Dalai Lama given OISCA Award
DHARAMSALA, Nov 26 — The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has been honoured with the OISCA (Organisation for Industrial Spiritual and Cultural Advancement) Award.

• 36-member panel for Kulu
• Protest by lawyers

Landslips threaten hydel projects
From Balkrishan Prashar

TISSA (Chamba): The interior belts of Tarai, Tarella, Saikothi, Guila, Mangli, Bhauras, Sheol, Makan, Tikrigarh, Jasaurgarh, Bagaikothi and Gwari in Tissa zone of Chamba district are constantly facing the threat of soil erosion and massive landslips. These belts are gradually subsiding into rift valleys.

These landslips are the effects of constant soil erosion effecting the ecology of the green hills. The massive landslides also pose a threat to the hydroelectric projects on the Ravi and its tributaries of Baira, Siul and Bhaleth.

During the monsoon, houses, crops and livestock are frequently washed away.

Lack of implementation of afforestation schemes on the hill slopes of Tissa zone also aggravates soil erosion. This leads to silting of the dams and tunnels of various projects. If this continues, the life of Baira-Siul and Chamera projects could be reduced. Experts say that a project has a life of about 100 years.

The damage to hills during development has to be rectified and it needs the attention of the Central and state governments to draw up schemes to cope with the menace of landslides and soil erosion.

According to official information, the state government has allocated Rs 3.37 crore for rural watershed schemes during the fiscal year to check soil erosion and landslips. These rural watershed schemes, in fact, envisage the treatment of catchment basins of the streams and nullahs, construction of check-dams and afforestation to conserve and preserve the eco-system of the hills.

Under these schemes, emphasis has been laid on the scientific methods of cultivation of land on the slopes of these hills as well as diversification of crops considering the kind of soil.

Dalai Lama given OISCA Award
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Nov 26 — The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has been honoured with the OISCA (Organisation for Industrial Spiritual and Cultural Advancement) Award.

The world President of the OISCA, Mother Nakano, presented the award to the Dalai Lama, at his residence, in McLeodganj yesterday. Mr Zulme Ghelman, ambassador of Uruguay, veteran freedom fighter, Mr D.N. Sinha and Padmashree K.C. Johorey, were also present.

The ambassador of Japan, Mr Hiroshi Hirabiyashi, will present the OISCA India Award to a number of other eminent personalities who have excelled in their respective fields at New Delhi. Dr Shankar Dyal Sharma, former President of India, was the sole winner of the award last year.

Apple growers seek payment
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 26 — The Himachal Pradesh Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association has urged the government to make immediate payment to growers whose apple was procured under the market intervention scheme (MIS).

The growers, who had been severely hit due to successive crop failures and the outbreak of a fungal disease causing premature defoliation of apple trees, were facing extreme financial hardships. This year most of the fruit was sold under the scheme as a result of which they were looking forward to payment from the government.

Some of the growers were not in a position to procure even the bare necessities like foodgrain for want of money.

The association said fertilisers were not available in many parts of the state.

Meanwhile, the Himfed Managing Director said fertilisers would be available all over the state within two days. The federation had received 2300 tonnes of fertilisers at Chandigarh railway station which was being despatched to various stations.

Qaumi Ekta Week concludes
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 26 — Qaumi Ekta Week, observed by the Labour Bureau, here to sensitise the employees about the need for strengthening communal harmony, concluded today.

Debates, seminars and cultural programme focussing on honesty national unity, communal harmony and achievements and shortcomings in this regard over the past 50 years were the highlight of the event. The officers exhorted staff members to make an earnest beginning at the individual level to shun parochial and fissiparous tendencies and fight ignorance, illiteracy and poverty for building a strong nation.

The employees decided to contribute Rs 25 to 100 each for the National Foundation for Communal Harmony.

36-member panel for Kulu
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 26 — The Himachal Pradesh Government today nominated a 36-member district grievances redressal committee for Kulu.

The committee will be headed by Mr Karan Singh, Minister of State for Primary Education.

Protest by lawyers
From Our Correspondent

SUNDERNAGAR, Nov 26 — Lawyers of Mandi district today observed "protest day" with regard to implementation of Section 30 of Advocate Act, 1961. All members of bar displayed a red ribbon on their coat.

According to Mr DC Guleria, Secretary of District Bar Association, Mandi, the protest was as per call given by the Bar Council of India and Bar Council of HP. As per resolution of the association lawyers abstained from the courts.