Dehradun, December 31
Uttarakhand, one of the states with a large landmass under forests and a pollution-free industry, has been trying hard for validation from the UN’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) for carbon credits.

This certification for zero carbon emissions is needed for carbon trading at the international level. The state will get its first carbon credits validation soon concerning a micro hydel project.

The state with more than 60 per cent of land under forest has submitted four proposals to the world body under the Kyoto Protocol for earning carbon credits.

Under the protocol, it is obligatory for western nations with high cardon dioxide emissions to promote cleaner technologies, buying carbon credits from such units in developing countries using environment-friendly technologies.

The state government has set up a clean development mechanism cell (CDMC) to coordinate work for earning carbon credits from international bodies.

“Apart from industries, we have submitted four proposals to the Union Environment Ministry, the nodal agency for submitting such proposals to the UN body on forestation,” AR Sinha, member secretary of the Uttarakhand cell said.

“We have also requested that the issue of protection of forests in Uttarakhand be taken up with the UN body since guidelines on forestation are not clear. Till date, only China has got validation for its grasslands,” Sinha said.

Out of the four proposals, three are in the non-conventional energy sector and one in the forestry sector.

Uttarakhand could earn much through carbon trading if the UN body agrees to grant carbon credits to the state for protecting its forests.

A micro- hydel project by the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, the Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources and the CDMC, would become the first project in the state to get carbon credits from the UN.

The state government has also sent a proposal to ‘Chicago Climate’, a sort of stock exchange for getting carbon credits through The Energy Research Institute (TERI).

“While, the UN norms are stringent, the carbon credits given by them are costlier. On the other hand, carbon credits by ‘Chicago Climate’ are comparatively cheaper,” Sinha said.

While one carbon credit given by the UN could be sold for $14, those given by ‘Chicago Climate’ were priced at $ 3.5 to $ 5.5 in the carbon market.

Many industries in the state have applied for carbon credits. “We are the first to get carbon credits for switching over from the coal-based boiler to the biomass-based boiler,” said Dr Ashotosh Gautam, deputy general manager (environment) of Kashipur-based Indian Glycols.

Most of the industries in Uttarakhand set up after the state came into being in November 2000 are green industries with advanced, cleaner technologies.

The process of getting carbon credits is lengthy. “After registration, the process takes time since the buyers are far away and in certain areas like forest and environment, evaluation becomes a problem unlike industries where carbon emissions or change to greener technologies can be easily worked out,” explained Sinha.

Uttarakhand can boast of its snow-clad Himalayan peaks, gushing rivers, vast forests rich in wildlife and six national parks and six wildlife sanctuaries. The Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is a world heritage site.

The Nanda Devi National Park and the Valley of Flowers National Park are both part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere. The Jim Corbett National Park and The Rajaji National Park are home to the Asian elephant and tiger, besides other wild animals.

Uttarakhand politicians as well as officials have long been demanding compensation for protecting the green cover of the country. The state is considered as the lungs of North India due to its forest cover. Ironically, the state and the people have had to pay a price for this.

A vast majority of developmental projects, including roads, hospitals, school and hydro-electric projects, that could help benefit the locals could not take off due to strict forest laws that forbid any human activity in or near forest areas.

“We are already playing a crucial role by generating clean power through bigger hydro-electric projects or small gharats. By producing 1kw of clean hydro-electric energy, we are cutting 800 gm of carbon produced from thermal or other sources. The vast forest cover has helped control the carbon emissions,” said Dr Anil P Joshi, an eminent social worker and founder of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO).

He said it was not only earning international carbon credits, but the country should also think about the role of the people of Uttarakhand in preserving environment and the difficulties they had to undergo for such an exercise.

“We cannot cut wood or collect forest products. Our water flows down and is used by the entire country. There should be some mechanism at the national level besides an international one to compensate communities preserving environment so vital for the survival of the human race,” he argued.

Prices of CERs have recently started falling after recession in Europe, as the amount of emission reduction they need to achieve has come down because of the revised industrial growth rate.

Thus, the demand for CERs has come down. Now prices have come down by about 45% in the last three months, from 20 euros to 12.5 euros per CER. — IANS

Dehradun, December 29
At the ongoing handloom exhibition in the Doon valley, Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN), a non-government organisation has put up a stall with a mission to help and recognise innovators in Uttarakhand.

GIAN, promoted by the Department of Science and Technology, Rajasthan government, has been working to recognise and promote the population of innovators at grassroots level in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal and Uttarakhand for the past six years.

“GIAN is a singular body operating under it’s parent organisation, National Innovation Foundation (NIF), Ahmedabad, and till now from five states we have received 70,000 entries of innovators but we have recognised only 20,000 out of them with the help of our collaborators ‘Honeybee’, which updates GIAN about the latest innovations taking place in these states,” Vishnu Mathur, senior manager, (business development), north zone of GIAN.

