Euphorbia tirucalli L.: Family: Euphorbiaceae Genus: Euphorbia Species: tirucalli, insulana Common names: English: Indian tree spurge, Milk hedge, Petroleum-plant, aveloz, milk bush, pencil tree, Sehund, Thohra, and Konpal-sehnd. E. tirucalli is a succulent cactus-like plant growing to a height of about 10 m. It was introduced from Africa as a garden plant; and it is now naturalized in tropical areas and rainforests in the Amazon, Madagascar, and South Africa. The main trunk and branches are woody and brown, but the younger branches are green and cylindrical, looking like many pencils and earning the plant its common name - pencil tree.

The plants of family Euphorbiaceae are mostly monoecious herbs, shrubs, and trees, sometimes succulent and cactus-like. With about 300 genera and 7,500 species, Euphorbiaceae is one of the largest families of plant world, which are further characterized by the frequent occurrence of milky sap.

Biofuels According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory [NREL] (see http://www.nrel.gov/learning/re_biofuels.html): “Unlike other renewable energy sources, biomass can be converted directly into liquid fuels, called “biofuels” to help meet transportation fuel needs. The two most common types of biofuels are ethanol and biodiesel.” “...[Ethanol] is made by fermenting any biomass high in carbohydrates through a process similar to beer brewing. Today ethanol is made from starches and sugars, but NREL scientists are developing technology to allow it to be made from cellulose and hemicelluloses, the fibrous material that makes up the bulk of most plant matter...Biodiesel is made by combining alcohol (usually methanol) with vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled cooking grease.”

Isolated hamlet in Indian forest gets electricity from seed-powered generator

Biofuels with special reference to ecological impacts of biofuel cultivation Why Bio Diesel ? Many alternative Bio Diesel fuels have been shown to have better exhaust emissions than traditional Diesel fuel. Jatropha Bio diesel holds promise as fuel alternatives for diesel engine because :- Bio Diesel are renewable fuelDepletion of the Primary FuelsBio Diesel are agriculture orientedA number of researches have shown that jatropha bio diesel has fuel properties and provides engine performance that is very similar to diesel fuel The severe emission regulations in the world have placed design limitations on heavy duty diesel engines. The trend towards cleaner burning fuel is growing worldwide and it is possible through Jatropha bio diesel.

VEGETATION The vegetation of the area has been classified as “scrub jungle”. Plants which can either adapt themselves to high temperatures or to low temperatures and discouraging conditions of soil and rainfall can be found. The trees are commonly lacking, shrubs are the dominant perennials, most of which form thickets e.g. Crotalaria burhia, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Saricostoma pauciflorum and Zizyphus nummularia. This perhaps is the reason for a very low percentage of tree species. The vegetation can be classified on the basis of habitats viz. 1. Vegetation of sandy areas 2. Weeds and escapes of cultivation 3. Vegetation on hilly tracts 4. Plants of aquatic habitats. 1. Vegetation of Sandy areas