Yellow-headed tortoise finds safe haven in Rajaji Park
Jotirmay Thapliyal
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 24
Rajaji National Park is holding on to its healthy forest biodiversity despite summer challenges of forests fires. A study by the Wildlife Institute of India has found a healthy population of yellow-headed tortoise (indotestudo elongate) in Rajaji, an indicative species in the Sal forests that points to the health of the forest biodiversity in a particular region. The endangered yellow-headed tortoise is one of the least studied tortoise species.

Dr Bivash Pandav, one of the principal investigators of the WII project ‘Ecology and conservation of yellow-headed tortoise in and around Rajaji National Park’, said it was for the first time that a detailed ecological study of the yellow-headed tortoise was taken up in and around Rajaji National Park. “Its presence across the park evidently reveals that Rajaji’s Sal forests are healthy,” Pandav said, adding that the yellow-headed tortoise stood as an indicative species to assess the health of the Sal forests.

This tortoise has a unique quality of seed disbursal. After consuming fruits at a particular place, it disburses its seeds at another place. It thus it helps in strengthening the forest biodiversity. The analysis of droppings in the study showed representation of fruits proving that the tortoises were standing up to their unique quality of seed disbursal.

In total, 75 individual tortoises (38 male, 27 female and 10 juvenile) were captured during the study, of which 42 were captured during the summer of 2012. Around 90 days were spent in catching the tortoises. The overall adult sex ratio was unbiased and most tortoises (76 per cent) were in the age group of 11 to 20 years based on the count of the rings. The male tortoises were found to be larger and heavier than females.

Most tortoises were caught in June (67 per cent) when they were mostly found buried under dense leaf-litter. This year, 24 tortoises (19 male and five female) marked in 2012 were recaptured and they were found in the same locality where they were first captured.

Significantly, the study also involved fitting up of the VHF transmitters on three yellow-headed tortoises that included two males and one female that were constantly tracked.

CPI flays government, Opposition for not discussing disaster issue adequately
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 24
The state unit of the Communist Party of India slammed the government for not addressing the issue of flash flood disaster, including rehabilitation programme, in its entirety during the Vidhan Sabha session. While addressing a press conference today, national council member of the party Samar Bhandari said: “In the span of three days of the Vidhan Sabha session, neither the state government nor the Opposition parties discussed this issue adequately. It shows that the Opposition parties, too, are conniving with the state government. The public of this state hoped from the state government to address this issue and inform the public about the progress made so far in relief and rehabilitation endeavours but nothing of that sort happened.”

He also expressed anguish over the way prayers were invoked in temples to mask the deficiencies on the output front. “Mere pretence of holding prayers in Kedarnath and now in other temples of the affected area is simply aimed at sending the message across about normalcy returning to the state. But this is grossly untrue. The roads have not been repaired as yet, bridges continue to be broken, the infrastructure is in dilapidated condition and people in the affected villages are still living in camps in jungles.” He said the state government had not moved an inch on the sensitive and alarming issue of rehabilitation of 400 villages.

The suggestion of his party of forming local level monitoring committee to scrutinise the spending of the relief assistance amount has not been implemented, he said.

“We had suggested that the local level committee should be formed which should have representatives of various political parties as well as civil society to monitor as well as ensure that the relief assistance money was properly spent and utilised. The government does not want transparency. This also signals toward the disbursement of the amount among ministers and bureaucrats.”

On being questioned whether the development around rivers should be based on the old pattern or as per new findings, that is at a safe distance, state secretary Anand Singh Rana said: “The term which state government and bureaucrats had been using for development has only benefited them, not the public. This disaster has amply corroborated that. Neither did it suit the environment nor did it restrain migration from villages. Hence, the development in the present-day context day should be that which is in accordance with the topography of the state and creates employment avenues as per natural resources of the area.”

Samar Bhandari said the the Communist Party of Indiawould start a ''jail bharo movement'' from October onwards in protest against state government’s policies post disaster.

CS carries out survey of arrangements on Kedarnath Dham campus
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 24
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar undertook a survey of arrangements being made in Kedarnath Dham campus today. He expressed satisfaction with the work being done there to restore electricity and water supplies and rebuild connecting roads.

Besides this, he also walked for 20 km and inspected Janki Chatti, Rambarha, Gaurikund and Sonprayag on foot.

The Chief Secretary said that pre-fabricated camps are being set up in Kedarnath to accommodate 100 people each. He added that the basic services, including toilets, water and electricity, were available at these camps. Besides this, tents to accommodate 150 people would also be put up. Electricity supply of 100 KV was found to be functional.

