Hope for Project Pheasant Breeding
Rakesh Lohumi
The pheasant-breeding programme may soon be back on track with the return of expert John Corder. The Sarhan Pheasantry here is the only one in the world with three pairs of the rare Western Tragopan bred in captivity. The programme, funded by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), had been doing well under Corder’s guidance since 2002 and led to successful breeding of the Western Tragopan in captivity for the first time in the world.

Role model
Kotla Panjhola village has taken the lead in adopting a sanitation module and made a success story of it
Ambika Sharma
It was the firm resolve of the villagers of the Kotla Panjhola panchayat, led by their pradhan Baldev Singh, which has transformed this rural habitation into a total sanitation- cluster today. The panchayat has not only won the Panchayat Nirman Puruskaar worth Rs 2 lakh but has become a model for others to emulate.

vignettes
When Shimla panicked in 1857
Shriniwas Joshi
The country is observing 150 years of The First War of Independence this year. Shimla would have remained silent in 1857 had news of the Meerut uprising not spread. The Nasiri (Gorkha) Battalions posted at Kasauli and Jatogh revolted creating panic among the firangis enjoying their summer sojourn. But how did the news reach this picturesque town? I found a clue in William Dalrymple’s latest, The Last Mughal.

Shivratri fest loses its sheen
Over 200 devtas are arriving for the celebrations that begin
on Feb 16
Kuldeep Chauhan
All roads lead to the temple town of Mandi on February 16 for the Shivratri festival to celebrate the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This time over 200 devtas from all over the Mandi district will take part in the divine Darbar of devis and devtas, to be chaired by lord Madho Rai, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna.

Photos by Chaman Sharma

The dangers of little knowledge
Uproar over Traffic Signal is uninformed
Use of the word Kinner for eunuchs in Madhur Bhandarkar’s recent film Traffic Signal has caused a furore with the state government even banning the movie. Much of this debate is uninformed, as this word has no direct and immediate relationship to residents of Kinnaur. The people of Kinnaur are now called Kinnauree or Kinnauras and not Kinners.

shimla Diary
Legislators a worried lot
Pratibha Chauhan
Will it happen soon or closer to the Assembly elections due in February next year? This is the question haunting the Congress legislators in the state who are hopeful of being given the post of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS) and Parliamentary Secretaries (PS) as the state government has removed all the hurdles in their appointment.

Admn gears up for mela
Vidya Rattan Sharma
The Tirlokpur mela celebrations beginning on March 19 at the ancient temple of Mahamaya Balasundri is putting the local administration on tenterhooks. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr R.S. Negi, who is the chairman of the temple trust, planned to hold a media conference to give the account of developmental activities but could not materialise the proposed conference.
                                          Mahamaya Balasundri

Trout farming in Spiti
Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in our country to introduce the trout farming in the high altitude area of Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba and Kulu. Also known as Rainbow trout farming in the European countries, it is now being imported to our state, says Mr Harsh Mahajan, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.

All roads now lead to Pangi Valley
Balkrishan Prashar
The Pangi tribal ravine in Chamba is all set to emerge as a tribal belt with cent per cent road connectivity.   The valley is fast developing despite its difficult terrain and climatic conditions.

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LPG supply goes for a toss
Vidya Rattan
The supply of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and Kerosene oil in and around Nahan has become erratic with its sale going in the black market, unchecked by the inspection staff. The stock, supposed to be earmarked for domestic consumption, is being diverted for commercial purposes, sources say. On a random survey by the Tribune team, it was found the requisition for the supply of LPG is not entertained before 30 days on one or other pretext grounds.