Shimla, February 14
The previous Congress government had approved the construction of commercial apartments in the heart of Chhota Shimla despite a complete ban on all new construction in green areas.

The permission granted by the Virbhadra cabinet shortly before the elections assumes greater significance in view of the fact that neither the Congress nor the BJP regimes had granted approval to any case of fresh construction in green areas since these were identified in 2000 and a complete ban imposed on fresh constructions.

The flats are to be constructed in the South Gate complex, a prime property opposite ayurveda hospital at Chhota Shimla. The site falls in a designated greenbelt. The total area of the complex is around four bighas (3212.41 sq m).

Requests by other plot owners that they be allowed to undertake need-based construction in green areas have also not been accepted by the government since 2000 on the plea that the designated 17 greenbelts are to act as lungs for the town and no construction activity can be allowed there. Concerned over the dwindling forest cover in and around the town, efforts are being made to save forests and green areas so as to retain the charm of the ‘Queen of Hills’. At present, there is a complete ban on the construction in green areas and only reconstruction along old lines is permissible. In fact, there is a proposal to increase the number of green areas from the present 17 to over 150 to save the depleting green cover.

The building plan of the previous owner of the property, Inder Mohan Khosla, was approved by the state Cabinet on August 10, 1998. However, since there was no provision for revalidation of the sanction after the lapse of five years under the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Act, 1977, fresh permission was sought by the new owners in July, 2005.

Officials in the municipal corporation, which is the main processing agency, point out that the building plan was approved by the Cabinet in 1998 as greenbelts had not been identified and notified at that point of time. “With the old permission lapsing, the entire process was initiated afresh in a completely changed scenario where a blanket ban on all fresh constructions in green areas existed,” they said.

Ever since permission was granted to the owner of South Gate to make commercial flats, pressure is being mounted by other plot owners in green areas to allow them need-based construction, but the government has been very rigid on the issue. A proposal to grant partial relaxation on construction in these areas was also rejected as it was felt that this would further shrink the green areas.

Rewalsar, February 14
Residents of Leh-Ladakh and Lahaul have joined in together to plead their case of opening up the ancient Leh-Fofrang-Tashigang-Mansarovar pilgrimage and the trade route.

This ancient lifeline, which once joined the Silk Route will not only heal their “46 years long religious wounds” but it will bring about a new boom in tourism in the Himalayan belt.

This route is the shortest and the safest to the Mansarovar and Mount Kailash, they pointed out here today.

Talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the All-India seminar on Padamsambhav’s role in relation between India and Tibet here today, president, Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association (HBCA) and Himalayan Committee for Action on Tibet (HCAT) Tashi Targyus asserted that the Leh-Fofrang-Mansarovar route has been denied to mainly pilgrims, both Hindu and Buddhists since 1962 when the Chinese occupied Tibet, killing the country’s oldest and shortest trade and cultural trade link to the people of Bhot(Tibet).

He said sage Padamsambhav, worshipped as the second Buddha by the Buddhists, had set up cultural and trade ties with Tibet and all pilgrims from Leh-Ladakh, Lahaul-Spiti and Indian mainland used to go through the Indus route till 1962.

But even after 46 years, the Government of India has failed take up this issue with China to open this route.

He said the Leh route takes just three to four days to reach Mansrovar and Mount Kailash.

“The distance has been reduced as China has constructed highway till the Fofrang post, which is about 100 km from Leh. It also has a road link constructed by the Government of India. Further Mansrovar is just 250 km from the Indo-China post, he added.

Tashi said the HBCA would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shortly, urging him to take immediate steps to re-open the route and restore to right to visit the religious spot. “I would fast unto death in New Delhi for this if the need be, he asserted.

Joining hands with HBCA is Buddhist spokesperson and mountaineer from Lahaul, Chering Doje, who had travelled thrice from the Leh route to Mansarovar and Kailash with a caravan in 1959.

Dorje said that Rohtang tunnel will be ready by 2013 and Lahaul and Leh would be on a permanent link to the outside world. 

