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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur//articleshow/17751067.cms?
Times of India, Kanpur, 25 Dec 2012
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Chambal Sanrakshan Pahal,(Chambal Conservation Initiatives) a society inspired for nature conservation services such as Biodiversity conservation, Rivers Restoration, Forest conservation and Community based Natural resources managements.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Dolphin watch centre comes up in Fatehpur
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Chambal ravines all set for 'wild' makeover
LUCKNOW: Once considered as a safe haven for dacoits and criminals, the ravines of Chambal are all set to shred their old tag. And if all goes well as per the plans of the Uttar Pradesh government, then the region may become the hub of wildlife tourism, which will have everything from river cruising to river safari.
The state government has made Uttar Pradesh Awas Vikas Parishad the executing agency for developing the sanctuary, while sanctioning Rs 4.5 crore for the sanctuary's makeover. Being home to the last of the ghariyals, along with eight rare species of turtles and Gangetic dolphins, the sanctuary never got its due share of recognition.
The project is to be completed within four years. "A proposal to start boat rides at Nadganwa has been submitted to the chief wildlife warden," said Sujoy Banerjee, DFO, National Chambal Sanctuary. Nadganwa is about 70 kilometres from Agra and offers a glimpse into Chambal's wildlife. Though boat rides at Nandganwa would be costly, officials are of the opinion that expensive ticket would bring only genuine bird-watchers to the place. The proposal has fixed Rs 750 as ticket price for foreigners for an hour-long boat ride, while for domestic tourists, it has been fixed at Rs 200. Besides, the cost of petrol which would go into running the boat would also have to be realized from the visitors.
Initially, the department would put to use the boats meant for patrolling the area. "We want to bring in lesser number of tourists and the ones who are actually interested in wildlife, as that will not disturb the ambience and the wildlife habitat," said the DFO.
The 425 kilometre stretch of Chambal river was declared a protected area in 1979. The river culminates at Bhare in Etawah, where is merges with the Yamuna. The sanctuary area runs along three states of UP, MP and Rajasthan. UP has 150-kilometre-long stretch of the river sanctuary running along Bah (Agra) and Etawah.
Interestingly, the sanctuary is approximately 77 kilometres away from the Taj Mahal. The plan is to attract the Taj-bound tourists to Chambal sanctuary, by offering river cruise and river safari. And, to do so forest department has identified spots along the river, which can be developed as tourism sites. These include four ghats of Sehson, Udi, Panchnada and Bhare, along Chambal, a forest official said.
Etawah already has a Lion Safari coming up, which will hardly be an hour-long drive from Agra. Developing Chambal sanctuary will build a tourism corridor between Agra and Etawah. The government is of the opinion that this will not only supplement the incomes of those associated with tourism industry, but also create additional employment opportunities for ancillary units.
The major advantage, which the sanctuary enjoys is its serene ambience, despite the fact that it's close to Agra. It has no industries along its banks and that makes it one of the cleanest rivers. Among the major wildlife attractions are ghariyals, which are critically endangered. Apart from 200-250 ghariyals found in Nepal, most of the remaining 1,500 are found in three Indian rivers - Son, Geruwa and Chambal. The Chambal sanctuary shelters close to 700. "This year around, since the monsoon was delayed, the new hatchlings haven't been washed away, and one can see them along the river," said the DFO.
Besides, eight of the rare turtle species, including the red crowned roof turtle, and critically threatened gangetic dolphins are found in the sanctuary area. The sanctuary is also one of the important bird areas and a proposed Ramsar site (identified as an important wetland for conservation). It's a famous spot for sighting birds like Indian Skimmers.
Two bird sanctuaries, Patna in Etah district and Saman in Mainpuri, are located very close to the sanctuary. The region has also the maximum population of Sarus crane and has hundreds of migratory birds visiting it in the winter season.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Yamuna a drain, not a drop of fresh water: CPCB
NEW DELHI: The Yamuna is a drain with not a drop of fresh
water in its 22-km stretch through Delhi, the Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) informed the Supreme Court
on Friday.
"River Yamuna ceases to exist downstream of Wazirabad barrage during a major part of the year and gets its flow due to Najafgarh drain at Wazirabad downstream," a two-member expert body appointed by the court said in its interim report.
Presenting the report to a bench of Justices Swatanter Kumar and S J Mukhopadhaya, CPCB counsel Vijay Panjwani said, "Yamuna is a drain. Fresh water does not flow in the river except during monsoon. The entire flow of fresh water is harnessed at Wazirabad to provide drinking water to residents of Delhi."
Amicus curiae and senior advocate Ranjit Kumar supported the expert body's interim findings and said what flowed into Yamuna within Delhi was treated and untreated waste and sewage water. "So, it is nothing but a drain," he added.
The expert committee's interim report said, "The total installed sewage treatment capacity in Delhi is 2,460 million litres per day (MLD) as against the sewage generation of about 3,800 MLD. It is pertinent to mention that installed capacity is only 63% utilized in the absence of adequate coverage area."
The report found that 1,360 MLD of sewage water flowed into the river untreated and got mixed with treated sewage, bringing to naught the entire effort to reduce pollution in the river.
The apex court had taken suo motu notice of a news item 'And quiet flows maili Yamuna" in 1994 and, since then, has been making efforts to reduce pollution level in the river, which has remained unsuccessful in the absence of comprehensive and joint efforts from authorities.
The bench did not take kindly the state of affairs relating to Yamuna and virtually pleaded with the authorities to make "some collective efforts to make the river clean".
It gave three more weeks to the expert body to present its final report relating to closure of drains which discharged untreated waste water into the river. It also asked the expert body to suggest remedial measures to make Yamuna clean.
The interim report said, "Najafgarh drain discharges about 2,064 MLD of waste water into Yamuna. Of this, only 629 MLD (30%) of waste water is treated through the installed capacity in the Najafgarh drain basin. It clearly indicates that there is large gap of 1,435 MLD of waste water which remains untreated. Even the treated sewage from sewage treatment plants is discharged with the Najafgarh drain where it is mixed with the untreated sewage, thereby defeating the very purpose of waste water treatment."
Panjwani also informed the court the expert body found that many areas of the national capital did not have a drainage system at all. The report said, "As a result, large quantity of sewage is diverted to storm water drains while the STPs are underutilized by 37%. Besides, 45% of the population in villages/unapproved colonies (recently regularized) are not covered by sewerage system."
dhananjay.mahapatra@timesgroup.com
"River Yamuna ceases to exist downstream of Wazirabad barrage during a major part of the year and gets its flow due to Najafgarh drain at Wazirabad downstream," a two-member expert body appointed by the court said in its interim report.
Presenting the report to a bench of Justices Swatanter Kumar and S J Mukhopadhaya, CPCB counsel Vijay Panjwani said, "Yamuna is a drain. Fresh water does not flow in the river except during monsoon. The entire flow of fresh water is harnessed at Wazirabad to provide drinking water to residents of Delhi."
Amicus curiae and senior advocate Ranjit Kumar supported the expert body's interim findings and said what flowed into Yamuna within Delhi was treated and untreated waste and sewage water. "So, it is nothing but a drain," he added.
The expert committee's interim report said, "The total installed sewage treatment capacity in Delhi is 2,460 million litres per day (MLD) as against the sewage generation of about 3,800 MLD. It is pertinent to mention that installed capacity is only 63% utilized in the absence of adequate coverage area."
The report found that 1,360 MLD of sewage water flowed into the river untreated and got mixed with treated sewage, bringing to naught the entire effort to reduce pollution in the river.
The apex court had taken suo motu notice of a news item 'And quiet flows maili Yamuna" in 1994 and, since then, has been making efforts to reduce pollution level in the river, which has remained unsuccessful in the absence of comprehensive and joint efforts from authorities.
The bench did not take kindly the state of affairs relating to Yamuna and virtually pleaded with the authorities to make "some collective efforts to make the river clean".
It gave three more weeks to the expert body to present its final report relating to closure of drains which discharged untreated waste water into the river. It also asked the expert body to suggest remedial measures to make Yamuna clean.
The interim report said, "Najafgarh drain discharges about 2,064 MLD of waste water into Yamuna. Of this, only 629 MLD (30%) of waste water is treated through the installed capacity in the Najafgarh drain basin. It clearly indicates that there is large gap of 1,435 MLD of waste water which remains untreated. Even the treated sewage from sewage treatment plants is discharged with the Najafgarh drain where it is mixed with the untreated sewage, thereby defeating the very purpose of waste water treatment."
Panjwani also informed the court the expert body found that many areas of the national capital did not have a drainage system at all. The report said, "As a result, large quantity of sewage is diverted to storm water drains while the STPs are underutilized by 37%. Besides, 45% of the population in villages/unapproved colonies (recently regularized) are not covered by sewerage system."
dhananjay.mahapatra@timesgroup.com
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/pollution/Yamuna-a-drain-not-a-drop-of-fresh-water-CPCB/articleshow/17164180.cms
Campaign to save Gangetic dolphins
Faiz Rahman Siddiqui, TNN | Nov 10, 2012, 05.36AM IST
KANPUR: Panchdev Yamuna Nadi Mitra Society has initiated Wildlife awareness campaign
for people in villages located within the catchment areas of Yamuna.
The campaign at present is underway at Hanuman temple, fairs, besides ghats along the
banks of Yamuna, where devotees throng in large numbers for a holy dip.
"Keeping in mind the upcoming festivals, fairs and holy bathing, we would garner support for
protection of Gangetic dolphins and other endangered aquatic animals, including gharial and
turtle," said Sitaram Taigor of PEACE Institute Charitable Trust Delhi.
Panchdev Yamuna Nadi Mitra Society, is running eco-club activities in Yamuna, revival
techniques and development programme of the PEACE Institute Charitable Trust, Delhi.
The PEACE Institute Charitable Trust (PICT) has been extensively carrying out restoration programme to conserve Yamuna.
