Pitthoragarh, December 4
The Nepal government’s decision to have a cabinet meeting at the 17,000-ft-high base camp of Mount Everest is aimed at attracting attention of the world community that is meeting at Copenhagen to chart out the strategy to save the Earth from global warming.

The effects of climate change are clearly visible in almost every sphere of life in the mid-Himalayan region as per experts working in various fields.

In the sphere of agriculture, irregular rains and continuous drought-like situations during rabi have almost finished the yield. There has also been a 20 per cent reduction in kharif crops.

“Irregular and unequal distribution of rains in Uttarakhand have almost reduced the kharif crop in Nakote (Pitthoragarh), Deval (Chamoli), Sama Kanda (Bageshwar), Garampani (Nainital) and Sui area of Champawat district of the mid-Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. It has witnessed a 30 to 40 per cent reduction in yield,” said Dr RK Singh, a soil scientist from Pantnagar University and in charge of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Pitthoragarh.

According to the soil scientist at Pant University, carbon-di-oxide (CO2) concentration in the Himalayas has increased by almost 25 per cent and the temperature has increased by nearly two degrees Celsius during the past 10 years.

“This situation in which rains have gone untimely and irregular, warrants a shifting of crop pattern and a replacement with coarse crops,” said another soil scientist Dr AS Jeena from Pant University.

This changing rain pattern in the mid-Himalayas has also become visible in the lives of the village women who are the backbone of agriculture in the region.

“Due to change in rain pattern, farmers have to wait for rains between 15 and 45 days to sow paddy and when the crop is ready for harvest, untimely rains damage it putting a double burden on hill farmers who are 90 per cent women,” said Radha Behn, a prominent Gandhian active in Uttarakhand and president of the Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi. “Untimely rains have also made village women search for fodder,” added Radha Behn.

Not just crops but also the fauna in the mid-Himalayan region is witnessing the brunt of global warming. According to Dr MS Bisht, a professor of biology at Garhwal University, Srinagar, the species and number of fish in Himalayan rivers are gradually decreasing.

“Less rain in Uttarakhand hills is not only reducing the species of fish but even the migratory birds coming to the region are getting lesser. This is due to an increase in temperature in the past two decades as they fail to find insects to eat,” said Dr Bisht.

The Uttarakhand Space Application Centre has also witnessed effects of global warming in the Himalayan region. “In 1976, pastures in Uttarkashi districts were at a height of 3,840m. These have gone up to 4,230m in 2006 due to continuous warming,” said Dr MM Kimothi, the director of the centre.

The forest line in Uttarakhand is shifting towards the Himalayas and the Nanda Devi Biosphere area in the state has been the most affected by this shifting, claimed Dr Kimothi.

The effects of global warming are also visible in horticulture. Horticulture scientists are witnessing a drop in chilling requirements of fruits crops for the past 10 years.

“In the temperate zone, the physiology of apple seed is completed after 3-4 months of chilling, but in the fruit belts of Uttarakhand, incomplete chilling is killing apple production. Untimely rain is making the pollen come out causing a sharp drop in the production of other fruits as well,” said Dr IA Khan, a senior scientist at the Horticulture Research Centre, Chaubatia, a unit of Pantnagar University at Ranikhet, Almora.

“An average 20 degree Celsius temperature, required at the time of flowering, is not being met at times,” added Dr Khan. This pattern has disturbed the physiology of plants maintained for thousands of years.

The forests are also bearing the brunt of global warming in the mid-Himalayan region where many species are disappearing and some new ones have come up.

“I reside at an elevation of 7,200 feet from the sea level where I have noticed many mid-Himalayan plants like chirayata, riyanj and rakt chandan kail disappearing from this elevation and many varieties of the lower elevation as tejpal, Rudraksha and banyan trees are sustaining at this height,” claimed Damodar Rathor, a known environment worker and Indira Gandhi Virksh Mitra Award winner in 2000.

Due to global warming, the glaciers at Uttarkashi, Bageshwar and Pitthoragarh in the state continue to recede. “But it is not at that alarming level what has been claimed. There have been warnings that by 2035, these glaciers would be extinct, but according to our studies, their pace of receding is very slow,” said Dr Kimothi.

Haridwar, December 4
During the freedom struggle, Mahatma Gandhi had started the Swadeshi Movement against the British and now, it is the turn of yoga guru Swami Ramdev. He has given a call to boycott goods made by foreign multinational companies (MNC) in India.

The stance taken by Ramdev assumes greater importance as he has crores of followers across India. Trying to bring about a social revolution in the present context of the Indian economy that is mostly dominated by foreign companies, Ramdev has urged for the use of Indian items only.

