E-NEWSLETTER BY BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Volume 4 Issue 3
Feburary 2015

PHOTO GALLERY

Dhole
Beeteater

Yellow footed green pigeon

State bird of Maharashtra

Scarface

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 oor as it pollutes the area.

Maya on the prowl

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 identied 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.

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EDITOR

ASNA INAMDAR

ARTICLES
PRANJALI TRIPATHI
TARUN MENON

Editorial
By 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, ve
feet close, on our very rst day of the safari, it was a marvellous experience. The whole jungle has a breathtaking
view and lls one's heart with satisfaction. Tadoba also houses a wide range of beautiful birds which we saw
during the trip.

WEB PUBLICITY
VIDHI SHETTY

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 conict. 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!

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 notied 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 ower
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 holes. 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 swiftfooted four-horned antelope are also residents of this
reserve. The muntjac (barking deer), chevrotain
(mouse deer), common langur, ying 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 butteries have been recorded including the
pansies, monarch, mormons and swordtails. Two
endangered species include the Danaid Egg Fly and
the Great Egg Fly. Dragonies, 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 ycatcher, bronze-winged jacana and lesser
golden backed woodpecker. Warblers and the blacknaped blue ycatcher 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 difcult 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 alpha1-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 bilirubin.
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 marker
Tumor 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.
How is AFP 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 signies 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 bida, 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

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