Kangra, February 14
Arruni Devi, mother of 19-year-old Vikaran, a Schedule Caste youth who was allegedly attacked by four armed youths on February 2 here, had been moving from pillar to post to get the case registered under the SC and ST Atrocities Act, 1989, and Section 307 of the IPC but was getting no response.

In a statement yesterday Arruni Devi said that on February 2 when her son was returning home he was attacked by four youths with sharp edged weapons leaving him injured with multiple injuries and fracture of the leg. She said her son was shifted to the local civil hospital and later on was admitted in Dr RP Government Medical College Hospital, Tanda, and was still there under treatment. She claims that the doctors have described his injuries as grievous.

She alleged that two youths were arrested and two were absconding due to the police negligence. She said despite the documentary evidence that Vikaran was a Schedule Caste the police refused to accept the same. She said that the police has registered a case under Sections 341, 324, 323, 506 and 34 of the IPC and not under 307. The police also refused to register it under S.C.S.T Atrocities Act, 1989, complains Arruni Devi.

She alleged that she was made to pay Rs 110 as X ray charges in the hospital, which she was not supposed to pay and the receipt was taken by a police official which was unbecoming. She demanded intervention of the Chief Minister in the case so that the people do not loose faith in the police.

SHO Kangra Surender Sharma said the police has yesterday registered this case under Section 326, IPC, as Vikaran had a fracture too. He said the two accused youths were arrested and the two remaining youths could not be identified as yet. He said firstly they have not produced a SC proof and secondly the attack on him was not as an SC member.

Nurpur, February 14
An ugly scene of removing tents followed by a group clash was witnessed today when a private tent house owner who was installing tents on the premises of the local civil hospital where Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has to inaugurate a newly built specialists’ OPD complex on Friday.

According to information, a few BJP supporters came on the venue and started removing tents, as they were interested to hire another tent house for the same purpose. This sparked off tension as a large number of supporters of the tent house owner assembled on the scene, which led to a group clash.

The supporters from both sides have submitted their complaints against each other. In the complaint submitted by Sanjiv Kumar, resident of Golwan, the name of a BJP woman leader who unsuccessfully contested Assembly elections had also figured. On the other hand Ramesh Kalia of Sadwan village has also submitted a complaint against Sanjiv Kumar and others.

According to the police, no case has been registered so far in this connection and action will be taken after conducting proper inquiry. Meanwhile, the executive engineer PWD division Nurpur N.K. Kapila clarified that the department has placed the order of installing tents to Vijay Tent House, Nurpur, on government’s approved rates but following the protest of some people quotations from two tent houses were called. Ultimately, the order was again placed to the Vijay Tent House, as its owner was ready to provide and fix tents for official function free of cost, he added.

Hamirpur, February 14
The high court has stayed the unseating of Hamirpur BDC president Suresh Kumar, who was voted out in a no-confidence motion moved by some members affiliated to the BJP last week.

Admitting the appeal of Suresh Kumar, the high court has granted stay on hi s removal from the post and has served a notice on the state government to file a reply in a week.

The voting on the no-confidence motion had generated a controversy as the vice-president of the BDC, who was presiding over the meeting, had cast his vote in favour of the motion as equal votes (seven) were cast in favour and against the motion.

The district panchayat officer had contended that Section 80 (7) of the Panchayati Raj Institutions Act gave voting right to the presiding member in case equal votes were caste in any motion.

On the other hand, former MLA Anita Verma had argued that the above section was relevant for holding meetings only, but for voting on no-confidence motion Section 114(20) of the PRI Act was clear that presiding member had no right to vote.

She said, “The high court has accepted our plea on the issue of voting right of the presiding member on no-confidence motion and it has now become quite clear that the district administration on the directions from higher-ups had wrongly interpreted the PRI Act to help the ruling party.”

Manali, February 14
Shrishti Kulkarni of Bilaspur was crowned the Winter Queen at the Winter Carnival, which concluded here last evening. Priya of the Mandav Kala Manch, Mandi, was the first runner-up and Manjit Kaur the second runner-up.

