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Monday,
August 25, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Big
projects threaten biodiversity Safeguard forests, says minister Govt protecting corrupt officers, says BJP Colleges in grip of election fever Kol dam workers begin strike |
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Panchayat pledges to check female foeticide 3 women missing for a month, police clueless Artificial shortage
of trays denied Ornamental fish
culture picking up Medical facilities for pilgrims Fast
food joint gutted Threat to surrender telephones Completion of Netaji memorial project sought Students suspend stir for week Follow Sikh Gurus’ ideals, urges CM Phone wire thieves arrested 
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Big
projects threaten biodiversity Shimla, August 24 Deforestation apart, as many as 5,141 hectares of forest land have been diverted for power projects, transmission lines and roads and mining since 1982. The maximum 2,786 hectares have been diverted for power projects. The Forest Department is given some funds under the catchment area treatment plans, which are mostly used for afforestation. Large chunks of forest land, including some falling in wildlife sanctuaries, have also been diverted for various projects, and rivers have been impounded without making an indepth assessment of its impact on the environment. Worse, the Forest Department, which plays a key role in the rehabilitation of the catchment areas and preservation of the overall environment, is not even involved in the preparation of the environment impact assessment (EIA) report and the environment management plan (EMP), on the basis of which projects are given clearance. The hydro-electric projects, which involve diversion and impounding of rivers, besides construction of massive structures and roads, cause maximum damage to biodiversity, which is not taken into consideration. The forests play a vital role in regulating the water cycle, particularly the flow of rivers and other natural sources , but this aspect is totally neglected. Frequent flash floods are one of the main consequences of this. The natural habitat of wildlife is disturbed, submerged and fragmented, leading to a variety of problems, which are not taken into consideration at all. The worst hit is the aquatic life as diversion and impounding of rivers confine their movement, affecting the breeding and even survival in the downstream areas. Disturbance in the natural habitat also leads to migration of fauna. The damage caused to the green cover, for which compensatory afforestation is provided in the plans, takes care of only a small part of the impact of the big projects on the environment. The wildlife wing has also been given funds for the protected wildlife areas diverted for the construction of projects but as the EIA reports completely ignore this aspect, the department does not know how to utilise the funds. It has now asked the Wildlife Institute of India to prepare action plans so that it could properly utilise the Rs 60 crore placed at its disposal in lieu of the diverted area. The
department has also urged the government to associate it in the
preparation of the EIA reports so that the impact on wildlife is taken
care of. Providing funds without studying the impact and specifying
the remedial measures to be carried out will be of little use in
mitigating the adverse impact on wildlife, it has pointed out. |
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Safeguard forests, says minister Mandi, August 24 Mrs Pratibha Singh, chairperson, Himachal Pradesh Red Cross Society, and the IPH and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Thakur Kaul Singh, jointly inaugurated the 54th divisional-level vanamahotsava by planting herbal saplings of amla, harad and bhera. Later, addressing a public meeting at Shiba-Badar, Mrs Pratibha Singh, who is the wife of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, called upon the people to safeguard forests and increase the green cover. She said the economy of the state would ultimately depend on harnessing the vast potential of power and tourism, for which forests were the basic infrastructure. Thakur Kaul Singh said forests were an open treasure of the people and it was their paramount obligation to safeguard these. He said people were entitled to timber virtually free of cost under the TD rights. Those who sold this timber to smugglers were enemies of forests. They were liable to punishment and could be deprived of the TD rights also. He asked people to remain vigilant against the forest mafia. He said when Mr Virbhadra Singh became the Chief Minister for the first time, he launched a crackdown against the forest mafia in the state. A blanket ban was imposed on felling and criminal cases were registered against smugglers and their promoters. The minister said the Forest Department had started planting herbal saplings which would yield a huge income to farmers and generate self-employment in remote rural areas. He said priority had been accorded to development and conservation of forests in the state. Besides, many international projects currently operating in the state were proving a boon. He said the Indo-UK (ODA) project in Mandi and Kulu districts had changed the outlook of the people. He said while the country’s forest cover had shrunk by 5500 sq km, Himachal had enhanced its green cover by 561 sq km, according to the Forest Survey of India. This increase had been recorded in Mandi and Chamba districts, he said. The Conservator of Forests, Mr Chandershekhar Singh, said 11,100 hectares in Mandi district would be covered under forests this year by spending Rs 80 lakh. Dalhousie: Mrs Asha Kumari, Education Minister, appealed to the people to adopt and follow the environment and forestry programmes launched by the government from time to time with a view to conserving and preserving the national natural resources like forest wealth. Speaking on the occasion of 54th vanamahotsava celebrated in the Anan Mata Mandir complex, organised by the Forest Department in collaboration with the local temple committee, about 15 km from here today, the Education Minister said that the government was very sensitive about the issues of environment and forestry. Earlier, the Education Minister planted a sapling of “rudraksh” species. About 3,000 saplings of the chandan, ashvgandha, bottlebrush, putrajiva, neem species were planted on this occasion. Besides, saplings of various species were also distributed among the local people for plantation. |
