Another forest disease
in HP
SHIMLA, Nov 29 — Fusarium oxysporum and Ganoderma lucidum, two dreaded fungi, are responsible for the mysterious forest disease which has caused large-scale mortality of shisham trees in the mid-hill areas of the state over the past two years.

Businessman's body sent for examination
SOLAN, Nov 29 — Forensic experts who conducted post mortem on the body of a Delhi businessman, Kamesh, found badly burnt in a charred car on Subathu road on Thursday, failed to give a verdict on the probable cause of death as the bones which provide evidence of whether the body was strangulated had been charred.

Another forest disease in HP
From Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 29 — Fusarium oxysporum and Ganoderma lucidum, two dreaded fungi, are responsible for the mysterious forest disease which has caused large-scale mortality of shisham trees in the mid-hill areas of the state over the past two years.

This is the second major forest disease detected in the state over the past six months. Earlier, it was the Phytophthora cinnamomi fungus which dried up over 800 deodar trees in the Chail area.

The twin attack of the deadly fungi had infected thousands of shisham (dalebergia sissoo) trees in Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, Kangra and parts of Mandi district. The mid-hill belt starting from Ghaghes and extending right up to Nurpur has been the worst hit. In Kangra, Dehra and Nadaun subdivision alone more than 2,000 trees have dried up. The disease, which infected isolated trees up to 1996, has assumed epidemic proportions over the past two years.

A team comprising scientists of the Himalaya Research Group (HRG), a non-government organisation, and the Himalayan Forestry Research Institute was able to isolate the two fungi from the roots and bark of dead trees in Kangra and Dehra. The same team had identified the fungal disease responsible for the drying up of deodar trees.

In its report submitted to the state Forest Department the investigating team has warned that Ganoderma lucidum, which has a wide host range, could afflict a number of other tree species, unless immediate effective measures were taken to contain the disease. The fungus causes root rot by infecting fine absorbing roots. This in turn affects nutrient and water supply to the aerial parts of the tree. It also produces a white mycelial mat between the bark and the wood of roots and stem.

Businessman's body sent for examination
From Our Correspondent

SOLAN, Nov 29 — Forensic experts who conducted post mortem on the body of a Delhi businessman, Kamesh, found badly burnt in a charred car on Subathu road on Thursday, failed to give a verdict on the probable cause of death as the bones which provide evidence of whether the body was strangulated had been charred. There was no evidence of other injury.

Blood, urine and viscera recovered from the body have been sent to the state forensic laboratory at Junga, for detection of symptoms of poisoning, if any.

However, the timing of the death, 24 to 36 hours prior to the conduct of the post mortem examination conducted on November 27 at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Shimla tallied with the findings of the local police that the car did not burn at the spot at which it was subsequently recovered.

Kamesh Gupta went missing on the evening of November 25 after making a phone call to his wife at around 9 p.m that he would not be able to come back home that day. His wife, Ms Shalu had told the Delhi police that Kamesh made the call in a 'subdued' voice, as if under duress.

Kamesh's uncle, Mr Madan Mohan Gupta, who had accompanied the Delhi police here identified the body from a gold locket, bearing the initial 'K'.

The body was handed over to the Delhi police party yesterday.

Institute that studies Himalayan region
From M.C. Thakur

MANALI: Scientists at the Himachal unit of the G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, established at Shamshi ( Kulu) in 1992, are engaged in extensive studies in the fields of environment and development.

The newly built building complex of the institute is due for inauguration tomorrow. The foundation stone of the institute building at Shamshi (Kulu) was laid by Mr Kamal Nath, the then Union Minister of Environment and Forests, on June 12, 1993.

The Himachal unit of the institute is working on various projects of rural development like watershed management, fodder and fuelwood problems, non-perishable cash crops. The institute is also working on various environmental effects due to unplanned tourism and solid waste management etc. It is also working on management , conservation and proper utilisation of forest resources. Besides , this unit has worked on growth problems of saplings in the Lahaul valley and cloud-burst problems in Kulu district. The Institute was established during the Pt Gobind Vallabh Pant birth centenary year in August, 1988. It has been recognised as the nodal agency for research and development programmes in the Indian Himalayas by the Planning Commission and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Government of India and many international organisations.

