Mule Dung Vaishnodevi track to Produce Bio Gas

Finally, the mule dung on the track of holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi is all set to yield bio-gas instead of remaining a menace as country’s first ever mule dung based bio-gas plant set up near the holy town of Katra has been put on trial and would be formally commissioned by the end of next month.

Official sources told News Agency that as per the analysis conducted by Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) around 40 tonnes of dung is being littered by the mules all along the track from Katra to Bhawan every day and the same continues to be menace despite the fact that Shrine Board is leaving no stone unturned for prompt removal of the same from the track.

In order to turn the menace into a source of generating energy for the Shrine Board, the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah early last year discussed with the Governor N N Vohra, who is also the Chairman of Shrine Board, its Special Area Demonstration Project (SADP) Scheme, which is aimed at demonstrating renewable energy systems/ devices by their installation at places of national and international importance to supplement the energy requirement.

Subsequently, the Union Ministry sanctioned ` 50 lakh worth project which not only includes setting up of bio-gas plant but also solar water heaters and solar power plants of 5 Kilo Watt each, sources said, adding though solar water heaters and solar power plants have already come up, the mule-dung based bio-gas plant has recently been set up near Chetak Bhawan by a Pune-based firm—Mailhem.

"During the past two days, the plant has been put on trial and gas formation by using mule dung is being observed", sources said, adding "the trial of the plant would continue for at least 20 to 25 days following which the plant would be formally commissioned and put to regular use".

The plant has the capacity to generate bio-gas from 4 tonnes of mule every day and Shrine Board has already entered into a contract with the Katra-based agency, which will purchase bio-gas and put to use for its own use, sources said, adding "initially the mule dung would be lifted from the most problematic areas like first 3-4 kilometers of the track and both sides of Banganga".

As the plant would also generate approximately 12 to 15 tonnes of bio-manure per month as an end project, the Shrine Board has invited Expressions of Interest from the individuals, Government agencies, firms and organizations for the purchase of the bio-manure and the last date of submission of Expressions of Interest is December 30, 2011.

"As the plant has been set up on demonstration basis, Shrine Board would monitor the bio-gas generation for some months before taking any decision about setting up of more such plants or increasing the capacity of the existing one as per day generation of mule dung is much more than the present capacity of the plant", sources said.

To a question, they said that Shrine Board has also engaged Mailhem for Operation and Maintenance of the plant.

Migratory Birds Reach Shallabugh Wetland

While the migratory birds have already started to visit the valley’s several wetlands, the Shallabugh Wetland located some 8 kilometers from district Ganderbal has also started receiving the flying visitors.“We have received here over one lakh migratory birds that come from different parts of the globe,” in-charge, Wetland Shallabugh, Abdul Rashid Wani said.

Spread over about 14.6 square kilometres, Shallabugh wetland receives lakhs of flying visitors every year. This year, the number of the flying visitors, as per the officials, is a bit lesser than the previous years. However, the Wani said, “We are quite optimistic about receiving the good number of these migratory birds, like in previous years, in days ahead, provided the water here does not freeze.”

Last year, Shallabugh wetland had received over six lakh flying visitors, which is a record.The migratory birds come to the Valley every year, covering thousands of miles from far off lands.Connected with the famous Aanchar Sar and the Sangam Sar on the South, Shallabugh wetland is the Asia’s biggest wetland reserve.“This season, the 'migratory birds started to throng the wetland since November and the outward migration is expected to start from March and end in mid-April," Wani said.

The migratory birds which visit this wetland mostly come from Siberia, Central Asia, Northern Europe, Ladakh, China and Central Asia.

