Madhya Pradesh government will soon chalk out a plan for conservation of pre-historic caves and historic ghats located on the banks of Narmada river, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said. "Such places will soon be listed. The conservation work of ghats will be undertaken on priority after preparing a plan," he told a Unesco delegation yesterday while apprising them about ongoing 'Narmada Sewa Yatra'.

The programme is undertaken for creating awareness about the conservation of Narmada river, a government official said today. On the occasion, Unesco representative Moe Chiba presented the 'Award of Merit' to Chouhan for the government's efforts in conservation of Mahidpur Fort in Ujjain district. "The conservation work of Mahidpur was selected from the 40 entries received for Heritage Award by the International Conservation Experts Committee at Bangkok," the official said. According to him, the conservation work of the 18th Century fort located on the banks of Kshipra river was carried out with the Directorate of Archeological, Archives and Museum and World Monument Fund.

- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/storm-spares-asi-monuments-in-chennai-suburbs/articleshow/55992984.cms, December 15, 2016

Infosys Foundation recently inaugurated the ‘Infosys Foundation Anupu Festival 2016’, a three-day cultural festival aimed at reviving the lost glory of Anupu and promoting the traditional art forms of Andhra Pradesh. In partnership with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB), the festival fosters the vision of the Foundation to provide a platform to deserving artists and endorse endangered art forms of India. Anupu, located on the banks of the Krishna River near Nagarjunasagar dam, is an expansive archaeological wonder of Buddhist learning and culture dating back to the third century. Discovered during the construction of the dam, the ruins of the ancient Buddhist center were unearthed, thus surfacing a site of architectural interest complete with a Vihara (Buddhist University), Harati temple and a large amphitheater.

Anupu was meticulously reconstructed in detail by the Archaeological Survey of India, bringing to life the 80 hectares of the site as a historical and cultural world monument of Buddhism.The Infosys Foundation Anupu Festival 2016 was a celebration of India’s rich Buddhist heritage, where the ancient monument reverberateed with traditional performing arts events. In this unique festival, fifteen events featuring more than 350 distinguished artistes presented different art forms including music, dance, folk art and theatre. The festival was inaugurated by Prathipati Pulla Rao, Minister for Agriculture, Agri-Processing, Marketing and Warehousing, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Ravela Kishore Babu, Minister for Social Welfare and Empowerment, Tribal Welfare and Empowerment, Sudha Murty, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation, and Binod HR, Executive Vice President and Global Head – Talent and Technology Operations, Infosys Ltd, in the presence of other government officials. Speaking on this occasion, Sudha Murty, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation said, “Historical monuments bear testimony to the rich cultural legacy of ancient India – its architectural intricacies, opulent customs and traditional art forms.

At the Foundation, our humble effort is to re-create this past glory through annual cultural festivals at archeologically significant sites, thus presenting Indian traditional arts against a historical backdrop. Anupu, a cultural world heritage site with its magnificent architecture is a true reflection of India’s glorious history.We are truly honored to be able to curate the Infosys Foundation Anupu Festival 2016 and grateful to the Archeological Survey of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh for being our partners in this unique initiative.”

- http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-12-16/Recreating-the-Unsung-Glory-of-Anupu/268942, December 16, 2016

More than 350 artisans from across India displayed an array of handloom and handicraft products at the 11th Toshali National Crafts Mela that kicked off at Janata Maidan here on Thursday. As a mark of the post-demonetisation times, a number of sellers were seen with point-of-sale (POS) machines to ensure cashless transactions. "I have brought block print fabrics and traditional Kalamkari garments for women. I don't think the demonetisation will have any impact on my sales as I have a POS machine and people can easily pay me through card," said Jyothi, a seller from Bangalore.The fairground has been colourfully decorated with the famous applique work of Pipili and the theme pavilion made in the shape of the three chariots of Puri's Jagannath temple is the main attraction.Yapam, an artisan from Arunachal Pradesh, who has brought a wide variety of decorative flowers, said, "The experience is the last one month after demonetisation has been dismal."Handloom, handicrafts and textiles minister Snehangini Chhuria inaugurated the fair. "This year only pure handloom and handicraft items will be displayed in the fair. The main aim of the fair is that visitors must appreciate the skills involved in creating the crafts," she said.

- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/national-crafts-fair-kicks-off-to-rousing-start/articleshow/56011798.cms, December 16, 2016

Peruvayal grama panchayat in the district is putting in all efforts to conserve its water resources. In a survey undertaken by the local body in its limits, it has been found that dumping waste in public places and water bodies is rampant, posing a threat to life in the region.Now, the local body has directed 42 apartment complexes to remove waste piled up in their premises and install plants to treat solid waste and water."It has been found that the water bodies in the panchayat are polluted by mainly by people who have been putting up in the rented apartments. Also, they alone could not be held responsible. The owners of the buildings are least bothered to proper facility to treat/dispose of household waste," said P K Sharafuddin, chairman of panchayat health standing committee. He added that the apartments have been given a deadline to comply with the panchayat directive.Due to its proximity to Kozhikode city, Peruvayal bears the brunt of suburban pollution. Also, the panchayat is a residential hotspot for migrant labourers employed in construction sector and other firms. This has led to the surge in number of residential complexes (with 5-6 apartments) in the area. Also, renting out rooms/buildings fetches extra income for the local people. Even commercial buildings are being used for residential purpose to meet the demand.

"Some even rent out shop spaces in the guise of single room," pointed out A K Viswanathan, secretary of the panchayat. He added that he panchayat has been trying to bring in a change in the attitude of apartment owners to protect natural resources from pollution and residents from health issues.The survey, conducted in all 22 wards of the panchayat, has found that waste water tanks of most of the apartments were connected to main drainage system or waste water goes directly into nearby water bodies. It has been decided to impose on those fail to comply with the panchayat directive. The plight of Mampuzha river, the major water body that borders the panchayat, is testimony to the gravity of the issue.Peruvayal panchayat, along with Olavanna and Perumanna panchayats, has recently initiated steps to recover the land along the river encroached by private parties. "A separate project to convert Peruvayal into a clean grama panchayat is also underway. We have earmarked Rs 11 lakh for the project," said the panchayat secretary.Taking into account the health hazards posed by accommodating large number of migrant workers in small apartments, the panchayat authorities have decided to initiate steps in this regard, said Sharafuddin.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/Peruvayal-panchayat-takes-stringent-steps-to-save-water-bodies/articleshow/56007642.cms,December 16, 2016

Fresh archaeological evidence found in Mumbai has provided some missing historical links from 100 BC to the 12th century AD, indicating that development of the area started long before the 15th century advent of the Portuguese, a top expert said. Under the Mumbai-Salsette Archaeological Exploration Project, 2015-2016, funded by India Study Centre Trust (INSTUCEN Trust) a team of researchers from Mumbai University's Centre for Extra-Mural Studies (CEMS) and PTVA-Sathaye College students explored ancient temples, historical sites and old communities in what is now Greater Mumbai.They discovered, among other things, pre-historic tools, inscriptions, relics, pillars, land grant stones, Gadhegals (engraved stones), and seven new caves inside the 2,000-year old Kanheri Caves complex of suburban Borivali. "This and other evidence, ancient records and field research provide the historical links that appeared to have snapped from 100 BC to the 12th century," said CEMS Director Mugdha D. Karnik. Effectively, she said, this pushes back history by three-four centuries, shattering the hitherto- held belief that the development of the region began from the Portuguese era, starting with the landing of Vasco da Gama in Calicut in May 1498.

Many of the new discoveries in the Mumbai metropolitan region, comprising Mumbai- Salsette, shed light on the littleknown pre-Portuguese era and would require deeper research to connect them to a glorious past, Karnik added. Salsette is bound to the north by the Bassein Creek, to the northeast by Ulhas River, to the east by Thane Creek and Mumbai Harbour, and to the south and the west by the Arabian Sea.They were gradually merged by massive land reclamation during the 19th-20th centuries to form Bombay, now called Mumbai. Karnik stumbled upon this older history almost accidentally when she casually contacted C K Salunkhe, head of horticulture at BARC about any archaeological remnants in the premises of the country's first atomic plant which is situated in a part of the old Salsette. Surprisingly, Salunkhe brought out an ancient inscription and a sandstone Shikhara, which was examined by the research team of Karnik, Kurush F Dalal, Suraj Pandit and journalist- cum-archaeologist Vinayak Parab and others."The inscription bears clear references to the Sultan of Delhi, a local vassal of Bimba Dynasty, Hambir Rao; the place is stated as Konkan-Bimbasthana, with names of villages which exist even today like Marol, Nanale (BARC), Devnare (Deonar)," Parab explained. The reference points to Salsette or Sashti in the word "Sansathi", bearing a clear date "Kartika Shuddha Dwadashi, Saka Samvat 1290" (corresponding to November 3, 1368).

It is quite likely that the etymology of Mumbai-Bombay- Bombahem originated from Bimbasthana, according to the research paper. Dalal said past studies showed the area's urbanisation started only with the arrival of the Portuguese, but the new discoveries and archaeological artefacts prove it to be much older. An exciting dimension to the project was the discovery of seven new caves in the Kanheri complex, located deep inside the 100 sq km Sanjay Gandhi National Park in northern Mumbai, by Parab, Pandit and others. In fact, the team found sculptures, some dating to the Shilahara Dynasty (765-1029) in the Marol area which was its commercial capital and is today a bustling Mumbai CBD, besides ancient temple pillars (of the same era) located near the old Aarey Milk Colony toll-plaza.

-http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/News-Analysis/2016-12-16/Mumbais-glorious-past-pre-dates-Portuguese-era/268980,December 16, 2016

A proposal approved by investment promotion board (IPB) for a project titled 'Palacio de Jua' in an eco-fragile land, to be developed under survey number 224/1/2/3, in St Estevam, was opposed by the villagers at a recently held gram sabha. Gram sabha members alleged that the project area in St Estevam has been demarcated as "an orchard zone and an eco-sensitive area". They expressed concern about destruction of the scenic spot. When villagers raised queries, the panchayat maintained that it has not issued a no objection certificate (NOC) for its conversion. The members passed a resolution, demanding the project be scrapped with immediate effect. In another resolution, the islanders opposed the development of Tollem (pond) Xeth, a cultivable area, into a playground. Villagers said that the land was acquired by the government without following proper procedures. They argued that the water body, which is a low lying area, will cause displacement of water during monsoon. The panch members and villagers agreed not to approve the development project.When the members raised the issue about a spate of robberies in the village, the sarpanch could not satisfactorily answer as to why registration formalities of migrant workers and tenants, residing in the village, had not been done. They are being used by certain panchas for vote bank politics and have acquired voting rights, without being formally registered with the village panchayat or at the Old Goa police station, the members alleged.St Estevam villagers also raised other issues, such as migrants misusing bunds, rivulets and open areas for open defecation. They also raised concerns about the pollution caused by sand-laden trucks near the Tonca.The gram sabha also unanimously resolved to dissolve the biodiversity management committee (BMC) and a new panel with seven members was installed. Former BMC member Valanky Botelho briefed the new panel about their duties and other aspects.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/islanders-oppose-ipb-project-in-eco-fragile-land/articleshow/56028268.cms,December 17, 2016

Efforts to preserve Palakkad district’s rich Jain tradition got a boost on Saturday when the Kozhikode regional chapter of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) undertook the task of protecting two ancient idols of Tirthankaras, found at Eswarancode, near Mundur, here. According to Jainism, a Tirthankara is a human being who achieves ‘moksha' through asceticism, and then becomes a role model and teacher for those who want spiritual guidance.Situated in a private property at present, the idols require more research and studies to determine the time and purpose of their installation. INTACH activists have cleaned up the premises after obtaining consent of the property owners and installed signs detailing how significant the Tirthankara idols are as per Jain tradition. INTACH activists have also begun an exercise to find other major Jain cultural remnants that require protection and promotion. Talking to The Hindu here after the cleaning-up drive, Arun Narayan of INTACH said at least half a dozen sites with Jain symbols can be traced in Palakkad district, which along with Wayanad had housed the largest Jain congregation in Kerala.

“We have taken up the Eswarancode initiative as a first step in forming a Palakkad chapter of INTACH. The organisation will seek the help of historians and Jain community leaders to unravel the past of the idols there. Our Jain cultural mission will cover the whole district in the coming months and the focus will be extended to other historical and cultural spheres in the district thereafter,’’ he said. “Historians substantiate that Jain monks had entered Kerala through three routes — namely Mangalore, Wayanad and Konghunadu enclosing Salem and Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu, in the past,’’ he said. Historian A. Velupillai, in his epigraphical evidence of Tamil studies, had stated that the monks hailed from Shravanabelagola, near Srirangapattanam, in the present day Karnataka.In Palakkad town, a ‘Digambar' shrine dedicated to Chandraprabha, the eighth ‘Tirthankara' of Jainism is located at Jainimedu, on the banks of the Kalpathy river, between Olavakkode and Chunnambuthara. As per legend, the Jainimedu temple was constructed on a 12-acre plot by a family of diamond traders who came from Kanahalli in Karnataka 500 years ago.The temple, hitherto in a dilapidated condition, is under renovation now. The shrine, built on huge granite blocks, is now located in 70 cents of land. The 32-feet-high structure comprises four ‘aras’ (divisions) with walls devoid of glittering ornamentations and decorations.

-http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/INTACH-to-preserve-two-Jain-Tirthankara-idols-in-Palakkad/article16896198.ece,December 17, 2016

Laila Tyabji has dedicated her life to reviving India’s craft heritage, working at multiple levels. Born in Delhi, she studied arts at the MS University, Baroda and, later, print-making at the Toshi Yoshida Studio in Japan. She started out as a freelance designer for textiles, graphics and theatre.In 1976, Gujarat State Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation asked her to document, revive and redesign the traditional handicrafts of Kutch. Tyabji spent six months in the region, working with the crafts and craftspeople in the area—block printing, weaving, bandhini, woodwork, pottery, embroidery and appliqué.In 1981, she and five others brainstormed an organisation for crafts and craftspeople. That was Dastkar. “I had no idea that we would still be at it 35 years later, and that it would become an all-India movement,” says Tyabji. It started with 15 nervous groups of craftspeople and today works with over 700 such groups. Dastkar provides support services such as entrepreneurship training, access to credit, product and skills development, design and marketing to traditional artisans, in an attempt to make handicrafts regain its place in the economic mainstream. She has edited a book entitled Threads & Voices: Behind the Indian Textile Tradition, which tells the stories of artisan communities and the practice of different textile crafts. “In the micro sense, a lot has changed since we began.Artisans are going places, and today they have the confidence to innovate and make sense of what works in the mainstream market. But in the macro sense, this is just a drop in the ocean,” she says. In 2003, Tyabji got the Aid to Artisans Preservation of Craft Award in New York, the first Asian to receive the honour. In 2012, she received the Padma Shri.

-http://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2016/dec/17/for-putting-heart-into-indias-craft-1550269.html,December 17, 2016

A two-day national seminar on Endangered Ethnic Cultures and Languages in Northeast India was inaugurated today at the Institute of Tai Studies and Research, Moranhat on December 17, 2016. The seminar was organized by the Institute of Tai Studies and Research, Moranhat and it was sponsored by ICHR and ICSSR. Dr. Debabrata Sharma, Principal of Jorhat College, in his inaugural speech talked about the existence of the elements from the languages of the communities living in North East India in Assamese language and relevance of those in the formation of the Assamese language. Professor Bhim Kanta Baruah, director, Centre for Studies in Language, Dibrugarh University delivered the keynote address in the inaugural session and discussed the present state of the languages prevalent among the communities in the NE states of India. Professor Girin Phukan, Director, ITSAR chaired the session. Earlier Jibeswar Mohan, President, ITSAR delivered the welcome address. Dr. B.K. Gogoi, co-ordinator of the seminar offered the vote of thanks. Two technical sessions were conducted on the first day. The first technical session was chaired by Prof. Bhim Kanta Baruah and the second was chaired by Dr. Debabrata Sarmah. As many as twelve scholars presented their research papers in these two technical sessions today.

-http://eastern-today.com/entries/city/national-seminar-on-endangered-ethnic-cultures-and-languages-held,December 17, 2016

The profile of Humayun's Tomb has been enhanced. Nearly a dozen other garden tombs in the vicinity of the grand 16th-century Mughal edifice have also been designated as monuments of outstanding universal value by Unesco and recognised as world heritage.While four of these structures got the prestigious tag last year, seven others were included as world heritage property through a notification last month. Officials say this is the first-ever expansion of a world heritage site."This expansion doesn't count towards two permitted annual nominations. Last year, Nalanda and Kanchenjunga were nominated for world heritage inscription; the Humayun's Tomb boundary modification proposal was submitted this February. All the submitted nominations have been inscribed on the world heritage list, making it a momentous year for Indian heritage," said an official.In 2015, one the request of Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Archaeological Survey of India, Unesco included Isa Khan's Tomb, Bu Halima's Tomb and Garden, Afsarwala Garden Tomb and Arab Serai Bazaar as part of the world heritage site. In early this year, AKTC proposed further boundary modification, wh- ich was forwarded by the Centre to Unesco."Seven other 16th-century garden tombs have been included. These are Lakkarwala Burj, Sunder Burj, Sunderwala Mahal, Mirza Muzzafar Hussain's Tomb, Chotte Batashewala Mahal, an unknown Mughal tomb and Nila Gumbad," said an official."It's a feat achieved silently and quietly. The conservation effort was recognised as a model by Unesco and International Council of Monuments and Site," said a source. The redevelopment of Humayun's Tomb was started in 2007. Following US president Barack Obama's visit in 2010, the US Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation co-funded AKTC to conserve Lakkarwala Burj, Sunder Burj, Sunderwala Mahal, Mirza Muzzafar Hussain's Tomb, Chotte Batashewala and the unknown tomb.ASI and AKTC made a case to Unesco that the integrity of Humayun's Tomb would be compromised without the inclusion of these structures. "Each of these monuments continue the predominant architectural feature of red-white contrast developed at Humayun's Tomb, though the Mughals used lime plaster mixed with marble dust to mimic the more expensive white marble used at Humayun's Tomb," said a conservationist. "The expansion will enhance protection, increase visitors and improve the environment," said R S Fonia, joint director general, ASI. Ratish Nanda, CEO, AKTC, said, "This is the culmination of a decade-long conservation effort and landscape restoration at these garden tombs, made possible only with a public-private partnership between AKTC and ASI, and also with the support of Tata Trusts and the US ambassador's fund."

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Humayuns-Tomb-unites-with-11-cousins/articleshow/56042255.cms,December 18, 2016

A colourful carnival from North East comprising of fashion shows, music, cultural programmes and handicrafts has travelled to the capital city.The two-day fiesta, "Celebrating North-East", encapsulates the essence of North East while showcasing some of the best designers as well as regional delicacies form the seven states.Organised by North East Institute of Fashion Technology (NEIFT) along with CARE LUIT, the festival seeks to highlight the potential of seven sisters as best tourist destination across the world. Tangkhul Naga, who has come from Manipur seeks to draw appreciation and good sales for traditional jewellery and dresses which she weaves back in her town. Tangluk works with authentic loinloom weaving technique to create ponchos, saronges and shawls."The clothes you see here are a legacy of my community but to make it appealing for masses I have modernised some of the traditional dresses. The jewellery which I am showcasing is made from Naga special stones, beads, high quality bones and glasses which are auspicious to us and we wear them during our traditional ceremony," Tangluk says.The festival, which is being held at The Plaza, DLF Place, Saket here, seeks to provide an international marketing platform to the weavers, artisans as well as crafts from North East.Indigenous wild silks-- golden Muga, white Pat and warm Eri -- have been transformed in luxury wear by Assam-based designers Jyoti and Kashmiri.Their stall is representing Gamusha, one of the important traditional clothing of Assam, in a completely new avatar.They will also be showcasing their collection at a fashion show during the festival.Topwears and dresses made from famous Mekhla Chador and sarees weaved in tusser silk are also popular."It is difficult for the weavers to spend days weaving a saree in original tusser silk since the sales are not that high. The final products cost too much for the buyers so we now mix silk with other fabrics to lower down the costs," says Bandana, who hails from the weavers community in Assam.The festival, which is being supported by Ministry of Tourism, Textiles as well as MSME, is also providing an eclectic mix of talented musicians and bands from the region such as Retrosonic, Trouble Clef and Kelly Jordan.Food stalls offering pork ribs, mouth-watering curries and duck delicacies are drawing a huge crowd.The Blue Caterpillar, a brain-child of two young entrepreneurs, is a collection of text based t-shirts in pop colours which have been printed in Assamese texts."We wanted to promote our state with a completely new idea. Text based t-shirts pull huge crowd including youngsters these days. So we thought why not print t-shirts in Assamese text. It has be a hit at least amongst students from our own state," says Nilutpol Borah, a student of Amity University.

-http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/carnival-celebrates-traditional-cultures-of-north-east/1/837554.html,December 18, 2016

On the periphery of Mumbai, in the popular Sanjay Gandhi National Park, are a few hundred families of tribal people who are culturally rich and have much to offer. An example of the thriving talent here is 22-year-old Dinesh Bharab, who belongs to the Warli tribe. His fascination with Warli art started when he was just four. Bharab explains, “My grandmother was a brilliant artist. I tried my hand at it and became better at it under her guidance.” His initial canvases were the walls of his house as well as of his neighbours; the Warlis paint their home walls during weddings and on other festive occasions.Over the years, Dinesh’s canvas has expanded to include unusual surfaces in the forests. “I have painted on wild kaayri (Entada gigas), dried wild mushrooms, rocks, bamboo shoots, small pieces of wood and even on discarded items.” His affinity for nature can also be seen from the fact that he uses natural ingredients to create his artworks, resulting in an eco-friendly painting. “The colours I make are natural and are made from flowers that are found in the wild,” he says. “I use Junglee Abuli flower to make red, Ringdi flower for yellow, any kind of leaf to produce green, ripe mango for ochre, rice flour for white colour, and to make blue and black colours, I use flowers of the same colour.” He also uses cow dung, mud, turmeric, vermillion, geru, charcoal and wood ash. The colour-making process is tedious and time consuming, but that doesn't deter Bharab from creating a stock. The flowers have to be dried for 3 to 4 days, then they are ground using a mortar and pestle into a grainy powder. This is then filtered, using a cloth, into a fine powder, which is then used in the painting. What's also interesting is his source of inspiration for his art. While the art form draws inspiration from the forests and the day to day lives and activities of the Warli tribe, Bharab goes a step ahead. “My paintings come from folklore from my community and from the stories that I hear from the village elders who recall the landscape of the forest from their childhood. Each one has a different depiction and I try to paint it according to their narration,” he says. And this, any anthropologist will tell you, is a fine way to preserve heritage. Bharab is trying to promote Warli art to lot of people with the help of NGOs such as Committed Communities Development Trust. Apart from exhibitions, some NGOs have roped him in to paint jute bags, keychains and other accessories. He states that four of his paintings have been bought by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and another four by Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray, at various exhibitions. Bharab teaches Warli art to students of Matrubhoomi Education Society High School in Kandivali, paints for exhibitions conducted by NGOs. He teaches 15 tribal kids in his pada (hamlet) how to paint, providing all the materials free, and describes this effort as “fulfilling”. “I teach them to paint on paper and cloth. When I have to paint the walls of any home in the village, I take them along. It boosts their confidence and gives them a sense of achievement.” There’s an altruistic motive to teaching his people. “There are several people in my pada who are uneducated and unemployed. Currently, I am the only Warli artist here. I want more children to learn this authentic art form so that they too are able to earn a living from this. After all, we are the children of the forest.”

-http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-many-shades-of-the-forest-2283920,December 18, 2016

The city of Mumbai is very lucky that in 1952, one of the richest Indians, the Maharaja of Gondal, Shri Vikramsinhji from Gujarat, bought the nearly derelict Royal Opera House on a 999-year lease. Built in 1912 in Mumbai city centre at a cost of Rs 7.5 lakh, today the commercial value of the mere land occupying the heritage building would be hundreds of crores. There are no incentives or grants available for restoration of privately owned heritage buildings. But there are many hurdles and restrictions for the task. Unlike the neo-rich, who would have demolished the building, converting it to skyscraper residential buildings, the Gondal royal family was keen to preserve this 100-year-old Heritage 2B structure.In 2009, the present Maharaja of Gondal Jyotendrasinhji Jadeja commissioned its restoration to the eminent conservation architect Abha Narain Lambha, (winner of seven UNESCO Asia Pacific Awards for conservation) and has spent crores of rupees for restoring the 574-seat theatre Royal Opera House to its pristine glory.A theatre enthusiast, the Maharaja’s wife, Maharani Kumud Kumari, hopes the performance arts community is equally geared up for the Opera House's new innings.“In 1953, I remember watching Prithviraj Kapoor on a Saturday and his three boys — Raj, Shammi and Shashi — in a play in the Royal Opera House and I was truly impressed. Apart from varied performances, we are hoping to have operatic performances, too, to firmly re-establish the Royal Opera House as an opera of international stature and a cultural venue par excellence."While there are a few centres of Western music in India, the type of western classical music known as Opera music is not much known in India. Almost all major cities in the world have their own stately Opera Houses. In India, the only place where western opera can be performed is the Opera theatre in the National Centre for Performing Arts complex in Mumbai.Maurice E Bandmann, a renowned entertainer from Kolkata, and Jehangir Framji Karaka, head of a firm of coal brokers, drew up the Baroque-style designs for the theatre in 1909. Permission was sought and granted on the occasion of King George V's visit to Mumbai in 1911 to use the prefix 'Royal'. Completed in 1915, the structure hosted operas and live performances until it was converted into a cinema in 1935.

-http://www.deccanherald.com/content/587206/mumbai-gets-back-opera-house.html,December 18, 2016

Around 30,000 visitors attended the 'Opening Week' programmes of Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2016 that came to a close on Sunday. The figure tallied ticketed and non-ticketed entries, programmes and events across the venues. Individual performances drew crowds that averaged about 300 visitors daily through the week. Much as they did for the final showing of Anamika Haksar's theatre production 'Composition on Water' that discussed discrimination against the marginalized, crowds swelled to catch Zuleikha Chaudhari's play 'Auditioning the Plaintiff (Kumar Ramendra Narayan Roy); Rehearsing the Witness: The Bhawal Court Case' on Sunday.Visits to David Hall also had the opportunity to catch danseuse Padmini Chettur's three-hour performance 'Varnam', which was also in its final run."Contemporary artworks that explore the scope of sound and images have given the concept of art a new dimension," said renowned poet Ashok Vajpeyi who paid visits to various venues of the KMB 2016 on Saturday.It was for the first time that KMB featured distinctive artworks including performances, video installations, works based on sound, visuals and light as well as paintings and sculptures.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/30000-visitors-attend-Opening-Week/articleshow/56053993.cms,December 18, 2016

Cracks have developed in the 13th century Sun Temple at Konark. The confirmation comes from a member of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) delegation that inspected the temple yesterday following reports from local residents that they had spotted two cracks in the edifice earlier this month. Local residents said that almost every other day cracks of various sizes appear on the temple. They said there had also been instances of stones falling off the monument. The ASI, however, did not show much attention to their alarm call, they said. B.K. Rath, one of the ASI working team members that inspected the site yesterday, said: "We inspected the temple and even climbed up to the edifice to examine the structure." He said that even a mild earthquake measuring three on the Richter scale could bring the temple down. "The ASI should not delay conservation work on the temple," Rath added.Another member of the ASI inspection team told The Telegraph on condition of anonymity that during yesterday's inspection they had spotted a few cracks that required immediate attention.Between 1901 and 1906, the then British government had filled up sand inside the temple and closed it off.In 1997, the ASI held an international conference on this issue and recommended 32 measures for the conservation of the temple including opening up the mouth and a proposal to go inside to it for physical inspection to see the nature of threat to the temple, Rath said."Although 20 years have passed since the conference, no serious intervention has been made in this matter" Rath said. "We have already conducted an endoscopic photography of the temple. Now, an attempt is being made to open an entry point from the western side for physical inspection."Refusing to comment on the recent cracks, superintending archaeologist of the Bhubaneswar circle of ASI H.S. Nayak said: "We too are concerned about its conservation. We have entrusted the job to the Central Building Research Institute and are waiting for their report. Besides, the working committee team will also submit its report to us."In the past, the ASI had allegedly used chemicals for preservation of the temple without proper technical guidance because of which artistic sculptures on its stones are fading."One cannot even recognise the art inscribed on the stones. More than 40 per cent of it has already faded and beyond recognition," said Rabi Bahinipati, a member of the Konark Surakshya Samiti that is working for the protection of the temple.Members of the samiti said loosening of the sand packed inside the temple (in the inner chamber of the sanctorum), was the major reason for the development of cracks.State culture minister Ashok Panda told The Telegraph: "I hope the ASI gives more attention to the conservation of the Sun temple."In 2009, chief minister Naveen Patnaik had taken up the issue of conservation of the temple with then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.Citing reasons for stones falling off, president of the Konark Surakshya Samiti Badal Das said that besides falling victim to natural decline due to lack of proper care and maintenance, stones frequently fall off as the ASI has engaged unskilled labourers to put the iron scaffolding around the monument.Das also questioned why the ASI team did not include the samiti's members while it was inspecting the temple's structure yesterday. "We had an argument with the ASI team on the issue," said Das, adding that his organisation would soon send a petition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Naveen Patnaik demanding protection of the temple.

