Young Aspirations of Arunachal

2009-03-28T09:54:00.001-07:00

WEST INDIA TOUR (10TH FEBRUARY- 4TH MARCH 2009)
Beginning of the West India Tour
We left for our west India tour today (10/02/2009) early in the morning. After 6 hrs journey by Janshatabdi, we reached Delhi.
2nd day of the tour was full of excitement. Though we reached the airport well-ahead of time, due to confusion regarding the particular terminal from which we were supposed to board the plane, we, initially, felt, kind of little lost; however, the confusion was soon cleared. We rushed towards 1A terminal, all of us pushing our respective luggage in trolleys a little worried.
After undergoing all the formalities, we finally boarded the plane. Today, the queue for security-checking was particularly little too long. To add to the delay, the plane didn’t get the take-off permission from the ATC for another 45 minutes. Despite such delays, we all felt really elated, for we were traveling together in a group of 30 members.
We arrived at Pune airport nearly 2 o’ clock in the afternoon. Having had our lunch, we got ready for an interaction session with one of the esteemed personalities and erstwhile forest managers, Prof. Maslekar. He spoke threadbare about the history of forest in Maharashtra right from the days of colonial rule. His opening sentence was: “Welcome to the City of Gibson, the 1st Conservator of Pune appointed by the Government of British India.”
He touched upon many other events which he considered were pioneering and exemplary like the formation of 1st Forest Labour Adivasi Cooperative in 1847, 1st Irrigated Teak Plantation, etc. Talking about social forestry, he was quite convinced that it created awareness among people about tree and tree culture; Forest Service being brought to the public glare and domain; hundreds and thousands of environmental related non-governmental organizations (NGOs) came up.
However, he regretted that despite such potentials and charms of the Forest Service, the forest organization as a unit hasn’t been able to get the kind of support, recognition and social standing as it rightfully should do.
Visit to Watershed Management Area: Darewadi- Shekewali Watershed Progress
Watershed activities had been started way back in 1996, which continued for 10 years till 2006. One gentleman, rather a Godman, Fr. Bacher was the mastermind behind this work, particularly in this area. He played a pivotal role in bringing the funds necessary for the works. This watershed project in Darewadi-Shekewadi, in fact, was a part of the Indo-German collaboration.
We were informed by one of the members of the Village Watershed committee that, earlier, there used to be widespread poverty; lack of civic amenities; water-scarcity, including for drinking purposes and so on; but today, the village had recovered pretty much: enough water in their wells both for irrigation and drinking, reduced loss of soil, sufficient cultivation from the fields, increased employment opportunity in the village itself. Therefore, migration out of the village during lean season had also come down substantially. These were the achievements the village had made after the implementation of Watershed Project since 1996.
We could observe series of continuous contour trenches across the gradient of the landscape of the village. In the ridges of these trenches, many species had been planted like Acacia sp. At various points in gullies, different soil and moisture conservation techniques had been used like check dams with live fence on their ridges, check weirs, masonry weirs and nala bunds.
I enjoyed this visit.
Arrival at Ahmedabad
It was one real memorable morning today. We loaded our luggage quickly into the bus. Just as we were all-ready to move and boarded the bus, the bus didn’t start because of low battery. We got down to push it to start; the bus wasn’t started even now. For a while, all of us became concerned that how we would reach railway station on time. Immediately, it was decided that lady officers and two or three other male officers would leave for station with whatsoever much luggage that could be loaded in two Tavera cars, and the two of them would arrange for other cars. Accordingly, we unloaded our belongings from the bus and began loading all over again in these two cars. Everything was finally arranged and settled, and the cars were almost leaving; just then the bus got started. This was too much! Though it wasn’t funny, we broke into laughter. We once again had to reload the rest of the luggage back to the bus, and the rest of the male officers boarded the bus finally. We started from our place of stay in Mumbai very early in the morning, precisely at 4.15 a.m.
We reached Mumbai Central Railway Station far-ahead of time, despite initial delays. After half an hour or so, Shatabdi Express bound for Ahmedabad arrived on the platform # 3. Sharply at 6. 25 a.m., the train began its journey. As and when we occupied our respective seats, most of us instantly fell asleep. Honestly, the rigors of continuous journey and less sleep were gradually engulfing us and affecting our enthusiasm.
The journey was pretty comfortable; newspaper, tea/coffee, other eatables, including food came at regular intervals. After 6 and half hrs of journey, the Shatabdi eventually arrived at Ahmedabad Junction.
Around 4.30 pm, we went to Gurjari, a showroom of handloom and handicraft items, an outlet of the business-house of the Gujarat Handloom & Handicraft Corporation. The show room was dotted with varieties of hand-made sarees, kurta, other artifacts, etc.
After sometimes, the Managing Director, Mr. S. K. Chaturvedi, an IFS officer of 1986 batch, arrived. An informal interaction had been arranged with him. Before starting the interaction, he personally came near each one of us respectively for our introduction; it was indeed a very good gesture on his part. Thereafter, he dwelt upon the nitty-gritty of his organization; how ever since taking over the management of the corporation, which otherwise had been running on losses consecutively for many years, he had turned-around the corporation, and pull the organization out of the sickness and put the organization on right-track again. Earlier, before his joining the corporation, he continued that the corporation would earn only Rs 80 lakh annually, whereas its total earning in the current year was Rs 2.5 crore. So, since last four and half year, exactly his tenure so far, the corporation had begun to make profits. He added that, naturally, his employees, including sub-ordinates, other stake-holders like artisans, wanted him to continue, though he himself wanted to move to new organization.
Towards the end of this interaction, we asked him other questions also which he candidly, fluently and convincingly told us. I must say that it was a nice interaction. Later, all of us took a round of the show-room; many of us purchased some items too. Officially, today’s schedule was over; while others went to different places from there itself, I along with Nivi and others, came back to our respective rooms. Oh, on the way, we took our dinner. When I reached my room, it was already 10 o’clock in the night.
Visit to Centre for Environmental Education, Social Forestry Division and Gujarat Ecological Education and Research, Ahmedabad
Our first visit was Centre for Environmental Education (CEE). Spread over an area of 14 acre of undulating landscape so chosen as well as deliberately modified as per the objectives and requirements of the organization, this Non-governmental Organization, mostly receiving its funding from the Ministry of Environmental & Forest (MOEF), Government of India, is primarily involved in the business or, properly put, dedicatedly engaged in ‘Interpretation of Biodiversity’. Respectively, Ms. Priya Nair and Mr. Murthy quickly gave the highlights about the organization and made us acquainted with the ‘Nature Trail’ being conducted within the campus itself. The campus is home to 100-150 spp. of birds, 10-15 spp. of mammals. The soil is silty, sandy-loam and clayey.
We undertook a ‘Nature Trail’ through the forest inside the campus. Many tree spp. have been planted there like Samanea saman, Anthocephalus kadamba, Bamboo spp., Pandanus, Moringa olifera, etc. Attractive and innovative designs of signage had been put up at different places either briefly describing about a particular tree nearby or animal(s) associated with certain trees around emphasizing the significance of each living being in the food-chain. The oldest tree planted in the campus is a Samanea saman (Rain tree) planted by renowned space scientist of the country, late Vikram Sarabai. We also got to see some birds like Eurasian collared dove, purple sun-bird, drongo, etc. Yes, though a small patch of artificially raised and properly maintained and managed forest land, that too, in the heart of an explosively advancing city like Ahmedabad, it really resembled a natural mixed forest.
Now, Ms. Meena Nareshwar made a beautiful presentation regarding the ‘Zoo Interpretation Programs’ of the organization. Under zoo interpretation, the organization had been working on various places of immense importance from the view point of biodiversity conservation like natural heritage sites, zoological gardens, botanical gardens, etc. She explained that interpretation was a process of communication. Various packages were designed and developed to educate and create awareness about nature conservation. The organization had been catering to various target groups like school children, college & university students, government agencies like zoos, forest department and private organizations also.
Zoo interpretation includes preparation of ‘Zoo Master Plan’; capacity building of the target groups; marketing of products & services accrued from nature; and the like.
Around 11.30 a.m., we left the organization and arrived at Social Forestry Division of Gujarat Forest Department, Ahmedabad. An NGO called ‘Trend Analysis and Reasearch Unit (TARU) made a presentation. The founder chairman, Mr. Jayantibhai Lakdawala gave a brief account of what his organization had been working for. He told us that Social forestry evolved in Gujarat, and ever since then, the farmers had been growing trees in their fields along with agricultural crops. The farmers had been tremendously benefited by this new activity, a combination of forestry and agriculture, referred to as ‘Agro-forestry’. However, this hadn’t been easy. While earning of the farmers and tree cover increased respectively, the official procedure associated with harvesting of trees raised in private lands remained cumbersome, which, in turn, discouraged tree planting or added to the woes of the poor farmers. He proudly claimed that his organization had been toiling towards easing the sufferings of the poor farmers; his organization spearheaded the cause, and eventually, the trees grown in private lands had been removed from the purview of forest produce through a recent amendment (2007) in the Gujarat forest law.
Mr. Lakdawala made a daring statement that no research institution of repute had done or achieved anything worthwhile towards developing self-sufficiency in fuel-wood requirement. He added that like the immense importance and urgency that were shown to achieve our food security in the decade of 60, the forestry sector needed the similar attention for achieving fuel-wood self-sufficiency.
Thereafter, Mr. Rama Murthy, 1997 batch IFS, Deputy Conservator of forest, Social Forestry Division, Ahmedabad, interacted with us. We had our lunch there once the interaction was over. We were taken to ‘Kailash Van’, a small plantation developed under Urban forestry, a brain-child of Gujarat forest department. Here, people’s religious sentiments and feelings had been incorporated with raising trees like particular trees had been associated with ‘rashis’ or ‘stars’ of people, and accordingly they were encouraged to raise trees in particular plots earmarked for that particular ‘rashi’. Kailash Van was a dumping ground earlier; but now, it was a beautiful small tree-garden, nicely furnished with concrete chairs, proper walkways and of course a big statue or replica of Hindu God, ‘Shankar’. It was one of the success stories of Social Forestry Programs in Gujarat.
Despite such achievements of these plantations, a ripple was created in my mind. I felt very immensely that this concept of associating religious feelings might have led people to plant and create awareness about environment; but it had an inherent flaw. This, to me, had, sort of, catered to a particular religious community, in this case- Hindu only. In my perception, in the long run, this patch of land had all likelihood of developing into a place of rituals and religious activities of that particular religion. “That would be very dangerous and wrong”, I felt. I’m of the opinion that public land shouldn’t be allowed to develop into an exclusive domain of any particular community or group, howsoever much that land may have been well-developed or beautified.
From there, we reached Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation. There, Mr. C. M. Pandey, Chief Conservator O Forest, an officer of 1980 batch, addressed us. He made a presentation and explained quite exhaustively the tenets, set-up, mandate, activities and achievements of the GEER. He told us that the GEER was being conceived and modeled in the lines of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). Like WII, GEER is also an autonomous body under the Forest & Environment Ministry of Government of Gujarat set up in 1982. The Foundation has been registered as a Society under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1890 and as a Public Trust under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950. The organization has been entrusted with the job of – ecological education (public awareness, mass communication), ecological research and training and capacity building. This organization serves as an interface between government and public.
Later, he showed us an interactive CD ROM: Wings of nature, a window to the world of major Indian birds, developed by the expertise available in the GEER itself. It was a software in fact. A lot of thoughts has been given into designing and developing the software; indeed a very helpful tool to both advanced, sophisticated, researchers/scientists and novice, school children, beginners and laymen alike. We all got one copy each of the said CD ROM as a gift from the organization.
Thereafter, we took a round of the Jurassic Park, dedicated to the life-history and fossil remains of the life-forms found in Jurassic era. It was marvelous; life-size models of various dinosaurs were erected in the park. They were a great treat to our eyes.
From there, we returned to our place of stay: Forest Hostel, Ahmedabad. Later in the evening, a dinner was arranged by the Gujarat Forest Department. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, other senior officials of the department along with their families attended the dinner. During our interaction session, I posed my queries regarding urban forestry directly to the PCCF. He gave me answers that didn’t really pacify my apprehensions and curiosities. He was a bit taken aback by my question, and was embarrassed.
Finally, we began our dinner at around 9. 30 p. m. It was a nice food. Today’s program ended with the dinner.
Visit to Punit Van, Little Rann of Kutch and a Wetland
Unlike other days, we left Forest Hostel leisurely at 9. 30 a. m. We directly came to Punit or Sacred Van, the first Plantation developed under Urban Forestry. It was bigger than Kailash Van. The extent of the Punit Van was 6 ha. More amenities like wider pathways, bigger & better signages, solar lamps, one open-amphitheatre and larger sized patches of different ‘Rashis’ were what distinguish it from Kailash Van.
The Deputy Conservator of Forest, Ahmedabad, welcomed us and succinctly told us about the Van. He told that the plantation area had been developed like a garden which would also serve the purpose of stress-reduction. Jogging, morning-evening walks, sight-seeing, etc. had been allowed free of cost. He continued that the area adjoining it was a usual plantation. A ‘wilderness path’ had been developed there for the interested people to undertake nature walk. He informed that the people were voluntarily involving themselves now-a-days like Senior citizens group had sponsored the concrete chairs put up in the area; Gujarat Gas Agency had sponsored the solar lamps. Likewise, JK Paper Mills, Reliance, etc. had also sponsored.
Important species raised were: Aegle marmelos, Ficus bengalensis, Saraca indica, Emblica offiicinalis, Ficus religiosa, Strychnos nuxvomica, etc.
From there, we reached Zainabad. After having had lunch, we visited the much talked-about Little Rann of Kutch, the world-renowned home to wild-ass, which is found abundantly presently in India only. Certainly, the vast area was barren with whitish soil surface all-around, clear and simple evidence of high level of soil salinity. It was my first time to see such large area under such high degree of salinity. The concerned Ranger of the area who accompanied us told us that during monsoon, the entire stretch of land got flooded with rainwater.
The area was devoid of vegetation, except Prosopis juliflora. This bushy, thorny shrub/small tree was present in patches in various places. Anu Mam told that those wild asses generally survived on this particular plant. We got to see a herd of wild-asses from close quarter, but not a very close-up view though.
Now, we came to another place with 2-3 lagoons. People were cultivating salt in these lagoons. I interviewed a local farmer. He informed me that he was selling the salts at Rs. 50 per ton. Cultivating salt was his only occupation; the earning from it wasn’t sufficient for his family; it didn’t completely fulfill life’s basic needs even.
Lastly, we went to a wetland. The sun was disappearing behind the western horizon and the surrounding was gradually getting engulfed by the dusk. A huge number of birds was visible even from very far distance. Many of us, particularly, Santosha, Prabuddha, Saket, Basu, Sreelakshmi and Tripti really became excited at the sight of such large flocks of different birds at one place simultaneously. They all rushed towards them with cameras and binoculars and captured those birds in different poses and actions. Evidently, this place was awesome.
Our today’s program was over. We returned to the resort named Desert Courser. It’s a beautiful place.
Arrival at Jamnagar
We visited the same wetland again today, which we visited yesterday. The water was shining due to the reflection of morning sun. As expected, there were good numbers of birds even this time. Bird watching in early morning has its own charm and thrills. It’s altogether a very different experience. The freshness in the air, mild blow of wind, gentle rays of golden sunshine and different calls of various birds infuse tremendous feeling in any nature lovers, particularly bird-watchers. We have in our batch some real enthusiasts-passionate bird-watchers, namely Santhosa, Prabuddha, Saket, Sreelakshmi, Ranjita and Tripti, who, in fact, forwent their breakfast to come to this wetland slightly earlier than the group so that they could experience and witness more birds, more activities in the early hours of the morning. Indeed, with the dawn, the silence and stillness in the wetland is all of a sudden broken by the hustle and bustle of birds.
While others were lost spotting birds; keenly observing them to identify the species, I only enjoyed the immense beauty of the landscape which had further been added by the leisurely strolling flocks of birds in the stagnant, salty-water of the pond. We spent sometimes there before leaving for another wetland on the way to Bajana.
Here, we could see a large number of flamingos. These birds were freely and leisurely strolling, giving an impression either of their ignorance of our presence there or as if they were least bothered about us or kind of hinting that we’d unnecessarily encroached into their territory, and they weren’t liking it, i.e. we were uninvited.
As usual, others immediately began taking photos. The water in the pond was definitely less than the usual spread of water. I could clearly observe network of deep cracks on the soil. The soil was clayey; very hard near the banks, that is, away from the water; as we proceeded toward the water, the soil was gradually soft and sticky.
Prosopis juliflora predominantly grew in areas surrounding the pond.
Now, we came to Interpretation Centre: Bajana, Wild Ass Sanctuary Dhrangadhra, Range: Bajana. A comprehensive information about the Wild Ass Sanctuary Dhrangadhra had been put in this centre. Major information were: the Wild Ass Sanctuary is the fourth largest protected area in the country; it has been curved out to protect the unique flora, fauna and ecosystem of the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK); the prime attraction of this area is the Indian Wild Ass, a species which has several characteristics similar to horses and donkeys; and so on.
Finally, we reached Jamnagar at about 6. 30 p. m.
Visit to Reliance Energy Plantation & Marine National Park
Amazing plantation: a large tract of land under pure teak; mango orchard of different varieties and almost of same/similar appearance, height and size; strips of Casuarina equisitifolia on both sides of the road. I was awestruck by not only the beauty and meticulous management of the plantation; but also the sheer amount of commitment, effort, hard-work and money being spent on developing, at the first place, and maintaining it continuously. The plantation was about 9 year old.
Shri A.R. Kumbhar, explained to us that, initially, precisely before the beginning of the plantation activities, the soil of the entire plantation area was very shallow, sandy to medium black, very low in organic carbon and fertility, pH of 7.5 to 9.2 and EC of 1.5 to 5.3. Even the water was scarce. Therefore, he informed us that the organization undertook water conservation measures in a very large scale such as drip irrigation system on 100% area, black polythene mulching, extensive green manuring, abundant use of organic manures, well-knit rain water harvesting system and extensive watershed development. Thus began the life-history of this very young and vibrant plantation. Seriously, it could be possible due to such huge investment.
