Ordeal continues as power cuts unabated
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
Several areas of the city faced power cuts for hours after witnessing thundershowers on Monday night. But officials of the Power Department claimed that effective steps were taken to rectify technical snags.

The continuous rain has brought problems for Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) and local residents.

The mobile van of UPCL carried repair work to rectify technical snags in order to avoid inconvenience to consumers. Although, the testing of lines continued till evening in some areas, the power supply was resumed in most of areas, except a few colonies.

Among worst-affected areas were Dalanwala, Rajpur Road, EC Road, Patel Nagar, Neshvilla Road, Shanti Vihar, Banjarawala, Khurbura, Kargi, MDDA colony and other localities.

The department has been procuring power in order to meet electricity demand in the state. The demand of electricity was 36.83 million units per day in the state.

Speaking to The Tribune, an official spokesman of UPCL, Madhusudan, said transmission lines and transformers were damaged in different colonies of Dehradun during inclement weather.

He said removing technical snags, including tightening of lose connections, was the only solution for ensuring round-the-clock power supply to consumers.

30 litre petrol to junior engineers

Dehradun: Board members have sanctioned 30 litres of petrol to junior engineers working in project areas. The decision was taken in the 66th board meeting held here today. The members also decided to procure 30,000 electronic and 5,000 prepaid meters. They discussed ways to give incentives to employees, who perform exceptionally well. The members have selected the SDO, Jaspur, as the best office among all offices of the corporation. The Roorkee (urban) and Kotdwar divisions of the department have been selected as the best divisions in the department. Directors JL Bajaj, CM Vasudev, secretary (power) Dr Umakant Panwar and managing director (UPCL) SS Yadav were present at the meeting. — TNS

Harish Rawat writes to PM for special focus on hill states 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
Chief Minister Harish Rawat has sought special focus on Himalayan states, and development of roads, and infrastructure for railway and air services.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister has requested him for special attention on roads, rail, and air services and other basic infrastructure in the Himalayan region.

He said the Himalayan states were important from the environment and strategic point of view and pointed towards excessive migration from remote villages due to lack of infrastructure in hills.

The Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to treat all proposed road, rail and air service projects as national projects. He suggested to him to form a special committee to expedite the implementation of proposed projects. Uttarakhand, that shares borders with China and Nepal, is deprived of infrastructure and employment opportunities and the migration of people from these border areas could lead to a major security threat, he added.

Harish Rawat said several important projects of national and international importance had been proposed for the state. “While these projects involve a lot of money, they get delayed due to delay in sanction of money,” he added.

The Chief Minister said the work on the approved road projects on the Pithoragarh-Tawaghaat, Tawaghaat-Ghatiyabagad, Tanakpur-Jauljeevi, Munsyari-Jauljeevi, Munsyari-Bagdyaar-Milam, Namaling-Malari, and Gunji-Kutti routes and other border roads was going on at a very slow pace.

Similarly, there was a need to speed up the work on the Rishikesh-Karnprayag, Tanakpuur-Bageshwar, and Ramngar-Chaukhutiya rail projects.

The Chief Minister also emphasised on the need for the upgrade of Pant Nagar and Dehradun airports. He referred to the works being done by the state government and said they had decided to set up 52 helidrums and out of these the work was in progress at 19 sites.

Harish Rawat expressed the hope that the Prime Minister would immediately look into the matter in favour of the people of the Himalayan states.

Year after disaster, rehab work slow in Uttarkashi
Ajay Ramola
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, July 1
The snail’s pace of restoration work in Uttarkashi town that has was witness to the disaster in the form of earthquake in 1991 and flash floods of mid-June last year has left the residents angry.

Rinku Rawat, a resident of Uttarkashi, lamented the fact that the town was ravaged due to the fury of the Ganga in mid June last year but the work of constructing the sidewalls to strengthen the embankment is yet to be completed.

He said the condition could worsen and lead to another tragedy if rain pick up with the arrival of the monsoons resulting in wide scale damage to the town here.

Sanjiv Rawat, another resident, speaking on the lackadaisical approach of the government said that the area from Gangotri to Joshyara was completely washed away by the Ganga during the mid-June disaster but the government has not been able to construct the bridge even one year after the disaster.

