DOCSLIB.ORG

Pre-Feasibility Report Surkanda Devi Ropeway

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Pre-Feasibility Report Surkanda Devi Ropeway PRE-FEASIBILITY REPORT SURKANDA DEVI ROPEWAY PROJECT Kaddukhal, District- Tehri Garhwal Uttarakhand Submitted to: Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change Government of India Submitted by: SURKANDADEVI ROPEWAY PROJECT COMPANY PRIVATE LIMITED 23/1 RAJPUR ROAD, DEHRADUN, UTTRAKHAND Environment Consultant Prepared By: M/S PERFACT ENVIRO SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD. (NABET Registered wide list of accredited consultants organizations/ Rev 21A/ 19 th August, 2014 at S.No-110) 5th Floor, NN Mall, Mangalam Place, Sector 3, Rohini, New Delhi Phone No.: 011-47528467, 011-47021086 Fax No: 011-47528434 Surkanda Devi Ropeway Project Project Description The Government of Uttarakhand (GOU) wishes to develop an aerial passenger ropeway between Kaddukhal & Surkanda Devi Temple in order to promote tourism in the region. The proposed ropeway shall be developed through Public Private Partnership mode on Build, Operate and Transfer (the “BOT”) basis. The Project is a 500 m long ropeway, covering an area of 5620 sq m (including Lower Terminal Station, Upper Terminal Station & ropeway corridor). Lower Terminal Point (LTP) and Upper Terminal Point (UTP) are proposed near Kaddukhal and Surkanda Devi Temple. Type of Project The project being an Aerial Ropeway falls under the item 7 (g) of the EIA notification, 2006 and is a designated Project as per Schedule and falls under category A, as the Temple is at an elevation of 2737 m above MSL. Project Proponent Uttrakahnd Tourism Development Board (UTDB) as part their initiative to improve tourism based facilities and socio economic structure of local population directed Uttrakahnd Infrastructure Project Company Private Limited (UPIC) (a 50:50 joint venture company between Government of Uttrakahnd and ILFS) to undertake detailed Feasibility and Project Viability Analysis for establishment of passenger ropeway to the temple of Surkanda Devi. UPIC on their part issued RFP/RFQ documents to prospective bidders in October 2012; after ascertaining project viability and obtaining all mandatory approval for the captioned project. The Surkanda Devi Ropeway Project was awarded to M/s K. R. Anand and M/s KRA Infrastructure Developers Pvt. Ltd. through competitive bidding and letter of award (LOA) on 31-01-2013. A special purpose company was formed as Surkanda devi Ropeway Project Company Private Limited for design, construction, operation and maintenance of the ropeway project under revenue sharing model. The lease duration of the project is 30 years, extendable by an additional 10 years. 2 M/s Perfact Enviro Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Surkanda Devi Ropeway Project Description of Project Site: Surkanda Devi temple is dedicated to Sati-wife of Lord Shiv. According to the legend, Sati gave up her life in the argument with her father, as Prajapati Daksha was not ready to accept Shiv as her daughter's husband. It is said that Lord Shiv brought Sati's dead body, on his trishul to this place from Haridwar. Because Lord Shiv was dancing furiously with the dead body of his wife, Lord Vishnu started cutting the body parts of Sati with his Sudarshan Chakra. The head of Sati fell at this place and hence the place got the name Surkanda . Temple is situated on the peak of a hill approachable by 1.6 km fairly steep foot path from the nearest motorable road. It is surrounded by dense forests and affords a scenic view of the surrounding region including the Himalayas to the north, and certain cities to the south (e.g., Dehradun, Rishikesh) Need/Justification of the Project: Presently the devotees face hardship in climbing this stretch of approach to the temple. This ropweway system is proposed to negotiate this tough reach in a comfortable & environment friendly way. Location of the Project Alignment Surkanda Devi Temple is situated on the peak of a hill at Village Kaddukhal in the western part