Dr. Amit Kumar Ghosh, Scientist E
Educational & Professional Qualifications:
 B. Sc. (Hons. in Botany) in the year 1984 (Session 1980-83)
with 1st Class from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal.
 M. Sc. (Botany) in the year 1987 (Session 1983-85) with 1st
Class (Stood Second) from the University of Burdwan, West
Bengal.
 Ph. D. Degree (1992) in Botany from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal.
Title of Ph. D. thesis: “Contributions to the Triassic Palaeobotany and Stratigraphy of
Peninsular India”.
 Research Associate of CSIR (New Delhi) in the year 1993-1994.
 Professional Course in Geology in the year 1995 from the University of Lucknow.
 Since 1994, working as a Scientist in Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP),
Lucknow.
 Present Designation: Scientist ‘D’
Research interests:
 Marine Micropalaeontlogy with special reference to Cretaceous and Tertiary
Calcareous Algae, their diversity, taphonomy, palaeoenvironment and facies analysis.
 Mesozoic Palaeobotany, Biostratigraphy and Palaeoecology.
Research Contributions:
After receiving the Ph. D. Degree in Botany in the year 1992 on the topic “Contributions
to the Triassic Palaeobotany and Stratigraphy of Peninsular India”, worked as a
Research Associate of CSIR. After joining Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP)
as a Junior Scientific Officer in the year 1994, the research contributions are specifically
focused on the studies of fossil calcareous algae from the Phanerozoic sediments of India.
Significant contributions have been made on the morphology, biostratigraphy,
palaeoecology and palaeobathymetry of fossil calcareous algae from different
sedimentary basins of India and abroad namely from the Ordovician of Spiti, Cretaceous
of Mussourie Syncline, Cretaceous and Palaeocene of Cauvery Basin, Palaeocene and
Eocene successions of South Shillong (Meghalaya), Oligocene of southwestern Kutch,
Middle Miocene of Little Andaman Island, Middle Pliocene of Car Nicobar Island, and
also from the Early Oligocene of NE Libya. The results and interpretations of the
contributions have been published in various Peer Reviewed National and International
journals having impact factors. Research work also has been carried out on the studies of
plant megafossils and palynomorphs (both miospores and megaspores) from the
Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sediments of India namely from the Damodar Valley Basin,
Mahanadi valley Basin and Rajmahal Basin. Interesting and significant data have been
generated and the results and interpretations have been published in various Peer
Reviewed National and International journals. As recognition of significant research
contributions received several awards in the Institute and also worked as a Visiting
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Scientist in the Institute of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Germany after availing
International Exchange Programme between INSA (Indian National Science Academy)
and DFG (German Science Foundation). Recently he was nominated by IODP (MOES)
India (Funded by IODP, US Implementing Organization and NSF, USA) and worked as a
Shipboard Scientist in the IODP Expedition 342 (Newfoundland, Canada).
Contributions to teaching, promotion and management of science:
Apart from research activities, worked as a Member of Programming Committee in the
Golden Jubilee Conference on “Physical and Biological Changes across the Major
Geological Boundaries” held at BSIP from November 15 – November 17, 1996. Later
on, worked as a Member of Programming Committee in the Symposium on “Palynology
in Fossil Fuel Exploration” jointly organized by Geological Society of India, Bangalore
and Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP), Lucknow held at BSIP, Lucknow
during November 14-15, 2007 and “XXI Indian Colloquium on Micropalaeontolgy and
Stratigraphy” held during November 16-17, 2007 at BSIP, Lucknow. Apart from that
worked as an Organizing Secretary of the Field Workshop in the “Indo-Brazilian
International Symposium on Glimpses of Gondwana Research”. In addition, as outreach
activities acted as judge in Children’s Science Congress (National, State and District
levels). Actively participated in the DST Sponsored Second Foundation Training
Programme in 2005 organized by Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi
and as an extraordinary and successful trainee was selected by DST for the ten days
exposure to Scientific Labs/Institutions in Taiwan and Singapore under “National
Programme for Training of Scientists and Technologists in Government Sector”
sponsored by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Participated
as a trainee in the “Scientists and Administrators Interface Training Programme on
Disaster Management” at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administrators,
Mussouri. Successfully completed the 6th Proficiency Course on Modern Practices in
Petroleum Exploration in at KDMIPE, ONGC, Dehradun. As an invited speaker
delivered popular lectures and special lectures in different schools, colleges and
universities. Apart from that as a resource person delivered lectures in UGC Refresher
Courses in different universities. Chaired/Co-Chaired number of National and
International Conferences in India and abroad (Palaeoenvironment – Climate Change, 8th
International Congress Pacific Neogene Stratigraphy, 2003, University of Chiang Mai,
Thailand; XXII Indian Colloquium on Micropalaeontology and Stratigraphy, 2009,
National College, Tiruchirapalli; 10th International Symposium on Fossil Alage, 2011,
Department of Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania). Recently has
been elected as a Member of Executive Council of Palaeobotanical Society, Lucknow. As
a regular reviewer reviewed number of research papers for the journals Current Science,
Journal of Geological Society of India and Asian Journal of Earth Sciences.
