Dehradun, February 19
An unnecessary confrontation led to tension at the bus stand here today and highlighted the perils of a multiplicity of authorities.The administration had initially demolished a large number of shops around the bus stand , ostensibly for widening the roads. But following pressure and negotiations, it is claimed by the shopkeepers, they were given permission to set up their shops once again.

But on Saturday afternoon, a team from MDDA (Dehradun Development Authority) arrived at the bus stand and tried to disperse the shopkeepers and dismantle the structures being put up by them. The situation turned ugly during a heated exchange of words and the MDDA team was forced to take to their heels.

Agitated members of the Indra Market Association, New Market Association and Patel Market Association claimed that the left hand of the administration obviously was not aware of what the right hand was doing. They demanded the removal of the vice-chairman and the secretary of the MDDA, at whose instructions the structures were sought to be demolished.

Talking to the media, Anant Aakash, a spokesman of the shopkeepers, stated that they had started constructing their shops again as the administration had allotted to them the land in the old bus stand area, but the MDDA team came there and demolished the structures.

“They kept saying that they wouldn’t let the shopkeepers build shops there as they needed the land to make an underground parking,” he claimed and added, “When we told them that it was with the administration’s permission that we were constructing shops, they said they didn’t care about it; that it was finally their prerogative to decide whether the bus stand would have shops or a parking lot.

It was after the intervention of the District Magistrate that the shopkeepers finally calmed down. Their meeting with the DM was going on till late in the evening.

Dehradun, February 19
The Jal Sansthan will establish drinking water quality testing and surveillance laboratories in 10 districts of the state by mid-June this year under the National Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Programme (NRDWP).

Though initially delayed, the activity is expected to get a push with the allocation of funds for laboratories in 31 subdivisions and 10 districts.

“The cost of each laboratory has been pegged at Rs 10 lakh initially and we will be able to lay the infrastructure for the laboratories by middle of June,” said PC Kimothi, Secretary, Appraisal Jal Sansthan.

The state already possesses three laboratories in Pauri, Nainital and Dehradun. The laboratory at Dehradun developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) will also be upgraded in the coming years. “In the coming two or three years we expect the laboratory to take the shape of a referral laboratory in the state. These laboratories will be equipped with spectrophotometer, hydride generator and hybrid machines,” added Kimothi.

The National Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Programme started by the Central government aims at decentralised monitoring and surveillance of all drinking water sources in the state by the community. It also aims at generating awareness among the rural masses about the water quality issues and problems related to water-borne diseases by involving Zila Panchayat and Block Panchayat.

“The laboratories will determine the quality of water samples and also have the services of a chemist and give impetus to low cost water testing and purification kits,” stressed Kimothi.

In the later stages, the use of GIS and GPS applications too will be used for surveillance and monitoring purposes.

Besides, the Jal Sansthan also plans to hire the service of geologists whose advice is sought while constructing mini tubewells and handpumps. “These geologists will be permanently available on our panel. Though we require 10 of them, but depending on the number of applications received, we will be taking the services of eight only,” said Kimothi.

A rafting on the Ganga at Shivpuri near Rishikesh.

The research found many irregularities in the conduct of rafting camps with regard to eco-guidelines.

Woods as dumping ground

“Toilets at the camps are of the pit type and situated in submergence areas of the Ganga. So during monsoon, the faeces, that has been dumped into the pit during the rafting season, flows into the river causing a huge amount of pollution at the starting point of the river,” the research states.

Similarly, along the corridors of national highways, solid waste, including wrappers, plastic and wine bottles, rugged footwear etc, were found untreated and lying on the roadside as well as on trekking trails in forests. These had been solely generated by the rafting and camping industry.

Too close for comfort

About the impact on territorial fauna, the research said though incursions of beasts into the camps had not been reported as yet, the distance between human campers and wild animals was not much. Hence, the eco-tourism zone might soon become a hot spot of the man-wildlife conflict.

Economic angle

The research, for the first time, has taken up the economic angle of villagers linked to rafting and its impact on locals, both culturally and in terms of loss of traditional values.

According to the study, social disturbances in the region have been increasing and promoting the loss of traditional values.

The effects may be low at present, but if not checked, the local identity and traditional values of the region may be challenged in the due course of time. However, exposure, experience and social progress may balance the impact, if changes do not happen too rapidly.

“Economic progress must be compatible with environment protection and social values and vice versa,” it said.

Two positives

Interestingly, the study also puts forward some positive impacts of rafting terming the activity as a source of employment which has led to an increase in earnings of the villagers and an enjoyment for tourists.

However, not ruling out the potential of rafting as a contributor to economic growth, the research argues that like all wilderness activities, rafting must balance its growth economically and culturally with the conservation of biodiversity and the environment.

