Tosh/Manali, June 4
Solid waste, including food waste, plastics, trash and junk, left behind by tourists has created pollution in the sacred Parbati valley. Tonnes of used plastic bottles and solid waste end up in the Parbati river.

The story is no different in Kullu, Manali and the Rohtang Pass where 50 per cent of the solid waste ends up in the Beas and its tributaries like Beas Nullah, Solang Nullah, Manalsu khad and Chohad Nullah.

From Kasol and Manikaran to Tosh, Pulga and Malana, one can see stinking heaps of used plastic bottles, sanitary napkins and junk littering villages and streams.

These villages have become infamous for herbal hashish and chemical drugs.

If one goes by tourist arrivals according to the Tourism Department, over 15,000 to 22,000 tourists, who visit Manali during the peak season daily, produce about 66 to 70 quintals of waste.

Over 100 small cafes and guest houses on the Kasol-Tosh route and gurdwara and temple serais in Manikaran have no system of collecting solid waste, say owners.

Local villagers say the cafe owners alongside the Parbati river and the Tosh, Pulga and Manikaran streams do not care and toss the junk into the running water bodies.

Even septic tanks and sewers flow into the river as Kasol and Manikaran, which receive both pilgrims and foreign tourists, have no sewerage and solid waste management system.

Others who are away from the streams and the river, dump the trash into pits and nullahs that paints an ugly picture of the sacred Parbati valley. The situation is no different in the tourist towns of Kullu, Manali, Prini, Aleo, Naggar, Solang, Old Manali, Vashisht, Beas Nullah and the Rohtang Pass.

Tourist spots like Solang, Beas Nullah and the Rohtang Pass stink of horse dung.

Dr JC Kuniyal, senior scientist at the GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kullu, in his recent study observed, “The solid waste can be managed if it is segregated at the source. As much as 65 per cent of the waste in Manali is of a biodegradable nature that can be recycled into compost. However, half of the solid waste on the periphery and 25 to 30 per cent in Manali town ends up in the Beas.”

Though the Tourism Department has put up billboards on the way to the Rohtang Pass asking tourists not to litter, junk can be seen all around Kohti Nullah, Beas Nullah, Marhi and the Rohtang Pass.

The district tourism council, which collects the green tax, has assigned the task of collecting plastic bottles and soild waste in the Rohtang and Beas Nullah areas to local mahila mandals, but they are unequipped and untrained to segregate and collect the waste.

Shimla, June 4
Heavy dropping of fruit in apple orchards in the Shimla region is causing worry among growers who were expecting a bumper harvest after last year’s lean crop.

An extended winter, followed by a sudden rise in the mercury and dry weather have disturbed the soil hydrothermal regime in orchards, particularly in the mid-hills, leading to abnormal dropping of fruit. Dropping of fruit in June to the extent of 10 to 15 per cent is quite normal, but this year 30 to 40 per cent fruit has fallen in some pockets of the Rohru and Jubbal areas.

The growers are upset as last year the crop failed and only 1.36 crore boxes of apple were produced. As a poor crop is invariably followed by a good crop, they were expecting a bumper crop, more so, as the fruit setting had been good. However, excessive fruit dropping is likely to hit production. The situation is much better in the Kullu region which has been experiencing frequent spells of rain. The total apple production, which was estimated to be over three crore standard boxes, may not cross 2.5 crore boxes as a result.

A progressive apple grower, Rajeev Chauhan maintains that the cold weather was not very conducive during the flowering stage and it led to false pollination. This was the main reason for heavy dropping. In such cases, no seed is formed and the fruit eventually drops.

A scientist of the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Pradeep Kumar, asserts that apart from false pollination, the sudden rise in temperature and dry weather were also responsible for excessive premature fall of apple. The lack of moisture in soil affects the intake of nutrients in plants, leading to heavy dropping of fruit.

He said the soil hydrothermal regime could be improved by using drip irrigation and black plastic mulch. Research conducted by scientists had established that the use of soluble fertilisers with drip irrigation and black plastic mulch increased production by over 25 per cent. The “fertigation” (fertilisers plus irrigation) also reduced the input cost and ensured better returns to the growers. The plastic mulch must cover the plant basin up to a radius of 2 metres to 3 metres , if not the entire basin.

