Palampur, December 4
The Himachal Pradesh Government has forgotten to complete the projects named in the memories of the martyrs who had laid down their lives for the security and integrity of the country in the Kargil war and other operations against militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

Himachal Pradesh has the highest number of soldiers in the security forces of the country. Besides the Kargil war, the state had also lost hundreds of young soldiers in the militancy operations in the country.

In the Kargil war, the state had the highest causalities as 41 soldiers from Himachal had sacrificed their lives. In the Kabul Embassy attack in Afghanistan, the state had lost two of its officers. Most of the projects named in the memory of the martyrs of Kargil war in the state have been left incomplete by the governments who ruled the state merely for lack of political will and other official bottlenecks.

The parents of martyr Yoginder Singh, who had sacrificed his life while fighting with Pakistani intruders in Kargil, are deeply shocked over the attitude of the state government in not completing a road named in the memory of their son.

In another case in town, the PWD has failed to repair a 400-metre road leading to the house of Capt Saurabh Kalia in the past 12 years. He was the first officer to make the supreme sacrifice in the Kargil war from Himachal Pradesh. In fact, this road was to be cemented by the PWD, but till date no construction has took place. The parents of Capt Saurabh Kalia feel hurt as the road is in a bad shape.

An officer of Palampur PWD admitted that the road was to be cemented, according to the directions of the government. In yet another case, the local Holi Ground was named as Capt Vikram Batra Stadium in the memory of the martyr, who also laid down his life while fighting enemies in the Kargil war. He was also awarded with Param Vir Chakra (PVC), the highest award that can be given in war.

However, the construction of the stadium was never taken up in the past 12 years. Garbage can be seen littered in this ground. The entire ground is in a bad shape as none in the government bothered to fulfil the commitment made to the family of the martyr.

Nurpur, December 4
The state Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) organised a special one-day training camp for vegetable growers and farmers in the panchayat samiti hall. The camp was attended by around eight farmers of the area.

The ATMA project director, Atul Dogra, who presided over this camp educated the farmers about the latest farm techniques for enhancing their farm produce. He laid emphasis on growing cash crops with organic farming and use of organic fertilisers. He exhorted growers to attend such training camps as ATMA had been organising such camps to educate them about better and latest techniques of farming to enhance their farm produce.

Vijay Soni, the organic farming expert of the Himachal Jan Kalyan Sansthan, also apprised the growers about the importance of adopting latest farm techniques and organic farming. He briefed the farmers about the organic fertilisers requisite for organic farming. In this camp, women growers took a keen interest in learning farm techniques to grow cauliflower, mustard and pea. The participants were also given saplings of vegetables free of cost. 

Nurpur, December 4
The Kangra district has been adjudged the best district in the state for its performance in launching AIDS-control programmes and it has secured maximum awards in initiating successful activities at the state-level World AIDS Day organised in Shimla recently. The state Health and Family Welfare Department has adjudged Dr RK Sood from Kangra district as the best district AIDS programme officer in the state. 

Students and the management of Dronacharya College of Education, Rait, with the award of being the best Red Ribbon of the state. A Tribune photograph

His services were recognised for his efforts in rapid scaling up of Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) from eight to 27 in Kangra through facilitating implementation of facility Integrated-ICTC model, strengthening ICTC functioning, best TB HIV package implementation, facilitating timely implementation of financial assistance scheme for children affected by HIV, promoting life-skills development among the youth through innovative activities like the Facebook page of the red ribbon club.

Dronacharya College of Education, Rait, was adjudged as the Best Red Ribbon Club. The award was given for activities like best innovation through face painting, light show “SHOONYA HIV”, documentation, local fund mobilisation to supplement the grant, encouraging people to discuss openly about HIV and its prevention.

The ICTC of regional Ayurvedic Hospital, Paprola, in Kangra district was adjudged as the best ICTC in the state. The award was given for achieving the National AIDS Control Organisation norms of more than 10 general clients per day and submission all reports, manual and online in a timely manner, outreach activity and facilitating financial assistance to children affected by HIV. The best facility, ICTC award, was won by Shahpur ICTC in Kangra district.

