Odissa MoU with WTI on Uttarakhand pattern
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 31
Following Wildlife Trust of India’s successful Uttarakhand Rajaji Train Hit Mitigation Model, the Odissa government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with WTI for replication of the model in their state.

"As WTI has successfully devised strategies to counter the threat of elephant deaths in train-hit incidents in a number of areas in the country, most prominently Rajaji National Park, we thought to bring them in to tackle this in our state. WTI will prepare a detailed report on mitigation plan and implement the project over a period of 12 months," said Forest and Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray after signing the MoU in Odissa.

“Elephant habitat in Odissa is spread over 11,000 sq km covering about 24 per cent of the state's forest cover, but most of these areas have railway tracks crossing through them. As in case of Rajaji killer track, Odisha too has seen a spurt in elephant deaths due to train hits over the past decade,” disclosed AK Singh, head of Conflict Mitigation Division of WTI and the man behind Rajaji Train Hit Mitigation Model.

Significantly, 20 elephants were killed on 18 km of railway track inside the Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand between 1998 and 2002, but after the Rajaji Train Hit Mitigation Model was initiated, no such death has taken place barring one incident in which two elephants died. WTI has been running the model in Rajaji in coordination with state Forest Department and Northern Railways.

Rajaji Train Hit Mitigation Model includes a combination of various mitigation measures. These prominently include joint patrolling with Forest Department to monitor movement of elephant herds near the track, equipping patrolling team with communication tools to convey the information on elephant movement to railway staff, installation of signage and hoardings in relevant areas, levelling of steep embankments abutting the track to prevent trapping of elephants between them, creating awareness generation among train drivers and other railway staff and clearing vegetation in blind turns to improve visibility for train drivers.

Dr AK Singh disclosed that the WTI further planned to strengthen its Rajaji model and has already started experimenting with the animal detection mechanism with Railways in Coimbatore Palakkad section down South. “If successful, the animal detection mechanism will be put to use at the Rajaji stretch of the railway track,” he pointed out.

He said several states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Assam were already implementing the WTI’s Rajaji Train Hit Mitigation Model as these states had been facing frequent elephant deaths in train-hit incidents. AK Singh disclosed that state specific measures were also included in the mitigation model during implementation.

Vivek Menon, Executive Director, WTI, signed the MoU on behalf of WTI while Chief Wildlife Warden JD Sharma represented Odissa.

CPI(ML) against Tiger reserve status for Rajaji
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 31
The state unit of the CPI (ML) has opposed granting the Tiger reserve status for Rajaji National Park saying that the development will be detrimental to the well-being of people living in the periphery of Rajaji.

A proposal opposing the Tiger reserve status for Rajaji was approved at the CPI (ML) Uttarakhand convention that concluded in Dehradun today. The proposal held that by increasing the area of Rajaji and making it a Tiger reserve, a large population of forest dependent communities that encircle Rajaji park would be adversely affected.

CPI (ML) also sought adequate participation of forest dwellers and Van Gujjars in the panchayat elections of the state.

The convention passed another proposal for staging a struggle in support of the forest-dwelling communities.

Speakers at the convention alleged that the forest dwellers were still to get the right of adult franchise and get basic civic amenities even after country's independence. Another proposal sought an immediate conduct of Panchayat elections in the state.

The convention also decided to hold a statewide protest programme on June 26 against the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre for its anti-people policies.

It was also decided to conduct a two-day programme for the party's youth members in Srinagar and Garhwal on July 7-8.

CPI (ML) Uttarakhand state secretary Rajendra Pratholi, CPI (ML) State Committee members Raja Bahuguna and Purshottam Sharma and CPI (ML) Garhwal Secretary Indresh Maikhuri were prominent participants at the concluding session of the convention.

Child population goes down by 0.3% in state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 31
The child population (0-6 years) in the last decade has declined by 0.3 per cent in Uttarakhand, according to the Primary Census Abstract Data (2011) released on Friday by Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Indira Hridayesh.

The sex ratio of child population in Uttarakhand is 890, which is lower than the same at the national level (919). The sex ratio of child population has decreased by 8 points at the national level and by 18 points in Uttarakhand.

Further, overall female population of children (0 -6 years of age) has declined by -1.3 per cent as compared to 2001 while that of the male by 0.6 percentage.

Expressing concern at the declining female child sex ratio, the minister said that adequate steps needed to be taken so that the female child sex ratio improved. “I am worried about the trend because the decline continues to be high in the hilly areas, which were earlier known to have good female sex ratio. The skewed sex ratio is a worrisome trend,'' she said while commenting on the census data prepared by the Directorate, Census Operations, Uttarakhand.