The residents are also livid at the delay in the lining work at 300-metre-long Tamba Khani tunnel being built between Gyansu and the Uttarkashi town. The work on the tunnel was proposed after the regular complaints of landslides that occurred in Varunavat Parvat in 2003. The government had initiated the construction work of the tunnel in 2007 to avoid the boulders but the tunnel is still awaiting completion, posing risk to the residents in the month of monsoon.

Former Char Dham Vikas Parishad vice president Surat Ram Nautiyal opined that apple farmers from Gorsali, Wadi, Nated, Didsari Salang and Sukhi village were forced to live in extreme poverty as most of the produce was left rotting due to landslides that blocked the road to the markets last year.

He said most of the bridges and the linking roads on route to Gangotri highway, especially near Jhala village, are still in disrepair and the pilgrims have to step out of their vehicles and walk on foot over the bridge fearing it may collapse in the river.

He said the situation in the disaster-hit Uttarkashi was grim and the tall claims of the government of initiating restoration and rebuilding work will be belied in the month of monsoon.

The president of the Municipal Council Gyani Devi lamented the fact that the council had sent a list of restoration work to be done in Uttarkashi several months back but the government has failed to provide funds for all the such works as yet.

She alleged that the administration instead of giving the work to the Municipal Council that was better placed to carry out such tasks, gave it to Jal Vidyut Nigam, thus resulting in inordinate delay leaving the residents in the lurch.

Jal Vidyut Nigam officials said after the slow pace in May the pace of the work in Uttarkashi has increased and most of the restoration work would be completed soon.

Congress MLA from Gangotri Vijay Pal Sajwan said that the work of building a protection wall from Joshyara barrage to the market had been delayed due to the inclement weather during the winter, but now it was on verge of completion.

He said some works have been given to the irrigation department at Tiloth Bridge area that is being done at a frantic pace. He also said that the rehabilitation work at the villages such as Bhatwadi, Matli etc has also been taken up and pre-fabricated houses are being provided to the people without any delay.

Monsoons lash parts of Uttarakhand
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 1
For the first time after much wait, Haridwar got its first taste of monsoonal rain as downpour began in the city in the wee hours today.

Heavy rain brought the temperature down to as low as 26 degree Celsius while maximum for the first time in a month remained 33 degrees.

With the showers people got respite from the scorching heat wave that had engulfed the region for the last month.

Colonies of Haripur Kalan,Bhoopatwala, Har-ki-Pauri mela zone,Shiv Moorti square, Depura, Rishikul, Khanna Nagar, Awas Vikas,Vivek Vihar, Bhagat Singh square,Shiv Lok Colony and suburban Jwalapur witnessed heavy rainfall.

Due to the rain several areas were choked with water with various intersections witnessing traffic jams as the water got accumulated at various stretches, taking almost three to four hours to recede.

Municipal Corporation Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Vipra Trivedi said that in view of the heavy downpour additional sanitation workers were pitched in to clear choked drains and nullahs.

At Ganga ghats, particularly Braham Kund,Har-ki-Pauri,Malviya Deep,VIP, Birla, Alaknanda, Gobind, Prem Nagar ghats and various bridges in the city, people thronged to enjoy the cool climate owing to the rain.

Tourist vehicles were seen parked at Ganga canal stretch and Chilla range of Rajaji National Park enjoying the change in temperature and climatic conditions.

Tea vendors and maize sellers made the most as people thronged to enjoy the weather, while the bookings in various hotels, lodges, dharmashalas and ashrams reported a surge as already Char Dham and tourist season is going on.

Electricity and water supply also got severely affected today with two to four-hour power cut in the morning affecting household and commercial working.

“Rain has brought smiles on everyone’s face. For the last month we have been reeling under intense heat wave with temperatures touching maximum 45 degrees on many occasions. I got delayed in reaching my dance class as I got delayed at Bhagat Singh intersection as choked water had submerged the intersection,’’ said Dolly Bisht, a BHEL-based western dance trainer.

Continuous rain in Dehradun

Dehradun: After a bit of delay, the monsoon has finally arrived in Uttarakhand.

Dehradun Meteorological Department Director Dr Anand Sharma today declared arrival of monsoon in Uttarakhand. “We have officially declared arrival of monsoon in Uttarakhand today,” said Sharma.

