A Gain Worth The Loss? 2-8 Why does no one care about recurring mine accidents in India's 'resource frontier'- the north-east? Arunima Sen Gupta by an Act of the Parliament of India) had banned all lbert Hubbard rightly said: “A man is not the unchecked or illegal mining in 2014, these paid for having a head and hands, but for shocking incidents continued to be quite common. Eusing them”. But the truth is that there are Even Nagaland has banned illegal mining as per the people dying as a result of using their hand and Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, keeping in mind heads! This is exactly what is happening in the the coal mining accidents in Meghalaya. Khliehriat, north-eastern states of India and the worse part is which is Meghalaya's coal trade hub, is the that we have no time to understand or address this headquarters of East Jaintia Hills district (EJH), issue. On 13 December 2018, in a coal mine in which also has the most mineral resources among the Ksan (a district in Meghalaya), 15 mine workers eight mining districts of the northeastern State. were trapped, out of whom, 5 somehow managed According to Balios Swer, president of the to escape. You will be surprised to know that the Jaintia Coal Miners and Dealers Association, there release and rescue missions launched by the are about 60,000 mines spread across 360 villages in Indian navy, Indian army, the National Disaster the EJH. Says environment activist Brian Kharpran Response Force (NDRF) as well as other agencies Daly of the Meghalaya Adventurers' Association continued till 2nd March 2019. In yet another (MAA): “There are thousands of huge holes, 90-100 incident, 4 mine workers died in an illegal mine in m deep, all over the place. They just leave them like Nagaland on March 3, 2019. The tragic incident that after extracting all the coal. Many children and occurred in the mine located in an isolated village livestock have fallen in these mines and died. But called Yonglok (located in Longleng district) at there are no complaints lodged because the coal the border of Nagaland and Assam. They died as a barons are too powerful and everyone is scared.”Says result of inhaling toxic gases. The irony is that Daly: “The whole valley has become acidic, like a even though the National Green Tribunal (formed desert. Mining has robbed the poor villagers of their

2 Efforts to rescue 15 miners trapped for two weeks inside a flooded coal mine in Meghalaya did not yield desired results farmlands. There are no trees around, hardly any Northeast India. It is an insight into the heartland of a birds, only shrubs that you associate mostly with 'militarised carbon landscape', into lives built around barren land, as the topsoil has disappeared. Worse, tea, oil, coal and coated with vernacular ideas of all the water sources in Jaintia Hills are polluted. power, status, obligation. In recent times, news about The toxic cocktail unleashed by coal and limestone a few government decisions to expand resource mining and the cement plants has turned the rivers extraction in parts of Northeast India has led to either orange-yellow or a sickly blue.” The NGT's significant opposition across a wide spectrum, order banning rat-hole mining came after the All alleging potential irreparable ecological damage to Dimasa Students' Union in neighbouring Assam sensitive biodiversity zones. These include the filed a petition stating that the non-treatment of reported clearance given for open-cast coal mining toxic discharge from the coal mines of Meghalaya by the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) inside the was polluting streams and rivers downstream in Saleki Proposed Reserve Forest (part of Dehing Assam. Their petition was based on a study by O.P. Patkai elephant reserve), the Union Ministry for Singh, a faculty member at the North-Eastern Hill Environment, Forest and Climate Change University in Shillong, Meghalaya's capital. (MoEFCC) giving clearance for the extension of Local people believe that mining is a threat drilling and testing of hydrocarbons at seven to their natural environment, despite the fact that locations by OIL under the Dibru-Saikhowa National such a resource can boost up their economy, along Park area (that includes the Maguri-Motapong with the state's economy. They say mining should wetland area considered crucial for migratory birds) be done in a proper scientific and sustainable way, and the go-ahead given (and subsequently put on without harming the environment in any way. They hold) for the Etalin mega hydroelectric project at also raise a host of questions: Why was there no Dibang valley, Arunachal Pradesh. proper research or fact-checking before the mining Why do these mishaps occur? operation? What is the indifference for? Why has The first and foremost reason is that North East India the government been silent though people have lost is the forgotten part of the country for many. Starting their lives? Will the scenario remain the same if from the government, to national media and Indian these incidents took place in other parts of India? citizens in general, they do not have any idea or any The questions notwithstanding, it is how the awareness for that matter, about what is happening everyday life unfolds in the 'resource frontiers' of there. Lack of infrastructure, communication and

3 growth has been the unsolved concerns faced by the seven sister-states always. The government, irrespective of the political party in power, doesn't give much attention and importance to the region, while other parts of India are moving scurrying towards expansion. The inequity is clear by the fact that Manipur state budget is lower than the yearly financial plan of one single department of the Andhra Pradesh administration. Then, the People's Republic of China stating an illegitimate imposition on the north-east province, and claiming it to be a part of its own, is also not letting it grow. These are the major reasons which are to a large extent responsible for such tragic incidents. The national media is also quite ignorant in terms of writing or broadcasting the news from North-East India. Coal mining operates as shadow economy Despite the presence of coal reserves, commercial mining is not practiced in the North- Eastern regions because of terrain's unsuitability as well as nature of coal deposits. Open mining Rescue operation at a site of mishap in Meghalaya cannot be practiced due to the added difficulties. Meghalaya operates as a 'shadow' economy, wherein Further, the coal found in North-East contains lots district councils, traders' associations, armed of sulfur. This overall reduces the energy extortionists and insurgents, various tiers of efficiency and therefore this type of coal is government, border security forces (in the case of categorized as bad quality of coal. Coal-mining exports to Bangladesh), and even weigh bridge and has been taking place in Meghalaya since the toll gate operators have long operated with legal 1840s, but production accelerated from the impunity — that is, until the 2014 NGT ban.” It 1980s. The Meghalaya government's latest blames loopholes in the Sixth Schedule and the land estimates put the State's coal reserves at 576.48 tenure system. Miners and local councils have million tonnes, though only 133.13 million allegedly been using exemptions given to tribal tonnes are classified as 'proved'. The coal boom in people (under the Sixth Schedule) to justify rampant Meghalaya saw annual production rise from mining. The government has control over only 5% of 39,000 tonnes in 1979 to 5 million tonnes in 2014. Meghalaya's land, with the rest being either Unlike open-cast mining in central India, rat-hole community or privately owned. mining involves side-cutting — tunnelling in Rat-hole mining from a hill slope — or digging pits into the hills On December 2018, the collapse of coal mine in until miners hit a seam of coal. The tunnels are Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills, trapping at least 15 then made from the bottom of the pit, where the workers who were still missing and are feared dead, extracted coal is collected and hauled up by has thrown the spotlight on the “rat-hole mining.” cranes. In the shallower 'traditional' mines, Although banned, it remains the only procedure of labourers carried coal in conical bamboo baskets coal mining in Meghalaya. A rat-hole mine involves using makeshift wooden stairs. A Citizen's Report digging of very small tunnels, usually only 3-4 feet (prepared by civil society groups in Meghalaya deep, in which workers, more often children, enter and submitted to the Supreme Court a month after and extract coal. Rat-hole mining is broadly of two activists Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma types – side-cutting and box-cutting. In backward survived an attack by the 'coal mafia' in regions, where there is loss of livelihood, lack of November) observes that the State's mineral employment opportunities and under-education, wealth has been a curse. It says: “Coal mining in people see rat-hole mines as an opportunity to earn 4 daily bread. People with power employ poverty- pumped out. Few private players and some people ridden people to go into the rat-hole mines and dug who do invest in such mining are taking the help of out coal. A major portion of these employees are Constitution to right their wrongs. They say, children, who are preferred because of their thin “Constitution's 6th Schedule intends to protect the body shape and ease to access depths. communities' ownership over its land and autonomy This practice has become very popular in and consent over its nature of use.” The ongoing coal Meghalaya. Here there are majorly hilly terrains, mining in Meghalaya was a corruption of this which make coal mining very difficult. Also, Constitutional Provision. Private individuals with digging a big hole is very difficult because big hole interests in earning monetary benefits from minerals demands pillars and support. Since it's a good under the land are engaged in coal mining. They are opportunity to extract coal from there for big as attempting to legitimize this act by claiming well as local investors, because it involves less immunity through tribal autonomy over land investment and good returns, people are drawn ownership. In coming days, controversy over rat- towards this dangerous business. The practice is to hole mining in Meghalaya will increase and Central not make any professional tunnels, install pillars, and State Government must work together in an and ensure safety measures, but to just dig a small amicable manner to stop such pathetic dehumanizing tunnel and put children and labor to work. Since practice. rat-hole mining is illegal, it is practiced behind An inevitable product of 'capitalist closed doors, and therefore, no one is ready to globalisation' invest in infrastructure development. Coal is “Take these to your queen and tell her these are the stored near rivers because of shortage of space weapons we fight with. You cannot enter Thibet; it is which leads to pollution around water bodies. The against the order of the Chinese Government. Go water in River Kopili (flows through Meghalaya back, or we will kill you,” a Mishimi chief told and Assam) has turned acidic. The entire roadsides Thomas Thornvill Cooper after presenting him a Dao in and around mining areas are for piling of coal. (native sword) and spear. Cooper was the first This is a major source of air, water and soil Englishman to extensively tour the Mishmi Hills and pollution. Off road movement of trucks and other who was exploring a trade route from India to China vehicles in the area causes further damage to the via the Mishimi region (present Lohit district of ecology of the area. Due to rat-hole mining, during Arunachal Pradesh). Although the 'tragic rebellion' rainy season, water gets flooded into the mining didn't hold in the long run, this episode, in essence, areas resulting in death of many workers due to reflects a lot on the dynamics that were to unfold in suffocation and hunger. If water has seeped into the the region in the years to come. The 19th-century cave, the worker can enter only after the water is 'discovery' of oil, tea and coal in the eastern

Coal mining in Assam 5 COVER STORY

Himalayan foothills had a profound impact on the life in the region that endures the passages of time. With these 'discoveries', the region turned into one of the most important eastern frontier outposts of the British India empire. Due to its locational importance and resource capacity, the region also became a critical zone in the events of the Second World War. One needs to remember that the oil 'discovered' in Digboi, leading to pioneering ventures in commercial oil in the subcontinent, was marketed under the brand 'Burmah Oil Company' (BOC). The technical geological category 'Assam Arakan basin' still persists in the dictions of oil exploration in the region. Thus, in the imagination of the 'empires' (past and present), the cartographical region transforms into an extended resource frontier. In this way, the region one calls as Northeast India Fatal accidents during mining are oten reported today is not unfamiliar to global trade, historically speaking. Interestingly (but not can be actively 'peripheralised' even while being surprisingly), the coal town of Ledo, at the heart integrated into a globalised economy. Thus, the of the recent protests, is also the starting point of important question to ask is what role does the coal the historic Stilwell road (locally known as Ledo from the rainforests, electricity from the mountain road) from the Indian side, a road that connects rivers, and oil from the forest wells, play in these Assam of India with Kunming, the capital of 'grand' schematics of the nations? After all, the state of Yunnan province of China, passing through nature reveals a lot on the nature of the state. Northern Myanmar. While the Second World An inherently political ecology War heritage of the road is well known, what is Students from different universities and colleges of not equally known is that the route has also been the region (and also students from the region based in a major preferred route of migratory waves from various institutions outside their home states) have across the Southeast Asian continent. The road taken the initiative to raise awareness and create and the surrounding borderland areas remains a wider public opinion against the proposed major artery of nostalgia, historical bonds and government decisions. The proactive role played by goodwill for people living across both sides of the students and young people of the region takes one the borders. However, in the present back to a terrain of continuous struggles, that needs to circumstances, one is not sure whether the 'Act be understood and made sense of. After all, slogans East Policy' echoes similar sentiments of like 'We will give our blood, but not our oil' have been 'connectivity'. Several measures have been a hallmark of tumultuous social movements in the undertaken under the aegis of the Act East policy region for the past many decades. Fast forwarding to to 'connect' Northeast India with Southeast Asia. few decades in 2003, one comes across another case The era of 'the New Great Game' played out when the Netherlands-based Premier Oil Company between China and India has been a key enters an agreement with Hindustan Oil Exploration influence on most of the geopolitical Company (HOEC) to explore for oil around Joypur development in South and Southeast Asia, and Dehing Patkai forest ranges and withdraws later from this dynamic seems to be having potential the venture after intense local protests. The recent environmental impacts for the northeastern episodes also must be read in the context of the region, with competing endeavours between various social movements going on in these regions India and China to strengthen respective user for the past many decades for land rights, against big rights of the shared rivers by making dams, etc. dams, many localised resistance against mining of As recent examples from Southeast Asia (forest coal, oil, natural gas. As positions taken by student- zones of Indonesia, Laos) show, frontier spaces

