Ranthambhore tiger population goes up significantly

Jaipur: Amid all the gloom on the tiger conservation front elsewhere in the country there is reason for cheer at Rajasthan's Ranthambhore National Park where the big cats have increased their tribe.

The latest census in the Project Tiger Park, carried out using the camera trap technique over the past two months, places their numbers at 44, a sizable increase from the previous figure of 31 recorded during the census held two years ago.

Ranthambhore has been Rajasthan's tiger conservation flagship. Even when Sariska Tiger Reserve in the State had brought ignomity to the conservation movement in the country five years ago when all the big cats there fell to poaching, Ranthambhore tigers had burned bright.

The figures of the 2009 tiger census, which were scheduled to be released in the presence of Union Minister of State for Forests and Environment Jairam Ramesh at Sariska this past Sunday, are yet to be made public as the event was called off due to the three-day official mourning announced in the State over the weekend after the demise of former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Assam Governor Shiv Charan Mathur.

Out of the 44 tigers counted in Ranthambhore, six frequent the adjoining while another, a male, has been a resident of the nearby Kailadevi sanctuary for the past year and a half.

"No other park in India has shown such an increase in the number of wild tigers. The credit for the population boom should go to the staff at Ranthambhor who could create a conducive atmosphere for the animals in park against all odds," said the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, R. N. Mehrotra, when contacted by the Hindu on the population figures. "As Time magazine once put it writing about Ranthambhor, "the simple solution's worked," he said.

Conservation

"The Rajasthan model of conservation is simple. It is firmly rooted on the ground." Mr. Mehrotra added. "The park has been witnessing the tend for the past few years. The 2005 census, carried out in Ranthambhor by three agencies including the Wildlife Institute of India, had revealed the presence of 26 tigers. In 2007, when the camera trap technique was adopted countrywide to count the tigers, their number stood at 31 in Ranthambhor," observed Rajpal Singh, a member of the State's Empowered Committee on Wildlife and Conservation.

"We now have photographic evidence on the presence of all the tigers we are talking about," he added.

This was not the first time the camera trap method was used for counting the tigers in a Rajasthan sanctuary. The technique, first introduced by conservationist Ulhas Karant in Indian parks, was tried out a decade ago by the Ranthambhor Park authorities when doubts were raised about the accuracy of the water-hole counting and plaster cast/ paw mark methods.

This time around 230 camera traps were set up in the Ranthambhor Park between March 21 and May 20 and remote-triggered cameras were used to take pictures of the wild animals. "We created grids of 1 x 1 km within the park with each grid having a camera trap station. More than one lakh pictures were taken, out of which tiger photographs were analyzed on the basis of capture and re-capture technique," Mr Mehotra revealed.

"Special marks were identified on their bodies as these marks are unique to each tiger. This technique has proven successful in the case of smaller sanctuaries though it may not be so effective in bigger parks like Kanha or Sundarbans," said Mr Mehrotra.

Asked bot the rather steep increase in the numbers from 31 in 2007 to 44 by May 2009, Mr. Rajpal Singh said the real figure was more than was given out after the previous census as it had bnpt taken into account the tiger cubs in the park.

"The mortality rate of the tiger cubs is very high. The previous figure could have been put around 34," he confessed.

Even after considering this, there has been a huge upward leap by the Ranthambhor tiger!

- The Hindu, July 1, 2009

July 1: The Archaeological Survey of India has discovered an Ashokan rock edict in Bhabhua, Bihar that depicts the nature of the Maurya emperor's Dhamma (Dharma). Nomenclatured Minor Rock Edict 1, it was promulgated while Emperor Ashoka was on tour to spread Buddhism.

"The rock edict is inscribed in the vertical surface of a rock in a rock shelter where it seems people must have congregated during the Mauryan period. It is at such a height that it was out of reach of men and as such could not be harmed by the people. It is also protected from the rain and sun by the projection of a natural rock above it, deputy director- general B. R. Mani said. He visited the site last week.

Written in Pali in the Brahmi script, Ashoka had the rock inscribed after completing 256 days of a tour to popularize Buddhism. The rock edict says, "men in Jambudvipa (India, or within Ashoka's empire) being during that time unmingled with the gods were made by me mingled with the Gods. This is the fruit of zeal. This can be achieved not only by persons of higher rank but also (by those of) low rank, (and) by zealous efforts even great heaven can be attained." It has been translated in a monograph by Prof. K.K.Thapliyal. The proclamation was issued (by me) while on tour. Two hundred fifty-six nights have been passed (by me) on tour."

It is located at a site in Sasaram and Ahraura where such Ashokan rock edicts have been reported. Pre-historic and early historical rock paintings and painted inscriptions have also been found in the rock shelters in this area, including painted figures of the Buddha.

There are also signs of stupa masonry just below the hill where the edict was found. The photographs of the inscription have been sent for publication in the Epigraphia Indica.

- Asian Age, July 2, 2009

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today cast his vote for Kaziranga National Park which is making a bid to become one of the enw Seven Wonders of Nature.

Gogoi voted for Kaziranga, also a World Heritage Site, by logging onto the www.newsevenwonder.com, an official released stated. Appealing to all nature lovers and the people of the State to help Kaziranga's cause by voting, the Chief Minister said, "Kaziranga is our pride. We are optimistic that the World Heritage Site will make it to the new Seven Wonders of Nature".

Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain and senior Forest officials were also present on the occasion. Kaziranga, which falls in the Category Group-E (forests, national parks and nature reserves) in the campaign, has entered the second phase which ends on July 7 midnight.