The institute undertakes indepth research and development studies on environmental problems of the Indian Himalayan region extending over 2,800 km from nort-west to north-east. The institute covers 12 states, namely Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir, UP, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal.

It functions under a society guided by a governing body and a science advisory committee. It has a decentralised set up, with its headquarters at Kosi-Katarmal (Almora). Its four units are currently operational in the states of Sikkim (Tadong-Gangtok), Himachal Pradesh (Shamshi-Kulu), Uttar Pradesh (Srinagar-Garwal), and Arunachal Pradesh (Itanagar). Support facilities and services at the institute include a library, nurseries at several locations, instrumental centre, specialised and highly sophisticated laboratories for tissue culture, soil and water analyses, polyhouses and growth chambers, weather stations in various locations, data processing and information systems etc.

The thrust of research and development efforts is to provide solutions to location specific problems through time-bound projects. The research is essentially need-based and the field activities are well supported by laboratory-based "basic efforts", whenever required.

Governor’s call to voluntary bodies
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 29 — Mrs V.S. Rama Devi, Governor, today called upon philanthropists and voluntary organisations to donate liberally for social activities and constructive endeavours at the community level.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone of a langer bhavan in the local Dhingoo Devi Temple, she said working for the betterment of human life was the best way to serve society.

She said all religions preached brotherhood and non-violence and the secular spirit of the state coupled with the nationalist feeling had given a distinct identity to the country.

She expressed happiness at people belonging to all religions and from all walks of life taking interest in the activities of the temple. The spirit of togetherness and community feeling had made Himachal Pradesh an oasis of peace.

She announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the construction of a jeepable road for the temple. The langar bhavan would cost Rs 25 lakh. Earlier, the Governor offered prayers at the temple.

Minister visits tribal villages
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 29 — Dr Ram Lal Markande, Minister for Rural Development, visited the tribal Kee and Kibber villages in the Spiti valley yesterday.

Addressing the villagers, he said the development of the tribal areas would be done on a priority basis by the state government and funds would not be allowed to be a constraint on development works.

He called upon mahila mandals and youth organisations to come forward and make concerted efforts for faster development in the tribal belt.

He announced Rs 1.5 lakh for the construction of a mahila mandal bhavan and Rs 5 lakh for a community hall at Kee village.

Dr Markande said that additional rooms would be added to Government High School, Kibber, and announced a grant of Rs 4 lakh for the school and Rs 3 lakh for the mahila bhavan at Cheecham village in the Spiti valley.

Decision on exams decried
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 29 — The state unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has criticised the Himachal Pradesh University authorities for holding the semester examinations from December 23.

The parishad said if it was not possible to hold the examinations before December 15, the university should have held these in February.

If the present schedule was not changed, the examinations might be disrupted due to snow.

The parishad also expressed concern about the inordinate delay in declaring the results of re-evaluation cases. It also criticised the university for not taking any action in the fake marksheet scandal.

‘Probe delay’ in bridge opening
From Our Correspondent

BILASPUR, Nov 29 — BJP, HVC and Congress leaders today urged PWD Minister Mohinder Singh Thakur and Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal to order an inquiry into the delay in the opening of the bridge on the Jhali nullah, about 30 km from here, which was constructed about nine months ago.

Talking to reporters here, the leaders said about Rs 90 lakh had been spent on the construction of the bridge.

They also alleged that the construction of the bridge was defective and the government would now have to spend lakhs of rupees to rectify it.

Tribal panel reconstituted
Tribune News service

SHIMLA, Nov 29 — The Himachal Government has reconstituted the Tribal Advisory Council.

Headed by Mr P.K. Dhumal, Chief Minister, it will have 14 members, including Mr Krishan Kapoor, Tribal Development Minister, and Mr Mansa Ram, Welfare Minister.

The council will have a two-year term.