Bansi Lal's reservations on Parbati project
SHIMLA, June 5 — The 2051 MW Parbati hydro-electric project was plunged into another controversy today when the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, expressed reservation on Himachal Pradesh signing a fresh agreement for its construction with the NHPC without consulting Chief Ministers of four other states which are signatories to an earlier agreement on the project.

Rallies mark Environment Day
SHIMLA, June 5 — The World Environment Day was observed here today with the launching of a month-long polythene cleanliness campaign by the State Council for Science, Technology and Environment and municipal bodies.

HPTDC ultimatum to striking staff
SHIMLA, June 5 — The Vice-Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, Mr Rakesh Pathania, today ruled out any compromise with the agitating employees of the corporation unless they called off the strike.

HP Govt to give DA arrears with pay

Minister inaugurates Chamera-II
From Our Correspondent

CHAMBA (HP) June 5 — The Union Energy Minister, Mr P R Kumaramanglam has announced to give nine lakh solar cookers to the Himachal Pradesh Government for distribution each to one family of the state to save fuel from forests, thereby conserving environment.

Presiding over a public meeting after laying the foundation stone of a 300-MW Chamera hydroelectric project (Stage-II) on the Ravi near here today, Mr Kumaramanglam said 84,000 MW. hydro-electricity potential available in the hills of the country could be increased to one lakh MW. He said that Himachal Pradesh alone had 21000 MW of hydro-power potential, out of which the Union Energy Ministry could harness about 15,000 MW if the state government extended its coorperation.

Mr Kumaramanglam said that the Union Cabinet had decided to categorise the hydro-power projects with a capacity up to 25 MW as mini-hydel projects for which a subsidy of 5 to 10 per cent would be granted for execution of these projects.

Finally when the Chamera Project-stage-II, which remained stalled for over 17 years, was on its way to implementation, Mr Kumaramanglam announced today that each member of 210 ousted families would be given employment in the project.

With the commencement of this project at an estimated cost of Rs 1700 crore, lots of direct and indirect employment and other opportunities would be given to residents around. The district, in the five years, would usher in an era of prosperity and this project would put the district on the power map of the country.

After the commissioning of 198 MW Baira-Siul hydroelectric project in 1981 and the 540 MW Chamera Hydroelectric Project (Stage-I) in 1994, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is on the job to construct Chamera (Stage-II) on the Ravi as run-of-river project with the dam being downstream of the existing Bagga bridge and power house located 6 km. upstream of Chamba town near Jarangia nullah.

The project comprises a small concrete gravity dam of 39-metre height with four spill-ways, a circular headrace tunnel which is 7.86 km long with desilting arrangements; a surge shaft 93-metre high and 15.5 metres in diameter, and three vertical pressure shafts 210-metre high and 3 metres in diameter, and 3.6-km-long tailrace tunnel. These shafts would be connected to an underground power house comprising three generating units of 100 MW each.

The project is expected to generate 1500 million units of power annually on its completion, augmenting the Northern Grid capacity to meet the power shortage in the region.

On this occasion, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, who was the chief guest, said that the state government had revived good relations with the Centre and the neighbouring state governments with the result the state government could get an assistance of Rs 300 crore from the Centre and could be able to sort out the issues like Shah Nehar and Ranjit Sagar Dam project oustees rehabilitation. He said that the Punjab Government had so far sanctioned Rs 81.66 crore as compensation of land and houses to the oustees of Himachal Pradesh and Rs 50 crore for the construction of Shah Nehar in Himachal.

The Chief Minister said that this year would be the energy year for the state. The Chief Minister alleged that due to the apathy of previous Congress governments, about 1000 oustees of Bhakra Dam were yet to be rehabilitated, but his government would do allout efforts for their rehabilitation.

Earlier, Mr Shanta Kumar, a former member of Parliament, said the Union government had increased the ratio of hydro-power from 25 per cent to 40 per cent. He said that the state was forging ahead in the development of hydro power generation thereby fetching crores of rupees in the days to come.