The top 77 nominations by group categories (top 11 in each of the seven groups) will be eligible for consideration by the New Seven Wonders of Nature Panel of experts headed by Prof Federico Mayor, former Director-General, UNESCO. The panel will review the 77 nominees and choose from among them 28 official finalists, according to published criteria. The selection will be announced on July 21, and the 28 official finalists will then enter the third and final phase.

- Assam Tribune, July 5, 2009

NEW DELHI: What comes as welcome news for Sultanpur national park in Gurgaon, Bhindawas wildlife sanctuary in Jhajjar as well as another national park and seven other sanctuaries, the Central government has issued a draft notification declaring areas around these sites as eco-sensitive zones (ESZs). This would mean all development activity within 5-km radius of these spots will be restricted.

The state forest department had taken up the issue with the Centre after reports of realtors building close to the sites came in. Forest minister Kiran Choudhry claimed the notification would restrict the "destruction'' of natural wealth in the garb of "development''. "We took up the case silently with the Prime Minister and UPA chairperson being aware of the vested interest of different groups. Construction had started close to Sultanpur bird sanctuary. With the land prices sky-rocketing in Gurgaon, Jhajjar and Rohtak districts, these sites were facing threat of degradation,'' Choudhry told Times City.

Sultanpur and Bhindawas are close to the capital and both attract thousands of migratory birds belonging to over 250 species during winter.

The draft notification, to which anyone can object within 60 days, is likely to affect two special economic zones being developed in Gurgaon and Jhajjar districts. The government claimed that it would also go a long way in checking illegal mining in the Aravali and Shivalik ranges in the state. "The Supreme Court has already declared Aravali as a protected forest and recently mining has been banned. We are trying to ensure no further degradation of Aravalis, which is crucial to our survival and maintaining ecological balance in the region,'' the minister said.

She added that with the notification of ESZs, the state government now has an additional tool to improve the buffers and green corridors around the protected forests.

Once the Centre comes out with the gazette notification, no highly polluting industries can be set up within 5km of the boundaries of these protected areas. The other restrictions in the ESZs include no permission to setting up polluting industries within 3 kilometres, no crushing activity or wood-based industry within a 2km radius. Moreover, no mining activity would also be allowed within 500 metres and no construction of more than two-storeyed (25 ft) buildings would be allowed within 300 metres. Moreover, no activity other than cultivation and the sinking of tubewells within 100 metres of the protected areas would be allowed.

The national parks covered by the notification other than Sultanpur is Kalesar and sanctuaries covered by it are Kalesar, Khol Hai Raitan, Bir Shikargah, Nahar, Chhilchhila, Abushehar and Khaparwas besides Bhindawas.

- Times of India, July 6, 2009

As part of the series that turns the spotlight on our decaying hill resorts, TOI takes a look at Nainital

Lakes in the hills have a mesmerizing serenity of their own, which is why Nainital, at 1938 m above the sea level, remains a favourite summer vacation spot. But following the footsteps of hill stations like Mussoorie and Shimla, Nainital too faces an uncertain future, near-stripped of its natural heritage, invaded by vested interests.

The township grew house by house in 1841, with the first hamlet Pilgrim House built by sugar trader P Barrow who discovered the lake on an extended Himalayan trek. It soon came to be known as chota villayat, a heaven for the British.

It wasn't until about a century later that Indians made inroads into the exclusive Brit gateway. A little over half a century later, tourists to the town number between 3 and 4 lakhs in the summer. It's not the tourist influx that is ruining the Uttrakhand township as much as the apathy of local authorities and greed of local merchants and officials.

Environmentalist Ajay Rawat's PIL filled to arrest Nainital's ruinous constructions saw the SC pass an order 1995 directing senior administrative officials to stop the rampant illegal constructions. But in clear violation of the order, such constructions continue to date, compromising the lake town's fragile ecology.

The township's lake ecology is being ruined. Naini lake, the water boday that gives the town its name, now regularly sees schools of fish die. Conservationists say oxygen levels in the lake aren't enough to sustain the fish. Rawat says almost 75% of new constructions are illegal hotels, and cottages for rent. 'Town planner Anupam Sah says Nainital is rapidly losing its old world charm and elegance, with even the premium yesteryear hotels like Grand and Belvedere selling off part of their estates for multi-storey apartment houses, and the hotels being down-graded to ordinary status.

Conservationists Ranjeet Bhargava and Praveen Sharma, actively working to preserve the town's biodiversity and natural heritage, are dead against this practice of downgrading the heritage hotels and cottages built in the British period. They urge authorities to ensure redesigns that can preserve the hotels' character. But such suggestions fall on deaf ears. The two-years-old Lake Development Authority, tasked with preservation of Nainital's character and ensuring development in keeping with the city's basic grid, seems to allow rampant illegal construction. Corruption is at the root of their inability, says Sah.

The biggest obstacle to arresting the decay is the official expression of helplessness without a qualm; officials say they can do little to stop the illegal construction, ensure smooth traffic movement or control the private contractors hired by the authorities to facilitate parking. With the high numbers of tourists, cluttered cheap hotels and heavy traffic, pollution levels in Nainital also rise alarmingly in the summer. In fact, a senior official of the anti-pollution cell said a smoky haze hangs over the town throughout the summer months, which is neither cloud nor fog, Just pollution.

As Nanital fails to vested interests, lovers of the lake town can only watch in despair as it gradually slips into decay.