Urmil Devi from Kangra district was declared the best health educator and awarded for good communication skills, communication through poetry, a positive attitude and a proactive approach in event management.

Palampur, December 4
Despite the fact that the state government has restricted the use of tractors strictly for agricultural purposes, a large number of tractors are engaged in mining, quarrying, extraction of sandstone and transporting quarrying material from local streams and rivers here. The use of tractors for this purpose is leading to indiscriminate quarrying and unscientific mining which has become a cause of concern for environmentalists and the state government. It has also damaged roads and irrigation schemes.

According to information gathered by the Tribune, there are over 750 tractors registered in Palampur, Baijnath, Dehara and Jaisinghpur sub divisions of this region for agricultural purposes but all of them are being used for commercial purposes, such as transportation of material, stones, gravel and clay from river-beds to towns.

Majority of the tractors do not carry any documents such as driving licence and a registration certificate and even if they are caught red handed, the Mining Department can do little to take punitive action against them.

Many times, the drivers desert their vehicles and flee. The state government in its latest notification has stated that if a tractor registered for agricultural purposes is caught being used for commercial purposes, the authorities can collect tax from them with retrospective effect, besides impounding the vehicle. But the administration is not bothered about implementing government orders.

Chamba, December 4
Like every year, the legendary Chowgan of Chamba will be closed to public this week for the regeneration and revival of its greenery and scenery; and as usual it will reopen in April with the beginning of the historical Suhi fair, says the president of the local Municipal Council, Anita Thakur.

“The Chowgan continues to exist for people living in the ancient hill town and for those visiting the place,” she feels.

Chamba town, the capital of the erstwhile state, is now district headquarters of Chamba district. It stands on a plateau on the right bank of the Ravi, near the junction of the Sal rivulet with the Ravi in the bosom of the northwestern Himalayan ranges. Behind and to the east rises the Shah Madar Hill.

On the lower terrace is the Chowgan or the public promenade, a beautiful grassy sward. In addition to being a public esplanade and place of recreation, the Chowgan is also used on the occasion of various government functions and sports activities.

According to the annals of the erstwhile Chamba state, the legendary Chowgan of the historic hill town was levelled by the rulers of erstwhile State of Chamba. It was also used on the occasion of all great State Durbars. The total area of the Chowgan is calculated at 26431.60 square metres.

But with the passage of time, the crown of Chamba Chowgan had become uneven. An improper drainage system had further triggered undulations in the ground, thereby putting the Chowgan on the verge of sinking. In the recent years, in order to revive the glory and grandeur of the Chowgan, the state government finally gave a new lease of life to it by implementing a flagship project for the conservation and regeneration of the Chowgan in a big way. Currently the local Municipal Council is making all-out endeavours, maintaining the original grass ‘droov’ (a local grass).

Baijnath (Palampur), December 4
No steps have been initiated either for the repair or shifting the local bus stand to a new site, despite the fact that Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) is well aware of its deplorable condition.

The bus stand was constructed 23 years ago and since then the corporation has not added a single brick for the improvement or repair of this bus station.

Deep potholes cause large-scale waterlogging during rains, making it difficult to move in the compound.

There is no toilet here. The ‘sulabh sochalyas’ have been locked by the HRTC authorities, causing great inconvenience to the passengers.

Kishori Lal, local panchyat paradhan and senior Congress leader, says it was a matter of serious concern that the state government was not bothered to take care of the bus stands of the state. Repeated complaints to the Chief Minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal, and Transport Minister Mohinder Singh, by the local residents have yielded no results so far, he added.

Regional manager, HRTC, admitted that the bus stand was in a bad shape and said its repair would be taken up. 

Shimla, December 4
A month after the festival of lights, the Buddhi Divali or ‘dark’ Divali that involves dancing around bonfires and animal sacrifices will be celebrated in parts of interior Himachal Pradesh from December 13.

