the lack of information about the biodiversity of the Gangetic plain area is coming in the way of its conservation. There is no link between the process of conservation, documentation and usage of biodiversity in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttaranchal and Jharkhand. This was revealed during a meeting of the ecoworking group of the Gangetic Plains held on June 26-27, 2001, in Patna, Bihar. Despite agriculture being the major activity in these areas, the biodiversity of the regions has been hardly documented. Lack of information on the usage of wild plants is another problem area identified during the meeting. For effective conservation, stress was laid on extensive field study for preparing detailed inventory of flora and fauna. "The Environment (protection) Act, 1986, must be amended to empower forest officials to collect waste samples being discharged by the industries in protected areas,' stated R K Singh of Wildlife Trust of India.