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Native shrubs losing ground to aliens Lantana, an invasive species, that has taken over a large chunk of tea estates in the Dehradun valley. A Tribune photograph
Infusing life into blood donation campaign their aim
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NCA certificate lift for Manoj
Ace shooter looks for sponsor
Flower Dale kids highlight corruption
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Native shrubs losing ground to aliens
Dehradun, March 27 The study has identified as many as 308 woody and 128 herbaceous species in the valley exotic in nature with a capability to destroy endemic and native flora. These alien species, 37.61 per cent of American origin, have proved beneficial to a small extent, says the study. The indigenous flora of the valley has been subjected to dramatic alteration due to deliberate and incidental introduction of alien species from various parts of the world. Since the valley is part of the mega Himalayan, “hotspot” belt globally designated for priority of conservational activities in India, the occurrence of 45.69 per cent woody and 19.4 per cent herbaceous alien species and naturalisation of some of them cannot be considered safe for native and endemic flora from the ecological and socio-economic perspective. The study reveals that out of these alien species, 37.1 per cent are of Amercian origin followed by China with 11.46 per cent of the total alien flora. Africa with 10.77 per cent, Australia with 8.02 per cent, Europe with 5.27 per cent, the Mediterranean region 5.04 per cent, the West Indies 2.75 per cent and Japan contributed to 3.66 per cent of the alien species in the valley. One such, lantana camara that was introduced in the country as an ornamental plant in Kolkata in 1809 continues to be a serious invader in Doon as in the case with other parts of the country. Its multi-climatic adaptability and fast-replicating characteristics have created problems for indigenous florist composition. Lantana proved to be a big problem in certain forest areas affecting both forest and wildlife. The Rajaji National Park, a big part of which falls in Dehradun, had some time back started a campaign for regeneration of native shrubs after these started losing ground to exotic species, particularly the lantana. “The mushrooming lantana was not only affecting flora, but also park wildlife as most of these vegetations were feed for the wildlife. This feed was fast shrinking due to the fast spread of the lantana and, thus, affecting the wildlife,” Prof HB Vashist of the Forest Research Institute point out. However, after a lantana uprooting campaign, native species did get a sigh of relief. Murrya Koenigee, popularly kown as curry patta, adhtoda vasic commonly identified as bansa and clerodendron infortunatum, popularly known as karohave, fast on way to annihilation due to the alien flora has started gaining ground. Being native shrubs, the wildlife at Rajaji Park is heavily dependent on these.Apart from incidental introductions, the study refers to deliberate introduction of alien flora, as in the case of eucalyptus spp, casuarina spp, prosopis juliflora and pinus sppl, as these species cater to demand for fuel, fodder and timber. Moreover, they sometimes play a role in ecological restoration and soil conservation. But then herbaceous and shrubby exotics like ageratum conyzoides, eigeron spp and parthenium hysterophorus have turned harmful to mankind and have caused ecological havoc to indigenous florist composition. Referring to the importance of indigenous tree and plant species, Dr VP Uniyal says very little attention has been paid to the rising number of alien flora in the country. “Very few people know that insects feed only on indigenous variety of plants and do not take to exotic varieties. Thus, the replacement of indigenous varieties with exotic ones can be detrimental to the fauna,” Dr Uniyal points who. He has been working on pollinators for quite some time. Meanwhile, Dehradun-based Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) has been working on forest invasive species. The scientists there have identified 75 forest invasive species (FIS) in the country, saying these exotic species could displace native plants, eliminate food and cover for wildlife and threaten rare plant and animal species. These species can change the functions of ecosystems and increase loss in forestry and natural resource management costs. The foreign invasive species pose a danger to biological diversity and other human enterprises as on human health. Many of these species have naturalised in the country but in case of Dehradun, little has been done till date. The ICFRE has constituted a special cell to take up the challenges posed by these exotic species and carry out further research in the subject. "We not only study the behaviour of forest invasive species but also find ways of eradicating these from forest areas apart from undertaking research on their utilisation,” said Jagdish Kishwan, DG. While there have been campaigns in Garhwal hills to save indigenous crop seeds, an intiative to save the indigenous tree species still seems to be a far cry.
