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VOL 3 ISSUE 4 TRADITION I CULTURE I FLAVOUR I BUSINESS I NEWS OCT 10, 2009

Conservationist’s view: Responsible tourism: A local


Mr ERC Davidar shares hotelier explains his contribu-
his experiences in a lively tions towards the eco-balance,
imterview. p16 but is industry doing enough? p6

A
eLocal
U N I Q U E P E R S P E C T I V E O F T H E N I L G I R I S
Next issue: Tea sector surges

pic courtesy :N Ravi, WWF, Nilgiris

A lone struggle.
Well meaning efforts, on all fronts, are futile if they
are disjointed, making it a lonely battle for
animals in the wild. p 10, 11.
‘Kumaraiah keeps calling me to Masinagudi, travel
but I haven’t gone in a while. He visits me
whenever I go to the hills. But while there,
I’m restrained a bit because Kumaraiah likes
to take hold of my leg and pull it you see!’
see p 16 for more...

Gudalur Road Anumapuram's little township marks the


Nilgiris in a nutshell Priya Varghese start of tea plantations, terraces interspersed
with water-meadows, clouds-clad hills above
When next at Thalakunda, enroute to - each glance framing a picture by landscape
Mysore, take the lower road. No strain of artist Constable.
36 hair-pen bends, the road takes its cue After Naduvattam, (which means central
Editorial from the gentle contours of the Pykara river.
Considerable time seemed to have gone point) tea is displaced by giant eucalyptus,
into this issue of TheLocal. It was, we Water cascades obediently at Kamaraj the forest backed by dramatic rock-faces
believe, mostly due to the nature of stories Sagar and Pykara Dam and skips free in overlooking Gudalur. Theppakadu's jungle
that we chose to draw your attention waterfalls by the road. completes 'Nilgiris in a nutshell'.
towards, especially the one on the state of Broccoli-blue and cabbage-green patchwork 30 mins added to your journey: countless
our wildlife. The primary aspect in that overlays the rich red soil, farmed by locals. amazing pictures to your memory.
story is that of the well meaning yet
disjointed efforts on the part of the various
organisations and agencies involved.
Towards a more holistic approach, we
hope this story will at the least allow
concerted effort to happen, before it is late.
Readers of the Local have been concerned
about the alcoholism issue affecting the
people of the district. At several forums,
where we have had the opportunity, in
recent weeks, to convey the urgency of
the problem, people have expressed
solidarity and would wish to contribute
their efforts. We believe, preventive
measures are of utmost importance at this
point. Should any of us wish to engage in
the school related campaigns, for instance
(see article on p3), please get in touch with
the paper; we will be happy to have you pic, courtesy: Senthil,Compads
as an integral part of this awareness
programme. Incidentally, members of the Snapshot- shola-grassland: A combination of tropical evergreen forests co-existing alongside
Nithyananda Ashram, Bidadi, on undulating grasslands is what is widely termed as shola-grasslands. These small patches of forests are
invitation, introduced a meditation found in hollows, shelters and small declivities, ie,. in isolated pockets. Grasslands dominate. The sholas
program to inmates of a deaddiction centre stay within a restricted boundary. Neither do they spread into the grassland nor does the grass spread
in the district, recently. (see special section into the forest. A number of climatic factors are respnsible for this: a short period of drought, winter frost,
and article, p12, 13). Regards, Editor. wind velocity, fire and a sharp diurnal temperature fluctutation. Source: The Local Dec’08

The Monte Carlo range of winter wear at the Woolen Store,


Commercial Rd, Ooty, is available in select colours for both
semi-formal and casual wear.

Enquiries: (0423) 2442214 Advertisement


‘We know that the main area in Kattabettu conducted by TheLocal at their school
travel (a junction enroute Kotagiri) is very dirty, ‘What must we do to create awareness
with so much being dumped all over the about this problem?,’ he asks.
Some delightful place’ said the young boy (in pic, right)
shortly after the journalism workshop
Just stating that open garbage is bad, may
be dismissed as your own opinion. Ascertain
view-points, facts that might, for instance, link the
garbage to onset of sickness in the people
enroute Gudalur. residing in this locality - ask the local doctor
for his/her assesment on the matter. Find
Some of Gudalur roads tourist out from the veterinary personnel if they
spots and magnificient view points have come across, for example, cases of cows
are just off the main road! having consumed plastics and being put to
distress on account of it. See if water ways
Needle Rock View Point:
have clogged on account of waste being
disposed of carelessly... When people are
8 km on the Ooty-Gudalur road, presented with an opinion that is based on
from here, one can see almost facts, their acceptance of the opinion is
every part of Gudalur and greater since there is credibility - advice that
Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary, was extended to the young minds, who, the
team from the local felt, keenly grasped the
Gudalur town, Bandipur and parts
nuances of journalism during the brief
of Mysore. On the other side one workshop.
can see a part of Kerala.
Their attention was also drawn to the
problems of alcoholism within the district.
Frog Hill View: Quite a number of children of this Std 9 &
The hill is in the shape of a huge
Why is 10 group, stated that they were aware of
alcoholics in their neighbourhoods. They
frog. Frog hill view point is 14 km. Kattabettu vowed to present facts to the family of the
from Gudalur on the way to
Udhagamandalam. Junction dirty? alcoholic, facts that were published in the
Aug ‘09 issue of TheLocal. The children
and their teachers, in this context, expressed
Pykara Boat house: Students of Govt.High School, eagerness to find out if the liquor shop at
Kattabettu junction was within 100ft of the
Situated a little beyond Pykara Kattabettu begin to ask some temple there, which they learnt is a violation
dam (21 km from Ooty) the questions. In journalistic spirit. of the law.

e placid Pykara lake is surrounded


by forests rich in wildlife habitat. Subscriptions to The Local, are opened effective October 09. Please subscribe/
renew your subscription through the following methods: Demand draft/local
The boat house and restaurant is cheque favouring The Local Media Publishing Co,. (or) by a Money order to The
maintained by the TTDC. SUBSCRIBE TO Editor, The Local Media Publishing Co,. 10/363-Y-1, AVK Post, Nilgiris - 643202.
Call: (0) 97905 90570. 1 Year subscription: Rs. 180/- for 12 issues, incl.
Local postage & handling.