In Uttarakhand in 2011 the total child population stood at 13,55,814, out of which the male child population was 7,17199 and female child population was 6,38,615.

Showing the negative trend in the district of Champawat, the child sex ratio in Champawat was 980 per 1000 population in 2011 but in 2001 it was 1021. The decline is at -41 per cent. The sex ratio of child population has decreased in all the districts of Uttarakhand except Haridwar.

Interestingly for the first time the data on work participation rate (WPR) and categories of economic activity were also released.

In 2001 in Uttarakhand, while the work participation rate was 36.9 per cent, in 2011 it stood at 38.4 per cent. The change is 1.5 per cent.

However, in 2001 the work participation of female workers was 27.3 per cent, while in 2011 it stood at 26.7 per cent. There was a negative growth of -0.6 per cent.

Interestingly, the female work participation rate in 2011 in the hilly tehsil of Bhikiyasain was 64.3 per cent , Dhari 57.1 per cent, Chaukhutiya 56.6 per cent and Kanda 56.2 per cent. The female work participation was extremely low in the plain tehsil of Roorkee, 8.4 per cent, Laksar 8.9 per cent, Haridwar 10.2, Vikasnagar 11.2 per cent and Kashipur 11.6 per cent.

In the last decade, the number of household and industry workers has moderately increased. In 2001, it was 2.31 percentage, while in 2011 it stood at 2.95 per cent. Out of the total workers, cultivators continue to comprise 40.81 percentage of the workers' population (Total workers 38,72, 275) in 2011 followed by 10.42 per cent of the agricultural labourers and 2.95 per cent of the industry workers.

Use of solar energy equipment a must from next year
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 31
A one-day workshop and exhibition on solar water heaters was organised in Town Hall of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation here today.

Director, Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA), Ashish Joshi said in a notification dated May 21, the state government had made it compulsory for all government, semi-government hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, guest houses and private buildings spread in an area of over 500 sq m to install solar energy equipment on their premises. Similarly, the usage of CFLs and LED bulbs and lights had also been made compulsory. The government had set the March 31, 2014, deadline for this.

He said the Power Department would snap power supply of all those departments that failed to adhere to the directions.

Joshi said in the past two-three years, solar water heaters of 7 lakh litre each had been installed at various places across the state. Similarly, solar power plants of 5,250 kW each had also been set up.

Minister Dinesh Aggarwal, who was the chief guest on the occasion, emphasised the need to use energy produced by alternative energy methods or traditional methods in a conservative manner.

He called upon people to use more of alternative energy products.

State Minister for Urban Development Preetam Singh Panwar gave suggestions to replace streetlights with LED bulbs to save energy consumption.

Presiding over the meeting, Mayor Vinod Chamoli said, “The Centre has chosen Dehradun to develop it as a solar city. A master plan has been sent to the Centre for its approval and funds. I hope that it will be approved by the Central Government soon.”

Joint Secretary, New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, Tarun Kapoor explained about products used to heat water through solar energy and solar energy-related schemes which were being funded by the Centre.

Principle Secretary, Alternative Energy, VP Pandey shed light on the achievements in the sector of alternative energy.

He said, “It is through solar energy that 530 villages situated in far-off areas have been provided light facility.”

A demonstration was also given on solar steam cooking appliances used on the premises of the Brahm Kumari sect.

Case studies of solar water heater appliances used in other states were also presented. An exhibition of solar energy equipment was also held.

It's govt’s priority to resolve people's problems: CM
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 31
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said here today that it was the government’s priority to resolve the difficulties being faced by people.

He was speaking at a meeting of Congress office-bearers and workers from all districts held at his residence here today. He said in fulfilling people's expectations, the party organisation also played an important role along with the government.

He said there was a relationship of trust between the government and the people and the government was accountable to the people.

Bahuguna said party workers and office-bearers were the eyes and ears of the party organisation and would be given due respect. Their suggestions would be implemented.

He said the state could progress with the support of party office-bearers and workers. The CM said he was travelling to far-off areas of the state to get to know about the problems being faced by people there.

He said the Central and state governments were making constant efforts to develop all areas equally in the state. He said the Planning Commission Vice-Chairman, at a meeting recently, had greatly appreciated the work being done by the state government.

He said several schemes for the welfare of the backward sections and minorities had been implemented and a law enacted to ensure that the benefits meant for minorities reached them.

Bahuguna said the state was buying electricity worth Rs 2 crore daily to ensure less power cuts. He said Uttar Pradesh had very long power cuts.

The CM met party workers from all over the state and heard their suggestions. He said the officials concerned would be directed to hear the suggestions of party workers.