of Tehri Tehsil, District Tehri Garhwal, Uttrakhand. The temple is at elevation of 2737 m from MSL. The lower terminal Station, Kaddukhal is on Dhanaulti- Chamba road. Kddukhal is at 40 Km distance from Mussoorie, 75 Km from Dehradun & at 8 Km distance from Dhanaulti.The location map of the Project alignment is shown below: 3 M/s Perfact Enviro Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Surkanda Devi Ropeway Project 4 M/s Perfact Enviro Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Surkanda Devi Ropeway Project The lat long of the site are given below: Station Latitude Longitude Lower Terminal Station 78 017’19.21”E 30 024’23.52”N Upper terminal Station 78 017’17.24”E 30 024’40.09”N Connectivity (distances from Surkanda Devi Temple): • Airport : Jolly Grant, 26 kms • Railway Station : Rishikesh Railway Station, 33 kms Dehradun Railway Station,26 Kms 5 M/s Perfact Enviro Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Surkanda Devi Ropeway Project • Road : The nearest road head is at Kaddukhal which is connected by road going from Dhanaulti to Chamba. Surkanda Devi Temple is 1.6 kms from Kaddukhal on foot. Area Requirement: The area required for the construction of the terminal stations and line towers would be about 5620 sqm. The detailed area summary is given below: Area required for Area (sq m) Lower Terminal Station, 300 Kadukhal Upper Terminal Station, 300 Surkanda Devi Temple Ropeway corridor 5020 Total 5620 sq m Alternative routes assessed Five alternative routes were assessed, which are as discussed below: Alternative Latitude Longitude Elevation Difference Alternative I LTP- 30 024’23.52”N LTP-78 017’19.21”E 215 m UTP- 30 024’40.09”N UTP- 78 017’17.24”E Alternative-II LTP- 30 024’22.26”N LTP-78 017’17.98”E 231 m UTP- 30 024’41.53”N UTP- 78 017’14.63”E Alternative-III LTP- 30 024’49.37”N LTP-78 017’49.69”E 291 m UTP- 30 024’39.66”N UTP- 78 017’20.13”E Alternative-IV LTP- 30 024’22.70”N LTP-78 017’19.24”E 226 m UTP- 30 024’39.78”N UTP- 78 017’19.09”E Alternative-V LTP- 30 024’22.96”N LTP-78 017’18.61”E 223 m UTP- 30 024’40.53”N UTP- 78 017’16.04”E 6 M/s Perfact Enviro Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Surkanda Devi Ropeway Project Selected Alignment: Out of the five alternative routes the Alternative-II was found appropriate as it was the most stable stretch, the requirement of space was minimum and minimal no. of trees will be disturbed. Also, the UTP is located reasonably away from the Shrine so as to not cause any interference. The five alternative alignments are shown in the figure below: The total length of proposed ropeway alignment is working out to be 500 m. The LTP is proposed near GMVNL rest house at Kaddukhal. The UTP is proposed near the Dharamshala towards South West on gradual slope. Merits of the selected Alignment: The alignment for the proposed ropeway project was selected based on the following guidelines: i) Availability of adequate space for proposed terminal stations; 7 M/s Perfact Enviro Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Surkanda Devi Ropeway Project ii) Low density of forest cover thereby reducing number of trees to be felled; iii) Major points / locations to be connected along the route; iv) Minimum possible infringement with the environment; v) No rehabilitation or relocation involved vi) Stability of the location vis-à-vis geology; and vii) Financialfeasibility of constructing terminal stations. viii) Minimum numbers of trees are required to be cut. Proposed Ropeway System Technology Mono-cable Jig back system In this system one endless hauling rope supports and hauls two cabins, one in forward direction and the other in reverse direction between the terminal stations. The cabins are fixed to the rope. Once the cabins reach the terminal stations the movement of the ropeway is reversed. Mono-cable uses cabins of comparatively lower passenger carrying capacity. Advantages • Reduced terminal space requirement • Cost effective • Simplicity of operation and maintenance Constraints • Low transportation capacity Specifications & Guidelines