Statutory disclaimer: TheLocal disclaims


liability of any kind whatsoever, arising out of The Local quiz on Shola-grasslands
the readers use, or inability to use the material 1. When was the presence of
contained in it. Adequate care has been taken
to compile stories for the reference of our
shola-grasslands first documented,
users. TheLocal makes every effort to maintain by whom? 2. What is the average
accuracy of the information but does not height of a shola tree? 3. What ve-
accept responsibility for any and disclaims locity do winds across the grass-
responsibility for any loss or damage which lands touch? 4. What is the aver-
may arise from the information provided. All
opinion expressed in the issue in the form of age day-night temperature in the
articles or any viewpoint is solely that of the grasslands? 5. Average night tem-
individual or advertiser concerned and TheLocal perature within the shola? 6. What
accepts no liability thereof. None of the Authors, is the primary benefit of a shola?
Contributors, Sponsors or anyone connected
to TheLocal can be liable for any reproduction
of the material. in the hills and to the surrounding plains below!
night. 6. Water retention - It is a perennial source of water
Letters to the Editor deg centigrade during day 5. 17-20 deg centigrade at DISTRICT HELP-LINES
80-120 kms per hour 4. -2 deg centigrade at night and 25 call 108 in any

Readers who wish to send letters to


1. In 1603, by Fr. Fenicio 2. Not more than 20 metres 3. POLICE emergency
the Editor may do so by post to the
following address 10/363-Y-1, Traintimings: Police: Ooty - (0423) 100,
Indiranagar, AVK Post, Nilgiris - 643 Mettupalayam-Ooty: Dep:7:10 am Arr: Ooty- Coonoor - (0423) 2221836,
202. Alternatively, you may also email 1200 noon. Ooty -Mettupalayam: Dep:3:00 pm. Kotagiri - (04266) 271100,
thelocaleditor@gmail.com. In case Local trains: Ooty to Coonoor-9:15 am, 12:15 Gudalur (04262) 261246.
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Please add the area code if dialling from a
mobile phone or from outside the circle
4
tribute

They say, whom the gods love die young… and took over the family business as the its values, Shri H.R. Gopalakrisha remained
eldest son, consolidating and managing an oasis of enduring values. Like our father,
Aeschylus, where is the wisdom you spoke Barnie - a boutique tea estate in those days. he was a committed family man and he will
of when you wrote ‘even in our sleep pain He was one for experiments and associated be greatly missed by his own family and the
which does not forget, falls drop by drop upon himself with the likes of Dr. K.S. extended family.
our hearts, until, in our despair against our Venkataramani, Director of the Research Gopu’s sharp intelligence, sense of humour,
will, comes wisdom through the awful grace Station at Cinchona, during its years of and repartee were celebrated by all the
of god ?’ infancy, and who pioneered the vegetative families; his witticisms regaled many a family
propagation of tea. One of the more popular gathering. He had an abiding love of music
Shri H.R.Gopalakrishna was a scion of the
tea clones ‘Sundaram ’, is even today seen in particularly Hindustani semi-classical and
close-knit family of the late Rao Bahadur
various parts of H.R.Gopalakrishna’s estate. classical music. Some of his/our favorite
H.J.Bellie Gowder, the late Rao Bahadur
H.B. Ari Gowder and the late Shri H.B. Raju In his quest for improvement and in wanting pieces have a haunting poignancy:
Gowder (our father), a family of community- to adopt the cutting-edge in technology, Shri
leaders, social reformers and philanthropists. H.R Gopalakrishna was one of the early
adopters of CTC in the manufacture of tea
An ardent sports person (which was not K.L. Saigal’s “Diya Jalao”
in the region; the factory became one of the
surprising-coming from a family of sportsmen very first to do so, reaping the benefits of “Din soona suraj bina
as he did) he went on to graduate from the quality and price. Aur chanda bin rain
Madras Christian College in 1962 during Ghar soona deepak bina
Shri H.R Gopalakrishna was innovative in
which time he continued to show his prowess Jyothi bin do nain
his approach to problem-solving and during
in sports, captaining the college hockey-team Diya jalao, jag mag, jag mag …
those days of severe power shortage he used
in the early 60’s. Under his captaincy, MCC
the car engine from his Vanguard, a straight- (The day is empty without the sun,
won the inter–collegiate hockey trophy after
6, to run the factory alongwith an oil engine. And the night without the moon;
thirteen years. During one tournament, the
headlines in the papers screamed ‘Gopu All this while he continued to take an interest The house is empty without the lamp
beats Munir Sait hands down with his in hockey and was part of a team called the And the eyes without their light.
famous scoop’ (the goal keeper went on to ‘Cousin’s Seven’ which was the leading team Light lamps across the world)
represent India at the 1968 Olympics in in the district for several years.
Mexico where India won the bronze medal). Shri H.R.Gopalakrishna is survived by his As my son Digvijay says “He has gone to a
Shri H.R. Gopalakrishna was still in college wife Indrani, his son Yudhishter, his daughter better place. If all of us lived our lives with as
when our father passed away in 1962. He Harshini and their families. much dignity as he did, maybe we too will
had to shoulder the family responsibilities In the increasing desertification of life and get there.”