GIAN promotes unaided technological innovations and traditional knowledge developed by an individual or group comprising farmers, artisans, fishermen and women, slum dwellers, workshop mechanics, students and local communities in managing natural and other resources.

If somebody has invented something, its model should be created first under the guidance of area specialist after which funding is done and finally the patenting of the product, details are further transferred to National Innovation foundation (NIF).

“In Sikar (Rajashthan), we assisted Yusuf Khan, a villager who innovated groundnut digging machine and later got orders for the machines, which got him recognition as well as money. Daramveer, a rickshaw puller from Yamuna Nagar, innovented a multi-purpose processing machine, which is used for excretion of Aloe Vera juice,” he said. "As Kenya has abundance of “Aloe Vera” they appreciated his work and ordered quite a few of them,” said Vishnu Mathur.

However, the entries to GIAN from Uttarakhand has been less as compared to other states. “In these six years, we have got only five to six entries from Uddamsingh Nagar. One of them was Arun Kumar Kambhoj from Uddamsingh Nagar, who made a water heater to be used by cow dung,” said Vishnu Mathur.

With a motive to help large population of grassroots level innovators in Uttarakhand. GIAN also collaborated with ‘Aajivika’, a Uttarakhand based NGO, which works for the development of the rural population in Almora, Chamoli, Uttarkhashi, Bageshwar, Tehri districts.

“In spite of innovators, people in villages don’t know where to contact and earn their share of profit. Aajivika with 52 offices and help of other NGO’s have been working to organize self-help groups for monetary assistance and further development to the villagers in Uttarakhand from past five years,” said Rajesh Sen, manager of Aajivika.

Vaisakli Lal, a Tehri district based farmer from village Chirbatiya, innovated a light weight plough made out of very less wood and helped other farmers to use this environment friendly farming tool.

“Till now orders of 70 plough had been placed and GIAN had been informed to further send it to NIF for patenting. Apart from these five districts we are interested in helping other districts innovators. And if in case, there would be innovators, Aajivika will inform GIAN for further assistance,” said Rajesh Sen.

“We are hopeful that now with the help of Aajivika we would be able to reach out to a larger population of innovators in Uttarakhand and help them to have a sustainable future,” added Vishnu Mathur.

Dehradun, December 31
A large variety of saris from different states at the ongoing All-India Handloom Exhibition being held here is attracting women from all walks of life.

Saris with different designs at nominal prize are a must buy for those who adore saris for it’s unbeatable class and style.

Junaid Khan from Banaras, has been weaving saris from last 40 years and is now encouraging his younger generation to create and preserve the name and fame associated with Banarasi saris.

I have been doing this since my childhood and now I am also teaching the art to those who are interested,” said Junaid Khan, a master weaver.

Tassar silk, kataan silk, wall kalam/kalamkari, and silk brocade are the age old favourite saris but to offer something new to the people of Doon, Silk Chiffon saris are brought to the exhibition this year.

As now a days, people want something light in weight as compared to heavy Banarasi saris, we have especially made Chiffon based saris which are equally beautiful and easy to drape, said Junaid Khan.

The unique designs with reasonable rates are attracting everybody including foreigners. “As I don’t get such large variety in the town, I purchased three Silk Chiffon saris from the exhibition,” said Shikha, a college student. “I have been coming to Dehradun from last eight years and the response till date has been excellent. Women appreciate our work. We have got few Silk bed covers with a life span of good 30 years,” added Junaid Khan.

Not only Banarsi but saris from Madya Pradesh are also attracting women for it’s traditional work. “As we believe in preserving our traditional art in MP, we try to design saris with traditional prints and natural vegetable dye,” said Kishan Rao, a public relation officer of Madhya Pradesh government.

The famous Maheswari saris, Chanderi, Kosa Tusser and Mulberry Silk saris are the one’s which are drawing attention of women from different walks of life. “I love Chanderi Silk saris and I purchased two of them,” said Shila Mehta, a housewife. The saris are priced between Rs 500 to Rs 10,000 and suits from Rs 900 to Rs 6000.

“We have been coming to Dehradun from past four years and till date the response in the city has been outstanding. Women of all age groups like our work and now we have our selected clients,” said Kishan Rao.

Where saris from Banaras and Madya Pradesh are fascinating women, saris from West Bengal and Orissa are also providing them an opportunity to splurge.

“From past six years I am coming to Dehradun and the response has been excellent. Saris like Dhaka Zamdhani, Cotton Khatha, Bhaluchari and cotton suits at reasonable prize attract lot of working women,” said Pradip Das, a worker from Orrisa.

Whereas, Orissa stall with saris like famous Bombhai and Ikkat are attracting women who appreciate the fine quality and uniqueness the designs.

“Women who understand the orissa art and culture prefer buying these saris and from past five years I have been doning good business,” said Bharat, a weaver.