Dehradun, December 28
Acting on the Central government’s Common Watershed Programme Guidelines 2008, Uttarakhand has given a go-ahead to the constitution of a State-Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) that would put different state departments working on Centrally-sponsored watershed programmes under one roof.

The development comes in the wake of Central National Rainfed Area Authority’s recent guidelines for watershed programmes for different states. The constitution of a State-Level Nodal Agency will give a fillip to Uttarakhand’s watershed planning programme, which holds the key to the water and soil conservation efforts in the state. The agency will also help in the creation of livelihood opportunities for villages living in remote areas.

With as many as 12,000 glaciers and eight major river catchment areas, Uttarakhand has realised that the road to progress and prosperity in its villages is through watershed-based planning.

Even today, most of the agriculture in the hill state is dependent on rain-fed sources. Over 16,000 villages depend on surface and rainwater for drinking purposes and irrigation. This is despite the fact that the state receives an average annual rainfall of 1,240 mm that comes to approximately 66,320 million kilo waters, much of which flows to rivers unutilised.

As per an estimate, if conservation of 3 per cent of this annual rainwater is done, it can lead to complete eradication of water woes of the state. Even if 0.68 per cent of this rainwater were conserved, it would fulfil at least the state’s drinking water needs, and conservation of 2.36 per cent is enough to make up for the irrigation requirements. Thus, the state has now been rendering thrust to integrated watershed development programmes.

Bringing all the departments implementing watersheds programmes under a State Level Nodal Agency will now lead to a centralised system of working. Apart from watershed management directorate, departments like forest, agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture, irrigation and statistics have been working on different watershed projects in the state.

SLNA, to be headed by a principal secretary or above level officer, would have the secretaries of different departments as its members, while the Central project director would be its member secretary.

The new arrangement comes with a decentralised approach and will do away with hassles that were stumbling blocks in speedy implementation of watershed projects. With funding, appraisal and monitoring of watershed programmes in the nodal agency’s hand now, the programmes would have a more focused approach and do away with the problem of overlapping of projects that often leads to confusion.

Welcoming the new agency, RS Negi, deputy director planning, Uttarakhand Watershed Directorate, said the programmes would get a majoor boost now. “With the state agency directly involved, it can help in better identification of areas for watershed programmes and get maximum output,” he said.

The agency will also do away with the problem of delays in appraisal. The state government can now conduct timely appraisal and check unnecessary delay in release of funds. Earlier, delay in mid-term appraisal often led to a check in the release of subsequent installments.

The state has as many as 1,110 micro-watersheds with nearly 275 of these key centrally-funded watersheds falling under the ambit of Uttarakhand Watershed Directorate. The Directorate, which has been working on World Bank-aided watershed programmes, is benefiting 11 districts of Uttarakhand, covering 448 villages and a population of over 2.54 lakh persons through enhancement of livelihood opportunities.

The micro-level watershed includes Bageshwar district with 13 micro-watersheds spreading along 45 gram panchayats that benefit 27,265 persons; and Kalsi development block in Dehradun comprising seven micro-watersheds that cover 47 gram panchayats and benefit 25,235 persons.

Similarly, Jaunpur and Thauldhar blocks in Tehri Garhwal district entails eight micro-watersheds that benefit a population of 14,278 in 30 gram panchayats. Chinyalisaur block in Uttarkashi district includes five micro-watersheds and aids a population of 16,800 in 30 gram panchayats, Dwarikhal and Jaiharikhal blocks in Pauri Garhwal includes six micro-watersheds; Augustmuni in Rudraprayag district has five microsheds; Gairsain in Chamoli seven microsheds; Chaukhutia and Dwarhat in Almora three; Gangolihat in Pithoragarh nine, whereas five micro-watershed projects in Okhalkand and Dhari blocks in Nainital are benefiting 27,050 villagers.