Streetlights en route to the temple premises have also been restored. He also surveyed the route till Rambarha on foot. A mule track has been prepared of 9 km length. He directed engineers of the PWD to improve the track at a few places.

He found 1 km of road from Rambarha to Gaurikund damaged and asked the engineers to repair it. The PWD has deployed 500 persons to repair the road from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. Required equipment has also been made available.

Present with Kumar were Secretary, Tourism, Umakant Panwar, DM, Rudraprayag, Dilip Jawalkar and other officials of the administration. 

MDDA compounding camp
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 24
Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) arranged a compounding camp in its old Dalanwala office (12- Pritam Road) to clear old pending compounding cases.

In the camp, total 112 cases were cleared and thus a revenue of Rs. 60.66 Lakh was collected.

Executive Engineers N S Rawat, Meenakshi Patwal, Anuja Singh, Sunil Parashar, Anand Ram , SM Sharma, GC Bhatt and all sector junior engineers were present in the camp. 

Cong workers demand Ramdev's arrest
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, September 24
With yoga guru Ramdev accusing UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi of her role in his detention at London's Heathrow airport last week, Congress activists in Haridwar have demanded the arrest of Ramdev for his immoral comments and baseless allegations.

Chief of the city unit of the Congress OP Chauhan also submitted a memorandum to the City Magistrate to be forwarded to President Pranab Mukherjee.

In the memorandum, they have demanded immediate arrest of the yoga guru as soon he returns India.

Chauhan said ealier also, Ramdev had levelled baseless allegations against Sonia Gandhi. “Ramdev should think twice before speaking," said Chauhan.

Veteran women's leader Ishwari Devi alleged that Ramdev was quite inspired with controversial Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, but he had failed to acknowledge the works being done by Sonia.

Ishwari said Ramdev seemed to be a BJP men and his acts were quite opposite from his worldwide image of being a yoga guru. “Is he a politician, businessman or political guru of Narendra Modi?” asked Anju Dwivedi, Secretary of the women's cell of the Congress.

Among other protestors were Irshad Khan, Laxman Singh Pundir, Jagat Singh Rawat, Shahnawaz, Dr Arvind Chahuan, Naseem Salmani, Satya Narayan, Murshleen, Upendra Kumar, Tahsin Ahmed and Chandrasekhar Singh.

Book on Garhwal Himalayas released
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 24
Uttarakhanad Governor Aziz Qureshi released a book titled “Garhwal Himalayas-Chorus of Solitude” in New Delhi last evening. The book is authored by Dr Alka Raghuvanshi, a journalist and an art curator. It carries photographs by Sanjay Sharma.

Speaking as the chief guest at the book release function at India Habitat Centre, the Governor appreciated the book, which was completed before the Himalayan Tsunami struck Uttarakhand.

He expressed hope that the beautiful descriptions of the region as it was before the natural disaster would help in the reconstruction work and restoration of the traditional glory of the state. He said Uttarakhand, which was Devbhumi as well as Veerbhumi, would soon emerge as a model state. Dr Raghuvanshi threw light on the years during which she worked on the book.

Former union minister and Rajya Sabha member Karan Singh, who was the guest of honour on the occasion, expressed concern over the environment of the Himalayas. He said respect towards nature was a must to ensure balance between environment protection and development.

Union Water Resource Minister Harish Rawat, who was also a special guest on the occasion, said the book would give a direction to the efforts being made for the restoration of symbols of faith in Uttarakhand. He said natural disasters could be faced well if a balance between environment and development was maintained. National Disaster Management Authority member VK Duggal also addressed the gathering.

No relief cheque has bounced, clarifies govt
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 24
The state government has clarified that no relief cheque provided to disaster victims has bounced so far.“No relief cheque given to the disaster victims has bounced. The government has taken the news published in newspapers in this regard very seriously. An inquiry in the case has also been made through the District Magistrates,” a government statement said.

On the basis of the inquiry, it has been found that the government and the DMs have received no complaint from disaster victims of their cheques having bounced.

Secretary, Disaster Management, Bhaskaranand said only two such cheques had been returned by the disaster victims since there was an error in their name or the account number. This error took place after the beneficiary had written the wrong name, deposited the cheque in the wrong bank or entered the wrong account number.

He said even in these cases, the cheques were given to the DMs concerned who rectified and reissued them. He said compensation cheques had been distributed to all those affected. 