A sister’s Kanneeranjali
H R Gopalakrishna (Gopu) 8.4.1941 - 29.9.2009

With the family: late Mr H R


Gopalakrishna (second from left)
with his family members.
5
I am not a climate change scientist, but a
sociologist who used to be a climate change
skeptic, sometimes plain sarcastic at the
Climate change comes home.
phenomenon. In my skeptical moments I Siddarth Krishnan
have felt that a clique of climate change
scientists were just eager to establish their
new science and in doing so, ended up
scaring the rest of us. Remember the media
told us there was hole in the Ozone?
But during my transition from a non believer
to a believer in climate change, I was
convinced of one thing- understanding
climate change, even if riddled by
uncertainty, offered the best chance for the
world to attain some state of environmental
sustainability. If you told the world that its
own food, land and water securities were at
immediate stake rather than simply state
that tigers are getting extinct or that forests
are being felled then perhaps a culture of
sustainability can be incorporated into its
consumptive excesses. In the last two years,
I have been trying to understand what
climate change entails, what its symptoms
are and how science, policy and public
engage with it. And to readers of TheLocal,
I would like to extend pertinent information
on the subject, using instances from the
Nilgiris, wherever possible. Spot the problem: A parthenium plant (pic, centre) was spotted in Ooty by a local, recently. Its
pollen is known to cause severe allergic reactions like dermatitis, hay fever and asthma. The pollen
The Green House Effect: besides oxygen quickly disperses with the wind. Picture taken outide Spencer Building in Ooty.
and nitrogen, the two major gases that
constitute the atmosphere, there are minor
or trace gases. These are what is called Change (UNFCCC), the Peace Prize evident in the mornings. Whether it was an
greenhouse gases such as ozone, water vapor, winning institution, are stressing upon. Now, early sample of winter or if it was it our
methane and carbon dioxide (CO2) whose the melting of Himalayan glaciers and the shortest winter we don’t know. Patterns are
effect facilitates life on our planet. The earth flooding of Gangetic India; or the Maldives erratic and extreme. They are linked to
receives energy from the sun, and the earth’s and lower reaches of Bangladesh going climate change. My farmer-friends too
surface reflects some of the sun's radiation under sea level are large catastrophic believe that something is fundamentally
back to the atmosphere. As they absorb such eventualities being projected. Local wrong. There could also be biotic symptoms.
energy f rom the earth’s surface, the symptoms that we are familiar with is our As high elevation Ooty get warmer, lower
greenhouse gases also radiate energy winter last year which set in at Ooty in mid elevation plants could ‘climb’ up.
downwards and in the process warm the December whereas it should have set in ‘Parthenium’, for instance, was recently
atmosphere. This makes life possible on our early November. It set in late, was short, spotted in Ooty town. While it could also be
planet. Now life has become challenging mildly intense and then it warmed again. a case of general weed invasion in a locality,
because one green house gas, CO2 that is The south west monsoons failed and set in we don’t know anything for sure as yet. We
also produced by humans especially when much later than the metrology department’s can only observe. Science must subject our
they burn fossil fuels (fuels with high carbon prediction for the country. In Ooty it set in observations to scrutiny and verification.
content and a significant source of energy late around mid June and fizzled away. And Science needs to do its own thing too and
when they are burnt), has increased in then there were brief sometimes intense communicate to us, the local citizens, about
volume. This is enhancing radiation or the phases of rainfall ever since. But as some of meteorological and botanical symptoms of
green house effect. Our planet is warming us may have realized the most frequent climate change. Shorter term predictions or
and thus climate is changing. sources of rains of recent have been onsets ‘weather models’ consisting of monthly or
The noticeable symptoms are glacial melt of depressions in India’s western coast. And bimonthly weather forecasts must be
and sea level rise that scientists and policy sometime during early and mid September, provided to our tea and vegetable farmers
makers, notably the United Nations winter skies were visible for a few days. because long term forecasts e.g. ‘normal or
Framework Convention on Climate The evenings got cold and ground frost was Continued on p 13

THE ‘obnoxious weed’ Parthenium hysterophorus is a thermo insensitive herb. It is a prolific seed producer with seeds having long storage life and can quickly
dispersethroughwind.Vegetativegenerationoccursfromthecrown. Theconceptof`Oneyearseeding,sevenyearsweeding'is trueforParthenium.Itproducesabout
5000-10000 seeds per plant, which are viable even at immature stage. In dry summer months Parthenium appears in a rosette form. But during rainy season it grows
up to 90 cm. height, with profuse flowering and green foliage. It flowers throughout the year. It causes contact dermatitis in livestock and is reported to be poisonous
to sheep. Humans are also affected by this weed with respiratory malfunction and dermatitis. Main toxin responsible for the effect is ‘Parthenin.’
6
environment
The Kurumba Village Resort is built on Kurumba Resort is one of few in the region The presence of rare birds on the campus
approximately 5% of a total land area of 10 to install a sewage treatment plant, was an accidental discovery. ‘We were
acres of an old but still productive cardamom- something that they had planned for at the surprised to see at least 30-40 different
nutmeg-pepper estate on the slopes of the time of inception itself. ‘The water that is species when we first explored the idea of a
Coonoor-Mettupalayam Road. generated from daily utilisation in the holiday resort in this 90 year old estate; a
‘We hear from some of our guests that their bathrooms, wash areas and the kitchen is keen birdwatcher can spot many more. We
little children are thrilled on seeing nutmeg treated and reused daily for the nutmeg had then decided that we must plant trees
for the very first time,’ exclaims second- plantation’, says Mr Narayanan. The water that will retain and enhance the bird life of
generation-hotelier Sanjay Narayanan, who source at this luxury resort is generated the area. Around 2000 trees of different
shared his perspective on the subject of internally from a well on campus, making varieties were planted here in 2004- the
responsible tourism in a recent interview. the cycle of use and reuse optimum. year in which we formally opened the resort
Was social responsibility covered as a topic What is the essence of responsible tourism? to tourists.’
in hotel management school? ‘Not when we ‘All tourism must anyway be responsible. It Why is there a recent lack of goodwill for
did our course’, says the resort owner is not necessary to be regulated by anyone resorts in particular and tourism in general,
referring to the early 90s when he and his if we understand that it is in our own with the sentiment being that the industry
partner-old schoolmate, Sanjay Avatramani, interests to preserve and protect our is losing focus and that it is short term in its
pursued their catering degrees together. ‘It is environment.’The 10-acre area is unfenced. outlook with almost everything that is being
probably taught now but I would be happy ‘There was no need to fence our property. planned and executed, seeming haphazard
to invite young entrepreneurs-to-be to visit We do have a chance sighting of some and opportunistic? ‘I am not sure if any one
here and study what we have been trying to wildlife in the summer months, crossing over of us hoteliers is adequately qualified to
incorporate at our property with regard to on the opposite hillside, but we have never answer a broad question such as this
environmentally-friendly practices’. felt inclined to cordon off our perimeter.’ because it involves several components
including the Government agencies with
sectors such as public transport,
Planting a Resort. infrastructure etc., but we must all primarily
understand that over several decades,
Understanding the essence of responsible tourism from an environment- tourism has been the mainstay of the local
conscious hotelier. But is enough being done by the hotel industry? economy just as it is elsewhere, in other
leading tourist destinations of the world. It
is not correct to label it negatively.’
To a question on what extent of revenue is
generated annually by the local tourism
industry, the hotelier states that he is not
aware.
Whether the Nilgiri Hotels and Restaurants
Association will have this information is also
unlikely as the membership of this can-be-
influential body is not representative of the
sector, having only less than half the hotels
and resorts in the district, as its affiliates.
This is the time when the hotel industry
needs to reflect inward, rally itself together
and revisit its pivotal role in Nilgiri tourism
by integrating with concerns of the
environment or else it could find itself
uprooted by the rapidly increasing
momentum of conservationism in the region
no matter how well planted it might be.

