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Productive forests: U’khand second only to Arunachal
Rajaji Train-Hit Mitigation Project |
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Knitting a success story, courtesy handloom clusters
Yoga, acupuncture bring India, China closer
DAV College annual function held
Students excel in inter-house Maths Olympiad
Speaker honours special children, teachers
Standard Chartered Bank branch opened
58th District Cricket League begins
Kulvinder shares secrets of commentary box
Federation plans to start India Series Boxing
Dragon Warriors register six-wicket triumph
Samiti members to re-start agitation
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Productive forests: U’khand second only to Arunachal
Dehradun, December 6 The India State of Forest Report 2009, released a few days earlier, has put the state’s growing stock volume in the recorded forests as 459.26 million
cubic metres, which is quite high in the national perspective and stands second only to the North-Eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal’s volume of growing stock, in its 51,540 sq km of forest area is pegged at 492.39 million cubic metres. Revealing the productive capacity of forests, the volume of growing stock plays a key role in developing policies and
strategies for the sustainable use of forest resources. More importantly, the growing stock estimate leads to quantification of biomass, which is essential to assess the amount of carbon stored in the forests. This assumes significance in the backdrop of emergence of importance of forests for carbon sequestering and its ramifications at the ongoing climate change talks. Uttarakhand has stood second in the country with maximum growing stock volume in forests. This is despite the fact that there are several states in the country whose recorded forest area far exceeds Uttarakhand but still have far lesser volume of growing stock. Madhya Pradesh with 94,689 sq km of recorded forests has 249.66 million cubic metres volume of growing stock. Andhra Pradesh with 63,814 sq km of recorded forest area has 242.39 million cubic metres of growing stock volume. Maharashtra with 61,939 sq km of recorded forests has 294.17 million cubic metres. Chhattisgarh too has 59,772 sq km recorded forests and the volume of its growing stock is 335 million cubic metres. Orissa with 58,136 sq km of recorded forest area has 285.32 million cubic metres
of growing stock. Similarly, Karnataka with 38,284 sq km of recorded forests has growing stock volume of 314.57 million cubic metres. Uttarkhand’s neighbour, Himachal Pradesh, that has 37,033 sq km of recorded forests has growing stock volume to the tune of 322.40 million cubic metres. The FSI evidently vindicates Uttarakhand’s claim that its forest wealth is an asset for the entire nation in terms of
environment conservation and carbon sequestering. The Forest Survey of India has been generating information of growing stock of forests since 1965. After continuous improvements, the growing stock information has become an integral part of this report since 2003. The FSI had a key role in assisting the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education towards coming up with figures linked to carbon stock stored in India’s forest and tree cover. As per the Union Minister of Environment and Forests estimates, a total of 6,622 million tonnes of carbon is stored in India’s forest and tree cover. The FSI report that has kept the standard error percentage of growing stock inside forests as 1.94 per cent divided the country into 14 physiographic zones. As many as 20,733 sample plots were taken up for estimating growing stock of forests.
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Rajaji Train-Hit Mitigation Project Tribune News Service
Dehradun, December 6 In his address to participants at Dehradun Railway Station’s Running Room, Uttarakhand Coordinator of WTI Dr AK Singh said while the project had been a grand success and being emulated in other states, there was certainly more scope of further betterment in the implementation of the project. While expressing consent for clearing bushes along tracks, Dr Singh said it was needed urgently as it was to increase the visibility linked to wildlife movement. Crew Controller Mukesh Chaturvedi on behalf of the Railways admitted further improvement of communication. He said better VHF sets would certainly facilitate better communication. A strong opinion for installing hooters with flashlights on the track also emerged for pushing wildlife out of the tracks ahead of the arriving trains. It was also found that while local loco pilots were very sensitised towards wildlife movement on the tracks, those from Railway sections from Moradabad and Delhi were yet to be sensitised on the subject. A need for compulsory inclusion of wildlife movement across tracks in Rajaji in the caution order for loco pilots of Moradabad and Delhi sections was also felt. Rajaji Wildlife warden BK Singh lauded the works of the WTI towards minimising wildlife casualties at the track. He said what started as a small WTI’s initiative at Uttarakhand, Rajaji Train Hit Mitigation Model had turned into a model for other states to emulate that faced elephant deaths involving train-hit incidents. As many as 40 trains run on the 18-km rail stretch that crosses Rajaji National Park and deaths of elephants in train-hit incidents have been quite common in the region. But now with the WTI’s model in implementation since 2002, there has no incident of elephant death. Thus, after putting elephant casualty to zero on this stretch of railway track, the project is now set to be replicated in as many as eight other states of the country. These states are Assam, Jharkhand, West Bengal, that are prone to 86 per cent of train-hit incidents that take place in the country, and also the states of Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. As many as 36 participants took part in yesterday’s interactive programme.
