Haridwar, August 26
Not many know that during the monsoon, elephants of Rajaji and Jim Corbett National Park interchange places as part of traditional migration.

This has been a natural process. But in a few areas, the elephants are being denied their traditional feeding grounds and corridors, bringing them into conflict with man.

This is bound to result in genetic isolation, habitat fragmentation within the forest and increased man-elephant conflict in adjoining areas. Genetic isolation of elephant populations may also lead to increased intra-
breeding.

The startling revelations were made by two forest scientists who have studied the behaviour of elephants in the Chilla, Shyampur, Chiriapur and Laldhang ranges if the Rajaji National Park for two years.

As the area is widespread and not connected through motorable road, foot observations have brought to the for certain facets of the species hitherto unknown.

From dense forest areas to areas near water resources, fodder-rich areas and rough forest routes, elephants were found to have phenomenal characteristics.

“It’s not easy to sight elephants in dense forest habitats . So apart from risk from wild animals, we had to incorporate indirect methods and that meant the study took more time,” said Dr Ritesh Joshi, principal investigator, Asian Elephants project, who conducted the study alongwith Dr Rambir Singh from the department of 
science.

As identification of the elephants was vital to verify their movement ( there was a possibility that the same herd was observed in different forest beats) . Hence, elephants with distinct identification marks were chosen- tusk size, shape of the ears, scars, tail length, tubercles on the body, body mass.

This lessened the confusion and two herds were undertaken for study. The first was named Chila herd. It comprised 21 elephants. The second called Garhwal herd had 13 elephants.

Their movement and home range behavior was observed in an area of 80 km sq. The herds comprised adult females, young females, and males and calves.

During the study period, the Chila herd was sighted on 194 days of summer, 183 days of winter and 127 days of monsoon while the Garhwal herd was sightedted on 181 summer, 162 winter and 114 monsoon days.

The annual home range of the former was observed to be 18 km in summers, 24 km in winters and 21 km in the monsoon season. Similarly, the range utilisation by the second herd was 20 km in summers, 13 km in winters and 24 km in the monsoon season.

The home range of both herds was almost the same throughout the year and they were observed to utilise the same seasonal feeding grounds.

Also, the study proved that elephant movement remained predominantly seasonal. “Both herds had a fixed home range and as the herds generally comprise baby elephants, their seasonal range remained unchanged. Therefore, their movement was restricted to particular areas.

“Longer movements were observed only during the course of migration or in extreme environmental conditions like forest fire and scarcity of water,” observed Dr Joshi.

Also, it was found that the elephant diet constituted mostly of trees. Consumption of tree species was about 74 per cent with grasses accounting to 14 per cent and shrubs 8 per cent but for their diet, they was mainly dependent on availability of seasonal food.

The Kotdwar - Lansdowne road which runs parallel to the river Kho and crosses the Rajaji-Corbett corridor is a major track for the movement of elephant population in the north- west between the Yamuna and the Sharda.

Since the road serves as the major transport link between Pauri town and Kotdwar area, traffic on the road, construction of steep retaining walls and human settlement along the entire corridor area has almost restricted the migration of elephants.

The same can be said of motor roads adjacent to the forests, like the Haridwar-Dehradun National Highway and BHEL roads that have heavy traffic, severely affecting elephant migration.

The Traffic Police says on an average, 8,000 vehicles pass on the Dehradun-Haridwar road everyday and wild animals, including elephants, are affected by the heavy traffic.

In the monsoon season, the study says the movement of elephants is affected with low-lying areas becoming swampy. So, the elephants move towards sloping terrains.

Another major factor contributing to their upward movement is the blood-sucking fly called ‘daans’ which irritates the elephants, hovering around the ears and the trunk.

It is clear that development and anthropogenic activities are forcing elephants to change their traditional routes and regular documentation of movement activities is a must to determine the exact population persistence of species.

Besides, wildlife biologists believe that there is a need to obtain more and more biological information about other wild species too to enhance the status of their habitat and their numbers in the habitat. 

Dehradun, August 26
It would take some time more before Jim Corbett National Park finally gets a microlight aircraft. Following increased activity by poachers in recent times, the Uttarakhand government had some time back mooted a proposal to purchase a microlight aircraft to strengthen security arrangements at Corbett that has maximum tiger density in Asia.

But the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had expressed strong reservations over release of funds for the aircraft for Corbett till Uttarakhand signed a tripartite pact with the Centre, the state and the Field Director, Corbett, as the three parties.

Union Minister of Forests and Environment Jairam Ramesh who visited Corbett shortly after assuming office had expressed concern over the security arrangements at Corbett and called for a comprehensive security plan for the next six years, including purchase of an aircraft.

However, the park director, Vinod Singhal, denied knowledge of any such development.

He said there were no hassles in the tripartite agreement and the state government was in the process of initiating appropriate steps in this regard.

The use of a microlight aircraft is certainly a one-of-a-kind initiative. So far such aircraft have only been used to a limited extent in Assam, hat too as an initiative by a voluntary organisation.

Air surveillance would enable better patrolling in the rough thick forest terrain of Corbett encompassing as much as 1,000 km.

