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Red tape confines Van Gujjars
Protesting Van Gujjars outside Rajaji National Park. Photo: Vinod Pundir
Rajaji officials detain tourist
All roads lead to Robbers’ Cave
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‘Gharats’ are back
All for a dazzling look
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Red tape confines Van Gujjars
Dehradun, April 21 The authorities continue to resist issuing permits to these Van Gujjars even as soaring temperatures have made it almost impossible for them to ensure the survival of their livestock. Even after repeated appeals by the Gujjars and some public representatives, the Rajaji park authorities, that manage the Govind Pashu Vihar in Uttarakashi, have refused to allow these Gujjars on the pretext that they hail from Uttar Pradesh and, thus, cannot be permitted to migrate to Uttarakashi. Led by senior Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana, the aggrieved Van Gujjars and representatives of the Society for Promotion of Himalayan Indigenous Activity (SOPHIA) today met director of Rajaji park SS Raisaily and pleaded the case of these families. While Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana criticised the state administration for not implementing the forest dwellers Act in Uttarakhand to help the cause of the Van Gujjars, he asked the park director to take initiative to provide succour to the affected families. However, Raisaily expressed his inability to issue permits to them till he received orders from the state administration. “As these Gujjar families belong to Uttar Pradesh, we cannot issue them any permit,” he said, adding that he was only abiding by the government orders. He asked the affected families to approach the government. Praveen Kaushal of Sophia who was part of the delegation that met the director pointed out that all the Van Gujjars were a nomadic tribe and could not be said to have domicile in Uttar Pradesh. He said they had been moving from Shivalik forest areas to Uttarakashi every summer since ages and it was wrong to confine them within boundaries. Van Gujjars, forest dwelling nomads, move up with their livestock to the higher reaches of the Himalayas every summer and come down in the winters. However, this year their movement has been curtailed by the bureaucracy on the ground that since they arrive from the Shivalik forest ranges of Uttar Pradesh, they cannot be allowed into their traditional grassland pastures in Uttarakhand. Many of these Van Gujjar families are now stranded on the Assan bridge near
Vikasnagar. “We are running from pillar to post for the past several days to move the forest officials since all Van Gujjar families on their way to Uttarkashi are stranded on roads with their families and livestock,” said Firoz Ahmed, one of the affected Gujjars. He alleged that for the past several years they had been facing harassment at the hands of the forest department of Uttarakhand which refused to recognise their traditional rights. After Uttarakhand was carved out, a part of Shivalik forest (outside Rajaji national Park) in Saharanpur, remained with Uttar Pradesh. Many of these Van Gujjars migrate from Uttar Pradesh to the higher reaches in Uttarkashi and even to Himachal Pradesh passing through Uttarakhand. But the forest department is now bent on stopping those coming to Uttarakhand from UP. When questioned, Dr Raisaily said in the past few years the number of families of Van Gujjars had increased from 13 in 2007 to 100 within two years. The director did not rule out the possibility of holding a survey in the Shivaliks to ascertain their real strength. These Van Gujjars have not been offered a settlement plan by any state government. In the Shivaliks of Uttar Pradesh, these Gujjars pay a “lopping tax” during the winters and in the proposed Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in Uttarakhand, they are levied “grazing tax”. After paying these taxes, they are given permits, a legally admissible document since 1937. The 12 Van Gujjar families of the proposed Govind Pashu Vihar National Park which were allocated permits in 1937 have multiplied to 100 nuclear units but the number of permits remains 12. “This is a last-ditch strategy of the Uttarakhand forest department to terminate the rights of these unprivileged, forest-dependant communities so that they cannot claim any right under the The ST and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act,” observed activist Kaushal while pledging to continue his fight for the Van Gujjars. The Rajaji park authorities today issued advertisements in some Hindi newspapers stating that there was no question of allowing Uttar Pradesh Van Gujjars into Uttarakhand. “Some Van Gujjars are mounting pressure on the Rajaji park authorities and the Uttarakhand government and we would like to categorically state that there is no possibility of allowing these Van Gujjars entry into Govind Pashu Vihar,” the advertisement read.
