Dehradun, July 12
For the past one month, green vegetables have been missing from the menu of most middle class families in Doon. Escalating costs have made popular greens go out of bounds of their monthly budgets.

Commission agents of vegetables blame the supply chain which has been badly affected due to scanty rains that in turn has hit the production of vegetables in most centres of the country.

In the past month, there has been a 50 per cent surge in price of popular vegetables like French beans, peas and cauliflowers.

“During the monsoon, the prices do register an increase. This time around, skewed rainfall has impacted supply. There has been very less rainfall in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan from where we get the bulk of our supplies.

“Even the local supply has been unsatisfactory. Rain has also been scanty in local vegetable belts,” said Rajkumar Dawar, commission agent, Niranjanpur Vegetable and Fruit Market.

For the past several years, the denizens of Dehradun had been getting a steady supply of vegetables at reasonable prices round the year due to the local production of vegetables such as capsicum, cabbage and cauliflower.

But less rain in areas around Chakrata, Mussoorie and Dehradun has pushed prices to a level never witnessed before.

“There has been a four-fold increase in prices. I have to think twice before buying French beans and peas. French beans are being sold at Rs 60 a kg while peas at Rs 100 a kg are well below my means. Even the season’s favourite ladyfinger is being sold at Rs 15 per kg,” rued Kanta Nautiyal, a housewife.

At this time of the year, there is usually a glut of seasonal vegetables especially ladyfinger and cucumber. Though these vegetables are available, most buyers have to think twice before buying them.

At the Niranjanpur market, capsicum is being sold at Rs 12 a kg, peas Rs 50 a kg, cauliflower between Rs 35-Rs 40 a Kg, French beans Rs 25, ginger between Rs 50-55 per kg and garlic Rs 20-25 per kg.

The price of tomato at Rs 20-25/kg has left market goers nonplused. “In order to add tang to dishes, tomatoes are a mandatory requirement. But at the rate at which they are being sold, I think it is better to go without tomatoes for some time,” asserted Lalita Tiwari, a teacher.

There is a huge variation in the prices offered by roadside vegetable vendors, the corner shop and the local ‘mandis’.

“There is no denying the fact that the prices have skyrocketed but what we are witnessing in Dehradun are different price mechanisms at work. Vegetable vendors, with an eye on profits, usually sell vegetables at double the cost they paid while procuring them from the wholesale market,” said Dr SK Kulshreshtha, Consumer Action and Protection Society.

Commission agents said that the supply of potatoes has also been hit by the Kosi river floods. It has been a year since the flood hit the state and ever since, cultivation has not resumed.

“The supply to Bihar, Assam and West Bengal is being augmented by supply from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. This is bound to affect the supply to Uttarakhand.

“Last year in November, we sold potatoes at Rs 2 a kg but the scene is totally different this year. We are selling potatoes (Tumri variety) between Rs 12-13 a kg.

“Even the local variety that we get from Mussoorie and Dhanolti perished due to lack of rains,” said Satpal Mittal, local commission agent, Niranjanpur market.

However in this bleak scenario, there is a ray of hope in the form of vegetables that may not be everyone’s favourite but can nevertheless keep the body satiated with not much of a strain on one’s pocket.

The good old pumpkin is being sold between Rs 5-Rs 8 a kg, ‘tinda’ at Rs 12-15/kg and ‘arbi’ at Rs 12/kg.

Thankfully, the price of onions continues to be tolerable at Rs 10/kg.

The price of mangoes, the toast of the season, have touched the roof. At the Niranjanpur market, the ‘Dasheri’ variety is being sold between Rs 22-23/kg and ‘Langda’ at Rs 18-20/kg.

“We get mangoes only from Bijnor. Most areas under mango production in Uttar Pradesh have been affected by inclement weather and scarce rains,” said Nadeem Quereshi, commission agent.