Recipe Dhal Ladoo


Roast the dhal on a low flame until golden
and a fine aroma arises. Cool and powder
!/2 kg Green Gram Dhal the dhal. Fry the broken cashew in ghee and
!/2 kg Sugar powdered mix with the dhal powder. Next mix the
!/4 kg Ghee powdered sugar and cardamom with the dhal
50 gms Cashewnunts broken powder. Take small portions of the mixture
and Cardamom powdered add hot ghee and make into balls of required
size. Dhal ladoo is ready to be served.

Recipe sent in by subscriber of TheLocal, Mrs Vijayalakshmi Ramachandran, Ooty.


7

Botanical Gardens
Garden Road, Ooty.
Layout completed: 1867
Varieties of flowers: over 2000
Total area: 55 acres

Advertisement

Choose from an exclusive variety of sweaters at the Woolen store, Commercial Road, Ooty. The Monte Carlo range of winter wear is available
in select colours for semi-formal and casual wear. You could also visit our branch at Botanical Gardens, while there. Enquiries: (0423) 2442214
pics: Staff Photographer

Wildlife sighting.
By chance!
Not so long ago, when people traveled by
the public transport system from Ooty to
Bangalore, it was with great anticipation
that they crossed the Mudumalai-Bandipur
stretch - will they be lucky to sight a wild
animal? Today, hordes of cars pass through
the sanctuaries at tearing speed, only to
screech to a halt or honk with misplaced
excitement at seeing deer or elephant
herds, unmindful of the repercussions.
Advertisement

Three little piggies...


Life goes on, as it always has, for our animals of
the wild. For us, ‘have road, will travel’, might
seem a fair perspective but it is not without its
responsibilities. Not many really care about
speed regulations. Which is why today, after
several gruesome accidents, involving wild
animals, access through this jungle road at the
Mudumalai Wildlife Sactuary is now
restricted. Probably, till at least when we can
self-regulate our actions. The piggy family is
oblivious to the situation. They’re off, as the
story goes, ‘one to the market, one to school and
key elements

another, to meet a little friend down the road...

It is also not uncommon to see many people


feed monkeys and deer while the onlookers
vie with each other for photography ops.
It can only be the fervent appeal to all, locals
and tourists alike, to show restraint during
their transit through these two sanctuaries,
the last of the homes for our wildlife.
Remember and remind others too, that jungle
safaris, if at all, must be guided by appropriate
authorities. It is foolhardy and irresponsible
to venture too close to animals of the wild. At
best, they deserve the privacy and space that
they need.
10
cover story

pic courtesy :NRavi, WWF, Nilgiris

Are we really on track?