"On Friday, we organised a dolphin conservation exhibition at Bateshwarnath temple situated on the banks of the holy river in Agra. It
attracts a major crowd during the annual cattle fair, which is almost four centuries old and the biggest and the most spectacular fairs of
north India. "We organised dolphin conservation exhibition. The activities at the cattle fair also include plantation, developing
polythene-free zones, promotion of natural farming, eco-sanitation, river health, village health monitoring and proper management of solid
waste," said Taigor.
On October 30, an exhibition was organised at Shri Falgun Giri Temple in Kishanpur Town of Vijayapur block in Fatehpur district.
"Shri Falgun Giri is a famous God of Yamuna river catchment area in Fatehpur. Every year during Kartik month (October-November), a
traditional fair is organise in Kishanpur. Religious exhibitions, `Ramlila', `Kavi sammelan', are also held. People living in nearby districts
such as Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Kaushambi and Allahabad come to seek blessings of God Shri Falgun Giri. Panchdev Yamuna Nadi
Mitra Society, in co-ordination with local `Hanuman-Gadhi' group organised a dolphin conservation exhibition in the 'chowki' for the first
time," informed Devendra Singh, member of the society.
Dolphin conservation message was also given through loudspeakers such as 'poaching is prohibited under Wildlife Protection Act 1972',
'dolphin is a national aquatic animal', 'it is critically endangered', 'it is not a fish' and others.
For the promotion of solar energy in rural pockets, solar torches were also put on display in the `chowki' and eco-friendly products were used
to organise the exhibition.
Majority of the population in the catchment area of Yamuna carries out farming, besides other major source of livelihood is animal
husbandry. These people depend on the forest cover for fuel and for the purpose of grazing the cattle, putting immense pressure on the
green-belt.
Through the medium of painting, singing and drama, environmental education has been imparted to children who joined hands to save the
future of world's natural treasures," said Jayant Singh, another member of Panchdev Yamuna Nadi Mitra Society.
KANPUR: Panchdev Yamuna Nadi Mitra Society has initiated Wildlife awareness campaign
for people in villages located within the catchment areas of Yamuna.
The campaign at present is underway at Hanuman temple, fairs, besides ghats along the
banks of Yamuna, where devotees throng in large numbers for a holy dip.
"Keeping in mind the upcoming festivals, fairs and holy bathing, we would garner support for
protection of Gangetic dolphins and other endangered aquatic animals, including gharial and
turtle," said Sitaram Taigor of PEACE Institute Charitable Trust Delhi.
Panchdev Yamuna Nadi Mitra Society, is running eco-club activities in Yamuna, revival
techniques and development programme of the PEACE Institute Charitable Trust, Delhi.
The PEACE Institute Charitable Trust (PICT) has been extensively carrying out restoration programme to conserve Yamuna.
"On Friday, we organised a dolphin conservation exhibition at Bateshwarnath temple situated on the banks of the holy river in Agra. It
attracts a major crowd during the annual cattle fair, which is almost four centuries old and the biggest and the most spectacular fairs of
north India. "We organised dolphin conservation exhibition. The activities at the cattle fair also include plantation, developing
polythene-free zones, promotion of natural farming, eco-sanitation, river health, village health monitoring and proper management of solid
waste," said Taigor.
On October 30, an exhibition was organised at Shri Falgun Giri Temple in Kishanpur Town of Vijayapur block in Fatehpur district.
"Shri Falgun Giri is a famous God of Yamuna river catchment area in Fatehpur. Every year during Kartik month (October-November), a
traditional fair is organise in Kishanpur. Religious exhibitions, `Ramlila', `Kavi sammelan', are also held. People living in nearby districts
such as Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Kaushambi and Allahabad come to seek blessings of God Shri Falgun Giri. Panchdev Yamuna Nadi
Mitra Society, in co-ordination with local `Hanuman-Gadhi' group organised a dolphin conservation exhibition in the 'chowki' for the first
time," informed Devendra Singh, member of the society.
Dolphin conservation message was also given through loudspeakers such as 'poaching is prohibited under Wildlife Protection Act 1972',
'dolphin is a national aquatic animal', 'it is critically endangered', 'it is not a fish' and others.
For the promotion of solar energy in rural pockets, solar torches were also put on display in the `chowki' and eco-friendly products were used
to organise the exhibition.
Majority of the population in the catchment area of Yamuna carries out farming, besides other major source of livelihood is animal
husbandry. These people depend on the forest cover for fuel and for the purpose of grazing the cattle, putting immense pressure on the
green-belt.
Through the medium of painting, singing and drama, environmental education has been imparted to children who joined hands to save the
future of world's natural treasures," said Jayant Singh, another member of Panchdev Yamuna Nadi Mitra Society.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Centre for Environment Education turns to kids to save dolphin
KANPUR: Young crusaders comprising school children have been roped in to spread awareness about the highly endangered Gangetic dolphins (Platenista Gangetica) through a 'Dolphin mela', being organised at the Vikas Bhawan auditorium of Etawah district on Friday.
Organised by the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), North, in association with the Society for Conservation of Nature and Social Forestry division of Etawah, as part of the Union ministry of environment and forest's ongoing Gangetic River Dolphin Conservation Education Programme, the Dolphin mela will see participation of students and teachers from across 22 schools situated within the proximity of Chambal river in the district.
"The young conservationists will now be part of a programme that involves spreading awareness among people about the need to save this national aquatic animal from extinction. The mela will witness activities like poster-making, environmental quiz and slogan-writing, besides a film show for awareness among students and locals," informed District Forest Officer, Manik Chandra Yadav.
Dolphin Mela has been organised to highlight the need to conserve the Gangetic river dolphin, a rare specie found in Chambal, besides in the Brahmaputra and Ganga, Meghna and Karnaphuli river systems. "We have involved students and teachers of nearly 22 schools located in close proximity to the Chambal river," DFO, Yadav, added.
The students will also be taken to some popular dolhpin sites along the river Chambal. "There, we will spread awareness among students on how to increase the count of the aquatic animal," said Rajiv Chauhan, secretary, society for conservation of nature. The mela aims at sensitizing students towards exhorting their elders to help protect the endangered specie.
"We are hopeful that the mela will drew a huge crowd and will change young children's mindset making them proactive towards conservation of the rare specie. There have been instances when people have killed the animal when it got entangled in the fishing net or for procuring its oil for medicinal purposes," said DFO Manik Chandra Yadav further. On August 5, a 134 cm long Gangetic dolphin was found dead in the rivulet in Sahson area close to Chambal river in Etawah district.
Gangetic river dolphins fall under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and have been declared an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The Gangetic river dolphins are one of the four freshwater dolphins in the world. The three others are found in Yangtze river in China, Indus in Pakistan and Amazon in South America.
The Gangetic river species, found in India, Bangladesh and Nepal, is blind and finds its way and prey in the river waters through 'echoes'.
Research studies under the Ganga Action plan in the 1980s estimated presence of around 6,000 dolphins in its distribution range across the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli river systems. Sadly, now there are only 2,000 Gangetic river dolphins left in India.
The dolphins, known as platenista gangetica, aka 'susu', are rare. Earlier, these were found in the Ganga river basin and all linked rivers. But now, its habitat is limited to a few rivers. Brahmaputra, Ganga and Chambal rivers are their natural habitat.
The Gangetic dolphins have been declared as the National Aquatic Animal of India in the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in October 2009. A huge sum of Rs 900 crore has been spent for cleaning the river under the Ganga Action Plan in order to revive the dwindling population of Gangetic dolphin.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Centre-for-Environment-Education-turns-to-kids-to-save-dolphin/articleshow/16390309.cms
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Plan to restore Pachnada health
Faiz Rahman Siddiqui, TNN | Aug 27, 2012, 05.50AM IST
KANPUR: Yamuna, the largest tributary of the Ganga river, is all set to get an "eco health"
revamp in the region, courtesy UK-based Thames River Restoration Trust (TRRT) and a
number of local organizations working in the field of eco-restoration of waterbodies.
Spearheading the idea is a Delhi-based organization, the Peace Institute Charitable Trust
(PICT), that has launched an extensive restoration programme at Pachnada, the confluence
of five rivers -- Yamuna, Chambal, Kunwari, Pahuj and Sindh -- in Bhareh town of Etawah to
develop community river restoration techniques with support from local groups, especially
the 'Nadi Mitra Mandali' (Friends of the River).
"The project, known as 'river twinning', covers 10 grids (group of villages located on either
side of the river), including the Panchnada Yamuna Nadi Mitra Mandali near Bhareh, on a
1,400-km-long stretch of the Yamuna in regions falling in Uttarakhand, Haryana and Uttar
Pradesh," said PICT director Manoj Mishra.
The other grids across Yamuna are Kharadi, Katapathar, Kanalsi, Ramra, Ovah, Gadaya, Batesar, Hamirpur and Ekdara, he added.
The project has been supported by the Thames River Restoration Trust (TRRT), winner of the Theiss International Riverprize fund, on
behalf of a number of organisations involved in restoration work on the Thames in the UK. The TRRT has committed to using the Riverprize
funds to develop new and better techniques for river restoration which could be used by local community groups on rivers all around the
world.
"The activities include plantation, promotion of natural farming, eco-sanitation, river health and village health monitoring and proper
management of solid waste," said Sita Ram Taigor, who is working with PICT and presently handling five grids of the Yamuna, from
Mathura to Fatehpur, and monitoring and providing technical support to the 'Nadi Mitra Mandali' of the grids.
The project has support and participation of many government and non-government organizations, including the Ministry of Environment
and Forests (MoEF). WWF India has also been working to help restore the lower Yamuna to benefit the people and wildlife as part of the
"Thames and Ganges Twinning Partnership". "The project will benefit some of the world's most endangered freshwater wildlife, including
gharial, crocodile, Ganges river dolphin and Ganges river turtle," Taigor added."Pachnada presents an extensive view of sylvan beauty
during the rainy season and also in the winters. The region is a home to a number of exotic species of flora and fauna that need to be
protected," he added.
"An outcome of PICT's partnership with local groups at 14 sites has been the development and testing of a People's River Health Index that
has not only determined the state of the river at different sites, but also identified the actions needed for river restoration," Taigor
elaborated.
