Dehradun, June 5
Noted environmentalist Padma Vibhushan Sunderlal Bahuguna has described Indian forests as a living community even as he accused the British for turning these into timber mines and setting wrong precedents for Indians to follow.

Addressing the second Environment Summit in Dehradun, octogenarian internationally acclaimed environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna said while forests had always been an integral part of the Indian community, the long British rule turned these into timber mines, a concept which continued to live up to this day.

Extolling the villages to go for cultivation of trees, Bahuguna said there was need to take to tree plantation with vigour in order to get desirous results. He said while dust, smoke and noise pollutions were on the rise, trees too were dwindling down substantially. He reminded of the reducing water levels in the Himalayan region. “Since 1948, the volume of water in the river Baghirathi has reduced by half and is a cause of worry,” Bahuguna pointed out.

Earlier, Dr AN Purohit said the environment was not a resource, but an essential for life and, hence, the means to sustenance. Former Vice-Chancellor, Garhwal University, Purohit emphasised on the need for sticking to environment-friendly traditional ways of life.

The theme for this year’s summit was “Climate Change in Context of Uttarakhand”. The summit focused on addressing the multiple aspects of climate change in context of Uttarakhand with sessions on scientific aspects of climate change, global and Indian policy perspective and mitigating climate change.

Elaborating on the Central role of forests in climate change, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr RBS Rawat, said forests accounted for 80 per cent of carbon sequestration. He dwelt upon the various conservation initiatives of the State Forest Department, including the drive to clean the cities situated on the banks of the rivers emanating from the Char Dham. Civil society and institutions could play an important role in addressing climate change issues, he added.

Speaking at the summit, Dr Rajendra Dobhal, Director, UCOST, said dealing with an issue as complex as climate change required effort by all stakeholders. The Environment Summit which was a joint initiative of multiple organisations, provides a platform for the same. Making suggestions on the role of the common citizen, he emphasised on the need for improving the awareness on sanitation and disposal of hazardous waste from electronic items of daily use.

Addressing the gathering Rajiv Berry, Chairman, CII Uttarakhand State Council, said climate change was now one of the most urgent and critical global challenges with strong local implications. It, therefore, demanded local action within an evolving global framework highlighting the various dimensions of climate change.

Dr S Farooq, Vice-Chairman, CII Uttarakhand State Council, said sustainability had been lost in the race for economic growth. He urged that all as consumers needed to be conscious of the environmental impact of our actions.

The summit came at the joint initiative of Uttarakhand Council of Science and Technology (UCOST), Uttarakhand Environment Protection Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB), Uttarakhand Forest Department, Uttarakhand Science Education and Research Centre (USERC), Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Haridwar June 5
In a unique way to generate awareness about the Ganga river being polluted unknowingly by people at the Haridwar ghats while bathing and washing clothes, activists of the Teerth Maryada Raksha Samiti in Gandhigiri style with placards in hands, raising Save Ganga slogans, urged people to stop polluting the holy river.

On the occasion of the World Environment Day, the samiti activists covered several ghats in the city, which are being polluted with bathing soaps, shampoos, detergent powders and used for washing clothes and vehicles.

Activists walked to the polluters and stopped them and then pleaded with them not to indulge in such acts which was hurting the religious sentiments associated with the holy Ganga for which they had come to Haridwar. Following this, the activists showed them placards saying Save Ganga from being polluted and awareness messages. Raising slogans, they urged the violators to take a pledge not to repeat the acts and also stop others from doing such acts. Speaking on the samiti’s initiative, its chief Sanjay Chopra said this was done to generate awareness among people about how they could contribute in keeping the Ganga clean and pollution free.

“It is the responsibility of every individual visiting the Ganga ghats to make sure that they should not do anything that could pollute the river,” said Madhu Kant Giri, a member of the samiti.

While many people cited their obliviousness on using such materials many even argued with the activists when they tried to stop them from polluting the Ganga.

Dehradun, June 5
A huge team of 1,800 employees of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), out of whom only 800 are sanctioned, are not serving the nigam and it is distressed that its skilled and trained employees have been taken away by other influential sections of the government.

Nigam General Manager UK Kabadwal has expressed displeasure that the cream of efficient employees of the GMVN have been hired by other wings of the state government and the salaries of these employees are still being paid by the GMVN, which had been denting its treasure considerably.