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Complete List of Research Publications:
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Ghosh AK & Sarkar S. 2013. Facies characterization and palaeoenvironment of
coralline algal reef deposits from the Guitar Formation (Middle Pliocene) of Car
Nicobar
Island,
India.
Geoscience
Frontiers
(Elsevier)
doi:
10.1016/j.gsf.2013.01.010.
Sarkar S & Ghosh AK. 2012. Potential of Coralline Algae in Palaeoclimate
Reconstruction: Need for Suitable Exploitation in India. National Academy
Science Letters (Springer) doi 10.1007/s 40009-012-0090-2
Sarkar S & Ghosh AK. 2012. Coral bleaching a nemesis for the Andaman reefs:
Building an improved conservation paradigm. Ocean and Coastal Management
(Elsevier) dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaman.2012.09.010
Mazumder Abhijit, Govil Pawan, Ghosh Amit K and Ravindra Rasik. 2012.
Significant Research on Diatom in Antarctic Lake during Last Decade. J. Algal
Biomass Utln.Vol. 3 (4): 74-79.
Kumar M, Ghosh Amit K, Ram-Awatar & Mehrotra R C. 2012. Palynomorphs
of Gondwanic affinities in the Oligo-Miocene sediments of Kargil Molasse
Group, Ladakh, India. Palaeobotanist Vol. 61(1): 165-176.
Jasper A, Guerra-Sommer M, Uhl. D, Bernardes-de-Oliveira M E C, erruti,
Ghosh Amit K, Tewari R & Secchi M I. 2012. Palaeobotanical evidence of
wildfire in the Upper Permian of India: macroscopic charcoal remains from the
Raniganj Formation, Damodar Valley Basin, Palaeobotanist Vol. 61(1): 75-82.
Sarkar S. Ghosh Amit K & Kumar M. 2011. Recognition of algal rich facies
from the Umlatdoh Limestone of Shella Formation, Jaintia Group, Meghalaya.
Palaeobotanist Vol. 60: 315-321
Pal P.K., Srivastava AK & Ghosh Amit K. 2010. Plant fossils of the Maitur
Formation: possibly the ultimate stage of Glossopteris flora in India.
Palaeobotanist Vol. 59 (1-3): 33-45.
Sarkar S & Ghosh Amit K. 2010. Biodiversity Dynamics in relation to the Mass
Extinction Events on Planet Earth. Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Traditional
knowledge: Understanding Intellectual Property Rights. (Editors: A Kumar & G.
Das) Publisher: Narosa Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. pp. 37-57.
Ghosh Amit K & Sarkar S. 2010. Contemporary Taxonomic Perspectives of
Fossil Coralline Red Algae: Their Possible Origin and Evolution. Palaeobotanist
Vol. 59 (1-3): 107-119.
Ghosh Amit K. 2009. Discussion on paper entitled, “Rhodophycean algae from
the Lower Cretaceous of the Cauvery Basin”. Journal Geological Society of
India.(Springer) Vol. 74(1): 139-140.
Mathur V.K., Ghosh Amit K., Misra PS and Kacker AK. 2008. Record of
Cretaceous Biota from Shell Limestone (Nilkanth Formation), Mussourie
Syncline, Lesser Himalaya, India. Journal Geological Society of India.(Springer)
Vol. 71: 371-376.
Banerji J and Ghosh Amit K. 2008. Podocarpospermum, a replacement name
for the Acmopyle-like ovule/seed Podospermum Banerji and Ghosh from Lower
Cretaceous intertrappean beds of Rajmahal Basin, India. Cretaceous Research
(Elsevier) Vol. 29:561-562.