Impressive song and dance show by girl children
Tribune News Service

A young girl clicks photographs on a mobile phone. Tribune photos: Vinod Pundir

Dehradun, September 24
On the occasion of International Girls’ Day today, a colourful programme titled “Meri Ladli” was organised by Uttaranchal Mahila Association (UMA) in which students from a large number of schools participated.

Speaking on the occasion Sadhna Sharma, president of the UMA, said that on this joyous occasion society should ponder over the declining sex ratio of the girl child in the country due to rampant practice of female foeticide in the country.

“Despite the contribution of women who played a stellar role in society from Razia Sultan, Sarojini Naidu, Indira Gandhi, Kalpana Chawla and many more, society continues to treat girls as unwanted from birth,” she said.

The secretary of the association, Neelima Garg, said that the organisation had been striving to disseminate information about the pernicious practice of sex-determination and how it could lead to an imbalance in society.

Earlier, the chief guest, former chairperson of the State Commission of Women’s Sushila Baluni lauded the efforts of the organisation.

The students from Doon Blossom School presented a scintillating dance from Uttarakhand and a song and dance show ‘Chiraiya Re’ was also appreciated by the audience. 

Tower to monitor climate changes installed in Almora
Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, September 24
The GB Pant Himalayan Environment and Development Institute has installed an ultra modern climate monitoring tower at a cost of Rs 1 crore at Koshi in Almora. It will take stock of the reasons of climate change in this part of the country and help in taking timely measures to mitigate the effects of global warming on glaciers and flora and fauna of the area.

According to sources in the institute, the Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation, Bangalore, has helped in the installation of the climate monitoring tower. The tower will not only take stock of micro carbon elements damaging plants and glaciers after forming a layer on these called black carbon aerosol, but also measure the level of radioactivity from Sun layers, analyse the level of gas in the atmosphere, measure the density of water drops by monitoring the rain cycle, besides monitoring the effects of dangerous gases on clouds and measurement of the level of evaporation in the atmosphere.

“These studies will be helpful in controlling damages to the biodiversity of the region being caused by climatic changes,” said a scientist at the institute.He said their research had shown that if the rising temperature in the Himalayan region was not controlled, it would render defunct 10 to 15 floras in the region every 15 years of the cycle. “This tower will help in tracing various causes of the global warming in this part of the Himalayas and find out measures to control these,” he added. 

Weapon licences cancelled
Tribune News Service

Dehradun September 24
District Magistrate BVRC Purushottam has once again passed directions for the weapon licence holders to fill KVIC form and deposit them in the court or office of the SDM.

Purushottam said despite repeated directions and the information disseminated through notices in local newspapers, the licence holders were not taking any interest in filling and depositing the forms. He said licences of such people had been cancelled. Around 103 weapon licences of residents of Vasant Vihar had been cancelled.

It is under the NSAL programme of the Home Ministry that information regarding weapon licences of people has to be stored through computerisation.

According to Purushottam, the cancellation of licences would be a reminder for the rest to take cognisance of the urgency of the matter.

Process to appoint sub-leader in DMC begins
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 24
The exercise to appoint a sub-leader among the BJP councillors has begun in the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC). The new councillors who have joined the DMC board seem excited to vie for the post while the seniors appeared to be nonchalant about it.

However, the parleys in the backyard of the Mayor’s office signalled toward the significance of the issue.

Former sub-leader of ruling party (BJP) in the DMC Amita Singh said, “The position of sub-leader is not an important one, as the leader of the ruling party is represented by the Mayor, who is not interested in devolving any powers to the sub-leader. So sub-leader remains a position without any power or function to perform. However, the leader of the opposition in the DMC certainly is a position to reckon with.”

Councillor Dharmender Kathait, who is being considered among most potent contenders for the post, is not ready to accept the position. He said, “The position of a sub-leader is indeed a relevant one, especially if he is fully backed by the councillors. The Mayor can not go to represent the cause of the councillors at various fronts; so the sub-leader fills his vacuum by leading them. He keeps them united and resolves their issues. He can also hold their meetings in the absence of the Mayor.”

He said the matter regarding the post should be settled before the Board meeting which is due for Thursday.

Mayor Vinod Chamoli said he would not become a party to any discussion on this matter. He said he had left the matter to the organisation.

Book on natural disaster released in Doon
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 24
The latest book of famous poet and author Dr Atul Sharma titled “Bol Re Mausam Kitna Pani” was released at a function held here today. Dr Anand Sharma, Director of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), released the book that focuses on the natural disaster that hit the state in June. Dr Atul Sharma is popularly known as “jan kavi”.