Meanwhile, Kamal Bahuguna of the Himalayan Institute of Environment, Ecology and Development favours an integrated approach for carrying forward watershed activities. “It is important that after selection of a catchment area, all the programmes like water-harvesting, irrigation, animal husbandry and soil and water conservation are carried out simultaneously in that particular area,” he said. Transparency, accountability and responsiveness are the key to the success of a watershed programme, he added.

Ramesh Pahari, who has been working in the hills of Uttarakhand towards creation of livelihood opportunities for the past many decades, strongly believes that watershed management could be a solution for introducing agriculture in the barren land in the hills. He opined that lack of irrigation was the biggest challenge before hill agriculture.

Another naturalist working in the hills, Vijay Jardari, supports the strengthening of traditional water sources, but with caution. “The very concept of watershed development originates from ensuring community participation in soil and water conservation efforts. But often one finds that participation of the community is found wanting. Hopefully, the constitution of State Level Nodal Agency would introduce necessary transparency and improve working of the watershed programme,” he said.

Notably, the first-ever Uttarakhand Sustainable Development Summit held in Dehradun in June this year, which was attended by Nobel Laureate Suresh Pachauri, environmentalists had underlined the need for promotion of watershed programmes as means to infuse sustainable development in remote hilly areas of Uttarakhand.

Dehradun, December 28
From children to the elderly, it was a day of merriment as Doon Valley Kennel Club affiliated to Kennel Club of India, Chennai, organised the Dog Show’09 here today.

With 300 entries, 350 dogs of 40 breeds participated. Owners from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and other states exhibited their pets and their skills at a 10-hour dog show.

"This year it has been great because of the large numbers of exhibitors and excellent response from viewers. The dogs are judged on the basis of their walk, teeth and health,” said Rajesh Gulati, president, Doon Valley Kennel Club.

Great Danes, German Shepards, Saint Bernards, English Mastiffs, Whippets, Irish Shutters and Afghan Hounds attracted large crowds.

Two Whippets named “Wandering Tinker of Gem” and “Wings of Love” were brought by Lt Col Ravi Kalha. “This is my first time and the show today is very well organised. My dogs have been champions abroad,” he said.

Every year, dog shows in various states begin after the rainy season and end mid-June after which the “show dog” of the year is decided.

"At the show today, 16 champions from two rings will be awarded trophies and certificates. The dogs which had earlier won competitions stand a better chance of winning again,” said Gulati.

At the show were pups of different breeds on sale: Labradors, Pugs, Cocker Spaniels and Rotweillers. “I am glad to be here. I love Labrador pups and will try to pick one for my family,” said Savita Desai from Delhi.

“Till now I have sold eight Labrador and Lasa Apso pups and am left with just three,” said Bettu Ranjan, a salesman from Muzaffarnagar.

“We come here every year to sell pups. Till now I have sold two of my Labradors,” said Kuldeep Singh from Meerut.

The champion dogs that attracted all were the stunning white Standard Poodle and the hairy Afgan Hound from Le Grand Club, Chennai.

"Two days before the dog show, we wash them with brand shampoos and conditioners, after which they are blow-dried, and because they are hairy, we brush and trim their coat from time to time,” said a staff member of Le Grand Kennel.

On display were various dog products; shampoos, conditioners, medicines, colourful edible bones, collars and winter wear for a newborn as well as an adult dog.

“I purchased chocolate-flavoured bones for my dogs and I’m happy that veterinary facilities for amateur dog buyers is available here,” said Vanshika.

The chief guests for the show were Alex Yu-Feng Zee from Taiwan and Max Magder from Canada.

"Last year we had invited one judge from abroad but this time both are from abroad,” said Gulati.

Dehradun, December 28
Ten-year-old Moonkunwali, a classical dancer, owes it all to her Guru Muku Ahmed. Performing at the sixth Universal Rang Mahotsav, she dazzled one and all with her performance. She travelled all the way to Dibrugarh to learn bharatnatyam, where her Guru is based.

A student of Little Star Senior Secondary School in Digboi, Moonkunwali wants to make dancing her career.

Altogether, 70 participants representing Nrityanjali, a dance group from Assam, are here to perform along with participants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Manipur and Gujarat.