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Ghosh Amit K. & Banerji J. 2007. Biostratigraphic significance of megaspores
from the Triassic sequence of Peninsular India. Micropaleontology: Application
in Stratigraphy and Paleoceanography. (Editor D K Sinha) Publisher: Narosa
Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. pp. 81-89.
Sarma A. K. & Ghosh Amit K. 2007. Calcareous green algae from the
Umlatdoh Limestone belonging to Shella Formation (Jaintia Group), Meghalaya,
India. Palaeobotanist Vol. 56: 21-28.
Banerji J and Ghosh Amit K.2006. Podospermum gen. et sp. nov., an
Acmopyle-like dispersed silicified ovule & seed from Lower Cretaceous
intertrappean beds of Rajmahal Basin, India. Cretaceous Research (Elsevier)
Vol. 27: 707-711.
Sarma A and Ghosh Amit K. 2006. A new record of calcareous algae from
Shella Formation (Jaintia Group) of South Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, India.
Current Science Vol. 90 (9): 1276-1281.
Banerji, J. & Ghosh, Amit K. 2005. Diversity of early Cretaceous megaflora
from the Hiranduba locality of Rajmahal Basin, Jharkhand. Geophytology Vol.
35(1&2): 7-13.
Saxena, R.K., Ghosh, Amit. K. & Chandra, A. 2005. Calcareous algae from the
Hut Bay Formation (Middle Miocene) of Little Andaman Island, India and their
significance. Glimpses of Indian Phycology. (Editors: J P Keshri & A N
Kargupta).Publisher: Bishen Singh-Mahendra Pal Singh.pp. 275-301.
Ghosh, Amit. K. 2005. Dasycladacean green algae: Their diversification in
India in the geologic past. Glimpses of Indian Phycology. (Editors: J P Keshri &
A N Kargupta). Publisher: Bishen Singh-Mahendra Pal Singh. pp: 303-316.
Ghosh, Amit K., Chandra, A. & Saxena, R.K. 2004. Middle Pliocene nongeniculate and geniculate coralline algae from the Car Nicobar Island, India.
Vistas in Palaeobotany and Plant Morphology: Evolutionary and Environmental
Perspectives. In: Prof. D. D. Pant Memorial Volume. (Editor P.C. Srivastava),
Publisher: U.P. Offset Press.pp. 249-262.
Ghosh, Amit K. 2003. Corallinaceaen and Halimedaceaean algae from the
Neogene sediments of India and their implications on palaeoenvironment.
Proceedings of 8th International Congress on Pacific Neogene Stratigraphy,
Department of Geological Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. Editors:
B. Ratanasathien et al. pp. 71-82.
Hassan S. Hassan & Ghosh, Amit K. 2003. Early Oligocene non-geniculate
coralline algal assemblage from Al Bayda Formation, Northeast Libya – a new
report. Current Science Vol. 84(4): 582-587.
Banerji, J. & Ghosh, Amit K. 2002. Mutualism/symbiosis from the Early
Cretaceous (intertrappeans) of Rajmahal Basin, Jharkhand, India. Current
Science Vol. 83(9): 1073-1074.
Ghosh, Amit K. 2002. Cenozoic coralline algal assemblage from southwestern
Kutch and its importance in palaeoenvironment and palaeobathymetry, Current
Science Vol. 83(2): 153-158.
Ghosh, Amit K. & Maithy, P.K. 1999. Fossil algae from the Maastrichtian of
Kallankurichchi Formation, Ariyalur Group. Vol. Geoscience Journal XX: 3540.
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Maithy, P.K., Ghosh Amit K. & Kumar, G. 1999. First report of Dasycladacean
Alga Cyclocrinites from the Ordovician of Takche Formation, Spiti, India.
Journal Geological Society of India. (Springer) Vol. 54: 379-385.
Chandra, A., Saxena, R.K. & Ghosh, Amit K. 1999. Coralline algae from the
28 Kakana Formation (Middle Pliocene) of Car Nicobar Island, India and their
implication in biostratigraphy, palaeoenvironment and palaeobathymetry.
Current Science Vol. 76(11): 1498-1502.
29 Maithy, P.K., Kumar, G. & Ghosh Amit K. 1998. Sponges from the Ordovician
(Takche Formation) of Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh., Current Science Vol.