- Times of India, July 6, 2009

Visiting volunteers join locals in cleaning Srinagar roads

Srinagar, July 5: Taking keen interest in the preservation of environment, hundreds of youth from different parts of India with a prominent Gandhian and Director of National Youth Project, Dr. S. N. Subha Rao, joined the local youths in awareness campaign and cleaning of the inner areas of Dal Lake, different localities of Lal Chowk and Hari Singh High Street here today.

According to an official spokesman, the youth collected two trucks of garbage including the hazardous polythene and handed over them to authorities of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for its safe disposal. The main aim of the campaign is to create environmental awareness among the people particularly Dal dwellers for ensuring sustenance of the world reputed Dal Lake in the state.

The tourists and onlookers in general and the people of the state in particular have appreciated the participation of pro-environment volunteers in eradicating the hazardous and non-biodegradable polythene which adversely affect the fertility of the soil, water bodies and biotic components of the eco-system, the spokesman added.

- Kashmir Times, July 6, 2009

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has requested UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to involve parliamentarians for heritage conservation programmes. In a letter written to Sonia Gandhi, th organization has called for hosting of an orientation programme for the newly elected MPs promoting the cause.

The orientation programme is designed to 'cover aspects related to built and manage natural, cultural and intangible heritage' which will be organized by the INTACH together with the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

It is anticipated that MPs belonging to UPA would be taken before the representatives of other parties. Earlier this year, the Congress had incorporated in its election manifesto a specific and separate section on heritage conservation with a promise to protect, preserve and promote the country's rich heritage. The orientation programme is believed to be a follow-up on the same.

Earlier, INTACH and the Lutyens' Trust have signed a memorandum of understanding to preserve the distinct characteristics of buildings in Lutyens' Delhi. The main objective is to get UNESCO to declare the Lutyens' Bungalow Zone (LBZ) in the Capital a world heritage site. The LBZ already features on the list of the world's 100 most endangered sites brought out by the World Monument Fund in 2001.

Since 1984, the non-profit organization has undertaken, in association with leading organizations of the world, important projects in the past, to carry out activities across the country. In 2004, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appreciated their efforts on their adoption of two heritage villages each in Orissa and Himachal Pradesh. The organization takes initiatives in organizing conferences and seminars in collaboration with State Governments and national and international organizations, bringing together experts from India and abroad to discuss relevant issues. It has also collaborated with municipal corporations, heritage societies and other authorities of various cities to organize heritage walks.

The Delhi Governments tourism department has concluded a MoU with INTACH in 2008. The MoU, which was signed between the Secretary (Tourism), Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, is considered a very significant step in the beginning of a partnership with the Delhi Government in the field of heritage.

- Pioneer, July 7, 2009

A well dating back between 14th c and 18th c was recently excavated in Bilagi A square well in Siddapur taluk's Bilagi has always beenknown as the Golabhavi (or the circular well). But, not many knew that the well was indeed circular, and that there was also an attractive structure around it. For, the well was mired in silt, and covered in helps of mud. It was only when the well was excavated, that it was revealed that the well actually belonged to the period between 14th and 18th century. Historians believe that the well was constructed by Bilagi's rulers. The well had aroused such interest among people that even District Incharge Minister Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri visited to see the round well. The credit of desilting the well must go to the local gram panchayat. Rare species of snakes also scuttled across the place as the well was being excavated. Also, ancient coins were found in the well.

- Telegraph, July 7, 2009

In a major decision, Delhi Cabinet on Monday rejected a proposal to privatize power distribution in the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) areas. The Cabinet decision has come as a jolt to the private distribution company (discom), BSES, which was reportedly lobbying to get distribution licence in the NDMC areas. The Delhi Cabinet in another decision constitute the Delhi Finance Commission also on Monday.

Sources said chief minister Sheila Dikshit took the view in the Cabinet meeting that there was no need to privatize the power distribution in the NDMC areas. The Lutyens zone, where the top VIPs of the country, including the Prime Minister reside, along with North and South Avenues and Gole Market areas constitute the NDMC areas.

"The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) had forwarded the proposal to privatize the power distribution in the NDMC areas. The BSES had petitioned the DERC that the NDMC areas too should be opened for private players. However, the Cabinet took the view that the NDMC has been successful in its power distribution work. Hence, there was no need for privatization," sources added.

Power distribution in the city was privatized in 2002, which resulted in four players, namely the BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna, NDPL and NDMC, which is the only government body in power distribution.

The Delhi Cabinet is learnt to have taken the view that while the city faced power crises in last month, the NDMC areas remained the only exception where no powercuts were reported. "The NDMC has been successful in its function to supply uninterrupted power supply to residents in its areas, which include the key central government installations apart from the VIP residences. Even the cost of power in the NDMC areas is relatively cheaper compared to other areas in the capital," said a senior Delhi government official.

- Asian Age, July 7, 2009

300-year-old madrassa faces threat from anti-social elements

ARGUABLY THE capital's oldest educational institution, the Anglo Arabic School at Ajmeri Gate is fighting for survival.

Its opponents are allegedly anti-social elements from adjoining areas. The 300-year-old Madrassa Ghaziuddin Khan,which presents the only chance at acquiring even basic education for lower-middle class residents and women from Muslim households of surrounding areas, has been struggling to maintain decorum in its premises for months.

Anti-social elements have allegedly been entering at will, disturbing the peace and indulging in drinking, gambling and other illicit activities within the school's historical premises.

"In addition to two schools, a women's polytechnic also functions from the school's campus," said Mobina Aqir, Head Mistress, Model School, Anglo Arabic School complex.