Nilgiri wildlife: Sheer numbers of wild animals are clearly up but
the good tidings carry an ominous shadow - porous borders, ill
equipped and proportionately under staffed enforcement agencies, Committed: The Nilgiri Forest department and its management teams
increasing man-animal conflicts, an apathetic local population, are highly committed to conservation but protection and preservation
must be a partnering effort feel senior officers like Dr Rajiv Srivastava
disconnect within NGOs and of course the looming threat of poachers (inset) who believes that self-regulation and cooperation are critical
and their invisible support systems. The Local Correspondent factors, going ahead. (Top) Elephant tracks leading into a far off fence.
The Government of Uttar Pradesh has sought disconnect, at present, evoked responses as needed grass cover. This, he says, could also
clearance f rom the Centre to allow disparate as culling to castration to plain be one of the critical factors leading to wild
unrestrained hunting-down of the Nilgai protests against the harming of animals when animals spilling into human habitats in
because the over 3 lakh population of this the question of the UP Nilgais was posed to search of food.
animal of the wild, is causing damage to 60- the opinion makers and experts, locally. Nilgai, primarily found in North-Central India,
70% of the pulses output in the State, states Why mustn’t a partnership develop with was supposedly a feral population of the
an article in Business & Economy (Oct 09). serious researchers, whose study of short and Coimbatore and Salem Collectorates (AC
Is this the correct approach to the situation? long term aspects of the social implications as McMaster. Higginbotham, 1871.) It is not
The question was asked of an erstwhile shikari, the one presented in UP, be pivotal in avoiding clear when and why it completely vanished
a prominent environmentalist and a top forest future stand-offs? and if it was a resident of the Nilgiris at all,
official, all based in the Nilgiris. The responses Mr N Mohanraj, senior representative of as is believed by some. In fact, the Nilgai
were disparate. WWF (World Wildlife Fund), having done does not find mention in the earliest annual
Dr Rajiv Srivastava the present Field Director, extensive study on elephants, reiterates that reports of the NWLEA as being sighted in
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, is positive thanks to pioneering work of naturalists like this region!
about the future of the wildlife in the region Mr ERC Davidar and his documentation of If translocation of the hapless species from
based on the present state of affairs- increase elephant corridors, policy making on the part UP to the lower plateau of the Nilgiris, will
in numbers. ‘While we cannot share exact of the government is now concerted, although be beneficial to both regions, it is a matter
figures for obvious reasons, it is a matter of staggered. He agrees that the problems are that can be studied. There will have to be
satisfaction for everyone that our census is multifarious and need greater cooperation and consensus and timely conclusions for it may
healthy. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is, in information sharing from all agencies involved. not be long before we are faced with a similar
fact, one of the model regions for tiger Wildlife research findings are mostly vested. predicament here. But who will lead the way?
conservation in the country.’ In Dr Srivastava’s opinion, research by itself
Today, much of the state of wildlife in the is not enough, the findings must be shared.
Nilgiris is dependent on timely, consensual The threats to wild animals, in the meantime, A former member of the NWLEA
and long term decisions. Mainly consensual. are constant - both casual and serious. Cases and one of its earliest office bearers
The Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment of people venturing illegally into the forests Mr Chandru Raju Bettan, recalls a
Association (NWLEA), a partly government and drunken driving related accidents still meeting he attended in Delhi, of the
- partly public represented body, was formed occur. Litter is growing while enforcement is Indian Wildlife Board chaired by the
in 1972, after the introduction of the Indian poor, inspite of clear directives of the law (see then Prime Minister Mrs Indira
Wildlife Act, which, among other things, below). As a solution, the recent closing Gandhi, where as representative of
prohibited hunting - an activity that the down of a now busy, highway at night is the Nilgiri-based organisation he had
stated that wildlife must continue to
association called NGA (Nilgiri Game considered by many to be short term be managed and not just conserved;
Association) was engaged in. The NGA promising great repercussion. Piloting of the idea was unacceptable to the
wound up and its members paved the way for lorries and bus fleets at night, could be members.
the NWLEA with a f resh agenda - adopted to regulate speeds and ‘spirits’ but ‘Problems of growth in large numbers
preservation of wildlife and environment. for that, the departments, on both sides of (like the one being faced in the case
Former member and office bearer of NWLEA, the State borders do not have the of the Nilgai in UP) are but inevitable
Mr Chandru Raju Bettan feels that the need wherewithal. Patrolling could deter littering if timely and careful removal of ageing
of the hour today, greater than ever before, is but resources are constrained. The issue of animals, planned castration and a
management of wildlife and not conservation. poaching, on the other hand, is serious - at constant study-based strategy,
One of the country’s most revered wildlife least one forest personnel, after the Singara including relocation is not regularly
experts (see interview p16) says that ‘If our elephant poaching incident of July last year, resorted to,’ cautions the erstwhile
wildlife is left entirely to the Government, soon admitted that ‘What we come to know of, we shikari, adding, ‘As locals, we do not
there may be nothing left of it’. His message do, but sometimes we may never get to know. raise our voices anymore like we did
cannot be misunderstood. Considering his Everything can be cleared off quickly.’ The earlier. As for the NWLEA, I felt it
experience and expertise, the message is well biggest problem by far, however, are the had lost its voice and its waylong ago.’
placed. In the department’s own admission, the underlying changes taking place in the
borders of the wildlife sanctuary and parts of animals’ habitat, mostly from proliferation
the reserved forests all across the district, are of the fast spreading exotic weed lantana
porous.The senior government officer with the camara. According to wildlife researcher, Dr
accumulated experience in his present, rather R. Krishnamani of The Rainforest Initiative,
challenging position, has made headway into nearly 50% of forest area in and around the
what is called ‘social fencing’, which means wildlife sanctuary could now be infested with
engaging forest dwellers and those on the this plant which, he says, is a double edged
periphery of the forests to act as informants sword - its ingestion causes sickness in
and guardians in the drive to protect the forests. animals and the fast spreading plant (birds
However, a more preventive approach is carry its berries over distant areas) with its
required. One that is inclusive. The obvious hardy nature, is steadily displacing much
Objectives of the NWLEA, regarding translocation of animals: towards ‘preservation of wildlife
and conservation of nature and natural resources of the Nilgiris’, the association, in its constitution What is required today, is
(1977) states, “(Pursuance of) introduction, preservation and management of species of wild management of our wildlife
animals and birds not resident in the district and the acquisition, import and exchange of any and not conservation. - Mr Chandru
species of wildlife in or out of the district;” Section of the Indian Wildlife (Amendment) Act
regarding destruction or damaging of wildlife habitat: Sec 27 (4) states ‘No person shall tease Rajubettan, Fmr. Secretary, NWLEA
or molest any wild animal or litter the grounds of the sanctuary.’ (Nilgiri Wildlife & Environment Assn)
12
special section

