Shimla, September 6
The government will soon bring out a legislation to abolish the system of “rakhas”, one of the four important village-level institutions of the pre-Independence era which played an important role in forest management at the grassroots.

A decision has already been taken in this regard. However, the government has opted to bring a legislation to implement to avoid unnecessary litigation. Exercise is on to draft the legislation and, once enacted, it will come into force with effect from April 2010.

The “rakhas”, who virtually functioned as village forest guards, were entitled to a fixed share in the forest produce in lieu of the services rendered along with patwari, khewatdar and lumberdar prevalent under the practice of ‘Haq-Chuharam’. Out of every one rupee of the revenue generated from sale of forest produce, 75 paise was retained by the government and the remaining 25 paise was equally shared by the four functionaries.

The services of patwaris were taken over after the Independence and they became government employees, while the institution of khewatdars became extinct with enforcement of the Himachal Pradesh Village Common Lands Vesting and Utilisation Act in 1974.

However, the court directed the government to frame a comprehensive policy after the lumberdars, who were also affected by the law, moved the court.

The institution of the rakhas continued to exist even after the advent of modern forest management system, with regular field staff in place, as the responsibility was passed on in the family from one generation to the next. They became helpers of the regular forest guards. However, their role came under scanner after a moratorium was imposed on green felling in 1983. Their income declined sharply as the revenue shrunk. There were several instances when people blamed rakhas for forest fires and drying up of trees due to other reasons.

The decision to enact a legislation was taken on the advice of the Law Department as the issue involved a traditional right which could not be done away with by a policy.

Naina Devi, September 6
Reacting to the statements of Union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh that he was being framed in false cases, Chief Minister PK Dhumal today asserted that neither there was any political conspiracy nor any vendetta against the former Chief Minister and law was taking its own course in the CD case.

Instead of making false statements, Virbhadra should accept directions of the court, he added.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court had turned down Virbhadra’s petition to transfer his case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and to quash police complaint against him and his wife Pratibha Singh on September 3.

“The law is taking its own course. We hardly have time for political vendetta and instead spend time on development. Virbhadra does not realise that even the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) investigations have found that the CD has not been doctored,” he said.

Reacting to Virbhadra’s repeated allegations of similar CD of Dhumal making rounds in 1994 during his stint as an MP, Dhumal said instead his own CD was doctored and was a cut-copy-paste product, a fact confirmed by the CFSL.

Dhumal was speaking on the sidelights of the three-day BJP workers’ training camp that started at Naina Devi today. From party MPs to district presidents, all BJP workers from Himachal Pradesh are attending this camp.

Talking about the Naina Devi-Anandpur Sahib ropeway project, Dhumal said the Punjab government should take an initiative so that both centres of worship of Hindu and Sikhs can be connected, giving an impetus to tourism and subsequent employment generation in the region.

He added that the Himachal government was coming up with 350-bedded medical college at Mandi wherein 50 per cent seats would be reserved for students from Himachal.

Dhumal claimed that out of 15 national highways running across the state, the BJP had developed 11.

“A special road is being constructed to Baddi market for apple growers. This road will be named the horticulture road and would reduce transportation cost and time,” he said.

Senior national BJP leaders, including Shanta Kumar, BJP general secretary JP Nadda, vice-president Kulraj Mishra and others were also present at the occasion.

Shimla, September 6
Concerned about continuous sinking of the historic Ridge, the Municipal Corporation (MC) today constituted a technical committee which will submit its report within the next three days to suggest short as well as long-term measures to prevent further sinking.

The government today constituted a three-member committee comprising superintendent engineer, SDO and municipal engineer of the MC to look into various technical aspects and suggest steps.

As an immediate step, the MC has decided to erect a crate wall near the portion which is sinking and crate wire has already reached the site on which work will start at the earliest.

The committee, which has already started its work, is trying to pinpoint the reasons for the major slide of two metres along the 42m stretch in front of the Gaiety Theatre. Sources said the committee had clearly pointed out that it was the obstruction caused to natural flow of rainwater along the slope by shopkeepers in the Tibetan Market which had triggered sinking and landslide.

It was in 2008 that the Ridge had developed major cracks which also resulted in a landslide which caused damage to several shops in the Tibetan market and claimed three lives as rubble and trees fell on a house. Though the MC has been keen to shift the Tibetan market to a new location, with the matter pending in the Supreme Court, no fresh orders can be issued.

MC officials pointed out that though there was no immediate threat to the Gaiety Theatre, in case there was no provision for drainage of water along the hill, the continuous seepage would cause sinking of the entire area.

Technical experts have suggested construction of huge retaining walls on the rock which is likely to cost over Rs 1.50 crore.

The MC had got studies done to ascertain how the Ridge could be made more stable. Experts have suggested that construction of a shopping complex on the north side would stabilise the whole area.