"Since the trespassing began, many students have stopped attending classes." The school complex is a relic of the capital's religious and educational legacy and mirrors its turbulent colonial history.

"The Anglo-Arabic School has borne witness to Delhi's 300-year-old history since its establishment," said Dr Madhu Prasad, Reader, Zakir Hussain College.

"I remember when I was a student at the College myself.

It is a pity that the same ground where young poets used to recite verses has become a place for illicit activities," said Tejpal Anand, who passed out from Delhi College in 1946.

The school was readying for a new beginning after a 2005 Delhi High Court judgment instructing all encroachments in and around the school compound be removed.

However, an independent committee created by the Delhi Waqf Board on July 2, allowing outsiders to visit the shrine 'Hafiz Dargah Sadullah Naqshbandi' as per convenience, has become the latest hurdle in the school's path. "Attempts are being made to trespass upon our property under the pretext of religion.

People disturb students while they're attending classes," said Azra Razzack, Secretary, Delhi Education Society (DES). "On many occasions, our female teachers have been harassed by local rowdies." The school's administration is questioning the DWB's authority as far as the maintenance of the three-century-old school complex is concerned, "Since 1951, the DES has been the sole arbiter for the maintenance and preservation of the school's premises. Why did the DWF decide to create this committee without even consulting us?" asked Abdul Malik, Principal, Anglo Arabic School.

Chaudhry Matin Ahmed, Spokesperson, DWB said, "The dargah is in the school complex but not a part of it."

- Hindustan Times, July 8, 2009

The site of the historic Nalanda University has been included in the tentative list of UNESCO's World Heritage Centre (WHC) last month; the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

"Our proposal to include Nalanda site in the tentative list of WHC was accepted by the World Heritage Committee last month in its 33rd session at Sevella, Spain" said the minister of state for planning and parliamentary affairs V. Narayansamy.

As per guidelines, he said, it is mandatory to include a site having outstanding universal value in the tentative list of WHC for one year before it is considered for inscription in World Heritage List of WHC. He also said India has submitted nomination dossiers of Jantar Mantar in Jaipur and Matheran Light Rail in Raigad for consideration of their inscription in the UNESCO list.

- The Asian Age, July 9, 2009

NEW DELHI: In a unique initiative to restore the architectural integrity and historical significance of the 17th century Humayun's Tomb, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) have removed a thick layer of cement concrete from the mausoleum's roof that was putting a pressure of about 10 lakh kg on the structure.

According to experts, the British laid the cement concrete on the roof of the monument in 1920s to prevent water seepage. However, the layer blocked water drainage channels leading to heavy rainwater accumulation that caused considerable damage. "Instead of repairing the roof, the British simply added a heavy concrete layer on it. This led to a blockage in water passages. The rainwater accumulated on the roof caused severe damage to stonework in the monument as well as disfigurement of architectural elements,'' said a senior ASI official. ASI director general K N Shrivastava said: "The extra cement was an unnecessary weight on the structure. Rather than laying this cement, the leakages in the roof-top should have been simply plugged. Removal of the concrete cement is an asset for the tomb.''

Removal of the lime concrete revealed hidden portions of the monument's roof steps, octagonal base of the dome, red sandstone plinths of chhatris etc. It also cleared the gutters to allow free passage of rainwater. "The tomb's roof has had several additional layers of lime concrete applied to it in the past century to prevent water ingress. This extra load caused severe stress and water logging with the original drains no longer functional,'' explained an official..

It took around eight months to remove the lime concrete. First, a 30cm-deep cut with a thickness of about 5mm was applied on a 1m grid. Specially imported tools were used to make 10cm-wide cuts on the entire roof surface and it took 30 craftsmen to remove the 50cm-thick concrete by hand tools. The concrete was dropped to the ground on temporary ramps set up at night after visiting hours to avoid any inconvenience to tourists. A traditional lime-based roof layer was finally laid out.

Now, the focus is to tender a similar treatment to the tomb's first chabutra (plinth). According to AKTC officials, the platform where the tomb stands was originally paved with large blocks of quartzite stone blocks, some of which weighed over a 1,000 kg. "In the 1940s, an uneven settlement in the lower plinth was corrected by covering it with a layer of concrete, but this wasn't how the Mughals intended it to be. Not only did this disfigure the original design but it was also historically inappropriate,'' said an official. Historian Zafar Hasan is said to have described the platform flooring as similar to that of the west gate of Humayun's Tomb. The concrete layer over the flooring will be removed in what is likely to be a long, tedious process.

INTACH Delhi Chapter convenor AGK Menon, who reviewed the project some time back, said that removal of the concrete layer was critical as the building couldn't be overburdened. "Every time the roof would leak, a layer of concrete was added. Over time, it gained a thickness of about 40cm. It posed danger to the structure and obscured some historical levels on the roof. A historical building should remain as authentic as possible,'' he said.

The conservation work at Humayun's Tomb is part of a public-private partnership between ASI, AKTC, Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Aga Khan Foundation and has been partly funded by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust.

- The Times of India, July 9, 2009

Project to conserve Wular Lake under study

The government is reviewing a multi-crore proposal for the conservation of Kashmir's Wular Lake, once the largest fresh water lake in Asia.

Terming Wular and Dal Lakes as "critical water bodies" in need of urgent attention, environment minister Jairam Ramesh said the Centre had received a Wular conservation proposal worth 360 crore from the state government.