Spirituality for all


Paramahamsa Nithyananda is the living
enlightened Master of the 21st century.
He hails from India, the spiritual hub of the
world and home to the oldest living civilization
– Vedic civilization. He was born in
Expressing love Tiruvannamalai, home to the spiritual energy
for one another is field of Arunachala in South India. Right from
a young age, he was an intense seeker for the
a deep radiating ultimate truth in life – enlightenment. This led
feeling, beyond to his intense training in yoga from the age of
words or actions. three, which prepared his body to hold the
tremendous energy of enlightenment. As a
young boy, his keen interest in meditation,
In real life, we always look to express our out and get him.’ The officer said,‘Permission sincere devotion to traditional rituals and deep
love towards others in some tangible way. refused.Your friend is most probably dead. study of scriptural truths are supported by
Only if love is demonstrated in tangible form, I don’t want you to risk your life going there.’ the guidance of great spiritual masters. This
it is considered to be love nowadays. The young soldier went all the same and intense seeking led him to the deep spiritual
One thing: true love is like a communion. It came back mortally wounded and carrying experience of enlightenment at an early age.
is a kind of resonance between two beings. the corpse of his friend. The officer was The enlightened consciousness steered
It can be felt without any expression. It furious. He shouted, ‘I told you he was dead. Nithyananda to discover the purpose of his
doesn’t need communication because it is Now I have lost both of you.Tell me, was it avataric mission. He then left home on his
already happening as a communion. worth going out there to bring a corpse?’ spiritual journey as a parivrajaka sannyasi,
If you really love a person, then your very On the verge of dying, the soldier replied, ‘It traversing the length and breadth of India for
body language will show it. It will be too was, Sir. When I got there he was still alive. nine years. With a strict vow of not touching
much to express in words. You will feel that He said to me, I was sure you would come.’ money, his travels through the thousands of
any words are inadequate and will only bring Real love doesn’t look for utility. It operates villages in India gave him a hands-on indepth
down the love that you feel. But if you are on sheer trust and is also beyond space and understanding of the real needs of the common
using words, then somewhere the love has time. These days I see people gifting each man. This practical understanding of people’s
not really happened. When you have to other with so many things to show their issues was supported by his deep spiritual
speak to express love, then somewhere there love. Gifting has become an expression of studies of the teachings and techniques from
is a lie in it! You are using the words just to love. If the gifting happens as causeless Vedanta, Tantra and other metaphysical
decorate the lie. overflowing, it is okay. But if it is a condition sciences. The intense spiritual journey led
Real love liberates because it doesn’t compel to be fulfilled, it becomes a problem! Then Nithyananda to the ultimate flowering of the
you to express it all the time. It just is. Real it becomes a poor substitute for real love. consciousness and the deep realization of his
love also gives you the freedom to freely As long as real love is there, no relationship avataric mission. Nithyananda Mission today
express what you want to express. You can can become boring. One of the ashramites is one of the fastest growing movements for
easily express anything like disapproval or asked me one day, ‘Everyday you see all of meditation, yoga, healing and spiritual sciences.
anger and it will not be mistaken for reduced us, all our mistakes and confusions. It is the Its worldwide presence includes numerous
love. same thing for you every day. Are you not ashrams and thousands of centers spreading
Not only that, with real love, there will be no bored by us?’ It was a very honest question! Paramahamsa Nithyananda’s timeless message
domination or power play in relationships. I told them, ‘For enlightened beings, just of attaining the ultimate state - ‘living
Each person will be like a beautiful flower because of their very love, they feel enlightenment’ or jeevan mukti. The Mission
that has blossomed to radiate its unique everybody is unique. They do not look at uses various dimensions and paths to thus raise
fragrance, that’s all. people as mere numbers. They see each human consciousness to divine consciousness
With real love, there will be no fear or one as unique. That is why, with so much - meditation techniques, yoga, spiritual healing,
insecurity either. In normal love, physical patience, masters continue to work with traditional rituals, darshan (touch of divine
distance between two people causes a lot of everybody. If it were just a matter of energy), holistic education, practical life skills,
insecurity and a lack of trust. numbers, it would be very different. social services and many more. The 100%
A small story: When you have this love, your inner space volunteer run mission incessantly works
A young soldier went to his senior officer is such that there is no logical reason behind blissfully to spread the inner science of
and said,‘Sir, my friend is not yet back from your actions. You will just feel connected enlightenment by delivering physical health,
the battlefield. I request permission to go and you radiate love, that’s all! mental wellness and spiritual awakening for
all beings irrespective of their race, gender or
Excerpts from the book, Guaranteed Solutions. nationality.

