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Two leopards found dead; poachers blamed
U’khand loses leopard every alternate day
Hill industrial policy fails to take off
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A snow-covered road in Pitthoragarh.
Shivratri observed amid tight security
Losar celebrations to be low-key affair
State needs to upgrade micronutrient-testing facility
‘My Name is Khan’ screened amid security
Events mark Basant Mela
Valentine’s Day
Move to make ministers chiefs of district panels flayed
Anti-polythene drive on Valentine’s Day
Trivendra Singh Rawat, Agriculture Minister, addresses the media in Dehradun on Friday.
Pandey to head forest panel
Police clueless in jewellery theft case
Train passengers block highway
Not allowed to go to fair, girl sets herself ablaze
Jumbo ride lands 4 in hospital
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Two leopards found dead; poachers blamed
Dehradun, February 12 This leopard too had died after it got caught in a trap set by local villagers, probably at the behest of some miscreants. Both these incidents took place in western Dehradun that has been most vulnerable to man-leopard conflicts in recent times. Chief Conservator of Forests, Garhwal, DVS Khati, who rushed to the Asharoree range, directed for action against the villagers allegedly involved in the offence. He said while the first dead leopard found in a private farm in the Barowala area had its four legs chopped, making it a clear case of poaching, the other found dead in Jhanjara too died after getting trapped. While Fulseni leopard was a six-year-old male, the Barowala was about an year old. The growing animosity between the local villages and wild cats in village areas of Dehradun is attributed to be the main reason behind the killing of
the leopards. The outskirts of Dehradun particularly west Dehradun have been in thick of news over frequent leopard attacks in the village areas. Leopard attacking human settlements have been quite frequent and people causing injuries to the wildcats in retaliations is not being ruled out. The sprawling tea gardens in west Dehradun prove to be a safe heaven for prowling leopards. These gardens that are mostly redundant have large presence of lantana weed that prove to be safe hideout for them. According to Meenakshi Joshi Divisional Forest Officer, Dehradun Forest Division authorities only a fortnight back had sent letters to tea garden owners in Barowala, Harbanswala and Baniyawala areas in West Dehradun asking them to clear their gardens of the lantana weed. “Lantana in tea gardens which are in close vicinity of inhabited areas are excellent places as safe hideout for the leopards. Thus clearing these areas of lantana is very important,” said Meenakshi Joshi DFO, who said the Dehradun Forest Division was all willing to extend cooperation to tea garden proprietors in conduct of any lantana removal
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U’khand loses leopard every alternate day
Dehradun, February 12 The brutal killing of two leopards in west Dehradun today has yet again brought to the fore the ugly face of man-leopard conflict in the hill state. This followed killing of another leopard at Lawaa village of Gaja tehsil of Tehri district, the previous day. These deaths significantly also coincided with tiger conference that started at Corbett today, which has man-leopard conflict an integral part of its proceedings. Wildlife conservationists fear the worst in the days to come. “The leopard causalities have risen alarmingly in Uttarakhand with the forest authorities just resorting to lip service for the cause of wildcat,” argued Rajendra Aggarwal of the Wildlife Protection Society of India. He said Uttarakhand was topping the charts in the country in terms of leopard killings. |
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Hill industrial policy fails to take off
Dehradun, February 12 The policy was aimed at addressing imbalances that had resulted due to concentration of economic activities in few pockets of plain districts, but a year since the announcement no manufacturing unit has so far been set-up in the hills. “Several sops are on offer in the government’s hill industrial policy 2008 that include heavy transport subsidies and other sops for a period of 10 years, the new hill industrial policy, which came into effect on April 1 last year,” said Principal Secretary (Industries) PC Sharma. However, not a single manufacturing unit in the hills has been set up till now with the support of the government. Though the government claims that it has received several investment proposals to the tune of Rs 300 crore, for which the process of land allotment is yet to be started. Sources said it was an uphill task getting land in the hills for establishing small units and land allotment continued to be a hurdle in taking forward the policy. Unavailability of raw material is another big reasons for the poor response. Under the policy guidelines, there is no transport subsidy in case the raw material is being brought from outside the state, experts said. Another reason for the lacklustre response to the policy is the expiry of central package on March 31. However, the government has received new proposals only for establishing hotel resorts and spas at key tourist sites in the hills. Pindar Glacier Resorts is planning to build a resort at Kodiyala on the banks of the Ganga near Rishikesh with an investment of Rs 2.25 crore. The government has also received a couple of proposals for setting up resorts at Kempty Fall near the hill resort of Mussoorie. A project with the UK-based Hinduja group for running Ayush Grams in the hills districts on public private partnership mode is also being discussed. |
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4 days on, snow keeps Munsiyari out of bounds
Pitthoragarh, February 12 “Since February 8, our buses could not reach Munsiyari as the snow on the road is still intact,” said Ramesh Joshi, station in charge of state roadways at