The specifications and guidelines are provided for the various project components (Ropeway System, associated infrastructure) including, but not limited to the following major provisions: The Concessionaire shall consider Specifications provided by Bureau of Indian Standards and other applicable statutory code of practices like Indian Electricity Act, National Building Code, 8 M/s Perfact Enviro Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Surkanda Devi Ropeway Project Municipal Building Bylaws of Uttarakhand, etc for design, construction, operation and applicable maintenance of the project facilities. The Concessionaire shall adhere to the provisions of any Act for passenger ropeway that is applicable for enacted in future in the state of Uttarakhand. In case of ropeway Cabins and its associated part to be mandatorily procured imported, suitable international standards with justification may be followed. Maintenance Schedule: Detailed operation and maintenance instruction manuals covering all aspects of maintenance of the Ropeway System would form an integral part of system documentation. The essential aspects of maintenance are, however, briefly listed below: cabins, hangers and grips etc shall be done. Periodic lubrication at the Stations shall be done. Routine lubrication at the Stations. Regular cleaning at stations to ensure a clean and dust-free atmosphere. Periodic Inspection, checking and replacement of hauling rope especially the spliced zones. Inspection, checking, lubrication and replacement if and when required of line components such as line sheaves. Tightening of all station tower bolts periodically. Checking of prime mover such as motors, gearbox, couplings etc. Regular checking of service and emergency brakes. Regular checking of DG set and Diesel Engine. Mock trial of rescue system at periodic intervals. Adequate maintenance spares will be stocked for smooth operation. Special tools & tackles will kept in the workshop 3. ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN Land Environment: Construction phase: 9 M/s Perfact Enviro Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • HEVAN of UTTARAKHAND ( Mussoorie - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Chopta - Auli)
    ी गणेशाय नमः 08 NIGHT / 09 DAYS (Ex. Delhi) HEVAN OF UTTARAKHAND ( Mussoorie - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Chopta - Auli) * * 02 Night Mussoorie - 01 Night Rudraprayag - 02 Night Joshimath - 01 Night Rishikesh - 01 Night Haridwar - 01 Night Delhi * * * 206, SAIGIRI APARTMENT, SAIBABA NAGAR, NAVGHAR ROAD, BHAYANDER(E), MUMBAI - 401105 Phone: - 09321590898 / 09322590898 /09323790898, - 022 - 28190898 Website - www.kanaiyatravels.com / www.uncleTours.com. / Email - [email protected] * Days Tour Detail SPECIAL DISCOUNT Day 01 : DELHI TO MUSSOORIE(280 KM / 8 -9 Hrs) ON GROUP BOOKING Pick Up From New Delhi Railway Station / Airport at Morning and proceed to Mussoorie (9-10 hrs. Now also available on journey). Evening visit Mall Road for shopping. Night halt at Mussoorie. EMI facility (The passengers who are directly reaching Haridwar by train will be picked up at 15.00 pm. & Passengers who reach Dehradun by direct flight / Train will be picked up at 16.00 pm.) DEPARTURE DATE Day 02 : MUSSOORIE SIGHTSEEING Wake up early in the morning and enjoy a nature walk at the mall road. Have your hot and PLEASE CALL 9322590898 delicious breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast proceeds to explore Kempty falls, Devbhumi wax 9321590898 museum, Mussoorie lake, Camels back road, Cloud’s end, and Bhatta falls. Lunch during the sightseeing. Evening return back to the hotel. Evening explores Gun Hills by ropeway on your own from the Mall Road. Dinner and overnight stay at the Mussoorie. Day 03 : MUSSOORIE TO CHOPTA (185 KM / 7 Hrs) Wake up, Get refreshed and refuel yourself with a heavy breakfast. Check out at 08.30 AM from the hotel and proceeds to Rudraprayag via covering Surkanda Devi temple, Eco Park, Dhanaulti, Kanatal, Chamba, New Tehri, Srinagar, and Rudraprayag on the way.