Especially when the nigam is struggling to cut down on its losses, it pinches the most.

Kabadwal said many of the nigam’s employees were deputed at the residence of the Chief Minister, Tourism Minister, Chief Secretary and canteens run at the Vidhan Sabha, Secretariat and many other government departments. Since the employees were proficient in cooking and house-keeping work, they were hired by mighty politicians and government departments in the city, where they ended up rustling food in their kitchen, leaving their real objective of serving tourists in GMVN rest houses high and dry.

These employees, who are more than a 100 in number, are still drawing their salaries from the GMVN disregarding the fact that the departments and personnel, who they are working for, do not bother to pay from their coffers. The nigam refuses to confirm how long these employees will continue to serve outside the nigam.

Kabadwal said the employees were not up to the mark and needed proper training in handling domestic as well as international tourists.

Leader of the GMVN Employees Association Purushottam Puri has expressed strong resentment over employees of the nigam taken over by other sources free of cost, saying it is disrespect to the nigam and the employees who are taken for a ride by the arbitrariness of the state government machinery.

(To be concluded)

Haridwar, June 5
Environmental concern began way back in 1973 when keeping with the concerns of the United Nations Conference on human environment, the first World Environment Day was celebrated. And today, with negative effects of global warming, severely impacting the environment, the concern is to generate not only mass awareness, but also the need of application to save the environment.

This was the core of many seminars and programmes held in the district to mark the World Environment Day with awareness rallies, workshops and seminars. A convention was held jointly by the Rotary Environmental Laboratory and MANU in which researchers from various branches of environmental science from different universities.

This was the online conference which was joined by students from all over the country and abroad.

Highlighting on the need to generate mass awareness about environment conservation, Dr Rakesh Bhutani, lecturer, Department of Environmental Science, Gurukul Kangri University, said young generation was vital in saving the environment. “The younger generation needs to be involved in this drive for saving the environment. As they are the future, the more they contribute less in harming environment the more the environment gets saved,” said Bhutani.

Editor, Nature Web magazine, Dr Gagan Matta stressed the need of the conservation of water and forest as by this way people would directly save living organisms and wildlife which were feeling the pressure foremost.

Students too gave their suggestions in the conference with many getting applause for their deep knowledge and concern on environment conservation. Most of the students suggested to increase the efforts at various fronts which did not catch eye attention, but were vastly effective like rain water harvesting, recycling of paper, polythene ban etc.

Researches and thesis were also read out with special mention of researchers Prashant Singh, Bharti Tyagi, Firozia Ishaq, and Snehlata among others.

While a tree plantation programme was also held in the surrounding villages of Haridwar indulging villagers so that they also know the importance of having green cover. With the help of volunteers and environmentalists a plantation drive was carried at Roshanabad situated villages where a large number of villagers participated and planted dozens of saplings.

A debate was also organised at the Swami Darshanand Institute of Management and Technology wherein experts from varied fields spoke on the environmental cause. Terming any effect on environment affects us managing director of institute Anil Goyal said every act of us directly or indirectly affects the environment and so each one of us should be aware about the environment.

Speaking as the chief guest, IIT, Roorkee’s Dr Vinay Sharma termed the blind race of construction being done in the name of development had severely affected the ecology and had a detrimental effect on environment. He voiced for development kept in view of environment and if not done then the development would only be inviting destruction. Dr Aditya Gautam, Jaya Lakshmi, Anurag Gupta, Mayank Chauhan, Varsha Rani, Pravesh Jha also spoke on the ways to curb environmental degradation.

The district Bharatiya Janata Party too donated free hundreds of jute bags as part of generating awareness about ill effects of polythene. Omprakash Jamdagni district chief said polythene should be banned all over the state so that it doesn’t degrade the environment.

Party workers also collected polythene from Har-ki-Pauri area and urged people specially traders to not to either use polythene or sell polythene bags.

In SDICUL a special environmental week is being celebrated with all its three factories being covered under it. The main focus has been on conserving energy by all means and generating awareness among the employees about environment.

A tree plantation was also carried out in the industrial unit wherein more than 300 officers, employees took part. Vaibhav Chaturvedi Assistant Manager (HR) informed that a separate environment cell is in place in the unit which caters whole year to the environment related matters besides a 10 day competition is also being held wherein via by any means be it posters, articles or photos employees can relate environmental theme which will culminate on June 15 June.