So far, Dal Lake is the only water body from Kashmir being conserved under the government's centrally sponsored scheme called National lake Conservation Action Plan. Since the inception of the scheme in June 2001, the Centre has received proposals to conserve 77 lakes across India.

However, the ministry had so far sanctioned projects for the conservation of 57 lakes at an estimated cost of Rs 856.76 crores, the minister said in the Lower House. Dal Lake in Srinagar was one among the sanctioned projects, with Rs 300 crore set aside for cleaning up the water body.

The government said the project to clean Dal Lake would be fully commissioned within two years, clarifying that it was committed only to conserving the Lake by setting up sewage treatment plants to prevent pollution of Dal. "The stae government is yet to relocate the families settled in Dal Lake. That needs to done," Ramesh said, expressing grave concerns on Wular's status.

- Tribune, July 9, 2009

Atleast 150 Mines in Bhilwani

BHIWANI (Chowkhi Dadri): Names like Kailana, Jhoju, Kheri Battar, Mankabas Kapuri and Dadum will hardly ring familiar on Delhi ears. But, if ever, we need to write an obituary of the Aravalis - which would also be a prelude to the desertification of the country's capital - these names may just make it into history for being party to the demise of one of the world's oldest mountain ranges.

Situated in Haryana's Bhiwani district and almost 100km from Delhi, these are some of the 35 official and innumerable ``unofficial'' sites of stone quarrying. Even as the SC verdict in May this year came as some relief for the ravaged Aravali range in the districts of Gurgaon, Faridabad and Mewat, some 150km away, the mines of Bhiwani are recklessly razing parts of the Aravali to the ground.

The panoramic view of the mountain range with some sections neatly scooped out - even as smoke from the last dynamite blast curls out from the pores and dumpers busily lift stones to be taken to the innumerable crushers that dot the foot of the mountain - is scary because of the sheer scale of the operation.

Bhiwani's mining officer R K Yadav says: ``There are 35 legal mining sites in the area, not one is operating without clearances.'' Asked if miners are allowed to completely raze parts of the range, he said: ``They can go till the water level. Mining is allowed everywhere except on the Aravali.''

What may have slipped his mind - and as district magistrate Vikas Gupta later confirmed to TOI - is that Aravali is a range and not one mountain. Which means all mountains in Bhiwani are actually part of the range and systematic annihilation of it could ultimately mean that the natural barrier separating Delhi from the Thar desert could be obliterated in future. Gupta admitted that mining was banned in some khasras where plantation was done but everywhere else there are no legal barriers.

The figure for total number of mines varies drastically with some NGOs working in the area pegging it at 150-odd and locals holding that there are some 500-600 of them operating. ``There is mining in all the villages around us and the officials get regular commission,'' says Mahender Singh, sarpanch of Gudala village, about 25 km from Dadri. He says the village was forced to move court after pleas to mining officials about the pollution fell on deaf ears..

According to Somvir Kasaula, president of the Kheri Battar Crusher Owners' Association, Dadri alone has some 40-odd mines and 125 crushers. The DM says without the khasra number it is difficult to confirm whether mining operations are legal or not and this, say locals, is where the ``violations'' start. Permission is given to do mining in certain khasra numbers and it is only when one tallies that list with the areas that deviations can be detected.

Dipping groundwater levels, diseases caused by stone dust and persistent cracks in houses because of the deafening dynamite blasts are things that locals have learnt to live with but the opposition to mines, barring the contractors who work for it, is strong.

There have been small victories too - earlier this year villagers of Gudala won a small battle when they pursuaded a court to close down five crushers operating in the area. Mines around Khanak were closed down after villagers went to court about pollution but locals say as it is still allowed in adjacent Dadu, the fringe areas have not been entirely purged of the menace.

Doctors at the Bhiwani Civil Hospital confirm that there are many tuberculosis cases but clam up at the mention of mining and silicosis. ``The figures can be obtained from Chandigarh,'' says the principal medical officer.

Exploitation of the Aravali apart, crushers and mine-owners are also said to exploit migrant labourers. When TOI visited Dadri, Surja Ram, who says he fled from the Kapuri mines some time back, had gone back with an NGO to rescue his family. Surja Ram and his wife Leela Devi recount three years of horror during which the family, including a little child, was not paid, given only rations and lived and worked in inhuman conditions while inhaling the corrosive stone dust.

Kasaula denies any exploitation. ``These NGOs lie. Everything here is mechanized, workers have no role to play,'' he asserts.

- The Times of Indiaa, July 9, 2009

The state archeology and museums department has decided to appoint home guards as watchmen-cum-guides at more than 300 monuments and museums in the state.

The state museum, Qutub Shahi tombs and other important heritage sites will be looked after by these guards.

For decades, the government has not appointed trained guides and security guards for the heritage sites in the city. Due to this, tourists often find it difficult to know about the importance of the sites during their visits...

"Protecting the heritage of Hyderabad is on the top of our priority list," said Mr P. Chenna Reddy, director, state archaeology and museums department.

The department chief also said museums will be opened in nine districts as part of the plan to restore the heritage of the state at the district level. The nine districts where the museums will be set up are Adilabad, Medak, Khammam, Srikakulam, west Godavari, Prakasam, Chittor, Vizianagram and Ranga Reddy.

"The decision to have district-level museums was taken with a view to preserve artifacts of historical importance," said Mr Chenna Reddy. The department officials said the government is ready to renegotiate with iran about the restoration of Quli Qutb Shahi tombs, Premamati monument and Badshahi Ashoor Khana in Hyderabad.

