The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Van Gujjars in nowhere land
A prejudiced bureaucracy has chosen to shut its ears to the pleas of Van Gujjars who have been denied entry into their traditional grasslands in Uttarkashi whereas forest dwellers in the rest of the country are being granted forest rights under the Forest Rights Act
SMA Kazmi
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 1
Come summers and the nomad Van Gujjar tribe residing in the Shivalik forest ranges and Rajaji National Park area that migrates to higher reaches nowhere to go with their entry into traditional grass-lands banned.

While forest dwellers in the country are being granted forest rights through the Forest Rights Act, the Van Gujjars of Uttarakhand have been denied entry into their traditional grasslands in Uttarkashi district.

The tribesmen find themselves stranded on road with their families and cattle. Van Gujjar families had left for their summer abode in the high-altitude grasslands in Govind Pashu Vihar National Park. They have nowhere to go now as they have been denied entry by forest officials. With the temperature rising, their buffaloes are on the verge of starvation with no fodder and water.The family members are also falling ill.

The move by the government has come as a rude shock to this indigenous nomadic community, especially when under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act there has been a move countrywide to recognise and provide forest rights to communities who have been residing in forests for generations.

Although several delegations of the community have met the officials concerned, a prejudiced bureaucracy has chosen to shut its ears to the pleas of these nomads.

The Van Gujjars move up with their livestock to the higher reaches of the Himalaya during summers and coming down to the Shivaliks in winters.

Thus, their summer home is in Govind Pashu Vihar National Park (GNP) in Uttarkashi district and the Shimla hills. These Gujjars have a legal and recognized right over forests as they pay “lopping tax” and “grazing tax” to the forest department.

The community alleges that this move by the Uttarakhand government was pre-planned as last year it was not issued any receipts for these taxes.

“Last year, we were not issued any receipts despite paying the taxes. Perhaps, this was a deliberate move by officials to prevent us from going to highland pastures this year,” says Firoz Kasana, a Gujjar leader.

Munesh Sharma, field coordinator at SOPHIA, a non-government organisation working for tribesmen, alleges that this was a ploy by the forest department to deny proof to the Van Gujjars while making a claim to forest rights. An application has already been filed under the RTI Act to get these receipts.

Apparently, the bureaucracy is withholding the right to the Van Gujjars on the pretext that they do not belong to the state of Uttarakhand. After Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, the Shivalik forest in close proximity to Rajaji National Park fell within the state of Uttarakhand while other parts of the Shivaliks are in Saharanpur district of UP.

Many of these Van Gujjars migrate from UP to Himachal passing through Uttarakhand, but the forest department is bent on stopping the Van Gujjars come from UP. In fact, with the implementation of the Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, the move by the Uttarakhand forest department is an attempt to deprive these 100-odd families of their migration and grazing rights so that they are unable to lay a claim to their traditional forest grazing land this Act is implemented.

“This last-ditch strategy of the forest department to terminate the rights of poor forest-dependant communities so that they cannot claim any right on minor forest produce under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act is illegal and an insult to the Van Gujjar community and marginalised sections,” alleged Parveen Kaushal of SOPHIA.

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act-2006 published by the Gazette of India reads that this is “an Act to recognise and vest forest rights and occupation on forest land in forest dwelling STs and others residing in forests for generations.”

After much delay this Act was notified by the Uttarakhand government on November 2008. Official statistics from the Press Information Bureau indicate that by November 2008 land claims of 94,264 forest-dwellers in the country had been settled and 86,455 were ready for settlement. However, nothing was done in Uttarakhand that has a sizeable population of forest-dependent communities. Most people living in the hills of Uttarakhand are directly or indirectly dependent on forests for livelihood, fodder and fuel.

The requirement of constituting forest rights committees have not been complied with. In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh Van Gujjars have become members and office- bearers of such committees. Orissa has received 1,91,460 forest rights claims for 4 lakh hectares of land.

A Van Guajjar delegation today met officials of Rajaji National Park and pleaded for claim on their forest rights and permission to go to summer grasslands in the hills. Forest officials argue that these Van Gujjars are not residents of the state but residing in Uttar Pradesh Shivaliks and will not be allowed to move to higher reaches.

The Van Gujjars stranded with their families and cattle on the bank of the Assan near Vikas Nagar on their way to summer pastures in Uttarkashi are running pillar to post to get official clearance.

Sabran Lal, deputy Director, Rajaji National Park, says a decision on the Gujjars will be taken in a day or two. “We have neither given permission nor stopped them,” he said when contacted.

Vanquish terror with ahimsa, says Dalai Lama
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 1
People were in queues hours before the scheduled time to listen to him. And when he spoke, he caught each one’s attention as learned men from all over the country clapped repeatedly during his short but crisp speech.

