Governance
Admn ignores polluted Sarwari Khud
Palampur, June 17
Sarwari Khud, passing through the heart of Kullu, used to be one of the fresh water rivers. Today, it is the most polluted.  On June 5, the district administration flagged off a procession to mark the World Environment Day, but did nothing to stop the municipal committee from polluting the river by dumping waste material everywhere.

A view of the Sarwari Khud, a tributary of the Beas, passing through the heart of Kullu. Rags and polythene bags are seen floating in water.

shimla diary
Downpour brings along muck, poly bags
Shimla, June 17
The ban on use of polythene and dumping of debris in nullahs and hill slopes is not being implemented effectively in the city. This became evident during the first heavy downpour early this week.

Indian ‘cold desert’ to be on world biosphere reserve map
Mandi, June 17
The Lahaul-Spiti and Leh-Ladakh areas are set to be on the world’s network of biosphere reserves based on the UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme.

Model for conserving rainwater developed
Dharamsala, June 17
Kangra district, especially the areas along the Dhauladhar mountain ranges, are one of the wettest areas of the country. However, according to the agriculture experts, about 80 per cent area of the district faces acute shortage of drinking and irrigation water. In certain regions of the district, farmers have given up agriculture due to shortage of irrigation water. Their children prefer doing petty jobs in adjoining states, far from their homes.

It’s soccer time in Mandi
Mandi, June 17
The 37th All-India Hot Weather Football Tournament was kicked-off at the historic Paddal Maidan in Mandi on June 16. From its modest beginning in 1968, the tournament has emerged as a “major football tournament in north India, attracting country’s top football clubs”, claimed its organisers.

GET SET GO: The match held between Ludhiana Sporting Club and Naga Regiment was filled with exciting moments

Welfare board saves break-up of families
Kullu, June 17
The commendable job done by a government agency in “mending” strained marital relations in the Kullu valley is exemplary. Couples, on the verge of breaking up, can now seek counselling and positive advice. This is where the Himachal Pradesh Women Welfare Board (HPWWB) can come to your rescue.

Workshop under the family counselling project held at Govt. College, Banjar

Striving for purity
Hamirpur, June 17
In the world of music where fusion is the name of the game, Ajay Kumar’s crusade for keeping the purity of ghazals intact is indeed praiseworthy. A budding talent of this region, Ajay has managed to submerge his own entity in the melodies of pure raagas. He has not only proved his mettle by winning prizes in various music competitions, but is also making a serious bid to carve a niche for himself in ghazal singing through stage performances.

CITIZEN FIRST
Lack of basic amenities
The lower Nav Bahar area, with a population of more than 1,500 people and at a distance of 1.5 km from the Himachal Pradesh secretariat, still awaits to attract the authorities’ attention to get the basic amenities like proper walking path, good hospitals and street lights, not to mention the water problems.

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