6 COVER STORY

Rescue operation underway at a site of mishap youth organisations like the All Assam Students change to aspects of political economy, cultural Union, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad politics and social transformation. This also needs to as well as by proscribed militant organisations like be extended to understand the continuous (at times ULFA (Independent) show, natural resources and, contradictory) engagement of conservationist NGOs as an extension, ecological identities are in this region with various official schemes and considered by them as an appendage to the 'ethno- policies on the environmental questions, to see how nationalist' aspirations, they 'belong' to a people. the resource frontier is also a 'salvage frontier', says a What is 'natural' is taken to be an extension of the forest official on condition of anonymity: The 'national' at different levels, says Kaustubh Deka, Amazon forests are a prime example of this, where assistant professor, Dibrugarh University, “plans were set in motion to save the environment in Assam.However, despite the decades of protest the process of destroying it. Where making, saving, and activism, HOEC remains active in the area and destroying resources are utterly mixed up, where and besides it, Assam Petrochemicals Limited as zones of conservation, production, and resource well as North Eastern Coalfields (NEC) have sacrifice overlap almost fully, and canonical time sought permission in recent times to either expand frames of nature's study, use, and preservation are their operations or initiate new operations around reversed, conflated, and confused,” he adds. these ecologically sensitive zones. The stories Prime focus of state authority about long lines of coal-laden trucks without The rainforests of Dehing Patkai, aquatic biosphere of number plate moving out every night from the Dibru Saikhowa and the mountain scapes of Dibang coal towns, the parade of trucks 'mysteriously' not Valley are a prime example as to how “the stopped at any check posts, local scribes reporting borderlands in Asia tend to be peripheral to the centres on them 'disappearing', syndicates based on of state power, while they are at the same time a prime 'donations' thriving, stories such as these coming locus for the enactment and realisation of state out incessantly over the years from these places authority” (Asian Borderlands Research Network, remind one of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's fictional 2016). In cases like India resources in these 'frontiers town of Macondo, a space existing in the perilous spaces' are regulated both in the name of 'national ruins of capitalism. It must compel one to take a interest' as well as 'national security', often collapsed closer look on how a complex web of resource into one. extraction, militarisation, aspirations and class India holds the fifth-largest coal reserves in formation makes up spaces like these. Amidst this the world seemingly 'confusing' scenario, what has become January 2020 saw the country's environment ministry increasingly evident is that nature is no more a clear the way for 14 coal mining and processing passive backdrop to political events. Furthermore, projects, which will help the country achieve there need to be efforts to relate environmental production of around 750 million tonnes for the next

7 COVER STORY fiscal year. This could be a stepping stone to its next goal of achieving one billion tonnes by 2024. It must be mentioned here that mining was started in the year 1774 by the British East India Company. States like Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland, Bihar, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh have the estimated coal reserves. However, there are new changes and modifications going on. A report from 31 March 2018, estimated the subcontinent possessed just over 319 billion tonnes of coal reserves. The 2018–19 fiscal year saw India's total coal production amount to about 730 million tonnes, which is combined with imports of 240 million tonnes — making India the world's second-biggest Four mine workers were killed in an illegal mine in importer of the fossil fuel. More than 70% of the Nagaland last year country's electricity generation is coal-based, with 70% of the fuel coming from the states of about 17% of the country's coal deposits and is the Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal and third-largest in terms of coal reserves. Although the Madhya Pradesh. About 98% of the fuel in India is biggest coalfield in Chhattisgarh is the Hasdeo-Arand Gondwana coal — the oldest kind of the fossil fuel, coalfield, with an area of 1878km2, 1502km2 formed around 250 million years ago. comprise forest area. The next-largest Korba coalfield Top five states with the largest coal lies over an area of 530km2 in the Hasdeo river valley. reserves Other major coalfields in Chhattisgarh include 1. Jharkhand: Coal reserves 83.15 billion tones: Chirmiri, Johilla and Jhimli. The state's coal reserves Located in north-east India, the state of Jharkhand add up to a total of more than 57 billion tonnes. top the list of India's coal reserves — at more than 4. West Bengal: Coal reserves 31.67 billion tones: 26% — and production. The state's main coal Fourth in the list comes the eastern state of West mining centres are Jharia, Bokaro, Auranga, Bengal, home to about 11% of India's total coal Giridh, Dhanbad, Ramgarh, Karanpur and Hutar. reserves. West Bengal's most important reserve and Most of these coal fields are located in a narrow mining field is the Raniganj coalfield, which covers belt that runs east to west. The Jharia coalfield, over 185km2 in the Bardhman and Birbhum districts. which is located south of Dhanbad, is India's oldest The deposits here contain 50-65% carbon, making the and richest coalfield with the best of bituminous quality of coal some of the best in the country. The coal in its reserves. The total coal reserves in districts covering West Bengal's coal deposits are Jharkhand are estimated to be 83.15 billion tonnes. Darjeeling, Bardhman, Jalpaiguri, Bankura and 2. Odisha: Coal reserves 79.30 billion tones: Puruliya. Total coal reserves add up to 31.67 billion Second on the list for coal reserves is the state of tonnes. Odisha. Situated on the east coast of India, it has 5. Madhya Pradesh: Coal reserves 27.99 billion more than 24% of the country's total reserves and is tones: The fifth-largest coal-bearing state in India is responsible for about 15% of India's total coal the central state of Madhya Pradesh, where coal production. A majority of the state's coal reserves deposits add up to about 8% of the country's total. The lie in the Dhenkanal, Sambalpur and Sundargarh state's main coal reserves are Singrauli, Satpura, districts. Odisha's biggest coalfield, Talchar Muhpani, Sohagpur and Pench Kanhan, with coalfield, covers an area of about 500 square Singrauli being Madhya Pradesh's largest coalfield. kilometers (km2). Estimated coal deposits in Its main function is to provide coal for two thermal Odisha amount to about 79.30 billion tonnes. power plants located at Singrauli and Obra. Total coal 3. Chhattisgarh: Coal reserves 57 billion tones: reserves in Madhya Pradesh amount to 27.99 billion The central Indian state of Chhattisgarh holds tonnes. 8 Doomed By Deluge!

Not only the Kaziranga National Park, located on the edge of the eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots of Golaghat and Nagaon districts, but the Manas, R.G. Orang and Tinsukia national parks, and the Pabitora and Tinsukia wildlife sanctuaries are also

Panic in the wild as sancturies flood SP Singh would be the final situation. However, all-out efforts s floods caused by heavy seasonal rainfall are being made to take care of the animals in the entire Awreaked havoc in northeast India, animal life Kaziranga National Park,” Sivakumar said. in Assam's Kaziranga National Park was once The animals that have perished in the again the worst-hit. The park, a UNESCO World monsoon floods this year include rhinos, hog deer, Heritage site and the largest home to the one- wild boars, wild buffaloes, porcupines and swamp horned rhinoceros in India, was almost completely deer. Sivakumar said to protect the animals from the inundated as 13 rivers, including the Brahmaputra monsoon floods, more than 33 artificial highlands and their tributaries flowed above the danger had been developed where the animals took shelter mark. As the flooding worsened, a number of wild after their habitats were inundated. “Besides, animals were confirmed dead, many had been thousands of trained volunteers were engaged during rescued and several tigers and rhinos had strayed the monsoon period and a Special Protection Force into nearby villages. was created for the protection of the rhinos. Over a Kaziranga National Park director KP thousand country boats and speed boats were Sivakumar said this year at least 137 wild animals deployed while additional staff, including doctors, had died so far due to the floods while 163 had was mobilised to deal with the floods and safety of the been rescued, even as over 95 per cent of the 884 sq animals,” Sivakumar added. km Park was inundated last week. Even with the He said the rising water level in the park had overall improvement in the flood situation in the forced three sub-adult tigers to stray into a goat-shed state now, 75 per cent of the park area remained in a village and nearby areas earlier this month. flooded. “Last year, 263 animals, including many “Subsequently, the tigers have been driven back into endangered rhinos, were killed due to the floods the park area,” Sivakumar said, adding that since the while 169 animals were rescued. Currently, we are first week of June, there had been no respite from the in the middle of the four-month (June to floods which wreaked havoc inside the Kaziranga September) long monsoon. I do not know what National Park and Tiger Reserve. Forest officials said that not only the Kaziranga National Park, located on the edge of the eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots of Golaghat and Nagaon districts, but the Manas, R.G. Orang and Tinsukia national parks, and the Pabitora and Tinsukia wildlife sanctuaries were also affected and many wild animals had died. Better able to 'tackle' flooding? Unlike many other tiger reserves, big cats in Kaziranga and Orang national parks are better placed to deal with the annual floods, a study by Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNP&TR) authorities has found. “Though we have very high density, there are very few numbers of straying cases during flood times. Many forests Flood fury forces Kaziranga tiger to take shelter in shop guards reported that they have seen tigers taking shelter in tree branches for days during the peak and maintain its landscape, which is a mix of flood times,” the study said. The report also read: wetlands, grasslands and semi-evergreen deciduous “There is evidence that Kaziranga tigers share their forests. The floodwaters function as a breeding prey with other tigers. In a camera trap video it was ground for fish, which are carried away by the seen that a single prey (a dead rhino) was shared by receding waters into the Brahmaputra. i.e. the three tigers in one night. Most likely in the case of Kaziranga's floods replenish the Brahmaputra's stock Kaziranga and Orang and tiger density is so high of fish. The waters also help get rid of unwanted that probably many of them overlap their plants such as water hyacinth which collect in huge territory… Prey density is so high here that tigers masses in the landscape. “In a herbivore-dominated probably don't have to spend much energy hunting area like Kaziranga, it is important we maintain its here. Scavenging on dead biomass by tiger is very grassland status. If it were not for the annual floods, common here. As Kaziranga is an assemblance of the area would become a woodland,” said Sivakumar. mega herbivores, tigers do easily feed on dead Many also believe that floods are a way of natural biomass of these mega herbivores.” The study selection. “A number of animals — especially the report further read, “Our tigers are very shy. When old, weak — cannot survive the floods. Only the ones we enter the park we may not sight them, but they with superior genes survive,” said Rabindra Sarma, surely see us as we have tigers in every four square Wildlife Research Officer at KNPTR. kilometre of the park. Though Kaziranga National But are the annual floods in Kaziranga a boon or a Park is about 885 square kilometre, the effective bane? landmass for tigers is about 480 square kilometre. Can the monumental loss of animal life be dismissed Almost half of the park is river Brahmaputra.” as nature's balancing act or survival of the fittest? Are floods a necessary evil? There are many who blame human intervention for Ironically, while earlier a big flood would hit this annual stress on animals. An environmental Kaziranga once in 10 years, now the deluge comes expert requesting anonymity said, “Ill-maintained or every year. But regardless of the heavy toll on poorly constructed river embankments are the main animal life, the floods are cited as being reason behind the flooding. As far as flood regenerative in nature. Some experts believe that management is concerned, Assam is totally floods are necessary for the Kaziranga ecosystem dependence on embankments, which were which would not survive without water. Kaziranga constructed way back in the 1960s and most of which National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) is have outlived their utility. Many of these started sandwiched between the Brahmaputra river and breaching or collapsing from the 1990s, more the Karbi Anglong Hills. The entire area is formed seriously from the 2000s.” He also blamed massive by alluvial deposits from the Brahmaputra and its deforestation in catchment areas of rivers or release tributaries. It is said the regenerative nature of of waters by dams upstream for the flooding. floods helps replenish Kaziranga's water bodies Pankaj Sharma, divisional forest officer of Nameri National Park, also in Assam, said building artificial highlands was not a tangible solution. “Creating 33 artificial highlands, in addition to the existing 111, will lead to more erosion, more siltation in the grasslands,” he said. “The grasslands of Kaziranga, its wetlands are a very important part of its ecology, on which multiple animal species are dependent, including the rhino.” Elaborating on his experience in Kaziranga National Park, where he had worked in the past, Sharma said that there was a time when the grass grew up to a height of 3 tigers fleeing floods in Kaziranga National Park take shelter in 12 feet in the park. “Now that's rare,” he said, fringe villages indicating grassland degradation. Activist Rohit Choudhury also said that instead of diverting Conservationists and animal activists feel in the absence resources in creating artificial refuge spots, the of any long-term alternative, the authorities have to thrust should be on clearing the animal corridors invest in strong, durable embankments to ensure that the to their natural refuge. Experts said when the situation does not deteriorate every year. Kaziranga, flood water hit a certain level, the animals with its rich grassland habitats, has a primary role to moved towards safer, higher ground in the Karbi play in supporting the wildlife populations. So there Anglong hills. However, they had to cross NH- should be emphasis put on securing animal corridors 37 which cuts across the park and this often led and ensuring a safe passage to the hills. The corridors, to the killing of animals in road accidents. They choked by encroachments and expanding infrastructure, said animals were also killed by poachers who such as (tourist) resorts must be cleared. There is took advantage of their vulnerability. Again, extensive illegal mining (stone quarrying) in Karbi stressed by the flooding animals also moved Anglong which must stop and the passage for wildlife to towards villages, leading to man- animal these natural highlands must be cleared and be made conflicts. safe. Also there is need for a landscape-scale So what should be done? conservation approach that recognises the value of the