Sharma said light to moderate rain was likely in Uttarakhand hills while heavy rainfall was expected in isolated places in the foothills during the next 48 hours.

In Dehradun, the rain that started during the morning hours, continued throughout the day, disrupting normal life. The showers also brought respite from the blistering heat as the mercury plummeted. Roadside tea vendors continued to do brisk business.

Last time, Dehradun received a little less than 3,000 mm rainfall in the entire monsoon. Dehradun residents are looking forward to monsoon this year too.

Traffic lights on the blink at major junctions
Tribune News Service

The dysfunctional traffic lights at Race Course Chowk (Left) and Dharampur Chowk (right) in Dehradun on Tuesday. Tribune photos

Dehradun, July 1
The traffic lights at some of important crossings in the city are on the blink during the peak evening hours. This spells long delays, chaos and frustration for commuters.

The city has already been witnessing traffic snarls due to the heavy influx of tourists towards Dehradun and Mussoorie, but the dysfunctional traffic signals have added to the problems of city residents.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Traffic, Pradeep Rai, said the police deliberately switch off the traffic lights on the major junctions due to traffic congestion and streamlines the traffic manually.

“Vehicular movement becomes heavy on major roads, including Orient Chowk, Darshan Lal Chowk and Behl Chowk, during the evening hours and traffic lights cause a huge pile up due to their pre-set timing, so we try to streamline the traffic manually,” said the SP.

On asking why the traffic police do not customise the timings of traffic lights, the SP said, “We have to call a technician to change the traffic light timings. Generally, we have to take a decision on the spot seeing the traffic condition, so it’s not practical to wait for a technician to come and change timings.”

A traffic inspector said, “Some of the traffic lights are dysfunctional and complaints have been made to the agency to repair them. Till then, we will have to manage the traffic manually.”

There are 26 traffic lights in the city and many of them are dysfunctional, leaving the busy junctions in the hands of the traffic police.

The SP said traffic lights at Dwarka Chowk and Saharanpur Chowk had been installed at wrong places and traffic could not be managed by traffic lights, so we generally put them on blink and manage the traffic manually.”

Students seek better infra facilities at DAV PG College
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
The students’ struggle committee of DAV (PG) College held a protest outside the District Magistrate office here today. They submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Harish Rawat demanding solutions to the problems being faced by them.

In the memorandum, college student union leaders said the college building was 150 years old and in a bad shape. The leaders said letters had been written to the college principal and other officials in the past, but to no avail.

Student leaders, including union president Siddharth Rana, said the college lacks proper washroom facility for girls. They sought proper infrastructure for the college.

College principal Devendra Bhasin was also concerned about the lack of infrastructure facilities at the college and said the amount had been sanctioned for building 18 new rooms in the college and the construction work was expected to begin soon.

However, he believed that other issues raised by the students were unnecessary. “They raise such issues before the admission process begins every year in the college,” he added.

July 8 deadline for completion of Kanwar mela-related works
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 1
With less than a fortnight to go for the commencement of the monsoonal Kanwar pilgrimage, slow pace of works related with Kanwar mela by various departments has put questions on the successful completion of the mega fair.

In this regard after presiding over a high-level meeting of mela administrative officers at CCR tower today, District Magistrate D Senthyl Pendiyan has set up July 8 as the deadline date for completion of Kanwar mela related works.

Post July 8, the DM will make impromptu visits to check the onsite work status by the nodal agencies.

Departmental action will be taken against those agencies that are found not adhering to the stipulated deadline.

Those works which are given to private contractors will also be monitored strictly and penalty will be levied against the violating contractors.

DM Pendiyan has also directed government departments to ensure round the clock drinking water, power supply, re-carpeting of Kanwar patri and makeshift toilets on Kanwar stretch. At sensitive and danger points signs alerting Kanwariyas about vulnerable spots will also be put up by Kanwar administration.

DM Pendiyan has also sought cooperation from industrial and corporate sector in providing best of the facilities to the Kanwariyas during their visit to Haridwar.

Roadways employees on dharna
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
Annoyed over the callous approach of the state transport department, roadways employees staged a protest in support of their pending demands. The agitators have threatened to intensify their agitation if the department does not accede to their year-long pending demands.