Ani and Nirmand in Kullu district and Shillai in Sirmaur district, as also Chopal in Shimla district, have been associated with the unique festival for centuries.

The celebrations start on 'amavasya' -- the darkest night of a lunar month -- and last for up to a week, depending upon the local mythology.

The Buddhi Divali celebrations start in some areas one month after the actual festival as locals believe the news of Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya -- which Divali commemorates -- reached them late, Prem Parshad Pandit, member-secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Temples' Committee, told IANS.

During Buddhi Divali, which depends more on local traditions and customs, people dance and sing folklore related to the Mahabharata epic through the night in front of bonfires, amid the beating of drums and playing of trumpets, and consign the devil to the flames.

Processions are also taken out with flames lit from the bonfire in the village. Hundreds of goats and sheep are sacrificed to appease the gods.

According to the tradition, villagers take the animals to a nearby temple where the sacrificial ceremony is performed on the first day of the festival. The severed heads are offered to the gods and deities and each animal's body is taken home for the meat to be cooked. The repast is shared by the villagers and relatives.

In Kullu district, the festival is celebrated to commemorate the killing of demons Dano and Asur who resided there in the form of snakes.

The practice of animal sacrifice is more prevalent in the Shillai and Renuka areas of Sirmaur district. The locals especially rear livestock throughout the year for sacrifice to ensure round-the-year prosperity and protection to themselves and their crops and livestock from natural calamities. "The tradition of celebrating Buddhi Divali is also linked to the onset of harsh winter and end of the agriculture season," Baldev Chauhan, president of the Sirmaur Kalyan Manch, told IANS. There is a brighter side of the festival too.

"During the festival, everybody is in a merrymaking mood. The locals decorate their houses, buy new clothes and exchange sweets. Parents also visit the homes of their married daughters," said Chanda Devi, an octogenarian residing in the Renuka area.

She said the meat stored during the festival was consumed during the harsh winter months when outdoor activities stopped.

The sacrifice of livestock has also caught the attention of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. In October, the court, acting on a petition, has sought the public's opinion on the practice. "We are of the opinion that before any orders are passed, an opportunity must be given to all the persons who want to oppose or support the petition," the court said. —Indo-Asian News Service

Nurpur, December 4
The Irrigation-cum-Public Health (IPH) Department is all set to hand over tap water management of 32 rural water supply schemes to gram panchayats. The department had done a pilot project in the Nurpur division for over five years before turning into a big scheme.

According to information, the gram panchayats in collaboration with the IPH Department have appointed 15 and 10 ‘jal rakshaks’, respectively, for Raja Ka Talab and Kotla sub-division of the IPH Department. It has handed over water supply distribution from distribution tanks of all 24 rural water supply schemes to the respective gram panchayats.

In Nurpur sub-division, the appointment of 20 ‘jal rakshaks’ is in the final stage. They are being handed over their responsibility to run eight rural water supply schemes.

RK Mahajan, Executive Engineer, IPH, Nurpur division, said eligible ‘jal rakshaks’ had been interviewed jointly by panchayat pradhan, assistant and junior engineer of the department. “These are part-time employees, who have been entrusted the task of tap water management and will be paid remuneration by the local gram panchayats”.

He said the IPH Department had identified Kopra, Samula, Suliali-Bardi, Kerta, Seuni, Bhalah-Kotla and Kandor drinking water supply schemes in its pilot project to hand over management of tap water in the rural areas under the Nurpur division during 2006-2007.

However, the IPH Department took six years to implement the policy of handing over the management of drinking water supply schemes to gram panchayats.

Meanwhile, uncertainty prevails among the piped water consumers in the rural areas here over smooth supply of potable water through the gram panchayats as rural politics or personal enmity can hamper proper distribution of water among consumers. 

Kangra, December 4
People here are resenting the failure of the Bajjreshwari Temple Trust for not making the Gowsadan functional, despite the fact that the building for the cows and caretakers’ residence had been completed more than a year ago, at a cost of Rs 30 lakh.