Meditationprogramconductedatde-addictioncentre:MembersoftheNithyanandaAshramintroduced
asimplemeditationtechnique(Mahamantra)totheinmatesofCIDSA,ade-addictioncentreinCoonoor(seestory, To watch video clips of Paramahamsa
facingpage).Thehalfhourmeditationincludesasteadychantatanaudiblelevel-thistechniqueissaidto Nithyananda’s talks, log on to http://
energisetheindividual,allowingdeepconcentration.Sr.KanikaMaryofthede-addictioncentresaidthatthis youtube.com/lifeblissfoundation. Readers
exerciseshowedremarkablechangeintheinmates:‘Ifoundthemactiveafterthesession.Dayslater,italso may also log on to www.nithyananda.org
seemedliketheirabilitytoconcentratehadimproved.’
13
I had my first drink when I was 18-a friend ...Months later, she accidentally came across
introduced me to it. Initially, it was once a a rehabilitation centre attached to St
month but soon it became once a week. And Joseph’s Convent in Coonoor. I don’t know Centre for Integrated
then, when would drink with friends, I would how and when I complied to come to the Development and Social
be the one to invariably get drunk . On some de-addiction centre but I did. It has since Action (CIDSA), was
occasions, my family members would come been a long but meaningful journey back to established in 1997.
to know and hence I would try to hide my the mainstream.. Today, I am respected in It is a deaddiction-centre with
breath or come home late but when I was my family, my business is revived, our medical treatment and
drunk, they would get to know-My family relatives and the community we live in have counselling provided. The
then decided that if they got me married, not only accepted me back, they have also program is residential, with the
my problem of drinking would sort itself out- given me a prominent place in society - I alcoholic and his spouse staying
They got me married, early. presently head a local welfare association! together. The total duration for
A former alcoholic, in a deliberate attempt to My brothers now look to me for advice (my this program is 10 days.
reach out to the present inmates of CIDSA, a father died long ago). My daughters are For more details contact: (0423)
rehabilitation home locally, unhesitantly pours doing well in college. My wife has been my 2236604. The de-addiction
out his life’s experiences with alcohol and how biggest source of support. Take heart. It is centre is managed by the sisters
it engulfed him and his family. Today, he is important to understand that getting out of of St Joseph’s Convent, Coonoor.
reformed. He is fine inspiration to others alcohol is important, but staying out, is more
ensnared by the problem of alcoholism. critical...
My drinking, after marriage only got worse-
My father stopped talking to me-younger
brothers began to avoid me. I started to drink First hand account: The inmates of CHIDSA, Coonoor,
every day-my two little daughters were listening intently to a former alcoholic who shared experiences
of his amazing recovery.
afraid to come to me. I did not even know, at
one stage, which classes they were in. I had
a thriving business. It did not last for too
long-I started to drink during the day-I
would go to the shop having already had a
lot to drink-my customers fell out, one by
one.Whatever money I had, I used it to
drink-if I had ten rupees or if I had thousand
rupees, it would all go into buying a bottle-
If Idid not have enough money, I would
borrow-I even had credit arrangements with
the liquor shop. I would be found lying drunk
on the roadside, during day or night.
My wife stopped going tofamily functions-
she could not bear the shame-I tell you, the
wife of an alcoholic suffers twice as much as
anyone else. One day she took unwell and
was admitted late at night, to a local hospital-
I had not returned home yet. A neighbour
informed me in the morning about the
episode of the previous night-I went to the
nearest liquor shop, had some more to drink
and came back home and slept. My wife
returned home, treated... Te s t i m o n y o f a n a l c o h o l i c
Climate change. duty. Amartya Sen has said, 'droughts or
floods need not necessarily cause human
perennial cropping. Agriculture college
scientists could engage with our vegetable
Contd from p 5
misery. Inefficient and indifferent farmers. Poor and vulnerable people living
13% deficient monsoons this year’, cannot administration and governance does. near canals need to be evacuated and settled
be entirely relied upon any longer. In the Nilgiris, tea factories and automobiles in publicly built quarters or colonies. The
‘Mitigation’ and ‘adaptation’ are political and are big carbon emission sources. While state meteorology department in Chennai
scientific buzz words. I'll dwell upon factories must adopt environment friendly needs to open shop in Ooty and help in
adaptation which entails how humans can technologies and energy sources, the building local climate models and must
adjust to climate change. For instance flood government needs to subsidise the effort. A constantly impart accessible and reliable
or drought proofing - laws could ban clean and efficient public transport system information through various channels. We
residence and cultivation in low lying areas. that caters to different types of tourists must as average citizens with abilities to consume
A flash flood here could be disastrous. be designed. We locals need to walk the talk. and waste at ease, need to do our bit because
However much our governments are As for adaptation, planters and small growers every bit matters. It is appropriate to
fascinated by the ‘market’; citizens' welfare could talk to UPASI for scientific input on conclude with the Mahatma's advice - 'Be
needs to be a non negotiable constitutional the links between climate change and the change you want to see’.
14
local enterprise
Legal Provisions regarding
removal of a liquor shop
LetterstotheEditor
from a locality.
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) was
Correction regarding
information on NMR.
constitutedon1stSep1986underUNESCO’S
Man and Biosphere Programme. It is the
A perfect fit
first Biosphere Reserve in India. The total
Sir, Your quiz on the Nilgiri Mountain area of NBR is 5520.40 sq.km and falls in Fit and fabric are the key
Railway(NMR)intheSep10,2009issue Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. The
Kerala part of the Reserve consists of
elementstoagoodapparel.
ofTheLocalhasmademeovercomemy
1455.40sq.km.TheforesttractintheKerala
inertia and write to correct some part of NBR consists of the forest areas of Mrs Geetha Jaiprakash’s responses to
misconceptionsabouttheNMR. Wyanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Silent Valley each question, in an impromptu
While ‘alternate biting teeth’ is an National Park, Nilambur South, Nilambur interview, recently, are as clear cut as
ingenious expansion, actually the Abt North, Palakkad, Mannarkkad , Kozhikode the apparel that she designs.
system is named after Roman Abt, a and Wayanad south divisions. The Nilgiri Why did you take interest in dress
Swisslocomotiveengineerwhoworked Biosphere Reserve was incorporated into making? ‘There was nothing much else
forNiklausRiggenbachathisworksin the world network of Biosphere Reserves that we could do then to keep us
byUNESCOon10.11.2000. occupied’, she replies matter-of-fact.
OltenandlaterathisIGBracklocomotive Her tutor was the Polish-born (late) Mr
company.TheAbt system using solid Simenes (legendary tailor of yesteryears).
bars with vertical teeth machined into Readers write What was special about Mr Simenes?
them is cheaper to build than the ‘He was exacting and he always taught
us through practical experience,’
Riggenbachsystemwhichusesaladder A letter a month reminisced Mrs Jaiprakash. ‘He would
rack,formedofsteelplatesorchannels Deena Michael first get us to learn to make a dress for
connected by round or square rods at ourselves. It’s a separate matter that
regular intervals. S a’ ar... post! With this announcement, initially, it all came out nearly undone,’
she laughingly shares.
Also, while the NMR is the only rack rushing footsteps fight to get to the precious
railway in India, it is by no means the bit of communication first. Every member of I did not imagine that much later, I
the household rushes for the letter hoping it would actually start up a boutique.’
onlyoneintheworld. Forexample,the
Snowdon Mountain Railway to the
might be for them and eager to know from
whom it is. After its contents are shared and
Fine Things came into being after several
times of having persuaded her husband
e
summitofSnowdon,thehighestpeakin the letter has gone through all the hands, it to approach the building owners in an
England and Wales, is very similar, is tucked into the old letters pile for future upcoming complex at Bedford, in
though it runs over a shorter distance reading... Coonoor, to book a small space for her
and uses a narrower gauge (800 mm All of this happened when the Post & venture. Today, some fifteen years later,
Telegraphs department’s systems were at the enterprising lady is delighted to
insteadof1000mm). their peak of service. Alas, now in the 21st share that she also has customers from
Yourssincerely, century, no one bothers about the postman’s beyond the district who just call up to
JMukund,Coonoor call as only telephone bills, some magazines say, ‘stitch me a dress with a fabric of
etc., are delivered at the door step and are
picked up by the household helper. Continued overleaf
The art of letter writing is dying. Few have are retrieved, giving timely solace. On the
Thank you for your clarification. It will the time anymore, or the patience, to write a other hand, envelopes bearing beautiful
correct the record for certain historical full length letter in their own hand writing. stamps are carefully put away.
references, locally, that, as you said, People have been led to using machines, Philately is highly educative and stamp
haveingeniouslyexpanded‘Abt’aswe gadgets and cell phones, which, though collecting is an inexpensive hobby. Letters of
publishedintheSept09issue. convenient, have led to physical and mental world leaders such as Pandit Nehru, President
laziness. We do not want to sit and devote
It is equally interesting to learn that time to give our side of news to our dear ones.
Abraham Lincoln, Sir Winston Churchill and
many others are published in book forms and
there is a similar type of railway The attitude is, why waste time, paper and some of the originals are preserved in
elsewhere,albeitofanarrowerguage. energy. Send an email instead or easier still, museums too.
Editor. an SMS.
When a letter is written, it conveys the news.
It also conveys the concern, the love and
affection to the receiver. Letters can be
written to people who celebrate joyous
occasions. It can also be written to those who
ADVERTISE IN Local are in sorrow and are bereaved. A letter to
those on their sick bed is perhaps the best
Call 97905 90570 or email your medicine. Most letters are preserved. If
queries to thelocaleditor@gmail.com loneliness creeps in, these preserved letters Preserved: An old letter preserved by the writer.
15
local issue