The agitators, under the banner of Roadways Workers Joint Council and Uttarakhand Roadways Employees Union, protested here today. The agitators lamented that a memorandum highlighting their demands was given many times to officials, but steps are still awaited by the department to address their grievances.

Addressing agitators, Dinesh Gusain, state president of Uttarakhand Roadways Employees Union, said that employees are not receiving salary on time. He expressed concern that process of sanctioning gratuity is delayed for months by department for retired employees of department.

The agitators have threatened to intensify their agitation if the department does not take effective steps to address their grievances.

Prem Singh Rawat, Ramesh Sharma, Anurag Nautiyal, Shiv Narayan Tiwari, Ravi Anand, Vipin Bijjalwan, Dinesh Pant, Rakesh Petwal, Manjeet Singh, Kishanpal, Mohit Kumar and Anurag Nautiyal. 

Nishank reviews progress of Central schemes in Haridwar
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, July 1
Since getting elected as Member of Parliament from the Haridwar parliamentary constituency on May 16, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, for the first time, convened a review meeting of the government departments and nodal agencies today.

At Damkoti state guest house, the first-time MP reviewed progress of various schemes and sought suggestions for improvement of quality, time-bound completion and increase in the number of beneficiaries availing the Central government-aided projects.

On the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Nishank directed the officials concerned to incorporate views and suggestions of the local legislator too.

This was mooted by city legislator Madan Kaushik, Lakshar legislator Aadesh Chauhan and Jwalapur legislator Chandra Sekhar Bhattewala during the meeting.

Nishank said if this is done, MNREGA work can be extended by incorporating the legislator’s fund too, if the local MLA proposes so.

“This will only ensure quality and expansion of the MNREGA work periphery as more length of roads, embankments, retaining walls or other works can be covered by incorporating MNREGA budget with local MPLAD and MLA fund too,” said Nishank, a five-time MLA who remained the Uttarakhand Chief Minister during 2009-11.

Taking cognisance of the expansion being undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department at Ganga canal near Damkoti bridge-Shankaracharya square stretch, Nishank urged the UP Irrigation Department to stop the ongoing work as it is against the Uttar Pradesh-Uttarakhand Reorganisation Bill 2000 specifications.

Nishank called on Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Subash Kumar, Irrigation secretary Uttarakhand and SDO UP Irrigation Department. The issue pertaining to prospect of Uttar Pradesh undertaking conservation and maintenance of properties that are in Uttarakhand came up.

Nishank said he would raise this issue with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, UP Irrigation Department Shiv Pal and secretaries as 41 canals originating in land of Uttarakhand are still managed by Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department.

Nishank also discussed Indira Gandhi Awas Yojana, National Rural Livelihood Mission and other central run-funded schemes at the state guest house.

Absence of several government department higher officials was brought to notice by the Haridwar MP, who directed the chief development officer to ensure that all department higher officials concerned remain present during the next such meeting.

Govt to sell potatoes, onions at cheaper rates 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
In order to provide relief to the people of the state from the rising vegetable prices, the state government will set up stalls for selling onions and potatoes at nominal prices, Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh said here today.

She told mediapersons that she would hold talks with Minister for Agriculture Harak Singh Rawat so that the arrangements could be made as soon as possible.

Hridayesh, who is looking after the day-to-day business of the state in the absence of Harish Rawat, said the government had taken up with the Prime Minister the issue of rehabilitating residents of 200 villages affected by landslides in safe places. “The Chief Minister has already written to the Prime Minister on the issue and has sought financial assistance and easy clearance of land for settling the affected villagers. We are keen to set up a land bank in the state so that rehabilitation becomes easier. Every effort will be made to ensure that displaced villagers are provided land near their original villages,” she said.

Hridayesh added that Congress leaders Subodh Uniyal and Harish Dhami had left for Dharchula to oversee the filling of nomination papers of Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who is recovering from a neck injury at AIIMS in New Delhi. “They will be present in Dharchula when the nomination papers will be filed on behalf of the Chief Minister by his wife Renuka Rawat,” she said.

On her part, she would be in Someshwar to lend support to the Congress candidate, who would be filing his papers on July 2, while Health Minister Surinder Singh Negi would be present in Doiwala on July 21. 