The plantation has been raised within the premise of the Reliance Petro-Chemical Unit, Jamnagar. The total area of the Unit is 7500 acres, including plantation, which is spread across more than 1600 acres. Here is the area-wise break-up of the plantation into various crops in acres: Mango (447), other fruits (103), teak (115), sawan (83), greenbelt (129), landscape trees and shrubs (579), medicinal plants (27), vegetables (05), coastal eco-development (126).
Thereafter, we visited the control room of the petro-chemical unit. The control room has been made full-proof against explosion/fire.
From here, we reached the Marine National Park. The Coral Reefs are amongst the most-spectacular, diverse and dynamic ecosystems of the world; on the other hand, they are highly fragile and susceptible to environmental changes. Considering their susceptibility and importance in ecology, Government of Gujarat declared the area as Marine National Park (MNP) in 1982 with a vision to provide legislative protection to this ecosystem and promote developmental and research activities for its betterment. This was the first MPA of its kind of the country.
Narara is spread over about 876 ha of area. We surfed through the calf muscle-height sea water for not less than 2 hrs. We had attired ourselves accordingly already: white canvas shoes, shorts, caps, goggles, etc. Merely 15 minutes walk from the rest house, we began encountering the various treasures of the marine ecosystem, and for which it is rightly being put under protection. Our first encounter was a sea crab, which, sensing our presence, got alarmed, and hurriedly hid beneath a small rock. We curious and passionate wildlifers couldn’t hold back our emotions and enthusiasms. Obviously, we didn’t proceed until we eventually took the poor crab out of its perceived safe-haven. The Range Forest Officer who was guiding us held it on his hand; all of us flocked around it, taking photographs from various corners and angles. Finally, we left it on the ground. Surely, it must have taken a great sigh of relief as we moved ahead leaving it behind and on its own world of wilderness. Though it was important to do like that so as to make ourselves acquainted with various life-forms, it also did create nuisance and discomfort to such life-forms.
Similarly, we met with many more organisms afterwards such as soft & hard coral, sponges, octopus and numerous varieties of fishes.
Lastly, we arrived at a nursery developed for raising seedlings of Avicennia spp. The small-sized raised platform of clayey soil formed the bed on which the seeds of Avicennia spp. were broadcasted. The Ranger informed us that the germinating percentage was almost 100%, and he was true. In the meanwhile, we had actually come back to the shore. There, he told us the difference between three Avicennia spp. Avicennia marina grew towards the sea where the inundation was more and prolonged; its stem was smoother; leaves, bigger-sized, whereas Avicennia alba grew towards the shore; leaf-margins, curved backwards and smaller-sized comparatively. Likewise, Avicennia offiicinalis looked slightly different with its stem having sort of nodes on it.
This visit to Marine National Park really widened my knowledge regarding coastal and marine ecosystems. I only heard and read about these ecosystems; but today, I practically saw for myself the distinct characteristics of mangrove vegetation like pneumetaphores, etc.
That was it for the day today. We returned to hotel at around 7.30 pm.
Journey to Sasan Gir through Porbandhar and Somnath from Jamnagar
As such, we didn’t have any official visit to any place today. It was journey whole day. We left Jamnagar for Sasan Gir. So, unlike other days, we weren’t in hurry. Having taken breakfast around 8.00 am, our bus meandered through the highway leading to Sasan. During the journey, in order to make it a little more fun-filled and interesting, Hindi version James Bond films were shown in the bus. It drove away our boredom and fatigue of such long bus journey.
At 12 noon, we reached the immortalized city of Porbandhar. This city had given a divine gift to our country nearly two centuries ago. It wouldn’t be exaggeration to say that the very existence of India as we see today got the nourishment and nurture from this very city. The history of Modern India is definitely incomplete without a reference to Porbandhar. As long as India remains, the contribution and name of this city in the conception, evolution and development of India will always occupy one of the top positions and will also be taken/written about in golden words.
What’s so special about this city? Yes, this city is really special. A semi-dhoti-clad, mild, meek-looking, messiah of truth, honesty and non-violence, down-to-earth, the ultimate epitome of man-management/mass leader/social-engineer, etc. whom the western-world, particularly the British Empire, mocked as a little, funny and cunning fakir, our Father of the Nation, Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in this city on 2nd of October, 1869. While Mahatma Gandhiji has been immortalized for his yeoman services rendered to Indian society and achieving the freedom and independence of our country from the clutches and domination of colonial British Rule, Porbandhar has also been engraved in the history by virtue of being the birth place of this great personality of mankind.
We visited Mahatma Gandhiji’s home, which has been transformed into a museum. It’s open to all free of cost. People thronged to his home like we were doing to feel, understand and appreciate the making of great man, that is, transformation of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi to Mahatma Gandhiji, the Bapu.
We had our lunch in a restaurant in Porbandhar itself. After that, we resumed our journey. Now, we reached another very popular city, which also played a significant role in the political life of post-independent India. Somanth city is a coastal urban settlement, a historic township, which finds substantial mention in Indian history because of repeated lootings and raids by the Muslim invader, Mohammad Ghazni of Afghanistan during 1000 AD or so. Historians described that Mohammad Ghazni looted and destroyed the Somnath temple, which stood just at the beach of Arabian sea, 17 times; but the Hindu devotees re-built the temple every time.
After independence, K. M. Munshi spearheaded the campaign for reconstruction of the Somnath temple. The first Home Minister of independent India, Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel, provided the support to the cause, and thus began the construction, despite official opposition and reluctance by the congress-run central government and the Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Finally, a majestic temple came up near the old structure and on the foundation of the old temple. This new, magnificent temple was still being constructed; gold-coating was being done on various portions of the temple, especially the area within the sanctum sanctorum, various idols, etc. Standing at the coast, it appears as though the waves from the Arabian Sea repeatedly wash the temple. This adds to the beauty and sacredness of the temple. Really!
Besides, it was from this temple that the Hindu assertion for Ram Janmbhoomi Movement took off in late 1980s. Mr. Lal Krishna Advani, the then President of the Bhartiya Janata Party, undertook Ram Rath Yatra from this temple. Ever since then, the political history of the country has been changed tremendously. The BJP emerged as one of main political force/party in the centre.
We strolled in the beach for nearly 45 minutes. Finally, we reached Sasan Gir at around 7.30.pm. We took dinner by 8.30 pm. Immediately, we were asked to accompany the night patrolling party. All of us set out in 4-5 different vehicles for our maiden night patrolling in a national park, that too in Gir. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Alem, Nivedita, Anshuman, Dilraj, Mydeen and I got into one Maruti gypsy. Every one of us were really excited; our eyes, ever more curious and restless. We all peeped through the windows trying to locate any movement in and around the road as the gypsy moved ahead under the starry sky, calm, dark and dense forest. After 30 minutes of drive, we finally got to see two Lions: one male and another female. It was really great feeling. I saw Lion in live and from very close range only for the first time here. This visit into Gir forests for night patrolling was worthwhile, though we were very tired. By the time, we returned, it was already 11.45 pm. I was terribly exhausted.
Visit to Gir Protected Area, Kamleshwar: Study of Lion Habitat in Sasan Gir
Gir National Park/ ecosystem falls in Biogeographic Zone-4 (the semi-arid) and biogeographic province 4-B. Gujarat Rajwara is the last paradise of the Asiatic Lion, Panthera leo persica. The Government of Gujarat has declared an area of 1421.1 sq. km as National Park and 1153.4 sq. km as Sanctuary. Besides this, 470.5 sq. km forest area constitutes a Buffer Zone as Reserve, Protected and Unclassed Forest. Thus, a total area of 1182.6 sq. km forms the Gir Forest. Out of a total area of 1882.6 sq. km, 1502.7 sq. km falls in Junagadh District and 379.9 sq. km in Amreli District. The most important aspect of the Gir is that it has become a very stable ecosystem with tremendous regenerating, sel-supporting and sustaining power due to its rich and diverse flora and fauna.
Gir has tropical monsoon climate, which is very hot during the summer. Three seasons, i.e. summer, winter and monsoon are distinct. Late November to early March is cool and dry followed by hot dry season. The average rainfall is 1000mm and 600 mm respectively. Due to irregular monsoon and uneven distribution of rainfall, drought years are not uncommon.
Mr. Sasi Kumar, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Wildlife Division, Gir West, greeted us early in the morning in front of the Gir Orientation Centre. He briefed us about the Sasan Gir, which is situated on the West Division, headquartered at Junagad and one of the two Forest Divisions, of the Gir National Park and Sanctuaries. The Gir East is headquartered at Dihar. He also told us that only three groups of people lived inside the forest: Maldaris, Siddhis and Foresters/Park Managers.
Maldharis are an integral part of the Gir ecosystem as they have been living there for generations. They live in small hutments called “Nesses” in the forest areas. In the past, there was plenty of water and fodder available for domestic livestock of maldharis but with the passing of time increasing number of livestock exerted adverse effect on forest resource. Siddhis are another group of people of Negroid origin brought from Africa sometimes in 19th century by the Raja of Junagad for forestry activities. They are now part of the Gir.
Within 15 minutes, we took seats in vehicles: a caravan of four Tata Sumos and one air-conditioned minibus slowly pierced through the Tropical Dry Deciduous Teak Forests through internal forest roads- Kucha, rough, ups and downs, undulating and constructed without much earth-cutting. These forest roads served as the life-lines of forest/wildlife management. Inside the Sasan Gir, Mr. Sasi informed there were a network of about 800 km long such roads. These veins of forest roads provided accessibility to all the Beats and Compartments of Sasan Gir, and served as Fire lines too. They were actually Multi-purpose roads.
On the way, we came across three-four Lions. They were sitting in prostrate position just beside the road. We stopped and watched them for about 15 minutes. They were indifferent to our presence: still, calm, peaceful and seemingly content with themselves. It is exactly for these royal gestures that this animal has got the name of the King of Jungle. Certainly, a tremendous show of Royalty!
After sometimes, we got off the vehicles and began climbing a hillock. As we started our tracking, cracking sounds prevailed the surrounding for quite sometimes as dried leaves of teak fallen on the ground came beneath our steps. We reached the summit named ‘Amla’ huffing and puffing; but it wasn’t really difficult. From the top, the vast tracts of the forests were visible. The sun had already risen above the ridges and illuminated the entire landscape. It was looking really fantastic. The water spread of the dam called ‘Kamleshwar’ was clearly as well as nicely visible too.
This summit had been especially chosen as ‘Communication Centre’ for transmitting wireless messages to various guards and rangers, and also to higher officials because, as mentioned in foregone sentences, the entire area, including numerous hillocks at distant places from here was visible. As a result, this point provided good place for easy observation of any activity and monitoring purposes within the forests. We spent sometimes, not more than 20 minutes, here and then climbed down.
We came to the rest house built near the Kamleshwar dam for breakfast. Thereafter, we came to Kamleshwar dam itself. Here, suddenly, a question passed by my thought about boating in the water as a part of eco-tourism activity, which could be clubbed with the Tiger Safari already being done in the Gir. Mr. Sasi explained to me that it couldn’t be done so because the mandate of the protected area was conservation of nature and its ecosystems, which, according to him, would be compromised, if boating was added. How? He explained further that the tourists would litter the area, tourist density would increase, thus disturbing the peace and tranquility of the Gir.
We came back to the Guest House. By 11 o’ clock, we assembled again in Conference Hall. The Conservator of Forest, M.M Sharma, interacted with us. He was a fine gentleman, shook hand with each one of us before taking his seat. He candidly shared the rigors of the field and frontline works and responsibilities, the intricacies of managerial as well as administrative procedures involved and so on. Later on, he asked us to ask him questions. He was really very eloquent and informed, particularly about the issues confronting his Circle and, specifically, Gir. As usual, I asked a question related to people within the forest; here, about Maldharis. He accepted my argument that philosophically, capacity-building of the Maldharis, and training them sufficiently proficient in some modern skills for their livelihood before carrying out physical dislocation were essential, but reiterated that, practically, these things were little difficult to implement. Furthermore, he answered other questions raised by other probationers. Meanwhile, he avoided giving any specific answer to the problem of Lion relocation. In totality, this interaction resembled a small press conference.
It was time for lunch. Mr. Sharma, Conservator sir invited all of us for the meal.
For afternoon session, we were again taken into the National Park area and split us into groups. All the groups were told to make observations- whatsoever might be seen, and left us to track through a forest tract of about 500 m long. We made various observations like the teak was the dominant species covering about 70% of the area, other species included Ziziphus zuzuba, Cassia tura, Butea monosperma, Aegle marmelos, Acacia nilotica, Acacia catechu, Terminalia tomentosa, Cassia fistula, Sterculia urens, Carrisa carrunda, etc. These trees formed the part of Tropical Dry Deciduous Teak Forest Type. The teak trees were presently naked, I mean, they were without leaves or whatever was left on the trees were also dried. Naturally, despite sufficient density of teak and other trees, the canopy was widely open. Consequently, the exposed ground areas were covered by cymbopogon grasses: presently dried too. Again, the teak stems were invariably infested by termites. Since the management priorities here were wildlife conservation, otherwise, the trees were in bad condition from the point of view of Silviculture or timber production.
A small stream was still flowing nearby. A dilapidated Shiva temple, ostensibly because of irregular and lack of proper maintenance and management, stood just beside it. Certain species had been planted in its immediate neighborhood like Ashok tree, couple of mango trees, Nerium indica and Ficus religiosa. As we came near it, I observed that the species composition along the streams was altogether different; it harbored a riverine type small patch of forest along its banks. The primary species comprised of Syzygium cumini, and Pongamia pinnata.
We also came across nilgai droppings, antler of a cheetal, engineering measures like check dams for gully control/soil and water conservation, and management practices such as controlled burning. Finally, we arrived at one of the rest houses, where Mr. Sasi sir and Anu mam were waiting. After having taken tea, Sasi displayed as well as explained about different kinds of scats; he continued that right identification of size, shape and nature of scat helped immensely in knowing about the animal, its feeding behavior, health status and so on.
While returning for the guest house, we halted briefly in a settlement of Siddhis, one of the residents inside the Gir forests, and interacted. Our day’s program ended hereafter.
Visit to Veterinary Hospital of Sasan Gir Wildlife Division, Devaliya Interpretation Centre, Gir East Division and Diu
Our schedule comprised of visits to, respectively, Veterinary Hospital of sasan Gir Wildlife Division, Devaliya Interpretation Centre, Gir East Division and Diu.
This Veterinary Hospital of Sasan Gir Wildlife Division was a treatment cum rescue centre. The animals brought here were mostly injured ones, others included those individuals who had forayed into human habitations and became dangerous to human life and property; these animals included both lions and leopards, thus reducing man-animal conflicts.
The Veterinary doctor in the hospital told us that the animals were captured only for treatment; after the animal had regained the health and vigor, they would be released back into the forest: in the core areas in case of leopards, in other territorial areas in case of lions. As much as possible, they performed the treatments In-situ; only in difficult and serious cases that animals would be taken to the hospital. Rarely, tranquilizing techniques would be performed, and if it so demanded, chemical solutions like cetamine hydrochloride and xylagene hydrochloride would be used.
From here, we reached Devaliya. Devaliya was a unique place that both carnivore like lions and their prey animals such as cheetal, black buck, nilgai were left free on their own; they roamed about as they would do in any natural condition; even, the entire setting of the landscape, including the forests, of the Devaliya wasn’t very much different from the forests in the Gir national park; however, the Devaliya was actually an enclosure spread over sufficiently large area, a kind of bigger zoo; the lions here were no more able to hunt down their preys; the managers used to provide food to them. In other words, the lions in Devaliya had lost its instinct of preying; the element of wilderness in them was not to be seen anymore; they were really docile now.
The Devaliya and, especially, the Interpretation Centre here, had, in fact, been established as a part of India Ecodevelopment Project- Gir, which aimed at providing facilities similar to those available in a zoo to public, developed by Centre for Environment Education; the Lion Safari being conducted in the Devaliya was a part of mitigating measures so that the pressure of tourists in Gir was within the manageable level or carrying capacity, and it didn’t pose any disturbance to the wilderness of the Gir. We took a great Safari ride.
From here, we proceeded towards Mr. Sasi sir’s house. He had arranged for our breakfast, and invited us. It took a lot of time to reach his place; we were all very hungry. Actually, the breakfast time had passed; the lunch time was approaching. We reached his house around 11.30 am. As soon as we reached, everyone rushed directly towards the food. In the menu, non-veg, chicken was also present. It was a delight to the eyes of all the non-vegetarians; it further elevated their hunger and appetite. Indeed, it was a sumptuous meal! We all thanked Ms. Sasi mam for serving us such delicious food. Once our brunch was over, we took leave of Mr. Sasi sir and left for Gir East Division.
The Deputy Conservator of Forest, Gir East Division, welcomed us in a beautifully developed sea-resort by the side of the beach. Every time ripples of sea waves knocked on the bed of sands on the shore, roaring sounds accompanied by moist-laden, cold sea-breeze, dominated the air and soothed the coastal environment; I felt as if I were taken to the pedestal of eternity. A very different kind of palm: Borassus dichotamus was planted within the resort. The branching pattern was very different- firstly, stem forked into two, and individual branches would fork into two more branches respectively, and so on.
Mr. Raja Sir, DCF interacted with us after the lunch. He highlighted on various aspects and issues confronting his Division. He discussed about the feeding behavior of the lion and increasing spill-over of lion population to other adjoining areas of the Gir. I wanted to know more about the real cause of this changing trend, which he promptly attributed to the increasing lion population only. On being asked if it was anything to do with decreasing buffalo population reared by the Maladharis following their relocation from the National Park areas, which served as 70% of the food-habit of the lions, he refuted it as false and unscientific argument citing recent studies conducted by someone from Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. He also showed various graphs and figures as evidences in support of his arguments like increased number of cheetals in the park areas, etc.
He informed us that one more Lion Safari was being developed in Gir East Division, and the official and administrative works were being worked-out.
From here, we crossed-over to Diu, erstwhile Portuguese settlement until 1965, an island situated off the west coast of Gujarat. A small stretch of sea divided it from Gujarat. A bridge had been constructed across it. This visit was more for sight-seeing: we visited a Fort built sometime in 16th century followed by a short halt at a very old Roman Catholic Church.
Around 11 o’clock in the night, we reached back to Gir guest house.