Rhinos trying to find some firm ground while water takes over their territory Flooding in Kaziranga forces wild animals to escape to human habitat for survival

Karbi Anglong hills, for the highlands of Karbi, unfortunate. Biologists rightly feel that more flood- where the animals take refuge, are the lifeline of resilience measures are the need of the hour. the park during the floods. Miscellaneous At a conclave titled 'Climate Change Threats on Wetland Ecosystem of Protected Areas NGT powers are remedial: and their Management,' organised by Kaziranga SC Wildlife Society and Assam Science Technology The Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered recently and Environment Council earlier this year, has held that the National Green Tribunal, in scientists and other experts said that erosion, appropriate cases, has power to issue general siltation and the shallowing of wetlands had directions for future guidance, to avoid or prevent become the major threats to Kaziranga National injury to the environment. While considering an Park. Although erosion in this case – and in most application by Aam Aadmi Lokmanch, the NGT cases when threats to Kaziranga National Park are issued a direction to the authorities to ensure that 'no counted, like by UNESCO – is river-related, construction permission shall be given to any Pankaj Sharma said that the artificial highlands construction/development work, which is being further increased this threat. “These artificial proposed and is located at a distance may be of 100 ft. highlands may offer temporary relief, but their away from lowest slope i.e. incline of any hill within threat of siltation is graver to the ecology,” he its territorial limits, as well as hill-tops, except for added. Bamboo cottages'. Aam Aadmi Lokmanch had Formed in 1908 and a UNESCO World approached the High Court raising an issue of illegal Heritage site since 1985, the Kaziranga National mining and consequent destruction of hills which Park is home to more than 2,200 one-horned resulted in the accident death of mother-daughter duo Indian rhinoceros, approximately two-thirds of who were travelling through an adjacent National the total world population. Much of the focus of Highway. In the appeal, the powers of the NGT to conservation efforts in Kaziranga are focused on issue directions banning development and building the 'big four' species— rhino, elephant, Royal activities were challenged. Taking note of provisions Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo. It is also of the National Green Tribunal Act, the bench home to 9 of the 14 species of primates found in comprising Justices RF Nariman, S. Ravindra Bhat the Indian subcontinent. Losing a sizeable chunk and V. Ramasubramaniam observed that NGT's of its bio-diversity each year is extremely Jurisdiction is not “restitutionary, but a remedial

12 one”. It said its powers could also be preventive. that there was no progress in terms of the timelines laid The court observed thus: “The power and down under the statutory rules and said: “The liability jurisdiction of the NGT under Sections 15(1) (b) of the State to take steps is no way different from law and (c) are not restitutionary, in the sense of and order in view of the potential of a threat to human restoring the environment to the position it was life and public health”. “While we grant an before the practise impugned, or before the adjournment, it is made clear that if there is no further incident occurred. The NGT's jurisdiction in one progress, the State may be liable to pay damages for the sense is a remedial one, based on a reflexive inaction, apart from liability to the prosecution of the exercise of its powers. In another sense, based on officers responsible for the failure,” the NGT said. The the nature of the abusive practice, its powers can bench also asked the Uttrakhand state to file a progress also be preventive. As a quasi-judicial body report in the matter and listed the matter for January 11, exercising both appellate jurisdiction over 2021, for further hearing. regulatory bodies' orders and directions (under NGT warns of coercive orders Section 16) and its original jurisdiction under Failure of the committee comprising Khurda Collector Sections 14, 15 and 17 of the NGT Act, the and divisional forest officer to submit its report on tribunal, based on the cases and applications unauthorised use of a land has earned ire of the NGT made before it, is an expert regulatory body. Its that warned the committee to submit report over illegal personnel include technically qualified and and unauthorised use of 568 acres of forest land in experienced members. The powers it exercises Jaydev Vihar area of Bhubaneswar by September 10 or and directions it can face 'coercive orders'. While potentially issue, impact constituting the committee, the not merely those before it, NGT's principal bench (New but also state agencies and Delhi) had directed it on May state departments whose 20 last year to submit the report views are heard, after within two months. The which general directions committee had sought time on to prevent the future August 30, November 25 and occurrence of incidents January 20, 2020, but failed to t h a t i m p a c t t h e submit the report till now. “We environment, are issued.” are inclined to grant one more NGT on dump opportunity to them to file the yards near River report before the next date Khoh failing which, exemplary The National Green coercive orders shall be issued Tribunal (NGT), hearing a plea against the illegal against them which shall include punitive measures like dump yards on the bank of River Khoh, has cost and civil imprisonment,” the NGT Bench of Justice warned that erring officials in Uttarakhand SP Wandi (Judicial Member) and Dr Nagin Nanda authorities may face prosecution if they failed to (Expert Member) said in its recent order. The bench comply with the rules related to waste made it clear that the order passed by the Tribunal is management and preventing water pollution. A enforceable as a decree and executable in terms of bench of the NGT, headed by its chairperson AK Section 51 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The NGT Goel, also took note of the fact that damage to the issued the May 20 order on a petition filed by environment is continuing, which is a criminal Bhubaneswar-based human rights activist Subash offence. The NGT was hearing a petition filed by Mohapatra. He alleged that 568.039 acres of forest land one Arvind Baniyal seeking remedial action in Jaydev Vihar mouza of Bhubaneswar tehsil were against waste disposal dump yards illegally set used without obtaining any clearance from the Forest up on the bank of River Khoh at villages department under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Ratanpur, Kashirampur, Gadighat and near a The CAG General in its social sector report had sports stadium in Kotdwar. Baniyal, in his plea, mentioned about the encroachment on the forest land said garbage was being burnt at those sites and and in action on the part of the authorities, the petition the river was getting polluted. The tribunal noted said.

13 This goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a “sterile promontory; this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o'er hanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why, it appeareth no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors…” So despairs Hamlet in William Shakespeare's eponymous play on the human condition. The city of London, where the play was written, may not have been an ideal place to live in the Middle Ages, with its soot and dirt and a vaporous sky that stank constantly of coal- smoke attributed to both domestic and industrial chimneys. Although a global human influence began to be felt even in pre-industrial times, the Greenhouses cause a lot of damage to environment trend became worse over the coming centuries, reaching far beyond James Watt, who invented over nature. the steam engine in 1784.In this period, humans Since the mid-19th century, human developed many technologies capable of population has increased by the billions and manipulating the environment, including technologies have become more sophisticated to mechanisation (in agriculture), earth-movers, cater to mass consumption. At the same time, Earth's fishing techniques, irrigation and groundwater a t m o s p h e r e h a s b e e n f i l l i n g w i t h extraction, damming of rivers and industrial- chlorofluorocarbons and greenhouse gases. We now scale production of nitrogen-rich fertilisers. By realise that these chemicals can modify the about 1850, the concentrations of two major environment such that it becomes unfriendly to many greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and methane, forms of life. For example, a hole in the thin ozone had begun to rise exponentially. Paul J. Crutzen, shield that blocks ultraviolet rays from the Sun is a who discovered that chlorofluorocarbons were threat not just to humans but also to the oceans' responsible for the ozone hole, introduced the phytoplanktons, a fundamental part of the food term 'anthropocene' to refer to this human- chain. In fact, the most important marker of the dominated geological epoch, and thus anthropocene epoch is going to be temperature – supplement the warm period of the last 10-12 specifically, the (predicted) rise in global average millennia called the holocene. surface temperature by 1.1º to 6.4º C by the end of But it was Vladimir I. Vernadsky, the this century, an all-time high since the last thermal Russian geoscientist, who had the foresight to maximum 40 million years ago. A second prominent comment on this emerging issue, in the early feature is the accelerated extinction of various 20th century. In an article published species at a scale similar in magnitude to a major posthumously by the American Scientist in extinction event that occurred 80 million years ago. January 1945, Vernadsky, quoting a Third: dramatic increase in erosion and denudation contemporary Russian geologist named A.P. of the continents, at a pace an order of magnitude Pavlov, defined the “anthropogenic era'” in greater than what one would expect from purely rather optimistic terms. After all, in those days, natural processes. Our rampant use of nitrogenous man was expected to always be able to triumph fertilisers has led to a dramatic increase in food production but it has also acidified our rivers crisis the likes of which it has not experienced for and oceans, and enhanced nitrogen fixation. many generations.These conditions are not unique Additionally, both accelerating urbanisation either: they can be seen in Kerala, or in sub-Saharan and people being transplanted from villages to Africa. So far, Earth's average global surface cities have been accompanied by perennial temperature has risen by 1º C. The world's odds of water depletion and shortage. Over the last meeting the goal of capping the rise to well under 2º century or so, many major rivers that have been C remains distant. But even now, freaky things have dammed and diverted have lost their water- been happening. For example, in 2015, an unruly En carrying capacity. Overexploitation and Niño wreaked havoc on global weather patterns, fed pollution has impacted the water above ground devastating floods, droughts and tornadoes and as well as below. At the same time, global water caused extraordinarily seesawing temperature. It demand is projected to increase by 55% by was the same year Pope Francis's encyclical, 2050, driven chiefly by the growth of cities in Laudato si', was released and the year in which the developing countries. Paris Agreement was drawn up. In his 2016 book A prime example of a water crisis is in 'The Great Derangement', Amitav Ghosh pointed out the Indo-Gangetic plain, home to more than that it wasn't the Paris Agreement that surprised us 600 million people. Between 2002 and 2008, but Laudato si', with the sombre clarity with which it the aquifer level there fell by 4 mm/year. More addresses complex questions. The encyclical takes than half the water in that region is undrinkable, issues with such past positions as the Christian nor is it usable for irrigation, thanks to elevated doctrine of 'Man's dominion over Nature' as well as a salt and arsenic levels. Global warming firm stand against the idea of unlimited growth. exacerbates these problems because it alters Laudato si' also questions the prevailing economic winds and humidity, which in turn affect model of prosperity for the few founded on rainfall patterns. The Himalayan and Andean ecological destruction and social injustice, the glaciers on which half a billion people depend burden of which is borne by the masses. Climate have been beating retreat. Since 2015, the change is not simply a technological challenge as the World Economic Forum's annual Global Risk Paris Agreement would imply; it embodies the Report has consistently ranked “water crisis” question of how one would go about developing a as the greatest potential threat among such rational and equitable society. It is time to find that contenders as natural disasters, mass migration yellow brick road that will lead us to sustainability – and cyber attacks. Cape Town, the second to redefining prosperity even while respecting largest city in South Africa, has been reeling ecological limits. Let us hope that Vernadsky's under the effects of a severe water shortage optimism for human rationality was not misplaced.