Clowns proud of their goofy acts
Parwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
Referring to themselves as ‘Chhota packet bada dhamaka,’ these midgets are miles away from the sorry picture often presented about them. Working at Apollo Circus as clowns, this bunch is not only happy being here but also proud of the fact that they bring smiles on the faces of the public through their goofy acts.

Dressed in their attire with faces all made up for the act, the trio Kesar, Surender and Charan Singh continue to pull each other’s leg. “We are together since a long time and love to joke about each other. This way we keep the mood light,” they said.

Hailing from Kanpur, 30-year-old Kesar has been part of the circus from the last 15 years. Earlier I was with some other circus and became part of Apollo Circus in 2004. “I could not complete my education due to financial problems in the family. Being a midget either I was refused from several jobs or not paid well. However, here in the circus we are an important part. It gives a good feeling to know that circus is incomplete without jokers,” he added.

For Surender Kumar from Bhiwani district in Haryana, home is where circus is. “I have a wife and children in my hometown. However, I don’t go there for more than three-four days. I feel lonely being there. In fact I always rush back to be part of the troupe. My family does not understand my craziness for this circus. This is the only place where I have got my honour. We feel so happy when children, coming to see the circus, laugh their hearts out upon seeing our antics. We bring smiles on the faces of people making them momentarily forget their pains. What else can be better than this?” he said.

It was in 1997, when Charan Singh, dejected by him family members for not being able to earn, ran away and joined the Apollo Circus. “Today I am earning a good amount of money. I am married and have three children. I want them to study hard and lead a good life. However, I would never want them to join circus. I had no other option given my physical restrictions. Even though I love being part of the circus, this is something which I do not wish my family to join,” said Charan as he leaves for his act. 

Yarsa Gumba collectors threat to rare fauna
BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, July 1
The number of animals and birds in meadows in the high Himalayas is gradually shrinking due to poaching by Yarsa Gumba collectors, who come to these places from lower valleys every year, and pollution spread by them by littering polythene bags and other waste material.

An NGO, Monal, has revealed these facts in a report after studying the effects of the activities of Yarsa Gumba collectors in the Phulka and Humma glacier area in the Darma valley between May 20 and June 21 this year. “Not only Indian villagers but also thousands of Nepalese come to these 3,500-metre high meadows during the summer to collect Yarsa Gumba and devastate the local ecology and make these altitudes unsafe for local animals and birds,” said Brizesh Dharmshaktu, president of Monal.

Surendra Panwar, secretary of the NGO, says the Himalayan fauna faces more threat as the time when the villagers go to collect the miracle drug is also the breeding time for these animals. “Our study reveals that due to encroachment by human beings in these parts of high Himalayan meadows not only animals like musk deer, thaar, red fox and bharal have disappeared from the area of their vitality but also the number of rare birds like monal, grandala, and tragopan pheasants has rapidly decreased,” says Panwar.

He adds they will send their study report to the state government.

Congress will win Assembly bypoll, says Upadhyay
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, July 1
The Congress is ready to score victories for the position of chairpersons of Zila Panchayat and block samitis in the state, besides three Assembly bypoll seats in the state. People have started realising that the BJP is double-faced, state Congress president Kishore Upadhyay said on Monday.

Upadhyay told this correspondent over telephone that the people had now realised they were deceived by the BJP during the Lok Sabha elections and only the Congress sympathises with the common man. “It is all evident from the landslide victory the Congress has secured in the panchayat elections, which were held a month after the Lok Sabha elections,” he said.

According to Upadhaya, BJP leaders had based their campaign on negative aspects and did nothing except criticising Rahul and Sonia Gandhi during the Lok Sabha as well as the panchayat poll campaign.

“BJP leader Narendra Modi, his outfits, style of addressing the people, body language and tall promises were fake and were bound to be exposed before the people,” he said.

Upadhyay claimed the party had special affinity with the Himalayan states, including Uttarakhand, starting from Jawaharlal Nehru to present vice-president Rahul Gandhi as all of them loved the region. “From the recent visit and one-week stay of Soniaji at Kausani, it is evident that Gandhi family still keeps close relations with Uttarakhand,” he said.