Return to Ahmedabad via Velavadar Black Buck National Park

Very early in the morning, we set out for our return journey to Ahmedabad. After about 7 hrs of bus journey, we reached Velavadar Black Buck National Park. Our lunch was arranged here.
The Black Buck National Park, Velavadar consists of Reserve Forest area of villages Velavadar, Kanatalav, Adhelai and Bhadbhid. The management plan also covers Reserve Forest area of villages Rajgadh, Mevasa, Ganeshgadh, Savainagar and Madhiya adjoining to the Black Buck National Park, Velavadar.
After lunch, we visited the Interpretation Centre present in the Park. The Black Buck National Park situated in Bhavnagar district was a unique place because of the stable population of Black bucks and Wolves, nesting and breeding of Lesser Floricans and large congregation of four species of Harriers.
Far and wide, a golden-brown meadow of Cenchrus celiaris was profusely growing through-out the area till the horizon. The area was a typical ‘Savannah’ type of grassland dotted with individual trees, mostly Prosopis juliflora here and there. In the midst, a herd of some 10-15 Black bucks was grassing without any hurry or worry. That was a real treat to our eyes.
Talking about the park and management interventions being carried-out, the Assistant Conservator of Forest, told us that maintaining the grassland ecosystem and arresting further succession in the area were the main priorities. Thus, Prosopis juliflora seedlings, which would come up from the seeds being scattered throughout the area along with the droppings of numerous bird species during monsoon would have to be removed.
In between this endless grassland landscape, a network of sufficiently wide gaps could be observed. He clarified that these gaps were created by removing or cutting grasses within these patches, which, in turn, acted as fire-lines, and the grasses so removed would be distributed to local people in return for no penny.
Just before leaving this place, Anu mam took our leave. She wouldn’t be accompanying us in the rest of the tour schedule; instead, Arun sir would join us for the remaining days from tomorrow. Finally, we all proceeded towards Ahmedabad.
Address by Director of AFRI and Visit to CAZRI and Guda Bishnoi Village
The Director of Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI) addressed us regarding the historical profile of the institute, for what objectives it was established, how it started creating greenery works/ planting activities and turn-around the arid, semi-desert land of Jaisalmer and other areas within the jurisdiction of this institute. He mentioned that the ‘Mandate’ of his organization was forestry research for conservation of biodiversity and enhancement of bio-productivity in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli with special emphasis on arid and semi-arid regions.
In life, everyone has his/her share of story to tell or share. Similarly, he also dwelt upon his experiences accumulated during his service career. The words of wisdom from elders or seniors in any walk of life are really educative and inspirational, so were his.
We saw the tissue culture as well as soil science laboratories. The scientists-in-charge respectively explained various works being done by their laboratories. The tissue culture lab was mostly using micro-propagation techniques for many plants, and protocols of many species facing problems with respect to their multiplication viz. Azadirachta indica, Ailanthus excelsa, Commiphora wightii have been developed for large-scale and rapid mass multiplication. In soil science lab, the scientist told us that the main works being carried by the division were water management, sand dune stabilization, reclamation of problematic soil, etc.
Thereafter, we were taken to Central Arid Zone Research Institute. It was established in 1952 as Desert Afforestation Centre, a part of Forest Research Institute. The Principal Scientist, Dr. L.N. Bima, Head of the Forest Division, greeted us and explained so many things related to the origin and various changes in nomenclature of the organization with period and needs of the time to its present name, CAZRI. The Institute mainly worked towards arresting the movement of desert.
He also showed us various products and by-products derived from the pods of Prosopis juliflora by newly developed methods of extraction by him. Fine powder of pods of P. juliflora and P. pallida could be used as sugar; mesocarp of the pods on being roasted could be used as coffee; squash could be obtained from Salvadora fruits, and salvadora fruit jam as by-product of this extraction; etc.
The main attraction here was ‘Hydrophonic System’, designed and developed by him. It was a kind of scaffolding of six hollow pipes having small holes made at short intervals along the length of the pipe placed horizontally and one above the other. In these holes, plants in polybags had been raised; moss sphaganum had been used as substratum for the rooting of seedlings raised in these holes. An electric pump-set put below the structure was used to provide water from the small tank made near-by. He told us that the water requirement was judiciously monitored and managed through this system.
We then went to Arid Horticulture Farm within the Institute where we saw many salt tolerant fruit species grown on large scale. The important ones were amla, pomegranate, date-palm, pear, etc.
Here after, we came to the Village Guda Bisnoi, located on left hand side of the Jodhpur-Pali National Highway at a distance of 20 km from Jodhpur. It had been declared as ‘Closed Area’ as per section 37 (1) of Wild life (Protection) Act, 1972. The human population of the closed area was predominately of Bishnoi community.
The major works of forest department were maintaining water-holes for animals during dry season and protection against any illegal activities like poaching in the area. The Assistant Conservator of Forest responsible for the management of the area narrated that the famous, rather the in-famous case of Chinkara hunting by Salman Khan happened in this area only. We then came to ‘Amrita Devi’ Forest Conservation Memorial which had been dedicated to the Shrimati Amrita Devi and 363 other people who laid their lives defending or for the cause of preservation of Prosopis cineraria, when a minister named Girdhar Bhandari in the court of the Maharaja of Jodhpur ordered his army to cut the trees along-with people, who were embracing the stem of the trees in 1787.
It surely was a great sacrifice worth emulating everywhere, especially now-a-days, because the forest cover had been decreasing quickly and human needs and greed were burgeoning beyond the carrying capacity of the nature. Though the atrocities meted-out at people were really cruel, the sense of conservation among Bishnoi community during that time when people weren’t much aware about environmental issues was commendable, rather unparallel in the history of mankind. Hats off!!!!!
Visit to Desert National Park
Having arrived at Jaiselmer in the wee hours of 25th February, our first program of the day was visiting the Desert National Park. We came to ‘Akal Fossil Park’ situated within the park where fossil wood: rock-turned-woods, especially angiosperms, had been preserved. The terrain was very hard, rough, rocky, very less soil, undulating land surface with small hillocks mostly devoid of vegetation, and the individuals of Lasiurus sindicus, a very important fodder grass, Commiphora wightii, Capparis decidua, Acacia Senegal, Acacia tortolis were found very far and few in between. In low lying basin, occasional growth of Salvadora oleioides and Prosopis cineraria was also seen.
The Divisional Forest Officer of the Desert National Park told us during the course of interaction that the Great Indian Thar Desert constituted nearly 9% of the geographical area of India; one of the smallest deserts in the world; however, very rich in biodiversity. Therefore, he continued, in order to protect the fauna and flora of the Thar, National Commission on Agriculture had laid down emphasis on creating a Biosphere in this region in 1976, and consequently an area of 3162 sq km falling in Jaisalmer and Barmer selected in 1980 to be developed as the Desert National Park (DNP).
We then reached a plantation developed on an erstwhile completely barren land or sand dune. It was a part of Sand dune Reclamation Program. This plantation had been raised in 2006-07. Several species, viz. Acacia tortolis, Prosopis cineraria, Zizyphus sp., Acacia Senegal, Colligonum polygonoides, etc. had been raised. Excellent piece of greenery had been developed in the vast sea of denuded, degraded, sandy and rocky topography around. Highlighting the planting techniques used, the concerned Assistant Conservator of Forest told us that the tree spp., were planted in July during 2-3 days of rain. In 20 ha, 10000 plants had been planted in individual pits of size-45×45×45. To ensure moisture availability, mulching around the individual plants had been provided.
Later in the evening, we enjoyed a ‘Camel Safari’ in another part of the DNP. This part was slightly greener than the rest of the area; Lasiurus sindicus grew fairly well; it provided a congenial habitat for Great Indian Bustard, the largest Indian bird, for which the Desert National Park is famous. Luckily, we got to see one of them.
Visit to Indira Gandhi Canal
Indira Gandhi Canal is one of the greatest engineering feats that the country had made after she gained freedom. It is one of the ambitious projects that the nation had taken up to quench the thirst of millions of people living in one of the driest and most difficult places in the world to live-in. Parts of Rajasthan, the homeland of Thar desert in its western part, particularly, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur, etc. practically had no river system; the region had been frequently hit by drought; water had been perennially scarce; life was obviously all the more tough.
Indira Gandhi Canal brought a man-made river into this perennially thirsty region. There was a tremendous change in the socio-economic conditions of the people; agriculture once again flourished; prosperity reached people; general perspective of life and living standard improved so much. This indeed was nothing short of a miracle!
The canal had been draining water from Rabi and Beas in Punjab into Western Rajasthan. It was definitely a long journey for the water in the canal, traversing vast tract of different landscape on the way, covering a mammoth distance of 650 km. So, a substantial length of the canal ran in Punjab, precisely, 204 km and the remaining bigger part running within Rajasthan itself.
Such large traveling of water through dry tracts with meagerly available vegetation posed inevitable problems. Earlier invisible, but very much ingrained within the system, dark clouds were slowly gathering and with time took demonic shapes and forms. In nutshell, this canal also brought about numerous problems too. The areas falling along and around the canal got deteriorated; they turned more saline or water-logged, thus adversely affecting the initial good agricultural harvest brought about due to coming of canal water in this region. Many people were affected, many villages abandoned and deserted by the villagers. Also, high velocity hot and dry wind, locally called ‘loo’, prevailed in these regions pretty too frequently. Therefore, the canal got silted by sand deposits brought by these winds, and thus necessitated de-silting work very year, which reduced the efficiency of the canal as well as added to the financial cost.
To address these complex situations, a large-scale afforestation program had been initiated all along the canal. The planting activity was divided into two phases: 1st phase included the districts of Hanuman ghar, Sri Ganga nagar and Bikaner (1974) and 2nd phase covered parts of Barmer and Jaisalmer (1984). In 1st phase, Eucalyptus spp. were raised in plenty; but in 2nd phase, it was avoided because of lot of objection and negative campaigns against its plantation by many non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
A strip of 20 rows of trees with spacing of 4×3 m covering 200m width on the left bank and 100m width on the right bank had been raised perpendicular to the direction of the wind along the canal. Ever since this plantation had been raised, the results so obtained were quite impressive. A beautiful green belt of Tecomella undulate, Dalbergia sissoo, Zizyphus spp. so created not only reduced the problems of siltation of the canal by sands from wind, water-logging and salinity; but also improved the micro-climate and created habitat for many avifauna.
Visit to Nahargahd Wildlife Sanctuary & Bio-diversity Forest, Jaipur
Nahargarh wildlife sanctuary comprises the rocky and almost denuded hill ranges right adjoining the state capital of Rajasthan, pink city of Jaipur. We all gathered on one of the banks of the Jalmahal Lake, so named after a beautiful, magnificent palace standing in the middle of the lake. The Divisional Forest Officer, Central Division of Jaipur, addressed us and made us acquainted with issues concerning the Nahargahd wildlife sanctuary, notably encroachment, sewage disposal and wetland management. Talking about the encroachment, he emphasized the need for practical and pragmatic approaches to deal with such complex situation as it involved human lives, property and numerous administrative intricacies which couldn’t be solved only through scientific logic and/or legal course of actions. He told us how the condition of the lake had been changed: from a dirty, stinking, reservoir of sewage dumped from the residents of the city, about 70000 liter/day into an excellent wetland ecosystem. He conceded that until two years before, the lake was a source of embarrassment for its notorious foul-odor, which was further aggravated by its location being right on the entrance to the city, thus tarnishing the image and name of the city.
From here, we went to one more bank of the lake, a very good site for bird watching. One Mr. Harshvardhan, a very nice gentleman and an amateur, experienced and dedicated conservationist, who was also the Chairman of a Non-governmental Organization called Tourism and Wildlife Conservation Society and a member in the State wildlife Board as well, interacted with us. He informed us how he took the lead in cleaning the Jalmahal lake, removing the foul-odor from the water by systematically and scientifically removing the sewage waste coming from the urban households, developing certain small patches of lands with certain species of plants/grasses and forming a sort of tiny islands in the lake, which altogether, in turn, developed the Jalmahal lake into a beautiful wetland ecosystem, supporting large number of bird species, including certain migratory species like Osprey, which had come from Europe.
The lake water looked clean, clear and, definitely, free from foul-odor. To ensure it, he continued that the sewage drains had been diverted; sewage water had been made to move around the lake from one block to another sequentially in such scientific manner that the water, as it reached the core of the lake, automatically, got cleaned. In addition, he told that at certain points underneath the lake water, air-pumps had also been put-in to provide oxygen into it. All these activities had been possible because of years of continuous and concerted efforts of many passionate wildlifers, naturalists, aware and concerned citizens, including himself.
Now, we were addressed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Rajasthan in the midst of greenery and lap of beautifully developed and managed urban forest called Kapoor Chand Kulish Smiriti Van, also known as Bio-diversity Forest spread across an area of 108 acres on the foothills of the Aravali range. He gave an insight into the over-all geography, general forest types, ecosystem, flora, fauna and biodiversity of Rajasthan, besides, of course, the administrative and managerial activities required to be performed by the forest department. He was very informative.
This bio-diversity park had emerged as a big pollution-sink and purifier of harmful emissions of air from the city. The atmosphere in the city had remarkably been improved; people had got a sufficiently large, beautiful island of trees in the vast sea of concrete buildings which encompassed their needs for recreation and aesthetic satisfaction, thus ensuring a healthier life. They took solace in the shade of trees and beauty and fragrance of various flowers raised in the park; people preferred to come here to relax and get substantial amount of peace away from the daily hustle and bustle of city-life.
An Interpretation Centre had also been created in the park describing various flora, fauna, especially avifauna available in the park. The Deputy Conservator of Forest explained later that the infrastructure development in the park was worth some crores of investment and the work began immediately because of direct and special interest shown by the former regime, particularly the Chief Minister herself, Ms. Vasundhara Raje. However, the proper official procedural mandate for its funding was not followed. As a result, as of now, he said further that the work was facing financial difficulties due to no further fund. The Jaipur Development Authority had refused to support the project in the next financial year. The DCF was emphasizing that before taking up any big project like that it should be ensured that the mechanisms for funding were worked out properly and through proper official procedures.
Some of the plants were: Acacia auriculiformis, Albizzia lebbek, Albizzia procera, Bauhinia alba, Cassia fistula, Cassia siamea, Callistemon lanceolatus, Delonix regia, Erythrina indica, Grewia asiatica, Lannea coromandelica,etc.
Visit to Sariska Tiger Reserve
While going towards Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, we visited Sariska Tiger Reserve, which came on the way. The Sariska Tiger Reserve, nestled in the oldest mountain ranges-“Aravallis” is a repository of serene dense forests, wide valleys and sprawling plateaus. Sariska is a natural grandeur housing over 401 plant species, 211 bird species in an area of 881 sq. km. Only 14 sq. km of very dense forests in Rajasthan have been ascertained in Sariska only (Forest Survey of India Report, 2003).
The forests of Sariska are an assemblage of ecological diversity, exemplified with varying composition. It is classified under the Dry tropical Forests and encompasses Anogeissus and Boswellia forests, Riparian zones (possessing Palm phoenix sylvestris, Syzygium cumini, Mallotus philiphinensis) and dry grasslands with patches of Bamboo area.
This Tiger Reserve, as the name itself indicates, is famous for its Tiger conservation. Unfortunately, few years back, there was hue and cry across the country following the sudden disappearance of Tigers from the Reserve; it remained in lime-light nearly through-out the year. Of course, this was a serious issue for Tiger Conservation efforts.
During our interaction with the Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), Mr. S. Shekar, he candidly accepted certain lacunae in the monitoring and protection mechanisms. He began, “Ever since this episode, the various provisions and new measures had been incorporated in the Tiger Conservation efforts through-out the country through new amendments in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and other legislations and rules.” He said that this was a great lesson for the park manager.
The Government was keen to have Tigers back in Sariska. So, a Tiger Relocation Package worth Rs. 100 crores was formulated by the Planning Commission; however, the National Tiger Conservation put conditions such as relocation of villages inside the Reserve, complete over-haul of the field and frontline staff and regulation of tourists in-flow to the temple inside the Reserve. Otherwise also, he added that the Tiger conservation needed elimination of human habitation from core areas in order to avoid any human-animal conflict and also to provide a real wild habitat to tiger.
Hence, as per the plan, he informed that 5 tigers should have been relocated from Ranthambore, but presently, only 3 could be done and one Bagani village in the core area had been relocated, and monetary compensation of Rs. 10 lakhs had been disbursed to every relocated family as per new compensation measures.
A wildlife expert from the Wildlife Institute of India, a veterinary doctor working in the Reserve presently, Dr. Nigam vividly narrated each and every sequence of translocation of tiger from Ranthambor to Sariska. First animal was a male tiger which was done on 28th June, 2008, another a female, on 4th July, 2008 and the third one very recently on 25th February, 2009, only 4 days ago. All the tigers had been air-lifted, which was itself a new experience for all the people involved. He passionately told us that hardly did they deviate from the set process or decided plan and procedure.
The animal being relocated had been kept in an especially constructed enclosure having a good-enough area with vegetation no different from the area outside it, but with small modifications like little bushes of dense shrubs being developed at certain points for the animal to take shelter. While they wanted to have an enclosure of 100 ha, but for paucity of fund; only 1 ha area of enclosure had been possible at the present. The enclosure had been made by erecting four-and-half meter high wire-mesh with iron rods in between at short intervals and concrete foundation extending beneath the ground surface to support the wire-mesh. Also, the lower part of the wire-mesh, up to about one-meter height from the surface had been wrapped through the circumference of the enclosure by a yellow- coloured, opaque, thick polythene sheet so as that animal couldn’t see outside, whereas people could see and monitor him/her round the clock. There two such enclosures had been constructed @ of Rs. 30 lakhs. Outside these enclosures, watch towers had also been constructed for continuous monitoring of the animal.
We saw very fresh pug-marks of both the tiger and the tigress. The field staffs, the ACF and Rangers who accompanied us told that both the animals had been roaming together only recently.
Visit to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary/ Keoladeo National Park
Nature and history joined hands over 250 years ago to create the world famous Keoladeo National Park. Initially, a natural depression, it was flooded after ‘Ajan bund’ was constructed between 1726-1763 by Maharaja Suraj Mal, the then ruler of the princely state of Bharatpur, at the confluence of the two rivers, Gambhir and Banganga. The inundation resulted in the production of a lot of aquatic vegetation, which attracted a very large number of migratory birds. In nutshell, it is a man-made wetland.
Surrounded by mountains from all sides; villages all along the periphery; boundary wall constructed all through the perimeter of the park and spread over 29 sq. km, it is one of the smallest as well as the only National Park in the country having been separated by boundary wall. It’s a unique piece of wild-habitat for particularly large number of avifauna. The water in the park dries up during summer, rendering it a temporary wetland. When the water is sufficiently available, different species of birds in large numbers flocked into the park from different parts of the world, the most notable being the Siberian Crane, for wintering and breeding. Certainly, a wonderful oasis for birds and their lovers: birdwatchers.
Early in the morning, we all set sail in three small, country-boats along a small channel of shallow standing water for a bird watching trip followed by rickshaw ride. Everywhere, we could see variety of birds: some busy feeding, others gliding above, floating on the water, some others flying away hurriedly as we neared them. The boatmen were employees of the forest department, while the rickshaw pullers were local people, who had been given permits to operate the rickshaw cycle within the park by the Director of the park with certain mutual understanding like helping the park management in the proper protection of the park.
Both the boatmen and rickshaw pullers were pretty knowledgeable about the birds. From far-off distance, they could easily identify and tell the name of the birds, including other animals such as turtles. I must confess that they were far-far better than my understanding of birds and animals. Some of the birds seen there: Large and little cormont, White-throated kingfisher, Rufous tree-pie, Sandpiper, etc.
Between morning boating and rickshaw ride, we visited Interpretation Centre dedicated to Late Salim Ali. Developed in collaboration with Swaroski Crystal Company and Forest department, it housed a life-size model of Sarus crane fully made of Swaroski crystals.
Later in the day, Arun sir explained about the problems of water in the park and its management. He added, “During summer, water completely dries up. Drying itself isn’t a problem. Since it’s a temporary, artificially created wetland, water management is always the top most priority in the management intervention being undertaken in the park. And due to increase in the command area in the upstream of the river which feeds water to the park following increased height of the embankment, of late, the water for the park is gradually becoming inadequate. Through an ecological study conducted in 1980-1990 under the able guidance of renowned Salim Ali, a minimum of 550 m cu ft of water had been ascertained inevitable for the park. So, during the month of first 15 days of July, it is a very hectic time for the park management to ensure the release of water from the Anja bund, which villagers aren’t so readily willing to do.”
We came to the Anja bund to have a real glimpse of it. The pondage area was covered with lush green wheat crop; the entire area gave a look of a vast agricultural field in fact. Sir told us that during monsoon, the area got flooded up to 14 ft water, and rest of the times in the year, people used them for cultivation. Due to large deposits of silt, the crops were luxuriantly growing.
Visit to Taj Mahal, Taj Nature Walk, Ravine Reclamation Site and Chambal National Park
Our schedule began with a visit to Taj Mahal, the legendary monument which had been constructed as a symbol of love: the epitome of love. The Mughal Emperor, Shajahan, had sanctioned the construction of this white marble tombstone for his beloved wife, Mumtaz, who died during her 14th child-birth. 20000 workers toiled day and night for at least 17 years, and then this magnificent building came up. Located just by the side of the river Yamuna as it curved/turned left-ward, the architectural design of the Taj Mahal represented the Koranic-version of Heaven. Naturally, it’s no wonder that the Taj Mahal is considered one of the wonders of the world.
From here, we took a Taj Nature Walk, a patch of forest of mostly Prosopis juliflora and other aesthetic value plants, which had been developed and properly managed by the Social Forestry Division of Agra. It envisaged to address the growing pollution level in and around the Taj Mahal; to ameliorate the air condition and add to the greenery and aesthetic value of the surrounding areas of the Taj. Of late, the continuous discharge of harmful fumes and gases into the air had become menace; they led to the corrosion of this historical monument, which is an indispensable part of our cultural heritage. Recognizing the need for preservation of Taj Mahal and other monuments, the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India took the initiative of afforestation program in big way. This Taj Nature Walk is also a part of this ambitious plan.
The DFO, Social Forestry, Agra, Mr. Janu, interacted with us, led through the Nature walk and explained various activities being undertaken in the area. Concrete path-ways had been constructed; iron-benches, concrete chairs, two beautiful watch towers had been constructed at various strategic sites/points from where people could enjoy the beauty of the Taj Mahal at different angles. Mr. Janu had been taking especial interest in its management.
Then we moved to one of the sites of Ravine Reclamation, which had been developed to stabilize the land and arrest the soil erosion. Ravines are undulating landscape with small hillocks and numerous gullies in between. Once the ravines are formed, they continue to cut back and destroy even the vegetation on lands above them. In that particular site, the Social Forestry Division had undertaken soil and moisture conservation measures. Trenches had been dug-up at intervals across the slope in the gullies, and plants had been raised by broadcasting the seeds. Such method of planting was basically aimed at achieving as much soil and moisture conservation. Prosopis juliflora, Acacia nilotica, Acacia leucophloea, Zizyphus and Jatropa carcus had been grown. As per management plan, at least 3 plants per trench should be retained; along the boundary of plantation, cattle-proof-trench had been excavated. The site had been more or less stabilized. The area was sufficiently dense with Prosopis juliflora.
On being suggested rather asked by Amit if some other plants which could be more beneficial for the local people be raised instead of Jatropa, he readily acknowledged Amit’s view and told that there existed no mechanisms in the existing system to utilize the seeds of Jatropa; the forward linkages for the extraction of oils, etc. had not yet been established. Right then and there, Mr. Janu sir suggested his Rangers about convincing or creating awareness among the villagers, particularly the Village Forest Protection Committee to get one ‘expeller’, machinery used for oil extraction from jatropa seeds so that they could use the oil for their local and personal consumption.
In the afternoon, we enjoyed safari in river Chambal. The highlights of this safari were gariyal, crocodiles, dolphins, numerous birds like brahmi duck,
Visit to Bear Rescue Centre, Agra
While coming to Delhi, we visited the Bear Rescue Centre in Agra. Today, we were running short of time. Consequently, our visit to this centre was shortened; power-point presentation and interaction got reduced; we stayed there for not more than 30 minutes. This Bear Rescue Centre is a joint venture or more appropriately a collaboration between the Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh and Wildlife SOS (Save our Source) to rescue, rehabilitate and conserve the sloth bear.
Sloth bears have been an integral part of a nomadic gypsy tribe called ‘Kalandars’, who had been making livelihood through ‘Dancing Bear’- Indian sloth bear used for street entertainment purposes since the days of Mughal Empire.
The life of a dancing bear is one of extreme misery, with bear cubs stolen from their mothers in the wild when less than a month old, and their mothers are often killed in the process by poachers.
Here in the centre, we could see with our own eyes lot of bears: some basking in the sun, some others climbing up and down the small branchy, dried, clear stems erected within the enclosure, still others merely roaming about and so on.
The employees and officers of the Wildlife SOS showed us a documentary about the over-all conditions concerning the sloth bear and the consequences of the Kalandars. The documentary narrated that the Wildlife SOS took initiative in the rescue and rehabilitation of the animal, while the forest department provided all the legal, logistic and combative actions during rescue and rehabilitation process. It also contained the measures taken by the organization for the rehabilitation of the Kalandars. The bears rescued from them (Kalandars) are brought to the Centre, where they (bears) remain through-out the rest of their lives. The Kalandars, in return, are given a compensation of Rs. 50000 with which they are being rehabilitated by creating some other alternative activity like shops, knitting, tailoring for females and the like.
I asked one of the employees of the Centre regarding the breeding program. He informed me that breeding program was not in the mandate of the Rescue Centre; it was an exclusive domain of Zoos. He felt that it might happen too in future.
We also saw the hi-tech laboratory or operation theatre where they perform treatments and operations of the animals in the Centre. It was very informative; many of us felt that it could have been more beneficial if we had little more time to stay there.
We reached Delhi few minutes before the departure of the train. Everyone was very anxious and apprehensive whether we could be able to get into the train or not. Thankfully, we eventually managed somehow to do so. It was equally exciting. We reached Dehradun at 9.30 pm and thus concluded our West India Tour.

MANAGEMENT OF MITHUN (Bos frontalis) WITH THE COMMUNITY'S CONCERTED EFFORT BY THE GALOS OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH

2009-01-19T06:03:00.003-08:00

Mithun is no longer a wild animal, nor is it completely domesticated. So to say, it is a very decent and faithful wild animal. It requires a specific natural habitat consisting of sufficiently densely wooded forests, gentle slopes, water-sources and away from human settlement. It flourishes and thrives well in areas that afford to it abundant fodder and cool and wet environmental conditions. The animal prefers to stay in its original, local habitat as long as the area can sustain the population. That is to say, the animal is not normally migratory in nature, but sometimes some mithuns migrate to distant forest areas. Through the ages, the animal has occupied a central position in the socio-cultural life of the indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh. The people have been engaged in mithun rearing activities since long back. Mithun is considered as an asset. However, the mithun rearing is a very tough task. It’s a tedious and complicated affair. So, not all people can engage themselves in this job, apart from their livelihood activities. Generally, the village leaders, clan heads and rich people used to afford to won and rear mithun by virtue of their being capable of meeting the required man-force and other resources. Mithun owning and possessing has added to the prestige and status of the individual concerned in the society or community. As such, high degree of importance is attached to mithun rearing.
The urge for possessing one’s own mithun seeped into the blood of people belonging to every walk of life with the passage of time. The Galos of Arunachal Pradesh inhabiting on the western tracts of the giant, turbulent and mighty river- the ‘Siang’- wooded with the tropical and sub-tropical forests were very fond of mithun related activities. The fact that the animal requires special natural habitat and the rearing and the process of domestication would demand proper care and attention relatively perennially led to evolution and development of a new community-sponsored, community-based and welfare-oriented arrangement designed and devised incorporating various mechanisms for sustainable utilization of the resources at the disposal of the village with particular attention to mithun rearing. This arrangement is called “the Lura”. With this arrangement into practice, the community has taken upon itself the responsibilities of management and look-after of the mithuns. Following is the characteristics or salient features of the Lura:
Ø Lura is a forest area that is earmarked by the community within the community forest.
Ø Lura is a temporary captivity in which the mithun population of the concerned village is confined for a certain fixed length of time during a particular season of the year.
Ø Lura is basically a management approach to utilization of the mithun resource with a tinge of rearing as well as conservation outlook.
Lura is a community forest
Lura refers to ‘a forest area within a village community forest especially earmarked by the community with the main objective of harbouring mithun population of the village together, irrespective of individual ownership’. It’s not markedly different from rest of the forests in its vegetation type, canopy type and species composition, yet it’s a separate entity in that the practice of shifting cultivation is regulated by the community. Besides, such an area is so chosen wherein majority of the mithun population of the village is found. In addition, such areas are identified and chosen for the lura which afford the best of the natural conditions required by mithuns. In nutshell, lura is the forest that has been identified, preferred and chosen by the community as the best area with its natural conditions for mithun rearing in its natural habitat.
As the animal is concerned as an asset, its management and conservation are given high degree of concern, attention and importance by the individuals in particular and the community as a whole. Once the area is earmarked, the community prevails upon the activities of the individuals of the village in the lura. The area is kept relatively free from human disturbances and interferences.
Lura is a Temporary Captivity
Lura is basically a community-sponsored, forest-based and mithun-oriented temporary captivity within a community forest. The community-identified and -earmarked forest is extensively fenced all through the boundary and finally closing the area from rest of the forests. The fencing activities are started as soon as winter season ends and it takes near- about 1-2 months to completely fence the area, but with entry points or gates at many locations. Every household of the village must contribute its share in terms of labour, manpower and finance all through the fencing operation. However, individuals without mithun are entitled to some relaxations in number of days for fencing and monetary contribution. The fencing materials used are bamboos, small poles of less economical species, etc. After the completion of the fencing of the area, the mithun population of the village, irrespective of individual ownership, is put or kept in it for certain length of time during a particular season of a year, particularly, for 4-5 months during Mar-July. The mithun-owners must bring their animals into the area as soon as possible, wherever they may be.
This captivity is synchronized with the cultivation season of the slash and burn practice of the land use system prevalent in the area. This serves as an effective measure to control and curb the incidence of damage of crops by the mithuns. Though every household or family puts fencing along his portion of the boundary of the cultivated area, sometimes, the mithuns, not being put in the captivity and straying in the forest, try to intrude into the cultivated area and, on being successful in their attempts, damage the crops and ruin the labour, hard-work and smile of the people. This is the reason that the captivity is synchronized with the shifting cultivation and it is made mandatory for the mithun-owners to put their animals into the captivity in time.
Lura is a management system for mithun rearing
Lura is an arrangement evolved and developed by the Galos of Arunachal Pradesh in order to devise a mechanism to domesticate the mithun and also maintain a good proportion of mithun population in its natural habitat. Lura has served not only as captivity to restrict and regulate the activities of mithun, but also as breeding place where mating has been facilitated by human efforts. Further, periodic visits by a group of 2-5 persons of the village, as mandated by the community, to the area in order to check the condition of the fencing, predation of mithun by predators like wild dogs, leopards and tigers, outbreak of any disease in the area, and to provide proper care and medicines in case of any disease infection to mithuns, and so on help monitoring of the lura effectively and easily, which, in turn, has ensured further steps toward domestication of the mithun.
Lura is sustainable resource utilization with a tinge of conservation of natural ecosystem
The maintenance of the forest of the area in its natural condition in order to provide the mithuns their natural habitat has actually led to conservation and preservation of the micro-environment of the area. Regulation on shifting cultivation, hunting activities except for predators, and extraction of timber, except for the needs of agricultural implements, fire-woods, construction of house, etc. from the lura has made the area a relatively resource-richer, a kind of resource pool compared to the surrounding forest. The lura as such is not confined to a particular location perennially, and it is changed after certain time interval such as 2-4 years. In the process of selection of site and subsequent change of the site, the extent and size of the area is not changed abruptly; its position is continuously oriented, moved and aligned toward new areas having congenial and favorable conditions for the mithuns through the entire tracts of the community forest. That is to say, boundaries on the side of direction of change are gradually merged into new area and the boundaries on the rearward side are, simultaneously relinquished. The area ceded on the rearward side is most of the times, more or less, equivalent in extent to the new land incorporated into the lura. The reason that the portion of area left-out from the previously held lura land was under some sort of community protection and restriction against extraction of resources, particularly, timber harvest and shifting cultivation continuously for 5-6 years, before being curved out as a natural consequence of positional orientation of the lura to move into other area, has actually enriched its resource potentialities over the years.
Evidently, such area serves as a resource-pool. It is now without any such restriction anymore and the activities such as hunting, minor forest produce collection, etc. are allowed. The land owner(s) of that left-out portion can now harvest the timber and also do shifting cultivation. On the other hand, new area included in the lura area will come under the purview of the lura regulation and restriction. In the long run, the lura gradually covers the entire community forests belonging to that particular village, by merging its boundaries into new locations and leaving or retreating from the other. In short, lura is a mobile captivity cum rearing place for mithun which simultaneously takes care of the forest resources of the village. It is a nice arrangement that facilities sustainable utilization of the resources at the disposal of the village with the spirit of the collective responsibility.

My Expectations on Joining the Indian Forest Service

2009-01-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

I’ve always been fascinated by the forest officers & forest personnel since very young age. The yeoman services that this department offers to the tribal communities and other forest dwellers, besides ensuring the health of our ecosystem through conservation and preservation of our natural resources are just amazing. In addition, being a tribal myself and having grown-up in the lap of nature and its wilderness, I’ve certainly developed a close affinity and intricate association with our mother nature, especially forest, spread over vast tracts of landscape.
Naturally, I’ve a myriad of expectations and they are all very dear and close to my soul. My destiny has been gracious yet again, and made my dream come true. Being in Indian Forest Service, I’m sure, I’ll have ample opportunities to fulfill my expectations. Anyways, my first expectation is to reach-out to as many people, particularly poverty-stricken, downtrodden, neglected & marginal, illiterate & helpless, as possible wherever I may be posted, and, at least, bring a ray of hope, smile, etc. on their faces. Obviously, it sounds pretty easy; nonetheless, a tough nut to crack in reality. Meanwhile, my passion is social service. Early on in my life, I developed a sense of community work, people’s participation, rural livelihoods and village institutions. I always wanted to be a social worker. As a matter of fact, my passion, zest & zeal, of course a little bit of hands on experience with working in a Non-governmental Organization called “Foundation for Ecological Security’, in Rajasthan will come handy in dealing with and fulfilling my deep-seated and long cherished desire of helping people.
Likewise, my other expectations definitely include ensuring the sustainability of natural resources, not excluding the wildlife and biodiversity for the existence of life in the perpetuity. Certainly, preservation of gene pool, conservation of natural environment, restoration of degraded ecosystems, watershed management, and the like are essential parts of approaches to sustainable development.
Maintaining and improving the aesthetic value of our scenic beauty of hills and mountains; eco-tourism and so on are my other expectations.