There has been a dramatic increase in erosion and denudation 15 oth Covid-19 and Climate Change are Bemergencies being faced by mankind. Corona virus is related to destruction of nature, and has been transmitted from animals to humans. Corona virus is not the first. Ebola, SARS, the Zika virus and bird flue all spread from animals to people. Gabon decided to ban human consumption of bats and pangolins to control the spread of Zoonotic diseases, as corona virus has been thought to have transmitted itself to humans through these animals. There have been multi-dimensional impacts of Covid-19 on environment and vice was 416.21 parts per million, the highest since 1958. versa. To contain the spread of Covid-19, To prevent the transmission of corona virus, face transportation systems by road and air, industries, masks, gloves and sanitizers, made of plastics, are businesses and offices have been shut down in being used all over the globe. Surgical masks and recent months and this has led to reduction in empty bottles of sanitizers are regularly discarded. carbon emission at local levels. Air pollution in This has led to an enormous increase in the medical New York dropped to 50 percent of the levels of last waste, causing environmental pollution. It could also year during this period. In China, a 25 percent cause animals to consume this waste as food, both on reduction in carbon emissions, 50 percent land as well as in ocean, leading to their death. Some reduction in nitrogen oxides emissions took place people like cleaners, trash collectors and others have due to reduction in air traffic, oil refining and coal a higher risk from the adverse effects of increased consumption. There have been reports of localized medical waste. air quality improvements in other parts of the world Deforestation of the Amazon rainforest and also. Further, as the number of tourists dropped in poaching in Africa has increased in the period of Venice, water in Venice's canals became cleaner Pandemic. Further, United Nations Climate Change and pollutant-free, and fish could be seen once conference, due to take place in Glasgow, Scotland in again in canals. November ,2020 was postponed to 2021.This has Online grocery shopping has grown adversely impacted environmental policy and climate substantially during the pandemic, and this trend is diplomacy, as the nations could not submit enhanced likely to continue. This will have a positive impact nationally determined contributions to the Paris on environment. Unemployment caused by Covid- Agreement. The Trump administration suspended the 19 pandemic facilitated the recruitment of enforcement of some environmental protection laws labourers for Pakistan's 10 Billion Tree Tsunami during the pandemic. This allows polluters to ignore campaign to plant ten billion trees over next five some environmental laws if they can claim that these years. But the data from the United States National violations were caused by the pandemic. Greta Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Thunberg has urged for digital activism to take the shows that overall global carbon dioxide levels are place of physical protests due to corona virus outbreak. rising sharply. In April 2020, the average It appears that some of the changes brought concentration of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere about by pandemic will have long term consequences.

16 EXPERT EXPRESSIONS

In the transport sector, the pandemic could trigger communicate at least once in a month about sharing changes like online working and teleconferencing, their efforts in reducing pollution. Finally, like in which in turn could translate in reductions of pandemic situation, government and local authorities emissions from transport. On the other hand, there must take strict measures to save the lives of people could be a shift away from public transport, driven from pollution, even if it costs us financially in the by a fear of contagion, and reliance on single short run. At present, our union government and state occupancy cars, which could significantly increase governments are shy of taking strict measures against emissions. Governments should channel financial pollution. Though the Courts have been taking up support measures to public transport providers to these matters, the decisions are largely delayed since enhance capacity and quality with a focus on the authorities fail to submit evidences/research and reducing crowding and promoting cleaner reports. The World Bank estimates that Covid-19 is facilities. likely to cause the first increase in global poverty since Many communities have taken big steps to 1998. On the same grounds, we cannot afford to delay protect each other from the health crisis caused by action on environmental front, as it is the poorest and Covid-19. The speed and the extent of the response most vulnerable that suffer the most from pollution and has given some hope that rapid action could also other consequences of climate change. be taken by communities on climate change if the To restart the economies in the aftermath of threat it poses was treated as urgently. We have seen that rich economies like the US and Italy that delayed in accepting the pandemic problem, failed miserably to contain Covid- 19. On the other hand, countries that proactively accepted the seriousness of the problem and acted swiftly were least affected by covid-19. This indicates the need for accepting the seriousness of any emergency, including the climate emergency. In case of environment and pollution problems in India, government of India says “No Indian study has shown any correlation between pollution and the shortening of lifespan”. Does such a response communicate the seriousness of the pollution problem? This is the right time to conduct Covid-19, governments are investing trillions of Indian health studies to get the correlation of dollars. These funds should be spent in alignment pollution with health , so that the seriousness of the with the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris health hazards caused by pollution are accepted by Agreement and the upcoming global framework on the government and all stakeholders including biodiversity. In this context, European Union's seven masses, and they begin to treat it like an year one trillion pound budget proposal and a recovery emergency. Government should continuously plan which seeks to reserve 25 percent of EU spending share the seriousness of the climate emergency for climate –friendly expenditure, is a welcome step. with society. Further, people's faith and All countries should seize the opportunity of the cooperation is essential to face such pandemics. corona virus recovery to reform subsidies and use Like in Covid-19, all shareholders must be public funds in a way that best benefits people and the engaged with and collaborative actions be taken. planet. After the situation becomes settled post Covid- This means government, industry and civil society 19, the lessons learnt from the pandemic must be put to need to work together on environmental front. use to deal with the equally serious challenge of Similarly, states should be held accountable to climate emergency.

17 We asked: As life unlocks, the focus is more on economic growth than environmental sustainability. Green signal is being given to coal mining and setting up of industrial units in so far untouched regions. Do you think this can put environmental health and natural balance in jeopardy? What are your suggestions to minimize negative effects thus generated?

h e w o r l d i s What we are doing Tu n d e r g o i n g “to the forests of the serious implications world is but a mirror of Covid – 19, one of reflection of what we which is the fall in the are doing to ourselves Indian economy. and one another” - India's GDP growth Mahatma Gandhi! For is already at stake and developing countries may further lower like ours, economic down amidst this growth seems to be a pandemic. Keeping greater priority than this in mind, the e n v i r o n m e n t a l NBWL for coal sustainability. In this mining is a part of context, we as well the elephant reserve. government tend to Undoubtedly, this pandemic is a big threat to the forget that it is a economy but ignoring environmental vicious circle since the destruction of the environment sustainability may also have threatening ultimately leads to the downfall of the economy. As outcomes on biodiversity and nature's beauty. The life is unlocking, most of the cities in India are government seems to not have environmental enjoying blue skies but rural areas are being severely stability as its priority as a result of which ever affected by the industrial operations and mining small towns have green signals for coal mining. activities that are not only leading to high levels of This can be hazardous to environmental health pollution but also toxic effluent discharge. The and natural balance. One of my personal downcast part is that in the midst of this pandemic suggestions would be to still maintain the forest there is lack of regulatory control by the government cover while carrying out mining activities. which means that the projects can mine and pollute as Plantation of trees should also be promoted since they please. Undoubtedly, the quest for the revival of they are natural purifiers and help in reducing the economy cannot be disregarded, but at the same it CO2 and even reduce pollution content thus wouldn't be wise to grow at the sake of the reversing climate change. Things can surely be environment. It is indeed a huge price to pay. After all, balance by sticking to environmental norms while the environment is what we all have in common. - focusing on industrial development. Jyoti Tiwari, Student -Ankita Pandey, Teacher (St. Xavier's school)

Topic of the month: Knowing there is such a huge shortage of land that even the agricultural land is being claimed for development works like flyovers, highways, road/rail routes, industrial units etc., tall claims of 'record' tree plantation every year to the tune of 2.5 crore and more can only be eyewash? Do you think that every year coming by so much land to plant saplings is impossible and not letting us know of the status of previously planted trees is actually not doing anything in increasing green cover? Do you think the government should focus more on caring for the previously planted trees and ensuring their survival, rather than stay hell-bent on creating records? You may send your views in 200 words at [email protected] Please also attach a colour photo of yourself.

18 Neutering has positive impact on pets

Q: I have just adopted a 4-month–old golden bleeding, inability or discomfort while eating, and bad retriever male pup. My vet suggests I should get breath. As treatment, your veterinarian may it neutered. What are spaying and neutering and recommend professional cleaning. Teeth needing how would that help? Deepak Pandey repairs like fillings or root canals can be fixed, and Most vets recommend the procedure for pets teeth beyond repair can be removed. Also, many around six months of age. Both of these surgeries products are available to assist you in keeping your essentially remove the sex organs from your pet. pet's mouth healthy from toothbrushes and toothpaste Spaying and neutering have a positive impact on specifically manufactured for pets to dental care treats your pet's behavior and health, and even dental care additives to as well as helping the larger put in your pet's water bowl. pet community. When female Tooth cleaning towlettes as well cats and dogs are spayed, the as fin g er-s h aped dental pet's ovaries and uterus are treatment devices are also removed. Male pets that are available for owners whose pets neutered are castrated, or have may be less cooperative for tooth their testicles surgically brushing. Also, tartar-control removed. The removal of food is available for both dogs testicals will help eliminate and cats. Your vet can help you the possibility of your male cat d e t e r m i n e w h i c h h o m e or dog getting testicular treatments are best for your pet. cancer. For female cats and Q: I have been gifted a dogs that are spayed, the risk Pomeranian puppy. What of breast cancer is reduced, vaccinations does she need? and the removal of the pet's Shikha Saxena uterus means that uterine Young puppies who are nursing cancer can no longer occur. from their mothers receive Neutered males are calmer important antibodies in the and less likely to fight, and mother's milk to help protect may also be more affectionate. them from disease. However, When pets are not neutered, starting at about 6 to 8 weeks of mating becomes a fixation and age, these antibodies begin to a male will seek to leave your lose their effectiveness. The vaccinations your puppy home on a quest for a lady cat or dog. Once will receive contain antigens, which mimic disease- neutered, males will lose this instinct to escape, as causing pathogens. All puppies should begin well as the desire to mark their territory, bite, and receiving their core vaccinations (those recommend hump inappropriately. for all pets) at around 6 weeks. The core vaccines for Q: For sometime, I have noticed that my pet is puppies protect against distemper, canine parvovirus, having trouble chewing. Her mouth smells bad canine hepatitis, and rabies. In addition to these core and the teeth have darkish yellow coating. Can vaccines, there are a number of non-core vaccines she have developed some gum or tooth disease? available to pets living in certain geographic locations Parul Mishra or in conditions that put them at risk. Ask your Yes. Gum disease causes plaque to form around the veterinarian which vaccinations are right for your pet. tooth line causing inflammation (gingivitis). Early Most pets will also receive vaccination boosters either signs of gingivitis are redness around the gum line, every year or three years, depending on the vaccine. N H Ravindranath is tasked with preparing the first national study on the impacts of climate change. A climate scientist at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), he is currently heading a study that will assess the impact of climate change across regions and sectors. His assessment, which is likely to be the bedrock that will inform climate-related policy, will be submitted to the Indian government and the United Nations…

Q: To frame a policy on climate change, India first needs to have data. Where does the country stand with respect to understanding the impact of climate change across the country? In a country like India, where agriculture is the livelihood of a majority of the people, we still do not have a detailed assessment of the impact of climate change on rice, wheat, maize, jowar, finger millet, pulses etc. We have broad studies available on the decline (in overall production). Take the state of Meghalaya. No study will tell you of the impact of climate change on rice production, maize, or plantation crops. There are models, but we need some data. Data are a problem. Climate change is all about future- based projections that are at least a decade ahead. You never say climate-change projections for 2020. The trends are for 2020 to 2050 or 2050 to 2080. We need to run the models for different crops with soil data, water data, climate data, and crop data for that panchayat level? particular district. That is the kind of analysis Right now, under the programme called national that is required, and we do not have it. To study communication project, we have to assess climate change the changes, one would need historical data. In projections, impacts and adaptations, at a national level. Sundarbans, for instance, researchers cited the For impact of climate change on forests we are taking a lack of historical data on rainfall and wind national map and mapping how the forests in Kerala, speeds, among other variables, on the Indian Meghalaya etc have changed. We are looking broadly at side. How would you address this problem? In districts and grids that are likely to undergo major change. case of agriculture we have some data. For The data are enough to submit a report and for the forests too, there is some data. What we need is government to get a broad picture of how climate change district specific data. For eg the practice of impacts the rice production or forests etc. But for actual growing rice is different in Mangaluru versus planning, adaptation projects, development or for helping Mandya in Karnataka. The way water is communities to cope with climate change, you need micro managed, soil is prepared – all that data needs level data at the panchayat or at the block level. There is no to be fed into the models. While we have the plan to prepare for that. required models, we need to get resources. I Q: What are the roadblocks? would say right now to assess the impact of The government needs to have a plan. Once that is done climate change at the district, block or they can assess how much money is required. Then they panchayat level is still a far cry. can identify the institutions that will be a part of this Q: What kind of resources would you need to network. assess the impact of climate change at the Q: Do you think if the pressure comes from the people, the plan might come from the government? Definitely, if parliament asks the government to do this, they will do it. The districts have to take decisions themselves. There is some work happening in this area in institutions. In agriculture there is the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA). They are doing some work but it is not at the level where it will help planning, adaptation plans and to develop coping mechanisms. The science is not good enough right now to help with the planning required for the block and district level. In Meghalaya, the study that the Indian Institute of S c i e n c e ( I I S c ) u n d e r t o o k i n collaboration with the state government found that the average temperature rose 0.031 degree Celsius annually for 32 Pampa Sarover years until 2012. That is a significant change. challenging to shift through the different stressors? Q: Why is it that India has not had many There are limitations. For example, while studying the studies focused on the local impact of climate impact of climate change on the forests, the models do change by Indian researchers? not take into consideration what is the ground reality. This cannot be done by all institutions. To study Let's take the Western Ghats for instance. Our model the impact of climate change requires modelling. will assume that it is evergreen or deciduous throughout. The modelling capacity is not something every The impact of climate change is different in a degraded institution has. Very few institutions in India can forest or a fragmented forest versus a well maintained, do this. CRIDA in Hyderabad, Indian healthy forest. The models are not good enough to make Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Delhi, that distinction. The real impact on forest is based on IISc in Bengaluru and some individuals have the climate and other socio-economic pressures on the capacity to do this. In the northeast there is no forest. The same is true for the crops. We need additional institution that can run these climate models. work on these models. Climate change will soon They take the help of people like us. However, it become very critical. We are not talking about the next is possible to build capacity. We are trying to 100 years but the next 15 to 20-year timescale. In organize workshops on vulnerability assessment. Europe and the US there are long-term studies on how There is a method and guidelines to do so. Based crop is changing, how pollination is changing. We don't on that training from us many states in the north- have such historical evidence in India for agriculture east like Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland and for forests. recently prepared vulnerability reports Q: In the next five years, how should the government themselves and presented it in Delhi. Capacity respond to climate change? building requires some effort but it is possible. The government should have a plan for each sector like The project we did was funded by the Swiss agriculture, forests, health and infrastructure. For each government. While assessing the impact of of these sectors we have to identify institutions, have a climate change in a particular area it can get network and give a long-term mandate. There is a need tricky to differentiate between human-made and to identify the key sectors and then to identify key natural causes. institutions who will oversee the project. The network Q: While climate change too is driven by built should be provided enough resources to continue human-made reasons, at the local level is it the work.