As a precautionary measure, the MC has asked shopkeepers in the Tibetan Market to move out as there could be risk to their lives. Though a few of them have vacated the place, others are still running the shops even as the threat of more slides looms large.

Shimla, September 6
The Himachal Pradesh High Court today directed the state government to frame separate transfer policy for the Education Department within two months.

While passing this order, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Kuldip Singh observed that the Education Department would avoid transfer of teachers during the period of academic year. The deviation should only be in extreme situation.

The court further observed that the department should ensure that a teacher once posted at a place stayed there for at least three academic years. It should also ensure that in the event of a teacher being transferred, the transferred teacher should join duty only when the person occupying the post was relieved.

The court also observed that while framing the policy the department must take care that the transfer would be made only in administrative exigencies and not on the pressure from external quarters.

The court also made it clear that in order to ensure transparency the department would publish the policy so that there was no undue pressure for deviating from it.

The court passed this order on a matter pertaining in this regard.

Shimla, September 6
Up in arms against the construction of an abattoir in the Boileauganj area, the Joint Action Committee of local residents has decided to intensify their agitation by holding mass protests in case the authorities still go ahead with the project.

The residents of the area are opposing the construction of a slaughterhouse at the site as they feel that it is too close to the residential areas and, moreover, it will pollute water sources in the vicinity.

President of the Joint Action Committee Kushal Thakur today met Mayor Madhu Sood to request her to reconsider the decision on the site for the project.

Thakur said till now they had been holding peaceful agitation but the inconsiderate attitude of the Municipal Corporation authorities was forcing them to adopt an aggressive approach.

“More than 25,000 residents will be on the roads and in case there is any untoward incident, the MC will be responsible,” he warned.

The Centre has already approved Rs 19 crore for the project but the locals have been opposing it, as a result work has been delayed.

Sources in the MC said the issue could be placed before the House to look into various aspects considering public opposition.

On the other hand, Municipal Corporation officials argue that money has already been sanctioned and a change in site, which will lead to further delay, can lead to lapse of funds.

However, the local residents are in no mood to relent and categorically said the project would not be allowed at any cost.

Solan, September 6
With no arrangement for disposing of the leftover rotten apples outside the yard of marketing committee on the National Highway 22 at Parwanoo, commuters are forced to bear the stench.

Since the grading of apples, which were being procured from HIMFED and the HPMC by the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), was being done on the roads, rotten apples are left behind in heaps.

Though the APMC procured these apples every year, its marketing yard had no facilities for grading, forcing sellers to undertake this activity openly on the roads.

Despite charging a fee of 8 per cent on the sale of apples, the committee had failed to provide even basic facilities like sheds for grading and hygienic disposal of rotten apples, said an official of the HPMC.

Officials of the Pollution Control Board had, however, took a strict note of the foul stench emanating from the piles of rotten apples and had served a notice to the Municipal Committee, HPMC as well as HIMFED for clearing the mess immediately.

Though open apple grading was put on hold after that, the leftover rotten apple glut was not removed, thus aggravating the problem. Since the area was primarily a parking lot of the municipal committee, it was taken to task for allowing this polluting activity by the board.

Some efforts were made by the HPMC’s cold storage wing to clear the mess. However, it remained an incomplete exercise, creating a malodorous environment on the NH.

KC Chaman, ADM, who visited the spot after the problem of dumping rotten apples had emerged last week, said he had directed the police to challan the offenders who were indulging in this activity and arrangements were made to grade the apples within the marketing complex.

He, however, added that he would direct the APMC to ensure suitable disposal of the remaining rotten apples glut as it created an unhygienic environment.

Meanwhile, the stench, which was felt within a radius of almost half a kilometre, projected the state in poor light before the tourists entering the state from Parwanoo.

Shimla, September 6
The Himachal Pradesh Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Confederation has condemned the callous attitude of the Dhumal government towards the problem being faced by fruit growers in the state.

Sanjay Chauhan, general secretary of the confederation, alleged that the apple growers had been left to fend for themselves by the government. They were being exploited by carton and tray manufacturers, transporters and middlemen to the hilt. Instead of taking steps to solve the problems of growers the BJP leaders were issuing statements that marketing of apples was going on smoothly and all arrangements had been done by the government. In fact, it was trying to justify exploitation of growers who were being made to pay through nose for everything they required for marketing of apple.

The prices of cartons had gone up from Rs 34.5 to Rs 55 and trays costing Rs 2.95 were available at Rs 8. The authorised agencies had failed to supply trays and cartons and the material provided by them was not even 10 per cent of total supply. In the situation the growers were at the mercy of private manufacturers and suppliers who had created artificial scarcity to make a big profit.

Kullu, September 6
Accusing the police of siding with a private company, more than 400 villagers, including women from landlocked Malana village in the district, today lodged their protest with the district administration after the police thrashed them yesterday at the 100 MW Malana II project site. They were holding a peaceful protest against Everest company in support of their long pending demands.