Elaborating on the activities, Taigor said: "The actions include training local people in basic river and catchment monitoring techniques,
environmental education of school children and providing sustainable energy use techniques at the local level."
"A massive plantation drive is underway at Pachnada Yamuna Nadi Mitra Mandali grid these days and we are getting a very good response
from the local community, besides schoolchildren who are actively assisting us in fulfilling our mission of restoring the Yamuna," Taigor told
TOI.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-27/kanpur/33424159_1_river-restoration-ganges-river-yamuna
KANPUR: Yamuna, the largest tributary of the Ganga river, is all set to get an "eco health"
revamp in the region, courtesy UK-based Thames River Restoration Trust (TRRT) and a
number of local organizations working in the field of eco-restoration of waterbodies.
Spearheading the idea is a Delhi-based organization, the Peace Institute Charitable Trust
(PICT), that has launched an extensive restoration programme at Pachnada, the confluence
of five rivers -- Yamuna, Chambal, Kunwari, Pahuj and Sindh -- in Bhareh town of Etawah to
develop community river restoration techniques with support from local groups, especially
the 'Nadi Mitra Mandali' (Friends of the River).
"The project, known as 'river twinning', covers 10 grids (group of villages located on either
side of the river), including the Panchnada Yamuna Nadi Mitra Mandali near Bhareh, on a
1,400-km-long stretch of the Yamuna in regions falling in Uttarakhand, Haryana and Uttar
Pradesh," said PICT director Manoj Mishra.
The other grids across Yamuna are Kharadi, Katapathar, Kanalsi, Ramra, Ovah, Gadaya, Batesar, Hamirpur and Ekdara, he added.
The project has been supported by the Thames River Restoration Trust (TRRT), winner of the Theiss International Riverprize fund, on
behalf of a number of organisations involved in restoration work on the Thames in the UK. The TRRT has committed to using the Riverprize
funds to develop new and better techniques for river restoration which could be used by local community groups on rivers all around the
world.
"The activities include plantation, promotion of natural farming, eco-sanitation, river health and village health monitoring and proper
management of solid waste," said Sita Ram Taigor, who is working with PICT and presently handling five grids of the Yamuna, from
Mathura to Fatehpur, and monitoring and providing technical support to the 'Nadi Mitra Mandali' of the grids.
The project has support and participation of many government and non-government organizations, including the Ministry of Environment
and Forests (MoEF). WWF India has also been working to help restore the lower Yamuna to benefit the people and wildlife as part of the
"Thames and Ganges Twinning Partnership". "The project will benefit some of the world's most endangered freshwater wildlife, including
gharial, crocodile, Ganges river dolphin and Ganges river turtle," Taigor added."Pachnada presents an extensive view of sylvan beauty
during the rainy season and also in the winters. The region is a home to a number of exotic species of flora and fauna that need to be
protected," he added.
"An outcome of PICT's partnership with local groups at 14 sites has been the development and testing of a People's River Health Index that
has not only determined the state of the river at different sites, but also identified the actions needed for river restoration," Taigor
elaborated.
Elaborating on the activities, Taigor said: "The actions include training local people in basic river and catchment monitoring techniques,
environmental education of school children and providing sustainable energy use techniques at the local level."
"A massive plantation drive is underway at Pachnada Yamuna Nadi Mitra Mandali grid these days and we are getting a very good response
from the local community, besides schoolchildren who are actively assisting us in fulfilling our mission of restoring the Yamuna," Taigor told
TOI.
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-27/kanpur/33424159_1_river-restoration-ganges-river-yamuna
Friday, August 24, 2012
Gharial found dead in Chambal river in Etawah dist
KANPUR: A gharial was found dead on Wednsday in Chambal river near Udi bridge in Etawah district.
The death of gharial came barely three days after the recovery of a dead Gangetic dolphin in the Sahson area in the upstream of Chambal river in the district on August 5.
The death of gharial came barely three days after the recovery of a dead Gangetic dolphin in the Sahson area in the upstream of Chambal river in the district on August 5.
The dead gharial, which was in a highly decomposed state, was about 3.5 ft in size.
The dead gharial was found to be wearing a yellow colour tag with a serial number 41 inscribed on it, which according to the environmentalists only suggests that the gharial was released by some gharial conservation agency in the river in order to track the movement of critically endangered species.The tracking is expected to help assess the reptile's survival rate and the status of its preferred habitat in rivers across the region.
In 2007, gharial ( Gavialis gangeticus) was listed as "Critically Endangered" in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The recovery of a dead gharial with a number tag, however, has left the UP forest department officials perturbed. "As such kind of tagging has not been done by us, we therefore contacted officials of Deori Gharial breeding centre of MP (Madhya Pradesh) and apprised them about the dead gharial, but they also feigned ignorance about any such tagging activity being carried by them in recent time," said Mahaveer Prasad, range officer, National Chambal sanctuary.
Gharials are only released in their habitat after they attains the age of three years and grew upto 120 cm in size.
Prasad further said that as the carcass was in highly decomposed state it was difficult to ascertain the exact cause of death at this point of time. "We would try to find out the immediate cause by conducting its post-mortem," he added. Sources, however, informed that the body of gharial was found to be entangled in a fishing net, which suggested that the fishermen might have killed the reptile when it apparently got entangled in fishing net.
Currently, besides Chambal, gharials are found only in the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and the Mahanadi river systems in India and Nepal.
From November, 2007 till March, 2008, more than 112 gharials have died in the Chambal river from an unknown disease with gout-like symptoms. This recent death toll is expected to have decreased the number of breeding pairs. In 2007-2008, most of the gharials were found dead near the Sahson, the same spot where a female gangetic dolphin and a gharial have been found dead in past couple of days.
The World Wide Fund for Nature-India estimates that more than 100 gharials have died in the sanctuary since December 2007. Most of the dead gharials were spotted at the confluence of the rivers Chambal and Yamuna. The river Chambal is the largest of only three remaining breeding populations of gharial left in the world.
According to Rajiv Chauhan, secretary society for conservation of nature, who was actively involved with the conservation of gharial in the region said, "If measures of protection are not intensively taken then gharials would be wiped out from the region."
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-09/kanpur/33118267_1_gharials-national-chambal-sanctuary-nature-india-estimates
The dead gharial was found to be wearing a yellow colour tag with a serial number 41 inscribed on it, which according to the environmentalists only suggests that the gharial was released by some gharial conservation agency in the river in order to track the movement of critically endangered species.The tracking is expected to help assess the reptile's survival rate and the status of its preferred habitat in rivers across the region.
In 2007, gharial ( Gavialis gangeticus) was listed as "Critically Endangered" in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The recovery of a dead gharial with a number tag, however, has left the UP forest department officials perturbed. "As such kind of tagging has not been done by us, we therefore contacted officials of Deori Gharial breeding centre of MP (Madhya Pradesh) and apprised them about the dead gharial, but they also feigned ignorance about any such tagging activity being carried by them in recent time," said Mahaveer Prasad, range officer, National Chambal sanctuary.
Gharials are only released in their habitat after they attains the age of three years and grew upto 120 cm in size.
Prasad further said that as the carcass was in highly decomposed state it was difficult to ascertain the exact cause of death at this point of time. "We would try to find out the immediate cause by conducting its post-mortem," he added. Sources, however, informed that the body of gharial was found to be entangled in a fishing net, which suggested that the fishermen might have killed the reptile when it apparently got entangled in fishing net.
Currently, besides Chambal, gharials are found only in the Ganga, the Brahmaputra and the Mahanadi river systems in India and Nepal.
From November, 2007 till March, 2008, more than 112 gharials have died in the Chambal river from an unknown disease with gout-like symptoms. This recent death toll is expected to have decreased the number of breeding pairs. In 2007-2008, most of the gharials were found dead near the Sahson, the same spot where a female gangetic dolphin and a gharial have been found dead in past couple of days.
The World Wide Fund for Nature-India estimates that more than 100 gharials have died in the sanctuary since December 2007. Most of the dead gharials were spotted at the confluence of the rivers Chambal and Yamuna. The river Chambal is the largest of only three remaining breeding populations of gharial left in the world.
According to Rajiv Chauhan, secretary society for conservation of nature, who was actively involved with the conservation of gharial in the region said, "If measures of protection are not intensively taken then gharials would be wiped out from the region."
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-09/kanpur/33118267_1_gharials-national-chambal-sanctuary-nature-india-estimates
Friday, August 17, 2012
Chambal dry, gharials on high
- Tuesday, 31 July 2012 13:12 Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
An unprecedented number of 2,340 eggs have hatched in about 68 nests this year which is the highest ever since the commencement of gharial conservation efforts in 1975. The Chambal sanctuary spreads across the States of MP, Rajasthan and UP and accounts for the majority of gharial population in the country.
According to Sujoy Banerjee, Deputy Conservator National Chambal Wildlife Division, Agra, mortality is usually higher in the gharial hatchlings, as they get washed away in floods, which is a common phenomenon in the Chambal River. But scanty and delayed rains this year, seem to be auguring well for their conservation. While there has been an exceptionally high hatching of gharials, the relatively dry spell has provided enough time for the hatchlings to grow up and survive in the Chambal stream.
“This was coupled with round the clock vigil of the forest staff on the banks of Chambal River during the nesting season which stretch from March-May. After the female gharials lay eggs and leave, the nests are identified. They are then enclosed with square wire mesh to ward off dogs, jackals and other animals, which dig and destroy the eggs”, he added.
Meanwhile, the species faced a major threat in 2007 when about 150 adult gharials died because of reasons still not known. “But the crisis now appears to have been overcome. The number of nests protected this year has gone up to 68 from 15 in 2007-08”, said Bannerjee.
