HERITAGE Almost two centuries ago, the colours of Holi were reflected in the increasing bonhomie between Hindus and Muslims, often as a result of concerted efforts by community leaders, writes R.V. SMITH

Delhi's composite identity can be traced to the time of Holi in the Mughal days. Babar and Humayun may not have taken part in the festival, but Akbar and his Rajput wives did. Jahangir did not mind a little colour being applied to his forehead by his mother, who belonged to the house of Amber. Shah Jahan did not indulge in the joys of Fagun, except probably the time he was in revolt against his father and staying under the protection of his friend, a Rana of Rajputana. Aurangzeb was an orthodox follower of Islam who regarded the colouring of the body a violation of religious tenets, though he too might have at least once had his forehead smeared with gulal by his favourite Hira Bai Zainabadi. To please her he had even agreed to taste a cup of wine, but the beloved, seeing that he was in real earnest, desisted from pressing the request to that extent. His son, Bahadur Shah I, was a friend of Guru Gobind Singh, and since Sikhs have no ritual splashing of colours as such, he too did not take part in the festival.

However, his heir, Muizuddin Jahandar Shah, joined the concubines of his harem in celebrating Holi, lover of all unorthodox things that he was. His nephew and successor, Farrukhsiyar, under the influence of the Sayyids of Bara, tried to pose as a strict Mussalman, but after him Mohammad Shah Rangila went all out to celebrate Basant and Holi, running after the maids in the Red Fort with apichkari (syringe) full of coloured water and splashing them right and proper. Ahmed Shah was a frequenter of mazars (shrines) with no time for such colourful pursuits. Shah Alam, a puppet in the hands of the Marathas, could not say no to the Holi tikka . Akbar Shah Sani received the mahant of Mehrauli's Yogmaya mandir, which was renovated in his reign, on Holi and shared sweets with him in the Red Fort. As for Bahadur Shah Zafar, Holi, Dussehra and Diwali were among the occasions, besides the two Ids, when he joined his subjects — including money-lending seths — in the celebrations to which bhang laddoos added a lot of zest.

After Zafar there was a vacuum in the Red Fort but Chandni Chowk's residents continued to play Holi with great fervour, throwing colour-filled gulal gotas, which evaporated on contact, on starched kurtas, leaving a faint perfume behind. There were sometimes violent incidents between Hindus and Muslims, particularly during the Ramlila, Bakr Id and Moharram. After one such incident the traditional Id Milan or Tar Mela at the bagh of Sri Kishen Das Gurwala was discontinued for some years. However, according to Dr. Narayani Gupta's treatise, Delhi Between Two Empires , the vaccination phobia during the plague of the late 19th Century, the subsequent riots in Bombay, the panic among the Marwaris of Delhi and their temporary exodus, all dissipated, thanks to the efforts of the Imam of Jama Masjid and Hakim Abdul Majid (a "rais of eminence and a physician of great repute"). She goes on to observe that 20 years later the hakim's younger brother, Hakim Ajmal Khan, performed a similar task in softening public anger, so also the Imam's successors up to 1991, with Mir Mushtaq Ahmed too lending a hand in sorting out differences earlier, as also Nuruddin Ahmed, Imdad Sabri and Chaudhari Abdul Sattar. To quote from the treatise, "A grand peur was triggered off among the (British) officials in 1898 because of the obvious fraternization that developed between Hindus and Muslims." The most notable feature of the scare (for them) was the reunion of Hindus and Muslims as in the time of Akbar, commented the Akbhar-i-Am of Lahore. A similar phenomenon occurred in the North-Western Provinces also. In Delhi the initiative came from the Hindus. They greeted the Muslims as they came out of the Jama Masjid after the Id prayers. Once again Sri Kishen Das's garden was thrown open to them for the Tar Mela. The Muslims reciprocated by participating in the Holi celebrations. "Grave maulvis" submitted to having their faces smeared with Holi colour" and "some Muslims (among them Maulvi Rajab Ali and Munshi Turab Ali) tried to persuade others that cow-slaughter was not a necessary part of celebrating (Bakr) Id," as did Bulaqi Das by producing a firman of Shah Alam.

This sort of bonhomie continued till 1947, when the unfortunate Partition riots broke out. Some puritan Muslims exhorted others to avoid getting smeared with Holi colours, and one zealot went so far as to say that on the day of Qayamat (when the world would end) every faithful who had allowed even an inch of colour to be put on his body would have the skin pulled out. Also those who ate kheel at Diwali would have to swallow those made of molten steel. Some Hindu fanatics made their own comments in this regard, but after the 1950s things became normal again and both communities took part in annual festivals, including Holi when the Kunwars of the erstwhile principalities and nawabzadas indulged in an orgy of colours in Chandni Chowk and in the Jama Masjid area the poet and hotelier Afzal Peshawari and his many sons played Holi with the family of restaurateur Lachoo Ram, while the poet's seven wives watched the fun. Now, except for some pockets of Delhi, the bonhomie can still be witnessed and Holi is no longer painted in demoniacal colours, though an occasional clash is not uncommon. Even so, the Holi Milans of the Walled City and the ones held in Chanakyapuri by the directors of Hamdard are very popular. Along with seekh kababs, pakoras, samosas and dahibadas, some gulal is also kept in plates for those interested in dabbing themselves and their friends with it. Thus is the spirit of composite culture perpetuated by the hakims and others.

-The Hindu, 1st April 2013

The forest department has decided to radio-collar ten tigers in the Sunderbans where population dynamics of the big cats has al ways remained a mystery. And this time, an advanced set of radio collars, which helped scientists track tigers in Nepal and lions in Gir, will be used in the mangroves.

A team of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) officials, led by senior scientist Y V Jhala, is likely to visit the mangroves in April for the first leg of the exercise. However, a forest department official said the number of tigers to be collared during their first visit will only be decided after consulting the WII scientists. "The dates for their visit is yet to be finalized," said the official.

It may be noted that a total of five tigers, two adult females and three adult males, were radio-collared by the WII scientists in the Sunderbans in 2010. Satellite collars were used for this purpose. Sources said radio-collaring helps experts gauge the home range of tigers , which in the long run comes handy in establishing the density of the big cats in a forest. The study had then revealed that the tigers' home ranges hovered between 190 to 200 square kilometres.

Though large home range indicates lesser density, as a tiger's home range depends on prey base and territory of other tigers, in Sunderbans the exercise didn't yield the desired result then as several collars stopped working within a few days of its deployment.

WII's Y V Jhala said that some data on the tigers' home range and territory could not be established then. "But this time, we have made some changes in the circuitry of the satellite collars to make these robust ones. We have used these collars on lions at Gir and they have even functioned at a stretch for a year. So, this time we expect to get a more reliable data," he said, adding that they are hoping to collar all the ten tigers in a year's time.

However, the exercise then managed to establish the fact that there is tiger movement between the Indian and Bangladesh Sunderbans. "The Khatuajhuri male, which was a stray animal, had crossed the Harinbhanga river to enter the Talpati island of Bangladesh Sunderbans," revealed a WII scientist.

Tracking of the radio-collared tigers had also revealed that there was a general trend of higher movement rate by the mangroves tigers during the day time. However, soon after this study the WII scientists decided to radio collar a minimum of 10 tigers, of which 4-6 in a contagious area of 300-400 square kilometres, to understand home range overlap and territoriality. "The exercise to be conducted now will help the scientists understand whether and how Sunderbans tigers protect their territory," said an official.

Meanwhile, the camera trapping exercise, being done jointly by the forest department and WWF-India, is complete in two ranges of the mangrove's — Sajnekhali and National Park East. "The exercise is on at the Basirhat range. We will start withdrawing the cameras laid at Basirhat from April 11 and hope to give a density for the entire tiger reserve area by the end of April," said WWF-India's Sunderbans chapter head Anurag Danda. After identification, the photographs will be sent to the National Tiger Conservation Authority, so that the Sunderbans tigers can be counted in the UID-type databank.

-The Economic Times, 1st April 2013

A rubble stone masonry baoli (step well) in Dwarka sector 12 in west Delhi has been awaiting repairs since it was identified about two years ago by the state government.

There is no reference to this baoli in the 1914 listing of Delhi's heritage structures nor it has any particular name. The architectural style attributes it to the late Tughlaq or Lodhi period. In absence of no official recognition or work, it is a scene of total neglect.

But it is not sure when work for its conservation is taken up and completed. This baoli is one of the 15 heritage structures and monuments identified by the Delhi government's department of archaeology more than three years ago.

However, work for conservation and also for illumination of these structures has not started yet.

After the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NGO Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) expired in 2011, the Delhi government had entered into yet another agreement as it intended to outsource the conservation work to the heritage body.

However, months after the agreement was signed, there is no sign of work.

Apart from the baoli at Dwarka, the other structures and monuments include jharna, an early 18th-century traditional water system that has a unique method of harnessing run off from the Hauz-i-Shamshi lake in Mehrauli (comprising reservoir, a waterfall and series of fountains).

And an unknown tomb and a tomb with enclosure wall in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, a baradari and a tomb in Sheikh Sarai and three gateways at Badarpur.

Sources said the cause for delay is "sheer red-tape. INTACH had sent estimates for the work. The archaeology department of the government was not happy with it.

It was sent back to be reworked and this caused the delay".

"We had submitted a proposal to the tourism department for obtaining funding for this work. We would start the work as soon as the funds are released," said Vishwa Mohan, director (archaeology) of the Delhi government.

"Work would start soon," he said.

-The Hindustan Times, 1st April 2013

The massive construction and demolition waste (malba) generated in the capital is not only polluting Yamuna banks, from where 10,000 truckloads of waste need to be removed, but creating problems in the entire city. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has admitted in her budget speech that the problem of disposal of solid waste has been compounded by massive generation of construction and demolition debris.

Three of the four landfills for solid waste have already exhausted their lifespan. Since Delhi has only one plant to process construction debris at Jahangir Puri — the plant deals with 500 tonnes every day — a lot of it reaches landfills without any processing.

"Spiralling land prices have led to the demolition of old houses and buildings, followed by construction of multiple floors," Dikshit has said. She admitted that this debris is normally dumped either on the roadsides, at open government lands or on the banks of the Yamuna.

She said the government would address this environmental hazard by incentivising the recycling of such waste for manufacturing tiles and kerbstones for use in footpaths, road dividers, walking tracks in parks, etc.

She said tiles and kerbstones made from malba have been exempted from VAT. The government's economic survey has put the quantum of daily construction and demolition waste at 3,000 to 5,000 tonnes.

"The management of C&D waste is a major concern due to the increasing quantum of demolition rubble, continuing shortage of dumping sites, increase in transportation and disposal cost," the survey reads.

A Supreme Court-appointed committee has identified 70 sites in North and 15 in East municipal areas for dumping of construction debris that will be finally taken to the processing and recycling plant.

The material is used is for tiles/pavement blocks and ready-mix concrete.A committee formed by the national green tribunal had ordered government agencies to remove such debris from riverbanks by May 31 and recover amounts spent on the removal from builders.

-The Pioneer, 2nd June 2013

Wildlife watching is a tricky occupation and to conduct the arduous task of wildlife census non-stop from noon-light to moonlight is even more complicated. Despite the prevailing heat conditions and a sizzling temperature of 44 degreess Celsius, a full-scale wildlife census was recently conducted at Sariska and Ranthambhore wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan. On May 25 and 26, nature lovers congregated at Sariska National Park (SNP), located a mere 200 km from Delhi. The reason behind wildlife enthusiasts and trigger-happy photographers making a beeline for the park was that rare opportunity to experience animal census operations firsthand. While it was adventure for some to spend a night in the forest, for others it was a getaway from the daily drudgery of city life. Certain first-timers thought that it is a fun exercise, but in reality, it is serious work of conservation.

Spread over 850 sq km, SNP is home to a variety of fauna such as spotted deer, chinkara, nilgai or blue-bulls, jackals, hyena, leopards and reintroduced wild tigers. Having an undulating rocky terrain with wide valleys, the forests comprise of typical dry deciduous trees that dramatically change colours with the seasons. The forest is lush green in the monsoon with numerous streams and mini waterfalls; turn invigorating with balmy atmosphere in the winter, but dramatically turn tinder dry in the summer.

Summers are chosen for animal counting because the animals scurry for shady corners during this time — making the job easier for forest officials. The preferred day-night invariably coincides with a full moon when there is ample light for easier sighting. The wildlife census is a 24-hour non-stop vigil from atop a strategically chosen spot that is usually a makeshift platform called machan made of wooden logs and perched high upon a sturdy tree. Mostly all machans are rickety and pretty uncomfortable, giving sore bottoms by the end of the exercise as I had experienced during my participation in various such censuses.

According to the District Forest Officer (DFO) at SNP, the waterhole technique is applied where animals are counted from a hiding place or machan as they visit waterholes. The survey is taken at a time when there is the least availability of water at all water sources in the entire census area. To facilitate this method of counting, 271 machans were specially built overlooking water points which are basically waterholes to quench the thirst of small and big creatures.

Sharad Khanna, CEO of Indian Wildlife Adventures who escorted a team of volunteers from NCR, said: “The waterhole survey started at 10 a.m. and continued throughout the night until the next day till 10 a.m. with the help of a fact-sheet where species and their total numbers were diligently recorded. Use of binoculars and cameras were permitted for better viewing and determining the sex and age of the animals with help of experienced foresters who accompanies each volunteer.”

The result obtained is an index of wildlife animal presence in that particular area. At the end of the 24-hour exercise, the available data is computed to arrive at a guesstimate. Data thus compiled over the years will show results that can be deciphered for better conservation methods by researchers.

Though wildlife census involves many more practices like pugmark methods, scat sampling, roadside counts, pellet group count, camera-trap method, waterhole census in the most widespread and comprehensive. The technique not only covers the entire sanctuary but also involves volunteers so they also get to appreciate and participate in the nation’s wildlife conservation, informed the DFO. On an earlier occasion, to study the status of wildlife population in Sariska, I was placed at a prime location and provided with water and food. While the daytime was scorching, it also gave me chances to be up-close with birds and beasts. As the beautiful big orb of the moon rose on the horizon, there was some respite from the heat but soon this turned miserable as the temperatures dipped to shivering standards. In the wee hours, there was temporary cloud cover and suddenly a resounding roar shattered the silence of the night but nothing was visible. Until daylight dispelled darkness and forest officials came to take us back to the base camp, it was not known that it was a leopard that let out the spine-chilling roar. The tell-tale pugmarks revealed it all.

-The Hindustan Times, 1st April 2013

The National Green Tribunal has issued notices to various departments of the Centre, and the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana over a petition claiming the floodplains of the Yamuna and Hindon rivers have been encroached upon with permanent concrete structures.

Amita Khemka, counsel for the petitioners, said, "These structures are bound to cause ecological havoc in the form of floods in the vicinity. The encroachment is rapidly polluting the two rivers." The tribunal will hear the matter on April 23.

"Government authorities have in the past carried out several drives to free the floodplains of encroachment but such efforts halted midway because of political pressure, particularly from Lucknow," said an official in Noida.

The petitioner alleged that land mafia has usurped the ecologically fragile riverbed in connivance with government officials to set up colonies, farmhouses and stone-crushing units.

"The land mafia has sold off almost the entire stretch of the Hindon riverbed, especially in Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar districts of UP. Activities such as construction of roads, erection of poles, laying of electric wires and fixing streetlights are on," the petition alleged.

"Several thousand acres of Yamuna floodplain land has been similarly colonised and encroached upon in connivance with officials. The Delhi government itself has built the Commonwealth Games Village and the DTC bus depot on the eco-sensitive Yamuna banks," it alleges.

Saying that the right to healthy environment of residents is being violated by the concretisation of eco-sensitive floodplains, the petition has requested the tribunal to issue orders for demolition of all the structures and dumping of debris off the river zone.

The petition sought penal action against people found guilty of encroachment. It seeks direction to agencies concerned to strictly enforce agriculture land use in flood plains.

-The Hindustan Times, 2nd April 2013

Motorists might once again face trouble with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) taking up the final phase of constructing two subways and creation of ducts on the Outer Circle.

The civic agency has already submitted a plan to the Delhi traffic police for approval. Once they get the nod from the traffic police, work on connecting the inner side and the outer side of the subways will start.

"One third of the subway construction work on Outer Circle has already been completed and the rest is being done now. We only need to connect the inner side of the outer circle with the outer side. We might need to restrict the movement of vehicles. It will not affect traffic movement or create traffic jams," said a senior NDMC official. From eight subways that were proposed to be constructed on Outer Circle, the civic agency is now constructing only two—one at Barakhamba and another in front of Gopal Das building. For the five existing subways that are being re-modelled, the civic agency is yet to install ramps and escalators.

The civic agency claims it will complete the service development work by April 30 so that pedestrians and motorists do not face any inconvenience. A review meeting was held on Monday and the contractor has been asked to stick to the deadline. The restoration of Connaught Place has seen several missed deadlines.

-The Hindustan Times, 2nd April 2013

On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) on Tuesday, six historical monuments in the city will be lit up as part of an initiative to raise awareness about autism.

The monuments that would be lit up are Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Safdarjung Tomb, Jantar Mantar, Purana Quila and Red Fort.

'Light It Up Blue' is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, and Archaeological Survey of India and is dedicated to raising awareness about autism as a growing public health crisis.

-The Hindu, 2nd April 2013

Chinese reticence about projects on its stretch of the Brahmaputra do not assuage Indian fears about diversion of the river's waters

By raising the Brahmaputra dams construction issue during his first meeting with the new Chinese President Xi Jinping, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was following a two-pronged strategy.

On the one hand, Dr. Singh wanted to bring India's unease with Chinese construction on Brahmaputra's main channel to the world's notice. On the other, by saying publicly that most Chinese projects might not store water, he was trying to ensure that any ensuing debate in the country does not snowball into one more round of panic-stricken news reports.

The Chinese government has been reticent about dams being constructed on transborder rivers. India is not alone in seeking these details. Many lower riparian South East Asian countries and even Kazakhstan in Central Asia want China to be more forthcoming about plans to build dams or divert water from transborder rivers.

Even though some of the dams India is concerned about have recently figured in the Chinese government's plan documents, for a long time open source literature, satellite reconnaissance and source reports were unable to confirm their actual impact on river flows, thus raising anxiety levels here.

During a press conference on his way back from Durban where he met the Chinese President and sought a joint mechanism, Dr. Singh was careful to add a caveat. While confirming that he had asked for greater transparency from China, the Prime Minister added that the projects on the main channel of the Brahmaputra appeared to be run-of-the-river, that is, they would not have significant storage.

Perhaps he was keen to avoid the alarm of media reports on China's plans to divert 40 billion cubic metres of water from the Brahmaputra (known as Yarlong Tsangpo in China) in 2003. The Chinese have put the brakes on the project or perhaps shelved it, but India's apprehensions found another outlet when, a few years later, a massive landslip blocked portions of the river at an area known as the Great Bend. The misgivings were quelled after water cut a course through the blockade and flows returned to normal.

In both cases, the Chinese shared little information about the developments. India kept hoping that its diplomatic notes and media exposure of Beijing's aversion to sharing details would make the problem go away. It was only a couple of years back that China agreed with the Indian request (and separately to that of some Asean states) to share hydrological data.

But another concern had arisen by then. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh first raised it with then Chinese President Hu Jintao in March, 2012. The Chinese were already aware of India's concerns as then Foreign Ministers S.M. Krishna and Yang Jiechi had discussed it in their preparatory meeting before Mr. Hu's visit.

When Dr. Singh and Mr. Krishna spoke about dams on the main channel of the Brahmaputra, only one was at the active-construction stage and information was still coming in about the others. Since then, India has got a firmer fix on a series of three dams on the main channel of the Brahmaputra.

The three dams — Jiexu, Zangmu and Jiacha — are within 25 km of each other. More ominously for strategic experts fixated on the China threat, they are 550 km from the Indian border. But the first one, Jiexu, has been independently confirmed to be a run-of-the-river project which will not impound water in a large reservoir. Construction on the second in the series, Zangmu, began in 2010 and Indian authorities are not sure if this will be a pure RoR variety. The third, a 320 MW dam, will be built at Jiacha, about a dozen km downstream of Zangmu, and even this is more or less confirmed to be run-of-the-river.

These are not the only ones about which India has not been adequately informed. A dam near Zhongda and another near Phudo Zong, as well as 30 other projects were planned and executed with Beijing disclosing little to India.

India's fears about diversion of waters of the Brahmaputra have not been completely assuaged. It deploys high-end technology and spends considerable money on keeping a keen eye on water conductor systems and basins adjacent to Brahmaputra for clues on constructions of canals to take the water away to China's north-western provinces.

ADDED WORRY

The dams have added another area of worry, more so because there was an increase of eight sites in August last year since the previous assessment was made in 2011. Mr. Xi's reply was a near copy of the answer given by his predecessor three years back. Both had assured all projects were of the run-of-the-river variety. By adding that Beijing would examine the proposal, Mr. Xi has given hope for movement on a joint mechanism to share information about construction activities on the Brahmaputra.

Due to the low level of political trust, it has been tough for countries of the region to be forthcoming about their plans for hydroelectric projects. The India-Pakistan skirmishing over dams in north Kashmir is well known. Two cases went for international arbitration. Experts are still sorting out what a recent award means for the viability of a dam being built by India.

With Bangladesh, India was coy for years about parting with information. Things changed after Sheikh Hasina set about quelling India's security related fears by extraditing militants from North Eastern outfits and discouraging anti-India activity by third-country intelligence agencies. Today India has offered Bangladesh an equity stake in the Tipaimukh Dam in Manipur. It was lack of information on this dam that earlier led to a public agitation in Bangladesh and for a time made the High Commissioner the most unpopular Indian in Dhaka. Bangladesh has now sought joint participation in nine more projects.

China would be wary of conceding the demand for a joint mechanism precisely to avoid just such an escalation of demands by India. On the other hand, as the border issue is unlikely to be settled in the near future, this limited cooperation on water — without prejudice to the upper riparian state on any further demands — would be an easy way to increase political capital between the two countries.

Till then, Dr. Singh's second prong — of not raising unnecessary alarm that may spill over to other areas of discord — must be put in operation. The first step would be to accept the Brahmaputra Inter Ministerial Expert Group's recommendation for an informed public debate to ensure that discussions veer to the possibility of joint management of river basins common to several countries.

- The Hindu, 2nd April 2013

As a fall-out of the tree cutting incident in Vasant Kunj's block C-6 on Saturday, the forest department filed an FIR with the Vasant Kunj (North) police station against the president of the colony resident welfare association. The accused was arrested and later released on bail.

As per FIR number 93/13, the forest department has named RWA president and some other residents of the area for cutting down 113 trees in a DDA park near Gate No. 7 of the block. The trees that were cut included a peepal, a keekar and 111 sobul trees. Forest officials said that more than 20 residents of the block had specifically complained against the RWA president and some others in the matter and one of them had independently registered a complaint with the police.

"The accused was arrested under Section 8/24 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act of 1994 on Sunday afternoon and later released on bail. The trees were cut without any permission from the forest department ostensibly for the purpose of making a parking lot. The RWA president had earlier passed the blame on to some other residents, claiming that they wanted to clear the area as it was home to lots of snakes and mongoose," said a police source.

The unauthorized felling had come to light on Saturday when some residents called up the police helpline number and complained against the felling. An inspection by the forest department revealed that most of the trees that were cut were of a small girth of 15-18 cm while only around 20 were of a bigger girth of more than 40 cm. "On Saturday no arrests were made since the people cutting down the trees had run away before the police could reach the spot. On Sunday however, the police investigated the matter and registered a case against the RWA president," said a forest department official.

-The Times of India, 2nd April 2013

The young 18th Century queen Ahilyabai Holkar spurred the tradition of Maheshwari saris, enabling people from her riyasat to make a living

A little [more] than a thousand kilometres from the hustle and bustle of Varanasi, in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, lies another handloom hub – Maheshwar. Early one April morning we found ourselves in this historic town, just two hours' drive from Indore. Walking along the banks of the river Narmada, we saw the crystal clean water. Wave after wave rose to greet the ghats (stone steps leading to the river) in a well-orchestrated symphony. Located along one side, rising majestically was a row of temples. Hundreds of stone steps led to the monuments which rose like sentinels above the river bank. What struck us most was the simplicity of the architecture. There was no gold, no silver, no tinsel. Miniature paintings, inlay work, Belgian mirrors, marble – the expensive ornaments adorning royal palaces and temples across the country were conspicuous by their absence. As far as the eye could see, it was just grey stone. And these stones were privy to the story of a woman, a young queen who charted a new life for the people of Maheshwar.

Ahilyabai was a simple girl from a town called Beed in Maharashtra. During one of his tours, the ruler of the Holkar state, Maharaja Malharao, spotted her at a Teej festival. Something about her youthful bearing struck the sagacious ruler, and he chose her to be the bride of his young son, Khonde Rao. She came as a child bride to Maheshwar in 1753. Some years later, Khonde Rao Holkar suddenly died, and Ahilya prepared, as was the custom, to ascend her husband's funeral pyre and become sati. But Malharao stopped her. 'You must live, my child. Maheshwar needs you,' he said. Thus, Ahilyabai Holkar became regent for her young son, and ruled from 1765 to 1795.

Gradually, the young queen began to get acquainted with the life of her people. After her morning prayers she would sit on the ramparts of her palace so she could meet her praja (people) and listen to their problems. The more she heard, the more determined she became that no one in her riyasat (kingdom) would be denied a decent livelihood. But how was this to be achieved? What could she do to ensure that her people had a source of income not just for a season or for year but forever? At that time, 167 km from Maheshwar was a town called Burhanpur, known for its rich tradition of handloom weaving. It was from here, and from the town next door, Mandu, that Ahilya brought skilled weavers. She made them set up looms in her riyasat to teach the art of weaving to the women and men of Maheshwar. Her people acquired the skill fast enough but what they needed now were beautiful patterns that would win the hearts of consumers for all time to come. Ahilya mulled over this morning and evening as she watched the Narmada flow beneath her palace, blue and clear, creating thousands of patterns with its waves. Narmada or Rehwa, as the river is known locally, is regarded as the 'Mother' because its fertile banks feed people throughout the year. It was from Rehwa and from her own deep faith that Ahilya finally drew inspiration.

The patterns created by the boisterous waves of the Rehwa were first etched on the stone steps and on the walls of her palace. Then Ahilya began to construct temples along the banks of the river. And on their pillars, walls, chhatris (domed pavilions), doors and jharokhas (overhanging balconies) were engraved stone flowers, animals, birds, waves (the Narmada lehar) and many other intricate designs. … Till today, one has only to pick up a Maheshwari sari and the designs woven on the pallu or the border can be found etched on some stone slab partially immersed in the mighty Narmada, narrating the story of this visionary queen.

We saw Ahilyabai's palace, her personal mandir (temple), and her gaddi (throne). There was a mark of simplicity in all her footprints. As we stood at the spot from where she must have viewed the flowing river, we learnt that there came a time when only twenty-five looms were left in the bustling handloom town of Maheshwar. Powerlooms produced cloth cheaper and faster. As the demand for handloom declined, the skills of the Maheshwari weavers had no takers. Slowly, the din of the looms began to fade; in the ensuing silence, misery and penury engulfed the people. Skilled weavers were forced to take up wage labour or migrate. As despondency grew, the Holkar family once again stepped in to save the people of their erstwhile riyasat and to keep alive the tradition of their dynamic ancestor. Richard and Sally Holkar created the Rehwa Society. While retaining traditional designs, this society introduced new concepts. They changed the customary nauwari (nine yards) sari to six yards. Sophisticated designs were introduced and exhibited all across the country. Orders began to pour in. A new brand for the Maheshwari weave was created under the banner of Rehwa. And, today, there are 1,500-1,700 looms in Maheshwar.

- The Hindu, 2nd April 2013

Jal Board criticised for not preparing any perspective plan

The Delhi Jal Board that is responsible for sewage management in the city has added only one million gallon a day capacity of sewage treatment plant and laid only 900 km of sewer line in the Capital during 2007-2012 after incurring an expenditure of Rs.1,634.18 crore, a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday has stated.

The CAG found the sewage management in the city deficient on various counts, noting that despite heavy spending the DJB was able to collect and treat only 54 per cent of the total sewage generated in the city.

The report said the DJB could not utilise the grants-in-aid received under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission during 2010-11(100 per cent) and 2011-12 (51 per cent).The CAG has criticised the DJB for not preparing any perspective plan for sewage management for the 10th Plan. "Test check of records at 15 out of 32 sewage treatment plants revealed that all STPs were working below their capacities. The DJB was able to collect and treat only 367 MGD out of 680 MGD of sewage generated in Delhi and the remaining sewage was discharged untreated into the Yamuna through storm water drains even after having a sewage treatment capacity of 543.40 MGD," the report noted.

Delay in award of work for the construction of STPs and sewage pumping stations has led to a cost escalation of Rs. 92.74 crore, non-imposition of penalty for delay in completion of projects led to a loss of Rs. 37.14 crore and the loss due to release of interest-free mobilisation advance to contractors was about Rs. 6.25 crore.

The CAG also expressed reservation about the Jal Board's ambitious interceptor sewerage system."The DJB undertook the project of laying of interceptor sewerage system along Najafgarh, Supplementary and Shahadra drains. The DJB appointed Engineers India Limited as consultant and an agreement was signed in January 2008. These projects were approved by the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure in May 2010 for an approved cost of Rs. 1,337.71 crore with an additional central assistance commitment of Rs.475.20 crore. The audit observed that the consultancy work was awarded to EIL on nomination basis with consultation fee as four per cent against one per cent in other projects . This was in violation of CVC guidelines and led to an extra financial burden on the DJB of Rs. 34.5 crore," the report cited.

-The Hindu, 3rd April 2013

The Supreme Court on Tuesday imposed a `100-crore penalty on Sterlite Industries for environmental degradation by its Tuticorin-based copper smelting plant. The money will be used to restore the coastal environment around the industry.

The order came as a stern warning to the corporate sector against the backdrop of several similar instances of environmental hazard caused by industries. Sterlite, which is a subsidiary of the UK-based Vedanta Group, will have to deposit the amount with the Collector of Thoothukodi (Tuticorin) District in Tamil Nadu in three weeks. The Supreme Court, however, set aside a Madras High Court order of September 28, 2010, which had directed the closures of the plant.

The Bench of Justices AK Patnaik and HL Gokhale noted that the plant, in operation since 1997, was situated in the vicinity of the ecologically sensitive zone of the Gulf of Munnar. The entire area of Tuticorin fell within a notified Marine National Park, and this became the primary reason for the court to order compensation for the sustained damage caused to environment for over a decade.

Incidentally, the plant has been served with a shutdown notice three days ago by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) after noxious gas leaked from the plant. The apex court order will not come as a relief to the company as the order passed by the bench of Justices AK Patnaik and HL Gokhale said, "…this judgement will not come in the way of TNPCB issuing directions for closure of plant for protection of the environment in accordance with law."

While the Supreme Court was alive to the environmental degradation, at the same time it did not accept the HC order closing the plant on this account. Allowing the plant to resume operations, the Bench said, "The plant contributes substantially to copper production in India." Having this intention in mind, the Supreme Court passed an interim order lifting the stay imposed by HC on October 1, 2010.

The apex court directed the State administration to ensure that the principal amount of `100 crore is put in a fixed deposit for five years and the interest earned to be utilised for improving the quality of water and soil in the copper plant's vicinity.

-The Pioneer, 3rd April 2013

While driving along the BRT or in Central Delhi, one often sees people stepping out of cars to feed pigeons. It seems that years of feeding has had a direct effect on the bird's population in the city.

The rock pigeon has become the most common bird species in Delhi, according to data compiled by an NGO, which used 200 counters in the capital. The bird is followed by the crow and the myna and Delhi's state bird — sparrow — is in fourth place.

The pigeon's ability to adapt to cities has been attributed to the increase in its population. Even though they are scavengers, like mynas and crows, they do not need to eat insects or vegetation to survive. Food supply is ample in Delhi.

"Since India does not have a proper disposal system, pigeons, crows and mynas can easily live off garbage," Mohammed Dilawar, Founder of the NGO Nature Forever Society, said. The NGO is conducting a national bird count. "Sparrows, they need vegetation, they need to eat worms and insects," Dilawar said.

Although the exact figure is not available yet, the NGO has compiled data from about 200 counters in Delhi, and there is a significant difference between the number of pigeons and sparrows.

Pigeons have thrived because they can nest virtually anywhere, even in aqueducts if needed. The rise in the population of pigeons has suppressed the numbers of other birds that need small spaces for nests.

"They require cavities, like tiled roofs, but we don't make tiled roofs in Delhi. Most buildings are shaped like a matchbox," Dilawar said. "This is why we need to create a habitat for sparrows. Pigeons, mynas and crows are all scavengers, but sparrows are not."

The decline of sparrows have been on Delhi's radar for several years. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit made it the state bird in hopes of raising awareness of the plummeting numbers last year.

Sparrows have had a rough time nesting because space is sparse and scavenger birds don't let them come close to their food sources. This is why, NGOs say, sparrow nests should only be 1.5 inches wide.

"Otherwise other birds will take over," said Rakesh Khatri, director of Eco Roots Foundation that has worked with more than 100 schools in Delhi to revitalise the sparrow population.

The interest in sparrows is not just because the tiny birds are cute, but because they are an indicator of the vitality of the habitat around them. They need wildlife to survive, whereas pigeons only need trash and aqueducts.

"We have been continuously working, involving citizens in the preservation because it will be very difficult to save the species," Dilawar said.

-The Indian Express, 3rd April 2013

The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) was able to add capacity of only one million gallons per day to the sewage treatment plants (STPs) and laid only 900km of sewer lines during 2007-2012, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) pointed out on Tuesday.

"The DJB incurred an expenditure of Rs. 1634.18crore (but) could not utilise grant-in-aid received under JNNURM fully. It had not prepared any perspective plan and could only treat 367 million gallons per day (54%) out of 680 million gallons of sewage generated per day in Delhi," the CAG report said.

A test check at 15 out of 32 sewage treatment plants revealed that all these plants were working below their capacity as the DJB was unable to create a system to carry and feed them with enough sewage.

The audit report said the Delhi State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation, which takes care of industrial treatment of pollutants in the capital, failed to complete work on four of the 15 common effluent plants in December 2012, resulting in untreated sewage flowing into the Yamuna.

The corporation was originally scheduled to complete work on the effluent plants by 1998. Nearly 1,27,69 million tonnes of hazardous waste generated by these common effluent plants during treatment was lying on the premises itself as on November 2012, creating a threat to the environment.

The audit team found substantial wastage of potable water at the Chandrawal treatment plant due to leakages in pipelines carrying water to the underground reservoirs, which were 57 years old.

The pipes had not been repaired due to budget constrains. "Inaction on part of DJB in plugging the leakages indicates insensitivity towards wastage of precious potable water," the report pointed out.

The CAG pointed out that as against the norms of the ministry of urban development, the non-revenue water (water which does not earn revenue for various reasons) was more than three times the prescribed limit of 20% of total.

-The Hindustan Times, 3rd April 2013

Private properties in areas such as Golf Links, Bengali Market and Sunder Nagar could soon become bigger, taller and more expensive as the government is planning to relax Lutyens' Bungalow Zone (LBZ) norms.

Though constructed decades after British architect Edwin Lutyens built government bungalows in the city in 1930s, many areas were added under the LBZ in 1988 and 2003. As per the norms, properties in this area cannot be reconstructed easily.

The government now plans to 'shrink' the LBZ area so that more floor area ratio, increased height and basements can be allowed in select localities.

Sources said the Delhi Development Authority has presented a report to the urban development ministry in this regard.

The Delhi Urban Art Commission has also written to lieutenant governor Tejendra Khanna to consider the proposal.

"We are researching how it would look visually and if there is enough infrastructure such as water and power to sustain it," DUAC chairman Raj Rewal said.

Shveta Jain, executive director with real estate consultants Cushman and Wakefield, said if the proposal is approved, it would lead to an increase in the real estate value in these areas.

-The Hindustan Times, 4th April 2013

DMK chief M Karunanidhi's dream project, the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project, is set to hit international headlines, for all the wrong reasons.

In what could be a major embarrassment to the UPA Government, a high-level team of marine scientists, environmentalists, geologists and marine engineers, appointed by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has found that the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP) is detrimental to the maritime and environmental resources of the island nation.

The experts were shocked to learn that India, which swears by Panchsheel principles and firmly believes in non-interference in the affairs of other countries, has blatantly violated all global norms like the International Law of Seas and MARPOL Convention, in conceiving the project.

In a report submitted to the Sri Lankan Government, the high-powered team has expressed dismay that though the 167-km long channel lies close to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between India and Sri Lanka, the Indian Government has not taken into account the environmental and maritime impact the project could have on Sri Lanka. As per the International Law of Seas accepted by the United Nations in 1968, India should have sought the concurrence of Sri Lanka before launching the project.

"The Sethusamudram Channel lies close to the IMBL between India and Sri Lanka. Both countries should get the concurrence of each other for any construction activities which fall near the IMBL. India has violated this age-old practice and Sri Lanka will definitely take up this issue," a source close to the Sri Lankan Government told The Pioneer.

He said Sri Lankan leaders, irrespective of party affiliations, were upset over the indifference shown by the UPA Government towards the island nation while taking up the SSCP.

"You can expect a strongly worded statement by the Sri Lankan Government any time now. The Sethusamudram Project in all likelihood will end up in the United Nations,"said the source.

The MARPOL Convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ships) is a marine environmental convention designed to minimize pollution of the seas including dumping, oil spillage and exhaust pollution.

