop on ‘Policies, Utilization and Conservation  of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP’s) in South Asia Region’.  (Eds) A. J. Hiremath, Gladwin. C. Joseph and R. Uma Shankar. Pp 53-56.

  6. Viswanath,S;  R.S. Peddappaiah, V. Subramoniam, P. Manivachakam & M. George. 2003. Canopy and Root Management in Casuarina equisetifolia  for Optimizing Performance in Wide-row Intercropping Systems in Tamil Nadu. In Proceedings  of National Symposium on Agroforestry & Sustainable Production. NCRA, Jhansi. Pp 60-62.

  7. S. Purushothaman and S. Viswanath (2004) Economic analysis of stakeholder perceptions on land use options in the peripheries of tropical dry deciduous forests in southern India was presented in Oral session in Economic Analysis Session in 1st World Congress of Agroforestry (Working Together for sustainable Land-use systems), 27th June to 02 July 2004 at Orlando, Florida, USA.

  8. S. Viswanath, R.S. Peddappaiah & T.S. Rathore (2004) Enhancing biomass productivity of MPTs in agroforestry systems in southern India. Paper presented in Oral session of Technical Session VII: Assessment of Trees outside Forests by me in the IUFRO International conference on ‘Multipurpose trees in the tropics: Assessment, Growth and Management’, Nov 22-25, 2004, AFRI, Jodhpur, India.

  9. S. Viswanath, Dhanya B. and T. S. Rathore (2007) Sandal (Santalum album) conservation in India: An analysis of policy and legal issues impeding conservation efforts. Paper presented in the ‘International Forestry and Environment Symposium-2007’ organized by University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. 30th November-1st December, 2007.

  10. B. Dhanya, S. Viswanath and T.S.Rathore (2008).What ails sandal (Santalum album.l) conservation in India? - An analysis of policy and legal issues in sandal bioresource governance. Paper presented in the International Conference on Biodiversity Conservation and Management held at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Cochin, 3rd to 6th February 2008.
     

Completed Projects :

  1. Standardization of mangement practices for alley cropping with Sesbania sesban (ICFRE) at TFRI, Jabalpur (1994-1997).

  2. Multi purpose tree species (MPTs) for Agroforestry in Central India  (World Bank) at TFRI, Jabalpur (1996-1999).

  3. Management Of Casuarina equisetifolia In Agroforestry System For Sustainable Economic Returns (ICFRE/IFGTB/RP 17/1999-2003)

  4. Studies on Productivity and Management of teak (Tectona grandis) in agroforestry practices in Karnataka and A.P. (ICFRE/IWST/TIP/X-38/2004-07)

Current Research projects:

  1. Conservation of Sandal (Santalum album L.) germplasm, production of quality planting stock and promotion of Sandal cultivation funded by National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), Rs 15.0lacs budget for 3 years (2006-09)

  2. Studies on assessing growth performance of Guadua angustifolia Kunth under different management schedules’ by National Mission on Bamboo Application (NMBA)/TIFAC/ DST for 3 yrs (2005-08)

  3. ‘Structure, diversity and germination syndromes in tropical evergreen forests: a case study from the western ghats of Karnataka using permanent preservation plots (PPP’s)’ funding under KSFMBC-JBIC II of Karnataka Forest Dept. (1.0 lacs, 0ne year duration, 2008-09)

  4. ‘Commercial cultivation of Bamboo in Kodagu district: Raising of Quality Planting material (QPM), Establishment of demonstration plots and bamboo based value addition facilities’ NMBA funded (2006-08), 2years (2006-08).

  5. Cultivation of Guadua angustifolia kunth and Dendrocalamus asper in Kerala and Karnataka ( NMBA funded) (2006- 2009).

  6. Productivity and interaction studies in A. hybrid based agroforestry practices in Karnataka (2004-2009)

  7. Ecological, economic and socio- cultural evaluation of a ficus based traditional agroforestry system in Mandya district of Karnataka (2008-2011).

Ph.D guidance in FRI University Dehra Dun.

Students completed/submitted Ph.D with topic:

Two students have submitted doctoral thesis in FRI Deemed University and degree awarded under me

  1. Shri K.S. Niranjana ( Manager, R&D, Multiplex Biotec Pvt ltd, Bangalore) on ‘Studies on the tree-crop interactions in Tea (Camellia sinensis) based shaded perennial agroforestry system in Western Ghats’under my guidance.

  2. T.K. Kunhamu (Asst Prof, College of Forestry, Kerala Agrl University) on Stand density manipulation and pruning of Acacia mangium. Willd. to optimize productivity in a agri-silvicultural system under my guidance.

Students submitted thesis to FRI University

  1. R.K. Bharathi IFS (Dy Conservator of Forests, TN Forest Dept) on ‘Developing a management strategy for setting up decentralized energy production systems in semi-arid zones of T.N’.

  2. Sameer. P.A on ‘Soil quality parameters under different land use patterns in Attapady valley of Nilgiri Biosphere reserve’

  3. Neelakantan, K.S. IFS (Conservator of Forests, TN Forest Dept) on ‘Studies on the biodiversity of shoals and grasslands and their restoration in Nilgiris plateau southern India.

  4. A.V. Santhosh Kumar(Asst Prof, Kerala Agrl University) on ‘Joint Forest Management in Kerala- An analysis of Institution, impact and constraints’.
     

Current Research Scholar : 5
 

Sl

no

Name of Research Scholar

Date of obtaining Registration

Topic of research for Ph.D

1

Raju Lalu Chavan

Asst Professor

U.AS. Karnataka

1-3-2004

Performance of different casuarinas species and its half sib  populations in Northern dry zone  of Karnataka

2

S.Raghavendra

Internal res scholar, IWST

1-9-2004

Impact of induced vegetation transformations on tree diversity in managed landscapes in Kodagu region of Central Western Ghats

3

Sathish .B.N.

Internal res scholar, IWST

1-9-2005

Studies on floristic composition, regeneration & biomass estimation in tropical evergreen forests in the Western Ghats of Karnataka

4

Jagdeesh, M.R.

Internal res scholar, IWST

1-9-2005

Studies on assessing field performance of Guadua angustifolia Kunth. and Dendrocalamus asper Backer. under agroforestry systems in Karnataka

5.

Dhanya B

UGC/CSIR scholar, IWST

1-9-2006

Integrated study of a Ficus based traditional agroforestry system in Mandya district, Karnataka

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Communication Address :

 

Dr Syam Viswanath
Scientist E
Tree Improvement & Propagation Division
Institute of Wood Science & Technology
18th cross, Malleswaram, Bangalore 560 003, India
Ph: 080-22190100 ext (134)
E-mail address: sviswanath@icfre.org ; syam.viswanath@gmail.com