On this occasion, Mr Kishori Lal, Himachal Industries Minister and Mr Ravinder Ravi, Minister of State for Energy, also spoke, besides Mr Mohan Lal Minister of State for Ayurveda, who thanked the Union Minister of Energy and the Chief Minister. Senior officers of the state government including Chief Secretary A.L. Goswami and authorities of the NHPC, including Mr V.K. Pandit, Secretary (Energy) to the Government of India, and Mr Yogendra Prashar, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the NHPC were also present.

Meanwhile, a local MLA, Mr Harsh Mahajan, has expressed resentment that his name was included in the advertisement and in the invitation card without his prior approval. Though he welcomed the commencement of the project but alleged that he had not been invited to the function of laying of foundation stone ceremony accordingly.

Soldier cremated with honours
From Our Correspondent

SUNDERNAGAR, June 5 — Sepoy Rajesh Chauhan of Dhanotu village of Mahadev panchayat of this subdivision who was killed on June 2 in the Machhal Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, while fighting intruders was given tearful farewell. As the news of brave soldier's death was received the thousands of people gathered here, body from J&K reached here at 10.30 a.m. It was consigned to the flames with full honours in the presence of thousands of grief stricken people today afternoon.

Rajesh Chauhan joined Army four years ago. He had one brother and seven sisters.

According to Army sources Rajesh was honoured by Army authorities on May 28 as he had killed an infiltrator who was trying to cross the border and had captured one of the infiltrator alive recently.

Mr Rup Singh, Himachal Forest Minister, Mr Jai Ram Thakur, M.L.A. Chachoit, Mr Tek Chand Doara, MLA Nachan, Mr Sher Singh, president of the District Congress Committee Mandi along with D.C. Mandi, S.P., S.D.M. Sundernagar were among the persons who laid wreaths on the body.

Mr Rup Singh, Forest Minister announced Rs one lakh to the family of the deceased sepoy and job to one of the members of the family. The District Administration announced Rs 25000/- to the family, Press Club Sundernagar gave a cheque for Rs 1100/- to the family. Truck Union Dhanotu announced an amount of Rs 5000/- to the family. The shops and market remained closed today in Dhanotu and Mahadev area in as mark of respect to the soldier.

Mining goes on despite SC ban
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, June 5 — By overlooking illegal mining of slate going on indiscriminately in Khaniyara, the government has virtually legalised it in violation of the Supreme Court directions.

While the authorities here celebrated the World Environment Day with great fanfare, slate quarrying, which is an eyesore on the face of the majestic Dhauladhars, has escaped the notice of the people concerned. Despite the court orders banning mining in forest areas, illegal quarrying is in full swing in the Khaniyara slate mines and that too with the knowledge of the authorities concerned. By turning a blind eye to this illegal activity, which has been causing immense damage to the fragile hill ecology, it is as good as regularising it.

As per the Supreme Court directions, no non-forest activity was to be undertaken in the forest areas, without the prior permission of the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment. Though it has been over one year since the case seeking permission was sent, there has been no response so far. As such the mining activity is going on in the area with the knowledge of the Forest, Mining and the district authorities. An area of 140 hectares falling under the A and B zones would be thrown open for quarrying, once the approval from the Centre is received.

Environmentalists as well as various NGOs have, time to time expressed concern over the irreparable damage that has already been caused to the Dhauladhars over the years due to the haphazard mining. In fact, the State Commission on Environment Protection, which had been set up to look into the various aspects of mining in Khaniyara, had recommended a ban for 10 years on quarrying in this area. The commission, which had examined the environmental as well as legal issues connected with the Khaniyara mines, had expressed concern over the damage that had been caused and had suggested that immediate restoration measures should be undertaken to rehabilitate the degraded slopes. It had pointed out that care should be taken for proper disposal of the debris as well. It said that the impact of environmental degradation had already started manifesting itself in the form of flash floods and loss of soil fertility.