It was formed on October 2, 1983 (as a mark of respect to Mahatma Gandhi) and as of December 2005, 136 countries, representing 98 per cent of the world's shipping tonnage, are parties to the Convention. It has been accepted all over the world that the Gulf of Mannar as well as the Palk Bay are ecological hot spots and nothing should be done to disturb their present status.

The scientific team appointed by Sri Lanka found that the initial dredging, infinite maintenance dredging and subsequent shipping through the channel would be disastrous to Sri Lanka.

Ariyaratne Hewage, secretary, Sri Lankan Education Ministry, was the chairman of the committee while Professor Shantha Hennayake, a geologist of international repute and deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, was the vice-chairman .

The recommendations submitted by the committee to the Sri Lankan Government ( a copy of the executive summary is with The Pioneer) has noted that though the region through which the channel is being built was an ecologically and environmentally fragile area, no action has been taken by the Indian Government to minimize the environmental and maritime impact it could have on Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan experts have noted that the studies, primarily the project document and the Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) study carried out by India, prior to the commencement of the SSCP, are inadequate for a number of reasons. "These studies have not identified and evaluated the full extent of the impact. The channel design has not been optimized for minimum impact. The most pressing concern for Sri Lanka is that none of the Indian studies have proposed any mitigation measures for the impact occurring on Sri Lanka," Prof Hennayake told The Pioneer over telephone from Colombo.

He said Sri Lanka has nothing against India building any channels or canals, as long as they do not disturb the ecological and environmental balance of the region.

"However, this is a project which is detrimental to both India and Sri Lanka. Any dredging work along the placid waters of the Palk Bay is a sure recipe to environmental disaster.

"Strangely, India confined the study of the environmental and ecological impact of the project to their side and forgot the existence of Sri Lanka. This is saddening," he said.

The experts have warned that the marine wealth (especially fish) in the region would be destroyed permanently with the commissioning of the SSCP.

"The Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Bay, lying between the two countries, are unique, biologically rich areas linking two large marine ecosystems. This stretch of the sea is a rich source of all types of fish. Unless we accurately forecast and adequately mitigate the impact of the dredging of the channel this could destroy this sensitive and fragile marine ecosystem located between the two countries. It would also impact the fishing communities on the northern and north-western coast of Sri Lanka as they mainly fish in the potential area of impact on the Sri Lankan side of the channel," said the recommendations submitted by the expert committee.

What the committee left unsaid is that the majority of those who will be robbed of their livelihoods will be Tamil fishermen who constitute the majority of the population in the two regions.

The study found that modelling studies were also inadequate. "Modelling needs to be backed by better field data to reach levels of accuracy required to satisfy the requirement of such a major undertaking. Increase in volumetric water exchange across Adam's Bridge due to the canal and its impact on the ecology of the region has not been studied," said the report.

The SSCP received negative attention globally in 2010 when Stjepan Mesic, then President of Croatia, expressed concern over the UPA Government's move to demolish the Ram Sethu for constructing the channel. Mesic had told Swami Maheshwarananda Paramhans, a Yoga guru, that he would ask the UNESCO to declare the Ram Sethu as a World Heritage site.

-The Pioneer, 4th April 2013

After brightly-coloured nests and boxes were recently put up at chief minister Sheila Dikshit's residence to attract sparrows, the Rashtrapati Bhawan has also shown interest in getting the bird back to Lutyens' Delhi.

President Pranab Mukherjee invited activists of Nature Forever Society (of India), which launched World Sparrow Day in 2010, and discussed plans to revive the sparrow population.

"The President has extended his support. The conservation project needs awareness. We want policies favourable for conservation and reverse the trend of government showing concern only for big animals such as the tiger," NFS founder Mohammed Dilawar said.

"Delhi has been proactive towards conservation of house sparrow and is one of the leading cities in the common bird monitoring of India (CBMI), which started a year ago," Dilawar said. Monitoring will help create a distribution map and effectively execute conservation plans.

The NFS also explained to the President how the CBMI is helping in collecting vital data regarding the bird's population. The Delhi government notified sparrow as Delhi's state bird in October last year.

"We are creating special 'sparrow corners' in about 2,000 schools and holding expert lectures for students. Teachers are also being trained in this effort," said BC Sabata of Delhi's environment department.

-The Hindustan Times, 4th April 2013

How do the 11 biggest Indian cities score on key urbanisation metrics? How do they compare against the best in the world? What do Indians think of the quality of life these cities offer? An ET-Janaagraha survey gives the lowdown

A survey and a call to action In the next two decades, as over a quarter of India's citizens move away from villages into towns and cities, it will mark one of the most dramatic societal changes in modern times.

Cities will be hard pressed to deal with demands on infrastructure from hundreds of millions of new migrants, a challenge they are ill-equipped for at present. To provide an objective assessment of where Indian cities stand today, Janaagraha, a non-profit organisation based in Bangalore, has conducted a survey of India's city systems—the building blocks of a wellrun urban centre.

The survey measures the process of delivering civic amenities in 11 Indian cities and compares them with the systems in two global metropolises, New York and London. Indian cities face numerous problems, most evident in the poor state of public roads, transport, air quality, clean water and power. While these are the issues that citizens battle every day, the real reason Indian cities are broken runs far deeper.

What Ails Urban India?

Cities do not have a 'metropolitan planning committee', a lapse that is hard to explain at a time when the urban sprawl is India's most striking feature. Civic councils lack money; they have weak mayors and councils, with no real authority to bring about any change in civic affairs. In contrast to global best practices, city corporations across India do not have adequate trained manpower, or a framework of systems and processes for urban governance. Worse, city-dwellers, who bear the brunt of this mismanagement, have no opportunity to participate in local government.

These fundamental issues need to be first fixed if urban Indians are to have any real chance of improvement in their quality of life. In focusing attention on civic laws, policies and their implementation, the ET-Janaagraha survey aims to create a framework for action by both city managers and citizens. It also turns the spotlight away from just the symptoms to the problems that lie at theheart of urban misgovernance.

As they come under increasing pressure to deliver a better quality of life to citizens, Indian cities will have to tackle these underlying issues. The accompanying report on citizen perception highlights the anger of urban Indians. Bangalore, long regarded as one of India's showpiece cities, has been trashed by its residents on most counts, while Surat and Ahmedabad, despite having weak systems for longterm governance, have won some approval mainly because the top managers are compensating for the weaknesses of systems.

As millions of Indians travel from villages to cities, the need for good governance will be a rallying cry.

How Janaagraha ranks the top 11 cities

The ET-Janaagraha Annual Survey of India's City Systems (ASICS) aims to identify the complex problems of urbanisation faced by the country's biggest cities. In its inaugural edition, the ASICS survey covers 11 Indian cities in eight states. It covers the four parts of the city-systems framework, and makes recommendations to solve urban infrastructure and governance issues across urban India. On a scale of 1 to 10, Indian cities scored between 0.7 and 4.5. By comparison, two of the world's largest cities, New York and London, score between 8.1 and 9.9 on the same scale.

Urban planning and design * Metropolitan Planning Committees, mandated by the Constitution, only in Kolkata

* Weak institutional structures, lack of authority for urban land bodies and insuffi cient land records hinder planning

* No structure for citizens to participate in the preparation of spatial plans

* Urban local bodies don't have long-term financial planning
Best in category: Kolkata
Urban capacities and resources

* Lack institutional frameworks to empower urban administration

* City corporations have limited powers to raise funds, set and collect taxes

* Insufficient staffing of civic bodies in relation to population

* Absence of long-term fiscal plans impairs the ability of urban land bodies to take a long-term view on finances
Best in category: Delhi
Empowered and legitimate political representation

* Weak mayors and councils: elected mayor in 3 of the 11 cities only; city councils handle very few critical functions

* No robust policy to regulate and mandate public disclosure of confl icts of interest

* No disclosure norms for related-party interests, relationships and transactions Best in category: Jaipur
Transparency, accountability and participation

* Fare poorly in areas of public accountability on multiple counts

* Citizens have limited access to data and information on projects run by local councils

* Hyderabad stands out for enacting the Community Participation Law in substance as evidenced by functioning 'area sabhas'
Best in category: Hyderabad
And How Indians Rank Them

Alongside the ASICS survey, Janaagraha, along with market research firm TNS, interviewed residents from these 11 cities on the quality of civic amenities and quality of life. This Voice of India's Citizens Survey interviewed 4,200 people: 500 each in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata; 400 each in Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad; and 300 each in the remaining. A total of 430 wards were covered, with a minimum of 20 per city. Citizens chose Surat, Pune and Ahmedabad as India's top three cities, with New Delhi and Kanpur bringing the rear. Pollution, poor traffic management, crime, lack of clean water, poor public amenities and lack of cleanliness are the top issues of concern.

-The Times of India, 4th April 2013

Delhi's common effluent treatment plants, located in industrial areas to treat industrial waste, suffer from a unique problem. The treatment capacity is much more than the actual generation of effluent but despite that, not all the effluent is being treated. Recently, Delhi Pollution Control Committee, which monitors the operations of the CETPs, filed prosecution against the GT Karnal Road CETP for failure to apply for consent to establish and consent to operate.

"The GT Karnal Road industrial area has no committee and nobody is willing to take charge of the CETP. It is a 6 million litre per day (mld) plant that receives about 2.5 mld of waste. They have not applied for consent to establish or operate and the department was forced for the first time to prosecute them. The matter is now pending in court," said a senior official.

DPCC says several CETPs are underperforming. Delhi has 13 CETPs, each under the control of a committee. Industrial effluent cannot be treated in ordinary sewage treatment plants as it contains heavy metals. The effluent, treated or otherwise, is finally discharged into theYamuna.

Sources say that each CEPT has some problem which is why they often fail to treat waste within the specified parameters. In the Okhla plant, the last inspection by DPCC in February showed that levels of biochemical oxygen demand, TDS and sulphide in treated effluent were higher than prescribed.

DPCC has carried out a detailed inspection of each CETP to determine problems.

"So far we have met with three committees and have scheduled more meetings. Each unit is being given six months to address their issues. A meeting will be held with the secretary of the environment department to draw up a long term action plan. Once a plan has been charted out, no leniency will be shown for violations," said a DPCC official.

-The Times of India, 4th April 2013

Delhi government and the civic agencies which run the city have reason to cheer as the city has been ranked first in the category of urban capacities and resources and second in urban planning and design in survey on state of city-systems by Janaagraha, a Bangalore-based NGO. But, experts caution, there is an urgent need to empower the local bodies for effective utilization of resources. Also, the e-governance system introduced by the erstwhile MCD has failed to make the system transparent.

"The plus point for Delhi is that there is no dearth of funds. The state government and the local bodies are pumping in a lot of money for development work. But this has not resulted in improving the quality of life in the city,'' said Srikanth Viswanathan of Janaagraha.

The Annual Survey of India's City-Systems highlights flaws in the system of governance . Experts say that to strengthen the local governance system, there is a need to strengthen the local bodies. Instead of a ceremonial role, the report recommends a more powerful role for mayors. "They should be given financial powers. In the present survey, Delhi ranks 10th among 11 cities when it comes to political representation,'' points out Swati Ramanathan, co-founder , Janaagraha.

Post-trifurcation , the three corporations are completely dependent on the state government for funds. Two of the fledgling corporations - East and North - started with a deficit and were forced to take a loan from Delhi government. Due to this, the two civic agencies couldn't plan new projects for a long time. Even now, a large portion of the revenue is spent on staff salaries. The corporations are struggling to boost their resources, but with the assembly elections scheduled later this year, the ruling BJP couldn't increase taxes.

The report appreciates the efforts made by the local bodies in making plans for local area development. Though not much work has happened, experts say, at least the civic agencies have a system in place. "In this survey , we have focused on whether the civic agencies have the basic infrastructure or not. There are cities which don't even have a system in place. Until they have a system, how can they plan for sustainable development," asks Swait.

When it comes to transparency, citizen participation and accountability, little has been done in Delhi. The e-governance project, which brought six services under service level agreement, has failed to make an impact. The city is at the 10th position on the parameters of transparency and accountability. "On the transparency issue, the city is closed. The websites of local bodies don't have any information related to projects. People don't have access to basics details which should be in public domain. Also, they have made no efforts for better citizen participation,'' said Swati. Though the erstwhile MCD has passed a proposal to form resident ward committees in all 272 wards, less than 50 committees were formed due to stiff opposition form the corporators .

The development work carried out during Commonwealth Games in 2010 has failed to impress Delhiites. In a parallel survey on quality of life and city-systems , Delhi was ranked 10th and 7th , respectively by people. Cleanliness, availability of clean drinking water and safety were the prime concerns of Delhiites.

"In public perception, the city has not done well. It was ranked 7th in resource category. Delhiites know that the government has a plan but they have a problem with its implementation,'' said Viswanathan.

-The Times of India, 5th April 2013

Delhi may be far from being the global city that the government tells us it is, but in a new survey on the state of city systems, the capital has done well on at least two parameters — first in urban capacities and resources and second in urban planning and design. Eleven cities were in the reckoning in the survey conducted by Bangalore-based NGO Janaagraha.

In its first edition of 'Annual Survey of India's City-System', the NGO assessed the cities on four parameters — urban planning and design; urban capacities and resources; empowered and legitimate political representation and transparency; and accountability and participation. These cities were compared with New York and London as the international benchmarks.

Experts say poor political representation, lack of transparency in government functioning and poor citizen participation are the main impediments in a city's development. "Delhi has the institutional structure and funds. The civic agency (erstwhile MCD) has defined the boundaries at ward and zonal level. But due to poor enforcement, funds are not being utilized properly," said Swati Ramanathan, co-founder of Janaagraha.

Rapid urbanization has forced government agencies to look for quick-fix measures to meet the growing infrastructure demand. But little attention is being paid to sustainable development of cities, which are seeing a surge in migrant population. Though massive developmental work is going on in all cities, experts say little attention is being paid to planned development. Besides Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur and Hyderabad are the only other cities which are focusing on sustainable development, says the survey.

Delhi and Kolkata are the only cities which have made a provision for ward development plans and metropolitan planning committees, respectively. "These are crucial to sustainable development of cities. The city system in Surat and Ahmedabad, which have witnessed massive development in the last decade, is not ready for the future,'' said Srikanth Vishwanathan of the NGO. India needs to learn from New York and London where emphasis is on planned development, says the survey.

-The Times of India, 5th April 2013

The various ghats on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi have drawn millions of devotees from across the world to this ancient city. Every ghat has a speciality and a purpose to suit the needs of the faithful

Varanasi, also called Benaras by the locals or Kashi Nagri in religious parlance, is globally known for its prosperous and elevating legacy of shrines and the Ganga ghats. It is considered to be the oldest existing conurbation of the world. According to Hindu legend, Varanasi unshackles the spirit from the human body. Hence, the city of Varanasi in general and the ghats in particular are crammed with ardent devotees who congregate on the banks of the Ganga to take a dip in the sacred river.

The ghats are actually a number of long flights of broad stone steps leading down to the river. The ghatsof Kashi, altogether 84 in number, are unique as they are made of an array of mounds which are arranged in a transversed order and are indisputably the heartbeat of the city. The ghats mark the seven kilometre arc line of the Ganga riverfront flanked by the convergence of the tributary Assi in the south and Varuna in the north.

It is a joyful experience to walk down the ghats by the side of the river. Taking cognisance of the ghatsfrom a boat on the Ganges is also a cherished event, as it harmonises the perception of mysticism and aestheticism. A typical boat ride at the crack of dawn proffers a gorgeous view of the diverse activities performed in those early hours of the day, which commences with offering prayer to the Ganga, is followed by ritual cleaning, and concludes with calisthenics.

The ghats are also a prominent site for the cremation of Hindus. The two most venerated burning ghatsof Kashi are the Manikarnika Ghat and the Harishchandra Ghat. The first one, also known as the Mahasmasana or 'the great cremation ground', is believed to be the site where a manikarnika (earring) of either Lord Shiva or his spouse Sati had fallen. The second ghat is named after the legendary King Harishchandra and is one of the oldest ghats of Varanasi. The ingenuous King from ancient time is believed to have worked as a chandal (a person who supplies wood and tick at the funeral ceremonies of Hindus) at the cremation ground here in order to defend Raj dharma. He has made this particular ghatimmortal. It is widely assumed that if a person is cremated at the Harishchandra Ghat, he or she acquires moksha or liberation from the human life-cycle.

Indeed, each and every ghat of Varanasi has some significance or the other. The Ganga aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat, for example, is a prime attraction that draws tourists from across the world. Dasaswamedh Ghat literally means the ghat or river frontage of 10 horses that have been sacrificed. Hence, a large number of devotees come here on the occasions of poornima and amavasya. Another famous destination is the Kedar Ghat where pilgrims and sadhus gather from all across the country.

Then there is the shrine of Kedaresvara, the patron idol of the southern sacrosanct section of the ghat, which is popular among Bengalis and South Indians. The legendary film director Satyajit Ray shot much of his Bengali detective blockbuster, Joi Baba Felunath, on this ghat.

Lali Ghat, also idiosyncratically acknowledged as dhobi ghat or the washermen's ghat, is contiguous to Harishchandra Ghat. It is primarily populated by the washermen community. Next is Ram Ghat that takes on a life of its own during the Ramnavami Mela held on the ninth day of the month of Chaitra to commemorate the birth of Lord Ram. Before moving for prayers to the Ram Janaki Temple that is situated at the crest of the ghat, people throng to the Ram Ghat as well.

Music concerts, wrestling contests and spiritual discourses are regular features at Tulsi Ghat. This ghatis associated with a number of imperative actions such as the famous bath at the Lolark kund which many Hindu women take in the hope of bearing a male child. People also bathe here to cure themselves of leprosy. During the Hindu lunar month of Kartik (from mid-October to November), Krishna lila is performed here with great enthusiasm as well.

Assi Ghat is the southernmost ghat where pilgrims bathe before worshiping Lord Shiva in the form of a mammoth lingam situated under a Peepal tree at the confluence of the Ganga and Assi rivers. This ghatis famous among the locals as the 'lover's point'. According to Kashi Khand, this ghat is also referred to as Saimbeda Tirtha — a place where one can achieve punya for the entire tirtha by taking a bath in it.

Nevertheless, it is painful to note that the much talked aboutghats are also a spectacle of grime and neglect. Miserable conditions of the stairs and pungent stench make some of the ghats an unpleasant place. In some of the prominent ghats like Dasaswamedh, Kedar and Assi, foreigners are often exploited by local touts, and boatmen also extract huge amounts of money from them. At times, the elderly who have come from different parts of the country are also cheated by local pandas.

The presence of a large number of English-speaking police personnel in plainclothes can help address some of these problems which otherwise bring a bad name to the city. Also, the paucity of essential facilities such as toilets and changing rooms in most of the ghats is another major problem. An additional issue is that of the washing of clothes in the Ganga. Despite the fact that it is prohibited, the activity is rampant. In the long run, it creates impediments to the beautification process of the ghatsand also pollutes the river.

Still, notwithstanding their limitations, the ghats are undoubtedly one of the holiest of places, as they house a number of sacred structures and shrines which attract devotees round the year. In fact, nobody can envision the city of Varanasi without them, because for a huge number of people, the magnificentghats are the be all and end all of life.

-The Pioneer, 5th April 2013

WWF's green retail movement aims at promoting eco-friendly products and sustaining demand for the same

The ever-growing human demand for resources is putting tremendous pressure on biodiversity — threatening the continued provision of ecosystem services, health and wellness of human beings.

To keep a check on this pressure on environment, WWF has come out with a new model of strategy — PPP (People, Planet and Profit). This model emphasises on green retail across the globe, promoting green product lines and its constant demand. Not only that, it is also finding new ways of sustaining this green retail. For that, global demand for green lines, WWF insists, is a must. This will result in triple gain: benefit people as they will value products that don't damage the environment; help the planet to breathe better and facilitate (retail) supply chains to reap profit in the process.

Ravi Singh, CEO, WWF-India says "Human consumption is at a rate 50 per cent faster than what the earth can sustain. Our ecological footprint has doubled in the last 40 years and is on course to double again in the next 40. As a whole the humanity extracted resources more than 52 per cent faster than they could be regenerated eating into the existing stock of forests, fisheries, grasslands, and other assets. Meanwhile the prices for many of those assets have nearly doubled or tripled in the last 10 years according to World Bank Data."

And therefore, he adds, "WWF's global green retailer movement will cover a wide spectrum of issues from reducing energy, greenhouse gases, waste, and chemicals, employee empowerment to innovation. However, the core focus for the retail industry should be to ensure sustainable product lines and sustainable supply chains."

To make the PPP model through the retail industry successful, WWF has recently been able to pursue big supply chains of consumer products like Marks & Spenser, Wal-Mart, IKEO, Carrefour to adopt proactive sustainability agendas, particularly in establishing sustainable product lines across their supply chains. Mr. Singh says, "Many retailers, as part of the Consumer Goods Forum have even committed to taking deforestation out of their supply chain and buying sustainable products, such as sustainable palm oil, cotton, etc."

Constant efforts on promoting green retail in India including a seminar held in Mumbai recently (titled Sustainability In Retail: A Triple Bottom-Line Approach: as a part of Retail Leadership Summit-2013) show that efforts are also being made by large companies to make a shift to more sustainable supply chains due to increasing consumer awareness globally.

But promoting this concept in India has its own share of issues. The general perception is that the Indian consumers do not care much about product sustainability unlike their U.S. and European counterparts. But the latest green marketing techniques convey otherwise. For instance, says a representative from WWF-India, "in 2008, the top-scoring consumers of 2010 were in the developing economies of India, Brazil, China, in descending order. The survey results show that both cost considerations and environmental concerns motivated consumers to adopt more environmentally sustainable behaviour".

New trends indicate that global players are putting pressure on their supply chain, which extends into developing countries like India and also their local counterparts and partners. Retailers are evaluating their direct store, distribution centre, and supply chain operations to uncover cost-saving and workforce-enhancing opportunities.India has one of the largest numbers of retail outlets in the world. The retail sector is experiencing exponential growth, with retail development taking place not just in major cities, but also in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. Indian retail already contributes 10 percent of the GDP. So, it is believed with big retailers/corporate houses initiating green retailing, small retailers/shopkeepers will follow automatically.

-The Hindu, 5th April 2013

A flagrant violation of environmental law, prime forest land in Karnataka has been appropriated by leading research institutes.

The National Green Tribunal (South Zone Bench) has questioned how 10,000 acres of traditional grassland and forests located in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka has been sold to premier institutes including the Defense Research Development Organisation, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Space Research Organisation without having received prior forest and environmental clearances including statutory public hearings.

When senior officials in the Ministry of Environment were contacted about how the land transfer could take place in total secrecy, they admitted that they had no prior knowledge of the transaction which took place between 2008-10 at shockingly low prices of Rs 30,000 per acre.

The land called Amrit Mahal Kaval' ( traditional pasture grassland ecosystems) has served as a critical habitat for the threatened black buck as well as several critically endangered species of birds. This land is also being extensively used by grazing communities thereby impacting 60 villages living around this region.

Environmentalist Leo Saldanha of the Environment Support Group (ESG) filed an application before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) pointing out that the 30 km long wall built by the DRDO was in comprehensive violation of the Environment Assessment Notification 2006 which barred commencement of any project till all requisite clearances are granted.

The construction of the wall by the DRDO has blocked local pastoralists access to pasture land and to lakes and streams which are a critical drinking water source for cattle. This is particularly worrying given the long periods of drought in this region. Besides, the massive wall has constrained the movement of the endangered black buck,' the ESG petition pointed out .

The NGT has set up a two member expert committee to visit the Chitradurga district and study the ecological and environmental consequences of such a diversion. The DRDO is expected to use this land to build up a defence hub including an R&D complex, and a test centre for UAVS and UCAVS. The BARC has acquired the land to build a special material enrichment facility for developing uranium while the ISRO wants to use it to develop spacecraft technologies.

-The Asian Age, 5th April 2013

IIC's ongoing festival showcases arts and crafts of three villages — Hariharpur, for its music heritage, Mubarakpur, a weaver's hub and Nizamabad, famous for black pottery with silver work. P Sharma reports

Nestled amongst the green lawns of India International Centre, is a decorated arch that serves as the entrance to the ongoing Azamgarh Festival. It has been designed with colourful matkas.

A tree stands in the middle. It's made from varieties of pots. There are comfy charpais and thatched huts with intricate, white paintings on the wall that are actually small stalls, occupied by artisans, showcasing ancestral artistry from other Azamgarh villages. The three-day festival has been organised by The Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development (ITRHD), to promote Azamgarh's three villages — Mubarakpur, Nizamabad and Hariharpur.

This presents a different face to Azamgarh, which has usually been in the news for terrorism. Mubarakpur is famous for its saris. Izhar Ahmad, a 40 year-old craftsman explained that his family has been involved in this tradition for hundreds of years. Alongside the stall, is a machine used for jacquard weaving. A few artisans were making a silk sari. It would cost Rs10,000 when complete. Ahmad shared, "My great-grandfather started weaving saris about 150 years ago. I want my children to learn this and take it to a wider platform. But there is a problem concerning finances. There are many talented artists in our village who don't earn well, due to no education and business skills."

Ahmad makes enough for the family to survive. He shared, "We generally sell our saris to dealers in Varanasi, who are connected to malls or big shops. We don't have contact with shopkeepers. And our designs tend to be standard. What we have done for years. That is the biggest drawback for poor artisans of our village."

SK Mishra, Chairman of ITRHD, which formed a year-and-a half ago continued, "We are trying to keep Indian tradition in continuum. Our team of 89 members, works in villages of Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Haryana, Nagaland. The motive is to promote artisans and educate them, so they earn more."

Explaining the concept behind organising the festival, he went on, "People have a negative image about Azamgarh, because of recent terrorist activities in the city. But the villages contain a great deal of untapped potential. We intend to take this festival every year to different cities."

Nizamabad began making black pottery with silver work hundreds of years ago. From small pots, to delicate huge vases, costs range between Rs25-5000. Ram Jatin Prajapati, owner of the pottery stall said, "We get orders from Delhi contractors or other big cities, through a middle man. There are no business men in our village. No one is educated. One should have the knack to deal with buyers and we cannot do that. We are simple people who sell to contractors or entrepreneurs." Prajapati wants his son to join the business, but has misgivings owing to low income prospects.

The best part of the festival was classical lok geet of Hariharpur, sung by the Hariharpur gharana, which dates back at least 400 years. It has an international reputation charging Rs1-2.5 lakh per concert. "We belong to the Mishra family. Both men and women have been taking things forward. We have great musicians in our family.

"Ratan Kumar Mishra had an accident five years ago, and still plays tabla with one hand. It is called Ek Langia Tabla. The youngest member of the group is 4-year-old. Alok. The eldest is 90-year-old, Pandit Chandrika," shared Kamlesh, a tabla player with the gharana. The festival is on till April 6.

-The Pioneer, 5th April 2013

When a city has been capital for 1000 years and more and when it has been ruled by scores of dynasties it is bound to leave behind memories, happy and sad, violent and placid, memories of grandeur and austerity, of colour and joy and also memories of pain and destruction.

Delhi has more than its share of these memories left behind in writings about Delhi in memoirs, journals, and novels, in travelogues, in prose and in verse also in racy journalistic pieces and in heavy and laboured biographies.

There is an endless list of the kinds of texts that were produced on Delhi including histories of the rulers and their conquests, life inside the palaces, accounts of the royal courts, pen-sketches of the leading lights of the city, accounts of the lives of the common people, life in the streets, accounts of the rebellion of 1857 written both by supporters and opponents. There are texts on Delhi, its monuments, its ruins, its festivals, customs and rituals of various communities. Accounts are present of major or minor political movements, guides on starting businesses and acquiring skills, recipe books, writings about the language of the street and the language spoken by women who remained behind closed doors.

There were texts like Muraqqa-e-Dehli by Dargah Quli Khan a most remarkable work on Delhi as it was just before and after its sack by Nadir Shah; there were the Tazkiras -- biographical notes on poets- like Meer Taqi Meer's Nukaa't- us-Shua'ara; compilations of letters of poets like Ghalib 's Ood-e-Hindi, Asaar-us-Sanaadeed on the monuments of Delhi by Syed Ahmad Khan; AalammeinIntekhab-Dehli by Maheshwar Dayal and countless others.

The accounts go back centuries from the Sanskrit text on a stone tablet recovered from the Palam Baoli, built at the time of Ghyas-ud-Din Balban or those written in medieval accounts like the Rihla of Abû Abdullah Muammadibn Abdullah popularly known as Ibn-e-Batuta, a contemporary of Mohammad bin Tughlaq, Tareekh-e-Ferozeshahi by Zia-ud-Din Barni, Tughlaq Nama by Khusrau, Tareekh-e-Ferozeshahi by Shams Siraj, Tareekh-e-Farishta by Mohammad Qasim Farishta. Accounts left behind by Jean Baptiste Tavernier and Francois Bernier, both contemporaries of Shahjahan and later texts written by the British and a diverse array of Europeans, each bringing her own perspective on this eternal city.

Many of these texts are so heavily biased that you wonder at the remarkable insensitivity of the authors to anything that does not fit into their own frame of reference. The practice of writing about the city, its history and its people, with preconceived ideas, to select what fitted well in the picture that the author wanted to portray and ignoring everything that did not, was not something unique to the Europeans. Many 'natives' too employed the same techniques and so the general approach followed by authors like Bashir-ud-Din Ahmad in describing the rebels of 1857and those fighting for India's freedom in the early decades of the 20 Century, does not differ significantly from the writings of contemporary colonialist historians.

And yet, despite their ideological tilts, all these texts are important resources for any serious student of Delhi. Therefore this large collection of texts needs not only to be preserved but also made available to researchers and to lay readers interested in understanding the city and its history.

Many of these books like the Muraqqa-e-Dehli by Dargah Quli Khan originally written in Persian and translated into English by Professors Chandra Shekhar and Shama Mitra Chenoy are very difficult to procure and it is the same about a large number of books on Delhi. Many of the earlier works on Delhi are available only in Persian and Urdu and anyone not familiar with these languages faces a real uphill task in trying to find pre-19 Century works on Delhi in Hindi or English.

The absence of a central library and research facility focused on Delhi is a serious drawback and a matter that needs to be attended to on an urgent basis. There are a large number of manuscripts in Urdu and Persian scattered through libraries and personal collections, the latter are being damaged and lost or are being surreptitiously bought and sold.

The readership of both Persian and Urdu is decreasing rapidly and there is need to initiate steps, on an urgent basis, to actively promote the teaching and learning of these languages in order to create a readership for these books and to have a wider network from which researchers and commentators / translators for these texts can emerge.

There is need also to create a system where translations of these texts are made available to readers of other Indian languages including English. Something like this was done in the early 19 Century except at that time texts were being translated from English into Indian languages. There is no harm in trying to reverse this trend now.

There is a proposal to convert the Chandni Chowk Town Hall into a public library; it would be great if it was to develop into a centre where manuscripts and miniature paintings, other texts, rare books, old maps, photographs, political pamphlets, posters and such other memorabilia could find a home, a home that would welcome the researcher and the lay reader alike, a library and research institute that befits a city like Delhi. Dare we hope?

-The Hindu, 6th April 2013

A new technology for recovering landfill gas may reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions from landfills by a great extent. If commercialized, the gas recovered can be used for cooking, heating, electricity generation and even transportation. The technology has been introduced in a pilot project at the Okhla landfill. After two years of monitoring it, scientists who worked on the project on Thursday declared that the project has the potential to be successfully commercialized.

The project was introduced in 2011 by The Energy and Resource Institute, MoEF and Jamia Milia Islamia University. According to municipal figures, the Okhla site gets about 1,600 tons of waste everyday and a total of 6.8 million tons of waste has already been disposed there. High amounts of organic waste dumped along with dry waste degrade slowly and emit large amounts of methane gas.

"Methane is almost 20 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. It has very high global warming potential and is also explosive in nature. Through the project, we aimed to trap methane and use it more productively," Prof. Avinash Chandra of IIT Delhi said. The research team first analyzed whether there was enough methane emission from the site under static condition with help of a gas analyzer. They found 44.6% of the emissions were of methane and 15.9% of carbon dioxide. "There is enough methane that can be trapped by our indigenous technology. So we trapped the gas with the help of blowers that suck it in, clean it and then flare it," Suneel Pandey of TERI said.

Gas Authority of India Ltd is now considering how the gas from this site can be used commercially. It has the potential to be used for cooking and to generate electricity but will require additional investment. If it is purified of CO2, it can be used for transportation just like compressed natural gas is being used in Delhi. For now, the gas is being flared so that methane emissions are reduced. But flaring does release carbon dioxide which is also a greenhouse gas.

This technology is different from the conventional waste-to-energy plants at landfill sites in Delhi, Bangalore and other cities which incinerate waste to generate heat. However, LFG technology may not be implemented in the same way across cities. According to scientists, local climatic conditions also play an important role in the success of gas recovery.

-The Times of India, 6th April 2013

The phase III of the Barapullah project, which plans to connect south Delhi to Mayur Vihar, was given approval at the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre working group meeting and will now be reviewed at the lieutenant governor's governing body meeting on April 5. "After approval from the LG, the plan will be submitted to Delhi Urban Arts Commission for approval," PWD minister Raj Kumar Chauhan said.

Phase III will connect INA Market with Mayur Vihar through a new Yamuna bridge proposed between DND and Nizamuddin bridge. The preliminary drawings for phase III were submitted to UTTIPEC for approval after the feasibility and technical study was completed. This extension of Barapullah to east Delhi will also ease traffic congestion on Nizamuddin bridge and DND and provide an express connectivity.

"This will be a boon for travellers between east and south Delhi as they will be able to bypass the congestion on Ring Road. The journey time will also be reduced dramatically," added Chauhan. The hydraulic study will be conducted for the new Yamuna bridge by a Pune-based research institute after which the plan will be submitted to DUAC and the Yamuna committee, officials said.

The Phase-III extension will have several interconnections, with six loops (along with the main Barapullah extension).

The existing Barapullah road from INA Market will be extended straight to Mayur Vihar Phase I through a new bridge proposed across Yamuna and the commuters will be able to descend near the Mayur Vihar Metro station. In the reverse direction, commuters from Mayur Vihar can climb onto the Barapullah near the Metro station.

Two loops will connect Barapullah to the Ring Road. While one will ascend from Ring Road near Sarai Kale Khan to Barapullah for commuters headed towards Mayur Vihar, the second loop will descend from Barapullah for vehicles coming from Mayur Vihar headed towards Ashram.Meanwhile, two loops will also connect the extension of Barapullah near Mayur Vihar to Akshardham and Noida. While one loop will descend from Barapullah towards Akshardham and IP Extension on the carriageway for vehicles travelling towards Mayur Vihar, another loop will ascend to Barapullah on the carriageway towards Sarai Kale Khan and beyond for vehicles coming from Noida.

Two loops will also connect to a flyover that has been proposed on the direction from Mayur Vihar towards Akshardham, parallel to the current Mayur Vihar flyover.

-The Times of India, 6th April 2013

Why holes and hollows are prime properties for some avian species.

For a large number of bird species, holes and hollows are hot property. Whether they are in walls, in boles or branches, in cliff-faces or mountainsides, or even in the ground — they are snapped up pronto — and ugly brawls over property rights may occur. Woodpeckers, barbets, parakeets, mynas, hoopoes, hornbills, owls, chats, magpie robins, bee-eaters, and kingfishers are just some of the 'everyday' species that bring up their babies in such places. Think of the advantages of raising a family in such accommodation: usually, it's readymade; all you need to do is to put in the soft furnishings. Of course, some DIY hard hats like woodpeckers and barbets personally drill holes in tree trunks, but many trees have natural holes and hollows, as do walls, cliff-faces and crumbling monuments. Besides, if you belong to the Mafiosi mynas, you can always turf out a righteous resident and move in.

I once discovered a hole that had been painstakingly excavated by a coppersmith that looked like it was going to settle down — it kept going in and popping its head out in an approving sort of way, looking this way and that; when I visited the site the following week, a blackrumped flameback (golden-backed woodpecker) had taken possession and like any new tenant was making modifications; shards of wood flew out thick and fast as it went about its work. The next time I went there, there was no sign of any birds, but bees were humming around it possessively, so that was that. It would have been interesting to see how the bees actually turfed out the flameback.

-The Indian Express, 7th April 2013

A 16th century citadel, a sprawling green island and a motley collection of animals and birds, all in the middle of a burgeoning urbane Delhi.

But till just about 100 years ago, the landscape was different. People lived inside the Purana Qila and around it was their farm and grazing land spread over areas that now are Delhi zoo, Sundar Nagar, Bapa Nagar and Kaka Nagar etc.

Land was acquired for building 'New Delhi' after the British shifted capital here from Kolkata in 1911 . When the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) notified Purana Qila as protected, the Qila residents were shifted to Nangli Razapur.

The Delhi zoo came decades later after the New Delhi was built.

Although the idea to have a zoo at the national capital was mooted in 1951, the Park was inaugurated in November 1959.

"Nangli Razapur was originally situated near the Pontoon Bridge near Mayur Vihar. A flash flood in 1932 devastated that settlement. The government then allotted the area right next to Nizamuddin Railway station for 62 families," said Harish Sharma, a retired government official, whose father Shiv Sahay Sharma was born inside Purana Qila in 1910.

It was sheer luck that Nangli Razapur surroundings escaped yet another acquisition. The village abadi land was spared but the common land was acquired for Yamuna channelisation programme.

AK Jain, heritage activist and former Delhi Development Authority commissioner (planning) said: "The project for channelisation of Yamuna was dropped few years ago by the DDA due to various reasons."