My Expectations from IGNFA
Life has been really good ever since my training in Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) started on 11th August, 2008. I wouldn’t hesitate to call my journey into IGNFA and the ensuing next two years of training as my ‘Voyage’ to better world, full of new opportunities and assurance of sure success and greater achievements.
I really-really expect that, the professional excellence and discipline, commitment and dedication, etc. that this Academy inculcates in us, me particularly, will, without doubt, consolidate my professional knowledge and embolden my personal integrity towards my duties and obligations.
Also, I’ve high expectations that the course curricula, including various exposure tours, excursions, field-visits and interactions with senior IFS officers serving at various capacities during the two year probation will enlighten my idea of the organization of the forest administration in the country.

Infrastructure Development in India

2009-01-16T08:16:00.000-08:00

Narrow, congested, wide-open potholes in the midst of the roads, crowded pedestrians and crawling hundreds and thousands of vehicles; frequent power-cuts; errant water supply; choked drains; mushrooming slums; the dilapidated roads of the countryside are the part and parcel of 21st Century India.
The most critical development issue that is looming on the horizon of India is certainly the state of affairs of infrastructure. Infrastructure in India needs serious over-haul. The emerging super-power of 21st century, the giant elephant economy of the world is, in reality, far lagging behind many nations in the field of infrastructure facilities. While the developed nations have well-laid infrastructure networks, the condition of Indian infrastructure is in real mess.
The metropolis and urban centers- the hub of socio-economic life of India- are marginally catching up with the major world-class metropolis like New York, London, etc. However, in our cities, the infrastructure development is scattered and little too expensive as well as too little for everyone to avail or afford it. The dawn of rising India is visible only in a few islands of prosperity such as cities and towns, in the midst of sea of underdevelopment, poverty and lack of opportunity all around.
The infrastructure, especially roads, energy needs & power sector, institutions of learning & research, and so on, as identified and envisaged as the ‘temple of India’s progress’ by country’s first Prime Minister, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, are definitely the core areas of our economy, besides of course agriculture- the life-line of India. In the context of rapidly expanding forces and mechanisms of globalization, quality infrastructure facility put the country at par vis-à-vis a myriad of nations, offer a level-playing ground and surge ahead with economic development.
The economic leap that India is making post-liberalization may come to an abrupt end and head towards doomsday, followed by socio-economic and political chaos, if the policy initiative towards equitable and balanced regional development is not implemented with right earnest and sheer commitment.

HEALTH ISSUES: VILLAGE STAY IN DUGHAR, ALLAHABAD

2008-11-15T22:27:00.000-08:00

Poverty, ignorance, health, development, peace, progress and prosperity are intricately inter-twined. The rural life is, invariably, marred by the complexities associated with either of or all of them. The life in village is surely peaceful by and large, and very closely knit; villagers are generally good, nice and innocent; however, over-burdened with the consequences of poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, neglect and exploitation. The Village Dughara, where I, along with Jenu Devan, Ashwini and Ramya Bharati, stayed was no different. Dughara is situated to the south of Allahabad and at about 55 km, and falls under Koraon Block. Since Allahabad District falls under rice growing region; understandably, rice had been planted and the village fields were being swathed by the matured rice stalks growing luxuriantly. The climatic conditions are apt for the crop. So, from a distance, the vast stretch of fields around the village gave an appearance of a smooth green carpet; it was certainly a delight to eyes!
Meanwhile, as we entered the village, the reality unfolded before us. Residents were surviving on bare minimum civic amenities. Dilapidated and crowded houses made of heap of bricks, suffocating lanes, unhygienic and choked drains, erratic and scanty water-supply, uncanny electricity, among others greeted us. The state of their poverty was such that they couldn’t even imagine of saving a portion of their income for addressing or fulfilling other basic needs like health concerns, education of their children and small little luxuries such as new clothes, visits to fairs or towns. The following excerpt conveys it all:
“……………What do I tell you, Saab? We are worried mostly about meeting our needs. So, as long as we are able to work, go to field, we consider ourselves fit and healthy also. Even though we know we have a problem or illness, we deliberately ignore or postpone it till the time it makes us bed-ridden. We don’t have enough money to go to hospital or medical and get the treatments. Other people say that medicines are available for free in Primary Health Centre (PHC), but there is no PHC in our village, whereas many private clinics are operating in nearby areas. These private clinics charge very high amount for just check-up and prescribe very expensive as well as huge medicines. We, poor, how and where do we get the money to get all these- the treatment and the medicines? Sir, tell me. The block headquarter, Koraon, is about 15 km from the village. Going to Koraon itself, we think so many times. Firstly, we either lose our one day wage or miss a day’s work in our field or end up spending a considerable amount from our little savings. Secondly, the staff, including nurses and doctors, is very unfriendly and arrogant to us in government hospitals. Most of the times, doctors aren’t available or come very late. As a result, we generally avoid going to hospitals, be it to private clinics or government hospitals in towns. In any case, we require money which, unfortunately, but truly, we can’t afford to.

What a poor man only thinks about, knows and does every now and then is sufficiently filling the hungry stomachs of himself and the family members. And if we are able to do that, we consider that we’ve done our duty fairly well, though we know it’s not sufficient; our responsibilities far exceed than these. Regrettably, this is what we can and are able to do at present under the prevailing circumstances. We look up to the government for turning around our life. But again, not all the government officials are sympathetic to our hardships. Panchayat leaders are influenced mainly by party-affiliation and very frequently indulge in corruption due to close links they enjoy with the government officials.”
The villagers’ perception about being healthy was being free from any disease, sickness or illness. Good diet, cleanliness and hygiene were secondary to their life, though they were gradually becoming aware of the benefits as well as harmful consequences of cleanliness, hygiene and unhygienic conditions respectively. Essentially, the poverty has driven them to the extent of complete neglect of their bare minimum physical health needs. Therefore, for them, being healthy meant being barely strong-enough to go to field and work or until it is acutely, unbearably painful and severely bed-ridden. Seriously, majority of the villagers were thin, without enough flesh on their body, network of veins and nerves vividly visible through their thin and wrinkled skin. They were definitely nutrient-deficient. Nevertheless, they had very hardy body. Similarly, the children and women were no better, rather, in certain cases, their conditions seemed much worse, worrisome and pathetic. Children, including infants, were not getting proper nourishment, as could be understood sufficiently from the villagers own words or concluded otherwise also from their extent of poverty. Ever since the much-talked about Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has been introduced in the primary school, Dughara village has also benefited hugely. Villagers have been sending their children to school of late. This sudden change wasn’t obviously because of any enlightenment or love for education as such, but because their wards would get food, books for free and a monthly stipend, which would pacify the family problems greatly. Anyways, SSA has come as a great relief and boon for poor villagers and definitely has been supplementing the diets of the poor children ever since then. An Anganwadi in the village has also been started. The Anganwadi worker, a female, would impart and give elementary education to small kids followed by cooked food items to address the problem of child malnutrition.
In addition, an ANM would visit the village once every week to take stock of any lactating or pregnant mothers and would provide them with necessary information, including guidance and help. Besides, an ASHA activist, appointed from the village under the NRHM program would attend to any minor diseases complaint by the villagers, and would report the same to the higher authorities. Until recently, women suffered silently and had, hardly, anyone to share their agonies, especially problems related to menstrual cycle, pregnancy and the like. Though things haven’t changed much, the services rendered by ANM, ASHA activist and Anganwadi worker have collectively reduced considerably their grievances.
To conclude, the health issues in Dughara village are profound, and concerted efforts are required to spread awareness. Drinking water is another problem in the village. Villagers use water from water-pumps directly for consumption. Hopefully, things will get better in near future.

1st Track of FC82, LBSNAA (To Rabbit Farm through Cloud's end and Binogh Hill)

2008-10-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

The dawn scattered golden sunshine all around and the pleasant morning weather prevailed. So, unlike last Saturday, our track would take place as per schedule. All Officer Trainees (OTs) assembled in front of Dhruvshilla: well-prepared, nicely attired for the occasion, I mean the tracking shoes, mostly woodland, kargo pant, caps & hats, goggles, colorful umbrellas, various kinds & sizes of bags, etc. We lined-up according to our respective groups and OT Codes for attendance and instructions. Within 30 minutes, the ‘Caravan’ of 239 OTs marched forward. It was sharply 8.00 am.
Hence started our first short tracking! Initial reluctance and hesitation gave way to exuberance and enthusiasm. I was extremely happy. From the beginning itself, Mukul, an Indian Foreign Service Probationer, and from Delhi, with whom I’ve become very friendly recently, walked together. Two of us were walking really fast and moving fast-ahead of others. The first 4-5 km had a pucca, all-weather road. Everyone was walking easily and in groups of some 7-8 people or even more simultaneously. Having walked this 4-5 km, we had our breakfast. Our break-fast was arranged at the point, where onwards, the tracking route was rough, undulating, narrow, rocky, steep up/down, etc. The place is called ‘Cloud’s End’. It took around 45 minutes for the break-fast. Thereafter, we once again proceeded ahead; but the pace became really slow, and it was no more possible to walk in groups, unlike happened previously prior to the breakfast point.
After series of climbing down and climbing up, we arrived at the peak of a hill. My God, it was a really majestic place! Mukul and I were among the first few people to arrive at the point. It was nearly 11.00 o’ clock. We were literally walking along with the cloud. The sunshine was bright, yet very gentle; the oak and pine forests at the distant hill-slopes were visible all-bluish against the sunrays. Variety of clouds: some milky-white in different forms, shapes, sizes, texture and some others such as dark-black, also in different formations, were scattered across the sky, and particularly hanging at the top of various peaks of numerous hills around. This point is one of the most popular tourist destinations called ‘Binogh Hill’.
All OTs spread-out to various points of Binogh Hill to take pictures and enjoying the beauty of time and place, a rare combination at any given point of time and/or place. For around 1 hr, we hanged around. Thereafter, it was climbing downhill up to ‘Rabbit Farm’. At various places, path become much more rocky, steep and narrow. Naturally, majority of OTs, particularly lady OTs, were having a tough time. Initially, I was walking among front trackers; but suddenly, I changed my mind and instead helped others to climb down the hill at difficult points. This way, I got to stay little longer at one point and be with the nature. I waited for the last person to move ahead of me. After sometimes, I could see that Laxmi mam and Basu Kaushal were struggling to climb down. I waited for them and helped Laxmi at every difficult point to move downhill. We become really very late. When we reached Rabbit Farm, many others had already finished their lunch. Three of us also took lunch.
Finally, we started for our Academy. It was about 2.oo pm. I still accompanied Laxmi, just in case she would need my help. This time, Ramesh Sir, Malathi mam and Padma mam joined us. Of course, Basu was still around. However, as we neared our Academy, I and Basu increased our pace, and moved ahead of them, including many other OTs. I wanted to reach hostel quickly now. Abo had started from Delhi early in the morning for Mussorrie. So, this was how our first track happened. It was more to condition and slowly expose us to the rigors and hardships associated with tracking. It was one memorable and remarkable experience.

North-east Fest: Confluence, 2007

2008-09-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

27 October, 2007: Boys were exuberant; girls equally elated. The environment was filled with tremendous zest and zeal: fragrance of imported talcum-powder, expensive perfume and deodorants, blended with lavish luster and glow on everyone’s face, ostensibly because of immense fun & laughter and joy & happiness. Yes, it was the overwhelming mood of the crowd on the occasion of North-east Fest, ‘Confluence, 2007’ within the premise of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
The Confluence is actually a common platform wherein students from various parts of North-east India studying in JNU come together and put-up a cultural-night to showcase the rich cultural diversities and virgin-human civilizations of the North-east Region. This gathering provides these students who are physically and culturally thousands of miles away from their homeland moments of linkages to cultural-ethos, communal-bonding, customary and traditional ways of celebration, and essence of the life back home.
The spectators completely filled the open-theatre near Ganga Dhaba, near the main gate of the JNU. Even before the program begun, every-inch of the venue was already occupied. Many others didn’t mind clinging on rough rocks in the far-corner of the open-theatre to have a glimpse of each cultural item. The crowd comprised of, mostly, north-east students; but a large number of them were students from other states of India as well as foreigners.
The program started at 7.00 p. m. To begin with, the Arunachalee girls and boys thrilled one and all with a mesmerizing performance. It was a modern cultural dance by girls and boys together. It was followed by performances by other states as per alphabetic order. They were all one upon the other as per as attires, decorations, presentations, performers and artists are concerned. The entire gathering really had a great time. It was no less than a voyage to explore unknown in a distant place. To many a people among the spectators, the mosaic of human-societies in the far-off India in North-east were a splendid revelation.
The last cultural item was a fashion-show. As the models (they were north-east students from JNU itself) arrive on dais one after the other, the crowd went nearly crazy. The crowd started shouting and hooting at maximum volume. The program got over by 12.30 a. m.
Thereafter, it was dinner time. Since the crowd was really big, people stood in queue of five lines. The organizers ensured that everybody got food and also enjoyed it properly. The food was awesome. Everyone had a sumptuous dinner. Major delicacies of north-east cuisines were served.
It was a remarkable night. The program, including dinner, got over by 2.00 o’clock in the morning. Certainly, the ‘Confluence, 2007’ had left a big impression in my heart. It surely would further strengthen the bonding and fraternity of people. Hurray!!!!

Women Empowerment a Panacea to Polygamy in Arunachal

2008-09-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

…….Nyali Ete
English Journalism (30)

15th January, 2008
Polygamy is one of the oldest and deeply-entrenched social evils prevalent among many tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. It is not even considered an evil at all at the first instance. Socially, it is recognized, and rampantly and proudly practiced by the members of the community. In fact, it adds to the prestige of the person and his family or clan. As many wives one has, his social standing is correspondingly assumed and determined. Obviously, this evil practice has intricately inter-twined with the customs & traditions and ways of life of the people. People willingly continue it still today, though its prevalence is diminishing gradually owing to increasing awareness. Thanks to spread of education and concerted efforts of government agencies, missionaries and some enlightened personalities of the community.
This age-old practice has originated ostensibly because of such factors as skewed sex-ratio, male chauvinism, wide-spread poverty and economic hardships, frequent wars and fights among different tribes wherein many male members frequently lost their lives leaving behind their wives, who have no option, but to eventually marry their husbands’ brothers, and the like. This reveals that polygamy was but an unavoidable social evil with a tinge of necessity. This, in turn, tilted the position in favour of menfolk, and womenfolk have always been on the receiving ends.

Reading Habits of North-eastern Youth: A Case Study Conducted for Communication Research Project in IIMC (January 2008)

2008-09-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

CHAPTER2: OBJECTIVES

Ø To look into the pattern of reading of North-eastern youth
Ø To estimate the amount of time devoted to reading by them
Ø To study the frequency of reading of the North-eastern youth
Ø To find out the kinds of reading materials read by them
Ø To determine the average base year of their reading
Ø To estimate their average spending on reading materials

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
For the study, we framed a questionnaire of 20 questions and conducted a sample survey consisting of 100 persons. The sample consisted of heterogeneous mix of males and females; professionals/working youth and students: humanities and commerce, science and technology, medicine and management, etc.
The respondents were randomly chosen from north-eastern youth staying in and around Delhi. However, some amount of uniformity in number and distribution of respondents in terms of different places within and outside Delhi was maintained. That is, more or less, equal number of respondents was taken from each locality as well as their fields of study or works, including gender.
We considered the following parameters:
· Profession/work
· Courses being pursued
· Kinds of books/reading materials
· Time & frequency of reading
· Amount being spent on reading materials

CHAPTER 4: NORTH-EASTERN YOUTH
For the purpose of this study, the north-eastern youth has been divided into following broad groups based on gender and occupation:
Based on Sex/gender:
· Male
· Female
Based on occupation:
· Working/employed youth
§ Government jobs
§ Professionals
· Entrepreneurs
· Students
§ Those who are pursuing higher studies viz. PhD, SRF/JRF, Phil, etc.
§ Those who are preparing for Competitive Examinations
§ Regular students (College-goers)
Ø Humanities
Ø Basic Sciences
Ø Commerce
Ø Engineering
Ø Medicine
Ø Management
Ø Other professional courses

CHAPTER 5: RESULT
Total Respondents: 100
Males: 50
Females: 50

Table 1: Newspapers read by youth per day
Different groups of north-eastern Youth
Newspapers read in a day
I. Male reading
a) Only 1 newspaper per day: 20÷50 x 100 = 40%
b) 2-3 newspapers per day: 25÷50 x 100 = 50%
c) >3 newspapers per day: 05÷50 x 100 = 10%
II. Female reading
a) Only 1 newspaper per day: 35÷50 x 100 = 70%
b) 2-3 newspapers per day: 15÷50 x 100 = 30%

III. Working youth/professional reading
a) Only 1 newspaper per day: 15÷100 x 100 = 15%
IV. Entrepreneurs reading
a) Only 1 newspaper per day: 15÷100 x 100 = 15%
V. Students reading
a) Pursuing higher studies:
1. 13÷70 x 100 = 18.5% ( 1 newspaper per day)
2. 02÷70 x 100 = 2.8% (2-3 newspapers per day)
b) Preparing for Competitive exams:
1. 20÷70 x 100 = 28.57% ( 2-3 newspapers per day)
2. 05÷70 x 100 = 7.14% (>3 newspapers per day)
c) Regular students:
1. 07÷70 x 100 = 10% ( 1 newspaper per day)
2. 23÷70 x 100 = 32.85% (2-3 newspapers per day)

Table 2: Books/magazines subscribed per month
Different groups of north-eastern Youth
Books/ magazines subscribed (per month)
Calculation:
I. Male subscribing
a) Only 1 books/magazines per month: 20÷50 x 100 = 40%
b) 3-5 books/magazines per month: 13÷50 x 100 = 26%
c) >5 books/magazines per month: 17÷50 x 100 = 34%
II. Female subscribing
a) Only 1 books/magazines per month: 25÷50 x 100 = 50%
b) 3-5 books/magazines per month: 15÷50 x 100 = 30%
c) >5 books/magazines per month: 10÷50 x 100 = 20%
III. Working youth/professional reading
a) Only 1 books/magazines per month: 15÷100 x 100 = 15%
IV. Entrepreneurs reading
a) Only 1 books/magazines per month: 15÷100 x 100 = 15%
V. Students reading
a) Pursuing higher studies:
1. 08÷70 x 100 = 11.4% ( 1 books/magazines per month)
2. 05÷70 x 100 = 7.14% (3-5 books/magazines per month)
3. 02÷70 x 100 = 2.8% (books/magazines per month)
b) Preparing for Competitive exams:
1. 10÷70 x 100 = 14.28% ( 2-3 newspapers per day)
2. 10÷70 x 100 = 14.28% (>3 newspapers per day)
3. 05÷70 x 100 = 7.14% (>5 books/magazines per month)
c) Regular students:
1. 16÷70 x 100 = 22.8% ( 1 books/magazines per month)
2. 10÷70 x 100 = 14.28% (3-5 books/magazines per month)
3. 04÷70 x 100 = 5.7% (>5 books/magazines per month)

Table 3: Time spent on reading
Different groups of north-eastern Youth
Time spent on reading (hrs/day)
Calculation:
I. Male reading
d) 1-3 hrs/day: 30÷50 x 100 = 60%
e) 3-5 hrs/day: 10÷50 x 100 = 20%
f) >5 hrs/day: 10÷50 x 100 = 20%
II. Female reading
a) 1-3 hrs/day: 40÷50 x 100 = 80%
b) 3-5 hrs/day: 10÷50 x 100 = 20%
III. Working youth/professional reading
a) 1-3 hrs/day: 15÷100 x 100 = 15%
IV. Entrepreneurs reading
a) 1-3 hrs/day: 15÷100 x 100 = 15%
V. Students reading
a) Pursuing higher studies:
2. 10÷70 x 100 = 14.2% ( 1-3 hrs/day)
3. 05÷70 x 100 = 7.14% (3-5 hrs/day)

b) Preparing for Competitive exams:
4. 04÷70 x 100 = 5.7% ( 1-3 hrs/day)
5. 06÷70 x 100 = 8.57% (3-5 hrs/day)
6. 15÷70 x 100 = 21.4% (>5 hrs/day)
c) Regular students:
1. 20÷70 x 100 = 28.57% ( 1-3 hrs/day)
2. 10÷70 x 100 = 14.28% (3-5 hrs/day)

Table 4: Monthly spending on reading materials
Different groups of north-eastern Youth
Monthly spending on reading materials (in Rs)
Calculation:
I. Male spending
g) Rs 100-300/month: 10÷50 x 100 = 40%
h) Rs 300-500/month: 20÷50 x 100 = 26%
i) >500/month: 20÷50 x 100 = 34%
II. Female subscribing
c) Rs 100-300/month: 30÷50 x 100 = 60%
d) Rs 300-500/month: 10÷50 x 100 = 20%
e) >500/month: 10÷50 x 100 = 20%
III. Working youth/professional reading
b) Rs 100-300/month: 15÷100 x 100 = 15%
IV. Entrepreneurs reading
b) Rs 100-300/month: 15÷100 x 100 = 15%
V. Students reading
d) Pursuing higher studies:
7. 10÷70 x 100 = 14.2% ( Rs 100-300/month)
8. 05÷70 x 100 = 7.14% (Rs 300-500/month)
e) Preparing for Competitive exams:
9. 03÷70 x 100 = 4.28% ( Rs 100-300/month)
10. 7÷70 x 100 = 10% (Rs 300-500/month)
11. 10÷70 x 100 = 14.28 % (>500/month)
f) Regular students:
1. 10÷70 x 100 = 14.28% ( Rs 100-300/month)
2. 20÷70 x 100 = 28.57% (Rs 300-500/month)

CHAPTER 6: DISCUSSION
MALE & FEMALE READING HABITS
There is sufficient gulf between male and female reading habits. Most of the male respondents prefer reading books and magazines related to general knowledge, current affairs, science and technology, economy, sports, real life stories, biographies, etc., while rest of the males prefer books on life-style, film, gossips, etc. On the other hand, females generally like reading such books as novels, comics, life-style magazines, accessory magazines, books on women-related issues and so on.
WORKING YOUTH/PROFESSIONALS
Among professional/working youth, paucity of time definitely reduces the frequency of their reading. Accordingly, the reading habit of professional/working youth is very erratic, inconsistent and irregular. Still, they find time to read. They read to keep themselves informed about current happenings around the globe. So, they, basically, read newspapers and weekly/monthly magazines regularly. They read extensively.
Youth in government jobs, depending on their official position, designation and status, read accordingly. They mostly read newspapers with news items related to government policies, new legislations, articles, comments, analysis and editorials of the papers.
ENTREPRENEURS
Entrepreneurs are the busiest of the groups. They have to be on their toes all the time. They are more concerned with their livelihood activities. As such, they have very little time to read much, yet they are sufficiently aware about major happenings and daily news through newspaper reading. Most of them, mainly, go through the headlines, editorials and international & sport sections.
STUDENTS
Student youth read more widely and vigorously than working youth/professionals or entrepreneurs. They have ample times compared to the former groups of the north-eastern youth.
· Pursuing higher studies viz. PhD, SRF/JRF, Phil, etc.
They are more inclined towards academic excellence. Obviously, they do read magazines and newspapers; but they engross themselves in books related to their field of study most of the times. They are, in fact, busy for their research works either in libraries or fields.
· Preparing For Civil Services & Other Competitive Examinations
Students who are preparing for competitive examinations read intensively as well as extensively. Broadly, they read newspapers, in addition to books/magazines on current affairs, political & economic developments, sports & international events, government policies & legislation to enhance, enlarge and expand their general knowledge base. Therefore, most of them subscribe at least two newspapers. The Times of India, The Hindu, The Hindustan Times and The Indian Express are popularly subscribed by them. Besides, magazines such as Frontline, Outlook, India Today, Competition Refresher, Chronicle, Manorama Year Book, etc. are essentially read by them. Some of them also read various other books like short stories, novels, autobiographies, biographies, real life accounts and so on.
· College goers
Students of Humanities & Commerce have maximum amount of leisure time compared to other student groups to indulge in reading variety of stuffs, apart from their academic books. They are fond of reading such books as novels, story books, autobiographies, biographies, including magazines on gossips, life-style, gadgets, accessories, vehicles, fashion & trends. Certainly, they also read general knowledge books/magazines.
Students of Science, engineering, medicine, management & other professional courses are relatively more concerned with their respective careers. So, they devote more times studying their class, text or academic books. Otherwise also, they are busy doing their projects, class assignments, report preparation, class presentation. Literally, they have no much time to browse magazines/newspapers intensely or enormously, except perhaps for matters of importance to their fields/courses of study or careers.
However, whatever little leisure time they get or curve-out from their hectic schedules, they of course read other books/magazines and newspapers; but they don’t really read as much as their counter-parts in Humanities & Commerce.