No doubt a large number of people of the area, are directly or indirectly dependent on slate quarrying in the Khaniyara mines, but in the long run it is the people themselves who shall be at a loss. "No doubt we have to maintain a balance between the economic and environmental factors, but in case of Khaniyara nobody seems to be bothered as more and more damage is being caused each day," admitted an official. Officials as well as environmentalists are unanimous that at mining can be undertaken scientifically, if the entire process is tackled with some seriousness.

To check the violation of the Supreme Court orders, the police has been deployed in Khaniyara to curb illegal mining and its transportation. However, now this activity is being undertaken with the full knowledge of the police personnel, on duty there.

With every political party promising to the people of Khaniyara that the mines will be opened, nothing has been done so far. However, it is made a political issue in every elections. With no solution to the problem, which in the long run could be disastrous.

Mate for snow leopard likely
From S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 5 — The isolation of 11-month-old Rozy, belonging to the almost extinct species of snow leopard, might end soon with the wildlife authorities providing her a mate in the Himalayan Nature Park at Kufri near here.

It is expected that she might get a mate of the European breed from Darjeeling in West Bengal. Rozy is in captivity ever since she was a month old and was abandoned by her mother near the tribal area of Lahaul-Spiti.

Wildlife experts claim that although she is away from her natural habitat in the snowline of about 3000 metres, she has acclimatised in the new environment.

Wildlife lovers from many parts of the world have expressed concern over her confinement at Kufri (2700 metres) and have frequently been enquiring about her health from the zoo authorities.

Dr D.P. Biswas, Director of the Darjeeling zoo in West Bengal, is coming here next week to examine the possibility of sending a mate for Rozy from Darjeeling, the only other zoo in the country having snow leopards.

However, this might not be an easy task as prior approval of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) will have to be sought for shifting the animal.

Experts are of the opinion that Rozy might feel at home after getting a mate for herself.

The wildlife authorities are leaving nothing to chance and have got her medically examined from time to time. Dr B.M. Arora, a member of the CZA came here last month and expressed satisfaction at the health of Rozy, the zoo authorities say.

Dr Arora is said to have recommended that she could be allowed to stay at Kufri.

The zoo at Darjeeling, where the European breed snow leopards are in captivity, is located at an altitude of 2150 metres — lower than Kufri — wildlife authorities point out.

Rozy is being fed a kilogram of steamed meat daily and gradually she will be served raw goat meat.

The snow leopards are rare and are generally seen in the Himalayas, Tibet, parts of Nepal, Afghanistan, China, Central Asia and Russia between a height of 12,000 ft. and 18,000 ft.

The wildlife authorities are also concerned about the genetic problems which have been witnessed among the lions in the safari at Renuka and the zoo at Gopalpur.

At least two lions, including a cub, have died due to rabies in the Renuka safari. Examination of serum of the lion in the laboratory at Kasauli is learnt to have confirmed rabies.

There are 19 lions at Renuka of which 10 are male and nine females, including six cubs.

In Gopalpur zoo there are seven lions in all. Some lions had died due to a mysterious disease a couple of years ago.

The authorities are considering a proposal to exchange lions in the Renuka safari and Gopalpur zoo for cross-breeding so that the genetic problems can be removed.

Bansi Lal's reservations on Parbati project
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 5 — The 2051 MW Parbati hydro-electric project was plunged into another controversy today when the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, expressed reservation on Himachal Pradesh signing a fresh agreement for its construction with the NHPC without consulting Chief Ministers of four other states which are signatories to an earlier agreement on the project.

Mr Bansi Lal, who was talking to mediapersons here today after inaugurating the Kurukshetra University guest house, said as far as he and Chief Ministers of other states were concerned, the agreement signed by them and the then Chief Minister of Himachal, Mr Shanta Kumar, was still a valid document.

When pointed out that Himachal Pradesh had signed a fresh agreement with the NHPC, he said H.P could not do it without annulling the earlier agreement with approval of the other four Chief Ministers.