- Deccan Chronicle, July 13, 2009

The plan of Ministry of Urban Development (MUD) to get exotic plants for Vasant Kunj Biodiversity Park has fallen flat with the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asking the Centre to stick to planting native tree species of the Aravali hills.

The HC had earlier put a stay on construction on the Biodiversity Park in Vasant Kunj based on a PIL stating that the area was part of the ridge and was to be preserved in its pristine glory. It has now asked the Centre not to grow exotic plants but to follow native tree species that have been suggested by horticulturist.

Stating that it was fine to maintain the Biodiversity Park as it would bring people in and will not be encroached by others, a division bench comprising Chief Justice of Delhi HC A P Shah and Justice Manmohan accepted the recommendation of the horticulturists..

Petitioner Vinod Jain's counsel had submitted that the area on which construction was going on is situated on the ridge that was part of the Aravalis. Seeking the court's direction to the government for growing native tree species of the Aravalis to maintain the ridge like environment, the lawyer said MUD was planning to purchase exotic plants from outside the country. The court asked the government to comply with the report of horticulturist professor Babu, who recommended a list of native plant/ tree species for the park.

The petition had sought court's direction to restraint the organizers from constructing the park. The petitioner had said that construction of this park would cause environmental hazards as it would clear the ridge. Submitting photographs of the ongoing construction, the petitioner said this would destroy flora and fauna...

- Times of India, July 16, 2009

INTACH has been given the task of conserving five monuments in Lodhi Gardens at a cost of Rs 1 crore

Conservation work on monuments in Lodhi Gardens has finally gained momentum. In an MoU signed between Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and INTACH Delhi Chapter, the latter has been awarded the project to restore five monuments in phases.

In the first phase, Bara Gumbad, Shish Gumbad and Mohammed Shah's Tomb are being restored and the remaining structures will follow later. Senior officials say they aim to complete the project within a year.

Said an official from INTACH Delhi Chapter: ''We are working on one monument at a time and the work has started from Mohammed Shah's tomb. Repair work has started from the dome and re-plastering is happening where required. The floral pattern from the top of structure is being recreated and we are working towards repairing plaster on the ground to avoid water accumulation. This particular tomb will take about three months and then we will proceed to other monuments.''

This is the first time ASI and INTACH are collaborating together to conserve protected sites. In the past, INTACH has been more involved in conservation of unprotected sites like Mehrauli Archaeological Park and other historical buildings that do not fall under ASI's purview. ASI, which is facing huge problems in conserving 174 protected structures in the city due to shortage of manpower and limited resources, had asked INTACH to prepare a report of the five tombs in Lodhi Gardens to assess their present condition and see what kind of work is required..

The funding for the project — Rs 1 crore — will be borne by Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL). INTACH convener A G K Menon said: ''Initially, we will work on conservation of three monuments. There are a total of five monuments which will get a facelift, according to the MoU. The other two will be looked into later.''

ASI will supervise the entire project but the implementation will be done by INTACH. ASI officials said that the project was awarded to INTACH after looking at their past record. In 2007, ASI had signed an MoU with SAIL to protect Lodhi Gardens' monuments but no structural work on the tombs could take place as a conservation report for the sites had to be prepared. The gardens have 10 ASI protected structures including five tombs, which are a crucial part of Delhi's history and date back to as early as the 15th century.

The monuments around which the gardens are laid out are Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Sikander Lodhi's Tomb, Sheesh Gumbad and Bara Gumbad. The tomb of Mohammed Shah, the last of the Sayyid rulers, is the earliest of these and was built in 1444 by Ala-ud-din Alam Shah. The gardens also house one of the rare structures built in Delhi during the reign of Mughal king Akbar — a bridge containing seven arches, the central one being the largest..

Almost all the monuments are in a bad shape today. The plaster is peeling off the walls and the structures are broken/ decoloured at many places. Signs of deterioration are clearly visible with missing tiles, disfigured walls and open cracks on Sikander Lodhi's Tomb and the Bara Gumbad. The gardens also have many additional structures from later periods. One of them, a Britishperiod gateway, is still being used as an entrance that welcomes visitors to Lady Willingdon Park.

Blast from Past

Gardens were relocated in 1936 to a site that was previously a village. Originally known as the Lady Willingdon Park, it was renamed Lodhi Gardens after Independence in 1947. The tomb of Sikander Lodhi was built by his son Ibrahim Lodhi in 1517 and has a striking resemblance to the tomb of Mohammed Shah except for the chhatris which are found along the dome

Bara Gumbad and the attached mosque were built in 1494 during the reign of Sikander Lodhi. The Sheesh Gumbad or the Glazed Dome, which stands opposite Bara Gumbad and resembles it, was built around the same time

- Times of India, July 20, 2009

New Delhi: Plans are on the anvil to introduce a common entry ticket for all World Heritage Sites except the Taj Mahal in the next three months. Similarly, a common entry ticket will be introduced for all other ticketed monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India.

A long pending demand of tour operators and travel agents, the move is meant to cut queues and thereby make these sites more tourist-friendly. While the Ministry of Tourism has designed the new ticket, an exclusive ticket has also been drawn up for the Taj Mahal.

These tickets can be bought in bulk and will be available at the headquarters of the ASI here and at its booking counters at the monuments.

- Hindu, July 27, 2009

By the time the Commonwealth Games begin, alongwith its modernity, Delhi will be ready to flaunt its historical past as well.

