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Chhattisgarh's
Hill Mynah on
the Verge of Extinction BASTAR (Chhattisgarh): Hill mynah, the talking bird, is on the verge of extinction in Chhattisgarh due to poaching. The State Government had set up an artificial breeding centre in the hilly region of Bastar seven years ago to multiply their numbers. But officials say the number of birds never went beyond five at this breeding centre. "The atmosphere at this breeding centre is not appropriate for the birds. Buses and trains pass by and birds get disturbed. Mynah is a peace-loving bird. Last year they laid four eggs but broke them open before hatching due to depression," said Mohan Singh Nayak, an official at the breeding centre. He said poaching threat to mynah, even after it was declared State bird, has not diminished and added that recently a few 'baheliyas' or bird-catchers were caught selling mynahs to people. Hill mynah, whose scientific name is Gracula Religiosa Intermedia, is noted for its great learning abiliy and often mimics human voice in captivity. It is a popular cage-bird in India and Sri Lanka. The bird in Bastar repeats caretaker's words "Saab Namaste", "Sitaram" and "Hello". It is a stout, glossy black bird with a white speculum on the wing and a yellow bill. There are two large yellow wattles on the nape and two small ones below the eye. It measures 12-15 inches, and lives in pairs or small groups on the margins of forests, building its nest high in the cavities of trees and feeding mainly on fruit. In the wild, their notes vary from low, hoarse chuckles to loud, ringing whistles that travel far.
Tourism Picks up in Varanasi (Go To Top) VARANASI: Tourism in the country has once again picked up after a one-year lean period. Withdrawal of troops by India and Pakistan from the border and the consequent de-escalation of tension is supposed to have boosted tourism. Visitors have started feeling less insecure and are opting for travel packages. The September 11 attacks on the US had had unimaginable adverse effects on various industries. The repercussions were felt by the tourism industry as well, not only in the country but also world-wide. The attack led to instability all over the world with the threat of war looming large everywhere. The fears of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan added fuel to the fire with tourism industry reeling at an all-time low. The recent bombings in Bali, Indonesia, led to a further drop in the tourism graph. Anup Shrivastav, tourist officer in Varanasi, said, "Any incident anywhere affects tourism industry in the whole world and not just in one country. That is its biggest drawback". But now as the war clouds have disappeared, tourists are beginning to get comfortable with the idea of travelling. Varanasi has registerd a 20 per cent rise in arrivals. Known for the Ganga and saffron-clad holy men, the appeal of this ancient city never dimnishes. Gokul Sharma, president of Varanasi Hotel Proprieters Association, said, "After the withdrawlal of troops by India, the feeling is that there will not be war. The number of tourists has increased." Hatas, an American tourist, said, "People were very nervous about the threat of war between India and Pakistan. But now they are very thankful that it is no longer a concern". This year hotel bookings have been made till March 2003. The religious customs and ceremonies, which are major tourist attractions in Varanasi, are also the best way to learn much about Indian culture. Experts feel tourism can be further enhanced by starting a special train for Varanasi and providing more information to the tourists so that they can avoid all sorts of inconveniences.
Mining Crops Himalayan Forests (Go To Top) TEHRI (Uttaranchal): Environmentalists have expressed concern over rampant illegal mining in Uttaranchal which, they say, is threatening the ecology of the hilly region. In the 1970s it was the women of this region who fought for these forests. It was the 'Chipko' movement ... the environmental time-bomb that exploded right into the face of this northern State's industrial lobby, forcing it to realise the value of environmental management. But 30 years later, Uttaranchal, which was carved out of Uttar Pradesh in 2000, is yet again faced with an environmental crisis. The booming construction business after the creation of the new State has meant a sudden spurt in the highly profitable mining trade. In fact, limestone mining alone has already devoured more than 40 per cent of the forest cover in the region. Environmentalists say the Valley has not only lost its natural beauty but has become prone to landslides, flash floods, water shortage, rising temperature and failing crop production. Noted environmentalist Avdesh Kaushal warns the damage is just a chilly forerunner of devastation awaing the entire Indo-Gangetic plain. "Mining is all about making the environment weak. There is nothing but loss associated with it. Whatever mining you do, trees are cut, bushes are removed, the top soil has to be removed. Our water source itself is being finished. Mining in this area is harmful not just for Uttaranchal region but the entire country," said Kaushal. The worst hit are water streams emanating from the limestone aquifers. The water from these mines was not only a main source of irrigation for the locals but the growth of bushes near the water source held the soil together. In fact, the extent of abundance of water in the region can be gauged from the fact that most villages here have suffixed their names with 'pani' (water) and have even named roads after canals. However, years of unscientific limestone mining has wrought havoc and today the entire region is facing both loss of vegetation and severe shortage of water. According to official estimates, more than 35,000 tonnes of limestone is mined from each mine annually, giving the Government a revenue of 16 to 17 million rupees. Despite the figures less than two per cent of the total mining trade is accounted for legally. This not only deprives the Government of royalty but also leads to constant manipulation of prices. Unofficial estimates which take into account illegal mines as well put the total trade money in limestone mining to a whooping 30 milliom rupees. However, the State Government has after much protest woken up to the cause. Chief Minister ND Tiwari says that the Government will be formulating permanent environmental committees which would monitor and check the mines. Limestone mining operations in the region became widespread during the decade between 1955 and 1965 and many of the leases were granted in 1962. In the decade after 1965, the depredations of mining began to be felt and since then there have been repeated efforts to curb the mining lobby. -ANI |
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