-http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161219/jsp/frontpage/story_125466.jsp#.WFeUjFN97IU,December 18, 2016

The State Government's scheme of conservation of heritage structures under the PPP (Public Private Partnership) model will see the restoration of 15 monuments spread over 11 districts across Karnataka this year. Though the PPP model for heritage conservation is unique to the state, and has been in vogue since the last few years, only one organisation 'Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothana Trust (SDMDT)' has been taking up restoration works on a regular basis. Mr A H Harirama Shetty, Director, SDMDT, said that restoration of the 15 monuments will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.4.3 crore. However, the list of the monuments was before an expert committee, which was in the process of finalising them, he said.In addition, the trust will also restore Sri Sowmya Someshwara Temple, Nimbapura in Hampi, in association with JSW Foundation. The groundbreaking ceremony will be conducted next week, and the entire exercise will cost around Rs.50 lakh.SDMDT has so far taken up 212 restoration works of ancient monuments covering 25 districts in Karnataka, since its inception in 1991. Of these, 145 are under the PPP model with the Department of Archaeology, Government of Karnataka and most of which have been completed, while a few are in the advanced stage.In addition, one temple has been restored in Penugonda in Andhra Pradesh, Mr Shetty said. Under the PPP model, the SDMDT will bear 40 per cent of the project cost and the State Government chips in with matching grants, while the local community has to contribute 20 per cent of the cost.N S Rangaraju, retired professor from the Department of Ancient History, University of Mysore, and currently on the advisory committee of the trust said, the restoration work follows the norms stipulated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).With 778 protected monuments and about 25,000 unprotected monuments strewn across the State, there is tremendous opportunity for conservation under CSR activities for the Corporate sector, Prof. Rangaraju said.

-http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20161218/3015319.html,December 18, 2016

Crane sightings in Bijnor have increased this year. About 139 sarus cranes were spotted as compared 112 last year. The district, with its abundance of wetlands and water bodies, is favourable for these migratory birds, who begin to settle in with the onset of winter. Among the eleven ranges in the district, Nagina had the highest number of cranes, 38. It was followed by Amangarh range, with 31 birds. Apart from cranes, 15 crane chicks were also spotted. This year, the counting was conducted with a GPS based machine, which had to be carried to the spots where the birds were likely to be sighted. As a result, the forest department got precise information about the location of the cranes. The counting was on for three days before being concluded on Saturday. The exercise was carried out under the order of the state government. The district Forest Officer (DFO), M Semmaran, said, "We sent teams to all eleven ranges in the district. While last year 112 cranes were spotted, this year we found 139 of them. Thirty nine were spotted in Nagina, , 31 in Amangarh, 17 in Dhampur, 14 in Sahuwala, nine in Chandpur, ten in Najibabad, six in Bijnor, six in Kodia and eight in Rajgarh range."In Bijnor, cranes are considered a sign of good luck, which why they are not hunted. "These birds live in pairs. If one is killed, the other will die automatically," said Semmaran. "The crane is even mentioned in Hindu religious books. It helps farmers by consuming pests in fields. With its long feet and neck, the four-foot bird is beautiful. People respect it," he added.Explaining the increasing crane sightings in Bijnor, Semmaran said, "there is a lot of water available in the district with its rivers, canals, lakes and ponds, where cranes can live."He added that more cranes might have been spotted had there been less fog. "More than 139 might have been spotted, but the fog resulted in low visibility. Also there is sugarcane in the fields now, which is where the birds usually hide," he said.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/more-sarus-cranes-spotted-in-bijnor-this-year/articleshow/56040489.cms,December 18, 2016

Wetland of Gharana located quite close to India-Pakistan International border in R S Pura, about 35 Kilometers from Jammu is no less than a ‘National Heritage’ site where more than two dozen bird species from Central Asia and Northern Europe arrive annually after flying over mighty Himalayas but their hosts have nothing much to offer to these birds except a 0.75 Sq Kms of shallow filthy encroached upon pond which according to them accommodates over 5000 birds especially Bar-Headed Geese, for Now.

Prior to this, some of the visitors and wild life conservators have claimed that this same very pond which was little bigger than the existing one used to accommodate even 25,000 bird species. One might find several conservators boosting of their achievements in protecting this marshland but they themselves contradict their statements by saying that thousands of birds are made to accommodate in small pond of less than a square kilometre called ‘WETLAND’ which till date has not been physically taken over by the department of wildlife protection ever since its notification done way back in 1982.

Whatever, but the fact remains that timely arrival of these migratory birds in flocks in this wetland creates magnificent view leaving shutterbugs captivated. They leave no moment go astray capturing matchless bird flights, their formations and landings in their lenses. It was this day last week when a group of photography enthusiasts under the name “Moments Club” set up their tripods in the well done lawn of Wildlife Protection Department at Gharana Wetland at 9 in the morning waiting for their winged friends to arrive. The group was in the middle of having breakfast when the first flight of flock of Bar Headed Geese was spotted in the sky. The day’s first flight of birds landed in the wetland exactly at 9:30 am demonstrating their disciplined body clocks. The flock made several formations with many drifting little away from the landing ground and then returning by twisting their wings and tails in different permutations and combinations before making over the pond. Many of the birds were flying in groups of two, three four or even five thereby creating a splendid site for viewers and shutterbugs. The locals knew that birds will arrive at 9.30 and they kept the date.

How much exciting this site might be, but reaching at ground zero is not an easy task. The roads might have been blacktopped for the conveniences of commuters but right from R S Pura to Gharana Wetland almost all faded and workout signboards are completely dilapidated leaving no or little scope for the visitors to reach Important Bird Area (IBA) comfortably. In absence of a dedicated road to wetland, visitors have to steer through constricted, broken down and shabbily maintained village streets that is not only inconvenient for bird watchers but also for the locals.

Still ironic is that waste from the village seeps right into the pond which is termed as ‘WETLAND’. The site is so important not because migratory birds make it their home to escape harsh winters of Siberia and European countries during December or January but also because it is located close to Indo-Pak border. It’s so close to border that standing on the bank of pond, visitors can spot Pakistan flag unfurling on top of their observatories.

Though the government has notified Gharana as Wetland and even declared it as Important Bird Area (IBA), it still needs to be declared as a National Heritage site before these winged guests chose to move away to another site due to fast encroaching or disturbing site area. In absence of an identified parking area, visitors take their vehicles right up to the pond site thereby creating disturbances for the birds. Locals give a damn to the visitors as they contribute nothing to the village.

It’s been ages since bird watchers, officials, visitors, tourists and cinematographers besides wild life film makers had been thronging this site but no one has ever cared to do anything about the Gharana village due to which locals show least interest in the conservation of this wetland. They have no love for the wetland which is evident from the fact that not even a single person from the village has even been roped in as a guide or conservator by any department. Important birds that have been sighted by the visitors include Siberian Cranes, Keel, Grey Heron, Common Teal, Little Grebe, Northern Pintail, Ruddy, Grey Key Goose, Shoveler, Marchland, Gadwall and even Kingfisher. Most of these birds come from Central Asia and Northern Europe. However, Bar Headed Geese some of whom have been radio collared remain major attraction. Strangely all these flock together in just 0.75 Sq Km area where even villagers bathe their livestock.

Its during past that department of wildlife protection has tried to reenergise the pond by putting in small fish or by de-weeding it but the complete reserve area has still not been retrieved. Sources claim that the wetland that was reserved in Gharana was spread in an area of 200 acres but since issues pertaining to state land, shamlat deh, ownership, custodian property or notified area have not been settled since decades this reserve or catchment area continues to be last priority for conservators. It was because of little efforts of Bombay Natural History Society in 2001 that this neglected sanctuary on the Indo-Pak border was classified as an Important Bird Area. There after noting much has been done. There was a time that guns booming on Indo-Pak border had forced these birds to not to settle in their this natural habitat. However, way back in 2013 when guns fell silent the birds returned to Gharana.

The ‘Moments Club’ members including Vivek, Mridula, Avijit, Nitish and this author Sunny clicked thousands of pictures only to post them on their social networking sites believe that little effort can make this place a protected area which then can be ideal wintering habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife species. The Club Members many of whom have visited the site four to five times believe that constant efforts will yield results and watersheds restored to their lost glory. Aquatic vegetation and fisheries that has been contaminated due to degradation of the watershed can very well be restored to ensure revisit of migratory birds. Pakistan on other side of fence has planted huge trees may be for strategic reason but the same are serving the purpose of conserving biodiversity as well. A similar attempt could also be made on this side of fence to protect flora and fauns besides invigorating watersheds.

The government, Moments Club believe can work with landowners making them wildlife-friendly, involve partners including state and central agencies besides private corporations and foundations and individuals or start conservation easements and use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to get satellite images and allied information to restore or protect habitat on the landscape. There is a lot of pressure o this wetland that has destroyed the reserve. The problems of degradation of wetlands from pollution, encroachment, groundwater withdrawals, imporper drainage and other actions also require attention especially that of people of R S Pura. Wetlands conservation initiatives must also be declared as an important part of our National Heritage so that it becomes a centre of attraction for neighbouring states as well.

How can people make a difference?

There is a lot of scope to protect this most important wetland and amongst a few are getting involved, educating children, supporting wetlands and watershed protection initiatives, introducing stamps on Gharana, ensuring minimal wetland alteration, maintaining adjacent buffer strips as open spaces and most importantly learning more about wetland restoration activities. The Moments Club believe that by clicking and posting rarest pictures of these species on social sites besides taking more about the Gharana and writing about it will give a fillip to the moment of conservation of this Important Bird Area (IBA) besides making it an international destination.

-http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/shrinking-national-heritage/,December 18, 2016

The Nature Volunteers organised its third annual environment lecture at Govindram Seksaria Institute of Management and Research (GSIMR) recently. Principal director of Natural Heritage Division, INTACH (Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage) Manu Bhatnagar in his key-note address talked about various projects undertaken by INTACH all over the country to revive dying lakes and water bodies. He also spoke about creation of biodiversity parks and green corridors in New Delhi. He emphasised the need to preserve natural heritage while developing infrastructure like townships and metro rails.“Our work is divided into architectural heritage, materials heritage, intangible heritage and natural heritage,” Bhatnagar said. He explained that natural heritage division addresses both the hard core environmental issues as well as issues where nature and culture are interlinked.“Variations in natural conditions over space give rise to distinctive cultures,” Bhatnagar said. He explained for maintaining cultural diversity we need to maintain the distinct natural conditions of different regions. “Within larger cultures flourish many sub-cultures and the variation amongst these reflect the bio-geographic diversity of the sub-regions,” Bhatnagar said. Explaining with an example, he said that the cultural expressions in Rajasthan are distinct from those of Meghalaya or Kerala reflecting the difference in their natural roots. “In fact, it would be interesting to overlay a map of cultural regions over a map of bio-geographic regions and see a striking coincidence in the boundaries of both layers,” he added.“In recent times humans have learnt to dominate nature through technology and thus lost respect for it,” Bhatnagar said. He explained that vast tracts have become bereft of wilderness and our daily lives do not reflect the rhythms of nature.“This has surely led to culturally impoverished lives and a diminishing of cultural expression,” Bhatnagar said.He elaborated that barren cities standing as islands in the bald landscape result in a culturally anemic and sterile society. “The equation is clear – culture flourishes if nature does,” he concluded.

-http://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/indore-intach-lays-stress-on-revival-of-water-bodies/989382,December 19, 2016

West Bengal Urdu Academy is organising the 2nd National Urdu Drama Festival (Celebration of Theatre) in the city which to be inaugurated on December 26 at 5 pm presided by Prof Syed Manal Shah Alquadri, Vice Chairman, WBUA, with chief guest Arpita Ghosh (MP), and guests of honour being Janab Md Nadimul Haque, (MP, Chairman Finance Committee, WBUA), Janab Mushtaq Kak (Eminent Theatre Director) and Uma Jhunjhunwala (President, Little Thespian).The first play to be scheduled is Quli: Dilon ka Shahzaada by Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation, Hyderabad.

-http://www.millenniumpost.in/NewsContent.aspx?NID=348135,December 19, 2016

To commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives during the Indian rebellion of 1857, a composition of Mangal Pandey's 'hanging scene' in the form of seven sculptures, was unveiled at Nanakchand Anglo Sanskrit (NAS) College on Sunday. The sculptures were made by Meerut-based artisan Prince Raj, an alumi of the college. The sculptures were unveiled by Justice Pankaj Mittal of Allahabad High Court, who was also the chief guest at the event held at the seminar hall of NAS College on Sunday. Raj started working on the sculptures in 2007 and completed them in two years, but due to some issues within the college management, these could be unveiled earlier.Giving details about the sculptures, Prince Raj said, "The idea about making something to represent the Indian rebellion of 1857 struck me in 2007 when 150th celebrations of the mutiny were observed in the city. I approached the college management and they readily accepted my idea without even seeing the blueprint. The sculptures titled 'Shaheed Mangal Pandey: Glimpse of the first freedom struggle 1857' represents how Mangal Pandey was being taken to be hanged by the Englishmen. A child at the forefront picking up an iron rod to beat the Englishmen is pure imagination to show that if a child understands how crucial it is to act at a particular moment, adults will follow him. After all, children are the future of our country."Though the sculptures were ready long back, these were finally unveiled on Sunday after finishing touches were given to them in the past two months by Prince Raj, who had to take leave as head of the department (Arts) at Vidya Knowledge Park for the same period."It is a matter of pride to have such beautiful composition of sculptures placed on our college campus. What makes it even better is the fact that the composition has been made by a former student of the college who is now a renowned artist," said Amit Kumar Sharma, secretary, NAS College.Giving details of the sculptures, Nupur Sharma, head of the department (Arts), NAS College, said, "The composition of sculptures signifies the expressions of fear and anger at the same time on the face of Mangal Pandey. It is a symbol of strength, courage and determination."

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/meerut/sculptures-depicting-mangal-pandeys-hanging-unveiled-at-nas-college/articleshow/56053084.cms,December 19, 2016

A local group has written to the civic authorities, saying the matter requires immediate attention, especially as the city is expecting a dry summer. Residents of areas around Bengaluru’s Varthur and Bellandur lakes have complained of foul smell and pollution emanating from these frothing water bodies post-Cyclone Vardah. A local group has written to the civic authorities, saying the matter requires immediate attention, especially as the city is expecting a dry summer. “There is nothing new but now pollution has increased as the lake smells bad, which is going to be harmful and something should be done,” a resident said. “The lake stinks and causes diseases. Civic authorities are yet to take any action, but a few students are seen trying to clean the lakes sometimes,” a local resident told ANI here.The toxic froth is caused by allowing untreated sewage water to flow into the lakes. It has spilled over onto roads and into drains around the lakes in the last two days.This has also led to poor visibility on roads, and motorists risk skidding while riding. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board had sent a tanker to sprinkle water and bring down the froth’s intensity.A local group, ‘Whitefield Rising’, has written to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) and the Karnataka Lake Conservation and Development Authority (KLCDA) to take cognizance of the issue.“This matter needs more attention, especially since we are looking at a dry summer,” a member of Whitefield Rising said. “Wasting a resource as precious as water and dealing with health and safety issues alongside is not good.”The lake must also be desilted and cleared of weeds like hyacinth to allow sun light to penetrate. The BBMP and BWSSB efforts to check frothing by spraying chemicals have failed.Municipal authorities need to install a sewerage treatment plant at Varthur Lake. The water body is supposed to be desilted every year, but the last time this was done was in 1970.

-http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bengaluru-toxic-lake-froth-propels-citizens-to-rise-against-civic-authorities-4434665/,December 19, 2016

In a landmark decision on conservation of water bodies, Rajasthan Lake Protection and Conservation Authority have passed a proposal taking three major lakes in Udaipur under prohibited zone. In a meeting, held at Jaipur on Tuesday, LDA passed a proposal submitted by Udaipur district level lake development committee to include Pichhola, Fatehsagar and Udaisagar lakes under prohibited zone. Soon, a notification will be issued calling objections from common or aggrieved parties or any minor changes. "We have accepted the proposal forwarded by Udaipur district level committee on lake conservation. Once included under prohibited zone, it implies that lakes would be subjected to protection and no constructions or commercial activities will take place around the lake areas without prior permission of the committee," Dr Manjit Singh, principle secretary, Urban Development and Housing told TOI.Udaipur collector Rohit Gupta, Udaipur Municipal Corporation commissioner Sidharth Sihag, UIT secretary Ram Nivas Mehta were among others who marked their presence in the meeting. The decision is being speculated to go a long way in curbing encroachments and illegal activities like sand extraction, etc., from the lake bed. However, some activists raised questions on the correctness of formation of district level committee."It should have representation from common too, but they have not strictly adhered to the parameters," opined an activist. Among the major responsibilities of the committee are protecting, reclaiming and rejuvenating the water bodies, creating habitat for flora and fauna in lakes and conducting environment impact assessment for lakes. Without its permission, no activities would be allowed inside the lake periphery.Presently, the conservation task is being undertaken under the National Lake Conservation Project, while commercial activities like boating and adventure sports are being supervised by the tourism department and Municipal Corporation, while the drinking water supply is under the jurisdiction of PHED department.

-http://indianexpress.com/article/india/bengaluru-toxic-lake-froth-propels-citizens-to-rise-against-civic-authorities-4434665/,December 19, 2016

The newly formed Telangana State does not exist in the ASI records though the State was bifurcated two and a half years back. In which State is Golconda and Charminar? No guessing, it is Telangana State. But for Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the two along with others which were in undivided Andhra Pradesh, continue to be depicted in AP.In fact, the newly formed Telangana State does not exist in the ASI records though the State was bifurcated two and a half years back.A senior ASI official was stumped at the faux pas in the organisation’s official website but asserted ASI will change it. “Probably it’s under process. It has to be changed and it will be changed. Charminar, Golconda and other Telangana monuments have to be shown there,” he added.A notification was issued by ASI in June establishing a new circle in AP with its headquarters in Amaravati, bifurcating its Hyderabad circle for better maintenance of Centrally protected monuments, arch-aeological sites and remains at Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Gun-tur, East Godavari, Kri-shna, Kurnool, Nellore prakasam, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram.

-http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/191216/charminar-is-not-in-tenlagana-for-archaeological-survey-of-india.html,December 19, 2016

GSIMR ( Govindram Seksaria Institute of Management and Research) volunteered natural caretakers in which Principal Director of natural heritage explained students about the importance of natural heritage. Natural heritage division director, INTACH(Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), Manu Bhatnagar expressed his view upon natural heritage and it importance. He asserted the point that Projects should implemented to save our natural heritage, all the dried water body should be revived and Bio diversities should be created and maintained.Manu Bhatnagar explained his views by giving an example, “the cultural expression in Rajasthan are distinct from those of Meghalaya or Kerela reflecting the difference in their natural roots, in fact, it would be interesting to overlay a map of cultural regions over a map of bio-geographic regions and see a striking coincidence in the boundaries of both the layers.”He added , now in this era we humans are dominating nature by technologies and our natural and cultural link is diminishing we should take actions to save our natural heritage and link it with our culture.More than 12,000 public toilets constructed; Rs. 100 fine will charge for open expurgation.FDA will launch awareness among people- 'don't use...

-http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-12-21/indo-nepal-folk-crafts-fest-in-the-capital.html,December 19, 2016

The recent excavation at Keeladi in Sivaganga district near Madurai, which unearthed the evidence of a flourishing civilisation in the Sangam era, has been stalled due to the lack of sanction to continue the work for the third year. The Archaeological Survey Of India is currently involved in excavation studies at Vadnagar in Gujarat, Binjor in Rajasthan, Urain in Bihar and Keeladi at Sivaganga district. While the three other places have received sanctions to continue the study during 2016 - 17, the Keeladi site has not been given the sanction, without which no further excavation work can be carried out. The Central Advisory Board of Archaeology (CABA), which sanctions excavations, has asked the director general of archaeology to visit the site and decide upon the sanction, informed sources told TOI. However, no high-level officials have visited the site in the second year, they said. Superintending archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna, who headed the study, said that they have not received the sanction to carry out excavation works for the third year. "We have appealed for the extension and are awaiting sanction," he said. Meanwhile, archaeology scholars in Madurai feel that the site needs some more years of excavation to bring out the buried civilisation. Two years of excavation is not enough considering the kind of structures and antiquities found, they said. "Our politicians in the ruling BJP government like union minister Pon Radhakrishnan should help the study to continue," said C Santhalingam, a retired archaeologist from Madurai.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/excavation-work-at-keeladi-stalled-by-red-tape-rue-local-archaeologists/articleshow/56067324.cms,December 19, 2016

Research teams from St. Xavier's, Mumbai, Rajasthan University (RU) and Agarkar Research Institute, Pune are on a visit to Jaisalmer's fossil belt and experts believe that the location is ideal for being developed as a geological heritage park in future. In a recommendation to the district administration, prof. Dhirendra Kumar Pandey, department of sociology (RU) has suggested to develop nature parks at different locations as most of the areas are protected. Since 1978, Pandey has been engaged in exploring and unearthing mysteries of Jaisalmer basin. "With areas being declared as natural parks, a regular check can be maintained on the encroachments. This will also ensure systematic development and generate revenue for the government through eco-tourism,'' the professor added. Jaisalmer region has a rich natural wealth and therefore, Nature Park can be developed at places like Akal National Park or Akal Wood Fossils Park, Thaiat Scarp section near Thaiyat village, Khuri Road section (about 4 kms south of Jaisalmer), Fort section, Bada Bag section, Rupsi section, Bhadasar ridge-section, Nala section, north of Bhadasar ridge, Kahla village-section, Kuldhar river-section, Jajiya river-section. "Jaisalmer basin is a classical sedimentary basin in Jurassic sediments and fossils of the southern margin of the Tethys Sea. It attracts geoscientists and general tourists from all over the world for its unique geological and cultural heritage,'' he explained. "We have the opportunity to explore evolution of life, establish changes in paleo-environmental parameters, such as water energy, nutrition supply, sea-level, temperature, depth, substratum, oxygen level, salinity, organic carbon content in rocks and fossils, etc,'' Pandey added Indian sub-continent was located in the southern hemisphere, south of Equator during Jurassic period.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/jaisalmer-has-potential-for-geological-parks/articleshow/56063945.cms?null,December 19, 2016

Even though it was still part of the giant land mass of Gondwana, the outlines of what came to be Greater India finally began to be discernible about 145 million years ago. The mountain range that would later split to become the Western Ghats already marked the boundary with Madagascar to the west. In the north lay the craggy Aravallis that extended into a shallow sea to the north and west. In the east, a rift valley was beginning to form between India and Antarctica which would eventually become the eastern coastline of India. This rift valley between Greater India and Antarctica and Australia continued to widen until total separation of the two land masses happened around 122 million years ago. This was roughly when all the continents began to move towards their present positions. Greater India had its own spectacular array of Cretaceous dinosaurs. The best and richest source of dinosaur fossils from this period is the fossil-rich sedimentary layer along the Narmada river, known as the Lameta formation, named after a bathing ghat which lies on the outskirts of Jabalpur, en route to the famous marble cliffs of Bhedaghat where the river drops as the Dhuandhaar Falls.

The Narmada originates in Amarkantak Hills in Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh, and travels through Maharashtra and Gujarat, covering more than 1,300 kilometres during its journey. For about 200 kilometres on the banks of the Narmada flowing through Jabalpur are marble and dolomitic cliffs overlain with sedimentary rocks. These preserve fantastic fossils from this period. If you want to go looking for fossils in this area, a starting point would be the hilly region around Jabalpur. This area was once flanked by the Narmada seaway to the west, with other rivers originating in the Vindhyas flowing around it. The ebb and flow of river water deposited copious quantities of silt and sediments layer upon layer, preserving the fossils within them.

It is, therefore, not surprising that the first dinosaur to be discovered in India, a sauropod called Titanosaurus indicus, was found in a massive sediment horizon in a place called Bara (meaning big) Simla Hill near the army cantonment in Jabalpur. Titanosaurs (or giant reptile) were the giant herbivores of the Cretaceous period. Fossils of bones and eggs of titanosaurs and some other dinosaurs have been found extensively along the Narmada.

Jabalpur cantonment has a second hill close to the Bara Simla Hill called the Chhota (meaning small) Simla Hill where broken bone fragments can be found as you ascend. At the base of the hill, within the boundary walls of the Gun Carriage Factory in Jabalpur, one of India’s largest artillery and armaments factories, is a temple complex called the Pat Baba Mandir dedicated to Hanuman and other Hindu deities.

The temples’ precinct offered protection to the bones, eggs, and nests that were discovered here because generations of priests and devotees believed that the eggs were signs of Shiva that appeared after he slayed the asuras (demons) who terrorised sages in this forest. Tragically, during a renovation in 2011, many nests and eggs were damaged and lost, and today very few fossils remain in the possession of the temples’ priests.

The seaways that cut through the middle of the Indian land mass were shallow and dotted with islands, and it was probably easy for large migratory dinosaurs like Titanosaurus to wade across these waterbodies. At least seven different species of these gentle, plant-eating giants from the Cretaceous period have been identified in India alone.

Titanosaurus varied greatly in size and external appearance; there was even a Titanosaurus that was armoured, with plates as bony extensions emerging from its skin. The bones of Titanosaurus suggest that they were perhaps related to a South American dinosaur called Saltasaurus. When Barapasaurus and Kotasaurus became extinct, Titanosaurus dominated as the top browser and is the largest known dinosaur of the Cretaceous period in India.

Over 25 metres long and about 12 metres tall, Titanosaurus was small in comparison to Barapasaurus, but still as tall as a four-storeyed building. For such an enormous creature, its teeth were extremely small and thin and palæontologists believe they were perhaps used only for stripping leaves and shoots and not for grinding or chewing. That work may have been performed by the gastroliths (stomach stones) in its digestive tract. Like many other sauropods, Titanosaurus also had a large thumb-claw that may have helped their young ones defend themselves against predators.

But the biggest weapon these dinosaurs had was their whip-like tail that was capable of stunning any would-be predator. Studies done on trackways and footprints of large sauropod herds in Argentina and the US show that walking in packs with the young in the centre was probably a defensive tactic Titanosaurus employed against predators. Despite being widely found, there is no assembled skeleton or even an authentic illustration of any Titanosaurus from India.

