The Youth Question- SONA RAI

This is an essay of mostly questions. Questions we should have asked ourselves long back and hopefully not too late to ask now. The past few days have been a tumultuous one for the youth in particular and the public at large. It has also revealed certain aspects of student issues that are pertinent for parents, educators and civil society members to address immediately. With the majority of the people focusing on the (probably) larger issues of police brutality and indifferent bureaucracy, I fear what might get lost is what is happening in the minds of our students and how capable are they to stand up for what they believe is right and how effective are their ways to bring about the best possible outcomes. To answer these questions, we must ask first is whether we are doing a decent job of educating our children as parents, as teachers, as community members and as a society.
Speaking of home first, one can never be sure of what exactly are the dynamics of parent-child relations inside anybody’s house, but speaking from personal experience and understood experiences of those around me, we, as a society, where the young are at large, first generation learners, have the experience of our parents having high expectations from us without a concrete plan of how to realize it; we are given freedom to make life-changing decisions, regarding our education, our career paths and our futures, with ample amount of parental emotional baggage and  no tools or skills to actually help us achieve our goals; we are taught high moral ideals but the pathways to make it in life seems impossible without dishonesty and preferential treatment. In short, the young are growing up being pulled from all directions and under extremely contradictory terms, so the logical consequence that can follow is being pulled apart.
At educational institutions, the young are being introduced to concepts of freedom, democracy, equality and justice and they do not see that being enacted in front of them. Most of what they are taught seems irrelevant and therefore, they do not learn. Seriously, how free, democratic, equal and fair are our classrooms and educational institutions? How exemplary are the images of educated people around them? Instead of student development being the main issue discussed in educational institutions across the state why do most educators sound more like contractors, politicians, bureaucrats, housewives,  ardent reality-show viewers, or embarrassingly, flirtatious nymphets and potential sexual harassment perpetrators? What we do and who we are is what most of them learn and emulate.
Coming to the teaching-learning process, are our classrooms interactive enough about the material being taught? Can teachers distinguish between what the students need rather than what the students want? Are the prime concerns of teachers to make students understand, read, write, express rather than completing the syllabus, circulating the teachers’ worn-out and crumpled M.A./ B.A. notes, making everything seem easy and light, awarding of marks which the students have not earned? Are we making sure that the students are working hard instead of being worried about how popular are we with the students and fellow colleagues?
When we teach children the definition of any concept instead of telling them how difficult it is to define anything; when the examination questions which are set, are to enumerate factors, characteristics, features (since they are easier to evaluate) instead of showing them the complexity, the contradiction and the problematic associated with the ‘ultimate truth’; when we teach them dominant discourses as the legitimate knowledge system instead of making them debate the pros and cons of various alternative ways of thinking, then the end result is surely going to be youth who are easily misled, who adopt extreme measures, who do not recognize the value of responsible action and responsible speech, and who are malleable to manipulation and deceit.
Coming to society, when we surround our young with mindless consumerism; instant gratification; rampant corruption; monolithic idea of success, beauty and status; sense of humour promoting communalism, sexism, discrimination, devaluation of hard-work and idealism; domination of common-sense knowledge; lack of critical thinking; hypocrisy; encouragement of shrewd and illegal dealings; religious maintenance of hierarchy; a show of politeness to inefficiency; lack of dignity of labour or work ethic; paternalistic attitudes to women, children and the downtrodden; and, insensitivity to social issues then can we expect them to learn any better?
What we need to do is facilitate the best ways of educating our children, we need to accord them more responsibility and make them actively participate in the functioning of society; democratize our homes, educational institutions, and neighbourhoods; encourage them to debate and express their opinions; guide them to be coherent, just and compassionate; help them acquire problem-solving skills; make them understand the value of hard work; create avenues and spaces for them to just be; reduce the formalities and increase the essence of student activities; teach them less but teach them well; equip them with the tools of empowerment; and mold them into leaders and conscious citizens of tomorrow.
I know what I have written so far may seem crude and generalised (and what I am going to write, as truistic). There are structural constraints of living in a developing country which compel us to do what we do, behave how we behave, and be who we become. I am also aware that there are individuals who are trying their best to create a better society out of our small state, however, they are surely outnumbered and marginalised. What needs to be pointed out is that we collectively need to start taking responsibility for what is happening to our society instead of constantly playing the blame-game. Probably needless to say, every little thing we do makes an impact on the society around us, sooner or later.
[The writer is Asst. Professor, Department of Sociology, Government College Rhenock, E. Sikkim.]