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Knitting a success story, courtesy handloom clusters
Dehradun, December 6 A year earlier, she was confined to the periphery of her nondescript village, but now, she has acquired sharp business acumen, courtesy the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE). The institute had established a handloom cluster in Dunda and another in Manglore and Haridwar in August last year. The IIE registered a society, named Himalayan Handloom and Handicrafts Society, for the cause. Speaking about the drastic transformation in her life, Roshni Devi said, “Earlier, I would sell my woollens to villagers or, at the most, to a few visitors and make a little money. “But now, my life has changed with this sudden exposure as I churn good profit by displaying my products at various exhibitions. “Like other artisans, I get free food and accommodation and don’t have to pay even a single penny for the stall during these exhibitions”. Besides the various exhibitions held in the state, these artisans have also displayed their products at Pragati Maidan, Delhi. Dr Poonam Sinha, regional head of the IIE, said the society had constituted 35 self-help group of 381 artisans in Dunda and 32 SHGs of 480 artisans in Manglore. She said, “The biggest problem which artisans face is lack of proper equipment for manufacture, finishing and packaging products. For this, a common facility centre (CFC) will be created at both centres”. Although artisans in both villages had been making woollen products for many generations, they lacked slick and contemporary designs. The IIE introduced them to that aspect by assigning a designer from the prestigious NIIFT who gave them training during a week-long workshop a fortnight ago. This has generated so much enthusiasm in these villages that youngsters, who were leaving their traditional craft of making woollens and diverting to other odd jobs, are returning to it in a big way. Said Mohammad, an artisan and a graduate from Manglore, “I had left this ancestral work and started working in a factory in Haridwar. “But after the handloom cluster was created in my village, I too have joined like the others. Now, I think of newer ideas to better my designs, so that I can woo urban customers and book big orders from them”. Two Cluster Development Executives (CDE) have been deputed, one for each cluster, who maintain the link between artisans and the IIE and check the quality of work. Yashvir Singh Negi, CDE of Dunda, said, “It is a massive challenge to take this village-bound handloom work forward to revive and enrich this tradition and the artisans associated with it”. Besides Dunda and Manglore, three more clusters have been started at Darachula, Munisyari in Pitthoragarh and Chinka in Chamoli.