According to the villagers, they were protesting peacefully yesterday on the roadside near the power house when the police lathicharged them without any provocation in which two villagers were seriously injured. Meanwhile, the police arrested 10 villagers under Sections 147, 149, 353 and 336 of the IPC but did not take any action against the erring policemen, they alleged.

“The district administration have failed to fulfil promises made to us when the company acquired our land to construct the Malana II project in the valley,” they resented.

The project is fast heading for completion. However, promises like construction of road, toilets, hospital, drains, streetlights and panchayat bhawan remained only on papers, they added.

Bhagi Ram, president, Malana Village Sangharsh Samiti, said the Kullu DC had promised them that he would expedite the development work in the village.

However, DC BM Nanta said the issue had been solved at a meeting with them here today and villagers had called off their protest.

Meanwhile, Kullu SP KK Indoria said the villagers attacked the SHO and three other policemen on duty. “The police only tried to stop the crowd from turning violent,” he claimed.

Shimla, September 6
The government will prepare a vision document outlining the short-term and long-term strategy for conserving and enhancing the water sources. Stating this while presiding over a meeting of the state Water Management Board here, Chief Minister PK Dhumal said the state government would also explore the possibilities of inclusion of water management and conservation in school curriculum to help create awareness among students.

He said the vision document should be prepared with focus on the next 10 to 20 years. It will not only involve various departments but also people's participation. It should also include strategies for recharging of groundwater, afforestation activities and other related issues.

He said rainwater harvesting was the need of the hour and directions had been issued for making provision for it in government and commercial buildings. Rainwater harvesting and recycling of the water in the industrial areas had been made mandatory in the state.

He said Himachal Pradesh had varied climatic zones where structures suitable to geographical conditions needed to be constructed. He underlined the need for community participation in achieving the objectives instead of enactment of legislation. He asked the Town and Country Planning and Urban Development Departments to strictly enforce the provision for rainwater harvesting structures in all buildings.

The revival of traditional water bodies and construction of small, medium and large check dams, depending on the location, were on top of the agenda. It will not only raise the groundwater level but also help recharge the surface water sources. A holistic approach for watershed management was required by preparing treatment plans of khads, nullahs, ponds and catchment areas in consultation with other implementing agencies. He emphasised the need to explore possibilities of construction of rainwater harvesting structures for Annandale and Basantpur.

The Chief Minister directed the authorities to take full advantage of central schemes on rainwater harvesting and water management projects. Water scarcity was a grave challenge which needed to be taken seriously in a planned manner, keeping future requirements in view.

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Ravinder Ravi said rainwater harvesting structures were being created in all subdivisions to motivate people adopt the same.

Mandi, September 6
Bio-engineering species is the new mantra doing the rounds in the Forest Department, replacing barbed wires, fences and concrete structures. The native species of plants, shrubs and bushes will be used in more than 50 per cent of the work, including catchment area treatment (CAT) plans, landslide management, moisture, soil and water conservation, experts said.

Talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the first-of-its-kind workshop on bio-engineering methodology in forest management, top forest officials said the bio-engineering in forest management was not only cheaper and more sustainable, but also it was cost effective as compared with the traditional engineering methods of the barbed wire and concrete fencing and other civil works.

Principal chief conservator of forest Vinay Tandon, who is the resource person of the workshop, said: “The bio-engineering methods in managing and maintaining tree plantations and other civil works are more durable, cost effective and eco-friendly. The soil and water conservation and CAT plans and other civil works will use 50 per cent bio-engineering species.”

He said bio-engineering methodology used living plants for engineering purposes. “It checks soil erosion, improves surface drainage and reduces slumping.”

Additional principal chief conservator of forests JS Walia said: “The bio-species check landslides and conserve soil moisture and provide protection to forest.”

He said the department would use bio-engineering in management of CAT plans in contour trenching and hedges. “The centre has approved Rs 30.73 crore for CAT plan activities out of which Rs 16 crore has been released for the state so far.”

BD Suyal, conservator of forest, Mandi, said bio-engineering species ensured quality and became more stable in the course of time, while traditional methods deteriorated with the passage of time. “The bio techniques used in raising poly houses, storage dams, check dams, ponds and water sheds are about 50 per cent cheaper.”

GS Goraya, CCF, (monitoring and research), said the species selection was critical in raising nursery of bio-engineering species for better results.

Satinder Rana, nodal officer, bio-engineering PWD, said bio-engineering works carried out in the state had turned out to be successful and need urgent attention to make them mandatory in checking landslides and soil erosion.”

Dr Surinder, CCF (Project); Dr Chandresh, CCF (WP); Archana, CF (CAT Plans); Dr PK Sharma, CF, Kullu; and Anil Joshi, DFO, Mandi; were among those officers who were present on the occasion.