Dehradun, September 24
A change in the syllabuses of environment education courses seems imminent with the North Zone Vice-Chancellors Conference here strongly recommending an increase in their practical aspect.

Environment education assumed importance after the apex court gave directions for its introduction in college education way back in 1991.

But ever since, there has been conflicting opinions over its potential to generate employment and its relevance as a general course.

The three-day conference deliberated on the varied facets of environment education with climate change becoming an integral part of the global scenario. It called for a change in the syllabuses for environment courses.

“At present, environment education is largely theoretical and devoid of practicals. It needs to be linked directly to the lives of the people,” said TC Nautiyal, Registrar, Forest Research Institute University, and Convener, North Zone Vice-Chancellors Conference.

The VCs conference recommended a change in syllabus that will now be taken up at the National Vice-Chancellor’s Conclave to be held shortly.

The need for universalisation of syllabus from school up to the postgraduate level was also felt.

Prof SP Singh, former VC, HNB Garhwal University, speaking on the “Failure of universities in imparting environmental science education and knowledge generation in general” dwelt at length on the failure of the university system in dealing with environmental education. He suggested urgent measures to make such courses relevant.

During the deliberations, Prof Satvinder K Mann, Dean, Post-graduate Studies, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, said the present syllabus of environment education courses was book-oriented and needed a complete revamp.

“Emphasis must be laid on practicals and field work must be promoted to facilitate practical solutions,” added Mann.

On the issue of training of faculty for environment courses, the speakers said that as environment education was a new subject, it draws its faculty from different disciplines.

Taking the services of organisations like the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) for the purpose came up as a suggestion.

Dr BS Bisht, Vice-Chancellor, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, underlined the need for making environment education multidisciplinary in approach comprising biological, physical and social sciences.

It should help resolve complex issues related to environment and create better job opportunities for students due to holistic knowledge and experience.

“Environmental problems must be taken to the masses. This can only be done through environment-oriented courses,” opined Dr MS Saini, another participant at the conference.

While recommending that environment education be given more importance in higher education, the conference called upon universities not to treat environmental education as a formality but to really focus on improving its quality.

Haridwar, September 24
With Navratras and Ramzan coinciding this time, this world-famous religious city witnessed two religious leaders of Hindu and Muslim communities being present on a common dais and both appreciating each other’s religion. They agreed to the need for world peace, specially in the times of global terrorism.

International religious leader of the Shia community Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, during his visit to Haridwar, not only met Hindu spiritual gurus, but also took part in Navratra rituals on Tuesday at Kali Mandir at Chandi Ghat in Haridwar.

Addressing the gathering, the maulana emphasised the need for peace in the whole world and urged all religious leaders to pave way for it.

Peethadeshwar Shri Mahant Kailashanand Brahmachari informed the maulana of the importance of the nine days of fast during Navratras.

Acknowledging the importance of Sanskrit among languages, the Shia leader said only by narrating something in Sanskrit language, individual’s inner conscience got affected. On the upcoming the Maha Kumbh to be held in Haridwar, the maulana said he would visit the city during the Maha Kumbh to get in touch with spiritual gurus so that he could work on world peace.

He also visited Patanjali Yogpeeth and had a chat with Swami Ramdev on various aspects.

Dehradun, September 24
Where the craze for hukkas has already set its mark in most of the cosmopolitan cities, now it’s Dehradun, which is catching up with this latest trend. With coffee shops and book shops attracting a large number of people who like to spend a few quiet moments in the company of their loved ones, hukkas in varied flavours also allow one to enjoy the moment and have a gala time.

For the past couple of years, there has been just one hukka destination in the city. However, for not being up to the standards of today’s favourite hukka chains, such as famous Mocha’s or upcoming Sheeshazs, people of the city, particularly youngsters who like to keep a track of the latest happenings, eagerly await fresh changes.

Understanding the demands of youngsters and with a motive to providing people a perfect ambience as well as to popularise this trend in the state capital, Shardul, an experienced hand in the field of hospitality industry, opened “Level four”, a hukka lounge, on September 20.

“Prior to my coming down to Dehradun, I took training and even worked as a manager in one of the known hukka bars located in Bhopal.

“Seeing the craze for hukka among youngsters in Bhopal, Mumbai and many other metros, I decided to even launch a hukka destination here so that not only people get to know what this trend is, but also they can have fun time amid friends and family,” says Shardul.

Combination of soft blue and red light with comfortable sitting and a touch of soothing music like Sufi and Trance to the ears, boost up the entire feel of the lounge.

Interestingly, to add variety to the menu with an array of choices in hukka flavours, the lounge also has a Chinese and Continental menu lending a wholesome definition. Where the normal hukkas in flavour of lemon, apricot, plum, strawberry, rose, double apple is priced at Rs 180, others fall in the range of Rs 255.

“To give quality, we are using a famous brand of UAE Alfakher, which comes in numerous flavours. One hukka lasts for almost 45 minutes and with different flavours we even have pipe flavour, tasting little chocolaty,” said Shardul.

However, to maintain a proper law and order as the hukka contains 0.5 per cent of nicotine, only people above 18 are allowed in the lounge.

“I feel coming up of a high standard, hukka lounge is definitely a plus point for people who relish the taste of hukkas.

“After all its important that our city grows with the changing times,” feels Shweta, a college student.

Moreover, within a few days of its launch, people in the evenings throng the place in groups. “The response till now has been satisfactory and if the business works in the future also, then I have plans to expand this chain and add more variety to my menu,” added Shardul.

Dehradun, September 24
While taxi operators, mostly locals, opposed the eco tax, which came into force at the tourist resort of Mussoorie from Tuesday, on the very first day of its implementation, describing it detrimental to their very livelihood, there is also a strong opinion in its favour.

Jagat Singh Chowdhary, popularly known as “Junglee”, a commoner who has significantly contributed to environment sensitisation in Uttarakhand, believes environmental certainly needs to be high on priority. He welcomes any measure that is aimed at promoting the cause of environment. He, however, calls for ensuring the utilisation of the eco tax funds only for environment conservation initiatives.

Environmentally fragile Queen of Hills Mussoorie has always been in the thick of debate due to issues linked to environment. While the ’80s saw a ban on lime stone quarries, rampant construction activities could only put on hold due to the intervention of the judiciary.

The eco tax is to be levied on tourist vehicles entering Mussoorie and will be generating as much as Rs 80 lakh per annum to the Mussoorie Municipality, that has a tough task at hand providing simultaneously both best of infrastructure to citizens and conserving environs of Mussoorie.

A year-round destination today, tourist season in Mussoorie earlier lasted for summer months. But, in the past eight years, there has been a spurt in the number of tourists visiting the Queen of Hills even during winter months, thus making it a round-the-year tourist destination.

Being in close proximity to national Capital Delhi and even states of Haryana, Punjab and UP, tourists from these states prefer visiting Mussoorie on weekends. This has put an enormous pressure on Mussoorie and the eco tax has certainly been its fallout.

Another pro-environment crusader Vipin Kumar describes the weekend visitors to Mussoorie as more of revellers and the least sensitive to Mussoorie’s environmental concerns. “Weekend tourists are not emotionally connected as their visit is a quick one and for a brief period and, thus, Mussoorie is the ultimate sufferer in the process,” he adds.