Move comes Uttar Pradesh’s January proposal to notify 100 m around sanctuary

Echoing the Uttar Pradesh Government’s proposal in January to notify 100 metres around the Okhla Bird Sanctuary as “eco-sensitive zone”, the Delhi Government’s Forest Department is set to propose the same.

As per a directive issued by the National Board for Wildlife (NBW) in 2005, a radius of 10 km around sanctuaries — which in the instance of Okhla will affect a number of proposed real estate projects — is to be considered an eco-sensitive zone. State governments were asked to notify their own norms for the same, but the Uttar Pradesh Government had not done so till last year. Officials said an eco-sensitive zone of 100 m will be sufficient to protect the instant sanctuary. “The sanctuary primarily comprises a water body, and for that a radius of 100 m will be sufficient. We have proposed 100 m and received some suggestions from the Wildlife Institute of India, which we are in the process of considering. The National Capital Region Planning Board has outlined conservation plans for the area, which we follow,” said a senior official in the Forest Department.

Both the State Governments’ proposals will go to the Ministry of Environment and Forest, which will invite suggestions at the time of the preliminary notification. If 100 m is accepted, it will make the proposal and the decision relevant to Uttar Pradesh and Delhi alone, as the proposed eco-sensitive zone will not fall within Haryana’s boundary. The process of preliminary and final notification by the Ministry may take two to three months, said the official.

The eco-sensitive zone will comprise three zones — prohibited, permitted and regulated zones, with different norms for noise levels, etc., permitted.

Last month, the Supreme Court had dismissed the plea of Jaypee Infrastructure, one of over 40 developers whose projects will be affected if an area in a 10 km radius is accepted as an eco-sensitive zone, against a 2013 order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

The Okhla Bird Sanctuary was notified as a “protected area” by the Uttar Pradesh Government in 1990. The NBW had in 2005 said that delineation of eco-sensitive zone will be site specific “and regulatory in nature rather than prohibitory”. Till 2012, despite an order by the Ministry, Uttar Pradesh had not notified the radius of the eco-sensitive zone around the sanctuary.

In October 2013, after a petition was filed by Amit Kumar, the NGT had passed orders that no construction activity will be permitted within 10 km radius of the sanctuary. It had added that for projects already completed, construction shall be subject to the final order passed by the Tribunal and that the authority shall not give any completion certificate to such buildings. For buildings half-way through, construction was allowed to continue, subject to final order by the NGT. In its April 2014 orders, the Tribunal said that any decision taken by the government was subject to the final decision of the Supreme Court in a 2004 public interest litigation — Goa Foundation vs. Union of India case. At present, no new projects within 10 km radius of the sanctuary can be cleared unless the NBW gives a no-objection certificate, and that the same will continue till the final notification is made in this matter.

“We will welcome any decision that will allow sustainable development,” said Gaurav Bansal, the petitioner’s lawyer in the NGT case.

-The Hindu, July 1, 2014

They include potsherds with Tamil Brahmi script, terracotta bowls and plates

A range of artefacts which can be dated from third century BCE to the 15th century CE have been unearthed at an excavation at Natham, near Kattuputhur village, in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchi district.

The artefacts include five potsherds with Tamil Brahmi script, shallow and deep terracotta bowls and plates, thin black and red ware, miniature pottery, beautiful terracotta figurines of the Buddha and the Sastha, beads made out of conch shells, and so on. The remains of a “palatial structure,” datable to second century CE, were found.

“The site is significant because it contains deposits that span a period of about 1,800 years — from third century BCE to the 15th century CE. Furthermore, the archaeological mound has cultural deposits to a depth of 6.5 metres,” said T. Satyamurthy, former Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Two trial trenches laid from April 26 to May 20 revealed also flood action from the Cauvery river, first during the second century CE and again in the seventh century CE.

R. Krishnamurthy, Editor, Dinamalar and a specialist in Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, who examined the five potsherds with the Tamil-Brahmi script, dated the script to third century BCE. “The bottom portion of the letter “zha,” occurring in a Tamil Brahmi script on a potsherd from Natham, is similar to the letter “zha” found in the Tamil Brahmi inscription at Mankulam, near Madurai. So the Tamil Brahmi script found on potsherds at Natham can be dated to third century BCE,” Dr. Krishnamurthy said.

The site came to light under interesting circumstances. Swarnamalya Ganesh, trustee, Sri Lalithalayam Trust and who belongs to Kattuputhur, found on a big mound at Natham two beautiful russet-coated pots, a perfectly turned rimmed dish-on-stand and an artistic-looking dabber used by potters, and stone and glass beads. She found several granite sculptures of the Buddha, Garuda, Jeshtadevi, Vishnu, Nandi etc. in and around Natham. She informed Dr. Satyamurthy, also founder, Rural Education and Conservation of Heritage (REACH) Foundation, about the mound and the artefacts. A licence for the excavation was obtained from the ASI. K.K. Ramamurthy, former Superintending Archaeologist, Thrissur Circle, ASI, was the excavation director.

-The Hindu, July 1, 2014

For Dwarka residents, sanitation has been a pending concern. Efforts and false starts notwithstanding, South Delhi Municipal Corporation has been unable to streamline the waste management system in the sub-city. But now the civic agency will implement its first 'zero waste' project here.

The waste generated in Dwarka will be managed in a way that none is dumped at the landfill. Two waste management sites, measuring four acres each, have been procured by the corporation in sectors 24 and 29 from Delhi Development Authority. At Sector 24, the civic agency will set up a green waste processing unit and a crematorium for small animals. A dry waste segregation facility will be built at Sector 29.

As part of the project, the civic agency will start door-to-door collection of garbage by ragpickers. An awareness programme will also be held with help of resident welfare associations to encourage people to segregate dry and wet waste at home ahead of handover. "The idea is to effectively dispose of the waste generated in order to bring down the load on landfills," Manish Gupta, commissioner, South Corporation, said.

At Sector 24's green waste processing unit, the civic agency will set up a composting plant. "All wet waste will be processed into compost and the remaining converted into RDF or refuse-derived fuel-to be used for cremating small animals in the nearby crematorium," Gupta said.

At Sector 29's dry waste segregation facility, paper, glass and plastic will be separated and compressed into small shapes to be sent for recycling. "We will also open a centre for training of ragpickers. They will be given uniforms. There will be a parking lot for cycle-rickshaws which will be provided by the civic agency for waste collection. We will also have a bio-methanization unit," Gupta said. The corporation will float tenders for the two projects.

There are over 300 housing societies in Dwarka. At present, these have their own door-to-door waste collection. The waste is dumped in bins located outside each society. "These bins aren't regularly cleaned. There is a need to streamline the waste collection system. But the civic agency is just looking for a new project," Rejimon C K, vice-president of Dwarka Forum, said.

Officials admit that, despite outsourcing sanitation, waste is not being managed well right now. The corporation is, meanwhile, planning similar waste management projects in south Delhi, too. It will soon get two sites near IGNOU where it plans to set up a waste-to-energy plant and a construction-and-demolition waste unit. "With Okhla landfill crossing saturation point, we must look for ways to manage the waste," Gupta said.

-The Times of India, July 1, 2014

In a bid to attract tourists coming to Qutab Minar, the city administration has decided to restore and beautify the long-neglected Mehrauli Archaeological Park at Mehrauli village. Spread over an area of 199 acres, the park is abutting the World Heritage site of Qutab Minar, with Quli Khan Tomb and its enclosure as its interface.

As part of the beautification plan, encroachment from the monuments will be removed and the area surrounding them will be cleaned. Security will be restored and the excessive vegetation growth in and around the monuments will be removed to add to appeal.

The Mehrauli Archaeological Park is dotted with 21 listed and several other non-listed monuments. Out of these 21, six monuments Rajon-ki-Baoli, a tomb and a mosque in common complex, Jamali Kamali Mosque, Tomb of Jamali, Balban’s Tomb are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India while 15 other listed monuments are under care of the department of archaeology, Delhi government.

Survey and Documentation work in 11 monuments belonging to the department have been completed after which preliminary notification of nine monuments have already been issued and 4 of them declared “protected” under the provisions of DAHMASAR Act, 2004. Out of the 15 listed monuments, eight are encroached and prayers are being offered in three of them which are mosques under the patronage Delhi Wakf Board. The ownership of the land on which these monuments are situated belongs to Delhi Development Authority and they have been requested to remove encroachments.

-The Asian age , July 1, 2014

Does homework, tuition, and school projects cause you stress? Here’s a good way to relax. Gardening is a creative pastime and a right step towards protecting the environment.

“If the bee disappeared off the face of the earth, man would only have four years left to live.”

Nobel Prize winner Maurice Maeterlinck in his book The Life of the Bee.

What do bees have to do with gardens, you ask? “When you have gardens it is not just about plants, but a whole ecosystem that is sustained through it,” says Smita Kharbanda, of EcoKids, an initiative that sensitises children to nature and environment. At EcoKids, children are involved in a variety of activities like growing their own pizza patch to herb gardens, vermiculture, recycling, and more.

“It is important for us to have that connection with nature. I call it the connection of the soul to the soil. Children need to get away from the mall culture and spend time in the garden to see how things grow. What we grow, is what we eat and it is what we are,” she says.

If not to learn how the food that is in your lunch box is grown, you could have a garden at least for its health-giving value. According to Smita, seeing things grow builds confidence that you have brought something to life.

So, now that we are convinced that having a garden is good for us and Mother Earth, let us start with planning on a kitchen garden, because while contributing to our environment, we can also pitch in for the kitchen.

Plants to begin with:

Curry leaves

Ease of maintenance: 9/10 - requires very little water

Sunlight required: Minimum 2-3 hours

Space required: These multiply fast! So a large container will be good.

Leaves will start sprouting early, but better to wait for at least two months before plucking.

Tomato

Ease of maintenance: 7/10 - need to water everyday and add in some compost like eggshells or old leaves.

Sunlight required: Minimum 2-3 hours of sunlight

Space required: Needs very little space, but the container should be deep though.

Usage: From 2.5 to 3 months

Chillies

Ease of maintenance: 9/10 - requires very little water

Sunlight required: Full sun anytime of the year

Space required: An old plastic bottle is enough

Growing time is two months.

Mint

Ease of maintenance: 10/10 – water every day

Sunlight required: Full sun

Space required: These grow fast

If grown from a stem, a month is enough.

Methi (fenugreek)

Ease of maintenance: 9/10

requires very little water

Sunlight required: Lots

of sunshine Space required: They grow and spread very fast!

Methi leaves are ready for use in about 1.5 months

Plant artist Simrit Malhi, of Mumbai-based S.E.E.D (Sustainable. Ecological. Exterior. Design. says

All you need for a kitchen garden is a few pots! The only pre-requisite is that there should be some sunshine falling on the space — a minimum of two to three hours is good enough.

A few containers, good soil - you can buy this at any nursery and seeds and saplings. Start off with curry leaves; tomato seeds; chilli seeds; the top of a pineapple; a few twigs of mint and methi seeds (fenugreek).

-The Hindu , July 1, 2014

The Supreme Court has directed the Jammu and Kashmir Government to concentrate on efforts to restore the pristine beauty of the world-famous Dal Lake even as it rejected the plea of the State Government for discontinuing the service of Irfan Yasin, Vice-Chairman of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA), whose term was extended after superannuation.

“No merit. The Special Leave Petitions are dismissed,” a Bench of Justices TS Thakur and C Nagappan said on Monday.The State Government had approached the apex court challenging the order of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in which it was directed to extend by six months the term of Yasin, who was due to superannuate on March 31, 2014.

The court said that the State would have to comply with all the directions of the high court concerning the restoration of Dal Lake and to prevent pollution and encroachments in its periphery.The high court had earlier directed the State to appoint a full-time official as the chairperson of the J&K LAWDA but as the deadline for appointment was reaching, the Government gave additional charge of the Lake Authority to an already serving official.

It, however, did not go well with the high court which had asked the State to extend the term of Yasin in the absence of regular chairperson of LAWDA. In 2002, Syed Iqbal Tahir Geelani, a law student, had written to the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court against illegal construction around Dal Lake.He had alleged that the constructions were in violation of the Srinagar Master Plan, 1971.

The high court had converted the letter into a PIL. “Any litigation concerning construction within the Dal Lake, 200 metres from the lake and in the green belt should not be entertained,” it had said.

-The Pioneer, July 2, 2014

A lack of space is what prompted the National Museum to display artefacts outside its building. There was, however, one problem. With priceless antiquities out in the open, the museum authorities had no option but to step up security. So up went the security at its entry and exit points, with paramilitary personnel checking visitors and employees using hand-held metal detectors. Door-frame metal detectors and X-ray bag scanners too have been installed at both points to ensure complete security.

The National Museum — located at 1, Janpath — boasts of over 2 lakh works, including antiquities, stone and bronze sculptures, artefacts from Indus Valley Civilisation, mural paintings and jewellery. It is one of the largest and richest collections in the country. However, the space crunch reportedly prevents the museum from displaying many of its rare pieces.

A major portion of its land at 1, Janpath is being used by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as its headquarters. Director General, National Museum, Venu Vasudevan said, “ASI as an agency predates National Museum. It occupies a portion of our land and use it as its office. Right now, we run National Museum from two wings. Once the land used by ASI is free, we would open our third wing there and expand our galleries.”

The space crunch, Vasudevan said, means not just lack of display space but also exhibition and office space. “Many of our artefacts are lying in reserve. We display a meagre nine per cent of our total collection. Each gallery faces a space shortage. National Museum gets millions of visitors, including foreign dignitaries, every year. So, the kind of exhibition space we need is not available. Many of our antiquities such as sculptures are placed outside, in the open, so that people may get a chance to at least see their heritage,” he said.

According to Vasudevan, the museum spends Rs 5 crore annually on security. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel man the entire area.

“Some of our precious artefacts are lying in lobbies and areas that are open to all. Our employees are also handling them on a daily basis. So, we take all precautions to ensure no loss. If we had more space, these problems may not have arisen,” Vasudevan said.

Director General, ASI, Rakesh Tiwari said ASI’s proposed new office at Tilak Marg is under construction at present. “We shall hopefully be moving out of National Museum’s property by next year and into our new office,” he said.

According to the audit report of the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) in 2013, less than five per cent of the museum’s total collection was put on display for the public.

“More than 95 per cent of the objects in the museum are lying in reserve and have never been put on display,” the CAG said in its report. It also said museums have not evolved a rotation policy for displaying the artefacts in their galleries.

-The Financial Express, July 2, 2014

It’s not just Delhi’s streets and drains but also its monuments that brace for the monsoon. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) prepares for the season by implementing a series of procedures improvised over 150 years. “Terraces of all monuments are cleaned and leaves that block their drains are removed. Cracks are sealed with lime mortar and loose stones are fixed to prevent them from falling off in the rain,” superintending archaeologist (Delhi) Vasant Swarnkar told The Hindu.

A key feature in this process is “water-tightening” and “pointing”. The smallest crack can lead to major damage of a monument due to seepage. The sealing needs to be done with lime mortar, and not concrete, to retain the original character of the structure. Where damage such as collapse or plaster peeling off has already occurred, the ASI does not reconstruct. Masons merely line the exposed parts with lime mortar in a procedure called “edging”.

“Pointing” refers to a procedure to make sure water has a path to escape. The longer water takes to escape the monument, the higher its potential to wreck. Trees around the monuments are pruned to prevent branches from falling off in storms and damaging the treasures below them.

“The main focus is to prevent stagnation of water around the monument. which can weaken the foundation. For this we sometimes have to work with local bodies,” Swarnkar explained.

In several places such as Delhi Gate, Ajmeri Gate and Khooni Darwaza, periodic road works have added layers of bitumen on the roads, thereby raising them above ground level. This leads to water pouring on the monument premises, Swarnkar explained. “We have approached municipal authorities in the past to lower the roads. So far this has only been done at the Tripolia Gateways,” he added.

Last year, the wall of a mosque near the Qutub Minar had collapsed in the rains and this year the most significant damage was that of the Humayun’s Tomb’s finial falling off during the May 30 storm. The ASI has its staff divided between preparing for Independence Day and carrying out the pre-monsoon works to prevent any incidents this year.

-The Hindu, July 2, 2014

In an interesting discovery following excavations carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India recently, remains of a summer palace, presumably a baradari, a pavilion designed to allow free flow of air - have been reportedly found at the centuries-old Mughal-era garden Mehtab Bagh located opposite the Taj Mahal.

The garden was reputedly Shah Jahan's favourite spot which he used to visit to get a view of the Taj at night, hence it's name (Mehtab means moonlight in Urdu).

"The remains of the baradari-like structure have been found just opposite the Taj Mahal which strengthens our belief that the Mughal emperor must have built this place to enjoy the view of the Taj sitting near the bank of river.

The place seems to have sunk beneath the surface either due to floods or because of the presence of hollow space under the structure," said a senior ASI official. Incidentally, Mehtab Bagh has been associated with the myth of the black Taj which is believed to have been spun by guides to fascinate foreign tourists. According to the story, Shah Jahan wanted to build another Taj in black marble across the Yamuna and connect the two by a bridge. Mehtab Bagh is pointed out by some as the possible site where the black Taj would have come up. "There has never been any historical evidence to prove the existence of a black Taj," said the official.

During excavation work carried out between 1997 and 1999 at Mehtab Bagh, the ASI had found remains of a huge octagonal tank furnished with 25 fountains, a small central tank and a baradari in the east of the garden. "The present work is going in the south direction of the garden in the straight alignment of the Taj Mahal which makes the discovery an interesting one," added the official.

-The Times of India, July 2, 2014

If and when the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) announces Delhi as a world heritage city, credit would have to be given to INTACH and a special acknowledgement to the indefatigable young men and women of Shahjahanabad, who demonstrated patience and perseverance in helping experts document every labyrinthine lane, monument and haveli of the Walled City through images and maps.

The two-year-long work entailed clearing doubts of reluctant proprietors of havelis that they were not surreptitiously working for a private builder who was eyeing their properties, that capturing their mansions on cameras was a well-intentioned exercise which would eventually pave the way for Delhi getting the prestigious world heritage city tag.

INTACH — the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage — took the help of these youngsters belonging to weak socio-economic backgrounds in compiling a voluminous dossier that was submitted to UNESCO earlier this year. These youngsters know Shahjahanabad like the back of their hands. They are members of TALENT, an acronym for Team and Association in Learning Education and Natural Theatre.

As practitioners of the art of kissagoi, they are struggling to earn their livelihood. They want to continue the traditions of narrating stories of the bygone era inside the premises of iconic monuments like the Jama Masjid and Lal Qila.

As expert raconteurs, they narrate interesting unheard stories, part of our oral traditions. In their own peculiar way, they glorify the heritage of Shahjahanabad and try to bring alive the grandeur of this ancient city. They use masks and face painting and wear colourful costumes like embroidered kurtas, fancy hats and accessories while reciting stories of the forgotten world. These 40-odd members from marginalised families hope their source of income rises to a respectable level. As custodians of the intangible heritage of Shahjahanabad, they want domestic and foreign tourists to patronise their services.

“Lack of money for the excellent work done by us is the biggest challenge. Where are the resources to give to these youngsters who dropped out of schools in order to become traditional storytellers? They killed their aspirations to become a lawyer or media personality in order to support their large families and educate siblings. Whenever Delhi bags the coveted title of world heritage city, we hope poverty would vanish from our lives and there would be all-round prosperity with opening up of guesthouses and better off tourists hear our centuries-old stories,” says Irshad Alam, TALENT founder.

Irshad lives in his ancestral Haji Ibrahim haveli, which falls under Shahjahanabad but unfortunately could not be included in the dossier because recent renovation work had altered its basic structure.

Hailing from a family of tongawallahs, Irshad founded the group in 2000. He went against the wishes of his grandfather, who would narrate riveting anecdotes and lullabies whenever the Walled City was engulfed by darkness, to become a professional kissago. Living in Chandni Chowk, Isha Bharghav was assigned the task of scripting the intangible heritage, while Zohra Sayeed, who excels in draughtsmanship, was required to do cultural mapping of Shahjahanabad. This was a physically taxing job as it meant walking each and every lane criss-crossing the city built by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan.

-The Hindu, July 3, 2014

The pre-monsoon churning of currents on the high seas throws up sticky and oily tar balls, which turn people away from Goa's pristine beaches annually. This May to October menace has grown in magnitude over the last four decades since it was first noticed in the 1970s.

A recent National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) study blamed dumping of oil by ships for the formation of tar balls. "The weathering processes eventually create a tar ball that is hard and crusty on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside." Some tar balls may be as large as 30cm in diameter, but most are coin-sized or a bit bigger. Driven by winds, waves and currents, they float and spread out on the shore.

The toxic content of tar balls can prove lethal to marine fauna, especially bivalves and shrimps, which form a major source of food for bottom-feeding fish. As big fish eats small fish, the loss of key components in the food chain due to repetitive pollution may aggravate the decline in fish catch. An occasional contact with small amount of oil can do no harm. But those sensitive to chemicals could develop an allergic reaction.

"Tar balls create a huge problem for not only tourists and locals but also for the environment," said tourism and travel association of Goa spokesman Ralph D'Souza.

"As an immediate effect of tar ball-pollution on the beach there will be high mortality of the sensitive species. This results in reduction of overall diversity and abundance of organisms in sandy layers," said NIO scientist Baban Ingole.

Authorities are yet to quantify the damage tar balls have caused to Goa's marine ecology. But a National Environmental Engineering Research Institute study three years ago said they can threaten different types of marine habitats with different results. This includes coral reefs, which are important nurseries for shrimps, fish and other animals as well as recreational attractions for divers. Former

NIO scientist Vinod Dhargalkar said manual cleaning is the best option for ridding the beaches of tar balls.

Coast Guard DIG Manoj Baadkar said it is highly unlikely that oil tankers are washing their tanks and dumping oil into the ocean, as international maritime laws are now stringently enforced.

He said Goa has not witnessed a single major oil slick in nearly a decade.

Toxics Watch Alliance convener Gopal Krishna blamed ship-breaking as well as building yards for the pollution. "The shipping ministry is even weaker than environment and forests, and together they have been unable to enforce pollution-control measures,'' he said.

"We need specific research into the composition of tar balls, as they could be a cocktail of oil as well as toxins from industrial effluents, as they have an absorbent tendency.''Green Oscar winner Mike Pandey said tar balls, along with plastic waste and human excreta, are one of the leading causes for polluting oceans and increasing its acidity. "It is estimated that our oceans will be empty of fish by 2040 if these causes are not dealt with soon,'' he said.

He said it is the joint responsibility of the Union ministries of environment, tourism and fisheries to identify the cause of the problem and prevent it. "The Coast Guard too cannot shrug off responsibility.''

Times View

The fact that these tar balls are washing up on Goa's shores each year means that the problem has become chronic and needs urgent attention. The government needs to determine just what is causing the phenomenon, because only then can it be dealt with on a sustainable basis. Is it because of leaking tankers, or because ships are being washed in Indian ports? Meantime, beaches need to be cleaned up. The Goa government, the national tourism and environment ministries and the coast guard will all need to play their parts in dealing with the menace. It is essential that they coordinate their efforts for optimal outcomes.

-The Times of India, July 3, 2014

Lord Buddha's begging bowl — one of Buddhism's most prized relics that currently finds pride of place at Kabul's National Museum — is authentic, a team of experts from Archaeological Survey of India has concluded.

According to ASI documents and a report by its first director-general, Sir Alexander Cunningham, the giant stone bowl weighing around 350-400 kg was Lord Buddha's 'bhikshapatra' that he donated to the people of Vaishali. In the second century, Kanishka took away the bowl to his capital Purushpura (Peshawar) and then to Gandhara (Kandahar). It was in Kandahar till the regime of former Afghan President Najibullah and thereafter shifted to Kabul museum.

The ASI team's visit to Kabul to inspect the bowl in the first week of May had evoked world-wide interest. The team finally submitted its report to the ministry of external affairs earlier this week. It was at the ministry's behest — after long discussions in Parliament and also with experts from four leading universities of the country — that the team had visited Kabul.

"The report has been sent to the MEA. The ministry is its custodian now," said Dr B R Mani, the additional director-general of ASI, refusing to divulge any details.

The two experts who visited Kabul for the verification were Dr Phanikanta Mishra, director-east, Kolkata and G S Khwaja, director-Arabic and Persian epigraphy, Nagpur. On return, they conducted further rounds of painstaking research to develop on their findings. Both were, however, unavailable for comments. Dr Mishra was on leave, his Kolkata office told TOI.

The contention over the bowl rose because of six lines of Persian inscription on its outer wall. The inscriptions, probably verses from the Quran, led to the belief that the artefact could be of Islamic origin. But a closer scrutiny revealed that the inscriptions were of a later period.

Buddhist relics in Afghanistan have been a cause of concern for India and the world after the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas by the Taliban in 2001. The Taliban had ordered all Buddhist artefacts in the Kabul museum destroyed, but the bowl remained untouched, thanks to the Quranic verses.

Vaishali MP Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, who had relentlessly raised the issue in Parliament and urged the government to bring the relic to India, is happiest at the positive report from ASI. "I had urged experts of various universities —JNU, DU, PU and BHU — to find out the actual history and details of the ancient bowl. Celebrated Chinese travellers Fa Hien and Xuan Zang had made references to Vaishali's begging bowl in their travel accounts," Singh said. "Buddha attained Parinirvana in 483 BC and for six centuries after that, till the first century AD, the bowl was a prized possession of Vaishali."

The relic is not small, by any means. The solid stone hemisphere, made of greenish-grey granite, is about 5.7 feet in diameter and its rim is 18cm thick on an average. It's thicker in the middle and at the base. It has no cracks or abrasions, except for a palm-size area that has flaked away near the rim. The base is a delicately chiselled lotus, attesting to its Buddhist past. Inscribed in beautiful large calligraphic script along the rim of the bowl are six rows of verses from the Quran, reflecting its Islamic continuum and its status through the ages as an object of special religious interest. Traces of similar calligraphic script are visible on the inside of the bowl as well.

The ASI's documents apparently hints that 24 lotus petals, six of which remain unscathed, indicating that they were of an earlier period. These untouched petals evidently revealed that the original bowl had plain petals. Detailed descriptions by Fa Hien matched the bowl's descriptions, said highly placed sources, quoting the report.

-The Times of India, July 3, 2014

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai that received the house from Bhabha’s family as a gift, recently auctioned it for a record sum of Rs.372 crore.

Cities often act too late and offer too little to protect heritage structures. As a result, they either lose important landmarks that signify their history or get entangled in bitter legal fights over conservation efforts. The most recent of such examples is “Mehrangir”, the house of Homi J. Bhabha, the renowned scientist hailed as the “modern equivalent of Leonardo da Vinci” by C.V. Raman, the Nobel laureate. The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai, a premier cultural organisation that received the house from Bhabha’s family as a gift, recently auctioned it for a record sum of Rs.372 crore. Many heritage enthusiasts and science historians, seeing this as an imminent sign of demolition, have pressed the State and the Central governments to acquire and declare the house as a heritage structure. Built in the early 20th century, this large mansion in the Malabar Hill area of Mumbai may not be an architectural wonder, but it is an important landmark associated with the founding architect of the country’s atomic energy programme. The admirers have understandably argued that the state convert this mansion into a fitting memorial for him. The NCPA has defended its action stating that the money got from selling the house would be used to support art and cultural activities. What should come under scrutiny are not only the merits of the demand for a memorial, but also the disappointingly delayed realisation of the importance of the building.