Mussoorie, June 5
A seminar on the occasion of World Environment Day was held in a hotel at Kulri Bazar here today in which panelists blamed politicians and bureaucrats for not doing enough to save the environment of Mussoorie.

A 10-minute documentary produced by Pradeep Bhandari was also shown to the audience that revealed startling facts about the unhygienic drinking water being served to the tourist town of Mussoorie by departments concerned. The documentary showed the deplorable condition of the dumping yard at Gaddi Khana located near the Library Bazar emitting toxic waste in the form of burning gases that were harmful to the lives of tourists and residents alike.

The producer of the documentary stated through the documentary that the sewage water, along with the rain water, was being channelised from various nullahs and Gaddi Khana to the Bhilaru and Jhinsi water sources from where it was being pumped back to the homes and hotel rooms as safe drinking water.

He also said the sewage water from hotels was also being pumped into the drinking water source by certain hoteliers at the Library Bazar as they were running without proper soak-pits.

Chief guest on the occasion, Mussoorie Public School Principal Mukesh Lal said on the occasion that some semblance between development and environment conservation was the need of the hour.

Speaking on the Gaddi Khana dumping yard issue, he said a people’s movement was needed. He also informed that for awareness he was ready to begin with his students.

Folk singer Preetam Bhartwan said he would raise the issue through his songs in the near future.

Mahila Congress president said women would also campaign to save Mussoorie from environmental degradation.

Former MPG College president also urged people of Mussoorie to raise their voice against the slow poison being served to the town through the burning toxic waste at Gaddi Khana and unsafe drinking water.

Press Club president Bijendar Panwar said the Nagar Palika had failed to deliver hygienic drinking water and air to tourists and residents, and people should find a solution themselves.

Senior citizen RS Mishra said immediate remedial solutions should be sought before it was too late. The toxic garbage had been burning for past several months and no action had been intitiated despite the instructions of Chief Secretary NS Napalchayal.

The programme was convened by Mohsin Tanha who said an action group would be formulated and some sort of advocacy on the issue carried out without any delay.

Trilok Chauhan, Satish Kumar, Shalendar Bisht, Narendar Panwar and others were present on the occasion. Earlier Youth Congress members also presented a memorandum to the SDM Mussoorie for banning plastic carry bags permanently from the town.

The 127 Battalion of Eco Task Garhwal Rifles also planted saplings at Bhatoli village near the Kempty Falls. Additional Sect Mohd Azam, Major-Gen S Chaudhry and Col SS Ranawere present on the occasion.

Nainital, June 5
Stating that the Chipko Movement is an example of environment conservation, Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva has called for continuing the movement.

Speaking at a tree plantation event at the Raj Bhawan here on the occasion of the World Environment Day, Alva said, “With a view to neutralise natural disasters occurring on account of the unprecedented climate change, everyone must take a pledge to increase the greenery and adopt an environment friendly lifestyle”.

Several trees were planted at the Raj Bhawan under the leadership of the Governor and fingerlings of common carp and goldfish were released in a small pond along with aquatic flora like velisaneria and hhydrophila.

Besides the plantation of fruit and trees known for their flowers, a scheme to develop an Orchid Corner was also launched from Saturday.

She disclosed that with the help of the Centre, a windmill would soon be installed at the Bhawan and there was also a plan to install solar lamps and start rain water harvesting in the premises.

A painting competition was also organised by the Forest Department on the occasion at the Gobind Ballabh Pant Zoological Park in which 120 children participated.

In the category of Class III to V, Kushagiri Kandpal of St Mary’s Convent was adjudged the winner, while Naveen Singh Doriyal of Vasant Valley Public School and Gourav Kumar of BSS Vidhyalaya were declared second and third. Consolation prizes were given to Deepak Rawat of BSS Vidhyalaya and Aastha Tewari of St Mary’s Convent.

In the category of Class VI to VIII, Vijay Kant of Mohan Lal Sah Bal Vidyamandir was adjudged the winner, while Mayank Pal of BSS Vidhyalaya and Rajani Arya of KL Trust Nagar Palika Inter College were adjudged second and third. Consolation prizes were given to Palak Bisht of St Mary’s Convent and Asha of BSS Vidhyalaya.