Thinking local

Celebrating the Elections and the Newars in Sikkim
RAJIVA SHANKER SHRESTA
Along with the whole Nation, Sikkim too is once again in the grip of the election fever happening this Saturday, the 12th of April and the Newars are also to exercise their franchise again. For a change, and first time ever, for the Chujachen constituency with the highest number of voters in the State, the ruling party has put to test a Newar candidate - their youngest candidate for Elections 2014. A national party has another Newar pitted against him there. The main opposition party, which has become quite popular in recent days, has its own to contest here. Now, we have to wait and watch for the outcome till 16 May to see whom the voters return victorious.
Not a national or regional party found it worthwhile to get a Newar candidate and put to litmus test for the Newar significant constituency of Rhenock. However, a local Newar has jumped into the fray here as an independent candidate. If for nothing, his respect and love for his home constituency along with his desire to serve it deserve praise and appreciation. It is worthwhile to mention here that a former Chief Minister of Sikkim was elected here in the year 1999. A former minister and a sitting minister have been voted to the Assembly more than once but in spite of that, Rhenock finds itself neglected always. Many are of the view that this constituency has always gone against the tide/ wave that makes them believe it to be the fort of opponents. Representing the national party whose wave is believed to be sweeping over the country this time, a local Newar well-educated lady once tried her luck to serve the constituency, but unfortunately Rhenock did not oblige her thus depriving itself of an able hand.
Coming to the capital, Gangtok, its neighbourhood has a Newar candidate each from two constituencies this time. Arithang has one to fetch a seat for the main opposition party. Though not belonging to this constituency, he has promised to visit frequently and work once sent winning from here. This pledge can be taken as the word for a son of the soil or an assurance one can expect from a would be legislator. The other Newar is seen representing the national ruling party for the Upper Tadong constituency. He is known for his long time association with a regional party that has merged lock, stock and barrel thereto not very long ago.
They are all from the East district to have jumped into the fray for the Election 2014. For the rest of Sikkim or for that matter the most sensitive or talked of constituency of the West district, the leader of the main opposition party chief has opted out to contest from Namthang-Rateypani, once the bastion of the Newars in the South district. Working President of this party instead has been put to test in the party president’s traditional constituency in West Sikkim. She is from Rhenock and a Newar by birth.  
Whatsoever, we have an unprecedentedly high number of Newar candidates in the fray this time. More than a victory or a loss that depends upon the people’s mandate, their participation alone in such significant numbers is a welcome trend. Many may not take the minority Newars as politically worthwhile or significant, given that majority strength rules supreme in the present day context of the democracy. Fractured mandate brings them to peculiar alliances to rule over the country. The Newars might have been denied any noteworthy role to play in governance, but their contribution to the society, state and the nation as a whole has been historically significant and cannot escape notice. Though the number of Newar candidates put forward may seem miniscule and their future depends on the result, we can acknowledge it heartily and be grateful to all the political parties for their kind gesture. This certainly is a positive step to indicate possibly brighter days ahead in the fast-changing socio-political scenario in Sikkim. This, as such, heralds something new to expect and look forward to. We thank them all and wish the contesting candidates the best to come out successful!