“A sustainable means of developmental approach needs to be undertaken by the government through the strict implementation of rules, making the rafting and camping entrepreneurs aware about their social responsibility towards the local people,” the research said in conclusion.

Too much bad publicity did us in
Seema Sharma
Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, February 19
Who would today believe that Mussoorie once boasted of the first cinema hall in North India, lamented historian Gopal Bhardwaj here. While the hill station does not have a single cinema hall left, the first cinema hall of North India, he claimed, opened here in 1914, even before a cinema hall came up in Delhi.

The Electric Theatre Picture Palace measured 71 feet by 30 feet with each row of seats on progressively inclined steps, offering a clear view to each person. It was well ventilated with exhaust fans.

There was a ‘Tea and refreshment’ room at one side of the hall in addition to a billiards room fitted with one of “John Roberts” best tables. Only the best brands of wine and spirits were served.

The operator’s box was fitted with two projectors that allowed continuous show without a break between parts and was said to be at par with the best London theatres.

Two screenings, one around 5 pm and the other at 9 pm, were the order of the day. The programme changed twice weekly with the latest and best films available. The silent films were accompanied by a string band under the personal direction of the manager.

One of the earliest films screened at the theatre was Greta Garbo starrer “Samson and Delilah”, a production based upon the Biblical story full of dramatic surprises. Another film to be screened in the theatre was “The Greatest Sinner.”

Bhardwaj said the other cinema hall that was well-known in the town was ‘The Rialto’ at Kulri Bazar, inspiring author, actor and sports lover Tom Alter to pen down a novel called “Re-Run at Rialto.”

Such was the craze that the Dalai lama also visited the theatre for viewing films on his arrival in Mussoorie after he sought refuge in India.

Later, other halls such as Jubilee, Roxy, Majestic, Capital, Indian Cinema, that was later renamed La-Anjuman, were constructed with an increase in the tourist population for whom the films provided entertainment in the evenings.

The advent of videos in the 90s and hefty entertainment taxes dealt a death blow to the cinema halls as they started shutting down due to lack of audience and expensive tickets.

Mussoorie, February 19
A large crowd gathered at the Cambridge Book Shop here today to see Ruskin Bond formally launch the sale of his re-written short story, “Susanna’s Seven Husbands”. The writer was himself present to give autographs, and a large groups of tourists looked thrilled to be a part of the ceremony.

The book covers as many as 250 pages as the short story was stretched into a novella for Vishal Bhardwaj to make the film, “7 Khoon Maaf”.

Amaya and Manisha from Mumbai said it was a dream come true. They were familiar with Ruskin Bond’s stories and rushed to the shop when they learnt he would be signing books of his.

The writer revealed that the story was based on a real person who lived a century ago. He actually modelled the character of Susanna on two real-life characters, a man and a woman; one killed her husbands, while the other was a serial wife-killer.

Susanna, he said, was essentially a vulnerable character, looking for love and affection, having lost her father. But the men were invariably drawn to her for the wealth she inherited.

A pleased Sunil Arora said he had already sold or booked half the lot he had received of the book.

Dehradun, February 19
The tussle between the Forest Research Institute (FRI) and the Dehradun district administration over the demolition of Rangers’ College boundary wall and acquisition of land for the widening of a crossing has become more pronounced with claims and counter claims by both the sides.

The forest authorities had given a notice to the district administration for acquiring the Rangers’ College land citing the Supreme Court ruling on the forestland. The officials in the administration said it was the nazul land and this has been proved with the document submitted by the authorities of the college in the office of the Dehradun District Magistrate (DM) in a reply to the notice sent by the administration.

The Rangers’ College, located near Tibetan Market, has been asked to move back one of their walls by the administration, as the space was required for the widening of the road. The administration had also asked them to provide the documents to prove that the land was a college property.

Sources maintained that in response to the notice issued by the administration, they have submitted two photocopies of the paper that consists of the minutes of a meeting held in 1906, which, too, was without valid signatures by the authorities.

They further stated that the documents itself said the place where the Rangers’ College ground was located was a nazul land. It was given on a lease of 90 years to the college authorities, which was never renewed.

Accordingly, the college occupies more than two-and-a-half bheega land that was provided to them for the construction of a cookhouse, but they have turned it into the area where filth could be thrown. It was only when they were sent a notice, they put a board stating “dhurlab vanaspati van”.

The sources in the DM office further claimed that even if the college was given the land on lease, it should provide the required area to the administration for use. “The college authorities required to renew the same, but never bothered to do so and the lease for 90 years have finished way back in 1997,” maintained the sources.

“They could have renewed the contract for 30 years or on the perpetual lease for 90 years, but they failed to do so. Even if they give a request to the administration for its renewal now, they need to provide the space to them.”

According to the rules, the administration could take a part of the nazul land anytime, if it was required for the benefit of the city, state or country.