CHAPTER 7: CONCLUSION
Spread of modern education system has greatly changed the outlook of the youth of north-east. Along-with their academic studies, youths are reading various other books/magazines, newspapers, etc. Naturally, reading habit is seeping into the blood. Consequently, the knowledge and understanding among them about the intricate realities of modern world are immensely expanding.
Since youth are reading a myriad of books/magazines, including newspapers, they (especially students preparing for competitive exams) are pretty well-informed, particularly on matters of current affairs, sports and major international events.
Regrettably, only marginal proportion of them is into regular reading; read enthusiastically and with passion & interest. Majority of them read during leisure time and occasionally. Other than their academic studies, they spend their time playing games, watching television/movies, internet-surfing: orkuting, chatting, etc., listening music, other hobbies like learning music: singing, instruments such as guitar, drumset, octopad.
Thus, they really have no enough time for developing and enriching their reading habit. Genuinely so, the reading habit among north-eastern youth isn’t properly evolved and in nascent stage. As a matter of fact, it’s time for reality check. The youth should realize that reading habit is an inevitable part of personal growth and prosperity. As much reading one does, s/he gets as many information, and the awareness, knowledge, education, attitudinal change and other characteristic traits are polished, refined and enriched. The individual is enlightened intellectually, academically, politically, economically and socially.

A New Beginning: A Milestone Towards Public Service Through Indian Forest Service

2008-09-21T03:46:00.000-07:00

On 09th, August, 2008, early in the morning, 5.30 am precisely, the bus of the Uttarakhand Tourism Corporation, which I boarded at 10.00 o’clock previous night along with Rongsenlemla Imchen, a female-colleague and fellow Indian Forest Service (IFS), Probationer, 2008 batch from Nagaland and with whom I got acquainted recently, while anxiously making visits to the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of India, in CGO complex, New Delhi, to pursue for and tracking the official procedures with respect to my Medical Part-II examination, reached the Dehradun’s Old ISBT (Inter-State Bus Terminal). While Alem, short for Rongsenlemla, left with her brother and one friend towards Rajpur road, I came to Khupjang Sir’s house. Mr. Khup, one of my seniors during M. Sc. Days in FRI from Assam, but a Kuki by ethnicity, had been staying in a rented house in Ballupur, near the campus of FRI. A complete gentleman & nice human being he is, he greeted me happily, though I had disturbed his sleep. After freshening up, we went out for breakfast at about 8.30 a.m.
Thereafter, I went to Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy’s New Hostel for Indian Forest Service Probationers inside New Forest, Forest Research Institute. I informed Vishwes, my junior in FRI (DU), but now a senior IFS probationer, in advance about my arrival. He readily received me outside the hostel. I checked my room, strolled in the corridors of various blocks of the hostel. I was allotted Room # 08 in E-Block. Having spent some times there, I preferred to stroll through the narrow familiar roads leading to the FRI Main building, a magnificent building, standing proudly against the picturesque background of dense Sal forest and barren hill-slopes towards the ridge since last 77 years, a monument quite eligible to be a part of UN Heritage, a perfect blend of British architecture and Indian skills. I reflected on the trajectory my life has followed so far, particularly the uncertainties and mysteries of my ‘Destiny’ and the God’s blessings throughout that have guarded and helped me. My eyes got moistened by tears rolling within. As I moved along ‘Brandis Road’, the main road, immortalizing the father of modern/scientific forestry in India, Mr. Dietrich Brandis, a German national and the first Inspector General of Forest, which directly lead the Main FRI Gate in the Chakrata road to the Central Hall of the Main Building, and further lost in contemplation and nostalgia of various shades of my life till now, specially the struggles, frustrations, depressions, successes, failures, happiness, joy, desertions, acceptances, cheatings, infidelities, heart-burns, hurts, associations, relationships, and the like, all of a sudden, tears trickled down through the cheeks endlessly. I stood still for 15 minutes right in front of the Main Building, precisely in the middle of the entire length of the Brandis Road and wept profusely. Those 15 minutes were my Happiest Moments so far. It filled me with immense nostalgia, pride, happiness, joy, and a sense of accomplishment.

Finally, I returned towards Khup’s house. He had prepared a Pork dish, and his landlady had cooked steamed rice for two of us. It was a good lunch. We talked through the day, reminiscing the days gone-by…… In the night, I rang up Anushka and talked for some 10 minutes, including Sona, Durba and Sudhir. Four of them were having a sort of gathering in Sona’s rented house, which is in Patparganj, near Noida. I missed her all the more immensely; but I controlled my emotions and feelings. Of late, I’ve learnt to keep my agonies to myself, no matter howsoever much I long to express them. Here, it is very pertinent to mention that I always believed in and demonstrated my passion and commitment for love; but the person opposite always negated them with acts of deliberate innocence, meticulous omissions and systemic lies; for instance, telling me that I was the one and only she loved, the only person placed next to her father in the pedestal of respect and importance, yet deserting me in front of her friends, specially that one person, whom she calls just a friend. Eventually, she is planning to settle down with that so called ‘just friend’. Well, everybody is entitled to make choices and decide for himself/herself. Certainly, it’s the beauty of life. This was yet another experience for me! It was very tough though to accept the reality; meanwhile, I accepted my Fate yet again with all my humility. Naturally, I wish them very happy life together. At least, they get peace of mind and have beautiful life. As for me, I think let bygone be bygone. Michael Learns To Rock. MLTR was right when they sang: “Love is a big Illusion I shall try to forget but there’s something left in my heart”. Despite all these, my heart still yearns for true LOVE. I’ve not yet lost heart. I firmly believe it will happen someday and for real and an ‘Everlasting one’.
Next day, both of us went to IFS Probationers’ New Hostel with my luggage and occupied my room. Vishewes joined us and we began talking about the services and many more. Thereafter, Khup and I returned to his room. It was 10th of August, and this day in 26 years ago, I cried for the first time and entered the world of human being. So, I rang up home and talked to Mom. She was working in our paddy field with Dad, My younger brother, Dambo, his wife and Asum and others. I really missed home; I longed for the fragrance-laden breeze of country wind, the taste of home-made, ready-to-serve country wine, the mesmerizing greenery of the village and the gossips and wisdoms of youth and old people alike. Evening I returned to my room.
On 11th August, after breakfast, I came to the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) Administrative Block. Throughout the day, all the IFS Probationers were busy feeling the joining formalities. Thus, began my journey into Government job as public servant through the Government of India.

My Observation/Review on Documentary, 'An Inconvenient Truth', by Al Gore

2008-09-20T20:36:00.000-07:00

That global warming and climate change are no longer a ‘Myth’ or mere ‘Rhetoric’ in the domain of scientific community alone; but very much a genuine concern of every single individual; the Existence of life has been pushed to the periphery of death, indeed, ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, have been portrayed very convincingly with circumstantial evidences and consequential events.
That huge and unprecedented devastations and disasters at frequent intervals of late haven’t aroused the Collective Consciousness reflect the deep-seated ignorance and obstinate Indifference to galloping threats, meaning thereby the non-readiness on the part of human to take steps to thwart the beginning of the end of Civilizations & Life.
That each of us is very much responsible in one way or the other for this impending danger, it’s, therefore, everyone’s duty, rather a ‘Moral Obligation’ to commit oneself to helping life ‘Exist’ in perpetuity is a ‘Monumental wake-up call’.
That economic development and environmental conservation are complementary, not supplementary to each other has been vividly shown and co-related persuasively through sufficient emphasis on Sustainable Development Economic Model for every economy. Essentially, professional and political capital that Mr. Gore command world-over help issues of global warming & climate change put at the centre-stage of the psyche of everyone, irrespective of nations, race, sex, etc.

THE STATE OF RURAL MIGRATION INTO DELHI FROM VARIOUS NEIGHBOURING STATES

2008-09-20T10:21:00.000-07:00

Migration from villages to towns/cities is a historic quest for peace, progress and prosperity through the times. Limited livelihood opportunities in rural areas and the prospects of relatively more opportunities and better life in urban centers attract people en masse. Rural migration towards urban centers is still prevalent, and to great extent, the urban-centric politico-economic policies of the government of the day are responsible for ever-burgeoning human-exodus from rural areas to urban places.
Consequently, while the villages in country sides have been gradually disappearing, that in urban areas, villages and slums have been gregariously and haphazardly growing, mostly in the backyard of posh residential places or quarters. They have, definitely, been growing at alarming proportion, and are, virtually, coming up in any or every open space, either in the outskirts of the cities or any barren patch, even in the periphery of high-rising enclaves of rich and affluent of the town. For instances, Delhi, capital of India is home to 3 million persons living in slums & 45% of its population lives in unauthorized colonies, Jhuggi Jhompris & urban villages. Delhi witnesses net addition of around 4 lakhs settlers every year, who migrate from various parts of country in search of livelihood. From 12000 slum dwelling units in 1951, the official figure for these units is expected to reach 0.3 millions in 2005.
These slums are, mostly, unregistered and illegal settlements, which, by virtue of this fact, often, are the most deprived and neglected section of the urban populace. Residents survive at bare minimum civic amenities. Dilapidated and crowded houses made of heap of bricks, suffocating lanes, unhygienic and choked drains, erratic and scanty water-supply, uncanny electricity, among others are what constitute their dwelling environment. Besides, the fear of being evicted and uprooted by the administration constantly haunts them, time in and out. In addition, unemployment as well as tempting glow and luster of city life suck them to the core. They are, really, one of the most disadvantaged beings.
“We come here in search for livelihoods and to seek better life; but the hardships follow-through,” lamented Kalabati, a middle-aged woman of the slum near Priya Cinema Hall at Vasant Vihar. This slum had come up way back in 1969. Since then it has been occupying the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) land illegally. It is peopled by around 150 families, and the earning members are engaged in various activities: some are employed with government in group D level, some in part-time clerical job in small private companies, many others as daily labourers.
The authorities demolished their rickety huts twice before, the latest being in1999. They live in perpetual fear, henceforth. “We can’t really live in peace; the fear of eviction by the authorities any time, being run-over and ransacked by speeding lorries during nights, especially winter always worry us a lot,” the Pradhan of the slum said.
This slum, obviously, has a myriad of problems. The most aggravating problem is the provision of clean drinking water. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) provides a tanker for drinking water every day. The tanker arrives at such wee-hours at 4 o’ clock in the morning, and it doesn’t really quench the thirst of many a people.

ROLE OF MEDIA IN THE CONTEXT OF DEVELOPMENT IN COUNTRIES LIKE INDIA

2008-09-20T10:14:00.000-07:00

Communication is the process of manifestation of emotions, sentiments, thoughts, ideas and information between and among individuals. In the process, not just sharing of knowledge and information, but also awareness, good-will, services and relationships do evolve and develop as spin-off effects. Obviously, communication is a precursor to any event, small and big alike.
Especially in development in the context of countries like India, communication has an immense power to inform, educate, motivate, encourage and mobilize the citizens about various issues pertaining to socio-economic and political policies and decisions of the government. Mass and social mobilization, attitudinal change, and collective- and communal-consciousness are intricately inter-twined with the nature, methods, types and ways of communication.
Essentially, a development is any new positive change in the society which brings about welfare and prosperity of the people as a whole. Countries like India, which are predominantly poor; illiterate; substantial chunk of the population still laced with orthodoxy- deeply rooted to customs & traditions; rural-agricultural based society with scanty or relatively lesser industrialization; congested, scattered and haphazard urbanization; lop-sided economic growth both in terms of various sectors of the economy as well as different regions of the country; burgeoning population with increasing gulf between rich and poor; and so on so forth, communication plays a great role in eradicating social evils, in consolidating political awakening and in spreading economic well-being through the profile of the society.
Evidently, effective communication serves as an engine of any nation’s socio-economic and political stability. Consequently, it ensures national unity and territorial integrity. Thus, communication is an input in development in the context of counties like India.

MY EARLY POEMS WRITTEN PRIOR TO 2000

2008-09-20T09:50:00.002-07:00

1. AN IMAGINARY COUNTRY GIRL
Seen everyone; but like a girl you are, nowhere.
So frank, so understanding and so beauty!
All these make me crazy for you, forever.
Nobody can withstand the qualities of yours.

Your magnetic beauty makes all insane.
They are always eager for a glimpse of yours.
You resemble the Angels of the Heaven above.
Nobody can withstand the qualities of yours.

You are one who’s captured my heart.
I love you more than words can express.
So nice of you, if you’d accept my love!
Nobody can, certainly, withstand these qualities of yours.

2. PINCHING TIME
It’s a high time to do something special,
Avoid & overcome leisure and all.
Life is of course, a privilege!
But you shouldn’t go beyond its Average.

Do whatsoever you want or think right;
But with the consequences within your sight.
Enjoyment & fun is everybody’s outlook,
Yet it’s not what life of a person is all about.

Success comes from one’s hard work,
And it shoots up from zest, zeal and determination deep within.
These are impossible for those,
Who take life with great ease.

3. DELICIOUS CAKE
May you twinkle like the brightest star does!
May you bloom like a plant with exuberant blossoms!
May you be at the top of the tops!
May you be so till the time ends!

May Happiness, pleasure and success be all yours!
May misfortune never ever touch you!
Everybody loves and cares for you, may God make you so!
Cheerful, cheerful be your life!

How wonderful and especial you are to me!
It will remain so, as long as both of us are alive.
May this day come again & again
So that I could always sing for your well-being!

4. BEAUTY'S SIGNIFICANCE HAS NO ALTERNATIVE
Beauty has been fascinating man
Ever since his evolution.
It infuses in him a sense of delight
And satisfaction to his merit.

Beauty is felt mostly by heart,
Not by merely seeing sight.
It is, indeed, an ever-lasting truth,
In whatsoever subject.

Beauty is for more beauty
And to lead the world to prosperity.
It gives knowledge to world to learn
A feeling of love for others for their good gain.

Beauty is a silence natural boon
That makes people anxiety-free on their own.
Despite a variety of people on the earth,
Beauty has victory over everybody’s heart.

Besides, beauty should be maintained
For peaceful and long existence of living world.
It has always benefited us
In the ways of life in many ways.

5. YOU ARE ONE WHO MAKES ME CRY
So pretty you are
That I can’t help, but stare!
So sweet is your talk
That I forget to walk!
So friendly you are
That I want to be around ever!

Whenever you laugh,
I get lost in thoughts.
More I come close to you,
More I feel more gulf between we two.
I feel less interested in everything I do
When you are not around.

“Your life now seems strange”,
Friends say.
But I feel myself quite alright
And no change.
Nevertheless, I always visualize you-
That heart-throbbing, but elegant face.

6. FRIENSHIP: A BEAUTY WITH NO ALTERNATIVE
Never before have I been as intimate with anybody as I am with you,
Nor have I ever had like the relation with another.
May everybody else have the relation like ours,
Like the nearness I have with you,
Like the understanding we have for each other!
Our relation is truly pure
And it brings no misconception,
Creates no misunderstanding,
Rather it’s full of love and affection.
This, in turn, enables us to more closeness.

The relation is none other than the ‘Friendship’,
Which is all the above since time immemorial,
That has existed through each passing century,
That has been applaused and appreciated by every walk of life,
That harms none,
That is immortal,
The one with no substitute,
Which directs the world to inculcate humanism & brotherhood
To know the equality among either sex,
To infuse in their hearts the knowledge of love & sympathy.

Nobody ever dares to condemn or denounce it.
It’s, indeed, contrary to destruction.
It’s a subject that deals with behavior and nature,
A success for all beginners,
A secret of being loved,
A theory of being in each one’s heart,
An experience worth living,
A way to make life a success in its each step,
That lends joy in living
And of course, that connects death to birth!

7. FRIENDSHIP: A GLORY
Friendship is a beauty that has been fascinating one and all
Throughout the ages.
Friendship is the one which counters each and every evil
That prevails now-a-days;
A relation to exist forever;
And affair with nothing unfair.

It’s in one’s thoughts, conducts
And heart.
It’s really worthy of praise, respect
And trust.
Fortunate are those,
Like the relation, who possesses!

Its ingredients are: love, care, affection
And mutual co-operation.
It’s the source of happiness and fun;
But free of tension.
It doesn’t care about one’s root,
Nor does it hurt one’s feeling.

It heightens one’s dignity and personality
Lends joy.
It makes life a success and beauty,
Prosperous and gay.
It’s the path
To lead the world to eternity.

It’s and understanding between the hearts,
Nerves and all.
It brings scores of benefits
To each individual.
It’s the light
To enlighten the earth with its merits.

Also, no relation gets as much importance
As it soes.
It’s the unending quest for peaceful co-existence
And happiness.
It’s a sacred deed,
A secret of being loved.

8. HOW IS CLEANLINESS NEXT TO GODLINESS?
How is cleanliness next to Godliness?
For only, it’s one’s first identity;
It defines his dignity
And brings happiness!
Of course yes; but it isn’t true all-in-all.
True cleanliness lies in purity of mind, heart and soul
And discarding of, from heart, each and every foul,
And having faith & trust in the Almighty, above all.
Cleanliness isn’t confined to personal hygiene and building,
Rather it extends to healthy surrounding;
It’s about one’s doing and understanding.
Thus, one with all these is the real ‘Evolved being’.
Besides, it’s more about one’s character than outward appearance.
It adds more fun and laughter to living
Making the life more colourful and enjoying.
More is the beauty, more one understands its significance.

9. IT'S THE COUNTRYSIDE WIND
Oh! It’s country wind approaching.
A wave of excitement prevails the surrounding;
Every heart exhibits joy & pleasure,
Fun & laughter as sure treasure.
Leaves are trembling and twigs twist,
Humour and zest amidst,
Swinging forth and back- one time fast, other time slow,
Depicting their inexplicable flow of love- the Nature’s Law.
Kites are dancing high in the sky
Extending greetings with a little shy.
Birds start chirping, exhilarating as songs
And the air is filled with excellent tones.
Its swift rush gingers up & throw
Creamy clouds over the lofty hills capped with snow
And makes the faint outline
Of the mountain visible through the golden sunshine.

10. ONE BLOOMING MOON NIGHT
As the night falls in,
Darkness begins to reign.
Daily hasty life starts disappearing
And silence engulfs the surrounding.
Birds are already safe in their nests,
So are people in their homes with sheer rest.

The street puts on calm and quiet
With the street-lamps flashing bright.
Innumerable stars are scattered all across the space,
Calmly twinkling and illuminating Nature’s grace
Upon millions of its creation
For peaceful co-existence and co-operation.

In the midst, blooming moon,
Shining as a boon-
The terrible darkness being partly
Overlapped by moonlight so gently,
Depicting utter beauty, and showering endless
Joy, fun and happiness.

11. HOPELESS LOVE
Through-out the moments, my heart pondersheart ponders,
With wonders,
For a glimpse of a gleeful face,
Full of grace
And smooth-dusky look
With an obvious Angel-look.

Her ever charming face dwells in my mind and heart;
But never hurts.
Thinking of her fills my heart with charm;
Does no harm.
A word of praise of her is what my mouth
Ever likes to burst-out.

Every day and every night I simply
Think of her only.
Her name alone is enough to drive me mad;
But I’m glad,
For she is whom my heart sets as a goal
All for my soul.

All I want is to remain close to her
For ever.
Heart altogether turns gloomy and heavy
To think to be
Not of her choice or economic level.
Alas! It’s the fact undeniable.

ARUNACHAL FOOD-HABITS: THE BASIS OF OUR EXISTENCE

2008-09-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

Life evolves in places laden with the best of natural conditions. Nevertheless, every place is unique in itself, and the environmental conditions, i.e. locality factors favor particular life forms which are coincidentally the most suitable and adaptable to the area. Over the years, as a result of series of events in the environmental conditions, these life forms undergo gradual transformation morphologically as well as physiologically, thus adding new dimension to their typical characteristic traits. It is the quintessence of evolutionary process.

Food-habit of the organism is one of the crucial characteristic traits. The organism through the ages has developed its food-habits based on palatability, taste, choice, preference, as also the availability and suitability of food-items or diets. One more essential aspect of organism’s distinct food-habit is food’s inevitability in meeting organism’s nutritional requirement. So, the food-habit is actually the deliberate choice, from variety of food sources, which forms the basis of survival and existence of any life forms or living organisms. As such, any abrupt change in the food-habit, which is not in accordance or tune with the locality factors, is found to interfere with the physiological processes for the worse. Consequently, a threat of extinction looms large over the entire community. Thus, sticking to and propagating food-habit, and gradually adding new ones over times are indispensable for the progress of human civilization.

In our case, Arunachalee, our food-habit is as old as our own evolution to present day. In other words, our evolution to present day is the outcome of our distinct food-habit. Physically, chemically, biologically, psychologically and also emotionally, we are inter-twined with our locality and all its variables. Therefore, Arunachalee food-habit is a part and parcel of our evolution and future existence. Our food-habit reflects our distinctness, and also the evidence of our age-old struggle, perseverance and achievements.

As the modernization dawns on our land, our life-style has experienced a big about-turn. Our traditional food-habit is the one that has suffered most as a result of changing life-style. We are switching our food-habit and this shift is at the cost of both our own physical health as well as indigenous food-habit. This is what is exactly happening with us presently. These changes, on one hand, may look full of luster and glow, but, on the other hand, they are not without ill consequences. As the popular saying goes- Everything that glitters is not gold- the same can be extrapolated in the case of changing food-habits of Arunachal. Unfortunately, our own age-old achievements that are our identifying marks and pillars of our existence are, suddenly, seemingly inferior to those of others. This is the biggest reason why our traditional food-habits are ignored at alarming rate. We are not realizing the fact that what we are, is all because of our food-habit. We are still ignorant, rather deliberately, as ignorance is bliss, that our food-habit is the course or way through which we tread or meander through the landscape of worldly existence. In simple words, we are ourselves undermining our traditional food-habit which tantamount to denying ourselves of our true identity and pushing ourselves on the threshold of extinction.