Mumbai is a pioneer in urban conservation. It is the first city in the country to implement heritage conservation rules in 1995. The city has also put in place an innovative scheme to support and compensate owners of heritage structures. More than 900 buildings of significance have so far been legally declared as heritage structures. These old buildings, which are still in use, cannot be demolished nor can they be changed without prior permission of the State-appointed Heritage Conservation Committee. Unfortunately, “Mehrangir,” whose importance and history are well known, does not figure in the list of heritage buildings. In 2011, when the NCPA, through an auction house, sold many objects collected by Homi Bhabha’s family — and housed in the mansion — there was no substantial protest. Had the city recognised the value of the building in time and pressed for its preservation earlier, such an unfortunate situation would not have arisen. The future of this potential heritage site now depends on the outcome of the ongoing public interest litigation. Cities must learn their lessons from this avoidable impasse. They should proactively and urgently survey their cityscape, identify heritage buildings and take effective measures to conserve them.

-The Hindu, July 4, 2014

“Major works” which had to be completed this year for conservation of the Kedarnath temple complex is expected to be finished by October 20 depending on the “weather conditions and time available”, the Culture Ministry said on Friday.

The ministry said the conservation of the temple complex, devastated during a major calamity last year, has been entrusted to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the work is “progressing at a fast pace.”

The major works to be accomplished this year include packing the stones (matching the original profile and design) and providing wooden flooring within the Mandapa inside the temple.

It also includes cleaning of the interior and exterior of the temple and preserving its stone surfaces, repairs of the temple steps and stone plinth, including resetting wherever necessary and repairs to the roof over the Mandapa of the temple.

“Despite a slight delay in starting the working this season due to inclement working conditions, conservation of the temple complex is now progressing at a fast pace,” the release said. The ministry statement said that despite the bad weather, the ASI team has so far managed to remove nearly 10,417 cu.ft (approx..295 Cu.M) debris from western side (up to a height of 7 feet).

More than 40 original architectural members of the temple, some of them carved, have been retrieved from different parts of the Kedarnath settlement. These original members will be reused during the restoration of the temple complex, it added.

The entire conservation project has been conceived in close cooperation of the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BTKC), the district administration and in collaboration with IIT, Chennai, which has been entrusted with the task of structural assessment of the temple and its foundation. While 25 stone dressers have been brought from Rajasthan for cutting and carving locally available gneiss stone to size, a systematic scanning of roof joints will be conducted to plug all holes and loose joints to stop leakages. “Scientific cleaning has revealed 16 nos. donatory inscriptions that have been inscribed on walls and columns inside the temple,” the statement said.

-The Hindu, July 5, 2014

In a move that would benefit lakhs of house owners, besides curbing the menace of illegal construction, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) has asked the Centre to provide relaxation in building bylaws in order to facilitate seamless sanctioning of building plans. If the corporation has its way, Delhiites will be able to get sanction for construction on sub-divided or clubbed residential plots, which are currently prohibited.

Further, the civic body has sought easy regularisation of already constructed (unauthorisedly) extended area (chajjas) on payment of fixed fees and subject to structural safety. This will benefit scores of DDA flat occupants who have covered up the extended area/balconies without sanctioned building plans.

The demands were put forth by North Delhi Mayor Yogendra Chandolia and Standing Committee Chairman Mohan Bhardwaj to Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu in a meeting on Friday. The NMC leaders told Naidu that the existing laws should be simplified so that people face no procedural delays and harassment by the officials concerned in getting the building plans sanctioned. “The building plans should be simplified so much so that the present residential constructions, subject to structural safety, may be regularised. The plans for the sub-divided or clubbed plots may also be sanctioned,” the leaders said in the letter written to Naidu.

The corporation leaders said a major portion of the national Capital does not have building plans sanctioned which, according to them, is the main reason of rampant unauthorised constructions. They also demanded powers to regularise the unauthorised colonies which currently lies with the Delhi Government. “The powers to regularise unauthorised colonies and the constructions therein may be transferred to the municipal corporations, subject to safety certificates. The development charges of these colonies may also be subsidised to 50 per cent,” the letter read. The UD Minister was also urged upon to allow residential construction in Lal Dora of urban and rural villages without sanctioning building plans but subject to structural safety.

Further, in a bid to contain multiplicity of authorities in Delhi, the civic body has sought the transfer of crucial services like water supply and sewage, maintenance of slums, horticulture, heritage conservation, maintenance of roads and bridges and pollution control back to it.

-The Pioneer, July 5, 2014

Supreme Court has asked the Haryana government to stop all illegal mining and stone-crushing units operating in Aravali hills.

The apex court directed Haryana to stop all illegal mining activities within two weeks and report back to it about the implementation of its earlier orders.

"Contempt proceedings will be initiated against the state government if the illegal mining activities are not stopped," SC said. SC has also asked its high-level environment panel — Central Empowered Committee — to inspect the affected areas and give a report on illegal mining.

-The Times of India, July 5, 2014

Six months after Archaeological Survey of India started their excavation project at Purana Qila, it's now drawing to a temporary closure. With monsoons arriving in Delhi, open trenches will be covered and excavated again only by October-November.

One of the main discoveries in the excavations has been a 3-4th century BC ring well that was unearthed several weeks ago; the first such finding in a monument in Delhi. Various other artifacts that were found will all be placed at the site museum in Purana Qila, said sources.

The project started in January-end and 14 trenches have been dug. Officials said that, when the site is reopened towards the end of the year, more trenches will be excavated to continue research on the earliest settlements in the site. "This is the only site in Delhi where there is evidence from the Mauryan period to the Mughal, all in a regular sequence without any break," said assistant superintending archaeologist Vishnu Kant. The discovery of the ring well sparked much excitement as no such discovery has been made in a Delhi monument so far. According to officials, 18 rings have been exposed to far with each ring being 18cm wide. "

Evidence shows that the ring well was used to draw fresh water and the depth of the ring well went till the water level of that time," said a source.

Purana Qila has been two excavations in the past?one in the 1950s and one in the early 1970s. The latest excavation project is being undertaken on the southeastern side of Sher Mandal, 20m away from the spot where one of the earlier excavations took place.

Apart from the ring well, other unique findings are a rare 12th century sculpture of Vishnu and a sealing (stamp impression) in terracotta from the Gupta period with Brahmi script.

These apart, ASI also discovered typical pottery from the Kushan and Gupta periods, structures from the Rajput and Kushan periods, copper coins which are yet to be deciphered, terracotta human figurines, micro-beads made of semi-precious stones and glass, ear studs of terracotta and charred grains of wheat and rice.

"The Rajput structures are made of stone, while the ones from the Kushan period are made of burnt brick. Human figurines in terracotta are also an important finding as one usually comes across such figurines of animals rather than humans," said an official.

-The Times of India, July 5, 2014

Dr. Kishore Rao talks about what it is like to oversee the conservation of 1007 World Heritage Sites.

Dr. Kishore Rao, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre since 2011, sees no dichotomy between nature and culture. “Each is a creation and reflection of the other,” he says. In fact, Dr. Rao’s work in the last 30 years has always had a connection with the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention which today ensures the conservation of 1007 sites world-wide. Since 1976, he has worked for the Government of India in the Ministry of Environment and Forests, as well as in different States of the Union. From 1999 to 2005, he worked with The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as Head of its Ecosystems and Livelihoods Group for the Asia Region. As Deputy Director of the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO, he was specifically responsible for leading the Centre’s work on natural heritage. He spoke to The Hindu at the recently concluded 38th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Doha, Qatar.

Conservation vs development was a phrase that was oft repeated during the Committee meeting. Do you have a magic mantra to reconcile the two? I don’t think anybody wants just conservation or just development at the cost of one or the other. It’s essentially about how to reconcile the merits of development with the needs of conservation. We have been highlighting this. In fact, sustainable development was particularly chosen as the theme of the 40th anniversary of the Convention as the strategic direction the Convention had to take in future years. Globally, the World Heritage Committee has asked us to also prepare a policy on World Heritage and sustainable development. On a practical and implementation side, it is something that has to be explored on a site by site level; each site will have its own specificity as to how much development it can sustain and how much conservation it needs. The two are really one concept.

How challenging is it to work with so many countries, mentalities and cultures.

First, it is such a diverse range of countries, from developed to developing, north to south, small island states to land-locked ones. Then there’s the issue of diversity of the natural and cultural heritage contained in these countries which also have different administration systems, capacities and levels of awareness. The challenges are the same that exist in any other aspect of interacting with these countries. More and more sites go up on the list but often-times one sees they could be managed better. What is your opinion regarding quality vs quantity?

Undoubtedly management is important but I don’t like the issue of numbers. The Convention is not about imposing any ceiling on the List. The key requirement is for sites to meet the criteria of Outstanding Universal Value. Of course, the more the number of sites, the more the requirements to ensure they are well managed and the more the benefits to the community and local economy. It’s not about numbers.

As compared to 779 cultural sites, there are only 197 natural sites on the List. Being a nature man yourself, does that bother you? Again it’s not about numbers. Look at size of natural sites like Phoenix Islands Protected Area which is 40 million hectares .There is a structured classification system of the world’s bio-geographic regions and in each of these zones there are sub-units looked at by specialists who say that there are different kinds of representative values that these zones contain. A detailed global Gap analysis has been carried out. Once that is well represented, there is not a question of numbers. IUCN has talked about 300 odd sites being on the List; once that is represented there won’t be anymore . Getting into a numbers game doesn’t make any sense. There is very little awareness of the world heritage concept which has at its core a profound philosophy; the nature-culture connection and the idea of unity in diversity. Why doesn’t the World Heritage Centre insist that there be more interpretive material at World Heritage Sites to raise public awareness?

Public education and awareness-raising are a very strong part of our communication programme. You know the 5 Cs: credibility, conservation, capacity-building, communication and community. Presenting the sites is very much a part of the Convention; the Operational Guidelines tell you how to raise awareness for World Heritage. States Parties to the Convention and heritage managers must take it forward with implementation.

Even though politicking doesn’t lie within your remit, you are caught in a political brouhaha between Israel, the US and Palestine. Also this year, one more Palestinian site has been inscribed on the World Heritage List in danger. How are you coping? This is something that has impacted UNESCO as a whole and not just World Heritage. Because Palestine has been admitted as a member of UNESCO, there are two laws in the US that prohibit them from contributing their dues to any UN body or international organisation that has a relationship or admits Palestine as a member; it’s not as though the US doesn’t want to pay their dues. As a result, we’ve had to sustain a 22% cut in our budgets and we are trying to cope. We are reforming and restructuring the Secretariat and mobilising extra budgetary resources.

Sounds like an uphill climb. Speaking of which throughout the meeting we heard the phrase ‘upstream process’. Could you elaborate? It’s an initiative that I launched in 2009 to precisely to help countries that don’t have the capacity to prepare nominations. We have put in place a system whereby the Secretariat and advisory bodies provide technical expertise and assistance to help countries identify potential sites for nomination, find out whether they express Outstanding Universal Value and bring them up to a level where the robustness of those nominations helps them pass through the process of getting inscribed on the List. We all need to work together; this is an effort of international cooperation.

You have been responsible for the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention from the perspective of a State Party, an Advisory Body (IUCN), and the Secretariat (UNESCO) over the past 30 years. Which perspective has been most interesting? Each had its own experience and specificities but having progressed through all enables me to see things from points of view of these three key players. I am pleased to have made the transition from implementer to advisor to the Secretariat. Were you responsible for any of the Indian sites to go up on the List?

We prepared the nominations in 1983 for Keoladeo National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary.

You’ve said all World Heritage Sites are your babies but do you feel a flush of pride when an Indian site goes up on the list? Not necessarily. For me it’s the same. It’s World Heritage irrespective of what country it belongs to.

-The Hindu, July 5, 2014

While the Delhi government has been still deliberating on what needs to be done to revive and clean the river Yamuna, experts believe the pollution level in the river has only worsened and that the focus on pollution alone and poor implementation of the clean-up drives are partly to be blamed for the government’s failure to rescue the river despite the money and time spent on it.

As many as 22 drains fall into the Yamuna of which 18 major drains fall directly into the river. Besides, sewages from 1,400 unauthorised colonies flow into the Yamuna, of which much of the human waste from most of East Delhi’s unplanned colonies flow into the river. There is also no water in the river for virtually nine months. What flows in the river subsequently is only sewage and waste from these 22 drains. In other words, the river ceases to exist at Wazirabad. This also means that there is just no water available to dilute the waste.

About 40 per cent of the riverbank in Delhi has been encroached by land mafias and Delhi government. Also, with water becoming more and more scare and contested, Delhi’s upstream neighbours have also been reluctant to release water. The river is then reduced to a drain for the filth and waste of the city’s inhabitants.

Manoj Mishra, convenor of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan, identifies three kinds of problem with the Yamuna. “One is that the river for about 200 km upstream of Delhi has been diverted which mean that a river that does not flow is no river. Thus, it essentially disturbs the ecological flow of the river,” Mr Mishra said. Second issue, the Yamuna experts noted is that the flood plain of the river has not be protected against conversion because the river is a flood-prone river and the water security of Delhi depends on floods actually happening in the river Yamuna. The third problem, he added, is that the flow of industrial waste and sewage into the river. “A river has a natural rejuvenation power but that power become helpless in front of toxic matter that is not organic.” Environmentalists also blame the city administration for failing on meeting the desired targets for revival and cleaning of Yamuna. The DJB has failed to set up sufficient number of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), while the DDA has been not only reluctant to provide land for various projects carried out by city administration and Delhi Jal Board related to making STPs, but also failed to check encroachment on the riverbeds and adjoining areas.

Lack of coordination among various city departments and city agencies like NDMC, and MCD has also been a major impediment in Yamuna’s revival.

-The Asian Age, July 6, 2014

Following unnatural deaths of 13 lions in and around Gir Sanctuary during the year 2013, the Gujarat Government has decided to allocate Rs 131 crore for wildlife in the State Budget 2014-15.

Sources in the State Forest Department said that the Government has made provision for Rs 131 crore for protection of wildlife that include rare species like Asiatic lions, wild ass, black buck and bear. In the past six months as many as six lions were killed near Pipavav port area, on the outskirts of Gir Sanctuary. In order to avoid such incidents, the Government has made provision of Rs 10 crore for fencing and construction of 23 under passes for the safety and smooth movement of the big cats in the periphery of Gir Forest, Pipavav Port and Rajula areas.

“The budget proposed to allocate Rs 5.66 crore under Asiatic Lion project for habitat protection and anti-poaching measures. Under this project, the forest department would buy vehicles and equipments for protection and conservation of wildlife,” said a forest official adding that Rs 3.4 crore have been proposed for creating awareness about wildlife protection to undertake similar projects for wild ass, sloth bear and black bucks.

Meanwhile, the State Government has admitted of the 13 lions which died, three were electrocuted, four were hit by a speeding train, three died in road accidents and the rest three died after falling in open wells during the year 2013-14. Two more lions died in train accident in June 2014. Thus six unnatural death of lions due to train accident occurred in the past four months. Of the 411 lions as per the last census conducted in 2010, 114 are living outside the protected sanctuary. The sources said that apart from Gir Sanctuary, lions are found in Bhavnagar, the coastal areas, Lathi, Dhari and several parts of Amreli apart from Mitiyala and Girnar Sanctuary. The fund allocated for the protection of wildlife will be utilised for the protection of those rare species found outside sanctuaries also, said a senior forest official.

-The Pioneer, July 6, 2014

With monsoon already here, the task will take some time

With the monsoon already here, the 63 water bodies identified by the Delhi Development Authority for revival may take some time in getting restored and about a year before they finally get a new lease of life.

Cost

The list includes water bodies in Dwarka, which are suffering from acute water crisis. According to experts, reviving one body of an average size could cost anywhere between Rs.5 lakh and Rs.5 crore. The DDA has shared the list of these 63 major water bodies on its land with four NGOs and agencies — Braj Foundation, Samarthya, Forum for Organized Resources Conservation and Enhancement (FORCE), and Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) — which have been selected for the task of reviving them.

Braj Foundation secretary Rajneesh Kapur said they have been provided a list of such water bodies and they will inspect them with the help of technical experts.

“The task of revival depends upon the size of the water body, the extent of encroachment, the level of the water table and catchment area. Our technical team is going to visit them and see how far they can be revived. With the monsoons already here, the task may take some time to start,” Mr. Kapur said.

Meeting

“Many corporate houses and public sector companies have shown interest. Once budgeting is done in a meeting with the DDA, we can start the work. But with the monsoons having arrived, we do not see that happening anytime soon,” he said. INTACH’s Manu Bhatnagar said another meeting was going to take place in a few days to chalk out the budget and modalities of the entire revival plan.

Once the NGOs submit their revival plans, the DDA will allocate them the water bodies.

-The Pioneer, July 6, 2014

An old, ornate gate standing on the periphery of Doordarshan’s building at the Mandi House circle here is perhaps the only reminder of a royal house that once stood here, lending the area its name. Mandi House, now synonymous with the country’s public service broadcaster, was originally a palatial house with a beautiful garden, owned by the Raja of Mandi. Mandi is a place which now falls in Himachal Pradesh.

The untold story of this legendary house, which today survives as merely the name of a popular city landmark, has now been presented before the public as part of a permanent exhibition that has come up inside the premises of the new, eponymous Metro station. The exhibition has been organised jointly by the city-based Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and the Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) inside Mandi House Metro station, which recently opened to the public as part of an extension of the Violet Line (Badarpur-Central Secretariat).

The exhibition encompasses two backlit panels of dimensions of about 37 feet by 6 feet covered with a protective sheet. The panels depict monuments and historical and cultural buildings around the Mandi House station. ICHR, under the Ministry of HRD, provided two artworks for Mandi House Metro station with the vision to make history “more popular and accessible” rather than keeping it confined to books and libraries.

“People hardly pause and look back on a city which has been transformed in every aspect, physically, topographically. We thought that since Metro stations are points of intersection of various regions and cultures, we can offer people a visual hook for appreciating the history of the city,” said Gopinath Ravindran, Member-Secretary, ICHR.

He said that when ICHR approached DMRC with the idea in late December, the latter sounded quite enthusiastic about it and, without much paperwork; the project was finished within a span of three to four months. The exhibition brings alive the history of the Mandi House area, chronicling its journey from brick kilns to a culture hub now frequented by artistes, actors, journalists, businessmen and musicians.

The panels showcase digital prints of original maps and vintage photographs sourced from personal and institutional archives, which are supplemented with running texts. Among the exhibit there is a rare aerial view of Modern School at Barakhamba, an old photograph of first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru literally throwing open the Sapru House, actor Naseeruddin Shah seen in a 1973 production of Danton’s Death by theatre doyen Ebrahim Alkazi. Among the rare nuggets of information is the one about the christening of the Barakhamba area, another city landmark, after an old house whose roof was supported by 12 pillars. It was also used an office of the Executive Engineer in 1914. The ICHR said that Delhi Metro’s decision to come forward as a patron for the idea of promoting history has encouraged them to “carry forward” the work at other stations.

“We have requested DMRC to give some space for history at a few other stations also, especially the smaller ones, standing apparently at places ‘without’ history. So, commuters travelling through Mayur Vihar station would hardly imagine that the neighbouring Patparganj area is registered in history books for the Battle of Patparganj,” said Ravindran.

-The Pioneer, July 7, 2014

While the rainbow colors and murals on its walls have been well received by visitors, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is now swiftly moving ahead with its redevelopment plan of the old Shankar Market in Connaught Place. In a bid to make it at par with posh markets like Khan Market, the civic agency has chalked out a complete redevelopment plan for Shankar Market. The plan includes upgrading the parking space, reworking on its façade, installing artistic street furniture and creating an attractive food court.

In June, the NDMC had conducted a survey of Shankar Market, the origin of which dates back to the pre-Independence era. It was after this survey that, it drafted a detailed redevelopment plan for the market - the first step for which was to paint it in eye catching art to attract the younger population. Having done that, now the NDMC has decided to upgrade the parking spaces in the market first. “The parking area in front of Kendriya Bhandar will be improved substantially with state-of-the art infrastructure and facilities. This will be done by DIMTS,” said a senior NDMC official.

To increase the footfall in Shankar Market, the civic agency has also decided to reduce the parking rates in the area. This decision has been taken despite the fact that parking in all other areas in CP and Janpath had recently been doubled. “The parking category has been reduced from A to B wherein people will be charged a minimal amount of Rs 10 instead of Rs 20 at Shankar Market. Garbage dumps at the parking lots shall be cleared,” added the official.

The civic agency will also create a grand entry to the market. “An attractive Welcome Arch will be erected at the entry to the market. The arch will have exquisite designing on both sides that will highlight the presence of the market,” said another official.

New toilets will be built in the market while the existing ones will be upgraded. There shall be more number of female toilets. The free areas inside the market complex shall be converted into ‘al fresco’ seating with canopies covering the place. “The empty spaces inside the market will be highlighted by way of some arches and fresco seating. This apart, a food court with six to seven stalls like ice cream arcades, Chinese, Italian and street food will be created. The tables will be covered with colourful parasols,” said an official. Artistic street furniture will be installed as well as all the light posts be replaced with fine iron carvings.

-The Pioneer, July 7, 2014

The use of talismans to ward off evil is not limited to humans alone. All over the world they adorned monuments too

The crowning glory of Humayun’s Tomb, actually the finial on top of the dome, was uprooted in the devastating storm on May 30. The lightning conductor attached to it was also destroyed. A new conductor was installed early last month but the replacement of the finial is not so easy, says the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

According to a report, it consisted of a wooden beam and nine copper vessels with a brass finish. “The finial’s shaft, made of sal wood, has been lost.” So ASI is trying to source seasoned wood which might take a month to procure. Among the nine copper parts, two or three were badly damaged. The Superintending Archaeologist of Delhi Circle, Vasant Swarankar, told PTI, “Our science branch is working on rebuilding the finial. While some parts will be completely changed, some will be retained and a whole new composite structure will be made.”

Records say the 16th Century finial, installed at the instance of Akbar, who advised his stepmother Haji Begum on the construction of his father’s tomb, was repaired by the British in 1912. The Delhi ASI chief said, “The Islamic inscription attached to the finial stated: ‘Khuda jo hai, wo barkat rakhe, kisi bhi aapda se bachye’ (May God always keep it prosperous, protect it from any calamity).” This talisman, like the one said to have been given by an Olympian deity to the city of Troy, was supposed to grant safety to the monument. Incidentally, when the luck of Troy was stolen by the Greeks, the Trojans faced one calamity after another and were finally defeated in the 10-year war, following Paris of Troy’s elopement with Helen.

The belief in sacred symbols was not limited to the Greeks and Trojans. The Egyptians, Romans, Jews, Christians and Muslims were also influenced by it. Even the finial atop the Taj contains an auspicious “kalma”. Some years ago the 10 finials over the miniature domes of the Delhi Gate of the Red Fort were found missing. At the time they were made by the same artisans who had worked on the Taj, their worth was not much but in present times they are valued at 42,000 dollars each as they are encased in gold. The finials of the Agra Fort escaped damage during the First War of Independence of 1857 (as did the ones in the Red Fort) but both buildings suffered extensively during the Jat and Rohilla raids of the 18th Century.

Coming back to Humayun’s Tomb, the lightning conductor on it was installed after one was fixed on top of the Qutub Minar, which had been struck by lightning during the British era, and also earlier, notably during the reign of Firoz Shah Tughlak who had the minar extensively repaired.

Haji Begum, Humayun’s first wife, was a pious woman who went all the way to Makkah to bring back Arab artisans and mullahs, after performing Haj, to build the mausoleum and also pray for the repose of the Emperor’s soul. The “kalas” of the finial was set up after extensive prayers to ward off the evil eye from a thing of beauty. Its absence may rankle those who believe in auspicious symbols and also rationalists who may find it hard to appreciate the symmetry of the dome minus the finial. The sooner it is re-installed the better.

Believe it or not, one superstitious resident of the Nizamuddin area thinks an owl or some other bird of ill-omen sat on the finial and polluted it by its droppings, which “induced nature to destroy it via a lightning bolt”. One may laugh that away, though not those who believe in auspicious and inauspicious happenings. When Bahadur Shah Zafar was arrested at Humayun’s Tomb, Major Hodson nearly got part of the monument destroyed to ferret out the rebel sepoys he thought were hiding there. May be the blessed inscription saved it, just like the tawiz or amulet tied to Sipihr Shikoh’s biceps supposedly protected the younger son of Dara from being captured at the fateful Battle of Samugarh 199 years earlier.

-The Hindu, July 7, 2014

The 40 crore people who benefit from the Ganga have to be made contributors in its rejuvenation and governance of the water body made transparent if the river is to be saved, activists said on the eve of a mega meeting called by the government on Monday.

The meeting, Ganga Manthan, organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga, is being billed as the first national dialogue on the river. The daylong meet will be attended by Union ministers, MPs, scientists, experts, religious leaders and NGOs.

"Ganga can only be saved if all stakeholders are aware of the threats," said environmentalist Anil Joshi ahead of the meet. "That includes the 40-odd crore consumers who use Ganga in some way or another. Government has to find ways of taking contributions from them in a clean-up plan. Joshi, founder of NGO Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization, said the river must be divided into different ecological zones and specific strategies developed for each zone. Activists said the new government must probe why expenditure running into thousands of crores has failed to improve the river. "The first step is to make institutions connected with rivers accountable and transparent," said water activist Himanshu Thakkar of South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People.

"There are as many as 22 sewage treatment plants in Delhi. Did you know most of these do not work? Government has spent thousands of crores in creating infrastructure but we know little about how these are faring," Thakkar said. Vishwambhar Nath Mishra, president of Varanasi's Sankat Mochan Foundation (SMF) which has been working to clean the Ganga for three decades, identified sewage as a major river pollutant.

"Not a single drop of sewage should go into Ganga. Sewage accounts for 95% of river pollution in big cities such as Varanasi, Kanpur and Allahabad. These cities need an appropriate and foolproof collection system, which should be gravity-based and not power dependent," he said, adding there are technologies to harness energy, nutrients, manure and clean water from sewage which need to be used.

Joshi said the river's clean-up efforts could also generate employment. "For instance, flowers thrown into the river can be collected and made into essence or compost," he said. The activists pointed out that the most important act for the government would be to ensure that there's flow in the river.

"Flow drives the river and the entire eco-system based on it. But in our country, there's no legal requirement for dams to leave any water for the river. Rivers are dying also because we are leaving no water for them. This has to change," said Thakkar.

(With inputs from Binay Singh in Varanasi)



-The Times of India, July 7, 2014

The Delhi government doesn't have data on implementation of rainwater harvesting systems in city buildings, departments or flyovers.