A solo dance called “Kshatriya” by Sanyanikia Saikia and a group dance by troupe members was also much appreciated.

Taking center-stage, renowned bharatnatyam dancer Daksha Mistry Patel and her troupe members recreated the aartis in Gujarat temples in praise of Ma Amba in the semi classical form. It was choreographed brilliantly.

Unfortunately, the stage seemed unfit for such a performance. The choreography ensured the viewers got to know not only about the dance but also the culture and traditions of Gujarat.

Daksha is the main force behind the Bharatanjali group and has given performances all over the world.

Representing Maharashtra, Ayesha from Nagpur and Khushboo Kadam from Pune gave a semi-classical performance.

The mahotsav, organised by the Universal Sanskiritic Shod Natya Academy, is being held at the Dehradun Municipal Corporation Auditorium.

Dehradun, December 28
There is tremendous interest in the field of ayurveda but in the absence of research facilities and marketing, the potential of medicinal herbs has not been tapped fully.

This was stated by Prof VK Tiwari, former VC of Uttarakhand Technical University, while speaking at the fifth symposium on ”Phytochemistry and ayurveda: potential and prospects” held here yesterday, where he was the chief guest.

The symposium was organised by the management of the “University’s Journal on Phytochemistry and Ayurvedic Heights.”

Tiwari said ayurveda along with biotechnology and nano technology were fields engaging the interest of scientists as well as the lay man.

“In order to reap greater benefit, we need to focus on marketing as research in ayurveda will only flourish if it is nurtured by a market that has a wide reach.”

He called upon the young scientists undertake research in ayurveda. While presiding over the symposium, Dr S Farooq, chief editor of the journal said due to inadequate research and testing, ayurvedic medicines had still not gained acceptance in the western markets.

“Our presence in world herbal drugs and cosmetics is only 2 per cent while China has a 12 per cent market share,” Dr Farooq said.

He said there was a tremendous scope for the Indian traditional system of medicines “only if we lay emphasis on research”.

“Much of our knowledge about medicinal properties of herbs is not scientifically proven. It is based on hearsay. We need to work on the pharma dynamics of herbs to put our case forward,” said Dr Farooq.

In his keynote address, Dr Himmat Singh, formerly with the Indian Institute of Petroleum, highlighted the role of peptide nucleic acid, which he termed as a new molecule of life.

“The researchers are working to reconstruct artificial life form as PNA is said to be much more stable molecule than RNA.”

Dr Maya Ram Uniyal, adviser, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Board, Uttarakhand, said more studies should be undertaken on the effect of herbs in the treatment of AIDS, cancer and diabetes.

A souvenir on phytochemistry and ayurveda potential and a copy of the journal was released on the occasion.

Research scholars, scientists and students from the FRI, DAV College, DBS College, Beehive Institute, Dolphin Institute, Aligarh Muslim University, HNB Garhwal University, Himalaya Drug, Uttaranchal Ayurvedic College, AIST, Nimbus Academy and Narayan Swami Institution attended the symposium.

Dehradun, December 28
In the recently held Midshipman Course, Rimcollians (RIMC Alumni) have once again excelled. Midshipman RP Singh bagged the prestigious President’s Silver Medal and Midshipman Amrit Kumar bagged the President’s Bronze Medal.

At the RIMC, Midshipman RP Singh passed out as a Section Commander and topped the RIMC 12th Board Exam. He was awarded a College Blue in Boxing and Half Blue in Hockey, Soccer and Athletics.

Midshipman Amrit Kumar also passed out as a Section Commander and is an ardent scholar, debater and quizzer.

Rimcollians - Sub Lt Anvesh Murty, Sub Lt Asoom Sharma, Sub Lt Rishi Raj and Sub Lt Vishal Sharma - have also been awarded the prestigious Diving Badges.

Col H. Dharmarajan SM, Commandant, RIMC, expressed joy over these achievements and hoped that many more Rimcollians would follow in their footsteps.