Haridwar, May 24
Decades back when the proposal to rehabilitate Gujjars evicted from the protected area of the world-famous animal habitat of Rajaji National Park was mooted, it was deemed as an arduous and improbable task.

But with persistent efforts by the park authorities and a comprehensive rehabilitation programme, not only have the Gujjars been moved, but the benefits of the programme have now begun to bear fruit.

The two vital aspects where the effect is distinctly visible is the movement of wild life species in the park area, especially those where Gujjars once dwelled, and second the flora-fauna in the park area is one again blooming, regenerating the forest wealth.

Rajaji is the second largest protected area in Uttarakhand.

The Gujjars came to the Shivalik hill ranges from Jammu nearly 200 years ago as part of dowry of a Nahan princess. Nahan now falls in the state of Himachal Pradesh.

As pastoral nomads, the Gujjars spend the autumn in the region and from May to September shift to alpine pastures of the Himalayas. These Gujjars would stay inside the forest area in groups. Their major occupation was rearing cattle and selling milk in nearby localities.

A Gujjar family on an average has 15-20 buffalos and bigger families 30-40 buffalos. Hence, fodder, water and grazing requirements put a lot of pressure on the precious forest resources of the park area.

Besides, lopping of trees by the Gujjars has not only retarded regeneration of various species but also caused infestation of weeds. Some trees like the ficus bengalensis, ficus religiosa, ficus rumphii and emblica officinalis are a major fodder species for animals. These were beginning to plummet due to lopping.

The Gujjars also caused major damage to the ecology of the park. They would peg tents near natural waterholes and the dung and urination of the cattle polluted these water sources. The impure water would directly affect animals like the elephant.

As such a need was felt to relocate and rehabilitate the Gujjars so as to conserve wildlife and ecology. The first attempt to resettle the Gujjars was made in 1984 by the then Uttar Pradesh government, but the project failed due to lack of planned procedure.

The programme received a thrust only when Uttaranchal was carved out from Uttar Pradesh in 2000. Former Rajaji park director GS Pande said rehabilitation of the Gujjars had remained his top priority. As of now, of the nine forest ranges in the Rajaji park in seven-- Chila, Motichur, Kansrao, Haridwar, Ramgarh, Dhaulkhand eastern and Beribada-- Gujjars have been relocated. In Gohri and Chillawali ranges, the rehabilitation process is yet to be implemented fully.

The Gujjar families have been shifted to the Pathri and Gaindikhata areas in Haridwar.

A study published by the National Academy of Sciences undertaken jointly by former Rajaji park director GS Pandey and Dr Ritesh Joshi reveals that the after-affects of the Gujjar rehabilitation programme are showing with wildlife movement and vegetation on the increase. “In the now abandoned deras, there have been found eight species of vegetation while the movement of elephants and tigers is now more common in the vacated areas,” says Joshi. 

The wild animals are now utilising all available waterholes to meet routine requirements through the day. The regeneration potential of forest has been strengthened with lopping and grazing by cattle coming to a complete halt. The Gujjars have been given a good rehabilitation package.

Each family has been allotted over two acres of arable land in which they have grown vegetables along with cereal crops. Also, each family has been provided site for a house and money to shift their belongings to the new area.

Rehabilitation of Gujjars was the need of the hour as studies have shown that wildlife survives only when there is no disturbance in the buffer and core areas of natural habitats, especially in the vicinity of water resources.

Dehradun, May 24
Parveen Kaushal of SOPHIA, a voluntary organisation that has been working for the welfare of Van Gujjars residing in the Rajaji National park area, disagrees with these claims

“It is sheer concoction by the authorities aimed at denying the Gujjars, who had been living peacefully in the natural surroundings, their traditional rights,” he said.

On the claims of the forest authorities that wildlife, flora and fauna has shown improvement in the areas where Gujjars have been evicted, Kaushal said:

“ The Gujjars are better conservationists than paid employees of the forest department since they have been living in harmony with nature since centuries. They do not need a certificate from officials.”

Kaushal pointed out that it was strange coincidence that while wildlife in protected areas had been decreasing, in non-protected forests of Uttarakhand incidents of leopards attacking children and women were on the rise.

He questioned the rehabilitation programme saying the houses built for Gujjars were of inferior quality and without any basic facility.

“It is a big sham that needs to be investigated.”

Kaushal said the forest authorities were targeting the Gujjars alone even though revenue villages, a railway line and an Army depot were also located within the periphery of the Rajaji National Park.

He was of the opinion that pressure was on the Gujjars since the Forest Right Act passed by Parliament ensures forest rights to nomads and tribesmen. 

Dehradun, May 24
To discuss matters over a cup of coffee and unleash emotions in good company of buddies and family members with perfect ambience of coffee houses has today somehow becoming a regular trend in the city.

Lately Doon Club also launched its private coffee lounge to provide an array of beverages with delicious food also. Frothy, strong coffee rejuvenate people to get back to their busy schedule after spending a long, hectic day at work.

In the year 2002, the first Barista Cafe was launched while in 2003 Café Coffee Day (CCD) came to the city. Both Barista and CCD are favourites of both youngsters and senior citizens.

“The response has been excellent. Students throng to our café and have a gala time with their friends, whereas senior citizens and office goers discuss various issues over a cup of coffee here,” said Surinder Singh, manager Barista.