Pitthoragarh. The snow cutters and other equipment with PWD are being used to remove the snow lying there at
Kalamuni, 9,000 feet high, which received more than four feet of snow on the night of February 8 and 9. “This time the density of snow is more thick and it will take some more days to make the road transportable,” said AS
Bisht, SDO, PWD unit at Thaal. The record-breaking snowfall has not only disrupted transportation to Munsiyari and upper valleys of Dharchula sub-divisions but also disturbed the normal life there. “The people from Talla Johar area are now reaching the nearest towns via, Jauljebi and Madkot after crossing 24 km on foot,” said Kailash
Koranga, a resident of Talla Johar area. The snowfall caused the inconvenience to local people but the local tourism department people are happy. The local tourism department has for the first time in last 5 years started a snow skiing training camp at Baetulidhar the only skiing destination in Kumoan but not been utilised due to lack of snow there. “This year, due to the good snowfall there we have organised a seven-day skiing camp there at Baetulidhar where four feet of snow is still intact,” said Rajendra Singh
Airi, District Adventure Sports Officer. The Munsari town has also been plunged into darkness since Feb 9 as more than 70 poles of 33KW elasticity line have been uprooted by the snow storm. “The restoration of this electricity line will take some more days as our team is working day and night,” said Ajeet
Yadav, SDO, electricity distribution, Pitthoragarh. |
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Shivratri observed amid tight security
Haridwar February 12 At renowned and famous Daksh Mahadev temple people gathered in large numbers from early morning. Similarly, at Neeleshwar Mahadev,Gauri Shankar,Dukh Bhajan, Daridra Bhanjan, Bilkeshwar Mahadev, Gupteshwar, Shiv Moorti, BHEL Shiv Mandir Sector-1, Sector-5 and other temples devotees thronged in large numbers. In view of the first Shahi Snaan and millions of devotees in city for the occasion and also for the Maha Shivratri, the police personnel were deployed at all major temples in the city. Devotees relish ‘bhaang’
Yamini Sunwar adds from Dehradun:Serpentine queues of the devotees, resonance of the ringing bells, chanting of aartis and enthusiasm among the crowd, marked the Maha Shivratri celebrations at historic Tapkeshwar Shiv Temple here today. Devotees from far-flung areas have come to offer prayers and seek blessings of Shiva as the temple has epic significance to almighty. But something beyond devotion was witnessed at the mela was “bhaang”. “Business on the name of Shiva,” this was the prime motive of many of the hawkers and vendors selling intoxicating drinks and pakoras made from bhaang today at Shivratri mela at Tapkeshwar Shiv Temple. Majority of youngsters as well as middle-aged men were spotted relishing the bhaang drink at the mela. Even kids aged between 7 and 10 years were busy selling the bhaang products. “Earlier, I was apprehensive to drink ‘thandai’ (local drink made from bhaang and buttermilk) as it intoxicates the mind and body, but after being compelled by my friends, now I have consumed four glasses of it. I am still fine and in my senses too,” said Shivam, a student who came to visit the mela. “Bhaang ghotta” was the main attraction of the mela as every fourth hawker was selling it. One glass of drink was priced Rs 10, Rs 15 and Rs 20, according to the flavours and the quantity. Badam (Almond), elaichi (cardamom), Til (seseme) and magaz kheera (melon seeds) are some of the flavours available at the mela stalls. It can be taken salty or sweet as per the taste of the customer. Another Shiv devotee, who was savouring the delicious bhaang pakoras, was quite delighted to have these while shouting slogans of “Bum bum Bhole”. Bhaang shares close significance with Lord Shiva and is considered as prasad of Shiva. Baba Parasnath, who hails from Muzaffarnagar, has a stall of “ghotta” (bhaang drink) near the entrance of the temple, said, while busy in grinding the bhaang leaves and seeds, “Since morning, I’ve made a sale of Rs 700.” This was not all, rides and food stalls captivated maximum crowds. The stalls of rides such as columbus, roller coaster, giant wheel, brake dance, merry-go-round, juggling and magic show, spotted with long queues. Food stalls of snacks, Chinese, Punjabi and beverages made a good sale. People of every age group were seen enjoying the delectable delicacies at
the mela. Though thousands of people have visited the mela, security was quite good. The cops were seen quite vigilant during the occasion. No vehicle was permitted to go beyond Garhi Chowk while constables were deployed at every short distance till the temple. Temporary beat boxes were also installed outside the temple to handle any sort of inconveniences. |
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Losar celebrations to be low-key affair
Nainital, February 12 “The festival would be observed but there would be no singing and dancing that marks the third day of the celebration,” said Tenzin Thubten, a spokesperson for the community here. The community has taken this decision to protest against the “continuing persecution of Tibetans by the Chinese” and as a mark of respect to those who were killed in the anti-China protests in 2008. Last year also there were no celebrations as a mark of respect to those killed. The community would for go the celebrations marked by the strumming of damiyan, the lilting tunes of phiwang and lingpo, the traditional Tibetan instruments which accompany the different dance forms from various corners of Tibet. It is learnt that the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) has also asked the community members not to celebrate Losar as a mark of solidarity against Chinese atrocities in their homeland and the violation of human rights of the Tibetans residing there. Although Nainital has a moderate number of Tibetan families, their strength is sizeable in Dehradun and Mussoorie. The celebration of