The following are the results of other competitions: Personality contest (men): Abhikal Thakur, Natraj Natyakunj, Jammu, first; Lavish Goel, Jagriti Kala manch, Punjab, second; and Subrat Sharma, Natya Kala Sangam, Kullu, third

Folk dance: Mandav Kala Manch, Mandi, first; Government Degree College, Kullu, second; and Jagriti Kala Manch, Manali, third.

Film dance: Mitali Group Jammu, first; Mandav Kala Manch, second; and Natraj Group, Jammu, third.

Fashion Show: Mandav Kala Manch, Mandi, first; Jagriti Kala Manch, Manali, second; and Government Degree College, Kullu, third.

Group songs: Mandav Kala Manch,Mandi, first; Akash Kala Sangam, Bhunter, second; and Government Degree College, Kullu, third.

Classical songs: Mandav Kala Manch, Mandi, first; Government Degree College, Kullu, second.

Fancy dress: Jagriti Kala Manch, Manali, first; Akash Kala Sangam, Bhunter, second; and Muktsar Kala Manch, Muktsar, third.

Classical dance: Mandav Kala Manch, Mandi, first; Government Degree College, Kullu, second.

Group songs: Mandav Kala Manch, Mandi, first; Akash Kala Manch, Bhunter, second; and Government Degree College, Kullu, third.

Jhanki (open) :Jagriti Kala Manch, Manali, first; Akash Kala Sangam, Bhunter, second; and Muktsar Kala Manch, Punjab, third

Jhanki Mahila Mandal: Mahila Mandal, Bran, first; Mahila Mandal, Jaindi, second; and Mahila Mandal,Vashishat, third.

The overall trophy was won by the Mandav Kala Manch, Mandi. The concluding function was presided over by Govind Thakur, MLA, Kullu, 

Shimla, February 14
Despite the extreme cold weather and majority of the educational institutions being closed due to winter vacations, there was love in the air as the youth turned out in large numbers to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

However, the youth wing of the BJP, Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) held a protest outside the Town Hall on the Mall here to protest against the celebrations on Valentine’s Day.

The BJYM workers led by its state vice-president, Surat Negi protested against the celebrations on Valentine’s Day, terming it against Indian culture and traditions.

The BJP also used the occasion to lash out at the UPA regime for shielding Afzal Guru. The BJYM workers wore masks of UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, and Afzal Guru, indicating that the Congress was very soft in its stand on terrorism.

The BJYM workers demanded that Afzal Guru should be hanged as he had conspired against the country.

There were also reports of minor altercations and heated exchanges between some youth as they approached girls on Valentine’s Day. Despite most of the educational institutions being closed due to winter vacations, there was little activity as youths gathered in restaurants and other eating joints to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Hamirpur, February 14
Election officer for Hamirpur and Bamsan Assembly constituencies R.K. Pruthi said as per the direction of the Election Commission (EC) of India the special revision of voters list of these constituencies would be undertaken on the basis of January 1, 2008. The new voters who have attained the age of 18 years on this date can apply for inclusion of their names in the voters list through Form 6.

The existing voters can also apply for deletion and correction of their names in the voters list through Form 7 and 8.

The draft of the voters list would be published on February 18, which would be available free on all polling stations till March 3.

He said for the convenience of voters e-registration process has also been started and people can also get registered on www.ceohimachal.nic.in.

Manali, February 14
The five-day skiing championship, a part of the winter carnival-2008, organised by the winter carnival committee, assisted by winter sports club, Manali, and local ski clubs of the upper Manali region concluded at Solang Nallah, 13 km from here, on Wednesday.

The following are the results:

Giant slalom (below 13 years)

Boys: Rohit Thakur, palchan, 1; Chandan, Palchan, 2; and Narayan Thakur, Solang, 3. Girls: Anchal, Burwa, 1; Varsha, Burwa, 2; and Bhubneshwari, Ruar, 3.