It may be recalled that the agreement for jointly executing the Parbati project was signed in 1992 by the Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat wherein Himachal was to get 12 per cent free power.

However, the issue went into rough waters with the fall of the Shanta Kumar government and the Congress coming to power. Mr Virbhadra Singh, who succeeded, demanded that the free share of Himachal should be increased to 25 per cent. This was not acceptable to other states.

The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, was scheduled to lay the foundation of the project today, but his visit was put off because of the developments in Kargil.

Mr Bansi Lal said there were no differences between his HVP and its coalition partner, BJP. There was no danger to his government.

Rallies mark Environment Day
Tribune Reporters and Agencies

SHIMLA, June 5 — The World Environment Day was observed here today with the launching of a month-long polythene cleanliness campaign by the State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (SCSTE) and municipal bodies.

A rally was organised at the state-level function here in which schoolchildren and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) participated in large numbers. The aim of the rally was to sensitise the general public about the local environment problems and the need to keep the town pollution free.

The theme of this year’s environment day was ‘clean and green Himalayas’ and the council had given Rs 10,000 each to all deputy commissioners for launching the campaign in all municipal areas with the help of ragpickers and safai mazdoors. Schoolchildren and NGOs had also been associated with the environment awareness campaign various competitions were being organised at different places.

Under the cleanliness campaign, the SCSTE would identify 20 ragpickers in Shimla town who would be paid an honorarium of Rs 1500 each for collecting the polybags, which would be transported to Chandigarh for recycling.

DHARAMSALA: The World Environment Day was celebrated here on Saturday, with six schools and 11 other organisations taking part in it.

As part of the programme, these organisations, including the schoolchildren, launched a campaign to clean the town and the adjoining areas of polythene bags.

Speaking on the occasion the Deputy Commissioner, Mr B.K. Aggarwal, said that efforts were being made to check further ecological degradation by creating awareness among the people against the use of polythene and proper disposal of garbage.

NAHAN: Rallies at Nahan, Paonta and Rajgarh marked the World Environment Day in Sirmour district. Students carrying placards regarding degradation of environment in towns and villages went around the main bazaars.

At Nahan, Mr Vikas Labroo ADM, Sirmour, flagged off a rally from Chowgan ground which reassembled after taking round of the town at Shamsher Senior Secondary School.

Students of Army School, Carmel Convent School, Nahan and Government Middle School, Kala Amb, launched a special drive against polythene menace from Kala Amb. Local residents and industrial workers also took part in this drive.

HPTDC ultimatum to striking staff
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, June 5 — The Vice-Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), Mr Rakesh Pathania, today ruled out any compromise with the agitating employees of the corporation unless they called off the strike.

Mr Pathania told newsmen here that the HPTDC would not consider any of their demands and make fresh requirements.

All Class III and IV regular and daily-wage employees on strike had been asked to join duty by this evening, failing which their services would be terminated.

He said the strike would be declared illegal only after discussing the issue with the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal.

He alleged that the employees had hit the HPTDC below the belt by going on strike at a time when the tourist season was at its peak.

Mr P.C. Kapoor, Managing Director of the HPTDC, who was also present at the press conference, said most of the genuine demands of the employees had already been accepted. The trade test has also been abolished as this was an irritant for the employees.

Fresh recruitments had already been made and most of the establishments of the HPTDC were functioning normally, he claimed.

Mr Kapoor said the HPTDC had the "honest intention" of solving the demands of the employees, but they went on strike without waiting for the outcome of the meeting, which was specially convened to discuss their demands.

HP Govt to give DA arrears with pay

SHIMLA, June 5 (PTI) — The Himachal Pradesh Government yesterday withdrew its earlier order to lock in dearness allowance (DA) arrears to its employees for the three years from January this year.

A notification issued here said that DA arrears would now be paid in cash along with the June salary.

As per the earlier order, DA arrears were to be locked in at the rate of 10 per cent of basic pay for three years.