In the category of Class IX to XII, the first prize was bagged by Zainab Khan of Mohan Lal Sah Balika Vidhya Mandir. The second prize was also bagged by Deepti Joshi of the same school, while the third prize was given to Sayema Pathan of Government Girls Inter College. Consolation prizes were given to Ruchi Sharma of Mohan Lal Sah Balika Vidhya Mandir and Ananta Thulgharia of St Mary’s Convent.

Dehradun, June 5
As part of the Environment Day celebrations, Forest Research Institute officials and their family members today held a cleanliness drive within the institute’s sprawling campus and collected as much as 200 sacks of garbage that was littered at various spots across the campus. FRI scientists, along with other subordinate staff, gathered most of the garbage from residential areas.

Deliberations linked to importance of day were held in the convocation hall of the FRI. FRI Director Dr SS Negi reminded that the Uttarakhand Forest Authorities had recently decided to come up with Green Doon campaign and asserted that the FRI, too, was part of Dehradun.

Dr P Soni from the Ecology Department said polythene was a greater menace.

An exhibition showcasing non-timber wood products from various departments of the FRI were also put up.

Dehradun, June 5
Host India and Sri Lanka are leading the chart on the first day of the South Asian Junior Table Tennis Championships for Boys and Girls that commenced at Maharana Sports College, Raipur, here today.

India beat Maldives 3-0 in the junior boys’ round one matches. Harmeet Desai drubbed Mohamed Maizar Adam Zahir 11-2, 11-2, 11-2. Ganasekharan Sathiyan also

easily beat Zeesth Mohamed Naseem 11-1, 11-5, 11-8. And Paranjape Sanmay defeated Mohamed Asham 11-1, 11-2, 11-3.

In the same category, Sri Lanka beat Nepal 3-1. Hasintha Marakkala Arsa trounced Bibek Gautam 11-1, 11-3, 11-3.

However, Sri Lanka’s Chamera Ginige lost to Anish Shreshta 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 7-11.

Dilusha Malith Sembukuttige defeated Sujan Thapaliya 11-1, 11-3, 11-4 and Hasintha Marakkala Arsa got past Anish Shreshta 11-6, 11-6, 11-8.

Other results:

Round II: India beat Nepal 3-0; Harmeet Desai defeated Anish Shreshta by 11-8, 11-6, 11-8; Sathiyan Ganasekharan beat Bibek Gautam 11-1, 11-4, 11-9

Sorav Saha drubbed Sujan Thapaliya 11-3, 11-4, 11-6; Sri Lanka beat Maldives 3-0

Hasintha Marakkala Arsa beat Mohamed Maizar Adam Zahir 11-7, 11-1, 11-6

Chamera Ginige trounced Zeesth Mohamed Naseem 11-6, 11-5, 11-6

Mudiyansel Jayasundara beat Mohamed Asham 11-5, 1-2, 1-5

Junior Girls’ Team Championships

Round I: Sri Lanka beat Nepal 3-0

Kasuni Himaya Pitigala defeated Elina Maharjan 11-4, 11-7, 11-8

Vithanage Walipinna beat Renuka Khatri 11-6, 12-10, 11-4; Kavindi Rukmali beat Sahabangu Reshma Rasaili 11-1, 11-6, 11-6

Round II: India beat Nepal 3-0; Ankita Das beat Renuka Khatri 11-4, 11-6, 11-9

Mallika Bhandarkar defeated Elina Maharjan 11-4, 11-4, 11-4

Nikhat Bhanu beat Reshma Rasaili 11-2, 11-4, 11-4.

Dehradun, June 5
Commonwealth youth champion and India’s junior No. 1-ranked Gnanasekaran Sathiyan feels that it will be very tough for him to make it to the final five out of the 12 probables for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi.

“Harmeet Desai, Soumyajit Ghosh and I are the only three juniors among the 12 probables for the Commonwealth Games. I think I can make it to the top eight, but to come to the top five will be very difficult, since topmost senior players are there in the group,” says 17-year-old Sathiyan, who won the gold medal in the Commonwealth Youth Games held in Pune in 2008.

The probables attended a month training in China from April 21 to May 21. “It was a great learning experience and I got a lot of exposure there,” says the Chennai paddler.