    [Show full text]
  • A Case of Community Based Ecotourism in the Himalayas
    ECOLOGICAL IDIOSYNCRASY: A CASE OF COMMUNITY BASED ECOTOURISM IN THE HIMALAYAS Dhiraj Pathak1, Gaurav Bathla2, Shashi K Tiwari3 1Assistant Professor and HOD, Faculty of Hospitality, GNA University, Phagwara (India) 2Assistant Professor, Faculty of Hospitality, GNA University, Phagwara (India) 3Associate Professor, Faculty of Hospitality, GNA University, Phagwara (India) I INTRODUCTION Community-based ecotourism is a form of ecotourism that emphasizes the development of local communities and allows for local residents to have substantial control over, and involvement in; its development and management, and a major proportion of the benefits remain within the community. Community-based ecotourism should foster sustainable use and collective responsibility, but it also embraces individual initiatives within the community. With this form of ecotourism, local residents share the environment and their way of life with visitors, while increasing local income and building local economies. By sharing activities such as festivals, homestays, and the production of artisan goods, community-based ecotourism allows communities to participate in the modern global economy while cultivating a sustainable source of income and maintaining their way of life. A successful model of community-based ecotourism works with existing community initiatives, utilizes community leaders, and seeks to employ local residents so that income generated from ecotourism stays in the community and maximizes local economic benefits. Although ecotourism often promises community members improved livelihoods and a source of employment, irresponsible ecotourism practices can exhaust natural resources and exploit local communities. It is essential that approaches to community-based ecotourism projects be a part of a larger community development strategy and carefully planned with community members to ensure that desired outcomes are consistent with the community’s culture and heritage.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Tourism Development : Potential of Home Stay Business in Uttarakhand
    IJMRT • Volume 13 • Number 1 • January-June 2019: 51-63 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT : POTENTIAL OF HOME STAY BUSINESS IN UTTARAKHAND Dr. Anupama Srivastava1 & Sanjay Singh2 Abstract: Tourism has emerged as one of the most important industry of the future. The Multiplier effects of tourism in terms of employment generation, income generation, development of tourism infrastructure and also conservation of priceless heritage, cultural deposits and development of potential tourism places are significant. Uttaranchal remains as one of the greatest attractions for tourists and state has tremendous potential for future tourism development. Moreover, tourism as a socio-economic activity involves a variety of services and deals basically with human beings moving from one place to another for different motivation to fulfill varied objectives. There are a number of eco-tourism destinations including national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the state of Uttarakhand which attract nature lovers. Against this backdrop, present paper purports to examine the scope of home stay tourism in The state of Uttarkhand. INTRODUCTION The State of Uttarakhand comprises of 13 districts that are grouped into two regions (Kumaon and Garhwal) and has a total geographical area of 53,484 sq. km. The State has a population of 101.17 million (Census of India, 2011) of which the rural population constitutes about 70 percent of the total. Uttarakhand is the 20th most populous state of the country. The economy of the State primarily depends on agriculture and tourism. About 70 percent of the population is engaged in agriculture. Out of the total reported area, only 14% is under cultivation. More than 55 percent of the cultivated land in the State is rain-fed.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Download
    ISSN: 2322 - 0902 (P) ISSN: 2322 - 0910 (O) International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research Research Article ETHNO-BOTANICAL IDENTIFICATION OF SOME WILD HERB SPECIES OF SURKANDA DEVI HILL, UTTARAKHAND Arya Rishi1*, Singh D.C2, Tiwari R.C3, Naithani Harsh Bardhan4 *1P.G Scholar, 2Professor, Department of Dravyaguna, Uttrakhand Ayurveda University, Rishikul Campus, Haridwar, Uttrakhand, India. 3Associate Professor, Department of Agada Tantra, Uttrakhand Ayurveda University, Rishikul Campus, Haridwar, Uttrakhand, India. 4Consultant Lead Taxonomist, Botany Division, FRI, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. ABSTRACT Medicinal plants play important role in healthcare practices among the tribal's and rural people. These Tribal's and rural people have wonderful knowledge about the effective treatment of many health problems only by using the plant parts. This knowledge acquired by the tribal's and rural peoples usually passed from generation to generation only in verbal form. So an effort was carried out to assess ethno botanical information of some wild herb species used by the local dwellers of Surkanda Devi Hill in District Tehri Garhwal of Uttarakhand. The information presented in this paper was gathered by frequent field visit in the forest and adjoining villages, participatory observations, group discussion, interviews with local knowledgeable people residing nearby Surkanda Devi Temple from September 2014 to March 2016. A total of 60 plant species were collected during the field visit out of which 48 plant species under 41 genera and 30 families were reported ethno-medicinal by the local dwellers and used by them for their primary health care. The plants used for different purposes are listed with scientific name, family, local name, ethno-medicinal importance.
