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Swamps disappearing
Dehradun, October 30 Derhadun has always been enriched with water bodies. Its swampy vegetation has been the result of its distinctive topographical identity that favours oozing of water in its southern periphery. Mothorwala, Karwapani, Dudhpani Ramgarh and Nakronda swamps are amongst some of last surviving swamps of Dehradun. A recent study done by a Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, scientist has attributed climate change as also a potential factor besides human factors that has led to the destruction of these swamps that have been subject to indiscriminate and unscientific exploitation in the recent times. Reflectors of sub-tropical ecosystems, swamps in Dehradun have witnessed the impact of climate change. PS Negi, a scientist at Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, who has been working on the climate change response in the Himalayan Mountain while submitting his research findings at an international symposium in Dehradun recently has revealed that Doon valley swamps have strongly responded to the climate change by means of degradation in their habitat characteristics leading to affection its various plant and animal species. Dr Negi en-course of his study in 2007, recorded presence of Acorus Calamus, an 8 to 1.2 m tall shallow water habitual vegetation at Mothornwala swamp as replacement to 2.5 to 3.6 mt tall Typha elephantine and T Laxmanni, that become extinct in 1960, obviously as a fallout of climate change. Similarly, Quercus Leucotrichophora, which was once in abundance in these swamps turned vestigial in 2005. Suggesting remedial measures for swamp conservation, PS Negi said that the resistance, resilience and response can be the part of active strategy while stress reduction and biodiversity increase need to be identified as passive strategy. While fighting climate change on one hand, these swamps have faced indiscriminate and unscientific exploitation by the locals leading to their continuous degradation and depletion. The rising land prices in the state capital are also forcing land mafias to target these swamps, to fulfill their real estate ambitions. Some of the swamps have turned into housing colonies. “Dehradun’ s greenery including swamps have certainly been a causality as rampant commercialisation has taken over the city and certainly awareness among the people is the only way out,” opines SK Mukerjee of Friends of Doon, an voluntary organisation that has been at forefront for resorting the valley its green environs. Another denizen of Dehradun, Prof SP Joshi describes these Swamps as living laboratories for those engaged in the study of biological sciences. Joshi has been working on Dehradun swamps for long time and terms swamps as ideal case to study succession stage as far as biodiversity is concerned. Unfortunately there have been little efforts to conserver these natural eco systems. Often concerns have been raised to at least accord some heritage status to these swamps but it has found little takers on government front.
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Wildlife trust to do a Rajaji
Dehradun, October 30 Dr A.K. Singh, who heads the Uttarakhand’s unit of WTI and recently returned from Assam, opined that the problem of elephants being hit by trains in Assam was similar to the ones faced at Rajaji park and the Lalkaun area of Uttarakhand. “With the problem being the same, the mitigation efforts could also be similar,” opined A.K. Singh. "Working in collaboration with the Forest Department and the Northern Railways since 2002, we have been able to ensure zero deaths of elephants due to train hits along the railway track passing through Rajaji National Park. We would now like to implement this in Assam," he added. The Rajaji Park is a perfect example of human efforts to reduce elephant mortality. The 18-km stretch of railway track passing through the protected area of the park had been witness to numerous elephant deaths till the WTI activists in Uttarakhand took up the cudgels and decided to take up the patrolling of the track themselves. No elephant death on the tracks has been reported since.