Some of the popular migratory birds visiting the Shallabugh reserve include goose, bar goose, white heeled duck, shoveller, red-crested Pochard, white-eyed Pochard, common Teal, Pintail, Mallard, Gadwall, Coot, Hoonk and Graylag.Among these, Pintail, Common Teal and Gadwall are the birds visiting this wetland in great number than others.To check the menaces of hunting in the Shallabugh Wetland, wildlife wetland department has increased the vigil here. Besides, being a wetland and the home for the lakhs of flying visitors, Shallabugh in the past used to be an important tourist destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. The pollution in this wetland since decades by the valley's premier health insititue, Sher-i- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura coupled with the inflow of wastes and litter emanating from different hamlets on its peripheries is distracting the tourists.

The officials in wetland had communicated the problem to the SKIMS authorities, who took some measures initially. But the enthusiasm died down later.An environmentalist and a Research Scholar of Dab Mohammad Abbas Bhat said the emanations of bio-medical wastes from SKIMS are the hazardous substances which affect and destroy the flora as well as fauna in this wetland.“Use of pesticides, DDT and insecticides by farmers whose run off reaches ultimately this wetland ultimately causes death to thousands of these species which force them to change the habitat and influence their mating patterns,” he said.

Environment Park at Janipur

The Minister for Forest and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad today inspected the pace of progress on Environment Park at Janipur, Bhawaninagar. The park is being developed over an area of 20.16 hectare involving a cost of ` one crore.

Member Legislative Assembly Chaman Lal Gupta, besides Director Environment Ravi Kesar and other senior officials accompanied the Minister during his visit.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said the upcoming park with a panoramic view and beautiful landscape would be a great attraction for the picnickers and the children. He said that the fencing work has already been completed and the other works like construction of view points, installation of fountains and other works would be completed by first week of January.

He said in the peripheries of Janipur there was not a single park and it was the demand of the people of the area to protect the available land from encroachers and filth that was being dumped there. He also apprised that the park would have a circumferential path way of 2 kilometers where morning and evening walkers can have a brisk walk amid clean and healthy surroundings.

The Minister said that the possibility of plantation of fruit plants on a portion of the park was also being explored.

The Minister said that a water body, with water harvesting structure and slump tank and guard post will also be built for the convenience of the public.

Inspecting the pace of work, the Minister gave certain suggestions and asked the executing agency to keep provision for the public convenience and parking of vehicles. 

Heavy rains in Jammu

The winter capital of the state today witnessed heavy rainfall during morning hours. While it cooled down temperatures, bringing down mercury from 31.6 degrees Celsius to 29.6 degrees, it played havoc with life in the winter capital as it resulted in severe water logging at many crossings and markets of Jammu city. The roof of a house also collapsed at Rajpura Mangotrian area but no one was injured in the accident.

Heavy rains today morning lashed entire Jammu province which also resulted into water logging at many places due to choking of drains and accumulation of filth and garbage. Due to unclean drains, water logging took place at Kunjwani Chowk, Dogra Chowk, Krishna Nagar, road adjoining RRL labouratory, Bhagwati Nagar which also resulted in traffic jams at many crossing points.

Near Asia Chowk there was around 1 to 2 feet of water logging which halted the traffic flow for few minutes. The Dogra Chowk was looking like a mini-pool and water logging was around 2 feet deep. Some two wheelers also met with accidents due to deep water logging.

JMC authorities pressed their men and machinery into action to de-log rain water which had accumulated on roads especially at Dogra Chowk by using Suction machines, JCB’s and labourers but all in vain.  After few hours when rain fall stopped, water logging areas became clear.

The drains of Pacca Danga and Kali Janni area were choked with garbage, consequently the overflowing drains water entered into few shops. Shopkeepers of the area while criticising the JMC authorities said that it was only due to carelessness of JMC authorities that the rain water had entered into their shops.

The roof of a house also collapsed in Rajpura Mangotrian area due to heavy rains. No physical loss has been reported in the roof collapse but some household items were buried under the debris of roof.