21 TreeTake Network xotic live species are animal or plant species Emoved from their original range (location) to a new one. These species are introduced to a new location most often by people. Considering the significance of import and export of exotic live species, this Ministry is issuing an advisory to streamline the process for import and possession of exotic live species in India. The following are proposed: ? Developing an inventory of exotic live species in India through Voluntary Disclosure Scheme to streamline CITES compliance; ? Procedure for Import of exotic live species; ? Registration/Declaration of progenies of the imported exotic live species; Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) of the concerned ? The processes under this Advisory shall be dealt State or UT in a format at Annexure-I of this Advisory. online through the Parivesh Portal. e) The CWLW shall, after physical verification, I. Developing an inventory of exotic live species register the stock and maintain a record in their office in India through Voluntary Disclosure and issue an online certificate of possession within six Scheme: months of the date of the voluntary disclosure. a) The phrases “exotic live species” used in this f) The CWLW or the officer(s) authorized shall be advisory shall be construed to mean only “the provided with free access to the exotic live species animals named under the Appendices I, II and III being declared and housed at the facility round the of the Convention of International Trade in clock on any given day for verification. Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and g) Any acquisition/ death/ trade/ change of Flora” for the purpose of this advisory and does possession, taken place after the declaration should be not include species from the Schedules of the Wild informed to the respective CWLW within 30 days of Life (Protection) Act 1972. such acquisition /death/trade and the CWLW shall b) It is stated through this advisory that the issue an acknowledgment in this regard as per format declarer would not be required to produce any at Annexure-II. documentation in relation to the exotic live h) The Register of stock shall include details such as species if the same has been declared within six species imported/acquired, the number of animal of months of the date of issue of the advisory. For any each species imported/acquired, photographs (for the declaration made after 6 months of the date of purpose of identification of the species), and the issue of this advisory, the declarer shall be address where the exotic live species have been kept. required to comply with the documentation i) If the owner/holder of the stock desires of requirement under the extant laws and surrendering the stock (part of the stock) to a regulations. recognized Zoo, the concerned Zoo may consider the c) A period of 6 months (from the date of the order) request for acceptance appropriately, within the may be given for voluntary disclosure for those specified parameters for ensuring the exotic live who are in possession of exotic live species in the species is free of infections/diseases. country. j) For violation of any of the above procedures laid d) All exotic live species shall be declared by the down, action as appropriate would be taken by the owner/ holder (stock, as on 1 January 2020) to the Chief Wild life Warden. II. Import of exotic live species and stock species do not escape from the captive facility. In case maintenance: of any accidental escape, the importer/stock holder a. An application for grant of a license for import shall inform the same to the CWLW and appropriate of exotic live species may be made in the authorities about the same immediately. He shall also prescribed form to the Director General of be liable to damages, if any caused due to such an Foreign Trade (DGFT) -along with the No escape. Objection Certificate (NOC) of the CWLW of the i) The exotic live species shall not be allowed to mix state/UT concerned, online on the DGFT Portal. with indigenous animal species or breed with them. b. The application for No Objection Certificate j) For violation of any of the above procedures laid (NOC) from the Chief Wildlife Warden shall be down, the importer shall be liable for action as made online as per format at Annexure-III. appropriate. 3. The stockholder/importer shall observe the 4. The DGFT while communicating their approval following for maintenance of the stock of for the import of exotic live species shall also address exotic live species: a copy of the approval to the respective CWLW. a) The applicant shall ensure that the national 5. The importer shall, at the time of import of the health agency of the country of origin of exotic exotic live species, report the details of such import to live species has issued a health certificate the concerned CWLW. indicating that it is 6. The importer shall also free from diseases and i n f o r m o n l i n e a n y fit for export. transfer/transport of b) The importing exotic live species from person/organization one State to another, to shall maintain a the respective CWLWs in health card for each the format at Annexure-I, exotic live species and the CWLW of the imported. importing State shall c) All importers must record it in format at register themselves Annexure-II. one time, before the III. Registration of respective Chief progenies of imported Wildlife Wardens animals: (CWLWs), prior to 1. The owner of the exotic the import of exotic live species shall make a live species and declaration about the provide details of details of the birth of facilities for housing for the exotic live species. progenies of the animals to the respective CWLW, d) The exotic live species shall be subjected to the within 30 days from the birth of such progeny as per quarantine provisions issued by the Ministry of format at Annexure-IV. Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. 2. The CWLW shall register the details of the birth of e) The exotic live species imported will be kept in the progenies of the exotic live species, as per the the declared premises appropriately in a hygienic details submitted by the owner. and stress free environment. 3. The CWLW shall, after due verification of the f) Importer will intimate CWLW about the details, issue an ownership certificate for such importation of the consignment along with a copy progenies of the exotic live species as per Annexure- of the CITES permits (if needed) and other V. related documents before the importation. IV. General: g) CWLW may, in writing, for reasons stated, 1. The provisions contained in all other relevant Acts impose a cap on the upper limit on the number of shall be followed by the importer/owner of the exotic the exotic live species to be imported per live species. consignment and per annum. Info Courtesy: Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate h) Importer/ stock holder to ensure that exotic live Change (Wildlife Division) 23 Tanima Shukla's love for dogs is not born, but cultivated through proximity with them

y love for dogs wasn't something I was Mborn with. Frankly speaking, I was shit scared of them until I got married into a family where my cousin sister-in-law had three dogs plus a whole bunch of street dogs whining for her attention. As they rightly say, familiarity did make my heart grow fonder and unknowingly I fell in love with the four-legged canine. In my thirty five years of married life, we have had the pleasure of parenting three dogs. Every time we lost one we vouched not to keep another as the pain of loosing your loved one was enormously unbearable. But their absence was even more painful, hence one more stepped into our lives. The kids all grown up and gone to peruse their careers, life became little depressing and lonely and thus came Toddy- a beagle- in our lives. He is the youngest member of our family and spoilt enough to be called a brat. Things like not climbing on the bed, which was a rule for the earlier dogs, doesn't even exist for him as he happily sleeps on my bed, never making me feel that I am alone. He snores not letting me miss my husband while he is sailing. They say that beagles are very intelligent and hyper and I wouldn't

agree more. Toddy understands everything but chooses to do his own. He has a massive sweet tooth just like all the Shuklas in the family. Pet parenting is just as painful, fun, enjoyable as bringing up your own child. It's a task to toilet train them. The most nightmarish phase is when they are teething and end up chewing your furniture, chappals, shoes and what not. Once they are past that it's a joy to have them around. My advice to all those have ever felt lonely or depressed even for a while adopt a dog and you won't have a moment of loneliness or depression. They sense the emotions you are going through and will stand by you silently telling you “I am here”! 24 Jharkhand’s very own green warrior

Jamuna Tudu is a passionate environmentalist who is associated with plantation of 25 lakh saplings in the past 24 years in Jharkhand. She has also ensured the participation of around 3,000 women in this ''green earth' endeavour. Apart from promoting water harvesting, she has been encouraging women to take to animal husbandry to earn a living. She has also been in the forefront of the fight against the forest mafia in her state. Given her opposition to the Naxalites in her area, she is called 'Lady Tarzan' by her admirers…

Q: What made you come forward and take up environmental causes with such a vengeance? Jharkhand has always found itself on the crossroads of development and conservation. The dense sal forest surrounding Maturkham village in Purbi Singhbhum district is an example of this strife. It was mercilessly plundered for almost two decades by the forest mafia for its precious timber and rare fauna. Then, in the 1980s, Naxalites set up base in the forests. What ensued was a long- drawn battle between the two, resulting in a lot of bloodshed. But amid all this, nobody paid any attention to loss of the precious flora and fauna. I am originally from Odisha. I came to Jharkhand in 1998 after my marriage. A lover of nature, I noticed the comprising more than 6,000 members, have joined harm being inflicted on the forest and decided to do my movement to save the forests. A lot of young something about it. After a lot of coaxing and Naxalites have surrendered. We told them of the discussion, I got the support of the village women. opportunities they could avail. They are now We would go out to recce the forest three times a pursuing jobs. Some have left the region in search of day to make sure there was no illegal felling of jobs, while others have been employed as private trees. security personnel. Q: What major challenges did you face? Q: Your efforts in a region as volatile as Mainly, the men of the village weren't convinced. Jharkhand speak volumes about your deep love They would ridicule us and undermine our work. for nature: This didn't impede me though and I went on to form It all started when I was a child. There was a vast the Van Suraksha Samiti with a group of five expanse of vacant land surrounding our house in women in 1998. Today, the group, which consists Odisha. My father would plant saplings of trees and of 50 active foot soldiers, has successfully saved other plants, and teach us about their importance. and conserved around 50 hectares of forest land. That's when I fell in love with nature. I have also been Q: But in a region infested with Naxalites, how instrumental in getting schools built for women and difficult is it to pursue their cause? even getting a proper road constructed for better They have never interfered in our work. In fact, connectivity to the nearest town. I, however, find they fear us. We run awareness campaigns through myself most at peace when I am with nature, various forest committees in Kolhan division, something that has earned me the sobriquet of 'Lady Jharkhand. Around 150 committees formed by me, Tarzan'.