Giant slalom (Below 11 years)

Boys: Dheeraj Thakur, Vashishat, 1; Anil, Solang, 2; and Paras, Palchan, 3.

Girls: Tanuja, Solang, 1. Suman, Burwa, 2; and Pooja, Burwa, 3.

Giant slalom (below 18 years)

Boys: Vikrant Thakur, Palchan, 1;Vikram Thakur, Palchan, 2; and Vishal Thakur, Vashishat, 3.

Girls: Pooja Thakur, Palchan, 1; Sonia, Burwa, 2; and Poonam, Burwa, 3.

Giant Slalom (below 15 years)

Boys. Rajat Thakur, Solang, 1; Sunil Thakur, Ruad, 2; and Himanshu, Burwa, 3. Giant Slalom (open men): Santosh, 1; HiraLal, 2; and Deepak, 3.

(Open women) Deepa Thakur, 1;Minakshi, 2; and Bhuvneshwari, 3.

Crosscountry: Mohan Lal, Ruard, 1; Bhola Ram, Palchan, 2; and Ramesh Kumar, Ruard, 3.

Giant Slalom: (30-40 years)

Mangal Chand, Palcha, 1;Tirath Ram, Palchan, 2; and Gokul Chand, Palchan,3. (40-50 years): Amar Parkash, Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, 1; Rup Chand Negi, Manali, 2; and Cheeme Thomas, 3.

Snow board (open men): Som Dev, 1; Budh Ram, 2; and Hem Raj, 3.

The concluding function was presided over by Govind Thakur, MLA, Kullu constituency. He gave away the prizes to the winners. 

Mandi, February 14
If the proposed rationalisation of state’s 32 wildlife sanctuaries goes as per plan, three wildlife sanctuaries (Shikari Devi, Naina Devi and Gobind Sagar) may be denotified. The wildlife protected area will shrink by over 600 sq km in Kullu-Mandi-Bilaspur-Shimla region as villages and private land falling in sanctuary areas will be excluded under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Wildlife officials involved in the rationalisation process said a marathon exercise had been undertaken in the state because it had become difficult to manage and protect these sanctuaries under the Wildlife Protection Act. Villagers and politicians had been raising the issue over the years claiming that wild animals infringed upon their traditional rights like collecting firewood, grass and herbs, they revealed.

The Shikari Devi Sanctuary, which is spread in 112 sq km area in Mandi district and is home to several species of medicinal herbs, wildlife and pheasants, is proposed to be denotified, according to Samir Rastogi, wildlife, DFO, Kullu and Mandi.

Rationalisation axe will also fell on the Naina Devi Wildlife Sanctuary in Bilaspur district. It is also proposed to be denotified. “It involves a population of 20,000 villagers, most of them oustees of the Bhakra power projects ,” sources said.

“The Gobind Sagar Sanctuary is set to be denotified as fishermen and villagers cross the dam using boats daily as habitation is located on its both sides. Even the migratory birds stay here for only a day or two. Human interference has made it unmanageable under the Wildlife Protection Act,” said S.K. Guleria, DFO (wildlife).

Picture is no rosy for other sanctuaries either. The Norgu Sanctuary in Mandi will lose an area of 218 sq km and it will be reduced to just 60 sq km core area. It has been proposed to exclude all 88 villages under the Act. However, the Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary in Sundernagar will see no change in its status.

There will be no change in the Manali and Kais sanctuaries, but the Khokhan sanctuary will lose 7.51 sq kms as 28 villages will be exempted. The Kanawar sanctuary in Parbati valley will lose an area of 10 sq km.

A Central wildlife team will inspect seven sanctuaries in the Shimla region between February 20 and 29.

The Churdhar sanctuary will lose 1,117 hectares as private land will be excluded under the Act, Renuka will lose 62 hectares (mela ground) and the Chail wildlife will shrink by 1,029 hectares as Chail town and bazar are proposed to be excluded. Majathal near Darlaghat will lose 857 hectares as this happens to be private land.