Record hatchlings
In 2007-08, 359 offsprings had hatched in about 15 nests. The count increased to 1,000 in double the number of nests during the following year. In 2009-10, 1,131 juveniles emerged out of 32 nests. In 2010-11, 1,009 offsprings had hatched from the same number of nests. Though the numbers may appear impressive, the average survival rate of the juveniles is low. Studies estimate the total number of breeding adult gharials in the country to be less than 200.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/84658-chambal-dry-gharials-on-high.html
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Gharials hatch a record feat: Endangered species boosted as more than 2,000 hatchings are recorded Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2180790/Gharials-hatch-record-feat-Endangered-species-boosted-2-000-hatchings-recorded.html#ixzz22BhHqUB8
By
Akash Vashishtha
|
India has achieved a 'gharial' feat in wildlife conservation. Reversing the rate of extinction, wildlife experts have recorded an unprecedented hatching of gharials and crocodiles in the Chambal Wildlife area this year.
As many as 2,340 gharial eggs have hatched in about 68 nests this year, the highest recorded since gharial conservation efforts began in 1975.
Chambal river accounts for the majority of gharial population in the country. Out of the 1,500 gharials in India, about 1,200 are found in the Chambal river alone. In 2010-11, 1,009 offsprings hatched from around 32 nests, while in 2009-10, 1,131 juveniles emerged out of 32 nests.
In 2008- 09, the count of hatchings
was around 1,000 in 30 nests while in the previous year 359 juveniles
were born in about 15 nests. Though the numbers are impressive, not
many juveniles make it to adulthood. Studies estimate the total number
of breeding adult gharials in the country to be less than 200.
Native to the Indian sub-continent, the gharial, also known as the gavial or 'fish-eating' crocodile, is considered the only true descendant of the ancient crocodilian family that existed on Earth some 100 million years ago.
The gharial is one of the three
crocodilians found in the world. The other two are mugger and saltwater
crocodile. Gharials are characterised by their long snout and grow up
to three to five metres. A carnivore, gharials can easily haul humans
though they find it difficult to swallow them, owing to their thin and
fragile jaws.
The gharials were once abundant in all river systems of the Indian sub-continent, enjoying a habitat spread over some 1,100 river km over a geographic area of 20,000 sq km. The majority of the population was concentrated on the northern mass of the subcontinent - from the Indus river system in the west to Irrawaddy in the east.
Rough estimates put the gharial population between 5,000 to 10,000 in the 1940s. However, owing to a lack of proper attention and conservation efforts, the population of gharials plummeted to less than 200 by 1975.
They ceased to exist in major rivers such as Indus, Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy. Worried by the fall in numbers, the Indian government launched 'Project Crocodile' in 1975.
Over the next 30 years, some 5,000 gharials were bred and released into potential river systems across the country. Consequently, the species showed some recovery and its population rose to 1,500.
Gharial has been declared 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is also listed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which includes animals such as rhinoceroses, elephants, lions, tigers and snakes.
According to Sujoy Banerjee, deputy conservator of forests, National Chambal Wildlife Division, Agra, the species faced a major threat in 2007 when around 150 adult gharials died because of reasons still unknown.
But the crisis now appears to have been overcome. The number of nests protected this year has gone up to 68 from 15 in 2007-08.
'Our staff have kept roundthe- clock vigil on the banks of Chambal river during nesting season (March-May). Once the female gharials lay eggs and leave, the nests are identified. They are then enclosed with square wire mesh to ward off dogs, jackals and other animals, which dig and destroy the eggs,' Banerjee said.
He added: 'Mortality is usually higher in young gharials as they get washed away in floods, a usual phenomenon in the Chambal river, but this year appears to be an exception. While there has been an exceptionally high hatching of gharials, rains have been scant and delayed, providing enough time for the hatch to grow up and survive in the Chambal stream.'
Abundance of fish, less human
interference and pollution (no industries) in Chambal's wildlife have
been the primary reasons behind the significant rise in the number of
crocodiles.
The Uttar Pradesh government is keen to harness the untapped tourism potential of the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, which is co-administered by Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
UP has 150 km of the river sanctuary along Bah (Agra) and Etawah. The sanctuary is situated around 77 km from Taj Mahal. A plan is being prepared to attract Taj-bound tourists to Chambal sanctuary by offering a river cruise and safari.
For now, the wildlife experts are keeping their fingers crossed on the survival rate of the newborn gharials in the Chambal sanctuary
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2180790/Gharials-hatch-record-feat-Endangered-species-boosted-2-000-hatchings-recorded.html#ixzz22BhNi9El
|
India has achieved a 'gharial' feat in wildlife conservation. Reversing the rate of extinction, wildlife experts have recorded an unprecedented hatching of gharials and crocodiles in the Chambal Wildlife area this year.
As many as 2,340 gharial eggs have hatched in about 68 nests this year, the highest recorded since gharial conservation efforts began in 1975.
Chambal river accounts for the majority of gharial population in the country. Out of the 1,500 gharials in India, about 1,200 are found in the Chambal river alone. In 2010-11, 1,009 offsprings hatched from around 32 nests, while in 2009-10, 1,131 juveniles emerged out of 32 nests.
The poor monsoon this year has helped bolster the numbers
Native to the Indian sub-continent, the gharial, also known as the gavial or 'fish-eating' crocodile, is considered the only true descendant of the ancient crocodilian family that existed on Earth some 100 million years ago.
The gharials were once abundant in all river systems of the Indian sub-continent, enjoying a habitat spread over some 1,100 river km over a geographic area of 20,000 sq km. The majority of the population was concentrated on the northern mass of the subcontinent - from the Indus river system in the west to Irrawaddy in the east.
Rough estimates put the gharial population between 5,000 to 10,000 in the 1940s. However, owing to a lack of proper attention and conservation efforts, the population of gharials plummeted to less than 200 by 1975.
They ceased to exist in major rivers such as Indus, Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy. Worried by the fall in numbers, the Indian government launched 'Project Crocodile' in 1975.
Over the next 30 years, some 5,000 gharials were bred and released into potential river systems across the country. Consequently, the species showed some recovery and its population rose to 1,500.
Gharial has been declared 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is also listed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which includes animals such as rhinoceroses, elephants, lions, tigers and snakes.
According to Sujoy Banerjee, deputy conservator of forests, National Chambal Wildlife Division, Agra, the species faced a major threat in 2007 when around 150 adult gharials died because of reasons still unknown.
Despite the high number of hatchings, there are less than 200 adult breeding gharials in India
'Our staff have kept roundthe- clock vigil on the banks of Chambal river during nesting season (March-May). Once the female gharials lay eggs and leave, the nests are identified. They are then enclosed with square wire mesh to ward off dogs, jackals and other animals, which dig and destroy the eggs,' Banerjee said.
He added: 'Mortality is usually higher in young gharials as they get washed away in floods, a usual phenomenon in the Chambal river, but this year appears to be an exception. While there has been an exceptionally high hatching of gharials, rains have been scant and delayed, providing enough time for the hatch to grow up and survive in the Chambal stream.'
Of the 1,500 gharials in India, 1,200 are found in the Chambal
The Uttar Pradesh government is keen to harness the untapped tourism potential of the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, which is co-administered by Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
UP has 150 km of the river sanctuary along Bah (Agra) and Etawah. The sanctuary is situated around 77 km from Taj Mahal. A plan is being prepared to attract Taj-bound tourists to Chambal sanctuary by offering a river cruise and safari.
For now, the wildlife experts are keeping their fingers crossed on the survival rate of the newborn gharials in the Chambal sanctuary
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2180790/Gharials-hatch-record-feat-Endangered-species-boosted-2-000-hatchings-recorded.html#ixzz22BhNi9El
Monday, July 30, 2012
Record hatching of gharials in India this year
| Agra, July 30, 2012 | 15:46
India has achieved a 'gharial' feat in wildlife conservation.
Reversing the rate of extinction, wildlife experts have recorded an
unprecedented hatching of gharials and crocodiles in the Chambal
Wildlife area this year.
As many as 2,340 gharial eggs have hatched in about 68 nests this year, the highest recorded since gharial conservation efforts began in 1975.
Chambal river accounts for the majority of gharial population in the country. Out of the 1,500 gharials in India, about 1,200 are found in the Chambal river alone.
In 2010-11, 1,009 offsprings hatched from around 32 nests, while in 2009-10, 1,131 juveniles emerged out of 32 nests. In 2008-09, the count of hatchings was around 1,000 in 30 nests while in the previous year 359 juveniles were born in about 15 nests. Though the numbers are impressive, not many juveniles survive make it to adulthood. Studies estimate the total number of breeding adult gharials in the country to be less than 200.
Native to the Indian sub-continent, the gharial, also known as the gavial or 'fish-eating' crocodile, is considered the only true descendant of the ancient crocodilian family that existed on Earth some 100 million years ago. The gharial is one of the three crocodilians found in the world. The other two are mugger and saltwater crocodile.
Gharials are characterised by their long snout and grow up to three to five metres. A carnivore, gharials can easily haul humans though they find it difficult to swallow them, owing to their thin and fragile jaws.
The gharials were once abundant in all river systems of the Indian sub-continent, enjoying a habitat spread over some 1,100 river km over a geographic area of 20,000 sq km. The majority of the population was concentrated on the northern mass of the subcontinent - from the Indus river system in the west to Irrawaddy in the east. Rough estimates put the gharial population between 5,000 to 10,000 in the 1940s.
However, owing to a lack of proper attention and conservation efforts, the population of gharials plummeted to less than 200 by 1975. They ceased to exist in major rivers such as Indus, Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy.
Worried by the fall in numbers, the Indian government launched 'Project Crocodile' in 1975. Over the next 30 years, some 5,000 gharials were bred and released into potential river systems across the country. Consequently, the species showed some recovery and its population rose to 1,500.
Gharial has been declared 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is also listed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which includes animals such as rhinoceroses, elephants, lions, tigers and snakes.
According to Sujoy Banerjee, deputy conservator of forests, National Chambal Wildlife Division, Agra, the species faced a major threat in 2007 when around 150 adult gharials died because of reasons still unknown. But the crisis now appears to have been overcome. The number of nests protected this year has gone up to 68 from 15 in 2007-08.
"Our staff have kept roundthe-clock vigil on the banks of Chambal river during nesting season (March-May). Once the female gharials lay eggs and leave, the nests are identified. They are then enclosed with square wire mesh to ward off dogs, jackals and other animals, which dig and destroy the eggs," Banerjee said.