Losar can be traced back to the pre-Buddhist Bon period in Tibet when a spiritual ceremony was held to appease the local spirits, deities and protectors. This religious festival later evolved into an annual Buddhist festival. The Tibetan calendar also has 12 months and every year is named after one of the twelve animals that mark an astrological cycle. The year beginning February 14 would be the year of Iron Tiger or Tak. Similarly, there are years named after Chichi or Rat, Repong or Rabbit, Khi or Dog, Took or Dragon etc. Thubten disclosed that the prime Losar celebrations are held on the first three days. On the first day, people go to the temple to pray before the lamas and the Buddha. The second day is known as Gyalpo Losar or King’s Losar and the third day is known as Choekhung Losar on which Palden Lhamo deity is worshipped. On the second and third day people visit relatives and friends and there is traditionally lots of singing and dancing which will not be there this time. |
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State needs to upgrade micronutrient-testing facility
Dehradun, February 12 The problem has been compounded after the micronutrient equipment, Automatic Absorption Sepctro photometer at the Regional Soil Testing Centre at Srinagar (Pauri), became non-functional for the past three months. The micronutrient testing
facility is available only at two regional soil-testing centres established at Srinagar (for Garhwal region) and Rudrapur (for Kumaon region). Among the 16 major and minor micronutrients, much of the soil in the state is deficient of zinc, sulphur and boron, but at the district soil testing centres testing is being undertaken only for major and secondary nutrients. “For the past five years, I have been trying to turn around my orchard, but have been failing miserably. However, after a simple soil test carried at a private laboratory, the results confirmed my apprehensions about the quality of soil. The soil-card revealed it all, the soil of my orchard was boron deficient, a key micronutrient. I wish the facility for testing was closer home,” said Sohan Singh, a farmer from Doiwala. But for most farmers this vital information is hard to come by. By adding fertilizers rich in micronutrients, the fertility of the soil can be considerably enhanced. Further, the knowledge about the soil also helps in the selection of pesticides that provide cover against pest attacks. The farmers are charged Rs 7 for testing primary and secondary nutrients and Rs 54 for soil testing. Those who turn up at the centres are however not charged. Usually an agriculture worker appointed at the nyaya panchayats collect the soils for tests and delivers these at the centres. Even the Central government’s scheme to upgrade the soil testing laboratories at five districts comprising Haridwar, Dehradun, Almora, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar for which Rs 50 lakh have been allocated towards procurement of micro-nutrient testing equipment is hanging fire as the finance department is yet to clear the procurement process. The Central government has already released Rs 25 lakh. “Much of our functioning will further streamline once we get our buildings and more manpower. At the moment we are forced to operate from private buildings. Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (Central government scheme) we hope to develop our own infrastructure in seven districts. There are several constraints when one is using private buildings for undertaking tests,” said Madan Lal, Director, Agriculture. |
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‘My Name is Khan’ screened amid security
Dehradun, February 12 Around 10:30 in the morning amid crowd, 15 workers of Shiv Sena gathered at Natraj theatre, one of the oldest and famous cinema halls in the city to cancel the screening of the film. However, as this issue has lead to postponement of the film in Mumbai and also created ruckus in Delhi theatres. A team of police constables since 8 am was deployed on duty here. “As this matter has lead to postponement of the film in Mumbai and attacks by Shiv Sainiks, we came on time and avoided them from entering the hall,” said police constable Vikram. Out of 15 workers, six has been arrested for destroying public peace. “The ruckus by Shiv Sainiks could have lead to disturbance, but gladly everything was controlled on time. On the first day movie has got a fabulous response and till tomorrow police constable will guard the hall,” said Inderjeet Sethi, Manager. However, police had also deployed its security personnel at New Empire hall where besides Natraj, shows were screened peacefully. |
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Events mark Basant Mela
Dehradun, February 12 Organised on the beautiful campus of ITBP, Sanjay Singhal (IPS), Deputy Inspector-General, Bhanwar Singh, Comdt 12th Battalion Matali, SR Roy, 8th Battalion Gaucher, Manmohan Singh Guleria, 2nd in command, and other distinguished guests took part in the grand celebrations today. Besides an exhibition on mountaineering and skiing, another one on ITBP photographs and equipment was held. Display of ITBP band, exhibition and stalls of Uttarakhand tourism, Survey of India, ONGC, FRI, State Bank of India, Kumaon and Garhwal Mandal and a performance by ITBP jazz band, etc, were the main attractions of the day. |
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Only silent protests allowed
Sandeep Rana Tribune News Service
Dehradun, February 12 Abhinav Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Dehradun, said, “We will allow political parties and other organisations to lodge silent protests at the Gandhi Park only. If they try to break the law, then they will be severely dealt with”. “We will undertake patrolling in the city and deploy our force at strategic places including the Clock Tower, Gandhi Park and DAV College. We want to make it clear that anybody who indulges in hooliganism and any sort of vandalism will be penalised,” said Jagatram Joshi, SP (City).