Food Security Scheme comes into effect in state
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
The Food Security Scheme (FSS) covering around 61.94 lakh beneficiaries came into effect in the state from today. The government will provide 5 kg of ration (3kg rice at Rs 3 per kg and 2kg wheat at Rs 2 per kg) to the beneficiaries.

Out of the 61.94 lakh beneficiaries, around 9.83 lakh are antyodaya cardholders and 9.20 lakh beneficiaries have been categorised as priority householders comprising BPL and antyodaya selected from the APL category.

A ration card holder will be the senior-most woman of the family. The antyodaya cardholders will be provided 35 kg ration per month. “The beneficiaries will start receiving the ration under the Food Security Scheme from July itself. We have made arrangements in the godowns and their stocks are in sync with our requirement,” said Ravinath Raman, Additional Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies.

Besides, those not covered under the scheme will receive ration under the state foodgrains scheme. Those with a monthly income of Rs 15,000 have been included in the scheme.

Earlier, the government said the beneficiaries would be entitled to an allowance in case ration was not delivered to them. But as a new government has come at the Centre and is reviewing the Act, the provision of penalty was also under review.

However, the state has set up a food security commission to solve the issues related to the implementation of the scheme. 

State boys, girls lift target ball trophies
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
The Uttarakhand teams have lifted the Target Ball National Tournament trophy in both girls and boys categories in the finals played at the Pavilion Ground here today.

In the girls’ final, Uttarakhand defeated Telangana 10-2 in a one-sided encounter.

In the match for the third place, Uttar Pradesh defeated Delhi 1-0 and won the bronze medal.

Maintaining their dominant form throughout the tournament, the Uttarakhand men’s team defeated Karnataka 15-12 in a nail-biting final. In the match for the bronze, Telangana defeated Jharkhand 12-10.

President of Volleyball Federation of India, Avadhesh Kumar Chaudhary, who was the chief guest during the closing and prize distribution ceremonies, gave away prizes to the winning and participating teams.

NDA has failed to check rising prices of food items: Mahila Cong 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
Harpreet Brar, state in-charge of women’s cell of Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), said the Congress-led state government had been doing a commendable work for the uplift of weaker sections of society since formation of Uttarakhand. She said the BJP-led NDA government had completed failed to control increasing prices of essential commodities in the country.

Brar said that party activists should do collective efforts to create awareness among residents on policies and projects introduced by state government for uplift of weaker sections of society. She said that party activists should join hands to further strengthening the party.

She lambasted BJP-led NDA government for not introducing effective steps to keep a tab on prices of essential commodities in the state. Brar told party activists to pull up their socks to ensure victory to party candidates in the upcoming byelections in the state. Earlier, Brar was given a warm welcome by party activists in a function held at Rajeev Bhavan here today.

The state president of women’s cell of (PCC), Sarojini Kaintura, Sunita Prakash, Nazma Khan, Meena Rawat, Kishori Devi, Sudha Shukhla, Mamta Gurung, Kamlesh Raman, Madhu Semwal, Alka Pal and many others were present at the press conference.

Private eco-development plan for Mussoorie
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
With an aim to conserve one of the few remaining patches of natural forests close to Mussoorie, environmental professional Sejal Worah along with Vipul Jain, owner of a private forest estate in Jabarkhet, Mussoorie, has come up with a venture - Jabarkhet Ecodevelopment Limited (JEL).

JEL plans to develop an economically viable conservation model that will provide an incentive for private forest owners, local users and visitors to protect and value forests and wildlife in the long term. JEL is restoring and protecting forests and biodiversity in an area of about 100 acres near Mussoorie to provide nature education and wilderness recreation to both residents and visitors while creating new livelihood opportunities for local communities.

Over the last year, a number of activities have been undertaken to prepare the area to become a unique destination for birdwatchers, nature lovers and for people who want to experience the feel of being in a ‘true’ Himalayan forest and learn about its flora and fauna. Over 250 species of flowering plants, 75 species of fungi and 45 species of ferns have been recorded from the area.

Wildlife sightings are frequent and encounters with barking deer, goral and pine martens are increasingly common. The diversity of habitats from open meadows to dense oak forests to grassy hill slopes supports an equally diverse bird population, with at least two species of pheasants recorded from the area.

