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Despite warmer clime, Assan bird numbers climb
Desi doctors do much good
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Indeed, Berry good
Donating blood just got safer
Haridwar youth get branded
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Despite warmer clime, Assan bird numbers climb
Dehradun, March 8 Dehradun, the recently concluded Assan Waterfowl Census has recorded an average of 6,762 migratory birds this winter, a marginal rise from the number last year. A total of 6,517 birds visited Assan last winter while in the winter of 2007, as many as 5,210 birds were sighted at Assan. This winter has been much less harsh. Orthinologists had expected a lesser number of migratory birds at Assan but they were surprised with the Annual Waterfowl Census conducted by the Yamuna Circle recording a marginal rise in the number of migratory birds. Assan continued to the best suited venue for the brahminy ducks. This year too it turned up at Assan in large numbers (2,500 and 2,000) followed by the common coot (825 and 700). Mallard and gadwall too turned up in a figure of little less than 500. Then there was the little grebe(25 and 30), the great crested grebe (4 ), the great cormorant (6), the Indian Pond Heron (20), the cattle egrel (45), the Eurasian wigeon (500), the common green shark (12), the common red shark (12), the wood sandpiper (9) and the common sandpiper (35) and the common teal (245) However, in terms of species the figures have reduced marginally. While 36 species of migratory birds turned up last winter, only 33 species arrived this year. Bird-watchers missed the golden eye bird that visited Assan last year after many decades. With the winter towards its end, most of the migratory birds have either left or are at the verge of leaving the conservation reserve. Meanwhile, the Wild Life Institute (WII) is preparing a management plan for Assan and has almost finished the exercise. Assan being an important bird area of the country holds much significance for Uttarakhand and the state Forest Department has sought the services of this institute for improving the management of Assan that has several stakeholders. Census exercises were conducted twice, from January 15 to January 31 and from February 15 to February 28. While the first exercise enumerated 7,280 birds, the second put the figure at 6,244, leading to a final average of 6,762 migratory birds this winter. Conservator of Yamuna circle BP Gupta admits that climate changes have affected the arrival of migratory birds at wetlands across the country but says the Assan Conservation Reserve has been an exception. Assan has on the contrary seen a marginal rise in the number of its winged visitors. He is hopeful that once the management plan of the WII, now in its final stages, takes shape, Assan will see a rise in the number of migratory birds. Interestingly, Assan has always been the bone of contention among different stakeholders -- the Forest Department, Tourism and Irrigation Departments etc. While a tourism body like the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam has always favoured more water sports the forest authorities have called for more conservation efforts. The Forest Department, to encourage community participation in conservation efforts, has constituted a committee comprising representatives from gram panchayats and wild life experts. Significantly, Assan has been eying the Ramsar site wetland that will ensure better funds. Eminent orthinologist Asad R. Rahmani says the Assan Conservation Reserve has the potential to meet the Ramsar site criteria. He has called for a study in biodiversity value of the state’s wetlands to bring these on a par with other Ramsar site wetlands in the country.
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Desi doctors do much good
Dehradun, March 8 They are treating patients suffering from minor ailments every Sunday and the results have been very good. “At the village level, Sanjeevni worker committees have been created and they have been entrusted with the task of collecting herbs from different sources and prepare medicines with the help of women workers. A nursery of herbs is also being developed,” said Vijay Laxmi, who has been part of this movement since 2000. The medicines they prescribe are herbal mixtures like the locally grown ‘gular’, ‘palash’, ‘khair’ and even ginger. “We are extensively using the locally grown ‘patthar chatta’ that gives relief to patients who have a problem of stone in kidney or gall bladder and ‘gindu’ powder for patients experiencing breathing problems,” said Vijay Laxmi. a member of Sanjeevni at Brionkhal, Pauri. The initiative was started by Mahila Samakhya after a survey by them brought to light that several women in villages had poor health. “The cost of medicines varies between Rs 2 to Rs 10. The kendras open every Sunday and we are using ‘satavari’, ‘amla’ powder etc for treating minor ailments,” said Kamla Devi of Thalesain, Pauri. Independent research too has shown that the health of female members in a family directly affects the education of the girl child as her poor health becomes a hindrance in her day-to-day work at home or while collecting fuel, fodder or even farming. “A community-need assessment (CNA) survey was conducted. It revealed the poor state of female health, medical services and the resources available locally,” explained Geeta Gairola, project officer, Mahila Samakhya, an organisation working under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi. “We then decided that Sanjeevni Kendra will work on female health, generating health awareness and dealing with reproductive health problems,” explained Geeta Gairola.
