Dr. N. Palanikanth, IFS
Designation: Conservator of Forest
Phone (Office): +091-80-22190118
Email: palanikanth(at)icfre(dot)org
Dr. N. Palanikanth, IFS
Head of Extension Division
Institute of wood Science and Technology
18th Cross, Malleshwaram
Bangalore-560003
Tel: 0091-80-22190118
Fax: 0091-80-23340529
E-mail: palanikanth(at)icfre(dot)org
Dr. N. Palanikanth belongs to 2009 batch of Indian Forest Service of AGMUT Cadre. After two years training at Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun from 2009-11, he was posted as Deputy Conservator of Forests at U.T of Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Daman, Diu from 2011-2015. During this period he served in varying capacities like Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Member Secretary, Pollution Control Board, Member Secretary, Coastal Zone Management Authority, etc. In 2015 he was posted to state of Goa as Deputy Conservator of Forests (Headquarters) and served in Goa from 2015-2020. He was instrumental in recruiting 165 Forest Guards for the Forest Department and initiated Goa Bird Festival which is celebrated annually. From 2020 to till date, he is working at ICFRE-Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bengaluru on deputation and he is National Project Coordinator for National Transit Pass System (NTPS) and Heading Extension Division of IWST. He was promoted to Conservator of Forest in the year 2023. He is an avid birder and bird photographer and travelled extensively for bird photography.
Education
PhD (Forest Products): University of Melbourne, Australia
M.Sc. (Wood Science and Technology): Forest Research Institute (Deemed University), Dehradun, IndiaM.C.A., Indira Ghandhi National Open University, New Delhi
B. Sc. (Forestry): Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, India
Research Activities
Research Interests:
Wood Modification
Wood Seasoning and preservation
Wood quality assessment
Wood Anatomy
Research Expertise
Projects
Gender identification in Garcinia indica and Simarouba glauca using isoenzyme studies and assessment of fruit characters, yield, and market potential of Garcinia indica in Karnataka State.
Standardization of anti-leaching treatment for Pterocarpus marsupium, Pterocarpus soyauxii and Intsia spp.
Studies on forced air drying of plantation grown timbers.
Properties of Coffee wood as indicators of white stem borer resistance.
Studies on drying characteristics of plantation timbers in dehumidifier drying kiln.
Characterization and identification of imported timbers available in timber markets and sea ports.
Evaluation of culm quality before, during and after flowering in bamboo (Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus strictus) species.
Study of anatomy and properties of lesser known timbers of North Eastern states with particular reference to Nagaland.
Testing and evaluation of wood quality of plantation Teak grown in Andaman and Nicobar Island.
Studies on fracture mechanics in solid wood and wood composites using acoustic emissions. ICFRE funded project.
Current Research Projects:
Furfurylation of wood to improve properties for various applications (PI)
Liquefaction of wood and development of resin from the liquefied wood (Co PI)
Effect of flowering on culm quality of Dendrocalamus brandisii and to explore its potential for making composite products. (Co PI)
Evaluation of wood properties of Melia composita of different ages from southern India for finding suitability for various end products and development of value added products. (Co PI).
Publications
Details of Research Papers Published in National/International Journals:
A. K. Sethy, P. Vinden, G. Torgovnikov, H. Militz, C. Mai, L. Kloeser and S. Przewloka (2012). Catalytic Acetylation of Pinus radiata (D. Don) With Limited Supply of Acetic Anhydride Using Conventional and Microwave Heating. J. Wood Chem and Tech. 32, 1: 1-9
Vijendra Rao, R., M. Sujatha, S. Shikala, A. K. Sethy and V. G. Angadi (2008): Bamboo flowering-preliminary observations on histochemical and boichemical properties of culms of Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss, besch. During different phases of life cycle (Part 1. Journal of Indian Academy of Wood Science, 5(1&2):52-66
Vijendra Rao, R., M. Sujatha and A.K. Sethy (2008). Timber resources of Andhra Pradesh. Proceedings of A.P. academi of Sciences , Hyderabad . Special issue of Plant Wealth of Andhra Pradesh, 12 (1 & 2), 138-156.
Vijendra Rao, R., S.C. Gairola, S. Shashikala and A.K. Sethy (2008). Bamboo utilization in Southern India. Indian Forester, 134, 3: 379-386.
Kumar, P., S.R. Shukla, R. Sudheendra, M. Sujatha, S. Shashikala, S.K. Sharma, A.K. Sethy and R. Vijendra Rao (2008). Evaluation of wood quality parameters of plantation grown Eucalyptus citriodora Hook (Lemon scented gum). The Indian Forester, 134, 2:255-262.
Sujatha, M., S.K. Sharma, R.Vijendra Rao and A.K. Sethy (2007). Evaluation of anatomical properties of seven year old plantation grown Simarouba glauca. J. Timber Dev. Assoc. of India, 52, 3 & 4: 14-32.
V. G. Angadi, A. Srivastava, A. K. Sethy, G. Ravikumar, K.T. Chandrashekar and S. Mohan (2006). Gender identification in Nutmeg (Myristaca fragrans Houtt.). Indian Forester, 132, 7: 899-902.
S. S. Chauhan, N.K. Upreti and A. K. Sethy (2006). Drying behaviour of some plantation grown timbers in forced air drying. J. of the Indian Academy of Wood Science, 3,1:62-68.
Papers Published in Proceedings of Symposiums/Conferences:
A. K. Sethy, P. Vinden, G. Torgovnikov and S. Przewloka (2010). The kinetics of catalytic acetylation of Pinus radiata (D. Don) using conventional and microwave heating. Document No.IRG/WP 10 -40485, Stockholm, Sweden.
Susmita De, A. K. Sethy, R. Ezhumalai and Sanjai Mohan (2006). Estimation of moisture content in sandalwood powder by Azeotropic method– poster presented in National workshop on “Lesser known Non timber forest products– Status, Conservation, Management & Sustainable utilization” held at IWST Bangalore.
K. S. Shashidhar, R. V. Rao and A. K. Sethy (2006). Importance of Dendrochronology. Paper presented in the international seminar on “Diagnostic on wood heritage: Fundamental tools for knowledge, restoration and conservation” (Indo-Italian seminar) at IWST, Bangalore.
A. K. Sethy, H.C. Nagaveni, S. Mohan and K.T. Chandrashekar (2005). Fungal decay Resistance of Rubber wood treated with heartwood extract of Rosewood. International Research Group on wood protection. Document No. IRG/WP 05 - 30367, Stockholm, Sweden.
Achievements
Junior Research Fellow at FRI, Dehradun.
Melbourne International Research Scholarship (MIRS) and Melbourne International Fee Remission Scholarship (MIFRS) from the University of Melbourne, Australia to pursue PhD.
SF Pond Trust travelling scholarship to present a paper in the 41st International Research Group conference at Biarritz, France.
Group of Eight Australia-Germany Joint Research co-operation scheme funding to work with the researchers from University of Gottingen, Germany.