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Maulvi, Aalim exams from April 5
Grateful Tibetans thank India, their second home
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Finally, incentive for keeping green
Dehradun, March 31 The Union Planning Commission has proposed a formula to decide on incentives to be provided to forest-rich states in lieu of the forest cover maintained by them.
At present there is no mechanism to give incentives to states for protecting its forests. Forest-rich states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and the North East have for quite some time been expressing concern over forests proving to be an hindrance in carrying out development activities in their respective states. They argue that while these forests help maintain healthy environs in the country, apart from providing other services, these forest-rich states suffer in the process as they not only incur costs in maintaining these, but prove
hindrance to development. Uttarakhand has a 1.6 per cent share in the total forest area of the country. According to the State of Forest Report, Uttarakhand has over 65 per cent of forest area, including 46 per cent of pure forest cover. But it is under pressure to maintain its forest wealth for its contribution towards betterment of environment in the country. Union Planning Commission has been quite some time contemplating modalities to provide incentive to all forest-rich states. But then finding a criteria to compensate these states has not been easy. The Planning Commission held a meeting on “avoided deforestation incentive mechanism” at the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education in Dehradun on March 23, where the it entrusted the latter to come up with a formula that could help decide on the quantum of incentive to these states. Sources say Uttarakhand is bound to benefit as the new formula will take into consideration not only the percentage of forest cover at the national level, but also its tree cover. The state will benefit in the process with the proposed funding likely to begin this financial year and it will continue for
five years once the modalities are finalised. It is a general assumption that forests are a hindrance to Uttarakhand’s progress. But with Planning Commission’s initiative to provide incentives, Uttarakhand forests have definitely found a new meaning in terms of assets, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr RBS Rawat
said. Referring to the recent meeting of forest-predominant states with Planning Commission members under the guidance of the ICFRE, Uttarakhand PCCF held that they had put forward the concerns of the state most effectively. He held that Uttarakhand had made it amply clear rivers important to the entire Indo-Gangetic plain-Ganga, Yamuna, Sharda and Kali- either emanated from Uttarakhand or had its initial stretches in the state providing major environmental services to the nation. The hefty amount that is to be provided by the Planning Commission to the state over a period of five years will not only be utilised for plantations, but also help create livelihood opportunities. The amount will be utilised for strengthening activities of women mobile nurseries, cultivation of medicinal plants and the institution of Van Panchayats. In November 2007, a study evaluated Uttarakhand forests at $2.4 billion (approximately Rs 10,700 crore) per year in terms of the services these provide. Ecosystem services rendered include carbon sequestration, climate management, hydrological regulation, timber, firewood, soil conservation and pollination. A study entitled “Valuation of eco system services and forest governance” prepared by the Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) India and its partner organisation, Central Himalayan Environmental Association (CHEA) under the guidance of Prof SP Singh, had said that services rendered by Uttarakhand forests needed to be recognised and compensated. For Uttarakhand, maintaining its forest cover at the cost of development has been a major challenge. People in general see the Forest Conservation Act as a biggest stumbling block in the state’s pursuit of speedy development, The approval of land transfer linked to forest land is tardy and time-consuming. Several development schemes in the state have been affected due to the Act, particularly in the hilly areas. These development schemes include construction of roads, hospitals, tourist centres and other key infrastructural facilities. Hydro power projects too suffer due the Act. Foresters admit that clearance for the transfer of land from the Centre is a complex process but the legislation is the only means to put a check to the endless exploitation of forests. "Hindrance-less clearance could have disastrous environmental consequences," they warn.
Prof NP Todaria from HNB Garhwal University advocates incentive for states maintaining their forest cover. “The Planning Commission’s initiative is certainly a welcome,” he said, adding that absence of such incentives made the forest-rich states feel that while they were solely being held responsible for maintaining forest cover in the country, that too at the cost of development, little was being done to compensate them for the same. The National Forest Commission feels while some states are blessed with forest cover well in excess of the 33 per cent aimed nationally, these forest-rich states must maintain a level of forest cover higher than the rest of the country. This entails a high conservation cost whereas economically better off states with less forest cover get away by spending far less.