Through Bharat Swabhiman, a mission which Ramdev terms as a social and spiritual movement, he is trying to bring about a pragmatic change in the system of the country.

The Bharat Swabhiman Trust has 15 wings and its focus is on changing the entire system, using local goods, spreading yoga and to inculcate moral values and patriotism among the citizens.

Perturbed by the way the central government has opened up the economy for foreign multinationals and the way, local industries are suffering, particularly the small-scale ones, Ramdev cited the example of the East India Company to explain his vision.

“The East India Company set foot on India on the pretext of trade and ruled India for more than a century. Now the country seems to be treading the same path with multinationals taking over the Indian market.

“They have nefarious designs and apart from the government, people should understand this. The time has come to ward away American and European companies from controlling India again,” said a concerned Ramdev.

Ramdev had, a few years back, started a war against soft drink companies. The USA-based MNCs like Pepsico and Coca Cola suffered a setback due to the yoga guru’s reasoning that these were a health hazard.

Eventually, MNCs had to resort to aggressive marketing and to counter Ramdev’s mass appeal, they roped in celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar and Shah Rukh Khan.

With Ramdev training his guns at MNCs again, it is bound to send shivers to the corporate world.

“Hindustan Lever came to India in 1933 with Rs 24 lakh investment and now rakes in Rs 14,740 crore annually. ITC, a leader in cigarettes, has profited 11,364 per cent on its initial investment. On the other hand, the government says there is a dearth of money,” the yoga guru told The Tribune.

He said MNCs are giving rise to an unhealthy India. He cited the examples of cold drinks, potato chips, tomato sauce and other products which have no nutritional value, but in turn, increase the risk of cancer.

He urged actors and players not to propagate unhealthy food items. “These personalities are idolised by millions, especially the youth. It is not right on their part to propagate unhealthy things.

“Money is not everything. Don’t they owe something to the country? Does money have more value than the nation?” remarked the yoga guru. Celebrities in various fields are Ramdev’s fans and attend his yoga camps that are held across India.

With Ramdev taking such an aggressive stance against MNCs, he believes danger is looming on his life.

“I know that my stance will not be acceptable to MNC but for the integrity of the nation and making India self-dependent, I am prepared to face bullets and criticism,” asserted Ramdev.

He put forth his vision of changing the system by stressing on the need for definite change in education policy, health, law and order, economy and agriculture policy.

Dehradun, December 4
The Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) has learnt its lesson the hard way. After having had the bitter experience of purchasing 80 rehris, meant to carry garbage, of low quality and then cancelling the deal, it has pulled its guard before striking a new deal.

Mayor Vinod Chamoli informed that he has constituted a committee of DMC members which will consider each and every aspect of the deal minutely before the final seal.

“The committee will discuss all parameters of requirements, including shape, size and cost, and most importantly the quality of the rehri. They will also see the sample of the finished product and, only after they are fully satisfied, the orders will be placed,” he said.

Chamoli also said this time the DMC would have 300 rehris. He also promised speeding up the whole process of getting the vehicles in a period of one and half month.

The city, which badly needs vehicles to lift the garbage, has suffered delay due to the cancellation of the existing deal.

The discarded new rehris, painted green, can be seen lying huddled in the compound of the DMC. Interestingly, each component of these rehris belongs to different companies, which were assembled together. It was when a hue and cry was made over the low quality of rehris, the Mayor initiated a departmental inquiry, where the fact of the low quality of products was re-confirmed. He then directed the Mukhya Nagar Adhikari (MNA) to cancel the deal and go for new tenders.

Not blaming anyone for failure to check the quality beforehand, he said, “We were satisfied when the tender process took place for the rehris and then we gave our requirements. Everything was transparent up to that level. When we were supplied the final products, they were not up to the mark, as stated in the tender. It was clearly a case a violation of conditions put up in the tenders, which is why I cancelled the deal”.

Chamoli also reasoned that the shooting prices of iron could be one reason for the use of low-quality component in the rehri.

Dehradun, December 4
Eighty-two cadets of the Army Cadet College (ACC) wing were awarded degrees during a graduation ceremony held here today at the historic Chetwode Hall of the Indian Military Academy (IMA).

Twenty-eight cadets were from science stream and rest of them from humanities. The degrees were conferred on to the cadets by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The ceremony was presided over by Lt Gen RS Sujlana AVSM, VSM Commandant, IMA. These graduates will now join the IMA for one year pre-commission.