Talking to The Tribune, DM Sachin Kurve said it was a nazul land. “Even the documents provided by the college authorities say so and according to the rules, the administration can take the amount of land back if required,” he said.

While on the other hand, FIR director Dr SS Negi said the land has been transferred on their name and it was a deemed forestland. “We have a government notification of 1936 in our name and that is enough to prove the ownership,” he said.

Dehradun, February 19
Learning by doing is what students of Delhi Public School (DPS), Dehradun, believes in. To explore and experiment with the inner talent of budding artists, the school held an annual exhibition on the school campus here today. Principal of the school Urmil Verma inaugurated the event.

The junior branch showcased thematic depictions like the North Pole, Northern Mountains, Indian Desert, Special Houses and Means of Transport replete with briefing by students aptly dressed according to the themes.

However, the portrayal of the icy feel of the North Pole, its unique animal life and polar bears watching the melting icebergs forced everyone to think how it could be saved.

The beautiful Kashmir looked splendid with the display of magnificent landscapes, architecture, costumes, cuisine etc.

The senior branch displayed an array of models covering major disciplines encompassing science, social studies, languages, maths, sports and art and craft. 

Dehradun, February 19
Rising Star got the better of the Sai Club by five wickets in the Uttarakhand Cup Beehive Challenger League at Matawala Bagh here today.

Sai Club batted first and scored 115 runs losing three wickets in 20 overs. Pankaj (57) and Adil (27) shone for the batting side. Bharat, Papu and Farman got a wicket each for Rising Star.

While batting Rising Star achieved the target in 18 overs at the loss of five wickets. Rohit (56) and Madhu (18) were the star of the batting side. Raman and Robin of rival team got two wickets each.

In the second match, WDCA beat Himalayan Junior by five wickets. Tomorrow, Al Fateh will play against Doiwala and Doon Club will face ITCC.

Haridwar, February 19
The Cricket World Cup fever majorly affected the city life with both the vehicular traffic as well as the people's movement coming to a halt from afternoon onwards as soon as the first ball of the opening match between host countries India and Bangladesh was bowled.

While early in the morning newspapers sold like hot cakes, specially those carrying out World Cup feature pages, it was television sets in front of which cricket fans gathered. Be it river side ghats or busy markets of Moti Bazar, Upper Bazar, Ranipur, Jwalapur, Kathaira Bazar or commercial industiral areas of SIDCUL-Bahadrabad, every place bore a deserted look speaking of the cricket craze in the pilgrim city.

Several shop owners have put up television sets in their establishments to lure customers. But this method also couldn’t force people to leave their homes as the empty seats in these shops stated the story.

Shops, restaurants, hang-out zones, internet cafes, coaching classes and autos-vikrams ferrying local people were seen moving empty in the afternoon. That continued till 5:30 pm when the Indian innings completed, putting on a huge score of 370, studded with twin centuries from Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli.

Internet cafes, which used to brim with the younger generation, were also like a no-net zone as the Chandracharya Chowk, which is the hub of internet services in the city, was seen waiting for the customers.

Proprietor of one such shop Unique Cyber Cafe Arun Ohri informed that till noon the rush was visible, but as soon as the match timing neared, there were only regular customers with 90 pc seats empty the whole evening.

Competitive coaching classes and dance classes also witnessed a sharp drop or requests of changing the afternoon-evening batches to morning today.

Bharadwaj classes in the Tibdi area and Nrityangana Kala Kendra teachers said most of the sessions were carried out in the morning only, while batches of evening sessions were attended by girls mostly.

Dolly Bisht, a city-based reality dance show participant, who is now giving dancing tips to aspirants said she too being a cricket fan had shifted her evening session to mid noon so that she, alongwith her students, didn’t miss on both dance and cricket.

Similarly, industiral units in SIDCUL witnessed a drastic drop in the number of employees, particularly those who were in the afternoon shift as the match timings and noon shift 2-10 pm clashed with each other.

AGM, Kirby Company, Sudhir Mehta said they were prepared for the circumstances, so had put on reserve employees as he being himself a Sachin aficioando couldn’t resist to be in touch with the latest scores.

Dehradun February 19
The second day of 12th annual sports competition at the Sardar Bhagwan Singh PG Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research was a power-packed affair here today. Various sports events took place where both girls and boys participated enthusiastically.

Results: High jump (men) Anupam Kaushik of Fateh House- first.

Javelin throw (women) Priyanka of Fateh House- first; (men) Rajesh Negi of Jujhar House - first.

Discus throw (women) Neerja Pawar of Fateh House - first; (men) Rajesh Negi of Jujhar House- first.

800 m race (men) Rajesh Negi of Jujhar House - first

400 m race (women) Jyoti Farswan of Ajeet House - first

1,500 m race (men) Rajesh Negi of Jujhar House - first.

Shotput throw (men) Suresh Singh of Fateh House -first

Neerja Pawar of Fateh House - first.