Palampur, June 4
The state government has decided to press water tankers into service to check the drinking water crisis in the state. All deputy commissioners and officials of the IPH Department in the state have been directed to make arrangements for the supply of drinking water through water tankers where state-run water supply schemes have either failed to meet the drinking water requirements or dried up because of unusual hot summer this year.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Ravinder Ravi, Irrigation and Public Health Minister, said the government was well conversant with the situation and all efforts were being made to provide drinking water at least twice a day in the affected areas. He said Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had already made available necessary funds to all deputy commissioners in this regard. They had also be directed to personally monitor the situation daily and report to the government. If needed, a control room would also be set up in Shimla.

The IPH Minister said the government also planned to install more hand pumps in water-scarcity areas. MLAs and panchyat pardhans had been asked to identify such areas and report to the executive engineers concerned of the IPH Department for the installation of hand pumps.

Besides, all executive engineers, assistant engineers and junior engineers had been directed not to switch off their mobile phones after the office hours and attend all public complaints. If anyone failed to obey the orders, action would be taken.

Solan, June 4
Even as the state gears up to celebrate the World Environment Day tomorrow, high greenhouse gas emissions from cement plants, which contribute to over half of the state’s carbon dioxide, has become a question of debate among environmentalists.

A report on greenhouse gas emissions at source released by the Department of Environment pointed out that cement plants produced 5,170.30 gigagrams of carbon dioxide while the energy usage by industrial, commercial and institutional categories added 3183.27 gigagrams to greenhouse gas emissions.

As per this report, residential use of energy was merely 911.525 gigagrams while the agriculture
sector contributed a low 15.66 gigagrams.

Various modes of transportation, including roads, railways and aviation, also contributed little to carbon dioxide with barely 655.14, 0.0012 and 0.0011 gigagrams being their respective contributions.

The report clearly indicated that various forestry related endeavours contributed a mere 2,987.38 gigagrams and this meant the gap between various commercial and industrial activities and the ability of forests to act as a sink, which could offset the negative effect of these gases that was widening.

This figure stood at 8,974.437 GG, which was an indication of the extent to which greenhouse emissions needed to be offset.

With Solan district accounting for majority of cement plants and almost 70 per cent of the state’s industry, the need to focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions here was more.

Though the state was preparing a climate change policy, use of modern technology, which could reduce energy usage and, thus, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, was of utmost significance.

The report has put a question mark on the large number of cement plants in the state and their expansion activities, especially at a time when the high court has slammed a penalty of Rs 100 crore on Jaypee Industries for having violated various environmental norms.

The total cement and clinker production capacity of various cement plants in the state would touch 22.37 million tonnes by 2015 with the commissioning of various units in the state.

Balkrishen Sharma, general secretary of an environmental NGO, Him Parivesh, said these figures indicated that cement plants needed to adopt modern technologies to minimise energy usage so that their contribution to greenhouse emissions could be reduced.

Kangra, June 4
One person was killed and four others were injured when a private bus carrying pilgrims from Fazilka in Punjab met with an accident near the Sammela tunnel, 8 km from here, this afternoon, the police said.

Subdivisional Police Officer, Kangra, Dinesh Kumar said the bus (RJ 07B-4208) was on the way to this temple town carrying pilgrims from Abohar and Fazilka when the driver lost control over the bus reportedly due to over-speeding and first dashed against the parapet and then hit a car (DL 2CB-8184) from the rear side.

He said the passengers in the car were safe. However, Babloo (24), a resident of Abohar, who was travelling on the bus, was injured in the accident and was taken to the Tanda medical college where he was declared brought dead by doctors.

The police has registered a case under Sections 279, 337 and 304-A of the IPC against the bus driver, Chanan Singh, a resident of Khuban, Punjab.

Solan, June 4
An eco-tourism project suffered losses worth Rs 12 lakh when three of the four wooden huts were burnt in a massive forest fire last night at Chilla village on the NH-22.

The fire was allegedly ignited by some villagers residing below the hillock where the project was housed.

Panicky villagers decided to set ablaze the inflammable pine needles after they saw another fire progressing towards their village from a temple located above their village. This was done in a bid to contain the fire from spreading to their village. But it led to a huge fire, which spread uphill towards the project.