    [Show full text]
  • Initial Environment Examination IND:Uttarakhand Emergency Assistance Project (UEAP)
    Initial Environment Examination Project Number: 47229-001 November 2016 IND: Uttarakhand Emergency Assistance Project (UEAP) Package: UEAP/PWD/C-104, UEAP/PWD/C-105 and UEAP/PWD/C-107 Submitted by Project implementation Unit –UEAP (Roads and Bridges), Dehradun This initial environment examination report has been submitted to ADB by the Project implementation Unit – UEAP (Roads and Bridges), Dehradun and is made publicly available in accordance with ADB’s Public Communications Policy (2011). It does not necessarily reflect the views of ADB. This initial environment examination report is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Initial Environmental Examination October 2016 India: Uttarakhand Emergency Assistance Project 1- Protection/Treatment work on Chronic land slide zone on Haripur – Ichari – Kwanu – Meenus Motor Marg (Km 33) PACKAGE NO.: UEAP/PWD/C-104 2- Protection/Treatment work on Chronic Landslide Zone Pipaldali - Rajakhet Motor Marg Km-1, District Tehri in Uttarakhand, PACKAGE NO.: UEAP/PWD/C- 105 3- Protection/Treatment work on Chronic Landslide Zone Pratapnagar-Tehri Motor Marg Km-19, District Tehri in Uttarakhand, PACKAGE NO.: UEAP/PWD/C-107 Prepared by State Disaster Management Authority, Government of Uttarakhand, for the Asian Development Bank.
    [Show full text]
  • (ECO-TOURISM) in UTTARAKHAND Analysis and Recommendations
    RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND MIGRATION COMMISSION UTTARAKHAND, PAURI NATURE BASED TOURISM (ECO-TOURISM) IN UTTARAKHAND Analysis and recommendations SEPTEMBER 2018 PREFACE Uttarakhand, located in the western Himalayan region, is largely mountainous with bulk of its population living in the rural areas. Migration of people from rural to semi-urban or urban areas particularly from the hill districts is a major cause for concern, as it results in depopulated or partially depopulated villages; and a dwindling primary sector (agriculture). Out migration from the rural areas of the state is posing multiple challenges causing economic disparities; declining agriculture; low rural incomes and a stressed rural economy. It is in this background that the Uttarakhand government decided to set up a commission to assess the quantum and extent of out migration from different rural areas of the state; evolve a vision for the focused development of the rural areas, that would help in mitigating out-migration and promote welfare and prosperity of the rural population; advise the government on multi-sectoral development at the grassroots level which would aggregate at the district and state levels; submit recommendations on those sections of the population of the state that is at risk of not adequately benefitting from economic progress and to recommend and monitor focused initiatives in sectors that would help in multi-sectoral development of rural areas and thus help in mitigating the problem of out-migration. The commission chaired by the Chief Minister of the state , presented its first report to the government in the first half of 2018 in which various aspects of out migration have been brought out on the basis of a detailed ground level survey and detailed consultations with various stakeholders.
    [Show full text]
  • Kanatal - Rishikesh
    DELHI - KANATAL - RISHIKESH Distance to Kanatal : 325 kms. (7 to 8 hrs drive) - Route : Delhi - Meerut - Muzaffarnagar - Roorkee - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Narendra Nagar - Chamba - Kanatal (On Chamba - Mussorie Road) USP of Kanatal - At 8500 ft above sea level, secluded, Awesome view of Himalayas. Clear view of Trishul, Chaukhamba and Bandarpoonch. Lots of trekking options in Kodia Jungle. Pine and Oak forest. Places to See - Kodia Jungle, Tehri Dam, Dhanolti - Surkanda devi temple, ECO Park. Road Condition - Road after Muzaffarnagar to Roorkee is bad. High traffic in Haridwar and Roorkee. Midway Break - Namaste Midway has MCD, Haldiram, Costa, Baskin and Robins is about 5 kms before Muzaffarnagar and an ideal stop over. Of course Cheetal Grand is also another option which is 12 km before Midway. Stay - 3 nights at Kanatal Club Mahindra. 1 night stay at Rishikesh GMVN Rishilok Tourist Rest House. The Journey We started by 5.30 Am. By 7.30 am we reached MCD. 10 am we were in Haridwar and by 1 pm reached Kanatal. Day - 1 Check in was smooth and post lunch we lazed around for the day... The resort is on the main Chamba - Dhanaulti road. Medium sized resort with about 35 rooms. All rooms are valley facing. Well appointed rooms with good insulation and room heating . Evenings and early morning are cold and some times windy too. The hotel is just infront of Kodia eco park. Food is pricey but members have discount and fun dining option. Monkey menace a problem. Day-2 We planned to trek Kodia Jungle. Morning trek was about 7 kms.
