Dehradun, June 24
As part of the Kailash Sacred Landscape tri-nation project, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, for the first time conducted a faunal survey (mammals, birds and insects) in the fragile area of the Milam valley.

The area was found to be a potential habitat of Himalayan mammal species like Himalayan tahr, Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, red fox and many other endangered species. It also revealed that invertebrate diversity supported many endemic species from the region and pointed out that many of locations in the valley were potential sites for long-term ecological monitoring for several faunal as well as invertebrate species of the Himalayan region.

Entitled the Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation Initiative Feasibility Report (Mammals, Birds and Invertebrates) in the Milam valley, the survey team that studied the faunal diversity comprised a battery of scientists and was headed by Senior WII scientist VP Uniyal.

The field survey was conducted for mammalian diversity in the Milam valley comprising the areas from Munsiyari up to the Milam glacier. West Himalayan langur, Himalayan tahr and golden jackal recorded direct sightings while red fox, Asiatic black bear and even snow leopards were identified through indirect sightings in the survey.

As of diversity of birds, the Milam valley was found to be very rich in birds diversity because of the diverse flora in this region. During the survey 44 species of birds were documented which prominently included kalij pheasant, Eurasian cuckoo, Himalayan griffon, Asian paradise flycatcher, streaked laughing thrush among others.

Among invertebrates, the diversity of spiders was taken up for identification. Spider specimens were visually searched in different microhabitats like under fallen rocks, stones and bushes. Trees were also searched for spiders. These were collected by vegetation beating method. Other methods employed for spider collection were handpicking and sweep net. All specimens collected were preserved in 70 per cent alcohol with proper labelling. Specimens were identified up to the species level.

As of insects, a total of 55 species of 41 genus and 43 families under 12 orders were identified among approximately 3,000 collected specimens during the survey. The remaining specimens are unprocessed and their identification is possible only under microscope. The most dominant order observed was coleoptera, lepidoptera and hemiptera. This region has a high diversity of flora, which provides habitat for many species to exist. Further investigation in this forest area is sure to bring out many interesting results.

Dr Uniyal described the Milam survey as first attempt to document the faunal diversity specially invertebrates in the valley. He said the landscape conservation project is a collaborative effort of the United Nations Environment Programme and partner countries, i.e. China, Nepal and India. The initiative will engage regional, national, and local partners, and other stakeholders in a consultative process aimed at facilitating a transboundary and integrated approach to sustainable development and conservation in the Kailash landscape.

Pitthoragarh, June 25
Thanks to global warming effects in Tibet, the Mansarovar lake has shrunk by 20-30 cm, according to members of the recently returned first batch of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims who left for Delhi from the Dharchula base camp today.

“Not only the signs of lake shrinking are visible around the Mansarovar but it also has indicators of vast presence of tourists there as plastic is scattered all around the lake,” said Sanjay Gogoi, a pilgrim in the first batch from New Delhi who had been 14th time to the Kailash Mansarovar. “The water volume in the Mansarovar has also been affected by the construction of a road by Chinese around the Lake. They are drawing water from it for the road construction,” said Gogoi.

The Indian pilgrims also complained of unavailability of Indian food during their sojourn inside Tibet and said Indian cooks should be essential part of the every Mansarovar Yatra batch. “The Indian pilgrims were served boiled rise and soup at every camp inside Tibet. Those who could not do with that menu had to take the dry food they had carried with them from New Delhi as well as the dry potato powder given by ITBP people,” said Sushil Kumar, another first-time pilgrim from New Delhi.

The batch left for Jageswar today and will reach New Delhi on June 26. “Now, the tempers of Chinese employees involved with Indian pilgrims during this yatra have not been that bad as seen during initial years of the yatra,” said VK Dogra, liaison officer of the batch. But, they did not bother for the convenience of Indian pilgrims, said Dogra. “When we were heading towards Derapuk from Yamdwar after the Parikarma, the yaks reached two hours late,” said Dogra. As the first batch is to reach New Delhi on June 26, the second and third batches are inside Tibet and the forth reached Kalapani today, said KMVN sources. 

Dehradun, June 25
Plans are afoot to include Dehradun and Haridwar as part of the National Capital Region (NCR) corridor thereby developing them as counter magnets to Delhi.

A meeting was today chaired by Noor Mahmood, member secretary, NCR Plan (New Delhi), to chalk out a plan so that a blue print of the NCR plan could be prepared.

Already four states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are part of the NCR plan that is aimed at curbing migration to New Delhi.

Both cities of Haridwar and Dehradun will benefit from the plan as funds will be allocated for improving the infrastructure, transportation, potable water supply, sanitation, health and other facilities.

The funding will be shared between the Centre and the state in the ratio of 75:25. The implementation of such a plan will be monitored for evolving harmonised policies for the control of land use and development of infrastructure in the NCR, so as to avoid any haphazard development and ease pressure on the Capital.