To present its glorious past, the Archaeological Survey of India has decided to excavate, repair and present Delhi's 'Seven Cities'. As a first step, excavation and conservation work has already begun at the first four — Qila Rai Pithora, Siri, Tughlaqabad and Adilabad — on a large scale.

"Work has been initiated in the first four cities and it has been just a month now. The entire process will take at least a year, but we will complete it before the Commonwealth Games for sure," said K K Mohammad, superintending archaeologist, ASI Delhi circle.

Qila Rai Pithora, initially called Lal Kot and built by the Tomars, was later taken over and strengthened by Prithviraj Chauhan roughly inthe 10th Century. Considered the first city of Delhi, Qila Rai Pithora currently lies in ruins, but the ASI hopes to carry out extensive fortification on the ruins of the fort ramparts and unearth some of the buried fort walls.

It has also been marked out for scientific clearing and conservation. Scientific clearing, which is a form of partial excavation, is also being carried out in Siri, widely considered the second city of Delhi.

Built by Alauddin Khilji in 1311, the fort housed the Palace of Thousand Pillars, and legend suggests Khilji buried the heads of "infidels" in its foundation. This site might well throw up some surprises, as archaeologists working here are hoping to come across human skulls.

"A major part of the wall is completely buried underground, but scientific clearing of this portion might unearth significant evidence to corroborate arguments regarding Khilji's rule," said an ASI official working on the project.

Tughlaqabad and adjoining Adilabad, too, are being given a massive facelift.

Tughlaqabad was built by Ghiasuddin Tughlaq in the 1320s. The fort had high battlements, slanting walls, gigantic towers, palaces, mosques and audience halls. It lost its glory after his death owing to an acute water shortage and the capital was shifted south of the fort to Adilabad by Ghiasuddin's successor, Mohammad Bin Tughlaq.

This fort retains several structures today, but most of it is in ruins, and the conservation project will focus not just on fortifying the walls but giving the entire fort a facelift.

Adilabad, though not considered a full-fledged city and just a transitory capital leading to Jahanpannah, a city comprising the walled enclosure between Qila Ra Pithora and Siri built by Mohammad Bin Tughlaq as his new capital, it is also part of the ASI's conservation plans for the seven cities. "There is a lot of work at hand with the largescale conservation work at these four cities but once these are done, we will move on to the cities of Firozabad (Kotla Firoz Shah), Shergarh (Purana Qila) and Shahjahanabad," a senior ASI official said. "The conservation of these seven cities will be a great way of showcasing Delhi's history. It will be of interest not just to the tourists but also residents. It will help them understand the city's past a little better," he said.

- Indian Express, July 27, 2009

New Delhi: With the growing threat to protected monuments in the wake of a section people forcibly entering the premises to hold prayers, the ASI - under the ministry of culture — has sought the intervention of the Union home ministry for strengthening security at heritage sites.

The ASI has become more concerned after a group people forcibly entered the Qutab Minar complex and offerd namaaz last Friday. On Monday, Shahi Imam of Delhi Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari blamed the ASI for stopping people from offering namaaz at the mosques located inside protected monuments. He said he would even court arrest if ASI attempted to stop namaazis from entering the Qutab Minar complex this Friday without tickets during prayer time.

According to sources, the culture ministry has taken up the issue with the home ministry. ''We have sought the Union home ministry's intervention in the issue. Often, we witness incidents like people forcing themselves into premises of monuments to hold prayers inside it. The ASI cannot permit this,'' sources said.

Officials said that proper protection to monuments had been sought from the ministry after there were reports of large groups of people forcibly entering protected monuments like Qutab Minar, Jamali Kamali, Raja ki Baoli, Mohammadi mosque and other monuments in South Delhi's Mehrauli area to hold Friday namaaz. Sources said that ASI has sought protection to all monuments from Delhi police as well.

Senior ASI officials said the problem started in March 23 this year, when around 200 people barged into the Jamali-Kamali monument in Mehrauli Archaeological Park to offer namaaz. ''At that time, police did not respond actively to the problem though we have been repeatedly bringing up the issue with them. The problem then got bigger as other protected monuments were also targeted in the weeks following that incident,'' said an official..

- Times of Indiaaa, July 31, 2009

New Delhi: Yamuna Satyagraha would have completed two years of its protests against construction on the riverbed. After the SC judgment on Thursday, the events were cancelled. Environmentalists were left aghast at the court's order.

AGK Menon, convenor INTACH, said the decision had been most 'regrettable'. ''The area where the Village is coming up is indeed the flood plain, has been so historically and nothing anyone says can change that. Saying it is behind an embankment and thus not on the riverbed only seems to be a convenient way of interpreting it,'' he said.

Vinod Jain, director, NGO Tapas, said that the area of the riverbed and flood plain had been chalked out by the Central Ground Water Authority and unless it intervened or the Geological Survey of India redefined the area, NEERI can't decide that a part of it was not the flood plain. ''The idea of justifying the Games Village by the Akshardham Temple is like justifying one murder with another. The temple should not have been there in the first place. Why even have the PM-headed committee monitor it,'' he said.

Dr Vikram Soni, a research scientist with NPL, said: ''There is a 40 m sand bank on the site which is a great recharge zone aquifer. In 1950, an embankment was made as a flood protection measure. The land on the other side of the embankment towards the river has been declared a protected notified recharge zone by the CGWB. This is the official flood plain and the sites in question fall inside it.''

''Our petition in court was to save the river and not against any particular construction. The high court judges spent several months judging the merit of the case, visiting the site and making an informed opinion. The Supreme Court's mandate was only to see if the committee that the HC had set up was required or not. We will now organize a massive public protest against what we feel is a very poor judgment,'' said Manoj Misra, convenor, Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan..