Not sounding optimistic, commission agents said that the current trend would continue for a few more days. “I am not sure when prices would come down. The rain has not been good this year. The government has already raised oil prices so our freight charges are bound to increase. But sooner or later, things are bound to change,” said Raj Kumar Dawar. 

Mussoorie, July 12
Uttarakhand is gifted with the largest concentration of exotic herbs, medicinal plants, flowers and trees, which are found around the lesser Himalayas and all through the trans-Himalayan region.

Sages and laureates of ancient times have devoted their lives in the research of some life-saving medicines from these vegetations. Apart from geologists, only a few elders living in the mountains are aware of this floral wealth.

Approximately 60 per cent of the vegetation in the mountains is of medicinal value and out of sheer ignorance humans are replacing it with concrete structures. Mullein is one such wonder plant that has long been used in preparation of local medicines.

The Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus), also known as ‘Aaron’s rod’, is a singular plant with a feet long cottony spike adorned with tiny yellow flowers. The Mullein plant can be seen around open slopes, often standing solitary, from May to September.

The elderly women folk living in the mountains have been using Mullein for curing respiratory and stomach ailments. Extracts of the plant is useful in healing open wounds.

While dried Mullein is kept in houses as a good omen, the fresh blooms are used for decorative purpose as well.

Dehradun, July 12
Exotic shrub lantana continues to be controversial. While a majority of wildlife experts strongly back its prompt uproot, there have been voices that don't consider the shrub detrimental to the existence of wildlife.

A former Indian Forest Service officer, who has been part of major wildlife projects both at Sundarbans and North Bengal, Vinod Rishi, describes Lantana as a naturalised coloniser.

"It has been distinctly revealed that lantana supports food, shelter and breeding needs of wild animals inside forests," he said.

While langurs have been found eating tender shoots of lantana, the shrub also helps leopards and tigers hide while they are in search of prey.

Rishi argued that sudden uproot of lantana could have disastrous effects on wildlife.

He strongly favoured gradual replacement of lantana than going for its sudden uproot.

"We need an eco-system approach and only systematic removal of lantana, involving its replacement with other vegetation, can be done," said Rishi.

"Lantana has a certain niche and can only be gradually replaced or else it will have adverse impact on wildlife," he added.

However, all wildlife experts don't subscribe to Rishi's views. Contradicting this, Wildlife Institute of India scientist Dr Sushant Chowdhary said: "Lantana is toxic for both animals and plants and also the cause behind spread of forest fires."

Another wildlife expert Dr AJT Johnsingh too termed lantana as dangerous for kidneys

He, however, admitted that in Madhumalai sanctuary even pachyderms have been feeding on Lantana.

Interestingly, while protected areas in Uttarakhand have undertaken a campaign against uproot of lantana, authorities at Rajaji Park have been at the forefront of lantana removal campaign.

Dehradun, July 12
Summers always increase the demand for more casual and comfortable clothes.

With kurtis, frocks leggings, matching salwars and chudidaars a ‘mix and match’ craze has hit the market.

The market seems to be flooded with cool and comfortable dresses, especially kurtis. Kurtis are now available in various sizes, designs and shapes. From traditional ones to something more contemporary there is something for everybody.

One can easily catch beautiful kurtis easily at places like Ghosi Gali, shops close to Ghantaghar, at Chakrata Road and many other places in the city.

Riya, a college student said,” I have just stopped buying salwaar-kameez now. These kurtis get along well with everything like jeans, leggings or chudidaar. Also there are no hassles of getting these stitched, as these are ready to wear.

Gurpreet Singh owner of JK Apparels at Ghosi Gali says, “The trend of these casual wears is engulfing everyone. We have kurtis ranging from Rs 175 to Rs 350. We have our own designers who design these accordingly what the trend demands.”

The fabrics for these kurtis are being imported from Ahmedabad, Delhi and Mumbai. It’s only the charm and comfort appeal of these kurtis that even the married women are now going for them. Thus, a wide size range from medium to XL has been made available. According to the shopkeepers about 40% of their customers are married women.