The trust had decided to construct a Gowsadan on the banks on Banner River in Kangra, to house at least fifty stray cows. The construction project was completed a year back at a cost of Rs 30 lakh.

After the completion of the project, it remained hanging in fire with no caretaker and more than 400 stray cows loitering on the streets of this temple town. Bajjreshwari temple Officer Pawan Bhdial said in the beginning when the building was completed, the local Sanatan Dharam Sabha was interested in running it and had suggested the construction of caretaker residence.

But when the caretaker residence was constructed, the Sabha withdrew the offer and now applications had been invited, he added.

Sanatan Dharam Sabha vice-president Narinder

Trehan said the trust had been helped by the sabha during the construction of the building, but at the time of taking over it was forced to withdraw due to stumbling blocks put forth by the trust.

Iskcon, a religious organisation of Krishna consciousness had also offered to run the Gowsadan but because of certain conditions laid by the trust, the move failed to reach its logical conclusion.

When asked why the trust did not run the Gowsadan of its own, Bhdial said the trust did not have sufficient manpower to run it.

Solan, December 4
The Forest Department in the state has been facing a challenging task with lantana, a fast-growing, semi-deciduous, poisonous weed, having infested nearly 1.5 lakh hectare area, thus reducing it to a barren land.

This weed has also destroyed grasslands which are the source of fodder for livestock. Since lantana impedes the growth of any other plant in its vicinity, it is also known to adversely affect the bio-diversity of the area. Incidents of forest fires have been increased in lantana-infested areas as it hinders fire fighting.

Faced with these challenges, the state Forest Department has initiated a novel scheme to conserve forests by rehabilitating the infested areas. This scheme was initiated in April 2011. The strategy to combat lantana included checking speed of spread and adopting cut root stock (CRS) method. The CRS method was developed during trials carried out in the Jim Corbett National Park by Prof CR Babu and others and has been adapted for use in the state by Rajiv Kumar, Conservator of Forests.

Rajiv Kumar said the scheme helped in permanent removal of lantana and was better than any other form of removal like slashing, chopping, burning or uprooting, which was adopted earlier.

Giving details about the scheme, he explained about the steps involved in the eradication of lantana. The method has several other benefits, which include cost effectiveness, minimum soil disturbance, easy disposal of lantana, easy workability during winters when the bush is almost leafless and ‘cutting point’ is easily locatable.

Officials claimed that if correctly implemented, 85 per cent lantana would be permanently removed in the very first cut.

Forest officials have applied this method in the Kunihar Forest Division, where it was observed that after the removal of lantana from these areas, grasses and flora have flourished well and the locals were now getting good amount of grass from these areas.

The CRS method and allied activities are being taught to forest guards and DRs in refresher and induction courses at the Forest Training Institute, Chail, since the past two years and there is a proposal to initiate the same at its Sundernagar College too.

“A series of workshop-cum-demonstration are also being organised by the Forest Department to train forest officials in this technique,” Rajiv Kumar said.

The department has achieved encouraging results and 1,600 hectares has been treated so far in the past three years with an estimated cost of Rs 3.40 crore. The success and results of the CRS method have motivated the Forest Department to target an area of 2,000 hectares for 2012-13.

Though several moves were initiated in the past to check its growth, none could sustain for a longer period. 

Mandi, December 4
Two common carp fish seed farms are coming up at Nalagarh and Una, at a cost of Rs 6.68 crore each, to boost fisheries in Gobind Sagar and Maharana Pratap Sagar Pong dam, the two main fishing ponds in the state.

Gurcharan Singh, director in charge, fisheries, said the Central Government had provided funds for promotion of ‘cage-fish technology’ in the state. But the Department of Fisheries decided to utilise the funds for developing the fish seed farms at Nalagarh and Deoli in Una, considering that the ‘cage-fish technology’ is not a proven technology in the country.

“There were no takers for the technology in the state. We floated the tenders twice but received no response”, Singh added.

The Nalagarh farm will produce more than 60 lakh fingerlings, while the Deoli farm will produce another 80 lakh fingerlings every year, said the officials.

