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Rid sanctuary of human settlements: Report
Ama(i)zing healer
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Come taste ‘Butter Holi’
Villagers of Raithal celebrate the butter festival. A Tribune photograph
Time to beautify your kitchen garden
Leopard fear grips Satyam Vihar residents
Cycle rally held
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Rid sanctuary of human settlements: Report
Dehradun, August 9 These recommendations come from a survey conducted by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), a voluntary organisation. The assessment was the result of the trust signing a contract of consultancy with the Tiger Conservation Authority on August 2006 which entailed social and environmental assessments in six landscapes, Askot landscape being one of them. The trust has now finalised its report and come out with thought-provoking recommendations. Situated in the North-East of Uttarakhand, the Askot landscape lies within the district of Pitthoragarh. It borders Tibet in the north and touches Nepal in the east. The landscape is a mix of lower, mid and higher Himalayas and is a catchment area for the river Kali, which defines the international border between India and Nepal. The Forest Rights Act gets much mention in the report. The assessment suggests that the state forest department must hasten to implement the Forest Rights Act in toto. The department has been going slow on the Act. The draft report, that aims to strengthen linkages between conservation and improving the livelihood of local communities that live in the neighbourhood of biodiversity-rich areas, outlines the need for protecting and securing the rights of villages, particularly the Ban Raji community which lives in close proximity It suggests mapping of their rights under the Forest Rights Act, while forewarning against marginalisation of the Ban Raji community. As of know Ban Raji, a pastoral community, have been clubbed with the more settled non-tribal agrarian communities who see themselves as superior to the Ban Raji whose population is on the decline. This has very real implications on the livelihood opportunities of the Ban Raji since even though the village forest is located next to their hamlets, they are denied all forest rights. The report calls for starting the project for settlement of the rights of the population within the landscape.It also seeks waiving restrictions on usage of natural resources by villagers. “Following the enactment of the Forest Rights Act, we recommend that mapping of the rights be initiated as soon as possible. This process must, however, be initiated at a habitation level before being concluded at the gram panchayat level so as to ensure that marginalised communities get an opportunity to speak on their traditional rights,” the report says, also recommending that the mapping process is entrusted to an independent body. Stating that the Van Panchayats in the region present a peculiar situation. In demarcating their boundaries, there are several inconsistencies. Hence, it recommends mapping of rights under the procedure laid down in the Forest Rights Act at the habitation level. It also says the Van Panchayat rules are clearly at odds with the new rights regime introduced subsequent to the enactment of the Forest Rights Act and calls for its review in tandem with the new legislation. Askot landscape prominently comprises the Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary that has been set up primarily with the object of conserving the musk deer and its habitat. The sanctuary is also under the process of re-notification. It is proposed that while the total area of the sanctuary remains unchanged, its boundaries be revised to exclude human habitation. Also, the landscape area will be increased to include areas that are closer to the Nanda Devi biosphere reserve to the west. Being a habitat of the musk deer, an endangered species, it is given much importance. The leopard, serow, barking deer, ghoral and bown bear are other wildlife species found in the region. The assessment has been fool-proof conducted in a practical manner. Village elders and headmen were informed of the nature of the visit upon arrival and people mobilised subsequently. To make it finer, gender participation was ensured. The youth were also involved. Consultations were held in schools, household compounds and other locations suggested by villagers to make it more convenient. More importantly, the consultations werer held in the local dialect. The assessment team comprised Dr T Ganesh, Dr Siddhartha Krishnan, Jason Keith Fernandes, Jahnavi Pai, and Rakhi Rai.
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Ama(i)zing healer
Mussoorie, August 9 Although rain and fog has enveloped Mussoorie in a hush, good things are unfolding beneath the cover. The monotony of the mountain air is being broken by the crackling sound and tempting aroma of the fresh yield of maize as it is roasted or boiled in home kitchens and the street vends of Mussoorie. Maize (zea mays poaceae) is one of the prime monsoon crops of the hills and the markets are full of these. The milky sweet and juicy hot “bhutta” laden with a sqeeze of lemon and a dash of salt is the best nutritious bet after a drenched encounter. Mall Road is lined with corn sellers and their small and charcoal burners, huddled under an umbrella. The choice varies from freshly roasted to nicely boiled corn. These vends are a good option for a quick nibble in the rain and as a take-away while on a stroll or stuffed within hooded rickshaws. Bulk purchase can be done from vegetable vends around the town or directly from villagers. The people of the mountains have been cultivating maize since ages as it forms their vital meal. The fresh soft maize are eaten as “bhutta”, whereas the dried ones are kept for grinding into flour or stored as seeds for the next crop. The maize is an amazing healer and has been used to cure various ailments. The corn seeds and its silky hair are boiled to attain a syrup which aids in the cleansing of the urinary tract and in dissolving stones from kidneys and the Corn oil is considered the medium for cooking while the oil extract of the seeds and the corn kernel is recommended for a soft, moist and wrinkle-free skin. Sadly, the fields around the Queen of the Hills, where once maize thrived, are being replaced by concrete.