-The Hindustan Times, 7th April 2013

Delhi has 174 monuments protected by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). That's what the official records tell you. However, in reality, 12 on this list are "missing" or are "untraceable. But regulations applicable to heritage-controlled areas around these missing monuments continue to be enforced with proposals for their denotification pending with the culture ministry for over a decade.

Any development in the vicinity of notified monuments, under Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010, is subjected to stiff restrictions. No construction - except essential repairs and renovation - is allowed in a 100-m prohibited zone while in another 101-300metre regulated zone, construction and reconstruction are allowed only under prescribed norms. The Act also provides for extending both prohibited and regulated zones.

The last time a centrally-protected monument in Delhi was denotified was in the pre-Independence days. Experts say it is important to update the list and remove the missing monuments. "The list of protected monuments for Delhi has not been updated for several years. There is no point in listing a monument which is confirmed missing. ASI should remove the missing monuments from their list and make efforts to bring other monuments under central protection instead," said an expert who didn't wish to be identified. Untraceable monuments in the capital include Moti Gate, Phool Chadar, Barakhamba Cemetery, Alipur Cemetery, Joga Bai Mound, Shamsi Tallab in Mehrauli (near Qutub Minar), Nicholson's statue, two sites of siege battery with inscriptions, Inchla Wali Gumti in Kotla Mubarakpur and a tomb with three domes in Nizamuddin. Sources hinted that two more structures might join the 'missing' list soon due to rapid urbanization though they are yet to be publicly identified.

The issue has often cropped up in Parliament with culture ministry officials admitting that Delhi tops the list of missing protected monuments due to growing urbanization. A senior INTACH official said that any denotification would put ASI and its functioning under a lot of scrutiny. "Once you denotify a monument, ASI will have to answer a lot of questions. Where are the original notification drawings? Why has the monument gone missing? What steps did ASI take to protect them? Since the repercussions could be huge, why not just stall the denotification process," he said.

ASI director-general Praveen Srivastava, however, has a different explanation. "We have to make a final attempt to be sure the monuments are actually missing. Sometimes the location is not properly mentioned or the surveyor is unable to trace the structure in question. A final audit of all the protected monuments in the city has to be carried out." Another top ASI official said the Act mentioned both structures and remains. "Not all the monuments on the list are necessarily missing. Verification is still being done. The missing monuments are in categories. There are some that have got submerged in water. In some cases, there is still some evidence of the building and hence the site in question will remain on the protected list," said ASI additional director-general Dr B R Mani.

Senior officials admitted though that there was no time-frame for verifying a 'missing' monument. "There are around 35 monuments in the country that are being considered for central protection and the process is on," added Srivastava.

Experts and residents, however, feel the need is urgent. Already, large parts of south and central Delhi are a part of the controlled areas that have hampered the lives of thousands of citizens. "One should drop the missing monuments from the list and make efforts to include existing important structures instead. There are a number of monuments of national importance, like Turkman Gate, that are not ASI-protected," said a conservationist. It was in 1930s that last time a monument was denotified in Delhi - Quli Khan tomb in Mehrauli. Also, last time monuments were added to ASI's protected list was way back in the 1980s following a court order - it was Mirza Ghalib's tomb and Zauq's tomb in Paharganj.

-The Times of India, 7th April 2013

In 1886, philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche had declared that the idea of the sublime in art was out dated. Yet, as one stands in the three-floor gallery of Lalit Kala Akademi, the idea of the sublime appears alive and throbbing. Titled "Ideas of the Sublime", the exhibition celebrates 25 years of Delhi-based Vadehra Art Gallery by attempting to "restore to art its centrality in human experience" in times of economic uncertainty and a global climate frayed by doubt. A constellation of 17 artists such as Anju Dodiya, Jitish Kallat and Ranbir Kaleka are part of the show.

Among the 42 works on display is the unmistakable signature of Atul Dodiya present through his Shutter and Cabinet series. In Sublime, his latest work, a shutter inscribed with verses from the Quran moves up and down over a representation of American painter Robert Motherwell's Elegy to Spanish Republic, inscribed on a rustic surface in "melancholic" gold. Dodiya's other eye-catching piece is Between the Spider and the Lamp (2013), which continues his engagement with wooden cabinets. The work shows a large cabinet containing photographs of artists such as Amrita Sher-Gil, Ram Kumar and SH Raza, along with objects such as typewriter, watch and letters. "It is a sweeping view that evokes the idea of the museum or memorial to Indian modernism in a very compelling manner," says curator Gayatri Sinha. Sinha adds that she is "intrigued by the notion of the sublime because it compresses together the seemingly antagonistic ideas of great awe and fear. Each artist was invited to interpret the concept in his own way".

- The Indian Express, 8th April 2013

Illegal trade is constantly on the rise in Hauz Khas village of south Delhi, under patronage of municipal authorities and the police. A majority of eateries, including some big restaurants, a fairly large number of fashion stores, art galleries and other business houses are operating without obtaining general trade or health licences from the South Delhi Municipal Corporation.

What's more surprising is that none of the 150-plus such commercial establishments have got their building plans sanctioned. To add to this gross irregularity is the 'pick and choose' policy of authorities in their so-called action against violations.

Failure of the civic body in checking illegal commercial activities speaks volumes of their lethargic attitude. They have failed to act despite the Delhi High Court objecting to rampant unauthorised construction and business activities in the village. As many as 42 restaurants, 57 fashion stores, 40 art galleries and 20 film studios are operating in Hauz Khas village. "Only 27 of these commercial units have obtained health and trade licences. A sum of `1.2 crore from these units is due as conversion charges. We have been carrying out demolition activities against illegal constructions, after getting complaints," said Mukesh Yadav, SDMC director (Press & information).

Recently, the Delhi High Court also directed owners of these outlets to respond as to why they did not have a health or liquor licence from the excise department, clearance from the fire department or approval from the department of tourism of the State Government.

The high court also demanded an explanation from the South Delhi Municipal Corporation and Delhi Police on why they allowed unauthorised construction to mushroom.

But while officials have maintained a stoic silence over the issue, a senior leader of the corporation accused officials and local police of patronising illegal commercial activities. This, according to him, not only caused huge revenue loss to the civic body but also changes the entire character of Hauz Khas village.

"Local officials, who have turned a blind eye to the mess, are to be blamed for commercialisation of Hauz Khas village. Commercialisation was initially planned for providing residents with business opportunity. But the purpose has been entirely defeated," he said, alleging that action is taken against such units that refuse to pay the fixed amount to local officials.

According to the corporation, it has carried out seven major demolitions here last month.

Illegal constructions and commercial activities are also threatening ancient monuments nearby and are in violation of the Masterplan. These monuments, built in the 13th and 14th century, are protected by the Archeological Survey of India and according to National Monument Authority rules, no construction activity can be done within 100 metres.

According to DDA notification on January 17, 2011, it is mandatory to get building plans sanctioned in villages. However, officials claim that no such building plan has been sanctioned in the last few years.

-The Pioneer, 8th April 2013

Pattadakal is a temple complex rich with carvings, pillars and friezes greets Lakshmi Sharath

The red craggy sandstone cliffs form a rather stark background against the sky, and accompany me on my journey. Occasionally, the scenery bursts into acres of green or bright yellow sunflower fields, but the mountains follow me constantly. River Malaprabha interrupts my journey as small streams flow across the rocks in the dry river bed. Along the banks of the river in Bagalkote district is a golden triangle — where three towns had formed a rich tapestry of culture and architecture in ancient times. At the heart of the Chalukyan kingdom, I'm travelling between two erstwhile capital towns — Badami and Aihole, and in between, is Pattadakal, my destination.

It is probably the mountains that gave Pattadakal its old name — Kisuvolai or Raktapura or the Red City. It is believed to be the site where Chalukyan rulers were crowned kings. Yet one cannot find a palace here; but there are monuments more magnificent than a palatial complex.

Sprawled amidst the mountains is a heritage site — the temple complex that's a fusion of architectural styles, including the Rekha, Nagara, Prasada and Dravida Vimana styles. There are 10 temples here, all located in a single complex, except a Jainalaya that's slightly away on the road returning to Badami. These temples were all built between the 7th and 9th Centuries by the Chalukya kings. But my interest lies in the largest and the grandest of all in the Pattadakal complex — the Virupaksha temple.

Built in the 8th Century, the Virupaksha temple is also known as the Lokeshwara temple, named not after the king or a deity but after the queen — Lokamahadevi who commissioned this magnificent monument to commemorate her husband Vikramaditya II's victory over the Pallavas of Kanchipuram. She is believed to have been inspired by the Kanchi Kailasanathar temple, and brought in sculptors from the Pallava capital to build this temple. It is believed that the Kailasanthar temple built in Ellora was based on the model of this Virupaksha temple.

You need more than a day to look at every carving inside the Virupaksha temple. It's considered one of the architectural marvels of the period; the architect was apparently given the title 'Tribhuvanacharya' (the master of three worlds). The temple is sheer poetry carved in stone, and the walls, pillars, panels and columns are adorned with beautiful carvings depicting the epics and the puranas.

A Nandi pavilion greets you at the entrance, and the temple consists of a porch, a mandapa with 18 columns and a linga sanctuary.

The queens of the Chalukyan era probably vied with each other to build temples for their kings.

The Mallikarjuna temple, also known as Trailokeshwara temple, named after the queen Trilokamahadevi who built it, is similar to the Virupaksha temple with its beautiful pillars and columns narrating stories from mythology, legends, puranas and epics. A Nandi pavilion stands in front, similar to that in Virupaksha temple and one can see two fragmented green stone Nandis.

Every inch of both the Virupaksha and Mallikarjuna temples are carved — outer walls, towers, friezes, reliefs, pillars and columns... Narratives from The Ramayana and The Mahabharata; forms of Vishnu and Shiva; episodes from Shiva's life — from his marriage to Parvati to his killing of demons; and scenes from Krishna's childhood are depicted.

As I sit by the mandapa to take notes from the local guide, the silence is broken by the arrival of several buses bringing in school students from local villages and towns. Colourful school uniforms fill the landscape as the students run in and out of temples, jump in front of mandapas, pose for photographs with the Nandi and lose themselves amidst the shrines, glad to be out of classrooms. I watch them in amusement for a while, before continuing my journey.

-The Hindu, 8th April 2013

In October last year, the then Delhi chief secretary Praveen Kumar Tripathi lauded the efforts of a citizen group of South Delhi colony Sarvodaya Enclave for carrying out the Capital's first tree census. Tripathi also promised a citywide census to protect green cover.

Six months on, the citywide census, first promised in 1994, is yet to start. And the residents of Sarvodaya Enclave have been running from pillar to post to ensure freeing up of choked trees, but to no avail.

"Those working on the streets say they don't have know of any rule that a space of 6x6 feet has to be left around each tree. We complained to the South corporation, forest and environment departments that trees have been choked, rainwater drains cemented with ramps built on them, but we couldn't nudge them into action," said a resident.

"We confronted builders and contractors to ensure at least the base of drains is muddy and water goes in, but they say this will lead to seepage in their basement. A builder-government nexus has undone the advantages of the census," he said.

"We will look into the matter and expedite the process of de-choking," said a senior government official.

Padmavati Dwivedi, a tree activist, who led the census team, said, "The authorities must use porous tiles for pavements and sidewalks and leave the mandatory 6x6 feet space around all trees across the city." "These provisions should be documented and explained before construction contracts are awarded," she said.

-The Hindustan Times, 8th April 2013

The police have recovered a 16th-century ashtadhatu (a combination of eight metals) idol of Lord Mahavir from reportedly an international antique-smugglers' gang.

Six persons "including a highly connected Nepalese citizen" were arrested after they were trapped by officials of the economic offence unit (EOU) posing ascustomers.The alleged smugglers were caught red-handed when they tried to sell the 14-kg idol in Patna on Saturday.

Inspector general of police (EOU) Praveen Vasisth described the recovery and arrest of the smugglers involved in the racket as "a major breakthrough".

"Those arrested have confessed to the organised stealing of antique temple idols from Nawada and other parts of Bihar. The antiques were making their way to the markets in the US and Europe,"

Vasisth said the smugglers had valued the idol at a price of over R1 crore but its value in the international markets appeared to be much more.

Official sources said the EOU team, acting on a tip-off, had contacted two members of the gang and negotiated the purchase of the idol.

-The Hindustan Times, 8th April 2013

UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has promised a major boost to heritage tourism in Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking at a seminar on heritage tourism, organised by UP tourism, the chief minister said here on Sunday that Uttar Pradesh has innumerable heritage sites which had tremendous tourism potential.

"Here is a problem of plenty. We have so many heritage sites that we do not know where to start from. I think it would be good if we started from Bateshwar near Agra since it is close to Agra and already has a huge tourist footfall," he said.

Mr Yadav said that heritage tourism was like re-visiting history and it was the duty of the present generation to preserve the heritage and present it to the future generations.

In a lighter vein, the chief minister said, "UP is leading in politics. There must be millions of police stations in the country but the national news is never complete unless it features a report from one of the police stations in UP."

He assured that his government will support the promotion of heritage tourism in every possible way and will also help in ironing out the problems.

UP tourism minister Om Prakash Singh outlined the plans that the state has to develop heritage sites and promote heritage tourism. He said heritage tourism gave an opportunity for the local culture, cuisine, fairs and festival of a place to get international recognition.

Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur, and also founder president of Heritage Hotels Association of India, who was the guest speaker at the seminar, pointed out the problems that lie in promotion of heritage tourism.

He said that the role of the government comes in where ownership problems of heritage sites exist. He said that development of infrastructure like roads around the heritage sites was equally important and special policies must be framed for heritage tourism. Underlining the immense potential in UP, he said that pilgrim destinations which abound in UP could easily be turned into sites for heritage hotels as well.

Maharaja Gaj Singh said that heritage tourism initially attracted the maximum number of foreign tourists but following the recession, it was Indian tourists who were visiting heritage hotels in large numbers.

-The Times of India, 8th April 2013

Last year, the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) stumbled upon some priceless material—texts detailing the indigenous medical practices of Mizoram's Chakma tribe and Tripura's Mog tribe — that disproves the notion that tribes transfer knowledge only through oral traditions.

The two manuscripts are just a dot in NMM's still unfolding search-and-rescue story. So far, it has information on 35 lakh historical texts from India and is meticulously documenting them for posterity.

How does NMM dig out manuscripts? Over 100 research and conservation centres tip it off. They conduct surveys to verify the condition of the discovered texts, and document their origin, script and relevance. "Our people are sent to villages to collect data. Unlike Western countries, in most parts of Asia and India manuscripts are found even in households and not just in institutions," says Mrinmoy Chakraborty of NMM.

Manuscripts cover a range of subjects. "From shipbuilding to architecture, metallurgy, medicine, surgery and philosophy, the list is long. Every time we stumble upon something, we are shocked by the knowledge and expertise of people in those times," adds Chakraborty. In fact, there are more texts on practical knowledge than religion.

He points to a manuscript that has minute illustrations of a machine . It's a text on aeronautical engineering. Another palm leaf manuscript in Bengali has an illustration of a ship. "Orissa and Bengal used to have extensive overseas trade with places like Java, Sumatra and Siam. So they must have documented their expertise in shipbuilding," explains Chakraborty. Many of the manuscripts are painted in lustrous organic colours. On the list are a unique Ramayana in Persian, illustrated in the Rajasthan School style; the Al Quran Al Majid — one of the earliest copies of the Quran in existence, written in Arabic and decorated with floral painting on its borders. Buddhist manuscripts found in the Kargon Gompa of Igoo in Ladakh are written with gold and silver inks on handmade paper. The base for these ancient texts varies from palm leaves to tree bark, handmade paper, textile and hides. Lamp black was the most common ink but vegetable dyes and real gold and silver powders were also used.

Restoring these relics is the most demanding side of NMM's work. There are two parts to it — preventive conservation which avoids any kind of invasive interventions, and curative conservation which undoes damage and prolongs the life of a manuscript. A conservationist first documents everything (age, script, ink, base etc) about the manuscript which is treated depending on the kind of damage. For instance, if there is an insect or fungal infestation, the manuscript is kept in a fumigation chamber before being dry-cleaned with a cotton swab. It is then dipped by turns in a water-based solution and distilled water for cleaning. If a manuscript is tearing apart, it is given a lining. In case of damage to the ink, curative conservation is used.

Storage of the conserved manuscripts is equally important. "The temperature should not be more than 22-24 degrees Celsius; there has to be 24-hour airconditioning or air circulation and a relative humidity of about 45%," says Sapna, who heads the conservation team.

A team of expert linguists who know ancient scripts translates these manuscripts. Some of the translations are published by the NMM. Unfortunately, some scripts are now ciphers for even experts. For instance, only three linguists can read the Gondi script of Andhra Pradesh. The linguist who understands the Mog script doesn't know how to translate it.

NMM is keen to create a digital library and microfilm all the manuscripts but paucity of funds has stalled the process. And the "mission" itself remains temporary—a five-year project under the ministry of culture since 2003.

-The Times of India, 11th April 2013

Ten years ago, the city of Seoul sacrificed a 12-lane elevated highway to re-vive a stream. Can Delhi do the same to restore its natural drainage? As reported by TOI over the last two days, portions of some polluted watercourses in south Delhi that were covered up to create parking space have turned into gen-erators of corrosive gases.

It's an ecologi-cal disaster that also threatens to bring down the concrete cov-ering eventually. But it need not be so.

Experts say the network of streams, including Barapullah, Kushak and Sunehri drains, can be restored to its old glory. In fact, there was a plan to convert a 12.5km stretch of the watercourse be-tween Said-ul-Ajaib and Barapullah into a heritage trail, as it links five of the seven cities of Delhi—Qila Rai Pithora, Mehrauli, Siri,Tughlaqabad and Firozabad. For tourists and heritage lovers that means a trail linking Qutb Minar and the Garden of Five Senses in the south to Humayun's Tomb, Purana Qila, Delhi Zoo, Pragati Maidan and India Gate in the centre.

Likewise, Dilli Haat in the west would be con-nected to Lotus Temple, the Yamuna riverfront and the Commonwealth Games Village in the east. With land-scaping and cleaning up of the water-course, the trail itself could become an attraction offering nature walks, picnic spots and boating. However, in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games, this plan was abandoned and an elevated road was built on the Barapullah instead. "The elevated road's pillars and sec-tions of the drain that have been covered are obstructions. Garbage disposal contractors have also been using the drain as a dump.

Yet, there are res-toration measures that can be easily and quickly implemented without expend-ing much energy or carrying out exten-sive civil works," said Manu Bhatnagar, principle director of natural heritage at conservation body Intach.

Although abandoned, the South Delhi Greenways Project (see TOI's Wednesday edition) remains a worthy cause. "The drains should not remain neglected in the present state. They can connect colonies and also serve as an ecological corridor," said Ashok Bhattacharjee, director for the apex transport planning body UTTIPEC.

Leaving the drains in the current state would be suicidal, say environ-mentalists. "It's breeding mosquitoes and spreading dengue and malaria. Covering it up will increase forma-tion of methane and other toxic and corrosive gases. Drains are valuable prime areas of the city and provide a good network comparable to roads. Why waste such an important asset?" said Anumita Roychoudhury, emis-sions expert and associate director at the Centre for Science and Environment.

"The authorities should certain-ly roll back this plan of covering the drain and the greenway project should be implemented. The drain can have multiple functions, such as walkways for increased mobil-ity, a green channel and bio-remedial measures to keep it clean," she added. The greenway would enable tour-ists to move around on a safe and landscaped corridor on cycles, skates or hired boats. Nearly 80% of the tourist attractions in the city can be connected in this way.

The greenway will turn around 700 acres of precious open space in south Delhi into an idyll, say planners. The recreational facilities will also improve the qual-ity of life in the city.

-The Times of India, 11th April 2013

A huge pink diamond described as "God's gift to India" will go under the hammer next week in New York and is expected to fetch $30-$40 million (Rs.160-216 crore). The 34.65-carat beauty, which was once in the possession of the Nizam of Hyderabad, is known as The Princie and is among the four "most important" pink diamonds in the world, said Rahul Kadakia, head of jewellery at Christies, which is auctioning the jewel on April 16.

It is also the world's third largest pink diamond and is appearing in an auction for the first time in more than 50 years.

There is a special romance associated with pink diamonds, the finest of which tend to come from India. This one was named after Prince Sayajirao Gaekwad, whose nickname was Princie, by his mother Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda in 1960 at a party in Paris.

"It was a widely regarded belief that God's gift to India became India's gift to mankind and The Princie is undoubtedly one of the greatest gifts of Golconda (mines)," Kadakia said.

In 2010, a 24.78-carat pink diamond sold in Switzerland for $45.72 million ( Rs. 248 crore).

-The Hindustan Times, 11th April 2013

Today, any project that invokes the traditions of that hallowed ancient university must be based on the principles of the 'science of the mind', not on religion or political expediencies.

Recently, I had the chance to listen to a long talk by the Dalai Lama. I was surprised as he repeatedly said that there is no such thing as 'Tibetan Buddhism', even less 'Lamaism'. The so-called 'Tibetan Buddhism', he said, has entirely been borrowed from India, more precisely from Nalanda.

In recent times, the name of the ancient university has been in the news for the wrong reasons; we heard that a new institution carrying the name of the famed university and 'mentored' by Amartya Sen had shifted its operations from Bihar to Delhi. Why? Nobody seems to know. The strange move was, in any case, not explained to the Indian public; the project holders probably considering the masses too stupid to grasp the subtleties of the Nalanda project.

Further, though accusations of financial improprieties have circulated about the grandiose project, they have never really been dispelled. Why should the university be directly run by an already poorly-staffed Union Ministry of External Affairs? Why did the Ministry need to plunge into an educational venture?

But let us forget the politics for now and take a look at the depth and vastness of the philosophical background of the ancient institution. From the fifth century CE to 1193 CE, the Buddhist vihara was one of the greatest centres of higher learning of all times. Nalanda flourished under the patronage of not only Buddhist emperors like Harsha and later the Pala dynasty, but also received the support of the Hindu Gupta rulers. Before it was destroyed by the Turkish hordes of Bakhtiyar Khilji, Nalanda was spread over a large area near the village of Baragaon, 10 km north of Rajgir in Bihar. It hosted scholars, monks and scientists from the world over who flocked to the vihara, the largest knowledge centre of its time.

The Nalanda University library was so large that it is said to have been ablaze for over three months after the invaders set it on fire. It was the secular and spiritual knowledge of India which was ransacked and destroyed. However, by a twist of fate (or good karma), Tibetan monks and lamas along with some abbots of the vihara had transferred Nalanda's knowledge to cold storage on the Roof of the World where it was preserved.

The great monastic university had come into prominence when learned sages such as Nagarjuna or Arya Deva decided to set up a vihara in Nalanda. The history of Nalanda is known thanks to Chinese pilgrims as well as Taranatha, the great Tibetan historian who lived in the 16th century and wrote theHistory of Buddhism in India. It is said that Arya Deva once invited Nagarjuna for a discussion on Buddhist philosophy; when the former tried to argue with Nagarjuna, he failed to grasp his reasoning. Arya Deva then understood that he had found his master; Nagarjuna later initiated him into the mysteries of the science of mind.

The Dalai Lama likes to quotes Nagarjuna who never accepted any philosophical concept without testing it. He did not even accept the Buddha's sayings until he was able to check their veracity, using his profound mind as a tool. He never believed in blind faith. This testing mind is the foundation stone of the Nalanda tradition. The Dalai Lama, who does not hide his admiration for Nagarjuna, also quotes 'his boss', the Buddha himself: "My followers should not accept my teachings out of faith and devotion, but after investigation and experimentation.'"

It is surprising that Mr Amartya Sen, the chairman of the Nalanda Mentor Group, does not grasp what has been the hallmark of the Indian mind for millennia. When asked about the omission of the Dalai Lama's name from the international project, Mr Sen stated that "religious studies could be imparted without involvement of religious leaders." The Dalai Lama may not need to be involved in the project, but the spirit of Nalanda has to be insufflated in the project. The Dalai Lama explains: "During the eighth century, the Tibetan emperor (Trisong Detsen) invited a great master of Nalanda; his name was Santarakshita. He was a famous, a well-known scholar and master of Nalanda. He went to Tibet and spent the rest of his life there. He introduced Buddhism in Tibet. That is why I consider Tibetan Buddhism is the authentic tradition of Nalanda."

Mahapandits such as Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Buddhapalita, Bhavaviveka, Chandrakirti, Shantideva, Shantarakshita, Kamalashila, Asanga, Vasubandhu, Dharmakirti or Atisha wrote extensive commentaries on the Sutra, still used in Tibetan monasteries today. Santarakshita, the Abbot of Nalanda, not only introduced the Buddha dharma to the Land of Snows, but also ordained the first monks. Since then, the lamas of Tibet have faithfully followed their Nalanda teachers.

The 'Nalanda path' prevailed in Tibet after a long debate — the famous Samye Debate which was held in Samye monastery between the Chinese and Nalanda schools of Buddhism. The debate took two years (792-794 CE) to reach its conclusion. Hoshang, a Chinese monk, was defeated by Kamalashila, who defended the Indian view. At the end, the Tibetan king issued a proclamation naming the 'Indian path' (from Nalanda) as the orthodox faith for Tibet.

Nalanda tradition is not a 'religion', it is a 'science of the mind'. The Dalai Lama once recounted the story of Raja Ramanna, the nuclear physicist, who told him that he was surprised to find the concept of quantum physics and relativity in one of Nagarjuna's texts. The Dalai Lama said: "The West discovered these concepts at the end of the 19th century or beginning of the 20th century. Some Indian sages like Nagarjuna knew it nearly 2,000 years ago." Nagarjuna's concept of Madhyamaka (the Middle Way between extremes) was very much part of the Nalanda curriculum. The Tibetan leader clearly differentiates between this 'science of mind' originating from Nalanda, Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist religion: "When we say 'Buddhist science', we mean 'science of the mind'; it is something universal; it is not a religion. Buddhist religion is not universal, it is only for Buddhists."

The Nalanda project should be based on the 'science of the mind', not on religion or political expediencies. Since his retirement, the Dalai Lama has spent most of his time exploring the convergence between science and spirituality. For the past three decades, he has had a dialogue with modern scientists. His Mind & Life Institute based in the US spearheads this research. Its objective is to test if the effects of meditative practices can be corroborated by modern science.

The 'testing' process may not be important for the practitioners themselves; the Dalai Lama recounted the story of yogis living in caves who were not at all interested in being covered by electrodes to 'test' their siddhis or meditative prowess. He, however, believes that it is important for the rest of humanity to realise that exercises such as yoga or meditation can bring peace of mind and ultimately a better life. He sees it as a gift from India and Tibet to the world.

Research into the confluence of science and spirituality should definitively be included in the curriculum of an institute calling itself 'Nalanda'. The project's 'mentors' must keep in mind the glorious history of the vihara. This does not seem to be the case today.

-The Pioneer, 11th April 2013

The Rajasthan government has notified the Mukundra hills sanctuary as the third tiger reserve in the state.

The reserve area will be over 759 sq km spread between four districts of Kota, Bundi,Chittorgarh and Jhalawar near theRanthambore tiger reserve. "Nearly 417 sq km have been earmarked as the core tiger habitat, while 342.82 sq km has been notified as the buffer zone," senior a forest official. The other two tiger reserves of Ranthambore and Sariskahave a core area nearly thrice this size.

"With powers bestowed under Section 38 V of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, we have declared Mukundra hills national park as a tiger reserve. When the budget announcement was made last financial year, we had taken the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) into confidence. Now that we have declared it as a reserve, we will be forwarding the notification to them," said A S Brar, head of forest forces and chief wildlife warden, Rajasthan.

The Section 38V of the Wildlife Protection Act says that the state government shall, on the recommendation of the Tiger Conservation Authority, notify an area as a tiger reserve. The state government has received an in-principle nod from the NTCA.

According to Brar, a three-member expert committee had been constituted under the then chief wildlife warden A Choubey which included a member from the state wildlife board and the chief conservator of forests, Kota, which surveyed the area and consulted the gram sabha. Consultation with the gram sabha is necessary, as under the law, the core area of the reserve is to be an inviolate space and all villages have to be relocated. However, the law permits man and animal to co-exist with some restriction on commercial activities.

The core area of the Mukundra reserve currently has six villages, two of which are uninhabited. Eventually all these villages will have to be relocated funded by the NTCA. The sanctuary currently has wolves, sloth bear, chinkaras and leopards.

"After the declaration of the area as a tiger reserve, NTCA will also give funds for developing the forest area," said an official.

The Mukundra hill sanctuary was already declared as the satellite core area of Ranthambore reserve by the NTCA and Tigers often stray into the area. "The objective was always to link this to Ranthambore so as to let the tigers that stray from the park come and breed here. It was the next best forest after Ranthambore for rehabilitation of tigers. But we have went a step ahead and declared it as a reserve itself," said the official.

Officials added that at a later stage, tigers will be relocated from Ranthambore reserve so as to provide optimum space to the big cats. Before that the annual working plan for the development and management of the reserve will have to be approved by the NTCA.

-The Times of India, 12th April 2013

A move to demolish parts of a temple in China that holds the remains of the famed monk Xuan Zang, who travelled to India in the 7th century, has triggered outrage.

Authorities have said they will partially demolish the 1,300-year-old Xingjiao Temple in Xian, in Shaanxi province, an ancient capital city (then known as Chang'an) and thriving centre of Buddhist learning.

The monk Xuan Zang (often spelt as Hsuan Tsang in India, using the older romanisation system) returned to Chang'an following his trip to India to bring back Buddhist scriptures.

His remains are believed to be kept in the Xingjiao temple, which is at the centre of Xian's plans to become a world heritage site.

After the Southern Metropolis Daily, a Guangzhou-based newspaper, reported this week that part of the project involves demolishing and renovating parts of the temple, many Chinese scholars, bloggers and media outlets expressed outrage.

"In China, the title [of world heritage site] usually means much higher ticket prices and more tourism tax income for local government," wrote the Shanghai Daily.

'Room for greenery'

The newspaper said temple authorities were "trapped in a dilemma" after including the temple in their application as they were told as much as two-thirds of the building — including 80 rooms, from monk's dormitories to dining halls — had to be demolished "to make room for greenery".

After concerns over the project, the temple authorities issued a statement, saying they "support the application, but we hope not to change the original layout as far as possible".

Local officials have rejected their concerns. "Dismantling part of the temple is to make for a better environment. It only affects monks' lives temporarily, not severely," Zhang Ning, head of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau, told theSouthern Metropolis Daily. Whether or not the outrage will prompt a rethink in the plans remains unclear. While China lost a significant number of heritage sites and cultural relics during the decade-long Cultural Revolution (1966-76) when Mao Zedong launched a war against the "four olds" — habits, ideas, customs and culture — the years following the "reform and opening up" of the late 1970s has seen a resurgence in heritage preservation initiatives. A new problem facing Chinese heritage conservation, however, is the excessive commercialisation of sites, as local authorities look to attract investment and drive up tourism revenues through often expensive renovation projects.

-The Pioneer, 12 April 2013

In line with the findings of the RK Pachauri Committee Report that the Sethusamudram Shipping Channel Project (SSCP) is neither ecologically nor environmentally sustainable, a study by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has found that the fragile coral reef colonies in Palk Bay face a "serious threat of extinction" due to developmental projects.

Though the report does not mention the developmental projects in question, it is clear that ZSI scientists have the 167 kilometre long SSCP in mind.

The Government of India has claimed that the channel linking Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar would offer a continuous navigation canal so that ships coming from the West Coast need not circumnavigate Sri Lanka to reach ports in Chennai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam and Paradip and vice-versa. The Government claimed that the navigation time would come down by 24 hours, but this has been proved wrong by marine engineers, navigators and scientists.

What upset the scientific community along the East Coast of India was the threat posed by siltation due to dredging for the SSCP.Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar are regions known for their unique coral reefs and rich biodiversity. The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve is home to the world's distinct coral colonies, sea grass, sea weed and mangrove forests.

According to K Venkataraman, Director, ZSI, developmental activities have killed the biodiversity in the region. The coral reefs were affected by the dredging being done for developmental projects. "The only developmental project in the region was the dredging carried out for constructing the SSCP. Though dredging has been stayed now by the Supreme Court following petitions challenging the SSCP, the initial dredging caused serious damage to the coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve," said a ZSI scientist.

In order to wean the fishermen away from the ecologically fragile Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, marine biologists in the Centre For Advanced Studies in Marine Biology (CASMB), Porto Novo, Cuddalore had developed alternate livelihoods like sea grass and seaweed cultivation, caging and ranching of rare fish varieties. "In order to increase the population of fish along the seashore, we planted artificial mangroves along the Porto Novo coastline in the early 90s. The fish wealth including crabs and prawns increased by 50 per cent over the next ten years. But what is surprising is that these mangrove forests acted as a biological shield against the 2004 tsunami. The mammoth tidal waves could not penetrate the 'bio fort' formed by the thick growth of mangroves along Porto Novo," Professor K Kathiresan, Director, CASMB, told The Pioneer. Professor S Mohammed Raffi, marine biologist, said the residential areas behind the mangroves remained untouched by the sea waves.

"It taught us that tsunami waves could be blocked by mangrove forests and we launched a drive to plant mangrove forests along the coast,' said Prof Raffi. The roots of the mangroves are excellent binders of silt. "They trap soil and sediments. The bushy nature prevents entry of water and reduces the fury of the wind," said Prof Kathiresan. The mangroves along Porto Novo and nearby Pichavaram saved thousands of families from the fury of the tsunami, but the Union Government's move to construct the SSCP could sound the death knell for the mangroves. "Siltation and discharge of sewage into the estuary and water bodies could wipe out the mangroves making the region vulnerable to future tsunami attacks," said Prof Raffi.

Significantly, the United Nations has recognised CASMB as the pioneers in mangrove forest breeding.

"Recently we trained scientists drawn out from 19 countries in the South Asian region about the nuances of mangroves. Scientists from Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brunei and Vietnam attended the training programme on mangrove breeding. By the time they plant mangroves in their countries, our shoreline could end up as a barren land because of the pollution caused by developmental activities," he said.

-The Asian Age, 12th April 2013

How old is the Barren Island volcano, the only active volcano of India in the Andaman Sea, about 140 km from Port Blair?

A group of scientists at Ahmedabad-based Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) and the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay have determined that it would be at least 1.8 million years old.

The determination of the age is important to elucidate the history of volcanism in the country and the evolution of the island arc in the Andaman subduction zone.

In a report, the scientists team led by Jyotiranjan S. Ray of PRL noted that there was need to learn the eruptive history of the Barren Island, as it became active in 1991 after a dormancy of 159 years. It has since remained active with almost continuous tephra eruptions or ejection of solid material into the air.

"Being a stratovolcano, it had in the past and would be likely to have in the future massive eruptions that could seriously affect life in the Andaman Sea, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the neighbouring south-east Asian countries. Tsunamis generated by sub-marine landslides on the flanks of the volcano can compound the scale of devastation," the scientists said.

The scientists determined its age by studying a 400-cm-long core of marine sediments collected from the Andaman Sea about 30-km away from the Barren Island. The core was studied with the help of the Argon dating facility established at IIT-Bombay a few years ago.

The new finding follows an earlier study by a team led by Neeraj Awasthi of IIT- Bombay, which showed that the volcano, which raises about two-km above the seafloor with an average height of about 300-m above sea level, has had seven major lava eruptions over the past 70,000 years.

Incidentally, Dr. Awasthi is part of the present study.

The Barren Island stands in the midst of a volcanic belt on the edge of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates. It is the northern-most active system of the Indonesian volcanic arc. Though forming part of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar, it is totally uninhabited. It is accessible only to the Coast Guard and naval ships which monitor the island on a regular basis for any eruption. The eruption in 1991 lasted for about six months.

It stands in midst of volcanic belt on edge of Indian and Burmese tectonic plates

-The Asian Age, 12th April 2013

It seems that the Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) is in no mood to protect the green cover of the city and save the Hindon from contamination.

Dozens of trees have been submerged into sewage water near the city forest area and a temporary drain continues to flow directly into the river. The situation persists even after the October, 2012 order of the Allahabad High Court.

The high court had directed the GMC to construct a cemented canal so that the sewage water cannot flow into green areas. It had also ordered to set up a sewage treatment plant to prevent the Hindon from pollution.

Dozens of trees still stand submerged into the sewage water behind the Mahamaya Stadium and an adjacent temporary drain flows through the city forest area into Hindon near the post-mortem house. The entire area has a huge population of green trees and is designated as city forest under the GDA's Master Plan-2021.

Municipal councillor Rajendra Tyagi had alleged that sewage water from the drain was destroying trees in the city forest area, also known as Sai Upvan, where the GDA had planned to construct a golf course. Tyagi had filed a PIL, seeking stay over the construction of the golf course project.

After the high court order, the municipal corporation only filled up the sides of the drain with mud after which the sewage water from drain stopped overflowing. Tyagi says that he will move the high court with an affidavit into the matter and apprise the court of the persistent problems.

As the post of municipal commissioner is still vacant after Jitendra Singh retired on February 28, HT approached the horticulture department of the corporation about the compliance of high court directions. MP Singh, who is deputy municipal commissioner and in-charge of corporation's horticulture department, said that "a proposal after the court orders was put up before the commissioner but could not be materialised due to lack of funds".

"Even our share of R51 crore of infrastructure development funds for the financial year 2012-13 did not get released. We will pursue the matter again," he said.

The high court had ordered GMC to maintain status quo in relation to plans for converting the city forest area into a golf course. The order had come on the petitions filed by Tyagi and Ghaziabad resident Alok Kumar.

Later, the GDA had filed a counter affidavit and stated before the court that no project (golf course) was finalized as yet and it only executed a memorandum of understanding with GMC for the development of area in accordance with the Master Plan 2021.