He added: "Mortality is usually higher in young gharials as they get washed away in floods, a usual phenomenon in the Chambal river, but this year appears to be an exception. While there has been an exceptionally high hatching of gharials, rains have been scant and delayed, providing enough time for the hatch to grow up and survive in the Chambal stream."
Abundance of fish, less human interference and pollution (no industries) in Chambal's wildlife have been the primary reasons behind the significant rise in the number of crocodiles.
The Uttar Pradesh government is keen to harness the untapped tourism potential of the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, which is co-administered by Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. UP has 150 km of the river sanctuary along Bah (Agra) and Etawah. The sanctuary is situated around 77 km from Taj Mahal. A plan is being prepared to attract Taj-bound tourists to Chambal sanctuary by offering a river cruise and safari.
For now, the wildlife experts are keeping their fingers crossed on the survival rate of the newborn gharials in the Chambal sanctuary.
Source- http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/record-hatching-of-gharials-in-india-this-year/1/210994.html
Despite the high number of hatchings, there are less than 200 adult breeding gharials in India.
As many as 2,340 gharial eggs have hatched in about 68 nests this year, the highest recorded since gharial conservation efforts began in 1975.
Chambal river accounts for the majority of gharial population in the country. Out of the 1,500 gharials in India, about 1,200 are found in the Chambal river alone.
In 2010-11, 1,009 offsprings hatched from around 32 nests, while in 2009-10, 1,131 juveniles emerged out of 32 nests. In 2008-09, the count of hatchings was around 1,000 in 30 nests while in the previous year 359 juveniles were born in about 15 nests. Though the numbers are impressive, not many juveniles survive make it to adulthood. Studies estimate the total number of breeding adult gharials in the country to be less than 200.
Native to the Indian sub-continent, the gharial, also known as the gavial or 'fish-eating' crocodile, is considered the only true descendant of the ancient crocodilian family that existed on Earth some 100 million years ago. The gharial is one of the three crocodilians found in the world. The other two are mugger and saltwater crocodile.
Gharials are characterised by their long snout and grow up to three to five metres. A carnivore, gharials can easily haul humans though they find it difficult to swallow them, owing to their thin and fragile jaws.
The gharials were once abundant in all river systems of the Indian sub-continent, enjoying a habitat spread over some 1,100 river km over a geographic area of 20,000 sq km. The majority of the population was concentrated on the northern mass of the subcontinent - from the Indus river system in the west to Irrawaddy in the east. Rough estimates put the gharial population between 5,000 to 10,000 in the 1940s.
However, owing to a lack of proper attention and conservation efforts, the population of gharials plummeted to less than 200 by 1975. They ceased to exist in major rivers such as Indus, Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy.
Worried by the fall in numbers, the Indian government launched 'Project Crocodile' in 1975. Over the next 30 years, some 5,000 gharials were bred and released into potential river systems across the country. Consequently, the species showed some recovery and its population rose to 1,500.
Gharial has been declared 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is also listed in Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which includes animals such as rhinoceroses, elephants, lions, tigers and snakes.
According to Sujoy Banerjee, deputy conservator of forests, National Chambal Wildlife Division, Agra, the species faced a major threat in 2007 when around 150 adult gharials died because of reasons still unknown. But the crisis now appears to have been overcome. The number of nests protected this year has gone up to 68 from 15 in 2007-08.
"Our staff have kept roundthe-clock vigil on the banks of Chambal river during nesting season (March-May). Once the female gharials lay eggs and leave, the nests are identified. They are then enclosed with square wire mesh to ward off dogs, jackals and other animals, which dig and destroy the eggs," Banerjee said.
He added: "Mortality is usually higher in young gharials as they get washed away in floods, a usual phenomenon in the Chambal river, but this year appears to be an exception. While there has been an exceptionally high hatching of gharials, rains have been scant and delayed, providing enough time for the hatch to grow up and survive in the Chambal stream."
Abundance of fish, less human interference and pollution (no industries) in Chambal's wildlife have been the primary reasons behind the significant rise in the number of crocodiles.
The Uttar Pradesh government is keen to harness the untapped tourism potential of the National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, which is co-administered by Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. UP has 150 km of the river sanctuary along Bah (Agra) and Etawah. The sanctuary is situated around 77 km from Taj Mahal. A plan is being prepared to attract Taj-bound tourists to Chambal sanctuary by offering a river cruise and safari.
For now, the wildlife experts are keeping their fingers crossed on the survival rate of the newborn gharials in the Chambal sanctuary.
Source- http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/record-hatching-of-gharials-in-india-this-year/1/210994.html
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Chambal set for a makeover as tourist hub
LUCKNOW: UP might be a favoured destination for river cruising in days to come. The National Chambal Sanctuary is set for a major revamp. The government is keen on harnessing the untapped tourism potential of the region. Being the home to the last of the Ghariyals remaining, along with eight rare species of turtles and Gangetic dolphins, the sanctuary never got its due share of recognition, leave alone being a revenue contributor.
Right now, the sanctuary gets a trickle of local and foreign tourists in a year. But, it's mainly because of a few private tour operators who offer river cruising and ride to ravines in the sanctuary area. Though the state, so far, has not capitalised in on the river's tourist potential, it has now put the sanctuary's revival on a firm footing.
The officials of the National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) have received the instructions from the state government and is preparing a detailed plan. "We are working on developing the area as a tourist hub," said Sujoy Banerjee, divisional forest officer, National Chambal Sanctuary. The 425 kms of the Chambal river was declared a protected area in 1979.
The Chambal ravines which have attracted notoriety for being havens for dacoits, will get a makeover with none other than the chief minister Akhilesh Yadav overseeing the project. "The area was destroyed when Congress was in power. In order to drive out dacoits, the Congress government planted thorny bushes all over the place...helicopters were used to drop seeds for 'babool' plantation. We will clear bushes and plant trees," he had said in his recent interview to TOI. The river originates from Kota in Rajasthan, runs through sandy ravines and ends at Bhare in Etawah, where is merges with the Yamuna. The sanctuary area runs along three states of UP, MP and Rajasthan. UP has 150 km of the river sanctuary running along Bah (Agra) and Etawah.
It's approximately 77 km away from the Taj Mahal. The plan is to attract the Taj-bound tourists to Chambal sanctuary, by offering river cruise and river safari. And, to do so forest department has identified spots along the river which can be developed as tourism sites. Though the officials said, it's yet to be finalised, four ghats -- Sehson, Udi, Panchnada and Bhare -- along Chambal have emerged as potential tourism sites.
Etawah already has a Lion safari coming up, which will hardly be an hour-drive from Agra. Developing Chambal sanctuary will build a tourism corridor, in Agra and Etawah. The government is of the opinion that this will not only supplement the incomes of those associated with tourism industry in the state but also create additional employment opportunities.
Among the USP of the sanctuary is its serene ambience, despite the fact that it's close to Agra. It has no industries along its banks and that makes it one of the cleanest rivers. besides, it's one of the unparalleled wildlife spots in the country.
Among the major wildlife attractions are Ghariyals, which are critically endangered. Apart from 200 to 250 ghariyals found in Nepal, most of the remaining 1,500 are found in three Indian rivers — Son, Geruwa and Chambal. The Chambal sanctuary, however, shelters maximum, close to 700.
Besides, eight of the rare turtle species, including the red crowned roof turtle, and critically threatened Gangetic dolphins are found in the sanctuary area. The sanctuary is also one of the important bird areas and a proposed Ramsar site (for being identified as an important wetlands for conservation).
Two bird sanctuaries, Patna in Etah district and Saman in Mainpuri, are located very close to the sanctuary. The region has also the maximum population of Sarus crane and has hundreds of migratory birds visiting it in the winters. "The plan that the department is working on will take into account the rich wildlife in the area," said the DFO.
Crusader goes extra mile to make Chambal’s ill-famed ravines fertile
KANPUR: With the state machinery striving hard to uproot vilayati babul (botanical name prosopis juliflora) from nearly 150 acres of land in the reserved Fisher Forest
area of Etawah district for Lion Safari, it is an opportune time to
talk about a crusader, who is also on a mission. He is toiling hard to
revive the fertility of soil and sustainable living in the ravines of
Chambal.
According to experts, vilayati babul may have protected the ground erosion in the Chambal region but its excessive growth over the decades has destroyed the fertility of soil, environment and human health.
Tribhuvan Singh Chauhan, who belongs to nondescript Dibhauli village of Chakarnagar block in Etawah, decided to take up the issue of reviving the soil fertility and restoration of environment as the mission of his life since 1999. He began working hard and by the year 2000 concluded that agriculture practice could be made possible even in the ravines.
On walking into Chauhan's sprawling 5-acre farm in the ravines of Dibhauli one will be surprised to see a large variety of trees and plants. Right from the stately and tall Ashoka trees to mango, `bael' fruit (wood apple), 'jamun' (black berry), 'aonla' (gosseberry), anar (pomegranate) and lemon trees could be seen at the farm. The green crusader had tried his best to make his mission successful. He has been travelling all around the ravines to make villagers commit for the cause, asking them to take a pledge to improve the fertility of the soil.
There is a story behind this endeavour of Chauhan as the barren patch of ravines that once used to be a playfield of dacoits, was gradually converted into a garden.
With a purpose to educate the children and youth, Chauhan moved to the ravines in 1999. In the next two years, he went on adopting natural methods to convert ravines into plains by uprooting vilayati babul and drilling pits and filling it with a borewell water in order to revive the fertility of soil.
"I had to struggle and work hard to drill pits as there was no water even at 100 feet," he said.
He met several scientists and experts, but they certified ravines as totally unfit for cultivation.
Yet he decided to go ahead with his plans. He started off with Ashoka saplings and took an entirely fresh approach to farming through his knowledge of reading and interacting with agriculture experts.
For example, while planting mango saplings, Chauhan left a gap of 20 feet between two and dug a deep pit. He then filled it water, added manure and mixed it with cow dung.