Through a notification in 2001, the government had made it mandatory for new buildings on a plot area of 100 square metres and above to have water harvesting systems. This admission by its department of environment by way of an affidavit has now prompted the National Green Tribunal to set up a high-powered taskforce to look into water harvesting systems across Delhi.

Following Delhi government's reply, NGT's principal bench led by Justice Swatanter Kumar on Friday formed a committee having representatives from Delhi Pollution Control Board, Delhi Jal Board and the state government. The committee has been ordered to prepare a comprehensive report on feasibility of water harvesting in Delhi and identify loopholes. The tribunal is hearing a group of petitions seeking its directions to ensure rainwater harvesting systems are installed in all government departments, buildings and even hospitals.

In an affidavit filed through advocate Narendra Pal Singh, the government informed NGT that it had modified the building bylaws in 2001 itself, making it mandatory for new buildings on a plot area of 100 square metres and above to have systems for water harvesting. Water recycling systems had to be put in place by all buildings having a minimum discharge of 10,000 litres.

But the government added that "in Delhi, implementation of the said notification is by municipal bodies which are under direct control of directorate of local bodies/department of Urban development government of Delhi".

The department of environment maintained that since its not "an implementing department, it doesn't have the data and has sought updated information from other agencies with regard to implementation and enforcement of the notification, measures taken by agencies and details of water harvesting provisions in 13 flyovers which would be placed before the court".

One of the petitioners before NGT is Vikrant Kumar Tongad. On his petition, the tribunal has already issued notices to several hospitals, including AIIMS, Batra Hospital, Safdarjang Hospital, Maulana Azad Medical College etc.

-The Times of India, July 7, 2014

The Akhilesh government has allotted almost ten times more funds for the upkeep, maintenance and development of elephant reserves in the state.

From Rs 7.75 lakh last year , the funds for the reserves have been increased to Rs 83.50 lakh this year.

A senior forest department official told this correspondent on Saturday that the chief minister has instructed for a complete overhaul of the elephant reserves in Bijnore, Saharanpur and Najibabad forest ranges.

“The idea is to develop these elephant reserves as major tourist spots. For this, we will develop tourist lodges in the reserves and provide other facilities that will attract tourists. At present, tiger reserves like Dudhwa are well known and wildlife tourism is restricted to this,” the official said.

Major elephant reserves in the state include Mohand, Shakumbhari, Barkala, Sahubala, Rajgarh, Badhapur and Amnagadh spread in the Najibabad, Saharanpur and Bijnore forest ranges.

These were declared forest reserves in 2006 by the Central government.

-The Asian Age, July 7, 2014

Allowing the central and the state government to file their respective affidavits, the Bombay High Court refused to invoke a stay on the transfer

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday allowed the transfer of the bungalow of the late Dr. Homi Bhabha, the father of India’s atomic energy programme, in South Mumbai from the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) to Godrej family, the new owners of the property.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M. S. Sonak was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by two employees of Bhabha Atomic research Centre (BARC), seeking to stop the transfer of the bungalow "Mehrangir". Allowing the central and the state government to file their respective affidavits, the Court refused to invoke a stay on the transfer. Both the governments informed the court that they are considering inclusion of the bungalow in the heritage list under the Maharashtra Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

The bungalow located at the upmarket Malabar Hill in South Mumbai was purchased by the Godrej family for Rs 372 crore. After the death of Homi Bhabha in 1966, his brother Jamshed became the custodian of his property, who willed the property to the NCPA. While raising no objection to the transfer process, counsel informed the Court that despite the completion of transfer, the bungalow can be acquired later if the Government decided to make it a heritage monument. Senior counsel Aspi Chinoy, who appeared for the Godrej family, said that for at least next 15 years it does not intend to demolish the house. “It will be used for living by the family,” he told the Court.

The PIL filed by Prakash Worlikar, who is also the member of the National Federation of Atomic Energy Employees (NFAEE), also sought directions to keep the bungalow intact by the State or the Central government and a nuclear exhibition centre or museum, be made inside.

-The Hindu, July 8, 2014

Even as the Okhla Bird Sanctuary is in the news this year due to the poor arrival of water fowl and the National Green Tribunal proceedings on restricting the constructions around it, the birds appeared to have found a new habitat a few kilometres of the Yamuna at Shanti Van.

According to ecologist and conservationist T.K. Roy, a tiny lake at Shanti Van has attracted a large number of resident water bird species and these include several which are in the International Union for Conservation of Nature red-listed threatened species. “It is surprising that these birds have made landfall in the summer months whereas it is usually in the winters that birds flock to Delhi. It is rare for these birds to come during the scorching summer season as around this time the smaller wetlands get dried up.”

Mr. Roy said a number of water bird species have come in and these include the spot-billed duck, common moorhen, white-throated kingfisher, cattle egret, little egret, intermediate egret, black-winged stilt, purple heron, grey heron, Indian pond heron, striated heron, black-headed ibis (endangered species), white-breasted waterhen, and red-wattled lapwing. In all the euphoria surrounding the arrival of the water birds, the conservationist is concerned about the well-being of the birds as a large number of stray dogs attempt to hunt them there. “Although this is the breeding season for the resident water birds, there has been no nesting of any of the species as stray dogs have been attempting to hunt them.” Mr. Roy said the authorities concerned at the Shanti Van need to protect and conserve this tiny wetland and it would be a great help if the entry of stray dogs are also curbed.

-The Hindu, July 8, 2014

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) on Monday signed an agreement with the US Green Building Council (USGBC) for strengthening the sustainability and green standards for the existing as well as the new buildings in Delhi and other parts of the country. Based on the agreement, buildings will now be evaluated for their sustainability and green building standards by both TERI’s Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) and the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

“Several studies have estimated that most of the buildings projected to be standing in 2030 in India have yet to be built. The demand for energy, water and other inputs for these buildings and those that already exist will be staggering. Designing and constructing “green” buildings would ensure that India, and the world, do not get locked into a pattern of resource use intensity that would be unsustainable,” said Dr. R.K. Pachauri, Director-General, TERI.

-The Hindu, July 8, 2014

Local folk and students can play a crucial role in preservation of heritage by creating a support system for vigilance and maintenance

The coloured plaster and inscriptions from Quran at the ceiling of the main dome of the Mubarak Shah’s tomb certainly don’t look as old as seven centuries. The nearby green lush and well-managed sanitation facilities glad the visitors. But would you believe that the same monument, which is a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and the octagonal tombs popularised by the Sayyids, was in ruins a couple years back! Thanks to the joint efforts of government’s agencies and the active participation from the communities that it not only got a fresh lease of life but has also become one of the most attractive heritage sites in the Capital. There are a few other monuments like the Mansa Bridge linking Salimgarh and the Red Fort which have been repaired and are now well-maintained. Throwing more light on the role of community in the restoration of monuments, a talk was organised at the India Habitat Center.



“Past is link to the future. We need to build a strong community system that could help the establishment in preserving our heritage. Only government cannot handle the mammoth task,” said Nivedita Khandekar, a Delhi-based journalist. Heritage is inherited from past, maintained in present and preserved for future. So it’s a collective responsibility of each individual, group and corporate organisation to come forward and participate in the process. “Government authorities carry out planning, conservation and maintenance. Residents must maintain the efforts. Locals and students act as vigilant and keeper of the monuments,” she said.

-The Pioneer, July 8, 2014

Archaeologists have discovered remains of a 2,000-year-old mud-fort at Damroo, nearly 85 km from Raipur. “The surface findings have indicated that the site may date back to 1st century AD. The excavation of the site may throw light on the missing historical links between 1st century AD and 5th century AD of Chhattisgarh, known in archaeological parlance as dark period”, archaeological officer and director of Damroo excavation Dr Shivakant Vajpayee told this newspaper here on Monday. The site is located on the bank of river Seonath in Chhattisgarh’s Baloda Bazar district. Remains of a circular mud fort, with circumference of around 2.3 km and a height of 5 metres, were found at the site, which looked like a habitation that had come up in the 1st century AD. A dried moat encircled the archeological site.

“The surface exploration has yielded pottery, etc of the early period. Early historical antiquities like black slipped ware (BSW), black and red ware (BRW), and red slipped ware (RSW) have been retrieved from the site,” the archaeologist said, adding, “The surface findings indicate that it was an important early historical site of Chhattisgarh”. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had granted licence to Chhattisgarh archaeological department for exploration of the site in 2012-13. Following the surface findings, the ASI has recently granted permission for excavation of the site. The site came to light during a survey of mud-forts, a unique feature seen only in Chhattisgarh, by the culture and archaeological department of the Chhattisgarh government, last year. The department had in 2010-11 conceived a project named “mud-fort survey”, with an objective to establish the authenticity of nomenclature of Chhattisgarh, which literarily means 36 forts, by making an in-depth study on historical and archaeological chronology of the state.

-The Asian Age, July 8, 2014

Residents welfare associations can soon expect government officials to make inspections of rainwater harvesting structures in their colonies. After National Green Tribunal formed a committee on Friday to take stock of rainwater harvesting (RWH) in the city and directed it to conduct site visits to each RWA to check the condition of RWH structures, if any, the environment department is all set to coordinate this mammoth exercise. Four teams with two officials in each will be making site visits in all districts starting later this week. Officials say the month's time given by NGT to submit the report is too little to cover the entire city.

Agencies are also worried about some practical issues. The bench has directed: "Any public body, corporations, authorities and the government will not allot land to any society or issue completion certificate or occupancy certificate for any house unless it contains the stipulation that rain harvesting system should be installed and made operational. In such occupancy or allotment letter issued, this condition should be satisfied and it is required to be recorded by the authority concerned after personal inspection."

The environment department had submitted to NGT that it is not equipped to monitor RWH structures in Delhi. "We have only four technical officers. How can they monitor so many areas? We feel the responsibility should be given to the land owning agency or corporation who anyway visit new constructions," said a senior official from the environment department. Delhi Jal Board has also not started enforcing RWH on a large scale. In most places including Chennai and Bangalore, the water supplying agency is responsible for RWH, though in Mumbai it's the municipal corporation.

DJB cites a staff crunch to explain why it will be unable to supervise RWH. An official said, "The department is already stretched to the limit and has to handle other works like metering, supplying of water, maintenance of infrastructure, etc. It just does not have the resources to monitor implementation of rainwater harvesting."

Delhi needs a rainwater policy first and a plan to have RWH structures that can be monitored easily, say experts. "I think Delhi should look at largescale structures at the colony level where there can be underground rainwater harvesting pits in parks and other open spaces..They should tap wetlands, storm water drains and parks.

Each colony can see to it that no sewage enters their storm water drains so that they can be used for recharge. The government can institutionalize a monitoring system easily for these," Nitya Jacob,head of policy, WaterAid India, said.

The committee formed by NGT consists of officials from Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi government and Central Ground-Water Board.

-The Times of India, July 9, 2014

With Goa's tar balls phenomenon getting wider attention of environmentalists and parliamentarians, the Centre has called a high-level meeting of stakeholders, including experts from across the country, later this month to find out exact reason of the deposition of polluting substances along the state coasts every year during Monsoon season.

"We still don't know the exact reason why does this phenomenon affect Goa coast. It is important to discuss the issue thoroughly based on scientific findings and to have a clear road-map to deal with the menace," said Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar.

He was responding to various concerns expressed by MPs during a short duration discussion over the issue in Rajya Sabha.

He said experts from National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), officials of Goa pollution control board, Coast Guard and Shipping Directorate would be invited to attend the meeting to suggest a road-map to deal with the tar balls issue.

Members during the discussion pointed out that the tar balls phenomenon was not only affecting state tourism but also endangering marine ecology.

Raising the issue, Congress member Shantaram Naik blamed foreign shipping companies for such deposition, saying oil spilled during washing of containers off the Indian coast is probably the main reason behind such marine pollution in the state.

"Are such companies taking advantage of liberal environment laws and deliberately use Indian coast to wash their containers? ...Why our coast guards or Navy don't take action against those ships? ... Aren't these tar balls posing security risk along Indian coasts?" asked Naik.

He also emphasized that the government should find out whether some countries were doing something deliberately to hit India's tourism.

The tar balls are the remnants of oily substances that are dispersed naturally into the sea through wave action over a long period of time, and eventually get deposited at the seabed.

"Oily substances might be available in many places off the Indian coast. But, why this phenomenon is restricted to Goa coast alone? We have to find out the reason before opting for a solution", said the minister.

He noted that NEERI had carried out a study on behalf of the Director General of Shipping and submitted a report to the Bombay High Court. The findings of NEERI were, however, inconclusive as it pointed out multiple reasons without citing an exact cause of the phenomena.

The NEERI findings noted that the source of the tar balls "could be oil-exploration activities from offshore oil installations, natural phenomenon from the sea-bed or from sea going vessels passing through the area" -- leaving it a mystery for policy-makers.

Javadekar said, "Coast Guard ships and aircraft are regularly deployed for surveillance and monitoring of the maritime zones of India, including EEZ off the coast of Goa. No oil spill has been found by the Coast Guard ships and aircraft on EEZ surveillance off the west coast of India, including off Goa coast."

He also noted that the overall responsibility for taking measures for preserving and protecting the marine environment and to prevent and control marine pollution lies with the Coast Guard.

-The Times of India, July 9, 2014

Under the policy, a package for categorising a heritage hotel along with special incentives has been formulated.

To showcase the State’s rich heritage and woo tourists to heritage sites, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod to the heritage tourism policy. An official spokesman said the policy will give a fillip to heritage tourism and would enable the tourists to visit historical forts, palaces, “havelis” and “kothis” in the State. Under the policy, a package for categorising a heritage hotel along with special incentives has been formulated. For setting up a heritage hotel, investors would be given concessions in hospitality tax, entertainment tax, stamp duty , excise licence tax and transport fees, the spokesman said. Amendments to the Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy, 213 were also approved by the Cabinet, which was presided over by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Accordingly, solar energy plants with a minimum capacity of one megawatt can be set up. Viability would be the criteria for providing State’s assistance to solar energy schemes below the capacity of five megawatt. For setting up solar power projects in Bundelkhand and Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh) the entire cost of laying transmission lines and building sub-stations would be borne by the State Government.

Another important Cabinet decision related to the monthly pension of the MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) and DIR (Defence of India Rules) detainees in the State who were jailed during the Emergency from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977. The monthly pension called “samman rashi” (honorarium) which was Rs. 3,000 has been raised to Rs. 6,000. . The scheme was started by former Chief Minister Mulayam Singh in 2006, but was discontinued by the Bahujan Samaj Party Government. The increase would be effective from the date of the Government order.

-The Hindu, July 9, 2014

India's water distribution and consumption systems must be sustainable, drought-proofed, and adapted to climate change. Then the country can move from ‘drought-relief’ status to a position where it has relief from droughts

The Indian Meteorological Department is still unsure of the timing and the intensity of El Niño, further raising the grim prospect of insufficient monsoons and an imminent drought poised to affect many parts of the country. According to data from the Indian Space Research Organisation, India experienced 42 severe droughts in two centuries. The 1979 drought cut food grain production by 20 per cent; another, in 1987, damaged 58.6 million hectares of cultivated land, affecting 285 million people.

Seventy per cent of Indian population lives in rural areas, while 58 per cent rely solely on agriculture for a living. The 355 million people who fall below the poverty line depend primarily on rain-fed agriculture for subsistence. Given this scenario, it is crucial to protect agriculture that provides the all-important food security to the country.

Three major droughts between 2002 and 2012 have had serious economic ramifications in the country. According to a 2013 World Bank report, the 2012 drought shaved off half a percentage point from the India’s Gross Domestic Product. Successful planning and implementation of measure to control the impact of drought will help negate economic damage — this is the first sign of a drought-proof country. As erratic monsoons amid deteriorating climatic conditions become the norm, drought resilience is no longer enough; measures to drought-proof the country are needed.

India’s ability to tackle drought has stagnated at the ‘drought management’ level. A major reason for this is inefficient water management. In the last decade, the Union Government could not increase its ability to mitigate drought conditions by adopting simple measures such as building rural ponds and tanks to improve the efficiency of water use.

It was also in this period that State Government initiatives surged ahead in innovating and drought-proofing large areas. Notable amongst them was the Sardar Patel Participatory Water Conservation Scheme in Gujarat to build thousands of check dams that harness rainwater. Soon other States followed suit with Andhra Pradesh launching the Neeru Meeru water conservation programme and Madhya Pradesh Government introducing the Ek Panch Ek Talab (one panchayat, one tank) programme.

Still, India’s water security status is dismal. Well-funded institutions such as the National Rainfed Area Authority and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act have been unable to revamp and revive the watershed management programme or repair, renovate and restore water bodies. Building of tanks, ponds and check dams across the country has been relegated to the back burner. The new Government at the Centre has taken the welcome step of making these institutions accountable for their responsibilities and achievement of their objectives. This will help restore confidence in facing a future that will be characterised more water shortages.

The Government must also focus on consolidating agriculture as it is the first point of impact in the case of a severe drought. Agricultural methods such as multi-cropping, organic soil additives and the use of traditional seeds, buffered by grain banks, need to be encouraged and replicated nationwide. This will help the frontline farmers, besides ensuring national food sovereignty. The farmers, especially those holding small tracts of land, must be educated on how to maximise yield and revenue by resorting to multi-cropping and having priority access to customised services for farm insurance and credit. In fact, a World Bank report states that the rural poor in India have little access to farm credit. This scenario needs to change in order to better equip the agricultural sector to deal with the vagaries of nature.

Urban water resource rejuvenation needs to be a major priority area for the Government in order to fend off drought implications. Developed countries worldwide have redefined their water infrastructure to meet the constraints of a water-scarce future. Sydney is envisioning a second water-distribution network that will provide water for purposes other than drinking. This parallel system will tap into new sources like salty water, purified by waste heat from power plants, as well as existing sources, such as recycled wastewater and rainwater, which are typically flushed into local water bodies as waste. In order to achieve this, India must reduce the amount of suspended solids in water by 50 per cent and the amount of nutrients in storm water that is dumped into local water bodies by 15 per cent.

As water scarcity looms large over the horizon, it is imperative that the India’s water availability level is sustainable, drought-proofed, and adapted to climate change. This will enable us to move from ‘drought-relief’ status to a position where we can have relief from droughts.

-The Pioneer, July 10, 2014

There is little to cheer about Forest Survey of India's report that has revealed a marginal increase of 3.61 square kilometres in the forest cover of the city.

A finer reading of the data shows Delhi's forest cover has only increased slightly in the 'open forest' category. These are forests of less than 40% canopy density which are most likely to be urban parks, very young plantations or even invasive species having little ecological value. The carbon sequestration and pollution combating capacity of these 'forests' is half or a third of that of dense, good quality forests.

What is worrying is that the moderately dense forests—with a canopy density over 40% or, in simpler terms, broad canopy cover—have been decreasing consistently since 2003 when it was 52 sqkm. It measures 49.38 sqkm now. Experts have raised doubts about Delhi's afforestation programmes over the past decades that should have added to the dense or moderately dense categories.

"These open forests could be Prospis juliflora or Vilayati keekar, an invasive species with no ecological value. So there is clearly nothing to cheer about," said Pradip Krishen who has authored books on the trees of Delhi.

Very dense forest is also reducing slowly since 2007. Before 2005, there was none in Delhi, according to FSI reports. A study by the Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Science published in Current Science journal recently highlighted that FSI has been 'over-reporting' forest cover data because of the ambiguous definition of forest that it follows. FSI defines forest cover to be "all lands more than one hectare, with tree canopy density over 10%, irrespective of ownership and legal status".

This definition could well mean that manmade forests, monocultures and spots like Lodhi Garden are forests. "The data could mean area under parks is going up in certain parts or that there are young plantations," said Prof. N H Ravindranath of IISC. Delhi, with its poor air quality, has 78 sqkm of reserved forests and 7 sqkm of protected forests.

A forest department official denied that dense forests are decreasing. "Most of Delhi's forests are scrub forests. So they look open," he said.

-The Times of India, July 10, 2014

Seeing his son download apps on his mobile phone, this Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officer had a brainwave - to create an app for Delhi's monuments, both well-known and obscure, so that tourists could keep this information "handy" as a "self guide".

The 3.92 MB app "ASI Delhi Circle" has been available since April but has somehow not been promoted by the ASI.

"Those days are gone when people would carry their laptops or guide books to look for a place. When your phone has convenient applications to make your search easy, I thought we (ASI) too should have something like this to offer," the circle's superintending archaeologist Vasant Kumar Swarnkar told IANS.

"This app is made for tourists and the best way to describe it is as a self guide," he added.

This fascination for convenient technology led Swarnkar to his friend, Vijay Bharadwaj, whose expertise lies in software development. After several brainstorming sessions and understanding what a tourist would be looking for, the "ASI Delhi Circle" app was created.

"The idea was to expose tourists to other monuments that are not so popular but have traces of our history," said Swarnkar.

The app can be downloaded for free on smart phones.

There are four sections in it: monuments; gallery; plan your itinerary; and information about ASI.

Within the monument section, there are two sub-divisions: popular and all, Swarnkar said.

"There are around 158 ASI-listed monuments in the city and they come under the 'all' section, whereas monuments like Qutab Minar make it in the popular section," he said.

All these monuments come with a thumbnail photograph, description about their history, reference books for further reading and nearest Metro station.

The app is also connected to Google Maps and one can easily locate the monuments within their vicinity. It also shows different routes, estimated time, distance to be covered and traffic information to help the visitors to reach their preferred destination without much hassle.

"What usually happens is autos overcharge tourists and so if they can get the distance and location of these monuments on their phones, there won't be any room left for cheating. So this application comes in handy for tourists," he pointed out.

Apart from these features, the app also gives useful information like cost of the ticket and visiting hours of the monuments and has a photo gallery of its popular monuments at night to encourage tourists to visit them.

-The Hindustan Times, July 10, 2014

The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) plans to spend part of the Rs. 372 crore it obtained from auctioning Homi J. Bhabha’s bungalow in south Mumbai, “Mehrangir”, to repair and upgrade its theatres and set up a new one. “The highest priority is to fix all technical problems [in the theatres]. This includes repairing the buildings and conducting a structural audit. We want to rejig and repair the old structures completely,” Khushroo N. Santook, NCPA Chairman, told The Hindu . The centre expects to receive the auction proceeds in a few months, and the repairs may take a year.

“We have to see simultaneously if we can have at least one more theatre,” Mr. Suntook said. The municipal authorities have been approached for this, and permissions are expected soon.

The NCPA now conducts programmes in Indian music and dance, western music and theatre, featuring icons and celebrities, with specific events being funded by various institutions.

“The dependence on this legacy is not my idea of running the show. We will form a corpus of Rs. 150-200 crore and the interest earned on it should sustain us. We will use the capital for expansion and rejigging of theatres,” he said. Also on the anvil is the purchase of musical instruments, broadcast of Indian arts internationally and curation of the NCPA’s own productions.

The centre plans to set up a consultancy cell to advise other art centres. Another plan is to enter Delhi. With the best acousticians and programming expertise, the centre plans to train people and help modernise theatres.

“While Delhi is one place we should enter, we first have to fix ourselves before venturing out,” Mr. Suntook said.

The NCPA is drawing up a strategy and appointing professionals to oversee fund-raising. It plans to approach corporates and could consider holding black-tie dinners to rope in celebrities for fund-raisers. “We have to improve managerial infrastructure. If we want to become an international-class performing arts centre, we need extraordinary programming experts and strategic thinking on how to place Brand NCPA both nationally and internationally,” he said.

Rs. 372 crore was obtained from auctioning Homi J. Bhabha’s bungalow in south Mumbai

-The Hindu, July 10, 2014

The British-era Tudor-style structure will be restored to its original look within two years

Thanks to a major leg-up from the Asian Development Bank, a blast from the colonial past will soon greet visitors to Shimla, India’s summer capital during the British Raj, with the Himachal Pradesh government set to restore the iconic Town Hall located on The Mall, a favourite haunt of those out for a stroll.

“The building will be restored as per the original pattern within two years. For this, Rs. 8 crore has been allocated,” Manoj Sharma, joint director with the State Tourism department, told IANS. The ADB has provided 70 per cent of the money, with the State chipping in with 30 per cent.

The building, constructed in 1908 in the half-timbered Tudor style-all-wooden frames and shingled eaves, currently houses the Shimla Municipal Corporation.

Its exteriors and interiors will be refurbished by polishing and repairing the stonework. The windows and rooftops will be replaced and the Gothic facade will be improved.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has issued directions to get the Town Hall vacated at the earliest for its renovation. It would be a temporary shift till the heritage building gets a new look, he said. Official sources said the Chief Minister’s order came after the Shimla Municipal Corporation refused to vacate the building for renovation.

“The government is providing us space for our public utility offices in bits and pieces and that too at different places. We want space in one office and that too near the present office. Otherwise, we will not shift from this place,” Mayor Sanjay Chauhan told IANS.

Sources said the corporation functionaries are expressing apprehensions that they would never get the Town Hall back once they vacate it for renovation. It might be handed over to the State Tourism department, which is renovating it. Officials involved in restoration said glazing work inside the complex and stonework polishing on the outer walls would not start until the entire complex was vacated.

Historians and old-timers are happy with the Chief Minister’s commitment to restoring and preserving Shimla’s traditional glory. “Like the Gaiety Theatre, the Town Hall also needs restoration. It’s a right step to protect the British heritage,” Raaja Bhasin, co-convener of the Himachal Pradesh chapter of Intach (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), told IANS. Gaiety Theatre, where Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling and legendary actors Prithviraj Kapoor and Balraj Sahni once performed, reopened in June 2009 after five years of renovation, with Rs.12 crore being spent to restore its original Gothic style of architecture. It is located adjacent to the Town Hall.

Octogenarian Ramesh Sood, who was born and brought up in the Queen of Hills, as Shimla was fondly called by the British colonial rulers, said most of the relics of the Raj were either crumbling or being reduced to ashes. Official sources said that along with refurbishing the Town Hall, the State Tourism department will also undertake a project on rebuilding the Mall Road’s surface by replacing the conventional coal tar with cobble stones.

The Town Hall has been the centre of municipal activities in Shimla right from the day it was opened in 1908.

The municipal committee of Shimla passed a resolution on October 21, 1880, for setting up a public building to serve as the town’s civic offices as well as for public meetings, banquets and concerts, Tourism department archives say.

“Any other town in the world of the same size or importance as Simla and a seat of the government would not be absolutely without a public hall as Simla now is. There is no room in any building in Simla where His Excellency the Viceroy or the Lieutenant Governor can hold even a small durbar, or where public meetings or gatherings can take place with safety or without overcrowding or inconvenience,” the resolution reads.

-The Hindu, July 11, 2014

Expected to help expand the footprint of the foreign tourists beyond the metros while facilitating an easy visa procuring process

Aiming to give an impetus to the tourism sector, the government on Thursday said that e-visas facility would be introduced at nine Indian airports.

