Dehradun mobile dealers unaware of e-waste management rules

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August 29, 2019

Mobile shop — Pic Courtesy: Gati Foundation

Dehradun based environmental action and advocacy group, Gati Foundation conducted a social audit of 16 prominent mobile dealers of the city. Out of these, ten were authorised Samsung mobile dealers and six were multi-brand mobile dealers. The audit was based on the legal framework laid down under the e-waste management rules 2016, notified by the Government of India. As per an earlier survey by Gati, 72% of the e-waste generated in Dehradun is because of mobile phones. Yet, mobile centers continue to flout environmental norms related to the sustainable management of e-waste.

Rule 7 of the e-waste management rules 2016 very clearly lays down that it is the responsibility of the dealer to provide the consumer with a bin or box to implement a proper collection/take back of e-waste. 94% of the dealers have been found to have no kind of bin or box facility in place to take back the e-waste being generated in the city. 88% of the dealers do not have any kind of mechanism in place at their shops for collecting the e-waste.

Mobile, E-Waste — Pic Courtesy: Gati Foundation

“E-waste is becoming a major environmental menace. In this era of smart mobile technology, we don’t have adequate mechanisms to manage the e-waste being generated by it. The awareness level of mobile dealers in the city with regard to e-waste is really low. This should be a major cause of concern for multinational giants who are selling their products in the market. A robust take-back system with the help of informed dealers must be created by the private corporations in order to handle the e-waste in an eco-friendly manner,” said Anoop Nautiyal, Founder, Gati Foundation.

2016 rules very clearly state that companies should make people aware of their buyback schemes. Alarmingly, 56% of the dealers are unaware of any such buyback scheme by the multinational electronics giant, Samsung. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a legal principle that mandates private corporations to take care of the waste generated directly by them, 88% of the dealer are unaware of this principle.

“Problem of e-waste is rising rapidly. In coming times, we plan to engage with government agencies and private corporations in order to seek innovative and sustainable solutions to the modern-day problem of e-waste, polluting our environment and human health,” said Rishabh Shrivastava, Lead – Communications, Gati Foundation.

Anushka Martolia, Hem Sahu, Adhyayan Mamgain and Neelam Kumari were involved in conducting the social audit of the mobile dealers in Dehradun.

Tenzin Norgay National Adventure Award 2019 goes to Aparna Kumar

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Tania Saili

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August 28, 2019

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Aparna Kumar, Moutaineer, Mountain, Climbing, Scaling

Dehradun, 2019 has been special a year for Mountaineer Aparna Kumar who created history of being the first Indian woman to scale seven summits on seven continents. An extraordinary feat which has won her the coveted Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2019 on occasion of the National Sports Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan today.

Speaking to Newspost she said, “I am relieved and motivated to work harder and do better. This is just the beginning, and any recognition on any national or international level is very encouraging.”

Earlier this year, in January, 45 year old, Indian Police Services Aparna Kumar currently attached as DIG Training, Indo Tibetan Border Police, Seemadwar, Dehradun hoisted the Tricolour on the South Pole. And five months down the line, she was atop Mount Denali.

In May 2016, Aparna summited Mount Everest from the north face, and her message for the women of the world was: ‘One should keep trying and never quit. It is very important to pursue one’s passion with a single minded focus and devotion.“

Aparna Kumar, a mother of two, is from the 2002 batch of IPS and is in the Uttar Pradesh cadre. The first IPS and ITBP officer to successfully scale the southern most tip of the earth, title goes to Aparna too.

Karnataka-born and brought up, Aparna was bitten by the mountaineering bug, which saw her constantly on the move. The lady has in the past six years, successfully scaled prominent peaks in seven continents. Her never-say-die spirit saw her became part of a seven-member expedition team along with two guides to South Pole earlier in January this year.

Being conferred with the highest National Award at par with Arjuna award for Adventure Sports in India Aparna has made it evident, that all dreams come true if we have the courage and the single minded focus to pursue them.