your choice!’ Obviously the or a dress material? ‘Sometimes in a few


measurements and the tastes of each minutes, sometimes a few days!’ ‘Geetha,
customer are all put away in Geetha’s you tell me what is best for me’, say
little book and her sharp mind. Sharp, customers who naturally warm to this
because the entrepreneur with no hands-on lady instantly. ‘I try my best
business school background, has a keen to suggest what might be good for the
eye for changes in trends. ‘Now that you client. Each individual has a distinct
asked, I think it is something that we requirement. The shoulders, the height
(referring to her small team of a store and even the way one carries herself -
assistant and an experienced tailor) learnt all important while designing a salwar.
over the years, by observation and I learnt early that fit and fabric are key
interaction with our customers. to an individual’s clothing. You could
Keen as ever, the lady is observant of have a great finish but if the fabric is
the requirements of a defence officer’s not up to the mark, it will have been a
wife who had walked in while we were wasted effort.’
halfway through our interview - ‘We Would you think you made the right
could alter the garment, slightly, if you choice of career, in hindsight? ‘I think I
prefer’, she says across the compact would have been happy doing anything.
showroom. Even agriculture! My family is
Salwars are mostly stitched to order. traditionally agriculture-based.
Some readymade pieces are also on Would you encourage youngsters to take
display for those who might want to up apparel design and manufacture?
pick something on the run. How long ‘Certainly, yes. It is very fulfilling to get
does it take for someone to pick a dress the perfect fit. Time and again.’

e
Individualistic:
Geetha Jaiprakash, a first
generation entrepreneur,
has fashioned a niche
enterprise for herself which
is an inspiration to young
folk, today.

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wildlife

Two sides
of the coin
The iconic naturalist, shares
serious thoughts on the issue of
wildlife, but not without the
touch of his large- hearted and
sometimescynical, humour.
‘Kumaraiah keeps calling me to Mr Davidar’s game reputation was well ‘What can I say now? What is certain is
Masinagudi, but I haven’t gone in a while’, known in those circles. He, alongwith his that if our wildlife is left entirely in the
shares Mr ERC Davidar, the widely soul mate and friend, the late Richard hands of the Government, there may soon
acclaimed naturalist and wildlife expert. Radcliffe (of the Nilgiri Wildlife and be nothing left of it.’ Such a serious
‘He visits me whenever I go to the hills. Environment Association, NWLEA) assessment can only come from a man of
But while there, my sons restrain me a bit were considered the best shots of their his stature. ‘The forest department is ill-
because Kumaraiah likes to take hold of time. They were, it seems, called in by the equipped to tackle today’s challenges’, Mr
my leg and pull it you see!’ (see pic, p 2). administration once, to put away a ‘rogue’. Davidar states, with resignation in his
Now, if the famed naturalist was pulling ‘We relentlessly tracked it knowing that if voice. Tackling poachers, for instance,
my leg by not disclosing that his ‘friend’ it crossed over at the border, the Maharaja requires more. I used to encounter these
is an elephant or if he simply overlooked and his entourage would get into the fray.’ dangerous elements on numerous
the fact, I will not be able to tell but this is However, the shikari turned occasions. Regarding research, public-
the essence of the revered man’s fascinating conservationist’s reputation for intrinsic private partnership is important. Its the
personality - one minute, deep in serious knowledge and exhaustive documentation only way we can know more, sooner.’
and contemplative thought and the next of several important wildlife species of The role of organisations like NWLEA
moment, jovial, having just cracked a South India is twice as large. His is also vital. (Mr Davidar was instrumental
hilarious joke even if it were on himself or documentation of elephant corridors is the in framing the association’s bye-laws and
one of his own. An old photo album that single-point source of information for its regulations. He was Hony, Secretary
we were sifting through at his home in researchers and government agencies alike.
David Nagar, Padapai near Chennai, His books on the Chital, the Nilgiri Tahr of this influential body for several years).
showed a picture of one of his brothers and even a children’s special called Pecky I realise that here are more than two sides
alongside a deer that he had shot. the Woodpecker, are gripping. to this timeless coin - the eldest son of a
‘That’s my brother and this shot was a Favourite animal? The Nilgiri Tahr! then High Court Judge, Mr Davidar
fluke.’ There is long silence. Why was it Forgettable experience? An angry bison became a lawyer and practised in Ooty
a fluke? (I was too curious to let it pass). had gored him and then pounded his ribs with King & Partridge, before pursuing
‘He had gone to answer Nature’s call and on one of his lone nature expeditions. Did his lifetime passion that is wildlife
the deer walked right into him. You know, he think he would survive? The pointless conservation. ‘I am master of none’, Mr
we all called it the ‘sh#@ shot,’ says the question is dismissed with silence. Davidar grins, but I recognise that smile
senior man amid uproarious laughter! What is the state of our wildlife today? by now - he is only pulling my leg.
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Published on behalf of The Local Media Publishing Co,. by Edwin David from 10/363-Y-1, Indiranagar; Avk Post, The Nilgiris. Printed at Satya Press, no. 50 Kariappa Street; Purasaiwalkam, Chennai - 7. Editor: Edwin David

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