According to Dr Sejal Worah, who is managing the venture, the success of JEL will not only provide visitors a unique opportunity to experience the Himalayas within a short distance from Mussoorie, but will also play a vital role in providing a model for the conservation of the region’s valuable and highly threatened biodiversity.

JEL also plans to develop partnerships with schools, hotels and institutions to provide an educational and recreational experience that will suit many different types of people – from the avid birdwatcher or botanist to school students to Mussoorie residents and visitors. Maps, field references as well as trained local guides recruited from the surrounding villages will help provide information about the area and make every visit enriching. Over time, longer treks, involving homestays in surrounding villages will be developed.

Environment matters

• Jabarkhet Ecodevelopment Limited plans to develop an economically viable conservation model that will provide an incentive for private forest owners, local users and visitors to protect and value forests and wildlife in the long term.

Dept promotion panel meeting
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
The Department of Finance has forwarded the names of Finance Controllers MS Bisht, PC Khare, Govind Prasad and Jagat Singh to the Department Promotion Committee, a meeting of which is likely in a day or two.

These officers will then be entitled to a grade pay of Rs 8,700. As of now, they are in the grade pay of Rs 7,600.

“The committee will either meet tomorrow or day after to consider their cases. Once the approval is given, these officers will be entitled for an increment from July,” a senior official maintained.

world doctors’ day 
‘Treat osteoporosis well’
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
Osteoporosis is a lifestyle disease. It is a problem caused due to imbalance of bone formation, resulting in decrease in Bone Mineral Density. Incidence of osteoporosis is next to that of joint arthritis, which tends to cause disability in elderly population.

Talking about care, precautions and treatment of osteoporosis at a public awareness lecture on osteoporosis organised by Sanjay Orthopaedic, Spine and Maternity Centre, and NGO Shewa to mark World Doctors’ Day here today, noted orthopaedic surgeon Dr BKS Sanjay said any fracture, particularly hip fracture in osteoporosis, has to be treated well.

“According to my own experience and research paper on osteoporosis and fracture management, ¼ of hip fracture patients died despite a good operation within a month to a year. Remaining ½ cannot walk without support and 1/3 of them are rendered bed-ridden,” he said.

Dr Sanjay said the chances of osteoporosis increase after menopause in women and after the age of 60 years in men. He said the main reasons are lack of calcium and vitamin D in the body.

Gynaecologist Dr Sujata Sanjay stressed on requirement of calcium for pregnant and lactating women.

On the occasion of World Doctors’ Day, GVK EMRI emergency services recalled the contribution made by doctors in making the emergency ambulance services successful.

State head of GVK EMRI Manish Tinku said that due to the active involvement of the doctors the emergency services have been able to render yeoman service in the state.

Preparations on for int’l Sanskrit conference 
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
As per directions by Governor Aziz Qureshi, preparations for the International Sanskrit Conference, scheduled to be held in September, have begun.

S Raju, Principal Secretary, Sanskrit, and chairman of the organising committee, held a meeting at his office in the Secretariat today. He constituted several committees for the same.

Vinod Raturi, Additional Secretary, Sanskrit, is the chairman of the accommodation committee. This committee will look after the accommodation facilities for scholars, who are being invited from different parts of the country and abroad.

Dehradun City Magistrate GC Gunwant will be the supporting member of the committee. The committee has been told to submit the details by July 15.

Beena Bhatt, Director, Culture Department, will be the chairperson of the committee. A committee has been constituted for publishing the souvenir and selecting mementoes for the conference. This committee will be chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of Sanskrit University. General Manager (Tourism), assistant director (Raj Bhavan, Information Wing) and senior faculty members of Sanskrit University have been made members of the committee.

The committee has been directed to arrange research papers and literature for the promotion and enrichment of Sanskrit language. It has been directed to arrange a coffee table book for the guests. The book will give a description of picturesque Uttarakhand from the cultural, natural and spiritual point of view. Other literature and mementoes will be arranged by the committee.

The Principal Secretary informed the VC of Sanskrit University that the work which requires services of an event manager should be listed on priority. 

State govt staff transfer deadline now July 31
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
The state government on Tuesday extended the deadline for effecting transfers of the state government employees in different departments from June 30 to July 31.