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Indeed, Berry good
Dehradun, March 8 After planting as many as many as 1,2000 saplings last year on an expanse of 200 hectares, the force has decided to introduce the shrub in Mana this year. It has also decided to double the plantation at Mana this year, setting a target of 2,20,000 saplings in 400 hectares. “While restoring the green cover in Mana, we are also trying to come up with a local resource for villagers,” said Col Mavi, adding that introduction of the “Jungle Berry” was part of that strategy. Nomenclatured “Sibakthone”, this shrub can survive low temperatures. The task force’s Field Research Laboratory at Leh has recommended the shrub that has immense medicinal value.The shrub fruit increases immunity. It is an anti-oxidant. It is also a stress-buster. The task force so far had been planting the deodar, kail and walnut saplings in the Mana region. It is for the first time that it has undertaken plantation of a shrub.Col Mavi said two companies of the Eco Task Force were working on the Mana project. He lauded the Chief Minister for his efforts towards constitution of new companies for the force that had rendered strength to the ongoing greenery works at Mana. The 127 Eco Task Force was awarded the Green Governance Award-2008 in New Delhi recently.Two of its jawans have been given commendation cards.
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Donating blood just got safer
Dehradun, March 8 The conference was organised by the Indian Medical Association of Uttarakhand, here today. “The Nucleic Acid Test not only helps in detecting infectious diseases like Hepatitis B, C and the existing HIV/ AIDS, but is also 100 per cent sensitive and specific in terms of results,” Dr Makroo said. The test is complimentary for AIDS and hepatitis diseases. “The Eliza test picks up antibodies while NAT can quickly pick up infections, narrowing the window period,” he added. Dr Makroo said the quality of blood collection bags also play a role in the safety of blood in NAT test. Blood bags with integrated filters are used that prevent transmission of lymphotrophic viruses. He said these tests are now available at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, and other private hospitals. The cost is in the range of Rs 1000-1500 and the results can be had within four hours,” Dr Makroo said. Earlier in his talk on blood transfusion services in India, Dr NK Bhatia, medical director, Lions Blood Bank, New Delhi, said every person should donate blood at least three times a year. “It keeps us healthy and we need to educate donors that there is definite evidence that through blood donations there is 70 per cent reduction in heart diseases. A committed blood donor unwittingly does a service to himself, as during blood tests screening for unknown and known infections is done,” he said. Bhatia said to encourage blood donations one need to bestow respect on the donor and, “What better way then to allow access to a person with a donor card for medical facilities etc.” Dr Aseem K Tiwari, organising secretary of IMA Blood Bank of Uttarakhand, said three years back the IMA could manage only 400 units per month. But now due to significant shift in attitude and awareness levels, the bank manages to collect 1,500 units of blood per month and 20,000 units per year. “With no provision for replacement, the IMA relies heavily on blood donations and around 18-20 camps are held per month,” he said. He said the daily requirement of blood received by the bank is between 70-100 units every day, “The demand is mostly from Roorkee and Haridwar. Around 60 per cent of the demand is catered to by the IMA bank,” said Dr Aseem K Tiwari, organising secretary of IMA Blood Bank of Uttarakhand.
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Haridwar youth get branded
Haridwar, March 8 Now the city boasts designer labels and showrooms offering latest and trendy styles to suit the choice of the teens and younger lots. From modern brands to the multi-purpose showrooms, everything is available here as per the needs of the fashion conscious brigade of the city. The major factor behind this change is the opening of SIDCUL industrial area. It provides jobs, self-reliance and financial independence to the youth and also gives the city a cosmopolitan look as thousands from various parts of the country come and work here. Ashu, owner a readymade garments shop said, “With students coming from various places of the country to study various professional courses and with 200 odd factories in SIDCUL providing most of the employment to the youth need for branded clothes significantly surge.” From college going to office goers there is something or the other for everyone. From casuals to formal wear there is a marked change in the look of the youth. Sanjana a boutique owner said the city was never so fashion conscious. As SIDCUL has given financial independence to the city youth and now they are now able to spend as per their wishes.
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Dehradun, March 8
Dehradun, March 8
Delivering a lecture on blood safety as part of the national conference - “Rakt Pravah - Latest Trends in Transfusion Medicine” - Dr RN Makroo, director, department of transfusion medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said blood safety has considerably improved with the coming up of the latest testing facility called Nucleic Acid Test (NAT).