"In case of failure, the Municipal Commissioner of Nagar Nagam, Ghaziabad will be directed to be personally present before this court,"the order further stated.

-The Hindustan Times, 12th April 2013

The mercury is climbing, heralding the dog days of summer. All the while, 35 luxury hotels continue to waste power and water sufficient to supply large parts of the Capital.

And not only do they guzzle resources, they throw out as much sewage — much of it untreated — as a locality the size of Rajouri Garden would.

The state government has put city hotels on notice: cut down on wastage and pollution and save resources, or face action that could even include cancellation of land lease agreements.

On February 26, they were given a deadline of a month to submit undertakings and action plans. As of Thursday, half of the hotels had yet to comply.

Some of the figures the government has compiled show just how much of your resources the hotels are feasting on.

"The 35 five-star hotels consume 15 million litres of water every day. Five million litres which can otherwise be supplied to an area as big as Delhi Cantonment is wasted every day," said a top Delhi government official.

Water consumed by one such hotel is adequate for 1,000 households. Water is wasted everywhere — from taps, tubs, flushes, pools and fountains, said the official.

Hundreds of kilogrammes of linen are washed every day. And a large quantity of detergents and chemicals are also used, potentially causing environmental damage.

"As many as 16 of these hotels don't have a dedicated sewage treatment plant. No wonder, these 35 hotels generate 10 million litres of sewage every day. This much sewage is generated every day by a population as big as 4.5 lakh," the official said. Besides, there is 4 to 5 tonnes of solid waste generation every day. Massive amounts of power are also being wasted. "There is no concern to save power. You cannot waste this resource just because you can afford it. As many as 14 hotels don't have solar heating systems. They have been given three months to set up these systems," the official said. Even a small 5-star hotel uses as much electricity as required by 600 households. An average 5-star hotel uses as many as 15,000 lighting fixtures; 3,000 of them are always on. Chilling plants gobble up huge amounts of electricity and cool even unoccupied areas. And of course, there is the power that goes into generating running hot water.

The five-star hotels are not the only parties guilty of consuming too much. For instance, it is estimated that 85% of the total water supplied in Delhi is used by 15% of its people.

-The Hindustan Times, 12th April 2013

High-rises in the Capital are all set to become greener. It may soon become mandatory for high-rises in Delhi to use 'energy-efficient glass' on their exterior that allow ample sunlight in but keep the heat out, cutting down on use of lights and air-conditioning.

The Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) has sent this proposal, among others, to the Urban Development ministry for approval. "This is a part of the proposal on simplified building bylaws for Delhi," said a senior official.

DUAC chairman Raj Rewal said the plan for any building will have to ensure use of energy-efficient glass, apart from other measures. DUAC had also recommended extra floor area ration for green buildings as an incentive.

The NCR is also going green. In fact, Gurgaon is way ahead of the Capital with 15 such buildings. Five of them have the highest 'platinum' certification of the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environ-mental Design (LEED).

One of these, the headquarters of the Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD) is built as green as possible. The building has 7,000 litre storage tanks to save rainwater and solar panels that produce 35KW of electricity per annum, enough to take care of the building's needs.

But some experts feel that just using energy-efficient glass won't make a building 'green'. "Eighty per cent façade of most buildings is enveloped by glass, which lets in a lot of heat. We need design interventions," said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director, Centre for Science and Environment.

-The Hindustan Times, 12th April 2013

And behind this giant leap from fable to history is a little gold coin.

According to researchers of the Maharaja Vikramaditya Shodhpeeth in Ujjain, this coin is the first definitive archaeological evidence of the monarch.

There is a mention of Vikramaditya in the ancient text Bhavishya Puran that chronicles the names of Hindu dynasties. It says he ruled Malwa — which includes parts of present day western Madhya Pradesh and southeastern Rajasthan — from 57BC and Ujjain was his capital. But while stories about him abound, as the German philologist Max Mueller once said, there is no documentary evidence of his existence.

In December, a private collector brought this coin, found on the banks of the Kshipra in Ujjain, to Shodhpeeth for authentication.

Shodhpeeth researchers claim that while terracotta and copper seals and coins with references to Vikramaditya have been found, this coin with a portrait of the king on one side and typical first century BC symbolisms on the other is nailing evidence.

-The Hindustan Times, 12th April 2013

Thousands of tourists flock to Madhya Pradesh every year to see the erotic sculptures of Khajuraho, the Buddhist stupas at Sanchi and the Bhimbetka rock shelters, but more often than not, lack of accurate information plays spoilsport.

To put an end to this problem, the state tourism department has drawn up a plan to embed QR or quick response codes at all three UNESCO World heritage sites.

QR codes embedded in pavements are being used to steer travellers around Rio de Janeiro and Seoul's Gangnam district of PSY fame, but this is the first time the bar code mosaic will be used to guide tourists around heritage sites in India.

In about four months' time, visitors should be able to get historical, architectural and other information simply by scanning the code with their smartphones.

Once the QR app on the phone scans the code, a visitor will be directed to a micro-website containing a detailed description and photographs of the site/monument. Audio guides in five languages – Hindi, English, French, Japanese and Mandarin – will also be posted on the site.

There is also a proposal to include a video guide eventually.

The project has got a nod from the Union tourism ministry as well.

Tourism officials have already carried out a recce of sites in Khajuraho where codes will be embedded in stone. "If a visitor scans the code at, say, Kandariya Mahadev he will get detailed, authentic information about the temple," he added.

There are, however, concerns that the audio recordings might lead to an increase in noise levels. "We're working on using an app that will provide audio only through earphones," said the officer.

MPSTDC MD Raghwendra Singh said, "We're trying to provide authentic information in a user-friendly manner that is in keeping with today's technology."

-The Hindustan Time, 12th April 2013

Going for an international event? How about transporting yourself on a virtual journey weeks before the actual event. The ride from airport, hotel check-in, sightseeing, shopping — all captured in such a manner that if you had decided to skip the event, you'll be forced to think again.

This is what tourism minister K Chiranjeevi has done for the delegates of the United Nation World Tourism Organsiation (UNWTO) conference, which begins in Hyderabad from Friday.

The three-day conference will also coincide with the 25th joint meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia, Pacific and South Asia. About 200 delegates from 29 countries are expected to attend the event.

"I wanted the delegates to get a feel of the country they were coming to," Chiranjeevi told HT.

This video will make them experience what we have planned for them a few weeks before they come to India, he said adding, "It might be because of this enticing video that for the first time in recent years all member countries have confirmed their participation."

- The Hindustan Times, 12th April 2013

The North and South Delhi corporations, cracking down on illegal constructions on Thursday, demolished the extensions of 94 properties under their jurisdictions that had flouted norms.

While the South corporation demolished 19 properties in Panchsheel Vihar, Masjid Moth, Chirag Delhi, Nag Complex and Neb Sarai, the North civic body sent its bulldozers to 75 properties in City, Rohini, Civil Line, Karol Bagh and Narela zones.

The building departments of the respective zones carried out the demolition drive with the help of the local police.

"The building mafia has been carrying out rampant construction in several parts of the city and we are not going to spare them. We have demolished various unauthorized parts of buildings and are going to intensify our drive in the near future," a South corporation official said.

Last week, too, a demolition squad of the South civic body had pulled down 10 structures.

According to officials, the demolition drive is going to continue in the coming days. "Illegal constructions have been carried out without any nod from the authorities. We have served notices and will be carrying out special drives," the official claimed. Prodded about the type of violations, he said many properties had added entire floors without proper authentication from the authorities.

- The Hindustan Times, 12th April 2013

As we tour Gangtok, we discover that the hills are still alive with beauty

When my friend Indu and I sat down to decide on our annual trip, we mutually hit upon Sikkim. Both of us love the mountains; and the lovely pictures we had seen and the remoteness of the place were added incentives. We booked ourselves on a flight to Bagdogra in West Bengal, from where we drove to Darjeeling and then to Ganktok. The Teesta River followed us all the way, in its green glory, winding through the Himalayas like a bejeweled snake goddess.

Our hotel in Gangtok was the Royal Demazong, a Mahindra resort facing the Chola range. It was a beautiful setting and the traditional warmth of the Sikkimese staff added to its charm.

Gangtok is a neat and well designed city, its buildings aesthetically constructed and with an oriental touch. It is spacious, unlike some of the North Indian hill stations cluttered with dilapidated buildings and unchecked growth. The mall road, named Mahatma Gandhi Road, is a pedestrian's paradise. Wide and clean and dotted with flower pots and benches, it even has Bose speakers playing piped music. This is a city of law-abiders, we realised, which had not yet seen an influx of tourists from North India! The Ropeway or cable car gave us a bird's eye view of the town and the Bhusuk River rushing 1,000 metres below us.

No trip to Sikkim is complete without a visit to its pagoda-like monastries. Tibetan in origin, they preserve a form of Tibetan Buddhism. Rumtek, the oldest and the most magnificent, was built in the 16th century and is the seat of the Karma Kagyu sect. It has seen sectarian violence in the past and the Indian army still has a presence here.

The centuries-old structures of Zurmang Kagyud and Enchey Monastries are also magnificent. Enchey was built by the eighth Chogyal or king of Sikkim on the spot where the Tantric 'flying' monk Lama Druptub Karbo is said to have built his hermitage. The vibrant masked Cham dance festival is held here each year. Gonjang, the youngest monastry, was established in 1981, and we saw it being re-painted by jean-clad, spiky-haired artists who created traditional gods and goddesses on the interior walls while listening to rock music.

At the Directorate of Handicrafts, we saw artistes weaving exquisite carpets and bamboo products. The shamanistic-themed Ban Jhakri falls included an aerial ride just above the narrow falls. At the permanent flower exhibition, we found 600 species of orchids. The giant Do Drul Chorten or stupa, with its rare mandalas and holy mantras, was surrounded by 108 lazily turning prayer wheels that monks and visitors pushed periodically. Unfortunately, the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, which houses one of the world's largest collections of Tibetan works outside Tibet, was shut that day.

On our last day, we visited what turned out to be the highlight of our tour: the Nathu La Pass. On the border between India and China, the pass at 14,450 feet was once part of the Silk Route between India and China and was closed down in 1961 during Sino-Indian hostilities. It reopened in 2006 but tourists still need Army permits to visit.

The route to Nathu-La was dotted with frozen water bodies, including Lake Tsomgo, and by an army of yaks in colourful saddles. At the spot, two structures face each other across a barbed wire fence, and beyond the Chinese side one glimpses Tibet. The Chinese soldiers in their thick jackets and caps were persuaded to come down to the fence and be photographed shaking hands with us. Somewhere between Nathu La and Jelep La passes is the Baba Harbhajan Singh Memorial, dedicated to Baba, a young soldier who lost his life during the Sino-Indian war and is revered by both Indians and Chinese. Both sides believe his spirit still protects them from inclement weather and even skirmishes with each other!

-The Hindu, 15th April 2013

According to a note prepared by the Ministries of Power, Water Resources and External Affairs, the Ganga Basin has tremendous potential for development of water resources and hydropower.

In a significant development indicating a sub-regional strategic alliance, Nepal, India and Bangladesh (NIB) have decided to join hands to cooperate and exploit the hydropower sector and use water resources management for mutual advantage, including jointly developing and financing projects in the Ganga river basin.

Indicating its seriousness to give a boost to this initiative, India has already approved the composition of a working group on water and power that will coordinate with Bangladesh and Nepal.

According to a note prepared by the Ministries of Power, Water Resources and External Affairs, the Ganga Basin has tremendous potential for development of water resources and hydropower. Therefore, the role of the Ganga in the agriculture, hydro-power, fisheries, navigation, and environmental sectors and in the economy of the co-basin countries is vital. The joint initiative will contribute to poverty eradication and better socio-economic integration.

Highest decision-making body

The note states that the NIB initiative will explore technically and geographically feasible means for augmentation and equitable distribution of augmented supply of water and power. There shall be a Committee of Water Resources and Power Ministries of the NIB which will be the highest decision-making body, subject to the approval of the respective governments. The Ministers for Water Resources or Irrigation shall be co-chair, while the Ministers responsible for Power shall be co-vice chair. The NIB Committee will be supported by a Technical Advisory Committee comprising the Secretaries of Water Resources or Irrigation, Power or Electricity and at least two technical experts representing water sources and power and one representative from the MEA of each of the three countries.

Similarly, in order to derive optimum benefits from the Brahmaputra Basin, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh have agreed to work jointly towards cooperative development and management of water resources and hydropower in an integrated and holistic manner. For this, the three countries have agreed to cooperate on the Bhutan, Bangladesh and India (BIB) Initiative.

Sub-regional cooperation

"The basic aim of these initiatives is to implement programmes in partnership with member-states that will contribute to strengthening the cooperation mechanism and to long-term sustainable development, economic growth and sub-regional cooperation," a senior Power Ministry official said.

-The Hindu, 15th April 2013

In a sleepy village in Goa lives an artist whose oeuvre spans three countries — India, Portugal and Africa. Now, Vamona Navelcar's life and art have been documented in a biography

There's something romantic about obscurity. In case of Vamona Ananta Sinai Navelcar, one is also intrigued by how little is known about an artist whose works have left an imprint on the histories of two foreign countries — Africa and Portugal.

Though he has been living in India for the past three decades, Navelcar's is a sweeping tale — in the early '50s, he was appointed by the Portuguese government to study art in Portugal; a few years later, he was made a professor in the then Portuguese colony of Mozambique. Here, he was arrested for his controversial works during Mozambican War of Independence. The 82-year-old lives in the sleepy village of Pomburpa in Goa and art is the reason he gets out of bed every day.

Navelcar has created more than a thousand works, showed at numerous exhibitions in London, Lisbon, Macao and Goa, and found mention in the Dictionary of 20th Century Portuguese Artists as well as Encyclopedia dos Artistas de Portugal. Now finally, a biography has attempted to capture his life and the worlds he inhabited. The book was launched in Goa's Gallery Gitanjali on April 12, and coincides with a retrospective of 31 works by the artist.

Titled Vamona Navelcar : An Artist of Three Continents (Rs 900, Reality PLC Pune, supported by Village Sanctuary Arts), the biography is by Anne Ketteringham, a retired aeronautical engineer and photographer. With the zeal of an art ignoramus, who wants to know more, Ketteringham delves into the life of the feisty artist, who was constantly in trouble with the Portuguese authorities. "What I did not want was for the book to become was a catalogue of Vamona's work. I wished to produce the book while he is still with us," says Ketteringham, adding that the biography was triggered by a chance meeting with the artist four years ago.

-The Indian Express, 15th April 2013

A new move by the Bihar government has put Mahatma Gandhi at odds with English author George Orwell. To highlight Gandhi's 1917 Champaran movement, the government wants to build a 'satyagrah park' in Motihari in east Champaran. But here's the catch: Critics say the location chosen for the proposed park worth Rs. 2.21 crore has no association with Bapu's movement. Instead, it falls on the land attached to the house where Orwell was born.

The move has been met with opposition from locals, who have been campaigning to develop the site as a tourist destination dedicated to the Animal Farm author.

"The stone has been laid on a site protected for Orwell's commemoration. The place has no link with Gandhi. This is a land grab attempt," Deo Priye Mukherjee, head of the George Orwell commemorative committee, said after Bihar urban development minister Prem Kumar laid the foundation stone of the park on Saturday.

Motihari circle officer Samir Kumar confirmed that the government had declared the land a protected Orwell site at the behest of the state's art and culture department.

Well-known Gandhians admit that the authorities could have chosen a better spot for the park.

"The ideal spot would have been the Gandhi smarak stambh (memorial pillar), erected at Motihari in 1969. It has historical significance and ample space for a park", said Razi Ahmad, secretary of Gandhi Sangrahalaya and Bihar's best-known Gandhian scholar. Braj Kishore Singh, a former Bihar minister and secretary of the Mahatma Gandhi memorial pillar and museum, agreed with Ahmad.

"It is paradoxical that they chose to move Gandhi to Orwell's birthplace," Singh said. Sources said east Champaran district magistrate Vinay Kumar, who seemed to have preempted the row, stayed away from the laying of the foundation stone "to avoid getting into a controversy".

During the function, Prem Kumar said the park would be completed by 2017 to commemorate 100 years of Gandhi's satyagrah.

Functionaries at the Motihari unit of the rotary club have sent a letter to the art and culture department to stop the construction.

But Radhamohan Singh, the BJP MP from Motihari, maintained that the park would be developed on land that is outside the area protected for Orwell.

-The Hindustan Times, 15th April 2013

Did you know the 18th-century-built Jantar Mantar can still give you astronomical readings?

On Monday, as part of 'Orbitals', around 150 students from 25 schools will gather at the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected heritage monument to find it out for themselves.

The one at Delhi is one of the five Jantar Mantars created by Maharaja Sawai Jaisingh II of Jaipur in the 18th century.

"This is an astronomical laboratory and we want people, especially students, to know how accurate observations can be obtained through these instruments. Such activities can go a long way in inculcating a scientific temper in the common man," said an official.

Ahead of the World Heritage Day on April 18, an enriching workshop — called Orbitals — will be held on Monday. The workshop will be jointly organised by ASI, Nehru Planetarium and the Indian Traditions and Heritage Society (Itihaas), an NGO working in the field of promoting heritage awareness.

-The Hindustan Times, 15th April 2013

The tragedy at the Sarika and Panna reserve forests is set to be repeated. This time it could be in the eastern state of Odisha, where no tigers have been spotted for months in Satkosia, a forest habitat on the banks of Mahanadi river.

Satkosia is one of the newest homes for the feline in India with the state government declaring 963sq kms as tiger reserve in 2007. At that time, the forest in the gorge of Mahanadi in southern Odisha had officially 18 tigers.

A unique habitat having elephants, leopards, gharials and pangolins among other wildlife, it was considered a second viable tiger home in Odisha since Simlipal was out of bounds for the forest department because of high naxal presence in Mayurbanj district. "The forest had perfect environs to sustain good tiger population," said a senior official of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Things have dramatically changed in the last year or so with poachers increasing their assault on elephants and tigers. "Lot of elephants had been poached in that area. We believe they (poachers) would have also killed tigers," said Biswajit Mohanty of Orissa Wildlife Society and member of National Board for Wildlife.

State forest department officials, however, ruled out poaching of tigers but admit that the big cat numbers has hit a nadir in recent times. "The problem is because of skewed sex ratio of the existing tiger population. The tigers have failed to repopulate as some male tigers died because of old age," an official said.

The reserve had around a dozen tigers in 2010 when the last estimation was done and the forest department claimed that the numbers would increase as most of the tigers were young and breeding. Two years down the line, they have been proven wrong with cameras installed recently failing to catch photographs of tigers. "We were not able to see even cubs or juveniles," an official said.

Officials admit that Satkosia was facing danger of extinction of local tiger population and there may be need to relocate tigers from other reserves as done in Sariska and Panna, from where tigers vanished in the last decade. Both Sariska in Rajasthan and Panna in Madhya Pradesh now have tiger numbers following successful translocation.

-The Hindustan Times, 15th April 2013

Faced with a shortage of manpower, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is planning to outsource management of parking lots at the protected monuments to the civic agencies.

ASI, which owns and manages the parking lots, is considering the option of inviting tenders but the revenue-sharing formula is yet to be worked out, sources said. In monuments like Red Fort where a parking lot was opened for visitors about a year ago, the heritage body had faced problems with the agency running it and ultimately decided to run it itself.

"At Red Fort, five ASI officials manage the parking lot. If its management is outsourced, we can utilize the officials inside the vast Red Fort," said an official. The ASI staff will concentrate on security on the premises, sources said.

World heritage sites like Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb get higher footfalls as compared to other monuments. The parking at Purana Qila is managed by the adjoining Delhi zoo. ASI may also run a shuttle bus from the visitors' parking at Red Fort's Delhi Gate to the main entrance for the visitors. Many visitors have complained that the parking rates are high and they have to spend up to 40-45 minutes to walk back and fro from the entry at Lahore Gate to the parking. ASI charges Rs 40/two hours for cars with Rs 10 for every additional hour.

"Considering that it takes 20-25 minutes to walk to the entry gate, almost half of the time is gone in just commuting to the entrance to Red Fort. Then visiting a huge structure like Red Fort takes two-three hours. All these add up to hefty parking charges," said a visitor. The parking, which can accommodate up to 450 vehicles, was opened during the Commonwealth Games.

-The Times of India, 15th April 2013

Mandi House station may spell trouble for road traffic

Development of Mandi House Metro station into an interchange hub will reduce the load from other interchange stations like Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate but it will also have a cascading effect on the road traffic once it becomes operational.

According to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the station will alleviate 40 per cent of the passenger load from Rajiv Chowk station but the footfall at Mandi House itself will increase by at least seven times. According to officials, the heavy footfall at this station might disrupt the vehicular movement outside the given congested road space. Further, its proximity to the busy ITO intersection, where another Metro station is coming up, will add to the burgeoning road traffic on this stretch.

The round-about outside the Mandi House station caters to heavy volume of traffic coming from seven stretches namely Sikandara Road, Bhagwan Das Road, Copernicus Marg, Ferozshah Road, Barakhamba Road, Tansen Marg and Safdar Hashmi Marg. According to a traffic police official, the congestion outside the station will increase once it becomes operational. Notably, two of entry/exit gates of the upcoming station will also open towards the Tilak Marg intersection near Pragati Maidan Metro station. Since this intersection is heavily congested since it caters to the ITO intersection and Mathura Road, the vehicular and pedestrians' load will only aggravate in coming days.

According to hour estimates, "Over 40,000 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) cross this intersection hour, during the morning and evening peak hours. This load will increase once the station comes up thereby amplifying the waiting time," said the official.

According to Delhi Metro, while the footfall at the existing Mandi House Metro station is approximately 10,000 the passenger load will undergo a multifold increase once the station is converted into a junction. "According to Detailed Project Report (DPR), the interchange passenger load will be around 70,000 people daily," said a DMRC spokesperson. The station while facilitating the movement of huge number of passengers, the proposed station will exert immense pressure on the road infrastructure of the place.

The station at present caters to the prominent establishments such as Himachal Bhawan, National School of Drama and the office crowd to ITO. "The station at present serves to the scores working class crowd bound to ITO. The movement of scores of passengers in and out the station will aggravate the traffic volume on the already pressed Sikandara Road. This will not only throw up traffic management challenges but will also trigger bottlenecks on the Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg," said a traffic police official. Commuters whine that it takes around 30-35 minutes to cross the brief stretch from Mandi House to ITO during the rush hours.

As per the DMRC projections, approximately 1.5 lakh commuters are expected to shift from Rajiv Chowk to Mandi House junction, which is likely top be completed by March next year. The station will facilitate smooth transition to thousands of commuters on the Badarpur corridor, who have to change trains twice — at Central Secretariat and Rajiv Chowk — connect with the Noida line.

"The Mandi House interchange will allow them to switch to Blue Line directly. The Mandi House station will be built using Cut & Cover Method. The new Mandi House station is coming up next to the existing one and will be 11 metre below ground level. The completely underground station will be integrated with the existing Mandi House Metro station at the con-course level. The upcoming station is part of the proposed Central Secretariat to Kashmere Gate corridor and is being constructed using the cut and cover technology," added the spokesperson. It will also ease load from other stations.

-The Pioneer, 15th April 2013

At four floors, 340 rooms and a floor area of 2,00,000 sq ft, Rashtrapati Bhavan, one would assume, is hard to miss. But there is at least one intended view of this majestic building that is getting increasingly obstructed — all thanks to the rising level of a stretch of road leading up to it.

The government has taken note of the matter and a panel comprising Home Ministry officials and the CPWD's Central Vista Committee is now looking at the road recarpeting that is gradually making the President's House invisible from India Gate.

The matter was first raised by the Disaster Management Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs. In a note, R K Srivastava, then joint secretary in the department, expressed concern that "due to repeated and regular carpeting, the thickness of road has increased substantially, thereby reducing the elevation from the base of India Gate along the Rajpath to Rashtrapati Bhavan. It has increased so much that the several levels of staircase originally constructed in red stone rising to altar of the buildings adjoining North and South Block have got buried under the carpets of roads".

Union Home Secretary R K Singh took up the matter with Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna, asking that steps be taken urgently to restore the Raisina Hill vista.

Edwin Lutyens, the chief architect of what was then known as the Viceroy's House, conceptualised it in 1931 to sit alone on top of this hill, to be visible from afar along the ceremonial boulevard now known as Rajpath. India Gate stands at the other end of this stretch. The Raisina Hill area then stood about 18 metres higher than its surroundings. Lutyens was later persuaded to include secretariats, now known as North and South Block, on both sides of the Viceroy's House.

-The Indian Express, 15th April 2013

With space running out in the Gir forests, the Gujarat government had been working on a proposal to create a population of wild lions 160 km away. The alternative site would have been at Barda wildlife sanctuary in Porbandar.

The plan was made partly because of ecologists' concerns that a single population could leave the Asiatic lion susceptible to extinction from a natural disaster or epidemic, but largely because it would have allowed the state to continue the monopoly it enjoys over the sub-species.

Instead, the proposed new population will shift even farther. Monday's Supreme Court judgment clears translocation to Kuno Palpur, Madhya Pradesh, which has long been ready to welcome the lions.

For Gujarat, the setback comes at a time when it has tapped the lion's potential as a draw. Tourist inflow has increased since the campaign Khushboo Gujarat Ki, promoted by Amitabh Bachchan. From 2.09 lakh visitors to Gir and Devaliya Safari Park in 2009-10, the number rose to 3.02 lakh in April-December 2012 alone.

MP's tourism marketing, on the other hand, has been always been aggressive with its Hindustan Ka Dil Dekho campaign, and with the number of wildlife sanctuaries it boasts. In its efforts to continue its monopoly, Gujarat had been ceding larger and larger areas to the growing lion population, with the protected region now being nearly five times as large as it originally was. The last census in 2010 pegged the population at 411, spread over at least four districts, after it had dropped to a dozen-odd at the beginning of the century, leading to hunting bans in the years before Independence.

Since six lions were poached five years ago, Chief Minister Narendra Modi has announced a society for conservation of the lion, while the Gujarat tourism logo has been changed to a lion.

-The Indian express, 16th April 2013

April 18 is celebrated as World Heritage Day. Take time to value the importance of tradition and remember that these rich gifts of the past are our legacy.

Heritage.

You've heard the word very often, haven't you? People use it a lot, when they're talking about history and culture. Sometimes, nature leaves us gifts. At others, it happens to be a gift from our ancestors. Men and women, big and small, left behind a great many things from their lives. They serve as lessons to us, stories from long ago, which are all the more interesting, because they really happened. Isn't that the whole point of history? It is one big, giant story; a marvellous adventure.

So many types

Cultural Heritage can take many forms: buildings, artefacts, songs, stories, scrolls, books, you name it. Naturally, when you've got a world teeming with cultures and civilisations dating back to thousands of years, a lot has to be done to record and preserve it. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been doing a great deal towards protecting world heritage; its list of protected monuments and sites include around 962 properties, forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value.

India has around 29 World Heritage Sites listed; some of them are: The Agra Fort, Ajantha Caves, Buddhist Mountains at Sanchi, The Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Red Fort Complex, and others. There are a few natural heritage sites as well, such as the Kaziranga National Park, and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary.

We celebrate April 18 as World Heritage Day; a day when we're supposed to remember the rich gifts and lessons we were given, from the past. You must have been to numerous historic locations during school excursions, trips from home — what did you feel when you saw them? Inspired? Curious to know who built them, the stories behind them. How to take care of them?

Preservation

Cultural Heritage can be preserved in several ways — obviously, artefacts are stored in museums; songs and stories are recorded and documented; sculptures and inscriptions are painstakingly preserved, of which the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) obviously does a good deal. Aside from these, there are numerous monuments scattered throughout the country that have to be kept safe. And it's not always some organisation, like INTACH (Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage) that has to keep doing it; the biggest responsibility lies with us, the people. We stand now on the shoulders of giants. Of those who accomplished great things. And so, it's up to us, to do what we can. It's not easy, but every little bit helps.

Even if it means picking up rubbish. Not leaving around plastic and cups around preserved monuments. Not having snacks around boulders with incredible sculptures, and leaving coke cups for crows to pick on.

The best way to do this, is to know where we come from; who we are.

Did you know?

That a global traveller called Els Slots, has made it her mission to visit all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites? She's one of the authors of the successful book, Hoe word ik wereldreiziger? (How do I become a global Traveller?)

Some sites to visit:

List of World Heritage Sites in India: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list Conservation and Preservation of Heritage Site: http://asi.nic.in/asi_cons_prev.asp INTACH website: http://www.intach.org/

Interesting facts:

The UNESCO has several conditions, for a site to be classified as a World Heritage Site. The site has to:

Represent a masterpiece of human creative genius.

Exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design.

Bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilisation which is living or which has disappeared.

-The Hindu, 16th April 2013

After a spurt in poaching and reports of escalating incidents of man-animal conflicts from the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) in Uttarakhand, there is finally hope for big cats in the State.

The forest department has decided to add two forest ranges under Lansdowne forest division to CTR's buffer zone. This will also link up Corbett with Rajaji National Park which is on its way to become the second tiger reserve in the State.

According to a reply filed under RTI, about 28 tiger deaths have taken place in the Corbett Tiger Reserve during the past 3 years. Of these more than 50 per cent of these deaths have been due to unnatural causes including poaching, poisoning, beaten to death etc, due to straying of big cats in human landscapes.

However, in a welcome move, the Uttarakhand forest department has decided to add on the Kotri and Duggada ranges under Lansdowne forest division to CTR's buffer zone. "Corbett has one of the highest tiger densities (of about 18 tigers per 100 sq kms) in the world. This new addition will certainly ease pressures from the saturated Corbett Reserve", said Chief Wildlife Warden, SS Sharma.

Further, Landsdowne Forest Division serves as an active corridor that is heavily used by tigers and elephants. But since it was not a part of the Protected Area network, it was very vulnerable to various pressures--including poaching. However, its addition to CTR buffer will certainly ensure stepped up protection mechanism ,he added.

Pointing to the vulnerability of these areas , the sources reminded out that no so long ago notorious poacher Bheema, was arrested in August 2012. He had confessed to skinning two tigers in Kotri range, Lansdowne Forest Division.

"The proposal to include the two new ranges will give a new lease of life to a vital corridor connectivity and the exercise if carried out can be the first of its kind in the country", pointed out Bijendra Singh, Member, National Tiger Conservation Authority and Honorary Wildlife warden CTR since the past thirty years. Otherwise, these forests would have been reduced to fragmented islands, leading to more incidents of straying of wild life and man animal conflicts, he added.

Adding to the above, the proposal to make Rajaji into a tiger reserve is also in full swing. According to well-placed sources, Member Secretary, NTCA, Dr. Rajesh Gopal has made site inspections prior to the final nod.

According to Dr Bibhash Pandav, Wildlife Scientist from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), monitoring has revealed the presence of at least a dozen tigers in Chilla and Ghauri ranges, of Eastern Rajaji. This recovery has been made possible due to strong connectivity of Eastern Rajaji with Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) through the Lansdowne Forest Division (FD). Now, the ongoing efforts will certainly give a further boost, he added.

-The Pioneer, 16th April 2013

Manju Kak talks to Shana Maria Verghis about editing a book on the Russian artist, regarded as a rennaisance man and a mystic, who taught us how to look at the wonderful Himalayas with new eyes

It was his images of the mountains that drew art-historian and writer Manju Kak to the paintings of Nicolas Roerich. She recently wrote the introduction to an interesting book about the Russian artist, who was a man of vision. He painted when the world was facing two great wars. A collection of essays titled, Nicholas Roerich, A Quest & A Legacy (by Niyogi Books), features brilliant images – though few in number, by the man who spent the latter part of his life in India, operating from Kullu.

After he left Russia, Roerich (1874-1947), and his family moved to the US,a and then between 1925-28, travelled extensively through Asia, from Sikkim, the Karakoram, the Altai, Mongolia, Tibet. He painted many pictures of the landscapes, and leaves behind his huge images of the mountains, as well as many mystical people like the Dalai Lama. Roerich and his wife, were both Theosophists, who later formed a philosophy called Agni Yoga, which included certain practices from Buddhism, and was inspired by, among other things. The Vedas.

But what he leaves behind as the main legacy for India, which at that time, was still under colonial rule, was the return-to-the-roots sympathy.

Kak said he shares this in common with Tagore, who was another rennaisance man. When he had been in Russia, the artist had early on in life had a fondness for older Russian traditions, and mythology. This was revived later under Perestroika introduced by the late Premier Mikhail Gorbachov.

Today there are 100's of Roerich centres around the world that have created a cult around the man, who was not only a painter and a set-designer, for classics like the early productions of Rites of Springand Wagner's The Valykrie, but also a man who conceived a Peace Pact, before the Geneva Convention and even UNESCO.

Kak shared that she has a deep interest in mountain ethnography and also made a documentary on the subject. As well as having dealt with topics concerning the, "art and craft of the Higher Himalayas."

She said, "It was Roerich's mountain philosophy that has held my interest."The book also has contributions by scholars and philosophers. I had done an exhibition about him not long ago."

There is a mention that his wife was truly a fellow-companion, who was also a translator into Russian of Madam Blavatsky's The Secret Doctrine.

Students and admirers of Roerich have sometimes likened the trip through the mountains, as a kind of mission that would herald a message of peace for a "New Age." And that along the way, they carried with them a lodestone, that could have been a mysterious piece of an asteroid which had some symbolic significance. Moreover, the Roerichs also supposedly planted certain mysterious "magnets" along the path they took. "Though its not known whether these were merely metaphors. And not actual ones," explained Kak.

She mentioned that Nehru had visited Russia before independence came to India, and it was there that he got the idea for a socialist system, with thoughts that he gathered from people like Roerich.

Manju Kak expressed that his influence on the contemporary Indian art sc ene is "not to be clubbed with other Indian artists. Because he remains in a niche unique to himself."However his images continue to hold sway on the imagination of Indians and others, because they tell you to look at what's within, instead of outside.

In fact it was Roerich, said Kak, "who told the Russians to send the Russian Eagle to the East. And to build bridges with nations like Tibet. Instead of mainly dwelling on the Francophonic influences. Because St Petersburgh was more inclined towards its Western counterparts." But the other side was all the connection with the Older Russia.

If you look at the earlier figures that he has created, they tend to focus on the creations of victory goddesses and many images that portend a coming of gloom and misery. Because artists tend to reflect the sign of the times. Later he was all wide skies and lots and lots of light.

-The Pioneer, 16th April 2013

Synonymous with geometric patterns and vibrant colours, phulkari is a centuries-old style of embroidery from Punjab. To bring this traditional art form into the national mainstream, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts is hosting an 18-day-long exhibition at its Janpath premises here beginning this Tuesday.

To be inaugurated by the Prime Minister's wife, Gursharan Kaur, the exhibition will feature a talk, live demonstration-cum-workshop and music performances. The exhibition's aim is to generate curiosity among the people of Delhi, who will also get an opportunity to see how women workers create this embroidery and also interact with them.

As a part of its silver jubilee celebrations, the IGNCA will display exquisite work painstakingly created by women artisans.

It will salute women achievers, who have been working diligently to revive this embroidery, at the exhibition titled "Phulkari: From the Realm of Women's Creativity". According to IGNCA member-secretary Dipali Khanna, phulkari has undergone a sort of metamorphosis because the method of embroidery has changed. Instead of shawls, phulkari is now seen more in kurtas .

"We will honour Patiala-based women entrepreneur Lajwanti who keeps shuttling between Delhi and her hometown, as she is supervising the work of 500 women artisans. Along with Lajwanti, we will honour Gulshan Nanda and Krishna Lal, who have been working to promote phulkari for a number of years. In a way, these women have been providing livelihood opportunities to innumerable women."

Krishna Lal, the exhibition's curator, helped in producing a catalogue which explains how the 52phulkari pieces were procured and created. Ms. Lal says these pieces were purchased by the IGNCA in 1994 from local dealers.

"As IGNCA, which is in the business of promoting art and culture, is hosting this exhibition for the first time, this phulkari collection is indeed rare. In Punjab, mothers used to prepare phulkari shawls for their daughters or daughter-in-laws. These were worn during marriages and festivals like Baisakhi, Diwali and Holi. But, phulkari in its original form has become almost a dying art and over the years I have not come across a single phulkari in Punjabi weddings. Maybe it is worn in the interiors of the State," says Ms. Lal.

-The Hindu, 16th April 2013

The Capital now has one more reason to go 'green'.

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has put forward a proposal to allow 1-5% extra floor area ratio (FAR) and ground coverage to green buildings.

It, however, also plans to penalise builders who reap the benefit but don't adopt environment-friendly measures.

DDA is currently in the middle of reviewing the Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2021. In a recent meeting of one of its management action groups on environmental plan and coordination, the decision to provide incentives to give a fillip to green buildings was taken.

The meeting has given a slew of suggestions that are expected to be approved in the authority's next meeting on April 23.

"We proposed a maximum of 5% extra FAR for exceptional cases that get ratings based on Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA)," an official of DDA's planning department said. "Non-compliance will result in penalty on the basis of market rates." The suggestions pertain to buildings that have plot size of 3,000 square metres or more. Major emphasis has been laid on water management in such buildings.

"Sewage and waste water should be treated and reused. Buildings should have dual pipe systems with one line for potable water and another for wastewater that can be used for gardening, washing cars or for cooling towers," he said.

DDA plans to come up with a proper regulatory framework on extraction of groundwater and would make recharging the table through rainwater harvesting mandatory for such buildings.

It wants to decentralise sewage treatment at community level with sewage treatment plants (STPs) at local level and primary effluent treatment plants at hospitals, hotels, restaurants, car repair shops etc.