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Plantation drive
launched Solan, August 24 Speaking on the occasion, Mr H.P. Sharma, a retired Forest Conservator, said that NGOs should come forward for promoting such a social cause which helped maintain the ecological balance. A retired educationist and active social worker of the region, Ms Durga Bhardwaj, inspired the youth and women to participate in such activities. The members of the NGO, including the secretary and local municipal councillor, Mr Sanjay Awasthy, Mr Sunil Singh, Mr Sanjeev Kaul and Mr Sanjev Sharma, vowed to undertake such campaigns on a regular basis and ensure proper growth of each sapling. In
another drive, the Forest Department launched a tourism beautification
drive by undertaking sapling plantation of ornamental species in the
Hotel Pinwood complex. The drive was launched by the Principal Chief
Conservator of Forests, Mr R.A. Singh, and Mr S.S. Parmar, Principal
Secretary, to the Chief Minister. |
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Govt protecting corrupt officers, says BJP Shimla, August 24 Mr Baldev Sharma, spokesperson of the party, alleged here today that the cases were not being pursued in the right earnest by the investigating agencies and the prosecution as the man at the helm of affairs was the accused. It was a strange situation in which the accused also happened to be the minister in charge of the investigating agency and the prosecution. He said the BJP would not allow the process of justice to be thwarted and take appropriate measures to ensure that cases against Mr Virbhadra Singh were taken to the logical conclusion. Mr Sharma said that the much-publicised crusade against corruption was a sham. The fact was that corrupt officers were being protected. He said the Central Vigilance Commissioner had sent the list of assets of an IAS officer to the government for further action, but nothing was being done in the matter. Another officer was in the dock for recommending the case of a person for grant of passport against whom criminal cases were pending. The government of India had taken serious notice of it, but the state had not taken any action against him. The BJP spokesperson expressed apprehension that Mr Virbhadra Singh would elevate some favoured officer, ignoring seniority, to the post of Chief Secretary and an exercise had already been started in this regard. A screening committee was being set up for the first time to select the top bureaucrat. |
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Colleges in grip of election fever Hamirpur, August 24 Reports reaching here say that leaders of all three students’ organisations have started holding meetings to decide candidates for all seats right from the class representatives to the SCA president. The panels will be announced either on Monday or Tuesday. Stage is set for the SCA election at the NSCB Government Degree College one of the largest colleges of the state in respect of the number of students. The ABVP swept the SCA elections last year in the Hamirpur college. Nearly 5000 students of the college will take part in the elections this year. With date for the elections already announced all three student unions in the college have started campaign for the election. The SFI and the ABVP in the Hamirpur college with the activists of the NSUI are trying sway the student voters. Activists of the SFI, the ABVP and the NSUI painted walls with slogans last night. Mr Lalit Mohan Sharma, Principal of the college, said here today that arrangement had been made for the smooth conduct of the elections. He said that college was waiting for the orders for the holding of elections from the university. |
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Student body poll on Sept 2 Shimla, August 24 |
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Kol dam workers begin strike Bilaspur, August 24 He said earlier talks between the Kol Dam Mazdoor Union and the NTPC Management and Project contractors in presence of Labour Officer failed as management refused to accept and implement even the demands of payment of full wages, regular monthly payments, health facilities and holidays and rest and allowances due to the labourers. He said the strike would continue till the demands were accepted and a written agreement signed. Striking workers held a demonstration and staged a “Dharna” out-side the office at Kiyaan village yesterday and today. |
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Panchayat pledges to check female foeticide Nurpur, August 24 Birth rate of female childern compered to male children had been decreasing for the past one decade in this panchayat. With the enforcement of panchayat resolution the birth rate of male children has lagged behind. Panchayat’s birth and death registration record proved it. According to Mr Jasbir Guleria pradhan of Kherian panchayat, the panchayat first educated the villagers on female foeticide. The panchayat faced a number of difficulties in the beginning, but later the things went on smoothly. Mr Guleria said that the panchayat had passed a resolution imposing a penalty of Rs 500 on the one who violated the resolution. According to the Sub-divisional Magistrate Dehra Gopipur, the Kherian panchayat had become an inspiration to other panchayats for curbing the social evil. Lauding the panchayat, Mr Sharma said that such panchayats would be rewarded. |