25 have often heard people saying, “at home he was moment he sees you, he begins to follow you. Just Inever like that. I did not bring him out earlier because the movement of your legs makes him curious because his shots were incomplete. Today, when I and his hunting instinct is on. He thinks that 'this (the pair took him out on the road, he stuck to the asphalt like a of moving legs) is perhaps a prey for me!' And he chases lizard. But he was again happy and playful, once them. At that time if you make him sniff this piece of inside the home.” This is a very common situation. tidbit in your fingers, he will follow you more eagerly. In Many dog owners who are conversant with the term between, stop at different places, caress him and talk to socialization too commit this mistake of keeping the him sweetly, but don't let him have the tidbit yet. Let him pup under wraps, till the shots are completed. I agree follow you for some more time. During this walk let his to some extent on this, but not cent percent. paws feel different types of ground under-like green From the age of eight grass, tiles floor etc. The reason weeks, when the pup is for which is that he must know separated from his dam and the ground he is treading upon. littermates till the age of 16 As the time passes weeks he learns a lot. He sees expose him to different kinds many things and tries to keep of sounds of the house, of the a track of all good and bad TV and also of the road. The experiences. I have already last one may be from near your discussed in the earlier issues gate or even from a balcony, if of Tree Take that a dogs you are living in an apartment. senses are important for him You must be wondering why he to survive. Out of these the should be exposed to such senses of hearing, smell and sounds. Your pup may have sight are the most important. been a progeny of a world class His hearing is so powerful champion parents or one of the that he can perhaps hear the puppies born on a garbage footsteps of a cockroach dump, he remains an animal. climbing a wall! He sniffs the nano-sized grooves on You have to introduce him to a human world, where the electric pole, etched by the tiny drops of urine roads, traffic, etc. have different types of sounds, feels passed by other dogs and is able to immediately and smells for him. Each time he enjoys the new sounds, make out the conditions of the dogs that lifted their reward him with the tidbit. Plus keep fussing around, legs on that! A Greyhound is able to see the minor scratching him, patting him and talk to him in the flutter of a rabbit's ears one kilometer away and sweetest possible tones. He will learn fast that all this is a rushes superfast to make a meal of it! In a nutshell, in part of life and enjoy the environment. a short span of life compared to ours, dogs learn a lot An even tempered pup learns things without to survive. creating much problem for the owner. It is for the owner Between eight and sixteen weeks the pup to make the learning process interesting and never learns maximum. However, if adopted during that boring. Plus in teaching a child or a pup repetition is the age or bought from a breeder, the pup becomes the key. For example, many puppies have the habit of responsibility of the owner. Therefore, it is you who welcoming all the guests in the sitting room. However, is supposed to know what goes inside the mind of some guests don't like the idea, some are scared and your puppy. Let me first take an even tempered sometimes their children are more than fussy. Hence it is puppy. His best trait is 'follow the leader.' The better to leash the pup and then take him to the sitting room. Where if the guest has no objection the pup shy and scared of the environment. It needs will go near him sniff him, and welcome him with a perseverance to make him come out of his shell of wag of his tail. Don't let him go beyond this. Just shyness. after he has welcomed the guest, gently take him For example, my Miniature Pincher Chhotu away reward him and put him back in his play pen was a shy pup. She had all the traits I mentioned above. with a fresh bone or a new toy. This will keep him It took me nearly six months to make her accept the engaged and will not get the feeling that he has been guests in the house, but even then she won't permit 'imprisoned.' Repeat it each time a guest comes (of them to touch her! Gradually, that fear was also course not expected in these COVID times!). The overcome. The day I tried to take her out on the road on pup will soon understand that he has not to go a leash, her ears went back, the tail was docked, so she beyond a certain limit. However, in case the guest tried to raise her back in an endeavor to hide her doesn't want the pup around, then keep the pup busy genitalia with the stump of the tail. Her heckles were in his pen. raised and she stuck to the road, like a lizard. There Real problem is faced when you have a timid was no point taking her further. Instead I took an about pup. It is very difficult for everyone to distinguish turn and she happily walked back with him. She was between a shy and a normal pup, unless one has looking at me for a reward, but no, instead she got a reared many dogs and observed them carefully. Like dirty look from me. The next time I took her out and we shy and timid kids we have similar dogs too. These walked only one step. I praised her a lot and we came pups appear perfectly normal within the confines of back. Like that it took me another three months to the home and with the people at home. But once make her walk on the road, but she was still chary of taken out or confronted with an outsider in the house the vehicle horns and sounds. It was quite a long and they start behaving weird. Such a pup may tuck his tedious process to socialize her and change her tail between his legs and bare his teeth menacingly. behavior. Many times a perfectly normal pup is Will surely back out if the owner tries to catch him. spoiled due to ignorance of the owner. Too much He may even slink underneath a sofa or a bed and pampering is as bad as too much punishment. I have may even snap if dragged out forcibly. Such pups said in one of the earlier articles in Tree Take that by a need special care. You have to gradually engage him slight change in your tone or showing anger on your in various activities. Initially make him follow you face you can punish a dog better than by hitting him inside the house, like a normal pup. However, in actually. It is important to observe your dog more and such a case reward the pup frequently with a tidbit. watch for any behavioral issues and consult specialists NEVER EVER shout at him or hit him. He is already to solve them. ntestinal worms, also known as parasitic Iworms, are one of the main types of intestinal parasites. A person with intestinal worms may also experience dysentery. Dysentery is when an intestinal infection causes diarrhea with blood and mucus in the stool. Intestinal worms can also cause a rash or itching around the rectum or vulva. In some cases, you will pass a worm in your stool during a bowel movement. Some people may have intestinal worms for years without experiencing any symptoms. Common types of intestinal worms include: flatworms, which include tapeworms and flukes roundworms, which cause ascariasis, pinworm, and hookworm infections. Common symptoms of intestinal worms are: abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting gas/bloating fatigue unexplained weight loss abdominal pain or tenderness. One way to become infected with intestinal worms is eating undercooked meat from an infected animal, such as a cow, pig, or fish. Other possible causes leading to intestinal Risk factors worm infection include: consumption of Children are particularly susceptible to intestinal contaminated water, consumption of worms. That's because they may play in environments contaminated soil, contact with contaminated with contaminated soil, such as sandboxes and school feces, poor sanitation, and poor hygiene. playgrounds. Older adults are also at increased risk due Roundworms are typically transmitted through to weakened immune systems. According to the World contact with contaminated soil and feces. Once Health Organization (WHO), about 10 percent of you've consumed the contaminated substance, people in the developing world are infected with the parasite travels into your intestine. Then they intestinal worms. People in developing countries are at reproduce and grow in the intestine. Once they the highest risk due to drinking water from reproduce and become larger in amount and size, contaminated sources and because of decreased symptoms may appear. sanitation levels. Once a person is infected with a parasite, Diagnosis it's very easy to pass it along. If you have a If you have any of the above symptoms, and especially parasite and don't wash your hands after using if you have traveled out of the country recently, you the restroom, you can easily pass microscopic should make an appointment with your doctor. Your parasite eggs onto anything you touch: the doctor may then carry out an examination of your stool. bathroom door handle, salt shaker, your phone or It may take several stool samples to confirm the anyone you touch. Traveling overseas is another parasite's presence. Another test is the “Scotch tape” way that foreign parasites can be introduced to test, which involves applying tape to the anus several your system. It's also very easy to contract a times in order to retrieve pinworm eggs, which can be parasite when handling animals. identified under a microscope. If worms or eggs are not

28 detected, your doctor may carry out a blood test to kill parasites. Drink a lot of water to help flush out look for antibodies your body produces when it's your system. Eat fiber, which may help get rid of infected with a parasite. Additionally, your doctor worms. Probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, may take an X-ray or use imaging tests such as Lactobacilus plantarum, Saccharomyces boulardii computed tomography (CT) or magnetic and bifidobacteria) help keep your digestive tract resonance imaging (MRI) depending on the extent healthy but they may not be appropriate in some or location(s) of disease suspected. severely immune compromised patients. Digestive Treatment enzymes will help restore your intestinal tract to its Some types of intestinal worms, such as normal state, which makes it inhospitable to tapeworms, may disappear on their own if you parasites. Vitamin C supports the immune system. have a strong immune system and healthy diet and Lower the dose if diarrhea develops. Zinc supports lifestyle. However, depending on the type of the immune system but may interact with certain intestinal worm infection, one may require medications, particularly some antibiotics, and it may treatment with an antiparasitic medication. not be appropriate for people with HIV/AIDS. Herbs Serious symptoms shouldn't be ignored. See your are a proven, effective way to strengthen the body's doctor if you have blood or pus in your stools, if systems. As with any therapy, you should work with you are vomiting daily or frequently, have an your doctor to diagnose your problem before starting elevated body temperature, are extremely fatigued treatment. You can take herbs as dried extracts and dehydrated. Your treatment plan will be (capsules, powders or teas), glycerites (glycerine determined based on the type of intestinal worm extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). you have and your symptoms. Tapeworm Complications infections are usually Intestinal worms increase your treated with an oral risk for anemia and intestinal medication, such as blockages. Complications praziquantel (Biltricide), occur more frequently in older which paralyzes the adult adults and in people who have t a p e w o r m . T h e suppressed immune systems, praziquantel (Biltricide) such as people with HIV or causes the tapeworms to AIDS infection. Intestinal detach from the gut, worm infections can pose a become dissolved, and higher risk if you're pregnant. If then pass out of your body you're pregnant and are found through your stool. to have an intestinal worm Common treatments for a infection, your doctor will roundworm infection determine which antiparasitic include mebendazole (Vermox, Emverm) and medication therapy is safe to take during pregnancy albendazole (Albenza). Symptoms typically begin and will monitor you closely while you are treated to improve after a few weeks of treatment. Your during pregnancy. doctor will most likely take and analyze another Prevention stool sample after treatment is complete to see if To prevent intestinal worms, regularly wash your the worms have disappeared. hands with soap and hot water before and after using Alternative treatments may also be helpful the toilet and before preparing or eating foods. You alongside conventional medications. However, should also practice food safety: Avoid raw fish and your doctor must find out what kind of organism is meat, thoroughly cook meat to temperatures of at causing your problems before you start treatment. least 145°F (62.8°C) for whole cuts of meat and Nutritional guidelines to help keep parasites from 160°F (71°C) for ground meat and poultry, let cooked growing: Avoid simple carbohydrates, such as meat rest for three minutes before carving or those found in refined foods, fruits, juices, dairy consuming, freeze fish or meat to –4°F (–20°C) for at products, and all sugars, except honey. Eat raw least 24 hours wash, peel, or cook all raw fruits and garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets and vegetables, wash or reheat any food that falls on the carrots, all of which have been used traditionally to floor. The Other China: Taiwan-III It is all about temples and crowded market places finds out Dr Gautam Vohra

ne of the largest cities of Taiwan, Kaohsiung Olay before us from the 17th floor of our hotel assaults, as well as a hub for commercial and room window; the vast sprawl of high-rises administrative activities. I did not find the building a punctuated with two-three storey houses spread “phenomenal” structure. In fact, it appeared to be a out in a vast unending sprawl. Looking down, I watered down version of numerous Buddhist and saw scooters racing across the road. At this hour in Taoist temples, some of them striking, that we had the morning no cars had surfaced. I noticed a visited during the week. Soon enough we were being yellow bus. Then a red one followed by a green hustled out of the Fort. I, for one, was glad to leave it bus. Taiwan had the most colourful public and visit the Anping Tree House. The tree house was transport system. initially a warehouse in Anping during the early period We were going out of Kaohsiung today to of Taiwan's history and has witnessed the rule of the Tainan where we would be visiting Koxinga Dutch, Zheng's reign of the Ming dynasty, Qing Shrine, Provintia Fort and the dynasty and Japanese era. It was an important trading Anping Tree House. We would outpost of Taiwan. During the be exposed to a great deal of local Japanese period the British history. Much of it I could not warehouse was used to store salt. absorb. Here is an example of After World War II, it became a their local history: Koxinga was warehouse for Taiwan's main salt a general, a leader of Taiwan factory and then lay empty when the when the Portuguese invaded company using it, shifted to its and ruled over the island. It was headquarters. Lying neglected, the General Koxinga who gave them surrounding banyan filled the void, a tough time and got rid of them ultimately forming a living roof and and for this reason is also revered walls of the banyan roots. It was fun as a Taiwanese nationalist. As wandering in and out of the tree the write-up proclaims: In house, sitting and sipping beer as we Taiwan, portrayals of Ming watched the visitor wriggle out of a dynasty commander Koxinga root to settle on a branch. have ranged from historical hero Raincoats were out. So were to local deity and pure legend. umbrellas. We had to go through yet He is the only major historical White Karela (bitter gourd) another market to reach the movie figure to be recognised by different political studio, and the shoot location. We continued to regimes, and his story links China, Japan and descend the rain wet stairs. It had been raining Taiwan... In the early period of Qing rule, the throughout. We had earlier been mounting steep steps Taiwanese built a temple to Koxinga in in the crowded market place. And for a long while we appreciation of his contribution to the island, and had been descending, and my knees had begun to to commemorate his leadership. In February 1662, complain. We reached the studio. It had posters of the the Dutch left Taiwan and in June, Koxinga died at best-sellers, the hits that were made. Every title quite age 39. naturally was in Taiwanese. Occasionally a poster had Moving to our next destination; it was the also an English version of the film title. I noted Fort Provintia or Chihkan Tower built by the “Sword in the Wilderness”, another titled “Dust in the Dutch. In 1625, the Dutch colonialists gave Wind”, and a third, “Queen of the Fist”. The posters indigenous Taiwanese 500 metres of fabric in displayed robust women smashing down men, cars, exchange for a piece of land where they built buildings, whatever came in their way. Our guide then Provintia Street to accommodate businesses, took us to rocks along the sea coast where water and market places, warehouses and hospitals. In 1653, wind action had created new effects at Nanya. We were after an anti-colonial uprising, the Dutch erected informed that the topography of the Nanya area was Fort Provintia in Chihkan as a defense against primarily of the “weathered train type”. The sea cliff

