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New Year revellers throng Corbett Park
Dehradun, December 21 While the famous Dikhala Zone in Corbett is already packed for the period between December 25 to January 2, 2009, the day visit booking status in different tourism zones of Bijrani, Jhirna and Durga Devi is full from December 27 to January 2, 2009. Corbett is generally packed to capacity during the end of December and revelers throng the place in huge numbers, especially from metros like Delhi. However, late planners would be in for disappointment this year as the bookings are already full. The only night-stay facility at Corbett - the famous Dikala tourist zone - has been fully booked for the period from December 25 to January 2. Even the few accommodations exclusively reserved for VIPs are packed to capacity. Apart from Dikala, there are three other tourism zones - Bijrani, Jhirna and Durga Devi - where only day visitors are allowed. But these too are booked. Each of these zones has some limitations for visitors. As many as 30 six-seater vehicles are allowed in Bijrani, whereas at Jhirna only 28 are permitted. The other tourism zone, Durga Devi, only 15 vehicles are allowed. Bijrani has been fully booked up to January 2 starting from December 21, barring December 24 where vacancies of five vehicles are left for the day. Similarly, for the tourism zone of Jhirna, where only day visitors are allowed, the bookings are full from December 26 up to January 2. However, there are some vacancies from December 22 to 25. Similar is the case with lesser-known Durga Devi tourism zone, where booking is full from December 27 to January 2. Notably, tourist flow to Corbett was substantial even during November. As many as 18,405 persons visited Corbett in November, including 1,303 foreigners, which resulted in revenue earnings of over Rs. 23 lakh. While 16,446 out of these were day visitors, 1,539 stayed for the night while 420 were part of conducted tours. Corbett earned Rs nine lakh during October when around 15,728 visitors turned up at the park. As many as 1,71,394 tourists visited Corbett in 2007-08, while the number was 13,907 in 2006-07. Similarly, 1,30,043 and 1,12,298 tourists visited Corbett in 2005-06 and 2004-05, respectively. These figures clearly indicate the popularity of Corbett as a tourist resort. “For somebody who wants to get away from the hectic fast-paced life, there can be no greater pleasure than a New Year sojourn at Corbett,” said Piyush Rautela of Wild Adventure, Ramnagar, who has been conducting tours in the region for the past many years. “The high density of tigers is a major attraction here. Elephant rides and jeep safaris also prove to be of much entertainment for the tourists,” he added. Similar sentiments were echoed by Lalit Mohan Bisht, an avid bird-watcher from Ramanagar, “The Corbett region and its surroundings are rich in biodiversity which is a major attraction for tourists.” Mahendra Rana, a hotelier, said the biggest advantage a tourist gets by visiting Corbett is that this Wildlife Reserve forms a part of the “Green Triangle”. A tourist visiting Corbett gets to see Binsar via Ranikhet and finally comes down to Nainital. Corbett National Park covers an area of 521 sq. km and together with the neighbouring Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest areas, forms the Corbett Tiger Reserve that spans over 1288 sq. km. Taking into account a steady rise in the number of tourists at Corbett and the packed booking status during Christmas and New Year celebrations, the Uttarakhand Wildlife officials are now emphasising upon exploring tourism opportunities at Sonawadi sanctuary side of Corbett. Apart from Corbett, Rajaji National Park and other forest rest houses and bungalows in the state are also being flocked by visitors. There are over 200 Uttarakhand forest department rest houses and Dak Bungalow in the state and the rush of tourists is at its peak during this time of the year. However, accommodations at most of these parks have already been reserved till the first week of January. On the other hand, for forest authorities it is time for stricter vigil. The forest department as a policy matter does not allow mass activity in any of its rest houses and bungalows. “There is no question of public celebrations at any of the forest rest houses. We even ensure that any activity that might affect bio-diversity is not allowed under any circumstances,” G. Pandey, warden of Rajaji Park. The other major tourists attractions in Uttarakhand, including the Valley of Flowers or ‘Bhyundar valley’, as the locals calls it, in the Garhwal Himalayas near Joshimath. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the place is dotted with some 500 species of flowers, including the elusive ‘Brahmakamal’. Similarly, Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi district, which is home to some of the rare species such as the snow leopard, black bear, brown bear, musk deer, blue sheep or ‘bharal’ Himalayan ]tahr and Himalayan monal is also high on the visitors’ preference. However, permit system has been introduced in the park this year in order to ensure controlled flow of tourists into this eco-sensitive area. The Govind Wildlife Sanctuary is equally popular and was identified as one of sites where snow leopards have been spotted. Kedarnath Wildlife sanctuary and Nanda Devi National Park are among the other popular tourist destinations in the state.