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3 women missing for a month, police clueless Nadaun (Hamirpur), August 24 The disappearance of three women during the last one month has brought into focus the growing lawlessness in the area. Missing women have been identified as Dimple (18) of Rangoe village, Meena Devi (22) of Hathol village and Rukmai Devi (60) of Bagwani village. All efforts to locate them have failed. Mr Vamdev of Hangas village father of one of the missing women, today alleged that the police had made no efforts to locate his daughter despite the fact that he had told the police that Pradeep Kumar of Baldoohak village was responsible for the disappearance of his daughter. The SHO, Nadaun, Mr Hari Pal Saini, said that police was on the job to locate the missing women. He said that complaints had been registered with the police and all police stations in the state had been informed about the disappearance of the three women. They had been asked to inform the Nadaun police if any clue about them was found. |
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Artificial shortage
of trays denied Shimla, August 24 Mr Rakesh Ahuja, spokesman of the company, said while the crop was being harvested in lower and mid-hill areas, the growers of high hill areas have procured trays in advance, fearing shortage. The result was that the growers of the areas where harvesting was on were facing problem in getting packaging material. He said it was the faulty policies of the government which led to such situations. The manufacturing were not given firm orders in advance. The orders were placed only in July when harvesting started. He said the firm had already supplied 2.17 crore trays at Rs 3.10 per tray as against Rs 3.25 per tray last year. A marginal increase of 15 paise was imperative for the remaining trays to be sold to make up for the increase in cost of production. He
said as there was no mechanism to assess the demand, manufacturing of
trays was a risk business. The size of fruit and output varied,
depending on the weather conditions. While deficiency in rain leads to
smaller fruit size and less production and in case the weather
conditions remain favourable the size is big and output higher. The
trays had to match the size. Steps must be taken to end uncertainty
over demand. |
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Ornamental fish
culture picking up Shimla, August 24 More people are rearing ornamental fish as a pastime and maintaining aquariums in their homes. The Ghaghas fish farm in Bilaspur district, where goldfish and other ornamental species are being bred, is playing a vital role in popularising aquariums. Spread over 2.2 hectare, it is drawing buyers of ornamental fish not only from within the state, but also outside. A goldfish is available for Rs 5 and a pair for Rs 10. Encouraged by the overwhelming response of fish-lovers, the departments has started extension services to guide ornamental fish-rearers. It is providing information for raising ornamental fish and maintenance of aquariums. They also being educated about the problems associated with aquariums and remedial measures. The most common problem encountered is the grey or green cloudiness caused by infusoria bacteria, fungi or dirt. It can be effectively solved by placing one or two large water mussed in the aquarium. In colder places of the state, aquariums require electrical heating to maintain temperature. In appropriate feeding is the most common cause of fish mortality in aquariums. The fish are cold-blooded and require minimal feeding just for maintenance and metabolic activities. A hungry fish is always a healthy fish is the motto for ornamental fish-rearers. According
to the experts, the appetite of fish is linked to the environment. The
warmer the ambient water, the faster they breathe and metabolise. The
gold fish need almost no feeding during peak winter and should be fed
only two or three times a week. The quality of feed should be such
that it is consumed within five minutes. |
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Medical facilities for pilgrims Chamba, August 24 Meanwhile, a deputation of the Chamba Citizen Progressive Council met Mr Harsh Mahajan, Minister for Animal Husbandry, and Mrs Asha Kumari, Education Minister, and presented them a 12-point demand charter. The main issues raised in the demand charter included opening of an entrance test centre for the Himachal Pradesh University postgraduate classes at Chamba, construction of a shopping complex, taxi stand, opening of an indoor sports complex at Chamba, posting of doctors in Zonal Hospital, filling vacant posts of lecturer in the local government college, beautification and maintenance of Khajjiar Lake and widening of Chamba-Pathankot highway from Chamba to
Goli. |
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Fast
food joint gutted Solan, August 24 The fire was detected after a huge blast occurred in the restaurant. The impact of the blast was so severe that not only plumes of smoke and fire flew out from the restaurant but also its thick glass and the metal shutter were thrown aside, stated an eyewitness, Mr Balbir Sharma, a Home Guard jawan residing in the adjoining building of the Tourism Department. Five Home Guard jawans, on duty to guard electronic voting machines in the adjoining building, were among the first to witness the fire. Mr Balbir Sharma said they immediately rushed to a nearby petrol station and telephoned the fire station and the police. The impact of the blast broke windowpanes of the nearby HP tourism building. A
fire engine was pressed into service and extinguished the fire within
40 minutes, said Mr Balbir Sharma. Another guard, Mr Shiv Kumar,
informed the owner, Mr Vijay Kumar Malhotra, who rushed to the spot.
