Dehradun, July 24
Central government institutions of national and international repute that dot the Doon Valley are battling the war of different sorts these days. Most of these institutions are leopard infested and have cages housed within their campuses.

The Wildlife Institute of India, Indian Military Academy, Forest Research Institute, Rashtriya Indian Military College, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Forest Survey of India to name the few have been prominently frequented by leopards. Some among them have installed cages within their campuses.

The most recent case has been that of the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), that has been witnessing a leopard movement within its campus for past week. The RIMC officials have now asked the cadets to move in groups of four to take on any exigency while urging the Dehradun Forest Division authorities for installation of a cage to capture the feline.

Another defence institution and premier officer training institution of the Army, Indian Military Academy at the Chakrata Road too has been in thick of leopards’ incursions for past several months. Here, the forest authorities even managed to capture a leopard after it got injured in a structure inside the academy premises, but the IMA so far has not been free of leopard overtures. The IMA has been since then appealing Dehradun forest authorities for a permanent solution to the leopard menace, which it says could be a threat to the safety of the training cadets.

Even a wildlife research institution of South Asia stature, the Wildlife Institute of India is flummoxed with leopards. On May 27, leopards attacked some of its employees at its Chandrabadni campus following which the institute had to undertake bush-shaving drive.

The WII was forced to take measures like additional campus lighting and deployment of guards as precautionary exercise. The Dehradun Division Forest authorities installed two cages inside the WII campus but the leopards in question continue to elude these cages.

The FRI that gives Dehradun an identity of the Forestry Capital of India has been facing the leopard problem for past couple of years. The authorities here from time to time have been issuing caution instructions to its employees and their family members to avoid area with thick foliage during early morning and evening hours to ward off any possible leopard attack.

This when some months back a leopard created ruckus inside adjoining Forest Survey of India (FSI) campus at Kaulagarh. It took hours of serious efforts on part of forest authorities to capture the beast. The FSI staff kept itself to the confines of the building till the leopard was ultimately captured.

Dehradun Sub-Divisional Officer Jagdish Singh Rawat, who can be seen actively pursuing these leopard cases admitted that as many as ten cages have been installed at various places in Dehradun which also includes institutions like WII and IMA. He said cages were put in the human settlement areas where the movements of leopards are often reported. Rawat however acknowledges that one cannot guarantee capture of a leopard within a fixed time limit even with the cages.

On recent RIMC leopard problem, SDO JS Rawat said they have received a letter from RIMC and has forwarded it to the Chief Wildlife Warden for appropriate action.

Interestingly, these leopards that are taking to the campuses of these central institutions mostly feed on stray dogs and monkeys. While the leopard menace has not found much seriousness with the authorities, but there is always a lurking danger. Apart from being defence establishments, some of these institutions have world-class scientists and researchers.

Nevertheless, Forest Research Institute Director SS Negi believes that while the institute takes all precautionary measures whenever any sighting of a leopard is reported from the campus, the presence of a leopard also reflects the rich biodiversity within the FRI campus, a view equally shared by WII top officials.

Dehradun, July 24
The construction work at the post-mortem house at the Deen Dayal Upadhaya Coronation Hospital has again been stalled by residents and local political leaders. Earlier, its construction at Kargi had to be abandoned midway.

This had forced the government to initiate work at the Coronation Hospital and now, this too is being opposed by residents on the grounds that a post-mortem house should not be constructed in a thickly populated residential area with several schools.

In the absence of a suitable site and least expecting opposition for the building on its own premises, the government had given the go-ahead for it at the Coronation Hospital.

Now that this construction is being opposed at this site, the authorities do have a difficult task on their hands looking for another suitable site as the city has spread in all directions.

Sources pointed out the fact that with the post-mortem house being located in a posh area, property rates are expected to fall. Some interested parties have taken the sloganeering route, pushing the authorities to seek a different course.

The transfer of the post-mortem house from Chandernagar has been pending for the past two years.

A writ petition was filed by a resident of Dehradun stressing on the need to shift it after the area had become congested. Residents of the area had been up in arms against the administration for delaying the process. After the High Court’s orders, the matter had gained urgency.

The Health Department was given land at Kargi where it had begun construction, but it was stopped as it turned out that the Jal Sansthan was building a sewerage plant there.

Left with no option, the Health Department was forced to abandon the plan. It had already spent Rs 1.5 lakh on the project and now, the hunt for land has begun.

“We started the work after receiving a go-ahead from the government and now the matter is being looked into by the District Magistrate,” said Dr Menu Rawat, Officiating CMO, Dehradun.

Nainital, July 24
A two-day training programme on the Stress Management for Performance Optimisation was organised by the Gobind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology at Pantnagar here today as a part of the academia industry linkage process.