While the herbivorous Titanosaurus lorded over low tropical jungles, small carnivorous dinosaurs like Indosaurus (meaning “Indian lizard”) and land crocodiles like Laevisuchus (meaning “light crocodile”) lived in dense forests along the Narmada. Another menacing predator from this period was Indosuchus, which had a skull that measured almost one metre, and razor-sharp front teeth that were 10 centimetres long. Indosuchus hunted in packs to challenge larger predators. Its fossils have been found at many other sites along the Narmada and a few vertebrae have been found in the limestone beds of Ariyalur district in Tamil Nadu, too. About 90 kilometres east of Ahmedabad and 70 kilometres north of Vadodara, close to the end of the Narmada’s journey, in the village of Raiholi in Gujarat’s Kheda district, lies an extraordinary fossil graveyard. Raiholi features prominently on the world’s palaeontological map because it is one of the best places to see dinosaur nests and eggs. Interestingly, its discovery was almost accidental. In fact, dinosaur eggs appeared rather late—a little over three decades ago—on India’s palaeontological scene.In October 1982, professor Ashok Sahni, an incurably curious and widely respected palæontologist, was attending a seminar at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad when a young officer of the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Dhananjay Mohabey, asked him about a round rock, about the size of a coconut. Mohabey worked with the GSI’s Nagpur office and, while on a survey of the Gujarat region, had heard of the frequent discovery of “cannonballs” during blasting operations at the ACC Cement factory at Balasinor, not far from Raiholi. The mine managers often decorated their shelves with these so-called cannonballs and used them to line garden paths leading to their site office. Professor Sahni analysed the shell cover of the “cannonball” Mohabey presented to him and found that it was the egg of a dinosaur!After this, reports of the discovery of dinosaur eggs began pouring in from other sites around Raiholi and new locations in Gujarat, western Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra by GSI officers and other researchers. However, Raiholi remains the largest nesting ground of dinosaurs discovered in India, perhaps even in the world. Many nests are clustered together here in close proximity, suggesting that these were communal breeding grounds like the nesting colonies of penguins. The nests were made like hollows in the mud or sand and were lined with vegetation. In each nest, the eggs were laid or arranged in a neat pattern so they would not roll around or bump into each other.Tragically, as soon as news of this discovery spread, these sites were looted. Even today, if you stop at a tea stall near Raiholi, you might be approached by locals offering to sell you dinosaur eggs. The Gujarat government has set up a conservation site in Raiholi and has made it a recreational park with two massive dinosaur replicas at the entrance to welcome visitors. But a lot of damage has been done to the site by vandals and today only the outlines of eggs within nests can be seen here.Soon after the Raiholi discovery, a second site rich in dinosaur bones was discovered close by, across the state highway, that came to be known as “Temple Hill.” Fossil bones are so common here they can be gouged out from rocks with a pen knife. In one particular part of Temple Hill, in a patch of ground only seven square metres in size, several bones were found which gained attention out of proportion to their size.Suresh Srivastava, a GSI geologist based out of Jaipur, worked diligently at the Temple Hill site between 1982 and 1984, painstakingly unearthing bones and carefully noting the position of each one. He found a single braincase located about 3.5 metres away from the backbones. Because the relative sizes of the bones matched, the bones were thought to belong to a single individual. Close to this grave was another set of long bones many of which were broken and which, on closer analysis, were identified as those belonging to several individual sauropods.Srivastava worked on the bones for several years, cleaning them of extraneous mud and accretions and placing them carefully in cartons. In 1994, Paul Sereno from Chicago’s Fields Museum and Jeff Wilson from the University of Michigan were visiting India and met Suresh Srivastava in the GSI office. When Srivastava opened the Temple Hill cartons and showed them the bones of the skull, the two American palæontologists quickly realised that this was no ordinary dinosaur.

Restoration of Rajasaurus with prey.

Wilson, a PhD student then, carefully pieced together the bones under the expert supervision of Sereno and Ashok Sahni. It took them eight months to assemble the skull bones and reveal the apex carnivore of the Cretaceous period in India. They named it Rajasaurus narmadensis (meaning “king lizard of the Narmada”). From the size of its skull, they estimated that this predator was about 10 metres in length. Further analysis suggested that it had a robust build and a very strong skull and neck. Although it was smaller than Tyrannosaurus rex, Rajasaurus was perhaps more ferocious because it had the framework for greater agility and a stronger bite. It was perhaps a bit like the compactly built but superbly effective boxer Mike Tyson! Rajasaurus is thought to be closely related to Majungatholus, a dinosaur from Madagascar, because their skulls and teeth were similarly shaped and their general appearance probably matched. This, of course, is not surprising, because you will remember that Madagascar at that time was still joined at the hip with western India! Excerpted with permission from Indica: A Deep Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent, Pranay Lal, Allen Lane.

-http://qz.com/866159/the-fascinating-history-of-when-rajasaurus-and-other-dinosaurs-roamed-the-indian-subcontinent/,December 19, 2016

With the onset of winter, the chirps of overseas winged guests have livened up the picturesque marshy wetlands in the Bhitarkanika national park here.Birds of central Asian origin have begun arriving at the wetland spots of the national park which was recently inspected by a team of the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for its likely conferment of UNESCO's World Heritage status."Over 75,000 birds have already arrived. Their number would swell considerably by December end as they keep coming daily. As the wetlands in Bhitarkanika are free from human-interference, birds fly their way from cool northern hemispheres to the park in large numbers," said divisional forest officer, Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division, Bimal Prasanna Acharya.The migratory birds will roost here till March end. A majority of them will fly back then to the original habitat. Some species may stay back if cold conditions prevail.Since the past one week, flocks of these winter guests have been crowding the Raipatia and Satabhaya water bodies and creeks.The habitat of these birds extends around a km stretch. There is ample food for the birds as the place is crisscrossed by innumerable water inlets and nullahs, Acharya said.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/migratory-birds-arrive-in-bhitarkanika/articleshow/56063736.cms,December 19, 2016

Media is flooded with the news of a large crack at the top of Konarka temple and experts from ASI visiting the temple top. It seems, the demise is coming sooner than we thought. Sealing the Jagamohona and filling it with sand originally in 1903 against expert advice, was a wrong decision. ASI is scared of undoing that wrong decision. Anybody conversant with the basic corbelling technique followed in Odishan temple building knows that support from inside is not only unnecessary but also detrimental to the structure. That is what was opined by Chief Engineer, R.G.Kennedy in 1903 after developing a test model (Bishan Swarup – Konarka – Pp. 96-97). Even history supports this opinion. The massive Gaja-Singha fell from the eastern face of Rekha deula on the western Pidha roof of Jagamohona forming a big hole in 1628 AD (Madalapanji). The Pyramidal Pidha roof did not collapse. 240 years later in 1868AD historian Dr. R.L Mitra found that the four columns supporting the false ceiling and the ceiling itself were lying scattered inside the hall but the roof was still intact (Antiquities of Orissa – Vol.II. P.154). 32 years later in 1900 AD Bishan Swarup, the Executive engineer of the restoration project, has given an excited description of his passing in and out of the hole (Konark. P.102). The Pidha cone was still in place. Yet, scared by the sight of external damages, authorities decided to construct a 15’ thick stone wall all around inside and fill in sand. This has caused more harm than good. The damp dark environment inside, has been an ideal breeding ground of harmful weeds, corrosive condensates causing the stones to decompose into spongy mass. This results in destabilizing tight body to body contact essential in corbelling process. ASI should have gone inside to locate the source of problem instead of climbing to the top. As the record goes, international experts have been telling since 1987 to remove sand from inside and start conservation from inside. There have been a number of high level meetings and seminars since. An international body of experts in a three days seminar in 2010 had even set date lines for removal of sand which are long gone. ASI is still dragging feet. There have been several talks of sending video camera inside and other high sounding equipments. Had ASI drawn a section drawing of Jagamohona it would not have failed to notice that a stone chamber of wall thickness, 30 feet at Konapaga and 39 feet at Rahapaga, is guarding a sand column of 30’ x 30’ section and the sand is hardly supporting anything. The Archaeological Survey of India is now 155 years old and filled with highly qualified personnel. But all that accumulated knowledge is no guard against FEAR. It is high time to hand over this heritage of mankind to UNESCO to undertake a restoration of the type they did at Abu Simbel of Egypt and Borobudur of Malaysia. Abu Simbel was a Sun temple under threat of going under Aswan dam. It was cut to huge pieces, transported to a higher level and assembled like original. Borobudur was a seven floor monastery grabbed by forest. It was restored piece by piece and reassembled like original. Jagamohona of Konarka would hardly pose a problem to UNESCO. But who will take that firm stand? Government at the Centre and also in the State are preoccupied with politics and the public lack that national spirit to mount a substantially strong pressure on the rulers. Konarka it appears, will suffer a disgraceful demise.

-http://www.orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=71282#sthash.50QjSzZm.dpuf,December 19, 2016

On its opening day, the fest’s highlights included a fashion show—Khadi-Nepal—and various cultural programmes. The India-Nepal Folk Crafts Festival 2016 (INCF) kicked off at Bhrikutimandap in the Capital on Monday. The fest on its opening day also hosted Khadi-Nepal, a fashion show which saw models flaunt garments made from Khadi—a garment made popular by the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi. The first round of the fashion show, which took place at the Park Village Resort in the Capital, had on display works by Indian designers Nida Mahmood and SABAH-Nepal. At the show, the handmade products by Baruwa-SAF Women Agriculture Co-operative were showcased as well.Organised by South Asia Foundation in association with Council of Handicrafts Development Corporations (COHANDS), the fest aims to promote “crafts-based bilateral relationship”. The fest will have on display an array of artifacts created by a total of 50 artists from India and 30 artists from Nepal. The fest opened with a set of cultural programmes—classical vocal music and Bharatnatyam dance performance—put together by the students from Indian Culture Centre in Kathmandu. The opening ceremony saw the presence of dignitaries such as Industry Minister Nabindra Raj Joshi, Irrigation Minister Deepak Giri and Ambassador of India to Nepal, Ranjit Rae. “Cross-cultural Festival like this is an opportunity for an effective tie-up and comprehensive collaboration between Nepal and India for a larger participation in the field of arts and crafts,” the organisers stated issuing a press note, “thus providing a platform to the artisans to exchange ideas and explore a large cooperation and promote trade between the two countries.” The fest will also be hosting a ‘buyer-seller meet’ that aims to promote the relationship between handicrafts producers and the customers, especially foreign tourists. The fest will draw to an end on December 23.

-http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-12-21/indo-nepal-folk-crafts-fest-in-the-capital.html,December 19, 2016

President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the 77th session of the Indian History Congress on the Karyavattom campus of the University of Kerala on December 29.

The inaugural ceremony will be held at the golden jubilee hall of the university at Karyavattom. According to government officials, the President will arrive here on the morning of December 29 and after the inaugural ceremony, leave for Mysuru.

Percursor
As a precursor to the congress, a curtain-raiser will be held at Senate Hall on December 27. The programme, “Making of Modern India and Secularism”, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Historian Romila Thapar, musician T. M. Krishna, actor Nandita Das, poet Sachidanandan and Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala are among those scheduled to take part.

The Congress will formally begin on December 28 and will be held across 11 venues on the campus.

Special panels
General convener Suresh Jnaneswaran said here that there would be four special panels at the congress — a German panel, a Dutch panel, a Dalit panel and one on ‘India and its parts.” There will also be a panel on the Pattanam excavations, wherein eminent archaeologists from across the country will vet the excavations done so far.

Exhibition
The Karyavattom campus will also host an exhibition as part of the congress.

This will involve the Departments of Archaeology, Geology, Aquatic Biology, Manuscripts Library and Arabic.

On display
At the exhibition, artefacts, manuscripts, fossils, sculptures and natural history exhibits from the pre-historic times to the modern age will be on display. Admission to the three-day exhibition beginning December 28 will be free for students as well as the public.Special cultural programmes encapsulating the art and culture of Kerala will be held as part of the congress on December 28 and 29. The valedictory of the congress will be held here on December 30. According to Dr. Jnaneswaran, Education Minister C. Ravindranath will deliver the inaugural address at the valedictory function.

-http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/President-to-inaugurate-Indian-History-Congress/article16909818.ece,December 20, 2016

Amid tense office goers waiting for their ride and honking vehicles, it is easy to miss this 230-year-old memorial pillarwith an inscription of a bridgewhich no longer exists. But, the British-era vestige on Anna Salai, diagonally opposite the veterinary hospital at Saidapet, holds the key to a time when Madras had a pastoral serenity to it.The inscription credits a merchant named Adrian Four Beck for constructing the bridge over a brook by the veterinary hospital. It says the bridge was built for the benefit of the public, but Beck's trade interests could have also played a part. His secretaries T Pelling, L Defries and P Bodkin and chief engineer Lt Col Pat Ross supervised construction of the bridge whose completion Beck did not live to see. "Beck, a successful trader, died on February 22, 1783, three years before the bridge was inaugurated. But he left a legacy for constructing a bridge across the channel," says history enthusiast K R A Narasiah, adding that Beck was initially a gunroom crew at Fort St George."In 1740, he was disabled and superannuated with a monthly pension of one rupee and 14 annas.Later he went on to become a successful trader." Information on the pillar, in English, Tamil, Latin a n d Pe r s i a n , g ive s a glimpse of the region's diversity . The word `Chennapattinam' also finds mention on the inscription. But there is no mention of the fate of the bridge that is now just a record on the ignored memorial pillar.The pillar, now protected by the state archaeology department, is fenced inside the highways department complex and draws attention only if one spots the board establishing its importance. An employee at the complex says there are hardly any visitors as it is almost unnoticeable on the busy arterial road. Only commuters of buses that halt for a few minutes at the signal read it.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/a-bridge-back-to-chennapattinam/articleshow/56075391.cms,December 20, 2016

Areas in the serene and sylvan backyards of nature, chose by Buddhist monks centuries ago to set up their monasteries, still remain a place of great interest for people who love our history and culture. One such area, the historic Buddhist site on Karukonda hillock, just six kilometres away from here, is fast becoming travellers’ delight. They throng the site to enjoy the pristine nature and to relish various Lord Buddha’s relics, including a meditation hall, that belong to the first century BC at the heritage structure. Tibetans chose the Karukonda hillocks, in the present day Karukonda panchayat of Lakshmidevipalli mandal of Bhadradri-Kothagudem district, as the most suitable place for their meditation. There is a prayer hall and several ancient Buddha relics at the Buddhist site. As the region is full of dense forests with several wild animals freely roaming in the area, in those days nobody had dared to go over there. Some of the tourist attractions at the historic site were a cave, Buddha’s images, Goddess Sita’s foot imprints and local Goddess Sadalamma temple. The Archaeology Department identified the historic site for heritage structure status about 10 years ago in the united Andhra Pradesh. A notice board at the historic site warns people against defacing the structures and encroaching the place. People, including tribals, worship Lord Buddha and also local Goddess Sadalamma, whom they describe as self-manifested. Special pujas are performed to the Goddess on Sundays and Thursdays. People from Karukonda, Sarvaram, Sitarampuram and Anisettipalli perform various rituals as part of the worship. According to the legend, Goddess Sita accompanying Lord Sri Rama traversed through the region during their exile. There was a tell-tale evidence of Goddess Sita’s imprints, say devotees. Rumours of British officials hiding vast treasure in the hillock are doing rounds in the region. Nobody is evincing interest to go over there to explore the treasure as another rumour of the region is that the place inhabited by wild animals like tigers and lions. The State government has initiated measures to bring back the past glory of the historic site. It submitted a report to the Center on promotion of tourism in the region. Archaeological Department officials paid a visit to the region and conducted a survey recently.

-http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Telangana/2016-12-20/Where-Buddhas-disciples-sought-salvation/269521,December 20, 2016

The mention of the word, Varanasi evokes a multitude of emotions from almost everyone. However, despite all its ancient city status, and it being Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency, development and stink literally go hand-in-hand -- the latter in spite of the ambitious Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or Clean India Mission.As you walk down the markets and bathing stairways of this temple-dotted city along the Ganges, the garbage strewn all around raises an almighty stink while a cluster of cows and bulls squatting in the middle of roads poses a threat to passersby and commuters."Benaras (as Varanasi was earlier known) has a rich, grand cultural heritage but it's literally stinking. You can see garbage even in the city's upscale areas," Smith Williams, an American tourist told this correspondent.He said vehicular and industrial pollution is alarmingly high. "It's amazing to see the people here are literally gasping for breath." His wife Emily said stray animals, especially cows and dogs, were a nuisance in the lanes.Varanasi, also known as Kashi, rightly described by historian Mark Twain as being older than history, older than tradition and older than even legend, attracts a significant number of foreign tourists, apart from those within the country.Most tourists are from China, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, Myanmar, Taiwan and Vietnam who travel to cover the Sarnath-Gaya-Varanasi Buddhist circuit. The Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath, about 15kms away.Another area of concern is toxic particulate pollution that has resulted in an eight-fold increase in respiratory diseases among children in the past decade, according to a new report, "Varanasi Chokes". Corroborating observations from private doctors, it blames abnormally high air pollution levels -- that spiked five times higher than the average this winter for several days -- for the rise in asthma cases.On the flip side, local taxi operator Suresh Dubey echoed many citizens in saying that Modi has contributed a lot in developing the city's basic infrastructure like the ongoing construction of a four-lane highway, linking this city with the Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow."The Lucknow-Varanasi highway, with an almost four-km-long flyover at the entrance of this city will definitely help ease the traffic chaos," added Dubey, who has been driving a taxi in Varanasi for over two decades.Locals see a major jump in central funding for developing and improving the city's infrastructure with Modi being elected as a Lok Sabha member from here."With the initiatives of the Prime Minister, basic amenities will start shaping up in the years to come," auto-rickshaw driver Chand Seth said. He said it is also the duty of the local civic body and the State Government to develop basic amenities.A team led by the Mayor visited Kyoto in April last year to make Varanasi a smart city on the pattern of the Japanese city, but deterioration persists. "There is need for strong political will to improve things," said pediatrician Pradeep Jindal, who is based in the Sigra area.Octogenarian Tripti Devi, who was born and brought up in this city, said Modi normally walked straight to Dashashwamedh ghat during his visits."Dashashwamedh ghat and its adjoining Sheetla and Rajendra Prasad ghats are one of the cleanest places. Modi should visit other ghats too so that the deteriorating conditions would improve there too," she said.Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe witnessed the Ganga "aarti" at Dashashwamedh ghat on December 12 last year. As part of the Project Infrastructure Development for Destination and Circuits Scheme, Rs 18.23 crore has been sanctioned by the central government for basic amenities for the tourists at the ghats.

-http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/News-Analysis/2016-12-20/Swachh-crusaders-Kashi-stinks/269506,December 20, 2016

The National Green tribunal on Tuesday refused to vacate its stay order on all sorts of construction activity in the river bed near heritage ghats of Vrindavan till the next date of hearing, February 6.Moreover, the tribunal directed all respondents to file their reply by next date of hearing. So far, only UP government has filed its reply in the matter. The NGT on November 1 had issued notices to the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change, Union ministry of water resources, several UP government agencies and the Archaeological Survey of India on a petition alleging illegal constructions near the heritage ghats and in the Yamuna floodplain zone in Vrindavan. Later, on November 30 the court imposed stay on constructions near the ghats. Akash Vashishtha, petitioner in the case, who is also coordinator of Alliance for Culture and Environment (ACE), a forum working for the conservation of environment and natural heritage of Brij area, in his plea stated that the government agencies, instead of complying with the earlier orders of the tribunal which sought demolitions of illegal structures inside the river floodplain, went ahead and brazenly started construction in violation of norms.Notably, there is already a stay on all sorts of construction works at ghats of Vrindavan by Allahabad high court. The court had imposed the stay on October 20 while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a Vrindavan resident, Madhumangal Sharan Das Shukla, also a senior member of Braj-Vrindavan Heritage Alliance, who has sought a stay on construction of a sewer line in the river bed and that of new ghats adjacent to heritage ones.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/ngt-stay-on-construction-near-vrindavan-ghats-to-continue/articleshow/56086564.cms,December 20, 2016

Wild animals across the state, literally starved of water, are trooping to the many troughs the forest departments has constructed and is regularly filling using tankers.Last month, principal chief conservator of forests N Krishnakumar, chief wildlife warden V K Melkhani and two other officials visited various areas to assess the situation. The many rivers and water bodies in Coimbatore, Sathyamangalam and the Nilgiris, Melkhani told TOI, are dry. "The forest department has constructed in every five hectare area troughs that water tankers can reach easily," he said. The state government has released a sum of Rs 1.17 crore that is being used for providing water to wildlife in various parts of the state. The department is also preparing an elaborate proposal for tackling a drought-like situation the state may have to face in the coming months. Officials are looking tp come up with a list of mitigative measures that will be submitted to the government soon, he said.Principal chief conservator of forests H Basavaraju, who visited northern districts such as Villupuram, Cuddalore and Vellore as well as Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts in the west, said the water shortage had been rising since the middle of November and the department immediately orgnaised tankers to provide water. "Generally, the northern belt gets some rain during the southwest monsoon. But this time the rain failed miserably. Similarly, the northeast monsoon also failed in many areas that are now reeling under a severe water scarcity," he said. The situation is bad across the state. The Servalar and Karayar rivers, which run through the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tirunelveli and whose water was supplied to people in the surrounding areas for consumption, are now bone dry. "The water level is low," said a senior wildlife officer.If there was no rain soon and the dry weather continued, Melkhani said, the dreaded forest fires 'season' could arrive earlier than usual. Already, the lower slopes in the Nilgiris, Sathyamangalam and other forest areas are covered with scrub that could erupt into a blaze and spread dangerously fast. The forests in Theni are also prone to such a situation. "Due to the existing weather conditions, the department's 'fire watchers' have to be extra careful and the process of cutting out fire lanes has to begin before the end of this month," Melkhani added.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Drought-drags-wildlife-to-man-made-tanks/articleshow/56091207.cms,December 20, 2016

Renowned artistes Pandit Jasraj, Mahesh Kale and Rahul Deshpande will perform at the 18th Swarsagar music festival organized by Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. It will be held at Sai Garden in Chinchwad for the first three days from December 21. Mayor Shakuntala Dharade said the concluding ceremony on December 24 will be in Nigdi-Pradhikaran. Local artistes will also participate.Joint city engineer Pravin Tupe said the inaugural programme will begin with a dance performance followed by Pandit Jasraj and Rahul Deshpande's performances.Well-known dhrupad singers, Ramakant and Umakant Gundecha, will sing on Thursday. Kale will be made the ambassador of Swarsagar music festival. Kale said, "We must identify new facets and needs of Pimpri Chinchwad. Fine arts and performing arts must come together." He will perform on the last day.On Friday, Rameshwar Dange and Yogendra Holkar will perform followed on Saturday by flautist Keshav Phutane.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/18th-Swarsagar-music-festival-begins-today/articleshow/56092161.cms,December 21, 2016

No casualties as fire-fighting equipment at the building was fully operational; fire broke out around 6 am inside a waiting room abutting the Air India CMD’s office.The Air India’s ambitious plan to create a museum on the lines of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC (see below) managed to save several rare paintings, sculptures, artefacts, and photographs from being damaged in Tuesday’s fire at the national carrier’s 23-storey building at Nariman Point.This collection, put together over the last six decades, was till a few months ago spread across several sections and floors of the building that was once the headquarters of Air India. The collection was only recently brought to a restricted area on the first floor, where a 9,000-sq ft museum is being created.The building was the airline’s corporate headquarters till 2013, before it launched its asset-monetisation drive and leased out a part of the building. However it has retained the 21st, 22nd and 23rd floors. Tuesday’s fire broke out around 6 am on the 22nd floor, in a waiting room abutting the chairman-cum managing director Ashwani Lohani’s chambers. The building’s fire officer, JB Singh, said the firefighting systems were fully operational – which the Fire Brigade termed as a “huge relief” – but it was obvious the blaze was beyond his team’s control. “We have experience in tackling fire but this one was beyond our control. The Fire Brigade was alerted at 6.40 am,” he said.At 7.49 am, an hour after the Fire Brigade reached the spot, the blaze was declared a ‘major fire’. Eight fire engines and the same number of water tankers, turntable ladders, and a hydraulic platform were pressed into the rescue operation but the building’s air-conditioning system slowed down the rescue work. The blaze was finally brought under control around 9.30 am, and there were no casualties.

“Because of the centralised aircondition, the floor didn’t have any ventilation. The office’s door and windows had to be broken to clear the smoke, but we have no complaints in this case because the building’s firefighting equipment was fully functional. They had staff trained to handle such situations and the building’s fire audit had been done,” Chief Fire Officer PS Rahangdale said.Offices in the building remained shut yesterday, as power supply was restored only in the evening, except on 22nd and 23rd floors. The building houses offices of the Tata Consultance Services, the State Bank of India, and the Income Tax Department among others. Prima facie, the fire may have been caused by a short circuit, and initial estimation was around 4,000 sq ft area on the 22nd floor had been damaged. “Fire was confined to electrical wiring, installations, furniture, windows, and doors,” Rahangdale said. An Air India statement termed the fire as “minor”. “There was a minor fire that broke out on the 22nd floor of the Air India Building....Within minutes the fire was brought under control by AI security and fire marshals. There were no casualties or injuries....Air India’s top management and experts are assessing the damage,” the statement said.

The museum AI wants to replicate
The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, also known as the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution, was established in 1946 and holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft on the planet. It was first established as the National Air Museum and opened its main building near L’Enfant Plaza in 1976. In 2014, the museum saw approximately 6.7 million visitors, making it the fifth most visited museum in the world.The museum is the most authentic centre for research into the history and science of aviation and spaceflight. Almost all spacecraft and aircraft on display are originals or the original backup craft.

-http://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/No-damage-to-Maharajas-art-collected-over-60-yrs/articleshow/56094245.cms,December 21, 2016

There are legal and ethical issues related to how we deal with wild animals which venture into human-dominated landscapes.In a landmark decision in 2014 prohibiting the bull-taming sport, Jallikattu, the Supreme Court held that “animal has also honour and dignity which cannot be arbitrarily deprived of and its rights and privacy have to be respected and protected from unlawful attacks” (Animal Welfare Board of India v. A. Nagaraja). Unfortunately, in November, ignoring the very same rights accorded by the court, some residents of Mandawar village near Gurugram clubbed a leopard to death. A few days back, the Delhi Forest Department trapped a young leopard on the fringes of the Yamuna Biodiversity Park. They will most probably send it to Saharanpur.

Following due process The discovery of these leopards should have been met with optimism. After all, charismatic endangered animals had chosen to make the world’s most polluted city their home. However, this was not the case. The leopards in both cases were viewed as stray animals. In the first case, the leopard was killed by the villagers, and in the second case there was consensus that the wild animal should be sent back to its “home” — a national park or a sanctuary (protected areas). Tragically, while the first leopard was beaten to death, the second leopard was chased like a ‘wanted’ criminal who has just escaped from prison (in this case, a national park or a sanctuary) and has to be sent back, in this case, to the forests. These incidents bring our attention to certain important legal and ethical issues which arise in the way in which we deal with wild animals that venture into human-dominated landscapes.

Just like Article 21 of the Constitution, which states that “no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law”, a wild animal can also be deprived of its life and personal liberty only after following due process, namely, what is mentioned in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Unfortunately, in a country where due process is often not followed even for human beings, it is difficult to imagine that it would be followed with respect to wild animals. And just like ‘encounter killings’ of suspected terrorists, wild animals, especially leopards, are being eliminated across the country through state-sanctioned and public-supported encounter killings. Encounter killings of leopards (besides raising serious issues of animal rights) are bound to have serious consequences for the long-term survival of these wild animals whose population is already threatened by poaching and habitat loss. Thus, we are not just eliminating an individual animal or two, we are pushing an entire species closer to extinction.

'Natural' homes
When talking about wild species, the notion of ‘stray’ assumes importance. In the second case, the Forest Department in Delhi was quick to conclude, without any scientific basis, that the leopard had “strayed” from either the Kalesar National Park in Haryana or the Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. This view is based on the dominant idea that only a protected area is the “authorised” home of the wild animal, and if a wild animal is found outside the protected area, it must be “rescued” and sent back to the protected area. It is this faulty approach that also views all tribals and forest dwellers as “encroachers” on forest land, requiring them to be relocated to their presumed natural home — cities and urban dwellings — and to be linked to the “civilised” world.The law governing the subject of wildlife, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, does not discriminate between animals found in protected areas and outside. It provides for equal protection for wild animals irrespective of where they are found. As per the law, wild animals are not the property of the government, and an animal which is wild in nature and free cannot be in the ownership of either the government or a private party. Only if the wild animal becomes a danger to human life or is diseased or disabled beyond recovery can it be allowed to be captured or killed by the competent authority, the Chief Wildlife Warden of the State. This provision is applicable to wild animals listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which includes leopards. Mere apprehension or fear that a wild animal could endanger human life is not a ground for capture or killing.These leopards displayed amazing adaptability and resilience in the face of massive habitat loss. They have had the audacity to survive in situations where other wild animals have given up. State-sanctioned killing, capture and “rescue” of leopards violates every statutory, constitutional and ethical standard. We must recognise and accept that wild animals are not just born free, they have the right to remain free, the right to move freely, and the right of equal protection of the law irrespective of whether they are in a protected area or outside. This is the minimum that is required if India is serious about protecting its wildlife and biodiversity.