- Times of Indiaa, July 31, 2009

Govt Puts No. Of Untraceable Structures At 35, With 12 From Delhi Alone

New Delhi: People and things going missing are commonplace but in what can be described as the mother of all "missing" cases, protected monuments have vanished from the face of the earth.

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the government said 35 monuments, all managed by the central government, could not be traced. Delhi, the headquarters of Archaelogical Survey of India, tops the list with 12 untraceable monuments. They now exist only in memory and history books.

The reasons for the disappearance have been cited as urbanisation, commercialisation and implementation of development projects. Government said "disappearance came to light in the course of surveys of monuments". The reply also said, "It is not feasible to fix individual responsibility."

The 12 monuments missing from Delhi includes Moti Gate in Bazidpur; Phool Chadar, Mubarakabad; Barakhamba Cemetery; Alipur Cemetery; Joga Bai Mound, Jamia Nagar; Shamsi Talab, Mehrauli and Nicholson statue.

Uttar Pradesh with eight untraceable monuments comes second. Most of these monuments are spread over Lucknow, Banda, Hardoi and Jalaun. In Lucknow, the big monument lost is Imambara Amin-ud-Daula and many cemeteries. In other places, most of the monuments are cemeteries.

What cannot be traced in J&K are rock carving of Sitala, Narada, Brahma, Devi riding a lion and Radha Krishna in Kathua district. Also lost is cave temple of Visveswara in Kathua.

In Karnataka, a pre-historic site in Mysore cannot be traced while in Gujarat ancient site in Sejakpur in Surendranagar is lost. Haryana has lost Mughal Kos Minar in Faridabad and Kurukshetra. In Rajasthan, inscription in Fort Nagar and 12th century temple in Baran cannot be traced.

- Times of India, July 31, 2009

South of Tughlaqabad, and once connected to it by a causeway, the fortress of Adilabad is not considered a "full-fledged city". It is considered a transitory Capital leading to Jahanpannah, the fourth city of Delhi.

Built in the early 14th Century by Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, after the death of his father Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, the ASI has chosen to work on Adilabad to fill in the "missing link" between Tughlaqabad and Jahanpannah.

As of now, work at the small citadel of Adilabad is basically focussing on the outer fortifications. "Extensive excavation work needs to be carried out within the fortress but that has been planned for a later stage of the project. Since we have very little time before the Commonwealth Games, and a shortage of funds and manpower, we will do up the fortifications in the first phase of restoration work," a senior ASI official told Newsline.

A replica of the Tughlaqabad Fort, Adilabad retains the ruins of gigantic ramparts. The fortress was also home to the famed Palace of Thousand Pillars, within which there was a huge audience hall built on columns of varnished wood. Towards the southern gateway, a vaulted corridor can still be seen, which used to be flanked by guardrooms.

An amount of Rs 1.53 crore has been sanctioned for the short-term project, to be completed before the Games next year.

Like Qila Rai Pithora, Siri and Tughlaqabad, on completion of restoration work, Adilabad will also be illuminated. There are also plans to develop a huge plot of adjoining land, which is within the DDA's jurisdiction, into a park. Migrant workers from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have set up small bases within the fortress and the site hums all day, as partial excavation to find the plinth of the bastions and the outer fortification is on at a feverish pace.

- Indian Express, July 31, 2009

The Supreme Court on Thursday put to rest all fears about the proposed construction of the Commonwealth Games Village on the Yamuna riverbed, and asked concerned government agencies to go ahead with it.

The apex court went a step ahead and clarified that the construction — opposed by environmentalists — were neither on the "riverbed" nor on the "floodplain".

Removing all legal hurdles from the Village's path, the three-member Bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices P Sathasivam and B S Chauhan said: "In view of our conclusion, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and other authorities are free to proceed with the work at the Games site."

The decision, eagerly awaited by the Delhi government, the Union ministries of Environment, Urban Development and Sports as well as the Games' organising committee, overruled an earlier conclusion by the Delhi High Court that the Village site was on a "riverbed".

The court said that the High Court's observation that the site was on a 'riverbed' could not be sustained. "The High Court disregarded and ignored material scientific literature and the opinion of experts and scientific bodies which have categorically held that the CGV site is neither located on the 'riverbed' nor on the 'floodplain'," the apex court's decision read.

Justice Sathasivam pointed out that the High Court had arrived at a "contrary conclusion" despite the site's changed land-use, approved "way back in 1999 by the Yamuna Committee".

The court said the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) — an assessing authority of influences on the environment — had allowed the DDA to use Pocket III in the area for "public and semi-public purpose". The Village is in Pocket III, beyond the embankment.

In 2005, the Supreme Court had approved the construction of the Akshardham temple — also in Pocket III and 1.7 kilometres saway from the Yamuna.

Providing a major leg-up to the constructions going on at full swing in the Village site, the Supreme Court also set aside a High Court directive to appoint an expert committee to examine and monitor these constructions.

The apex court also said that the committee approved by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, with the Lieutenant-Governor as its chairperson, Delhi chief minister its vice-chairperson and representatives of other departments, should monitor the work here in association with renowned environmentalist Dr R K Pachauri.

The High Court on November 3, 2008, had ordered that a committee under Dr Pachauri check on the construction at the Village site.

Aggrieved at the High Court's decision, the government had approached the Supreme Court. Attorney General G E Vahanvati and Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium argued for the government.

Delhi has lost 12 monuments