NGT directs Chief Secretary to submit report on solid waste management

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August 27, 2019

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mountains of mess — Pic Courtesy: Advocate Akash Vashishtha

The NGT has directed the Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand to submit a report on a petition filled against illegal and widespread dumping of solid wastes, plastic wastes, bio-medical wastes, hazardous wastes and other obnoxious matter in and across Uttarakhand, especially in the higher reaches of the hill-state.

The order was passed on the petition moved by NGO Friends and Former Chairman of International Union of Forest Research Organizations, Vienna, Dr. Ajay Singh Rawat.

Noting the gravity of the issue, the court will hear the matter with the main petition pertaining to Compliance of Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 for Uttarakhand, which will come up for consideration in September.

The petition moved through Mr. Akash Vashishtha, Advocate was argued by Mr. Rajiv Dutta, Senior Advocate.

“The entire hills of the state were in distress because of unrestrained dumping everywhere and no disposal thereof. The garbage is thrown, gets accumulated and is then set on fire. The biggest problem creators are the hotels, resorts and restaurants. Tourists are plundering the hills like anything,” Sr. Advocate, Rajiv Dutta, told the court.

The petition also carried a written reply submitted in the Rajya Sabha by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on 08-03-18 revealed that Uttarakhand is the worst-performing state in the country in terms of processing solid waste. Every day, the state generates 1,406 tons solid waste and processes 0 per cent of it.

Including the Swachh Survekshan 2019 report which stated that the state capital Dehradun slipped to the 384^th slot out of 425 cities having a population of over one lakh, which witnesses the abysmal performance of the state capital. A total of 4237 cities had participated in the survey but no city in Uttarakhand featured in the list of top 250.

The petition also seeks directions from the court to implement and enforce the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, fix quotas to 4000 tourists coming to places situated above 4000 feet above sea level altitude in Uttarakhand, especially during May-June and November-March, are just some of the directions that the petition seeks. A complete ban on large-scale weddings and events at an altitude of 5000 feet or more above sea level, amongst others.

Order SWM 21.08.2019

Players from Mussoorie make it to the Basketball Nationals

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Tania Saili

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August 26, 2019

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Mussoorie, Two students of Mussoorie’s Guru Nanak Fifth Centenary School have made it to the Basketball National Team in Under 19 and Under 14 category respectively.

Student of class XIIth Aman Veer Singh and Ankit Kumar of class VIIIth will soon be participating in the Basketball Nationals in the Under 19 and Under 14 category to be held in Tamil Nadu and Odisha this September. The boys were handpicked from amongst 70 players who played in various tournaments and were selected on the basis of their performance.

Aman and Ankit give credit to their coach Raisuddin Ansari a pass-out from the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, who put in two to three hours of rigorous training on the basketball court, teaching students tricks of the game.

 While, Aman Veer Singh  has in the past represented Uttarakhand Basketball Teams in Sub- Junior and Junior categories in 2016 and 2018 respectively. He shall now represent Council For The Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Regional Basketball Team in CISCE Nationals to be held from 22nd to 27th of September, in Tamil Nadu. The young player has his goals set as he confidently tells us “I would like to join UCLA in America and will take my game to the NBA, which is the ultimate level for any basketball player.”

On the other hand, Ankit Kumar, will be part of the Uttarakhand State Basketball Team in the 46th Sub-Junior (under 14 category) Basketball Nationals to be held in Cuttack, Odisha from 3rd to 9th September. Ankit joined school in grade 6^th and has been playing basketball for just two years now, he tells us, “feels great to have qualified in the Under 14 category. I will try to improve my game and play for India in the future,” he signs off.

Coordinator, Dalveer Kaur Singh, speaks on behalf of the School and its Management, stating, “Its really great. The joint effort of our coach and the students has brought us laurels in the past and we are sure that they will continue to do so in the future as well.”

The Woodpecker: An upward and onward journey

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Tania Saili

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August 25, 2019

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The Woodpecker — Pic Courtesy: Shanali Bankim Sharma

Dehradun, Seldom do we come across individual tales of tragedy inspiring beauty. Shanali Bankim Sharma, the case in point here, did just that. She is the lady behind the unique brand ‘The Woodpecker’ a five-month-old start-up that excels in making hand-painted household wooden wares.