For better segregation and recycling of waste, buildings should have separate dustbins for wet and dry garbage. "The idea of producing biogas from sewage will also be explored," he said.

Green buildings would also have to install solar panels on rooftops that are 300 square metres or bigger.

A plan for provisions for energy conservation will also have to be submitted along with building plan. "Shading, atriums and enclosures will be encouraged," he said.

"Once the suggestions are approved and notification is issued, the regulations would have to be finalised by the Delhi government's environment department within six months," the official said.

Apart from buildings, the suggestions also include conservation plans for water bodies that are above one hectares in area through inclusion in landscaping plans.

-The Hindustan Times, 16th April 2013

In the past 10 years, Delhi and its suburban National Capital Region registered a population growth of 21% and 55%, respectively, making Delhi-NCR the world's second largest urban agglomeration after Tokyo.

Delhi and its suburbs pack in 21 million people today. In 2025, says the UN State of The World's Cities report, the number will grow to 28.6 million - more than the combined projected population of Australia and New Zealand.

For a city already gasping for space, this is no happy news.

Our consumption has already overshot supply. Delhi's demand for power is increasing by 10% every year. The city needs 3,874 million litres of water every day and faces a daily deficit of 718 million litres.

Four years back, Delhi generated 6,500 tonnes (1,625 truckloads) of garbage every day. The load will touch the10,000-tonne mark this year.

Suburban NCR towns could have offloaded some of Delhi's pressure. But they have problems of their own.

With the highest number of high-rises after Mumbai and Bangalore, Gurgaon lives on groundwater, extracting three times of what is naturally replenished and - warns the Central Groundwater Authority - may go dry by 2017.

Back-up electricity bills run into five digits across NCR townships because there is no power.

Gated communities suffer routine sewer backflow because solid waste management systems are either insufficient or non-existent.

Even with the country's most extensive road network, Delhi does not have enough space for its traffic. A study by UrbanEmissions.info shows that Delhi's cars are no faster than pedestrians for 20% of their running time.

The Victoria Transport Institute concluded that half of the increased roadway capacity is consumed by added traffic in just five years.

This is true for all critical infrastructure sectors. Even as we keep adding capacity, demand will continue to grow. Since physical resources are finite, we have look for sustainable solutions and we have to look within. This may be a tough call politically but Delhi's choices are limited.

Many cities across the world rose to these challenges of growth early and have left behind successful legacies. Singapore introduced the world's first road pricing initiative, controlling entry into its central business district, way back in 1975. In India, Chennai made rainwater harvesting compulsory for every building in 2002 and saw a 50% rise in groundwater levels in just five years.

The ideas of energy-efficiency, renewables, waste-recycling, rainwater-harvesting or equitable distribution are no longer environmental fads. These are real solutions, perhaps the only solutions that can keep our mega city going.

Today, we present an overview of the key challenges facing Delhi and how the city can overcome each.

Over the next four weeks, we will examine if and how our city can meet its growing water and power demands, unclog its choking roads and manage its piling waste.

We expect the readers to write back and also follow this discussion on Facebook and Twitter. Delhi's future affects each of us. Lend your voice to secure it.

Tomorrow: Delhi saw an exponential increase in population after the 1970s, which has put stress on the earlier "ample" water supply.

Tomorrow, we take stock of how rising population and rapid urbanisation has spelled doom for its precious reserve – ground water.

Delhi's future affects each one of us. Lend your voice to secure it. Readers can join the discussion HERE.

-The Hindustan Times, 16th April 2013

With the rise in temperature, stunningly beautiful winter birds such as Greater Flamingos and Greylag Goose have left for central Asia and Siberia. A few of those still around will also fly back shortly. But that's no reason for birdwatchers to lose heart.

At the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, nine species of colourful summer migrants have arrived. "Migration is not limited to winters. These are mainly terrestrial birds. More species are still expected to arrive. More than 15 species of summer terrestrial migrants usually visit the sanctuary every year," said birdwatcher TK Roy.

Asian Brown Flycatcher, the very beautiful ash-brown coloured smaller arboreal bird with conspicuous white eye-ring, has returned to the sanctuary after 4-5 years. It is a summer visitor to the Himalayan foothills of India, Pakistan and Bhutan. In winter, it flies to other parts of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"Unlike water birds, it's very difficult to count these terrestrial birds. They are constantly restless. But we're hopeful of good numbers. Though White-browed Rosefinch is conspicuous by its absence," Roy said.

Some of the birds spotted so far at the sanctuary include: Asian Koel, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Rosy Starling, Common Rosefinch, Asian Brown Flycatcher and Asian Paradise Flycatcher. Species such as white ibis, several species of egrets and herons, fly to Delhi from warmer climes.

-The Hindustan Times, 17th April 2013

The French photographer's exhibition 'Tribal Lights' opens this Friday

"For Indians Paris is an exotic place and they want to explore every aspect of it. But for the French nationals the entire country (India) is an exotic and diverse place to discover. For me it is all about narrating stories and documenting people's lives and culture. In one year, I have documented divergent traditions in Assam, Kolkata and Bangalore," says French photographer Magali Couffon de Trevros, whose upcoming exhibition "Tribal Lights" will be mounted at Alliance Francaise de Delhi here this coming Friday.

Speaking to The Hindu , Magali, who has made India her home for the past two decades, says travelling to the Naxal-infested State was an experience which would forever remain etched on her mind.

On the recommendation of her Indian teacher, Gautam, from the Drishti School of Photography in Bangalore, she made this adventurous trip last year. Aware that the trip to the interiors of Odisha could be fraught with danger due to the presence of the Maoists, Magali took all the precautions.

"I like danger and would love to become a war photographer someday," says a confident Magali, who lives with her husband, a German engineer, and two children in Bangalore. Her teacher accompanied her in this all-important trip. "We went with escorts travelling only during the night. I had genuine apprehensions after learning that two Italians had been kidnapped by the Naxals in Odisha."

But Magali was brimming with joy as she was to attend a grand tribal festival. The tribal folks welcomed her with open arms as she interacted with them and captured them on her camera.

"Exploring the lives of the tribal community was an interesting experience. They were told that I came from a far-off land and was profiling them in my electronic device. However, for them what really matters is keeping their oral traditions alive. We had eye contact and I interacted with them through an interpreter."

The tribal folk realised that Magali was keen to show them to the outside world, which they were unaware of but perhaps also never cared about.

"A lot of people migrate from small towns and villages to big cities like Delhi and Bangalore for employment. The young want to go to big cities to stand on their own feet."

During the summer of 1994, Magali came to India with the intent of exploring the sub-continent. She also wanted to travel to other destinations and become a knowledgeable globe-trotter.

"But after so many years, I am still staying in this country. Earlier I was living in Delhi but have made Bangalore my home for the past six years. Over the past 15 years, India has changed a lot. I am not sure whether it is for better or not, but certainly the country has made rapid strides in development."

In all, Magali has taken 42 enlarged colour pictures seeking to explain to city dwellers how the tribal folks live as a big happy family.

Magali carries her paraphernalia wherever she travels. She enjoys discovering new places and capturing the people and cultural heritage. Recently, she made an excursion to the hills of Uttarakhand and covered the medical work being done there. "Photography is not a glamorous profession but I love what I do."

To be inaugurated by Alliance Francaise chairman Jean Philippe Bottin, the exhibition titled "Tribal Lights" will conclude on May 11.

-The Hindu, 17th April 2013

Innovative thinking, a focus on traditional roots and the much-touted public-private partnership has catapulted Kerala's tourism sector into the global hall of fame.

Over 20 years ago, the sector was dormant, little known and confined to locales like Kovalam. A right mix of entrepreneurship and a slew of investor- and tourist-friendly policy decisions went on to launch the sector as one which transformed the State's image from one of labour militancy to a calm and green one that can play host to guests from far and wide.

The results are there for all to see — tourism is a prominent employer now and the last two decades have seen foreign-tourist footfalls increase from less than a lakh to about 7.50 lakh in 2012. About 94 lakh domestic tourists too visited Kerala last year, as per official figures.

Home to a host of assorted tourist attractions, Ernakulam and districts in Central Kerala attract more tourists than the rest of the State. From the beaches of Ernakulam and Alappuzha, to the backwaters and the scenic hills of Munnar, visitors have a variety of fare to savour.

The lure of varied and pristine destinations apart, a handful of entrepreneurs have played a key role in coming up with novelty tourism products. They turned out to be priceless value additions to things which were a part and parcel of Kerala's past.

Among them is late Babu Varghese, who showed how barges that were used to transport rice could metamorphose into aesthetically done-up 'kettuvallom' — Kerala's famed houseboats that have further evolved into mobile luxury hotels – replete with bedrooms, kitchen and with some having swimming pools on the upper deck. People like Tomy Pulikattil further popularised the vessels.

The recent emphasis on luxury has not gone down well with advocates of ethnic, unspoilt tourism. The demand is rife that boat owners and Kerala Tourism ensure the vessels have bio-toilets, so that large scale pollution of water bodies can be prevented.

These boats enhanced the charm of the backwaters over the past decade, following which a string of hotels, resorts and home stays opened up alongside the water bodies that are aplenty in Alappuzha, Kottayam and Kollam.

Mr. Varghese also popularised tree houses – modern day versions of 'erumadom', which further enticed tourists to many destinations.

-The Hindu, 17th April 2013

For centuries, Delhi's primary source of water used to be its water bodies — step wells and dug wells. As the population increased, the demand rose, putting tremendous pressure on the earlier "ample" water supply. The city, obviously, had to look for other sources — the Yamuna basin and groundwater.

Delhi's primary source of water remains the surface water from the Yamuna basin from where it gets 735 MGD (million gallons a day). But with only a slim chance of getting additional river water, groundwater is the only future. But that too is under threat.

To meet Delhi's rising demand for water, the water utility, Delhi Jal Board (DJB), extracts 100 MGD (million gallons a day) of water daily from the ground.

But with DJB's supply proving inadequate, more and more residents are turning to hauling up groundwater — levels of which are going down considerably. Neighbouring Gurgaon has been declared a 'dark zone' when it comes to ground water.

Sanjeev Khurana drilled 70 metres in December 2012 to reach water in DLF City in Gurgaon. His neighbour had struck water at 40 metres in 2007.

Groundwater levels have been falling at an alarming rate in Gurgaon. Large-scale construction, water guzzler malls and extraction by residents with impunity in absence of municipal supply have contributed to the bleak scenario. Experts have warned, if groundwater extraction continues at this rate, Gurgaon will run dry by 2017.

Groundwater aquifers do not coincide with political boundaries and Gurgaon's depleting levels will soon have a catastrophic effect on Delhi, especially adjacent south Delhi. Although groundwater extraction is banned, about 4.5 lakh tubewells/borewells continue to leach out water with impunity. In fact, water levels in south Delhi areas such as Vasant Kunj, Chhatarpur and CR Park have gone down between 15-30 metres in the last decade.

Rightly termed as 'reserve bank' for water, this is the resource that will help Delhi when Haryana refuses to part with more water, when water from other surface bodies evaporates and if there is a drought.

Spread over 1,483 sqkm area, Delhi receives an annual rainfall ranging between 611 mm and 750 mm during July to September. Delhi never depended on Yamuna and relied on its water bodies that used to be recharged during monsoon. Water bodies also recharged the water table in respective areas.

But unfortunately, no lessons have been learnt. "On one hand, residents, industries and even government agencies — by way of dewatering during construction — continue to extract large amounts of groundwater with impunity. On the other, the agencies responsible for monitoring and preserving the groundwater continue to squabble over who will take action to curb illegal extraction," said Nitya Jacob, director (water), Centre for Science and Environment.

Who should monitor groundwater in Delhi?

An advisory committee in each district gives permission for borewells / tubewells. But lack of data has hampered any action against the unauthorized users. "I had sought data under Right to Information Act from both the DJB and the CGWB, but both claimed no data was available," Vinod Jain of NGO Tapas, involved in saving Delhi's water bodies, said.And who takes action against illegal drawal of groundwater?

DJB and Revenue department pointed fingers at each other. Debashree Mukherjee, CEO DJB, refused to admit responsibility. "We are not a nodal agency for groundwater. It is the revenue department which has to look into this."

Dharam Pal, Revenue Commissioner, Delhi government, however, said: "The DJB has to identify the illegal borewells and bring it to our notice. Only then we take action."

A CGWB official warned of the loopholes. One, Delhi does not have a dedicated department for groundwater like other states. "Also, ironically, the Environment Protection Act stipulates no punishment and the penalty for violations is left to the discretion of the courts. Delhi has to pass the model bill proposed by the Ministry of water resources to regulate and control development and management of groundwater," the official said.

-The Hindustan Times, 17th April 2013

The DDA's decision to change the land use of the area on which the Delhi Transport Corporation's (DTC) Millennium Bus Depot stands has environmentalists up in arms. The agency has decided to change the land use from 'river and water body' to 'transportation.'

The Millennium Depot came up in the area abutting Ring Road and NH-24 and was supposed to be a temporary structure during the 2010 Commonwealth Games. While the sporting event was over within a fortnight, the depot has remained.

The Delhi High Court on September 13, 2012 had allowed the state government to make the depot on the Yamuna bank a permanent structure provided the Master Plan of Delhi 2021 was amended within six months to alter the land use and bring it in conformity with the present use. Else, the depot would have to be relocated, it had ruled.

The DDA came up with a public notice on Wednesday, asking for suggestions and objections to the proposed modification in its zone 'O'. It has put conditions that DTC maximise green cover in the area and utilise it only for parking buses. It should also ensure that no effluents from the area are discharged into the river.

"This public notice is illegal as the high court order had given six months' time to amend the MPD and window got over on March 14. The DDA is a month late in starting the process for change in land use. Instead, it should now focus on relocating the bus depot," said Manoj Misra of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan.

"The land where the depot is located is immediately next to the river and belongs to the river. The depot is used just not for parking but also for maintenance. Engine oil and other effluents will flow into the river as there is no other outlet," he said.

Misra said that on one hand, the government is spending thousands of crores to clean the river and on the other hand creating a polluting structure. "The area, which served as a recharge zone for the river, has been concretised by the depot," he said.

-The Hindustan Times, 18th April 2013

An extraordinary 34-carat 'Princie' diamond from the mines of Golconda in South India, once owned by the world's richest man - the last Nizam of Hyderabad - has sold for a record USD 39 million at an auction here.

The diamond – a 34.65-carat Fancy Intense Pink cushion-cut sparkler - was purchased by an anonymous collector bidding by phone.

It set a new record at Christie's New York yesterday, selling for USD 39,323,750 with premium, or USD 1,135,000 per carat.

"A major event took place in the global auction industry with the record breaking sale of The Princie Diamond at Christie's New York.

"Aside from Christie's sale of the legendary Collection of Elizabeth Taylor, this was the most successful jewelry auction ever held in the United States and Christie's was proud to have orchestrated the sale of such an historic gemstone," Rahul Kadakia, Head of Jewelry, Christie's Americas and Switzerland, said.

The diamond was once owned by the Royal family of Hyderabad, rulers of one of the wealthiest provinces of the Mughal Empire, Christie's said in a statement.

The sale price represents a new record for any jewel sold at Christie's, surpassing the previous house record of USD 24.3 million set in December 2008 with the sale of the Wittelsbach Diamond.

Among important large diamonds, the Princie possesses all of the most desirable qualities collectors seek in diamonds: large size, desirable shape and polish, exceptional colour and quality, Golconda origins, and a noble history.

First offered at auction in 1960 as "Property of a Gentleman" - later revealed to be the Nizam of Hyderabad himself, Sir Mir Osman Ali Khan - the diamond was purchased by the London branch of Van Cleef & Arpels for a mere 46,000 pounds.

The Nizam was proclaimed as the richest man in the world by Time magazine in 1937. The diamond's unique name was bestowed at a party at the firm's Paris store, where it was christened the "Princie" in honour of the 14-year-old Prince of Baroda, who attended the party with his mother Maharani Sita Devi.

The day-long auction also featured almost 300 jewels, including top-quality coloured and colourless diamonds, rare gemstones, natural pearls and a great selection of signed vintage creations from the best houses.

-The Times of India, 18th April 2013

The humble bullock, a fast dwindling breed of bovine in Bihar getting increasingly replaced by tractors used in agriculture and transport of rural goods, has now been bestowed with the exalted status of the state animal. The elevation aims at the breed's conservation and well-being through greater care.

Bihar's Nitish Kumar-led government, currently trying several measures to improve and expand the state's ailing agriculture sector, had to eliminate several other contenders from the animal world in finally deciding to name the bullock as the state animal. After wrestling with the task of putting the state status appropriately on natural species having strong cultural bonds with Bihar, the government agreed in a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to name the bullock as Bihar's state animal, the sparrow as the state bird, peepal as the state tree, and marigold as the state flower.

Bullocks, though disappearing rapidly from Bihar's rural belt, are often used by the state's political parties as a visually animated vehicle to embarrass the ruling dispensation both at the state and the Centre on issues of farmers' crises and price rise.

The BJP, currently ruling in Bihar with ally JD(U), had first created a scene in December 2004 when its MLAs tried to force their way into the Assembly on bullock carts to protest against rising prices.

In March 2008, RJD legislators arrived at the Bihar Assembly on a bullock cart loaded with sugarcane stalks and driven by former minister Rajesh Singh. In September 2012, an NDA bandh against the UPA government's decision to allow FDI in retail and hike diesel prices saw JD-U activists led by MLA Punam Devi taking out a procession in Patna on bullock-carts carrying empty LPG cylinders.

Government sources said the state government now plans a change in the statewide counting of cattle to ensure that bullocks are also counted along with the cows. Continuing migration, diminishing return from agriculture, growing use of tractors and the growing costs of maintain bullocks are cited as reasons for the breed's fast disappearance in the past decade.

-The Hindu, 18th June 2013

Owing to the poor maintenance and negligence of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), the peripheral blocks of the Gole Market are lying in deplorable state once again.

Just after over three years of its redevelopment, plaster from the pillars and walls of the blocks has started to peel off. The gloomy and deplorable state of the market is crying for an immediate attention of the civic body.

In 2009, the NDMC renovated the peripheral blocks by removing the plaster of the buildings and applying a fresh coat of lime plaster on it. The aim of doing so was to retrieve the original Victorian look in the wake of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Now, the buildings posses a haggard look.

"While they improved the façade of the two blocks, the onus of maintenance of the insides of the shops was on the shopkeepers. The NDMC made the verandah in front of our shops, strengthened the pillars and ceiling, and built a tiny boundary ahead of the pillars. Even the old stone slabs, mentioning about the type of shop, were taken out and highlighted. We were happy initially, but now just in three years everything has started falling apart," said Deepak, owner of shop number 53.

The Gole Market was a market built by the Britishers where sections in the buildings were earmarked for what it sold. Shops reading 'fruits and vegetables', 'poultry and fish', 'bakery', etc were engraved in stone slabs and put above the arches in the wall.

"It's evident that the contractor had used low quality material in the repair work. If it rains heavily, then all the water would come in the verandah flooding our shops also. There is no proper outlet for the water," said Usman, another shop owner complaining of inadequate drainage system.

The council during that time had produced a detailed plan for the redevelopment of entire Gole Market including main circular structure, which later got stuck due to the shopkeepers resisting the move and filed a case in court. The civic body had spent over Rs seven crore for the refurbishment of these blocks.

However, the NDMC claimed that the work carried out by the civic body was not part of the redevelopment plan of the market. "The work done in 2009 was just repair work. We did the finishing and it was nothing major. If it is wearing off then we will look upon the matter and take the necessary action," said an official in the Council.

-The Asian Age, 18th April 2013

Humayun's Tomb made news in 2010 when US President Barack Obama and wife Michelle were photographed here, staring at the monument's majestic elegance. On Thursday, the World Heritage Day, the Humayun's Tomb complex will return to make news again to announce the unveiling of its most attractive structure, Isa Khan's Tomb, after a two-year-long restoration.

Isa Khan's Tomb, part of UNESCO World Heritage Site of Humayun's Tomb, has a dome that resembles a plump inverted flower. But time and state negligence had robbed this flower of its beauty and fragrance. A 27-month-long conservation drive has attempted to infuse that lost beauty back into the tomb.

The restoration drive was jointly funded and undertaken by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the World Monuments Foundation, with help from the Archeological Survey of India. The project is part of a larger urban renewal project in Delhi that includes 50 monuments.

On Thursday, Union Minister for Culture Chandresh Kumari Katoch will open Isa Khan's Tomb to the public. Almost 2,000 school children will be taken there for a heritage walk and design workshops.

Isa Khan was a noble in the court of Sher Shah Suri in the 16th Century. Suri ruled Delhi between the reigns of Humayun and Akbar.

Isa Khan's Tomb is a resplendent example of the concept of a garden tomb, which pervaded that era. It combines the garden and the grave, symbolic of life and death.

This tomb is the only historical monument in India which has been restored by a non-government body. A key official of the restoration project said other than returning the mausoleum its lost glory, the project has also successfully achieved its objective of imparting knowledge of traditional architecture and design to the craftsmen who worked on it.

"We got them trained in making tiles in the Central Asian style, where the Mughal and Suri dynasties originated," he said.

-The Indian Express, 18th April 2013

Two panels with similar objectives, but differing recommendations on the ecological sensitivity of the Western Ghats! The latest high-level working group (HLWG) on the Ghats has revived hopes for two controversial hydroprojects proposed in the region.

In its report submitted to Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan on Wednesday, the 10-member HLWG, headed by Dr K Kasturirangan (Planning Commission member), has slashed the ecologically-sensitive zone of these bio-diverse mountains to just 37 per cent.

The earlier Madhav Gadgil-led Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) had recommended that the entire Western Ghats should be declared ecologically-sensitive area and that hydroprojects in Karnataka's Gundia and Kerala's Athirapally should be scrapped.

The Kasturirangan panel, however, said that based on the revaluation and collection of data on ecological flow, the Kerala Government could take forward the Athirappally proposal, "if it so desires, with the Ministry of Environment & Forests".

With regard Gundia Hydropower Project, the panel said it has not proposed complete ban on construction in the ecologically-sensitive area but "it has recommended conditions that balance the needs of energy with environment."

The committee recommended that the Karnataka Government should reassess the ecological flow in downstream areas, based on a thorough evaluation of hydrological regimes in the area. "The project should not be given the go-ahead till such a review and reassessment is made," it said.

Though soft on the hydro-projects the panel, nevertheless, stated that about 60,000 sq kms of Western Ghats across the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu come under the "prohibitory regime on those activities with maximum interventionist and destructive impact on the environment".

The 10-member HLWG Working Group consists of environmental experts and other professionals as its members. It was constituted in August 2012 by the Ministry of Environment & Forests to examine the large number of public responses received on the recommendations of the Gadgil report and to suggest the way ahead.

The report has drawn upon the basic framework suggested by the WGEEP to use remote sensing technologies for demarcation of the ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats - but with two key differences.

First, it used satellite data, down to 24 m resolution as against 9 km used by WGEEP. This finer resolution was possible because of the collaboration with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC/ISRO), which used datasets to distinguish vegetation types over the landscape of the entire Western Ghats.

Second, the report distinguished between the cultural and the natural landscape of the region. Using remote sensing technology, it found that the cultural landscape — which includes human settlements, agricultural fields and plantations — covers 58.44 per cent of the region.

The natural landscape ranges over the remaining 41.56 per cent. The methodology adopted by NRSC/ ISRO has then combined spatial information generated on vegetation types with species level information, biological richness and disturbance regimes - to identify the biologically diverse and contiguous regions of the Western Ghats.

The report further said, "Environmentally sound development cannot preclude livelihood and economic options for this region... the answer (to the question of how to manage and conserve the Ghats) will not lie in removing these economic options, but in providing better incentives to move them towards greener and more sustainable practices."

-The Pioneer, 18th April 2013

With no major significant development taking place in Chandni Chowk Redevelopment Plan, the execution of the project has been handed over to the PWD from the North Delhi Municipal Corporation. The Public Works Department (PWD) has suggested walking zone for pedestrians from Red Fort to Fatehpuri. There is also a proposal to make the road from Red Fort to Fatehpuri one-way as this stretch has to be resurfaced.

A high-level meeting was convened by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday to review the redevelopment plan of Chandni Chowk. A presentation was made before the Chief Minister by PWD and Council of Science and Industrial Research (CSIR) on the plan.

PWD has suggested a walking zone from Red Fort to Fatehpuri. To remove unauthorised parking by shopkeepers on the both side of the roads, 2.5 meters grill will be put up along the footpath to make it walking zone for pedestrians. This will also help check unauthorised parking on the road which is the reason behind traffic jams in the area. The Chief Minister has reported to have directed PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan to speed up the execution of the plan.

After the meeting, Chauhan said that all overhead cables and transformers would be made underground under the first phase. He further stated that Delhi has no systematised footpaths for easy flow of pedestrians. The walking zone for pedestrians in Chandni Chowk will help restore its heritage.

Chauhan further stated that the department will soon bring a proposal related to designs of stones for footpaths and street lightings before the Chief Minister. "After the approval, the Government will go tender. The project will look into an integrated plan for all the services and creating a "heritage environment" in the walled city," he said.

Since the Chandni Chowk redevelopment plan was conceived in 2006, no major works of repair of road infrastructure or electrical maintenance have received sanction. But, with the Delhi government deciding to give back the main Chandni Chowk road to PWD, there will be even more delay in execution of the project. Already, the matter has become politicized, with assembly elections coming up in December. The Delhi government has transferred the project, citing delay in implementation by the BJP-led North Delhi Municipal Corporation. The BJP, however, is blaming the Government for creating roadblocks.

-The Pioneer, 18th April 2013

A Rama temple replete with history in this coastal village, covered by sand dunes, will vanish from public view forever unless urgent steps are taken to protect it.

Located some 100 to 150 metres from the sea tide level, only the temple tower is visible now.

The sleepy village is full of artefacts of both pre-historic and historic periods throwing light on the rich culture of the Andhra Pradesh people down the ages.

"The temple seems to belong to the period of Chalukyas or Telugu Cholas and calls for a detailed study," said State Archaeology and Museums in-charge Director G.V. Ramakrishna Rao told The Hindu.

'Worthy of protection'

"The site is worthy of protection," said Mr. Rao, who recently visited the village to take stock of the condition of the State Archaeological Museum, named after Andhra Pradesh's first Chief Minister T. Prakasam Pantulu in the village.

"I have instructed the Assistant Director [Museums] to send proposals and necessary information," he added.

"The museum's caretaker has been asked to liaise with local revenue officials and get boundary and other particulars after perusing the revenue records for us to go ahead with preparation of a historical note," explained Assistant Director [Museums] S. Bangaraiah.

"Once they are ready we will go ahead with preparation of a detailed project report for consideration by a State-level committee," he added.

Collection of artefacts

The museum in the village with a wonderful collection of stone inscriptions in Prakrit and Brahmi and other artefacts would be expanded and renovated to showcase the political, socio-economic and cultural aspects of the life of Andhra people for several centuries, Mr. Rao added.

Centre of Buddhism

The archaeological evidence found in and around Kanaparthi show that it was a flourishing centre of Buddhism and also Jainism and could be put on the international tourism circuit, felt social activist Komatla Trinatha Reddy, national Gram Ratan awardee.

"The flat beach is an ideal one for sea bathing," added the former MPTC member and Bharat Nirmal Volunteer.

The museum houses statues of Ganesh, Kumaraswamy, Narayani, Brahmini, Surya, Parasurama, and Varahini, besides numerous Sivalingas of different sizes and shapes, including a finely chiselled "Dhara sivalinga," with 32 dimensions. Non-indigenous stones were imported for making attractive Sivalingas by expert sculptors at the Yelleswara temple before exporting them to different destinations in south-east Asian countries.

-The Hindu, 18th April 2013

The discovery once again proves that the Western Ghats is a treasure trove of many amphibians

Two new genera of frogs were discovered by a team of independent researchers, led by Anil Zachariah and Robin Kurian Abraham, during their recent exploration in the Western Ghats.

The discovery, published in the latest issue of International Taxonomic JournalZootaxa, is a joint effort by the team which comprised B .R. Ansil; Arun Zachariah of the Wild Life Disease Research Lab in Wayanad; and Robert Alexander Pyron, Assistant professor, Department of Biological Sciences of the George Washington University, U.S.

Biodiversity hot spot

The discovery once again proves that the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hot spot and Unesco world Heritage site, is a treasure trove of many amphibians.

It was found that the newly found genera belonged to tree frog family 'Rhacophoridae.' The frogs were discovered in highly threatened fresh water swamp eco systems, which are unique to the mountain range.

The frogs discovered are named after two remarkable personalities who had an association with this landscape. One genus is named 'Beddomixalus' after colonel Richard Henry Beddome. He was a gifted polymath of the colonial era, who made extraordinary contributions to the understanding to the natural history of the sub-continent while serving as the Chief Conservator of Forests in the Madras Presidency. His works were the first detailed forays towards a systematic and through understanding of the amphibian diversity of the Western Ghats.

The other genus has been christened 'Mercurana' to commemorate Freddie Mercury, late iconic lead singer of the British rock band Queen. Mercury (his pen name) was of Indian Parsi origin and had spent major part of his childhood in India in Panchagni, located in the northern part of the mountain range, where the frog now bearing his name has been discovered.

While the 'Beddomixalus bijui' was found in the swamp forests of the Anamalai and high ranges of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, 'Mercurana myristicapalustris,' is restricted to highly fragmented and threatened low land 'Myristica' swamp forests in the foothills of the Agastyamalai hills in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts.

This distinctive forest type is dominated by wild relatives of nutmeg that thrive in waterlogged soil, and hence the name 'Myristica' swamp. But much of these types of forests have been lost, having been converted to raise cash crops such as rubber and oil palms, Dr. Anil Zachariah says.

Moreover, episodes of erratic rainfall over recent years are likely to affect the breeding patterns of these frogs and detailed studies are needed to explore such impacts, Mr. Abraham says.

The researchers highlight that the swamp forest and their unique biota are to be preserved. They stressed that the finding of two novel genera after more than a century of herpetological exploration in the region take the total number of tree frog genera in the Western Ghats to seven.

-The Hindu, 18th April 2013

Amid Delhi's ever-rising demand for water and falling supply, there's a ray of hope that can help save the national capital and its surrounding towns from going thirsty in the near future — rainwater.

Delhi receives between 611 mm and 750 mm of rain from July to September every year. And harvesting rainwater and recycling it for non-potable usage can considerably help in meeting the city's water demand and lessen the pressure on the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).

Delhi needs 1,025 million gallons of water per day (MGD) but the DJB supplies only about 835 MGD.

Rapid urbanisation had blocked all open areas. Buildings, malls, roads and pavements or even parking places prevent water from percolating into the ground because of which the water table does not get recharged and the precious commodity goes down the drain.

Under ideal conditions, rainwater harvesting can yield 12 million gallons annually for Delhi. 'Catching and storing rain where it falls' is the mantra for Jyoti Sharma of NGO Force, which helps set up harvesting units.

"The storage can be natural or a man-made underground facility. It can either replenish groundwater or be stored in tanks for drinking and cooking."

The Central Ground Water Board promotes rainwater harvesting. Most new government buildings, Nehru Park and Lodi Garden, have such units. The Delhi government also funds such projects and DJB facilitates them.

But has it made any difference?

Problems encountered

Lack of technical expertise prevents people from installing a rainwater harvesting structure. For instance, deciding between a unit for storage or for groundwater recharge requires help.

"At some places, rainwater can be used for storage first and then the excess water can be diverted for groundwater recharge," says Nitya Jacob, director (water) at the Centre for Science and Environment

Red tape or lack of vision?

The Delhi government started a scheme of subsiding rainwater harvesting structures in 2002 but it yielded negligible results. In the same year, Chennai made rainwater harvesting compulsory and by the end of five years, the groundwater level rose by approximately 50%.

In Delhi, getting permission for drilling or even building RWH structures on community land is difficult. "Rainwater movement in Delhi has suffered due to lack of administrative support," Sharma said.

Getting permission takes 8-10 months. "Officials say permission for drilling a bore for RWH is misused" she fumed. Water recycling or reuse projects too face same obstacles. A case in point is the Delhi government's 'model village development project for Ayanagar, on the southern fringes. Working on behalf of the government, NGO Greha was to come up with sustainable solutions.

"We saw an opportunity to treat and recycle grey and black water and divert it to fill the village johar (traditional water harvesting/oxidation pond)," said Ashish Ganju, architect and Greha member.

But despite instructions from the highest level of government, the officials concerned did not respond. "They probably thought an unconventional project like this is a huge risk," he said.

Debashree Mukherjee, DJB CEO admitted there are problems with the scheme. The DJB now plans to overhaul it and has identified two NGOs for it.

From dealing with land-owning agencies, to facilitating permissions for drilling, to providing technical assistance, the NGOs will also help monitor the implementation and maintenance.

-The Hindustan Times, 18th April 2013

On the occasion of World Heritage Day on Thursday, prominent non-government organisations will conduct heritage awareness programmes at historically significant venues in the Capital.

For the first time, the New Delhi chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is hosting a programme at the historic Anglo-Arabic Senior Secondary School in Ajmeri Gate.

Set up in the 1690s by Ghaziuddin Khan, a General of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, this school is among the oldest educational institutions in the Delhi.Given its rich historical legacy as well as its vibrant tradition of promoting education across centuries, it offers a perfect historic setting to host the heritage awareness programme.

'OLDEST SCHOOL'

According to INTACH's Purnima Datt, who is conducting the programme for 1,500 students from Classes VI to XII, the heritage awareness programme assumes considerable significance as it will be conducted in the "oldest school in the city".

"Initially, it was set up as a madrassa during Aurangzeb's reign. We will also be presenting a book titled 'Hands on Heritage in Urdu' to teachers who can use it in explaining the city's rich heritage to students. The Delhi chapter of INTACH has also started a campaign to nominate Delhi as a world heritage city."

Meanwhile, Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE) is conducting a scientific heritage awareness walk around the ancient Jantar Mantar here. According to Sachin Bahma of SPACE, experts from the NGO will teach Delhi students as well as tourists how the ancient instruments can be used for calculations and be replicated at home to understand the Sun's movement.

"We will demonstrate how miniature Masonic instruments can be prepared with cardboard and plastic sheets," adds Mr. Brahma.

Astronomers will also demonstrate and discuss the working of the ancient instruments at the astronomical observatory. They will explain how astronomers during the time of Maharaja Jai Singh II studied the movements of the Sun, Moon and planets without high-tech telescopes and read time without clocks.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

As part of the World Heritage Day, Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) will also be re-opening Isa Khan's garden tomb to the public. It is located at the entrance of Humayun's Tomb.

Conservation and landscape restoration of the tombs of Isa Khan and Bu Halima have been undertaken as part of the AKTC's Nizamuddin urban renewal initiative.

Since 2010, both these garden tombs, part of the World Heritage Site, have undergone conservation and landscape restoration. The restoration work was preceded by a year-long programme of documentation, structural condition assessment and archival research on the basis of which a conservation plan was prepared.

"School children from 25 schools will be given guided heritage walks of the World Heritage Site," said a AKTC spokesperson.

-The Hindu, 18th April 2013

On the International Day for Monuments and Sites, as the Archaeological Survey of India holds nationwide celebrations, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India is ready with a performance audit report that says 81 protected monuments are missing in the country

In 2006, the figure stood at 35. Seven years later, the figure has more than doubled and stands at 81. The numbers might look very insignificant looking at the sheer scale of everything else in this country, but when it is attributed to missing monuments, it does make one sit up and take notice. According to the performance audit of preservation of monuments and antiquities by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), the number of missing monuments protected by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has gone up from 35 to 81. The report has been sent to ASI for comments following which will be tabled in the next session of Parliament.

ASI, whose primary concern is the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance, is responsible for the upkeep of around 3,678 monuments in the country. For its audit, the CAG visited a sample of just 1538 monuments and from these alone, it has found 81 missing. The audit teams were accompanied by ASI officials and sources say the joint inspection is documented and signed by both ASI officials and the CAG audit team.

Covering 17 circles, the report alleges that monuments like cave temples, rock inscriptions, pre-historic sites, kos minars, rock carvings, siege batteries are missing. While Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in the earlier list of centrally protected monuments/ sites had two monuments, guns of emperor Sher Shah at Na-Sadia in Tinsukia and ruins of copper temple, missing, according to the new report, the Guwahati circle of ASI has added the tomb of Lt. Cresswell, sculptures in Chummery compound in Tezpur, sculpture of Bhairavi, Kamakhya Hill and stone memorial of U-Mawthoh-Dur, Shillong, to the list. The Mumbai circle makes an entry with an old European tomb at Pune, a burj at Agarkot, a Portuguese monastery over the cave and a large watch tower on the adjoining hill at Mandapeshwar, Borivali. Lying in a state of sheer neglect, it is believed the European tombs (German and French tombs dating back to 1817) fell prey to encroaching.

B.R.Mani, Additional Director General, ASI, hasn't seen the report yet but is aware of it. "We have to give a reply. Our monument section needs to verify the details and get back. But not all the monuments out of the 35 that have been said to be missing for long are missing. The monuments have been inundated in water, eaten up by new construction but the site exists. For instance, the site of Siege Battery is still there. The plaque that the British had put has gone but it doesn't mean the site has ceased to exist. The copper temple in Arunachal Pradesh has been washed away."

Identifying a host of challenges ASI is faced with in relation to the upkeep of the monuments, Mani points out, "These sites are protected and declared to be of national importance but the land on which they are, doesn't belong to us. The land is owned by the State government. Joga Bai mound in Jamia Nagar was declared protected monument in early 20th Century but the land was never transferred to ASI and slowly colonies started coming up and it vanished."