Like in the national scenario, here too many of the minority community based groups and organizations have declared their political allegiance. We wonder why our own Sikkim Newar Guthi that had once issued such a statement in favour of the then predominant party failed to bargain or come forward with one as yet this time. Perhaps the authority there did not find it worthwhile anymore. It is well understood that the Guthi being an apolitical social body, such a declaration is neither permissible nor expected. However, the Guthi central office being situated just adjacent to the headquarters of a particular party, it would not be astonishing to find many of being left dumbfounded of the odd situation of them here in the capital.
We look forward to the State Day 2014 when the state government for the first time ever since Sikkim joined the national mainstream largesse for the distinguished long services will be served generously to numerous retired and a few serving government officers and some figures from the public so dear to them. It is equally heartening to find many Newars in this long list. Congratulations to them for this rare honour bestowed on them though many see this action just ahead of the election politically motivated or/ and targeted towards the vote bank. Whatever be the opinion, we are obliged and happy that in the process many of the Newars may have come into the fold. This does not necessarily mean that those who escaped their notice belong to another camp or otherwise.
It may not be out of place to mention here that two young Newars entrepreneurs have also been honoured for making a difference to the society by the Governor on this Republic Day. One of our youth has also figured in the national scene by bringing home the Tata Literary Award. Such recognition would definitely add miles to the efforts and be enough to motivate the coming generation for a long time to come. It does not matter if they are serving here in the motherland or not. For past several years, quite a number of our youth are serving elsewhere outside the State and many more have left the shores of the country to seek their fortune on foreign soil. They have excelled here and there as well. After all they are the youth full of energy and vigour - the precious human resource on whom depends the future of the state and the nation.
Many may give a communal colour to this account of mine and I do not deny it having been inspired out of my love for the Newars. Like a friend of mine since schooldays once told me so for bringing out our book Newa: Varna, Lipi ra Bhasha Parichaya in 1996. This was not only to express our thanks and gratitude to the state government for being kind enough to accord the status of a state language at par with some others but also to make familiar sharing with our clan how rich and diverse our alphabet, script, language, culture and tradition are. To clear his mind of my intentions and prove him wrong, I had to dedicate to the society Vikasko Goreto: Grameen Proudyogiki, a compilation on low cost rural technologies in the language they are familiar with in 2001 and Sikkim: Three Decades towards Democracy along with many others in 2005 and thereafter. It has thus been quite a relief that my works bring me a great sense of satisfaction. When we do something people term it as communal exercise but if they do the same/ similar thing it would be social service. This is the malady of the present day society. Why should we feel disappointed by the narrow mindedness that soils communal harmony and such an environment stop us from giving back to the society our best – the society from which we have received so much to reach this far!
Books remind me of the Rachna books that we started 35 years ago way back in 1980 at a time when Sikkim saw every nook and corner infested with a foreignmade liquor shop. Many took our sincere efforts otherwise and deprived it of support and patronage that is usually expected for such a venture. Our perseverance paid and the unfailing love of our readers and well-wishers made us sustain and survive till this day in spite of all the odds and adversities familiar to such a trade in the society.