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Yoga, acupuncture bring India, China closer
Haridwar, December 6 With yoga being the traditional therapy of India and acupuncture being that of China, these therapies seems to be acting as a catalyst in bringing both countries closer. The collaboration of both countries on different therapies is being seen as a unique step in the medical field. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed by Jhiyangshi University and Dev Sanskriti University aided by Shanti Kunj. Jhiyangshi University Vice-President Juo Jhen Yum termed it as an historic step and said the agreement would be beneficial for the medical fraternity and society. The Chinese delegation was greatly impressed with traditional Indian therapies during their current stay at Dev Sanskriti University. “Both India and China are world powers in various respects. The scientific aspect of spiritualism and inclusion of spirituality in science and traditional therapies will go a long way in making the world peaceful and healthy,” said Jhen Yum. “The Himalayas from India, China and Tibet to other Himalayan nations are full of herbs and these are of immense help in curing patients. “Our collaboration will boost the treatment given to patients as different therapies and medicines will be available to them,” said Dr Pranav Pandya, head of Shanti Kunj. The Chinese delegation also recognised the role played by Indian universities in the spread of knowledge and science in China in ancient times and said that history was repeating with this university collaboration. Speaking to The Tribune, Prof La Yimin, Dean, Jiyangshi University, said that they would propagate yoga in various Chinese districts and the Chinese people were also taking to yoga in a big way. “Our university has mastery in a therapy known as Mokshaphusion which deals with blood flow in our body and leads to longevity. We will share this therapy with our Indian counterparts,” said La Yimin. Dev Sanskriti University will also be holding yagya therapy, yoga therapy, acupressure and spiritual therapy camps for the Chinese. With this agreement on the anvil, the Chinese delegation thought it wise that their members learn Hindi and the Indians learn Chinese. Both universities have agreed on having special language courses for teachers and staffers.
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DAV College annual function held
Dehradun, December 6 “Students are the future of the nation and it is imperative for them to participate in extra-curricular activities in addition to their studies, so that, along with intellect, they develop their creative skills leading to positive developments,” said the Chief Minister on the occasion. He believed the school established in the name of Swami Dayanand Saraswati would definitely inculcate good moral values in the students. He said India had many achievements to its credit and it had always been playing the role of Vishwa Guru, and, therefore, tradition must be continued by the students. Discussing the matter of keeping the Ganga pollution-free, he asserted that the Ganga was addressed as mother by people because it gives life to everyone. So, its incessant flow should be kept intact and pollution-free. Nearly 40,000 students of various inter and degree colleges will take up an expedition of cleaning the Ganga from January 17. Nishank also said the students should spread their brightness in the society as they belonged to a state that had given various great saints and people to the nation. Some former students were also honoured on the occasion by the Chief Minister. Rajpur MLA Ganesh Joshi said the students should know about their ancestors and must inculcate good habits in their lives. The annual function concluded with the vote of thanks of Principal AK Srivastav. OP Kulshreshtha, BL Nautiyal, Dr Devendra Bhasin, and Vinay Goyal, along with other dignitaries, were also present on the occasion.
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Students excel in inter-house Maths Olympiad
Haridwar, December 6 In the Maths Olympiad, which was for students up to Class VIII, the competitive level questions and brain teasers tested their mathematical ability to the fullest. It also saw most of the students clearing the test with ease. In Cyber Olympiad, computer technology and Internet-related questions were put up which were tough, but the computer-friendly students tackled these with ease. Similarly, the students were tested in bio-genetic knowledge in the Genetic Olympiad. School Principal Kiran Sharma informed that the objective of organising the inter-house competition on Olympiad basis was that it would give the students a feel of the competitive world and make them raise their standards to a higher level. After the three Olympiad competitions, there were various events held. Of these the fancy dress competition was the cynosure of all eyes as students in various dresses and creations depicted political, religious, film, sports personality and mythological characters as well as tried to give social messages like wearing green leaves to save trees and also on global warming and social malpractices among other issues.
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Speaker honours special children, teachers
Dehradun, December 6 Many mentally and physically challenged children are students of Vikalp, but their work speaks highly of their talents as they presented candles, cards, flowers and paintings to Kapoor as New Year gift. Bharti Pandey, president of the NGO, said, “I faced many problems in bringing up my son, Sumeet, who is physically challenged. His disability gave me the inspiration to start an organisation that could help specially abled children to be independent.” “We have 12 regular and 10 non-regular children at Vikalp. We teach them to make candles, flowers, wash clothes, cook and knit. And amazingly, my son is also helping me in my work,” she added. Other eminent patrons present at the event were Savita Kapoor, Dr Jayant Navani, Divya Pandey, OP Nagiya, Arun Adlakha, Lokesh Jain and DR Sumitra.