The eco-tourism project, which was constructed on a hillock amidst pine trees, had four wooden huts having thatched roofs with all modern amenities like refrigerator and television.

Forest employees, including the block officer and guards, and some project staff were also caught in the fire.

Ashok Chauhan, Divisional Forest Officer, Solan, said employees barely managed to save themselves and escaped with minor burns. A Delhi-based couple, who was residing in one of the huts, barely managed to leave the hut minutes before it was engulfed in the fire.

The Divisional Forest Officer said the huts suffered total losses while the restaurant could be saved.

Chauhan said the high velocity winds helped the fire to spread fast thus leaving little scope of dousing it.

The fire that had started around 8pm last evening was doused by 2am after much difficulty, he said.

The presence of refrigerators led to blasts in the nature camp.

Shimla, June 4
Agitating employees of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) will observe a one-day strike tomorrow in support of their demand.

The employees, who have been observing work to rule for the past one week, decided to go ahead with the strike after talks with the management failed here today.

The employees refused to withdraw the strike call and insisted that their demand for regularisation of the contract staff after completion of three years of service, converting the corporation into state roadways to protect the pension benefits and reversal of the policy to privatise passenger transport services should be accepted.

The management had earlier agreed to pay full arrears on account of the pay revision to the Class IV staff and 75 per cent arrears to the other regular staff on the pattern of the government. Besides, retirees will be paid 85 per cent of the arrears and the balance amount in respect of all employees will be deposited in the provident fund account subsequently.

Spokesman for the employees Khemendra Gupta said the 24-hour strike would commence from midnight. However, the night buses would be allowed to terminate at their destinations up to 4 am.

Shimla, June 4
There is likely to be some respite from the sweltering heat for everyone as rain and thundershowers are likely to lash the middle and high hills of the western Himalayan region during the next four days.

The capital town, which is witnessing a surge of tourists who are making a beeline here to escape the heat, also got some relief with a mild thundershower today. The local Meteorological Centre has predicted that the mid and high hills of the state are likely to be hit by rain and thundershowers during the next 24 hours. These conditions are likely to persist till June 7.

With a feeble western disturbance approaching the western Himalayas, the temperatures are likely to decline. The cooling impact can already be felt as Shimla today recorded 29°C, Sundernagar 38.7°C, Bhuntar 36°C, Kalpa 22°C, Dharamshala 35.4°C, Una 42.4°C, Solan 34°C and Nahan 36.2°C.

Even Shimla has been exceptionally hot despite delayed summers with the mercury soaring up to 32°C, making local residents feel the heat. Those arriving here to escape the scorching heat of the plains complain that the town too has become quite warm.

Fans and air conditioners, which were unheard of in the town, have been installed not just in hotels and commercial establishments, but also in some homes, due to the changed climate.

Kangra, June 4
The Kangra temple and tourist town today witnessed an unprecedented traffic chaos with no police person in sight and leaving tourists, pilgrims and local residents in a lurch.

An HRTC bus broke down on a 129-year-old bridge on the Manooni river at Matour, which left the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway and Dharamsala-Shimla National Highway blocked.

The bridge, which was constructed in 1883, has a width for only one bus to cross at a time. The bus broke down in the centre of it, leaving the traffic crippled on the two national highways.

Drivers started adopting the Zamanabad road for Dharamsala and Pathankot destinations. This led to a traffic jam on the Dharamsala road in the town.

The jam continued for nearly three hours. Traffic jams were witnessed outside the new bus stand, the Dharamsala road, the Zamanabad road, outside the old bus stand and near the civil hospital.

The traffic on the Gaggal-Matour road, Matour-Palampur road, Matour chowk and Gurkhari was also in a mess. When the situation turned worse, the police was informed by local residents.

PR Agnihotri, member, Indian Road Congress, said wrong parking of heavy vehicles on national highways, outside business houses and mechanical workshops was adding to the trauma of those who travel by vehicles or by foot.

However, after three hours the bus was removed from the bridge and traffic was restored.