The Dalai Lama addresses a gathering at the inauguration of Yogpeeth Patanjali in Haridwar on Wednesday. Also seen in the picture is Baba Ramdev. Tribune photo: Rameshwar

Spiritual guru Dalai Lama addressed a mammoth gathering at the opening of Patanjali YogPeeth (Part-II) conceptualised by Yog Guru Baba Ramdev. It was a rare sight, the Buddhist Master addressing Hindu saints and the the common man.

The Dalai Lama stressed on Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of ahimsa (non-violence). Speaking as chief guest, his speech focussed on ahimsa and tolerance.

He said whether in the USA, Europe, Australia or Japan, he projected himself as the “Son of India” as for the past 50 years, along with thousands of Tibetans, he had been residing in India.

He said as Buddhism had evolved from the Indian soil, he was an Indian. “I am the son of India as for the past 50 years, Indian food has helped me survive,” said the Tibetan leader in humour.

Lauding India’s multi-religious and multi-ethnic society, he said: “India’s pluralism is unique and no country in the world has shown such tolerance.”

He said terrorism could be fought with ahimsa alone. He urged all religious and political leaders to propagate the concept of ahimsa.

Dalai Lama had to flee Tibet in 1959 and lakhs of Tibetans followed him to escape the wrath of the People’s Liberation Army of China.

Guru Swami Ramdev thanked the people for the success of the Pantanjali Yogpeeth. He thanked the Dalai Lama for attending the function despite his internati-onal commitments.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad chief Ashok Singhal agreed with Swami Ramdev’s contention that India be declared not a secular but a spiritual country. Contrary to his fiery speeches on Hinduism, he was seen nodding his ahead on most of the poi nts touched by the Dalai Lama. He even clapped for him several times.

RSS chief Mohan Rao Bhagwat spoke of the role played by the sangh in generating national consciousness. He lauded Swami Ramdev’s efforts in creating a national identity. “We back Swami Ramdev’s Rashtriya Swabhiman movement and that’s what RSS works for too” he said.

Also present at the function were RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Bhaiya Suresh Joshi, general secretary, RSS, Swami Chidanand Muni, Dr Shiv Murti, Acharya Balkrishan and several religious leaders from across the country.

The function was attended by various sections of society and delegates from abroad too.

Hygiene hopes binned
Divya Semwal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 1
It is one of the busiest and filthiest places in Dehradun. In the middle of a busy shopping area near Tehsil Chowk, one of city’s oldest markets for eatables, is the most stinking place. Heaps of garbage outside its two bins, a broken road and an awful stench emanating from bins is a nightmare for any visitor.

The situation has remained unchanged for the past two decades, despite Dehradun becoming the state’s temporary capital. Annoyed shopkeepers and residents have lost faith in the civic machinery and seem resigned to this dreadful existence.

“Since the past 30 years, we haven’t noticed any change in this area. Rather, we are fed up negotiating the same matter with the corporation again and again. The people have turned to other vegetables markets, leaving us poorer,” said Vali Mohammad, a vegetable seller.

Vegetables vendors, butcher shops and two juice shops are situated close to a garbage bin. Although, municipal officers maintain that the bin is replaced daily, it’s location close to where eatables are sold is both unhygienic and offensive.

The bin not only contains rotten vegetables, fruit and other eatables, but also waste meat from the butchers’ stalls. Stray animals are often seen digging into the bin for food.

“We have been pleading with the authorities to remove the bin as the stench becomes unbearable during the rainy season,” said Naresh, a nearby resident.

“The government’s casual attitude has made the market a dumping ground. Despite repeated complaints, nothing has been done. We are losing on business as the stink and fear of disease stops the customer from spending quality time in the market.

“To make matters worse, even butcher stalls located at Darampur and Aaraghar in the city choose to dump the waste here,” said Shamsheed Ahmad, fruit and vegetable merchant.

“As everyone considers the area a dumping ground, no sweeper wants to come here. The municipal truck carrying the garbage bin should at least come twice a day till they shift these bins elsewhere,” said Shoaib Ahmad, a shopkeeper.

Night time is even worse with packs of ferocious stray dogs feasting on the meat leftovers. “It seems we are condemned to live here. Lately, after meeting health officers, we met the Mayor, but to no avail. Now, we don’t know what to do and whom to approach,” said a depressed Sham-sheed Ahmad.

BS Jayara, zonal officer, Dehradun Municipal Corporation, said: “We are working on the Jawaharlal Nehru Nagar Scheme, under which we will establish a wellness zone so that garbage can be directly picked from houses,” he said.