The department has already carried inspection of the two sites to strengthen the fisheries in the dams. “We have a shortage of fish seed in the dams. The Pong dam is catering to the migratory birds who also eat a good chunk of fish every year”, said officials.

Singh said both dams need carp seeds and the two farms will cater to the demand of the dams, which support over 4000 fishermen. The fishermen could raise their income as the catch would go up, he added.

The department had a meeting with the Central Government officials who have agreed to utilisation of funds for the seed farms, Singh said. “We have already received a grant of Rs 6.68 crore from the Centre and another grant is in the pipeline and we would float the tenders for the seed farms soon”, he added. 

Shimla, December 4
He might be just 13 years old, but his achievements on the golf course are no less than that of any professional golfer. Arjun Chanana has big dreams of taking to professional playing once his studies are over.

Seriously into playing golf for the past five years, this young lad added yet another feather to his cap when he scored hole-in-one on the 8th hole at Annandale Golf Ground at 125 yards. He is probably the only one to have scored a hole-in-one, which will now earn a place for him on the board hanging in the Golf Hut at Annandale ground. Arjun takes time off from studies every weekend to play at Naldehra and Annandale Golf Grounds. It is because of his sheer dedication that he won the Dr YS Parmar Memorial Tournament in the junior category in 2010.

Arjun has participated in several national-level golfing events. He got 24th All-India ranking at the National Tournament in Chandigarh organised by the Indian Golf Union.

He is a student of Class VIII at local St Edward’s School. “I want to make a mark in the game and want to devote maximum time on improving my game,” he said. 

Palampur, December 4
The climate change has adversely affected fruit growers and farmers in the state, who play a significant role in the economy of the state. Apple growers are worried over the current situation as in summers they had come across early monsoon while in winters they are facing drought-like conditions.

The scientists working on this subject at the HP Agricultural University (HPAU) have recommended the state government to change the crop pattern and its timing. They have stressed upon close coordination with the state agriculture department so that the concept of change in crop pattern could be conveyed to the farmers and apple growers. They are of the opinion that large-scale mining and felling of trees are some of the factors responsible for the climate change in the state.

The hills of the state have been stripped of their forest cover in the past decade, resulting in flash floods, landslides and complete change in the pattern of rains.

Besides, the large-scale construction of power projects, extraction of lime stone for cement plants, roads, buildings and other activities, combined with indiscriminate mining have further disturbed the ecological balance of the state.

The state government has no policy for the grant of mining lease in the state, resulting in felling of trees, barrenness of hills and pollution. Illicit mining has not only become a major environmental hazard but it is also causing huge losses to the state exchequer. Dozens of water supply schemes will go dry in the coming years because of fall in water level in the local streams.

The scarification and re-shaping of landscape in Shimla, Kinnaur, Kulu, Kangra, Solan and Bilaspur district has become a matter of serious concern and till date no corrective measures have been adopted in this regard.

Palampur has also been facing serious environmental threats because of reckless cutting of hills and unscientific mining in Neugal river near the town. A dozen mini-hydel power projects have virtually played havoc with the nature.

Neugal river is one of major source of drinking water to 200 villages of this sub-division. It feeds two-dozen drinking water supply schemes of the IPH department. Water level in the river has already gone down by five to ten feet because of illegal mining. 

Manali, December 4
Himachal Pradesh's potatoes, grown in the cold deserts of the Lahaul Valley, have been reaping profits for the growers. Farmers are happy that the humble potato commands a good price this season.

Every year a huge chunk of potatoes, say traders here, finds its way to markets in West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and northeastern states, where these are used mainly as seeds for cultivating fresh crops.

“Traders from West Bengal, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have procured the potatoes. Now, it's heading to Maharashtra, where the potato growing season is on,” Amar Chand Dogra, managing director of Lahaul Seed Potato Growers Cooperative Marketing Ltd, said. The landlocked picturesque Lahaul Valley in Lahaul-Spiti district is known for producing the country's high variety, disease-free, pest-resistant Kufri Chandramukhi and Kufri Jyoti varieties.

