Colourful appeal

Students take part in a rangoli competition at a private educational institute in Dehradun on Monday. Tribune photo: Anil P. Rawat

Bringing dak to light
Dehradun, April 20
On the verge of extinction, the Dak instrument staged an appearance at the SPICMACAY cultural fiesta, which concluded, here today. Dasiya, the lone player of this instrument, hailing from Tharsa village in Chakrata district, played the instrument, which may see better days in the times to come. The members belonging to Jaunsar Bawar Maha Shiv Sanskritik Hanol Lok Kala Manch managed to locate the only surviving member of the family of traditional players of the instrument.

Heat wave unabated Dehradun, April 20 Heat wave prevails in the city as mercury touched as high as 40.1 degrees here today, breaking record of past many decades. According to the Meteorological Department heat wave conditions prevailed in the state, which are likely to continue for next 24 hours. Children in Chakrata line up for water. Tribune photo: Anil P. Rawat

Experts discuss mission tiger
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20
Even as yet another census is in the offing, experts here at the Wildlife Institute of India are preparing for a massive exercise to preserve the tigers amidst increasing concern over the rising number of their deaths in recent times.

A national consultative meeting on “Emergency issues on tiger conservation” held at the institute was attended by chief wildlife wardens, principle chief conservator of forests and eminent persons committed to tiger conservation.

Expressing concern over the deaths of tigers, the meeting, that was presided by Uttarakhand chief wildlife warden Srikant Chandola, stressed on better inter-state and inter-departmental ties if the tiger was to be saved in the country.

Union environment and forests minister Vijay Sharma called for more focused efforts to save the tiger while calling for ensuring people’s participation in such an exercise. He exhorted institute officials to come with more accurate data on tigers in the forthcoming census.

Action Plan Want better inter-department coordination Improved equipment for anti-poaching cell Fresh recruitment in the frontline staff Rehabilitation of villages within tiger habitat Safeguarding tiger corridors

While efforts by Uttarakhand to safeguard tigers were lauded, the need for expansion of Corbett National Tiger, which has the highest density of tigers in Asia, was emphasised.

There were deliberations on coordination between Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh for curbing activities of poachers in the region. National Tiger Conservation Authority’s Dr Rajesh Gopal outlined the need for effective planning for tiger conservation.

He in particular appreciated the role of the Wildlife Institute of India in conducting the first-ever most scientific census of tigers in the country.

He asked the institute scientists to further better their technique in the next census which is likely to begin shortly.

On wildlife offence cases, the speakers expressed concern over the rising number of vacancies in the frontline staff which was proving detrimental to the forest officials’ efforts towards safeguarding tigers.

Senior wildlife official and Uttarakhand anti-poaching cell head Paramjeet Singh said the meeting gave much importance to strategy formulation. “While coordination among various states and departments was emphasised, people’s participation in efforts to preserve the tiger also came up for discussion,” he said.

To curb poaching, the participants called for equipping the forest staff with the latest devices to confront the hi-tech poachers. The balance between eco tourism and conservation was seen to be affecting tiger conservation.

There has been increasing inclination in wildlife areas towards tiger- centric tourism. Tiger reserves across the country are some of the most-sought-after destinations. While many at the meeting said that promotion of eco tourism should not be at the cost of the tiger, some emphasised on limiting tourism activity inside tiger areas and also ensuring that such activity did not affect the tiger environs in any manner.

While checking poaching certainly was all-important, relocation of villagers from critical tiger habitats was also discussed at the meeting. A comprehensive policy for ensuring smooth rehabilitation of villages that fall within tiger habitats was sought. Top forest officials from Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal discussed the problems arising from dislocation of villagersThe man-animal conflict and its impact on tiger conservation efforts was also discussed threadbare.

There was general opinion that increasing hostilities between residents and the wildlife, mpasrticulasrly the tiger, would be disastrous for the striped cats. Going into the causes that lead to such a conflict and prompt redressal of such issues was prime on the agenda.

Additional principle chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden Srikant Chandola said Uttarakhand had done commendable work towards tiger conservation with Corbett emerging as one of the finest habitats for this charismatic species. He said tigers sightings had increased at Rajaji National Park, which was a welcome sign.

The experts said that increasing the tiger territory was of prime importance, particularly in areas where there was a problem of spillover. Experts said the wild cat needed at least 10 to 12 sq km. When their numbers increased, the tigers moved into new areas but permanent constructions were now an impediment to their free movement.

While the tiger continues to be a subject of concern for wildlife officials, voluntary organisations call for safeguarding the tiger corridors in the country. “Corridors are key to betterment of tigers. “But with destruction of these corridors due to encroachments and other human activity, the movement of tigers has been seriously affected,” explained Dr Hem Singh Gehlot, WWF of Nature Studies.