-http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/Leopards-in-a-spot/article16913392.ece,December 21, 2016

The Centre on Tuesday asked Delhi and its neighbouring states to ban mining and construction of farmhouses across the Aravalli range in the national capital region (NCR), declare rivers and tributaries flowing through it as national conservation zones, and increase the green cover by six times.At a meeting of the NCR Planning Board, the central government extended the 1992 notification of the environment ministry’s ban on mining and other non-forest activities to 13 districts of Haryana, seven of Uttar Pradesh, and two of Rajasthan. Till now, it was applicable only to certain pockets of Gurgaon and Alwar district in Rajasthan.“The notification issued by the ministry of environment & forests in 1992 clearly specifies that Gurgaon district in Haryana and Alwar district in Rajasthan should regulate certain processes and operations in specified areas of the Aravalli range. This notification will now guide identification and delineation of the Aravalli in the entire national capital region,” a statement issued by the board read.However, environmentalist Amina Shervani questioned the feasibility of the move when the Gair Mumkin Pahar in Gurgaon — an area figuring in the 1992 notification — was yet to be included in the Aravallis because the state government was still conducting a survey. “Now the government will have to conduct the study again because 13 additional districts have been included through the board’s decision,” she added.On paper, the development should put an end to mining and developmental activities on the Aravalli hills extending across the four states unless prior approval is acquired from the environment ministry.However, this can happen only after the state governments notify forested areas under their jurisdictions as national conservation zones (NCZs). For that, they would have to conduct ground-truthing surveys, the statement said. NCZs are defined as areas where construction beyond a limit of 0.5% is not permitted, in accordance with the National Capital Regional Plan-2021. Green activists were far from enthused by the decision. Claiming that state governments have been given enough leeway to keep wooded zones not considered as forests out of the picture, Gurgaon-based environmentalist Vivek Kamboj said: “This is a deliberate attempt by the board and the bureaucrats to exclude many green areas from the 1992 notification.”The board also said conservation zones in the Aravalli range should include major rivers like the Yamuna, Ganga and Hindon, besides tributaries and lakes such as Badkal, Suraj Kund and Damdama. This would result in additional restrictions on non-forest activities in and around the water bodies. The decision was taken amid a rising demand to control air pollution levels in the region, and prevent the contamination of surface as well as ground water.In the third directive, the board instructed Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to increase forest and green cover in the NCR to 20% of its total geographical area in a phased manner. It also expressed concern over the reduction in tree cover from 4.3% in 1999 to 3.3% in 2012.

However, environmentalists pointed out that a majority of wooded areas were being left out because the definition of forests was still unclear. The board has maintained that it would continue to be defined under existing statutes and laws until the ministry of environment, forests and climate change finalises a change with the Supreme Court’s approval.During the meeting, Delhi and its adjoining states were asked to submit action plans to improve the forest cover and alleviate air pollution concerns. They were also directed to speed up inter-state connectivity for seamless travel in the region and initiate the NCR Regional Plan for 2041.The NCR comprises the national capital, besides 13 districts of Haryana, seven of Uttar Pradesh and two of Rajasthan.

-http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-to-extend-ban-on-mining-in-aravallis-across-ncr/story-veVzn4ssnJ1wqQqmemkxLL.html,December 21, 2016

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the district authorities to remove ‘Seemai Karuvelam’ (Prosposis Juliflora) trees in the first phase in the headquarters of 13 districts under its jurisdiction, within 20 days. The court also directed the State government to file a compliance report on the orders to remove trees on water bodies in all 32 districts of the State.On October 30, 2013, the Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj had directed the local bodies to remove Seemai Karuvelam trees as they were a hazard to the environment. The DRDA’s order read that Seemai Karuvelam would arrest humidity, deplete groundwater and could turn water poisonous.Underlining the order, C Anand Raj of Madurai filed a PIL before the HC Bench seeking a direction to remove the trees in Kattanoor Kanmoi (tank) in the district. On January 9, 2014, the court directed the State government to remove the trees on water bodies in the State. Meanwhile, MDMK leader Vaiko also sought a direction to remove the trees.As the government failed to comply with the January 2014 order, Anand Raj filed a contempt petition. On October 26, 2015, the government submitted an action-taken report stating, among other things, the extent of land on which the trees had grown and details about their removal.On Tuesday, when these petitions were heard, a division bench said the government had sought more time to remove the trees on water bodies and should file a compliance-cum-action-taken report on January 11.

-http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2016/dec/21/chop-down-seemai-karuvelam-in-20-days-1551444.html,December 21, 2016

To fit in a new rail corridor, Central Railway will demolish one of the city’s oldest railway stations. “Arriving at the Byculla Railway Station, a traveller in Bombay in the 1860s could avail of H.D. Johnson’s hansom cab service and make his way to one of the city’s early hotels run predominately by Parsi proprietors. Advertisements boasted of commodious and comfortable accommodation, a staff of numerous servants and attendants, a selection of the choicest wines, spirits and beers, and a first class Thurston billiard table.” So begins writer and Mumbai history enthusiast Simin Patel’s Ph.D. thesis chapter on nineteenth-century hotels in the city. She says that some of the earliest hotels in the city, which catered to Parsi, Irani and European travellers, were centred around the station; it was a landmark with hotels advertising themselves as being near the station, and the exclusive Byculla Club often considered moving premises because it was not close enough to the station.Research for her thesis has given her deep familiarity with the Byculla of the past, and she’s sad that the centre of it all, the railway station building, will soon cease to exist.“The entire building will have to go,” a senior railway official told The Hindu. Although this change will begin properly in only two or three years, eventually the station building, which dates back to the 1860s, will have to be reconstructed to make way for two new rail lines, part of the plan to augment Central Railway’s (CR) Main Line services.For history enthusiasts and conservationists, this is a tragedy. Ms. Patel counts herself as one of those, describing her interest in conserving Mumbai's heritage as a “personal investment.” Passionate about the city, Ms. Patel, with some college friends, founded the blog Bombaywalla three years ago, to document the city's historically significant structures and buildings. She says she was alarmed to find that changes were to be made to it; changes that, in the words of her post on Bombaywalla, are “inconceivable.” What do we lose, she asks, in the process of changing things?“It is a classic story of development versus heritage,” Rajendra Aklekar, says railway historian and author of Halt Station India. “It is true that Mumbai needs additional rail lines, but we also do not have much of a culture of heritage conservation and upkeep in India. We can just pray that railway authorities document and save important relics of the station.” He suggests that at least some parts of the station — like the ticket counter, which bears the insignia of Great Peninsular Indian Railway, the first railway line, and the stained-glass windows, grill-work and doors at the entrance and ticket office area — be salvaged be moved to the heritage gallery at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.Dipak Gandhi, of the Mumbai Suburban Railway Passengers’ Association, says that passengers and commuters at the station, contrary to popular belief, do not simply want an expanded structure, or connectivity to more parts of the city. What would benefit the station is what CR needs across its entire suburban network: improved frequency of trains, sector-wise clearance, and a cyclic timetable. “Stations like Byculla do not have much of a congestion problem. Most overcrowding is because there are not enough trains within a time window of two to three minutes, and there is no timetable telling passengers when the train will come.” He is unequivocal about his feelings for the building: “Byculla Station is one of the oldest and most beautiful stations. It is like a royal structure. We hope they work to preserve it.”Preservation is what Ms. Patel and her Bombaywalla collaborators are aiming for. “But right now we are just a blog. We are looking to expand, over the next two months, into a company. Getting registered as a company would allow us to have money and resources to be able to speak to corporators, to the municipal corporation of Mumbai, and to local government officials.” Aside from playing what she hopes will be a larger role in preserving the city’s heritage, Bombaywalla will also organise walking heritage tours of the city. One of their tours, to begin in January, is focused on Byculla. “We will look at the cafes, the ‘khada Parsi’ statue, the station, and the sense of the fashionable community it was back in the day. There are also many pieces of history in the region still — Palace Cinema, Regal Restaurant, Byculla Bakery and Restaurant — that we want to show people.”Mr. Aklekar agrees that there is much to be done for conservation: "Documenting the parts of the station that will go away will help future generations understand the importance of India's railway lines history. These are central pieces of Indian Railway history and deserve respect.”

-http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/Bye-bye-Byculla/article16914730.ece,December 21, 2016

Heritage Committee has reservations about hoisting the national flag up so high in the sea breeze. City guardian minister’s patriotic dream of watching a giant tricolour wave 150 feet above the Arabian sea off the Gateway has awoken concern of the civic heritage regulator, which worries it may not be the most pragmatic idea after all to hoist the national flag so high up on a pole quivering in the sea breeze.As such, the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee has deferred the proposal made by Sena minister Subhash Desai, who is willing to part with some of his legislator’s funds for it. It is his party’s desire to see the flagpole installed at the Gateway of India next to the statue of Shivaji Maharaj, preferably by Republic Day.But the MHCC, headed by Ramnath Jha, has sought certain clarifications. A primary concern, sources said, is: What if the flagpole falls down on tourists here, or if the cloth tears due to the high winds since the Gateway is so close to the sea? Besides, what’s the need to have a flagpole at Gateway when Bandra, Raj Bhavan and BKC already have them?Desai was unavailable for comment on Tuesday. According to an estimate submitted by a private company to the BMC, design and construction of the 150-feet mast at the civic garden next to the Gateway would cost about Rs 12.02 lakh, and the flag would be 30x45 foot. It would take two weeks to set it up after all the permissions have been secured.And while Desai is hopeful it would be ready before January 26, MHCC member Rajiv Mishra, at the helm of the Directorate of Arts, said that the committee needs to rethink the relevance of the location. “If the only reason is for ferries to be able to see it, then they could consider other spots like Radio Club. Besides, the flag might overshadow the statue. There is barely any space in that garden to accommodate people for ceremonies.”Earlier Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale had proposed a high mast at Shivaji Park but it never saw the light of day. A similar demand was made again, for a tricolour at Girgaum Chowpatty, but was rejected by the heritage committee.

-http://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/What-if-150-ft-flagpole-falls-on-tourists-head/articleshow/56094279.cms

,December 21, 2016

The Panchmahotsav aimed at promoting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Champaner-Pavagadh will get the badly needed publicity boost in the coming days.With lack of awareness regarding the event, the bookings for the tent city have received a lukewarm response so far.

The tent city for the event was inaugurated on Friday and will remain in place for a month till January 15. The Panchmahotsav festival itself will be held from December 31 to January 4 and will include a series of cultural and other events. Sources, however, said that the bookings for the tents have been slack so far. In 2015, it was expected that the festival may not be a hit as it was its first year. While officials claim that situation has improved this year, they are looking at promotional activities."This is only the second year of the festival and it is gradually picking up. We are being cautious with the expenses on promotion as it needs a lot of funding. In the coming days, we will be taking up initiatives in this regard. But many who visited the event last year are already making inquiries regarding it and things are looking up," said Panchmahal district collector P Bharthi.J K Jhala, city-based tourism operator and a former Gujarat Tourism official, said that the intentions of organising the event were right and the district administration had put in a lot of efforts. "But the event needs to be promoted properly. If nearby resorts can get bookings, even this event can. One should look at the way the Madhya Pradesh (MP) Tourism is promoting the Jal Mahotsav," said Jhala. The event organised near Khandwa in MP has been widely promoted even in Gujarat.Another veteran in the industry from Vadodara, Alpesh Gandhi pointed out that tour operators were not taken in the loop and not aware about the details. "Local agents should be involved in the process so that they can promote it and sell it," he said.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/champaner-tent-city-finds-few-takers/articleshow/56092385.cms ,December 21, 2016

The letter, written nearly a month before the monarch’s death, was was gifted by Lord Curzon in 1904.Queen Victoria’s last letter to India, written 116 years ago, is on display for the first time at the Victoria Memorial, one of the finest monuments built in her memory.The three-page handwritten letter, dated December 14, 1900 and bearing the Royal Seal, was unveiled for the public on December 16 at the Prince Hall of the Victoria Memorial.“This letter is an important piece of historical correspondence between British India and Britain. The letter was gifted by Lord Curzon in 1904,” Jayanta Sengupta, curator of the Victorial Memorial told The Hindu. Mr. Sengupta, also a historian, pointed out that the letter by Queen Victoria was written nearly a month before her death. She passed away on January 22, 1901.

The letter is Queen Victoria’s reply to the then Viceroy, Lord Curzon, who in an earlier correspondence to the Queen had expressed his sympathies on the death of one of her “soldier grandsons” “The Queen Empress has to thank the Viceroy for the very kind letter of the 9th November, full of sincerest sympathy of her beloved soldier grandson…,” the letter begins. The references in the letter are to the death of Prince Christian Victor, the eldest son of the third daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Prince Christian died on October 29, 1900 in Pretoria, South Africa during the Second Boer War.“He was as good as he was brave,” Queen Victoria writes in the letter about her grandson. “All the Viceroy says of her own trials and anxieties the Queen feels very much, and she cannot deny that she feels a good deal shaken by them.”Along with the handwritten letter, a typed copy of the text has been displayed alongside for the convenience of visitors.Within few weeks of Queen Victoria’s death in January 1901, a meeting was convened at the Town Hall of Calcutta in February 1901, when a resolution was passed for constituting an all-India fund for building a memorial. King George V, then the Prince of Wales, laid the foundation stone of the Victoria Memorial on January 4, 1906 and it was formally opened to the public in 1921.

-http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/Queen-Victoria%E2%80%99s-last-letter-to-India-unveiled-at-Victoria-Memorial/article16915349.ece ,December 21, 2016

The urban reforms and programmes central government departments are running in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s constituency Varanasi are likely to be slowed down by the state bureaucracy or for want of funds. The programmes include household electrification, underground cabling of electricity wires, street lighting, a cleanliness drive, renovation of ghats, the Clean Ganga project, a traffic management system that includes a Metro rail, and a new centralised sewage and water treatment plan.Power Grid Corporation is working as a consultant with the power distribution company of the area, Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam, for underground cabling and smart meters. Power Grid is providing its consultancy for free and the salaries of the 35 people executives deployed in the city are being paid out of the company’s CSR fund.The total cost of the Integrated Power Development Scheme in Varanasi is Rs 571 crore, of which 60 per cent will come from central funds and the balance from the Uttar Pradesh government. While the central funds have been disbursed, money from the state government is pending. State government officials, however, claim fund disbursement is not an issue.“The state government needs to pay Rs 38.5 crore to the contractor. The delay has stalled work in some areas,” said a Power Grid executive in Varanasi.Power Finance Corporation has come to the rescue by providing a loan to the Uttar Pradesh government. Power ministry officials said they wanted to meet the deadline for their projects. Power Grid has already covered areas such as Kabirnagar, where power cables are all underground. Modi is likely to visit the area during a visit on December 22. Work is on in three other areas, including Chowk, Manikarnika Ghat and Kashi Vishwanath.The power ministry will complete underground cabling of 20 heritage roads, erect 250 heritage LED street poles by December 22 and install smart meters in six months. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is overseeing the LED disbursement and installation work.Power Finance Corporation recently issued one of the largest tenders of 90,000 smart meters to be installed in Old Kashi. All the ghats will have facade lights, LED bulbs, underground power cables and heritage lamps.Most the other projects are either moving slowly or are in limbo. The ambitious Varanasi Metro is awaiting several levels of approval and sources said it had been described as impractical by some departments. The state government is contemplating replicating the Kolkata Metro in the city, and the Centre is studying its proposal.Renovation of the Varanasi City and Manduadih railways stations is under progress. General cleanliness under the Swachh Bharat Mission has improved but other plans are still awaiting approvals and funds.Funds under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation for water and sewage systems are still pending with the state government. Central authorities claim that funds have been disbursed to the state government and it is not allocating them. The plan is to connect 52,000 houses to a centralised sewage system. State officials said the AMRUT programme would take two years to complete. A state government official said, “The central departments are working without any coordination. Some of them are engineering marvels, such as the underground cabling, but other infrastructure projects will dig up the city again.”Another programme facing a roadblock are projects under the Skill India Mission. Apart from one ‘Bunkar Seva Kendra’, no major effort has been made. The kendra is also likely to be visited by Modi during this forthcoming visit.Attempts to facilitate an IT hub in the city also have not moved, said state government officials.

-http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/varanasi-projects-face-hurdles-funds-shortage-116122100021_1.html ,December 21, 2016

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Monday took a firm step towards preventing littering in India by decreeing that people throwing garbage in public places would pay fines of Rs 10,000.The stern directive of the Tribunal might bring some hope that our countrymen could feel compelled to create a cleaner place. The directive has sought to include all the various sections of society that are involved in dumping waste in public places.To this end it has included people, hotels and slaughter houses among those in the ambit of entities liable to pay “environmental compensation” for every “default”.The fine of Rs 10,000 is a great boost in the battle against a garbage-strewn country as the penalty amount is bound to pinch a majority of people. NGT must thus be lauded for raising the penalty from the ridiculous figure of Rs 50 mandated by the archaic and futile anti-littering law of 2009 to the present Rs 10,000.The bench has adhered to the “polluter pays” principle while issuing the directive.

As such, it said that each person would be liable to pay for pollution. It highlighted that it is the duty of a citizen to ensure that waste is handled properly and not to cause any pollution.The tribunal’s action is a welcome step.Garbage swamps public places, including roads, parks, rail stations, hospitals and other open spaces, all across our country. Most water bodies have turned into repositories of garbage. Even the drains are clogged with waste.While this could be the ‘stick’ policy of NGT, there is no sight of the carrot in this decree. People in this country cannot always be faulted for littering the countryside. There exists no public waste disposal system visible anywhere throughout the length and breadth of India. Litter bins are invisible, even in metropolises.

Public conveniences are few and far in between. Municipal solid waste is one of the most serious problems regarding pollutants in the country. The NGT’s directive that all authorities are under “statutory” obligation to ensure that waste is “collected, transported and disposed off” in a manner that does not cause public health hazards deserves much greater stress.It is important that public utilities like municipalities and other urban development bodies are made to create waste reprocessing facilities at a war footing. Requisite infrastructure needs to be built to handle collection and disposal/management of waste, both solids and liquids. For this end to be achieved, governmental intervention is essential. Without these back end problems being sorted, it will be pointless to penalise the citizen.No doubt the garbage that lies all over is a major source of disease in India.

Despite this, there is no response from the authorities anywhere. It may be noted that we, as citizens, do not make any efforts to avoid dirt and filth.Although waste management should be a government job, it is also imperative that we Indians take this issue seriously. Our role may not be relegated to the back ground. Once the populace notices and wants to avoid garbage, the job gets done easier. Without public support, no Swachh Bharat can ever be successful.That program, launched by our Prime Minister, seemed attractive and praiseworthy in the beginning. However, once the cess was imposed it became evident that the government was taking upon itself the onerous task of cleaning the country top to bottom on its own.

That it has failed completely has been noticed by every single individual in this country. Once any kind of tax is levied by the government, it is obviously the sole responsibility of the government to execute the work.Responsibility shifts away from the citizen. That was a great mistake as far the Swachh Bharat program is concerned. Hopefully NGT’s directives are accepted in a positive manner by the people who should take the initiative to keep their own environment neat and clean.

-http://www.orissapost.com/directive-of-hope/, December 21, 2016

The Madurai bench of the Madras high court has ordered removal of seemai karuvelam (Prosopis juliflora) shrub from 13 districts and directed authorities to free Madurai and surroundings of the plant by January 11, 2017.The plant is said to be detrimental to the environment in terms of depleting ground water level and aiding global warming. Sometime back, MDMK leader Vaiko had filed a petition before the Madurai bench seeking the removal of the species from vacant plots and water bodies. This was followed by a series of petitions with the same demand from Pudukottai, Dindigul and also from Madurai city.

When the petition came up for hearing before Justice A Selvam and Justice P Kalaiarasan, it was stated on behalf of the government that steps were being taken to eradicate the plants and that a committee had been constituted to take a decision on it. The judges refused to accept the answer and asked why the authorities concerned could not carry out the task, and questioned the need for a committee to do so. In their order, the judges said that juliflora shrubs in Manalmelgudi in Pudukottai should be removed within four months and within three months from Sempatti in Dindigul, adding that Madurai and its surrounding areas should be cleared of the plant by Jan 11.

They also directed that the shrubs that were found to be encroaching on channels, roads, water bodies, private land and vacant plots in the 13 district headquarters specified in the petition filed by the MDMK leader should be removed in 20 days and that the action taken report should be submitted in court on January 10.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/high-court-get-rid-of-shrub-in-13-districts/articleshow/56100133.cms, December 21, 2016

TFirms from various countries working with AP Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) to plan the capital are bringing in native ideas, designs, aesthetics, and cultural influences and amalgamating it with Andhra culture at Amaravati. With architects, designers and planners from Japan, China, Singapore, Netherlands, and the UK involved in planning and designing various components of Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh’s capital would be an assimilation of different styles of architecture, best practices from all over the world, and an environment that ensures good quality of living. Firms from various countries working with AP Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) to plan the capital are bringing in native ideas, designs, aesthetics, and cultural influences and amalgamating it with Andhra culture at Amaravati. Last week, an architect from a top consultancy firm UK-based Fosters and Partners met Telugu film director S S Rajamouli, who directed Bahubali, to take inputs on Andhra Pradesh’s culture, history and traditions. Rajamouli had done a lot of research on these aspects for his films, and the architect from Fosters and Partners, who will design some projects in Amaravati, wanted to enlighten himself.

Experts from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are providing technical assistance to conduct a detailed traffic and transportation survey for the 217 square kms of Amaravati capital city as well as the 8,603 sq kms of capital region. The final plans and designs of rail and road transportation in Amaravati will have a strong Japanese influence. “Japan has a very strong and efficient public transportation system. It is designed to serve a large number of people very smoothly. We want Amaravati to have such a transport system and JICA is helping us plan it. We are collaborating with many countries and trying to absorb the strength of each country here,” said V Rama Manohara Rao, Additional Commissioner, APCRDA.

Guizhou International Investment Corporation (GIIC) of the Province of Guizhou in China has tied up with Hyderabad-based Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers and Consultants Pvt Ltd through a bidding process to prepare a master plan and detailed project report on infrastructure in the 217 square capital city area. The Chinese firm will provide assistance in designing and planning city-level infrastructure like water, gas and power supply; housing, sewerage treatment plants, storm water drainage system, roads, and government buildings. “The Chinese are very meticulous planners and fast developers. They will take two years to plan a big project but once they are ready, they hit the ground running and complete the project within two to three years. Due to the tie-up between GIIC and the local firm we are getting the Chinese expertise in creating large infrastructure projects. They have given us models on roads and housing,” Rao said. The Chinese firm will also suggest how to develop the plots that have been returned to farmers by the APCRDA under the Land Pooling Scheme. GIIC’s Vice-Chairman Zhang Zhao told CRDA officials that their principle is to love and respect Indian culture; not to impose but align with the flow; and not to make changes unnecessarily.

Before they start working, the international planners and consultants are first studying Indian culture, especially Andhra culture, so that they can assimilate their ideas and designs into the local culture. Singapore Government’s consultancy services company Surbana Jurong is already the lead consultant planning and urban design for Amaravati. Netherlands-based Arcadis, the well-known engineering consultancy firm, will be planning and designing the blue infrastrure in and around Amaravati—water bodies, reservoirs, ponds and lakes, river drainage system, and canals to rejuvenate water transportation. Arcadis is teaming up with Tata Consulting Engineers for blue infrastructure in Amaravati region. US-based CH2M Hill, programme management consultants who provided their expertise to London Olympics, is likely to come on board as consultants to provide technical expertise to the top management of APCRDA. UK is creating a fund for providing funding to various projects in Amaravati which can also be accessed by private sector. This fund is in turn funded by agencies listed on the London Stock Exchange.

-http://indianexpress.com/article/india/architects-designers-from-across-the-world-come-to-amaravati-to-ideate-on-planning/, December 21, 2016

Situated amidst the military Golf course at Bolaram, the St Francis Xavier’s Church stands out for its elegance and historical relevance. Built almost two centuries ago, it is housed inside the sprawling Valerian Grammar High School campus and present a serenity that is breathtaking, thanks to its landscape.The woods around adds to the charm. With around 150 families, the church is not too big to accommodate too many but its roof goes high up giving it perfect acoustics implying that there was no need of an electronic sound system.The church has a gothic influence, albeit on a smaller scale.It was in 1839 that Fr Daniel Murphy was posted to the mission of Hyderabad to help build a church.Secunderabad, the British Army cantonment, was considered as an alternative site and in 1840 Fr Murphy started building St. Mary’s Basilica which was completed by 1850.He also built St Francis Xavier Church in Bolarum (now Yapral) in 1842.

After he left Hyderabad, pastoral care of Bolaram continued at a very slow pace as greater success was experienced by the missionaries in new territories, though some of the Bishops temporarily resided at Bolaram, the last one being Msgr Vismara Dionigi PIME, who lived there till 1936, before shifting to St Mary’s Presbytery.Being located in the Cantonment, Bolaram catered mostly to the needs of the army personnel, rather than real missionary work. Hence over the years Bolaram became more of a retreat centre or summer residence for the missionaries, maintained initially by the Capuchin priest and later by the Redemptoristsl, who served the longest, though in two phases (1957-1961 and 1965-1982).

The changing demographics required a school for the local children.Fr Joseph Vadaka, thus pioneered Valerian Grammar School. In 1982 the parish and school went through a severe financial crisis due to mismanagement, but with the intervention of the Diocese, during the tenure of Fr Mulaguri Dhanraju the Procurator, and with the assistance of Nicodemus, a retired accountant, a proper accounting system was put in place.Fr Thanugundla Solomon actually standardised the school and established it on a firm footing.Ever since the school and the parish have co-exited and prospered, reaching out to the poor and needy in the vicinity.With the shell intact, the church was renovated in 2015.The church even today stands in a beauty that combines an old yet newly renovated look.The insides of the church are furnished with pews, a stone built alter and podiums that match what the present liturgy demands.Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) pronounced it to be a heritage structure of the city in 2016.

-http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hyderabad-Tab/2016-12-22/Structurally-small-but-rich-in-history/269841, December 22, 2016

Violet, a 68-year-old resident of St John’s village near Qutub Minar has been living in the area for over 30 years now. Her husband, a former state government employee, moved to the locality after he retired. Today, their four-storeyed building houses eight family members and is a source of income as well. St John’s Village is barely 100 yards from the boundary of the Qutub Complex, which houses the 12th century Qutub Minar. In fact, if one stands on the terrace of Violet’s house, one can see the Qutub Minar separated from the building only by a small parking lot.Violet’s house and hundreds like hers in the area are unauthorised, as per a report tabled in this Parliament session. Yet, new houses in the area keep coming up with alarming regularity.Qutub Complex and Zafar Mahal, the 18th century summer palace, are some of the last relics of the Mughal era. The prohibited areas around them have over 93 and 139 unauthorised structures, respectively. According to the findings of the parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture, unless serious efforts are taken, the historic monuments will be taken over by the encroachers. The committee has also recommended that the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, must be amended to empower the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

“Although the committee is not against the view that the ASI can effectively fulfill its mandate of removing and preventing encroachments if it has adequate statutory backing, it is, however, of the considered opinion that it would not help to a great extent until we are able to strike at the nexus between the unscrupulous elements and local authorities, including the police,” read the report submitted by the committee, chaired by AITC MP Mukul Roy, to the Rajya Sabha last week. Zafar Mahal is a national heritage site as per the ASI and is also listed by INTACH as a conservation area. The Qutub Complex is a UNESCO world heritage site. Early last year, the Delhi High Court had directed the ASI and the DDA to free the Mehrauli Archaeological Park of encroachments, fearing that the encroachers would soon take over the Qutub Minar as well.

Historian Sohail Hashmi, however, said that initially the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1902, decreed that any construction within 50 yards of these was not permissible. It was later amended to extend the prohibited area to 100 yards. “Overnight, several people living within the 100 yards of protected monuments became encroachers. Rehabilitation is usually not a part of the government mandate. There is never any discussion of either relocating these people or helping them with jobs.”Meanwhile, the parliamentary committee also rapped the ASI for violating norms and indulging in anti-labour practices. “This committee recommends that the ASI and the Ministry of Culture should take all possible steps to ensure that its contractual employees are paid decent wages,” the report stated.In its reply, the ASI said that contractual employees were paid as per the Minimum Wages Act, to which the committee said the ASI must extend adequate social security schemes, such as health coverage, to contractual employees, “especially in view of the recent Supreme Court judgment on the subject”.

-http://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-ilegal-buildings-mushroom-around-protected-monuments-2285322, December 22, 2016

A PIL in Gujarat high court questioned on Wednesday deforestation and construction of a university over 44 hectares of land in the Girnar sancturary's buffer zone, the last abode of the Asiatic lions. Three Junagadh-based environment activists have taken exception to allotment of land to Bhakt Kavi Narsinh Mehta University, construction activities and tendering for green felling to make way for building the university on land Survey No 316 and 280, which are under the eco-sensitive zone as per the notification issued in May, 2012.