Born in Pathankot, Shanali moved to Dehradun when she was eight years old and made the valley her home. With an MBA in Finance, Shanali started painting “as a meditation or mode of expression,” after she lost her husband three years ago. Looking back she remembers how, “Painting gave me strength to stand up again,” adding, “It all started with painting on wooden logs for friends. I then added a few more utility products that could replace plastic and would inspire people towards a more eco-friendly living, and since that day its been an upward, onward journey.”

It was this motivation and determination that gave birth to ‘The Woodpecker.’ Shanali’s love for the outdoors and photographs clicked by her late husband inspired her hand-painted bird and floral series.

Today, her backdrop, the Himalaya and the abundance of Nature inspire her art on handcrafted wooden ware using natural oils for polishing, with each item being a piece of heart, part of a soul and a moment of someone’s life that will definitely add more beauty to your home.

Officially launched online in March this year, The Woodpecker is gradually growing, “the response has been very positive and people are appreciating it, they say it’s a unique idea and no two items are alike,” says the artist.

Shanali also works on developing skills in students of government schools and encourages them to use their creativity bent of mind and hands. She supplies her young students with art supply, holds workshops and teaches them the nuances of painting and art in the hope that they carry it forward, “These young minds, aged between 11 to 17 are soaking it all in. They enjoy what they are being taught, which is very heartening to see” she signs off.

Wooden trays, platters, home decor, candle holders, coasters, stone art, lamps, wine-trays, cheese platters, latest collection of Ocean coasters and trays are available at Alaya and Himalayan Weavers, in Dehradun. You could also order online through Instagram & Facebook Page.

Follow ‘The Woodpecker’ on:

(https://instagram.com/the.woodpecker.ddn igshid=1dksry19obyl0)

Shanalib.art (https://instagram.com/shanalib.art?igshid=h5gvh5e9jhgf)

https://www.facebook.com/TheWoodpecker.ddn/
https://www.facebook.com/ShanaliB.Art/

Saying it with flowers this monsoon

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Tania Saili

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August 22, 2019

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Monsoon, Wildflowers — A carpet of garden escapees dot the hillside

Mussoorie, In the hills, they will tell you that when the cobra lilies turn red; the tree ferns begin to turn brown; the setting sun changes its multi-hued pallet of colours with each passing day and the garden escapees bloom on the mountain-side in all their splendour – you can take it for granted that the Great Indian Monsoon is on the retreat after its three month reign in our mountain home.

Come mid-August and a carpet of wild flowers spring into existence in colourful bouquets. Mauve, pink and white orchids bloom around every nook and corner of the hill-station. But what takes your breath away are the vibrant garden-escapees, the glory of the place. My personal favourites are the wild ginger lily, the cobra lily and the garden escapees. The sheer variety of colour abloom in dense masses from August to beginning of October, adding splashes of bright, happy colours on the jade green hillside.

The slopes above and below the road is awash in a nodding sea of flowers dancing in the gentle breeze. They watch you through the water-laden mist which comes down to touch the plants, as if to make sure that all is well, and it parts, the colours jump out at you: crimson, scarlet, mauve, white, yellow, pink, orange, purple and sometimes a deep, almost black maroon, you name it and they all there in plenty, giving company to the moss, ferns and grass carpeting the hillside.

monsoon, fern — The tree fern turns brown towards the end of monsoon

Such a gathering of wildflowers warms the cockles of the heart and appeals the eyes just at a time when everything else is shrouded in a gloomy mist of grey, briefly giving way to bright sunshine and blue skies.

The wild-flowers play ‘now-you-see-me, now-you-don’t,’ peeping through the dense mist, reminding us all that this too shall pass, just as Autumn comes chugging around the corner.