According to the estimates of the state Agriculture Department, the valley has produced around 35,000 bags of 50 kg each of Kufri Chandramukhi and 150,000 bags of Kufri Jyoti, cultivated on 710 hectares. Dogra said though the overall production of both the varieties was slightly less than the last year's production, prices are almost double the previous year's.

The state Agriculture Department has fixed Rs 1,750 per quintal as the procurement price of both the varieties from the marketing society, which is one of the country's most successful groups of farmers with a membership of over 2,000.

After harvesting, which begins in mid-October and lasts for a month, the society transports the entire produce to Manali for grading and marketing. Scientists at the Shimla-based Central Potato Research Institute said per hectare yield of potatoes, rated the best in the world in quality, ranged from 300 to 400 quintal in the valley. — IANS

Chamba, December 4
“Nawala” is a unique feature of the Shaiv culture of the mountainous Chamba region and has been continuing till today. Since time immemorial, this has been reported to be celebrated by the inhabitants of Chamba on the fulfilment of their wishes with the grace of Lord Shiva and for the peace and prosperity of the devotees.

However, we may correlate it with the Nau Nath and Chaurasi Mahasidha who visited the Brahampur Kingdom during the rule of Raja Sahil Verman (920-940 AD), the founder King of Chamba Kingdom in 930 AD, which later became Chamba.

The abode of Lord Shiva on the Kailash Mount, visible from the Manimahesh lake and Chaurasi temples at Bharmour, makes the Nawala (Shiv Pujan) an occasion to celebrate the night by offering prayers four times before Lord Shiva surrounded by the hanging garlands of ‘billav pattar’ and the seasonal flowers and by dancing to the tune of nagara, dholki and thali on the ‘Ghara’ with prayers in the form of ‘Ainchli’.

Simultaneously, the Nawala is followed by a Dham (meals) to the invitees on this auspicious occasion.

In view of the continuity of this culture for posterity, the Chambial Sabha president, Dharam Malhotra, has laid emphasis to grow at least two billav pattar plants in each panchayat of a pargna of the district so as to facilitate people worshipping Lord Shiva and celebrate the ‘Nawalas’ thereby keeping the tradition alive. 

Nurpur, December 4
A 10-day combined annual National Cadet Corps (NCC) training camp concluded at Government College, Dehri, recently. The camp saw participation of over 500 cadets from different colleges and schools of Chamba district and Nurpur subdivision. The camp was organised by the 2nd HP Independent NCC Company, Dalhousie, under the supervision of the camp commandant Colonel NS Mangath. In order to instill a sense of fearlessness and confidence, the cadets were imparted training in weapons (shooting and aiming), drill and map reading.

Apart from training, they also took part in sports and cultural activities. The winners were awarded with trophies and medals. To educate the masses, the cadets also took out an anti-dowry and anti-drug rally at Rehan town, near here, during the camp. Fifteen cadets from the camp were selected for the national integration camp to be organised to present their cultural heritage after Republic Day celebrations at Delhi Cantt on January 30 next year. According to camp adjutant Bhobinder Katoch, these cadets will represent NCC directorate comprising Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana states and Chandigarh and get training in performing cultural progammes at Roopnagar in Punjab before performing in the national integration camp.

The archaeological wealth of the hill state was on display during the photo exhibition organised by the Archaeological Survey of India in collaboration with the State Department of Language, Art and Culture at the Gaiety Theatre (see photo) recently.

In all about 150 pictures of 48 protected monuments, including those notified by the state, were on display. The organisers also made available coloured prints of the pictures at a nominal price of Rs 200 each for the benefit of the tourists and the local people. It was a good gesture as tourists are keen to take home such collectors items as souvenirs from the state.

The pictures mostly pertained to old forts and religious shrines. Besides famous monuments like the Masroor temple, Nurpur Fort, Baijnath temple, Chaurasi temple, Kangra fort , a large number of lesser-known temples of Shimla, Sirmour, Kullu and Chamba were also showcased.