He follows many other ground rules, which are only path breaking in farming. People who mocked him for buying that piece of barren ravines then, are now lauding his efforts.
A project like this needs a lot of patience and there are ways to do this with the help of experts and environmentalists. "My other intention was to spread awareness so that such type of steps can be taken up by others as well," he said.
The plantation of vilayati babul for the protection of land from erosion had been taken up as early as 1888 by Fisher, the then collector of Etawah. He induced the `zamindars' to permit the wastelands to be managed as single unit with a view to conserve fuel and fodder. It covered about 3,000 acres of area. This forest is said to be largely responsible for saving Etawah district from the erosive action of the Yamuna.
"Vilayati babul pushes groundwater table down, dries surface soil and kills native plants. "It's a massive botanical disaster being allowed to continue," he lament. "The forest department, which is still involved in planting vilayati babul, is only misleading the people and the agencies."
According to experts, the weed grows very fast, takes the form of full-grown tree and start pollination in vast areas. "Weed stem is very tough, penetrates ground beyond 20-25 meters to suck underground water. This creates desert-like situation. Wherever, its fruits will fall, the weed will take roots. That's how it has spread in vast area of the Chambal region. Its pollen is known to cause asthma," said Anirudh Dubey, a scientist at an agricultural institute.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Crusader-goes-extra-mile-to-make-Chambals-ill-famed-ravines-fertile/articleshow/14701566.cms?prtpage=1
According to experts, vilayati babul may have protected the ground erosion in the Chambal region but its excessive growth over the decades has destroyed the fertility of soil, environment and human health.
Tribhuvan Singh Chauhan, who belongs to nondescript Dibhauli village of Chakarnagar block in Etawah, decided to take up the issue of reviving the soil fertility and restoration of environment as the mission of his life since 1999. He began working hard and by the year 2000 concluded that agriculture practice could be made possible even in the ravines.
On walking into Chauhan's sprawling 5-acre farm in the ravines of Dibhauli one will be surprised to see a large variety of trees and plants. Right from the stately and tall Ashoka trees to mango, `bael' fruit (wood apple), 'jamun' (black berry), 'aonla' (gosseberry), anar (pomegranate) and lemon trees could be seen at the farm. The green crusader had tried his best to make his mission successful. He has been travelling all around the ravines to make villagers commit for the cause, asking them to take a pledge to improve the fertility of the soil.
There is a story behind this endeavour of Chauhan as the barren patch of ravines that once used to be a playfield of dacoits, was gradually converted into a garden.
With a purpose to educate the children and youth, Chauhan moved to the ravines in 1999. In the next two years, he went on adopting natural methods to convert ravines into plains by uprooting vilayati babul and drilling pits and filling it with a borewell water in order to revive the fertility of soil.
"I had to struggle and work hard to drill pits as there was no water even at 100 feet," he said.
He met several scientists and experts, but they certified ravines as totally unfit for cultivation.
Yet he decided to go ahead with his plans. He started off with Ashoka saplings and took an entirely fresh approach to farming through his knowledge of reading and interacting with agriculture experts.
For example, while planting mango saplings, Chauhan left a gap of 20 feet between two and dug a deep pit. He then filled it water, added manure and mixed it with cow dung.
He follows many other ground rules, which are only path breaking in farming. People who mocked him for buying that piece of barren ravines then, are now lauding his efforts.
A project like this needs a lot of patience and there are ways to do this with the help of experts and environmentalists. "My other intention was to spread awareness so that such type of steps can be taken up by others as well," he said.
The plantation of vilayati babul for the protection of land from erosion had been taken up as early as 1888 by Fisher, the then collector of Etawah. He induced the `zamindars' to permit the wastelands to be managed as single unit with a view to conserve fuel and fodder. It covered about 3,000 acres of area. This forest is said to be largely responsible for saving Etawah district from the erosive action of the Yamuna.
"Vilayati babul pushes groundwater table down, dries surface soil and kills native plants. "It's a massive botanical disaster being allowed to continue," he lament. "The forest department, which is still involved in planting vilayati babul, is only misleading the people and the agencies."
According to experts, the weed grows very fast, takes the form of full-grown tree and start pollination in vast areas. "Weed stem is very tough, penetrates ground beyond 20-25 meters to suck underground water. This creates desert-like situation. Wherever, its fruits will fall, the weed will take roots. That's how it has spread in vast area of the Chambal region. Its pollen is known to cause asthma," said Anirudh Dubey, a scientist at an agricultural institute.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Crusader-goes-extra-mile-to-make-Chambals-ill-famed-ravines-fertile/articleshow/14701566.cms?prtpage=1
Friday, April 27, 2012
Chambal sanctuary a killing field for gharials
KANPUR: Illegal fishing in the National Chambal Sanctuary is killing endangered gharials like the one found dead in the Chambal river in Etawah on Thursday last. The tragedy continues unabated despite the fact that now there are very few gharials left in the region.
The gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) have been declared as a 'critically endangered specie' by the International Union For Conservation of Nature. The National Chambal Sanctuary, which falls in UP as well as Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, is a known as a habitat for the endangered gharial and other aquatic animals. It is spread in an area of 5,000 sq km.
Experts say illegal fishing, using boat and synthetic net, is posing a serious threat to the endangered gharials nesting in the sanctuary. Only on Monday, a 16-ft-long gharial was found hacked into pieces at Lal Pura Khar in Bhareh area of Etawah and on Monday a boat and a large synthetic fishing net was seized by the forest department personnel of the National Chambal Sanctuary.
Such illegal practices are still on despite a ban on fishing by authorities in the sanctuary to ensure the safety of the aquatic animals. There is an urgent need to check the rampant killing of gharials and other rare aquatic animals, including dolphins and turtles and to strictly enforce the ban. Nesting of the endangered gharial have recently been sighted along the Chambal river, at present, there incubation period is underway and hatching of egg is expected to take place in the last week of May or first week of June, the National Chambal officials said.
"The female gharial lays 30 to 40 eggs in each nesting site. These eggs are incubated and hatched due to sand's heat. Then the baby gharials emerge from their eggs and creep into the river," the expert informed.
"Areas known for the notoriety of hunters start from Panchnada to Bansuri, which is nearly a 15 km of stretch, then from Siddhbaba temple upto Pali, a 6km spread of land downstream, besides from Barchauli to Kasauwa, Ranipurwa to Lakhanpurwa and from Gati to Kheda," said a forest department official.
Most of these reptiles are victims of by-catch in fishing nets. Sand-mining also poses one of the most significant threats to gharials, Gangetic dolphins and turtles in the Chambal sanctuary. "What is more shocking is that these endangered aquatic species are being killed by fish poachers as these reptiles become victim of by-catch. Sand-mining is other illegal practice within the sanctuary, but there is no one to check those involved in the illegal trade," says Rajiv Chauhan, secretary, Society for Conservation of Nature.
He further informed that earlier there was a guard especially employed for guarding gharials in the region but the post has been lying vacant since the past eight-nine years following retirement of the previous staff.
Fishermen are active both in the upstream (Madhya Pradesh) and downstream in (Uttar Pradesh).
Another wildlife enthusiast claimed that big contractors are in cahoots with local fishermen and use them for fishing. "Such contractors are least bothered about the welfare of the environment and are using every possible means available to earn quick money," he said.
"This is a big problem and there's a lot of manpower needed to trap these illegal fishers. However, we will leave no stone unturn to check the illegal fishing practice to save endangered species," says Uma Shanker Dohre, Wild Life warden, while talking to TOI.
In 2007, from November till March 2008, more than 112 gharials died in the Chambal due to unknown reasons. Further investigations by the IVRI suggested the possibility of poisoning by metal pollutants. Just 200-300 gharials are believed to be left in the Chambal and Katarnia Ghat. All over India, there are 2,000-3,000 gharials left.
Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/12860429.cms
Sunday, March 25, 2012
चंबल में दशकों से है पीने के साफ पानी की दरकार
Source:
जनसत्ता, 23 मार्च 2012 लोक समिति के अध्यक्ष सुल्तान सिंह का कहना है कि वैसे तो चंबल में कई अहम समस्याएं हैं लेकिन इंसानी जीवन के मद्देनजर अगर सरकार अपने वादे के मुताबिक उसे पीने का साफ पानी मुहैया नहीं करा पाती है तो इसे सरकार की नाकामी ही माना जाएगा। भले ही सरकार की ओर से लंबे समय से जल संकट की कार्ययोजनाएं बनाई जारी रही हो लेकिन साफ पीने के पानी का कोई इंतजाम न होने से लोगों के सामने इस बात का संकट है कि साफ पीने का पानी मुहैया हो तो कहां से।
इटावा, 22 मार्च। गुरुवार को विश्व जल दिवस पर पानी बचाने को लेकर चारों ओर चर्चाएं हो रही है। ऐसे में साफ पानी के मुद्दे को पूरे तरह से नजरअंदाज रखा गया है। देश में शुद्ध पानी की विकट समस्या है। लोगों को हलक तर करने के लिए पानी नहीं मिल पा रहा है। लेकिन जिन कंधों पर इस समस्या के समाधान की जिम्मेदारी है, वे घोटाले कर सरकारी धन को डकारने में जुटे हैं। सरकार हमेशा इस बात का दावा करती रही है कि हर आमोखासा को पीने का साफ पानी मुहैया कराया जा रहा है। इसी आबादी में सबसे खास मानी जाएगी चंबल घाटी। जहां के लोग पीने के साफ पानी के लिए लंबे अरसे से तरस रहे हैं। इंडिया मार्का जो हैंडपंप एक दशक पहले स्थापित किए गए थे उनसे भी साफ पीने का पानी नहीं मिल पा रहा है वैसे जब इन हैंडपंपों को स्थापित किया गया तब भी इस बात का परीक्षण नहीं किया गया कि हैंडपंप से साफ पानी आ रहा है या नहीं। लेकिन लोगों की जरूरत और राजनेताओं द्वारा लोगों को खुश करने की व्यवस्था ने हैंडपंपों को खासी तादाद में स्थापित तो करा दिया लेकिन हकीकत में इस बात का ध्यान नहीं रखा गया कि हैंडपंप साफ पानी दे रहा है या नहीं। गांववालों ने इस बात की जब जल निगम अफसरों से शिकायत की तो यह बात खुल करके सामने आई कि हकीकत में गांव के लोगों की ओर से जो शिकायत की गई है वो सही है। लेकिन जल निगम के अफसर इस बात को पूरी तरह से स्वीकार करने की दशा में नहीं है कि हैंडपंपो का पानी अपने स्थापनाकाल के कई साल बाद साफ पानी देना बंद कर दिया है।इटावा जल निगम के अधिशासी अभियंता एसवी सिंह का कहना है कि इटावा जिले में करीब 1983 से इंडिया मार्का हैंडपंपों के लगने का जो सिलसिला शुरू हुआ वह आज तक जारी है। इटावा में करीब 25000 इंडिया मार्का हैंडपंपों को लगाया जा चुका है। सबसे खास बात तो यह है कि इन हैंडपंपों में से करीब 5000 से ज्यादा हैंडपंपों का वजूद ही मिट चुका है। जिस समय हैंडपंप की स्थापना की जाती है उसी समय सिर्फ उसके पानी का परीक्षण किया जाता है। उसके बाद कभी भी पानी का परीक्षण नहीं किया जाता है। ऐसे में आम आदमी के गले में साफ पानी उतर रहा है या नहीं इससे किसी को कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ता है।
वैसे कहने को तो जल निगम की मुख्य शाखा इटावा में पानी के परीक्षण के लिए एक लैब को बना करके रखा गया है जिसका काम किसी भी हैंडपंप की स्थापना के दौरान पानी का परीक्षण करके रिपोर्ट देने का रहता है। आज पीने का साफ पानी एक समस्या बन गया है। हर कोई साफ पीने के पानी का जुगाड़ करने में लगा हुआ है। शहरी इलाकों में मिनरल वाटर का क्रेज देख करके गांव देहात में रहने वाले लोग भी साफ पानी की दरकार रखने लगे हैं। ऐसे में अगर चंबल में साफ पानी की जरूरत की बात की जाए तो कोई बेमानी नहीं होगी। सरकारी हैंडपंप साफ नहीं दे रहे हैं। ऐसे चंबल नदी के आस-पास के गांववालों को चंबल नदी के पानी के सहारे ही रहना पड़ रहा है।
पांच नदियों के लिए खासा लोकप्रिय उत्तर प्रदेश के इटावा जिले में देश के अन्य हिस्सों की भांति साफ पानी की जरूरत को लेकर लोग मुखर हो रहे हैं। सरकारी हैंडपंपों के जरिए मिलने वाले पानी को साफ नहीं माना जा रहा है। लेकिन इसके बावजूद भी लोगों को सरकारी हैंडपंप का ही पानी पीने के लिए विवश होना पड़ रहा है।
इटावा जिले में चंबल नदी के किनारे बसे सैकड़ों गांव के बाशिंदे साफ पानी पीकर अपनी प्यास बुझा रहे हैं। यह पानी साफ है या नहीं यह सवाल बहस का नहीं है। सवाल यह है कि जब सरकार की जिम्मेदारी है कि वो अपनी प्रजा को साफ पानी मुहैया कराएगी फिर भी साफ पानी मुहैया नहीं हो पा रहा है।
नतीजन इटावा जिले के चंबल नदी के आस-पास के तकरीबन दो सौ गांवों के लोग अपना हलक तर करने के लिए चंबल नदी का वह पानी पीने को मजबूर हो गए हैं। जहां जानवर अपनी प्यास बुझाते हैं और अपने शरीर की गर्मी को शांत करते हैं। इसकी वजह है कि जल निगम के नकारापन के कारण यहां के हैंडपंपों से पानी निकलना बंद हो गया है। चंबल क्षेत्र के बाशिंदे अपनी रोजमर्रा की जिंदगी में पेयजल की पूर्ति के लिए चंबल नदी के पानी से गुजारा कर रहे हैं। करीब 10 सालों से चंबल घाटी के विकास के लिए करोड़ों रुपए के पैकेज की मांग करके सुर्खियों में आए।
लोक समिति के अध्यक्ष सुल्तान सिंह का कहना है कि वैसे तो चंबल में कई अहम समस्याएं हैं लेकिन इंसानी जीवन के मद्देनजर अगर सरकार अपने वादे के मुताबिक उसे पीने का साफ पानी मुहैया नहीं करा पाती है तो इसे सरकार की नाकामी ही माना जाएगा। भले ही सरकार की ओर से लंबे समय से जल संकट की कार्ययोजनाएं बनाई जारी रही हो लेकिन साफ पीने के पानी का कोई इंतजाम न होने से लोगों के सामने इस बात का संकट है कि साफ पीने का पानी मुहैया हो तो कहां से।
Sunday, March 18, 2012
MP-Rajasthan to settle Chambal issue
Bhopal/Jaipur: The sharing of Chambal river water is likely to trigger a fresh inter-state dispute between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. A decision was taken unanimously by the Madhya Pradesh assembly to send a delegation after a discussion in the house threw up that Rajasthan was drawing excessive water from the river leading to a serious water problem in the state.
The official delegation, consisting members from the MP ruling party and the Opposition parties, will be sent to settle the dispute amicably.
Meanwhile, senior officer of Rajasthan’s irrigation department said that the flow of water is reduced due to algae formation thereby the required quantity of water is not been supplied to Madhya Pradesh. "We will discuss the issue with the delegation though we have been giving the required amount of water (3,900 qusec) to MP," said the official while speaking to DNA.
Both the states had accused each other in the past over the water dispute. The Madhya Pradesh had accused Rajasthan of denying its share of water.
Raising the issue during discussion over the supplementary demands of the water resources development department in Bhopal on Friday, Congress legislator Govind Singh said the Rajasthan government was taking excessive water from Chambal river leading to serious water shortage in Chambal region.
The Rajasthan government in breach of the agreement reached between both the states had been drawing excessive water from the Chambal river endangering the Ghariyal Sanctuary in Morena district, the legislator told DNA.
Earlier, both the states have agreed to share the water collected in the Kota Barrage from the Gandhi Sagar dam — the first of the four dams built on Chambal river — on an equal share basis. The 64 metre-high masonry gravity dam with a live storage capacity of 6,920 MM was built way back in 1960 in Mansaur district.
The official delegation, consisting members from the MP ruling party and the Opposition parties, will be sent to settle the dispute amicably.
Meanwhile, senior officer of Rajasthan’s irrigation department said that the flow of water is reduced due to algae formation thereby the required quantity of water is not been supplied to Madhya Pradesh. "We will discuss the issue with the delegation though we have been giving the required amount of water (3,900 qusec) to MP," said the official while speaking to DNA.
Both the states had accused each other in the past over the water dispute. The Madhya Pradesh had accused Rajasthan of denying its share of water.
Raising the issue during discussion over the supplementary demands of the water resources development department in Bhopal on Friday, Congress legislator Govind Singh said the Rajasthan government was taking excessive water from Chambal river leading to serious water shortage in Chambal region.
The Rajasthan government in breach of the agreement reached between both the states had been drawing excessive water from the Chambal river endangering the Ghariyal Sanctuary in Morena district, the legislator told DNA.
Earlier, both the states have agreed to share the water collected in the Kota Barrage from the Gandhi Sagar dam — the first of the four dams built on Chambal river — on an equal share basis. The 64 metre-high masonry gravity dam with a live storage capacity of 6,920 MM was built way back in 1960 in Mansaur district.