75(10): 1002-1005.
30 Pal, P.K. & Ghosh, Amit K. 1998. Late Early Triassic Mioflora from the
Panchet Formation of East Bokaro Coalfield, India. Geophytology Vol.
26(2):103-107.
31 Pal, P.K. & Ghosh, Amit K. 1997. Megafloral zonation of the Permian-Triassic
sequence in the Kamthi Formation, Talcher Coalfield, Orissa. Palaeobotanist
Vol. 46(1,2):81-87.
32 Pal, P.K. & Ghosh, Amit K. 1997. Megaspores from the Panchet Formation of
East Bokaro Coalfield, India. Journal of the Palaeontological Society of India
Vol. 42:61-69.
33 Jana, B.N. & Ghosh, Amit K. 1997. A megaspore assemblage from the Athgarh
Formation and its bearing on the age of the formation. Palaeobotanist Vol.
46(1,2): 149-155.
34 Ghosh, Amit K., Jana B.N. & Maithy, P.K. Significance of Calcareous algae
across the Cretaceous-Tertiary sequence of Cauvery Basin in Tiruchirapalli
District, Tamil Nadu. Palaeobotanist Vol. 46(1,2):161-167.
35 Ghosh, Amit K. & Maithy, P.K. 1996. On the Present status of coralline red
alga Archaeolithothamnium Roth. from India. Palaeobotanist 45:64-70.
36 Ghosh, Amit K. & Maithy, P.K. 1995. Porostromata algae from the Cretaceous
of Sendurai, Tiruchirapalli District, Tamil Nadu.
Journal of the
Palaeontological Society of India Vol.. 40:49-53.
37 Pal, P.K., Chakraborty, U., Ghosh, Amit K. & Ghosh, A. 1991. Triassic plant
megafossils from the Kamthi Formation of Talcher Coalfield, India – A new
report. Indian Journal of Geology Vol. 63(2):119-125.
38 Pal, P.K., Banerjee, K. & Ghosh, Amit K. 1990. A revision of Dicroidium
hughesii (Feistmantel) Gothan. Science & Culture Vol. 56(7):295-297.
39 Pal, P.K. & Ghosh, Amit K. 1990. Proposal to conserve Lycopodites Lindley
and Hutton against Lycopodites Brongniart (Fossils). Taxon Vol. 39(1):129-130.
40 Ghosh, Amit K., Dasgupta, S. & Pal, P.K. 1988. Pollen morphology of Saraca
indica L. Burdwan Univ. Science Journal Vol. 4-5:29-32.
Papers Accepted/Revised/Under Review:
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Ghosh Amit K & Sarkar S. 2013. Palaeoecological implications of corallinacean
red algae and halimedacean green algae from the Prang Formation of South
Shillong Plateau (Meghalaya, N-E India). Journal Geological Society of
India.(Springer) Accepted (in Press)
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42 Ghosh AK & Sarkar S. 2013. Diversification of the Family Sporolithaceae: A
case of successful survival in the perspective of Cretaceous-Tertiary Mass
Extinctions in India. National Academy Science Letters (Springer) Accepted (in
Press).
43 Ghosh Amit K & Sarkar S. 2013. Fossil calcareous algae from the
hydrocarbon-potential sedimentary basins of India. Proceedings of 99th Indian
Science Congress, Earth System Sciences. Editor: P K Verma Accepted (in
Press).
44 Mehrotra R C, Kumar M, Ghosh A K, Kumar K & Arya R. 2013. Onset of
temperate climate in the Ladakh Himalaya during the Early Miocene. Journal
Geological Society of India . (Springer) (Under revision).
45 Ghosh Amit K, Sarma, A & Sarkar S. 2013. Diversity of Middle Eocene
Coralline Red Algae from the Prang Limestone (Shella Formation) of Jaintia
Hills, Meghalaya, NE Himalaya, India with special emphasis on
palaeoenvironment. Chinese Science Bulletin (Under revision).
46 Sarma, A, Ghosh Amit K & Sarkar S. 2013. First record of Coralline Red
Algae from the Kopili Formation (late Eocene) of Meghalaya, N-E India.
National Academy Science Letters (Springer) (Under revision).
Abstracts published in National and International Conferences /Symposia /
Congress etc.