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Standard Chartered Bank branch opened
Dehradun, December 6 Shyam Srinivasan, Country Head, Consumer Banking, India, inaugurated the first branch here at Rajpur Road. The newly-opened branch will offer a range of banking services such as savings products, including no-frills accounts, investment services, and corporate payment solutions. Srinivasan said, “We see good potential in Dehradun for more savings and investment products. Customers will enjoy the expertise of a highly specialised team of financial experts to help them make the best of their banking experience.” Standard Chartered has continued to invest in India, which is now the bank’s second largest market globally. Earlier, this year, the bank strengthened its presence in the National Capital Region with the opening of a new office facility with a state-of-the art branch in Gurgaon.
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58th District Cricket League begins
Dehradun, December 6 The Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU) organises the league every year. Joth Singh Gunsola, MLA, inaugurated the league. This is one of the oldest leagues which continues for more than three months duration. This year the league is expected to take place at the three venues, which include Survey Stadium, OFD Stadium and Col Bronze School. Pream Chand Verma, old-time cricketer who has the honour of playing in the first addition of UP Sheesh Mahal Tournament, is the man behind successfully running the league. Verma said the league was being run with the help of the cricket lovers who financially contribute to the league every year. "This year the teamss participation has increased manifold compared to last year. We already have 84 teams who have confirmed their participation in the league and it is expected that number could well cross hundred. “It is all because of the popularity of the league that cricket enthusiasts eagerly await for participating in the league," said Verma. Other dignitaries present at the league include senior Congress leader, Hira Singh Bisht, Director of the Survey of India, Ramprashad and Ramesh
Bhatt.
Shobit’s 50 takes OTCC to victory
Shobit’s unbeaten half-century helped OTCC team registered an eight-wicket victory over SMI at the 58th District Cricket League organised by Cricket Association of Uttarakhand underway at Survey Stadium. SMI team could only managed to pile 72 runs in allotted 30 overs. Openers Manish failed to do much for his team and was all out for eight runs. Another opener Siyanender scored six runs. Middle order batsman Sanjay added another eight runs. None of the batsman could face to the tight line and length bowled by SMI bowlers. For OTCC team Bunty and Sharad was the pick of the bowlers. Both picked up three wickets each to demolish OTCC team. In reply, OTCC team reached the target with eight wickets in hand. Opening batsman Shobit paved the way for his team’s victory. He played a wonderful innings to score 51 runs. For SMI team Shabbu was the only bowler who took a wicket.
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Kulvinder shares secrets of commentary box
Dehradun, December 6 An ace commentator for both All India Radio and Doordarshan Kulvinder Kang has never played hockey and cricket in his life, but it has only worked to Kang’s advantage. “I think there are several listeners, who may have never played the games, I am thinking about them all the time and trying to make my commentary as engaging as possible,” he said. Here in Doon today, to give lessons to amateur artistes on the fine art of commentary at the invitation of the Uttarakhand Culture Department, Kang was emphatic that to keep alive the interest of the audience one needs to have a sound knowledge of the game. “One has to collect all details about the teams and the team mates so that nothing goes wrong, once you go on air,”
Kang said. Hailing from Sri Ganga Nagar town in Rajasthan, Kang grew up listening to Jasdev Singh, Narrotam Puri and PC Pandey. A programme officer with Prasar Bharati, Kang holds the distinction of doing commentary from the Mecca of cricket, Lords in England, five times in a row. He has done commentary for 100 one-days, Tests and T20 cricket matches, after beginning his career as commentator (international) in 1994. Recounting his interaction with Indian cricketers, Kang who once shared a flat with former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu said the top players, especially Sachin Tendulkar, are well-behaved and down to earth. Kang has acted in several television serials and was also part of the first season of Comedy Circus. But his first love continues to be All India Radio and he is emphatic that the medium is popular in Pakistan. “Whenever there are hockey and cricket matches, 60 per cent of Pakistanis listen to All India Radio, because it is highly professional. I have noticed this during the course of my tours to that country,” Kang elaborated. A fervent supporter of hockey, he says that unless the corporate houses come out in support of the game, it will continue to be ignored in the country. “They need to adopt teams, as only cricket and tennis sell in our country,” Kulvinder emphasised.