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Doon churches tell a tale
Dehradun, December 21 In another corner is the St John Evangelist Church that turned 100 years this year. Abuz with activity due to Christmas festivities, the churches were once the exclusive domain of British army officers and their families but now they have become truly Indian. The two churches played an important role in the lives of the British soldiers posted in Dehradun. Take the case of Sir Cliff Richards. His father came to India to lay the rails and then settled in north-west Dehradun. Though born in Lucknow, at the insistence of his grandmother, he was named Harry Rodger and his christening took place on October 14, 1940, at St Thomas Church. These two churches were built for British soldiers and officials sent to India as part of the expansionist activities of the British Empire. “Since 1913, the organ continues to occupy the place of pride in the church. It has never let out a a sour note and is still in use, despite the parish acquiring a modern casio,” said JP Singh, pastor of St John’s Church. The roof of the church is of made of salwood procured from the jungles of Dehradun, “a choice that has stood the test of time withstanding intense rains that are part of Doon weather. The roof has not leaked once. However, the church goers have found company from unexpected quarters- a family of pigeons has made the roof its home,” said the pastor. The porch of the church was renovated in 2004. The church has seen some changes in the form of stained glass windows towards the porch entry. However, the baptismal fountain in one corner and a Bible Eagle stand (lectern), that symbolises the flight to heaven, and chairs are vestiges from the past that have been laboriously tended to all these
years. The St John Church came into being due to the efforts of pastor Reverand J.P. Ellwood (1908-1909) and Reverand H Bennett and donations made by parishioners. An architect by the name of A.Descubes designed the church. The St Thomas Church faced rough weather recently. It was allegedly vandalised. However, after the parish priest, pastor J. P. Singh, stepped in the property was brought under the North India Churches and is now being used by members of Grace Fellowship. While precious little can be found about the history of the church, it has a remembrance tablet engraved in memory of Edmund Walker of Bengal Engineers, superintendent of Doon canal, who died in Delhi in 1857. “Most people are unaware about the history of the church. Shortly we will be creating a website dedicated to the churches of Dehradun,” said ES Shepherd who retired from General Reserve Engineers Force.
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Seminar on nuclear physics begins today
Roorkee, December 21 Around 200 research scholars along with 26 invitee speakers would be converging at the seminar, which is being held to mark the birth centenary of the pioneer in this field Dr Homi Bhabha. As many as 10 scientists from abroad would also attend the function. Giving details, A.K. Jain, the convener, said many nuclear experts, including Prof S.S. Kapoor, former associate director of Homi Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and M.G.K. Menon, former minister of science and technology, would deliver keynote lectures during the seminar. “While the emphasis would be on exploring new research areas of physics, talks would also be held on large ‘Hadron collide’ experiments and structure of nuclei,” said professor Jain. The seminar would be inaugurated by the institute’s director Prof. S.C. Saxena.
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DAV exhibition on social science
Dehradun, December 21 The chief guest for the occasion was Dr. Shashi Bala Chaudhary, principal, Government Girls Inter-College. Later, visitors were gifted paper carry bags and students, staff and parents lighted candles to protest against the recent Mumbai attack.
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Hyena major attraction
Haridwar, December 21 The hyena is a carnivorous mammal and is mostly seen in groups. It feeds on the leftovers of the animals hunted by leopards and tigers. Hyena dens are mostly found in the Chilla forest range, Khera forest and Luni forest range of the Rajaji National Park. Two dens of hyenas are linked internally. Hyenas can be seen at Rajaji National Park much to the delight of tourists since they mate in this season. “Specially after the rehabilitation of Van Gujjars, the movement of hyenas has increased in the park area,” claimed a park official.
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Patanjali Yogpeeth to train one lakh yoga teachers
Haridwar, December 21 Acharya Balkrishan of Patanjali Yogpeeth said that crores of people in this decade have associated themselves with Yoga and Patanjali is committed to impart Yoga nationally and internationally. More than 60,000 Yoga teachers are teaching Yoga nationwide and Yogpeeth aims at first operating, a lakh Yoga classes and then to expand them further. Swami Ramdev has been instrumental in reviving and popularising the art
of Yoga. Thousands flock Patanjali Yogpeeth daily and have benefited from Ramdev's medication. Recently, during the visit of Mauritius President, Aneroodh Jagannath, it was agreed that Patanjali Yogpeeth through Yoga and its expertise in health sector will benefit the people of Mauritius too.
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Global citizens need of the hour, says IIT experts
Roorkee, December 21 A ‘global citizen’ would understand the culture and learn languages of other countries for larger exposure. This would help deal with the uncertainties of the world market and job sectors, he added. “To develop global citizens, there should be proper management at the institute level, which would work with the faculty as well as the students in a dedicated way,"
said the professor. He also called for political will to achieve the aim as the faculty alone cannot nurture the values in futuristic citizens due to its own limitations. “Mere student exchange programmes being organised of late by various universities and institutes of the country will not solve the purpose," said Kalra while maintaining that already four European counties have started a course on EU’s funding for their students and the course module. In this model, the students would study for one year of their course in one partner country and further one year to other country and so on till students residency is completed equally in four partner countries, he added.
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