Dr Atul Sharma focused on the unprecedented natural disaster that turned the heavenly Himalayan river and meadows into death traps.

He said human beings were responsible for the plight of the Himalayas as unbridled growth and their greed had put a lot of burden on the fragile eco-system of the Himalayas. He argued that the Himalayas being the youngest mountain range of the world should be treated like a child. 

Workshop on forest hydrology enters 2nd day
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 24
On the second day of the International Workshop on Forest Hydrology, jointly organised by the Forest Research Institute and Asia Pacific Association of Forest Research Institute (APAFRI), the main themes of focus today were hydrological regulatory services of forests, forest influence on precipitation and micro-climate, forests as a source of water, managing for livelihoods and food security and frontiers of research and application of modern tools and techniques in forest hydrology. This was followed by a poster session.

Eminent scholars Dr AK Rana, Siti Aisah Shamsuddin, Brij Gopal and Zhou Guang Yi chaired different sessions. Under each theme, eight to 12 research papers were presented by different scholars related to themes concerned.

A group presentation and panel discussion was also held today. The individual conversation among scientists from different countries was held for the improvement of forestry science and hydrology and clarification of doubts.

A field visit to Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Dehradun Farm, is also scheduled for tomorrow. 

Staff request govt for time-bound programme to fulfil demands

Dehradun, September 24
Government employees owning allegiance to the Rajya Karamchari Sanyukt Parishad Uttarakhand today requested the government to formulate a time-bound programme to fulfil their demands.

Spokesperson for the parishad Arun Pandey said the government should come out with a time-bound programme to fulfil the demands of its employees. “In the absence of a time-bound programme the government at times gives in to the demands of one section of the employees and it appears it is following a dual policy. To overcome this problem, we have suggested to the government to formulate a time-bound programme on the lines of the citizens’ charter that is mandatory for the employees for discharging their duties,” said Pandey. He added that it would prevent the government employees from staging demonstrations. “I urge the government to address the issues of the employees with promptness,” he said. —TNS

RS urged to review meat export policy to ensure cow protection
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 24
Swami Vishudanand, member, Uttarakhand Gausewa Ayog and former member of Animal Welfare Board, has drawn attention towards rampant smuggling of cows for slaughter houses from the hills of the state, especially from Uttarkashi, to Uttar Pardesh. He has sent a memorandum to the Rajya Sabha appealing to review the meat export policy, keeping cow protection in mind.

Vishudanand had also collaborated with Tourism Department in holding an international yoga festival at Rishikesh this year. He has been instrumental in devising a unique machine, which churns out one metre-long log, made of 15 kg of cattle dung in rapid succession as alternative for wood, especially for cremation purpose. The machine is being used at Nigam Bodh Ghat and several other crematoriums in Delhi.

While addressing a press conference in the city today, Vishudanad said: “I apprised Secretary, Animal Husbandry, about the illegal smuggling of cows from the state to abattoirs in Uttar Pardesh. I myself have apprehended 550 such cows in the last few months at Vikasnagar, which were being taken to Mohand to be sent to Saharanpur.” He said those who claimed that the cows were taken to shelter homes were made to tag the ears of cows by him. He followed the record of the safety of those cows. Most of such claimants were found to be liars. He said the provisions of Cow Protection Act-2007 were not being implemented and the offenders were not punished. “Under Cow Protection Act, the applications regarding transportation of cows from one district to another or states had to be cleared by the state government but the cows are brazenly smuggled without any applications and permission.

He said even after the lactation period among cows was over, they were of immense use and should not be relegated to slaughter houses. Their urine can be used to make some 32 kinds of ayurvedic medicines and cattle dung can be used for a wonderful combustible item. He said: “I developed a machine which soaks the moisture from cattle dung and shapes it up dry and long just like a log wood. It is used in crematoriums at Delhi these days, which otherwise consume hundreds of tonnes of wood.” In this task, a big cattle shelter home at Harrewala, near Delhi, supplies the cattle dung which earlier was thrown as waste by MCD. The machine can churn out 1000 logs every day.

Vishudanad, who has four cow shelter homes in Uttarakhand, had offered to keep the stray cows in another upcoming shelter house at Haridwar near Crystal World site. He is upset over the confusion and delay caused in clearing the tenders for the bidders who opted to carry out research work over cows under a proposal of launching a Gau Vigyan Avam Prodyogiki Sansthan (Cow Science and Research Centre) near Pashulok at Rishikesh. The project has been hanging fire for the last four years.