Coming back to the main theme, it is time to stop awhile to think and ponder how much we got and how much we lost. Do we not feel that the Newar identity that our forefathers achieved out of their sheer vision and foresightedness has been lost somewhere along the way? We were and are an able tribe. We do not have to prove our worth nor need anyone to certify us to this effect. What makes us lag behind the rest is our own narrow mindedness that finds us being a hurdle to our own kind instead of inspiring the spirit of amity and competition amongst us. In the process have we not been turned into tools in the wrong hand?
To achieve fame and recognition, we have in the long process sacrificed and lost our mother tongue. As a result, when time comes to stand and speak on certain pertinent issues that matter to us, we feel as if our tongue has been snatched out and are unable to put our point forward. The Newars are known for the trust and loyalty to the powers that be since the days of yore. For some selfish motives and personal benefits have we not devastated ourselves of our rightful place and the larger interest? When such issues are raised, people at the helm of affairs find it pertinent but for a khaanti [purebred] Newar and set aside to ignore altogether. This unfortunate attitude should raise concern and whose voice sells but are silent on the matter much to the detriment of the fate and future of the coming generation. Personal interest and benefit matters and overshadows the rest in politics as they say. Have we been so vivekheen, bereft of conscience, that the circumstances took us to the point best said in the common parlance – Amakodudh khananapugera babuko ghuda chusna pugeka haru, [“Deprived of mother’s milk, resorting to sucking father’s knees”]. Have we grown insensitive to such an extent that we have lost our wit to protest such a favour imposed on us? What was the compulsion that made us to accept such an awkward situation which is still far from a layman’s understanding and perception? Anyway, let bygones be bygones. We have now to rise to the occasion and keep the restored Newar identity intact far above our narrow-minded selfish interests and personal benefit in the larger overall interest of the society.
Nobody can take away our rights if we ourselves do not give it away. This is possible only in our political wilderness. If so, we have not raised a voice against it. We turned a blind eye to it. We have now to go further away and think of the days ahead. Time demands and urges us that we, the Newars, think of not only in the political perspective but also take into consideration our social scenario here.
Some party asks voters not to cast their vote this time on the basis of any caste or religion while others say that the power grabbed on the same plank should be rooted out and people’s mandate should overwhelmingly be for a change. This has really heated up the environment here with unprecedented turn of events sometimes turning violent. Under such an environment, we should be wise enough to use our conscience well and give our mandate to the party under which we feel our future is not only safe and secure but which would fulfil our issues kept on hold for a long while. We are in minority, and our prime concern should be with the party which will come to our rescue and safeguard our interest duly restoring us the Newar identity – the pride our forefathers hard-earned for us amidst hostile atmosphere when they first arrived being invited by the authority here.
A day could come when things would be impartial and just to consider definitely the contributions made to the society, state and the Nation by our people past and present. We have miles to go and have many hopes and aspirations yet to be fulfilled. I look forward to the State Day when the results for this election will be out, besides fellow citizens honoured to be congratulated for their feat and above all for me “Sikkim: Three Decades towards Democracy” enters the tenth year of its publication and a decade more for us here in Sikkim celebrating Democracy.