In his budget speech, Finance Minister Arun Jailey said, “The facility of Electronic Travel Authorisation (e-visa) would be introduced in a phased manner at nine airports in India where infrastructure would be put in place within the next six months.” The Minister added that tourism was one of the largest job creators globally. The e-visa facility would give a major boost to tourism in the country. This would also facilitate visas on arrival scheme that was announced earlier this year. Mr. Jaitley also announced allocation of Rs. 500 crore for creation of five tourist circuits with specific themes in the country. He said Sarnath-Gaya-Varanasi Buddhist circuit would be developed.

Hriday and Prasad Mr. Jaitley also announced the launching of National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (Hriday) for conserving and preserving the heritage characters of these cities. The programme will be initially launched in cities such as Mathura, Amritsar, Gaya, Kancheepuram, Velankanni and Ajmer with a provision of Rs. 200 crore.

A National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (Prasad) with an outlay of Rs. 100 crore was also proposed to be launched in this financial year.

-The Hindu, July 11, 2014

The National Green Tribunal on Thursday issued notice to the Centre on a plea seeking stay on the Signature Bridge project across river Yamuna at Wazirabad here till the grant of environmental clearance. A bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar sought response from Ministry of Environment and Forest, Delhi government, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee(DPCC) on the plea filed by environment activist Vikrant Kumar Tongad.

The bench ordered the respondents to file their response within three days and listed the matter for next hearing on August 19. “Notice to be issued to the respondents by registered post/acknowledgment. Requisites to be filed within three days from today.” the bench said. In his petition, Tongad claimed that the construction of bridge is covered under clause A of the schedule of Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 which mandates prior environmental clearance from the regulatory authority concerned.

He also said that if the construction of the bridge is allowed to continue without impact assessment and environmental clearance, it will result in large-scale damage to the environment and also affect the flow of the river.“Direct the respondents to obtain the environmental clearance for Signature Bridge project after conducting proper Environment Impact Assessment of the project,” the petition said.Signature Bridge, to be constructed as a replica of the famous London Bridge, will have bow-shaped pylon with cables.

DTTDC is executing the Rs. 1,131-crore project which is expected to be completed by middle of 2014.

-The Pioneer, July 11, 2014

The beleaguered power sector will be among the first beneficiaries of the government's proposal to develop the Ganga waterway. Experts say the Rs 4,200-crore plan will help speed up transportation of coal to power plants in the north and east of the country. Coal accounts for about 55per cent of India's energy needs. Despite the country's high dependency on the fuel, problem with logistics means coal from pit heads generally lies idle for months before it can be moved to railway sidings for transportation to power plants.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced the government's intent to develop the river route between Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh and Haldia in West Bengal over the next six years.

The National Waterway project will entail building the river channel and river ports along the banks of the Ganga. "It will be used largely for transportation of coal to power plants," said Manish Saigal, managing director at advisory firm Alvarez & Marsal. "Companies can also use the route to transport coal coming from Indonesia. This coal usually gets unloaded at Paradip, Haldia and Dhamra on the east coast." Some of India's largest coal reserves are in the north and east of the country. Almost 50 per cent of the fuel is transported by rail, 20per cent by road and about 12per cent through the merry go round (MGR) system, according to Infrasight Consulting.

"The transportation of coal is marred with inherent problems, like reserves being situated in difficult terrains, which are vastly scattered," the consultancy wrote in a report, adding that "bulk of the coal lies in the belt of eastern corridor under the forest belt and tribal areas".

Experts say power producers are awaiting the development of inland waterways to transport coal. Last year, state-run power producer National Thermal Power Corporation started transporting imported coal through the inland waterways route to its Farakka plant in West Bengal.

"I feel the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor may become a much more effective mode of transport for power plants in Uttar Pradesh. However, the fact that inland waterway development does not involve land acquisition, the projects may come on board faster than dedicated freight corridors," said Ashima Tyagi, senior consultant for metals and mining at Infraline Energy. The river opens up an alternate channel and industries around that region can use the waterway to decongest the roads, said Jaydeep Ghosh, national head of transport and logistics at KPMG India.

-The Economic Times, July 12, 2014

The Barapullah drain is set to get green as the Delhi Development Authority on Friday decided to develop a greenway trail along it. The project not only includes cultivating a green belt along the drain, but also creating a recreational space for the people.

To make the surroundings of the drain fit for recreational purpose, the plan also includes cleaning of the drain by installing decentralised biological treatment facility along its length.The project which received the green signal of Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Friday and is a part of South Delhi Greenway Master Plan is also expected to recharge the eco-system.

"Our aim is to convert the filthy drain into a space which can be utilised for relaxing and spending quality time. The greenway trail will have jogging tracks, exercising facilities for all age groups and play areas for children," said a DDA official. The project will transform nearly 900 acres of derelict landscape, which is presently under utilised, into a beautifully connected parkway and trail network.

Jung suggested that the project be implemented by the DDA through a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) consisting of representatives from UTTIPEC, PWD, MCDs, DJB, I&FS, IITs, NEERI, INTACH, ASI and any other department of State and Central Government. UTTIPEC will monitor the progress of the project every three months and brief the same to Jung, informed an official. "The ecological planting along the drains would locally treat storm-water and any overflow sewage, absorb air-pollutants, reduce urban heat island effect and improve microclimate of the area. Besides, it will aid rise in water table of Delhi," said the official.

-The Pioneer, July 12, 2014

Travelling to the historical site of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh, Meera Iyer studies the ancient ‘stupas’ and ‘toranas’ of Emperor Ashoka’s era that are witness to the life and times of Buddha.

It is a little difficult to contain your excitement when you are on your way to see some of India’s earliest surviving sculptural art, not to mention its oldest standing stone structure.

Jouncing along on a road held together with potholes, we watched the milestones bouncing past us: Sanchi 10 km, 5 km, 2 km…. By this time, up on the hill to our right, we could see the famous Great Stupa, shining on the hill, beckoning to us. A turn to the right, a short ride up the hill and then we were at the gates of Sanchi.

I had seen numerous pictures of the stupa, some in long-forgotten school textbooks, and I was fully prepared to be left speechless by my first glimpse of the real deal.

And yet, I actually felt somewhat underwhelmed.

In the slanting rays of the early morning sun, the stupa shimmered through the slight haze that still hung in the air. This is it, I thought, this hemispherical structure is what everybody waxes eloquent about. Surprising splendour

It was only when we went closer that its scale and grandeur struck me. Look up, and you can see the stupa stretching away into the sky.

Turn around and you will notice how delicately beautiful and extraordinarily lively the carvings on its embellishments are. Truly, it deserves the moniker Great Stupa, and not just for its size.

Sanchi’s Great Stupa was originally built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. It is curious that he chose this site for one of his biggest monuments because the Buddha never walked anywhere near this, the world’s oldest surviving Buddhist pilgrimage site.

When the Buddha died, his ashes were said to have been buried inside eight stupas. Legend says Ashoka redistributed those relics into 84,000 stupas that he built.

But why stupas?

Dr S V P Halakatti, a retired archaeologist from the Archaeological Survey of India, explains that the practice of building stupas over relics or mortal remains probably derived from an earlier practice of building cairns — circular piles of stones which were heaped on graves, a practice prevalent in Central India about 3,000 years ago, and still practiced in some places in the country. Sometime in the 2nd BC, Ashoka’s mud and brick stupa at Sanchi was enlarged and encased in stone, staircases and balustrades were added to it, and a stone platform and railing placed atop it.

Around 70 to 100 years later, another dynasty added and embellished the Great Stupa with four toranas or gateways in the four cardinal directions.

The southern gateway is the main one, leading into the path that takes one around the stupa. It is also the oldest of the gateways, the other three being built within the next few decades.

An inscription on it says it is the work of a group of ivory carvers from Vidisha. Clearly, those ivory carvers were a skilled lot, for they have succeeded in imparting a vibrancy and animation even to stone.

A cursory look at the carvings on the toranas is enough to make one see why they have become the most famous and iconic symbols of Sanchi.

However, a more than cursory look is highly recommended. The gateways depict important episodes from Buddha’s life and narrate some jatakas, which are stories of Buddha’s past lives.

Interestingly, Buddha himself is never shown in human form in these sculptures. Instead, the carvings on the toranas depict the Enlightened One as a tree, a horse, an empty throne or even footprints.I was taken aback by the wealth of detail in these sculptures, and would happily have pottered about there for hours, exploring the stories behind the stories in each panel!

Capturing daily life

For instance, if your ever wondered how people lived here more than 2,000 years ago, look no further. Set as the scenes are in the towns and villages of ancient India, the carvings are also an incredible pictorial record of everyday life in those days. You can see women chatting with each other on a balcony as they watch a parade go by on the street below; there are men fighting and riding horses, women fetching water, men praying, couples chatting with each other, couples courting in a park… The friezes also reveal interesting details about buildings in those days of yore. You can see an entire gamut of construction ranging from humble, one-roomed, circular huts to multi-storied palaces, with walls, city gates, forts, ditches, pillared pavilions and so on thrown in.

The toranas and railings were definitely one reason that, like coffee or olives, Sanchi grew on me the longer I lingered.

The other reason was that despite being a World Heritage Site, it is remarkably free of noisy throngs.

There is a tranquillity about the place, a quiet which lets you pick out the trill of a bird in a distant tree, or silently observe the serene spectacle of pilgrims from southeast Asia walking reverentially around the Great Stupa.

If you seek greater solitude, you can always wander off into another corner of the vast site.

Over almost 1,000 years of building, Sanchi grew into a sprawling pilgrim complex.

India’s oldest structural temple stands here, built sometime in the early Gupta period, around the 5th century or so. Several small votive stupas here date from the 8th century.

The last construction here seems to have been a Buddhist temple built about the 12th century.

The site seems to have been abandoned sometime after that. The next time we hear of Sanchi, it is to the accompaniment of drills and pickaxes when British treasure hunters came calling at the site in the early 1800s.

Their modus operandi was crude but effective — drill right through the stupa, in search of relics and other treasures that were stored inside. When the treasure seekers came upon the place, the stupas were all intact and most of the toranas were still standing. By the time they were through, the stupas had almost collapsed.

It took many decades of painstaking effort by several archaeologists to restore Sanchi to its present state.

When you are done with the Sanchi hill itself, do take a look also at the museum near the entrance to the town, which has photographs from the 1800s and 1900s and a sampling of artefacts found here during excavations.

-The Deccan Herald, July 13, 2014

An antiquarian had gifted a large plot of land to buy handwritten Quran. The splendour that reflected in the court of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last independent ruler of the kingdom of Awadh--present-day Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh--is a tale of myth and legends.

While some of this glory can still be witnessed in what the Nawabs of Awadh left behind, a brilliant audio-visual depiction of the grandeur can be felt watching “Shatranj ke Khiladi”, the multilingual feature film auteur Satyajit Ray made.

Before the British government annexed the small kingdom in northern India in a precursor to the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, often called the “first war of Indian independence”, Awadh or Oudh was a flourishing principality, ruled by the benevolent Wajid Ali Shah, a man of art, letters and Urdu culture.

Bits and pieces of the glorious time can also be seen in the living room of Professor Aloke Kumar, an academic and antiquarian living in Kolkata.

Walking into Prof Kumar’s house is like walking through the annals of 19th century India, where a cornucopia of history comes alive in knick-knacks, furniture, wall-hangings, weapons and items used by the Nawabs and British officials.

From ceremonial swords to newspapers of the time, from antique engravings depicting moments in the Sepoy Mutiny to old maps, Prof Kumar’s living room provides a glimpse into a bygone era.

All this, however, started with a request from the master filmmaker, who knew Prof Kumar’s father, Nirmal Chandra Kumar, an antiquarian and a collector of old books.

He met Ray as a regular visitor to Kumar’s store for old books, which was a destination for anybody looking for rare tomes. While the interaction turned into a lifelong friendship between Ray and Prof Kumar’s father, the filmmaker requested him to help him out when he embarked on the journey to make the period film, which revolves around two chess players, aloof to everything else but the game at hand.

The first item acquired by Kumar was a paan-daan or a box where betel leaves, assorted condiments and spices were kept to make paan for Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.

A silver octagonal box with separate compartments for each of the stuff, needed to make a paan of the Nawab’s choice, was later used in Ray’s film, shown as being used by the Nawab’s mother.

Along with the paan-daan, the Kumars also bought a paan server, a small silver utensil with a handle on top to which paan were hung with strings for the Nawab and other royalty to have at will.

Over time, collecting antiques became an obsession with Kumar, who would get in touch with collectors and owners of objects that caught his fancy and buy them.

The centre-piece of the precious collection is a hand-written Holy Quran, collected from the Nawab’s family.

With the Nawab being a deeply devout man, the beautifully calligraphed Quran with ornamental pages was a part of his daily life.

While Prof Kumar did not reveal the price his father paid for each of the objects, he said Nirmal had to gift a large plot of land to the Nawab’s family member as payment.

“In the beginning I was quite embarrassed by what my father did.

Imagine a middle-aged gentleman with a family, browsing through books all day long. Well, that didn’t make a very impressive father to me,” recalled Prof Kumar.

He said that his father had a collection of more than a lakh books at his central Kolkata house, relating to every subject.

As the shop was a repository of rare books, maps, prints and manuscripts, Ray turned to Chandra to get a vivid perspective of Lucknow from the Nawab’s era.

Chandra provided Bansi Chandragupta, prominent art director and a part of Ray’s team with swords, pistols, Jamewar shawls, the paan-daan and a variety of other objects to lend an authentic flavour to the film.

Prof Kumar has found a place for rare objects at his south Kolkata residence.

The first thing that catches one’s eye at Prof Kumar’s living room is a black, hard-bound scrapbook, that Kumar bought from leading auction house, Sotheby’s of London.

The pages are filled with newspaper cuttings from Austrian and German newspapers dating back to the Sepoy Mutiny. The cuttings were personally collected and preserved by G C Urmstrong, a British Army official.

“The scrapbook was very helpful for Ray as it provided significant perspective of the time. He wanted to have a deep insight into the real happenings of the time,” said Prof Kumar.

Along with engr¬avings dating back to the Mutiny and newspaper cuttings, there are a number of rare books, including seven volumes of The History of Indian Mutiny by Charles Ball, published in 1875, A History of Indi¬an Mutiny by G W Forrest, published in 1904 and Kaye and Malleson’s History of Indian Mutiny from 1896.

Other rare items jostling for space in Prof Kumar’s living room are maps and colourful and detailed engravings from the Mutiny era, showing troop positions as on May 1857, Lieutenant De Kantzow holding the 9th Sepoy Regiment at Mynpooree, mutineers’ cavalry attacking an infantry square at the Battle of Cawnpore and Sir William Peel moving up canons at Dilkhoosha among many others.

One wall in the room, which is decorated with number of these framed engravings and a variety of other antiques, also holds a ceremonial sword and a flintlock pistol, introduced in the 17th Century, where gunpowder was loaded through the barrel with a rod.

“The sword was manufactured by W Hartman & Company of the UK. It was gifted to my father by his friend Colonel OLJ Milligan.

The Duke of Wellington famously carried a non-regulation Mameluke-hilted sword based on the patterns he had encountered during his years in India. When a new sword was prescribed for British Army Generals in 1831, its design was closely based on the Duke’s favourite style,” he said.

While the paan-daan holds a place of pride, other items that draw attention are an attar-daan or a perfume container and an incense-holder.

Prof Kumar pointed out that in those days, it was customary to keep paan boxes fully stored when offering to visiting guests, often a sign of a family’s stature and wealth.

The one that Prof Kumar possesses is from the Mughal era with beautiful pure silver inlay in a traditional Muslim “Okir” scroll pattern, an item that has been shown in Shatranj ke Khiladi a number of times.

Talking about adding on to his father’s collection, Prof Kumar said, “Being and antiquarian is a tough job but I wish to preserve what my father had collected.”

When asked whether he is approached by collectors or auction houses, the professor with the Calcutta University and IIM-Calcutta, said:“Actually my family has never talked much about these things. I think that is the reason why people do not know much about this collection.”

-The Deccan Herald, July 13, 2014

On a serene and civilised evening, an old wound throbbed again. For a delightful 10 days we had sailed down the great river on the Assam Bengal Navigation Company’s RV Sukapha, made new friends from Britain, Australia and France.

We addressed each other by our first names, shared experiences and delighted in the fact that we were seeing India from a refreshingly new perspective.

“We’re literally flowing through the centuries. How wonderful!” enthused a professorial passenger.

Then we came to Plassey. At the end of a long avenue of trees, a cenotaph reared into the sky. We learnt how, in 1757, Robert Clive, with a small contingent of his soldiers, had routed a large force of French-supported troops.

He had, apparently, bribed his enemy’s allies to flee the battle field. That evening in the saloon, the Brits revelled in this rather tainted 256-year-old victory.

It turned the tide in favour of the East Indian Company and against the ambitions of the French Governor Joseph François Dupleix. Our French couple were downcast.

The Anglo-French tension on board was shortlived and everyone was affable again at breakfast the next morning. But as we left the Ganga and entered its channel, the Hooghly, the past became real again. On its right bank, the Portuguese, French, Dutch and Danes had set up their trading posts. On the left bank the British colonised marshy Calcutta (now Kolkata). One morning, all of us boarded our towed along ‘country boat’ and put-putted across to Chandannagar, which the French called Chandanagore. Our valuable old Encyclopaedia Asiatica published in 1858, says Chandarnagar or Chandernagore: a French settlement on the banks of River Hooghly.

It was reduced by the fire from the ships of Admiral Watson on March 23, 1757. The place became a French settlement in 1673.

From where we had anchored on the river, British naval guns had boomed to scare the French away from annexing the Company’s Fort St George in Madras. Or so historians would have us believe. But the French had stayed on.

French settlement

The French couple glowed: this had been their colony.

They delighted in the river-front avenue, which they claimed was very Gallic.

They lingered in the beautiful Church of the Sacred Heart where the affable Father Orson Michael Wells spoke of its history dating back to a small chapel built in 1688. Presumably, it was too small to attract Watson’s guns.

Governor Dupleix’s pillared mansion, which was a little down the river-front avenue, must have been targeted but if, indeed, it had been damaged, French engineers must have restored it well.

It is now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a museum dedicated to the colonial days. Sadly, because of the ASI’s unreasonable phobia of photographs, we couldn’t take any pictures inside, but the French couple were overjoyed when they met young people like Sreya Bannerjee.

She and her friends were doing a degree course in journalism in an institute built behind the mansion, which included French.

We overheard one of our English shipmates ask a grey-haired man with a goatee, “Didn’t the French surrender their colonies in India when the British did?”

“No. Many years later. There was a difference.”

“Difference?”

“Yes. The British were forced to leave. They did not want to see the writing on walls. The French did. They, very gracefully, ceded their colonies to India on the condition that the French language and culture were maintained in their former possessions. This is why we have this institute here.”

It wasn’t quite as simple as that, but we let it pass. The French couple beamed widely and nodded knowingly to their Brit companions!

We returned to our floating home and sailed further down history.

The traders of the French Company had given shelter to the merchants of the Danish East Indian Company. In 1755, two years before Watson had shelled Chandanagore, the Danes had shifted to their own colony further down the river.

They called it Fredriksnagore after their king, but it was better known as Serampore, now called Srirampur.

We were pensive here and listened only occasionally to the prattle of our guide. He said that Srirampur still had a very famous Theological College and that the first paper factory in India was established here.

We read the note we had scribbled from our Encyclopaedia Asiatica. It said that this Danish colony is famed as the residence of a body of missionaries from England.

Amongst them were the celebrated William Carey, Ward and Marshman. Carey set up his missionary press there and printed the Bible in 40 Indian languages.

We have always wondered why the Danes had allowed their competitors, the English, to establish a foothold here, even if they were only missionaries. The British had been very aggressive in carving out their own trading post across the river in a place that they rightly named Barrackpore, because they had built their barracks there.

The Danes, in spite of their aggressive Viking past, seemed to have been rather passive traders, reluctant to cross swords with their European colonial cousins.

Perhaps, after generations of rapine and leaving their genes liberally scattered over the British Isles, they had decided that enough was enough. They would not go berserk in Asia.

We were silent for most part of that tour, took our photographs; sad we didn’t have time to locate a remembered street, or find out what had happened to a great walled mansion with a steep, thatched, roof. On February 22, 1845, the Danes had handed over their colonies in India to the British.

On that day, too, they had entrusted the Danish flagstone to the seniormost resident Danish family. That flagstone is now embedded in a wall of our Victorian cottage in the oak woods of the Himalayas.

It reminds us of the privileged Danish court officer from Schleswig, who had settled in Serampore and started our family in India.

-The Deccan Herald, July 13, 2014

Beautiful, but fragile – butterflies will now have a dedicated home in the city. Spread over two-three acres in south Delhi's Asola-Bhatti wildlife sanctuary, this butterfly park will host 40-45 varieties of the psychedelic winged creatures. Among them will be rare kinds such as Painted Lady and Great Orange Tip.

Watching butterflies is sheer joy, but conserving them is also critical because, even with an average lifespan of 30-odd days, they help pollinate economically important crops, are good indicators of climate change, and their presence attracts birds who feed on them.

The Capital's chief wildlife warden, AK Shukla, said, "We will prepare a nursery of nectar plants to host butterflies, apart from reviving some existing water bodies. There would be an elevated walkway for visitors to ensure the habitat is not disturbed. We will complete the project in six-nine months".

A team of wildlife officials studied a similar facility created by the forest department in Chandigarh and returned to Delhi on Saturday. "The desired varieties will not have to be brought over. We will prepare the ground for their arrival. There already are 15 species in the sanctuary. The start-up budget is Rs. 4-5 lakh," Shukla said.

Noted environmentalist CR Babu, who is in charge of two government-created biodiversity parks in Delhi, said, "We have as many as 105 species in these two parks. We welcome one more conservatory."

Butterflies can be seen at the Capital's biodiversity parks, Lodi Gardens, Sanjay Van, JNU and Okhla bird sanctuary. "But this will be the first park where butterflies would be scientifically reared and protected on a vast scale," said Shukla.

The chief wildlife warden said he was expecting some technology transfer from the Chandigarh park. "There is another such facility in Karnataka. We haven't yet decided whether public entry to the park will be ticket-based or not," he said.

The department says it will ensure that an area of 10-20 acres around the park sees growth in wildlife population, and this will be an insecticide and herbicide-free zone. "There might be a lotus pond and an herbal garden as well. We're working on these details," said another official.

"We don't have leopards and tigers in the sanctuary. There has to be something to draw the visitors. What better than a butterfly park," he added.

According to some estimates, there are about 20,000 different butterfly species in the world, of which 1,501 exist in India.

-The Hindustan Times , July 13, 2014

Sirsanapaali village of Bhadrachalam Division in Khammam district became the first village in Telangana and undivided Andhra Pradesh to get a community forest rights (CFR) title deed in the gram sabha’s name for its forest boundary. After a 10-year struggle, Sirasanapalli villagers were able to harvest and sell bamboo from the forest where they live. A Fellow of the Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellowship Scheme (PMRDF), Prathima Nalabolu, who has been working with the gram sabha since May 2012, played a key role as the village got its title deed on June 21.

On May 19, the villagers conducted their first auction in which 36 bidders participated. The gram sabha, which was not prepared to deal with such a high turn-out was afraid that the bidders would form a syndicate and lower the prices. But with Forest Department officials keeping a watch, the process was successful and the 41,400 harvested bamboo stalks were auctioned to raise Rs 26.10 lakh. Till now, bamboo was handed over to the state forest department which auctioned it.

The villagers’ fight started off with “our bamboo, our right” slogan a decade ago when they opposed the Forest Department’s control over the sale of bamboo cut by them. They had to overcome stiff opposition from the bamboo transporters lobby as well as the state Forest Department which wanted the harvested bamboo to be deposited at the department depot. However, the Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Bhadrachalam stepped in and asked the department to fall in line and give the villagers their rights.

Prathima Nalabolu, who joined the villagers’ efforts after training for three months at the Dr Marri Channa Reddy Human Resource Development Institute at Hyderabad, said: “I have been working as a facilitator for the gram sabha, helping them complete the documentation and GPS survey for filing Community Forest Rights claim and working with Bhadrachalam to ensure the gram sabha receives a title deed. I held gram sabhas in the village on decision-making and gave on-job training in resolution writing… My idea was to ensure that by the end of this process their capacities are built such that they can manage the activities on their own from next year.’’

The jubilant village has decided to spend half the income earned on forest regeneration activities including bamboo regeneration, irrigation via a farm pond, canals for fields that are currently rain-fed and safe drinking water for all households.

Another 25 per cent would be divided among the 31 families as dividend while the remaining 25 per cent has been kept as a reserve fund towards the expenses for the next year’s sale, according to Badisa Gangaih, a village elder.

The gram sabha had elected a 10-member forest management and protection committee which is now overseeing the process, writing resolutions, managing accounts and distributing the labor charges.

-The Indian Express, July 14, 2014

Between 1999 and 2012, there has been an alarming depletion of Natural Conservation Zones-forest, water bodies and wasteland-in the NCR. In Delhi, waterbodies shrunk by 22.6%, forests by 15% and wasteland by 11%, while in NCR, the maximum reduction in such areas was 55% in Gautam Budh Nagar.

After compiling the wide variations in NCZs which has highlighted how protecting these areas is a low priority for states, the NCR Planning Board (NCRPB) has asked Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan governments to respond why they failed despite these areas being marked in the 2005 Regional Plan.

The notices were issued after superimposing the latest satellite images on the regional map that was notified in 2005, sources said. "This is the first time NCRPB has sent notices to hold authorities accountable for failing to enforce the plan. What is the point of having a plan if the constituent states don't abide by it?" asked a government official.

While the overall reduction in NCZs in Delhi is only -15.43%, the loss has been maximum with regard to water bodies which are crucial for a water deficient city. According to NCRPB analysis, the NCZs have depleted in areas including areas including Bawana, Asola, Mandi, Puth Khurd, Alipur, Burari, Mehrauli and Aya Nagar. NCRPB has mentioned specific areas with evidences.

In Among the four constituent states in NCR, the maximum fall in NCZs was detected in Uttar Pradesh at where these fell by

44%. Out of the five districts, Gautam Budh Nagar has the worst record, Bulandshahr and Ghaziabad-Hapur have also fared badly to protect NCZs. Construction activities across the region seem to have dented green zones, a central government official said.

In Haryana, the decrease in areas falling under NCZ is maximum in Rohtak at 51% while in Sonipat it is 45.6% and 43% in Jhajjar.

However, there is some relief in Gurgaon where about 99% the NCZs have not been touched yet, though the state government has been pushing for more real estate activities in Aravalis. "The SC order against mining and vigilant green activists in Gurgaon have contributed to this," said a forest department official.

But in the neighbouring Faridabad district almost one-fourth of such critical green zones has depleted. Sources said NCRPB secretariat has pointed out how in 20 cases out of 45 NCZs in Haryana built up areas have been noticed.

The situation is no better in Alwardistrict in Rajasthan, which also falls under NCR. While the overall percentage change in the NCZ between 1999 and 2005 is about -11%, there is an alarming decrease of is alarming with regard to water bodies. It's about 59% in this arid district.