Senior cadet adjutant Rahul V Bandekar was conferred with the Chief of Army Staff gold medal. While the Chief of the Army Staff silver and bronze medal were awarded to senior cadet S Navanit Raj and company cadet captain Jitendra Sagwal, respectively.

Company captain Pravin A Bolwade was bestowed with commandant’s silver medal in service subjects. In humanities stream, senior cadet captain S Navanit Raj and in science stream cadet Arvind Seth of the Kargil Company were awarded with commandant’s silver medal.

Lt Gen Sujlana also awarded the commandant’s banner to the Bogra Company. This is awarded to the company, which stands first after competing in varied competitions, including sports, academics, camps, debates and discipline.

While presenting the college report, Brig Sunil Chandra, head of the academic department, highlighted the high standards and admirable academic performance obtained by the cadets of the graduating course.

In his convocation, address to the graduating course Lt Gen RS Sujlana said, “Now you are eligible for entry in the IMA. I immensely appreciate your consistent care to reach this goal.

It is indeed a praiseworthy and distinguished achievement. You need to continue with the same zeal during your training at the IMA.”

Dehradun, December 4
The journey to the Army Cadet College (ACC) wing has never been easy for the cadets who graduated today thereby entering the last phase of their pre-commission training at Indian Military Academy (IMA).

Majority of the cadets hail from humble background. For senior cadet adjutant Rahul V Bandekar, who was bestowed with the Chief of the Army Staff gold medal, this was not the result of the hard work of three years, but of over 10 years.

Bandekar’s father works in a laundry and mother is a homemaker and it was always difficult for the family to make two ends meet. The gold medallist after passing his high school joined the Army as a recruit.

He wasn’t satisfied with this only and wanted to go ahead in his life. He continued his struggle and did his senior secondary and graduation while working as a recruit.

The big shot came for him when he cleared the ACC entrance test. “During the course of studies and struggle the disappointment was there but it never discouraged me, rather strengthened me to do well,” said confident Bandekar, who hails from Karnataka.

Another Karnataka lad, S Navanit Raj was conferred with the Chief of the Army Staff silver medal. He joined the Army as a clerk and kept studying during his job and even got promotions, which he says motivated him a lot towards clearing the ACC entrance test.

His father works in a private company and mother is a homemaker.

The bronze medal was awarded to company cadet captain Jitendra Sagwal of Harayna.

Roorkee, December 4
It seems that the e-learning technology has started penetrating in academic institutes of remote as well as backward villages of the state.

The fact came to the fore with the revelations of a request letter of the village head of Umri village in Tehri Garhwal to the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, for the installation of advanced e-terminal setup at his village school.

In her request letter to Dr HK Verma, Deputy Director of the IIT-R, head of the gram panchayat, Umri, Guddi Devi has requested to set up “virtual

classrooms” (where students can learn almost all subjects through the e-learning facility comprising the Internet, computers, Edusat, VSAT, DTH and the MMD) by providing the e-learning paraphernalia at the village school and Rajkiya Inter-College, Hisria Khal, Tehri Garhwal.

Notably, the IIT-R has been working on an MHRD-funded pilot project titled VSAT-enabled Mobile e-Learning Terminals (MeLT) across the country to provide e-learning technology even in the remotest villages of the country. Dr Verma is also the principal investigator of the project.

The village head also mentioned that in the school 50 per cent of the students belonged to the Backward Class. “Our school has 14 computers on which a qualified teacher imparts education to students on the subject. Apart from that, the school also possesses one kw solar power generator, along with facilities of fax and the Internet,” said Guddi Devi.

Dr Verma said the step of the village head was appreciable and indicated that now residents of remote villages were keen on getting all kind of advanced knowledge.

“Every possible help will be extended to the school,” said Dr Verma. So far there is only one e-learning school, Adarsh Bal Niketan School, in the state and that, too, is situated on the IIT-R premises.

Nainital, December 4
Ordering departmental action against a teacher in Sarna village of Okhalkanda block, the State Education Minister, Gobind Singh Bisht, has asked the people to come forward with complaints regarding the shortcomings in the education system in the state.

The said teacher in the middle school in Sarna has not been on duty since May 8 this year. After being acquainted with the incident Bisht asked the District Education Officer to initiate departmental action against him and make arrangement for a full-time alternative teacher at the school within the next 15 days.

He was also disturbed to find a low attendance of students at the school during an inspection conducted by him on Thursday. The minister told the officials to ensure that there is 100 per cent attendance of students in the school along with that of teachers.