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MP-BHO-mp-rajasthan-to-settle-chambal-issue-2989654.html
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
इस बार जनवरी में ही शुरू होगा सर्वे
चंबल में घडिय़ालों सहित अन्य संरक्षित जलीय जीवों की गणना का काम 27 जनवरी से शुरू हो रहा है। सर्वे की तैयारियां पूरी कर ली गई हैं।
भास्कर संवाददाता-!-मुरैना
चंबल में घडिय़ालों की गणना इस बार जनवरी में ही शुरू होने वाली है। आमतौर पर फरवरी के अंत में शुरू होने वाले यह गणना चंबल में होने वाले चंबल एक्सपिडीशन को ध्यान में रखते हुए जल्दी शुरू की जा रही है। वन विभाग ने स्पष्ट किया है कि गणना समय से एक महीने पहले शुरू होने से गणना पर कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ेगा।
चंबल में घडिय़ालों की वार्षिक गणना इस बार 27 जनवरी से शुरू हो रही है। गौरतलब है कि आमतौर पर यह गणना फरवरी और मार्च माह में होती है लेकिन इस बार चंबल एक्सपिडीशन फरवरी माह में ही आयोजित होना है। ऐसे में वन विभाग का पूरा ध्यान एक्सपिडीशन में रहेगा। यही कारण है कि इस बार सभी परिस्थितियों को ध्यान में रखते हुए गणना का कार्य एक्सपिडीशन से पहले ही पूरा कर लिया जाएगा। इसके लिए विभाग ने सर्वे का पूरा खाका तैयार कर लिया है। इस बार सर्वे में पारदर्शिता लाने के लिए एक पत्रकार, एक जूलाजी स्टूडेंट और एक वन्यजीव विशेषज्ञ को सर्वे दल में शामिल किया है, ताकि सर्वे के स्व'छ आंकड़े सामने आ सकें।
सर्वे के लिए ठीक होकर आई एक बोट: वन विभाग के पास अब तक सिर्फ एक ही बोट थी। लेकिन सर्वे को ध्यान में रखते हुए वन विभाग ने अपनी एक और बोट ठीक करा ली है। सर्वे के लिए विभाग को करीब तीन बोटों की आवश्यकता है। इसके लिए अंतिम बोट को भी ठीक कराया जा रहा है। विभाग की मानें तो सर्वे शुरू होने तक उनकी सभी बोटें ठीक हो जाएंगी।
http://www.bhaskar.com/article/MP-OTH-56072-2944434.html
भास्कर संवाददाता-!-मुरैना
चंबल में घडिय़ालों की गणना इस बार जनवरी में ही शुरू होने वाली है। आमतौर पर फरवरी के अंत में शुरू होने वाले यह गणना चंबल में होने वाले चंबल एक्सपिडीशन को ध्यान में रखते हुए जल्दी शुरू की जा रही है। वन विभाग ने स्पष्ट किया है कि गणना समय से एक महीने पहले शुरू होने से गणना पर कोई फर्क नहीं पड़ेगा।
चंबल में घडिय़ालों की वार्षिक गणना इस बार 27 जनवरी से शुरू हो रही है। गौरतलब है कि आमतौर पर यह गणना फरवरी और मार्च माह में होती है लेकिन इस बार चंबल एक्सपिडीशन फरवरी माह में ही आयोजित होना है। ऐसे में वन विभाग का पूरा ध्यान एक्सपिडीशन में रहेगा। यही कारण है कि इस बार सभी परिस्थितियों को ध्यान में रखते हुए गणना का कार्य एक्सपिडीशन से पहले ही पूरा कर लिया जाएगा। इसके लिए विभाग ने सर्वे का पूरा खाका तैयार कर लिया है। इस बार सर्वे में पारदर्शिता लाने के लिए एक पत्रकार, एक जूलाजी स्टूडेंट और एक वन्यजीव विशेषज्ञ को सर्वे दल में शामिल किया है, ताकि सर्वे के स्व'छ आंकड़े सामने आ सकें।
सर्वे के लिए ठीक होकर आई एक बोट: वन विभाग के पास अब तक सिर्फ एक ही बोट थी। लेकिन सर्वे को ध्यान में रखते हुए वन विभाग ने अपनी एक और बोट ठीक करा ली है। सर्वे के लिए विभाग को करीब तीन बोटों की आवश्यकता है। इसके लिए अंतिम बोट को भी ठीक कराया जा रहा है। विभाग की मानें तो सर्वे शुरू होने तक उनकी सभी बोटें ठीक हो जाएंगी।
http://www.bhaskar.com/article/MP-OTH-56072-2944434.html
प्रशासन की अनदेखी, सूख गए तालाब व नदियां
भी पानी का जलस्तर कम हो गया है।
भास्कर संवाददाता-!-मुरैना
अंचल में रियासत कालीन करीब एक सैकड़ा से अधिक तालाब थे। इनमें से केवल एक तालाब में ही पानी है। वह भी काफी कम। तालाबों में पानी सूखने की वजह जल संरक्षण की ओर न तो प्रशासन का ध्यान देना है और न ही लोगों का जागरूक होना है। यही हाल नदियों का भी है। क्वारी नदी तो सूख चुकी है अन्य में जलस्तर काफी कम है। यहां तक कि अंचल की सबसे बड़ी नदी चंबल में पानी कम हो गया है।
अंचल में तोमर व सिंधिया राजवंशों ने जलसंरक्षण के लिए करीब एक सैकड़ा से अधिक तालाब बनवाए थे। इनमें से सबलगढ़ का टौंगा तालाब व बस्तपुर के तालाब प्रमुख हैं। टांैगा तालाब में तो कुछ पानी है, लेकिन बस्तपुर तालाब पूरी तरह से सूख चुका है। सालों से इनमें पानी नहीं है। यही हाल अन्य तालाबों का भी है। अधिकतर को लोगों ने खेतों में परिवर्तित कर लिया है।
शहर के तालाबों में बने मकान: शहर में आधा दर्जन से अधिक तालाब व तलैया थे। इनमें से केवल इंद्रा सागर तालाब व हाईवे के किनारे के तालाबों में पानी है। अन्य तालाबों की जमीन को माफिया ने बेच दिया है। इन तालाबों में अब पानी की जगह मकान बने हुए हैं।
क्वारी सूखी, अन्य में पानी कम: अंचल की प्रमुख नदी क्वारी सूख चुकी है। अब यह केवल बरसाती नदी रह गई है। यही हाल आसन, सांक व चंबल नदी का भी है। इनमें भी पानी का स्तर बहुत कम हो गया है।
नहीं हुए प्रयास: तालाबों को बचाने के लिए न तो प्रशासन ने प्रयास किए और न ही लोगों ने। क्वारी नदी पर सूखे के समय में बोरी बंधान कर पानी रोका गया था। लेकिन इसके बाद नदी के पानी को रोकने के लिए कोई प्रयास नहीं किए गए। साथ ही प्रशासन ने तालाबों पर हुए कब्जों को हटाने के लिए कोई प्रयास नहीं किया।
http://www.bhaskar.com/article/MP-OTH-57789-2948428.html
भास्कर संवाददाता-!-मुरैना
अंचल में रियासत कालीन करीब एक सैकड़ा से अधिक तालाब थे। इनमें से केवल एक तालाब में ही पानी है। वह भी काफी कम। तालाबों में पानी सूखने की वजह जल संरक्षण की ओर न तो प्रशासन का ध्यान देना है और न ही लोगों का जागरूक होना है। यही हाल नदियों का भी है। क्वारी नदी तो सूख चुकी है अन्य में जलस्तर काफी कम है। यहां तक कि अंचल की सबसे बड़ी नदी चंबल में पानी कम हो गया है।
अंचल में तोमर व सिंधिया राजवंशों ने जलसंरक्षण के लिए करीब एक सैकड़ा से अधिक तालाब बनवाए थे। इनमें से सबलगढ़ का टौंगा तालाब व बस्तपुर के तालाब प्रमुख हैं। टांैगा तालाब में तो कुछ पानी है, लेकिन बस्तपुर तालाब पूरी तरह से सूख चुका है। सालों से इनमें पानी नहीं है। यही हाल अन्य तालाबों का भी है। अधिकतर को लोगों ने खेतों में परिवर्तित कर लिया है।
शहर के तालाबों में बने मकान: शहर में आधा दर्जन से अधिक तालाब व तलैया थे। इनमें से केवल इंद्रा सागर तालाब व हाईवे के किनारे के तालाबों में पानी है। अन्य तालाबों की जमीन को माफिया ने बेच दिया है। इन तालाबों में अब पानी की जगह मकान बने हुए हैं।
क्वारी सूखी, अन्य में पानी कम: अंचल की प्रमुख नदी क्वारी सूख चुकी है। अब यह केवल बरसाती नदी रह गई है। यही हाल आसन, सांक व चंबल नदी का भी है। इनमें भी पानी का स्तर बहुत कम हो गया है।
नहीं हुए प्रयास: तालाबों को बचाने के लिए न तो प्रशासन ने प्रयास किए और न ही लोगों ने। क्वारी नदी पर सूखे के समय में बोरी बंधान कर पानी रोका गया था। लेकिन इसके बाद नदी के पानी को रोकने के लिए कोई प्रयास नहीं किए गए। साथ ही प्रशासन ने तालाबों पर हुए कब्जों को हटाने के लिए कोई प्रयास नहीं किया।
http://www.bhaskar.com/article/MP-OTH-57789-2948428.html
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Dolphin Sighting at Yamuna-Betwa River Confluence site, Hamirpur
Published in Danik Jagaran Kanpur edition 30 Jan 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Waning sandbeds of river Pampa
PATHANAMTHITTA, January 1, 2011
The natural sandbeds of river Pampa are fast becoming memories of a golden past. Thanks to the unabated anti-river activities like illegal sand mining, unscientific constructions on the riverbed, fast-spreading vegetation growth on the degraded rivebed.
The once-prolific sandbed of Pampa which has been the venue of the century-old annual Christian religious convention at Maramon near Kozhencherry has been degenerated into a clayey land on which grass and other vegetation grow abundantly.
The granite protection wall constructed by the Water Resources Department to protect the remaining sand on the riverbed too had contributed to its degradation reportedly due to its unscientific design. The riverbed which was once a prolific bed of fine sand has now become a muddy bed, leaving it a sad testimony to man’s callous attitude towards river protection and nature conservation.
The case of the sandbed at Cherukolpuzha where another century-old annual Hindu religious meet take place too is not much different. But, still there is some sand left on the Pampa riverbed at Cherukolpuzha as the local people and the Hindumatha Maha Mandlam have been keeping strict vigil against illegal sand extraction from the riverbed.
However, the sandbed at Varavur situated in the upstream of Cherukolpuzha is perhaps the only place where fine sand is left in the riverbed of Pampa. The Department of Post has recently brought out a postal cover on river Pampa, displaying a scenic photograph of the sandbed of Varavur recently.
Mr N.K.Sukumaran Nair, general secretary of Pampa Parirakshana Samiti, a Kozhencherry-based eco group that has been campaigning for the cause of river Pampa since the past two decades, the unabated illegal sand mining on the riverbed has created deep dykes in the river, literally leaving them as death traps.
Mr Nair said the Pampa riverbed has gone down three to five metres due to the indiscriminate sand removal over the past two decades. Sand deposits have been almost exhausted along many stretches of the riverbed and weeds and thickets of grass flourish in these areas, amply exposing the alarming state of degradation of Pampa that has been deemed as the lifeline of Central Travancore, Mr Nair said.
The PPS leader said a study conducted by the Central Water Commission has shown that the salinity intrusion into the Pampa has reached even upto Kozhencherry due to drastic lowering of the riverbed over the past two decades.
The PPS leader has also called upon the authorities to take immediate steps to declare all the sandbeds, including the degraded beds at Maramon and Cherukolpuzha, as heritage sites.
Cabomba growth
Mr Nair said the spreading presence of Cabomba, a fast-growing submerged aquatic weed species, along the Aranmula Sathram kadavu stretch of river Pampa is a major cause of concern showing slow death of the river.
The fast growth of this disastrous weed, especially along the river course at Aranmula, should be taken as an alarming threat to the river system as a whole, he said.
Mr Nair says Cabomba with its extremely dense strands obstructing the free flow of water is a serious threat to the water bodies. The dense growth of this aquatic weed promotes increased silting of the river, gradually making it shallow and dry, he adds.
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