Metereological department authorities said that due to strong monsoon currents Jammu city today recorded 19.4 mm of rainfall in between 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Banihal recorded 0.2 mm, Batote 1.0 mm, Katra recorded 23.4 mm of rainfall. While Srinagar, Kupwara and Kajikund recorded no rainfall while as Pahalgam recorded 1.0 mm, Kokernag recorded 0.2 mm of rainfall in between 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Authorities further added that there are possibilities of rains and thundershowers as also one or two spells of heavy rainfall in Jammu region in the next 24 hours.

“Metereological department had issued warnings of heavy rainfall over Amarnath cave shrine at around 10 AM due to which the pilgrimage remained suspended for few hours. But after the clouds shattered the pilgrimage was restored.” Met officials added. 

Monsoon in Jammu

Admn gears up to meet any eventuality Monsoon lashes Jammu six days ahead of normal onset

Several parts of Jammu province were lashed by heavy rainfall during the past 24 hours as the monsoon has hit the State six days ahead of normal onset and is likely to become active during the next two-three days thereby prompting the administration to gear up machinery for any emergent situation in the low lying and flood prone areas of the region.

Director of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Sonam Lotus told that monsoon has hit Jammu and Kashmir on June 24-25, almost six days ahead of its normal arrival on June 30 or July 1 and caused massive rainfall particularly in several parts of Jammu region.

He informed that Jammu district and adjoining areas experienced highest rainfall as compared to other parts of the region and since last evening, Jammu recorded 140 millimeters of rainfall.

The holy town of Katra recorded 24.5 millimeters of rainfall, Banihal 0.9 mm, Batote 0.2 mm and Bhaderwah 16 mm rainfall.

"As a Western Disturbance is also passing over the Jammu region, there is every possibility of heavy rainfall across the Jammu region from June 27 to June 30", he said, adding "the intensity of rainfall will be more during next 24 hours and if the monsoon becomes more active, the rainfall will spread to few more days beyond June 30".

Mr Lotus said, "Though the prevailing weather conditions don't indicate any unusually heavy rainfall yet precautionary measures should be taken by the civil administration in the Jammu region".

Dr M K Khushu, Chief Scientist and Head Division of Agronomy, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu (SKUAST-J) said that even prior to onset of early monsoon, Jammu district experienced 92 per cent of excess seasonal rainfall from June 1 to June 22.

Except Doda and Udhampur districts, where there was deficit rainfall during this period, all other districts of Jammu region recorded above normal seasonal rainfall, he added.

To a question, Dr Khushu said that heavy rains are good for rice crop while as it will cause damage to the maize crop.

Meanwhile, acting on the forecast of the IMD, the divisional administration of Jammu issued directions for precautionary measures in low lying and flood prone areas and the Deputy Commissioners asked to establish flood control rooms in their districts.

Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma along with teams of different departments visited various flood prone areas and issued necessary directions to the UEED and Flood Control Department officers for precautionary measures in the vulnerable areas within next some days.

Chief Engineer, Flood Control Jammu, Ashwani Sharma, when contacted, said that zonal officers in the low lying and flood prone areas have already been directed to be in the state of alertness keeping in view early onset of the monsoon.

"We have also established control rooms and are continuously monitoring the situation during the past two days", he said, adding "we are also in close coordination with the Army and Air Force for any sort of help during emergent situation".

Notwithstanding the claims of the authorities, there was water logging in several low lying areas like Dogra Chowk, Jewel Chowk, Canal Road, Talab Tillo, Tali Morh, Sarwal and Subash Nagar etc resulting into inconvenience to two-wheeler operators and pedestrians.

"The first heavy rainfall of the monsoon has exposed the desilting of drains carried out by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC)", rued shopkeepers of these areas and urged the Corporation to get the drains cleared within next few days so that there would not be much inconvenience to the people during rainy days.

Meanwhile, reports from Poonch said that one Mohd Salman, son of Mir Hussain of Khenater was drowned while crossing a nullah amidst rains last evening. His body was recovered this morning.