Shimla, June 4
Awaiting his expulsion from the party, defiant BJP leader and Kangra Lok Sabha MP Rajan Sushant has decided to go ahead with his plans of undertaking a padyatra to highlight the issues concerning the common man, which obviously means open rebellion against his own party’s regime in the state.

As announced earlier, Sushant has decided to launch his onslaught against the Chief Minister by starting his padyatra by the end of this month to highlight the 13 key issues concerning the people and the “indifference” of his party’s regime towards them. “No amount of intimidation or threat can deter me from my mission and after mobilising the public, I will start my padyatra as announced earlier,” said Sushant.

“Desperate attempts are being made by loyalists of the Chief Minister to create a situation where I will abandon my plans for the padyatra because they fear that once I start, there will be thousands who will join me,” he says. He alleges that all possible efforts are being made to create hurdles in his way, including showing him black flags and raising slogans against him.

He reiterates that it will be a non-political padyatra as he has invited all like-minded people who feel strongly against issues like corruption and unemployment. “I am urging all honest and upright people to join me in this crusade against corruption,” he says.

Sushant, who has already been suspended from the BJP for his anti-party activities and scathing criticism of Chief Minister PK Dhumal, says he is wiling to pay any price for continuing his fight against all corrupt elements, whether in his own party or outside. “Under no circumstances will I campaign for the BJP if the elections are held under the leadership of Dhumal as this will amount to compromising with corruption,” he says.

Palampur, June 4
The police has sealed 18 liquor vends situated near schools and places of worship in different parts of the district during the past two days.

The action follows directions issued by the Himachal Pradesh High Court in this regard. The court had directed all superintendents of police in the state to close all liquor vends, which were situated near schools and temples.

A senior police officer said here today that all efforts were being made to trace liquor vends situated near temples and schools. He said the police had also sought cooperation from the public in this regard and had requested panchayat pardhans and other social bodies to come forward and inform the police about such liquor vends.

Meanwhile, the Liquor Contractors Association said it honoured the orders of the court and had extended full cooperation to the police to shut down their vends. The association urged the state government to provide them government land for liquor vends in the district as was being done in other states.

A spokesman for the association told mediapersons that in the past two days the sale of liquor in the district had come down by Rs 10 lakh per day, adversely affecting government revenue. He said if they failed to get alternative premises, they would not be able to deposit thier instalment with the state exchequer. He said the state government should follow the example of the Chandigarh Administration, which had provided government land for liquor vends in many sectors.

Bilaspur, June 4
Property worth Rs 50 lakh is said to have been destroyed in a devastating fire that suddenly engulfed a three-storey building of Prince Hosiery at the Dakkadi chowk on the Shimla-Kangra National Highway in Ghumarwin town during late last night.

Short circuit is suspected to be the cause of the fire.

Reports said a person living near the building informed the police, fire brigade authorities and the owner of the building Gulab Singh of nearby Hirapur village. A large number of people gathered on the spot and tried to control the fire. But their efforts failed as the fire spread from ground floor, which was full of raw materials and goods of Hosiery. Almost all the goods kept on all three storeys was destroyed in this fire. A case has been registered in this regard.

Local traders and leaders, including local MLA Rajesh Dharmani, Nagar Parishad president Rita Sehgal and vice-president Rakesh Chopra, tehsildar Shashi Pal Sharma and naib tehsildar Sita Ram Chauhan, rushed to the spot.

The tehsildar has given Rs 10,000 as immediate grant from government to the affected shopkeeper while the total loss is being assessed by revenue officials.

Dharmani has urged the government to give a special grant to the victim.

Dalhousie, June 4
Two residential quarters of chowkidars were completely gutted while the forest rest house at Ghatasni was partially damaged by a devastating forest fire, which engulfed the Ghatasni jungle, near Bakloh township, 30 km from here, last night said official reports received here today.

A motorcycle parked in the forest was also damaged in fire. The fire, which broke out last evening, spread all around in the forest due to the gust of gale. However, there was no report of loss of lifein the incident.

Police officials, administration, forest and Army jawans of the nearby Bakloh Army Cantonment with the cooperation of local residents tried to douse the blazes, district police chief Kuldeep Sharma stated this here today. DFO, Dalhousie, RK Kaushal, also confirmed that the loss caused due to the fire to the forest property was being assessed.