Mountainous water of Sikkim and its conservation

DK PRADHAN

Essaying the magnificent role of water harvesting, a hill is a complex phenomenon; in other words, the hill itself is a paradigm of rain water harvesting. The roles of soil water, vadose water and saturated zone are incomparable and if any of these are de-linked, the water reservoir of a hill may pass to another water saturated zone. The pores of hill soil matrix, in soil column, typically act as capillary tubes in capillary fringes of soil, while, the capillary actions of the capillary fringes, above the saturated zone, act as the instruments to collect the water. Such action of soil pores immediately above the water table tenaciously retains water for the underlying water table. Soil water is a prerequisite for sustainable development of forest areas. In addition, the water retaining trees along the ridge to the base offer a good prototype for watershed development according to the altitudinal suitability of species for rendering water and water conservation for larger stakes. The soil moisture requirement varies from plant to plant. Moisture loving plants are available in the sliding and sinking zones and the growth of Alnus nepalensis [Utis] in sliding zones is a natural bioengineering evolution of forests.
At the advent, the hills with bases facing streams are generally sources of hill water. This, because hills without proper water management are vulnerable to landslides and prone to natural calamities. In this respect, the vulnerability mapping of hills is an urgent need of the hour in the state of Sikkim as part of a long-term strategy. Abundance of Alnus (utis), Macaranga (malata), Erythrina (phaledo), Viburnum (Asarey), Datura (datura) etc are signs of a healthy forest. Integrated growth of several regional or altitudinal species ensures sustainable development of the soil matrix, and in terms of biodiversity, such a paradigm is an exemplary form of another microclimatic zone or watershed. Generally, the landslide prone areas are devastated regions and require moisture loving and moisture retaining plants matching the soil moisture and dry conditions respectively.
In the plains, digging a few feet can reach the water table which is not possible in the hills. The hills provide beautiful examples of natural geo-bio engineering for water harvesting. The hilltop is a container-like entity and generally in Sikkim, the slopes at the higher altitudes have alpine trees such as Dhupi, Pines, Abies, Taxus etc. In the middle order, the forest of Machilus , Machelia , Spondias, and others are available. Likewise, at the base, forests of Schima wallichi, Castanopsis, Cedrela etc are seen. The general outlook on dhupi and other pines mistakenly believes that these plants absorb water and desert soil. It is however felt that the plantation of such trees at inappropriate areas is a major drawback although to a certain extent, the fast growth of pine and other dhupis in the higher altitudes leads to early drying of the soil and maintains ecological balance, preventing landslides.
Soil water, vadose water, capillary fringes and saturated zone play different roles in the natural water harvesting mechanism.
The rain water or water from other sources infiltrates the soil water and reaches vadose soil (at the rock or porous soil below soil water) at the sediments or rocky areas. The capillary action of capillary fringes, the layer above water table, trenches water and drains it out through cliffs. Mismanaged plans and wrong implementation of ridges to base treatment in three tiers approaches of top, middle and base, can result in devastation at the end. Such a devastated area cannot be retrenched in a day or a year, but requires decades or a century to rebuild.
Areas perennially under snow cover have very few vegetation of herbaceous nature. High soil moisture content and humic nature of alpine make a very fragile environment at the top. Generally, these hills or mountainous regions receive large amounts of rainfall as well. Likewise, such snowy mountainous belts are vulnerable to avalanches and landslides.
Nevertheless, just below the alpine forest, trees and shrubs are available even if only of moderate size. These forests are engaged in maintaining major ecological water harvesting role too. Destruction of such vegetation may result in lesser transpiration of soil moisture and ultimately affect soil fertility. Any disturbance in the natural equilibrium of an ecosystem, without regional forest planning, is ill advised.
Other forest types such as temperate, sub-temperate, sub-tropical and tropical forests are also found in the Sikkim hills and are responsible for the transpiration of soil water and provide water for the forest sustainability. These forests control the soil water runoff and soil erosion. The biodynamics of these forest types are in accord to the type of hills and microclimatic zones. Change of vegetation matrix and adaptation of new exotic species and removal of the natural habitat are the imposed threats to the Sikkim ecosystem.