Mr Malhotra told The Tribune that the family, which owned restaurant
chains in New Delhi, including Evergreen Sweet House in Green Park,
had recently shifted to Solan and had decided to settle here
permanently. |
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Threat to surrender telephones Kumarhatti, August 24 They alleged that for the past five months they had been facing a great hardship due to poor telephone services. The vital telephone equipment that was damaged sometime ago had not been repaired. It has been causing problem for subscribers. The subscribers have threatened to surrender their telephone instruments to the department if the situation did not improve. Mr Upender Kumar, president of the Banasar Panchayat said that the department had not been taking any action on the pleas of the panchayat in this regard. |
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Completion of Netaji memorial project sought Dalhousie, August 24 In a memorandum submitted to the state government today, prominent local citizens said last year, the then Union Minister for Rural Development, Mr Shanta Kumar, had allocated Rs 10 lakh for the construction of the project, but the project could not be completed due to the indifference of the previous municipal council. They demanded completion of the project soon, utilising the funds earmarked for the purpose. The project envisaged the construction of a museum and a library on the life history of Netaji. Under the project, work was to be started within the structure for the statue. The adjoining land was to be maintained and beautified. Mr Shanta Kumar had also allotted Rs 3 lakh for the restoration work of Subhas Bowli, which were properly utilized. To complete it and give it the final shape, more funds were required, they added. |
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Students suspend stir for week Sundernagar, August 24 The situation was tense yesterday as certain student activists sat on an indefinite fast while others threatened to immolate themselves. Three students were arrested and later released. It was decided by the advisory committee of the college in October last to create a post of director for self-financing courses. This decision was never ratified by the managing committee of the college. |
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Follow Sikh Gurus’ ideals, urges CM Shimla, August 24 Speaking at parkash utsav of Guru Granth Sahib organised by the local Guru Singh Sabha and the Department of Language and Culture, here, to mark the beginning of celebrations of completion of 400 years of Guru Granth Sahib, he said all religions preached the message of universal brotherhood but unity in diversity was the peculiarity of India. He said such functions would go a long way in strengthening the bonds of brotherhood so essential for the unity of the country. Mr Virbhadra Singh said that it was a happy augury that in Himachal Pradesh people of different religions live like a brethren and there was complete harmony in the state. He lauded the efforts of the Guru Singh Sabha and Department of Art, Language and Culture for organising the function and hoped that the 400 years of Guru Granth Sahib would be celebrated in a befitting manner. The Chief Minister also honoured Mr Bhupinder Singh on behalf of Guru Singh Sabha Shimla who had come from the USA. |
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Phone wire thieves arrested Dharamsala, August 24 On Saturday morning, the alarm was sounded in the exchange when the thieves had just cut the telephone wire and the matter was immediately reported to the Haripur police. The police with the help of linemen on duty and representatives of the local panchayat, arrested Sindhu, a resident of Rehlu under Shahpur police station, and his accomplice, Gurbachan Singh of Dargela village under Shahpur police station. The police recovered about 100 metres of telephone wire from the culprits. A case under Sections 379 and 34, IPC, has been registered against them. |
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Martyr cremated Hamirpur, August 24 Hundreds of persons participated in the funeral. They paid their respects to the martyr and rose anti-Pakistan slogans. Rakesh Kumar, elder brother of the deceased, lit the pyre. |
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2 judicial officers for fast-track courts Shimla, August 24 Both these judicial officers have been appointed for two fast track courts. Mr D.K. Sharma, CJM, Una, has also been promoted Additional and District Sessions Judge. |
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Road blocked Kumarhatti, August 24 |
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