Praising China in the sport, he says, “They (China) pick up children from a very young age to make them good sportspersons. The sport there is a career for them. If you are into sports, then you are only into sports and need not bother about studies and other things. While in India, it is the opposite. You have to become a good player with your own resources and expenses, besides concentrating on your studies and job also. A lot of talented players leave sports after playing at the junior level because of fewer opportunities ahead in India,” points out Sathiyan, who has been the country’s junior No.1 for the past three consecutive years.

Presently participating in the South Asian Table Tennis Championship in Dehradun at Maharna Pratap Sports College, he says the stadium here is of international level and big international tournaments can be held here.

Confident of India’s success in the ongoing competition, he says, “Of course we are the dominating team and are hopeful of winning the championship. Sri Lanka is the team which can give us tough competition during this championship.”

Dehradun, June 5
The stage is set for the US $ 1 lakh Indian Open to be held from June 14 to 20 at the Yamuna Sports Complex in New Delhi.

Eighteen countries, including Singapore, Korea, Japan and Germany, have confirmed their participation. China couldn’t confirm its participation as a league is underway in the country during these days.

Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) secretary general Dhanraj Choudhary claimed that it would be the highest prize money table tennis event ever held in the country. “The Commonwealth championship will also be held in the Yamuna Sports Complex and the USD championship is a test event before organising the grand event this year.

“We will be checking all arrangements like lighting, seating and other important aspects during the event for the forthcoming Commonwealth championship,” said Choudhary.

“The speciality of the complex is the Show Court. These matches will be held at the two-centre courts, where a capacity of 4,000 seating is available. There are 10 courts in the complex which will be used during the Commonwealth championship,” added the secretary general.

He also appreciated the stadium of Maharana Pratap Sports College. However, he suggested, “If synthetic floor is laid in this indoor stadium, it will really be good as any sports event can be organised here.”

Dehradun, June 6
XI Star and Wills Youth Club played a goalless draw here today during the football league being organised by the District Football Association at Police Lines.

The 70-minute encounter ended in no result as the teams failed to find the target. A few goal attempts were made by the players of both the sides during the match but all proved futile.

Meanwhile, tomorrow the Doon Valley will face Pachwadon and Bajrang Club will lock horns with Doon United.

Mussoorie, June 5
More than two dozen karate trainees earned yellow belts in an exam held under the aegis of the Rendu-kan-Karate Association of India at a school in the Library Bazar today. Anupam Kaintura, Suman Singh earned blue belt in Mussoorie. Sanjay Kumar, Preeti Rana and Shivam Chautala received orange belts on the occasion. No one appeared for black and brown belts today.

Chief guest, president, Judo Association of Uttarakhand, SS Rana inaugurated the event. Twenty seven trainees received yellow belts, four orange and two blue belts under the vigilant eyes of the officials from the association.

According to the association Manav Nautiyal and Arvind Kotnala, the grading system is on the Japanese pattern. First grading is in ku hon, the second in kumite and the third in kata approved by the AIKF and government of India. Karate has four main styles and students here are being prepared according to sho-to-gan which is technically very sound style.

Rana said sports like judo and karate had immense possibilities in the state only if the government provided some sort of encouragement to them Uttarakhand could lead in medals tally nationally and internationally. He said if the government provided basic infrastructure like mats, which was essential for the sports, it would help the sportsperson immensely and bring laurels to the state. PTI Kempty Roop Chand, Rajkumar, Sanon and karate coach Sohan were present on the occasion.

Dehradun, June 5
Rakesh’s brace guided City Young to beat BC Milan 2-1 at the ongoing Lala Nami Das District Football League here today on Pavilion Ground.

Rakesh the lone scorer for the winning team netted two goals-10th and 53rd minutes. While Ankur Kumar of BC Milan scored in the 17th minute. The BC Milan couldn’t do the finishing well otherwise the result of the match would have been different.

Sunderwala Boys will face Akranta in another league encounter tomorrow on the pavilion ground.

Dehradun, June 5
Doon Tigers posted a nine-wicket win over KCA in the ongoing Uttarakhand Challenger Cup here on OFD Ground.

Batting first after winning the toss the KCA set a target of 77 runs before getting all out. Rakesh of Doon Tigers claimed three wickets. In reply, the opening batsmen Sanjeev (53*) and Bharat (16*) were enough for the bowlers of KCA. None of the bowler could attain success and the team lost the match. Doon Tigers easily achieved the target.