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Federation plans to start India Series Boxing
Nainital, December 6 In an exclusive talk with The Tribune, Col PK Muralidharan Raja, who is the Secretary General of the Indian Boxing Federation, said, “We plan to start the India Series Boxing from November 2011. Right now we are in the process of setting up franchises in six cities of the country. The event will be held on the IPL Cricket format in which players from abroad will also be contesting for money”. However, he said the federation would put an age bar on the boxers who participate in the event. “We will ensure that a young boxer first gives his best in the amateur category and goes on to represent the country in the Asian and world championships. It’s only after that he can enter the professional circuit to earn money. We cannot have 17-year-olds entering the professional circuit straightaway”. Colonel Raja said, “It is only when you have ideas, you can go ahead in implementing them”. He also disclosed that the Indian Boxing Federation was in the process of calling for a tender from a professional marketing agency that would get down to getting funds for promotion of the game as well as popularising it in the country. “Four top companies like the IMC, Percept, IOS and Leisure Sports have already shown their interest in taking up the venture. We are even looking towards Wizcraft if it is interested,” he said. The federation will give exclusive rights to the chosen marketing agency for a period of four years after taking a minimum guarantee from it. The agency will have a percentage in the funds that it brings in for the sport. Colonel Raja said the game was attracting lots of talent and the motivation level of the players was very high. “They see a lot of opportunity in the sport. Besides it being a full-time career, it has now started offering money also,” he pointed.
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Dragon Warriors register six-wicket triumph
Dehradun, December 6 Batting first, Alfathey Club scored 140 runs in allotted overs. The openers gave a fine start to the team adding 35 runs for the first wicket partnership. Iqbal scored 4 runs, whereas another opener Baushad scored 16 runs. First down batsman Ajay failed to do much for the team and got out at eight runs. It was Naushad who accelerated the run rate. He scored 31 runs in 25 balls, smashing four fours in his innings. In the lower order it was the pair of Nadeem and Aftab added valuable 25 runs to the total. Nadeem made 11 runs and Aftab scored 14 runs. For Dragon Warriors team Bhim was the lead wicket taker with four wickets. Abhishek and Vivek took two wickets each. Chasing the victory target of 141 runs Dragon Warriors reached the target with six wickets in hand. Tarun gave a scintillating displayed of batting as he smashed 61 run in 37 runs. He hit ten fours in his innings. Sidhant supported him well on the other end to score 20 runs. Middle order batsman played a useful knock of 12 runs along with Vikas who scored 15 runs. For Alfathey Club team, Ajay took two wickets, whereas Adil and Mustakimm took one
wicket each.
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Samiti members to re-start agitation
Dehradun, December 6 The Uttarakhand Rafting Association has been protesting against the state Forest Department for quite some time resenting their beach auction and permit-issuing policies. While the rafting operators are prominently opposing the beach auction policy, asserting that small-time local rafting companies will be out of the play if the Forest Department goes ahead with the auction. However, the forest authorities justify the auction pointing out that it will lead to an increase in the department’s revenue earnings. The rafting operators are also opposing the issuance of permits only for period of one year and demand permits for a period of five years. As many as 108 rafting companies operate in the state and involve estimated turnover of about Rs 14 crores per year. Rafting season starts on September 1 and conclude by June end.
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Dehradun, December 6
Keeping up with the scope of improvement in its Rajaji Train-Hit Mitigation Project, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) yesterday held an interactive session with Loco Pilots, Loco
Assistants and Loco Guards.
Haridwar, December 6
Haridwar, December 6
Kulvinder Kang, an ace
commentator for All India Radio and Doordarshan was in Doon to give lessons to amateur artistes on commentary at the invitation of the Uttarakhand Culture Department