According to the nature and properties of plants, water consumption levels differ, and eventually so do soil fertility and soil maintenance. Some of the identified water retaining plants of Sikkim recorded from reconnaissance of habitats and their fringes are Arundinaria racemosa (Sanu maling), Bambusa tulda (Mal bans), Bambusa vulgaris (Telai bans), Bambusa vulgaris var waminii (Lota bans), Dendrocalamus hamiltonii (Choya bans), Dendrocalamus himiltonii var edulis (Guliyo tama), Dendrocalamus patellaris (Neba), Dendrocalamus hookeri (Tili bans), Dendrocalamus sikkimensis (Bhalu bans), Dendrocalamus strictus (Bhalu bans), Dendrocalamus asper (Kabas bans), Phyllostachys manii (Kata bans), Phyllostachys nigra (Kalo ningalo), Schizostachyum capitatum (Gopa bans), Schizostachyum dullooa (Tokre bans), Schizostachyum latifolium (Dullo bans), Sinarundinaria hookerina (Parang), Sinarundinaria intermedia (Tite nigalo), Sinarundinaria maling (Maling), Sinarundinaria microphylla (Deo nigalo), Thamnocalamus aristatus (Rato nigalo) etc for Bamboos species, likewise, trees species are Ficus auriculata (Bhutuk), Ficus benghalensis (Bar), Ficus benjamina (Swami), Ficus glaberrima (Pakhuri), Ficus hederacea (Dudhe lahara), Ficus hirta (Khasreto), Ficus hispida (Kharsu/ kothedumar), Ficus lacor (Pakadi), Ficus nerrifolia (Dudhe), Ficus oligodon (Nimaro), Ficus palmate (Bedu), Ficus microcarpa (Sami), Ficus racemosa (Gular/ Dumri), Prunus napaulensis (Arupatey), Jambosa kurzii (Ambakey), Bischofia javanica (Kaijal), Albizzia marginata (Siris) Musa sikkimensis (Ban banara), Litsea polyantha (Ketmero), Elaeocarpus sikkimensis (Badrasey), Spondias axillaries (Lapshee), Bassia butyracea (Cheurey), Machilus edulis (Pomche), Juglans regia (Okar), Cedrela toona (Tuni), Cordia oblique (Bori) , Terminalia myriocarpa (Pani sanj), Schima wallichii (Chilauney), Castanopsis hystrix (Katus), Symplocos theifolia (Karaney), Abies webbiana (gobrey salla), Larix griffithi ( bargay salla), Michelia champaca (Champ), Castanopsis tribuloides (Patley katus) etc.
Traditional knowledge, refined from age old phenomenon and passed down from generation to generation and sanctified as is evident from the sacred space occupied by trees of the region are reflected in the plant species I have researched for water resource conservation. The testimonies of the elders and extant belief systems make people aware about conservation and its necessity. Dignified social planning is now necessary for the protection and preservation of water sources and their conservation.
Generally, lack of awareness proves costly matter when it comes to water conservation. The trees, geo-resources and animal habitat of invertebrates and vertebrates are important components of water conservation. Capillary fringes above the water table are the habitat of reptiles, birds, crabs, wild rat etc. They clear soil layer at the inner levels for their settlement at the capillary fringes of soil. Missing any of these bio and geo resources may damage the water source. In addition, a sustainable water source can be developed through integrated approaches of biotic and abiotic factors in accord to microclimatic zone at the capillary fringes.
Soil health is an important issue for vegetative growth, for the animals and for the abiotic factors. Lack of fertility, acidity and other relative factors destroy vegetation. In the midst of such nature, the movement of animals from one water source region to another may result in slow drying of water sources. The panorama of decades old vegetation cannot be rebuilt in a day or year. Eventually, as rain water runoff increases, it triggers further deterioration and leads to disaster. Therefore, the primary role of the soil health is significant for the management and maintenance of hills.
Shifting of water source locations from one point to another is an unusual and unwanted happening of hills. Deforestation at hilltops, increment of soil water run off, inability of rain water harvesting natural mechanism, changes in vegetation matrix, changes in animal matrix and other relative factors are the major reasons for such happenings. Drying of a water source is not a result of a day’s damage, but the outcome of continued recklessness which diverts the water capillary action of capillary fringes to other directions.
Construction of artificial tanks at a water sprout should be avoided. It should be instead located at the basal region as a harvesting site or tank without much damage to the ground condition.
Pure water, air and natural resources are the economy and capital of the hills. General awareness on the natural water harvesting mechanism of hills is necessary for the strategic protection and preservation of water sources. In connection to this, necessary vegetation of water retaining plants at lower and upper area of capillary fringes in hill, are mandatory for the perennial water source.
The State Government’s endeavor towards water conservation and implementation of water conservation plans is noteworthy and unparalleled. Close people’s participation, vulnerability mapping and sustainable strategy for the water conservation are the urgent requirements for the protection of water sources of Sikkim. Integrated natural regeneration as per the microclimatic zone needs to be proposed by the Gram Sabhas or competent authority. The Sikkim Himalaya holds such a variety of altitudinal gradients that within a hillock itself one can find all types of forests. Hence, planning with the proper knowledge of watershed and geological data will bear fruit when it comes to water conservation for the benefit of the people at large. Unscrupulous decisions on the vegetation matrix preparation should be avoided. Opinions and advice of regional experts and natural regeneration methodology may be adopted for the better water conservation.
[the writer is Principal Scientist, High Altitude Research Centre, Forests, Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim]