There is also economic tinge associated with the proliferation of our Arunachalee food-habits. Economics is highly in favor of our traditional food items and stuffs. How? Since our food habits are indigenous, natural food sources are present here itself, which enjoy the favor of local environmental conditions. In addition, we have indigenous expertise and knowledge accumulated over generations about domestication and rearing of these foods which can further be enriched. This ensures easy cultivation, production, and abundant availability. Consequently, the transportation cost of bringing these food-items and food-stuffs will be relatively cheaper. Besides, our food items are still original, i.e. they are not yet exposed to chemicals like pesticides, fertilizers, and accordingly, provide requisite nutrients to us more in amount and quality. Our physical stoutness, swiftness, and mental toughness are the proofs.

As a cascading effect, the propagation of Arunachalee food habits will definitely find demand and market which, in turn, will benefit our own people. People will get employment and livelihood. It’s, therefore, high time to realize this fact by each individual, and accordingly contribute, in his/her own way by taking, having, buying and eating any of Arunachalee food-habits (food-items and food-stuffs), towards propagation of Arunachalee food-habits. Essentially, it implies marching forward towards future with our identity and root simultaneously.

------NYALI ETE (M. Sc. FORESTRY),
DEHRADUN, UTTARANCHAL.

SHOULD INDIGENIZATION OF FAITH & CULTURE BE HINDUIZATION?

2008-09-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

Indigenous literally means ‘belonging naturally to a place’ (Oxford-Advanced Learner’s Dictionary). Thus, anything, whatsoever it may be, that evolves in a place falls within its ambit. Obviously, anything that is indigenous is significantly distinct and distinctly different from the rest. Its uniqueness and distinctness is embodied in its adaptability, suitability and compatibility to its locality all along the generations. In nutshell, indigenous otherwise refers to ‘originality’.
In the present socio-cultural and political life of human population across the world as a whole driven by consumerism, globalization, liberalization and privatization of every aspect of human life, indigenous has suffered an irreparable damage for posterity. It’s an extinction of sort. This has greater adverse implications on the continuity and existence of the indigenous people. As indigenous people or tribal communities are biologically as well as anthropologically supposed to be the most primitive group of people and hence, are far-far lagging behind the rest in the evolutionary processes, their sudden exposure to sophisticated and technology blended modern realities and intricacies put them at logger heads, and consequently, take them further to a state of confusion and vulnerability.
However, attempts are being made to preserve the indigenous culture and faith; more so to counter the alarmingly spreading mechanisms of modernization that push the traditional or cultural heritage of the indigenous communities at the back seat or back door. They are worth praising. Any endeavour to preserve and conserve cultural and traditional identity is, indeed, a forthcoming move. As a matter of fact, great precedence basically begins with noble ideas, yet the lack of clarity of vision and sheer commitment to the mission ahead gives way to distraction and subsequently collapses. The same applies to the “Indigenous Faith & Cultural society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP)”. It’s a conglomeration of pro-indigenous groups representing intellectuals of major tribes of Arunachal and which is striving hard to retrieve or restore the lost paradise, i.e. to preserve, conserve and consolidate indigenous Arunachalee cultural heritage.
There is no denying of recognition of the values and aspirations that the IFCSAP stands for, but the methodology and the mechanisms that it professes, propagates and perpetuates in order to attain its objectives raise many a people’s eyebrows. While it vehemently and out-rightly rejects any move of cultural modernity through Christianization, it enthusiastically embraces and relishes Hinduization of the life of the people as is visibly evident in its growing fondness and urgency with which it approaches towards Hinduization of indigenous faith & Culture; for instance, advocating idol worship, construction of mandirs (Nyidar Namlo),to name a few. I ponder if ‘Abo Tani’, the ancestor of Tani group of tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, ever knew of Hinduism, or acknowledged and preached any of its principles.
I’m not even a student of theology or sociology, but as far as I know-Hinduism, as its followers would say, is a path to attain spiritual urge or a set of distinct ways of living; indigenous faith & culture altogether a different entity. Indigenous faith & culture, the essence of tribal communities, evolves and revolves around the ‘Animism’. A simple interpretation of Animism is that it is an intricate intermingling and symbiotic association of tribal communities or indigenous population with its surrounding or the nature, besides ancestor worshipping. Therefore, the whole idea of Hinduization of indigenous faith & culture is rubbish and ridiculous and without any merit at all. It raises certain relevant questions. Is the so called ‘Guardian or Custodian of Indigenous Faith & Culture’ itself in dilemma or this move influenced and goaded by vested interests of a handful of elite people of the state or is it a part of the greater propaganda or game plan of the Hindu-loyalists and Hindu-organizations to make Arunachal a yet another hot-spot of religious clashes, a replica of Gujarat in the making?
Whatsoever may be the case, the endeavour is praise-worthy, yet it should make its own ‘niche’ without indulging in communal-divide policy and being politically and ideologically blackmailed. If Christianization is unpalatable stuff, then why should Hinduization of our rich cultural heritage be a cup of tea? Thus, any attempt at either Christianization or Hinduization of indigenous cultural heritage is uncalled for.

Deep Contemplation!!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

Going gets tough at times, and especially then, when innocence gets blended with deliberate nonsense. It's terribly unbearable to realize that confidence and faith shown was but meticulous and intentional breach of trust from the very outset itself. It gives an inexplicable shivering through the soul, and what is left behind is a deep and giant scar in the core of heart. The experience, however, is worth remembering through the times till the end, for whatsoever is the circumstance, eventually, learning makes one a little more learned and matured.
People do get emotional, but it's such a sheer emotional blunder to get carried away by words and, so called, the power of intuition. Of course, it seems awkward again to feel, even momentarily, being wronged by someone, whereas it's but one's own mistake to assume things as such so quickly.

Spirituality is not always detachment from reality. I know reality bites, but spirituality, in my view, is more about dealing with the different facets of reality, and it, therefore, is the manifestation of the urge buried deep-within towards physical, mental and emotional enlightenment, rather than only being in sync with the virtual reality or mysticism. Spirituality, so, is the ultimate positioning of one’s own self in the endeavor of life.

Visit to Jhajra Forest Range

2008-09-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

It was the first ever field visit to Forest Range for 2008-2010 IFS (P) batch, our batch. Surely, everyone of us was really excited, elated and pretty curious as well, ostensibly because, for many of us, it was a maiden visit to the forest and the fact that they would finally track the dense, woody vegetation, and might possibly encounter some fauna filled them with moments of anxiousness, apprehensions and delight. Dressed in dark-olive colored field dress, which we got stitched recently, all of us started from our hostel at 8.30 o’clock in the morning. The IGNFA bus steadily meandered through the Chakrata road. Also, Cameras started flashing at short intervals inside the bus.
Jhajra Forest Range falls within the administration of Dehradun Forest Division. It’s located at a distance of 8 km from Dehradun. We reached the Guest House of the Range at around 9.00 am. This Guest House was constructed way back in 1885, the remnant of the colonial era; but the legacy as well as the witness to the beginning of scientific forestry in India. In about 15 minutes, Sir Ravi Kumar briefed us as to why and for what purpose the visit to the forest was important. He succinctly explained to us what we were supposed to do. Basically, now onwards, he convinced us that we should observe and feel forest closely: observing it by its crop composition, crown structure, stratification, types of branches, stems, kinds of soil, and so on. They were very essential to get into the nitty-gritty of forest management, and an inevitable knowledge, Resource managers like us must be sufficiently acquainted with. Thereafter, Mam Anu Nagar added some more inputs.
So, we were there inside the forest, beginning with observation and identification of plant species, including various management practices and anything that is unique, fauna, etc. The entire batch was divided into 6 small groups. So, members of one group would do the task together, though moving beside other groups. We entered the forest through IV compartment and walked ahead. The forest was predominantly of Sal (Shorea robusta). It was a moist deciduous forest.
In the junction between IV & II compartments, we turned left. Just across the road, along the boundary of II compartment, a cattle-proof trench had been dug and Agave sp. in staggered manner had also been planted in the ridge/raised portion of the trench. It had been done so for protecting the regeneration in the II compartment from cattle and wild animals. Towards the end, near a fire-line, which moves almost perpendicular to the road, Dendrocalamus sp. had also been planted along-with the Agave sp. The fire-lines clearly demarcated the compartments into smaller units. They’d been created to arrest the spread of forest fires from one compartment to another, a proven fire management practice.

The upper canopy was occupied by Sal crown. The close associates of Sal such as Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia bellerica, Malotus Philipensis were also present; but they occupied the mid-storey and in lesser density. The Sal at some patches, particularly in some portions of V compartment was attacked by the notorious borer, Heterocerambyx spinicornis. However, it wasn’t easily identifiable. The tree remained healthy from outside, and it required close observation of yellow-colored secretion on the trunk, a manifestation of response of Sal to the infestation, to ascertain its infestation. Further ahead, the density of Mallotus Phiipensis was more and taller too, while the Sal density decreased, and whatever number was present, they looked weak and stunted. It was obviously because of attack by the Sal borer on the Sal, and consequent increase in the incidence of solar radiation in certain portions as a result of death of these infested Sal that the Mallotus philipensis was more and taller.
Wild turmeric plant, bhalu kaja, Malecia auriculata predominantly occupied the ground vegetation. Malecia auriculata was a woody climber; but it looked like a shrub with woody stem standing straight on the ground, at least until the tip of the plant gradually metamorphosed into climber and beginning to lean towards the adjoining trees for support. Besides, at some places, all of the bhalu kaja plants were dead, while new shoots were coming up from the old stumps. Ravi sir explained that it was because of controlled burning done some time prior to summer season during which they had been burned and subsequently dried up.
We then tracked along a rivulet. It contained no water, even though it was rainy season. Nevertheless, there were ample evidences of the characteristics of the rivulet. The velocity of the flow of water must be really high and turbulent as was vividly visible from the damages done to gavian structures- spurs constructed along the banks of this rivulet to streamline the direction as well as velocity of flow of the water. The associates of Sal along the bank of the rivulet slightly changed. We encountered more of Sygyzium cumini (Jamun tree) and Terminalia sp. Mallotus Philipensis was nearly absent.
In addition, the forest would give the look of a mono crop of Sal to a layman; but many other plant species were also identified. Though a scientifically managed forest, it certainly was no less than any natural forest. Some of the other major plant species found were: Muraya kongi; Albizzia procera; Costus speciosus; Kydia clycyna; Glycosma pentaphyllum; Cassia toru; Jatropha curcas; Sepium serviferum; Lantana camara; Acacia pinnata; Vitex negundo; etc.
Lastly but not the least, mention of the foot-prints or pug marks of some wild carnivores spotted on our track is important. We couldn’t identify them; however, some of us were excited about that. Well, the exhaustive tracking of about 10 km in about 5 hrs was the highlight of our first field visit. Our association with the forest and its realities and management has already been begun. The experience was awesome and would linger on in my memory through the times.

Visit to Dharmshala in last Week of November, 2007

2008-09-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

Situated at the top of lower Himalayas; barren peaks with clouds clinging on them; cascades of rivulets; amidst sparsely distributed sub-tropical vegetation and criss-crossed by narrowly-winding roads is Dharmshala- the epicenter of the Tibetan Movement and the Administrative focal point of the Tibetan Government-in-exile.
It is intimately associated with the non-violent and peaceful movement of the Tibetans, within the realm of Mysticism of Tibetan Buddhism, to liberate their homeland from the atrocities and clutches of the Chinese Authority. Dharmasala, therefore, epitomizes the ultimate yearning for spirituality, freedom and democracy.
Basically, it is a hill-resort where people from large urban centers and metropolis like Delhi, Chandigarh, etc. throng round the year to unwind themselves from the drudgeries of city-life. The place, naturally, holds a special as well as mysterious place for many a people- Tibetans, Indians and foreigners, including Chinese.
Dharmsala is one of the very few properly maintained and nicely managed tourist centers in India as far as its spirituality, tourism infrastructure, town planning and ecological consciousness are concerned. The tourists’ arrival has increased manifold over the years. It has, no doubt, positively impacted the local socio-economic condition; but it has brought along ecological degradation as well. Tourism related occupations are mushrooming and flourishing, ensuring enough livelihoods to local Kangri community of Himachal, besides the Tibetan Refugees of course. Tourist lodges, hotels, small shops selling locally made handicrafts, tour-operators and the like are aplenty.
As a result, natural vegetation is being progressively replaced by human-made jungle of concretes, which necessitates excavation of fragile hill-slopes. This disturbs the equilibrium and the stability of the soil, thus enhancing the landslips, siltation of water-bodies/reservoirs down-streams, so on. In addition, various non-bio-degradable accessories like poly-bags, water- and cold-drinks bottles add to the ever-growing waste/garbage of the place. This gives a hill of task to city municipal department. In nutshell, the environment of Dharmsala is deteriorating.
On the other hand, the local inhabitants are environmentally conscious. Thus, recycled items, hand-made reusable and bio-degradable products are in vogue. Some NGOs dedicated to creating and spreading awareness among masses about the deleterious consequences of polybag-use, and benefits of recycled and reusable stuffs are striving to save the natural environment or, at least, minimize the impacts of excessive human interference in the ecological balance of the area.

THE GLIMPSE OF LOVE

2008-09-16T07:27:00.001-07:00

THE GLIMPSE OF LOVE
(Kannoo)

Strange! Strange! Strange!
Oh! It’s really strange
That just in a maiden glimpse, my heart
Is fascinated now and forever, a rebirth
Of sort; but gal, I’m not a flirt.

That seductive eyes, tempting lips,
Ivory-skin and soft, dimple cheeks
Evoke in me a feeling, so nice, so firmly,
Making me think of you constantly
That I can’t help, but loving you desperately.
Frankly and genuinely so, I always look forward to get ever more close, get embedded with your life and become a part and parcel of your existence.
Your honeyed tone, that is so innocent
Together-with cheerful face, is really magnificent.
That smile of yours makes all frills
Of your face, adds charms; thrills
All but me most and vanished are all my ills.

With honey-brown hairs hanging around nape,
And bosom, ignorant of warmth of man’s touch, make
You the real quintessence of beauty and modesty,
The epitome of the precision and craftsmanship of His majesty,
GOD- the supreme creator and the almighty.(Kannoo)

Strange! Strange! Strange!
Oh! It’s really strange
That just in a maiden glimpse, my heart
Is fascinated now and forever, a rebirth
Of sort; but gal, I’m not a flirt.

That seductive eyes, tempting lips,
Ivory-skin and soft, dimple cheeks
Evoke in me a feeling, so nice, so firmly,
Making me think of you constantly
That I can’t help, but loving you desperately.
Frankly and genuinely so, I always look forward to get ever more close, get embedded with your life and become a part and parcel of your existence.
Your honeyed tone, that is so innocent
Together-with cheerful face, is really magnificent.
That smile of yours makes all frills
Of your face, adds charms; thrills
All but me most and vanished are all my ills.

With honey-brown hairs hanging around nape,
And bosom, ignorant of warmth of man’s touch, make
You the real quintessence of beauty and modesty,
The epitome of the precision and craftsmanship of His majesty,
GOD- the supreme creator and the almighty.

AMBIGUOUS YOUNG ASPIRATIONS OF ARUNACHALEE YOUTH

2007-12-30T20:47:00.000-08:00

Being a youth and in my early twenties, I have lots of aspirations and expectations. Well! I don’t mean to say that I’m ambitious, but it’s true that I dare to make wishes and I’m optimistic about life. I believe that given proper opportunities and adequate openings, I can stand-up to the demands and expectations from me, as also achieving my aspirations. I don’t know; but I just assume that readers’ views would vary; many may consider it boastful; many other may think that it’s a genuine representation of youthful aspiration. Yes, here my point is not about blowing my own trumpet. In fact, it’s an attempt to inquire into the attitudes, aims, aspirations, expectations, community-feeling, sense of community-development and concept of social modernization among Arunachalee Youth in the course of modernization.

At the outset, youth is the citizen of the country/state in the future. That is to say, the present youth is the future administrator, bureaucrat, businessman, entrepreneur, etc. The state of affairs of the country’s/state’s governance or administration heavily leans on the existing stock of young generation (Youth). In nutshell, young generation implies dynamic force, on whose shoulders lay the progress and development of the country/ state.

As of Arunachalee youth, we are also aspiring, energetic, enthusiastic, hard-working, optimistic and also hungry for achieving and acquiring success in every walk of life. Really, we are very talented and possess immense potentials. We also deserve to climb-up the ladder/staircase of success. Evidently, students are cracking national level competitive exams like IIT-JEE, PMT, CAT, to name a few, and accordingly getting admission in prestigious institutions such as IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, etc. Besides, many students are opting for professional courses like Hotel Management, Tourism& Aviation management, Fashion designing, Mass communication, and so on, eyeing career in private sectors/companies.

Youth (educated, uneducated & unemployed alike) are, no longer, desperately seeking govt. jobs; rather we now need/demand for good opportunities, proper infrastructural development and fair-play in administration and corruption-free governance. We are enlightened generations. We care and love our rights, opportunities, privileges and concessions. We can’t simply sit idly any longer. We also want to play our part in the fate of our state, Arunachal. This is the overwhelming feeling of modern-day, enlightened youth of Arunachal.

Unfortunately, despite this positive change in the outlook to life among Arunachalee youth, one alien element has also seeped into our blood, i.e. we have become excessively individualistic in our approach. We are particularly one-sided in our approach. We care for our rights and benefits more, less or almost negligible for our duties and responsibilities towards the society. This individualistic approach pulls us away from contributing our share of gratitude to our society.

Unnecessarily, many of our youth are indulging too much in politics, and many student leaders are charged with political-ambitions. Yes, our youth need to take up roles and responsibilities in the realm of politics, but it should be a handicap for them to explore and eventually realize their dreams and aspirations. Very often, politics is serving as breeding ground for antagonistic attitudes for each other. I don’t mean to say that politics is bad all-in-all, but politics generally is considered an odd job, which necessarily involves manipulations, dishonesty and corruptions at each and every turn & twist. In the context of our state, politics has been a battle ground for hatred, revenge and political hegemony. Besides, factionalism & tribism steadily dominate our mind, and drag us towards religious/cultural fanaticism. Therefore, I genuinely ponder with wonder about the integrity of our student leaders too.

I’m frankly not well-versed with the intricacies of our rituals, but I believe our customary practices are the consequences of series of experiences accumulated through the ages. However, Fake-sympathizers of our cultural identity only know too well to exploit our sentiments and emotions because of our ignorance, simple and straight-forward nature, and recent addition to our characteristic traits, i.e. self-centric life and individualism.

Similarly, Western-enlightened section of our society would prefer to believe that customary practices are laden with superstitions and out-dated assumptions. They, in their race towards future, embrace imported life all too delightfully without even a momentary thought about its long-term impact on our own walks of life.

Obviously, due to our internal tussles and inter-tribe uneasiness, we are, on one hand, pulling ourselves down, and on the other, giving ample and congenial chances to others (outsiders) for their growth & establishment, which they are well-adept at, through blackmail and exploitation of our sentiments and emotions by interpreting ambiguous identity for us, more to benefit themselves than to truly uplift us and make life better for us.

Consequently, our youthful or energetic mind is colonized by ambiguity and negativity. Hopelessness and lack of desire for putting one’s contribution in the progress of our state further eclipse any trace of shine among our youth.

In addition, majority of us have this deep-seated misconception that we can’t do anything worthwhile individually. While we prefer to indulge in blame-game on the government/administration and others, we deliberately ignore our own lack of commitment and responsibility. I will simply call it unwanted illusion. We have actually failed to understand these oft-repeated phrases-Unity is strength and United we stand, divided we fall.

Come on gals, Chalo guys! We have arrived on the horizon of time to act together, foster our community-bonding and let our aspirations flow.

Orientation Program at IIMC-Delhi

2007-08-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

Orientation Day-I
IIMC-Delhi:To the gathering of new-comers on the 1st day of Orientation Program at IIMC-Delhi, Mr. Vinod Sharma, the Editor of The Hindustan Times, Spoke about the ' Political Change & Media Hyperbole'.He began his discussion with the contradictions that exist today in India. " India, today, comprises of two faces of people- one, smiling face and the other, non-smiling face", he said.Further, he dealt at lenght on the evolution of the essence of Journalism in India. According to him, the tenets of Journalism constitute reaching out to the masses, creating awareness and consequently, empowerment of the society. He regretted tha Journalism is marching towards economics. " It is progressively degenerating and moving away from the enshrined principles of Accountability, Responsibility, Honesty or Justice to the cause of social education and empowerment", he argued. He opined that Media, now-a-days, have seemingly mortgaged their journalistic business to big ad-providers and big corporate houses. Also, journalism is driven by TRPs, circulation figures, constituencies, advertisements, etc. In the process, he distinguished between Big newspapers and Great newspapers.Again, he highlighted both positive and negative elements viz-a-viz, Media hyperbole. Citing examples of Blue-line buses, state of roads, schools, etc, he said that Media hyperbole has been able to drw the attention of both the govt. and the general public alike for the good. However, he emphasized, " Dealing with real-time information is like handling RDX. So, media hyperbole should be handled with caution and under-estimation in matters of real-time information.

Orientation Day-I (Contd)
Prof. Anand Kumar from Sociology Department of JNU also addressed the students in the afternoon session. His topic was_________________________________________________. During the 1 hr or so, he threw light on various facets of globalization, its agents, its issues, its impacts on society, particularly, Indian Society.Opening his lecture, he defined, “ Globalization is a process which inter-connects things and people beyond nations. It is not localization; it is antithesis to the nationalism.” He then talked about five aspects of globalization, notably: finance capital, commodity, technology, information and labour, in order to ascertain the level and extent of globalization of a country or a place.Talking about mediators of globalization, he mentioned about 8Ms. He opined that these 8Ms such as market, money, modernity, middle class, MNCs, Media, Migration and Multi-culturalism were intrinsically associated with the process of globalization. Thereafter, he touched upon its impacts. He said that it led to hegemonization, homogenization, hybridization, in addition to, marginalization, ethnicization and regionalization. In Indian context, he recalled, “ The process of globalization started in 1992 when the country was not ready as such; it was, in fact, forced on us.” He stressed that it was circumstantial and inevitable, and therefore, not very favourable for us at the outset. He further argued that the globalization, which was accepted by Indians with mixed-reactions initially, had, of late, proved to be disastrous for the economic life of majority of the citizens. Accordingly, there has been either Americanization or Africanization of the society across the globe. While Americanization represented upward moving, tech-savvy, demonstrative middle classes, which comprised of nearly 40 million, Africanization meant more than 400 million poor farmers, unemployed youth, workers in unorganized sectors and so on. So, in his views, it has created more of losers than winners.

Orientatioin-Day II
Prof. V. V. Bhattacharya, the VC of the JNU, while addressing the new IIMCians, sough to put across his views about the socio-economic changes afflicting the society at large and the position of the media in it. He said that media were becoming more and more commercial, and their public service component was subsiding. The media invariably carried 3 kinds of news- truths, half-truths and lies. While sports news were fairly true, news on economy and crimes constituted half-truths and half-lies, and the views of politicians were complete lies.Nevertheless, he considered that media were vibrant and sufficiently independent in India. Earlier, news items comprised mostly of politics, social issues and govt. press releases on govt. policies and economy. Post liberalization, media were increasingly carrying news items pertaining to stock markets and other sectors like IT, entertainment, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, etc.These sectors were growing fast, accordingly pushing the Indian economy to the forefront. “The growth of media and entertainment is fastest, and in next few years, they might become the 1st in the world. Television is a great medium. Soviet Russia collapsed, not because of CIA, but because the televisions brought the superior life-style and higher standard of living of Americans to the bedrooms of Russians”, he stressed. He regretted, “Even after 60 yrs of Independence, still 30% of the population aren’t able to meet two-square meals a day. While we have billionaires and many millionaires, we have vast majority still languishing in poverty, particularly in rural areas.” He added that despite 40% p.a. growth in new economy, agricultural growth remained abysmally low at 2% p.a. Therefore, he concluded with the need for balanced Indian Economy.