This land had earlier been earmarked in 2006 for developing biodiversity and nature education centre. The petitioners have alleged that in violation of laws for protection of forest, environment and wildlife, the Junagadh district collector diverted funds meant for this centre to the proposed university in 2015 without taking permission from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The petitioners have sought directions from the HC for cancellation of land-allotment for university and an immediate stay on tenders for defforestation in the area. Further hearing on this matter is on Friday.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Stop-varsity-tree-felling-near-Girnar-sanctuary-PIL/articleshow/56109804.cms, December 22, 2016

Three women finalists, who hailed from different villages of Bhilangana block of Tehri Garhwal, won unique award 'Best Ecologist Ghasiyari', instituted last year, in a grand fan fare event in Akhori village of Tehri on Thursday. These women alongwith 31 others were shortlisted for finale in this competition which started on November 23 and was based on cutting the fastest and maximum fodder in two minutes' time and also excelling in knowledge on the subject of biodiversity, mainly local plants and cattle, among other competitors-over 2000 women from 250 villages this time.

The first prize winner Vimla Devi, 40, resident of Chilyal village had cut 4.140 kg fodder and scored maximum 171.14 points. After getting a cheque of one lakh rupees, beaming with a silver crown of 160 gm on her head she said, "This money will be utilised in providing good education to my children and medical treatment to my ailing husband who has to slog as a worker in a hotel at Chandigarh."The organisers from Chetna Andolan had earmarked 10 points for each kg of fodder, 150 points for interview round and 5 point over having each cattle. The organisers reasoned that at times slightly educated women score over others in interview round. To balance that, points over possession of cattle, which even poor women have in hills, was allocated.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/unique-ghasiyari-contest-in-akhori-village-of-tehri/articleshow/56126274.cms, December 22, 2016

The state forest department is gearing up to bring in changes to its traditional style of functioning from the next financial year with a series of new initiatives. Its slogan will be `Forest for water'.The forest department traditionally takes up activities like forest protection, tree plantation and harvesting, fire protection etc. But now it plans to give more importance to protect forest areas and save water.The changes will be implemented from next financial year onwards. As per the new initiative, from April onwards the department will take more steps to open the water holes and open new water bodies and ponds inside the forests. Department officials say that many water sources have already dried up inside the forests. They hope that when the water sources inside the forests are opened, more water will be available for the inhabitants and thus reducing the threat of drought. As part of the initiative, the de partment will plug in more water sources and check dams inside the forests. These initiatives will be led by chief wildlife warden S C Joshy, IFS. The forest department also plans to bring down the major problem of man-animal conflict by forming vigil committees with popular participation, besides reviving Vana Samrakahana Samithy (VSS) and other various forestland protection groups.

As part of the social forestry initiatives, the department will provide various types of trees for planting in various areas in the state.In future, the forest department will plant more environment-friendly trees in the forest lands. The cultivation of acacia will be done in a limited manner as there is a contract to supply its wood for pulp. It also plans to give more attention to the shoal forests and special habitat areas.As part of the initiative, the department will take more steps to prevent forest fires and take more initiatives to protect the wild animals and their habitat. "Forest department plans to change its traditional working method and select more initiatives to protect water and water bodies inside the forests. For the last several months, we are suffering from water scarcity . We hope the `forest for water' initiative will help provide water stability for the state," said the chief wildlife warden.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/forest-department-to-focus-on-water-conservation/articleshow/56116366.cms, December 22, 2016

The state forest department is gearing up to bring in changes to its traditional style of functioning from the next financial year with a series of new initiatives. Its slogan will be `Forest for water'.The forest department traditionally takes up activities like forest protection, tree plantation and harvesting, fire protection etc. But now it plans to give more importance to protect forest areas and save water.The changes will be implemented from next financial year onwards. As per the new initiative, from April onwards the department will take more steps to open the water holes and open new water bodies and ponds inside the forests. Department officials say that many water sources have already dried up inside the forests. They hope that when the water sources inside the forests are opened, more water will be available for the inhabitants and thus reducing the threat of drought. As part of the initiative, the de partment will plug in more water sources and check dams inside the forests. These initiatives will be led by chief wildlife warden S C Joshy, IFS. The forest department also plans to bring down the major problem of man-animal conflict by forming vigil committees with popular participation, besides reviving Vana Samrakahana Samithy (VSS) and other various forestland protection groups.

As part of the social forestry initiatives, the department will provide various types of trees for planting in various areas in the state.In future, the forest department will plant more environment-friendly trees in the forest lands. The cultivation of acacia will be done in a limited manner as there is a contract to supply its wood for pulp. It also plans to give more attention to the shoal forests and special habitat areas.As part of the initiative, the department will take more steps to prevent forest fires and take more initiatives to protect the wild animals and their habitat. "Forest department plans to change its traditional working method and select more initiatives to protect water and water bodies inside the forests. For the last several months, we are suffering from water scarcity . We hope the `forest for water' initiative will help provide water stability for the state," said the chief wildlife warden.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/clean-yamuna-river-remains-a-distant-dream/articleshow/56107315.cms, December 22, 2016

If everything goes well, water quality in the city lakes might just improve. Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) is calling for ‘Expression of Interest’ from private agencies, who have expertise in improving the quality of water bodies.With the city’s two big lakes -- Bellandur and Varthur in critical state, conserving lakes has become a major concern. Speaking to Express, Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) Mahendra Jain, said that BDA will call for EOI soon from private agencies who have expertise in improving water quality.

“We will check the feasibility of various methods proposed by them and it will then be implemented to clean the lakes,’’ he said. Sources in the Urban Development Department said that to begin with, they will implement whatever feasible methods in Bellandur and Varthur lakes, which need urgent attention. Later, it can be extended to other lakes of Bengaluru.On the status of Bellandur and Varthur lakes, Jain said the city’s 500 MLD of sewage flows into these two lakes. The inflow contains phosphoric chemicals found in detergent.When it rains, the inflow into the lake increase and thus froth is generated. This is a serious issue. At present, there is one sewage treatment plant, which can treat 250 MLD of sewage. Another sewage treatment plant to treat 150 MLD of sewage water is under construction. It is expected to be completed by May or June 2017. It will take two years to eradicate froth Mahendra Jain said they have many short-term measures to reduce frothing. But the longest and permanent solution is treating all sewage water. The civic agencies are not able to treat the remaining 100 MLD of sewage water.“We are not able to get funds and space is also a constraint. If we get it now, it will take a minimum two years to set up a 100 MLD capacity STP,’’ he added.

-http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2016/dec/22/will-lakes-breathe-again-1551867.html, December 22, 2016

They have been entertaining Delhi households for decades with their puppets and their magic, weaving stories and making birthday wishes come true. Born and brought up in what is popularly known as Delhi’s Kathputli colony, on the outskirts, these poor artists are now are being threatened with demolition as bulldozers and the police move in to physically push them out of the homes they have known for 50 years. From the Shadipur metro station, we are led to Kathputli Colony ground by Muskan, an eight-year-old girl, carrying her fifteen-month sister on her shoulder. Around ten to fifteen families are camping here for the past three weeks to escape another round of attacks by the Delhi Police. It was only six months ago that the police forces had allegedly beaten the families, including women and children, in the middle of the night in an attempt to force them out of their homes. Here we meet Ameen Khan, a father of five sons—all of them magicians like their father, and four daughters. Ameen has been a magician since his bear show business came down after he could no longer pay the lawyers for his case against Maneka Gandhi, a longtime animal rights activist and present Women and Child Development Minister under the BJP-led NDA government in India. Our attempts to calculate his age go futile, so instead we focus on the demolition issue: “I was born here, it is here that I have grown old. I want to die and be buried here.

We have a family of more than 30 people, what will we get in the transit house? A 10-yard wooden room with no air, water and electricity, and what if we never come back to new houses here? Where will my children go? Today there is no difference between the police and the goons.” Also on the ground are people who have never lived in a home, for instance, Muskan’s mother who is a rag picker, earning about a hundred bucks a week. She feeds a family of five daughters, a son and a husband who lost his leg in a recent train accident; she is a footpathi—meaning she is not eligible for the new rehabilitation centre at Anand Parbat as she does not have an address. Except for the pavement. Passing through a hundred narrow lanes flanked by shanties, overarching leaking sewages, mounds of garbage alongside chulhas with its smoke choking the rurban air, we meet Lalita, a middle-aged woman in a traditional Rajasthani attire.

“We came here from Punrasar when I was just a little girl, as old as her,” she says pointing to a five-year-old girl playing by a hand pump that hasn't worked since 2002, the year it was built. “It is as simple as this: meri zameen, mera haq (my land, my right). We have lived here for the past fifty years, this land was built with the blood and sweat of my fathers; we brought earth and water to this wilderness that was nothing but a cemetery, and made it our dwelling. This is the root of our identities, we shall die but not leave our houses.”However, the demolition drive has divided families and communities. We find a grim picture of reality in these slums, a reality that has been haunting people for decades. The façade of demolition clouds in its powerful images the spectacles that have for decades impinged individuals, each in their own way; demolition for them is an escape, a glimmer of hope.

Lalita’s daughter-in-law, Taruna invites us for a cup of tea, she wants a patient listener to speak to. We go to a tiny pink room that is a kitchen, a bedroom with no beds, and a study area for her two sons, the room is a quarter the size of a football goal post. We ask her about the fresh hideous-looking bandage on her forehead: “My in-laws are terrible people,” she anguishes. “My father-in-law’s brother comes home drunk and beats me up. They are all addicts, engage in black businesses, get stoned in my room and this is killing my children. They do not let me chop wood in my room for it’s too noisy for their ears, do not let me chop it outside for it dirties the place, do not let me bathe for it drains the entrance…I can’t exist here, I must escape for building a future for my children.”

Almost everyone living in this squalor is related to everyone, and domestic violence, prostitution, drug and sex abuse run rampant. Taruna feels that a liberation from her current state of being shall be a liberation from the adversities of her unkind life. Of course, she does not want her land to be taken away by the government or the corporates. For the past six years, she has been struggling to protect her little share of space from a hundred relatives that have laid claim to it. “I hope they rebuild the area as the government has promised. We are poor people, with nowhere to go. I believe it is true that a poor man’s maledictions do bad to those in power if we face injustice,” she opines about not getting her land back.Our harrowing conversation about the disheartening life of Taruna is interrupted by a phone call from her mother. She takes out her small white Samsung feature phone that is tucked in her blouse and talks to her about the documents needed to register at rehabilitation centres in rapid Rajasthani. All she wants is a transit house in Anand Parbat where her mother’s family has already shifted to. Around 500 families have already moved to their allocated residential transit houses but not all are happy with the development.

People claimed that new complexes come with their own problems: there is a lack of water supply and it is impossible to carry the water uphill where the tenements are located, movement is especially difficult for old persons. There is an utter lack of sanitation facilities; reportedly, the ratio of families to toilets is 50:1. “We have always cooked in the open, on chulhas, how do you expect us to cook there on wood with all the smoke?” remarked Ameen’s wife, too afraid to state her name, she believes the police will come at her again. Men said that they return from work as late as three and four in the mornings, there are scarce modes of transport in the region then. They are worried that they can be accused of theft in the nearby localities which are occupied by upper-class families. Anita Sharafat, who lives in one of the transit houses with her three children and her husband, says that she has to travel for kilometres to drop and pick up her daughter, Sania, a student in I B in Shanti Bal Niketan School. The authorities had earlier promised a van for them, but it never came. Overall, she is happy with her new home but is looking forward to her own when the private company builds it up for her here in Kathputli Colony.

The Delhi High Court had in 2014 ruled that no person shall be forced to evacuate their homes unless they want to. The 28 petitioners reported that several names have been missing in the final list identifying the number of households in the colonies and if they are removed from the present settlement, they and their families would be rendered homeless. They have also raised concerns about a lack of availability of space and facilities, especially with regard to peculiar requirements in view of the nature of vocations practised by them that include puppeteering, practising music, weaving and other performing arts, which require special skills and unusual equipment and gadgets. DDA had then stated that the issue raised with regard to the names of genuine households being left out, it is open to receiving representations from such aggrieved persons so that their grievance can be redressed in accordance with law.Activists had gathered at Dilip Pradhan’s residence where it was unanimously decided again that slips for moving to Anand Parbat shall not be signed. Dilip Pradhan is the voice leading the protest against the move to demolish colonies.

“There is no proper agreement which assuages the fears of our people about our return to the colony. How can we accept such a deal that is aimed at serving the vested interests of the builders?” However, J P Aggarwal, Principal Commissioner of DDA feels that the concerns are unfounded. “The unconvinced people are the ones with vested interests.” When asked about the enforcements including bulldozers, ambulances, firetrucks and riot vehicles, he says that they are aimed at “maintaining law and order.” “The police are here with a proper arrangement to facilitate people to move to newer locations peacefully, we must always go prepared for a war,” he commented.While returning from the camps where one could get slips for their transit homes, we meet Taruna with her husband. They are here to get themselves registered. She smiles, “we have all the required documents, now we are moving away from this hell.”

-http://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/OldNewsPage/?Id=9505&Kathputli/Colony/Faces/Extinction/As/Bulldozers/Move/In/to/Push/The/People/Out, December 22, 2016

In a letter to the Union environment secretary, well-known social activist Medha Patkar has apprehended that thousands of hectares (ha) of catchment area in the upstream of the Narmada dam in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat still remain “untreated”, putting villages and towns situated next to the river in peril if the dam’s reservoir is filled up to the brink. Patkar’s letter, running into about 4,000 words, comes amidst reports that the Government of India is all set to fill up the Narmada dam up the full reservoir level (138.64 metres) during the next monsoon by allowing the Gujarat government to close down the radial gates installed on the dam.Pointing out that this would cause “a serious damage to environment and the riverian communities”, Patkar, who heads the anti-dam Narmada Bachao Andolan, says, completion of the environmental work “is highly important”, as it is the “pre-conditional” for achieving the final dam height. Giving figures, Patkar says, as per a Madhya Pradesh report, 47,684 ha of catchment area is yet to be treated, with large areas vulnerable to flooding and therefore remains “highly degraded”. Further, Maharashtra has an untreated area of 9547 ha.

Insisting that catchment area treatment is particularly essential “to prevent soil erosion and siltation”, Patkar says, she is “utterly shocked” that the Environmental Sub-Group (ESG) of the Narmada Control Authority, which is the final authority of allowing the Narmada dam to become fully functional, has not taken into account the “massive illegal sand mining that has been on for last five years.” Pointing out that huge areas have been leased out in village after village in the districts of Badwani, Dhar, Khargone and Alirajpur by the mining department of Madhya Pradesh, Patkar says, “The environmental impacts causing damage/loss due to sand mining in the catchment of the Narmada dam is before National Green Tribunal’s Bhopal bench.”Saying that sand mining is “directly draining” and degrading the catchment area, Patkar says, “The illegal mining, which is resulting in demolition of river banks and the natural embankments, is threatening villages and existing civic amenities”, making them vulnerable to floods and water logging.Narmada dam oustees protest at NCA office, Indore.

Not only has the ESG failed to look at the catchment area, Patkar says, even the environmental impact on the downstream of the Narmada dam has been summarily ignored. “Gujarat is facing massive sea ingress up to 30 km, leading to major problem of salinization of surface and ground water, destruction of top soil and closure of industries for days and weeks”, she says. Another issue which needs to be looked into, says Patkar, is the need for seismological monitoring centres which should be functional at nine places on the banks of Narmada river, yet they are not functional at some spots. Pointing that the Narmada dam is situated on a faultline, she adds, “The centres at Kukshi and Badwani are lying close and almost dead for years.”Then, says Patkar, there is the failure to look into the impact on healthcare measures.

“Maharashtra is the only state where there is a floating dispensary on a big barge donated by the European Commission, though running irregularly”, she says, adding, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh have nothing in this respect.“Neither medical services on boat, nor upgraded primary health centres (PHCs), are seen in the villages in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat”, Patkar says, adding, “Hilly communities of adivasis have been left for themselves for reaching out to the dispensaries, spending hundreds of rupees to reach hospitals by boats and private jeeps.”Finally, the letter regrets, as for protecting the historical sites, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has been left its study half way. This has happened despite the fact that there are “various articles published in the archeological journals on the pre-history archaeology of Narmada have concluded that Narmada is the oldest civilization in the world and the only places where the remnants of all ages right from the Paleolithic age are available here.”

-http://www.counterview.net/2016/12/lack-of-environmental-concern-endangers.html, December 22, 2016

A day after the Madras high court lambasted the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) commissioner, and even threatened to abolish the department and abrogate the HR&CE Act, the Tamil Nadu government informed the court that it would withdraw a letter written to Unesco discouraging it from taking part in ancient heritage temple restoration works. After the HR&CE commissioner, summoned by the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sundar, appeared in person on Thursday, the bench observed: "If I put myself in his place, I would have welcomed the help and expertise offered by Unesco. The intent of the person who is at the helm of the affairs clearly shows that he is not interested to welcome Unesco. If this is his attitude, he must be unsuitable for the post."

In his letter dated December 19, 2016, the commissioner told Unesco that as per temple custom in Tamil Nadu, except the priest nobody would be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum of temples, and the authorities could not violate that custom. When the official said he was sorry, the bench said the need of the hour was change in mindset. "If there are any religious issues, you could handle it. You could take Unesco's expertise in architectural issues. The letter dated December 19, 2016 must be withdrawn," the judges said. Recording advocate-general's undertaking that the letter would be withdrawn, the bench said: "We also find the affidavit filed by the commissioner, HR&CE, a clear unwelcome indication to the UNESCO. We are of the view that the stand taken by the department needs to be rejected in toto and amelioration be made of the same by filing a proper affidavit before this court."The bench then posted the matter to January 12, 2017 for further hearing.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Govt-tells-court-it-will-withdraw-letter-to-Unesco/articleshow/56128407.cms, December 22, 2016

India has opposed international guidelines that require free or uninfluenced consent of tribal communities for commercially using their traditional knowledge at the global biodiversity negotiations in Cancun, Mexico.In the face of the protest from India and others, diluted guidelines allowing countries to obtain consent as per their national legislations were agreed upon.More than 160 countries negotiated, under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), ways to ensure sustainable use of bio resources, including traditional knowledge of indigenous communities and equitable sharing of benefits from commercial use of such resources with local communities in Cancun last week. An expert group under the CBD had recommended guidelines that sought countries to formulate laws that require “free, prior informed consent” of tribal communities for accessing their traditional knowledge to ensure benefit sharing and prevent unlawful appropriation of such knowledge. Term ‘prior’ implies the approval of tribal communities is taken well in advance, ‘informed’ means all relevant information is placed before them and ‘free’ means the consent is obtained without any coercion or manipulation.

While most countries agreed that rules should be framed for “prior informed” consent, they had differences in including the term “free” in the guidelines. Several developed and developing countries such as European Union, Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Ecuador, Switzerland and Bolivia supported using ‘free prior informed’ consent in the guidelines but India, the African Group, Timor Leste and Indonesia opposed reference to “free” prior informed consent.Eventually, the CBD approved a compromised text of the guideline that says the countries can seek “prior informed consent,” “free prior informed consent” or “approval and involvement,” depending on “national circumstances”.

-http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-others-get-un-rules-on-tribal-rights-diluted/story-xtD82yGjIeEAo4jV8y7QZI.html, December 23, 2016

In a major success to the wildlife preservation bid, a large area which was part of the prime habitat of Manas National Park was freed from 20 years of encroachment in a day long operation on Thursday.It took 800 people including 350 police and paramilitary personnel and a convoy of 15 elephants divided in different groups to complete the operation to free over 16 sq. kms of the core-forest, officials said."The area is very important as it is the part of the prime habitat of the grasslands in the eastern region of the forest. Its restoration was very essential for conservation of the herbivores," H.K. Sharma, field director of Manas National Park told IANS.

A UNESCO world heritage site, Manas National Park was enlisted as 'World Heritage in Danger' by the UN body in 2009 following high rate of killing, poaching and encroachment. It was taken down from the list in 2011 following restoration including rehabilitation of Rhinos. As per the government data, about 14,000 sq. kms of forest area is under encroachment across nation of which 3,172 sq. kms comes in Assam. The official added that the area named Gulariapada, was taken by the villagers for agriculture and encroachment started effecting the conservation since 1998. "The encroachment was gradually increasing. Several people from nearby villages taking advantage of the situation in past took over the area by starting to cultivate it," Sharma said.He added that now its free, they will first have to restore the area by planting grass and then it could be used for several projects, such as restoration of several herbivores and other animals."Luckily we faced no major resistance this time," an official said.Spread over an are of 500 sq.

kms to which 350 sq. kms were added in August 2016, Manas National Park or Manas is home to several endangered species including Golden Langur, Pygmy Hog and Assam Rabbit. The scenic forests of Manas are spread over India and Bhutan. In Bhutan, the forest is oldest national park called 'Royal Manas' and spreads over the 1050 sq. kms.

-http://www.newsx.com/national/50333-prime-area-of-manas-national-park-freed-from-encroachment, December 23, 2016

Given the fact that Kashmir has a richer archaeological base than any other place, no Circle (office) of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) exists in Kashmir from past two decades as a result all but 48 historical sites ‘protected’ by ASI in Valley are in dilapidated condition. Official records reveal that in comparison to Jammu where there are only eight monument sites, out of which six are registered with ASI, Kashmir has 69 monument sites and 48 are registered with ASI. “The statistics are enough to prove that Kashmir should have been given special attention. But the reality is that Jammu has always got preference over Kashmir and from past 20 years no efforts are being made to shift the Gandhi Nagar based office to Kashmir,” said an official to CNS. Well placed sources said that all the historically important sites at Awantipora, Martand, Parihaspora, Askur Baramulla, Budshah tomb, Makhdoom Sahab Masjid are in shambles and due to official neglect these sites are losing sheen. “Come and visit Buddhist Assembly site at Harwan, Naranag Temple at Wangat, Dara Shaku Masjid and Buddhist Tomb in Srinagar, you will see all these sites in mess. Given the importance of Harwan site, the ASI could have developed it on modern lines to “showcase the Buddhist culture that flourished in Kashmir” for almost eight centuries. Instead, the site is in ruins and the antiques present are in a shambles,” said an official who wished not to be named. Reports said that cattle and stray dogs are seen roaming freely at some important sites including Naranag temple. This is not the only case the Makhdoom Sahab Masjid that was built by Dara Shikwa in honor of his mentor Mullah Akhoon is in shambles too. “The year 1981 was bad for Kashmir historical point of view when ASI took over all the important sites from State Archaeological Department and left them to perish slowly,” the official said. He said that the ASI office has been functioning from Jammu thus making it difficult for the officials here to execute different works in time. When contacted an ASI official said that majority of the employees of ASI are Kashmiri Pandits who are not only reluctant to perform their duties in Valley but object about the shifting of office from Jammu to Srinagar. “Besides, we lack manpower and once we will get over this problem, the ASI will preserve and maintain the historical sites in an efficient manner,” he said. (CNS)

-http://brighterkashmir.com/insensitive-asihistorical-kashmir-monuments-need-attention/, December 23, 2016

In utter disregard for rules, illegal construction has yet again reared its ugly head right in the core zone of the Unesco world heritage site Hampi. Construction of guesthouses, with no permission or san­ctions whatsoever, has begun silently on the boulders of Hemakoota Hill, one of the most sought after places at the site as it gives the best views of the historical city.What’s even more disturbing is that the construction is bei­ng done on a building pre­mise that has been declar­ed a defaulted structure.Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWHAMA) had partly demolished the very structure nine months ago. The demolition in March had been stopped midway on request by private people after they had promised to demolish the structures themselves. But after lying low for nine months, the very same people have started the construction again. These constructions, besides denting the historic city’s existence, could prove costly as repeated violations could affect the Unesco heritage city tag, fear experts.Construction had begun first early in the year under the pretext of ‘old structures’ that existed from time immemorial. A few structures including Jain temples existed in the vicinity and are now managed by a private trust. However, new structures had started cropping up on the pretext that they existed much earlier and were being modified. However, HWHAMA, after conducting an inquiry, had initiated demolition of two such structures in March. The tough action had been initiated fearing that by allowing two structures in the core zone of the protected area, several others would also come up.But HWHAMA efforts have now proved a damp squib as construction has begun again.“Leave aside construction, one can’t move remains like stones or even carry out digging inside the core zone of Hampi without ASI or HWHAMA permission. Now, the question is what agencies such as ASI and HWHAMA, exclusively meant to keep a tab on such activities, are doing?” heritage activist SS Rachaiah told Mirror.

As per Unesco operational guidelines, any construction or reconstruction in the core zone can be done only after obtaining detailed documentation of the place. But illegal constructions are absolutely not allowed. Further, as per the AMASR (Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010, any construction within 100 metres of a national monument or a protected monument is prohibited.The Central government also has declared an area up to 100 metres from protected sites as prohibited area. Any renovation or restoration could be taken up only after an NOC is obtained from ASI.

Violation of AMASR Act is punishable with imprisonment not exceeding 2 years and with a fine up to Rs.1 lakh.But in the case on hand, despite violations, not once but twice, the Unesco heritage tag can be seriously jeopardised, says senior epigraphist Prof DV Parashivamurthy, registrar (evaluation) of Tumakuru University.“There have been such violations repeatedly at Hampi. There are evictions on one side. Recently, illegal constructions were cleared at Virupapura Gedde. It could be one cause for new structures coming up here. Further, lack of coordination among multiple agencies – ASI, state archaeology department, HWHAMA, tourism and muzrai departments could be one reason for such rampant violation of the law. To put a complete check on such people and actions, a single board has to be formed bringing all these stakeholders under one umbrella,” Murthy told Bangalore Mirror. HWHAMA has issued notice to a private trust stating that repeated violation in a prime archaeological area was a serious violation of many acts, and it should be cleared immediately, failing which criminal proceedings would be initiated against them.

-http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/state/In-complete-disregard-of-the-law-illegal-construction-again-at-Hampi/articleshow/56146905.cms, December 24, 2016

The Department of Biotechnology will set up 50 biotech laboratories in senior secondary schools of Arunachal Pradesh under the Biotech Labs in Senior Secondary Schools (BLISS) scheme, to encourage young dynamic students.The department has earmarked Rs75 to 100 crore for implementing the projects, union minister of science and technology and earth science Dr Harsh Vardhan said while laying the foundation stone of the Centre for Bio Resources and Sustainable Development at Kimin, Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday.The project will be jointly funded by the department of bio-technology and rural technology centre of department of science and technology, government of India.Addressing a public meeting in Kimin after the foundation stone laying ceremony the minister said while Arunachal Pradesh is rich in terms of its biodiversity and its bio resources, it is necessary that these bio resources are preserved and monitored and utilised for the best use of the humanity not only for the people of Arunachal Pradesh but for the whole world. The minister further said that a State Level Biotech Hub will also be set up in the state to conduct high-end researches and training North Eastern Region Researchers and students, to create and train employable manpower. For protection of indigenous traditional knowledge of the state, an intellectual property (IP) cell will be set up in the state science and technology council. Five centres of excellence will also be established in different areas of biotechnology in the state, he said.Harsh Vardhan said the setting up of biotechnology labs in schools will directly benefit more than 10,000 students and teachers of the state towards promoting education in biotechnology and attracting billion young students with multidisciplinary research areas.The outreach programme will help in generating awareness and enhancing literacy and promoting public understanding of biotechnology in the state. The minister also said that organising the outreach programme will directly benefit more than 5 lakh people, including students in the state, towards understanding biotechnology comprehensively/holistically.The project will also lead to biotechnological implementation and sustainable utilisation, development and conservation of bio resources of the state rural technology centre under CSIR, value added agriculture, medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation mushroom, floriculture, leather and pottery to promote rural technology.Dr Harsh Vardhan also urged the state government to expeditiously implement the projects, which will lead to more than 1,500 natural dye extraction units, 100 banana fibre and extraction units, over 150 fruit processing units, over 300 mushroom production entrepreneurs, 200 medical and aromatic cultivation units, and more than 50 orchid cultivation entrepreneurs and more than 100 vermi-culture entrepreneurs.Implementation of biotechnology projects will also lead to developing market linkages to facilitate entrepreneurs for marketing their produce that will help to generate income and sustainable socio-techno-economic development in rural tribal areas at large.A team of experts will be sent to the state to study the feasibility and promotion of science and how the youth can benefit from government of India's 'start up and stand up programme and after their suggestions many more projects will be given to the state.Calling the day a historic moment for people of Kimin, minister for urban development, law and justice, government of Arunachal Pradesh, Nabam Rebia, said that from the communication point of view Kimin is a very important place and serves as a gateway to many districts of the state. Rebia also said that Arunachal Pradesh has plenty of resources, which are yet to be explored, and developed for welfare of the people. He further said that Arunachal Pradesh is a peaceful state with peace loving people and patriotism is deep routed in the heart of the people of the state.