The event was held at the Conference Hall of Training and Placement Cell of the university, also known as harbinger of Green Revolution, which is making strides in development of precious human resources in agriculture, business and development.

According to a university spokesperson, “Meant to improve the quality of human resources and their performance, the training programme, mainly an academia industry linkage event, was organised by the Department of Agricultural Communication in association with the Vivekananda Centre for Human Excellence, operated by Pantnagar alumni scattered all over the country”.

Vice-Chancellor Dr BS Bisht presided over the programme, while executives and plant heads, mainly from big industrial houses from all over the country, were the trainees in the programme.

Inaugurating the programme, the Vice-Chancellor said this initiative was rare and very important while keeping in view the present working environment. Dr Bisht talked about the university’s contribution in the field of human resource development, alumni and their contribution.

The chief guest for the programme, who was also the prime trainer, Swami Chinmayanand from Ramkrishna Mission at Haridwar talked about the importance of human elements behind every endeavour of social and economic growth in all sectors. He stressed upon control of mind as key to achieve all success in life. He asked the trainees to undertake the way of introspection, renunciation and meditation.

Director, Communication Centre and Head of the Agricultural Communication Department, Dr B Kumar, while explaining the relevance of the topic of the training programme, said stress was inevitable and an essential component of life. Some types of stress motivate people to perform excellently in competitive environment. He suggested maintenance of the stress level at such a threshold that it did not become a limiting factor for performance.

Another trainer Dr Abhijeet Gangopaddhyay, Professor of XLRI, Jamshedpur, talked about his experiences in various countries related with stress management. He appreciated the endeavour and initiative taken by the university and its alumni and thereby organising such rare and important training programme for the first time.

Dehradun, July 24
Doon Cambridge School celebrated its induction ceremony with zeal and enthusiasm on the school premises here today. The programme began with the lighting of the lamp by former office-bearers.

Moreover, the badges and the authority of the houses were handed over to the new office-bearers after which they took an oath for promoting moral values and creating positive as well as healthy atmosphere in the school.

Addressing the students, the Principal said, “This ceremony signifies the transmission of authority from capable and experienced hands to other responsible hands. The transformation lies in maintaining the honour of the institution”. 

Haridwar, July 24
Sports are not only for leisure, but also help in developing one’s overall personality, said Vimal Kumar, Managing Director, HR BHEL, while speaking at the concluding ceremony of the basketball championship here today.

Organised by the BHEL Sports Club, Ranipur, as part of its yearly sporting events, the basketball championship saw a large turnout of spectators at the venue.

A total of seven teams participated in the championship as per international rules. In the final match played between the league toppers, the Community team defeated the EMB team.

The Community team gained lead in first quarter itself while the EMB players tried to match their counterparts yet they eventually failed to level the score. Due to better coordination of Community players with 3-pointers being scored. Set shots and free shots also accumulated points in winning team’s account.

At the awards ceremony, both team players as well as match officials were awarded medals and felicitated by Vimal Kumar. Earlier, Senior Manager of the BHEL Sports Club KS Bhandari welcomed the team players as well as guests and spectators.

Present on the occasion were secretary, Community Centre, RA Upadhyay, secretary, Bhojpuri Union, Radheshyam, Paritosh Kumar, Inder Mohan Barthwal and Subash Kumar, along with other officials from various departments of the BHEL, Ranipur unit.

Dehradun, July 24
The Uttarakhand Police got the better of the Garhwal Sporting 2-0 in the District Super League at the Police Lines. Narendra (28th minute) and Sher Singh (70th) scored in the win.

In the second match of the day, the Willis Youth had to fight hard to beat Yankies 4-3. For the winning team, Amit (17th), Arpan (26th and 50th) and Shyam (55th) scored. While for Yankies, Manoj (7th and 42nd) and Rahul (21st) netted goals.

Sports Hostel easily beat the Cantt Blue 2-0 with the help of Manoj (30th) and Ashish (50th) in the last match of the day. Tomorrow, Vijay Cantt will face Cantt Blue while Gypsy will lock horns with Garhwal Sporting.

Dehradun, July 24
Subham Bisht’s lone goal helped Sunderwala register a 1-0 win over Sarvodaya in the Nemi Dass District Super League on the Parade Ground here today.

After the first half went barren, Bisht (47th minute) dealt the blow to Sarvodaya. Losing side’s Himanshu Pundir was shown the yellow card during the match.

Akranta had an one-sided 5-1 victory over Gorkha United FC.

Ajit Singh (15th and 44th), Ajay (22th), Sambhu (42nd) and Bhupi (50th) were the scorers for the winning team. Ankit (34th) netted the lone goal for Gorkha United FC.

Tomorrow’s fixtures: Doon Star vs Gorkha United and Sarvodaya vs CT Young.