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Come taste ‘Butter Holi’
Dehradun, August 9 Aware of the tourism potential of the festival, the villagers have brought about a turnaround, linking the festival to their livelihood. On offer are home stays for tourists, far from the maddening crowd. “We now want to showcase Andoodi to the rest of the world. The tradition that dates back to the Mahabharata period continues to inspire the villagers of Raithal, who camp at the meadows from June to September. “With milk abundant, The villagers play Holi with milk and butter and try their luck at breaking a dangling pot of butter. They pay obeisance to Lord Krishna, who is said to have protected the villagers from the wrath of Lord Indra,” explained Chandan Singh Rana, president, Dyara Paryatan Utsav Samiti. At this time of the year, the meadows glisten with foliage and flowers. Even the cattle fed on green grass is rejuvenated and there is no dearth of milk. The meadows stretching 28 sq km have 37 varieties of flowers, grasses and herbs. The villagers feel the festival is bound to acquire international fame as similar festivities are observed in rural America and Europe in the form of Tomato and Orange festivals. “Foreign tourists who stayed with us last year shared their own experiences of orange and tomato mashing competitions. Besides, our area is blessed with breath- taking meadows and peaks that will be a delight for adventure tourists and trekkers. “ The tourism department has donated a sum of Rs 50,000 for the festivities,” said Manoj Rana, patron, Dyara Paryatan Utsav
Samiti.
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Time to beautify your kitchen garden
Dehradun, August 9 Starting from the king of fruits, mango, Dehradun-famous litchis, guava, amla or the sweet cheeku, this season is bound to see a variety of plants growing, owing to a generouis monsoon. However, whether in summers or winters, it is important to have knowledge about the right quantity of water. “For robust growth of a plant, ample water combined with quality manure is a must. Fruits as well big flowers such as the gulmohar, jabranda, saawani and haarshinghar can be easily grown in the space during the monsoon,” said Ramu, manager at Anurag Nursery. Interestingly, in spite of the monsoon arriving late as compared to ealier years, people are rushing to nurseries. “The response has been fantastic as many people in the city are fond of gardening and are habituated to living in surroundings which have a variety of seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers. Those fond of colourful flowers like the rose, dahlia, pansy, carnation, poppy or the dog flower can look to mid- September for the flowers to blossom. Within a budget of Rs 200, a variety of flower and fruit saplings can be purchased and if nurtured with care, any dull area can be turned lively. “As I am fond of fruits, I purchased a variety of mango plants as well as seeds of seasonal vegetables to beautify my garden and eat fresh vegetables,” said Meenakshi, housewife.
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Leopard fear grips Satyam Vihar residents
Haridwar, August 9 “We have seen the leopard frequenting the colony several times and have apprised forest department as well as the police about it,” said Abhay Kumar, a resident of the colony who nearly encountered the leopard outside his house. Colony welfare association president Harish Sahni informed that leopards were a common sight and forest department needs to take action in this regard as soon as possible.
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Dehradun, August 9 The rally, which was to cover a route of 10 km was flagged off by Uttarakhand DGP Subhash Joshi from Parade Ground. In addition to the gentlemen cadets, people from all walks of life participated in the event. — TNS
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Uttarakhand needs to work towards settlement of rights of the population residing in the vicinity of Askot, famous for the musk deer, through speedy implementation of the Forest Rights Act.
The rights of the Ban Raji community in the region also need to be safeguarded.
The monsoon is moving fast towards the Queen of Hills, embracing everything that comes its way with its cloak of thick fog halting the hustle-bustle of life every now and then.
Although rain and fog has enveloped Mussoorie in a hush, good things are unfolding beneath the cover.
Dehradun, August 9