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Doon lessons for Dutch medicos
Dehradun, March 31 It is a novel experience for Noera Kieviet and Rianne Hoekstra, interns from University of Amsterdam, Holland, who are undergoing training at the Doon Hospital. As they swarm around the doctor who examines the patients with other interns from Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust, for them it is like any other job but patients get puzzled to see a foreigner. Patients then hesitantly agree to let themselves examined from a foreigner. Dutch medical students are here on a 6 weeks internship. Fifteen days spent in Doon Hospital has exposed them to the Indian conditions. They have already worked at Herbertpur Christian Hospital, Latika Roy Foundation (NGO) and in a private nursing home, which is run by Dr Vipin Vaish. “They are learning about preventive medicine, besides enhancing their clinical skill. Cases of worm infestation and malnutrition in children are hardly reported in developed countries,” said Dr D S Rawat, senior paediatric, Doon Hospital.
Dutch students are interns under Dr Rawat. He said during their training period they would come across the diseases like typhoid, scabies, mums, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis. “We find
a few cases of tuberculosis and malaria in our country. There may be just one or two cases of TB in our main Hospital in Holland,” said Neora Kieviet, an intern. “However, in the past few years old viruses and diseases are striking back with a vengeance, we need to take preventive measures and study the symptoms along with the methods employed to tame the viruses. India is a good option to study all that,” said Neora. They spend 6 hours in the OPD and discuss various cases with the doctors at the paediatric department. Student exchange programme is popular medium to strengthen the ties between the two countries. They get an all round exposure to the Indian system. From private clinics to government hospitals they have seen it all and are now conversant with our system. Some other students are also expected to come down for their internship and the trip will be arranged by Dr Sebastin, said Dr R K Pant chief medical superintendent (CMS), Doon Hospital. Commenting on the differences in the medical education between India and Holland, Rianne Hoekstra said, “In Netherlands we get an MBBS degree after six years of study that also includes two years of internship. In July, I will be an MBBS doctor but in India it is slightly different.” Students were little surprised at the number of patients queue outside the OPD. They were also surprised at see that therer was no waiting room for the patients. “Number of patients visiting hospital is pretty high as compared to out country. In our country, less then 20 patients visit hospitals in a day and they wait in the waiting rooms made for them. Doctors gives one hour to ever patient,” Noera said. Neora has also helped in devising a low vision protocol for disabled children while working at Latika Roy Foundation. Impressed with the health facilities of India, the students said as compared to India, medical care in Netherlands is costly. A simple X-ray would cost around 100 euros.
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Maulvi, Aalim exams from April 5
Haridwar, March 31 The examinations for Maulvi, Aalim and Fazil classes will be held in two shifts from 7 am to 10 am and from 2:30 pm to 5 pm. The question papers and answer sheets will be stored in the strong room of the The administration has given special instructions for the security at the venue and these papers will be taken out an hour prior to the examination. Meanwhile, the examinations of Classes VI, VII, VIII, IX and XI, which were earlier scheduled for March 26, 28 and 30 will be held on April 2, 4 and 6.
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Grateful Tibetans thank India, their second home
Dehradun, March 31 He was speaking today at a function to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Dalai Lama’s flight to India in 1959 and also to thank India for providing refuge to the Tibetans after the illegal occupation by China. Kapoor said that the peaceful struggle of the Tibetans will one day yield results. “Already, the Chinese government is under pressure to adopt a humane approach in Tibetans areas under its control,” he said. The function was presided over by His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinponche and His Eminence Ratna Varja Sakya Rinpoche. Expressing gratitude towards the people of Uttarakhand, Gyaltsen, Tibetan welfare officer, said Uttarakhand had a special significance in the life of Tibetans-in-exile. In March 1959, when His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, followed by some 80,000 Tibetans, fled to India after a failed uprising against the Chinese communist regime, Birla House in Mussoorie happened to be the first home of His Holiness and the Tibetan government-in-exile. A message of the Dalai Lama was also read out. Later, students from Tibetan schools presented a cultural programme.
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Dehradun, March 31