    [Show full text]
  • Dossier of the Project “ Construction of Chain Link Fencing Along with Foot Path of Maa Kunjapuri Mandir Block Narendranagar Distt
    Dossier of the project “ Construction of Chain Link Fencing along with Foot Path of Maa Kunjapuri Mandir Block Narendranagar Distt. Tehri Uttarakhand” Sl.No Description of Details Remarks, Project if any 1 Name of Project Construction of Chain Link Fencing along with Foot Path of Maa Kunjapuri Mandir Block Narendranagar Distt. Tehri Uttarakhand 2 Project code 016/2017-18/Kunjapuri/Narendranagar/R&D/8.29 3 Implementing Unit SEWA-THDC, Rishikesh & Code 4 Implementing M/S Girveer Singh Rana, 275, Dehradun Road Agency Rishikesh 5 Project Cost Rs. 8,29,645 6 Date of Start 30.05.2017 7 Date of Completion 29.08.2017 Work Completed 8 Area of operation of Kunja Puri Temple Narendra Nagar, Tehri the project 9 Activity covered in Rural Development (Utthan) the project & activity code 10 Target Group Pilgrims and local people 11 No. of Beneficiaries Approx. 01 lakh per year 12 Quantification of benefit accrued As per requirement from the project, as derived from the Impact Assessment Report/Evaluation Report by Independent Agency. 13 Documentary Proof Details & Photo are given below like photo/video/news items etc. Introduction: Kunjapuri Devi Temple is a renowned Temple of High Religious Importance to Pilgrims of Hindu Religion. The Holy Shrine is Located at an altitudinal Height of 1,676 Meters above the sea level. The Temple is one of the 52 Shakti peeths in Uttarakhand and is a place where the chest of the Burnt Sati fell down. Kunjapuri Devi Temple offers Panoramic views of snow laden mountains such as Gangotri, Banderpooch, Swarga Rohini and chaukhamba.
    [Show full text]
  • Patients and Healers: Medical Anthropology 1
    Himalayan Geography: History, Society and Culture Spring 2020, ANTH 0730 Mr. Akshay Shah Hanifl Center Day “D” During Expeditions 1 COURSE STRUCTURE This course involves engaged participation in each of the expeditions/special programs that are featured on the itinerary for Pitt in the Himalayas 2020. Each of the field trips, as outlined below, will count as a class meeting. Instruction during each field trip will be intensively experiential, with a focus on directed field-based learning. The course is required for all students enrolled in Pitt in the Himalayas. COURSE BACKGROUND The Himalayan region is characterized by a tremendous range of social and cultural diversity that corresponds to climatic, ecological and geographical variation, as well as local and regional geopolitical factors. Historical change from the emergence of early forms of social complexity centered on chiefs and their forts – from which the regional designation of “Garhwal” takes its name – through the development of kingdoms and larger polities shows the intimate link between geography, environment and socio-political transformation. Similarly, local language patterns, regional religious practices, musical styles, mythology, food culture, sartorial fashion, architectural design, agricultural and transportation technologies and engineering and trade networks have all been shaped by the structure of mountain barriers, bounded valley communities and bracketed lines of communication that follow river systems. Whereas the political economy of the Himalayas has been structured around agricultural production, and the development of elaborate field terrace systems, there have also been subsidiary economies centered on trans-Himalayan trade and pilgrimage as well as pastoral nomadism and transhumance. Since the colonial period, the Himalayas have increasingly become a place for rest, relaxation, tourism and adventure, and this – along with further political transformations since Indian independence -- has lead to the rapid development of urban areas.