"We need to protect all Natural Conservation Zones, which are crucial for the sustainability of the entire region which has become the second largest urban area in the world. Urban development minister Venkaiah Naidu has already emphasized the need to implement the provisions in the regional plan by all state governments. The regional plan will have little significance if states fail to comply with provisions," an urban development ministry official said.

-The Times of India, July 14, 2014

A team from Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will soon visit Ahmedabad to study the functioning of the "very successful" heritage cell of Ahmedabad's municipal corporation, ahead of setting its own heritage preservation unit for the national capital.

About a month ago, the urban body, under the chairmanship of LG Najeeb Jung, had decided to set up a dedicated heritage cell to roll out the vision of its Delhi Urban Heritage Foundation (DUHF).

"We have been consulting a lot of case studies, and doing a lot of research. Since Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's heritage cell is quite known for its related work, we are going to learn about its structure and functioning," said a senior DDA official.

The official, who is part of the team visiting the western city, said, the "idea is to see and learn from their (AMC's) model, and then we can decide how much can be applied to the city of Delhi". "We leave on July 16 and the trip will last for about three to four days," she said.

"Though both cities are similar in many aspects, their are others issues, such as the nature of stakeholders, which means one city's model cannot be just adopted for the other," the official said.

The AMC, in collaboration with Conservation and Research of Urban Traditional Architecture foundation, an NGO, had established the first heritage cell in 1996, which has now become a national model for heritage revival.

Ahmedabad-based architect-turned-heritage activist Debashih Nayak, who was instrumental in formation of the cell at the AMC says, "Heritage suffers mostly because of lack of proper policy and legal framework."

-The Times of India, July 14, 2014

Forest cover of the Capital has increased by 3.61 sq km to 179.81 sq km from 176.2 sq km in 2011, says report

The State of Forest Report 2013 has shown an increase in forest cover in Delhi compared to 2011. Officials and ecological experts agree that this may be due to more plantations rather than improved conservation of dense forests.

The forest cover of Delhi has increased by 3.61 sq km to 179.81 sq km from 176.2 sq km in 2011. The highest increase in forest cover, an increase by 2.83 sq km, was in South-West Delhi. While the “Very Dense Forest” cover did not grow at all and was recorded the same at 6.76 sq km, “Moderately Dense Forest” decreased by a trifle 0.1 sq km, from 49.48 sq km to 49.38 sq km. “From 2009 onwards, we have been focusing on over 280 hectares plantations in areas like Garhi Mandu and Bhati near Badarpur planting the slopes of former sand quarries with saplings. These saplings were not recorded in the previous survey as they were still very young. Now, some have grown three to 12 feet high and these are being captured by the satellites,” said a senior official in the Department of Forest. The biennial State of Forest Report records any plots of over one hectare with a tree canopy density of 10 per cent as forest cover. The spectral signature from leaves of trees gets captured by the satellites, explained forest officials.

While most of the increase in forest cover can be explained by the expansion of “Open Forest” from 119.96 sq km to 123.67 sq km and an increase in the area recorded as scrub from 0.7 sq km in 2011 to 2.24 sq km rather than greater dense forest cover, experts say this may still be a positive trend for two reasons.

“One, the trend in other States is that open forest and scrub have increased, while dense and moderately dense forest cover decreased, which means dense forest degraded into open forest. In Delhi, the data does not indicate this as the decrease in moderately dense forest is only 0.1 sq km, while dense forest remained constant. So, there was not much degradation in good forest. Two, it seems that the plantation efforts of the government have gone well and led to an increase in green cover,” said Kumar Sambhav Shrivastava, a forests expert with the Centre of Science and Environment.

“While plantations cannot replace natural forest, which act as complete ecosystems, the increase in green cover in the face of higher urbanisation pressure is a good trend. The macro trend will emerge better if one examines the NCR data where the maximum real estate development is on,” he said.

-The Hindu, July 14, 2014

The Delhi government has decided to follow the example of Hyderabad and Greater Noida for acting against constructions that violate the building bylaws as well as fire and structural safety norms. It is looking at hiking the monthly water and power tariff of the owners of such properties.

The stringent provisions for regulating construction activities in Hyderabad and Greater Noida were discussed in a meeting, chaired by chief secretary S K Srivastava, on structural and fire safety.

Hyderabad has provisions in the water and electricity tariff as well as property tax to penalize unsafe constructions by way of high charges. This has helped in ensuring compliance with the safety norms. Similarly, in Greater Noida, only licensed builders are allowed to carry out construction adhering to building bylaws. Any violation of the provisions leads to cancellation of the builder's licence. The chief secretary has issued directions for putting together techno-legal provisions similar to those of Hyderabad and Greater Noida. Srivastava has also directed the corporations to issue notices informing the public about earthquake-prone areas. The notices will also make it clear that building owners who don't follow the hazard safety provisions of the bylaws will be held responsible for any untoward incident. The corporation has told the government that it is in the process of initiating action against defaulters.

Senior officials feel the need for categorizing residential colonies on the basis of structural vulnerability through visual surveys and safety audits.

Over 1,950 people lost their lives in fires in the capital between 2007 and 2012. The city's vulnerability on account of poor structural safety norms comes through in the data with the Delhi government. Nearly one lakh blazes have been reported since 2007 and over 11,000 were injured.

In 2013 alone, 93 structures collapsed and 64 factory fires were reported. These incidents claimed 42 lives and left 194 people injured.

-The Times of India, July 15, 2014

On the first floor terrace of a home in Wazirabad village there are over 170 raptors, or birds of prey, undergoing treatment. They are being cared for by the Wildlife Rescue, a charitable trust that helps animals in distress. The initiative was started in 2003 by Nadeem Shehzad and Mohammad Saud. “The catalyst for this initiative came when we found an injured black kite 20 years ago and could not find a place to get it treated due to the ferocious and meat-eating nature of the bird,” says Mohammad Saud.

The shelter primarily tends to birds of prey, but tries to accommodate other animals in case of emergency. Their personal mobile number, that acts as the helpline, receives about five distress calls each day. The facility houses over 170 birds presently, comprising primarily black kites, Egyptian vultures, barn owls among other species such as sparrow hawks, hornbills and ibis. The shelter also has two snakes that were rescued from a snake charmer and a five-striped palm squirrel. The birds are directed to the Wildlife Rescue by individuals and organisations such as the fire department, the police and other animal care organisations that fall short of the requisite staff to give treatment.

A part of the terrace is fenced off on three sides for the birds to recuperate, while its roof is left uncovered for them to fly away once they have regained strength.

“Of the 1,500 cases we receive annually, 900 are injuries due to glass-coated kite strings, in addition to tumours and infections.” says Saud.

“There are also a large number of young ones that fall from the nests, especially during the nesting months of April- June,” Shehzad chips in.

According to the brothers, the imported kite-flying threads sold in the market nowadays are nylon based and metal-powder coated. These can slice off the birds' bones, cutting through its skin, muscles, and blood vessels; and are much more injurious than the Indian-made glass-coated ones.

The basement of their house accommodates their small-scale business of manufacturing soap dispensers and an operation room for the avian patients.

The brothers have schooled themselves in the treatment of the birds through observing and learning from veterinary surgeons, reading up books and searching the Internet. They perform a variety of jobs like stitching up wounds, treating tumours, amputations and inserting intramedullary pins to treat broken bones.

This unique venture is not without its share of difficulties. The medical and nutritional expenses of the birds add up to Rs.45,000 a month and are funded by the brothers themselves with occasional contributions from friends and relatives. “When business suffers it hits the functioning of the shelter. But we are too deeply involved to abandon this initiative now” he adds. Shehzad has been appointed Honorary Wildlife Warden on three occasions in the previous decade by the Delhi’s Forest Department in recognition of the Wildlife Rescue efforts. He feels that the government should aid them in building up a dedicated bird shelter as their self-funded venture proves deficient in tending to the increasing numbers of injured birds. “These birds need hospitals to treat their ailments, just as humans do” Shehzad says. “Until then, we will keep striving to help them” he adds optimistically.

-The Hindu, July 15, 2014

With the Narendra Modi government laying special emphasis on rejuvenation of the Ganga, DD News has launched a new programme that traces the journey of the river.

The show, titled Taaki Ganga Bahti Rahe , maps the journey of the river from its source at Gangotri to its culmination at Gangasagar.

The six-episode documentary will be telecast every Sunday from July 6 onwards at 9.30 p.m.. The repeat telecast will be shown on Monday at 3.30 p.m., the Prasar Bharti said in a release here.

The show has been put together by three reporters. In an effort to make the programme interactive, they have interviewed people living on the banks of the Ganga, which flows through multiple States across the country.

Views of scientists, environmentalists, religious leaders and policy-makers too have been included in the show in an attempt to get to the root of issues like pollution, erosion, floods, unregulated urbanisation and encroachment along the banks of the river. “This is not a generic show that only talks about the matter-of-fact problems. Instead, it deals with the problems pertaining to specific regions. For example, in Uttarakhand, the focus is on the factors affecting the flow of the river, while pollution and health issues dominate the discussion in Uttar Pradesh. In Bihar and West Bengal, the main concerns are pollution and erosion,” said DD News Director-General S.M. Khan. - PTI

-The Hindu, July 15, 2014

The groundwater in nearly 31 districts in Uttar Pradesh has been found to have a strong arsenic contamination which exposes the people to slow and consistent toxin.

A technical report titled Arsenic toxicity in ground water of Uttar Pradesh shows that the concentration of arsenic in groundwater exceeds the Bureau of Indian Standards permissible limits (of 0.01 mg/litre) and this is found in 31 districts of the state. The BIS standards are also in sync with the guidelines laid down by the World Health Organisation regarding arsenic contamination. Testing of water samples from all over UP was done at the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR) in Lucknow. The 20 districts, which figure in the severely toxic zones (above 0.05mg/litre), where arsenic presence has been found to be more than five times of permissible limits include Ballia, Lakhimpur, Bahraich, Ghazipur, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Siddharthanagar, Basti, Chandauli, Unnao, Moradabad, Sant Kabir Nagar, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Gonda, Bijnore, Mirzapur, Shahjahanpur, Balrampur, Meerut, and Rae Bareli.

The three districts which fall in “highly-toxic (arsenic presence from 0.04mg/litre to 0.05mg/litre)” category are Faizabad, Kanpur Nagar and Sitapur.

The five districts, which make it to the “dangerously-toxic (from 0.01mg/litre to 0.04mg/ litre)” list, are Ambedkar Nagar, Baghpat, Badaun, Lucknow and Pilibhit. Three districts where arsenic level was found to be around 0.01mg/ litre are Kaushambhi, Saharanpur and Sultanpur.

Among the river basins, the Ghaghra basin is most severely arsenic affected region of the state. As far as occurrence of arsenic is concerned, it is believed that rocks with arsenic eroded from the Himalayas, gets deposited as sediments in the alluvial deposits of the Gangetic plain over thousands of years. Mr Rajendra Singh, Magasaysay awardee, known as the “waterman of India”, felt that the problem of arsenic contamination is prevalent in areas where extraction of groundwater has been rampant and where there is no provision for recharge.

-The Asian Age, July 15, 2014

One in every seven of Delhi’s natural conservation zones (NCZs) - which includes forests, wastelands and waterbodies - has disappeared between 2005 and 2012, shows a scientific report by the national capital region planning board (NCRPB).

The report based on satellite images says that these natural features have shrunk by 2,382.55 hectares or 15.43% within a gap of seven years - possibly pointing out why pollution has grown and groundwater tables have depeleted in the capital. The NCRPB’s letters asking for an explanation from the Delhi government (on May 6, June 23 and July 1 this year) have gone unanswered. The letter on July 1, which was a reminder for an earlier notice, had sought a reply from the Delhi government by July 15. If there were to be none, “it is presumed that aforesaid variations are cases of violations of the regional plan-2021.” The deadline ended on Tuesday. “They have not responded. They are yet to submit a detailed reply,” said a senior NCRPB official, requesting anonymity.

HT’s phone calls and text messages to Delhi’s acting environment secretary, Arun Baroka, who is to respond to the NCRPB notice, went unanswered.

A senior forest department official, on the condition of anonymity, seemed to question the NCRPB’s claims. “We don’t know where NCRPB got its data. We certainly didn’t provide that. Encroachment of natural features may be a reason behind the reduction. But an agency like Geospatial Delhi Limited must look into the claims before we can comment on it,” he said. NCRPB member secretary Naini Jayaseelan on May 6 wrote to Delhi chief secretary Sanjay Kumar Srivastava regarding variations in area and percentage in NCZ and sought reasons for the same within a week. No reply came. NCRPB on June 23 sent a notice to Baroka, to no avail again. Jayaseelan on July 1 wrote to Srivastava, “Please instruct him (nodal officer) to submit a detailed reply within 15 days failing which it is presumed that aforesaid variations are cases of violations of the regional plan-2021.”

-The Hindustan Times, July 16, 2014

These Gurgaon villages will see enhanced wastewater treatment capacity

Sixty villages from Gurgaon district have been short-listed for the implementation of Solid and Liquid Waste Management Project under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) for the current financial year. The project will help in segregation of solid waste and considerably enhance wastewater treatment capacity and help in generation of recycled water for agricultural and other purposes.

Deputy Commissioner Shekhar Vidyarthi said only those villages which have won or figured in the list of the Nirmal Gram Puraskar have been chosen for the project. The pilot project for waste management is already underway at Mubarakpur, Hasanpur and Kankrola villages in the district. In Hasanpur and Kankrola, the project is being run by the Institute of Global Development, a non-government organisation, with good results. Mr. Vidyarthi said encouraged by the response to the project in these villages, they have now decided to extend it to other villages.

In the first phase, the project will be implemented in 16 villages, including Barmoli, Badshahpur, Devlavas, Ransika, Heraheri, Bhakraka, Maujabad, Mahchana, Bapas and Uccha Majra.

Under the project, pits will be dug up under sheds in each village to convert wet waste into manure. Tri-cycles will be hired to collect solid waste from around the village every morning and bring it to the pits for recycling. “The wet waste will then be separated from dry waste like polythene bags, glass, iron and cardboards and can be composted. The separated non-biodegradable waste will be sold to scrap dealers,” said Mr. Vidyarthi, adding that two safai karamcharis will be appointed in each village to collect waste. These karamcharis will be initially paid through the District Rural Development Agency, but later the village panchayat will bear their cost.

Similarly, a low-cost drainage system will be put in place in each village to carry water from kitchens and toilets to ponds outside the village. Three ponds will be dug up on the outskirts of the village to recycle the water and make it reusable. “The water will be filtered through the first and second ponds to reach the third. It will then be taken to fields for irrigation and also put to other use,” said Mr. Vidyarthi.

Project Director Rajesh Gupta said concrete dustbins will be constructed in schools and Anganwadi centres to encourage women and children towards cleanliness. “The villages identified for waste management have been classified into four categories for allocation of funds. The villages with 150 households will be allocated Rs.7 lakh, while those with 300 households will be released Rs.12 lakh. Similarly, the villages with 300-500 households will get Rs.15 lakh and the bigger villages Rs.20 lakh,” said Mr. Gupta.

-The Hindu, July 16, 2014

ASI is also putting up stone benches at the fort so that the visitors can rest.

The ruined 14th century Tughlaqabad Fort in South Delhi is set to get a facelift, complete with stone benches, drinking water supply and public toilets, after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently began repair at the site. The heritage-conservation agency was reportedly allocated funds from the National Culture Fund (NCF) for the project.

According to ASI, NCF — which was created for the preservation and conservation of art, culture and heritage — regularly receives funds from corporate giants and major public sector undertakings as part of their tax-redemption schemes under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) — for the upkeep of the city’s monuments.

Recently, Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) donated Rs 30 lakh, which will reportedly be used for the fort’s conservation. “We have already completed about 65 per cent of the work proposed initially. We had identified key areas that demanded immediate attention. The burj and fortification walls of the fort are undergoing repair. Stones from the surrounding Aravali hills are being used for the restoration,” ASI (Delhi) Superintendent Archeologist Vasant Kumar Swarankar told Newsline.

ASI is also putting up stone benches at the fort so that the visitors can rest. ASI said the surrounding area too will be developed and beautified with gardens. Drinking water supply and public amenities will also be made available for visitors, Swarankar said.

According to ASI, the gates of the fort, which were severely damaged due to years of neglect, are also being repaired. According to historians, only 13 of the original 52 gates remain today.

Stretching across six kilometres, the fort is part of the third city of Delhi which was built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, in 1321. Massive stone fortifications surround the irregular ground plan of the city. The sloping rubble-filled walls are nearly 15 feet high and are a typical feature of monuments of the Tughlaq dynasty. They are topped by battlement parapets and strengthened by circular bastions up to two storeys.

Interestingly, the fort is also considered one of the most unsafe areas, owing to its dilapidated state and overgrown vegetation. Vikramjit Rooprai, who runs Delhi Heritage Photography group, said the unfavourable conditions deter enthusiasts from visiting it. “Tughlaqabad is a huge fort. Though some parts are manned by security guards, the back portion is full of vegetation. A part of a slum is connected to the fort with no wall separating the two. The fortification walls as well as the monument need urgent repair,” he said.

-The Indian Express, July 16, 2014

The finance minister's first budget has been seen as evokingBollywood because of its Rs 100 crore obsession. This is what Arun Jaitley has proposed for developing metros and upgrading madrasas, and what he has allocated for ghats and the girl child.

Can small outlays lead to substantial changes? Should the Rs 100 crore allocation for preserving our monuments and archaeological sites be seen as tokenism? Would it make a difference to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)? Since an excellent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on 'Preservation and Conservation of Monuments and Antiquities' was tabled in Parliament last year, I looked at figures there for answers.

From the budget documents, the inadequate allocation for 'culture' stands out. The ministry of culture's budget in 2010 was a mere 0.12% of our total budget. Of this, the ASI's share was a third of the ministry's share.

In terms of real figures, the budgetary expenditure of the ASI for 2011-12 was a little over Rs 171 crore as the Plan component and Rs 275 crore as the Non-Plan component.

This was spent on activities under various heads, from maintaining site museums to excavations and research. Conservation figured prominently, though the largest chunk was earmarked for establishment charges.

Now, with this Rs 100 crore, the 2014-15 budget has been hiked by nearly 25%. Most importantly, this is exclusively for ensuring better heritage preservation.

This is far more than what the ASI has annually spent on monuments in recent years. Stunning submissions were made in 2010, when the amendment to the Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958 was being drafted by a committee appointed by then-PM Manmohan Singh.

Apparently, the ASI could allocate funds for a handful of non-ticketed monuments every year while there were several hundred monuments that had "not received a single rupee towards conservation in the last 20 to 30 years".

Considering the magnitude of the problem, this one-time allocation of Rs 100 crore can only be considered as a first step; it has to be converted into an annual allocation.

How should this Rs 100 crore be spent? It would not be wise, for instance, if the ASI spent this money for preparing expensive site management plans such as those around the caves of Ajanta and Ellora, where over Rs 92 lakh and Rs 94 lakh respectively were paid to outside consultants. Nor should funds be spent on World Heritage monuments already the recipients of large annual outlays. Instead, the hundreds of monuments where there has been little conservation work, or where the funds have been inadequate, should be taken up.

Some of these are unique, like the Kanaganahalli Stupa in Karnataka — its sorry state is evident from the photographs in the CAG report and what it says: "We found the excavated parts of the Stupa and the panels were lying scattered in the open, subject to the vagaries of nature. Water had accumulated in many parts and black patches had appeared on the panels."

Other endangered monuments are more unprepossessing. The 220-odd mounds and 110 kos minars — conical columns which served as milestones for road users in medieval times — would fall in this category. There are precious structures unearthed from mounds, like the apsidal temple at Sonkh, which are in a pathetic state.

There are those like Hastinapur where temple encroachments and illegal structures have come up on the protected mound, including the statue of a former MP!

Considering this budget makes allocations for enhancing pilgrimage circuits, a substantial outlay for these markers along old travel routes should be considered, with cultural signages to explain their significance.

Finally, it would be a good idea for the ASI to restore some of the monuments which its own people have occupied. Amandapaat Kanyakumari's Vatakkottai has apparently been converted into a storehouse, while the verandah of the palace of Raja Suchet Singh in Ramnagar is a lounge with bathrooms and a kitchen! Jaitley's Rs 100 crore allocation sends the right signal. The ASI must now display vision by spending it wisely.

-The Economic Times, July 16, 2014

The Namami Ganga initiative must build on what has been achieved. And go beyond involving organisations of the ruling dispensation’s extended ideological brotherhood.

The finance minister announced the high-profile “Namami Ganga” project in his recent budget speech with an allocation of Rs 2,037 crore, but no other details. But what is really new about it, and is the hype justified? Rajiv Gandhi, in his very first address to the nation as prime minister on January 6, 1985, announced a major programme to clean the Ganga. In February 2009, Manmohan Singh declared the Ganga our national river and announced the establishment of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) under his chairmanship, comprising the chief ministers of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal and well-known activists and professionals. The NGRBA is supported by similar authorities in the basin states, chaired by the respective chief ministers.

The NGRBA was created after a detailed evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of earlier Ganga action plans (GAP), on which some Rs 900 crore has been spent. They were successful in preventing further deterioration in water quality and, in fact, in improving it in some places, despite ever increasing population and other pressures. The GAPs ensured that dissolved oxygen was largely within acceptable limits. But variation in biochemical oxygen demand values was much higher as compared to dissolved oxygen and faecal coliform counts frequently exceeded stipulated limits, particularly at Kannauj, Kanpur, Allahabad and Varanasi. Between February 2009 and March 2014, the NGRBA implemented Mission Clean Ganga, whose main objective was to ensure that by 2020, no untreated municipal sewage or industrial effluents would be let into the river. The mission had two anchors — nirmal dhara (clean flow) and aviral dhara (minimum continuous flow). To fulfil both goals, the NGRBA took five far-reaching decisions. First, it sanctioned 81 projects worth Rs 6,400 crore for sewage control and treatment in Uttar Pradesh (Rs 2,700 crore), Bihar (Rs 1,400 crore), West Bengal (Rs 1,200 crore), Uttarakhand (Rs 250 crore) and Jharkhand (Rs 100 crore). This was to create a sewer network of over 3,600 km and a sewage treatment capacity of over 700 million litres per day. A special Rs 500 crore project had been sanctioned for Varanasi alone. Second, it got a consortium of IITs led by IIT-Kanpur to prepare a comprehensive Ganga River Basin Management Plan along with enabling legislation to give effect to the provisions of the plan. Third, it declared the Gangetic Dolphin as the national aquatic animal to make it the symbol of the restoration of the cleanliness of the river. Fourth, notices were issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for the first time to a number of polluting industries, particularly in the critically polluted 730 km stretch from Kannauj to Varanasi so as to signal the government’s firm determination to enforce pollution control standards. Fifth, three hydel projects — Loharinag Pala, Pala Maneri and Bhaironghati — on the upper reaches of the Bhagirathi were abandoned on ecological considerations and the 100 km-long Gaumukh to Uttarkashi stretch declared as a regulated eco-sensitive zone.

Around 70-75 per cent of the pollution in the Ganga is caused by the discharge of untreated municipal sewage from towns and cities along it. That is why the NGRBA gave the highest priority to sewage treatment infrastructure based on future population growth, and had also announced that 70 per cent of the operation and maintenance costs of the infrastructure created would be funded by the Centre. But going beyond sewage control, effluent treatment plants and control of industrial pollution, catchment area treatment, protection of flood plains and preventing run-off of non-biodegradable pesticides from agricultural fields are also equally important activities. An integrated water quality monitoring system will help greatly. The NGRBA had approved of a network comprising 113 automatic stations and another 134 manual stations at critical locations along the main 2,500 km length of the river that would provide state-of-the-art, real-time pictures of water quality through data on 20 critical parameters. Namami Ganga must go beyond involving organisations belonging to the extended ideological brotherhood of the present ruling dispensation in New Delhi. With elections in UP just two years away, perhaps some partisan politics is at play here. That would be most unfortunate. The initiative must consolidate what has been accomplished so far, since much work has already been done. The IIT consortium, for example, has already submitted 37 reports, and it has given the country the first basin-wide approach to river management, a marked departure from the earlier city-centred approach. Seven hundred and sixty four grossly polluting industries have already been identified and 704 of them have actually been inspected and issued suitable directions. There is always political backlash when such directions are issued, but if we are serious about cleaning the Ganga, then Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 must be invoked and enforced ruthlessly. For this to be a reality, the five state pollution control boards have to work in tandem with the CPCB. The eco-sensitive zone from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi was finally notified in December 2012 in the teeth of opposition from all political parties in Uttarakhand.

A number of other historic and culturally significant rivers across the country, like the Yamuna and the Sutlej, also demand our attention. The Musi river in Hyderabad and the Mula-Mutha river in Pune, for instance, have become sewers. Work had been initiated as part of the National River Conservation Programme in the ministry of environment and forests, with the Yamuna getting special focus under the Yamuna Action Plan. All these initiatives must now move into higher gear even as Namami Ganga gathers momentum. The writer, a Congress MP in the Rajya Sabha, was Union minister of environment and forests from May 2009 to July 2011.

-The Indian Express, July 17, 2014

Will India’s first aircraft carrier be scrapped or made a museum?

On the eve of the Supreme Court decision whether India’s first aircraft carrier ‘INS Vikrant’ should be scrapped, former servicemen made a strong pitch for converting it into a maritime museum.

The Maharashtra government has expressed its inability to preserve it as a maritime museum owing to financial constraints. The 16,000-tonne ship, which had helped to enforce a naval blockade of East Pakistan — now Bangladesh — during the 1971 war, was decommissioned in 1997.

Activists and former servicemen said it was a pity that the government could not allocate funds to preserve a “national treasure” even as it was willing to spend Rs. 200 crore to build the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. “The vessel should serve as an inspiration for the future. It’s a shame that she is parked opposite the Darukhana ship-breaking yard, the graveyard of ships,” lamented former Admiral I.C. Rao.

The Bombay High Court had given the go-ahead for the Vikrant to be auctioned in January, after it rejected a public interest litigation petition to save the vessel and convert it into a maritime museum. The Centre said it was difficult to maintain the vessel.

In March, the Indian Navy sold Vikrant to a Mumbai-based ship breaking company for Rs. 63 crore. However, activists recently moved the apex court in a bid to save the vessel. The Supreme Court in May ordered maintenance of status quo. “The ship is caught in the crossfire between politicians and scrap syndicate,” said former Captain Lawrence Nathaniel, who served two years on the vessel during the 1960s.

The former servicemen, who nostalgically recalled their time on the ship, would also make representations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

To further their point about the feasibility of the project, they have chalked out a plan to address the safety concerns of all the parties concerned. The vessel would be parked on a concrete platform close to shallow waters, and not kept floating, to avoid the danger of sinking. A suitable spot, west of Oyster Rock, has been zeroed in to park the imposing ship. To make the project commercially viable, corporate firms would be invited to sponsor activities on board and treat it as a tourist hub with a convention centre, said Mr. Rao. The ship has 2.6 lakh square feet of space, of which 50,000 square feet can be developed into a museum. The other space can be used as a convention centre. Mr. Rao spoke of the success of similar projects in New York (USS Trepid) and London (HMS Belfast).