Joga Bai mound figures in the old list of 35 monuments where Delhi accounts for 12 missing monuments. In the new report which is yet to be in the public domain, besides the Moti Gate of Sher Shah's Delhi, Mauza Babarpur Bazidpur, Pool Chadar in Mauza Chaukri Mubarakabad, tomb of Capt. Mc.Barnett and others who fell in an attack on Kishanganj, two sites of Siege Battery and Inchla Wali Gumti in Mubarakpur Kotla among others, the site of Seige Battery at Qudesia Mosque garden and Sat Narain Bhawan on Roshanara Road are fresh entries.

But even if the land is transferred to ASI what can it do, asks A.G.K. Menon, INTACH Delhi Chapter Convenor. "It doesn't have police power. It can only point out illegal encroachments but doesn't have the powers to prevent any wrongful actions. If police doesn't do anything, then it can't do anything."

That apart, you can't absolve ASI of its responsibility. Negligence by ASI, according to Menon, has played its part. "Monuments are not being looked after well. Imagine, if this is happening to those monuments which are protected, what about those which aren't? Rapid urbanisation has swallowed up the monuments."

Woefully thin budgets and shortage of manpower are other factors responsible for the disappearance of the monuments. Mani agrees. "Even if you count Qutub and several other monuments which have several structures within its compound as one, we would need three watchmen plus one reliever to guard the 3,678 structures round-the-clock. That creates the need for around 20,000 people whereas we have only 2000 people to man these spaces," he points out.

It is not possible to reclaim all the lost sites but wherever possible, ASI, Mani says, is doing its bit. "It is one of our projects. At a pre-historic site there were just boulders which vanished after colonies came up but we are trying to locate the site." Not just ASI, Menon says the responsibility of our cultural heritage also lies with the civil society. "Why is society so callous towards these monuments? In England, they take care of 500,000 monuments and here, we have just a few thousand. The civil society needs to play an important role."

Some of the monuments mentioned in the report prepared by CAG

Agra Circle, ASI - 7

1) Site of Aonla railway station, Bareilly 2) Tomb of Lt. Col. John Guthrie, in mud fort, Farrukhabad 3) Ancient sculpture, carving, images, bas relics, inscriptions, stones and like objects, Mathura 4) Portion of Katra Mound which are not in the possession of Nazul Tenants on which formerly stood a temple of Keshav Dev which was dismantled and the site utilized for the mosque of Aurangzeb, Mathura 5) Monument of Kila Chandpur fort, Bijnor 6) Monument near Kila railway station, Hathras 7) Old British cemetery, Bijnor

Aurangabad Circle, ASI — 5

1) Jarasangh Nagri at Jorve, Ahmednagar 2) Stone Circle at Arsoda, Gadchiroli 3) Group of 20 Cromlechs or Kistvaens at Chamorshi, Gadchiroli 4) Stone Circle at Nildho 5) Stone Circle at Takalghat, Nagpur

Hyderabad circle, ASI — 8

1) Ancient Buddhist remains and Brahmi inscriptions on the mound, 2) Sculptures, carvings, images or other like objects 3) Hills of Nagarjunakonda with the ancient remains 4) Sculptures, carvings, images on the ancient mound 5) Sculptures, carvings, images other like objects found in the vicinity of the mosque 6) Large Dolmen 7) Mounds-Dibba no. 1 to 5 8) Mound, Nagulavaram

Kolkata circle, ASI —7

1) A Mound and a statue of surya 2) A Mound with a Jain statue 3) Image of Durga slaying Mahishasura under a tree 4) Temple site now represented only by a mound 5) A mound with an image of Nandi on it 6) A mound with statues of Ganesh and Nandi on it 7) Ruins of fort Nadia, West Bengal

-The Hindu, 18th April 2013

The tremors that shook Delhi on Tuesday has jolted the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) into finalising its disaster management plan.

According to Delhi government officials, some districts have already prepared a draft plan, which will be discussed further and examined by experts from various institutes and government agencies, including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The district management plan will indicate basic information about the resources, demography of the area and identify the vulnerability of the district to various hazards. A response mechanism will also be prepared.

For instance, east Delhi district falls under seismic zone IV and is hence considered at highest risk for earthquakes and floods. "The vulnerability of the district increases in fire accidents, since most of the slum clusters are thickly populated. It effects the rescue operations as it becomes difficult for fire engines to enter narrow lanes," said a senior Delhi government official.

The officials said the district plan is not just a response mechanism, but it points out the preventive measures that need to be in place.

"Mapping the hazards is a complex exercise. Earthquakes, floods, building collapses, chemical disasters, etc., that can take place are being charted out.

There are various components to the district management plan, which includes prevention and mitigation," added the official.

As part of the district plan, various stakeholders, including the community. have to be made aware of disasters and what they need to do in case of emergency.

For this, the DDMA has had held a number of mock drills and meetings with resident welfare associations.

"The plan will provide information on which agency will respond at what point," said the official.

A number of workshops will be held in the coming few months, where these plans will be finalised. Once the district plan is ready, a state disaster management plan will be prepared.

-The Hindustan Times, 19th April 2013

Keeping in tune with this year's theme 'Heritage of Education', hundreds of school children from different Delhi schools participated in 'Heritage Walks' at Jantar Mantar, Humayun's Tomb and Red Fort on Thursday, World Heritage Day.

The 16th century tomb-gardens of Isa Khan Niyazi and Bu Halima — an integral part of the World Heritage site complex of Humayun's Tomb — were thrown open for visitors after undergoing extensive conservation and restoration.

At the Red Fort, about 1000-odd students took an oath to be heritage leaders and conducted a special study module. The art events included poster making, slogan writing and sketching.

"While the event at the Humayun's Tomb was organised by Aga Khan Trust for Culture, at Jantar Mantar, it was the NGO Space and at Red Fort, the ASI joined hands with NGO Itihaas for heritage walks," said Daljeet Singh, ASI's Delhi circle chief.

April 18 was endorsed as the International Day for Monuments and Sites —called the World Heritage Day — by UNESCO in 1983. This year's theme was 'Heritage of Education'.

After a daylong conference, Popular Front of India, a social organisation, released a poster thrashing the ASI for neglect of Mughal era monuments.

-The Hindustan Times, 19th April 2013

A group of artists and curators is redefining the way museums function, with many 'artistic labs' cropping up across India. Take, for example, the Devi Art Foundation in Gurgaon. During a recent exhibition called Sarai Reader 09, about 100 artists lived and worked in the museum to see how they influenced each other's art.

"We are interested in the idea of many, not the idea of one thing representing the nation," said Anannya Mehtta, assistant curator.

Fresh winds of change at museums

Such 'pop up' museums are in stark contrast to state-run museums that focus primarily on national culture and usually shy away from contemporary art. Run by private institutions, the aim of these new-age museums is not to make a profit, but to defy conventions and give budding artists a platform.

"Should art not be made in contact with other artists or the public?" asked painter Parul Verma.

Delhi's Kiran Nadar Museum of Art also asks this question. In fact, a recent exhibition titled Zones of Contact focused on what role museums should play in the country.

"India is too caught up in resurrecting a glorified past rather than encouraging contemporary cultural expressions," said Tasneem Mehta, director of Mumbai's Bhau Daji Lad Museum, a launchpad for interesting contemporary art projects.

Other institutions, such as the Piramal Museum that will open in Mumbai soon, will incorporate theatre alongside other art forms.

"Museums are the most visited places in the world right now, perhaps more than religious places," sculptor Riyas Komu said.

-The Hindustan Times, 21st April 2013

South Delhi's Moti Bagh has become synonymous with government accommodation and a prominent flyover. Situated on the fringes of Chanakyapuri, the colony has derived its name from a bagh (garden) and the area's name, which was Arakpur Bagh Mochi.

Maulavi Zafar Hasan's 'Monuments of Delhi' published in 1919 describes Moti Bagh as: "The Bagh is an extensive enclosure surrounded by a masonry wall with a bastion at each of the four corners and a big gateway towards east. In the centre of the enclosure there is a tank about 120 sq feet with a circular bastion, which has a pavilion of three compartments on its northern bank. It was originally a bagh (garden) built by one Ramdas entitled Mochi and it is after his title that the garden is known."

At the turn of the century, the area came to be known as Mochi Bagh rather than the Arakpur Bagh Mochi. The name remained on paper. After the 1970s, the process of land acquisition for government accommodation began. "Once completed, the name Mochi Bagh sounded a tad too crass for a high-end government accommodation. So, the babudom quietly changed it to 'Moti Bagh'," says RV Smith, a prominent historian.

"Till late 1960s, it was all agricultural land and a few houses. The people who were well off left the area to buy kothis elsewhere," said Ashok Tanwar, resident of Fatehpur Beri. Ironically, what remains of Arakpur Bagh Mochi is an unauthorised cluster awaiting regularisation.

-The Hindustan times, 21st April 2013

More than 250 monuments in Delhi have disappeared due to "gross negligence" in recent years, eminent historian and director general of National Archives, Mushirul Hasan said.

Mr Hasan was speaking at a national workshop organised by the department of museology, Aligarh Muslim University yesterday.

"Delhi has not got justice which it deserved as far as the issue of preservation of its architectural heritage was concerned," said Mr Hasan.

He said that in recent years more than 250 monuments in Delhi have disappeared due to "gross negligence".

Different government institutions which were responsible for preserving historical monuments in the country's national capital were devoid of any broad blue print for saving the capital city's architectural heritage, the DG said.

The DG said that the founder of AMU Sir Syed Ahmad Khan had paid back his debt to Delhi, the city of his birth, by writing a seminal book on the archaeological history of monuments of Delhi titled Asarus Sanadeed.

"AMU owes it to its founder to preserve and protect its architectural heritage," he said.

-The Hindustan Times, 21st April 2013

An island off Port Blair that was once the British administrative centre for the Andamans is now just tumbling rubble. Lakshmi Krupa potters around the ruins

"There are no more ferries today. The weather is too rough," a stern voice from behind the ticket counter announces. I am at the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex in Port Blair from where ferries take tourists on to the many

A two-day event will be organised on the 144th death anniversary of Mirza Ghalib to showcase his rich legacy, an organisation dedicated to the legendary Urdu poet announced on Saturday.

"Yadgar-e-Ghalib will be held on April 26 and 27," the Ghalib Memorial Movement said.

The event will feature the screening of a film on Ghalib produced by Kathak dancer Uma Sharma. In addition, a Kathak performance, recital of couplets of the poet by author Pawan K. Verma, and a mushaira will help recreate the atmosphere of a bygone era.

"While the couplets have been specially selected for the occasion that will leave the listeners spellbound, the dancers will capture three moods; the remorseful, the lonely and the philosophical," Ghalib Memorial Movement said in a statement.

Eminent Ghazal maestro Ustad Moin Khan from Mumbai will also likely to grace the occasion.

-The Hindustan Times, 21st April 2013

History might not interest you, as might not geography of the national capital, but a map of Delhi, as it looked like in 1912, is mostly certainly likely to leave you awestruck.

The map shows the entire geographical terrain - prominent among them being the beautiful ridge and eastward flowing streams running down tit, Kushak Mahal, Rajo Ka Bazar, Raisina, the river flowing below Lodi Garden's Athpula Bridge, Zabtaganj and Biwipur - as it was in the first half of the 19th century.

The 1912 Delhi map along with several others from various districts/states of India during the British era are parts of an exhibition titled Defining the Empire: An exhibition of old British maps of India (1871-1928) that was inaugurated on Friday.

Curated by Dr Manosi Lahiri, the exhibition - which was earlier inaugurated by Professor Mushirul Hassan, director general, National Archives - has been put up by Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage. It will remain open for public viewing till April 30 between 10am to 7pm at INTACH's office, off Lodi Road.

The exhibition has 40 old up on display. "These are from a series of maps first published in India during colonial times. Prior to this, the series of maps were published in Britain," said Manu Bhatnagar from INTACH.

-The Hindustan Times, 21st April 2013

Disasters like drought are striking Kerala because of the environmental degradation to which the mighty Western Ghats, from where the State derives all its natural richness, is being subjected to by rapacious elements in farming and industry

Kerala is in the grip of a severe drought, unprecedented at least in the past two decades. For anyone who has visited it or seen its images in tourism brochures or TV promos, this would be difficult to believe. It is still God's Own Country with seemingly rich forests, sprawling backwaters, sapphire lakes and the 44 rivers running across its 600-km-long territory. Yet, all the 14 districts in the State have been declared drought-hit, and four of them were declared so in December itself when the northeastern monsoon was yet to recede formally.

The drought is so intense that the Kerala Water Authority, the State-run drinking water distribution agency, is preparing to stop the pumping and distribution of drinking water in five districts, thus forcing almost eight million people to find the fluid of life all by themselves if they want to survive this summer. It is just a matter of time before the remaining districts are thrown into the same fate.

The State is going through an acute power shortage as water levels in hydel reservoirs have dipped to abysmally low levels. The groundwater table has gone down by a minimum of five metres throughout the State in five years. The opening line of TS Eliot's Waste Land, "April is the cruelest month", is absolutely true in Kerala's case.

The inescapable fact is that it is a man-made crisis. Everybody — the politician, common man, traditional farmer, construction mafia, bore-well digger and the development monger — agrees on this. But the moment you say it aloud, you are branded as an environmental terrorist. That is why reputed environmentalist Madhav Gadgil, who put forward some ideas to save this tropical heaven, bio-diversity expert VS Vijayan and so many other Green men and women have become the enemies of the Establishment which would raze verdant forests and fill wet paddy lands to construct airports and kill tigers unscrupulously in the name of efforts to conserve mankind. Climate change in Kerala is no more a possibility, but it is a terribly tangible reality.

The hills of Wayanad, which were pleasurably cool even at summer mid-noons till some years ago, are now unbearably hot, thanks to the indiscriminate felling of bamboo clusters that spread for several kilometres, thus opening an inward corridor of heat through the border with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu into Kerala. Deforestation among the mighty hills on the border has led to extension of the rain-shadow zone of south-west Tamil Nadu into regions of Palakkad district, famous as Kerala's Rice Chest and known for the largest mango-production centre in the country. Punalur in southern Kollam district, which saw the highest number of sunstroke incidents this summer, is already wearing the look of a desert owing to the rampant deforestation on the eastern side bordering rain-shadow Tamil Nadu areas. And the pity is that all this is happening because of the environmental degradation to which the mighty Western Ghats, from where Kerala derives all its natural richness, is being subjected to by rapacious elements in the cash-crops, sand-mining, quarrying, tourism and real estate sectors.

It could be an inevitable irony of the modern federal, democratic nation structure that an exclusively Kerala issue of how to protect its part of the Western Ghats should be decided almost 3,000 kilometres away in New Delhi, where Ministers and bureaucrats sitting in the cozy interiors of concrete buildings need not know anything about the Neerchals (natural water ducts), Adikkadus (undergrowth) and Poovals (seasons for cultivation as per soil moisture). Therefore, the battle to save the Western Ghats is now being fought at the Paryavaran Bhavan in New Delhi, with Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan acting as the referee. "It is a battle, but is an unequal battle", says Prakasan, a Thrissur-based environmentalist who has been (unsuccessfully) campaigning against illegal quarrying and sand-mining for the past 15 years.

"It is an unequal battle because we know which side gets the support of the Government authorities. We have seen this happening always", he says.

The Gadgil panel, which had biodiversity expert Vijayan, who was chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board which had thrown a spanner in the Kerala State Electricity Board's plan to build a hydel project over the Athirapally Waterfalls in Thrissur district, and other eminent ecologists on it, had submitted its report in November 2011, with some harsh recommendations to save the Western Ghats instantly infuriating cash crop farmers of Idukki, Wayanad, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts and therefore the politicians in the Left and Congress-led camps and those who stood for developments. Gadgil wanted the entire Western Ghats to be declared as an ecologically sensitive zone, and called for stoppage of all kinds of eco-degradation activities, which included construction of dams, roads and resorts, blocking of waterways.

In the forefront of the protests against the Gadgil report, over which even bandhs were observed in Idukki and other districts, was the Catholic Church which wields immense influence over the present Congress-led Government in which Church-backed cash-crop farmers' party, Kerala Congress (M), is a major partner. The high ranges of Kerala witnessed agitations on a daily basis, which were similar to or even more intense than the protests seen during the Kerala-Tamil Nadu stand-off over the Mullaperiyar dam issue. "There were even allegations that Madhav Gadgil and his team were pawns in the hands of international eco-extremists trying to undermine India's development by forcing closure of cash crop farms and de-commissioning of dams", complains environmentalist Girija S.

The second committee, headed by K Kasturirangan, who has never been known for his environmental expertise, and which had no biodiversity expert on it, was constituted to review the Gadgil recommendations on the Western Ghats. Environmentalists allege that the motive of the constitution of this committee is obvious from the very fact that it could settle all disputes over such a huge issue within a matter of months.

The new panel's mission was indeed to strike a compromise, though the cost of it would be the continued destruction of the Western Ghats. That is why Mr Kasturirangan limited the eco-sensitive region of the mountain ranges to just 37 per cent and pronounced that the Athirapally project could be pursued if the economic advantages it could bring, could justify the environmental degradation caused by it. Meanwhile, God's Own Country remains parched and is crying for water.

-The Pioneer, 22ND April 2013

Almost a thousand websites, many of them Indian, are at the centre of a new-age illegal trade in wildlife, promising home delivery of live animals, prized animal parts and rare medicinal plants from across nations through simple internet banking formats.

Finding itself in the midst of this transnational crime ring, India's Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has begun hiring cyber crime specialists to trail online wildlife smugglers. Specialists on hire come to the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) backed with a Master's in computer science/ applications and specialisation in cyber crime forensics.

A preliminary inquiry by the bureau's cyber crime specialists has indicated that nearly a thousand websites are advertising sale and delivery of live animals and animal products protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the global Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Based on initial research, a list of 200 websites being used for this illegal trade — most of them are popular shopping websites, online classifieds and free ad posting websites — has been drawn up.

"What makes things truly challenging is that the new age wildlife smuggler or seller is also very tech-savvy, so there's need to seek the services of cyber specialists. We began hiring two months ago. These specialists have found some 200 websites where specific instances of sellers marketing some endangered animals have been traced," an officer with the Ministry of Environment & Forests said.

"There are challenges because many of these weblinks are found to be hosted on proxy servers based in other countries. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau plans to write to these countries to seek assistance in tracing IP addresses and sources of these transactions. Sellers in most cases claim to be Indian or are sourcing the 'product' from Indians. In some cases, we also found fake IP addresses being used. So clearly, this is going to be an uphill task," the officer said.

-The Indian Express, 22nd April 2013

Shoes disappearing from outside temples and masjids is no recent phenomenon. In 19th Century Delhi, they lay at the centre of a thriving trade, writes R.V. Smith

How close to church, temple or mosque the devil dwells may be gauged from the following: "Apne jooton se rahien sare namazi hoshiar/ Ek buzurgh atey hain masjid mein Khizr ki surat". (Those who come to offer namaz should take care of their shoes. An old man with the countenance of Khizr comes and, impliedly, steals them)." This is a couplet by Altaf Husain Hali (1837-1914), who had the good fortune of meeting Ghalib with the help of the latter's faithful servant Kalloo, just before the outbreak of the Mutiny. Hali was about 20 years old then and had come from his ancestral village in Panipat to a Delhi seething with discontent. Incidentally, he happened to be the grandfather of Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, the progressive writer and filmmaker credited with having launched Amitabh Bachchan's career with a role in Saat Hindustani. Abbas' "Last page" in R.K. Karanjia's "Blitz" was a "must read" for most subscribers to the sensational ultra-Left weekly.

Perhaps Hali had the bad experience of having had his shoes stolen from a masjid after he left them in the care of a venerable old man who looked like Hazrat Khizr. This patriarch is said to be a grandson of Adam, the first man on earth, according to Semitic belief. Khizr goes round the world again and again and will stop doing so only on the Day of Judgement — or so it is believed. Also, if anyone gets lost — in a thicket, grove, on a mountain or in the plains or at sea — he just has to call out "Khizr, Khizr" and the patriarch is sure to help him get over his predicament. But in the case of Hali, when he came out of the mosque he found both the old man and his shoes missing. The deceiver can take on any form and this thief did the same under the garb of respectability.

About the same time in the 19th Century when this incident is said to have occurred, a gang of four men was caught at the Jama Masjid for stealing shoes. Haji Zahooruddin, who was born a year or two prior to the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, was a mine of information on the happenings in the preceding generation. He used to recall how his grandfather and father, Maulvi Rajab Ali and Munshi Turab Ali, had solved the case of namazis coming to the Jama Masjid having their shoes stolen. They watched from a house opposite the mosque (now Haji Hotel) the namaz being led by the Shahi Imam and hundreds joining in it. Though very orthodox, they didn't participate deliberately, hoping their venial offense would be pardoned for the sake of a good cause. The detective work did not go unrewarded, and they were able to track down the thieves. One would put a fish hook into a shoe, and another, hiding under a blanket some distance away, would pull the string so that it landed in a basket. The third man would carry the shoes some distance and hand them over to the fourth thief, who would then take them to the market for resale.

By the time namaz was over, they were able to steal several pairs of shoes that way. However, before they could get away this time, they were pounced upon by the two bearded "detectives" who had spied on them. Needless to say, the thieves were given a good beating before being handed over to the police. Their trick was to steal only the new shoes and leave the old ones behind.

Earlier Maulvi Rajab Ali was one of those who, along with Hakim Ahsanullah Khan, had persuaded Bahadur Shah Zafar to surrender to Lt. Hodson at Humayun's Tomb. However, Europeans visiting the mosque hardly ever lost their shoes, as they did not take them off even before Viceroy Curzon's diktat that they should wear overshoes while entering the mosque. The treatise, "Delhi Between Two Empires," states that there was a deep resentment over this 'shoe question', which came suddenly to the surface during the Darbar of 1903 (held by Lord Curzon), when some Muslim shoe sellers pelted a group of British soldiers (with shoes?) — the first anti-British demonstration since 1857. The shoe merchants, who were predominantly Punjabi Muslims, besides Obeidullah Sindhi and the wealthy Sheikh Karim Ahmed, who later founded Madrasa Karima, must have presumably faced the wrath of the colonial rulers after that.

Incidentally, shoes are still stolen from churches, temples and mosques, though now there are attendants at the Jama Masjid and Fatehpuri mosque to take care of them. (Also, the namazis have become wiser and tend to take their footwear with them.) Mohammad Mian Akbar, who was a known shoe merchant of Ballimaran and of Agra's New Shoe Market, caught two men in the 1960s who (like local shoemakers) had come to his shop with a whole basketful of them for sale. Akbar bhai's trained eye saw through the deception and he had both men arrested. They later confessed to having stolen 100 new pairs from a number of masjids. Hali's warning still holds good as this scribe realised after a visit to the 18th Century Ghaziuddin mosque and had to go home in tattered slippers, left behind by the thief who walked away in his brand-new shoes.

-The Hindu, 22nd April 2 013

A team of researchers from the University of Calicut has reported the discovery of a new subspecies of wild banana that could be developed as an ornamental plant for tropical gardens.

The plant Musa velutina subsp. markkuana was discovered from the forests of Arunachal Pradesh and is characterised by smooth skinned fruits, purple pseudostems, erect maroon-coloured inflorescence and pink fruit. It has been named after Markku Hakkinen, an international expert on wild banana, attached to the Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Finland.

The research team led by M. Sabu, Head, Department of Botany, University of Calicut, and comprising Alfred Joe and P.E. Sreejith, discovered the subspecies as part of a project funded by the Union Department of Science and Technology. The plant grows in the forests as undergrowth in marshy areas. The researchers found many fruiting plants from the Balukpong area, West Kameng district and the Tezu and Hayulyang areas.

The finding has been published in 'Phytotaxa,' an international journal on botanical taxonomy.

According to Dr. Sabu, the plant could be promoted as an ornamental variety. It also held commercial value for the cut flower industry. "We have found that the cut plant remains fresh in the flower vase for more than one week. Growing up to a height of two metres, it produces inflorescence continuously for more than one month. In the fruiting stage, it bears bunches of pink or maroon fruits."

He feels that the plant could be crossed with other species to improve the ornamental value. "The use of wild species for the improvement of crop plants is an area of great potential." The seed-producing nature of the tropical species made it easy to propagate.

According to Dr. Sabu, the finding confirms the rich genetic diversity of banana in India.

The paper published in 'Phytotaxa' said wild species of banana were distributed in the north-eastern states, the Western and Eastern ghats and the Andaman and Nicobar islands. But many of these regions had not been explored systematically.

-The Hindu, 22nd April 2013

Unlike in India, cities across the world have war memorials in central locations

Not long ago, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit remarked that a national war memorial around India Gate would clutter up a recreational space and hinder people's enjoyment. But surely the Delhi administration can create such spaces elsewhere? Pleasure seekers might find more appropriate places than Edwin Lutyens' grand central avenue, leading from India Gate to the elegant Rashtrapati Bhavan, with the imposing North and South Blocks guarding its flanks.

The civilised world's capitals are replete with heroic statues of soldiers, with squares and avenues named after generals, admirals and famous battles. In India, we mostly celebrate politicians, along with a few saints, film stars and cricketers. But soldiers seem to be anathema. It is worth asking whether the Delhi CM would have opposed a memorial to a politician or religious figure on the grounds that it would be a hindrance to people's enjoyment or that it would spoil the environment. Ever since Independence, the Indian politico-bureaucratic establishment has typically regarded its soldiers, sailors and airmen with a certain disdain.

This is bizarre and incomprehensible, considering that a soldier laid down his life for the country just days after Independence. Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai earned glory and a posthumous Maha Vir Chakra for fighting Pakistani raiders near Baramulla. In the 66 years since then, there has scarcely been a day in the life of our embattled nation that a grieving family somewhere has not welcomed a hero, brought home in a tricolour-draped coffin. The war memorial, if one is ever created, will be a small tribute to the memory of the young men who gave their lives for the nation.

It has been the gallantry, patriotism and selfless sacrifice of these young men that repeatedly saved the nation from disintegration and dishonour, as our strategic naivete led to adventurism by neighbours in 1947, 1962, 1965 and 1999. The refusal to pay homage to fallen soldiers on the anniversaries of the Bangladesh and Kargil wars, or to the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka, on specious political grounds is unforgivable, especially since Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka celebrate these events in their own ways. The crowning national ignominy is the fact that the Sri Lankan government has been gracious enough to erect an impressive monument to the IPKF dead, while these brave soldiers remain unsung in their own motherland.

- The Indian Express, 23rd April 2013

Human rights activist and environmentalist Avdhash Kaushal has urged the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and all the MPs from the State to resign to protest against the highly insensitive decision of the Union Environment Ministry to declare the area between Gomukh and Uttarkashi as an eco-sensitive zone.

"This arbitrary decision would put an end to all development activity upto five kilometres on both sides of the Bhagirathi Ganga leading to a grinding halt to all development and power projects including roads in the highly sensitive frontier area," Mr. Kaushal said.

"Does not India have the expertise to produce power from Himalayan rivers without affecting the ecology," Mr. Kaushal asked.

Thousands of highly backward families who were seeing a ray of hope of direct or indirect employment through development projects on the Bhagirathi have been cheated by the Central Government merely to please the lobbies led by G.D. Aggarwal and Rajender Singh, Mr. Kaushal alleged.

Mr. Kaushal also wondered what the ' armchair' environmental experts in the Union Environment Ministry meant by blocking construction of roads near the Chinese and Nepal borders.

"The Prime Minister would do good by scrapping the Union Environment Ministry and constitute a body of well meaning experts and individuals to judiciously decide on environmental matters," Mr. Kaushal said.

-The Hindu, 23rd April 2013

A group of citizens in south Delhi's Sarvodaya Enclave who conducted the Capital's maiden tree census last year are a worried lot these days.

They won laurels from the administration for their extraordinary work. But now personnel of the same administration are allegedly not letting them take care of trees found damaged in the survey.

"On Sunday, a head constable of Delhi Police stood with people who did not want to de-choke trees on their premises. He said I should sit at home and had no business seeking de-choking of trees. The cop didn't give me a copy of the complaint I filed and asked me to visit the police station," said a resident.

"I will look into the matter and appropriate action would be taken," said a senior police officer of the area. "I wonder whose earth it is. People cannot choke and kill trees at public spaces, blocking groundwater recharge," said Padmavati Dwivedi, who led the census team.

However, they are not alone. There are a whole lot of activists who have been running form pillar to post to free trees of concrete. Aditya N Prasad, whose petition against the government and civic agencies will come up for hearing at the National Green Tribunal on Tuesday, said, "Central rules issued in the year 2000 say an area of 6X6 feet around each tree should be left vacant. The Delhi High Court had in 2007 ordered de-choking of trees in the Capital but the progress has been extremely slow. The problem lies in the implementation." Rajiv Dutta, senior Supreme Court advocate, said, "We're geared up for the hearing at the tribunal. That's the only hope."

-The Hindustan Times, 23rd April 2013

When it comes to meeting renewable energy targets, the capital is among the worst performers. A report released by Greenpeace and Infraline Energy on Monday - which compares the strides made by 29 states to increase the share of renewable power in the total supply - shows Delhi's lack of ambition on this front. This is despite having a per capita consumption that is almost twice the national average.

According to the report, Powering Ahead on Renewables: Leaders and Laggards, Delhi met 0% of its renewable purchase obligation (RPO) in 2012, while Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, Uttarakhand and Karnataka overshot their targets. Twenty-two states did not measure up.

RPO is a government regulation that makes it obligatory for state electricity regulatory commissions to buy a certain percentage of electricity generated from renewable sources. The targets were set by different states in 2010 to achieve the National Action Plan on Climate Change requirement of 15% renewable energy supply in India by 2020.

Delhi's installed capacity of solar energy is about 2.53MW and that of bioenergy is 16MW, which makes up 0.3% of the city's energy supply. This is a meagre share compared to the pace at which other a number of states are harnessing renewable energy and reducing their dependence on coal. "As the national capital, Delhi should have been a trendsetter. But the city doesn't even have a policy on renewable energy, not even solar energy, " said author of the report, Abhishek Pratap.

While some projects, including a 5MW solar power plant at Dadri and a 54kW solar grid-connected power plant at Bawana, are in the pipeline, their contribution will be miniscule as Delhi has not even invested in off-grid solar projects, says according to

Pratap. "Delhi has tremendous potential for creating solar rooftops and as well as generating biomass energy from the surrounding rural areas. It may generate up to 300MW of renewable energy, but that needs to be assessed properly. It Delhi has huge open spaces and as well as .

Metro stations that which can tap solar energy. It is also called the city of villages, so the biomass from these areas should be put to use," added Pratap.

The report recommends that the RPO directives be made mandatory by the power ministry with provision for a penalty. to ensure proper implementation. It also finds the RPO targets extremely 'conservative' as the assessment of renewable energy potential is not proper.

Renewable energy is not costly. The report projects that a higher target should have a marginal effect on the tariff from 2013 to 2020, with an increase of 15-30 paise nationally.

-The Times of India, 23rd April 2013

A statement signed by eminent lawyers, activists, groups and individuals has been sent to the Prime Minister, vice chairman of the planning commission, the ministry of environment and forests and the minister of water resources, protesting against the construction of the Lakhwar Dam on the Yamuna in the Upper Yamuna River Basin in Dehradun district.

The dam will be 204m high with a storage capacity of 580 million cubic meters. This will lead to submergence of 1,385.2 hectare which will include 868.08 hectare forest land and more than 50 villages. The project also involves a 300MW underground power plant, an 86m high Vyasi dam with a 120MW underground power plant and a barrage at Katapathar.

The letter says: "The project has not undergone basic, credible environment or social appraisal in any participatory manner. It doesn't have legally valid environment or forest clearance. There has not been any cumulative impact assessment of existing, under construction and planned dams and hydro-projects in the Yamuna system. There hasn't been any credible assessment about options for the project. The project is to come up in an seismically active area, prone to flash floods and also prone to erosion and land slides... ."

The signatories to the letter, which include Ramaswamy Iyer, former union water resources secretary of Delhi, Medha Patkar, Prashant Bhushan, Vandana Shiva and Rajendra Singh of Tarun Bharat Sangh, have asked the concerned agencies and governments to stall the project.

-The Times of India, 23rd April 2013

What do a retired embassy official, a university radio announcer and a former Air India manager have in common? Next time you visit the National Museum, one of them could be your guide for a free tour.

Having trained for almost three months under various museum experts and curators, the first batch of 30 trained volunteers is ready to take visitors on 90-minute tours of the museum.

The museum's voluntary guide programme (VGP) was inaugurated by culture minister Chandresh Kumari Katoch on Monday evening and certificates were given to the volunteers. While the first batch will start tours from Tuesday, the next 40 volunteers started their training on Monday.

The aim is to train up to 450 volunteers to guide visitors and also assist in the museum, said museum director-general, Dr Venu V. "We also have plans for a young visitors programme which will be much more interactive.''

Visitors will be taken to various attractions on the ground floor and then the first and second floors. The tours will start at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm from Tuesdays to Fridays. On Saturdays and Sundays, there will be four rounds starting at 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.

The volunteers are driven by a passion for the country's rich heritage. Engineer Rushi Bakshi who retired from the Dutch embassy said, "This is the first time such a programme has started in any museum in the country and this is a great initiative to promote the museum and make the experience of visitors more meaningful''. Another volunteer, Vijay Mishra, works as a freelancer and conducts heritage walks for Intach's Delhi chapter.

The volunteers have not got duty schedules but are expected to take at least two tours per week.

Students Pooja Thakur and Mansi have recently graduated from Delhi University and believe the volunteer work will teach them something books and classrooms cannot. "The programme is related to our field of study. Also, we strongly feel that in museums, people feel lost and wander around not knowing the story behind the exhibits or their significance. This is our way to give something back to our country,'' said Thakur. Kavita Goyal, an MA in political science, said she has visited many museums abroad and feels that Indian museums "have a lot to achieve''.

Retired Air India manager S R Nagar said the volunteer guide programme will help him realize his passion for history and culture and be a part of it.

-The Times of India, 23rd April 2013

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has served notices to 14 authorities directing them to remove all boards, nails and advertisements from trees falling under their jurisdictions and has directed the authorities to de-concretise the trees.

Following a petition filed by Aditya N. Prasad and others, the Tribunal issued notices to three Union Ministries – Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ministry of Human Resources Development and the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation – as also the Central Public Works Department, the Delhi Development Authority, National Highways Authority of India and the Delhi Cantonment Board seeking their response in the matter.

The Delhi Government's Department of Forests and Wildlife, Public Works Department and the Urban Development Department were the other departments asked to ensure that the trees are protected. The four civic bodies of North, South and East Delhi and the New Delhi Municipal Council have also been served notices in this regard.

Senior advocate Rajiv Dutta, who appeared on behalf of the petitioner, said that guidelines had been issued several years ago for greening of urban spaces and landscaping in Delhi. "The Delhi Government has issued guidelines with regard to how trees have to be protected. In 2007, the Delhi High Court had also directed authorities to clean up their act and this was followed up by another order in 2010," he said, speaking to The Hindu.

Mr. Prasad had also filed RTI application in all departments asking why the guidelines were not implemented, said Mr. Dutta. A report was also submitted on a tree census conducted in Sarvodaya Enclave which found that 89 per cent of trees suffer from concretisation. The order issued by the NGT took this report into consideration, he said.

Complete apathy

"There is complete apathy among the various authorities towards protecting trees. Not just authorities but even among citizens," noted Mr. Dutta, adding the Tribunal's notice is a step towards protecting the Capital's trees. "The Tribunal was very straightforward in ordering the authorities to clean up their act," he said.

-The Hindu, 24th April 2013

The Union Urban Development Ministry has submitted before the Standing Committee on Urban Development that a waste-to-energy plant being set up by the Delhi Power Department through the East Delhi Waste Processing Co. Ltd (EDWPCL) at the Ghazipur landfill site is now in an advanced stage of completion and the first phase of the plant is likely to become operational this month.

"During the first phase, the garbage will be converted into refused-derived fuel (RDF) and will be sold to various industries for its utilisation as fuel. In the second phase, the RDF so generated at the plant will be incinerated there itself to produce 10-12 MW of green electricity. The operation of the second phase may take another year. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation in compliance with a concession agreement signed with EDWPCL is required to supply 1,300 metric tonnes of garbage at the collection point of the plant," said the Ministry in its reply.

The Ministry said the civic body had already provided a piece of land measuring about 10 acres to Gas Authority of India Limited for setting up of a pilot project for extracting methane and other gases from the Ghazipur dump site.

"The gas so extracted, if found of sufficient calorific value, will be utilised as fuel in various types of vehicles and if not, the gases will be flared up. The construction work of this plant is in an advanced stage," said the Ministry in response to a question on whether it has any plans for scientific landfills capable of removing methane emissions and waste-to-energy projects.

The Ministry explained the steps taken to address the problems of communities which have been protesting the decision to locate new and bigger suburban dump-sites in their localities, which adversely impact groundwater, air quality and public health. The Ministry said under the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, no new land has been allotted for sanitary landfills during the past 12 years. "However, it has set up an integrated municipal solid waste facility at Narela-Bawana. The facility receives waste from the Civil Lines and Rohini zones."

The East Delhi Municipal Corporation, it said, has proposed to set up a leachate recirculation facility. The leachate so generated will be collected in a water-sealed tank and re-circulated into the existing garbage, which would reduce the strength of leachate and thus help in resolving the problem of water pollution.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation is already operating a waste-to-energy plant and one compost plant, which are consuming about 40 per cent of the municipal solid waste generated under its jurisdiction.