Orientation-Day II (Contd)
Later in the afternoon, Mr. D. Raghunanthan from Delhi Science Forum, spoke to the audience on ‘Making Sense of 123: Indo-US Nuclear Deal’. He highlighted the core of the deal, and also the objections raised from various quarters, including the BJP.He said, “ The deal is a part of the July 2005 Indo-Us Joint Statement during PM Manmohan Singh’s US visit”. Touching upon the details of the deal, he said that India agreed to separate self-designated military (8) and civilian facilities (14) in a phased manner, with civilian facilities under full scope of India –specific safeguards including ‘Additional Protocol’, if only uninterrupted N-fuel supplies were assured and with strategic fuel reserves to guard against.He continued that the US, on the other hand, agreed to provide India nuclear fuel and N-energy technology; persuade US congress to lift sanctions and allow exports of civilian nuclear and dual use technologies; persuade IAEA, NSG also towards above; press for Indian membership of ITER, Gen-IV Forum, etc. and recognize India as a “responsible state with advanced nuclear technology (not NWS)”.He also pointed out the objections raised by the BJP and hawks. “The BJP considered that India has surrendered its nuclear sovereignity. And the deal will “cap” India’s nuclear arsenal and increase its cost”, he said. Talking about others worry, he said the separation was not easy; nuclear research would suffer, among others.While concluding, he maintained that the deal hasn’t crossed the clear-red lines drawn by the Prime Minister in the Parliament. He opined that the deal has meant increased Indo-Us strategic partnership from long term security perspective. He, however, felt that India still needed extra vigilance henceforth.

Orientation Day-III
Speaking on the day-3 of orientation program, Mr. Navtej Sarna, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India, gave a broad over-view of India’s Foreign Policy. He said that any foreign policy essentially incorporated the domestic realities of the country. Historical evolution of India’s foreign policy could be traced back to 19th century (200yrs down the line) when new wave of pride in civilizational pride dominated the newly western-educated nationalists like Ram Mohan Roy. He also said that Indian National Congress, the leading group in the struggle for Independence, had framed foreign policy years before Independence. It had views on several issues surrounding the world then from Nazim to Russian Revolution, among other things. So, the foreign policy framework had already been designed. He said that India’s Broad Framework of foreign policy represented the challenges posed to the newly Independent India. They included territorial integrity & unity of several Princely States; altering and improving the erstwhile colonial economy of the country by alleviation of economic hardships of the people; espousing the cause of freedom of other colonial countries in rest of the world; non-aligning with either of the Blocks: Warsaw Pact or NATO etc. They formed the skeleton of the future foreign policy. In addition, various changes have also had taken place in last 60 years. Vietnam crisis, Arab-Israel war, Gulf-wars, Terrorism, and so on have worldwide effects. Therefore, India needed to orient its foreign policy in tune with the country’s best interest with respect to these developments. In the context of Immediate Circles: Neighbours, he said that “Peaceful periphery” as pre-requisite for progressive socio-economic cooperation is India’s ever stand. He also said, “Stable, strong, peaceful & prosperous Pakistan is in our interest”. He maintained that ‘democratic, stable and prosperous state’ would benefit the whole of the region, talking about other SAARC member counties. “By and large, we are moving in good direction", he concluded.

Orientation Day III (Contd.)
Prof. O. P. Kejriwal, Commissioner of Right to Information, spoke about the tenets of Right to Information. He said, “It is one legislation which has become so popular among citizens like no other acts in recent times”. Right to information basically provides right to any citizen to access to any piece of information from any govt. dept, including any other organizations, which receives substantial aid or investment from the govt. Prof. Kejriwal further said, “It is directly hitting at the insensitivity of the government”. Rightly so, it seeks to introduce transparency, accountability, sensitivity and corruption-free system. Basically, it aims at empowering citizens. It is a tool in the hands of citizens to seek redressal of their grievances.He talked about media as well. He felt that media could play tremendous role bringing about awareness among masses about RTI. Therfore, media should take the lead in delivering the fruits of RTI to every corner of the country and unearth any amount of injustice and wrong-doings into the knowledge of people so as to ensure redressal of the grievance through RTI.He, hoever, was at unease with media today. He said, “The Media haven’t used even 5% of the power or opportunity that RTI has given them. Neither they lighten the burden, nor enlighten the path”.

Orientation Day-IV
The Public Relations is one of the promising career options these days. This field has ‎a tremendous scope in terms of job-opportunities and growth prospects in various ‎areas, including corporate as well as public sectors. Speaking on the subject at IIMC ‎on Day-IV of the Orientation Program, Mr. Ajit Pathak, Chief of the Indian Oil Public ‎Relations, discussed the essentials of the Public Relations. He defined Public ‎Relations as 'sustained, planned and deliberate communication, based on truth to ‎project right image of the organization'.‎For any organization, it is of utmost significance to create, maintain and preserve ‎good image in people's psyche. Public Relations practitioners exactly endeavour ‎towards this end. They represent the organization's state of technology, track-record in ‎corporate sector responsibilities, status of share-holders and the like in positive light ‎to influence people's mind and understanding.‎Talking about what PR aspired to accomplished, he enumerated thus: goodwill of the ‎dealers and organization/product visibility; fostering the goodwill of the public ‎around; determining the organization's posture in dealing with its public; positive ‎impact on performance, quality & productivity; high employee morale; better ‎employee relations; commitment of the stake-holders; overcoming misconceptions & ‎prejudices; minimizing situation of attack on the organization, and positive attraction ‎to professional personnel.‎Furthermore, "Competitive business environment; customer's paradise; attraction for ‎global brands; demand for quality; cost considerations and environmental pressures ‎are major business challenges today", he observed.‎He reiterated that complex business environment; desperate management; IT ‎developments; enlightened media; over-ambitious stake-holders; speed & accuracy; ‎balancing print/electronic media and issues of ethics were challenges of PR.‎

Village Sojourn to Nala ka Kuan in Mandalgarh in Bhilwara

2006-11-13T00:27:00.000-08:00

VILLAGE SOJOURN-II

I woke up as usual at 6.00 o’ clock and got ready for the 2nd phase of village sojourn. Unlike previous village stay, our jeep wouldn’t go to drop, for both the jeeps had been detailed/engaged for more urgent and imminent job pertaining to the organization. Also, no one from our office would accompany this time, except field staff (Shambuji). Therefore, Sunil bhaiya arrived at around 8.30 a.m. to pick me up only to drop at the Rajasthan State Roadways Bus Station of Bhilwara.
Having purchased a ticket to Triveni, I boarded a bus destined to Kota via Triveni and Mandalgarh. The bus left the station exactly at 9.30 a.m. I took a seat towards the window on the right side, and two ladies sat beside me on the left. Fellow passengers were staring at me, as if I were some unusual creature, though obviously, I was the only strange looking guy with long shabby hairs and untidy, untrimmed, sparse moustache and beard in the entire lot of passengers.
All along the journey, it was definitely not a bad trip, but the dilapidated roads, irritating sounds/noise of the windows and iron bars across them troubled a bit. At certain points along the route, the rickety bus was jam-packed and great many commuters struggled to stand properly along the narrow passage between the rows of seats pushing each other, swinging back and forth at every turn. At around 10.45 a.m., Shambuji rang me up, when the bus was standing for a brief halt at Bighod to pick up new passengers. From there, Triveni wasn’t far-off. So, I got ready and moved out of my seat towards the gate. Both the women slipped inside and occupied my place making way for my exit.

IN TRIVENI MARKET

Eventually, I reached Triveni. Having got off the bus, I was looking for Shambuji. I couldn’t spot him; there was no trace of him. Triveni market was full of bustle; vehicles moving through the tri-junction at every alternate seconds; tremendous people hurriedly moving hither and tither, and so on. I was standing beside the tri-junction longingly waiting for Shambuji to arrive any time soon. Alas! He didn’t still appear. I waited for 30 minutes or so, and almost got exhausted as well as frustrated standing under the tormenting heat of sun which was splashing my already black skin all the more dark; drops of sweats trickling down my cheeks relentlessly. Considering my uneasiness at that point of time, it was an awful wait. Since I expected him to be already there waiting for me, it was a disgusting event.
Nonetheless, he appeared finally; I took a great sigh of relief. I could notice him immediately as he, smartly, drove down his old-modeled Suzuki bike, with goggles put on his eyes seemingly lost in his youthful thoughts, and depicting his hard-earned enthusiasm, at least temporarily stepping into the realm of good old/lost days of youth. Though I was upset at his late arrival, I preferred to sink my unhappy emotions, and instead acted quite politely and normally. Thereafter, we started our ride towards Nala ka Kunwa. On the way, we halted at his home in Singoli. His wife served us a delicious roti within minutes of our arrival. Having spent 30 minutes, we straightly moved for our destination. We reached Nala ka Kunwa; it was already 2.00 o’clock of the day.

NALA KA KUAN

Nala ka Kuan is a hamlet of Barundni village, which falls under Barundni Panchayat Samiti. The hamlet is peopled by two major castes: Meena and Nath. The population of the hamlet isn’t more than 250, male, female and kids altogether. It is situated at the immediate foothills of two hillocks on one side; and a sufficiently large dam lies nearby which separates the hamlet from the main Barundni village. Of the hillocks, one is a degraded and near-barren patch with sporadic saplings and poles of Butea and Acacia nilotica, and the other is our plot, extending across entire hillock covering an area of 60 ha, also locally/traditionally termed the ‘Satvavri’.

EVENING IN NALA KA KUAN

As arranged already, I was placed at Devi Nathji’s home. Shambuji formally introduced me to Devi Nathji and his family members. Gradually, the sun hid behind the mountains, and the western sky was gloomily visible through the horizon. Shambuji finally left for his home and I stayed back. As the night fell in, darkness began to reign. Daily hasty life started disappearing and silence engulfed the surrounding. Birds were already safe in their nests, so were people in their homes with sheer rest. Dalu Nathji’s wife served dinner. The meal included 3 pieces of big and thick roti blended with desi ghee accompanied by highly spicy and hot cooked vegetable. The night sky was very clear; innumerable stars dotted all across the space, calmly twinkling and illuminating nature’s grace upon million of its creatures for peaceful co-existence and co-operation. In the midst, the blooming moon- shinning as a boon- partly wiped the darkness showering endless joy and happiness.
For my sleep, a locally made bed, knit with network of ropes/fibers of jute, tightly held on and tied to small woods of the bed made of Acacia nilotica tree, was placed beside the main-entrance gate of the home. Other male members also put their beds beside mine. Initially, I thought how would I get my sleep in that unfriendly-looking bed. It turned out to be only a hollow anxiousness and apprehension. Within minutes, I was deep asleep.

SUNRISE IN THE VILLAGE

The sun hadn’t yet arrived on the horizon, but the surrounding was all-visible with the illumination of the dawn. The air was filled with immense freshness; everything around seemed lively; birds, monkeys and little squirrels restored their energy; village emerged with activities from the dead-end and stillness of previous night; village-folk began untying their animals and their women started cooking. I freshened myself beside a tiny stream, which still possessed scanty water, but no longer flowing, behind the hillock. Country wind arrived and a wave of excitement prevailed through the surrounding. Every heart exhibited joy & pleasure, fun & laughter as sure treasure. Leaves were trembling and twigs twisting, humor and zest amidst, swinging forth & back- onetime slow, other time fast- displaying their inexplicable flow of love, the Nature’s law.

A GLIMPSE OF ‘SATVAVRI’

It was time for morning tea and breakfast. Honestly, while I couldn’t easily relish the Roti, tea was splendid. It soothed my soul and elevated my mind to the pedestal of eternity. Dressed in dark navy-blue t-shirt and green trouser, with olive-green hat on head and mud-colored small kit-bag behind the back, I set-out towards our plot.
On the way, I came to Bhavanji’s home. Bhavanaji is the secretary of Village Forest Protection and Management Committee. He was having his breakfast. I waited for him to finish the meal. In the mean time, his eldest daughter; he has 6 children (3 boys and 3 girls), served us tea. Though I refused initially, I couldn’t resist the fragrance of the tea. Thereafter, Bhavanaji and I marched towards the ‘Satvavri’. It’s been only 4 months since protection of the plot began, but the entire area was covered with lush green grasses; rootstocks of Anogeissus pendula were luxuriantly growing, with numerous tiny branches enthusiastically developing from the rootstock, seemingly exhibiting the new-found cheers and exhilaration from the years of harsh exploitation. A good number of trees of Butea monosperma, Acacia leucopholoea, Acacia nilotica, Phoenix slyvestris and Azadirachta indica dotted the plot. As such, the entire regeneration plot resembled a regularly and properly maintained meadow of any golf ground.
Both of us entered into the plot and tracked through the entire area, examining the conditions of loose boulders check dams, survival as well as mortality of seedlings planted, germination of grass (Cenchrus setigerus) and tree (Azadirachta indica) seeds sown during July. The guard of the plot (one among villagers) employed by the villagers also came along. All along the foothill of the plot, a grass locally called ‘Lafra’, is commonly available. This looked good and it was actually due to that that the plot gave the look it looked. But, as we moved further, it revealed its unfriendliness as well. The spikes of the grass pierced our (mine mostly) shoes and trouser and causing itching and irritation. Walking through the grass was rendered difficult. However, we continued our walk until we arrived at the end of the plot towards the side of Chittorgarh. I got really exhausted.

DISCUSSION & CONVERSATION

From there, we then went to Ramlalji’s field, the President of the Committee, where he was harvesting ripen maize with his wife. We relieved ourselves of the severe heat of sun beneath the shadow of a large neem tree in the middle of the field. A well was also there beside. I quenched my thirst first with the cold water of the well. While relaxing, I initiated discussions with Ramlalji about the functioning of the committee and also the response of the villagers in terms of co-operation in conducting meeting, complying with the rules and regulations framed for the protection of the plot, etc. Dry and warm breeze often blew through the air, and I frequently got lost into the world of imaginations, recalling my village and people. Truly, at times, I became very nostalgic.
Leaving them there, I returned towards Devi Nathji’s home. On the way, I encountered a farmer. I sat down again in his field. We engaged in a good-lengthy conversion, though I wasn’t able to perceive and understand his words, for he was not speaking in Hindi. So, I, mostly, either guessed what he meant or said only I wanted to. Finally, I returned to the house.

Later, in the evening, I had a long conversation with both Devi Nathji and Dalu Nathji. I tried to know as well as understand about the past of the village and the causes of the dwindling forest resources, cover, etc. Since my stay in this village was aimed at exploring the issues related to protection measures, follow-up activities and acceptance of the regenerated plot by the villagers, besides, a through observation, a mild scientific study of course of the plot, I concentrated myself to learning about the ‘Satvavri’ only. From his account, all the hillocks surrounding the hamlet were all wooded till not so long ago. Even, the one next to the Satvavri, on whose foothill the hamlet is situated, was adequately forested with species of Anogeissus pendula, Acacia nilotica, Butea monosperma, etc. Today, the hillock is highly degraded; only small stones would be found across the hillock; the soil depth is very less and evidently nutrient-poor. He further told that the rapid deforestation began only 40-50 years back. Both wood merchants and lower forest officials exploited the resources. The villagers themselves also tacitly contributed in the process. Our discussion dragged on till we started yawning.

Next day, the routine was the same as that of last two days, and rest of my village stay remained, more or less, similar. I would visit ‘Satvavri’ accompanied by Bhavanaji, would walk through the plot-sometimes counting various tree species, other times assessing the conditions of check-dams, mortality of the seedlings. Fortunately, I got a chance to see some wild animals: 5 nilghai and 2 foxes inside our plot during my visits. Besides, I would discuss with other villagers who were also members of the Village Forest Protection & Management Committee. I bombarded them with queries, initiated discussions with them, and so on and so forth. The villagers, their bodies- thin, black, wrinkled, drooping shoulders, nerves and veins markedly visible- half-clad in dhoti, shared their views and understanding about institutions, livelihood activities, village life, etc.

CONCLUSION

The people are aware of benefits of the protection of the plot. But they see the benefits only in terms of more production of grasses/fodder for their livestock, not in terms of reduced soil loss and increased water conservation. Actually, they aren’t able to easily perceive and apprehend the invisible good impacts of our regeneration work.Presently, the villagers are all-helpful and co-operative in management & monitoring of the plot; they contribute Rs. 50/- only per household for a guard for the plot. The guard roams through-out the plot, keep constant vigil and inform the village forest management & protection committee of any untoward or mischievous activities inside the plot. Also, the villagers keep their eyes occasionally on the plot even from their fields. So, there is no break of rules by any one from the village. Everyone agrees that the regeneration work is a job well-done by the FES, and they wholeheartedly welcome further such developmental works in the village.

Why is Arunachal Pradesh still Backward?

2006-11-11T22:22:00.000-08:00

Why is Arunachal Pradesh still backward? Why are Arunachalees yet to stand at par or shoulder to shoulder and also face to face with others (even with the tribal of other states of the North-east) in the quest of economic prosperity, pursuit of social modernity and endeavor towards political awakening? Has anybody, honestly, ever cared or bothered to ponder and find out reasonable and practical answers to these simple, but awfully haunting questions which are but the reality of our State? Without claiming to be the only one who thinks and cares for Arunachal & Arunachalees and antagonizing the good-intent of any individual, I make my personal observations of the reasons for our state’s lackadaisical life. I would, simultaneously, be biased, if I don’t acknowledge the selfless-efforts and dedicated works of some individuals who have tirelessly and unrelentingly put their energy to see our people and the state alongside national mainstream. We owe a huge debt to them. It’s only due to them that we are at least getting closer to the national mainstream, though obviously at slower pace. Regrettably, somewhere down the lane, we have lost our direction and thus, treading aimlessly. No one, not even the learned intelligentsia and experienced politicians, really seems to know what we exactly want and where we are precisely heading towards. Disappointedly, it doesn’t seem to really concern anyone whether Arunachal is sailing atop the stream of development or drowning. Why indulge in such unnecessary thing and get an avoidable headache is the general mentality. ‘I’, ‘Me’, ‘Mine’ are what matter to us; but unfortunately, not ‘Ours’. I, however, don’t intend to offend our own people by saying so. Yes, who doesn’t think for one’s own self and what’s wrong about it? Certainly, there is nothing wrong in it; but it’s no excuse for all the ill-consequences inflicted upon the State either.Honestly and genuinely so, Arunachal is the most backward of all the states in the country. Our state is enveloped by thick cloud of poverty, illiteracy, lack of basic/minimum amenities of life, in addition to, social prejudices like excessive superstition, male-chauvinism and so on. On the other hand, our state is endowed with the best of natural resources: extensive tract of virgin forests of almost all the types, inexplicable natural scenic beauty, unexplored wildlife, hot-spot of biodiversity, ample opportunity for hydro-power, etc. Interesting paradox! Isn’t it? It’s nothing new indeed. Every single Arunachalee is well-aware of this fact. Also, all of us do feel that our state should also progress, prosper and catch-up with the rest of the nation. But the enormity of the dark cloud is such that the rays of sun cannot penetrate it easily and even the gushing wind is not able to wipe it out. The cloud still lingers on, for we turn-away our eyes from these realities. Either we are too engrossed in meeting our own ends or enormously self-centric or a really weak lot. The first two conditions are inherently present in our society, but the third one is untrue. More than anything else, the root cause of all the problems, in my perception, is embedded in our attitude/mind-set itself. Further, our mind-set is the reflection of our identity and root. At the present scenario considering socio-economic, socio-cultural and political life of our state, we are facing this all-pervading identity crisis. I opine Identity crisis as ‘the individual’s state of dilemma vis-à-vis different ways of life in the existing situation’. As the contemporary world is heading towards global-village due to mechanisms of liberalization, privatization, consumerism, free-market system and globalization itself, the new world unfolds strange and complex realities to us, which we can’t afford to ignore, if we are to exist or perish without them.As such, indigenous ways of life are increasingly being neglected as, apparently, out-dated and unwieldy in the context of present circumstances. Traditionalists, arguably, rubbish such notion and consider this very notion as a threat to life of indigenous people; enthusiastically campaign for preservation of indigenous identity. They, eagerly and earnestly, aspire to give a definite shape to life of the state with distinct Arunachalee characteristics. Modernists, relatively in less proportion presently, hold the contrary view that changes with time are pre-requisite for our welfare and progress. If they had their way, they would have us believe that our ways of life were inferior and blockade to our march towards heavenly abode of modernization. Change and modernization are the buzz-words doing the round for them. Meanwhile, they too are not sure about the course towards this end. That’s what I say Identity crisis. Evidently, these, in turn, mar the real issues of governance of the state.Essentially, either we haven’t fully understood the real meaning of Identity concept or we are being misled or made to believe it the way we do now. Whatever, it’s time that we, individually, inquire ourselves what identity is all about. As one excavates the Identity concept, one will obviously unearth and encounter different connotations of it. For some, it may refer to cultural heritage of tribal society; to many others, it is just about history of evolution of tribal people to the present time. And to me, it’s not only about our customary practices, beliefs, rituals, traditional attires, food-habits; but the invisible and invincible vitality and vivacity embedded with strength, morality and rationality which precisely symbolize our distinct characteristics.In fact, many of our customary practices, beliefs and rituals are laden with superstition, besides, its cumbersomeness. Preservation of cultural identity in its entirety is just impossible or impracticable. We, therefore, ought to be realistic and practical in our outlook in this respect. Insistence on cultural identity breeds rigidity and fanaticism. It’s, indeed, retrogressive in approach. Sounds critical to the earnest efforts of many traditionalists! Sincerely, I never ever intend to belittle anyone, but the truth is that our existence as a community leans on our history of traditional peace & tranquility, community feeling, communal bonding, mutual cooperation & respect, and not on prescribed set of conventions whose relevance to present world are ambiguous; and that’s what we are; it’s our identity in true sense of the word. Any talk of identity will remain just as rhetoric without addressing the inherent aspirations and vitality of our community. In short, we should emphasize not on outwardly physical individual existence, but on retaining our community (not the tribes as we are distinguished now, but Arunachalee community) as a distinct entity.Similarly, crusaders of modernization ought also to remember that they are what they come from. Our cultural life has, since time immemorial, kindled our hopes, aspirations and existence. It has enough vibrancy of its own to rise to any kind of occasion. It’s just by chance, ostensibly because of being isolated by the physiography and topography of the area that we lag behind in terms of technological modernity or advancement. Our technological backwardness shouldn’t be confused with inferior mind or culture. Modern society, on the other hand, is engulfed by extreme form of individualism, high degree of distrust and suspicion towards one another and so on. I would rather not hesitate to refer to it as the lowest level of human mind. It’s, truly, alien to social animal like human being.While cultural rigidity is, itself, the greatest hindrance to the cause of cultural movement, accepting everything modern as it is, is no wise choice either. We need to carefully, rationally, logically and morally put our step, as we step into the world of ever-changing environment driven by unending human wants, relative scarce resources, ever-expanding awareness regarding rights & opportunities and equally large unemployment & economic stratification, in treading the path of governance and administration. As long as we’re self-centered and don’t think in the broadest sense, i.e. Arunachal; until the rest of the lot isn’t enlightened or liberated from the plight of poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, Our individual achievement and prosperity is short-lived, also meaningless. Somebody has rightly said that poverty in neighbourhood is a threat to the prosperity of rich and privileged. This threat is born out of sense of deprivation among the downtrodden which forms the bulk of the population rather than envy that rich frequently attribute to such threat.Fellow-feeling/community feeling along with flexible attitude, including correct identification of problems and subsequent right follow-up approach towards their solution are the guiding principles for the amelioration of the environment of Arunachal. In Good governance and realization of power of our identity only lie the fate of our people and our Arunachal.