He said, “The efforts being made by the state government at putting the education set up on rails are delivering good results. The teachers should bring about a change in their attitude so that there is an over all positive change in the education scenario.”

He said while he has been concentrating at conducting surprise checks in the schools for the benefits of the student community, he is also equally concerned about the well being of the teachers.

He said efforts are being made to provide more facilities to the teachers. He said he is personally taking interest in ensuring that the quality of mid day meals being provided to students in the schools is good and the level of teaching is also of a high standard.

A day before, the minister had stated that the government is making a policy based on a rational approach for the up gradation of schools in the state. He had charged on Wednesday that the previous Congress regime led by ND Tewari had upgraded a large number of schools in a haphazard manner which is now causing problems.

On the final day of his three-day tour of the most remote parts of Nainital district, the minister laid the foundation stone of construction of classes at a cost of Rs 6.96 lakh in a school at Guniyalekh. The classes are being constructed as a part of the Special Component Plan.

He also laid the foundation stone for a pedestrian bridge Naulichaknala. The bridge is to be constructed at a cost of Rs 16.09 lakh. He assured that there will be no shortfall of money supply in carrying out developmental works of the area.

Dehradun, December 4
The End of Term Indoor Club exhibition-cum-competition was inaugurated by Rashmi Sujlana, wife of RS Sujlana AVSM, VSM Commandant, IMA, here today at central foyer, Chetwode building of the Indian Military Academy.

The exhibition-cum-competition is underway from December 3 and will culminate on December 11. Different clubs, including Arts Club, Bird Watching and Photography Club, Computer Club and Wild Life Ecology and Arboriculture Club and Cycling and Angling Club have put up exhibition for the event. The judging and evaluation of the exhibits by the judging committee was held on December 3. The prizes were given to the GC’s for the first three positions on different categories. The exhibition will be witnessed by General Chhatra Man Singh Gurung CPAS (Nepalese Army), reviewing officer for the passing out parade (POP), Autumn term, 2009, and his spouse on December 11.

Overview of all the participating clubs:

Arts Club: The club helps in igniting the latent talent of the GCs. This exhibition highlights oil, pencil, and charcoal paintings. Bird Watching and Photography Club: The members of the club capture the various species of birds in their cameras in and around the IMA campus and also visited the Assan barrage to capture photographs of rare species.

Computer Lab: The members of the club apart from learning and improving their skills in computer also developed a project based on the data on Gallantry award winners.

Wild Life Ecology and Arboriculture Club: This club organise a run for the cause to save the tiger. They visited the Bamboo Setum Garden in FRI.

Cycling and Angling Club: This club participated in expedition conducted along Nilkanth Mahadev temple axis where GCs exposed to 20 km Mtn Biking and 20 knraftgin, other then this they visited the Jaspal Rana Instiute Dehradun for the Angling exposure.

Dehradun, December 4
It will be a clash between Punjab Police and CRPF team in the final of the 58th BN Mullick All-India Police Football Championship at Dehradun here tomorrow.

In the first semifinal played here today, Punjab Police registered a thumping 3-0 victory over Sikkim to make it to the final.

The second semifinal saw an unexpected result as the two-time runners-up Assam Rifle team went down 2-1 to the CRPF team.

In the first match, Punjab gave a power pack performance to completely outdo its opponent. Tall height of the Punjab Police players clubbed with impressive passing and powerful shots was the feature of today’s match.

Punjab team wasted no time to get into business right from the beginning. They created the first move in the 7th minute of the match through Rohit from the left flank, though it was not converted. Barely two minute later it launched another sharp move from the right.

The initial attack did press hard on Sikkim team, which was pushed on the back foot. Punjab team scored its first goal in the 18th minute through Amit Kumar, who took a strong header off the cross of Amandeep, making it 1-0 for the team.

After conceding the first goal. The second goal for the team came 15 minutes later for the midfielder Surjeet Singh who converted the perfect pass into a goal. It was a poor display by the Sikkim team. Throughout the match, Sikkim team did not show any coordination and their passing was not up to the mark. Punjab Police ended the first half on a high note leading the match by 2-0.

The second half was completely dominated by Punjab Police team. The team scored its second goal in the 85th minute. It was Punjab Police’s midfielder Mandeep who took a dashing shot from the centre at the Sikkim team goalpost to beat advancing Sikkim goalkeeper, Surja Pariwar all quarters. Punjab Police won the match by 3-0.