30 was a result of erosion due to the action of waves. Yesterday we travelled along the coast and viewed the sculpture the waves carved out of huge rocks. Today we are visiting mountain country, the towns of Zhudong and Hexing and the village of Beipu. Inevitably at any town a tourist is taken to, one cannot escape its temple or its market. In Zhudong and Beipu the heart of Hakka territory we are exposed to both. Taiwan temples are like a departmental store: You can choose any God from the 1000 within. The Buddhist structure is 155 years old. The decorations of the temples are all made from ceramics, the contribution of local artists. From the temple we wander into the Hakka central Anping tree house market at Beipu. It is crowded. Then we take the train to Hexing station. This is the “love station”. It has an enormous heart at one end and at the other there is a signboard. From the signboard if the person can reach the heart in 99 steps, he will be successful in love. Our last stop in a long day is the tomato farm, where we do tomato picking, not unlike cherry picking. On the last day we were finally doing the rounds of the capital, having visited the north, the south and the west of the island over the last 11 days. Taipei was once the tallest building in the world. Since then other taller buildings have emerged, the tallest being Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Heritage tomatoes Taipei is now 11th on the list. We also visited tell us where he was born (Xi Kou township of Chiang Kai-shek's memorial hall. The metal Fenghua). Chiang was Sun Yat Sen's principal disciple statue towers over the capital. It is bigger even and we were told that the latter promulgated the policy than the biggest Buddha statue they have. of “uniting with Russia” as well as “accommodating the Photographs of Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) Communists”. For, at that time China was at war with Japan and it could not take on opponents on so many fronts. Our guide pointed to the national flag: the red stood for universal love he explained, the blue for the sky and freedom, the white was for sunbeams, which shone on one and all, and stood for equality. The Longshan temple, the oldest temple in Taiwan, was the only one that had a waterfall; and the only one where the chief deities were women Bodhisattvas. The Fisherman's Wharf on the Tamsui River that flows through Taipei and then goes north into the ocean was a modern, glamorous place with fancy boats gleaming in the ocean, overlooked by modern, stylish high-rises of the new Taipei. We took a short boat ride. We also spent time watching the smart crowd at the end of the Ferry Wharf. Many were young couples pushing prams with poodles ensconced comfortably inside, watching the world with a touch of indifference. After that: We are going home! Taiwan Beipu village (Concluded) All Pics by Priya Sen 31 Illegal turtle meat trade busted

TreeTake Network he district police of Barabanki, UP arrested Tinterstate turtle smugglers on July 27 and led to the uncovering of turtle meat trade for the very first time in the country. It may be mentioned here that there is a long infamous history of illegal turtle trade from central India to West Bengal for smuggling into Bangladesh and other countries. SP Barabanki, Dr Aravind Chaturvedi contacted Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) and developed intelligence about the illegal soft shell turtle smuggling from Amethi, Sultanpur, Raebareli, Barabanki, Bahraich, and nearby districts. A team led by Inspector Lonikatra, Ashok Kumar Yadav and SWAT team Sub-Inspector Sandeep Dubey successfully verified ground information supported by digital data regarding this trade. Based on specific input, the team intercepted a TATA Magic vehicle and arrested the aforementioned smugglers along with the illegal contraband. Upon opening the boxes, the police team was taken by surprise to find the finely chopped pieces of turtle meat kept in dry ice. Fishes were put as a top layer to disguise the consignment. On interrogation, the main accused Ramanand Bhagat confessed that he had good contacts in Bengali Settlements in Pyuria, Tanda, Joshi colony, Mala, Naujaria, Lagga-Bhagga, Chandiya, Hazara, etc where the meat could be consumed. Another accused, Guddu confessed that he had contacts with the local fishermen community who sent to Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun for further poach turtles for him and chop them in small pieces forensic report. It is noteworthy that out of the 29 species of and pack with dry ice. He has divulged many turtles found in India, 16 are found in the state of Uttar names in different states where he used to supply Pradesh. Of these 16, extensive poaching has been reported such meat. As a part of strategy, they prefer to carry for 8 species. Broadly, turtles can be divided into two their transport, this illegal consignment, through categories, soft-shell and hard-shell. Soft-shell turtles are the rural areas of Barabanki, Sitapur, Khiri to carnivorous and aggressive and are smuggled for their Pilibhit and Uttarakhand. meat. Whereas, hard-shell turtles are vegetarians and The team of TSA including regional submissive and are thus smuggled to be kept as pets. director Dr Shailendra Singh, an expert on turtles According to the latest Intelligence and crime statistics, Arunima Singh and their colleagues observed the living turtles are smuggled through West Bengal to recovered meat and leg pieces and found that it was Bangladesh and other countries for their illegal use and of the Indian Soft-Shell Turtle, Zoological name trade. Apart from this, soft-shell turtles found in the Ganga Nilssonia Gangetica and its regional name, and Yamuna catchment area are smuggled for their Calipee 'Katahwa'. This comes under Schedule 1 species of (cartilage) by cutting it from their bodies and drying it. In Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and is 2015, such cases were brought to light for the first time by declared vulnerable by IUCN (International Union arrests and recoveries made by UP Special Task Force team for conservation of Nature). The samples will be led by Dr Aravind Chaturvedi, then Addl SP in STF. 32 Calipee is the protein rich cartilage of the building as part of Union Government's ambitious abdominal region of the turtle and is in high demand Central Vista Project. A bench headed by Justice A M as an ingredient for soup in China, Hong Kong, Khanwilkar told Senior Advocate Shyam Divan that his Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, etc. While the clients would be given a week's time to file the writ consignments of hundreds and thousands of turtles petition. The Centre has to file a reply to the plea within a killed for their Calipee have been caught by the UP week of receiving the same. The matter will be considered STF and other LEA teams in the past, information next on August 17. In March, the Supreme Court had regarding the smuggling of turtle meat was not transferred to itself the petitions pending in Delhi High known to the Police, Forest department, TSA or Court challenging the Central Vista Project. When WCCB (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) till now. arguments commenced, the bench made it clear that it Following this rather important recovery, a new shall hear the issues pertaining to the aspects of the challenge has risen for the Central agencies and challenge to 'Land Use' only, as have been raised in the NGOs because unlike the smuggling of live turtles, main batch of pleas. The pleas contend that 20th March illegal trade of turtle meat is difficult to detect, trace notification of the government, which supersedes a and recover. WCCB Delhi headquarter has been Public Notice issued by the Delhi Development Authority informed about the same, and a pan-India alert will (DDA) on 19 December, 2019, is a subjugation of the be soon issued. Case crime number 189/20 u/s Rule of Law and judicial protocol as the 2019 notice is 9/44B/51/51(1) Wildlife protection act of India, currently sub judice before the Supreme Court. With 1972 and 41/42 Indian Forest Act has been regard to the government's Rs 20,000 crore Central Vista registered. The seized illegal meat has been burned project, the DDA had issued a Public Notice inviting as per the provisions of the said Act under objections against proposed changes in land use in concerned Court directives. December 2019. This notification was challenged before Name and address the Delhi High Court on account of the arrested accused: of being ultra vires Section 11A Ramanand Bhagat S/O of the Delhi Development Act J a t i n b h a g a t R / O 1957, as well as being beyond Kanakpur PS Kichha the powers of DDA to do so. It District Udham Singh was further contested that the N a g a r ( U t t r a k h a n d ) ; plan was not in conformity with Guddu S/O Natthu R/O the Master Plan of Delhi 2021 Semri PS Khiro District (MPD2021) and in violation of Raebareli; Vishal S/O “larger laws of the country”. On A n o k h e L a l R / O March 6, a Bench comprising of Babukhedha PS PGI District Lucknow; Rakesh Justices AM Khanwilkar and Dinesh Maheshwari S/O Bulaki R/O Babukhedha PS PGI District transferred the matter to itself. On March 20, 2020 the Lucknow; Kamlesh S/O Chhabeela R/O Centre notified a change in land use pertaining to Barmankhedha PS Khiro District Raebareli and approximately 86 acres of land in the heart of Lutyens Salman S/O Mohd. Ahmad R/O Barauli(Near Delhi, marked by structures like the Parliament, Utrethiya station) PS PGI District Lucknow. Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, North Block and South Seizure: 4 Thermocol boxes containing 120 kgs of Block amongst others. The same petitioner then moved Turtle Meat; 1 bag containing 2 hammers, 6 chisels, the apex court with a fresh plea against the Centre's and 1 small screwdriver; 1 TATA Magic carrier notification. Urging the Court to quash the March 2020 vehicle, number: UP32 MN 7465 and1 TVS Victor notification issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Motorcycle, number: UP36 K 4076 Affairs, the instant plea avers that the decision was in SC allows filing of plea against violation of a citizen's extended version of Right to Life environmental clearance given to new guaranteed under Article 21. Calling it a brash move, the Parliament house plea claims that it would deprive people of enjoying The Supreme Court has allowed the filing of a writ highly treasured open and green spaces. The plea further petition under Article 32 of the Constitution invokes Article 49 of the Constitution to assert that the challenging the Environmental Clearance granted State is obligated to protect places and objects of national on June 17 for the construction of a new Parliament importance. Watch what your pet eats in monsoon

ooking after your pet and his hygiene needs Lcan be a trying task in monsoon as they are most vulnerable in these months to fungal infection, allergies, fur loss problems, and stomach disorders. Just like how often your dog licks itself is an indicator of how well he has been cleaned, his toilet habits too say much about his health provided you've been keeping a close eye. While you can set a daily cleansing routine for your dog in between his walks, it can be counter productive if you are not going to feed him the right foods after all. Begin by washing his water and food bowl twice regularly, keeping his chews sanitised, and following it up with a well balanced diet, and you'll see the difference in his energy levels and the quality of fur. the required energy to your dog and they digest it easily Eating habits of pets depend on their size, not too. A wholesome meal should contain sufficient breed proteins, vitamins and calcium to keep your dog active A dog's diet is the foundation of building good and healthy. Ideally his main source of protein should immunity. Every dog's requirement for nutrition be chicken, lamb or fish. Veg options can include is different. For instance, a large sized adult dog's lentils, beans, eggs and paneer. It is critical you do not nutritional needs vary from that of a small sized overfeed your dog. adult dog. Smaller breeds require different Homemade dog food recipes formulation compared to larger ones. The smaller One way to guarantee that your beloved pet is getting breeds, not to mention, need to eat less as they super healthy food is by making dog food at home. require lesser energy. Serving sizes usually vary according to your pet's size, Special monsoon diet weight and activity level. Some nutrition guidelines Owing to high humidity and heat dogs usually do you may like to keep in mind: 10% carbohydrates – not eat dry dog food during the summer and beans and grains40% protein – seafood, animal meat, monsoon months. Home-cooked diets or wet food dairy, eggs; 50% fresh vegetables; Fat from meat or oil; are perfectly suitable in these months as they Calcium – powdered or crushed eggshells, contain the required amount of moisture. A supplements; Fatty acids – oatmeal, cooked egg yolks, natural balanced diet should be given to your dog plant oils. Here are some easy-to-make nutritious comprising a bio available source of protein, homemade dog food recipes: carbohydrates, fibre, calcium, fat and vitamins 1. Salmon Treat: This is an eco-friendly recipe as it and it should be soy, corn and wheat free. uses the things that people often tend to discard, like Enhancing your pets' metabolism broccoli stems, peelings etc to make a delicious meal A high source of fibre such as sweet potato, lean for your four-legged friend. Makes about 2 cups. chicken, brown rice, and tofu can help boost your Ingredients: Two carrots; two potatoes; a broccoli head dog's metabolism, and ensure his continued (with stem); a squash; two salmon portions (with skin); health and well being. An ideal wholesome meal olive oil. Method: Chop the broccoli stem and the should contain Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Omega squash into pieces. Peel the carrots, potatoes and keep 3 fatty acids as they have important immune and the peelings. Put broccoli stem, squash, and carrot and anti-inflammatory functions that contribute to a potato peelings into a pressure cooker and give it a few dog's health and vitality. Proteins contain whistles. Pour oil into a wok or saucepan and put it on essential amino acids and are required for muscle medium heat. Place the salmon pieces and pan fry them. building and growth of your dog. Proteins provide Pull off the salmon skin when it turns crisp and place it