As for a query on what alternative steps were being taken, given that transportation and disposal of waste in landfills is expensive, the Ministry said the waste-to-energy technology is used in developed countries mostly where there is a shortage of land for waste treatment and disposal and/or the waste has high calorific value on account of large components of paper, plastic and packaging material besides others. However, in India, it said the process of some waste-to-energy projects was in the initial stage and that the viability and sustainability of the technology process and projects were still being established.

-The Hindu, 24th April 2013

Ten years ago, the term green building would have meant the colour of the structure to most people. Today, India is on the perch of witnessing a green building revolution.

Exactly a decade ago, in 2003, the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre came up in Hyderabad and received the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Green Building certificate. The number of green buildings in the country registered with the Indian Green Building Council today is more than 2,000.

related story

'We've registered over 2,000 green buildings'
• Leading example of energy efficiency in NCR

The NCR has the second largest number of green buildings in the country, with most of them located in satellite towns of Gurgaon and Noida. For NCR that guzzles more power than it can produce, going green is the only way out in the not-so-distant energy-deficient future.

Constructing green buildings is not just about being environmentally conscious but also about saving money. Buildings that are planned, constructed and operated in a green fashion can save up to 50% of energy costs.

From huge corporate offices to government buildings, hospitals to hotels and villas to small houses, green buildings are beneficial to everyone. Though its construction cost can be slightly high, its benefits mean that the costs are evened out in just a few years.

"Traditionally, India always had green buildings. But due to globalisation, we moved to non-green buildings," said Mili Majumdar Director (Sustainable Habitat), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

"We never used air-conditioning earlier, but most buildings now are energy guzzlers. Consumers are not aware of the benefits of green buildings. Also, developers are not very keen on introducing green measures as they don't see a direct benefit in it." Majumdar dismissed as myth the belief that green buildings were costly. She said the expenditure depended on how well you plan them.

A lot of people in NCR have begun to understand the concept and benefits of green homes, she said, adding that "People can ensure that their houses have better orientation for optimum use of sunlight, landscaping around house to keep it cool, use energy-efficient glass and allow natural ventilation."

But some experts feel that just constructing green buildings was not enough. "Eighty per cent of the façade of most upcoming buildings is enveloped by glass, which lets in a lot of heat and sunlight. Just using energy-efficient glass is not the solution," said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director, Centre for Science and Environment. "What we need are design interventions to reduce dependence on artificial light and air-conditioning."

Roy Chowdhury said that apart from rating and certifying a structure as green building, there should be regular audits to see if they are actually saving as much energy as they are supposed to.

-The Hindustan Times, 25th April 2013

The National Green Tribunal has granted "one final opportunity" to authorities in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, including the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and the Delhi Development Authority, to file comprehensive affidavits on the extent of debris deposited on the banks of the Yamuna.

A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar passed an order on Tuesday instructing the Chief Secretaries of both the States to personally file the affidavits within two weeks. The Central Public Works Department and the three Municipal Corporations of North, South and East Delhi are among those asked to submit detailed affidavits. The Tribunal was hearing a petition filed by Manoj Misra of the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, who has opposed the dumping of debris and construction waste on the banks of the river.

"The affidavits filed before us do not apparently depict the correct state of affairs. None of the affidavits filed by any of the Corporations or authorities state that they or their contractors have thrown any debris on the bank of the Yamuna and ... that debris/construction material are lying on the banks of the Yamuna, which is an undisputed fact," stated the order.

The authorities have been asked to file detailed affidavits stating the extent of debris/construction material/deposits thrown by them on the banks of the river, how much it has been removed by each of these authorities and upon removal where such debris had been stored or dumped. The affidavits should also state whether any such site has been earmarked for dumping and what was its capacity for accepting such a high level of dumping.

"It is also brought to our notice that the concrete and construction debris mixed with MSW (municipal solid waste) are thrown on the river bank, which should be stopped forthwith. Thus, we direct that no MSW or MSW mixed with construction debris and other waste material shall be thrown on the river bank of the Yamuna," noted the order. Earlier, the NGT had also set up a high powered committee chaired by the Secretary (Environment) that found that 37,000 cubic metres of debris/construction material was lying on the eastern bank of the river while 53,000 cubic metres had been deposited on its western bank between Nizamuddin Bridge and Batla House.

"The Secretary, MoEF – before whom the DDA has filed the beautification plan – has stated that they shall invite comments of the public authorities, and if necessary would also consult the Director, IIT-Delhi, for the purpose and give final site plan before the next date of hearing to the Tribunal," added the order. The next hearing is scheduled for May 23.

-The Hindu, 25th April 2013

The Lakshminrismha Temple established in Karol Bagh in 1982 has undergone renovation

One cannot avoid looking at the beautifully arched and revamped Sri Lakshminrisimha temple while passing through the busy streets of Guru Ravidass Marg in Karol Bagh. The temple is the only one in Delhi to enshrine Lord Nrisimha. It is run by Sri Ahobila Mutt, whose history dates back 600 years and has its origins in the hills of Ahobilam in Andhra Pradesh.

The temple has undergone renovation, acquiring a distinctive identity in the process. The beautiful top, known as 'raja gopuram', containing the magnificently carved Nava Narsimha, seems to be the stairway to heaven. The construction of a hall has also been planned to house a Vedapaathashaala.

The quadrangular architecture of the temple — built with the blessings of the 45th and 46th pontiffs of the Mutt — follows the conventions of Dravidian architecture which is seen in temples of South India. "To add a natural element, the cladding is done in red stone. Bricks and cement are mainly used in its craft," says Thirumalai Nambi, its architect.

The renovation took about three years and cost around Rs.1.25 crores. "Finally we are living the dream. This temple is restored to glory and is a masterpiece in itself," says Nagalakshmi Narayana Swami who has been visiting since its inception. The temple now has additional sannadhis, and daily prayers are conducted at the temple as per Agama Sastra.

"Festivals like Nrisimha Jayanti, which is around the corner, are celebrated with majestic grandeur and highly awaited after this restoration. Devotees in huge number are expected to gather for the festival," says Srinivas Raghavan, the priest. The four-day 'maha samprokshanam' of this revamped temple will take place from Monday. The temple, though situated in the bustling commercial hub, offers devotees and oasis of peace and calm.

-The Hindu, 25th April 2013

For not adhering to standards of bio-medical waste disposal

Five hospitals in the city have not been strictly adhering to prescribed standards of collection and disposal of bio-medical waste according to the Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) inspection team has revealed.

The inspection report submitted at the National Green Tribunal named two private facilities -- Max Super Speciality Hospital, Indraprastha Extension, and M/s Fortis Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre Ltd, Okhla.

It also found three government hospitals -- Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini, Dr. Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan and Lok Nayak Hospital -- to be in serious default.

In the case of Lok Nayak Hospital, the report noted that here the sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 1,250 KLD was also non-functional for the past three months. Earlier, the CPCB had been instructed by the Tribunal, in an order dated April 18, to produce complete records to show the number of hospitals that are adhering to the prescribed standards of collection and disposal of bio-medical waste and had asked the Board to conduct surprise inspections in Delhi.

The findings of the report prompted the Bench headed by National Green Tribunal chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar on Tuesday to issue notices to all the five hospitals "to show cause why appropriate order and directions be not passed against them and they be directed to pay compensation on the principle of polluter pays".

The order further instructed the team to inspect other hospitals including private clinics and nursing homes.

"It shall inspect and see whether there was a mercury waste resulting from their carrying on of business of hospital/nursing homes, and if so, the manner in which it was disposed of. They should also inspect Safdarjung Hospital, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences and all other major hospitals," it noted.

The Tribunal has instructed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the CPCB to constitute more than one team comprising environmentalists and scientists to enable preparation of a comprehensive report to be placed before it on the next day of hearing on May 22.

The Bench also instructed that similar inspections be carried out by the Haryana Pollution Control Board for Haryana and the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board for Uttar Pradesh

-The Hindu, 25th April 2013

With officials of various departments set to meet on Thursday to discuss the progress made on the redevelopment of Khan Market, the issue of extra Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for those having terraces and barsatis is expected to be one of the main things that will be raised at the meeting. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) will also demand parking land at subsidised rates.

The NDMC has already asked Land and Development Office (L&DO) to give it land for parking at a subsidised rate. The L&DO had reportedly asked for approximately Rs 15 crore for transferring the land to the NDMC. According to a High Court order, the parking issue in Khan Market needs to be sorted out before the re-development plan is carried out. But with payment still an issue, redevelopment plan seems to be stuck for the time being.

According to NDMC officials, there is a demand to increase FAR. "People who have two rooms on the terrace and a gap between the two rooms, now want to cover that gap to get more FAR. They want to use this space for commercial purposes. They also want covered front verandahs to be regularised as additional FAR," the official said.

For middle street and fire safety issues, the officials will debate the fire platform as approved by Delhi Fire Service. "A door on the first floor which opens to the fire platform, common gate to roof and front elevation of Khan Market and some of the issues on which a decision will be taken in Thursday's meeting," the official said.

Another important issue in the redevelopment of Khan Market is allowing openings for exhaust and fresh air units on the rooftop.

The meeting will also take forward the discussion on fire safety measures, development of utility services and augmentation of sewage and water lines.

-The Indian Express, 25th April 2013

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given "one last opportunity" to authorities in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, including DMRC, to come clean as to who is dumping rubble in the river Yamuna.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Swatanter Kumar observed that the affidavits filed by the authorities of the two States do not apparently depict the correct state of affairs as they do not state that the agencies or their contractors have dumped debris in the river, while it "is an undisputed fact" that rubble is being thrown there.

"The affidavits filed before us do not apparently depict the correct state of affairs. None of the affidavits filed by any of the Corporation or authority state that they or their contractors have thrown any debris on the river bank of Yamuna The debris or construction material are lying on the banks of the river Yamuna, which is an undisputed fact," said Kumar. It gave two weeks time to the authorities to file their fresh affidavits and listed the matter for further hearing on May 23.

"Normally, we would have taken action in accordance with the law. However, in the interest of justice, we grant one final opportunity to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and all other authorities from States of Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to file complete and comprehensive affidavits," the bench said. It also directed that municipal solid waste (MSW) mixed with debris and construction material not be dumped in the river, after it was brought to the tribunal's notice. The Tribunal was hearing a petition filed by Manoj Mishra who has opposed the dumping of rubble on the banks of river Yamuna. Earlier, the NGT had also set up a high powered committee to ensure complete implementation of the tribunal's directions and to frame one time guidelines for ensuring the same.

-The Pioneer, 25th April 2013

Even as the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) unravels its plans of building a bio-diversity park along the Yamuna River, a section of environmentalists have started raising objections, claiming that the move could well be counter-productive.

Manoj Misra of NGO Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan, on whose petition the National Green Tribunal is monitoring removal of debris from the riverbed, said, "DDA must think beyond landscaping and concrete structures.

"Even if they use jute structures to set up these parks (concrete is not allowed in riverbed) their maintenance will need massive manpower and expenditure," Misra stated. He said he would appeal to the tribunal, where DDA's plan will finally be submitted on May 23.

"There is a practice called agro-biodiversity. Why cannot the government let farmers do the job and protect the riverbed in the most natural way and with least interference. Legitimate farmers are the best keepers of the riverbed as can be gauged from the fact that there is little or no dumped debris in areas where active farming has been happening," he said.

Misra has already written to Delhi Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna, who is also DDA chairman, saying that the development authority should not evict farmers but renegotiate the terms of the lease with a provision that only subsistence and strictly natural, organic farming shall be permissible in an agro-bio-diverse manner.

-The Hindustan Times, 25th April 2013

India is fast losing its tag of being one of the finest places for bird watchers with data indicating a decline in migratory birds visiting around 94 major wetlands in the country.

The famous wetlands - Bharatpur national park in Rajasthan or Chilka Laka in Orissa or Kolleru wetland in Andhra Pradesh or Rann of Kachh in Gujarat - are losing their sheen and no more attracting foreign birds as they used do decades ago.

Its official confirmation came this week when environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan told Lok Sabha that there was a decline in migratory birds coming to India "Except Nordmann's Greenshan, all other species have been observed to be decline in Asia including India," the minister said.

India has 94 notified wetlands, which are also declared as sanctuaries, but many of them are in shambles in absence of conservation measures.

The government's own records show that many of these wetlands suffer from ecological degradation on account of over-exploitation and water contamination due to excessive use of pesticides in agriculture.

A recent study by Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore, using satellite imagery shows that major wetlands - for attracting migratory birds - such as Dal Lake, the Sunderban, Chilka, Kolleru, Esctuaries of Karnataka Coast, Cochin Backwaters are among the seriously threatened wetlands in the country.

And, its impact is showing on arrival of majestic migratory birds through Central Asian Flyway (CAF) in India. The latest Asian Bird Census, which the ministry quoted in Parliament, shows a dip of migratory birds. "The number of birds being spotted are falling at a fast pace," said an ecologist associated with the census.

Other bird watchers believe that Asian Bird Census is not credible as it relies on sighting of birds on one given day in a year. "One cannot spot all the birds visiting in just a few hours in one day of the year," said Fayaz Khudsar, a wildlife biologist with Delhi University.

Others like Ramki Sreenivasan of online portal Conservation India wondered how such a tall claim can be made without India having any official bird census.The same portal on November 1, 2012had reported massacre of thousands of migratory Amur Falcons in north-eastern Indian state of Nagaland for purpose of sale in local markets.

The ministry admitted that hunting was a reason for decline in population of migratory birds. Around 370 species of migratory birds have been reported from India in the recent past of which 175 species undertake long distance migration using the CAF area.

These birds include Siberian cranes, flamingoes, Egyptian vultures, white tailed eagles, spoonbill sandpiper and fishing eage.

Natarajan said select scientific institutions funded by the government and NGOs working for wetlands and migratory birds have been monitoring the status of these long distance migratory birds in India.

-The Hindustan Times, 25th April 2013

'Peace Ahimsa Truth' reads the tattoo that runs around this Gandhian's arm. But Birad Rajaram Yajnik is not on a quest to turn anyone into a Gandhian. "I'm looking for the next Gandhi instead," says the publisher-photographer-writer-artist and curator of a digital museum on the world's most famous Indian.

World over, there has been a transition from the physical to the virtual with museums digitizing their collections. Recently, British Telecom created an online archive of nearly 500,000 photographs, documents and letters gathered since 1846. Birad Rajaram took this step way ahead of the rest, by curating his museum with not only the best of memorabilia but also with artistic presentation.

A professional user visual interface designer, Birad understands the significance of digitizing information and art. "The transfer of information is done faster through the digital media as compared to any other form of media," he points out.

The key word here, however, is interactivity. While the museum is equipped with touch screens and other interactive media to showcase unique memorabilia, standing testimony to the fact that the interaction isn't limited to the digital is the massive 73 x 10 feet wall in the centre. "The wall is a massive collection of 400 photographs of the Mahatma, picked out from the images I collected while working on my limited edition book on Gandhi (2010)," Birad explains.

Another attraction at the museum is a Black Harley Davidson called the 'Ahimsa Bike'. It was Birad's gimmick to entice a group of 900 students he had to give a lecture to about Gandhi. "I told them about this group called Bikers Against Animal Cruelty (BAAC), which follows the Gandhian philosophy against animal cruelty. Then, I invited everyone to sign the bike. The bike syumbolises the universality of Gandhi."

-The Asian Age, 25th April 2013

An Indian woman walking around in the streets of London last year, browsing through piles of books and artifacts on the roadside chanced upon a huge cache of quaint maps and thought she could cut them up into table mats and coasters. However, assailed by doubts and advised by friends, she approached a map collector to verify the papers. What emerged was a critical record from India's past, a history that could have easily been erased.

What the woman had unknowingly rescued was a bunch of Survey of India's first few maps of India and Pakistan from 1871 to 1928. These include an 1881 map of Marri Hills which houses present-day Pakistan's first beer brewery set up in 1860, a 1912 map of Delhi and a 1928 map of Mt Everest. The maps were finally purchased by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage for a modest sum and 30-odd pieces have been put on display in their office till April 30.

In 1912, Delhi was a tiny city, surrounded by large swathes of Ridge forest and orchards. Based on surveys between 1870-72 and 1912, the map shows the early phase of British occupation of the city who settled in north Delhi's Kingsway Camp and Civil Lines area after the revolt of 1857. The city centre was Shahjahanabad built between the Aravalli Ridge in the west and 'Jamuna' river in the east. The native population then occupied areas like 'Pahargang', 'Sadr Bazar' and Subzi Mandi. The city's major landmarks, like the Mutiny Memorial, Ashokan Pillar and Hindu Rao's Estate are present in the map along with a cantonment area in front of Jama Masjid. Present day market areas and government establishments have taken the place of erstwhile villages of Malcha, 'Rai Sina', 'Rakb Gang' and Tal Katora.

Manu Bhatnagar, heading Intach's natural heritage section, points out the changes in Delhi between 1912 and the next map released in 1928 and then present day Delhi. "The city has lost much of its natural heritage over the years. The Bhalaswa lake has now dried up and is being used as a landfill site while Najafgarh Jheel and vast tracts of marshlands have disappeared. The 1912 map shows drainage channels from Lodhi Garden and a navigation canal that the British had proposed between Okhla and north Delhi which was known as the Okhla Navigation Cut. The project was finally shelved," he said.

By 1928, the capital of Imperial India had moved from Kolkata to Delhi and the map shows construction of New Delhi where villages existed and Connaught Place on the site of Raja ka Bazar. A planned road network is also visible, the names of which were personally selected by Edwin Lutyen from a list of Mughal emperors.

A set of maps of Ajanta and Ellora caves, made about 85 years ago especially for travellers, have been commended for their refined work and exact details which to this year have barely changed. These maps were sold for Re 1 a sheet as stated at the bottom of the map on display. The 1928 Mt Everest Map was compiled from trips to the hill starting with the Everest Reconnaissance Exploration, the first British attempt at reaching the peak in 1921. The team was accompanied by Indian surveyors and shows all major peaks and glaciers.

The oldest of the maps are of 24-Parangas, 'Backergunje' and Murshirabad while the newest are from United Provinces, Central Provinces, Northwest Provinces and Oudh. Most of the district maps were made at the Surveyor General's office in Kolkata.

-The Times of India, 25th April 2013

The 1,000-year-old minaret of Aleppo'sUmayyad Mosque has fallen to clashes between Syrian rebels and forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

The 12th century mosque, which is a Unesco world heritage site, fell into rebel hands earlier this year after heavy fighting that damaged the historic compound. The area around it remains contested. Syrian troops are about 200m. But both sides blamed the other for the toppling of the minaret, which predated the medieval-era mosque it stood in.

"This is like blowing up the Taj Mahal or destroying the Acropolis in Athens," Helga Seeden, a professor of archaeology at the American University of Beirut. "This mosque is a living sanctuary. In terms of heritage, this is the worst I've seen in Syria."

Aleppo-based activist Mohammed al-Khatib said a Syrian army tank fired a shell that "totally destroyed" the minaret. But the state news agency said rebels from the al-Qaida-linked Jabhat al-Nusra group blew it up.

The mosque and the nearby medieval market are centerpieces of Aleppo's walled Old City, which is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. Fighting has ravaged the Old City's stone-vaulted alleyways for months and had already reduced much of the mosque to rubble.

The conflict in Syria, now in its third year, threatens ancient castles and Roman ruins. Islamist rebel units said on Wednesday that they had launched an offensive on the coastal province of Latakia, a move which could further stoke sectarian tensions in a war that has increasingly divided the country along religious and ethnic lines. The coast is a stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam. Alawites have dominated Syria's power structures during four decades of the Assad family rule. Rebels, mostly from the Sunni majority, have seized territory in northern and southern Syria, and half of Aleppo. But Assad's forces have kept control of capital Damascus and other main cities.

Recently in Mali, militants following the hardline Wahhabi strain of Islam, destroyed cultural treasures in Timbuktu, believing them to be 'haram' (forbidden). They torched a building housing thousands of manuscripts from the ancient Muslim world and Greece.

-The Times of India, 26th April 2013

Did you know how much power your summer's cool haven guzzles to keep you comfortable?

A mall uses anywhere between 4MW to 10MW of energy, depending on its size — enough to light up a small south Delhi colony comprising nearly 2,000 houses every day, says Delhi Transco. Five-star hotels too are big power guzzlers.

According to the Delhi Transco, electricity consumption in Delhi's commercial sector makes for approximately 20% of the annual electricity consumption and the requirement is increasing by 7.65% per year.

A major load centre in shopping malls, markets, hotels and restaurants are their air-conditioning units, lighting and pumps, in that order.

Experts point out that malls and five-star hotels waste a lot of energy, and though the consumption levels can be brought down by as much as 50% in new buildings, nothing much has been done. The question now arises is why hasn't the government stepped in.

The environment department says it has identified and directed 14 hotels to put in place a solar heating system for which three months' time has been given. If they fail to do so, strict action will be taken against them.

So far, no department maintains information on power consumption by malls.

However, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has now decided to collect information on their water and electricity consumption.

"Once this exercise is complete, we will hold workshops and suggest to them ways of reducing their current consumption by making use of alternative energy," said a senior DPCC official.

However, Delhi's power regulatory body claims that it cannot direct malls or hotels to regulate their consumption.

But at the same time it can ensure that power distribution companies should make use of alternative energy sources to help meet the gap between demand and supply.

"It is the power distribution companies who are supposed to look for alternative sources of energy to meet Delhi's peak demand. We can't ask malls and hotels to procure solar energy. This year discoms, have an entire year to fulfil the renewable purchase obligation (RPO) and if they fail to do so penalty will be imposed," said PD Sudhakar, secretary of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC).

However, malls and hotels too can act of their own accord and use solar energy. Not only is it eco-friendly, but they will also be able to bring down their operational costs. Mall rooftops will be an ideal space for installation of solar panels.

Across the world, a number of malls have installed solar panels to cut down on their cost and to do their bit in conserving energy.

For instance, California has become the top state in the United States in the generation of solar power.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the state has enough solar capacity installed to power 362,276 homes.

A small step was taken in this direction when Sahara Mall in Gurgaon installed a petroleum natural gas (PNG) power back-up instead of a diesel one. PNG is both cheaper and cleaner. Its head JK Gupta said installing solar panels on the mall's roof was next on agenda.

BR Wasan of the MGF mall occupants' association said: "Mall managers too believe that in the context of present-environment, going green is the best way forward. It will not only help the environment, but will also bring down the operational costs."

However, till now not a single mall in Gurgaon has rooftop solar panels, forget the advanced green building features like geo-thermal cooling or water-harvesting systems.

Finally, the government had to step in and force all such establishments, except eateries and cineplexes, to shut shop for at least one day in a week to bring down their power consumption. (With inputs from Gurgaon) Case study 'Green' unit cuts 60% power needs Pulse Magnetic and Power Electronics Gurgaon: Here is a manufacturing-cum-office unit of an electronics company that hardly utilises 40KW of power in a day.

Pulse Magnetic and Power Electronics, located in Gurgaon's industrial hub of Udyog Vihar, may be a small-scale industrial unit but it has managed to keep pace with today's 'green' standards.

Spread over an area of 450 sqm with a three-floor building and two basements, the unit does not have a single air-conditioner for its 70-odd employees. Even the firm's managing director, TB Baranwal, works from a non-AC chamber.

Baranwal explained that the industrial complex has a well-laid out air circulation system that makes air-conditioning redundant.

"We have put in special air ducts that take the filtered atmospheric air into a tunnel that is 20-feet below the ground. From there, the air travels to our air handling unit, which is at times sprinkled with water, and then towards the various ducts opening into various floors," he said.

Besides, there are 14 turbo exhaust fans on the building's terrace that constantly remove inside air and help maintain freshness inside. And these fans run on natural wind.

Baranwal did something unique on the terrace. The concrete surface of the terrace has been covered with earthen cups filled with a mixture of sand and cow dung.

Then tiles were put over them, which were then painted white so that they absorb the least amount of sun's heat.

"For a building of this size and my industrial operations, I would have needed 100 KW of power every day. But we have cut down the requirement by almost 60 per cent," said Baranwal. By Deevakar Anand.

-The Hindustan Times, 26th April 2013

Foreign national as tourist guides right under the noses of Goan approved tourist guides, explaining in languages such as French, Russian and Arabic to tourists has got on the nerves of local tourist guides.

The empanelled tour guides are not happy that their daily bread is been stolen from their plates and have decided to remain mute spectators no more. They have not sought that State Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar intervene in the issue.

"Only Indian guides authorised by the Indian Government can escort tourists at world heritage sites like Old Goa. What's happening now, is Russian, French and even Iranians are freelancing as guides taking groups of their nationalities around," Jenny Pacheco, a local Goan and empanelled tourist guide said after calling on the Chief Minister.

They have been demanding that the Government debar foreign nationals illegally as tourist guides besides also businesses in the form of travel and tour agencies operated by foreigners, especially Russians.

They say that the Russians who they claim are snatching their clients.

Most of the tourist guiding takes place at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a four hundred year Basilica housing the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier a 16th century missionary saint, besides also being part of the Old Goa church complex is a world heritage site recognised by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).

St Xavier is considered the protector of Goa.

Thousands of tourists daily visit the Old Goa heritage complex to have a view of the churches, having very little knowledge of the history and culture associated with the old city of Goa and use the services of knowledgeable guides.

"The very fact that foreign nationals (Russians) are engaged in guiding at monuments can be traced from the CCTV footage installed in the Basilica of Bom Jesus," the complaint says.

The complaint spells out the names of several illegal travel agencies run by Russian nationals and foreigners doubling up as tour guides.

"A lot of these guides are actually foreign escorts who accompany groups of tourists and then freelance as guides. They just read magazine and guidebooks and often end up misguiding tourists about the history and heritage of the place," said Advino Fernandes, another tour guide.

Tour guides say that their main source of income comes from the season time when the tourists are maximum and they have to make the money to last for the rest of the year. "With foreigners conducting guiding tours illegally, it is robbing our daily bread," he said.

Earlier local taxi drivers said that foreigners were running taxis in Goa thus robbing them of businesses.

There have been bloody skirmishes between local taxi operators and their alleged foreign rivals.

-The Pioneer, 26th April 2013

To give the people a better understanding of Buddhism and its link with Kashmir, art historian Benoy K. Behl has now made a special documentary titled "The Monasteries of Rinchen Zangpo" which will be screened at Tibet House on Lodhi Road here this coming Sunday.

Describing this film as an extraordinary one, Benoy says he had to make adventurous expeditions to the treacherous mountains of Tibet, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Ladakh. He discovered not only mesmerising unexplored monasteries but also learnt about the artists from Kashmir whose paintings and sculptures are testimony to a great tradition of art.

All the 108 monasteries documented in the film were built under the supervision of Tibetan scholar and great translator Rinchen Zangpo.

"Western Tibet King Yeshe Od had despatched a delegation comprising 24 monks to Kashmir so that they could study Buddhism there. Twenty two of them died during the journey: Rinchen was one of the two who survived."

Noting that the basic objective behind making this film was to enlighten people about Buddhism and clear certain misconceptions, the filmmaker says this film will help in promoting tourism in these regions where prospective tourists are reluctant to go because of lack of infrastructure and accommodation.

"How many people are aware that it were the Kashmiri artists who painted all monasteries in these regions? They laid the foundations of the later traditions of Buddhism in the trans-Himalayas. Since time immemorial, Kashmir was recognised as the seat of the goddess of learning."

When Chinese scholar Hiuen Tsang visited India, Kashmir used to be a flourishing centre of Buddhism which rivalled the importance of Magadha. "The Chinese pilgrim discovered quite a few stupas and came across numerous monks in the Valley. Hiuen Tsang studied under a renowned Kashmiri teacher."

Comparing the art in these monasteries with other work of art in different parts of the country, the filmmaker says these are the finest pieces of exquisite art in the region and can be compared with the art of Ajanta and Thanjavur.

"I try not to think of the difficulties which we encountered during this expedition. But we had to make an extraordinary effort in discovering 108 monasteries located in geographically inaccessible regions of the country. For some, I had to trek long distances but every effort made was worth it."

The expedition to the Sumda monastery was fraught with danger. "As this monastery is located over 12,500 feet above sea level, trekking was an arduous task. We had to carry lot of paraphernalia. Not much of food but plenty of water bottles. There were hidden dangers. If we ran short of oxygen then it could have been fatal. No medical facilities are available," says Benoy, who was accompanied by an assistant director and two other assistants.

Benoy says the film would not have been possible without the help extended by the local administration and those running these monasteries.

At a time when films are commissioned only if they can be monetarily rewarding, Benoy is grateful to the national broadcaster for commissioning such an interesting but a non-lucrative project.

"Such films may not be commercially viable but they help in increasing understanding about our ancient civilisation and rich cultural heritage."

-The Hindu, 26th April 2013

The Public Works Department (PWD) of the Delhi government illegally felled and damaged 39 trees for a road-widening project in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj.

In response to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by the Hindustan Times, the Delhi forest department said the PWD had in two separate applications sought felling of 167 trees. When the forest department denied permission, the PWD went ahead and hacked the trees.

The RTI reply also reveals that the PWD sought felling of trees without having a plan for compensatory afforestation. When asked to provide the quantum and location of land identified for afforestation, the reply says, "No land identified. No request (for identification of land) for this project under consideration."

Under the Delhi Preservation of Tree Act, 1994, the agency seeking deforestation has to ensure plantation of 10 saplings for each tree felled and provide non-forest land for the purpose.

The forest department has also disclosed that it has taken cognisance under the DPTA and lodged police complaints. It has, however, said it doesn't have information on the total number of trees needed to be felled for the project.

The National Green Tribunal has while hearing a petition filed by a local resident ordered an interim stay on the project till the next hearing slated for April 29. The tribunal also warned the Delhi government of strong action if further felling of trees took place.

Residents had alleged the PWD was widening a 3.5-km stretch from Andheria Mod towards Mahipalpur by demolishing colony boundaries and felling trees illegally.

The plan is to widen the road from 17.2 metres to 75-metres. On completion, this would be the Capital's widest road. The stretch being widened from four lanes to eight lanes has on its both flanks hundreds of flats in. When residents protested, the PWD stopped felling of trees but digging of soil continued for some time, leaving a number of trees with exposed roots.

-The Hindustan Times, 26th April 2013

Delhi's Jantar Mantar Road where citizens converge to protest

Dusk is around the corner. Half hanging posters, scattered chairs and fallen tent poles indicate the abrupt wrapping up of a protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar Road. It is one of the many sit-ins that have taken place during the day at the place well-known for expressing dissent in the country's democratic set up. At the venue, adjacent to the 18 Century monument Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, protests are a normal occurrence for the past few years as the road has been designated for this purpose.

Though night is approaching rapidly, there is still a lot of activity. Security personnel can be seen sipping tea at a corner stall, while the cacophony of people fills the air. Amidst the action, a vendor under a tree busies himself cracking eggs into a pan. Some tents put up by protesters still stand. Inside the one that sports the banner Vishwa Jain Sangathan, a man addresses a small crowd as he wipes his face with a wet towel. Its president Sanjay Jain is observing a fast unto death, demanding minority status for the Jain community.

Along the road, in another small tent people sit on a carpet chatting and calling out to passers-by. This group represents the Yamuna Mukti Abhiyan, which is busy spreading awareness on river pollution. Apart from hunger strikes, Jantar Mantar Road has also often been witness to candle light vigils.

Prior to Jantar Mantar Road, India Gate and Rajpath used to be the preferred place for protestors. "In the late 1980s, farmers from Uttar Pradesh gheraoed India Gate. They cooked their food and left garbage here and there. This caused great inconvenience to the people and the city," said Shriom, one of the members of Yamuna Mukti Abhiyan. He feels that it was after this that the Centre allocated Jantar Mantar Road to carry out agitations.

However, all is not perfect with this venue. Health and hygiene plague protestors day in and day out. Water proves to be a serious problem. There is only one public toilet.

Other than protests, Jantar Mantar Road draws the attention of people thanks to the food available here. A South Indian stall serves idlis and dosas that are very popular with the office going crowd in the vicinity. "Our business goes down on the day of too many protests; protestors do not spend money on this kind of food," says Mani from Kerala, the caretaker of the shop.

-The Hindu, 27th April 2013

"If you see the entire design of the Red Fort it appears like an eight-sided flower," wrote Bashir-ud-Din in his magnum opus on Delhi, detailing the extensive work that went into its construction As promised in cityscape last week we present here an excerpt from a description of the Red Fort as left for us by Bashir-ud-Din Ahmad in his 2,400-page magnum opus Waqeyaat-e-Daar-ul-Hukoomat-e-Dehli 'Events at the Capital City of Delhi' in an English translation from the original Urdu, published 94 years ago in 1919.

"……after Jehangir the celebration of the coronation ceremony of Shahjahan too was organised on a grand scale at Agra, the fort of his ancestors. After 11 years it was realised that the forts at Agra and Lahore were no longer adequate to contain the ever expanding scale of the grandeur of the Mughal court and therefore the emperor decided to make Delhi his capital. He visited the city of Deen Panah (the sixth city built by his great grandfather Humayun) on several occasions, the site where the Red Fort is now located was chosen after consulting astrologers, Ulema and great sufis and then the foundation of the city of Shahjahanabad, popularly known as Dehli, was laid next to the site of the fort.

Construction of a fort that was superior to the fort at Agra and much better than the fort at Lahore, soon commenced. The foundation of the fort was laid after elaborate preparations on the auspicious moment five hours and 12 minutes into the night of Friday the 9 of Moharram of 1049 Hijri (May 12, 1639) coinciding with the 24 day of the second month of the 561 year of the Persian Malik Shahi calendar, under the care of Izzat Khan (who was later to be governor of Sindh). The two most senior masters (architects) involved at the time were Ustad Ahmad and Ustad Hamid. Izzat Khan remained in-charge for five months and two days, during this period he succeeded in completing the laying of the foundations and getting together the required building materials. He was appointed governor of Sindh and was replaced by Allah Wardi Khan who remained at the helm for two years, one month and 14 days, the perimeter walls of the fort were built to a height of 12 yards during this period. Allah Wardi Khan was now appointed Subedaar of Bengal and Mukarmat Khan made in-charge of construction. Construction work concluded successfully after nine years of hard work in the 20 year of the coronation of Shahjahan.

The Emperor was in Kabul at the time and Makarmat Khan, in-charge of works, despatched a request letter for the Emperor. The Emperor arrived by boat in a royal procession and entered the fort through a river-side gate, probably the Khizri Darwaza, and inspected the fort on 24 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1057 Hijri (April 18, 1648). From the foundations to the top of its lofty walls the fort was resplendent in red sand stone with white marble margins, canopies, cupolas, citadel walls, striking buildings and gardens and water channels and streams, each one so attractive that even a matter of fact description of each will fill volumes. If you see the entire design of the fort it appears like an eight-sided flower.

The Emperor was pleased to approve the convening of the Darbar at Deewan-e-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), preparations for the celebration thus commenced. 'Dal Badal' and 'Suha Mandal' theshamianas (canopies) that had been prepared over seven years were now installed respectively at the Deewan-e-Aam and the Deewan-e-Khaas, the finial of the latter rose higher than the canopy of the skies! Thousands of yards of Pashmina from Kashmir and velvet and Zarbaaf (carpet)from Gujarat had been used in the making of these canopies, both were raised on pillars of gold and stays made of silver, in front of these were beautiful awnings stretched through gold and silver hooks and rings. The ceiling of Deewan-e-Khaas was as lavishly decorated with elaborate and delicate meena work as it was draped with exquisite fine carpets from Iran and kimkhwab (brocade) from Benaras. Each structure, from the sadar (Deewan-e-Khaas) to the paa-andaaz (small carpet for wiping of feet at the threshold), had been draped in velvet, Iranian Zarbaaf , brocades, imported curtain materials, expensive drapes from Rome and Chinese satins, the magnificent glory of the fort was overwhelming. The peacock throne was placed inside the Deewan-e-Aam and the court was held with all its awe inspiring grandeur.

The traveller Bernier writing in 1663 had this to say about the fort, 'the shape of the fort is like a half circle, one gets a fine view of the river from the fort, between the fort and the river there is a large sandy stretch, elephant fights are organised here, the armies of nobles, jagirdaars and rajas are arrayed here for inspection of his majesty and the Emperor graces them with his presence from the fort. The cupolas and domes of the fort are akin to those built along the bastions of the fort walls, though some of them are made from bricks and others of red sand stone and similar to those made of marble, but their general.

-The Hindu, 27th April 2013

It is nearing 6 pm at the Jaldapara National Park. The grassland is harsh and beautiful, painted in shades of yellow and green. On the small wooden bridge over a tributary of the Torsa river, forest guards Rajakanta Bunta Burman and Paresh Burman are cycling to get to the tower in the core area. Paresh has a double-barrel gun slung over his shoulder. They work 12-hour shifts and have to get to the tower by 6 pm to sign the duty register.

Rajakanta, 45, hops off his bicycle to talk. "I joined the department in 1983. That was when poaching was at its worst. We lost 22 rhinos over the next one year. The poachers used to come in groups and had sophisticated weapons such as AK-47s. But gradually, things began changing. We were trained to use weapons and forest guards patrolled round the clock. Since then, the number of rhinos kept going up and now there are almost 200 of them," says Burman.

The Jaldapara sanctuary, with its tall elephant grass, is spread across 216.43 sq km in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. The park was established in 1941 to protect the one-horned rhinoceros and today, has the largest rhino population in India after Kaziranga National Park in Assam (which incidentally is battling poaching). But the one-horned armoured toughie didn't always roam free in Jaldapara.

According to the 2012 annual report of the state Forest Department, 75 rhinos were reported and recorded in Jaldapara sanctuary in 1969. However, over the next two decades, the number of rhinos dropped drastically, till it reached 14 in 1986. Senior forest officers in Kolkata admit the actual numbers might have been even lower—about eight to 10.