Total Nos. 54 (From 1987 to March, 2013)
Popular Scientific Articles/reports published:
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With Expedition Shipboard Scientists of IODP Expedition 342, 2012. Preliminary
Report of IODP Expedition 342.
Sarkar S & Ghosh A. K. 2010. Algae: A Boon to Mankind. BSIP News Letter No.
13: 15-16.
Mehrotra R C, Kumar M & Ghosh Amit K 2009. An expedition to Kargil, Jammu
& Kashmir. BSIP News Letter No. 12: 17-18.
Ghosh Amit K & Singh BD 2008. Report on the XXI Indian Colloquium on
Micropalaeontology and Stratigraphy. BSIP News Letter No. 11: 18-19.
Ghosh, Amit K. 2005. Green issues: Conservation of plant biodiversity. No. 8: 1015.
BSIP News Letter
Ghosh, Amit K. 2001. Coral Reefs – Nature’s best Model of Biodiversity, No. 4:
14BSIP News Letter
Ghosh, Amit K. 1989. Allergenic Plants. Swastho-O-Manush, Vol. 4, June, 1989,
pp. 4-8.
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Membership/Fellow of Professional bodies:
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Fellow, Palaeontological Society of India, Lucknow
Life Member, Palaeobotanical Society, Lucknow
Member, International Association of Fossil Algae (IAFA)
Member, International Organization of Palaeobotany (IOP)
Member, Executive Council, Palaeobotanical Society, Lucknow
Research Guidance:
Recognized as a Research Guide of Andhra University Extramural Research Centre and
University of Burdwan.
No. of Ph. D. students enrolled for Ph. D. Degree: 3
One CSIR, NET
One BSRS
One DST-Inspire
Scholarships/Awards/Achievements:
S.N.
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Details of Scholarship/Awards/Achievements
Durgapur Steel Plant (SAIL) Merit Scholarship during Higher Secondary
course of Study (1978-1980).
National Merit Scholarship during M. Sc. course of Study (1984-1986).
Dr. Chunnilal Khatiyal Medal (1998) for the best piece of Research
Work done (on Calcareous Algae from the Paleogene and Neogene
sediments) in BSIP during April 01, 1995 to March 31, 1998.
Sri Chandra Dutt Pant Medal (2005) for the best piece of Research Work
done (on Calcareous Algae from the Paleogene and Neogene sediments)
in BSIP during April 01, 2002 to March 31, 2005.
INSA-DFG Visiting Scientist Fellowship – 2006, under INSA (Indian
Science Academy) - DFG (German Science Foundation) Bilateral
Exchange Programme.
Nominated by IODP India (MoES) as a Shipboard Scientist in IODP
Expedition 342 “Newfoundland Sediment Drifts” in North Atlantic
(deputed by IODP – India, MoES) June 02, 2012 to August 01, 2012
(Organized IODP, US Implementing Organization and National Science
Foundation, USA).
Participation in International Conferences/Symposia/ Workshop”
Bilateral Exchange Programme etc.
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In 2001, attended 7th International Phycological Congress (Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki), Greece.
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In 2003, participated in the 8th International Congress Pacific Neogene
Stratigraphy (Chiang Mai University) and Thailand and Co-Chaired a session on
Palaeoenvironment – Climate Change.
During May - June 2006 visited Scientific Institutions/Laboratories in Taiwan and
Singapore as a member of delegation of Indian scientists (under National Training
Programme for Scientists & Technologists in Government Sector) sponsored by
Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi, Government of India.
During March to June 2007 worked in the University of Tuebingen, Germany as a
Visiting Scientist (for three months) in the INSA (New Delhi) and DFG (Germany)
bilateral collaborative Exchange programme.
September 2011 – Visited University of Babes Bolyai, Cluj-Nepoca, Romania to
participate and Chaired a Session in the 10th International Symposium of Fossil
Algae.
June 02, 2012 to August 01, 2012 - Shipboard Scientist in IODP Expedition 342
“Newfoundland Sediment Drifts” in North Atlantic.
September, 2012 - Institute of Botany, CAS, Beijing, China; Institute of earth
environment, CAS; Henan Normal University; Institute of Geographic Sciences and
Natural Resources Research, Xinxiang, P. R. China. 3rd Sino-Indian International
Conference: Biodiversity and Environmental Changes in the Himalaya.
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