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In real world, we come across transportation problems, wherein the associated data involves some sort of uncertainty, which at times can be most appropriately represented in the form of interval numbers. Since ordering of intervals involves complexity, hence, we have used fuzzy concept to solve Interval-Valued Transportation Problems (IVTPs). We have proposed new fuzzification methods for conversion of interval number to trapezoidal, pentagonal, hexagonal and heptagonal fuzzy numbers, thereby converting IVTP to Fuzzy Transportation Problem (FTP). Further, we have proposed new ranking functions for conversion of these fuzzy numbers to crisp numbers, which can also be used in other fields of decision making. The crisp-valued transportation problem is then solved using Vogel’s Approximation Method followed by Modified Distribution method. Numerical illustration for the proposed algorithm is given in a later section. The solutions obtained for these examples are used to approximate the solutions for octagonal, nonagonal and decagonal FTPs corresponding to IVTP, using Newton’s Polynomial. On the basis of these solutions, ordering of effectiveness of various types of fuzzy numbers in solving IVTP is done. Lastly, comparison is made between the optimal solutions obtained by various methods. The proposed method can be applied to industrial transportation problems in which the difference between the actual and the proposed demand and supply is quite significant.

Holmskioldia sanguinea Retz. is a Sub-Himalayan plant that has been cultivated in the Americas, Europe, Indo-china, Asia-Pacific, and Southern Africa. It has been used traditionally to treat rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis, dysentery, headaches, hypertension, boils, blain, ulcers, and gynaecological problems, as well as a blood purifying concoction. The botanical description of the plant, its phytochemical constituents, and its pharmacological activities are discussed, with an emphasis on antibacterial, antihepatotoxic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, central nervous system depressant, diuretic, oestrogenic, anti-implantation, and anticancer properties. Most pharmacological effects are a result of plant constituents such as alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides and phenols, to name a few. Conventional wisdom should be confirmed through in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as clinical trials. Herb's anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties have generated significant interest.

The communication assesses the high-value medicinal plants reported in Pindari Valley, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Uttarakhand, using a score-based method for prioritization and conservation. A total of 42 high-value medicinal plants were assessed, prioritized and scored on the basis of rapid threat assessment. Maximum threat was recorded for Aconitum heterophyllum followed by Picrorhiza kurrooa and Nardostachys jatamansi given their limited number of individuals observed in the study area as well as high utilization patterns. Minimum threat status was recorded for Epilobium angustifolium, where the species was found in higher density in its natural habitat. Among the recorded species, 64% were observed growing in grassland/alpine pastures and open/alpine slopes. 55% of species were native/endemic to Himalaya and 48% were extracted by the inhabitants. Underground portions (roots/rhizomes/tubers) of 40% of the species were utilized leading to destruction in natural habitat. Out of 42 medicinal plants, 16 species have been prioritized for conservation and recognized in different threat categories and most of these species are collected from natural habitat without scientific knowledge. Conclusion of the study might helpful for identifying threatened plants in the region so as to initiate sustainable use and conservation practices of high-value medicinal plant resources.

In this paper, we introduce a new method to solve Interval-Valued Transportation Problem (IVTP) to deal with those problems of transportation wherein the information available is imprecise. First, a newly proposed fuzzification method is used to convert the IVTP to octagonal fuzzy transportation problem and then with the help of ranking function proposed in this paper, the fuzzy transportation problem is converted into crisp transportation problem. Lastly, Initial Basic Feasible Solution (IBFS) of this problem is obtained using Vogel’s Approximation Method and the solution is improved using Modified Distribution (MODI) method. A numerical example with interval data is solved using the proposed algorithm to make comparison of the solution with some other methods. Also, a numerical example with parameters in the form of octagonal fuzzy numbers is illustrated to compare the effectiveness of the proposed ranking technique. The proposed fuzzification and ranking technique can be used in the other fields of decision making dealing with the data in the same form as considered in this paper.

In this article, we propose a method based on a new ranking technique to find optimal solution for a pentagonal fuzzy transportation problem. Firstly, the proposed ranking method which is based on the centroid concept is applied. This transforms the pentagonal fuzzy transportation problem to crisp transportation problem and then the proposed algorithm is applied to find optimal solution of the problem in crisp form. Also, a new method to find initial basic feasible solution (IBFS) of crisp valued transportation problems is introduced in the paper. Further, we give two numerical illustrations for the newly proposed algorithm and compare the solution obtained with the solutions of existing methods. The proposed method can easily be understood and applied to real life transportation problems. Moreover, the proposed ranking method can be used to solve various other fuzzy problems of operations research.