Orchards contribution

Orchards contribute to increase in man animal conflict

The change in the land usage from paddy cultivation to orchards might have benefited the fruit production in the valley; it has however contributed to the increasing man-animal conflict in Kashmir.In addition to several other causes responsible for the upsurge in man-animal conflict over the past few years, the change in the land use pattern happens to be one of them.

“There are many reasons which have led to the increase in man-animal conflict. One of them is the change in the land usage pattern from paddy cultivation to orchards owing to water shortage,” said Intesar Suhail, wildlife warden, Shopian Suhail said that fruits are the most attractive food for the black bear which are responsible for 80 percent of attacks on humans.

“We have young orchards coming up on the fringes of forests. The fresh fruit attract  bears who come to orchards to feed themselves. Also, eating from orchards is much more efforts less for animals than other things which adds to their attraction towards orchards,” said Suhail

He revealed that initially, the owners of orchards would keep the rotten fruits in the orchards in open which would provide food for black bears.

“But now the same rotten fruits is kept safe and sold in the market which fetches food price. So the black bear have the fresh fruits on trees available to them,” says Suhail adding that they also get complaints of damage caused to trees.

Besides the blanket ban on poaching, loss of natural habitat and upcoming residential houses near forest are responsible for the increase in man-animal conflict.

Suhail informed that some years back, a pass would be issued for poaching on bears but after the blanket ban on poaching there has been no check on population and the wildlife is benefited.

“There has been loss of natural habitats to wild animals. And people have started living in their orchards near forest which puts them into danger,” says Suhail

Regarding the leopard attacks it was learnt that some leopard develop man eating tendency, as has been found in many parts of the country, and they are eliminated.

“Leopard attacks  are rare and when such attack takes place, we do analysis of the characteristics of that leopard. Then if needed we eliminate it as per the guidelines of law” adds Suhail

Man animal conflict has claimed six lives in the state in the past two months. Two people were reportedly killed in Doda, two in South and two in North Kashmir as revealed by wildlife department.

Wildlife warden (headquarters) M.A. Parsa said, “People have started living near the forests which is triggering such incidents. This never happened before.”

About the steps being taken by the wildlife department to control the man-animal conflict Suhail said that since they cannot completely control such incidents they ensure immediately control of the situation.

“We ensure that when any such attack takes places, our team reaches there immediately to control the situation. We also provide relief to the victims well,” informs Suhail.

Conservation work of Wullar Lake from next month

The conservation work of Asia’s biggest Wullar Lake would be started soon, said Minister for Forests and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad during his visit to the site identified for taking up conservation work of the Lake.

He said the Centre has already approved project of Rs 120 crore for its development, adding till the Government constitutes Wullar Development Authority, the job has been assigned to a team of officers under the supervision of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to initiate the implementation of the project from next month after completion of all codal formalities.

During his tour to Bandipora, the Minister visited Gujjar basti’s Argham and Malangam, to assess their problems and developmental needs. He issued on-the-spot instructions to the concerned officers for mitigating genuine problems.

The Minister while addressing public meetings at Argham and Malangam said that all-round development of Gujjar and Pahari people is also top agenda of the Government, adding that several steps have been taken to fulfill the aspirations and developmental needs of the community.

Mian Altaf said in democratic set up every citizen has right to seek justice in development process and called upon Gujjar community to come forward and struggle for the share which the Government under various sectors kept for their development.

Responding to the demands of locals, the Minister announced that two timber sale depots would be opened in Gujjar belt Argham. He instructed concerned engineers to make result oriented projects for upgradation of basic amenities in the area. He said that two mobile schools for Gujjar and Bakarwals would also be opened in Malangam belt, besides setting up of Handicrafts Centres, improvement in road connectivity, drinking water, power supply, education and health care would be taken up with concerned authorities. He directed district administration to ensure speedy development of Gujjar community under district, State and Centrally sponsored plans on priority so that these people would feel succor.