Mr. Nathaniel informed that the Vizag Urban Development Authority (VUDA) in Andhra Pradesh had agreed to adopt the vessel as a maritime museum, provided it was brought to the city.The vessel was purchased as HMS Hercules from Britain in 1957 and rechristened ‘INS Vikrant.’

-The Hindu, July 17, 2014

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand, as a result of which the yatra to Kedarnath has been postponed till Friday.

According to the officials at the Disaster Management Department, the journey to Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and the Sikh pilgrim spot of Hemkund Sahib is being hindered by continuous landslides. A warning has been issued for those taking the Char Dham Yatra across these regions.

The weather forecast for Wednesday states ‘Heavy rainfall may occur at isolated places in south Uttarakhand especially in some parts of Champawat, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Almora and Pauri districts.’

Water level rise

According to data released by the Central Water Commission, water level in the Mandakini, Bhagirathi, and Alaknanda rivers is rising due to continuous rainfall. The Alaknanda river at Srinagar has crossed its warning level of 535 metres (m) and is trending towards a rise, data states.

The water level in the Ganga at Rishikesh too is on the rise and might soon cross its warning level of 339.5 m.

-The Hindu, July 17, 2014

Even while bureaucrats prepare reports on Yamuna riverfront development amid raging debate on the suitability of the Sabarmati model, a scientist from Jamia Millia Islamia has come out with a plan to use the river's floodplains for solving the capital's water crisis. Contrary to proposals of building on them and channelizing or confining the Yamuna, Vikram Soni has espoused conserving the floodplains as water reservoirs for Delhi.

Yamuna's floodplains are a valuable water resource for the capital, Soni, who decided to submit his research to PMO, has said. Soni is suggesting a 'preserve and use' scheme in which about 12% of the total volume of the aquifer can be drawn without disturbing riparian ecology. A 50km length can generate close to 200 million cubic metres a year-enough water for 1.3 million, according to the study.

Indeed, this project was set to be taken up by Delhi Jal Board in 2009 after then prime minister Manmohan Singh expressed interest in the idea. But the project was delayed indefinitely by DJB. Now, Soni is worried that Delhi may lose this vast water reservoir.

"It's ironic how history repeats itself. In 2009, the Sheila Dikshit administration had the idea of channelizing the Yamuna and putting up a waterfront a la Paris and London. India's monsoon rivers-which get 80% of their flow in three months and come from such a great height-are different from European rivers which receive rain throughout the year, and do not have such deep and wide floodplain aquifers. Besides, Europe does not have a water shortage," Soni said. The floodplain water extraction scheme can be perennial and low cost. An annual yield of 100 MCM will cost Rs 100 crore for installation of borewells, pipeline and a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system.

"The non-channelized river rises by four metres during peak monsoon flooding. Can you imagine the peak flood rise in the channelized river? A European solution will not work here. This is why the lower floodplain on the eastern side of the river in Benares has been left fallow," he added.

Only recently has DJB shown some interest in Soni's proposal. It's currently setting up a system through which it will be able to extract 10-15 million gallons per day from the Palla region.

"The report submitted by Soni was largely non-implementable. It suggested that we extract 60MGD from the floodplain while its potential is no more than 30MGD. However, there is some promise and we have asked WAPCOS (Water and Power Consultancy Services) to prepare a report," said an official. A similar report by Central Ground Water Authority had been junked by DJB.

Soni has the same idea, too, for Delhi Ridge which gets the maximum rainfall and acts as the most important groundwater recharge zone for the city. "Rainfall in a forest soaks into the humus and travels down the earth, enriched in minerals and finds an opening as a spring. The only difference in the water that collects at the bottom of our Ridge is that it does not emerge as a spring. If we used it, we would have a perennial and local source of mineral water," Soni's proposal said.

It cautioned that the only water that must be collected is the amount that can be replenished by rain.

-The Times of India, July 17, 2014

The Centre today told the Lok Sabha that 22 drains discharge their waste into the Yamuna river after it enters Delhi.

Replying to a question today, Minister of State for Water Resources Santosh Kumar Gangwar said, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has carried out works under the Yamuna Action Plan as well as its Interceptor Sewer Project, targeted at cleaning the river. According to him, DJB has incurred expenditure of Rs 572.67 crore for the Yamuna Action Plan between 2009 and 2014-15 and Rs 602.58 crore for the Interceptor Sewer Project during the same period.

All the industries and sewage treatment plants are required to take consent under Water (Prevention and Control Pollution) Act 1974 from the state government and accordingly install adequate pollution control treatment of waste water, he added.

-The Indian Express, July 18, 2014

A week after finance minister Arun Jaitley pitched for inter-linking of rivers in his budget presentation, saying the move could yield "rich dividends", water resources minister Uma Bharati on Thursday said rivers across the country could be linked in 10 years time if states agreed.

The Ken-Betwa river link will be the first to be implemented under the new government as Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have given their consent. Two other projects, expected to be implemented on priority, are Daman Ganga-Pinjal link spanning Maharashtra and Gujarat and Par-Tapi-Narmada link in Gujarat.

Replying to a supplementary question in Lok Sabha, Bharati said inter-linking of rivers (ILR) would not only provide electricity to the tune of 34,000 mw but also help in implementation of the ambitious rural irrigation scheme.

Allaying concerns of members, she, insisted that ILR would be taken up only after getting consent of states concerned and it would be implemented in such a way that uninterrupted flow of rivers and their purity would be maintained.

Her remarks assume significance in light of the Narendra Modi government's push for the move. Calling for a serious effort in the direction of river inter-linking, Jaitley's budget set aside Rs 100 crore to expedite preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs).

Presenting his maiden budget on July 10, Jaitley said rivers were the lifeline of the country as they provided water not only for producing food but also for drinking. "Unfortunately, the country is not uniformly blessed with perennial rivers. Therefore, an effort to link the rivers can give rich dividends... It is time that we made a serious effort in this direction," he had said.

Different state governments have objected to four out of 30 ILR projects. While Kerala assembly last year passed a resolution against taking up the Pamba-Achankovil-Vaippar link, Odisha did not agree to the Mahanadi-Godavari link due to submergence of Manibhadra dam/reservoir.

Karnataka objected to the Netravati-Hemavati link, saying it wanted to utilize Netravati water as per its own plan. Madhya Pradesh, which agreed to the Ken-Betwa link, opposed the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link. Though ILR was mooted way back in 1982, it was seriously taken up only during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure as prime minister during 1999-2004. It, however, fell off the radar once the UPA came to power.

The UPA took it up in its last year in office after the Supreme Court in February 2012 directed the Centre to implement the ILR project in a time-bound manner and appointed a high-powered committee for its planning and implementation.

The full ILR project has two components - the peninsular and the Himalayan. The peninsular component includes diversion of surplus waters of Mahanadi and Godavari to the Pennar, Krishna, Vaigai and Cauvery rivers.

The Himalayan component, on the other hand, was conceived to build storage reservoirs on the Ganga and the Brahmaputra and their main tributaries in India and Nepal in order to conserve water during the monsoon for irrigation and generation of hydro-power, besides checking floods.

-The Times of India, July 18, 2014

For the first time in the 65 years of its existence, National Museum is hosting an exhibition of a treasure trove donated by a private individual. Titled A Passionate Eye: Textiles, Paintings and Sculptures' from Bharany Donation, it will showcase a selection of items contributed to the museum by C L Bharany in memory of his father. The exhibition will be on till August 14.

It highlights the role played by private collectors in enriching the nation's public museums. It is the first special exhibition held at National Museum to explore this subject. Close to 100 works that Bharany and his father collected from across India will be displayed in a specially designed gallery from July 11. These include sculptures in stone, bronze and wood, besides paintings (on paper and cloth), manuscripts and textiles, over the past two millennia.

Dr Giles Tillotson, one of the curators of the exhibition, notes the Bharanys starting from Radha Krishna, the late father of Chote Lal (now 87) are among the most significant collectors of Indian art in the 20th century. "What is striking is not just the range and quality of the works they assembled; their contributions to the work of scholars and of the country's museums are immense," he says.

The exhibition, which Tillotson has co-curated with Pramod Kumar K G and Mrinalini Venkateswaran of Eka Archiving Services, is designed by Siddhartha Chatterjee of Seechange. Some items have been lent by the Bharany family, which has roots in Amritsar.

Through its design, the exhibition seeks to reflect the variety and eclecticism of its items. Objects are grouped sometimes by material such as textile and sometimes by subject matter such as asceticism, irrespective of provenance and date to highlight the varied and layered links that inspire collecting, said officials. Dr Venu V, director-general of the museum, said, they are keen to share more private collections. and similar exhibitions will allow visitors to see more than what's on permanent display.

"This is the first such exhibition NM is holding to explore the subject of private collections."

-The Times of India, July 18, 2014

World heritage sites in the capital lack adequate tourist amenities. And restoration efforts in at least two sites — Qutub Minar and Red Fort — are far from what is needed to maintain the historical significance and beauty of these magnificent monuments. These were some of the findings of the parliamentary committee report tabled recently.

The report, which says iconic cultural sites in the country are under threat due to negligence, also mentions the Lal Mahal fiasco which the culture ministry has allowed to bring under central protection. It also states that no laxity should be shown to encroachers and the remains of the site have to be acquired at all costs.

Lal Mahal or Kushak-i-Lal is said to have been built by Ghiyasuddin Balban (1266-1286 AD). "Lal Mahal was constructed with red sandstone, over a plinth comprising a central domed room, with a verandah having a flat roof supported by pillars and lintels," reads a description of the monument which was partially razed in 2008. The culture ministry admitted that the monument was encroached upon and used as a residence. The parliamentary committee report had for long been pursuing this issue and requested the ministry to furnish a report on threats to the 13th century palace.

The issue was last raised with ASI earlier this year during a meeting wherein officials admitted they were denied access to the site and were not even allowed to photograph it. The report urged ASI to become more proactive. "In the case of Lal Mahal, it appears that land grabbers and authorities are in connivance. They could successfully destroy the precious monument and illegal constructions took place while government authorities remained silent spectators. Even now, people from ASI are being denied entry to the illegally encroached premises. The committee recommends that since a decision has been made to protect this monument, no leniency should be shown to encroachers and they should be removed with the help of police. Even if some important monuments are privately owned, it does not authorize owners to deface, alter or demolish them. Appropriate legal and institutional mechanism need to be put in place to make such persons accountable," said the report.

The committee also made several recommendations on the upkeep of world heritages sites. "Efforts should be made by the ministry to restore the original Mughal charm of Red Fort. This can happen only when its surroundings are also developed tastefully in a contemporaneous style of the monument. It is sad that nothing has been done to renovate this

monument and compensate for the loss and deliberate destruction that took place during the colonial period when it was converted into barracks. The committee emphasizes need to integrate Red Fort with Shahjahanabad as the entire Mughal city, including Red Fort, has been nominated as part of the world heritage city," the report added.

For Qutub Minar, the committee mentioned the need for the right illumination to highlight the monument's beauty. It also said the monument, like other famous sites, should not be dealt with in isolation with its surroundings. "This famous world heritage monument must be developed into an integrated site including the historic Mehrauli village and Mehrauli Archaeological Park,'' said the report.

-The Times of India, July 20, 2014

The functional capacity of Delhi’s sewage treatment plants (STPs) has come down by 40% because of blocked trunk sewers and large parts of the city being outside the sewerage network, the Centre has said.

This means that more than 57% of the 3,800 MLD (million litres a day) of raw sewage and untreated industrial pollutants that Delhi generates is flowing directly into the Yamuna, reducing the once fabled river — which meets Delhi’s 70% water needs — into a noxious black thread.

“Despite having a capacity of 2,742 MLD, the STPs are receiving flow of only around 1,590-1,635 MLD and are being underutilised,” Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar has informed Rajya Sabha. More raw sewage goes into the river when STPs themselves do not function sometimes.

The river, pollution watchdogs reports say, is extremely polluted, not fit even for bathing. H uge quantities of untreated waste is often found to be floating in it.

The under utilisation of STPs — from 2,700 MLD to 1,600 MLD — has only meant that damage to the water body has peaked. While presenting Delhi’s budget on Friday, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley allocated `750.80 crore for better sewerage systems, stating that four new STPs will add 360 MLD treatment capacity to the city .

Manoj Misra of NGO Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan said, “The sewerage management in Delhi is a shame. No wonder the river in the city is what it is — a canal to carry a toxic cocktail of sewage and industrial waste. Authorities must explain and defaulters brought to book as to why the sewerage infrastructure remains underutilised”.

“The dream to build a world-class city will never come true by merely building more STPs unless the sewerage of the whole city is improved properly,” Misra said. The government must ensure waste does not go into the river through storm drains, he said.

“We’re on the job. Along with building STPs, we’re also rehabilitating trunk sewers and linking more and more areas with our sewerage network,” a top Delhi government official claimed.

Originating 375 km north of Delhi, at the Yamunotri glacier in Uttarakhand, Yamuna River is relatively clean when it enters Delhi. However, once it flows inside Delhi, the Capital takes out 3,000 MLD of water for treatment and supply, returning the favour with discharge from 22 drains.

-The Hindustan Times, July 20, 2014

As the restoration work in Mehrauli Archalogical Park gets approval, let’s look at the grave issue

The decision to renovate and restore monuments in the Mehrauli Archalogical Park was long overdue, though late it is nevertheless welcome. Among the tombs to be renovated is that of Ghayasuddin Balban which dates back to 1286. Just like the older tomb of Illtumish, this one also doesn’t have a roof. But since mausoleums of such important personages couldn’t have been built roofless, it is fair to assume that the roofs collapsed during the course of the centuries after weathering many a monsoon or invasion by hostile forces. It would be in the fitness of things if the ASI takes up the challenge of restoring them as also that of Alauddin Khilji. This will no doubt be a daunting task as no depiction of these tombs, complete with the roofs, is available but architectural trends in those days and guesswork may be of some help.

When one visited the tomb of Alauddin, one found that a mongoose had made its home there in a hole. That was over 40 years ago. A recent visit to Balban’s tomb revealed that a whole mongoose family was active in it. Illtutmish’s tomb had a chameleon, a big one, which changed colour frequently, with its throat getting knotty as if it was about to shoot the poisonous “goli” which, as erroneously believed, the “girgit” uses to attack those who try to impede its path. One of the caretakers, however, disclosed that mongooses are pretty common in the area and hide in Illtutmish’s tomb too. And this, he thought, was a welcome sign since it kept snakes away, for no snake however venomous would like to meddle with a mongoose. Otherwise snake-bite cases in and around dilapidated monuments are not uncommon during the rainy season.

One thing that ASI must keep in mind while renovating Balban’s tomb is that the Slave ruler spent a considerable part of his life at his estate in Hansi (now in Haryana). Surely the ruins at the place if renovated, could throw fresh light on this stern and able administrator. His palace, Kushaki Lal in Nizamuddin is in a pitiable state and despite some repairs is still far from being labelled as “restored”. Sikandar Lodi’s tomb in Lodi Park is also to be renovated but what about the tomb of his son, Ibrahim Lodhi in Panipat, the only tomb of the dynasty not in Delhi? Open to the elements, this tomb can hardly be called a mausoleum. It was built courtesy Babar who, after the First Battle of Panipat, sent out his men to find out the fate of his rival. They discovered the body of Ibrahim among the slain, for he had died fighting gallantly and the Mughal invader could not but salute his bravery. Babar had the body buried in a mud grave which was later built upon by Ibrahim’s mother (the Sultana Begum). She had been taken into protective custody by Babar, who later allotted a special place to her among the ladies of his harem. But bent on avenging her son’s death she bribed a cook to mix the dreadful poison Kalakuta in the Mughal emperor’s food. Babar became seriously ill but somehow survived. The effects of the poison, however, it is said, led to his early death. A debatable point but worth consideration.

Ibrahim Lodhi’s tomb should also get a roof and the buildings at Sikandra in Agra, where Sikandar Lodi wanted to establish a new capital, too need to be reclaimed. The tank he built is now known as Guru-ka-tal and the tomb of Khwajasarai Itibari Khan, the royal eunuch who tortured Shah Jahan in his last days in the Agra Fort, has become a gurudwara. Actually the Khwajasarai had converted a Lodi monument to serve as his future tomb. Nizam Khan Sikandar Lodi was the greatest king of the short-lived dynasty and preserving his legacy so close to Delhi should not be difficult. But one thing that no renovation can probably restore is the missing grave of Balban. The grave of one of his sons and that of another relative can be traced in the mausoleum but not the Slave Sultan’s. It is said that he was cursed by a dervesh that after death there would be no trace of his remains as he had punished a holy man on the mere suspicion of witchcraft. But this is just a myth. May be a successor king, the elements or vandals were really responsible for the vanished grave. Still it takes away from the sanctity of the monument. (The author is a veteran chronicler of Delhi)

-The Hindu, July 20, 2014

DAWN reported Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif has shown interest in the SRDP and pushed officials to visit it at the earliest.

A four-member delegation from Pakistan is set to visit India to study the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project (SRDP), one of the major developmental initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi back from when he was CM of Gujarat. A report in Dawn online quoted a senior official from the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) as saying that Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif has shown interest in the SRDP and pushed officials to visit it at the earliest.

The delegation, which begins their three day visit today, is headed by Lahore commissioner Rashid Mehmood Langrial and comprises LDA Director-General Ahad Khan Cheema, LDA’s strategic policy unit chief Moazzam Sipra and Mustafa Kamal Chaudhry, a technical expert on urban infrastructure projects.

-The Indian Express, July 21, 2014

The rare blooming of the Tiger Orchid at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute at Palode, near Thiruvananthapuram, has triggered excitement among scientists and nature lovers. Native to the jungles of Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Papua New Guinea, the plant has big yellow flowers with deep brown markings on them, resembling a tiger’s coat.

It is also known as the Giant Orchid because the flowers become massive on attaining maturity.

“Though the Tiger Orchid has bloomed twice in the past on the campus, the flowers were not healthy and our efforts to multiply the plant failed,” said scientist C. Sathish Kumar of the institute's Orchid Biology and Conservation unit. A plant that grows on other trees, the Tiger Orchid ( Grammatophyllum speciosum ) produces hundreds of flowers on separate shoots. Each flower is about 10 to 15 cm wide. The species is rarely cultivated commercially as it is usually too large to be accommodated in most greenhouses.

The long flowering interval — it lies dormant for more than a year before flowering again — is another deterrent for floriculturists.

-The Hindu, July 21, 2014

ASI’s innovative Children’s Museum on Siri Fort Road, housing replicas of some exquisite carvings, is an abode of knowledge for young minds

A large number of our museums specialise in being quiet and discreet. Their obscure location, at times, help in keeping them hidden. Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) Children’s Museum surrounded by the ruins and lush greenery in South Delhi is one of those. The non-ticketed museum located right next to the 15th Century Siri Fort Wall in South Delhi and a lesser known Muhammad Wali Masjid, came up in 2008 with the view to familiarise children in the Capital through the replicas of significant heritage sites across the country. It is housed in the building which was once Delhi Development Authority Officer’s Club. The ASI acquired it in 2003 following a legal battle led by writer Ajeet Cour and late former Primer Minister V.P.Singh.

K.K.Muhammed, then ASI Delhi Circle Superintending Archaeologist conceived the idea and had replicas of sculptures like Didarganj Yakshi (Mauryan Period, Bihar), Gudimallam Sivalingam (1 Century B.C. Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh), Mahishasura Mardini (Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu), a rare figurine Rudra Siva (7 Century, Tala, Chattisgarh), Jesus Christ on the Cross (16 Century, Goa) — placed in the museum. And they are all over. Right from the moment you enter the museum, in the spatial green lawns and the galleries.

It was a rainy day when we visited the venue and found most of the captions for the outdoor sculptures missing. So were the ASI officials. With galleries closed, fans and lights switched off and no officers in sight, it was exploration in the real sense. We sighted the staff after sauntering around for nearly half an hour and it was only then the lights were switched on in the gallery which houses replicas of some rarely seen sculptures and figures hidden in caves or kept in museums in the country or outside. Fasting Buddha is one such unusual work. Built in the Kushan Period (3rd Century), it shows an emaciated Buddha — something I had never seen — it is believed to be the finest example of Gandhara art. The work is now in Central Museum, Pakistan. Trivikrama Panel, Arjuna’s Penance, Mahishasura Mardini, Didarganj Yakshi (found on the bank of Ganga in 1917 and now on display at Patna Museum) and other masterpieces occupy the gallery. And here they are accompanied by impeccable captions.

My favourites in the section: Shhalabhanjika (Pratihara, 9-10th Century, Madhya Pradesh), a sensual woman figure without hands carved in buff sandstone in dvibhanga dubbed as Indian Monalisa, Ravana Shaking Mount Kailash from the 5th Century Dashavatara caves, Drunken Lady (a dead drink lady drooping with intoxication) being helped by two male attendants.

Coming to the ‘Astitva’ gallery, there is a possibility of it being closed when you visit but don’t get discouraged. Persist and you will have it opened for you. The ASI brilliantly weaves the tale of vandalism here. The exhibition designed by National Museum and Muhammed in 2008 has become a permanent feature. The site explains defacement and defiling of these sites through photographs and recreation of encroachments and illegal occupation of the monuments. Another gallery is dedicated to highlight the work of ASI through photographs of monuments showing them before and after conservation. “It might be looking very quiet today but otherwise it is filled with schools. But funds are a real problem,” says Prem Singh, a temporary employee of ASI hoping to be made permanent, who has zealously guarded the structure from illegal occupants since its inception.

(Children’s Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is free and photography is allowed.)

-The Hindu, July 21, 2014

The Centre plans to create mega reservoirs by dredging the bed of the Yamuna for which the Dutch Government has agreed to facilitate an action plan. “To rejuvenate the river and meet the water requirements, a scheme has been worked out involving creation of mega reservoirs by dredging the bed of Yamuna, that will catch the water flow during monsoon on the flood planes itself,” an official source said.

“Netherlands is a world leader in providing water transport and smart city solution. The Dutch government has agreed to assist it in drawing up a comprehensive action plan for rejuvenation of Delhi stretch of river Yamuna,” said the source, adding that Dutch consultants are likely to commence the work soon. The proposal involves construction of three mega reservoirs on the Yamuna — upstream of Wazirabad barrage, in river Hindon and at the confluence of two rivers.

“These reservoirs will be linked by a canal which will also serve as a flood water bypass for Delhi. However, the scheme would require approvals and participation of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Governments. So in immediate terms, creation of reservoirs by dredging Yamuna within Delhi is proposed,” the official source said.

The source added: “It would create a reservoir between Palla and Wazirabad barrages and another reservoir between existing barrages at Wazirabad and ITO. A total of 0.45 BCM of water can be stored this way. The depth of water of about 3 metres would be available which is sufficient for navigational purposes.” Last month, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said possibilities were being explored for constructing navigational barrages in Delhi stretch of Yamuna to augment the flow of the river. Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung had also discussed ways and means to launch the project for cleaning Yamuna River in coordination with different Ministries, including Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, Water Resources and Environment and Forest besides departments concerned of the Delhi Government. A special cell is also likely to be created in Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Ministry for the purpose.

-The Pioneer, July 21, 2014

Not 1,000 tonnes of gold but Rs 2.76 crore at least may come Daundia Khera’s way. The village in Unnao district that was the site of an Archeological Survey of India dig last year after a seer dreamed ofhidden treasure there is to be developed as a tourist place by Uttar Pradesh.

The Akhilesh Yadav government has decided to spend Rs 2.76 crore on development of the area, with the Tourism Department already releasing Rs 1.10 crore for the work. The UP Housing and Development Board (UPHDB) is the implementing agency while the Tourism Department will supervise the work.

The focus of their efforts is the fort of Raja Rao Ram Bux Singh, a martyr of the 1857 mutiny, the very same under which seer Shobhan Sarkar had said the ASI would find 1,000 tonnes of gold. On the orders of then Union minister Charan Das Mahant, the ASI had dug for several weeks and for many feet before finally giving up.

The saving grace was that while the site was till then known to have historical artefacts as old as the Kushan period (first century AD), the digging had found relics dating back to 8th century BC.

As per details provided by the Tourism Department, a 1.8-m-high boundary wall will now be erected around the fort, which is located near the Ganga, and where people coming to the nearby Chandrika Devi and Kameshwar Baba temples take a dip. The UPHDB has been directed to develop ghats, changing rooms and toilets along the river, apart from eateries for visitors. “Attractive landscaping will be done around the fort, along with walking tracks. The approach road to the village and the fort will be developed and electrification will be done around the area,” said P K Singh, Joint Director, UP Tourism. The approach road to the fort is in a dilapidated condition at present.

Local Samajwadi Party MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar said it was he who had urged Tourism Minister Om Prakash Singh that the area be developed as it holds “historical significance” plus temples. He also claims he made the demand much before Daundia Kheria’s gold rush.

The Tourism Department itself moved a proposal in this regard in January this year while the excavation was on. The ASI called off the dig a month later.

-The Indian Express, July 21, 2014

Though much has been done, a proper historiography of Indian archaeology remains to be written

Elegantly produced by the Archaeological Survey of India, this is the fourth in the series of books by renowned authors brought out as part of the project to celebrate its 150 years of eventful existence. Eminently suitable, the author of this work Dr. K. Paddayya, who has done extensive research on the Palaeolithic and Neolithic cultures of the Shorapur Doab in the Deccan, and who has spent all his working life in matters connected with archaeology, has packed within the covers of this book in two sections, highly informative articles written during a period spanning 20 years, covering themes, institutions and personalities..

The author in his note pays rich tributes to Alexander Cunningham, who was instrumental in starting a department for Archaeological studies. A British Army engineer, Sir Alexander, was interested in India’s archaeological wealth, founded the department. In his note, the author traces the growth of the department, and contributions made to this science by stalwarts of the department. Though much has been done, he feels rightly that historiography of Indian Archaeology remains yet to be written. His introduction has some brilliant points quoted from his earlier papers, and in one he says: “While [Edward] Said’s castigations of European writings about the Orient may hold good to some extent in the case of Arab-speaking world, I realised, and still believe so, the need to avoid a bandwagon approach and instead adopt a more positive attitude while judging Europe’s role in unravelling South Asia’s past.” According to him, the seminal work of Edward Said is no doubt the best, though the great work done by William Jones, Colin Mackinzie and other Western stalwarts have stood the test of time. He laments, and rightly so, that despite the introduction of changes, the general attitude of Indian archaeologists to theoretical debates continues to be one of indifference.

As one who has been long with the institution, he dwells on the subject of the early history of Deccan College, Pune, with special reference to Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of the then Bombay Presidency, who named the institution Hindoo College in 1821. While tracing the history of the institution he gives brief accounts of the scholars who went through the portals of this college. In this article he focuses his attention on the discussions and debates that took place between the Utilitarians and Orientalists, in early 19th century about education in India.