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Move to make ministers chiefs of district panels flayed
Dehradun, February 12 Reacting to the recent decision of the state government, Devali said it was bypassing suggestions of the 37th report of Standing Committee on Urban and Rural Development in which it was clearly stated that the person chairing the DPC should not be a minister, but the zila panchayat chairman and vice-chairman etc. “The state government is not interested in the devolution of power to Panchayati Raj institutions, but was forced to take the decision after the Central government refused to allocate funds unless the committees were created,” said Devali. He further said it had been nine years since the creation of Uttarakhand, but the state did not have its own Panchayati Raj
Act. — TNS |
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Anti-polythene drive on Valentine’s Day
Dehradun, February 12 Addressing a press conference in Dehradun, Rawat said the Devbhumi Vikas Sanstha was doing excellent work towards collection of water polythene from across the state capital. He said the sansthan had proposed a major anti-polythene programme on the Valentine’s day in Dehradun. Rawat said college students in a big number would participate in this programme. The minister also said the sansthan would be organising another anti-polythene initiative on February 20 with the cooperation of Pantanjali Yog Peeth, Haridwar. He said Achayra Balkrishan would be participating in the programme. Rawat also pointed out that people from across the state had expressed their willingness to join the campaign.
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Pandey to head forest panel
Dehradun, February 12 A notification was issued here yesterday. The committee will submit its report within three months from the date of its constitution. Well-known forest officer in Dehradun and former DG of the Forest Survey of India RK Dogra, Additional Director-General (Education), ICFRE, and Director-General ICFRE are also members of the committee. |
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Police clueless in jewellery theft case
Dehradun, February 12 The police said the modus operandi suggested that the theft must had been committed by some children or by short-stature man since the wall from which they entered after breaking it had a very less space. Circle officer of the Nehru Colony police station Sweety Aggarwal said the area, where the jewelry shop was situated, had a plot behind it surrounded by big grass from where the thieves had entered. The thieves had broken the backside wall of the Raja Jewelry Shop owned by Subodh Rastogi and Narender Rastogi. They had broken the cupboard, where the ornaments were kept. The theft came to the light in the morning only when the owner came to open the shop. |
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Train passengers block highway
Nainital, February 12 The passengers, who were to go to Moradabad and Kashipur, were agitated over the fact that the connecting train had been let off without waiting for the passengers of the Lal Kuan-bound train. They claimed that generally the departure of the connecting train is delayed. As they created a scene at the station, personnel of the Railways Protection Force (RPF) resorted to a cane charge, which led to further deterioration of the situation as the agitated passengers proceeded to block the highway. It was only after the mediation of the police that the blockade was lifted. Passengers had to spend the night at the station.
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Not allowed to go to fair, girl sets herself ablaze
Dehradun, February 12 She suffered 45-50 per cent burns and the doctors operating upon her said her chances of survival were slim as the upper portion of her body had been charred badly, the police said. The incident happened in the afternoon when the girl repeatedly asked her parents to allow her to go to the fair, to which her parents refused. Hearing her cries, her father, who was in another room, rushed to douse the flames. He suffered minor burns too. Members of her family took the girl to the Doon Hospital by a “Vikram” and later the police was also informed of the matter. Ritika is a student of class XI of SGRR Inter College.
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Jumbo ride lands 4 in hospital
Nainital, February 12 The accident happened when the elephant, which they were riding during a safari in the Dhikala zone, was given a shove by another elephant, also part of the safari, making the former fell down. The injured were rushed to a health centre. The foreign tourist injured in the accident is learnt to be a Canadian national.
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