-http://www.domain-b.com/economy/Govt_Policies/20161224_schools.html, December 24, 2016

The High Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to cooperate with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in identifying heritage structures listed in the Urban Development Department notification. A Bench of Justices B. D. Ahmed and Ashutosh Kumar directed the civic agency to help INTACH in identifying heritage sites in Mehrauli listed in the notification after the INTACH submitted that many such structures in the list are not identifiable on the ground. 775 heritage sites The UD Department had mentioned 775 heritage sites and structures in the city. Many of these are in DDA Park in Mehrauli. The Bench also directed the Archaeological Survey of India to file a status report with regard to the restoration of Khan Shahid Tomb in Mehrauli. The Bench also asked why the civic agency is not able to restore the structures the way the Aga Khan Trust has done with the famous Sundar nursery.

Encroachment of park
The Bench was hearing INTACH’s plea against encroachment of Mehrauli park, which houses many heritage structures. INTACH, in its plea, has said: “The monuments of the park range from grand structures like Quli Khans tomb, Balbans Tomb, Maulana Jamalis mosque and tomb and Rajon ki Baoli, to several minor monuments that together constitute a huge cultural asset and potential heritage recreation space for the city”.The NGO also said that the park had been encroached upon at several places.

-http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/Help-identify-heritage-structures-HC-to-DDA/article16941073.ece, December 25, 2016

The moribund Mysore Chapter of INTACH had grandiosely “ listed ‘ some 250 structures in and around the city as ‘heritage’ buildings and later the Mysuru City Corporation under the then Commissioner Raykar instituted a task force comprising of a handpicked team of ‘experts’ rehashed the INTACH report which incidentally was prepared by late journalist Krishna Vattam. After Raykar departed to board a new gravy train, the Indian Heritage Cities Network, the MCC under the then commissioner, Dr. C G Betsurmath with the ‘help ‘ of Raykar’s outfit got a ‘German expert’ to ‘study the Devaraja Market and make recommendations for its restoration.’ Lakhs of rupees were spent preparing the report and before anything more could be done the building had a fortunate collapse.

This seems to be jinx haunting every move of the MCC when it comes to conserving heritage buildings.In fact, according to the MDJA (Mysore District Journalists Association) grapevine the crony-infested Heritage Committee of the MCC has made another list of some 236 heritage structures in the city which is awaiting ‘approval’ from the state government.It is believed that in that list are several private properties. Among them is the small mountain of rubble that has come up in the compound of House No. 677 on the Vasant Mahal road, which was known as ‘Krupalaya.” It is believed that this mysterious list also includes several other now private buildings like Rukmalaya and Calladium Villa. It may be of interest to know that one of the earlier residents of the Krupalaya was the IAS officer J B Mallaradaya who served Maharaja Jayachhamarajendra Wadiyar as his Huzur secretary. He was also a member of the Mysore State Legislative Assembly and after retirement stayed in Krupalaya from December 15, 1955 to March 3, 1958. It is believed that it was only after some persuasion that the Huzur Secretary finally vacated the bungalow. The property then went under the possession of the Maharajkumari Kamakshi Devi Trust which soon filed a case for recovery of arrears and damages from Mallaradhya after he failed to reply to three notices. More peace parleys later, the matter was settled out of court on October 30, 1960 with a recovery of Rs 2019-31.After Mallaradhya vacated the house, Maharajakumari Sri Kamakshi Devi Trust, under the Palace Trusts, which was designated to take possession of the property, filed a case to recover arrears and damages of Rs 4,060.37 from the former huzur secretary after he failed to reply to three notices.However, the case was settled out of court on October 30, 1960, with a recovery of Rs 2019.31 while a sum of Rs 2311.12 was written off, following some clarification from Mallaradhya’s side.The Palace Trust then sold the property to Farookh Irani ( of the iconic Jawa Motorcycle fame and of course Yezdi Breweries) who later on made Krupalaya their guest house. A Mumbai-based businessman, Qureshi who was also a close associate of F K Irani acquired the property in an auction by Indian Overseas Bank for Rs 2.54 crore in the 1990s. Then it passed into the hands of a private property developer. Now soon the mountain of rubble will give away to some hideous monstrosity in glass and concrete which will forever by a class one eyesore.Punters if there are any, would do well to make a book which building will go next. Rukmalaya which is just around the corner and whose resident once was Thumboo Chetty? Indeed the mansion was named after Rukma-Philomena, Thumboo Chetty’s daughter.

-http://citytoday.news/krupalaya-a-slice-of-history-vanishes/, December 25, 2016

It takes a four-hour drive from Mumbai and over an hour's trek up a craggy hill to reach an important site of Maratha heritage perched atop a windswept plateau. Cracked flagstones, broken ramparts and broken sculptures welcome you to Shivneri Fort, where the Maratha warrior king Shivaji was born. The fort hints at the power of his empire, but all that one sees are rubble, dirty water tanks and some lone-standing structures -poorly explained and inadequately maintained that leaves you feeling frustrated.While the state is spending Rs 3,600 crore on the Shivaji memorial off the Mumbai coast, his birthplace is in a state of neglect. It was in these half-ruined bastions in the hilly terrains of Junnar where Jijabai, Shivaji's mother, had sought refuge and given birth to him in 1630 as the plains below were becoming a battleground for the Adilshahi kingdom, Nizamshahi kingdom and the Mughals. It isn't difficult to understand why Shivaji's father Shahaji chose this place. Rugged and isolated, the fort is on top of a steep rocky precipice surrounded by jagged hills on three sides. The pivotal point on it today is the grey and gaunt stone building overlooking the Western Ghats and the city of Junnar spreading below. It houses the room where Shivaji was born.Locked up and dark, one has to strain one's eyes through a grilled opening on the door to take in the details of the chamber.The dark room has a bust of Shivaji at one end and a wood en crib on another, more symbolic than historical in significance. "This is the main attraction of the place. Why can't there be a little light? If we can't even see it, how can we educate the children?" asks a teacher from the Andhra High School in Pune. "As long as there is no hammering on the walls to install lights, there should not be a problem in illuminating a stone wall structure," explained conservationist Anupam Sah, when TOI checked with him. A narrow staircase leads upstairs to a small hallway with two precarious windows that have become a photo booth with no limits on the number of people trooping into the ancient structure.There is only that much unexplained rock and ruin you can look at till you lose all interest. Like it was with the school and college kids who had come to learn about the citadel but wandered off to play games, instead. Although guided tours are a common way for visitors to experience such sites, there is hardly any signage or guides to help understand what remains and what is missing from its past. "There's so much history to the sites within a fort but without a guide, it's as good as looking at a pile of stones," stressed fort historian Shridatta Raut. A few metres away from the `Shiv Janmasthan' lie the twin water tanks -Ganga Jamuna -that were once the drinking water cisterns for its dwellers. The water has turned green with plastic bottles and filth floating, obviously unfit for drinking. "But they could be recharged if the tanks were cleaned before the monsoons and a net laid over it," said Raut.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/neglect-mars-shivajis-birthplace-shivneri/articleshow/56171456.cms, December 25, 2016

To sensitise people about the importance of preserving and protecting biodiversity to the community including children, around its areas of operation, the Ore, Mines & Quarries (OMQ) Division of Tata Steel has organized a four-day bio-diversity festival. The festival? Jaiba Kala Vividhata? was held in Noamundi, West Singhbhum. The festival got kicked off by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Ranchi, Shashi Nandkeolyar and Tata Steel General Manager (OMQ) Pankaj Satija among others. The highlight of the biodiversity festival included art, workshops, awareness sessions on biodiversity for the community and school children.There will be live demonstration of sand art, canvas painting, wood sculpture, earthen pot painting, thermocol sculpture, etc. by eminent artists during the festival, a Tata Steel press release said.

-http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bio-diversity-festival-begins/1/842824.html, December 25, 2016

To sensitise people about the importance of preserving and protecting biodiversity to the community including children, around its areas of operation, the Ore, Mines & Quarries (OMQ) Division of Tata Steel has organized a four-day bio-diversity festival. The festival? Jaiba Kala Vividhata? was held in Noamundi, West Singhbhum. The festival got kicked off by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Ranchi, Shashi Nandkeolyar and Tata Steel General Manager (OMQ) Pankaj Satija among others. The highlight of the biodiversity festival included art, workshops, awareness sessions on biodiversity for the community and school children.There will be live demonstration of sand art, canvas painting, wood sculpture, earthen pot painting, thermocol sculpture, etc. by eminent artists during the festival, a Tata Steel press release said.

-http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bio-diversity-festival-begins/1/842824.html, December 25, 2016

Around 14% of the monuments in Gujarat have been encroached upon. Of the 215 protected monumentsunder Archeological Survey of India, there were 30 monuments where encroachments have been reported. The Information was placed in Rajya Sabha by the ministry of state, culture and tourism. The Union government stated that Gujarat was ranked fourth in the country when it comes to the number of monuments that have been encroached. The state was behind Tamil Nadu (133 monuments), Uttar Pradesh (57 monuments) and Karnataka (46 monuments).The Union government in the reply stated that in order to protect the monuments the superintending Archaeologists are authorised to issue show cause notices under the provisions of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958. Further in order to contain the encroachments and removing them, the Superintending Archaeologist in charge of the Circles have been vested with the powers of an Estate Officer to issue eviction notices to the encroachers under Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. In case of Gujarat it was the Vadodara circle which will have the powers. The reply further stated that the ASI officials have been asked to seek assistance from the state government and police. The ACI in addition to the regular watch and ward staff, private security personnel, state police guards and CISF have also been deployed for the safety and security of selected monuments. It is worth recalling that in August and September last year, ASI's official Arif Agariya filed 121 complaints with city police and reported illegal constructions near protected monuments across the city. But the police did not take any action.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/30-asi-monuments-in-gujarat-encroached/articleshow/56167899.cms, December 25, 2016

The iconic ‘Dancing Girl’ of Mohenjodaro is Goddess Parvati, further proof that people of the Indus Valley Civilisation worshipped Shiva, claims a new research paper published in Itihaas, the Hindi journal of the Indian Council of Historical Research.The research paper, titled ‘Vedic Sabhyata Ka Puratatva (Archaeology of Vedic Civilisation)’, authored by Thakur Prasad Verma, a retired professor of Banaras Hindu University, makes a case for the Vedic identity of the Indus Valley Civilisation and reiterates the longstanding claim of Right-leaning historians that Shiva was worshipped by the inhabitants of this civilisation. Verma’s interpretation of the Dancing Girl, dating around 2500 BC, as a Hindu goddess – the first such claim – is in line with this argument.The research paper goes on to say that several artefacts excavated from Mohenjodaro point to Shiva worship in those times. According to Verma, the famous ‘Seal 420’, a seal of a horned figure sitting in yogic posture and surrounded by animals, is strong evidence of Shiva worship. The identity of the figure in the seal has often been the subject of debates. While archaeologist John Marshall in 1931 saw a “prototype of Siva” in this figure, historians have later differed with this interpretation and some have even suggested the figure is of a woman.Further, to prove Shiva worship in the Indus Valley Civilisation, Verma states that the trefoil pattern seen on the shawl of the ‘Priest King’, another iconic sculpture excavated from Mohenjodaro, is sign that the king was the follower of a Hindu god. The trefoil pattern, he says, resembles the Vilva or Bilva leaves that are used to worship Shiva today.The author then goes on to claim that the Dancing Girl is Parvati because “where there is Shiva, there should be Shakti”, a manifestation of the Goddess, though “till date, no one has identified any idol or statue of Parvati in Harappan Civilisation”.Historian and Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Supriya Verma said this was the first time anyone had said the Dancing Girl could be Parvati. “Till date, no archaeologist has ever interpreted the ‘Dancing Girl’ as a goddess, let alone Parvati. This particular artefact has always been seen as the sculpture of a young girl. It is difficult to say anything more than that. The elaborate terracotta female figurines were described by Marshall as mother goddesses, although he categorised some of the other terracotta female figurines as either toys or as being associated with magic,” Verma said in an email to The Indian Express.The latest edition of ‘Itihaas’ was released last month. This is the first edition of the journal published during ICHR chairman YS Rao’s tenure. Historian Sachidanand Sahai is the chief editor of the journal.

-http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mohenjodaro-dancing-girl-is-parvati-claims-ichr-journal-4444981/, December 26, 2016

While archaeological excavations and carbon dating helps significantly in establishing the date/period of construction of buildings and temples, subsequent information about what went on in these places could not be gleaned in any other way except through written sources. One of these written sources are inscriptions on temple and cave walls, and it is on this important aspect that retired archaeologist K Sridharan elucidated as part of Pallava Mallai, a series of lectures by heritage experts held recently by Tamil Heritage Trust. His talk was on the importance of Tamil inscription found from the excavations at Mamallapuram, which revelead the recent history of the temple town. “The Pallavas were responsible for the construction of several temples in Mahabalipuram, but after the Pallavas, how do we know what went on in them?” he explained. Mamallapuram came under the influence of several reigns such as the Cholas, Pandyas, Telugu Cholas and the Vijayanagara kings, all of whom contributed to the temples of Mamallapuram,” said the retired deputy superintendent archaeologist, State Archaeology Department.Several excavations had unearthed inscriptions detailing the culture of the temple town in ancient times. “On the way to Mamallapuram, there is a site known as Saluvunkuppam, where they excavated the ruins of a 2000-year-old Subramaniar temple,” Sridharan explained. “The Archaeological Survey of India established that several Pallava Varman kings from the 9th Century AD had contributed to the worship of the temple.”An inscription found on the rock shows several descriptions of worship during the Sangam Chola period, where donations were made for land and resources. Afterwards, the temple got buried under rubble. “Near Saluvankupam, there’s a cave called Adhirana Chandeshwara Graham, which was built by the King Rajasimha. It also showed donations made to the temple during the 10th Century reign of Rajaaja.” He gave details about ancient names that were given to the current temples in Mamallapuram. “Three of the shore temples mentioned there — called Kshatriyasimhapallaveshshwara graham, Rajasimhapallaveshhwara graham, and a Vishnu temple in the middle called Naravadi Vishnu graham – were called jalasayanam in Rajaraja’s inscriptions.” In Poonjeri village, the names of the architects were inscribed in the Pallava monuments they helped build. “Also of importance is the Thirumangazhai Aalvar temple which is praised as thalasayanam.

-http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mohenjodaro-dancing-girl-is-parvati-claims-ichr-journal-4444981/, December 26, 2016

In continuation with this commitment, Tata Power has been associated with the Forest department of the Government of Maharashtra for its Afforestation Programme.The program was initiated to counter the increased pressure on the biodiversity found in the region due to growing human and cattle population.The project looks to preserve and enhance the biodiversity around the areas related to catchments of six lakes in the Western Ghats of Maval and Mulshi Taluka in Pune District.As the Western Ghats are known for being a biodiversity hotspot, preserving the catchments has become a National priority that Tata Power has extended its wholehearted support to.Over the past 40 years, Tata Power has planted saplings of fast growing tree species, native to the Western Ghats on hill slopes of the lake catchments. The Afforestation programme was intensified in 1991 and continues till date. During the last 10 years, the focus has been on growing indigenous local tree species found in the Western Ghats.These plants are nurtured at the nurseries of Tata Power in Lonavala. This process is necessary to support the biological diversity in the eco-forest system and in turn restore the habitat for selected fauna.The success of this initiative has therefore become imperative to the ecological improvement of the lakes and for the conservation of the flora, fauna and aquatic diversity therein. Tata Power plants around 9 to 10 lakhs of saplings annually at all its hydro catchment areas.

The species selected include Saraca, Pongamia, Mangifera, and Caryota etc. for plantation as they are mostly indigenous forest species grown on the Western Ghats, which are slowly decreasing in numbers and need to be planted on a large scale to ensure conservation.Due to Tata Power’s diligent efforts over 100 lakh saplings have been planted across different locations in the Hydro catchments in Maval and Mulshi areas.Thorough this effort Tata Power aims to make the area green and picturesque, with the hope that this will attract several species of animals, birds and butterflies, thus ensuring that the Western Ghats continue to be known as a biodiversity hotspot across the globe.Speaking on the initiative, Ashok Sethi, COO and ED, Tata Power, said, “At, Tata Power we are always mindful of the environment we operate in. Through this activity, we aim to preserve and enhance the biodiversity surrounding our facilities in the Western Ghats. This will go a long way in ensuring that our future generations will enjoy the same amount of natural resources that we have enjoyed. As responsible custodians of our operating environment, we at Tata Power will strive to continue nurturing nature thorough the Afforestation Programme initiated by the Forest department of the Government of Maharashtra.”“Concern about the environment is an international problem, the solution of which lies in the implementation of development initiatives at a local level. True to this principle, Tata Power has enlisted the help of rural women as well as college students in its plantation drives. This has provided rural women with income generation opportunities, while placing them on par with their male counterparts in awareness on environmental protection and conservation” he further added.

- http://indiablooms.com/ibns_new/finance-details/6196/tata-power-promotes-bio-diversity-and-afforestation-in-the-western-ghats-of-india.html, December 26, 2016

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment has found the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change lacking in taking enough measures to check pollution.The committee said, "Air pollution has assumed gigantic proportions in our country. In such a scenario, the measures taken by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for prevention and control of pollution and maintaining ecological balance have not been commensurate with the magnitude of the problem."The Committee noted that the Ministry does not have enough funds. However, the funds which are made available to it, are not even fully utilized. Hence, targets which are set are not achieved, the committee said.It also found that more and more rivers and water bodies were getting polluted and level of their pollution was increasing day by day. "Ministry utilized only Rs. 37.35 crore out of allocated Rs. 66.73 crore up to December, 2015 during 2015-16.On the other hand, the Ministry complains of not having been provided adequate funds for the programme and on the other, it is able to expend only 56% of the allocation made." This, Committee termed as, "self-defeating approach."The Ministry also failed to achieve 14 targets under the scheme of National Natural Resources Management System, in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. Only 52.38 per cent of the total allocation was utilized till December 2015. The Committee recommended that the Ministry should take all possible efforts to ensure that the allocations made thereby are utilized fully. The Ministry said that, "One of the main reasons behind non-achievement of the given target was non submission of UCs/ES in proper format along with the progress report by the concerned organizations/institutes despite follows up by the ministry." The Ministry also said that the late submission of documents from grantee organizations delayed the release of funds.

- http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20161226/3020997.html , December 26, 2016

The district administration is planning to initiate water mapping of the district as part of the Haritha Keralam project. Sub-collector and district co-ordinator of Haritha Keralam Divya S Iyer said that protection of water bodies will be given priority in the project. The district administration will make a list of all water bodies, including abandoned ones and those which could be revived at the panchayat/village levels. In a press statement, Iyer said that in addition to the support of technical experts, college students too will be roped in for the project. For the revival of old ponds and water bodies, those working under the national rural employment scheme too will be brought in. "The district administration is planning to beautify the district in the next one year. The Haritha Keralam project, which aims to protect water bodies, manage waste and produce organic vegetables is expected to change the district. NSS-NCC camps during the vacation will be utilized to spread the message among students," Iyer said.A forum of environment-loving people will be formed. Those who wish to plant trees but lacks land can approach the forum, who will plant saplings for them."A final decision on various activities under Haritha Keralam project will be based on the project report submitted to the district collector, the sub-collector said.The district administration has invited suggestions from public for the Haritha Keralam project.

- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Water-mapping-to-be-initiated-under-Haritha-Keralam-project/articleshow/56190436.cms, December 26, 2016

The INTACH Heritage Museum in Dharwad is a new addition to the city’s vibrant cultural landscape. The aesthetic exteriors of the building located in the premises of Mallikarjun Mansur Kalabhavan (the municipal auditorium) attracts both city dwellers and tourists. The walls of the red brick building of British period is decorated with warli art. Inside, a world of art, culture and literature in the form of articles, documents and pictorial representations awaits to intrigue a visitor. The exhibits here include the photographs of achievers in the fields of art, literature, music and social work with a brief information about their work and achievement; copies of ancient manuscripts, awards and articles belonging to famous personalities and other items that depict the glory of this region. While the manuscript of Supashastra by Mangarasa fascinates one, the personal belongings of Lieutenant General S C Sardeshpande including his army uniform, tonga (carriage) etc, takes a visitor to the bygone era. S C Sardeshpande was the first person from North Karnataka to reach the top brass in the army. The museum also has a collection of educational materials such as stamps, coins, currency, typewriter, cane basket etc. A part of the museum is dedicated to the works of renowned artists. The art works displayed here range from mythological paintings to abstract art. The rich collection that depicts the historical and cultural significance of the region was conceptualised by art enthusiast N P Bhat, who has been supporting art and literature-related activities in the city through his cultural organisation ‘Avani Rasikara Ranga’. Along with organising cultural events, the octogenarian has also been encouraging promising artists and writers. N P Bhat, who is also the convener of the Dharwad chapter of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), proposed setting up a cultural museum in Dharwad through the organisation. Once he got a positive response from INTACH, he relentlessly pursued it. As a result, while Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation granted land, many donors have offered financial support. Though the focus is on North Karnataka, the museum also has exhibits from other places of Karnataka. Kumar Katenahalli, an artist and a photographer, has given an aesthetic touch to the exhibits at the museum using advanced tools of technology. Over 10,000 people have visited the museum in the last two years. After visiting the museum, well-known writer Vaidehi has opined that it brings alive the memorable moments from the cultural history of the State. Art students who come here feel that it is a treasure trove of knowledge. They also feel that it is a rare opportunity to see the awards and accolades won by many authors and artists in one place.

- http://www.deccanherald.com/content/588446/treasure-trove-culture.html, December 27, 2016

The iconic 110-year-old Spanish mosque or Jama Masjid Aiwan-e-Begumpet, inside the Paigah Palace, is getting a facelift. One of the most beautiful and unusual mosques in India, it is located in the dewdi of Iqbal-ud-Dowla Sir Vicar-ul Umra, in Begumpet, Secunderabad. The mosque is well maintained and those who offer prayers believe it fulfils their wishes. The mosque was presented the Intach Heritage Award in 2010. The Spanish mosque was commissioned by Sir Vicar-ul Umra after he returned from his European tour of 1882-1887. Sir Vicar was the personal guest of Queen Victoria and other European royalty during this tour. Inspired by the architecture of palaces and monuments in Europe, he decided to build something on similar lines. The result was the Falaknuma Palace and the Spanish mosque which shows Spanish-Moorish influence.This architectural influence was completely new to princely India. Inside the mosque, one can see traces of African-Islamic architecture. The arches are in the Hispanic Islamic style, again an influence from North Africa and can be seen in the Qurtuba (Cordoba) Mosque in Spain and other ancient mosques in Africa. Quranic verses in the Kufi style of calligraphy are inscribed on the walls.The construction of the Spanish mosque began in 1899 and it was completed by Sir Vicar’s son and successor Nawab Sultan-ul Mulk, the Amir-e-Paigah, in 1906. “We are giving a facelift to the age-old mosque. There will a new ablution area. The old one housed in a shed is being removed as it is blocking the view of the mosque. The mosque will get a fresh coat of paint,” Mr M.A. Faiz Khan of the Paigah family and mutavalli (caretaker) of the mosque said.He said the mosque is structurally strong but due to the vagaries of nature, minor repairs have to be done. “It’s a rare mosque and we protect it,” Mr Khan said.The entrance leads through a foyer into the main prayer hall with a high roof and central dome open from below and with light streaming through the windows. The foyer is flanked by chambers for the use of ladies who wish to join the congregation. Paigah family members and prominent personalities such as MIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi and cricketer Mohd Azharuddin have offered prayers at the mosque.“The mosque has a serene environment and radiates an aura of spirituality and peace,” says Mohammed Ibrahim, who takes care of the mosque. The mosque formed part of the 340-acre estate of the Paigah nobles, studded with seven palaces, in Begumpet.

- http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/271216/hyderbads-unique-spanish-mosque-is-getting-a-facelift.html, December 27, 2016

For those who want to get a feel of the rich Indian traditions, cuisine, art, craft and lifestyle on a single platform, Shilpgram is the one stop destination in Udaipur these days. The West Zone Cultural Center (WZCC) has once again come up with its 10-day long 'Shilpgram Utsav,' which is touted to be one of the largest crafts and folk festivals in the country. The festival that entered its sixth day on Monday has been enthralling hundreds of visitors daily with 600 folk artists and 800 weavers and artisans from 17 states. The cultural extravaganza at the rural art and craft complex situated in Hawala village, some 7 kilometers from the city, provides a great opportunity for shopaholics to bring home elegant Indian handicrafts, textile etc. Giving the fair a perfect touch are the colourful cultural performances every evening and the rural cuisine served in the food courts. For textile lovers there is a fascinating variety to choose from - intricate chikankari of Lucknow to Chanderi of MP, silk brocades of Varanasi, and tie and dye products of Rajasthan etc. There is pottery, sculpture, paper mache, bamboo and cane crafts which can also be seen in abundance."This is the 26th edition of the annual festival. The aim is to provide a platform for traditional craftpersons and folk artists from different parts of the country. This festival is organised every year to promote and preserve handicraft items, craft persons and performing artists," said Furqan Khan, director- WZCC. There are bigger crafts fairs taking places like Surajkund Fair in Haryana, however, the Shilpgram festival is the signature event of Udaipur that receives thousands of visitors each year from all over the country and even abroad. Being the peak tourist season, foreigners flock here in large numbers to experience the cultural richness of India, be it in the form of performing arts, cuisine or lifestyle, Khan said. To deal with currency crisis, WZCC has arranged a mobile ATM and POS machines at ticket counters for the convenience of visitors. Merchants too have been asked to accept cashless transactions to reduce disappointment.

- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/shilpgram-utsav-real-festival-of-craftsmen-folk-artists-from-far-off-villages/articleshow/56190759.cms?, December 27, 2016

There are six schools of tabla and maybe it's time to add a seventh. For, yet again, the students of 'Brahmanaad' (Gurgaon's very own tabla school) have excelled on foreign shores. Prashant Kapoor, a visually-impaired tabla player, led the way with gold in the open category, in the 6th Global Cultural Olympiad of Performing Arts (COPA), which was held at the BCA Theatre in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from December 20 to 24. Prashant was one of 10 boys and girls from Brahmanaad who came back with medals. To top it all, their guru, Sarthak Kumar, 36, was honoured for his wonderful contribution to the multi-rhythmed universe of the tabla.Prashant, 28, lost his vision at age 17 but not his spirit. After turning 20, he was taken under the wing of Kumar, who groomed him into a special talent. At Colombo, the pupil did his master proud. "He played ektal for nine minutes, presenting traditional styles from different gharanas, and got a rousing reception. People were moved to tears - even the judges!" shared Kumar. In the world of classical tabla, an ektal solo is very rare, beyond but the most accomplished of tabla players. And Prashant, a young man of few words, was not at all unnerved. "I was feeling good," he told TOI. Meanwhile, Aayush Savdekar, 10, won silver in the minor category (instrumental and classical style, or 'repertory'), for his solo recital. Aayush, a student of Presidium School, has been training under Kumar for the past two years. "He has a passion for the tabla, and follows a very dedicated routine every day," says his father Rahul. So, besides his regular four-times-a-week classes, Aayush practices at home for around 30 minutes in the morning (before going to school), and for about an hour in the evenings. And dad believes son's future is inseparable from the tabla. "Because he's got that knack, and he can understand the intricacies of the compositions and playing styles." Indeed, at the Olympiad, Aayush successfully performed jhaptal, a skill that only the very experienced are able to pull off. "In jhaptal, there are very complex compositions which he has learned to play, 'kaidas' that are specific to gharanas. So he played 'kaidas' of the Delhi as well as the Ajrada gharanas."Clearly, with the likes of Prashant and Aayush, the future of classical tabla in India is in very safe hands.

- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/On-winning-rhythm-tabla-boys-conquer-foreign-shores/articleshow/56191986.cms, December 27, 2016

Till some time back, when one spoke of migratory birds in Rajasthan, it usually meant at Bharatpur, but due to good rains, the tribal wetlands are proving perfect hideaways for birds of various species, including some endangered and threatened migratory categories.The wide scale promotion of bird watching as an educative activity and frequent bird fairs are also making South Rajasthan an emerging bird watching destination. Several species of cranes, pelicans, geese, ducks, etc., are found here. August to November are the ideal visiting months to find resident breeding birds, and October to February for migrant birds.In Udaipur, beside Pichhola, Fatehsagar and Badi lakes in the city area, wetlands in the outskirts like Madar, Menar, Badwai, Kishan Kareri, Bhatewar, Mangalwar, Ghasa water bodies attract large number of migratory birds during winters."The forest and tourism department has jointly taken the initiative to raise public awareness on the importance of birds. This is the third consecutive year we have successfully organized a fair to inform people about the avian fauna," said Rahul Bhatnagar, chief conservator of forests, wildlife, Udaipur."This time enthusiasts sighted varieties like whiskered tern, taiga flycatcher, gadwell, ruddy shelduck, greylag goose, Egyptian vulture, tufted pochard, northern shoveler, shikra and many more," said T Mohanraj, deputy conservator of forests.In Dungarpur, Sagwara is emerging as a potential breeding colony for painted storks - broad-winged birds falling in the nearly threatened species of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) list. Sizeable colonies of these birds near wetlands and water bodies in and around the district, especially in Sagwara and Galiyakot, Ringwal area have given them their new identity as these birds were recognized as Dungarpur icons in October last year. More than 200 nests of these birds have been seen in Gameshwar talaab while sizeable colonies are reported in areas like Bicchiwada, Dhambola, Karoli, Bhiluda, Bodigama, etc."The number of visiting birds is increasing every year in the Wagad belt mainly due to the large number of water bodies in the region," said Kamlesh Sharma, public relation officer at Banswara."Abundant food in the aquatic sites and absence of poaching in the pollution-free tribal belt provides the birds safe habitation and large-scale breeding," he added. Marsh harrier, red shank, bar-headed goose, greater cormorant, grey francolin, egrets, crow pheasants, sandpipers, lapwing, wagtails, pipits, black-tailed gotwit, Indian roller, black ibis, flamingos, black kites, little ringed plover, northern pintail, common cranes too are common varieties seen here in good numbers.Jawai village in Pali is another haven for birds.Anil Rodgers, involved in the study of migratory birds in the area, which is some 150km away from Udaipur, reported spotting of demoiselle cranes, common cranes, bar-headed goose, brahmini duck, dalmatian pelicans, gedwal, common pochards, wagtails, snake birds, etc."Bird watchers have also taken up a campaign to educate local people to prevent human interference in the wetlands. People are being informed about avian varieties so as to build an emotional connect between them. This could further generate income opportunities for them as large number of visitors coming in the area would seek guidance from these men during bird watching sessions," Rodgers said.

- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/On-winning-rhythm-tabla-boys-conquer-foreign-shores/articleshow/56191986.cms, December 27, 2016

The world's fastest land animal, the cheetah, is sprinting towards the edge of extinction and could soon be lost forever unless urgent, landscape-wide conservation action is taken, a new study has warned.The study estimates that just 7,100 cheetahs remain globally, representing the best available estimate for the species to date. The cheetah has been driven out of 91 per cent of its historic range, according to the study led by Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Panthera and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).Asiatic cheetah populations have been hit hardest, with fewer than 50 individuals remaining in one isolated pocket of Iran, researchers said.Due to the species' dramatic decline, the researchers are calling for the cheetah to be up-listed from 'Vulnerable' to 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.Typically, greater international conservation support, prioritisation and attention are granted to wildlife classified as 'Endangered', in efforts to stave off impending extinction."This study represents the most comprehensive analysis of cheetah status to date. Given the secretive nature of this elusive cat, it has been difficult to gather hard information on the species, leading to its plight being overlooked," said Sarah Durant, ZSL/WCS lead author and Project Leader for the Rangewide Conservation Programme for Cheetah and African Wild Dog, said.

"Our findings show that the large space requirements for cheetah, coupled with the complex range of threats faced by the species in the wild, mean that it is likely to be much more vulnerable to extinction than was previously thought," said Durant. "The recent decisions made at the CITES CoP17 meeting in Johannesburg represent a significant breakthrough particularly in terms of stemming the illegal flow of live cats trafficked out of the Horn of Africa region.

"However, concerted action is needed to reverse ongoing declines in the face of accelerating land use changes across the continent," she said.While renowned for its speed and spots, the degree of persecution cheetahs face both inside and outside of protected areas is largely unrecognised.Even within guarded parks and reserves, cheetahs rarely escape the pervasive threats of human-wildlife conflict, prey loss due to overhunting by people, habitat loss and the illegal trafficking of cheetah parts and trade as exotic pets.To make matters worse, as one of the world's most wide-ranging carnivores, 77 per cent of the cheetah's habitat falls outside of protected areas, researchers said.Unrestricted by boundaries, the species' wide-ranging movements weaken law enforcement protection and greatly amplify its vulnerability to human pressures, they said.Largely due to pressures on wildlife and their habitat outside of protected areas, Zimbabwe's cheetah population has plummeted from 1,200 to a maximum of 170 animals in just 16 years - representing an astonishing loss of 85 per cent of the country's cheetahs.Scientists are now calling for an urgent paradigm shift in cheetah conservation, towards landscape-level efforts that transcend national borders and are coordinated by existing regional conservation strategies for the species.A holistic conservation approach, which incentivises protection of cheetahs by local communities and trans-national governments, alongside sustainable human-wildlife coexistence is paramount to the survival of the species."We've just hit the reset button in our understanding of how close cheetahs are to extinction. The take-away from this pinnacle study is that securing protected areas alone is not enough," said Panthera's Cheetah Programme Director, Kim Young-Overton."We must think bigger, conserving across the mosaic of protected and unprotected landscapes that these far-ranging cats inhabit, if we are to avert the otherwise certain loss of the cheetah forever," said Young-Overton.The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

- http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/cheetahs-face-extinction-as-global-population-crashes/342501.html, December 27, 2016

Jagdish Mittal’s collection of Indian art is one of the finest in the world. He talks to Apollo about his 70-year-old dedication to art and his instinctive approach to collecting. ‘I see the beauty. Nothing interrupts this, no period, no religion.’ This has been the guiding mantra for Jagdish Mittal who, since the age of 21, has amassed what is considered one of the finest collections of Indian art in the world. It encompasses all regions and media apart from stone; it ranges from pure folk to highest classical. Now, at the age of 91, he is still buying and shares his art and his knowledge more than ever. Not only does he welcome scholars, collectors, artists, and enthusiasts from all over the world to enjoy his art with him in his modest home in Hyderabad in south India, but this home doubles as one of India’s most important museums. For in 1976 Mr Mittal and his wife gave more than 2,000 pieces of Indian art dating from the 1st century BC to 1900 AD, often the best examples of their kind, to the nation in a trust called the Jagdish and Kamla Mittal Museum of Indian Art, Hyderabad. Eventually, it will have its own museum building. We are sitting in the kernel of Mittal’s home, a room lined with shelves carrying books and small art objects, and furnished with a small desk and two chairs. Mittal sits cross-legged, straight-backed on a large low takht, or dais, covered in white cotton, which fills a third of the floor. Wearing a saffron kurta (long shirt), his smooth skin, sharp yet kind eyes and a halo of silver hair make him as handsome now as in photographs of him as a young man. A daughter – he has three adopted daughters – brings steaming tea and homemade biscuits. He quietly instructs his grandson Naveen Kumar, CEO of the museum, to fetch something. Moments later Kumar returns and places a bundle tied up in cloth beside his grandfather. I have visited Jagdish Mittal before and so know what is inside – exquisite paintings – but they won’t be revealed yet. I must be patient. Mittal starts his story. He speaks modestly and without hesitation, with a perfect recall of dates, names, and the prices he paid for pieces. His voice is soft, sometimes so quiet it is difficult to hear. He often smiles and laughs as he shares a memory, his dark brown eyes twinkling. His tale is one of single-minded, lifelong devotion to his subject, decades of refining his acute aesthetic sense through – and this has been vital to the quality of his collection – being a practising artist, watching traditional craftsmen at work to understand their skills, seeing a vast amount of art, and publishing his findings. ‘I was not considered eccentric but some said “Why is this fool spending on art?”’ He laughs. ‘I gave it all my efforts, energy and work. Sometimes we did not have money for vegetables the next day.’ Mittal was born in the autumn of 1925 in Mussoorie, a hill station in the lower Himalayas north of Delhi. When he was six, his engineer father’s job took the family down to the northern plains, to Gorakhpur. There, he remembers clearly how his aesthetic sense was sparked into life: ‘On the way back from school I would stop to watch the local terracotta potters making elephants for temple offerings, and the goldsmiths, weavers, kite-makers.’ At school, he was so ‘fascinated’ by one illustration in a history textbook that he bought the book for one anna (a sixteenth of a rupee; currently, about 90 rupees buys one pound sterling); later he discovered the painting was from the great Mughal connoisseur Dara Shikoh’s album. ‘So, you see, my aesthetic was god-given. But if I had not used it, it would not have blossomed.’His father’s move to Dehradun, just north of Delhi, opened new avenues. Mittal, by now 17, supplemented his academic studies by taking lessons in painting, which brought him into contact with artists, potters, and sculptors. He also started reading about Indian art history in a classic work published in 1917. ‘I bought Percy Brown’s Indian Painting from a wayside stall for one anna. It must have belonged to a British soldier. I looked at it every week, especially one picture by Nainsukh which was in the Indian Museum in Calcutta.’ He ponders for a moment how this book opened up his appreciation of Indian painting. ‘You can’t dissect a painting. I like the abstract quality of Indian painting, the placing of colours, the relation of spaces, how one colour plays off another. After this, I look at the subject. The date is not important. I don’t differentiate between periods, schools of painting or different media – textiles, bronzes, paintings. A good work of art is a good work of art.’ To illustrate this, he recalls visiting a Matisse exhibition in London in the 1960s with his friend, the British artist Howard Hodgkin, who also collected Indian art. ‘We both agreed to write down the ones we thought were the best. Afterwards, we found we had the same ones.’ In 1945, Mittal enrolled to study art at Kala Bhavana, the progressive visual arts institution founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1919 at Shantiniketan in rural West Bengal. It gave him lifelong artist friends as well as his first taste of handling great historic art – his teachers introduced him to paintings collector Ajit Ghose in Calcutta, where ‘vibrant colours and exceptionally vigorous drawing moved me’ and to Rai Krishnadasa, founder of the Bharat Kala Bhavan collection of Indian art in Varanasi. As Mittal recalls in Jagdish Mittal: An Art Connoisseur (2014): ‘Seeing miniatures with these two connoisseurs, and [studying] original Pahari paintings [made at courts in the Himalayan foothills], aroused in me a rare sensation of sublime delight, a soul-stirring experience that made me restless for days afterwards. Thus began my lifelong quest to learn more about Indian painting, and to savour the aesthetic rush that it elicited in me.’ Here Mittal defines better than most the meaning of the Sanskrit word rasa, the all-enveloping emotional experience when fully appreciating a work of art.

- http://www.apollo-magazine.com/one-mans-lifelong-devotion-indian-art/, December 27, 2016

Jagdish Mittal’s collection of Indian art is one of the finest in the world. He talks to Apollo about his 70-year-old dedication to art and his instinctive approach to collecting. ‘I see the beauty. Nothing interrupts this, no period, no religion.’ This has been the guiding mantra for Jagdish Mittal who, since the age of 21, has amassed what is considered one of the finest collections of Indian art in the world. It encompasses all regions and media apart from stone; it ranges from pure folk to highest classical. Now, at the age of 91, he is still buying and shares his art and his knowledge more than ever. Not only does he welcome scholars, collectors, artists, and enthusiasts from all over the world to enjoy his art with him in his modest home in Hyderabad in south India, but this home doubles as one of India’s most important museums. For in 1976 Mr Mittal and his wife gave more than 2,000 pieces of Indian art dating from the 1st century BC to 1900 AD, often the best examples of their kind, to the nation in a trust called the Jagdish and Kamla Mittal Museum of Indian Art, Hyderabad. Eventually, it will have its own museum building. We are sitting in the kernel of Mittal’s home, a room lined with shelves carrying books and small art objects, and furnished with a small desk and two chairs. Mittal sits cross-legged, straight-backed on a large low takht, or dais, covered in white cotton, which fills a third of the floor. Wearing a saffron kurta (long shirt), his smooth skin, sharp yet kind eyes and a halo of silver hair make him as handsome now as in photographs of him as a young man. A daughter – he has three adopted daughters – brings steaming tea and homemade biscuits. He quietly instructs his grandson Naveen Kumar, CEO of the museum, to fetch something. Moments later Kumar returns and places a bundle tied up in cloth beside his grandfather. I have visited Jagdish Mittal before and so know what is inside – exquisite paintings – but they won’t be revealed yet. I must be patient. Mittal starts his story. He speaks modestly and without hesitation, with a perfect recall of dates, names, and the prices he paid for pieces. His voice is soft, sometimes so quiet it is difficult to hear. He often smiles and laughs as he shares a memory, his dark brown eyes twinkling. His tale is one of single-minded, lifelong devotion to his subject, decades of refining his acute aesthetic sense through – and this has been vital to the quality of his collection – being a practising artist, watching traditional craftsmen at work to understand their skills, seeing a vast amount of art, and publishing his findings. ‘I was not considered eccentric but some said “Why is this fool spending on art?”’ He laughs. ‘I gave it all my efforts, energy and work. Sometimes we did not have money for vegetables the next day.’ Mittal was born in the autumn of 1925 in Mussoorie, a hill station in the lower Himalayas north of Delhi. When he was six, his engineer father’s job took the family down to the northern plains, to Gorakhpur. There, he remembers clearly how his aesthetic sense was sparked into life: ‘On the way back from school I would stop to watch the local terracotta potters making elephants for temple offerings, and the goldsmiths, weavers, kite-makers.’ At school, he was so ‘fascinated’ by one illustration in a history textbook that he bought the book for one anna (a sixteenth of a rupee; currently, about 90 rupees buys one pound sterling); later he discovered the painting was from the great Mughal connoisseur Dara Shikoh’s album. ‘So, you see, my aesthetic was god-given. But if I had not used it, it would not have blossomed.’His father’s move to Dehradun, just north of Delhi, opened new avenues. Mittal, by now 17, supplemented his academic studies by taking lessons in painting, which brought him into contact with artists, potters, and sculptors. He also started reading about Indian art history in a classic work published in 1917. ‘I bought Percy Brown’s Indian Painting from a wayside stall for one anna. It must have belonged to a British soldier. I looked at it every week, especially one picture by Nainsukh which was in the Indian Museum in Calcutta.’ He ponders for a moment how this book opened up his appreciation of Indian painting. ‘You can’t dissect a painting. I like the abstract quality of Indian painting, the placing of colours, the relation of spaces, how one colour plays off another. After this, I look at the subject. The date is not important. I don’t differentiate between periods, schools of painting or different media – textiles, bronzes, paintings. A good work of art is a good work of art.’ To illustrate this, he recalls visiting a Matisse exhibition in London in the 1960s with his friend, the British artist Howard Hodgkin, who also collected Indian art. ‘We both agreed to write down the ones we thought were the best. Afterwards, we found we had the same ones.’ In 1945, Mittal enrolled to study art at Kala Bhavana, the progressive visual arts institution founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1919 at Shantiniketan in rural West Bengal. It gave him lifelong artist friends as well as his first taste of handling great historic art – his teachers introduced him to paintings collector Ajit Ghose in Calcutta, where ‘vibrant colours and exceptionally vigorous drawing moved me’ and to Rai Krishnadasa, founder of the Bharat Kala Bhavan collection of Indian art in Varanasi. As Mittal recalls in Jagdish Mittal: An Art Connoisseur (2014): ‘Seeing miniatures with these two connoisseurs, and [studying] original Pahari paintings [made at courts in the Himalayan foothills], aroused in me a rare sensation of sublime delight, a soul-stirring experience that made me restless for days afterwards. Thus began my lifelong quest to learn more about Indian painting, and to savour the aesthetic rush that it elicited in me.’ Here Mittal defines better than most the meaning of the Sanskrit word rasa, the all-enveloping emotional experience when fully appreciating a work of art.

- http://www.apollo-magazine.com/one-mans-lifelong-devotion-indian-art/, December 27, 2016

The three researchers, Mohammed Ayazuddin Patel, the national award winner, artist and photographer, Dr Rehaman Patel, artist and researcher at Indo-Islamic Art, Kalaburagi, and Mohammed Ismail, Bahmani researcher and coin collector who recently discovered a cannon in a fort in Kalaburagi, which they say is the longest in the world, are worried over its preservation. It was their visit to Gulbarga Fort in search of the name of the first Bahmani sultan, Alauddin Hasan Bahaman Shah among the Persian inscriptions on the Jama Masjid that led to its discovery. Speaking of the cannon to Bangalore Mirror, Mohammed Ayazuddin Patel said, “Since 2010, I have been researching on the subject. The existing world record is in the name of Tsar Cannon that is 17.5 feet long and was built in the 15th century in Russia. The cannon has been named in Guinness Book of World Records, when the fact remains that the top three longest cannons exist in India. It is a matter of pride for the people of Kalaburagi and the Hyderabad-Karnataka region that the longest cannon in the world is located in Bahmani Fort and was manufactured during the reign of Bahmani Empire in the 14th century. It is made of the alloy Panch dhatu.” The cannon is known as Bara Gazi Toph and measures about 29 feet in length. Its circumference is 7.6 feet and diameter 2 feet. The barrel is 7-inch thick. In India, the largest recorded cannon is about 23 feet long and is located in Koulas Fort in Nizamabad district of Andhra Pradesh. Asaf Jah-1 (first Nizam) granted the Koulas Fort to the Rajput king Raja Kunwar Gopal Singh Gaur in 1724 AD for his bravery in the battle of Balapur and Shakkar Keda. The biggest cannon on wheels, built by Raja Mansingh, is in Jaipur and measures 20.6 feet in length.“The Jaipur cannon weighs about 50 tonnes. We assume that the weight of the Kalaburagi cannon could be around 70-75 tonnes. While, the firing range of the Jaipur cannon is about 35 kilometres, that of Bara Gazi Toph could be 50-55 kilometres,” Ayazuddin Patel said. The Bahmani monarchs, who ruled from the present Kalaburagi (Ahasnabad), stand out among other rulers for their contribution to the city. The founder Alauddin Hasan Bahaman Shah (1347-1422) made Gulbarga the capital and before his death he became the master of a vast empire. Even as they extended their territory, the rulers made significant contribution to the fields of art, architecture and literature.The Bahmani sultanate was the first independent Islamic state of the Deccan in South India and one of the larger medieval Indian kingdoms. They ruled for 191 years (1347-1538 AD). Their other capital was Bidar.The Gulbarga Fort was significantly expanded in 1347 by Alauddin Hasan Bahmani after he cut off ties with the Delhi sultanate. Islamic monuments such as mosques,palaces, tombs, and other structures were also built later within the refurbished fort. The Jama Masjid built within the fort in 1367, is a unique structure of Persian architectural. It is fully enclosed, and has elegant domes and arched columns, which is unlike any other mosque in India.

The biggest challenge about historic monuments in the state is their protection, a fact not going to be any easy with the region being a backward area. “The Archaeologi-cal Survey of India and state archaeology department should take steps to protect the cannon at the Bahmani Fort and it should be included in the world record list. It should be fenced. The cannon is filled with sand and pebbles, so should be properly cleaned. Also, a signboard stating its details as the longest cannon in the world is a must. The fort and Jama Masjid must be declared heritage centres,” added Ayazuddin. The team submitted a memorandum with their pleas to the district in-charge minister Sharan-prakash Patil, the deputy commissioner, regional commissioner, as well as the departments concerned.

- http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/state/discoverers-worry-for-the-worlds-longest-cannon/articleshow/56207207.cms, December 28, 2016

"Conservation of birds is an issue which needs attention, but it is being ignored by the government. Similarly deforestation, big construction projects, urbanization is directly affecting biodiversity. Urbanization also filters bird communities," said ornithologist Dr Anil Pimpalapure. Dr Pimpalapure, a dentist by profession, was given the Laxmikant Harkare Smruti Vanyajeev Sanvardhan Purushkaar 2016. The ceremony was organized by Vanarai Foundation, at Shrimant Baburao Dhanwate Hall, Rashtrabhasha Sankul, on Tuesday.Pimpalapure was felicitated by former Supreme Court justice Vikas Sirpurkar. The chief guest of the function was conservationist Maruti Chitampalli.Pimpalapure also discussed the need to educate people about the deteriorating condition of environment and how to protect it.Vikas Sirpurkar also spoke on the occasion and said "Earlier we used to give sugar to ants and how time has changed that we are only giving chemicals to kill them. And we are forgetting day by day the joy of giving love to nature and to the birds."Pimplapure showed his concern about the many endangered species of birds and said that "The number of Maldhok or Great Indian Bustard (GIB) bird is depleting day by day. About 20 years back, there were about a hundred GIBs in Vidarbha and now, it has come down to just two."Pimpalapure dedicated the award to his teachers and friends. MLA Mitesh Bhangadiya presided over the function. Ajay Patil compared the programme. President Anant Gharad, Pinak Dande, Narendra Hete, Anil Rathi were also present during the programme.

- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Urbanization-affecting-biodiversity/articleshow/56207966.cms, December 28, 2016

The State faces an existential and identity crisis, with the growth of jihadism and rabid Islamist lumpens aided and supported by the party in power. It poses a severe challenge to the well-being of the State itself. I mourn for Bengal, because Bengal has pushed itself into an apparently inextricable cycle of degenerative politics from which it appears unable to lift itself. The land of actual revolutionary nationalists, of fighters for India’s freedom, of some of the highest and noblest thoughts in the evolution of India’s intellectual traditions, has now turned into a playground of forces that conspire to break India. They are doing all this with the active connivance of the party in power in the State.While communists worked to weaken Bengal, to dilute and then destroy her civilisational and cultural heritage and memory, her sense of a great past and systematically hammered away at all that stood as distinct and inspiring symbols of ‘Bengaliness’, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress regime is consciously and assiduously working to turn Bengal into a swamp of intolerance, into a frontier land of jihadism in which only the extreme anti-nationals, the extreme anti-India forces, and the most rabid elements shall survive and thrive.One of the first and toughest existential questions before Bengal was during independence, when a strong possibility arose of Bengal becoming part of Jinnah’s Pakistan utopia. It was only Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s powerful and tactful intervention during the period, that saw a solid unity crystallise against the demand that the entire Bengal be given away to satisfy Jinnah’s appetite for an Islamic state. Syama Prasad Mookerjee had then saved Bengal so that Bengalis could live in dignity and security. Ironically when he demanded that Pakistan be sanctioned for perpetrating atrocities on its Bengali minorities and for pushing them into India as refugees, it was the comrades who took out a procession in the streets of Calcutta, condemning Syama Prasad.Today, Bengal faces its second existential and identity crisis, with the growth ofjihadism and rabid Islamist lumpens aided and supported by the party in power. This poses a severe challenge to the welL-being-being of the State itself, to its future and to the vision that had saved it from clutches of the Muslim League.Yet, except for a few commentators, for a few groups operating on the ground, and apart from the BJP, no intellectual or leader has expressed concern over these developments; no public intellectual — especially the jet-setting, foreign-clime beholden type who is ever ready to warn people of the spectre of ‘HinduRashtra’ and of the bogey of fascism — has even as much as alluded to the rising climate of intolerance in Bengal and to how non-state actors are gradually striking deep roots, and of how a section of the Bengali Hindus — especially those belonging to the weaker and marginalised sections of society — are bearing the brunt of this rising jihadism.Our executive class champions of human rights are strangely silent on the challenges faced by these sections in Bengal, on the near routine harassment and atrocities that they have to bear at the hands of jihadists. The latest cycle of violence and attacks in Dhulagarh, Mollargate, saw the same blanket of silence from the majority among the so-called mainstream Indian media and the so-called mainstream intellectuals. In the latest cycle of violence, the same pattern of terror was followed, shops gutted, women molested, threatened, homes burnt, men beaten. And so democratic is Mamata Banerjee that each time a central team is sent by the BJP — only and always by the BJP because no other party dare send teams because that would offend ‘didi’ and her rabid constituency — her police and lumpens prevent them from proceeding to the affected areas. The same was done during the Kaliachak episode when a team led by BJP Member of Parliament Bhupendra Yadav and SS Ahluwalia tried to visit the spot; and the same was repeated in the case of Dhulagarh, when the parliamentary team constituted by BJP president Amit Shah was stopped from visiting the place.One recalls how, when Mamata Banerjee was prevent by the communist Government from visiting Singur, she returned to the State Assembly and with her senior leaders in tow, broke furniture in the Assembly lobby, hurled expletives and turned upside down the entire proceedings of the day. In fact, today, Mamata Banerjee heads one of the most intolerant and Constitution non-compliant State Government in India. She has even outdone her communist opponents in this non-compliance of hers.Reverting to our discussion on the degenerative web of politics that afflicts Bengal, the first round of degenerative politics set in the early parts of 1970s, when the self-destroying vision of Charu Mazumdar’s Naxal utopia took hold of a so-called avant-garde section among the Bengali intelligentsia and inspired them to indulge in extreme violence, wiping out an entire generation and turning Bengal into a cesspool of instability and stagnation.Interestingly, a section in the State and beyond still continues to hold a fascination with Charu’s utopia and its false dimensions, and continues to work to put it into operation and fruition in today’s India. While their comrades-in-arm openly work to destroy and liquidate India through the barrel of the gun, these others continue to operate in urban India and intellectually push the cause of breaking India into pieces.The second phase of degenerative politics began with the advent of the liberators of the proletariat, the political charlatans who, while promising a liberated existence full of opportunities, imposed a rule that pushed Bengal even more backward, destroyed her edifices — industrial, educational — again erasing possibilities, eradicating opportunities for an entire generation of Bengalis who had to migrate out of the state in droves for its existence and growth.Even Amartya Sen’s economic theories or the supposed power of his personality — worshipped by comrades — could not salvage Bengal from the morass it had started sinking in. This period of three decades and more, saw Bengal crumbling and deconstructing herself in all her parts.The third phase of degenerative politics began when a supposed ‘Poriborton’ turned into a mandate for further altering the character of the State, for unlimited oppression, for a shrinking of the democratic space and for the promotion of lawlessness and jihadism. Like the first existential challenge that Bengal faced, the present one is equally if not more acute, more daunting and more lethal for it is abetted by those who are supposedly the democratic trustees of the State.I mourn for Bengal, because she is losing herself. I mourn for Bengal, because she seems unable to or incapable of extricating herself from grips and a cycle of a chronic degeneration.

- http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/edit/monumental-betrayal-of-bengal-its-values.html, December 28, 2016

Green activists have once again locked horns with the forest department over alteration work at Surajpur wetland. Opposing the forest department's recent move to concretise the natural drain that fed water to the wetland's water body, activists have written to the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEF&CC) and UP government, demanding immediate termination of construction.In an earlier order, NGT had put a curb on any construction activity in the Surajpur reserved forest area. Environmentalists have been opposing the forest department's drive to alter the natural environs of Surajpur, which is part of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav's prestigious, 2,000-acre eco-tourism project. So far, the inlet leading to the wetland inside Surajpur, with its source at Tilpat drain, was via a natural drain passing through nearby villages. The forest department claimed without regular cleaning, the drain could clog up, which would lead to water shortage in the wetland. So they began lining the natural drain with concrete. Environmentalists protested the move and filed complaints, stating the forest department was interfering with the region's natural features. "The forest department has shortened the route of the waterway into the wetland, and is now lining it with concrete. This cannot be permitted. Construction in the forest area is prohibited by NGT. We've written to MoEF&CC and the UP government to stop work on concretising the drain," said Vikrant Tongad, president of NGO Social Action for Forest and Environment."We had to find a way to get more water into the wetland. There are times when the water level in the swamp drops. This makes it difficult to retain birds in the forest. We then have to make special arrangements to source water. So we have found this alternative to fill the wetland with water," said H V Girish, forest officer, Gautam Budh Nagar.Environmentalists have also been protesting the UP government's drive to include the Surajpur forest within Akhilesh Yadav's ecotourism plan. They also oppose the drive to alter the area's natural green cover, by replacing local plants and trees with fruit-bearing trees. "It is illegal to convert a natural forest area. We're surprised how the forest department is flouting the NGT stay on construction," Tongad said.Surajpur forest is part of a 2,000 acre, 100-crore eco-park project, proposed as a tourist hub, complete with an eco-hotel, yoga and meditation centres, camping sites and adventure sports zones. The project was originally planned to come up in phases, and include a wetland biodiversity park covering 339 acres of Surajpur's wetland, a forest park on the 1,278-acre Murhidpur zone; and a 'Habitat Park' in place of the 354-acre Gulistanpur zone.