Meanwhile, in the second semifinal CRPF beat Assam Rifle team by 2-1. Assam Rifle dominated the proceeding and was in control of the match. It was the combination of Ajeet Singh and Akum Ao who proved to be a major trouble for CRPF team. They both created number of scoring opportunities at CRPF team. But it was CRPF team who scored the first goal.

It was Amumacha for CRPF who scored for his side through a header in the 45th minute. CRPF team found an equaliser in the 50th minute of the second half through an Abel Sema. CRPF changed its strategy and marked all key players of the Assam Rifle team, thus killing all their moves. CRPF team took the lead for the second time in the match through P Somarjeet, who scored from a 30 yards to making it 2-1 in their team favour.

Dehradun, December 4
The Doiwala XI team registered a 128-run victory over the YSMD team at the ongoing Beehive Challenger Trophy 13th Inter-District Cricket Tournament here today.

Batting first, Doiwala XI piled 156 runs in the allotted 20 overs. The team got off to a flying start in the match with Tushar and Zunaid doing the major scoring for the team. Tushar displayed some good batting skills and scored highest 53 runs for his team. Zunaid supported him well on the other end with 39 runs. Middle-order batsman Arshad scored 11 runs whereas Satish made 10 runs. For the YSMD team Rohit and Anu were the led wicket takers.

Chasing the victory target of 157 runs, YSMD was all out for 38 runs. It was a poor batting display by YSMD. The team began on a wrong foot as they lost their opener Pankaj for a duck. Another opener Madhur could not do much and returned to the pavilion after scoring seven runs. Middle-order batsmen Nagesh scored 16 runs, highest for his team. For the Doiwala team, Amanjeet was the lead wicket taker with three wickets whereas Zunaid and Sidhu took two wickets each.

Dehradun, December 4
The standoff between the Uttarakhand Rafting Association and the State Forest Department turned worse today.

The association accused the forest authorities of threatening them with dire consequences if they continued with their protest against the forest department on beach and permit issues.

“I am reporting the matter to the police as forest authorities in connivance with the mafia are trying to threaten me,” Deepak Bhatt, President, Rafting Association, told The Tribune.

He said there were persons whose interests would be hurt if the forest authority envisaged beach policy based on auction fails to take off.

Rafting operators in Uttarakhand have been up in arms against forest authorities vis-à-vis issuance of rafting permits and its policy on auction of beaches.

Rafting companies are opposing issuance of one-year permits and the Forest Department’s new policy to auction beaches, which they say, would affect them adversely.

However, Divisional Forest Officer Gopal Singh Rana refuted allegations that the forest authorities were harassing rafting companies and admitted that a forest guard, who had gone to serve a notice to a rafting association president, was manhandled by the latter.

“On the basis of the complaint of the forest guard, we have brought the matter to the knowledge of the police,” he said.

Fearing arrest, Deepak, President of the Rafting Association, said his arrest would fuel a spate of protests in Rishikesh.

He said the rafting companies would not allow forest authorities to go on with their autocratic style of functioning.

There are a total of 108 rafting companies in the state and involves an estimated turnover to the tune of about Rs 14 crore per year.

The rafting season starts on September 1 and concludes by June-end.

Dehradun, December 4
The Accor team clinched the Inter-House Cricket Trophy here today.

In the final, they defeated the Choice team by 29 runs. Kukreja Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Dehradun, had organised the tournament.

Accor team, led by Chandan Singh Bisht, scored 97 runs in 15 overs.

Accor team batsmen smashed Choice bowlers all over the ground to disturb their line and length.

Chasing the target of 98 runs, Choice team, led by Mukesh Rawat, was all out for 68 runs.

It was a two-day tournament that started yesterday and saw the participation by four House teams.

Students of the institute took part in good spirit.

The Director of the institute, Anil Talukdar, was the chief guest on the occasion. He handed over the trophy to the winning team.

Dehradun, December 4
Efforts of the Uttarakhand Forest Department have paid off with the state getting selected for Rs 225-crore Japan-aided forestry training programme.

At the behest of Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), Uttarakhand has been selected among 10 states of the country for the conduct of the training programme for forest personnel. The other states are Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Sikkim and West Bengal.

The 63-month programme includes government’s comprehensive policy for facilitating training to the forest personnel in latest scientific and technological developments in forestry. The project, entitled “Capacity Development for Forest Management and Training of Personnel” envisages infrastructure improvements as well as improvement in course curriculum and training methodologies at training institutions for the front-line forestry personnel in the various states.

The participating states have been requested to furnish their consent for the implementation of the project. The fund distribution among the participating states will depend upon training improvement plans to be prepared during the project period. The total project cost is Rs 225 crore with a time span of five years and three months.