34 in the dog bowl. Transfer the cooked contents of mixed vegetables (carrots, green peas, broccoli, the pressure cooker into the dog bowl. Give cauliflower); a can of black beans (drained and rinsed); everything a good mix for your dog to enjoy. 2/3 cups brown rice (uncooked); 1 ½ cups water; six 2. Pumpkin Dog Biscuits: You can make these kale leaf stems. Method: Chop the veggies into bite- yummy pumpkin biscuits as vegetarian dog food. sized pieces. Add all the chopped vegetables in a These digestive biscuits are great for your dog's pressure cooker along with some water. Lower the stomach and can assist in tackling any digestive temperature and allow ingredients to simmer for some issues. Ingredients: 2/3 cup pumpkin puree; Two time. Combine rice and water in a slow cooker and cups rice flour; an egg; 1/3 cup cold water; olive bring them to a boil. Mix the cooked rice, beans and oil. Method: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a vegetables before serving. bowl, mix rice flour and oil. Whisk the pumpkin 5. Frozen Banana Delight: After a long and puree and egg together until smooth. Next, add the exhausting walk, your dog is sure going to love you pumpkin mix to the rice flour mixture. Slowly even more for giving him this refreshing and fantastic pour water and keep stirring. You can hand mix all treat. Ingredients: Four cups plain, unsweetened the ingredients as well to make a smooth dough. yoghurt; three ripe bananas (peeled and mashed); two Line the baking tray with baking paper and smear tablespoons of peanut butter. Method: Combine the the dough to desired thickness. Allow it to bake for ingredients in a blender to get a smooth consistency. 40 to 45 minutes or till cracks appear on the top. Pour the smoothie into cups of preferred sizes. Place Cut to preferred sizes. Cool and stock in an airtight them in the freezer until firm. glass container. 6. Turkey Veggie Mix: This can be a wonderful recipe 3. Chicken Casserole: If you wish to make dog for dogs as it has the right balance of healthy carbs, food with chicken, this tasty chicken casserole is vegetables and lean animal protein. Ingredients: A just the thing you need to try! The ingredients are pound of turkey; two cups brown rice (uncooked); six also readily available. Ingredients: Two chicken cups water; a cup of mixed vegetables (carrots, breasts; ¼ cup rolled oats; A cup of mixed cauliflower, broccoli). Method: Combine the turkey, vegetables (green beans, carrots, potatoes, rice and water in a large pot. Turn the stove on high heat broccoli); two cups chicken broth; olive oil. and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow the Method: Cut the chicken breast pieces into desired ingredients to simmer. Add all the vegetables after sizes. Take a pan and pour some oil. Put it on chopping them. Cook for 10 more minutes. Turn off medium heat and transfer your stove and allow it to cool. -TTN the chicken pieces into it. Sauté them until cooked. Pour the chicken broth, mixed vegetables, and rolled oats. Cover the pan and allow the ingredients to simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Let it cool down before serving. 4. Vegetable Delight: Yo u m a y w a n t t o bookmark this beautiful d i s h w i t h a l l t h e goodness of vegetables under dog food recipes for dogs with allergies. It is easy-to-cook and contains wholesome ingredients. Ingredients: A sweet potato; a cup of 35 kulwu dk lhtu evkrs gh ç—fr ds lkFk cgqr dqN cny tkrk gSA 'kjhj esa ,ythZ] laØe.k vkSj vip dh leL;k,a rsth ls iSnk gksrh gSaA bu leL;kvksa dh otg ls 'kjhj dh çfrjks/kd {kerk Hkh de gks tkrh gSA ,sls esa Qy 'kjhj ds fy, dkQh Qk;nsean lkfcr gksrs gSaA Qyksa dk jktk dgs tkus okys vke esa esa lSpjsfVM QSV] dksysLVªksy vkSj lksfM;e dh dkQh T;knk gksrh gSA blds lkFk gh blesa Qkbcj] foVkfeu Hkh ikbZ tkrh gSA cjlkr ds ekSle esa ekdsZV esa vkus 'kq: gksaxs tks tqykbZ&vxLr rd jgsaxsA buesa vkus okyk tkequ 'kjhj ds fy, dkQh Qk;nsean lkfcr gksrk n'kgjh vkSj pkSlk vke eq[;r% ;wih ls vkuk 'kq: gksxkA idk gqvk gSA ;g ,d rjg ls ekulwu Qy gh gksrk gSA blesa dSyksjh csLV vke Mky dk gh ekuk tkrk gSA ;g vke u dsoy lsgr ds dkQh de ek=k esa gksrh gSA ;g vk;ju] QksysV] iksVsf'k;e fy, vPNs gksrs gSa] cfYd dkQh ehBs Hkh gksrs gSaA ;s vke idus ij vkSj foVkfeu vkfn iks"kd rRoksa ls Hkjk gksrk gSA ekulwu ds vius&vki Mky ls VwVdj fxj tkrs gSaA gkykafd bl rjg ds ids lhtu esa vkus okyh yhph dkQh Lokfn"V gksrh gSA blds gq, vke ekdsZV esa dkQh de feyrs gSa] D;ksafd isM+ ij bUgsa idus esa lkFk gh ;g 'kjhj ds fy, Hkh ykHkdkjh gksrh gSA foVkfeu dqN le; yxrk gSA dPps vkeksa dks ?kj ij dbZ rjg ls idk;k tk lh ls Hkjiwj ;g yhph 'kjhj dh çfrjks/kd {kerk dks etcwr ldrk gSA bUgsa idkus ds fy, lcls igys dPps vke iwjh rjg cukrh gSA dsys dk dksbZ ,d ekSle ugha gSA ;g Qy gj ifjiDo gksus pkfg,A ;kuh os vkdkj esa cM+s gksa vkSj nckus ij dM+s lhtu esa miyC/k gksrk gS] ysfdu ckdh ekSle dh vis{kk ;g gksaA ?kj ij dPps vkeksa dks bl rjg idk ldrs gSa% dPps vkeksa dks cjlkr esa T;knk Qk;nsean lkfcr gksrk gSA foVkfeu fV';w isij ;k v[kckj esa yisVdj 3&4 fnu ds fy, fdlh ,slh feujYl ls Hkjk ;g Qy isV ds fy, cgqr ykHkdkjh gSA txg j[k nsa tks ?kj ds ckdh fgLlksa dh vis{kk dqN xeZ gksA ;gka blls isV dh ikpu fØ;k dkQh vPNh gksrh gSA ekulwu ds /;ku jgs fd vke j[kus dh txg ij va/ksjk Hkh gksuk pkfg,A 3&4 ekSle esa uk'kikrh dk lsou Hkh 'kjhj ds fy, csgrj gSA fnu ij vke dks FkksM+k nckdj nsaxsA vxj og nc tk, rks le> ysa uk'kikrh esa foVkfeu dk cM+h ek=k esa ikbZ tkrh gS] tks fd 'kjhj dks laØe.k vkfn ls cpkus esa ennxkj gksrh gSA bl ekSle esa yksxksa ds chekj gksus ds pkal T;knk gksrs gSaA ,sls esa flQZ ekulwu ds lhtu esa [kkbZ tkus okyh uk'kikrh cgqr Qk;nsean gksrh gSAiihrk%isV ds fy, rks iihrk fcYdqy jkeck.k lkfcr gksrk gSA foVkfeu lh ls Hkjiwj iihrk ikpu fØ;k esa dkQh ennxkj gksrk gSA blesa Qkbcj dh ek=k vf/kd gksrh gSA vke dk vlyh lhtu vc gqvk gS 'kq: gks ldrk gS fd vkidks ekdsZV esa vke dqN le; igys ls gh fn[kkbZ nsus yxs gksa] ysfdu bldk vlyh lhtu vc 'kq: gqvk gSA pkgs lQsnk vke gks ;k n'kgjh ;k yaxM+k ;k pkSlk] ;s lHkh vke twu ds vkf[kjh eghus ls fd vke id x;k gSA bFkjsy nok dks ikuh esa feykdj muesa vkSj fQj mls [kkrs gSaA dbZ ckj [kkus dk rjhdk ,slk gksrk gS fd dPps vkeksa dks Mqcks;k tkrk gSA djhc ikap feuV ckn vkeksa vke dk fNydk Hkh eqag esa vk tkrk gSA blls cpsa] D;ksafd vDlj dks fudkydj vyx fdlh cM+s crZu esa j[k nsrs gSaA blds vkeksa ij [krjukd isfLVlkbM dk fNM+dko gksrk gSA vke [kkuk ckn mu vkeksa dks ,sls gh djhc jkrHkj NksM+ fn;k tkrk gSA dkQh gn rd vkids #Vhu ij fuHkZj djrk gSA vxj eku ysa fd lqcg vke ids gq, feyrs gSaA bl rjg ls ids vkeksa dks [kkus ,d vke dk otu 300 ls 400 xzke gS vkSj vxj vki cgqr ,sfDVo ls lsgr ij dksbZ cqjk vlj ugha iM+rkA bFkjsy nok vkSj ikuh ugha gSa vkSj ,Dljlkbt ugha djrs gSa rks fnu Hkj esa 2 ls T;knk dk ?kksy bruk gksuk pkfg, fd vke mlesa Mwc tk,aA vxj vke u [kk,aA vxj vki T;knk vke [kkuk pkgrs gSa rks ckdh phtsa vkids ikl ,d fdyks dPps vke gSa vkSj vkidks yxrk gS fd tSls fd dkcksZgbMªsV ¼jksVh] pkoy] eSnk] cslu vkfn½ de dj nsaA ;s nks yhVj ikuh esa iwjh rjg Mwc tk,axs rks nks yhVj ikuh esa oSls] vxj dksbZ chekjh ugha gS] otu Hkh T;knk ugha gS vkSj dljr bFkjsy nok dh 1000 ml ek=k feyk,aA ;g ekdsZV esa iqfM+;k Hkh djrs gSa rks fnu Hkj esa 3&4 vke rd [kk ldrs gSaA blls ds :i esa vkrh gSA blesa ,d dsfedy ikmMj ds :i esa gksrk T;knk vke [kkuk lgh ugha gSA Mk;chVht vkSj fdMuh ds ejht gSA bls ikuh ls fHkxksdj dPps vkeksa ds chp esa j[k fn;k tkrk /;ku nsa% vke esa rjcwt vkSj [kjcwtk dh vis{kk vf/kd 'kqxj gksrh gS vkSj fQj djhc 20 ?kaVs ds fy, vkeksa dks NksM+ fn;k tkrk gSA ysfdu bldk eryc ;g ugha fd Mk;chVht ds ejht vke gSA bl nkSjku /;ku jgs fd vke iwjh rjg ls fdlh iqjkus ugha [kk ldrsA vke dk Xykblsfed baMsDl 51 ls 55 ds chp v[kckj ls

mRrj izns’k i;kZoj.k] ou ,oa tyok;q ifjoZru foHkkx us 8 QkslZ@iz/kku eq[; ou laj{kd vkSj foHkkxk/;{k] mRrj izns'k] tuinksa esa 8 LFkyksa ij ,d gh fnu esa ,d ?kaVs esa 240 MkW jktho dqekj xxZ] vij iz/kku eq[; ou laj{kd] lkekftd iztkfr;ksa dk jksi.k dj fo’o dhfrZeku cuk, tkus dk ,oa d`f”k okfudh MkW izHkkdj nwcs dh mifLFkr esa jlwyiqj lQyre iz;kl fd;k x;kA izns”k ds 8 tuinkas& y[kuÅ dk;LFk esa dk;ZØe lEiUu gqvkA foxr o'kkksaZa esa pkj fxuht ]lhrkiqj] ckjkcadh] v;ks/;k] esjB] xkSrecq)uxj] ck¡nk ,oa oYMZ fjdkMZ cuk, tk pqds gSaA fnukad 31-07-2007 dks ,d fnu fp=dwV ls lk{; izkIr fd, tk jgs gS] izkIr lk{;ksa dks yUnu esa 1 djksM+ ikS/kksa dk o`{kkjksi.kA fnukad 07-11-2015 dks 10 fLFkr fxuht oYMZ fjdkMZ ds dk;kZy; dks izsf”kr fd, LFkkuksa ij 10 yk[k ikS/kksa dk forj.kA fnukad 11-07-2016 dks tk,xsA lk{;ksa ds vk/kkj ij fxuht oYMZ fjdkMZ ij fu.kZ; 6]146 LFkkuksa ij ikWp djksM+ ikS/kksa dk o`{kkjksi.kA fy;k tkuk gSA fnukad 09-08-2019 dks 76]824 ikS/kksa dk forj.kA fxuht oYMZ mYys[kuh; gS fd y[kuÅ esa izeq[k lfpo] i;kZoj.k] ou ,oa fjdkMZ cukus esa dksfoM 19 laØked egkekjh ls cpko gsrq ^nks tyok;q ifjorZu] miz 'kklu] lq/khj xxZ] gsM vkWQ QkjsLV xt dh nwjh&ekLd t:jh^ ewy ea= ,oa dksfoM izksVksdkWy dk ikyu fd;k x;kA

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