The programme was also addressed by All-India Congress Committee Secretary and Uttarakhand co-in charge Anees Ahmed and state Congress president Yashpal Arya.

On Priority Party workers and office-bearers were the eyes and ears of the party organisation and will be given due respect The Central and state governments are making constant efforts to develop all areas equally in the state The Planning Commission Vice-Chairman, at a meeting recently, has greatly appreciated the work being done by the state government

Pithoragarh towns face acute drinking water shortage
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 31
The towns of Dharchula, Pithoragarh, Didihat and Thal in Pithoragarh district are facing acute drinking water shortage due to varied reasons, including reduced capacity of water source and faults in pumps and pipelines as well as dispute over new schemes.

Pithoragarh Jal Sansthan has decided to distribute drinking water in the town with a gap of one day as the water in the Thuligar source has reduced due to rising heat these days. “We have decided to distribute water on third day as we are not in a position to use double pumps on the scheme as the source has gone dry,” said VK Mishra, Executive Engineer of Jal Sansthan.

Mirthi locality of Didihat and Baltir locality of Thal town are also facing drinking water shortage due to the drying of handpumps dug at these places. “More than 300 people at these places are taking water from 3 km distance as the handpumps have dried up at these places,” said Mohan Singh Mehta, a villager from Mirthi village near Didihat town. The villagers of Pangu in Dharchula subdivision are fetching water from a distance source for the last 45 days as the dispute on the source of proposed drinking scheme for these villages has not been settled so far. “Due to scorching heat, the perennial sources of these villages have gone dry, which has resulted into shortage of drinking water in Thanidhar village of Pangu area of Dharchula subdivision,” said Jagdish Singh, a villager from Thanidhar village from Pithoragarh. District Magistrate Neeraj Khairwal held a meeting of officers with agenda of solving drinking water problems of the district.

The DM was informed in the meeting by officers that at some places in Pithoragarh town, drinking problems had arise due to faulty pumps and junked pipe lines . “Jal Sansthan officers have informed that 7 pumps of the Ghat pumping scheme and two pumps of the chera pumping scheme have developed snags and working under capacity, which has created drinking problem in these areas,” said Khairwal, adding that he had asked concerned officers to repair these pumps and pipelines on priority and punish those who have taken illegal connections of water.

Security tightened on border with Nepal
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 31
In the wake of Maoists attack on Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh, the police in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts have stepped up security in the areas adjoining Nepal border.

"As the Director General of the state police has issued instructions to keep extra vigil at the Nepal border, we have not only stepped up security at Nepal border with the help of SSB, but also have started combing at Byandhura region of Pati block in the district where Maoist training caps were unearthed some 10 years ago," said KS Nagniyal, SP, Champawat.

After the Chhattisgarh incident, DGP Satyabrata Bansal has instructed the district police to keep extra vigil at the points where the Maoist activities have been evident in the past. "We have deputed special operational task force, besides ordinary police at Nepal border areas of Tanakpur and Banbasa in Champawat district," the SP said.

The Us Nagar police is also organising special combing operations inside the forests near Sitarganj area of the district as some Maoist camps were detected near the forests 10 years ago.

In Pithoragarh district, over 174 km border lies with Nepal in the district, keeping which in mind the district police and the civil administration have alerted its intelligence network at the Nepal border and have requested the SSB to assist the administration in the security pursuit. "We have stepped up intelligence at international border adjoining Nepal and China and are getting SSB and ITBP cooperation in this work as Nepal and China borders are fully guarded by SSB and ITBP, respectively," said Vijay Karki, SP, Pithoragarh. 

Aeri releases list of 23 party conveners
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 31
The president of Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (Aeri), Kashi Singh Aeri, today released a list of 23 conveners of the party. He said both city and district committees would be prepared by June 20. Block-level committees would be constituted by July 22. He said the party would celebrate the foundation programme on July 24 -25, and a function in remembrance of party founder, the late Bipin Tripathi , would be held on August 20.

Aeri said he had begun shaping up his party. Irrespective of the conflict going on with Trivender Panwar, he said his priority was to strengthen his party first. On the matter of a notice with regard to seizing the party premises hanging on his head, he said there was no question of seizing the party premises as his case was justified and corroborated with documentary proof. He, however, still expressed hope that things might work out between him and his archrival Trivender Singh Panwar within the notice period by June 7.

Eastern frontiers win rock-climbing competition
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, May 31
Eastern Frontiers were declared winners in the third Inter-Frontier Rock-Climbing Competition held at Combat wing of ITBP on Cart Mackenzie Road yesterday. Northern Frontiers were declared second while the Central Frontiers stood third.