NON-ENTERPRISING ATTITUDE: ECONOMIC BANKRUPTCY OF ARUNACHAL

2006-10-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

Until recently, our land has been described as 'Hidden Land', ostensibly for reasons such as remoteness and isolation of the whole area, rendered by the rugged-rocky, inhospitable terrain from the rest of the world. As the rays of the modernization dawn here too, every walk of life and outlook of the people have remarkably changed. This exposure to intricacies and complexities of modern-day life has, undoubtedly, widen the scope of growth of people; but having, for so long been, reeling under miseries and hardships inflicted upon us by unfriendly topography like difficult hilly terrain, undulating landscape and heavily dense, not excluding isolation from the rest of the world, we seem to blindly accept everything as a boon without much concern for the after-effects or hung-over. Our virgin minds have been lured and enslaved by the fruits of modernization; souls have been engulfed by lime-light of modern world. The tempting modern life-style has initiated a mad-dash rush towards modernization in every sphere of life. Unfortunately, the unsophisticated brain is no match to giant, rather boundless realities of this present world, and this uncontrolled infatuation with all its implications, in turn, has created ripples in our primitive minds, leading further to confusion, restlessness and turbulence.

Essentially, to get along and sail atop the tides of present world of globalization, it is indispensable that we introspect ourselves and re-orient our attitudes, aspirations and deeds for peaceful life, better future and prosperous Arunachal. Our approach to life-style, undoubtedly, is definitely catching-up with the global trends; unfortunately, our attitude with respect to socio-economic and political conditions, specifically, modern economics is as slow as snail’s walk and dismally poor.

Money has seeped into the traditional economy of the tribal and village society and disintegrated the age-old barter system. Though barter system still persists, the monetization of every aspect of rural economy is increasingly shattering and unwinding the well-knit fabrics of community-feeling and brotherhood. In addition, it has resulted in unsustainable resource utilization, further hampering the community/common pool resource. The society is passing through a dangerous phase- transitional phase- which marks both economic anxiety and social dilemma.

Population of the state is touching new high every year. Also, the proportion of unemployed youth, uneducated & educated and unskilled & skilled, together is alarmingly increasing. Despite growing awareness and changing outlook of the people, the mindset is still predominantly vaguely progressive, evidently dull and rigidly orthodox. Every body prefers to play safe-hands and accordingly run after govt. jobs- whatever the grade or level. Most of us are more than content to have even a clerical job. Truly, our general attitude is shamefully non-enterprising. Under these circumstances, with burgeoning job-seekers and shrinking govt. jobs, the state is heading towards an inevitable economic doomsday.

As economics predominantly governs the daily affairs of life, the economic uncertainty and economic anxiety among vulnerable, youthful minds of unemployed, non-enterprising citizens of the state is genuinely a cause of serious concerns. Certainly, the rampant corruption, intricate red-tapism and wide-spread insincerity, negligence and malfunctioning of govt.machineries and bureaucratic hierarchy are to blame for all the odds engulfing the state. Interestingly, the people are no less responsible for the state of affairs of the state. While, on one hand, we are dangerously obsessed with the thought of tribal pride and consider it against our ego and sentiments becoming shopkeepers, pulling rickshaws, etc, on the other hand, we talk of lack of scope and unavailability of opportunities; but the fact is that we are, as pointed out before, ourselves non-enterprising and very reluctant to seek-out for new ventures and create new avenues.

Regrettably, we never mind nearly exhaust ourselves physically, get excessively emotionally fatigued and mentally tired working long hours in our fields and jhums under skin-scorching sun and incessant rains and thunderous storms, not excluding many other sufferings still meeting merely our sustenance needs or resorting to such unlawful activities as theft, extortion and the like as is evidently growing rapidly among youth.

Hence, it is no wonder that Arunachal is a dead lot of consumers. Honestly, are we producing anything? Are we exporting anything to other states? Well. We can get plenty of excuses like lack of infrastructure, poor road connectivity, absence of market and so on. Notwithstanding these facts, honestly, we lack the spirit of entrepreneurship and business sense. Contrary to ours, the state of Mizoram is notably performing in the field of entrepreneurship and self-employment generation. The mizos are the most enterprising of all the north-easterns. Dignity of labour is ingrained in their thoughts and deeds. Any lawful economic activity is worth respect, irrespective of nature and type. This is what they exactly believe in, which, in turn, perennially infuses and nourishes them with the pride and satisfaction. Consequently, the per capita income and living standard is impressively high. In Arunachal, we solely depend upon others (People from other states) right from repairing of shoes and trimming of hair to construction of houses. Introspectly, we are ourselves responsible for unemployment situation. We are unconciously, yet knowingly helping in the out-flow of our states's money. While we enrich others, ourselves get impoverished. It's a sure economic bankruptcy for the state.

Therefore, it's time that we inculcate a sense of work-culture. We need to learn, know and feel a sense of pride and satisfaction for any kind of work. Work is worship; as long as it is a livelihood activity and not unlawful, it is no bad or inferior work; rickshaw-pullers, drivers, shopkeepers, hawkers and highly-paid, handsomely-dressed, white-collar job-goers are all same. In fact, what is essential is work ethics and respect for dignity of labour. Better late than never; but must or else........

ARUNACHALEE LANGUAGES: AT THE BRINK OF DEATH

2006-10-08T04:07:00.000-07:00

A language serves as an outlet for human expressions, emotions, feelings and thoughts. It is the manifestation of evolution of human mind, which in turn, depicts the accumulation of ideas, facts, events, experiences, things, etc. through the times. Evidently, growth and development of any language is intricately associated with unwinding of vast unknown and multi-dimensional enlargement of knowledge-base. It represents the collective wisdom and communal consciousness of any group of people. Obviously, language is the core of civilizational evolution.
Arunachalee languages, therefore, are the foundation of our glorious existence, unending quest and relentless journey through the times. Our Indigenous languages serve as the repository of traditional and indigenous knowledge in terms of vocabulary, messages, perceptions and understanding of the Nature and its events and processes. Over the years, in our urge to quick modernization, the very foundation of our civilizational evolution is weakening and seemingly vulnerable. Arunachalee languages are being ignored and pushed to the verge of extinction. Consequently, the traditional and indigenous knowledge-base is shrinking, rather vanishing.
The sole reason for the diminishing popularity of our languages may be attributed to the lack of its use. There may be various reasons for non-use of our native languages, again, like being away from the native place since childhood, negligence of one’s own culture, and for that matter, language in the name of being sophisticated, so on and so forth. In today’s age of globalization, being away from the native place can’t be helped with. But then, this shouldn’t be any excuse for not knowing one’s own mother-tongue. If it is, then it shows a serious shortcoming on the part of parents concerned. Those children who are brought up far way from their native place would certainly not be perfect in so far as their knowledge and understanding about their tradition, culture and language is concerned; nobody is perfect; but the mere fact that they are trying should be worthy of appreciation. If it’s the case of negligence to one’s own culture and language in the name of modernization or sophistication, it’s totally absurd.
Interestingly, our Academia & Intellectuals are striving hard to create/develop a common script for our Indigenous languages, but this hasn’t met with much success owing to composite of such factors as severe disagreements & politicking among themselves, arbitrariness, obscurity, non-feasibility, impracticality, non-realistic and unscientific nature of those developed yet, though each one, undoubtedly, has devoted substantial span of years pioneering, researching and working on it respectively. Attempts are, meanwhile, on to sort-out the shortcomings and arrive at all-acceptable, amicable and wholesome solution. As such, periodically, workshops and seminars are held towards this end.
Having witnessed 2 or so such gatherings attended by imminent and esteemed personalities of our state, we have only dislike and regretful feeling for such gatherings. We wonder, what a sheer waste of time, energy and money? Essentially, these gatherings should aim at bridging the differences, cementing consensus and recognizing individual contribution. Unfortunately, influential and affluent wrest/hijack the occasions or platforms to reinforce their own work at the cost of rest of the contributors. Inevitably, nothing is achieved, and every good-will is destroyed and collective wisdom and communal consciousness get disarrayed.
However, the point here isn’t about highlighting the dismal state of affairs surrounding development of common script or settlement of differences. A script, no doubt, is needed, but the need of the time is the realization among masses of the dwindling indigenous languages and consequent implications associated with the loss of indigenous cultural legacy of our land, which is tremendously unique.
While, on one hand, we aren’t even a bit concerned about the dwindling of our native languages, on the other hand, we blissfully showcase our prowess and command over alien languages, as if knowing alien languages is some kind of Godliness or extra-ordinary achievement. No offence to any language, but the extent to which some alien languages like Hindi, Assamese and English have penetrated deep into the fabrics of the Arunachalee society is alarming. Today, the sight of an average Arunachalee guy/gal communicating or interacting with another fellow Arunachalee of the same tribe in either Hindi or Assamese or English is quite common. This apart, we have a whole lot of Arunachalee families today where the kids speak to their parents in some non-native language, even though the parents may interact among themselves in their mother-tongue. Talk about paradoxes! If the former case is disheartening, then the latter case is simply disgusting. This calls for a sincere introspection within ourselves as to where we went wrong?
Having said that, we must also clarify that by all these arguments, we don’t intend to urge upon the Arunachalees to shun away the foreign languages completely. In fact, the more languages one knows, the wider section of people one can reach out to. The crux of the problem lies not in speaking any alien language, but in replacing it with one’s own mother-tongue. One should know where to draw the line while speaking/learning any alien language, and that it certainly shouldn’t be at the cost of one’s own mother tongue.

---NYALI ETE,
& LOD NAKKU
(Assistant Surveyor Works), Civil-Hydro-Power,
Govt. Of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar

Ecotourism as an Alternate Resource Utilization System in Arunachal: Contemplation

2006-09-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

Arunachal Pradesh is basically a mountainous state with undulating landscape, heavily dense forests, rugged-rocky and inhospitable terrain. Both evergreen and temperate forests, rich in wonderful trees of high economic value, covering more than 60% of the geographical area adorn the state. The rich and diverse forest types are home to wide varieties of wild animals. In addition, the state is bestowed with numerous species of orchids, which embellish the land and the landscape. In fact, for this reason, Arunachal is recognized as one of the hotspots of bio-diversity in the world.

Even in the case of human populations, it exhibits an array of cultures & traditions and multiplicity of customs & rituals, including faith & belief system. Arunachalee society has been, by and large, a close knit, inter-woven set of communities, gregariously scattered, yet characteristically similar, only minutely different from each other and distinctly different from others. Arunachalee society, evidently, depicts an exquisite mosaic of heritage sculptured and decorated by the precious beads of quest, endeavour, and achievement of indigenous communities of Arunachal, i.e. it is an island of multi-tribes belonging to Mongoloid race with a well-established consciousness for peaceful co-existence and communal harmony, rather the Arunachalee society is a distinct entity and its existence as a community leans on its history of traditional peace & tranquility, community feeling & bonding and mutual cooperation & respect.

In nutshell, Arunachal Pradesh is endowed with the best of natural resources: extensive tracts of different types of forests ranging from lush green alpine meadows to tropical rain forests, unexplored wildlife diversity, perennially snow clad peaks, deep gorges, ecstatic waterfalls falling hundreds of meters down the cliff, beautiful valleys with alluvial plains along the banks of mighty, turbulent, majestic rivers & streams, different groups of culturally diverse groups of indigenous communities, etc. As such, it offers an endless variation of scenic beauty, and makes it ideal for development of tourism, especially adventure and eco-tourism. Evidently, it is the most picturesque tourist destination in India.

It’s, however, unfortunate that despite such enormous potential, lack of infrastructure facilities such as, transport, communication, accommodation and other tourism supported facilities, renders the most part of it out-of-bound to the tourist. It’s no wonder that Arunachal Pradesh is known as ‘Unexplored Paradise’, ‘Hidden land’, and so on. Honestly and genuinely so, Arunachal is the most backward of all the states in the country. The state is enveloped by thick cloud of poverty, illiteracy, lack of basic/minimum amenities of life, in addition to, social prejudices like excessive superstition, male-chauvinism and so on.

The indigenous communities have been practicing slash and burn form of land use system (also known as Jhum cultivation) since time immemorial. In fact, it’s the major source of livelihood of the people of this land-locked area, which otherwise is blessed with unlimited natural beauty and huge biodiversity. Of late, with the passage of time, as the population increases, the natural resources bear the burnt of it. The shifting cultivation is increasingly becoming a menace, which otherwise was a sustainable resource utilization of the tribal communities of the area earlier. With hectares of forests being under jhum cultivation all over the landscape, and consequent ever-reducing shifting cycle, the forest resource is dwindling rapidly and the natural scenery as well as the wildlife diversity is being progressively destroyed, though it’s no intentional destruction, rather a manifestation of genuine needs and inevitable evil or peril in the event of no other effective alternatives to the people. As forest resource accounting for the major portion of the state’s assets, the destruction of forest; consequently, deteriorating general quality of forest and diminishing forest cover, is pushing the state on the verge of chaotic socio-economic condition and economic bankruptcy. Thus, effective alternatives are urgently needed to avert any possible socio-economic and political upheaval.

It’s high time to harness the potential of the area to the fullest advantage of the people and also ensure the sustainability of the natural resources. Obviously, this beautiful state of Arunachal Pradesh has tremendous potential in tourism sector, as described above, particularly, eco-tourism and adventure tourism and the govt. must, therefore, capitalize on its vast natural resources for socio-economic well-being and uplift of the society. Eco-tourism is a relatively new idea which envisages ‘tourism at the door-step of nature and cultural heritage without hampering the fragile and delicate ecological balance of a site or place, yet ensure socio-economic and cultural growth and development of the locality.’ In the present world, when the emphasis and efforts are being laid and placed on sustainable resource utilization and also optimum well-being of the people, the concept of Eco-tourism is increasingly gaining popularity and in the context of Arunachal Pradesh, it’s most suitable. The eco-tourism, truly, can play a pivotal role not only in providing employment opportunity and economic well-being of the people, but also ensuring the sustainability of the resource for the posterity.

Generally, eco-tourism activity is more frequently concentrated in and on the periphery of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. It is considered primarily a subsidiary and secondary activity to assist and ensure proper, convenient and judicious management of the protected areas, in addition to generation of additional revenue from visitors and tourists to these areas. This has created an impression on general public and even some bureaucracy that eco-tourism has an individual existence and is exclusively a concern of forest department and wildlife authorities. This is but a misconception which, in turn, can prove an impediment in policy-decision and implementation of programs. Hence, holistic and pragmatic approach is essentially needed to avoid unnecessary tug-of-war among various govt. departments.

The need of the hour is to create, generate, evolve, and develop awareness, interest, entrepreneurial skill, technical know-how, infrastructure, etc., i.e. Government-sponsored, people-based and community-oriented steps should be initiated in order to involve people in this sector. The prominent NGOs, community organizations, registered societies, and so on must be engaged in evolving an atmosphere of confidence, zest and zeal for effectively propagating the information, intent, resolve, policies and programs of the govt. The focus must be on persuading, educating, as well as disseminating right through the profile of the Arunachalee society the intricacies of the eco-tourism and its potential benefits, besides, importance in the over-all development of the state, not excluding its potential threats as well. Identification of major tourist spots, potential tourist sites and other lesser-known but important places which promise eco-tourism should be done on priority basis followed by building infrastructure facilities and wooing investors, but of course keeping in view the essence and spirit of eco-tourism concept. Already, places like Tawang, Namdhapa National Park, Malinithan temple, etc. draw lot of people, though much below their actual capacity. They are second to none; they can make places like Mussorie, Corbett National Park, etc. really run for penny, but for poor infrastructure facilities. Certainly, tourism and environment & forest departments of Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh must take the lead, so that other line departments work symbiotically and in total harmony towards developing Arunachal as one of the world class or premier tourist destinations.

The govt. of Arunachal Pradesh can avail the expertise, guidance, assistance and experience of giants in tourism industry viz. Uttaranchal, Jammu & Kashmir, etc. and replicate some of them in the state as well, along with the unique characteristics of Arunachal to offer equally excellent experience of hospitality, beauty, diversity, and wilderness to tourists. States of J&K, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, other north-eastern states, more or less, depend on tourism sector. Therefore, they have a well-laid networks, well-defined tourist circuits and world-class infrastructure. However, they too are suffering from unavoidable problem of degradation and degeneration of various places due to over-influx of visitors beyond the carrying capacity of the place. These places are losing their earlier charm, and no longer attractive. In this front, the entire Arunachal Pradesh is relatively unexploited and untouched. This places Arunachal at an advantage position. Taking advantage of the changing scenario, Arunachal can, surely, be leader in the field of adventure and eco-tourism. All it needs is a bit of govt. resolve& investment, interest & investment by individuals, co-operation & commitment of the people, and rest will take care of itself.

Nevertheless, it’s not to be taken for granted that all is well with eco-tourism. No, eco-tourism is professional in nature, and thus essentially demands the spirit of entrepreneurship and attitude & aptitude of business. Scientific temperament blended with sociological approach is a necessary ingredient for the success of this form of livelihood. In other words, eco-tourism is a sophisticated system of resource utilization or management with a broad outline of sustainable development and conservation of natural and cultural heritage as well. Any wrong policy-decision or casual approach in implementation and execution of programs or measures has great implications on the socio-economic and political life of the state. Evidently, it requires a multi-disciplinary approach right from planning stage to implementation of policies and programs.

The State of Womenhood in Arunachal Pradesh in the Course of Modernization

2006-09-17T04:56:00.000-07:00

Arunachal Pradesh is a land of numerous human civilizations: as many as 25 major tribes and several sub-tribes. Looking back to the early part of twentieth century when the indigenous communities were still fighting among themselves; more or less, ignorant of outside world and its technological advancement, and almost isolated from the rest of the human civilization, Arunachal of today is very much an integral part of the life of the mainstream in every sense of the word, and it’s no mean achievement; truly, people of the state deserve all the pat and praise. The state has, undoubtedly, been doing appreciably well in her quest to secure life, identity and respect to her people. Today, Arunachal Pradesh is also rushing towards the world of economic prosperity, social awakening and political modernity to keep herself abreast with the pace of the modern world.
Life is lot easier and comfortable now; food scarcity is no longer a serious problem; death rate has remarkably come down; transportation is available; communication has linked every soul; education is spreading, and so on. Consequently, awareness is growing, attitude shifting and life style changing. Yes, everything around us is changing, and we are ourselves fast blowing with the strong current of wind of change that it’s rather difficult and startling for us to make out our own past. We are also modern-human. This is a good news.
Most of the villages have no access to basic amenities of life; many places are yet to see link roads; electricity, education and medical facilities are far-cry for all, except for handful of rich and affluence; poverty, starvation and hardships abundant; ignorance, evils, superstition, and male-chauvinism persist. Life is all the same as ever. Age-old property regime, resource utilization pattern, conservation values, and socio-economic-political structure are respectively giving way to altogether new, unsustainable, unviable and complicated set of systems in the guise of modernization, which our people are inadequately proficient at. That is to say, as we roll down the rough terrain of development and progress, the social dilemma and economic anxiety are alarmingly lurking and following us at every step. This results in, I’m sure, imbalance resource allocation, non-judicious resource exploitation, and so lopsided economic progress. As it is so, we are embarking on the path to serious economic inequality and social disarray.

These stark realities haunt the state. While the former reflects the situations in scattered emerging urban areas, mostly, the district or block headquarters of the state, the latter depicts the gloomy realities of the majority of the rural areas. Certainly, the rays of change have arrived on the door of the state, but they are yet to illuminate and enlighten the rest of the state. The society is moving ahead, yet the over-all state of affairs of the state is miserably the same.

Womenfolk in our state, as elsewhere across the world, have always or mostly been subject to discrimination and subjugation by the menfolk and the community alike. Women, as a whole, have been considered as lesser-being; they were, rather viewed as an object of exploitation or commodity. While women deal the majority of the burden of work from household chores to livestock care and agricultural activities in the field, besides reproduction, this very fact is ignored, rather deliberately. Their position in the family has been meticulously and deliberately destroyed through repeated disrespect, vilification and oppression to strengthen and consolidate the position of the men. Arunachal women have not only been bearing, enduring and persevering all the hardships of natural life, but they also have accepted biased, inhumane and cowardice social-evils, predominantly male-centric, as their fate. They have learnt, over the ages, to sip this soup of poison without any protest or without any success, even if they ever dared to do so. It isn’t that our womenfolk are inherently weak and meek. It’s just that years of neglect and exploitation by menfolk and the community have made them too submissive and accordingly, voluntarily indifferent to conditions around. As a result of their submissive and voluntary indifferent attitude, they have receded further back and miseries have befallen on them with lot more cruelty.
Now, the picture is taking turn. With education, awareness and understanding of human values are spreading. Therefore, people are realizing the ill-effects of male-chauvinism and social discrimination against their own women. Menfolk are gradually becoming liberal and rational like never before. Modern views and knowledge of equality, liberty and freedom are steadily making in-roads into the realm of deep-seated male-chauvinism. This change of mind among menfolk is, however, not out of genuine conviction and commitment to give the woman community its share of position, equality and respect; this change of heart is not about generous compassion and enlightenment among menfolk, but only a reflection of circumstantial consequences. That is to say, as we see the shift in the mentality of menfolk of Arunachal, it isn’t to be misunderstood with the broadmindedness or big-heartedness of our menfolk. This new-found romance or love among menfolk for human values is a delicate association, and entirely inevitable co-incidence between progress of human mind and development of humankind or civilization.
Modernization and education system have brought about realization among women population about their strength. Women of Arunachal Pradesh are also coming forward and moving ahead, hand-in-hand with their menfolk. Their aspirations, buried for years within the depth of their hearts, are gradually arriving on the horizon of practical reality, and are impatiently flowing and steadily galloping towards ultimate accomplishment. Yes, they ridicule social compulsions on them as their fate, which are excessively tilted in favor of menfolk to sustain the dominance of men on women; they no longer prefer playing second-fiddle to their men, rather they are all set to create their own niche.

With woman empowerment round the corner of the state, women folk are tremendously enthusiastic. They are becoming ever more curious about equality, liberty, freedom, welfare, standard of living and so on. Their energy is all directed towards acquiring, even snatching, their rights: right to optimal living, right to respect and regards and the like. It’s all but obvious, if the ages of their hardships are taken into account.

In this process of change (both men’s attitude and women’s outlook to life), undesirable effects too raise their heads. In the case of women empowerment, it has been interpreted in different ways. Therefore, confusion and misunderstanding are unavoidable. This is what is exactly happening in our state. While women empowerment is a mere gimmick for various political organizations, it is a bread and butter for several NGOs, dedicated to women cause more in name than any worth of it. In addition, the womenfolk and numerous women organizations themselves are not sure enough of what it is really all about. As such, the bigger hurdle comes at this point itself. To me, it seems that Arunachal women of today (Young generation) consider women empowerment to be infinite independence and boundless freedom, which I believe is a dangerous precedence of inevitable chaos and suffering for women as a whole, not excluding more exploitation by men, and a potential threat to the very fabric of traditional tribal societal life.

In my personal opinion, women empowerment is more about opportunities and responsibilities to women at par with men. Hence, it means allowing enough space to women to develop their personality and pursue their own aspirations; their share in decision making process. They deserve not only respect and regards, but also love, care and affection.
Having said so, I must admit that life of womenfolk is more or less the same. In most of the rural areas, social taboos are as usual; of course, the tide is turning in scattered budding urban areas of Arunachal. To conclude, let me sum up the two realities of the existing womanhood in Arunachal as follows: “Likes of Ms. Jarjum Ete, Ms. Mamang Dai and Ms. Biny Maya belong to the lot of liberated modern women representing the aspirations and emerging power of evolving womanhood in Arunachal, while more than half the womenfolk like my mother are still languishing under the drudgery of male-chauvinism, who have no voice of their own, but merely moving shadows of their men.”