“The discussions are still in the preliminary stages as the NCR panel will have a look at our plan and then chalk out a strategy for the betterment of these cities,” Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Additional Secretary, Urban Development, said.

In order to decongest Delhi, Regional Plan-2001 was prepared by the NCR Planning Board in November, 1988, which visualises the important goal of “a balanced and harmoniously developed region, leading to dispersal of economic activities and immigrants to Delhi, thereby leading to a manageable Delhi”.

Experts point out that once the NCR plan gets going it should have coherency with the Master Plan. For instance, the master plan should be developed within the purview of the NCR plan as the latter deals with much wider perspectives and frameworks. They must exist as holistic tools each benefiting the other. Ravi Chopra, an environmentalist, said: “Any plan should keep in mind the fragile nature of the city and consensus should be achieved in environmental issues like reducing pollution level, traffic management, etc. There are several loopholes in the master plan itself that ought to be resolved”.

Officials from the Transport Department, PWD, MDDA and others were present at the meeting.

Dehradun, June 25
Vipin (113 off 73) guided the Doon Combined Club (DCC) to storm into final beating the Raw Cricket Academy (RCA) by 111 runs in a semifinal of the ongoing Uttarakhand Challenger Cup at the OFD stadium, here today.

The 40 overs match was reduced to 35 overs due to rain. Deciding to bat first DCC set a mammoth target of 266 in 35 overs. It was Vipin who slammed a century to help his team put on a huge target. Kamal (46) and Ravi (42) also played good innings.

For RCA, Mahak scalped four wickets, the most for his side. Sanjay and Ashish got two and one wicket, respectively.

In reply, Kiran (54 off 34) and Ashwani (35 off 34) contributed for RCA but their innings couldn’t make much difference. Rest all batsmen failed to score respectable numbers and the side was bowled all out for 155 in 31 overs.

In the bowling department, Nitin, Ravi and Akshay took two wickets each to restrict the batsmen of RCA. Kamal and Vaibhav also got a wicket each for DCC.

Dehradun, June 25
Mighty BC Milan registered one-sided 3-0 victory over the Uttarakhand Club in the ongoing Lala Nemi Dass Dehradun Football League underway here today.

Players of BC Milan started making goal attempts right from the start of the game. It got the first success in the fifth minute when Ankur netted the first goal.

BC Milan kept pressure on its rival testing it every minute. The spirited team got the second boost in the 17th minute with Abhinav Negi scoring a goal. With no score coming in from Uttarakhand Club the first half ended on 2-0 in their opponent’s favour.

Even in the second half the poor show of Uttarakhand Club continued as it failed to score a single goal. While Deepak struck in the 40th minute to finish the match 3-0 in BC Milan’s favour.

Tomorrow, Doon Star will take on Adhoiwala in another league match.

Dehradun, June 25
Deepak scored a brace in the 3-0 win of the Wills Youth Club over Garhwal Boys here today during the District Football League at the Police Lines.

Deepak netted in the 17th and 25th minutes while Mohit scored in the 31st minute.

The Garhwal Boys failed to retaliate throughout the match and lost the match.

In the second match, the Little Star was beaten by XI Star 3-1. Sachin (8th), Gompo (25th) and Amit (38th) netted a goal each in the win of the Little Star. While Vijay (45th) was the lone scorer for Little Star.

The Doon Valley will play against Vijay Cantt and Nagar Nigam will face Cantt Blue in tomorrow’s league matches.

Nainital, June 25
FCI, Noida, beat Rishi Markandeya Hockey Club (RMHC), Shahbad, by a solitary goal to lift the All-India Traders Cup Hockey tournament held on the Flats Ground here today. Fifty teams from all over India participated in the 20-day tournament that concluded today.

In the final, Pawan Wasi of FCI scored the goal in the 45th minutes of the game. The winners were given the cash prizes of Rs 25,000 while the runners up got Rs 15,000.

A sum of Rs 7,500 for the man of the tournament (Naini Award) and Rs 1,000 each for best four players were given. Nitin from RMHC was declared as man of the tournament (Naini

Award). The players who got other prizes were Gurvinder Singh of NER

Gorakhpur, who was declared the best goalkeeper, Satpal Singh of PNB,

New Delhi, the best full back, Surinder from RMHC the best centre forward and Dipankar from FCI the best forward. The fair play trophy was given to DHA, Sultanpur.

Chief guest Governor Margaret Alva attended the final and distributed the prizes. She said the national game of hockey was a good exercise of human body which gave the spirit, activeness and positivism. Alva stressed upon the need to promote sports from the grass-root level.

The tournament in Nainital was started in 1922 by the Gymkhana and District Sports Association and this is the 88th year of continuation.