Dehradun inclusion in National Clean Air Programme will reap benefits

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newspost

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August 19, 2019

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Dehradun, The Gati Foundation welcomed the decision to include the city of Dehradun in the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) of the Central Government. NCAP is the most ambitious programme of the government to tackle the worsening air quality in the country.

Cities included in the NCAP need to commit to reduce their air pollution levels by 20 to 30% by 2024 compared to the baseline levels from 2017. To accomplish this objective, cities need to come out with air pollution abatement action plans. A slew of measures including detailed city-wide source appointment studies are needed for the NCAP.

Currently, 102 cities were a part of the NCAP including the cities of Rishikesh and Kashipur from Uttarakhand. With the inclusion of 20 new cities from eight states in the country, Dehradun, with much higher pollution levels than Rishikesh and Kashipur, is finally a part of NCAP.

Data from Uttarakhand Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board clearly indicates that the air pollution levels for PM 10 in Dehradun are three to five times higher than the national standards. The monitoring stations at ISBT, Clock Tower and Raipur measure the air quality in the city. Air pollution levels are considerably lower both in Rishikesh and Kashipur as compared to Dehradun.

Gati Foundation believes that the inclusion of Dehradun in NCAP will facilitate better inter departmental coordination and abatement efforts will receive a boost. With increased participation from citizens supported by authorities, the city of Dehradun can hope for cleaner air in the coming days.

“Doon Green” Cycle Race, a success despite the weather

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Tania Saili

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August 19, 2019

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Dehradun, While weather tried to play spoil sport for an enthusiastic group of cyclists taking part in the “Doon Green” race organised by AdvenThrill,’ yet, the sport and the sportsmanship spirit won.

The first such event in the valley was put together by friends passionate about cycling. The race was flagged off from AdvenThrill Office at sharp 6:00 a.m., making its way through Bridge no: 6, Nanur Kheda and finishing at the Khalanga War Memorial a total distance of 10 km.

Close to 45 participants across all age groups were guided and assisted by 20 volunteers from the AdvenThrill Team who provided all possible support to the cyclists. Vijay Pratap Singh, Shubhendra Shahi, Kaushal Pandey and Abhishekh ensured that traffic arrangements were in place despite the pouring rain so that the cyclists could have a smooth ride.

The spirit of sportsmanship was evident in those as young as 14 year olds to those in their 40s’. Nothing could come in the way of the enthusiastic participants, not even the pounding rain as they paddled away to the finishing line at the Khalanga War Memorial, at an elevation of 900 mtrs.

Adding icing to the cake was the fact that coach Mr. Naresh Singh Nayal and Pankaj Rana of the Indian Blind Football Team were at the finishing line, to felicitate the participants.

The winners of the race under all categories were felicitated with trophies and cash prizes.

Winner in the 14-20 age Category:-

1-Pranav Panwar 2-Rakshit Joshi 3-Dhruv Gupta

21 to 40 years

1- Ramesh Bharti 2- Shaurya Tomar 3- Ashok Limbu

Above 41 years :

1- Sohan Singh Rawat 2- Ajay Bist 3- Dr. Suchit

Women Category: Soni Meher

Vijay Pratap Singh, the brain behind the cycling competition added, “The weather prediction for incessant rainfall was bang on. But despite all that, the determination of the participants and our Chief Guests at the finishing line was worth all the praise and I am glad that we went ahead with the event, despite the odds.“

20 dead in Uttarkashi deluge

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Tania Saili

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August 19, 2019

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The hill-district of Uttarakashi bore the brunt of incessant rainfall on the night of 17^th of August which led to its sub-mountain rivulets in spate sweeping away homes, shops, buildings and anything that came in its way.

Uttarakhand CM, TS Rawat put the total of those feared dead at 20 further stating that 12 bodies had been recovered thus far. People from NDRF, SDRF and Forest Department are engaged in rescue operation. The road head has been washed away at 21 points and priority would be to repair them soon.