Wildlife DFO, Shimla G. Guleria said, “We are prosing to add 800 hectares to Churdhar, 607 hectares to Talra and 888 hectares area to Simbalvara wildlife sanctuaries.” The excluded areas would be promoted as “conservation reserves” but the Wildlife Protection Act would not apply to them, he added.

Wildlife expert and director of the Great Himalayna National Park, who is also conservator of wildlife sanctuaries in Kullu-Mandi, Harsh Mitter said, “Rationalisation proposal will be approved at a meeting of the state wildlife board that would be chaired by the Chief Minister. However, the National Wildlife Board (NWB) will be the final approving authority.

Dharwala (Chamba), February 14
The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) achieved another milestone by day-lighting the 16-km headrace tunnel of the Chamera hydroelectric project (stage -III) yesterday.

With the convergence of phase-II and phase-III portion of the tunnel, the excavation of 10.4-km stretch of headrace tunnel had been completed ahead of the schedule by the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), which is executing the civil work of the projects.

The 231-MW Chamera hydropower project stage-III located on the Ravi in Chamba district is a run-of-the-river hydropower project.

General manager of the project K.K. Joshi said the excavation work of the tunnels would be over by the end of this year. The work on the downstream cofferdam was likely to begin soon. It would be followed by the construction of 68-metre-high gravity concrete dam at Churaid Bagda, he said. The water of the Ravi had already been diverted through a 366-m diversion tunnel at Churaid Bagda dam ahead of the schedule, he claimed.

Solan, February14
Acting on government directions, officials of the Mining Department today launched a drive against the mining mafia and challaned nine vehicles in Nalagarh.

Besides impounding three tractors, the officials also imposed a fine of Rs 30,000 on the violators. The mining officials carried out raids in the Sarsa river and impounded two tractors without registration number plates there and one at Nalagarh. These tractors were found carrying stones and concrete without any documents.

Six other vehicles were found involved in similar activities in other rivulets.

Bilaspur, February 14
Gyan Dev Thakur, in charge, Himachal state Patanjali Yogpitha, has said yoga guru Baba Ramdev would hold a six-day yoga and pranayam training camp here in the town on the bank of Sutlej from April 3 to April 8 and he would personally provide training in yoga and pranayam at the camps here.

Addressing mediapersons here yesterday, Gyan Dev said the yoga guru had now decided to stop holding of yoga training camps in various parts of country and from the year 2009, all such camps would be held at national headquarters of the Patanjali yogpitha in Haridwar.

He said this was the reason as to why the Himachal unit was anxious to hold the camp in Himachal Pradesh as it could be the first in Bilaspur district, or it could be the last camp for Himachal Pradesh. They wanted this camp to be an ideal one for yoga seekers of the state.

Gyan Dev said the buses would ply for those attending the camps after the camp sessions during nights within a radius of 30 km. While others who could not return to their homes, would be provided boarding and lodging here on a very nominal rate.

He said more than 5,000 yoga trainees, including a large number of them from outside the state, were expected to attend the camp.

Gyan Dev Thakur welcomed declaration of Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal that yoga would be taught in all schools of the state for mental and physical health of students.

He also appreciated another announcement made by the government that it would encourage and ensure that Himachal was developed in to an herbal state. 

Mandi, February 14
PWD minister Gulab Singh said today the honorarium for the ‘devis and devtas’ participating in a week-long International Shivratri Festival to be held here from March 6-13 would be increased by 10 per cent this year.

Over 215 devis and devtas are being invited to the traditional fair this time, he added.

Chairing the meeting of the Shivratri Mela Committee he said all kardars, bajantris and other accompanying the devta processions would be given all facilities. Artistes of repute from Himachal and outside will be invited to make the festival enjoyable for both locals and tourists this year, he added.

He said proper parking facilities, health and hygiene would be ensured during the mela.

Those attending the meeting included BJP chief, Chachiot MLA Jai Ram Thakur, Sundernagar MLA Rup Singh Thakur, Gopalpur MLA Inder Singh, and president of the mela committee and DC Mandi Onkar Singh.