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Professor M.K. Pandit

Contact Information:
Centre for Inter-disciplinary Studies of
Mountain & Hill Environment
University of Delhi
3rd Floor Academic Research Centre,
Patel Marg, Delhi -110007
Telefax: 91-11-27666163
email:
mkpandit@cismhe.org
director@cismhe.org
mkpandit@hotmail.com

Education: B.Sc. (Hons.);   M.Sc.;  Ph.D.

Research Areas:

Conservation Biology, Environment Impact Assessment, Environment Management, Systematics.

Research Interests:

Most of my research work has revolved around Himalayan plant species, particularly the rare and endangered ones. I have conducted multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary research on the endemic plant species facing extinction in wild habitats. The areas of my study spans across Habitats in Eastern and Western Himalaya in north and Western Ghats in the South of India. My primary quest has been to understand the causes behind species rarity in absence of external pressures on habitats and on species. I have also used landscape level screening of ecosystems, through Remote Sensing & GIS, to mark out areas for conservation and more in-depth analysis. The research work has been carried out with the funding assistance from various Government Ministries and a few private sources.

Recent and on-going Projects:

	The rarity and invasiveness in plants – searching for patterns.
	Biology and Conservation of an endangered and endemic Himalayan plant species.
	Carrying capacity of Teesta River basin in Sikkim: Effect of proposed hydroelectric schemes on the habitats and biodiversity with specific reference to endangered species.
	Impacts of large-scale development projects on physical, biological and socio-economic environments in Himalayan watersheds and biodiversity conservation management plan.

Awards:

Fellow of Linnean Society of London (2002)

Raffles Visiting Fellow, National University of Singapore (2004)

Profile

2004		Visiting Professor, University Scholars Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
2003		Professor/Director, CISMHE, University of Delhi.
2001		Visiting Scientist, Geobotanical Institute, ETH, Switzerland.
2001		Summer Faculty, Institute of Botany, Vienna University, Vienna, Austria
2000-2002		Scientist In-Charge, (Professor's Level) CISMHE, University of Delhi South Campus.
1997-2000		Scientist In-Charge, (Associate Professor's Level) CISMHE, University of Delhi South Campus.

Selected Recent Publications:

	Pandit, M.K., Sodhi, N.S., Koh, L.P., Bhaskar, A. & Brook, B.W. 2006. Unreported yet massive deforestation driving loss of biodiversity in Indian Himalaya. Biodiversity Conservation (Online First).
	Pandit, M.K. 2006. Continuing the search among rare plants: are diploid species more likely to be rare? Evolutionary Ecology Research 8:543-552.
	Pandit, M.K., H.T.W.Tan & Bisht, M.S. 2006. Polyploidy in invasive species of Singapore. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 151:395-403.
	Bhatt, J.P., Bhaskar, A. and Pandit, M.K. 2005. Biotic communities of Kishanganga river: A pre-impoundment case study of a Himalayan river. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 8:259-265.
	Pandit, M.K. & Babu, C.R. 2003. The effects of loss of sex in clonal populations of an endangered perennial, Coptis teeta (Ranunculaceae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society  143: 47-57.
	Bhat, J.P., Jain Ajay, Bhaskar, A. & Pandit, M.K. 2001. Pre-impoundment study of biotic communities of Kishtobazar Nala in Purulia, West Bengal. Current Science. 81:1332-1337.
	Pandit, M.K. & Babu, C.R. 2001. Divergence or dead end : an evolutionary ecological perspective and future goals in diploid apomict research. Proceedings of 2nd International Apomixis Conference, Como, Italy.
	Pandit, M.K. & Babu, C.R. 2000. Synaptic mutation associated with gametic sterility and population divergence in Coptis teeta (Ranunculaceae). Bot. Jour. Linn. Soc. 133:523-533
	Jain, A., Pandit, M.K., et al. 2000. Reproductive behaviour and genetic variability in geographically isolated populations of Rhododendron arboreum (Ericaceae). Current Science. 79(9) :  1377-1381.
	Pandit, M.K. & Babu, C.R. 1998., Biology and Conservation of Coptis teeta - an endemic and endangered medicinal herb of eastern Himalaya. Environmental Conservation  25 : 262-272.
	Pandit, M.K. & Babu, C.R. 1998., Cytology and taxonomy of Coptis teeta Wall. (Ranunculaceae). Bot. Jour. Linn. Soc. 111 : 371-378.