But the dire situation in the eighties worked as a trigger for a group of senior forest officers in Kolkata and Jaldapara to devise a survival strategy to save the rhino. The experiment worked and over the years, the rhino population went up. The Jaldapara experiment is now one of the finest success stories in wildlife conservation. In May 2012, the sanctuary was declared a national park.

-The Indian Express, 28th April 2013

A former hunter of wild elephants, 69-year-old Dinesh Choudhury has now taken up the camera to capture the raw expressions of wildlife

It has been about four years since Assam's famous hunter Dinesh Choudhury shelved his Winchester .458 bore Magnum rifle, which he used, mostly to chase away and to eliminate, in extreme cases, wild elephants proclaimed as rogues by the State Environment and Forest Department. However, he has not stopped shooting — only a professional camera has replaced the rifle.

A passionate wildlife observer and repository of first-hand knowledge on the forests of Assam, Mr. Choudhury has a huge collection of wildlife photographs taken in the grasslands of Kaziranga National Park, Pabitora Wildlife sanctuary, Manas National Park and various other forests of the State and also in Ranthambore National park.

A State-recognised hunter based in Guwahati, Mr. Choudhury developed intimacy with nature and wildlife from his childhood days. His landowner family had the expertise of mela shikar, the traditional method of capturing wild elephant and this gave him an opportunity to explore nature and get hands-on training on hunting in forests of undivided Assam from early years of his life. For most parts of the past six decades, he has been on the trail of wild elephants, either riding on the family's elephants or driving a Land Rover, which he would repair himself, when required.

Over a period of 30 years when his services were requisitioned by the State Environment and Forest Department to eliminate at least 50 wild elephants proclaimed by the department as rogues, Mr. Choudhury killed only six of them — that too only those which charged at him and tried to kill him. It was because of the ethics of hunting that were driven into him by his mentor — the bor-phandi (master catcher, who is expert in lassoing of an elephant in mela shikar) of the Choudhury family, late Hazi Md Umaruddin Sheikh. "His lessons on hunting ethics as well as hunting code of conduct were driven into my blood stream. He told me to think at least hundred times before taking away the life of an elephant. He said that a hunter should shoot only to save his life when an elephant charges with an intention to kill the hunter. I used to go for hunting not to eliminate but to chase away," says the 69-year-old hunter-turned-wildlife photographer.

In 1983, when Mr. Choudhury's services were requisitioned by the Forest Department for first time as an independent hunter to eliminate a "rogue" elephant in Holongapar Reserved Forest in Jorhat, he tracked it for several days but decided not to shoot it as he found that the bad temper of the pachyderm was only a temporary phase due to musth, a sexual aggressive period that occurs in male elephants. The rouge retreated deep into the forests later.

Because of his strong fundamentals of hunting ethics, he, however, has no repentance for killing the six rogues. "If we do not eliminate the rogues that continue to be a danger to lives and properties of human beings, there would be retaliatory action by the villagers affected by the rogues and that would mean trouble for an entire herd of wild elephants inhabiting the nearby forest, not just the rogue. Elephants being prolific breeders, eliminating one male — productive or unproductive, will not have any impact on the breeding since another matured male will soon take over," he says.

One of the central characters of a famous book To The Elephant Graveyard written by British journalist Tarquin Hall and published by John Murray, Albemarle Street, London, in 2000, Mr. Choudhury was in a dilemma as to what he would do after shelving the rifle. His desire was to remain attached to the forest and its wonderful biodiversity for the rest of his life. "It came to my mind that a camera can help me capture the rare and amazing moments inside a forest and also share it with people. Through trial and error wildlife photography gradually became my new found passion," he narrates.

Apart from his admirers, nature lovers did not miss the opportunity to rediscover the famous hunter as a passionate wildlife photographer as they visited the State Art Gallery to see the photographs taken by him displayed in his first solo exhibition this week titled 'Kalpanar Prithivi: Through the Lens'. The exhibition was sponsored by the Kaziranga Wildlife Society which also awarded its lifetime achievement award for the year 2011 to Mr. Choudhury recognising his services towards the cause of biodiversity. His quest for nature came alive in 78 photographs that include some eye-catching moments like a tiger devouring a kill, egret chasing a sandpiper to snatch its catch, elephant herd on migration, sunbird exploring nectar and rhinos awaiting their turn to ease.

-The Hindu, 28th April 2013

Residents of the picturesque mangrove island of Vanxim in Goa are divided over a controversial eco-tourism project proposed there

Vanxim is a tiny island on river Mandovi in Goa. One has to first go to Ribander jetty, take a ferry to Divar Island, then travel a distance of about six to eight km by road and take another ferry to reach this picturesque island. All along the way, migratory birds and mangroves greet the visitors.

I meet Neves and her daughter Raita, who are going back to Divar after some shopping in Panjim. "Earlier you could see paddy fields, now it is mangroves all the way," Neves says. They get down at Divar and I take the ferry for Vanxim.

As one goes across the Naroa branching out of Mandovi, a Cross is visible in the midst of waters before approaching Vanxim. The Cross was constructed by the villagers in the memory of a doctor, Louis Cabral, who drowned at this point when his canoe capsized while he was on his way to see a patient in Vanxim Island.

His grandson Mario Cabral, a writer and journalist, has written many articles about Vanxim. He says that once upon a time this island belonged to the Cathedral of Old Goa and about 30 to 40 Catholic families settled here. Poultry and paddy cultivation were the means of livelihood of their descendants. The inhabitants say that the fields have not been ploughed for more than three decades with many families leaving the island in search of employment.

A church and a chapel built hundreds of years ago, a number of water bodies, a sea of mangroves, old Goan houses surrounded by papaya, coconut or jackfruit trees, is what this little island is all about though some houses have been constructed by new settlers. There are no medical facilities, no schools, not even shops. For every single need, Vanxin residents have to ferry across to Divar Island. In the past when there were no ferries, they used canoes.

Vanxim has about 120 houses with a population of 500 to 600. Fishing is the only source of livelihood. In 2006, much of the 800,000 sq meter island was bought by a private dealer and sold to a builders' group that was eyeing this picturesque island to convert it into a resort. The residents are deeply divided over this controversial project and the issue has been hanging fire since then.

A former panchayat member, Manuvel Furtado, says that they want firm assurances that the resort will be constructed on the barren land only and none of the houses and other structures will be affected and none will be evacuated. The group opposing the move argues that the deal is illegal because the water bodies cannot be bought and nor can the mangroves be cut.

The developers have brought out a booklet wherein they quote a resolution of Sao Mathias Gram Panchayat, under which Vanxim comes, recommending an eco tourism project. The resort promoters have promised to develop infrastructure for basic needs, generate employment by tapping the local talent and has also assured that existing homes have not been acquired and no one will be evacuated. But there is an air of mistrust. In the nearby Divar Island, where the Divaaya resort hotel was constructed some years back, people say that the owners sold their land following an assurance that a spice garden and ponds for fishing would be developed there to generate employment for the local people. However, the promoters went back on their promise apart from employing some locals at the resort. Perhaps, Divar's experience has made Vanxim's residents edgy about the offer.

Raita, who is a school teacher, says that Divar remains a quiet place away from the heat and dust of other towns and cities, even after the construction of the resort, because it is remotely situated and not many tourists come there.

But, Vanxim's case is different because almost the entire island is being proposed to be converted into resort. Those opposing the project fear that no development will take place and the private group will make money at the cost of the island's ecology.

But then there are people like Manoj who say that they would welcome the resort if adequate compensation is given and basic infrastructure is constructed. The promoters are already financially supporting a self-help group where women get training in making jute bags, tailoring, candle making and shell craft.

-The Hindu, 28th April 2013

Tree protection laws exist in government statutes but they perhaps do not apply to some of its departments.

The Public Works Department (PWD) first nailed 1,000 tin number sheets to as many trees on Outer Ring Road in West Delhi. The agency hammered 4,000 nails just to count trees before they could be felled to build an elevated road between Vikas Puri and Meera Bagh.

When Hindustan Times on April 13 highlighted the issue, the PWD began fresh counting using paint, promising removal of nails and tin sheets. When HT visited the spot on Saturday, it found the tin sheets had been pulled out while leaving all the nails inside.

The callous approach comes after the National Green Tribunal on Tuesday ordered removal of nails, hooks, rods, boards and advertisements from tress.

The Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, says nailing a tree would attract a jail term of up to one year or a fine of up to Rs. 1,000 or both.

The brutality does not end there. While the forest department has not given tree-cutting permission for the project, the PWD has started expanding the road by demolishing and digging the footpath, which is 10 feet in width. JCB machines have cut lateral roots of trees.

They have also torn away branches falling onto the footpath. At one place a whole tree has been torn from the stem. These trees, including Neem and Arjuna, are located on the pavements and service roads on both sides of the main Outer Ring Road carriageway.

When the matter was first reported, Delhi PWD minister Raj Kumar Chauhan had told HT, "Nails are not meant to be hammered into trees. Action will be taken in the matter. These trees would not be felled till we have permission from the forest department."

GN Sinha, head, Delhi forest department, had also promised that nails would be removed.

But the forest department perhaps doesn't have the teeth to take on the mighty PWD officials.

"It's a mistake. But we cannot get personal. The elevated road project for which these trees are eventually likely to be cut will be for the benefit for people in west Delhi," said a forest department official.

-The Hindustan Times, 29th April 2013

India's Olympic campaign has a golden chapter, due largely to its hockey wizards. TOI reports show how India stunned the world.

The start of systematic Olympic activity in India in 1920 has a famous name linked with it — SirDorabji Tata, son of Jamsetji Tata. Having met Baron Pierre de Coubertin at Antwerp in 1920, Sir Dorab took the lead in organizing the first athletics meet in Pune, which helped him select the first Indian participants for the 1924 Paris Olympic Games.

In his words, most of the early participants were 'boys of the peasant class working in the fields and living off poor fare ...' Naturally they had no idea of European rules or modern training of any kind. In fact, they were proposing to run their 100-yard heats round a bend without strings. This was because their sports ground was very small and the track was part of a rough unrolled grass field. To the peasants, running was running, but now it had to be undertaken under standardized and controlled conditions.

In Sir Dorabji's letters on the subject, preserved at the International Olympic Museum in Switzerland, the one thing that strikes the reader most palpably is his sense of wonder at this clash of peasant and western cultures in the races in Pune.

From the fields of Pune to a podium finish in Amsterdam in 1928 was quite a journey. And, the Indian hockey players accomplished this in style beating every team that came their way by a substantial margin. The first gold medal wasn't a fluke and the Indians successfully defended their title at Los Angeles in 1932 and Berlin in 1936. Indian players at the medal ceremony at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin

The forced break induced by the Second World War had little impact on Indian hockey. This was evident when the Indians, within a year of independence, thrashed Britain 4-0 to defend the hockey title at the 1948 London Olympic Games. This highly charged encounter was reported at length in TOI's pages. "India won the 1948 Olympic Hockey Championship in decisive fashion at the Wembley Stadium tonight, defeating Great Britain by four goals to nil. India's superiority was never in dispute. Despite the heavy, muddy turf and the light rain, which fell for considerable time during the game, the Indians outclassed the British team with their superb ball control, accurate passing and intelligent positional play. Long before half time it was evident that India should win comfortably... "

The match report was accompanied by a number of reports that described the wild celebrations that followed the victory.

Interestingly, overwhelming praise had given way to cautious apprehension by the time of the Moscow gold medal winning effort in 1980. Soon after the victory TOI correspondent K Datta published an interview of the FIH President Rene Frank who suggested that over time the standard of Indian hockey had gone down while the Europeans had improved considerably.

TOI has always celebrated India's other Olympic heroes. This is how KD Jadhav, India's first individual medal winner, was lauded by the paper in 1952, "History was created here today when India, who has been competing in the Olympic Games since 1924 gained a place in the individual honours list for the first time through KD Jadhav, the bantamweight wrestler, who won a bronze medal."

-The Times of India, 29th April 2013

The 132-year-old Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), the country's only railway line which is a World Heritage Site, may be labelled as an "endangered site" by the Unesco, if nothing is done by India soon.

Recently, the Unesco office in New Delhi had suggested to the Railways to send a senior official to its World Heritage Centre in Paris, France, to apprise its team that is concerned about the progress in restoration work. To be on the World Heritage List implies that the site needs to fulfil a certain criteria as mentioned in the Unesco World Heritage Convention.

Popularly known as the Toy Train, the DHR is a 78-km-long narrow guage line that connects New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling in West Bengal. Built between 1879 and 1881, the line touches the maximum elevation of 2,200 metres, including Ghum, the highest railway station in India. The DHR received the World Heritage Site in 1999.

However, since 2010, the line has been facing disruptions. It was severely hit by the 2011 earthquake in Sikkim. Several assessments say the restoration work has been slow due to the apathy from both the Centre and the state.

In a letter to Minister of State for Railways, A R Chowdhury, Director and Unesco representative to India, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka, Shigeru Aoyagi, has said that the state of DHR is serious. "If no action is taken by the government of India to restore it urgently, there may be a chance that the Intergovernmental Committee of World Heritage Convention [may] advise to place the DHR in the list of endangered sites to provide focused attention for conservation," the letter stated.

Chowdury has been assigned to follow-up on this issue since the DHR is in his home state.

The Unesco has also started talks with the Heritage directorate of the Railway Ministry for a technical cooperation to develop a Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan. If everything goes well, the plan may be ready by August.

-The Indian Express, 29th April 2013

While the woman with green eyes garnered popularity, the lady at the Red Fort cut a lonely figure, convinced that her quarters were haunted by royal ghosts, writes R. V. Smith

Just after Partition a lot of refugees from Sindh were given temporary residence in the monument known as Mariam's Tomb, near Sikandra. However there were some who were able to fend for themselves. Among them was a family that was given possession of a big evacuee property in the city that belonged to those who had migrated to Pakistan. The elder girl of the newcomers was very pretty. Her grey eyes had mystique associated with them. She would stand in a window, combing her hair, unmindful of the stares of passers-by, who started calling her "Grey Eyes".

Her brother Rashmi (name changed) was a fair handsome boy who was often seduced by the locality's loafers on the pretext of kite-flying and swimming lessons. Some thought it was their way of making up for not being able to befriend the sister. Rashmi's classfellows in the Sindhi school where he studied resented this hanky-panky and would pass meaningful remarks against the "sissy" whenever he failed to clear the ball at a football match.

Afterwards, Rashmi would get wild and head-butt them, something at which he was frightfully good. Some of his detractors used to get a bloody nose but that hardly stopped them from teasing him. Rashmi's elder brother was a school dropout and managed to get the job of a Municipal street lamp-lighter. In the evening he would come with a bamboo ladder, a lighted lantern and a kerosene can with the help of which he would light up the lamps fixed on walls in the galis or lanes assigned to his beat. Rashmi would feel insulted if someone asked him about his "Bro" (brother). Of course nobody spoke to the sister, through everybody admired "Grey Eyes", with even Rashmi reluctant to disclose her name.

Now after more than 50 years one happened to meet "Grey Eyes" in Lajpat Nagar. She had put on some weight but there was no mistaking that still attractive face and the wisdom of the fabled "grey-eyed Athene" that age bestows. The family had moved to Delhi for better prospects and their hopes were not belied. But they missed "Baitul Aziz", their erstwhile home in the mansion built by Jeane Bapiste Filose, a 19th Century Italian general of Maharaja Scindia's Army and later sold to the wealthy family of Court Sahib (Munsif) Azizuddin. "Grey Eyes" (one should in all fairness not reveal her name) had become a grandmother and Rashmi a grandfather, who still pined for boyhood days and his domiciled African friend Salim, adopted by the immigrant Turkish Haji Rasheed Ahmed. That's how, says Sant Kabir, life brings tree leaves (and people) together before separating them. But then fate probably intervenes and they do meet at least once prior to the final parting.

Like "Grey Eyes", there was an old woman who used to sit in a window above the Mina Bazaar of the Chatta Chowk in the Red Fort. That accommodation had been allotted in the 1960s (about the time the son et lumiere show was introduced) to an ex-Army officer who used to run a canteen in the fort. The lady kept looking down at the visitors on their way to the Deewan-e-Aam as though envying their freedom. Sometimes she seemed to stare in vacancy, probably trying to reminisce of times gone by when she was young and energetic, participating in the functions graced by Army wives.

One often wondered why she looked so sad. May be there had been a tragedy in her life or she missed her children who had grown up and gone their own ways into the big, wide world. Now time perhaps weighed heavy on her and she really did not know how to pass it after an early breakfast, when the fort was hushed in silence before its gates were opened to tourists.

There was no way of communicating with the old lady and to ask her hail-fellow-well-met husband would have been like intruding into privacy. Also, one felt that it could be only a mundane matter relating to an illness or a deformity brought about by age. Then after some years the canteen closed down and the couple went away just as suddenly as they had appeared on the scene. It was left to Asghar Ali Khan, Custodian of the Red Fort, to clear the mystery. The woman, he disclosed was convinced that her quarters were haunted by royal ghosts. It's worth repeating that Asghar had, during his nightly rounds of the fort, too reported seeing some of them and a Press photographer had taken photos during a much-hyped assignment. But the negatives, when developed, showed only shadowy figures. The old lady had witnessed this hallucination often and kept worrying at the prospect of facing another night of occult happenings. That she continued to stay put at her O.P. (observation post) so long was another mystery.

-The Hindu, 29th April 2013

A list of five cool offbeat places for a quick, budget holiday

M ention summer and the first thoughts that come to mind are heat, mangoes, lemonades, and hill stations. Though places like Shimla, Ooty, Koidaikanal, Nainital will always appear in the itinerary of most tourists, let's escape to some uncharted getaways this summer.

CHAUKORI

This small hamlet in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand offers beguiling views of the mighty snow-capped Himalayan peaks like Trishul and Panchchuli early in the morning, giving your day the best start possible on a vacation. The cave temple of Patal Bhuvneshwar (38 km) has beautiful mythology and splendid formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Berinag (10 km) is famous for its first-rate tea gardens. The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) cottages here have some of the best rooms with a view.

Getting there:

Nearest railhead: Kathgodam, 200 km

By road from Delhi: 500 km

Stay at:

KMVN is your best bet, with comfortable rooms and great food. Rs. 1,500-2,100.

SARAHAN

Sarahan, summer capital of the erstwhile rulers of Bushahr and gateway to Kinnaur, is home to the 800-year-old Bhimkali temple. With atypical architecture that's a blend of Hindu and Buddhist flavours, the temple's pagoda-styled roofs and intricate wooden carvings are a treat for the connoisseur's eye. Located about 180 kilometres from Shimla, you reach it via winding roads laden with apple trees, deodars and pines on either side. The temple is surrounded by hills and you can spot the Srikhand Mahadev peak on a clear day. There is a pheasant breeding centre near the temple. As pilgrimage spot, trekking base camp or just a place to away from it all, Sarahan is an amazing experience.

Getting there:

Nearest railhead: Shimla, 200 km

By road from Delhi: 560 km

Stay at:

The Bhimkali temple guesthouse is economical and clean, with a canteen. Rs. 300-500.

KOTAGIRI

This beautiful little hill station has not succumbed to crowds that plague its more famous neighbour Ooty. Tucked away in the Nilgiris, Kotagiri is great as trekking base camp or just hideaway. Don't miss the double-cascaded Catherine Waterfall (8km) or John Sullivan's Bungalow; (Sullivan founded Ooty). Kotagiri is also home to Longwood Shola, a beautiful patch of primeval forest where, if you are lucky, you could catch a glimpse of the giant Malabar squirrel.

Getting there:

Nearest railhead: Mettupalayam, 30 km

By road from Chennai: 530 km

Stay at: Patience Villa has 3 very basic but clean and green cottages. Rs. 1,500.

ARAKU VALLEY

Located around 120 km from Vishakapatnam, and reached via serpentine roads that curl through beautiful coffee plantations and the Anantagiri Reserved Forest is Araku Valley. AP Tousim offers a one- or two-day rail-cum-road tour that lets tourists enjoy both the road and train routes. The train winds through 50-odd tunnels and even more bridges. En route, it touches Shimliguda, the second highest broad-gauge railway station in the country after Qazigund in J&K. If you're lucky, a mild shower can transform the entire valley into a haven of tranquillity during the blistering summer. Don't miss the Tribal Museum, where you can see the Dhimsa dance performed by tribal women. The tour also covers the 1000-year-old Borra Caves, which according to legend were discovered when a cowherd fell through a hole and discovered a cave and a shiva lingam inside.

Getting there: Nearest railhead: Vishakapatnam, 115 km

From here, both the road and train trips are superb.

Stay at:

APTDC's Haritha Mayuri has a good location, basic rooms, okay food. Rs 1,200-2,750.

SONEMARG

Aptly called Meadow of Gold, this gem of a place has historical, strategic and religious significance. What was once an important marker along the Ancient Silk Route is now a gateway to Ladakh from Kashmir along NH 1D. It lies just 10 km away from Zoji-la, a pass of strategic significance to the Army. Baltal, a base camp for Amarnath, is 15 km to the north. Easily accessible from Kashmir by road with the clear Sindh flowing alongside and the Harmukh range on the horizon, Sonemarg has a charm that not many hill stations can boast of. Pine and Silver Birch are in abundance, and wild ponies graze in the meadows. Sonemarg is also a perfect trekking base camp.

Getting there:

Nearest railhead: Jammu, 260 km to Srinagar and 75 km to Sonemarg The spectacular drive from Srinagar is itself the journey.

Stay at:

JKTDC cottages have the best locations and views, basic rooms. Rs. 900-1,300.

-The Hindu, 29th April 2013

What would the lifestyle of children living in the forest be? Do they go to school? Do they have medical facilities?

“I don’t want people to think that we put feathers in our hair and dance around the fire. We don't do that!” says Dinesh Kumar, a 12-year-old who belongs to a tribal community in Tamil Nadu. True to what he says, many of us imagine tribes and their way of life.

Their life may have been very different to ours and may be even something we cannot relate to, a long time ago. But today, these children go to school just like us, their parents are involved in agriculture or other forest-centric activities like many and live in poverty. However, some things still remain different for them — limited access to education, modern resources, medical facilities and a prejudice associated with their community.

What they need

The tribal communities live in various ecological and geo-climatic conditions (forests, hills or plains) and in various stages of social, economic and educational development. Education is a primary concern for the government and many organisations as it is a means to improving the lives of the communities overall — be it education reading, writing, general knowledge or health and hygiene.

“The children cannot spend an entire day at school as they have to work and help their parents. It could be helping graze the cattle, household work, babysitting, collecting fruits and firewood to be sold and so on. So many drop out after a certain point of time,” says Vimal Chand Kothari, Trustee, Friends of Tribals Society, a pan-India organisation that works for the welfare of the tribal communities. Treading paths through the forest fraught with wild animals is also a deterrent to some.

But there is an increased awareness about the need for education. “Parents want their children to study. It helps improve their lives as well. I have seen parents of the children going to school change their attitude and living conditions as these children make their parents aware in turn,” observes Vimal Chand.

Who are the tribal people?

They are a community of indigenous people endemic to a particular region and living a life that remains pretty much the same since the time of their predecessors.

According to the government, for a community to be identified as tribes or “Scheduled Tribes”, they should display the following characteristics: indications of primitive traits; distinctive culture; shyness of contact with the community at large; geographical isolation; and backwardness. According to the website of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the tribal population in India constitutes 8.14 per cent of the total population of the country according to the 2001 Census. More than half of the Scheduled Tribe population is concentrated in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Jharkhand. In the states of Punjab and Haryana, and in the Union Territories of Puducherry, Delhi and Chandigarh there is ST population.

PONMANI R.

I live in an adivasi ooru (hamlet) called Kallakara, which is situated in Attapadi Hills adjacent to Silent Valley in Palakkad District. I belong to an adivasi community. In my ooru, there are about 200 houses and approximately 50 children in my age group. My father works as a daily wage labourer and my mother is with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. We are two children. My elder brother dropped out from Std IV and is now working as a coolie. I study in Std VIII. My family doesn’t engage in agriculture. We are totally dependant on ration shop for our daily food. Rice and some curry is our regular diet.

When I was a child, my ooru looked green surrounded by lots of trees. It was nice to hear the sounds of birds and enjoy the dance of the peacock. There was a small stream passing through my ooru with lots of fish in it. Cranes used to come there to catch the fish. But all those days are gone! Now, there is no water in our ooru for drinking itself. We have to go 2.5 km to the Bhavani and carry pots of water on our head.

I feel extremely happy when I spend time with my friends in school and also in my ooru. We, the children in the ooru, have formed a children’s group called “Karthumbi”. We share our happy moments, sad experiences and discuss our concerns during the meetings. Now there are around 40 children coming regularly to the Karthumbi meetings.

In the school, I participate in sports. But in dance and other activities, most of the times we are not given a chance to participate. My ambition is to become a teacher. I want to see all the children in Attapadi going to school.

The Hindu, 30th April 2013

Growing by heaps and mounds, Delhi’s garbage crisis may soon reach its breaking point. Three of the four stinking waste mountains (landfills) are long overdue for closure and there are no fresh landfills available to take in the current daily discard of 9,000 tonnes. By 2020, the related stories.

The stinking heaps of Ghazipur landfill site Capital needs an additional area of 28 sqkm, more than the entire spread of Lutyen’s Bungalow Zone, to dump 15,000 tonnes of garbage daily.

Since as much as 85% of the city doesn’t have a formal door-to-door trash pick-up system, the emerging scenario is both worrisome and scary.

The 2,500-odd filthy community bins (dhalaos) that serve as secondary collection centres for the three municipal bodies in thousands of colonies will start overflowing, and garbage will spill on to the streets. Residents will have no option but to start throwing waste out, making Delhi drown in its own discard.

The situation may soon go the Bangalore way, where the waste management system has collapsed and the entire city turned into a garbage heap last year when villagers blocked the way to the lone landfill because of environmental concerns.

Same mistakes have been committed here also. People in Delhi are also bitterly opposed to new landfills coming up in their neighbourhood as they have seen the authorities did not maintain the past ones scientifically, turning them into massive, polluting heaps. The black thick liquid, leachate, created when rainwater filters down through the landfill, has made the soil highly toxic. Rainwater runoff goes into surface water drains while methane poisons the air.

Despite court intervention, the government and civic agencies have failed to find a way forward. The civic bodies have now told the Delhi high court that “since there’s no other option, we have been forced to put human life and property at risk”.

Delhi’s non-dumping options to manage waste have also shrunk drastically. Burning waste no longer seems viable because of environmental concerns and poor segregation of waste. Compost plants are not doing well because manure doesn’t sell, and again becomes garbage.

As much as 50% of the waste is fit for composting. About 30 per cent of it can be recycled. Effective segregation at source, in transit and during disposal, will mean only 20 per cent of the refuse is needed to be sent to the landfill site. This will also mean a cleaner city with fewer dhalaos, garbage trucks and longer lifespan for landfills. But instead of proper segregation, only random picking continues.

Either private sweepers, who snap up the most sought-after refuse, or residents themselves take waste to dhalaos. There, rag-pickers slog through the muck to hunt for recyclable materials.

When waste is taken from dhalaos to landfills, another set of trash-pickers collect what their street counterparts miss, completing a cycle of “illegal” segregation.

Civic bodies blame residents for not segregating waste but what’s the point when everything will eventually be mixed-up? Segregation by residents will only work when the corporations have a complete door-to-door waste collection system and trash pickups have separate containers for dry and wet waste.

Delhi has miserably failed to manage its waste load. Only 15 per cent of R1,350 crore that the three corporations spend on waste management and sanitation is spent on actual disposal. The rest goes into collection and transportation.

The authorities must ensure segregation and promote composting and recycling. They must quantify waste generation for setting effective reduction targets. But don’t wait for the authorities to do everything. From segregation, recycling to composting — you can make a difference. And, yes, consume and waste less. Now is the time.

‘De-centralising management of waste is need of the hour’

Interview: Bharati Chaturvedi

Bharati Chaturvedi of Chintan Group has been working with volunteers to help solve Delhi’s waste management problems. She is running collection and recycling projects at four railway stations and several colonies in the Capital. She spoke to HT on how Delhi can manage its waste better.

Where have we gone wrong?

There are no reduction targets. We are investing in waste-to-energy plants that need dry waste, such as plastics, paper and cardboard. But what about 6,000 tonnes of wet waste that Delhi spews out every day? Taking waste all the way to centralised facilities is a blunder.

What’s the way out?

Wet waste can be easily composted, or turned into bio-gas. To do this, we don’t need large compost plants, but more and smaller ones at the municipal ward level. Those who can must start small composting units at home. People must start reducing packaging. There can be no change without reducing consumption.

What should the government do to promote composting?

The Delhi government should buy back a minimum quantity of compost made of waste at pre-decided rates from RWAs, colonies or NGOs or even companies. This should be in lieu of the compost MCD’s horticulture departments buy from the market.

How can we make recycling more effective?

We must have to upgrade the working conditions of rag-pickers, kabariwalas who recycle nearly 20% of the waste. They have not been given any space to sort out and store waste. They should also be given training and help for occupational safety.

Comparisons

Exemplary Surat

In the 1980s, a population boom and urbanisation in Surat spelled growth of slums, piles of garbage and overflowing drains. A plague outbreak hit this Gujarat city in 1994. The world saw the havoc a city’s failure to manage solid waste could wreak. But soon the city changed gears and became one of the cleanest cities in the country.

Behind the transformation, there was planning.

Residents cooperated through reduction, reuse and recycling. Institutional changes took place, too. Waste management was decentralised, grievance redressal was made effective. Littering meant fines. And all this has sustained.

The civic body has engaged private sweepers for penetration. Contractors are actively involved in transport, collection, and disposal of waste.

Bangalore’s mess

Bangalore, which generates 4,000 tonnes of solid waste a day, has still not recovered from a major garbage crisis that gripped the city in September last year.

Villagers blocked the way to the landfill to protest dumping of untreated waste, turning the city of gardens into a garbage dump. The civic body has made it mandatory for residents to segregate garbage at source. But garbage collectors still aggregate waste. Now a processing unit each is being planned for all assembly segments.

Global trends

In 2004, China became the world’s top waste producer, toppling the US. China will now have to spend eight times more on waste disposal by 2020 and require 1,400 new landfills.

The Hindustan Times, 30th April 2013

For decades the Lutyens' Bungalows Zone has been popular for its aesthetics and planning, but these bungalows too have crossed their age limit and are now in urgent need for repair.

Home to ministers, members of Parliament and senior bureaucrats, the 588 government bungalows in Lutyens' zone are in line for redevelopment work.

After approval from the Ministry of Urban Development, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) will be taking up the repair work in a phased manner.

The agency plans to carry out a three-dimensional integrated urban design study of the area, before taking up the work.

"A proposal has been sent to Ministry of Urban Development for approval. Before starting the work, a three-dimensional integrated design study for the area - including location of trees - will be conducted,'' Director General (CPWD) V K Gupta said.

The agency also plans to provide modern facilities in the upgraded bungalows.

"The bungalows here are 80 to 90 years old. They are not structurally safe (anymore). They need to be upgraded with modern facilities,'' a CPWD official said.

The Lutyens' Bungalow Zone is spread over 2,800 acres. Of this, government bungalows are on 400 acres and another 100 acres are covered by private bungalows. The remaining area has open spaces like roads, gardens, parks, etc.

In the first phase, the re-development of Sunehari Bagh area, covering an area of 29.89 hectares, has started. There are 21 bungalow plots here, and work has started on seven bungalows. "The plan is to divide the 21 plots and construct 32 bungalows to accommodate VIPs,'' a CPWD official said.

Gupta said: "We hope to take up the entire project in a phased manner so as to cause minimum dislocation and inconvenience to VIPs living in the area. We want to ensure that the basic character of the bungalows and their surroundings remains the same.''

The Indian Express, 30th April 2013

The worst has been recently witnessed in Maharashtra near Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve in Chandrapura district where eight incidents of human deaths have been reported in the month of April alone in leopard and tiger attacks.

As per the official figures, Dudhwa has shown a consistent decline in incidents of man animal conflict since the past few years. In 2010-11, there were nine human deaths, which came down to seven the following year.

Enthused by the lowest ever figure of two human deaths, in 2012-13, Field Director Shailesh Prasad said that this sharp drop rate in man animal conflict in the region is attributed to improved habitat and prey base management. This reduces straying of both ungulates and predators outside the forest. To add to the above there is also coordination and cooperation of local villagers residing in the fringe villages of the reserve.

According to experts, the straying of animals outside the forest largely occurs in search of food and water. Hence, with the improvement of grasslands, availability of water and other accompanying conditions there is bound to be increase in the number of ungulates/prey species, which in turn reduces the chances of straying of tigers/ leopards to human landscapes.

As per the last report of Wildlife Trust of India, the numbers of prey base including spotted deer, wild boars, swamp deer, hog deer, barking deer, langoors, have increased. The report further points to a healthy tiger density of 7.88, with a population of above 100.

“Whenever a local villager gives us information of any pug marks seen outside the forest area in the vicinity of villages, we act instantly”, said Prasad.

The problem area is cordoned off and Primary Response team comprising of villagers from eco development committees and forest department is kept on alert.

Tracking elephants are used to detect the straying big cat which is then handled by the members of Rapid Action Team. This has a biologist, vet doctor, forest personnel besides local villagers who are active in the eco development committees.

Further, nearly 19 villages around the reserve have been delineated as vulnerable, where there is intensive patrolling. Awareness camps are organized from time to time, whereby the villagers are apprised of the dos and don’ts of handling such situations.

Since leopards are not known to attack persons in groups, they are advised not to venture out alone especially at nights. If a big cat is known to have strayed to the nearby sugar cane fields, burning of crackers etc in the area confines the anima, minimising chances of encounter.

The Pioneer, 30th April 2013

Air samples taken from locations around the municipal waste incinerator in Sukhdev Vihar in South Delhi have revealed fine particulate pollution to be at life-threatening levels and the presence of toxic metals such as lead. The samples were taken by the Chennai-based Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) as part of the citizens monitoring programme initiated by the area residents who claim to be experiencing several health problems since the plant became operational.

The two samples lifted from the area in March this year showed fine particulate pollution of 2.5 micrometers and less. “We had placed a ‘mini-wall sampler’ which took ambient air samples for a period of 24 hours. All the particulate matter present was captured into a filter which represented the capacity of a human lung,” said GAIA India Coordinator Dharmesh Shah. “The particulate matter was 2.5 micrometers and can pass through the nose barriers. It is very dangerous to inhale,” he added.

The residents also pointed to a series of stack monitoring reports conducted by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) between February 2012 and March 2013 and found at least five incidents of excess emissions from the plant which corroborate with the findings of the air samples.

Detailing the efforts made by the area residents to draw attention to the harmful effects of the incinerator, Ishwar Nagar resident Anant Trivedi said that several studies have already found Delhi’s air to be highly polluted due to vehicular pollution. “What is the logic behind locating a highly polluting facility like an incinerator in the middle of the city? There has been a significant increase in the respiratory illnesses among the residents,” he claimed.

Vimal Monga, a Sukhdev Vihar resident, has also found high levels of lead in the ash sample collected by him following an accident that took place in December 2012 in which large amount of fly ash from the plant chimney rained on the residential areas.

“This means that the plant operator is responsible for contaminating the entire neighbourhood and should be made to remediate the impacted area at his own cost. The government needs to enforce the ‘polluter pays’ principle,” said Dr. U.C Bahri, a scientist and another resident of Sukhdev Vihar.

Residents say the lead emissions also hint that there are other more toxic substances being emitted by the plant but these are not tested by the authorities and that the plant operator does not have any technology in place to separate mixed waste, especially PVC, from waste stream as laid down in its contract with the civic body.

The Municipal Solid Waste Rules-2000 prohibits the burning of PVC as it produces dioxins and furans, which are highly toxic chemicals.

The Hindu, 30th April 2013

The interim stay on the road-widening project in Vasant Kunj, which was mired in controversy because of illegal felling of trees, has been extended till May 8.

Hearing a petition filed by Sonya Ghosh, a resident of the South Delhi colony, the National Green Tribunal had earlier stayed the project till April 29.

During the last hearing on April 9, the forest department said the public works department (PWD) felled trees without permission. But the PWD on Monday denied having done so. The PWD said pictures and news reports submitted by the petitioner were “not authentic”.

“The tribunal, however, said evidence suggests there have been violations. It asked the agency how it will make up for the damage done. On this, the PWD sought time. It will file a reply by May 8,” said Parul Gupta, lawyer for the petitioner.

“When the forest department said trees were felled illegally, the PWD didn’t appear. Now when the PWD has denied the charge, the forest department didn’t appear. Why this hide and seek?” asked the petitioner. The tribunal has asked the forest department to place on record its stand in the form of an affidavit.

In response to a right to information (RTI) application filed by Hindustan Times, the forest department had admitted that 39 trees were felled and pruned without permission. It also admitted to registration of police complaints. The RTI reply said the PWD had in two applications sought felling of 167 trees, permission for which was denied.

During the last hearing, the tribunal warned the Delhi government of strong action if further felling of trees took place. Residents had alleged the PWD was widening a 3.5-km stretch of road from Andheria Mod towards Mahipalpur by felling trees illegally. The plan is to widen the road from 17.2 metres to 75-metres.

On completion, this would be the Capital’s widest road. The stretch being widened from four lanes to eight has hundreds of flats on both sides.

“The PWD had itself numbered trees for felling. Several trees have been felled. Who did it? I would consider filing an affidavit giving more details to the tribunal,” Ghosh said.

The Hindustan Times, 30th April 2013