Rajaji officials detain tourist
Dehradun, April 21 The man from New York was taken by surprise when detained in a room by Rajaji Park officials. After much harassment, he was handed over to the Kotwali police. Rajaji park director SS Raisaily said the foreigners presence at the protest arose suspicions. Also, he was found clicking photographs of protesters inside the park office without permission. Praveen Kaushal of Sophia, who was part of the delegation, said the incident was a reflection on the autocratic behaviour of the park director. “Harassing a foreign tourist is condemnable. Such acts will certainly not attract tourists,” Kaushal observed. When Kaushal approached the police, they were unable to tell under what charges the tourist, identified as Michael, had been detained. He was allowed to go in the afternoon. —TNS
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All roads lead to Robbers’ Cave
Dehradun, April 21 Three years ago, the condition of the cave was deplorable which forced people to either visit Shahastradhara or Mussoorie for a break. But now, the state irrigation department has provided basic facilities like washrooms, changing rooms, parks and cafeteria around the cave, which makes it a favourite summer destination. “We have collaborated with the state tourism department and working agencies of irrigation department to provide a place where people can relax and spend quality time with their friends and families,” said Rishi Raj Dabral, vice-president, state irrigation advisory committee. Robbers’ cave is 650 metre long with two prominent water falls, one situated at the center and other behind the left side of the first cave. “The situation of the road was pathetic and there were no arrangements for visitors, people hardly used to drop in here. But today, at least 3,000 to 4,000 people from different parts visit the place on weekends and enjoy in fresh water stream, which is good for skin and is an adventurous journey in itself,” said Anup Kumar Ghhale Lama, owner of a cafeteria and supervisor of the Robbers’ Cave. Rush doubles during the Char Dham yatra and summer vacations. It benefits small vendors who earlier used to long for crowd. “Before renovation, we could hardly earn our living, but now we make good money during summers,” said Anup. However, some rowdy tourists spoil the beauty of the spot with litter and polythene bags. “Due to group of young people coming and spoiling the beauty of the cave, it gets difficult for us to clean it at short intervals. Therefore, we need government to deploy security at the place,” said Anup. “ We are also trying to renovate tourist spots like Dhak Pathar and Asan Bairaj,” said Rishi.
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‘Gharats’ are back
Roorkee, April 21 The watermills, commonly known as ‘gharats’, are utilised for grinding cereals. With the passage of time, these ‘gharats’, which have low efficiency, have been replaced by diesel-run mills. According to IIT experts, about 2 lakh watermill sites exist throughout the Himalayan ranges from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. Approximately 40 per cent of these have become defunct. In an effort to give a new lease of life to ‘gharat’ culture, the Alternate Hydro Energy Centre (AHEC) of the IIT has developed an improved version of traditional watermills under the United Nations Development Programme/Global Environment Facilities Hilly Hydro Projects of the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources. The improved design of ‘gharat’ is capable of providing an efficient and life-long machine for grinding cereals at a faster rate with minimal maintenance. With the improved model, the efficiency of the ‘gharat’ has gone up three to five times. This has evoked interest in thousands of people to re-install watermills in their villages. “After we developed the new design, thousands of the new ‘gharats’ have been set up in the Himalayan and sub-Himalayan region. Even state nodal agencies and NGOs are taking interest in this programme,” said IIT-R Prof RP Saini, project leader of the Watermills Development Programme. He added that many persons have visited the IIT centre to get first-hand knowledge of the improved design of the ‘gharat’, which can also be fitted easily with the other parts of the existing water mills that are generally found to be in good condition. “Under its scheme, the government too has been encouraging the people to install watermills by providing them huge financial aid. An individual has to spend only 20 to 30 per cent of the total cost of installing the mill,” said Prof Saini. To address problems related to the repair and functioning of watermills, the IIT-R has imparted intensive training to 100 para-technicians for Uttarakhand. “All ‘gharaat’ owners have been provided with a catalogue containing addresses and mobile phone numbers of para-technicians,” said Saini. “Diesel-run mills cause pollution. If we replace these mills with environment-friendly ‘gharats’, we will be able to help fight global warming,” he said. So far, the AHEC has installed over 300 ‘gharaats’ while the number of mills installed by state nodal agency UREDA is 327 in the hill areas.
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All for a dazzling look
Dehradun, April 21 A live demonstration was conducted to give its customers a clear picture of the products and their benefits to the skin. Speaking about the new line of treatments Dr Shobha Sehgal, head of innovations VLCC said, “ VLCC has always offered its customers more advanced and effective beauty solutions. These new beauty treatments revitalise the skin, giving immediate and visible effect. Moreover, facial products have been researched and developed by the VLCC research and development department and is a unique blend of herbal ingredients and scientific approach,” she said. On one hand where the sterling silver facial contains the goodness of silver powder and natural extracts of lemon, orange peel is excellent for nourishment and prevents formation of black heads. Perfect pearl facial on the other hand helps in instant removal of tan and rejuvenates dull, tired and sluggish skin to bring an instant glow to the face. “Both the facials are made out of best ingredients and has properties which are excellent for skin. Last year also we introduced golden glow facial and got a very good response and this year also we are positive and are looking forward to help women who are suffering from skin disorders,” said Puja, center head VLCC.
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As many as 100 families of Van Gujjars camping on the outskirts of Dehradun are awaiting the green signal from the Uttarakhand forest authorities for returning to their traditional grasslands in Uttarkashi
district, this despite the central government promulgation of the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act.
As the city temperature is crossing 40 degrees, residents here are heading towards different picnic spots to unwind in the midst of cool breeze and fresh water.