Constable G/D Kharak Singh was declared the best rock climber of the competition. More than 84 participants of around five frontiers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) contested in the competition here.

Participants contested in several events, including balance climbing on natural rock, followed by jumar climbing, knot climbing, seat rappelling, piton climbing and cat crawl. The other events scheduled for the competition are stomach rappelling, crevasse rescue left and right method (Bilgri), piggyback etc.

One of the participants, constable Kundan Chauhan, from Gujarat said that the rock climbing training imparted to them will go a long way in assisting them in difficult terrains on the line of duty in border areas. The chief guest on the occasion, DIG, Northern Frontiers, ITBP, RC Baijwan, congratulated the winners and distributed the awards to the winners on the occasion.

Why the uproar over felling of trees, questions MP
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 31
Garhwal MP Satpal Maharaj has expressed strong objection to the frequent concerns raised by environmentlists over the felling of trees to make way for necessary infrastructure like roads.

In a statement issued yesterday, Satpal Maharaj said it was strange that while thousands of trees get burnt in forest fires every summer, little concern was then expressed by the so-called environmentalists. “But when a few trees are to be felled to make way for roads, even Union Environment Ministry objects to it, which is unjustified,” he pointed out. He said there should be relaxation in forest laws when it came to the felling of trees for coming up infrastructure like roads and bridges. 

Governor Qureshi apprised of livelihood-based forest work
ICFRE Director General presents a book on rural, tribal livelihood
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 31
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) Director General Dr VK Bahuguna today met Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi at latter’s office and presented him a book on "ICFRE Supporting Rural and Tribal Livelihood" that stresses on the improvement in the income of tribals and farmers.

Bahuguna informed the Governor regarding the prospect of livelihood-based forestry work in the state and other tribal areas. He also presented a note to the Governor on climatic changes that have occurred in forests of Uttarakhand. He disclosed that a book 'Forest Types of India: Revisited' has been published by the ICFRE and based on this, important Forest Management Policy and programme should be evolved so that food and water security in Uttarakhand can be ensured and better management strategy is evolved especially to meet the challenges of forest hydrology and soil moisture stress in the forests.

Chief Protocol Officer, ICFRE, Dr KP Singh also accompanied the Director General, ICFRE. 

Notification for Panchayat poll in July-end
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 31
A notification for the three-tier Panchayat elections will be issued by the third week of July.

This was stated by State Chief Election Commissioner Harish Chandra, who was in Bageshwar today to review preparations for the elections.

Addressing officials at a district-level meeting, he said, "We have directed officials in all districts that electoral rolls should be prepared in time."

He said after issuing the notification, the administration would have enough time to conduct the elections in time. "Electoral rolls will be prepared after tallying with the lists of voters released during the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in the state," said Chandra.

Ex-CM Nishank calls on Guv
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 31
Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and former state BJP president Bishan Singh Chufal met Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi at Raj Bhawan today.

During the meeting, Nishank requested the Governor to intervene into the matter of taking appropriate action on the basis of memorandums submitted to him by the BJP regarding Uttarakhand Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat for holding the positions of profit.

CDO seeks documents, plans of miners
Step to prevent misuse of pasture land
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, May 31
Chief Development Officer Raghav Langhar has ordered the officials concerned to present to him the mining plans and documents of miners and stone crushers at Sangari village in Kanalichina block of Pithoragarh district.

According to complaints given by villagers, miners are violating the mining norms and posing a threat not only to their traditional pasture land but also on local track routes and roads.

“We have received complaints from the villagers that the miners are dumping raw material on the pasture lands of the Dundu village, depriving the villagers of their precious pasture land,” said Raghav Langhar, Chief Development Officer (CDO), Pithoragarh.

According to the complaints, the dumping of raw material inside the pasture land has posed threat to the irrigation canal and motor road connecting two local villages, including Sangri village.

“We have ordered investigations into the mining violations by the owner and have ordered testifying the whole mining plan and it's violation by the owner for compensation purpose,'' said the CDO. 

130 units of blood collected in camp
Our Correspondent

Mussoorie, May 31
Around 130 units of blood was collected in the blood donation camp organised in the memory of late Kuldeepraj Sahni under the aegis of Rotary International and in association with the Alumni association of RN Bhargav Inter-College in Mussoorie, today.

ITBP officials and Jawans also participated in the blood donation camp with enthusiasm along with other people from different walks of life.

Dr S Rana from IMA blood bank along with his staff conducted the camp that began early morning on the RN Bhargav Inter-College premises. NCC cadets from the school assisted in the camp along with members of the Rotary Club, Mussoorie.The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board member Sandeep Sahni was the coordinator of the blood donation camp here.