“The officials have remained busy throughout the months of May and June in the conduct of elections. Much of the month of July would be dedicated to the byelections, which would leave little room for the officials to prepare the list. So we have been forced to extend the last date for effecting transfers to July 31,” said CMS Bisht, who is posted as Secretary with the Department of Personnel.

Last year, no transfers could take place due to the Kedarnath flash floods. This year saw the government asking the officials concerned to prepare the list by June 30.

150 units blood donated
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
A blood donation camp was organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Dehradun chapter, on the occasion of the 65th foundation day of the ICAI. A total of 150 blood units were collected at the camp.

Dehradun Mayor Vinod Chamoli inaugurated the camp. He urged the gathering to come forward and participate in blood donation camps. He said participation in blood donation camps is the only way to overcome blood shortage in the state.

The president of ICAI, Sanjay Gupta, and secretary Parmil Patet thanked CA professionals and students for participating in the camp.

Praveen Kumar Goyal, Naveen Kumar Gupta, Sanjay Goyal, Ankur Gupta, Ajay Khatak, Ravi Maheshwari, Pawan Gupta, Saurabh Gupta and Sangeeta Kalra were among those present.

Residents protest change in panchayat poll result

Dehradun, July 1
Residents of Chandrabani in Dehradun staged a demonstration in front of the office of District Magistrate here today in protest against the change in the winning candidate from their area in the recently concluded panchayat elections. They threatened to start an agitation if the district administration did not take effective steps for recounting of votes.

The protesters led by the affected panchayat election candidate, Rajni Thapliyal, alleged that the district administration did not give her the victory certificate though she was declared the winner from the Chandrabani area in the panchayat elections on Saturday.

She said the district administration had now declared Devashari Devi, who was the runner-up earlier, as the winning candidate. — TNS

Dhirendra Pratap demands RS seat

Dehradun, July 1
Dhirendra Pratap, spokesman of the Uttarakhand Congress, met Ambika Soni, in charge of Congress affairs in Uttarakhand, in New Delhi today and staked his claim for the Rajya Sabha seat from the state that fell vacant due to the election of BJP leader Bhagat Singh Koshiyari to the Lok Sabha.

Dhirendra Pratap during his conversation with Ambika Soni referred to his role in the statehood agitation. He said he had been serving the Congress for the past many decades and at present was the chairman of the Rajya Andolkari Samman Parishad in the state. — TNS

Subhash Sharma to contest for district panchayat chief’s post

Dehradun, July 1
Subhash Sharma, newly elected district panchayat member from Ladpur, Dehradun, has announced to contest for the post of district panchayat president from Dehradun district. 

He said the district panchayat president had not been elected from Ladpur and other adjoining constituencies for the past 45 years. He requested newly elected district panchayat members to cast their votes in his favour. — TNS

UJVNL to start 2nd stage of power projects

Dehradun, July 1
Subhash Kumar, Chief Secretary, presided over a meeting of officials of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) here today.

The officials decided to start the second stage of the Pilangaad, Urgam and Surinagad hydropower projects. It was decided at the meeting to seek permission from the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission for the completion of the Maneri Bhalli-II hydropower project.

Subhash said the meeting decided to construct small hydropower projects of 2.25 MW capacity at a cost of Rs 9.93 crore, besides starting the second stage of the 800 KW Surinagad project and developing the Dhalipur power station in Haridwar.

It gave approval for the upgrade of a 20.4 MW project on the upper Ganga canal in Haridwar and the installation of a solar project of 500 KW at the Pathri powerhouse of the UJVNL.— TNS

DM Chandresh meets disaster control officials
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1
District Magistrate Chandresh Yadav held a meeting with officials of the District Disaster Management Authority here today.

Instructing officials to submit their reports this week, the DM said a show-cause notice would be issued to departments which failed to submit their planning reports to the cell.

“The departments are responsible for the properties belonging to them. In case the property suffers any damage due to natural disasters, prior permission from the disaster management cell is to be taken for spending the funds on its repair,” he said.

Chief Development Officer Alok Kumar Pandey, Additional District Magistrate Sonika, Additional District Magistrate Pratap Shah, and Chief Revenue Officer Jagat Singh Chauhan were present.