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Engg Marvel:Roorkee owes it to Ganga canal
Roorkee, October 30 The disastrous famine of 1837-38, in which the British East India Company had to dish out nearly a crore rupees for relief works, led to the conception of the idea for a proper irrigation system. The result was the Ganga canal from Haridwar. It was during this venture that Roorkee, in 1847, was selected as the site for an engineering college, which helped the town earn a name for itself in the field of advanced engineering and scientific research. According to historical evidence, the prime moving force behind the canal was Colonel Proby Cautely, who was confident that a 500-kilometre canal was feasible. There were many obstacles and objections to his project, mostly financial, but Cautley persevered and after spending the next six months walking and riding taking measurements, he managed to persuade the British East India Company to sponsor the project. Digging of the canal began in year 1842. Cautley had to make his own brick kilns and arrange for other material. One among the many problems he faced was of the mountainous streams that threatened the canal. Near Roorkee, the land fell away sharply and Cautley had to build an aqueduct to carry the canal for half a kilometre. As a result, at Roorkee the canal is 25 metres higher than the original river. From Mehwar to Roorkee, this canal is entirely in filling. This part, was therefore, lined and distinguished by erection of lions on either side. When the canal formally opened on April 8, 1854, its main channel was 348 miles (560 km) long, the branches 306 miles (492 km) long and the various tributaries over 3,000 miles (4,800 km) long. After irrigation was commenced in May 1855, over 767,000 acres (3,100 km²) in 5,000 villages received water. Among important structures on the canal are river crossings on Pathri, Ranipur, Ratmau and Solani, eight powerhouses, including the one near Pathri, a hydraulic research station at Bahadrabad and many bridges. Constructed in 1840, the canal system has since been greatly enlarged. The main 300-km long canal, with 6,240 km of distribution channels, irrigates nearly 9,000 km² of fertile agricultural land in ten districts of UP and
Uttarakhand.
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Antique look-alikes made cheap
Dehradun, October 30 It certainly did at Virasat, but only as antique look-alikes. Thanks to the efforts of Guarav Verma, a small-scale entrepreneur, these much-valued equipments are now affordable and are being exported to Western countries from Roorkee. Here, an antique-looking Gramophone can be procured for Rs 3,000; the same original piece dating back to 1918 can set you down by Rs 75, 000 if bought from any other antique dealer. That essentially is the beauty of Gaurav Verma’s enterprise, who is also supplying all décor associated with shipping business, and through his efforts the nondescript town of Roorkee has earned a reputation of producing antique look-alikes that are fancied by connoisseurs abroad. Showcasing his goods at Virasat ’08, Verma has even set up a website that caters to his clients spread all across the globe. Letting into his trade secrets Verma says, “Initially a buyer had ordered a brass clock to be made in Moradabad. Since it required technical know-how, it came to my family that was engaged in making technical
instruments. And because Roorkee was already a hub of manufacturing scientific equipments, this trade too picked up.” Today, Roorkee boasts of a fledgling industry that exports equipments far and wide. What makes his enterprise special is the fact that it takes care of
every pocket. Even those who cannot afford the heavy-duty equipments can still be proud owners of key chains attached with shipping regalia and proudly display a slice from the past!
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Bhaiya Duj celebrated
Dehradun, October 30 There are various distinct ways in which this festival is solemnised but the features that are common is the act of applying a tilak of roli (vermilion), kesar (saffron) and rice on the brother’s forehead by the sister as a mark of their love and protection. "I look forward to this day as I get gifts from my brother" said Sunita
Purohit. A tribute to the sibling relationship, this festive occasion celebrates the emotional bonding between a brother and his sister.
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Letters
My heartiest congratulations to the Editor and the entire team of The Tribune for the launch of Dehradun edition.
My association with The Tribune is more than 20 years old and I have two of my records associated with it - First, a 75-feet-long Diwali greeting card (then a Limca record) made by me and secondly, 1999 greeting cards (in 1991) for The Tribune readers. I’m originally from Patiala who has now settled in Dehradun and trust me, what I missed the most in this city at my breakfast table was my morning dose of The Tribune. At last, the wait is over! I hope that the Dehradun edition would continue the tradition of high-quality journalism that is so characteristic of the newspaper. I wish the newspaper and its team all the best! — Dr
Roopleen, Doon Hospital, Dehradun
Readers are invited to write to us. Send your mail, in not more than 200 words at dehradunplus@tribunemail.com or write in at: Letters, Dehradun Plus, Sector 29, Chandigarh – 160 030
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