The Corbett has been in news in the recent past because of the sudden increase in incidents of tiger deaths in and around the park.

Narayan, brother of notorious poacher Sansar Chand had recently confessed killing a number of tigers in the vicinity of Corbett. 

Mussoorie, August 26
"Jai Mahaasu Devta" is what you'll find written on local jeeps, taxis, buses and trucks that run between Dehradun, Mussoorie, Vikasnagar and the Rawaeen region of the Jaunpur-Jaunsaar belt.

The palanquin of Mahaasu Devta being brought to Dehradun from a Jaunsar temple. A Tribune photograph

Every year on Ganesh Chaturthi(which was celebrated on the August 22 this year) people from nearby villages stay awake at night, singing in praise of the great Mahaasu Devta at the temples of Lakhwaar in the Dehradun district and Biroud in the adjoining Tehri Garhwal district.

Mahaasu Devta, according to belief, is one of the incarnations of Shiv who along with Raghunaath, Chaaldaa and Bothaa visited the Jaunpur-Jaunsaar region to get people rid off a demon named Kans. It is believed that the demon had sealed the breasts of womenfolk to prevent them from feeding their infants. An episode in the Krishna Puraan supports the belief that Kans feared threat to his life from the eighth child of Devaki, his sister.

The people of the region called Mahaasu Devta, the deity of fury and anger, from the highlands of Kashmir to be rid of Kans.

Ever since, Mahaasu Devta temples have been built at Hanol in theTons river valley and at Lakhwaar and Biroud villages on the banks of the Yamuna. Chaaldaa Devta, as the name suggests, is ever-moving and never sits in one place for long.

The majestic ancient images of the lord are displayed once a year for two days and a night between Ganesh Chaturthi when people sing and dancing in trance carrying the Devtaa's palanquin.

Says Shoorvir Bhandari, a resteraunt owner: " Mahaasu Devta has a special place in my heart. I have pictures of his temples at my restaurant". Goats are offered to the lord not to be slaughtered but to be left in the wild, unharmed by humans or the beasts.

"It is comforting to learn that the goats are not slaughtered but are left in the name of Mahaasu Devta name. “I offer a handful of rice to the one who has given us everything," says Satto Devi of Jaunpur.

The temple at Lakhwaar is 40 km from Mussoorie across the Yamuna bridge. It can also be reached from Dehradun via Vikasnagar. "More people should come here to witness the grand procession," says Surat Singh Rawat, driver of the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam bus which plies everyday from Mussoorie to Lakhwaar via the famous Kempty Falls.The ancient temple of Lakhwaar has been renovated in the typical trans- Himalayan architecture by Dr HK Rawal, chairman of the world- famous Mussoorie International School.

Dr Rawal also got the Santuraa Devi temple in Mussoorie renovated in after it was damaged in an earthquake. However, for a feel of the ancient Jaagdaa, Biroud village, which is 65 km from Mussoorie, can be reached from Dehradun via Vikasnagar.

The noon can be spent at Lakwaar and then Biroud can be reached the same evening via Yamuna bridge-Nainbaag-Maroud. You might join the caravan of Devta's palanquin en route.

The people of the region are simple and night stay is not a big deal in the pine-scented wooden houses of the village.

It would be wise to bring along a sleeping bag though. Once par of the divine procession, one forgets sleep and becomes part of the great Mahaasu Devta “Jaagdaa”.

Roorkee, August 26
With the arrest of three alleged miscreants, the police here claimed to bust a local gang, being involved in loots and robberies. They were identified as Fahim, Aslam and Azeem, all residents of Peeran Kaliyar, about 8 km from here.

The police recovered one country-made revolver, three cartridges and two knives from their possession.

The miscreants were said to be roaming along the bank of Gang canal here today when the cops intercepted them.

“We nabbed them when they were trying to run away,” said SI Prashant Bahuguna.

With their arrest, the police hoped to solve many cases of thefts and robberies that took place in and around the area in the recent past

Dehradun, August 26
The one of its kind the city has come up with a nail art parlour in a recently opened entertainment zone. The place along with array of indoor games, is successfully catering to the needs of children as well youngsters.

The women are finding the art attractive and very innovative. “Nail art is definitely popular in bigger cities and abroad, but in Dehradun this is very new.

Fashion-conscious women here don’t want to miss the chance to flaunt the best nails in the city.

The parlour has numerous designs and its costs Rs 50 per hand.

Experts customise the designs as per the need of the customers. Along with nail art we are also selling nail kits, which can be used as per the convenience,” said Diksha Bhatia, project manager.

“I enjoy getting nail art done on my hands. I believe a nail art parlour is definitely a one stop destination for those who are looking for something creative and beautiful,” said Shikha, a resident.

Meanwhile, along with popularising nail art culture and providing people a place to get revitalised, organisers are planning to expand thes area and come up with number of activities by making this one of state’s most happening destination.

The place has number of games and a mini bowling alley with few joy rides to entertain the visitors. Our main endeavour behind setting up this entertainment zone is to provide people a place to have a fun with friends and family,” said Vivek Agarwal, owner.

“By Diwali, we are going to open the entertainment zone. However, we are also planning to introduce more games and a bowling alley in a larger space,” said Vivek.