-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/Activists-protest-alteration-of-natural-habitat-inside-Surajpur-wetland/articleshow/56209867.cms, December 28, 2016

With architects, designers and planners from Japan, China, Singapore, The Netherlands, and the UK involved in planning and designing various components of Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh’s capital would be an assimilation of different styles of architecture, best practices from all over the world, and an environment that ensures good quality of living. Firms from various countries that are working with AP Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) to plan the capital are bringing in native ideas, designs, aesthetics, and cultural influences and amalgamating it with Andhra culture at Amaravati. Recently, an architect from top consultancy firm — UK-based Fosters and Partners — met Telugu film director S S Rajamouli, who directed Bahubali, to take inputs on Andhra Pradesh’s culture, history and traditions. Rajamouli had done a lot of research on these aspects for his films, and the architect from Fosters and Partners which will design some projects in Amaravati wanted to enlighten himself. Experts from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are providing technical assistance to conduct a detailed traffic and transportation survey for the 217 sq km of Amaravati capital city as well as the 8,603 sq km of capital region. The final plans and designs of rail and road transportation in Amaravati will have a strong Japanese influence. Japan has a very strong and efficient public transportation system. It is designed to serve a large number of people very smoothly. We want Amaravati to have such a transport system and JICA is helping us plan it. We are collaborating with many countries and trying to absorb the strength of each country here,’’ says V Rama Manohara Rao, Additional Commissioner, APCRDA.

Guizhou International Investment Corporation (GIIC) of the Province of Guizhou in China has tied up with Hyderabad-based Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers and Consultants Pvt Ltd through a bidding process to prepare a master plan and detailed project report on infrastructure in the 217 sq km capital city area. The Chinese firm will provide assistance in designing and planning city-level infrastructure like water, gas and power supply; housing, sewerage treatment plants, storm water drainage system, roads, and government buildings. The Chinese are very meticulous planners and fast developers. They will take two years to plan a big project, but once they are ready, they hit the ground running and complete the project within two to three years. Due to the tie-up between GIIC and the local firm, we are getting the Chinese expertise in creating large infrastructure projects. They have given us models on roads and housing,’’ Rao says. The Chinese firm will also suggest how to develop the plots that have been returned to farmers by the APCRDA under the Land Pooling Scheme. GIIC’s vice-chairman Zhang Zhao told CRDA officials that their principle is to love and respect Indian culture; not to impose but align with the flow; and not to make changes unnecessarily. Before they start working with the international planners and consultants, they are first studying Indian culture, especially Andhra culture, so that they can assimilate their ideas and designs into the local culture. Singapore government’s consultancy services company Surbana Jurong is already the lead consultant planning and urban design for Amaravati.

The Netherlands-based Arcadis, the well-known engineering consultancy firm, will be planning and designing the blue infrastructure in and around Amaravati — water bodies, reservoirs, ponds and lakes, river drainage system, and canals to rejuvenate water transportation. Arcadis is teaming up with Tata Consulting Engineers for blue infrastructure in Amaravati region. US-based CH2M Hill, programme management consultants who provided their expertise during London Olympics, is likely to come on board as consultants to provide technical expertise to the top management of APCRDA. UK is creating a fund for providing funding to various projects in Amaravati which can also be accessed by private sector. This fund is in turn funded by agencies listed on the London Stock Exchange.

-http://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/building-the-capital-amaravati-set-to-get-the-best-from-across-the-world-and-andhra-pradesh-4447915/, December 28, 2016

Two years after the central government gave its nod for construction of alternate flood channel to Jhelum in Kashmir, the state government has failed to frame a detailed project report (DPR) for the mega project.Now the World Bank has taken over framing of DPR for new flood channel.In backdrop of the 2014 September floods, the Union Ministry of Water Resources in December 2014 asked the state government for framing of the DPR for the 80-km Dogripora channel to be constructed from Awantipora in Pulwama district to Wular lake in Bandipora district.But during the last two years, the DPR could not be framed for this mega project for unknown reasons. The project as per state government preliminary estimates is expected to cost Rs 20,000 crore.“The World Bank has now taken over framing of the DPR for this project,” an official Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department said.The I&FC department had earlier invited tenders from foreign experts for framing of the DPR for the mega project which according to him could not be “materialized”. “We have framed a project but the World Bank may modify it based on the analyses of foreign experts it will frame its DPR. The World Bank will finalize its cost after incorporates all the aspects,” he added.Under this mega project, an official said new flood channel would carry surplus flood discharge of Jehlum. “It will be a complete road map for prevention of floods in the valley,” the official said.

The discharge capacity of river Jehlum is around 30000 cuscus but flowed during September 2014 water flowed around 1 lakh 30 thousand cuscus.A study titled ‘A satellite-based rapid assessment on floods in Jammu & Kashmir–September, 2014’ conducted jointly by the Department of Environment & Remote Sensing (DERS) and ISRO had warned that intensity of rainfall and frequency of rainy days in the Himalayan region may increase in 2030s, leading to another flood in Kashmir if immediate steps are not taken to restore the drainage system of Jhelum. The study also recommended an alternate flood spill channel for Jhelum should be constructed.

It had been seen that water level of rivers increases even by average downpour due to less carrying capacity of water bodies in the region. The Wular lake which is the largest flood absorption basin has lost the water carrying capacity due to host of factors. Several survey have found that gross human interference, deforestation, encroachments, chocking of water ways and reduction in capacity of wet lands due to heavy siltation posing an imminent threat of floods even by average downpour. The Indus Water Treaty signed between India-Pakistan has also placed curbs on the construction of storage reservoirs on rivers in J&K which could ensure the provision of requisite water flow.

-http://thenorthlines.com/kashmir-get-new-flood-channel/, December 28, 2016

The rains failed the people of Kerala in 2016. With both the Southwest and the Northeast monsoon failing the state that is called god’s own country for its unending green stretches, the Kerala government has decided to scale up the well-recharging programme called Mazhapolima (Rain Bounty) from Thrissur district to all parts of the state.According to the India Meteorological Department, the southwest monsoon from June to September was deficient by 34% and the northeast monsoon from October to December by 62%. Instead of receiving the annual average of 2,508 mm till December 14, the state has only received 1,532.5 mm, a deficit of some 39%. While Wayanad and Thrissur districts had the highest deficit in the southwest monsoon, Kasargod and Kozhikode had the highest deficit during the northeast monsoon.With 62% of the state’s population (2011 Census) sourcing their water requirements from dug wells in their home compounds, the state government recently decided to upscale the Mazhapolima model of rainwater recharging of wells to all parts of Kerala. Mazhapolima, a programme initiated by the district administration of Thrissur, has been found successful and effective in increasing the water in the wells in this central district of the state.

Shaken out of complacency
Since the state had always had sufficient water in the past, it was complacent about water conservation. With the successive years of deficit rainfall in 2015 and 2016, there is an increasing demand for connecting rooftop water harvesting systems into dug wells and thereby avoiding the wells from running dry in the summer months. The well-recharging programme initiated in Thrissur district is now being spread to all parts of the state.

“The Kerala government wants the systems of rainwater recharging of wells already installed in hundreds of government buildings to be repaired and made functional,” Sekhar Kuriakose, member-secretary of the State Disaster Management Authority, which is initiating the government’s programme after the state was declared as drought-hit in October, told VillageSquare.in. “In the last few years, well recharge structures were installed in many public buildings. Many of them have become dysfunctional. As a first step, we want to make these systems functional.”

Following this, the Kerala Government wants to install well-recharge systems in government buildings. This will be part of the Haritha Keralam (green Kerala) programme initiated by the present State Government, after it came to power in 2016, to strengthen rainwater harvesting in the state and also to strengthen environmental awareness. “We want to encourage the people of Kerala to install well recharge systems in their homes after we have made them functional in all government buildings,” said Kuriakose. “We want the government to take the lead.”

Thrissur example
However, independent of the rainwater harvesting into wells in government buildings, thousands of families in Thrissur district have already installed systems in their homes. According to Jos Raphael, director of Mazhapolima, more than 25,000 well water recharge structures have been installed in the district since 2008. These have been in private homesteads, institutions, and government buildings.

The idea is simple and cheap. Rainwater falling on the roof is channelled and collected through PVC pipes and directed into the dug wells. The simpler version of the system does not have a water filtration unit. The first flush of rainwater, which will bring down the leaves and dirt accumulated on the roof, is let out through an escape valve before it is turned into the dug well. Adding a simple filtration unit – with gravel stones and charcoal – ensures that the debrisis removed before the water enters the well. According to Raphael, the simpler systems can be installed with an investment of around Rs 5,000, and there is government support of varying degrees for different sections of the society. “Our success with the Mazhapolima scheme has been the fact that we could mainstream it through many government schemes in the district.”

With an average of 2,500 mm of annual rainfall in Kerala, a 1,000 sq ft roof space can harvest more than 2,00,000 litres of water, Raphael estimates. Thus, the potential for channelling some of the water into the unconfined aquifer through the dug wells is huge with roof water harvesting.

Jos Raphael and his colleagues have implemented the Mazhapolima (Rain Bounty) programme in Thrissur. (Photo by S. Gopikrishna Warrier)

Jos Raphael and his colleagues have implemented the Mazhapolima (Rain Bounty) programme in Thrissur. (Photo by S. Gopikrishna Warrier)

Increased availability
The people’s experiences in some of the places where these systems have been installed are proving them effective for increasing the water availability. KT Shanti of Arimbur village, whose house is on a small plot of land adjacent to the rice fields, says that their well that used to run dry in the earlier years has had water after the water harvesting was done. Nearby, in the house of Thoppil Aravindakshan, his family shares similar experience saying that their well has never gone dry in the one year since the installation of the system. Their well usually dries in summer.

KM Surendran, former president of Arimboor panchayat, says that during his tenure he had encouraged people to install these systems. However, those were the years of sufficient rainfall, and the response was not as positive as in the recent years where the rain has been low. This year has been the second year with deficient rainfall in Kerala. In 2015, the deficit was 15.7%, therefore adding to the 2016 crisis.

The impact has also been felt in government institutions. The public health centre at Manalur draws its water requirement from a large, deep well constructed with laterite stones. The ground on which the PHC stands was bought from an agrarian family and the well had been there since the time the family was staying. The rainwater harvesting system has a filter, which is well maintained by the administrators of the PHC, indicating their interest to keep the system running. Similarly, the well that serves the needs of the students and teachers of the Joseph Mundassery Memorial Higher Secondary School at Kandassankadavu has been fitted with a Mazhapolima system. The school headmistress, Latha Devi, says that the system gave the school management that the confidence that the well will continue to meet their water needs.

Effective in all ecosystems
According to VP Dinesan, senior principal scientist at the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, Kozhikode, the Mazhapolima model of well recharge has been found successful and effective in all ecosystems of Kerala – the highlands, midlands and the coastal areas. The centre had carried out a review of the Mazhapolima project in Thrissur district. While in the highlands and the midlands, the recharge helps increase water in the open dug wells, in the coastal area the flush of fresh water also helps in keeping out salt water ingress. With increasing exploitation of groundwater in the coastal areas, there is pressure on the equilibrium between salt water and fresh water, with the water in many wells becoming saline in the recent years. Reinforcing the fresh water flows into the wells have pushed the saltwater interface away and kept the water sweet and potable. “The salinity in our well water has decreased,” Komalam Ramachandran of Naduvilkara, the land with an estuary with tidal action and the coast on either side, told VillageSquare.in. “It has only been a year since we installed the system, and we hope the water will further improve.”

For Roy Joseph, an Ayurveda physician living near the edge of the rice fields in Arimbur village, the inflow of fresh water has helped reduce the iron content in his well. “We never had a problem with the quantity of water in our well,” he said. “But the problem was quality because the water was yellow to brown because of high concentration of iron in it. We were forced to pump water from a well at a distance for our needs. We not only connected our roof water into the well, but also ensured that the overflow from our overhead tank went into it. The result, our well water has become clearer today and we use the water for all our needs except for drinking.” Mazhapolima model of a combination of own money, plus money from the panchayat funds and government funds seems to be a successful model for institutional scaling up of the well recharge programme across the state, according to Kuriakose. In fact, the state government may even approach donors for funding so that the government component could be reduced.

Working through the panchayats is the best way forward, agrees Dinesan. Government-channelled funds can be used to support the programme through the panchayats, according to him.

According to Raphael, the biggest obstacle to the spread of the Mazhapolima concept has not been the lack of resources or governmental support. Harvesting rainwater from their roof has been very low on people’s priority because of the ample water supply in a state that receives an average of 2,500 mm of rainfall in a year.

The 2016 drought could change this water complacency. Conserving rainwater as it falls could become the new normal as people’s response in God’s own country.

-https://scroll.in/article/825162/drought-in-water-rich-kerala-compels-the-state-to-start-taking-conservation-seriously, December 28, 2016

Biodiversity management committees (BMCs) of five village panchayats have submitted interim reports on people’s biodiversity register (PBR) to the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) for its approval.These panchayats are aiming to be the first to have PBR under the Biological Diversity Act (BDA) 2002.BMCs of Velim, Cotigao, Penha de Franca, Bhironda, and Rachol have submitted interim reports on People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) which have details of all the species of flora and fauna as well as places of cultural heritages in their jurisdiction which have been compiled with the help of technical consultant.The drafted PBRs will be authenticated and validated by the expert committee which will be soon formed for the purpose in consultation with the BMCs and endorsed by the State Biodiversity Board.“We will have to get the reports validated and cross checked with the expert committee comprising of technical experts from various relevant disciplines. The committee is yet to be notified,” a GSBB official said.Among the 190 panchayats and 14 municipal bodies in the state, only 106 BMCs have been formed and only 13 BMCs have started the process of preparing PBRs. The rural people in Goa have rich knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses.

Details with regard to the present status of endemic flora and fauna; traditional knowledge and customs; geography; ongoing changes and forces driving changes in biodiversity resources, and people’s perceptions of how these resources should be managed are recorded in the register.

Local panchayats who are members of BMC have been given supreme power. No outsider or even forest department can take away anything from the revenue or reserve forest, which come under the domain of BMC without their permission.

The register is a document which can help in transferring knowledge to the next and, is also can come in handy for legal procedures as well as a launch pad to deliberate upon any species for commercial gains.Bestowed with picturesque nature, Cotigao village in Canacona taluka along the Goa-Karnataka border has recorded different species of flora and fauna with edible mushrooms, five local varieties of bananas, natural springs, orchids and ornamental plants with the traditional practice of fishing, honey bee keeping in vogue. During the study period, various medicinal plant species were found which have the potential to treat different ailments in animals.

-http://goacom.com/five-vps-set-ball-rolling-on-peoples-biodiversity-register/, December 28, 2016

The museum authorities who have been probing various options to preserve the balcony lining the corners of the roof of the entrance hall at Napier museum have finally found a way to deal with the issue.It has been three years since the balcony was found to have come off from one corner, developing a dangerous slant towards the bottom. It had also developed a prominent fissure which was visible from the floor on one side.Five parties have now responded to expression of interest called by the department of museum and zoo to repair the balcony and restore its original structure. The firm is expected to be finalized in the first week of January.Till now the authorities were at a fix trying to repair the balcony considering it's architectural and heritage value.

The suggestions mostly centred on revamping the entire balcony, which were immediately put at rest citing that any attempt at tampering with the basic design of the balcony could not be encouraged. The initial discussion was held with public works department that did not bear any fruit. The suggestion was to bolster the balcony with concrete pillars and the idea was nipped in the bud citing that it could leave a blot on the architectural flair of the balcony. The authorities later considered two options; either to bring in experienced rock sculptors from Mayiladi to sculpt sturdy pillars on either sides similar to the two rock pillars that stand at the entrance of the museum or to rope in SIDCO to draw out a detailed project, none of which could be materialized.An advisory committee was also formed to figure out a solution to save the balcony without upsetting it's architectural flair. "We are hopeful of restoring the balcony next year without making any alterations to its original design," said an official with Napier museum.

- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Museum-balcony-to-be-revamped/articleshow/56225147.cms, December 29, 2016

President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 77th Session of Indian History Congress at Karyavattom campus of Kerala University, here today. Speaking on the occasion, the President said "an objective pursuit of history requires an impartial mind of a judge and not the mind of an advocate. We must keep our eyes open for unfamiliar ideas and be ready to consider a range of different inferences or assumptions.""This necessarily bars intolerance of contrary opinions or judgements. There has been an unfortunate tendency in our country from time to time to take umbrage at the expression of any view perceived to be hostile to our social or cultural institutions, past or present.""Similarly, critical appraisals of our heroes and National icons of the past have been met with hostility and sometimes even violence. The freedom to doubt, disagree and dispute intellectually must be protected as an essential pillar of our democracy. Nothing should lie outside the realm of reason, and therefore of discussion and argument. Such freedom is vital for progress in any field, especially a calling and a craft like history."

The President said it is his firm conviction that India's pluralism and social, cultural, linguistic and religious diversity are our greatest strength. Our traditions have always celebrated the 'argumentative' Indian not the 'intolerant' Indian, he said. "Multiple views, thoughts and philosophies have competed with each other peacefully for centuries in our country and freedom of speech is one of the most important fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution."He said the Indian History Congress has a creditable record of standing up for freedom of expression and asking historians to be faithful to the cause of reason. It has often taken cudgels against distortions of history.Mr Pranab expressed hope the Indian History Congress will continue to remain alert and vigilant in the cause of an objective study of history.In connection with the event, an exhibition was also jointly organised by Departments of Archaeology, Geology, Aquatic Biology, Manuscripts Library and Arabic.The exhibition displayed artefacts, manuscripts, fossils, sculptures and natural history exhibits from the pre-historic times to the modern age. The valedictory of the congress will be held here on December 30. After the inaugural ceremony, the President left for Bangalore.

- http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20161229/3022820.html, December 29, 2016

Restoring Delhi’s baolis (stepwells) is an uphill task. But slow and steady efforts are now in place, thankfully. The annual Urs at the dargah of Sufi saint Bakhtiyar Kaki, in Mehrauli, has just ended. Biryani is being served to the poor — some are waiting patiently for their turn in a queue, while those who have received their share mill about in the spacious courtyard. The December sunshine is bright and warm. Fauzan Ahmed, a short, wiry man, who acts as the caretaker of the dargah, is taking in the sun while chatting up a local acquaintance. He seems content as festivities reach their culmination around him, with the final feast for the poor. However, his “life’s mission”, as he terms it, remains unfinished and continues to cause him anguish, though his kind, bearded face does not betray it. For quite a few years now, he has been lobbying with various government agencies to get the dargah’s subterranean baoli restored. But, after an initial bit of success a few years ago, his efforts have been repeatedly stymied.

Despite interventions from the Shahjehanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) and the Waqf Board in 2011, the baoli remains a garbage dump. “The private company they hired had managed to clear the debris and this helped the water level rise. However, the work could not continue, given the political uncertainty with back-to-back elections in the years that followed,” he rues. The baoli is now littered with empty water bottles, worn-out shoes, used thermocol plates, and a solitary sofa set, among other things. The SRDC and Waqf Board are currently not in a position to restore the baoli, BLink has learnt.

This baoli is the only underground step-well in Delhi and may well be called an architectural marvel, what with an abandoned sama khana right next to it. A sama khana is where musical gatherings, especially qawwalis, were held by Sufi saints, with participation from the nobility in medieval times. But the pitiable condition of the baoli is not unique to it. Mehrauli has two more baolis: Gandhak ki Baoli and Rajon ki Baoli. The latter was restored a while back and attracts local and foreign visitors. The former, despite its algae-filled water littered with waste, continues to be used by residents, who bathe in it in the belief that it has medicinal powers, which is said to cure skin diseases.

Though it is generally believed that Delhi had as many as 100 baolis at some point, R S Fonia, spokesperson of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and its resident expert on stepwells, said the actual number was much higher. “Baolis were crucial to the social and economic life in Delhi in the pre-modern period. They acted as a meeting place for residents and helped irrigate the fields,” he says, explaining their large numbers. Fonia claims that many more baolis are likely to surface if the ASI were to dig for them. “Even the Red Fort has at least one more baoli than the one we know about,” he reveals. The ASI takes care of the nearly 16 baolis that are known to exist today in the Capital, as most of them are in a state of dilapidation.

According to Fonia, there are several factors which hinder the restoration and upkeep of these baolis. First, the urban setting, with its ubiquitous concrete surfaces, makes it difficult for rainwater to seep into the baolis to recharge them. Secondly, even if all the baolis were to become functional again, they may not be enough to meet the water needs of the current populace. Last, but not the least, the local communities living near the baolis are not sensitised to their history or potential use, which makes their upkeep a challenging task.

The baoli in Nizamuddin is an exception, thanks to the efforts put in by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, which restored it in partnership with ASI and other government agencies. Built by the Sufi saint Nizamuddin Aulia himself, it collapsed in 2008, after which the Trust was roped in to restore it. The work, says Ratish Nanda, CEO of the organisation, involved “rebuilding collapsed portions, repairing adjoining sewerage lines, providing alternative accommodation to the 18 families that were residing atop the baoli, engaging with housing improvement and removing about 40 ft of accumulated rubbish. It is still a work-in-progress as some structures like the Lal Chaubura remain encroached. Pilgrims — of whom 4,000-6,000 pass by the baoli each day, throwing rubbish — remain the biggest threat and we are engaged in increasing awareness to limit this.”

The Delhi chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage has been conducting heritage walks to the baoli in Nizamuddin and the two functional baolis in Mehrauli, says Kanika Dawar, project coordinator with the organisation. They will be organising a cycle tour to Agrasen ki Baoli in Connaught Place soon, she said. “We work with local communities also, in order to sensitise them about the importance of baolis,” says Dawar.

Though the baolis may not be able to fulfil the water needs of the entire city, their restoration and upkeep will go a long way towards this end. According to Ahmed and Nanda, rainwater harvesting, followed by storage of water in the baolis, is the way to go. Ahmed has been in touch with a Delhi University team of students working on restoring Delhi’s baolis, under professor Nirmal Kumar. Ultimately, Ahmed says, “water (conservation) cannot be only a matter of heritage. Its very nature demands that it should be in flow and use.”

- http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/cover/one-step-at-a-time/article9449440.ece, December 29, 2016

Restoring Delhi’s baolis (stepwells) is an uphill task. But slow and steady efforts are now in place, thankfully.The annual Urs at the dargah of Sufi saint Bakhtiyar Kaki, in Mehrauli, has just ended. Biryani is being served to the poor — some are waiting patiently for their turn in a queue, while those who have received their share mill about in the spacious courtyard. The December sunshine is bright and warm. Fauzan Ahmed, a short, wiry man, who acts as the caretaker of the dargah, is taking in the sun while chatting up a local acquaintance. He seems content as festivities reach their culmination around him, with the final feast for the poor. However, his “life’s mission”, as he terms it, remains unfinished and continues to cause him anguish, though his kind, bearded face does not betray it. For quite a few years now, he has been lobbying with various government agencies to get the dargah’s subterranean baoli restored. But, after an initial bit of success a few years ago, his efforts have been repeatedly stymied. Despite interventions from the Shahjehanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC) and the Waqf Board in 2011, the baoli remains a garbage dump.

“The private company they hired had managed to clear the debris and this helped the water level rise. However, the work could not continue, given the political uncertainty with back-to-back elections in the years that followed,” he rues. The baoli is now littered with empty water bottles, worn-out shoes, used thermocol plates, and a solitary sofa set, among other things. The SRDC and Waqf Board are currently not in a position to restore the baoli, BLink has learnt.This baoli is the only underground step-well in Delhi and may well be called an architectural marvel, what with an abandoned sama khana right next to it. A sama khana is where musical gatherings, especially qawwalis, were held by Sufi saints, with participation from the nobility in medieval times. But the pitiable condition of the baoli is not unique to it.

Mehrauli has two more baolis: Gandhak ki Baoli and Rajon ki Baoli. The latter was restored a while back and attracts local and foreign visitors. The former, despite its algae-filled water littered with waste, continues to be used by residents, who bathe in it in the belief that it has medicinal powers, which is said to cure skin diseases.Though it is generally believed that Delhi had as many as 100 baolis at some point, R S Fonia, spokesperson of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and its resident expert on stepwells, said the actual number was much higher. “Baolis were crucial to the social and economic life in Delhi in the pre-modern period.

They acted as a meeting place for residents and helped irrigate the fields,” he says, explaining their large numbers. Fonia claims that many more baolis are likely to surface if the ASI were to dig for them. “Even the Red Fort has at least one more baoli than the one we know about,” he reveals. The ASI takes care of the nearly 16 baolis that are known to exist today in the Capital, as most of them are in a state of dilapidation.

According to Fonia, there are several factors which hinder the restoration and upkeep of these baolis. First, the urban setting, with its ubiquitous concrete surfaces, makes it difficult for rainwater to seep into the baolis to recharge them. Secondly, even if all the baolis were to become functional again, they may not be enough to meet the water needs of the current populace. Last, but not the least, the local communities living near the baolis are not sensitised to their history or potential use, which makes their upkeep a challenging task.The baoli in Nizamuddin is an exception, thanks to the efforts put in by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, which restored it in partnership with ASI and other government agencies. Built by the Sufi saint Nizamuddin Aulia himself, it collapsed in 2008, after which the Trust was roped in to restore it.

The work, says Ratish Nanda, CEO of the organisation, involved “rebuilding collapsed portions, repairing adjoining sewerage lines, providing alternative accommodation to the 18 families that were residing atop the baoli, engaging with housing improvement and removing about 40 ft of accumulated rubbish. It is still a work-in-progress as some structures like the Lal Chaubura remain encroached. Pilgrims — of whom 4,000-6,000 pass by the baoli each day, throwing rubbish — remain the biggest threat and we are engaged in increasing awareness to limit this.”The Delhi chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage has been conducting heritage walks to the baoli in Nizamuddin and the two functional baolis in Mehrauli, says Kanika Dawar, project coordinator with the organisation. They will be organising a cycle tour to Agrasen ki Baoli in Connaught Place soon, she said.

“We work with local communities also, in order to sensitise them about the importance of baolis,” says Dawar. Though the baolis may not be able to fulfil the water needs of the entire city, their restoration and upkeep will go a long way towards this end.According to Ahmed and Nanda, rainwater harvesting, followed by storage of water in the baolis, is the way to go. Ahmed has been in touch with a Delhi University team of students working on restoring Delhi’s baolis, under professor Nirmal Kumar. Ultimately, Ahmed says, “water (conservation) cannot be only a matter of heritage. Its very nature demands that it should be in flow and use.”

- http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/cover/one-step-at-a-time/article9449440.ece, December 30, 2016

From providing cashless tools to visitors to satellite mapping of historical sites, one of the major accomplishments of Ministry of Culture in 2016 has been its focus on monuments, says the ministry's just-released year-end review. "Ministry of Culture's mandate revolves around the functions like preservation and conservation of ancient cultural heritage and promotion of art and culture both tangible and intangible in the country. The ministry is working on the protection. development and promotion of all types of heritage of culture namely, tangible heritage, intangible heritage and knowledge heritage", the ministry said in a statement. Currently, there are 116 ticketed monuments and 32 museums under the protection of ASI (Archaeological Survey of India). E-ticketing facility has been launched in coordination with Canara BankBSE 0.09 % to provide an online booking facility for visitors, the ministry said. E-ticketing facility has been playing a significant role in facilitating the cashless transactions to the Indian and foreign tourists. The e- Ticket sales increased by 10 times and the revenue increased by 60 times s between October 9 and November 8. The ministry also said that a process is underway to procure hardware to have computerized facility for the sale of e-tickets at monuments. The ASI has also created a "Must-See Monuments and Archaeological Sites of India" portal with details of nearly 100 such structures.

"The purpose of portal is to highlight outstanding monuments and sites in India, comprising world heritage properties, sites under UNESCO's Tentative List, ASI's ticketed and other non-ticketed prominent monuments. Nearly a hundred monuments have been identified for this purpose. Sites have been selected on the basis of their exceptional art and architecture, planning and design, displaying exemplary engineering skills and being a unique testimony to the civilization in the past", the ministry said. ASI also entered into a MoU with National Remote Sensing Centre, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for preparation of satellite based maps indicating prohibited and regulated areas clearly for the information of public and also to facilitate procedure for grant of permissions for construction related activity within prohibited and regulated areas of all 3686 centrally protected monuments. The year also saw return of several antiquities smuggled out of India.

- http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/56272055.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst, December 31, 2016