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Infusing life into blood donation campaign their aim
Dehradun, March 27 “As of now, the requirement of blood gauged by conservative estimates is around 70,000-80,000 units,” said Debasish Gupta, programme officer for blood safety, National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), at a workshop today. He said more focus is needed on voluntary donations from deficient districts. “The blood banks at Rudrapur and Champawat are not functioning, as the state is facing massive manpower shortage. “Hiring skilled manpower from outside the state is an option till the time local staff is available, but this is being opposed by locals,” he said. Tejinder Singh, a motivator with Rotary Blood Bank, said a culture of voluntary donation needs to be strengthened, as there is always a shortage of blood in the country. “To motivate people we need to understand their psyche. For this, awareness has to be generated that donations at regular intervals (at least thrice a year) boost one’s immunity,” said Tejinder. She also stressed on making Thalassemia testing mandatory so that the problem is detected as early as possible, as such patients require several units of blood. “The tests should be conducted before marriage, as there is a strong chance that the child of such persons would get inflicted with the disease. The problem becomes acute because such patients require 50 units every year. Blood is a precious commodity and it needs to be judiciously used in a country where people are not too keen to donate voluntarily. We have done little to eradicate Thalassemia,” said Tejinder Singh. Vinita Srivastav, Consultant, Voluntary Blood Donation, Uttarakand State AIDS Control Society, said to increase awareness about blood donations several camps are being organized in Dehradun. “We are not only encouraging women to donate blood, but are also involving social workers to make blood donation movement a success,” she said
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NCA certificate lift for Manoj
Dehradun, March 27 Manoj said the BCCI has been running this course from last 10 years. The purpose of the course is to follow a unified training technique for players at the ground level throughout the country. “To be the first person from the state to receive this certificate, is certainly a matter of pride both for me and for the state,” Manoj said. Imparting coaching according to BCCI guidelines could prove much beneficial for the upcoming players once the state has its own cricket association. He said the course has been a tough one and comprised both theory and practical sessions. He is now eyeing to appear in level two certificate, which is advance level of coaching concerning more of bio-mechanism, video analysis and nutrition part in coaching. Manoj was in the top two during the test. His possibility of receiving a call from the BCCI for level two coaching certificate test are brighter. Cricket Association of Uttaranchal (CAU) has a huge role to play in helping Manoj receive this certificate. UPCL board of Uttar Pradesh had CAU, who is affiliated from UPCL, to recommend a person as participant to the course for the level one coaching. The association secretary, PC Verma had thus recommended Manoj’s name. Manoj is hopeful that in the near future more person from the state could undergo this course and earn this certificate, thus, having a brighter future making them eligible for coaching state’s junior or senior cricket team.
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Ace shooter looks for sponsor
Dehradun, March 27 Poonam took to shooting last July. She developed an interest in shooting due to the efforts of her husband, Anil Kavi, himself a national-level shooter, in July 2008. She started her career winning the gold at a state-level competition. Her first major success came at the All-India Shooting Championship held in Jalandar on November 2008, where she won a silver. Later that year, she made a record at the National Shooting Championship held at Kerela, scoring 333 points out of 400. On the basis of this performance, she has now been selected for the Asian Shooting Championship. But the ace shooter is yet to find a sponsor. “Sponsorship is a major problem for us. The absence of a good sports policy in the state is a major hindrance for us. Even the government reward varies from time to time. “Sometimes it is Rs 6,000 for winning a gold at the national level and Rs 3,000 for the same medal at another time.” The cost of participating at a national-level shooting is very high. Poonam undergoes a rigorous practice session of two hours in the morning and evening. She hopes to do well at the Asian Shooting Championship and return home
with a medal.
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Flower Dale kids highlight corruption
Dehradun, March 27 A variety of programmes were showcased at the function. Senior students enacted a Hindi and English plays titled as ‘Chief Ki Dawat’ and the ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ respectively, which highlighted the consequences of the corruption prevailing in the society. Dance performances on Garhwali, Marathi and Nepali songs enthralled the audiences, whereas English pop dance, and Chak de India dance were the main attractions of the day.
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Dehradun, March 27
After a slow start, the state has now achieved the target of 44 per cent blood donations through voluntary means. However, a lot of groundwork needs to be done before voluntary blood donation activity picks up in the hill districts of the state.
Dehradun, March 27
Dehradun, March 27