Flowers and Vegetable Seeds- Nostalgic Memory!

KC PRADHAN
Hurrah, Pocha Seeds are back!
The Pocha Seeds Company of Pune (established 1884), Suttons Seeds in Calcutta (1806 in UK), L.R. Brothers at Saharanpur (1900) and the Chandra Nursery at Rhenock (1910), were household names in the days of the Raj for all home-gardener needs. I was desperately looking for some small packets of French breakfast radish, Celery, Parsley etc. but to no avail. Since someone was going to Siliguri, I asked her to look for these at Bidhan (rather, ‘Hong Kong’) Market.
Lo behold! The seeds arrived - well packed and moderately priced as compared to that supplies cornered by the multinationals and marketed by merchants, of doubtful viability, based in Kolkata, Aurangabad and Bangalore. Their products are priced beyond the reach of the small home gardeners and marketed in bulk mostly to government departments who dole them out to villagers as part of poverty alleviation programmes under various Mission modes conceived by the pundits in Delhi.

Towards discovering treasures, not leaving trash in the Himalayas

Nima Tashi Bhutia
Over centuries, pilgrims and explorers have been visiting the mountains but their numbers were few and the Himalayan ecosystem, fragile as it is, was able to cope with the effects of human exploration in the areas. But today, with improved network, there is a tremendous increase in the numbers of people visiting the Himalayan states. With the increase in the number of visitors, there has been a rapid increase in the solid waste which has become a major problem. Efforts are being made by Government and various groups, individuals which remain insufficient.
A two-day regional workshop towards zero waste Himalayas organized by Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee jointly with Rural Management and Development Department with support from Thanal, Global Green-Grant Fund, Centre for Environment Education under Parivariyan Mitra program brought participants from across the Himalayan states together at Chumbi Residency here on 17 and 18 May 2011 to discuss on the growing solid waste issue. The first day session were chaired by the Gangtok Mayor, KN Topgay, Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim PD Rai along with Jayakumar, Director, Thanal and Ajeer Vidya, Deer Park Institute, Himachal Pradesh.

Forests & Biodiversity: On the occasion of 22 May International Day for Biodiversity 2011

-by Usha Lachungpa, On behalf of Green Circle, NGO and Sikkim State Biodiversity Board, 22 May 2011

Our journey in Sikkim from IYB 2010 to IYF 2011 was a celebration of various aspects of neighborhood Biodiversity, the spectacular to commonly seen, in and around our homes and forests.    A journey from celebrating the life-sustaining diversity of life around us in 2010, to singling out just one of them, our Silent Sentinels in our Forests in 2011.  And who needs them?  We the People.

Our food, much of our cool clothing, shelter, fuel, fire….where else do we turn to but our nearest easily accessible forests.  Now we really need to “see the wood for the trees”.  Dr Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in his message for International Day for Biodiversity 2011at http://www.modernghana.com/news/329897/1/message-for-the-international-day-for-biodiversity.html talks about the far-reaching benefits of forests.  Forests catch and store water, stabilize soils, harbor biodiversity and make an important contribution to regulating climate and the greenhouse gases that are causing climate change. They generate profits for international businesses and provide essential income and resources for hundreds of millions of the world's poorest people.  This year's observance of the International Day for Biodiversity falls during the 2011 International Year of Forests, declared by the United Nations General Assembly to educate the global community about the value of forests and the extreme social, economic and environmental costs of losing them.

CAEPHT surveys use and health of draught animals in East Sikkim

S.K. RAUTARAY

The College of Agricultural Engineering and Post Harvest Technology (CAEPHT), Central Agricultural University (CAU) centre of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Utilization of Animal Energy (UAE) carried out a survey of draught animals (bullocks) and their utilization for agricultural operations as per the cropping system in the village Dikling (Koyung) and Naitam of East Sikkim.
The survey included type of work animals, breed, age, market price,  size and body dimensions, annual use, use hour/day, type and size of animal shed, system of dung and urine handling in animal shed, type of feed and fodder used, schedule of feeding and maintenance practice followed, health care measures, custom hiring of bullocks to neighboring farmers, labourers engaged per season, traditional implements available, practice of dung and urine disposal, major crops grown, area, yield, cost of production and annual net returns to farmers and others.
The physiolocal parameters of bullocks (respiration rate, pulse rate, body temperature, physical distress symptoms and others) were measured. The farmers, as reported, grow rice, maize, buckwheat, kodo, black gram, large cardamom, ginger and vegetables.