The WII meeting could not have come at a more appropriate time as the nation struggle to arrest the steadily declining number of tigers. Their number in the country at present is not more than 1,200.

Forest fires still smouldering
Forest fires start in mid-April and continue till the onset of monsoon but this year, forests of Garhwal region have been smouldering since late February
Sandeep Rawat
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 20
With the mercury rising, large forest fires are raging in many districts in the state. Scorching heat coupled with forest fires on a large scale has aggravated the problems of the forest authorities as well as wildlife.

Forest wealth worth crores of rupees has already been destroyed in the fires and has led to the shortage of fodder for animals.

Normally, forest fires start from mid-April and continue till the onset of monsoon but this year, forests of Garhwal region have been smouldering since late February mainly due to the absence of winter rains.

In Pauri Garhwal, several instances of forest fire have come into notice. Many areas in forests around Nankot, Satyakhal, Khandusain, Baingwadi villages are reportedly burning in the mountains. The temperature in the beautiful hill station of Pauri, where fans are a rare sight, is on the rise. The heat is being attributed to forest fires and the cutting of trees in the vicinity. The same is the case in other hill-headquarter towns.

Things like electric fans, umbrellas and cold drinks, which were a rarity earlier, are selling like hot cakes.In Tehri Garhwal district, particularly in Pratap Nagar and Bhilangana divisions, the intense fire fog, which has resulted from the forest fire, has shot up the temperature. Residents of Gansali Naudhar, Kadiyal Gaon, Budkot and nearby villages have been bearing the brunt.

In Rudraprayag district, fire has devastated forest property and even affected the Kedar Nath wildlife sanctuary. The fire can be seen from as far as Gopeshwar town and villages of Gari Tangsa, Sonla Bacher and Katood have been in smoke cloud for the past few days.

ADO forest, Khirshu range, Dheeraj Singh Rawat said forest employees are working day and night to control the fire and routinely organise programmes to generate awareness among the masses.

He blamed tourists and locals who don’t extinguish fires they start during picnics or who throw cigarette and ‘bidi’ ends around carelessly in the forest.

“This is a major cause of forest fires in summer as vegetation, bushes and trees are dry and catch fire easily.” According to environmentalist Joginder Singh, the drought in most districts of Garhwal was the prime reason of the non-stop forest fire. Meanwhile, forest department officials said that the department is trying its level best and have established master control rooms and crew stations which are equipped with digital hydrometer and computer software. These are helpful in monitoring and in mapping the temperature of the forest. Making the task of the forest department cumbersome is the upcoming general election.

Forest staff employees will be deployed in the fifth phase of the poll and this will definitely affect the fire-fighting work by the department. Garhwal forest division officials said measures were being taken so that their absence doesn’t affect their work. Though the forest department spends thousands of rupees in ‘Van Suraksha Saptah yet the situation on the ground seems to be asking for real fire-controlling expenditure.

Bringing dak to light
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service

Dasiya, the lone player of “dak”. Tribune photo: Vinod Pundir

Dehradun, April 20
On the verge of extinction, the Dak instrument staged an appearance at the SPICMACAY cultural fiesta, which concluded, here today. Dasiya, the lone player of this instrument, hailing from Tharsa village in Chakrata district, played the instrument, which may see better days in the times to come.

The members belonging to Jaunsar Bawar Maha Shiv Sanskritik Hanol Lok Kala Manch managed to locate the only surviving member of the family of traditional players of the instrument.

The instrument may appear as a smaller version of the dhol, but the difference lies in its shape, sound and rhythm generated when it is struck with a hand or a stick.

“The traditional dhol and damaoun are the preferred choices during ceremonies and while invoking local deities.

However, dak, a drum-like instrument is played while invoking Kali Mata only. Only the performers of the instrument know which stick is used to strike dak for generating the sound that would ultimately please the goddess.

“Once upon a time the instrument was played regularly while invoking goddess Kali at the temples dedicated to her,” said Jaininder Dhobal, patron of Jaunsar Bawar Maha Shiv Sanskritik Hanol Lok Kala Manch.

The accidental discovery of Dasiya and his instrument has enthused artistes and experts who are keen to introduce him to the audience in the town.

The instrument had vanished from the scene; in fact even the older generation did not know of its existence but after the re-introduction things would work in favour of revival of the instrument.

“We are planning to train performers and introduce it as a subject in the coming days at the HNB Garhwal University that is already

running courses for students in traditional folk forms of Uttarakhand at Srinagar (Garhwal),” said Dr DR Purohit of HNB Garhwal University.

Heat wave unabated
Tribune News Service