Madras school

In the chapter dealing with the Madras School, the author praises Colin Mackenzie especially for his discovery of the Amaravati Stupa and his collection of vast number of manuscripts and quotes from the contemporary researchers like Trautmann, who coined the term Madras School of Orientalism.Though the Madras School followed the Calcutta school as introduced by Jones, it, “respected Calcutta’s lead, but felt itself free to criticise its practices and products.” The author agrees with Trautmann who asserts that that the Madras School provided an alternative view regarding India as a whole. Colin Mackenzie and Francis Whyte Ellis were the two who did massive work in collecting and cataloguing the information available. Ellis started the Madras Literary Society for establishing the Dravidian concept. The author explains the contribution of the two Indians who assisted Ellis, Venkatanarayanayya and Pattabhirama Sastri who were responsible for the extensive research done in locating and copying the manuscripts.

With their inputs, “Ellis, coupled with his intuitive notions with the empirical knowledge supplied by the South Indian teachers arrived at the Dravidian theory” says the author. Besides bringing out the concept of Dravidian family of languages, Ellis was responsible for introducing subjects of Hindu and Muslim law in the College of Fort St. George. Ellis’s Oriental scholarship led to his ideas on revenue matters as practised in South India which was helpful to the administration. More importantly, the author confirms that Ellis “opposed the Western doctrine of the Oriental Despotism which, in his opinion, was introduced only in the wake of Muslim rule” In addition, the author notes that the Madras School made important contribution to the religious history of South India. According to the study, it is seen that the South was very different from the North on account of the early presence of Jainism. There is also in the article a detailed description of the Mackenzie Archive, which will be useful to the students of this branch of history.

Need for further research

In an article, that is a reproduction of the address by the author in an annual conference of the Shivaji Vidyapeeth, he talks about the need for fresh research. He elaborately quotes from various sources, starting from Kalhana, the chronicler of Kashmir, on the need to study the past.

The section dealing with personalities includes all great people involved in developing the science of archaeology in India. Apart from the foreigners who did great lot of work under trying circumstances, he shows the important contribution by some leading Indians such as H. D. Sankalia, S. B. Deo,and Z. D. Ansari. He has special place for Sankalia as one who founded the department of Ancient History and Archaeology in the Deccan College. Sankalia had undertaken with his colleagues excavations at twenty places and according to the author, “maintained a holistic attitude towards the discipline and made original contributions to (its) various branches”

The author dwells on the contribution of Frank Raymond Allchin, a specialist in South Asian Archaeology who took special interest in the lower part of Deccan for archaeological investigations. In fact the entire collection of essays gives importance to the Deccan, the author’s specialised area of work.

The added attraction of the book is the number of interesting pictures and copies of documents connected with the essays. Though written by the author at different times, the articles are arranged in such a manner as not to lose the continuity in reading both by time and space.

The book will be most useful to students of archaeology and therefore would be asset in the libraries of Universities and colleges.

-The Hindu, July 22, 2014

Seepage has been reported in the Kedarnath temple, even though the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) repaired the temple after the June 2013 disaster, which claimed over 5,000 lives.

Temple authorities say the deterioration of the structure may have begun years ago but went unnoticed due to the rush of pilgrims. However, the rocks, water and tonnes of mud and rubble that crashed into the temple on June 16-17, 2013, may have aggravated the situation.

Talking to The Pioneer, Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee chairman Ganesh Godiyal said that he has asked the ASI to give details of the repairs done by it after the disaster.

“The temple committee cleaned the shrine after the June 2013 disaster. Though there is no record, it is possible that the deterioration of the structure may have begun a long time ago and went unnoticed till the disaster struck. Be that as it may, the fact remains that Kedarnath is one of the most sacred shrines of the Hindus and it is time serious attention is paid to the safety, repairs and maintenance of the temple. The Geological Survey of India (GSI), the ASI and other experts will have to function in tandem to prevent any further damage to the temple and its presiding deity,” Godiyal said.

The ASI had scientifically washed the walls of the ancient temple with chemicals as they had been darkened and caked with soot and mud. However, Godiyal is not satisfied with the pace of work and wants the ASI to speed things along.

“The ASI has started its work but things are moving at a snail’s pace. They have a lot of work to do here. They have to repair the roof because water is seeping from it. They were also asked to repair or restore the damaged stones of the temple, repair the main door, make the temple wall stain-free, repair the floor outside the temple and rebuild the Ishan temple as well. That is why the Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee wants them to give details of the work done by them till now and has asked them to set their priorities, otherwise the situation may turn serious in future,” he said.

Sources said that the Congress-led State Government, which has been making all efforts to restore the Char Dham Yatra at any cost, might have forgotten that there is an immediate need to take care of the ancient temple otherwise things might take a turn for the worse.

Talking to The Pioneer State BJP president Tirath Singh Rawat said: “It is very disappointing that there is seepage in Kedarnath temple. Ironically, the State Government is claiming that they are trying to restore the Char Dham Yatra but they are not taking care of the Kedarnath temple, which means so much to the devotees.”

-The Pioneer, July 22, 2014

President Pranab Mukherjee’s second year in office will be marked by inauguration of a new museum, a dinner for the Council of Ministers and release of three books apart from a melange of cultural activities.

A new museum, ‘The Stables’, will be inaugurated on July 25 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Visitors will get a glimpse of the history of the erstwhile Viceregal Lodge and get to see the exquisite gifts that Presidents over the years have received from Heads of State and royalty.

Also on display will be artefacts that were hitherto tucked away in the Toshakhana. The museum has been constructed by the Central Public Works Department and the building was earlier used as part of the stables. A portion of it was used as a garage for the buggies owned by the President’s House.

A book of quotations of the President will be released alongside two others, one chronicling the birds of Rashtrapati Bhavan and the other giving an insight into the cultural events held on the premises under its ‘Indradhanush’ programme. As part of the ongoing restoration work in the Estate, initiated on the directions of the President, a bank and a post office are also being moved out of a heritage building.

-The Hindu, July 22, 2014

Dehradun-based meteorological centre predicted light to moderate rainfall from July 21 to July 23 across the state.

With the water level receding in major rivers of Uttarakhand on Monday, the state administration heaved a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Dehradun-based meteorological centre predicted light to moderate rainfall from July 21 to July 23 across the state.

As per the report available in the state emergency operation centre, major rivers such as Alaknanada, Bhagirathi and Manadakini were flowing below the danger levels at 8 am. The report also said clear weather prevailed in the Kedarnath area.

However, vehicular movement on the Rishikesh-Kedarnath national highways was stalled after debris fell at Sirobagar from the hills. Efforts are on to restore the road connectivity.

-The Indian Express, July 22, 2014

Last Sunday morning as families gathered for a picnic and a local bhajan mandali sang praises to the gods, the rain-washed Roshanara Gardens came alive with a theatre walk. The garden near Pul Bangash metro station, has a baradari (a building with 12 arches), which serves as a tomb, its defaced red sandstone walls carry hints of lapis lazuli. A group of about 20 had gathered at the tomb of Roshanara Begum, the daughter of Mughal ruler Shah Jahan, to hear the story of a father who favoured his eldest son, Dara Shikoh, and a younger son, Aurangzeb, whose ambition led to the bloody end to his family. The narrator, Yuveka Singh, co-founder of Delhi-based Darwesh, organised this walk as an extension of an earlier walk — Her Story — through Chandni Chowk that told the stories of important women characters in history as well as the contribution of nautch girls in Delhi’s culture. “We chose Roshanara Gardens because Roshanara is an interesting character and the theatre walk was most suited here as there are not many structures, and people can spend a little more time than usual,” says Singh. In five scenes, with only a two-minute break in between scenes, Madhavi Menon, as the elder sister Jahanara, and Nikita Arora, as the younger sister Roshanara, took the audience through the intrigues of a 17th century Mughal court. The story was of Jahanara favouring Dara Shikoh over Aurangzeb, who had the support of Roshanara.

The entire baradari served as the stage, as the group moved from one corner to the other. In one scene, the actor playing Jahanara appeared at the window of one of the upper chambers. The last scene enacted inside the tomb chamber was particularly poignant when an ambitious Roshanara met her end at the hands of a brother she loved. It was the setting of a ruined tomb that made a difference to the narrative. Both Menon and Arora gave their characters a contemporary interpretation without tampering with history. However, their costume could have been better. Singh’s narration was interspersed with little-known facts such as how the de facto ruler Roshanara imposed high taxes and was ruthless towards anyone who opposed her. A little more information on the baradari and the empty tomb chamber would have been interesting. When the hour-long walk ended, children who were out playing cricket, the gardener, and few women on their mid-morning walk had also joined in to discover history beyond the din of everyday life.

-The Indian Express, July 23, 2014

To take forward the Bhima river pollution control plan, the state government will set a deadline for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to ensure 100 per cent sewage water is treated before releasing it into the river basin. Notices are being sent to both the civic bodies. State environment minister and newly appointed Pune guardian minister Sachin Ahir who held a meeting to review the Bhima pollution control plan on Thursday told Newsline that treatment of 100 per cent sewage water is essential. "We have figures that show 177 MLD of untreated water is released by the PMC and 48 MLD by the PCMC. They have to give us a time frame for 100 per cent treatment,'' said Ahir. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has been asked to issue the notices to the civic bodies and seek a time frame.

According to Regional Officer A D Mohekar, the notices will be issued to both the corporations. "Besides the corporations, ten municipal councils, the Cantonments and villages in the basin let out untreated water. We need to address the issue,'' said Mohekar.

The Rs 700-crore Bhima river action plan is to be funded by the state and the central governments. Ahir said he would make sure the plan is implemented and adequate funds are allotted by the State and the Centre. The central government had cleared Rs 5 crore for the Detailed Project Report (DPR), which is in the works.

The corporations had earlier said at least three sewage treatment plants would be set up in PMC and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to treat 100 per cent sewage water. Two sewage treatment plants are already operational. Among various tributaries of the Bhima in the district — Bhima itself is a tributary of the Krishna — Mula, Mutha, Pavana and Indrayani pass through PMC and PCMC limits. The Bhima later meets Ujani Dam outside Pune district.

-The Indian Express, July 23, 2014

The government has announced its plans to develop a hundred smart cities at a cost of over Rs 7,000cr.

What is a smart city? There are many definitions, but broadly it's one where the quality of governance is enhanced with the integration and use of sensors, cameras and data centres through the application of IT. It has hugely impacted the management of traffic, policing, power and water supply, healthcare, transport, communications etc around the world. How smart is Delhi? At first glance, we are not even getting there. But there are some bright spots in the city, baby steps, which this new occasional series will attempt to capture.

NEW DELHI: Parking chaos greets you outside the government complex housing the sub-registrar offices in Mehrauli, south Delhi. Hassled men and women jostle to get to a grilled window labelled as "Counter No.1" to speak to an anxious looking staffer. An elderly couple sits on chairs screwed to the wall, sweating in the heat. Their property agent, overeager to prove his worth, quickly glides through the crowd to reach the next window for submitting documents.

Deed writers, advocates and a few agents hang out at the gate in the hope of catching some gullible clients. An asbestos cover is the only relief from the heat and humidity if you don't count the makeshift cold drink and snack counter. There are no toilet and water facilities. This is the scene outside the sub-registrar office (Kalkaji), southeast district.

The building next door is also a sub-registrar office but nothing like what you would have imagined. This is an e-sub-registrar office (Mehrauli), and that one alphabet has made all the difference. There is a green landscape around the building. A ramp, followed by a broad stairway , leads to a reception area.

A civil defence volunteer sits before a computer and attends to the few visitors here compared to the 200 odd people in the adjacent building. The e-sub registrar offices — 11 of them — give online appointments through a link on the website of Delhi government's revenue department. Those who come without one are given at date at the reception. On the online portal, a prominent scroll runs the announcement "appointment with e-sub registrar office". A mouse click leads to a menu displaying all the 11 e-sub registrar offices and the links.

Then pops up a menu of queries to be filled in for appointment and a checklist of the documents you need to apply for over a dozen kinds of registries — from property sale and purchase to transfer deeds, gift deeds, relinquishment deeds, rent agreements and will registration among others. A unique ID number is generated as the reference for the appointment day.

At the Hauz Khas office, which covers a significant part of south Delhi, you find people at ease as dependence on the staff is limited and there is no unseemly hurry.

The staff at the reception verifies the appointment ID and issues token numbers. The people then wait in an air-conditioned area with screens flashing the token numbers and sharp executives manning six counters set up for verifying documents and digitising them.

Radha Khanna, a senior citizen from Jangpura, waits patiently for her turn. She is full of praise for this Cinderella-like for this Cinderella-like transformation of the old system. "I have hired an agent to get my work done, but I am now realizing that things are changing. There has been no harassment so far," she says. She has come to register her ail ing sister's property located in the Hauz Khas area.

There is silence in the waiting areas as people watch the screen rather than seek information from the counter outside. Once the papers are cleared, people are led straight to the office of sub-registrar Lokesh Kumar. The data, already fed in by the executives at the counter, appears in the specified format and the registrar simply follows the laid out steps to seal the document.

Speaking on the advantages of the new system, Lokesh Kumar says all the data of the documents registered is stored safely in a server to rule out any scope for tampering.

"For instance, a lot of wills are registered these days. In order to deal with disputes over properties, we now videograph the will registration process. If a court seeks these clips in case of such a dispute, the video can be provided as evidence," says Kumar.

A wall-mounted LED screens shows a CCTV image of the various sections of the sub-registrar's office, ensuring complete transparency. With rooms that have glass and wooden panels, the office represents a clear breaking away from the babu culture defined by closed doors and secrecy.

The last step is a visit to the photo section where the file through the in-house computerised system is declared approved by the registrar.

Digitised photos of the parties are superimposed on the documents in the files and then a final file number generated. The applicant's documents are filed under the digitised file number and sent to a record room where the file is scanned and saved to the digitised archive. The hard copy is stored in the sanitised record areas made of steel chambers that are secured with locks.

Applicants leave from a door at the other end with a digitised number that promises a secure future for lifelong investments.

Revenue secretary and Delhi's divisional commissioner Dharampal told TOI that the remaining six of the 17 sub-registrar offices will also move to e-mode by the end of this year. "We are identifying space for having one e-sub registrar office in each of the 33 sub-divisions in 11 districts," he added.

-The Times of India, July 24, 2014

Thousands of kanwariyas, who are in the city for Sawan festival since July 15, are camping at the pristine Central Ridge. They have not just littered the forest with plastic plates and bottles but have also created a sanitation nightmare. The kanwariya resting stalls are located on Ridge Road near the Hanuman temple in Jhandewalan.

The kanwariyas belong mostly to neighbouring Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. They camp here before leaving for their homes with holy water from Haridwar. The stalls have huge kitchens and dormitories set up inside pandals. Organizers claim they have all requisite permissions to camp inside Ridge Area, but the forest department says none of the organizers have sought any.

"They have been camping there for several years. But they have never sought or received any permission from us. The problem is that, even though the area is in the Ridge, a part of it is with Central Public Works Department. But CPWD hasn't done anything about the mess these kanwariyas are creating in the forest area," claimed a senior forest official. Out of 864 hectares in Central Ridge, only 423ha belongs to forest department.

Meanwhile, kanwariyas are enjoying every amenity. At one of the camps which is built on a bus stand, there are gol gappas, pav bhaji and several other snacking options for anyone who wants to rest.

At another site, there is a medical camp by Sir Gangaram Hospital as well as fresh fruit juice, kulfi and milk that has been specially sourced from Mathura. But the waste from their activities has been piling up within the Ridge. "It's a hassle and does impact the ecology. But we are helpless as most of this area is not in our jurisdiction," said another forest official.

Organizers claimed there are eight such resting places for kanwariyas on the stretch. "We usually spend over Rs 30 lakh for the 10 days of the festival. About 2,000 people rest in each stall every day. Some just take refreshments and medical aid before leaving. Some prefer to camp here," an organizer said.

-The Times of India, July 24, 2014

The forest department is planning to make the most of the monsoons — it is gearing up to plant 2,20,000 saplings in different parts of the city. The rain makes the soil moist and more conducive for plants to grow.

What is even more interesting is the economics behind these plantations. For every tree that is cut within the city, the agency or individual who has applied for permission to cut the tree deposits Rs 28,000 with the forest department.

Out of this, Rs 14,000 is refunded and the other Rs 14,000 is used by the forest department for plantations each year. These deposits make enough money for the forest department to maintain these plantations for five years. This time, the plantations are coming up against about 20,000 trees that were cut by various agencies and individuals last year.

But, due to the massive space crunch in the city, the department cannot do any large scale plantations here. "Most of the city has been urbanized. That is why we are looking for gram sabha land or land on the outskirts to compensate for trees we have lost," said a senior forest official.

Plantations have been coming up in patches. Mini forests have come up in Rewla Khanpur and other villages like Kharkhari and Ujwa in Najafgarh, Jhatikara, Dera mandi to compensate for the lakhs of trees felled in the city to facilitate infrastructure projects like the Metro, highways and flyovers.

The forest department claims that the survival rates of these plantations have gone up since 2008 which has reflected in the marginal increase in forest area in the recent Forest Survey of India (FSI) area. "We have been noticing survival rates of 85% in certain areas. For individuals who want to conduct monsoon plantations within their colonies or parks, forest department gives seedlings of native varieties for free."

For Ridge area, the species used for plantations are different; they are more robust and suit the scrub forest type like Dhak, Raunj, Keekar and others.

-The Times of India, July 24, 2014

The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the go ahead for felling of 697 trees in over four hectares of protected forests in the Taj Trapezium zone for better connectivity across Agra, Gwalior and Mumbai.

A Special Bench of Justices T.S. Thakur and C.S. Nagappan on Wednesday permitted the Uttar Pradesh government to cut down the trees to pave way for the widening and four-laning of Agra-Shamshabad-Rajakhera Road – a crucial 12-km long stretch which serves as a link to Taj Mahal from Yamuna Expressway and connects the Agra-Gwalior-Mumbai National Highway.

The four-laning and widening of the road is estimated at Rs. 103.27 crore. The dispute came to court on a petition filed by public interest counsel M.C. Mehta.

“Public interest”

Faced with the choice to either safeguard the trees or favour the development project, the Bench, on November 25 last year, had asked its Central Empowered Committee to look into the issue and file a report.

On February 5, 2014, the committee got back saying the project is in “public interest” and there is no other “viable alternative” to cutting the trees. The Environment Ministry had also given in-principle approval to the project.

Left with no choice, the Bench gave its nod saying there is no reason to object. “We permit the State of U.P. to fell 697 the trees in the background of widening and four-laning of Agra-Shamshabad-Rajkera Road in Taj Trapezium zone,” Justice Thakur said in his order.

Afforestation conditions

The court, however, laid down stringent afforestation conditions to be met with before the trees are chopped down. “Plant 10 times the trees felled in suitable places to be identified by the State Forest Department,” Justice Thakur directed the State Government.

It said the State should get a formal approval under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and deposit the net present value of the forest land.

-The Hindu, July 24, 2014

claim by the advisor to the culture department of the government of Chhattisgarh A.K. Sharma that he has discovered 2,500-year-old antiques at a site at Rajim, nearly 100 km from here that indicated aliens’ presence in the area during the period, has triggered a furore in the archaeological fraternity of the country.

While several of them called the claim as “absolutely absurd”, others termed it a bid by Mr Sharma to get attention by sensationalising the thing.

The retired archaeologist from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) A.K. Sharma however appeared unfazed in the face of criticism of his claim, saying, “I do not bother what others say. I have evidence to prove that the terracotta artefact found in the site resembled an alien, as shown in Hollywood movies and some science journals”.

Mr Sharma, appointed as archaeological advisor to Chhattisgarh after his retirement from ASI nearly a decade ago, has claimed to have discovered a Shiva temple and some artefacts, dating back to third century BC, during the ongoing excavation in the ASI site at Rajim.

“I have found four terracotta figurines that resembled aliens. The artists who had given shape to the image must have witnessed aliens to imagine the figure.”

“One cannot give shape to an image unless and until one sees an object”, he argued. Incidentally, the antiques recovered from the site are yet to be carbon dated.

Senior archaeologist and professor and head of department of history, Assam University, Dr Alok Tripathy, however ridiculed the claim describing it “absurd and utterly nonsense”.

“Being an archaeologist, one has to see the evidence in context. An archaeologist’s duty is to document, analyse and intelligently interpret the findings. One cannot interpret a thing at one’s whim”, he said and accused Mr Sharma of trying to sensationalise the matter to hog limelight.

-The Asian Age, July 24, 2014

Majuli, the largest riverine island in the world which is nestled in the lap of the Brahmaputra in Assam, Saytagraha sites associated with the freedom movement and the Cellular jail of Andaman islands are on the tentative list to qualify for inclusion in the World Heritage list.

Their dossier has been prepared by the Archaeological Survey of India, Minister of State for Culture Shripad Naik told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday in a written reply. He said that the nomination dossier of Majuli was returned by the World Heritage Centre in March 2012 as it was not complete according to the latest Operational Guidelines of 2011. It was thereafter decided that the revised nomination would be prepared by the Assam Government, he said. The State Government was accordingly requested for the purpose, he added. Other popular sites that find place in the tentative list of the World Heritage sites of India as on April 15 are the Apatani cultural landscape of Arunachal Pradesh, Baha’i house of worship here, Chettinad village cluster of Tamil merchants, Chilika Lake and Ekamra kshetra of Odisha, iconic saree weaving clusters of India, the Mound burial system of the Ahom dynasty in Assam and monuments of Srirangapatna island town.

Besides, mountain railways of India (extension), Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kerala, sacred ensembles of Hoysala, sites along the Badshahi Marg, The Grand Trunk Road, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, glorious Kaktiya temples and gateways, the Neolithic settlement of Burzahom and Thembang fortified village also figure in the tentative list.

To another query, Naik said that the Karnataka government had submitted six nominations including Mahamastakabisheka, Mysore Dasara, Kodavas of Kodagu, leather of puppetry,Yakshagana and Soligaru (Tribal of BR Hills) to the representative list of intangible culture heritage on humanity of the UNESCO. As the nomination documentations were incomplete, they could not be sent to UNESCO for consideration, he added.

-The Pioneer, July 24, 2014

China will soon start construction of a new railway line in Tibet close to Arunachal Pradesh, even as another rail link bordering Sikkim is set to become operational next month, enhancing mobility of its military in the remote and strategic Himalayan region.

The step is set to counter New Delhi’s move to increase infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as south Tibet, academics told state media Thursday.

The new 254-km stretch will link Lhasa to Nyingchi in the east. Nyingchi is located right on top of Arunachal Pradesh, the nearest area to the border.

The new rail link is part of China’s ambitious Qinghai-Tibet railway project. The first link between Lhasa to Shigatse will become operational in August.

The headquarters of Beijing-backed 11th Panchen Lama Gyaincain Norbu is based in Shigatse, located close to the Sikkim border. The new stretches of railway — proudly called ‘closest stretch of railway to the sky’ by the Chinese — will help in “solving” border disputed between India and China.

“The railway, apart from boosting economic development, will contribute to solving border disputes between China and India in the South Tibet (AP) region,” state-run Global Times quoted observers as say.

Liu Zongyi, an expert of Indian studies with the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said China’s “bargaining chips” will be increased “if people in the South Tibet (AP) region see better economic development in southwestern Tibet.” “The growing railway network will increase Chinese activities in this area, balancing Indian moves,” Liu added.

-The Hindustan Times, July 25, 2014

Spinach gave Popeye super strength. Now it is all set to boost up our engines.

Scientists have discovered that the humble spinach has the ability to convert sunlight into a clean, efficient alternative fuel.

Purdue University physicists are part of an international group using spinach to study the proteins involved in photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert the sun's energy into carbohydrates used to power cellular processes.

A protein complex called Photosystem II is extracted from spinach bought from the supermarket in a complicated process performed over two days in a specially built room that keeps the spinach samples cold and shielded from light.

The team then excites them with a laser and records changes in the electron configuration of their molecules.

These proteins require light to work, so the laser acts as the sun in this experiment. Pushkar says that once the proteins start working, scientists use advanced techniques like electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray spectroscopy to observe how the electronic structure of the molecules change over time as they perform their functions.

"The proteins we study are part of the most efficient system ever built, capable of converting the energy from the sun into chemical energy with an unrivalled 60% efficiency," said Yulia Pushkar. "Understanding this system is indispensible for alternative energy research aiming to create artificial photosynthesis."

During photosynthesis, plants use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into hydrogen-storing carbohydrates and oxygen. Artificial photosynthesis could allow for the conversion of solar energy into renewable, environmentally friendly hydrogen-based fuels.

Photosystem II is involved in the photosynthetic mechanism that splits water molecules into oxygen, protons and electrons. During this process a portion of the protein complex, called the oxygen-evolving complex, cycles through five states in which four electrons are extracted from it, she said.

-The Times of India, July 25, 2014

The environment ministry has asked Uttar Pradesh government to submit a revised proposal for declaring the periphery of Okhla Bird Sanctuary an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).

"The proposal of ESZ around Okhla Bird Sanctuary was discussed in a meeting chaired by the secretary, MoEF. The state government of Uttar Pradesh has been requested to submit a revised proposal," environment minister Prakash Javadekar said on Thursday in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. He added that his ministry is yet to receive the revised proposal.

He said that a decision on the UP government proposal is going to be taken on the basis of the guideline laid down by the National Board for Wildlife on March 17, 2005 that, "delineation of ESZ would have to be site specific and relate to regulation rather than prohibition of specific activities". The declaration of ESZ involves consultation with states and the views of the public, too, has to be sought after the issuance of the preliminary notification which allows 60 days for this purpose, Javadekar said.

Meanwhile, replying to another question, Javadekar said that of the 170 recognised zoos (excluding 22 circuses) in the country, 89 (large, medium, small zoos and rescue centres) have basic hospital facilities for treating animals. He said that the remaining 81 mini zoos have the facility of a treatment room as per the Recognition of Zoo (Amendment) Rules, 2013. However, such zoos are using the services of state animal husbandry departments or veterinary colleges, he added. Javadekar said IVRI has been identified as a referral centre by the Central Zoo Authority.

-The Times of India, July 25, 2014

It's a data hub of gigantic proportions that can be used to generate solutions for the city in every sphere. Few would imagine the scale of operations of this 50-strong tech company of Delhi government, Geo Spatial Database Limited (GSDL). Over the past few years, it has mapped the city and all its utilities extensively, and urban planning based on this invaluable data can change the face of this city.

Its origins date back to 2007 when Survey of India and Delhi government joined hands for the Delhi State Spatial Data Infrastructure (DSSDI) project.

This was an outcome of the pilot project of the Centre's department of science and technology on 3D GIS in the Chandni Chowk area. It was used in tandem with aerial photography . The objective was to detect illegal constructions. Delhi government got quite enamoured of the idea and felt that a 3D database would be immensely useful for other applications too. It set a deadline of Commonwealth Games 2010 for creating such a database for the en tire city. The job was completed by 2011, covering an area of about 1500 sq km.

The company now operates from sanitised laboratories in Civil Lines, north Delhi, seeking to merge geospatial elements with meta data (based on ground survey) offered by government departments and agencies keen to make a transition to this form of accurate and successful planning.