Villages of Aarkot, Makudi, Kashtha in Mori Tehsil witnessed incessant rainfall over the past two days which left a trail of disaster in the region. Secretary (Incharge) Disaster Management, S A Murugesan had put the toll of those dead at 17 yesterday, “There has been no rainfall since late evening, no new landslides, water level is receding and there is no pertinent danger as of now. Priority now is to reach villages, restore road connectivity along with the two valley bridges which were swept away. Restore electricity and start vehicular movement as soon as possible.” Further adding, “we are sending our rescue team on foot as well as para-drop them by chopper. We are in constant touch with locals and our officials on ground. We have organised a base camp at Arakot Intermediate School where the SSP and DM have set up base, along with medical and relief camp.“

First set of injured being brought in from Mori

Since yesterday morning, choppers from Dehradun Jollygrant and Sahastradhara helipad carried communication equipment & ropes for rescue operations in the region. Three medical teams have also reached Arakot, which is assisting in rescue operations. Senior State officials, Finance Secretary Amit Negi, Inspector General (IG) Sanjay Gunjyal & Uttarkashi District Magistrate (DM) Ashish Chauhan were already on site taking stock of the situation. So far, thirteen villages have been affected by the heavy downpour and the district administration is working on war-footing to ensure that there are no more casualties, “we have established our control centre in Arakot and there are three choppers which will carry out aerial sortees. SDRF teams have also been air-dropped and some are afoot on trek routes. PWD teams and JCV are working to repair road stretches which were swept away. Food and medical assistance is being provided here and we are working on returning to normalcy as soon as possible,” said DM Dr. Ashish Chauhan.

Chief Minister of the State Trivendra Singh Rawat tweeted about rescue and relief work being carried out in Mori Tehsil. While six injured have been airlifted from Arakot thus far, two persons were brought to Dehradun from the Sahastradhara helipad, where they were shifted to the Emergency Wing at Doon Hospital which has been prepared to take-up more patients from Mori. Four other’s were referred to higher centre, while more injured were brought to the State Capital as the day progressed.

Yesterday morning a release from the State Disaster Relief Fund stated, “our team moved at 5:00 a.m. for Arakot along with Paramedics and medicines left with the team. A temporary Mess that can run as a bhandara, has been moved to Aarakot. Facilities to tent 400 people in emergency, besides 200 food packets have been moved to affected area. 150 helidrop-kits are ready to move from Jollygrant and another 50 from Sahastradhara helipad. Yesterday some disaster relief kits were distributed by SDRF teams that reached the spot.”

Moravian students plant hundred saplings on campus

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August 17, 2019

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Dehradun: “You can never have enough trees,” says Principal Thsespal Kundan, Principal, Moravian Institute, Dehradun welcoming the plantation drive of 100 trees by Sustainable Green Initiative Foundation (SGIF) on its campus, in coordination with Earth Day Network, a Washington-based organisation.

The lush-green campus of the school will now have even more trees, which were planted by the students of the school themselves, who also promised to nurture saplings of Arjun, Acacia, Bael, Bottlebrush, Kachnar, Palash, Lemon, Amaltas and Neem that they planted. The students who braved the monsoon downpour and gladly got their hands dirty in the mud, also said a prayer for the saplings that they planted.

Affiliated to the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ISCE) board, the day-cum-residential school on Rajpur Road, established in 1963, provides quality education to underprivileged students of the city. “We would have loved to plant fruit trees, too, but the monkeys and our students ensure that there aren’t any ripe fruits left!” added Mr Kundan, on a lighter note.

It is worth mentioning here that SGIF (Sustainable Green Initiative Foundation) had also organised a session at the Moravian Institute on climate change, environmental degradation and global warming on August 3, which was attended by students of class six to twelve, who took active part in the discussions.

“Trees are the only and the most sure-shot way to fight global warming and we’re glad Moravian Institute is putting its weight behind the cause,” said Mr Durgesh Raturi, Co-trustee, SGIF.

The school protects and takes are of its existing trees and has two composting pits that turn fallen leaves, kitchen waste and leftover food into organic fertiliser for the campus trees. It is also actively considering the idea of rainwater harvesting in the immediate future.

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