|
|
|
|
Spreading green information
Anil keen on developing Char Dhams |
|
|
Compulsory quake insurance for buildings mooted
A file picture of Naini Lake in Nainital.
Two arrested with leopard skins
Experts discuss industry-friendly
environment
|
|
Spreading green information Dehradun, October 11 Realising its importance as the sole green patch in downtown Dehradun, the Forest Research Institute has come up with a series of initiatives for it’s pro-people utilisation of this
campus popularly known as Rangers’ College, all within the framework of forestry. While it houses a nursery for sale of saplings at reasonable rates, it has a state-of-the-art plant-based units to monitor pollution and scores of informative centres linked to various disciplines of forestry and also a walking trail. But the biggest asset to the kendra has come in the form of a photo gallery. For the first time, the FRI has put up all its archival photographs for the public view. These photographs numbering around 340 are linked to the glorious history of the institute. Some former heads of the institute and the visits of the very important persons are captured in these photographs. The entire first floor of the Vigyan Kendra building has been utilised for the purpose. The gallery now anxiously awaits Union Environment and Forest Minister for its inauguration, which could be any time in November. Interestingly, it took Herculean efforts on the part of present FRI officials to trace these photographs, some of them almost a century old. A six-member committee at the behest of Director, FRI, SS Negi was specially constituted to go into all proceedings linked to the creation of the photo gallery. Importantly, photographs and other material available with individuals were also sought. “This photo gallery at the kendra is unique as it comprises many rare photographs linked to the glorious history of the FRI and provides visitors the entire knowhow on the Forest Research Institute, since the days of its inception till today,” Dr Negi told The Tribune. “All photographs from 1884 onwards, numbering approximately over 350, have been put up at the gallery, which will be one of its kinds in the region,” he added. A few persons know that Shatabdi Van Vigyan Kendra established at the old FRI building some years ago was the first of such vigyan kendras established in the country. The kendra plays a key role in the dissemination of FRI’s forestry expertise to farmers and other stakeholders. A special “Sir Brandis Walking Trail” is another highlight of the Shatabdi Kendra. The trail provides information on around 35 different trees with regards to their common and scientific name, country of origin, plant families and vital features on height and girth of some of the most magnificent species such as that of a teak tree (height 41.76 m with diameter at breast height 1.52 m), pterygota alata (height 51.96 m and diameter 1.30 m), chir tree with 32.76 m height and podocarpus gracilior of 21.31 m height. The trail is named after forestry icon and a famous Forest botanist, Dr Brandis, who laid the foundation of forestry education in India. The photo gallery also exhibits some of the old time office equipment like typewriting machines and tables and other
articles, with almost all of them falling under antique property.
|
|
Anil keen on developing Char Dhams Dehradun, October 11 Anil made the offer during a meeting with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank here today. He came to meet the Chief minister after paying a visit to the holy shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath today. Besides Char Dhams, he asserted, he would like to develop other pilgrimage places also. Anil assured the Chief Minister that his industrial house was keen on investing in power, tourism and CNG-based industries in Uttarakhand. He also apprised Dr Nishank of 280-MW Urthing-Sobla hydro power project of Reliance Energy Limited over the Dhauli Ganga river, which was awaiting clearance from the Forest and Environment Ministry. Dr Nishank assured Anil that he would pursue with the union government for an early clearance to the project so that the construction at project could be started soon. With pristine natural beauty and famous pilgrimage places in the state, Chief Minister informed Anil that there was immense potential of tourism development in Uttarakhand. In order to ensure all-round development of Char Dham, he said the state government was chalking out a master plan besides identifying tourist spots for development. For the purpose of easy access to Kedarnath, Mussoorie and Yamunotri, the state government proposes to construct rope ways at these places. Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Indu Kumar Pande was also present.
|
|
Compulsory quake insurance for buildings mooted Dehradun, October 11 The yet-to-be-released study of seismic vulnerability of another well-known tourist place, Mussoorie, showed 615 buildings in the same damage zone. It suggests likely injuries of similar nature to 369 persons if seismic activity reached intensity VIII on the MSK scale. Compared to 3,444 buildings in Mussoorie, the study has covered 3,110 buildings in Nainital. Under Grade 5 damage, a building is either collapsed or comes on the verge of collapsing while Grade 4 damage means damage to a major portion but with the possibility of reconstruction. Direct estimated economic losses in Nainital township alone could be to the tune of Rs 998.7 million. This, however, does not include losses likely to be incurred due to damage to public facilities like water, power supplies, telecommunication lines and infrastructure. The study has suggested that figures of these estimated losses can be utilised by the state government for making an appropriate mitigation strategy besides putting forth a case for compulsory earthquake insurance of the buildings. The estimates might seem scary but are considered modest as no seismic event is likely to affect any particular habitation alone. Most constructions in Nainital date back to time when concepts of seismic safety were not well developed. Since about 47 per cent buildings surveyed are more than three-storey high are in Grade 4 damage class, the fact highlights that seismic safety was compromised while adding additional floors. “This calls for a stringent regulatory regime,” the study suggests. The population of Nainital, according to 2001 census, is 38,559. On an average, eight persons reside in every building during a lean season. The population under threat is thus estimated to be approximately 3,168. The expected casualties could, however, vary depending on other factors like time and month when an earthquake strikes.
|
|
Two arrested with leopard skins Dehradun, October 11 The two miscreants have been identified as Shyam Dutta Joshi son of Hansa Ram resident of Bhatad village of Chakrata and Deepak son of Dal Bahadur from Manthat sub-division of Chakrata region, disclosed Ramesh Pandey, a senior official from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB). "An FIR will be registered. We arrested the two after getting an information about the illegal bear bile trade in the region," Pandey said. At least 300-400 gm of bear bile was seized. Bear bile is as precious as a tiger bone and is used as aphrodisiac in Chinese medicines.
|
|
|
Experts discuss industry-friendly
environment Dehradun, October 11 All institutes as well companies from power, agriculture, information technology, health, tourism and infrastructure sector came together under one roof. However, the exhibition is conceptualised to help the state government’s endeavour to establish an industry friendly environment by playing the role of facilitator for holistic industrial development. Besides undertaking the responsibilities of the overall development, the state has also taken measures to provide transparent, accountable and responsive administration to remove the bottlenecks and delays for prospective. The exhibition will help the entrepreneurs unveil their new products with buyers from emerging and untapped markets. Director of Friendz Exhibition and Promotion Anand Pal said, “The exhibition has been organised with a motive to encourage the youth to know about these important sectors of our economy and is also giving equal opportunities to women entrepreneurs of the state.” Invitation to students of various institutes has also been given and around 77 exhibitors have participated from all over the country. The exhibition was inaugurated by MP Vijay
Bahuguna. While addressing the gathering, he said, “The state has the potential and so it’s necessary to have more of such platforms where under one roof the entrepreneurs can successfully benefit and grow.”
|
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Shatabdi Van Vigyan Kendra, Forest Research Institute City Campus, one of the heritage buildings in
Dehradun, has undergone a facelift in recent times
Dehradun, October 11
Dehradun, October 11