"By mandating the departments to contribute their geospatial data to the central hub maintained by GSDL and by requiring them to update their data layers, the central hub assumes colossal importance," explains GSDL MD N Vasanthkumar.

Geologists, IT professionals and others mix and match the spatial data with the meta data to enable departments prepare solutions for their planning, ranging from bus routes to drain age, sewerage, and preventive health campaigns.

The digitized data has captured in great detail the city's evolution. Underground assets like drains, sewers, water pipes and power lines and overground entities like buildings, boundaries, power cables, bus and Metro networks, schools, hospitals, markets, community centres and religious institutions have also been captured. The data was compiled to assist in planning for disaster management, traffic management and security of important buildings and other valuable infrastructure.

The database shows 21,98,509 buildings in the Capital. You watch fascinated as the high-definition maps reveal details like the number of floors 59,20,223 units. The meta data has 52 parameters, including categorisation of a building as commercial or residential, number of residents and even the names of the residents. This could be used extensively to crack down on illegal constructions but the corporations have been rather shy in doing this.

Unfortunately, integration and inter-departmental coordination with GSDL on sharing and updation of the meta data is yet to become a reality . Originally, it had been proposed that all departments that choose to purchase the data will create internal systems to use it for real-time planning and share information on their plans via intranet in-house systems. This has not happened.

There have been some individual initiatives though. The irrigation and flood department recently took the data on stormwater drains to share with IIT Delhi which is working on preparing a drainage master plan to give a makeover to the 1977 drainage system.

GSDL has also been asked by the trade and taxes department to place its dealers on a spatial map within the tax districts to enable them to crack down on bogus dealers. Similar banks have been created for DMRC, DTC and dis coms, points out Narendra Singh Kachhotiya, a geospatial executive.

Software developer Pawan Kumar shows off the apps developed in the lab. A caller identification app is being worked upon to ensure quick reaction in an emergency by cops and ambulance services. Another app, created for the education department, enables parents to track schools for their children within a radius of 8km. All information and phone numbers are provided.

The Survey of India and government of Delhi will also be launching a special purpose vehicle, Geospatial Delhi, for keeping records of land holdings ownership, land use etc

-The Times of India, July 26, 2014

The baby elephant that had been trailing its mother since the start of our safari began squealing, panic in its tone. Mum – on whose back I was riding – responded with loud trumpeting and headed into the long elephant grass after her baby.

“Tiger,” murmured the mahout. I was on a river-cruise safari excursion to the Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage Site in the floodplains that flank the banks of the Brahmaputra. The most prized inhabitant of Kaziranga is the greater one-horned Indian rhinoceros, but the park is home to as many as 180 different mammals, including wild elephants, deer, bison and tiger. At the mention of the word, mild panic ensued. Excited at the thought of seeing the big cat so close, I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to do so while on the back of a mother elephant intent on protecting her baby.

It’s an overused term but the Brahmaputra really does deserve the accolade “unique”. It’s the fastest-flowing waterway in the world and blazes such a trail through Assam that the landscape changes by the hour. Sandbanks come and go, water levels visibly rise and fall and the island of Majuli, once the largest inhabited river island in the world, is now the second largest due to erosion and the effects of a huge flood in 2012 (although it still has the largest population of any river island, with some 200,000 people squeezed into its 200 or so square miles).

One evening we tied up to a sandbank – the river is not navigable at night – and I watched as the sand was washed into the rushing river at an alarming rate. By the following morning the river had risen two feet. The crew was forced to move the makeshift gangway they had built for us to go ashore (that morning’s yoga, usually held on the top deck, was moved to the island) and the anchor of the survey boat that was guiding us downriver, which had been buried in sand when we docked, was now in deep water. “The river gives and takes back elsewhere,” Sanjay Basu told me. Basu owns Far Horizon Tours, the India-based holiday company that operates the Mahabaahu, the boat I was sailing on. The fact he got this cruise up and running despite red tape that more than once threatened to strangle the project bears testament to his undisguised love and respect for the river, and his determination to bring the Brahmaputra, meaning “son of Brahma” in Sanskrit, to the attention of the wider world.

The river rises near Mount Kailash in the Himalayas, winds its way 807 miles east through the mountains of Tibet and then curls around, like the bend in a question mark, cutting through some of the world’s deepest canyons before heading south to join the Ganges in Bangladesh. Its total length is just shy of 2,000 miles.

Around half of the year’s annual monsoon rainwater falls in the Brahmaputra valley, and almost half of the meltwater from the Himalayas also dumps into the river. During monsoon season, from June to September, the river swells from 6.2 miles wide to more than 18 and becomes unnavigable, forcing the Mahabaahu into dry dock. Unremarkable when viewed from the river bank, the ship’s comfortable and informal style was far more suited to this voyage through India than a boat offering five-star trappings would have been. Not that there weren’t niggles – none of the cabin televisions worked, the air-conditioning unit in my room was impossible to control so I either boiled or froze, and the shade canopy on the ship’s top deck was just a little too fragile for comfort.

But these were small beer when set against the positives: charming Indian crew who kept the cabins spotless and welcomed us back from trips ashore with cold drinks and towels, powerful showers with plenty of hot water, and Indian food that never failed to impress. Excursions were included in the cruise price and Shagzil, the cruise tour director, and Payal, a naturalist sailing with us, gave daily talks about the route’s history, culture and wildlife.

My seven-day trip started with a day in Delhi, and a cycle rickshaw ride through the Kinari Bazaar (“The biggest thing you learn in India is patience,” my guide Ritu told me, as we were swallowed up by a seething mass of people and bicycles that made the M25 look like child’s play), before a flight to Dibrugarh in Assam state.

From the airport it was a four-hour drive by Jeep to where the Mahabaahu was docked at Nimati.

Just days after my trip a new air service opened from Delhi to Jorhat Airport (you can also fly via Kolkata), which is one hour from Nimati and cuts out the need for the long drive, but I was fascinated by the organised chaos of India, watching as our driver dodged people, animals, cars, bikes and lorries non-stop for four hours. Mind you, there was also plenty of time to experience Indian driving the next day, as we were back in the Jeeps for a full-day excursion to see remains from the Ahom Kingdom, a dynasty that ruled here from the 13th to the 19th century, when the British took over, as well as a Hindu temple and a tea plantation. Over the next seven days we visited monasteries and temples and toured villages without electricity where tourists were such an unusual sight that young lads were excitedly taking our pictures (the phones charged using solar panels). In the village of Luit Mukh, home to the Mishing people, the locals put on an impromptu dance and then all trooped down to the shore (landings most days were by small craft) to wave goodbye. In the evenings, passengers – my co-travellers were a friendly bunch from the Britain, Australia and Italy – would mingle in Mahabaahu’s bar and restaurant, discussing the day’s highlights as we tucked into the delicious Indian food served for breakfast, lunch and dinner (western options were always provided as well).

Even for seasoned travellers the journey was full of surprises. But the area’s ace was Kaziranga – 166 square miles of elephant grass populated by bird and wildlife. One afternoon we took a boat safari along the Dhansari River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, following the edge of the park and, incredibly, spotted a Bengal tiger. As there are only about 60 inhabiting the park, the odds were probably a million to one. Such is Kaziranga’s scale, it was another two days before we set off on our elephant-back safari.

The 4am start was worth the effort to get close to the rhino, buffalo, vultures and deer that inhabit Kaziranga. And of course there was that close encounter with another tiger that had so upset our baby elephant, which actually turned out to be a close encounter with the very recent remains of a tiger’s breakfast. I felt for the deer (at least that’s what the mahout identified it as), but having seen the teeth on the tiger we disturbed two days previously, I was also just a little relieved that he had not hung around for dessert.

Jane Archer travelled with Perl River Cruises (01252 714477; perlrivercruises.com). A seven-night cruise from Nimati to Guwahati costs from £1,575 per person, cruise-only, departing on February 8, 2015. The price includes one night in a hotel in Delhi.

India essentials You’ll need rupees for any souvenir shopping. Ask for small denomination notes when you change your money. (and note that vendors do not want US dollars).

Mosquitoes were not a problem on my cruise but best to take repellent just in case.

Pack your swimming gear - a dip in the ship’s pool is a refreshing end to a day’s sightseeing.

Dress code is casual at all times. Pack light clothes and suncream.

Pack comfortable flat shoes as you’ll be walking on uneven paths and climbing in and out of small tenders.

Slip-on shoes are handy when visiting Hindu temples.Take socks if you don’t fancy walking in bare feet.

Take a large memory card for your camera – you’ll need it.

-The Telegraph, July 27, 2014

Being driven primarily by climate disruption, say scientists

The danger is lurking near us. Scientists now warn that the persistent loss and decline of biodiversity is leading humanity to early days of the planet’s sixth mass biological extinction event.

Since 1500, more than 320 terrestrial vertebrates have become extinct. Populations of the remaining species show a 25 per cent average decline in abundance.

The situation is similarly dire for invertebrate animal life.

“While previous extinctions have been driven by natural planetary transformations or catastrophic asteroid strikes, the current die-off can be associated with human activity, leading to an era of ‘Anthropocene defaunation’,” said lead researcher Rodolfo Dirzo, a Professor of Biology at Stanford University.

Across vertebrates, 16-33 per cent of all species are estimated to be globally threatened or endangered.

Large animals — described as megafauna and including elephants, rhinoceroses, polar bears and countless other species worldwide — face the highest rate of decline, a trend that matches previous extinction events, the study noted.

Consequently, the number of rodents doubles — and so does the abundance of the disease-causing ectoparasites that they harbour. “Where human density is high, you get high rates of defaunation, high incidence of rodents and thus high levels of pathogens, which increases the risks of disease transmission,” Professor Dirzo added.

The scientists also detailed a troubling trend in invertebrate defaunation. Human population has doubled in the past 35 years; in the same period, the number of invertebrate animals — such as beetles, butterflies, spiders and worms — has decreased by 45 per cent.

As with larger animals, the loss is driven primarily by loss of habitat and global climate disruption, and could have trickle-up effects in our everyday lives.

“Immediately reducing rates of habitat change and overexploitation would help but these approaches need to be tailored to individual regions and situations,” Professor Dirzo suggested.

According to him, “We tend to think about extinction as loss of a species from the face of Earth but there is a loss of critical ecosystem functioning in which animals play a central role that we need to pay attention to as well.” The review was published in Science.

-The Hindu, July 27, 2014

Union Territory (UT) Daman & Diu, located on the Gujarat border, has developed first-of-its-kind ‘Dedicated World Class Cycle Track’ in Diu island to promote eco-friendly tourism activities.

“Of the 11.3-km dedicated track, already 4.2-km track has been completed. The Rs 37 crore project will cover the entire tiny island, which attracts large number of foreign and domestic tourists,” said Bhupinder Bhalla, administrator of the UT, while talking to The Pioneer.

Bhalla said that similar projects have also been planned for Daman and Silvassa, to provide an eco-friendly means of transport to local people as well as tourists visiting the erstwhile Portuguese colony. He said that the green initiative of UT administration was supported by Gujarat based Centre for Green Mobility (CGM), non-profit organisation working for environment related projects. “The dedicated cycle tracks are part of green initiatives to preserve ecology and promote environment-friendly tourism with the use of bicycles as a means of transport. We have also planned for a cycle rally to promote the message of environment friendliness, fitness consciousness, besides tourism and safeguarding the fragile environment by promoting non fossil-fuel based transport in the city,” said the administrator.

The Diu cycling network has been designed and planned as per international standards by CGM. On the plan, executive director of CGM Anuj Malhotra, said, “The tracks have been designed keeping the national safety standards in mind so that the cyclists are provided a safe dedicated track that is separated from the main moving traffic. Safety of tourists and citizens is prime concern and therefore all the junctions shall also have cycle priority signals and a design that prioritises cyclists and pedestrians over other motorised modes."

Diu is one of the hot favorite tourist destinations on the coastal belt of Saurashtra and having 21-km long seashore. The track is design in such a way that, it would connect important tourist destinations within the island town and exotic beaches.

-The Pioneer, July 27, 2014

Redevelopment plan of the erstwhile unified MCD office gathers dust

Large rats have been gnawing away at the 150-year-old Town Hall building in Chandni Chowk and years of neglect have left the heritage structure compromised, local municipal councillors said on Wednesday.

The building was the home of the erstwhile unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi till 2009, when the municipality moved to the Civic Centre near Connaught Place.

The dilapidated condition of the heritage structure was brought up in the North Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Standing Committee on Wednesday by Congress councillors, who alleged the building was in danger.

“There are huge rats running around Town Hall and the building’s structure has been weakened. Our heritage building is in a mess,” said Congress councillor Prithvi Singh Rathor.

The MCD’s successor in North Delhi was supposed to submit a detailed project report of the building’s redevelopment plan to the Union Ministry of Tourism before June 30. The corporation had proposed an ambitious plan to revamp the building, and the Ministry of Tourism had cleared the Rs.50 crore project in February. The plan, drafted by INTACH, includes strengthening of the structure and water-proofing it.

Standing Committee chairperson Mohan Bhardwaj said: “Our consultant, INTACH, has submitted the report and a reply from the Ministry is awaited.”

However, INTACH Delhi chapter convenor Prof. A.G.K. Menon said his organisation had submitted the concept plan to the corporation, which was responsible for commissioning a detailed project report and sending it to the Ministry. “There has been no progress on the plan. It is stuck in bureaucratic scrambling as the scheme under which it was proposed has been scrapped by the new government,” said Prof. Menon.

Meanwhile, the building is in such a bad state that only two lights are in working order, said Leader of Opposition Mukesh Goel. “We are destroying history. The municipal corporation of this city started in that building,” said Mr. Goel, adding that the BJP had not taken the redevelopment plan seriously.

Leader of the House Mira Aggarwal admitted that there were certain rooms in the building that were in a bad state, but the corporation had deputed a caretaker. “Since the building is closed, all rooms are not being cleaned on a daily basis. Till it is redeveloped, we can shift some of our zonal offices to Town Hall so it is at least in use and gets better attention,” said Ms. Aggarwal.

-The Hindu, July 28, 2014

The city seems to be failing to conserve its eco-sensitive river zone. Despite repeated orders by National Green Tribunal (NGT) against dumping of any waste on the river bed, the Yamuna Riverfront Development Project site near Sarai Kale Khan is being used as a dumping ground for construction and demolition waste by several agencies.

The marshy area near Smriti Van is gradually getting choked with waste and mounds of excavated soil, said experts. "The area used to be a good marshland. Since Master Plan 2001, this area has been designated for Rajiv Gandhi Smriti Van and a lotus pond project. Its unique marshy character made the area a filtration zone for the sewage water coming from nearby drains," said Manoj Misra of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan.

Marshy areas also play an important role in managing flood and are unique ecosystems with rich biodiversity, especially birds.

Misra claimed that about 18 hectares of the river bed land was allotted to Delhi Transco by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) "without carrying out any land use change or getting any clearance from the Yamuna standing committee or any environmental impact assessment".

Several government agencies and even private firms have projects in the area. Delhi Metro also has a construction site but its spokespersons claimed that DMRC had not violated any rule.

An expert committee of the environment and forests ministry, which includes IIT Delhi professor A K Gosain and former JNU professor Brij Gopal among others, has been reiterating the issue before the NGT bench. "No authority is checking this kind of dumping. Dumping and recycling should happen only at designated places identified by the government. Projects will generate waste but a safe, alternative site needs to be provided to dump it. We have recommended that a separate body be constituted to monitor dumping and recycling," said Gosain.

Such large-scale dumping also increases the possibility of flooding as the river will follow its natural course if water flow goes up due to rain or any other reason. It affects groundwater recharge, too.

The committee, headed by ecologist C R Babu, is also drafting a report that will decide the fate of DDA's controversial riverfront development project. The committee had advised in May that the project, which involves building parking lots, walkways and other facilities, be scrapped as it involves construction on the river floodplains. Instead, it suggested, a 52km stretch of Yamuna in Delhi and UP be declared a 'conservation zone' under the environment protection act.

"We are recommending that there should be no construction on the riverbed. One can only landscape it without affecting the floodplains," said Gosain.

-The Times of India, July 28, 2014

After Nehru Park, the New Delhi Municipal Council has set up an open-air gymnasium at Lodhi Garden, which will be thrown open to the public on Tuesday. The civic agency also plans to start similar gyms at 28 other locations.

"The idea is to provide this facility free of cost. We will first install equipment in parks and then in schools, residential colonies and on pavements,'' said OP Mishra, director (project), NDMC.

As per the initial plan, these open-air gyms will be installed at all major parks like Lodhi Garden, Central Park (Connaught Place), Sanjay Park, Talkatora Garden, Nehru Park and NDMC Club. The civic agency is yet to identify pavements where it can set up gyms. NDMC will install 12 equipment-from abs shaper to leg shaper-at these facilities. "None of the machines will require electricity to operate. The maintenance cost is also very low,'' said Mishra. Officials say each gym will cost approximately Rs 5.5 lakh and the civic agency has earmarked Rs 40 lakh in the current budget for this.

"This is a first-of-its-kind initiative. Not everybody is able to go to a gym to exercise. We want to promote healthy living among people. The equipment can be used by people of all age groups. Often senior citizens are not comfortable going to a gym. Most of them come to parks for a walk. Now, they can just exercise here after their walk,'' said an official.

Officials say the gym in Nehru Park has received an overwhelming response. "Lodhi Garden is one of the most visited parks in Delhi. We hope people will make full use of the facility,'' said Mishra.

-The Times of India, July 29, 2014

It is playing a role in creating awareness about India’s bio-diversity

“This is no ordinary train,” said Union Minister of State for Environment Prakash Javadekar on Monday as he flagged off the third phase of the Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS) at the Safdarjung railway station here.

A flagship venture of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Railways, the exhibition on wheels has been playing a role in creating awareness about India’s biodiversity, an official statement said.

Mr. Javadekar underscored the need to sustain India’s biodiversity in the present times and about 30 lakh students are expected to view it in 20 States. It will travel for 194 days and stop at 57 places before ending its journey on February 4 in Gandhinagar. The statement said the train was the brand ambassador of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biodiversity in Hyderabad in 2012 and it was stationed there to showcase India’s natural riches.

The train has set quite a few records and milestones and it is perhaps the world’s most visited train exhibition. Within India, it has gone to the highest rail track possible for broad gauge.

Of the 16 coaches, eight are dedicated to showcasing bio-geographical zones of India through a variety of interactive exhibits, short films and videos.

The remaining coaches have exhibits on climate change, energy and water conservation and other issues.

Mr. Javadekar said an advertising campaign would be initiated to sensitise and educate people on the nuances of the rich biodiversity of the country. India with 2.5 per cent of the earth’s land mass and 17 per cent of the world’s population, had eight per cent of the world’s biodiversity.

-The Hindu, July 29, 2014

As per a recommendation, the ‘eco-sensitive zone’ around Okhla Bird Sanctuary will vary from 100 to 1200 metres

The “eco-sensitive zone” around the Okhla Bird Sanctuary will vary from 100 metres to the west of the sanctuary to 1,200 metres in the north, according to Forest Department officials. A three-member team comprising Joint Director (Wildlife) Shiv Pal Singh and two members from the Forest Department of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh visited the site on June 27 and submitted their recommendations. As per a directive issued by the National Board for Wildlife in 2005, a radius of 10 km around sanctuaries – which in the instance of Okhla will affect a number of proposed real estate projects – is to be considered an eco-sensitive zone. The State governments were asked to notify their own norms for the same, but till last year the UP government had not done so with respect to the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, that comprises wetlands along the Yamuna. This area attracts several hundred species of birds and was notified as a protected area in 1990.

“The area to the north of the sanctuary up till the DND flyover is a good wetland and requires protection. To the west, we recommended that this zone may be up to 100 metres till Abul Fazal Road as this area has older habitations, and it will be not be feasible to notify a larger area here under eco-sensitive zone,” a senior official told The Hindu. To the west of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, a 100 metre zone would suffice to protect the bird sanctuary, said the official. A number of multistorey buildings, furniture, and poultry shops will be affected by the proposal.

The process of preliminary and final notification by the Ministry of Environment and Forest may take two to three months, said officials. The eco-sensitive zone will consist of three zones – prohibited, permitted, and regulated zones with different norms for noise levels, etc. applicable to each zone.

In October 2013, after a petition was filed by Amit Kumar, the NGT had passed orders that no construction activity be permitted within 10 km radius of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary and for projects already completed, the construction shall be subject to final order passed by the Tribunal and the authority shall not give any completion certificate to such constructed buildings. For buildings half-way through, the construction was allowed to go on, subject to final order to be passed by the Tribunal. At present, no new projects within 10 km radius of Okhla Bird Sanctuary can be cleared unless the National Board for Wildlife (NBW) has given a no objection certificate and this will continue to be in place till the final notification comes into place. Noida Authority officials agree with the Uttar Pradesh government’s proposal of fixing the eco-sensitive zone around the sanctuary at 100 metres.

“The ball is now in the court of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. There are about 17-20 builders who are in the 10 km radius and have completed their construction. The end buyers can move in tomorrow, but because of the stay we cannot allow possession,” said Manoj Rai, an officer on special duty with the Noida Authority.

-The Hindu, July 29, 2014

Domestic birds housed at the National Zoological Park here have been shifted to an off-display area to make way for two pairs of black swans that have come all the way from the Mysore and Thiruvananthapuram zoos.

The new entrants that are presently under quarantine at the zoo hospital are to be put on view for the public by next month.

“The Delhi zoo has about 20-25 ducks which are domestic animals and as per the rules should not be housed or displayed in the zoo,’’ explained zoo veterinary doctor N. Panneerselvam. The ducks thus have been removed from display and the area is “currently being spruced up with light brown coloured bamboo fencing which will merge beautifully with the riot of green and beautiful water path that we are cleaning up and creating for the birds. The swans then will be the first set of inmates to greet visitors to the zoo,” he added.

The new entrants meanwhile are being kept under observation at the zoo hospital and their medical condition is being closely monitored.

“The time lag before going on display also allows the swans to get used to varying temperature of a new place. The birds are adjusting well and are eating fine,’’ added Dr. Selvam. While the zoo is preparing to welcome the swans, it is also working hard to allow only ‘quality visitors’ to the zoo. “The zoo was getting flooded with visitors who were coming in not to enjoy and educate themselves about wildlife but loiter around and become nuisance to others. There was a rise in the number of complaints about pick-pocketing and harassment which is why we decided to hike the entrance fee to Rs. 20 for adults (Indians) and Rs.10 for children (5 to 12 years old). Still photography is allowed for free while video is chargeable,’’ added Dr. Selvam.

-The Hindu, July 31, 2014

Geology experts warned of the likelihood of more landslides after Wednesday's catastrophe at Malin village in Ambegaon tehsil left over 150 villagers trapped. They said landslides could occur in villages located along the backwaters of Dimbhe dam.

They recommended that the state government undertake a survey of these villages and identify the hills that display "landslide symptoms".

The Geological Survey of India (GSI), Nagpur region, has sent a team to survey the areas.

The survey must identify cracks in hills, tilting of trees and electric poles. Wherever such signs are seen, villagers must be relocated to safer places, they added.

Landslide expert Satish Thigale, who has studied the Bhimashankar area with several study groups, said, "The root cause of the landslide at Malin appears to be levelling of land on the hill for cultivation. It appears that at various levels, land has been made plain and trees uprooted."

Environmental activist Sumaira Abdulali said some areas are landslide-prone be cause of their structure.

"Parts of the Himalayas are rocky and have nothing to hold the soil. These areas are prone to landslides. Here, we are creating the condition by cutting trees. Stone quarrying results in formations that are unstable and could quicken landslides." Thigale, former head of geology department, University of Pune, added that villages close to Malin must be surveyed and if they show landslide signs, villagers must be relocated.

"Bhimashankar and the surrounding region are not known to be landslide-prone. For several years, though, people have reported that the hill slopes are unstable. They reported cracks in hillsides and houses in the villages and tilt ing of trees when we conducted a study in 2003. Such occurrences were also observed in villages in the five-kilometre radius of the Dimbhe dam's catchment area."

A K Saha, deputy director general, Geological Survey of India, said a team of experts from GSI has been sent to Malin. "We will be able to assess the situation only when the experts submit a report."

Saha said preliminary reports indicated that the landslide has occurred due to two days of non-stop rain. Details would emerge once they receive a report from the experts, he added.

Environmentalist D Stalin blamed "mindless deforestation" aimed at excavation and construction.

-The Times of India, July 31, 2014

At least 17 people were killed and 200 feared trapped as 44 houses in Malin village in the Ambegaon tehsil of Pune district were flattened by a landslide that hit early Wednesday morning after torrential rain. Among those trapped were 60 women and 60 children, officials said, adding that they feared the death toll would go up.

Though the landslide occurred at 4am, the news reached the district administration only after several hours as the village is part of a remote tribal belt, said Dilip Walse-Patil, Speaker of the legislative assembly and legislator from the area who visited the spot on Wednesday. The village, located close to the backwaters of the Dimbhe dam, is 30 km from the famous Bhimashankar temple and 75 km from Pune.

Seven teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were rushed to the spot but the hilly terrain, narrow access road, heavy rain and mountains of slush and mud created logistical problems in reaching those affected. By late Wednesday, the NDRF had rescued eight villagers and pulled out 17 bodies from the debris. The injured were taken to the sub-district hospital at Manchar and Sassoon General Hospital in Pune.

The village has a population of around 715, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said, and 60-65 houses. Most of the locals are tribals.

"Most houses have been swept away," said Rajendra Rakshe, resident of a village nearby. However, many of Malin's locals have got jobs in Pune and Mumbai and survived because they were away, he said.

"Everything on the mountain came down," said Suresh Jadhav, a district official.

Environmentalists said large-scale deforestation had made the place vulnerable. Landslide expert Satish Thigale, who has studied the Bhimashankar area, said, "The root cause of the landslide appears to be levelling of land on the hill for cultivation and uprooting of trees."

Rescuers planned to work overnight using floodlights mounted on two jeeps along with earthmoving vehicles, according to Jadhav. The rescuers were moving the machinery slowly in order to avoid causing any harm to any possible survivors, Pune collector Saurav Rao said.

Walse-Patil said around 40 doctors and 70 nurses had been pressed into the rescue operations. Twenty-eight ambulances of the Maharashtra emergency medical service had also been sent.

The NDRF teams also comprise doctors and para-medics, besides personnel trained as medical first responders. These teams are carrying state-of-the-art rescue equipment and communication sets. In addition, two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been deployed for assistance. Nivrutti Amonkar, a senior citizen from a neighbouring village, said most residents of Malin village had moved there after their land had been taken over for construction of the Dimbhe dam. There had never been such a calamity in the region in the past, he said.

The spot was known to get heavy rainfall, Amonkar added, but the rain on Tuesday was extraordinary, he said. "The villagers, who cultivate rice, were in the middle of the farming season. Most of them had come home after a hard day's work and were in deep sleep when tragedy struck," said Dagadu Dotare, another resident of a nearby village.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit the spot on Thursday.

-The Times of India, July 31, 2014