    [Show full text]
  • Full Article
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSERVATION SCIENCE ISSN: 2067-533X Volume 5, Issue 2, April-June 2014: 215-222 www.ijcs.uaic.ro THE RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF FOREST LANDSCAPES IN UTTARAKHAND HIMALAYA, INDIA Nazir A. PALA1*, Ajeet. K. NEGI2, N. P. TODARIA2 1 Department of Forestry, Faculty of Horticulture, UBKV Pundibari-736165, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India 2 Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, HNB Garhwal University Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarkhand-246174 Abstract The present study was an attempt to understand the community behavior of cultural and tradition rich forested landscapes towards the conservation and management of forest resources. The present study was conducted in five selected protected forests (Chanderbadni, Jameshwar, Ulkagari, Ansuiya Devi and Maroor) located in four districts of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Conservation practices and belief system was discussed with local inhabitants residing within and around the vicinity of these forests. A well-structured semi- structured questionnaire dataset was developed for formal and informal discussions with the communities. Deities of both genders are worshiped; however, people have more faith in feminine deities compared to male deities. The awareness among villagers regarding the conservation is historical. Different festivals and traditional celebrations are held to keep the heritage intact with younger generations. No use of weapons, restrictions to pregnant women, and ban on spitting and making of toilets around the core zones has restricted the entry by the local communities. Demarcation around the boundaries by red flags or statues of gods or goddesses have been erected in the forested landscapes to put votive offerings, which ultimately give protection to these landscapes in the form of social conservation.
    [Show full text]
  • UCOST Sponsored Research and Development Projects
    UCOST Sponsored Research and Development Projects Assessment of potential of cyanobacterial isolates from Garhwal region for the production of phycobiliproteins PI— Dr Vidya Dhar Pandey Cyanobacteria (Blue-green algae), the organisms investigated for the present study, are a morphologically diverse and ubiquitous group of photosynthetic prokaryotes with potential applications in various fields, such as agriculture, aquaculture, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, bioenergy and bioremediation. They produce fluorescent accessory photosynthetic pigments, called phycobiliproteins (PBPs), which are industrially and pharmacologically important natural products. The potential use of phycobiliproteins as non-toxic and non-carcinogenic natural food colorants/additives has been recognised world-wide in view of the toxicity and carcinogenicity of widely used synthetic food colorants/additives. They also find applications in cosmetics and clinical diagnostics. Moreover, they exhibit pharmacologically important activities, such as anticancerous, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and hepatoprotective. Because of their rapid growth rate, simple growth requirements, amenability to controlled laboratory culture and ubiquity, cyanobacteria comprise a suitable bioresource for phycobiliproteins. Although cyanobacteria are widely distributed organisms with remarkable ability to grow and survive under varied climatic/environmental conditions, hitherto they represent unexplored or meagerly explored organisms in Uttarakhand. Cyanobacterial samples
    [Show full text]
  • Tarab Ling Facilitating Trekking and Outings
    Tarab Ling Facilitating trekking and outings In the following you can see some suggestions for trekking in the higher mountains. There are also very nice walks all year round out of Tarab Ling for half a day or a full day to nearby hills, villages and waterfalls. Or you may take walks out from the nearby hill station, Mussoorie, and spend a night or two there. There are many options around Dehradun and if you like to arrange in advance please contact: Norbu Wangchuk, General Secretary Tarab Ling Association Asthal, P.O Maldevta Maldevta-Raipur Road Dehradun -248001 Uttarakhand, India Contact phone: (0091) 91 941 018 6214 / 999 7679 245 Email:[email protected] Web: http://tarab-institute.org HIGHER HIMLAYAN TREKKINGS (May to October) 1. CAMP BUGYAL SARAI Nestled between the foothills of the Himalayas and the lively village of Barsu, Camp Bugyal Sarai is a Himalayan paradise like no other. Whether it is a trek, a hike, a scenic vista or a relaxing afternoon in the wilderness that you seek, Barsu has it all. A day at Bugyal Sarai has endless possibilities, leaving the traveler toiling over how best to spend their day. Flora and fauna abound, making any hike a snail’s pace effort to soak in the Himalayan scenery. • The camp is a perfect jumping off point for a Himalayan trek for the adventurer or a simple, rustic getaway for the traveler seeking solace and relaxation. With a helpful and accommodating staff, full and eco-friendly facilities and a lovely touch of the local Himalayan culture, Bugyal Sarai is as versatile as its visitors—artists, yogis, climbers, hikers, writers, thinkers, and people of the world alike.
    [Show full text]