National Park

Bangalore: Karnataka will have a Special Tiger Protection Force, and Bandipur, which is among the four tiger reserves in the State, will have the benefit of the first such protection force, comprising 112 personnel of various ranks who will be stationed at the place. Of the 37 tiger reserves in the nation, Special Forces have been approved for 13.
The approval for the force was granted by the Union Government about a month ago and the recruitment of personnel for the force has already commenced. As part of an understanding, the Recruitment and Training wing of the Karnataka police will conduct a special programme for the tiger force personnel at the Yelahanka police training school in Bangalore.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority, the State Government, and the office of the Field Director of Project Tiger at Bandipur, have entered into a tripartite agreement to form the Special Tiger Protection Force. The cost of recruiting and training the personnel, and their preservation costs will be bear by the Centre under the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The annual expenditure for the tiger force is expected to be around Rs. 4 core, and the personnel will be provided with the latest arms and ammunition, apart from motor vehicles and communication equipment.
The special force will go a long way in stepping up protection for wildlife along the periphery of the tiger reserve. It will help in the prevention of poaching of wild animals and smuggling. What has caused anxiety to Forest Department personnel here has been the killing of three tigers and nearly 50 elephants in the Bandipur area over the last one year. A large number of elephants have been electrocuted by farmers whose lands adjoin the tiger reserve.
After Kaziranga and Jim Corbett parks, Bandipur has one of the highest number of tigers. If it is 17 tigers for every 100 sq km of the Project Tiger area in Kaziranga and Corbett parks, it is 10 tigers for a 100 sq km area at Bandipur and Nagarhole reserves in Karnataka. The two other tiger reserves in the State are Bhadra and Anshi, which adjoin Dandeli.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) B.K. Singh told The Hindu that the special force would comprise a company of personnel equivalent to three platoons of men, and the head of the force would be an officer of the rank of Assistant Conservator of Forests.
There would also be three officers of the rank of Range Forest Officer, 18 foresters and 90 forest guards. Around 70 per cent of the force would comprise forest guards and the remaining local inhabitants (tribal people) who had good knowledge of the area. While the recruitment rules, including minimum qualifications, would be applicable for guards, the tribal people had been exempted from them, he added.
The Bandipur tiger reserve extends over an area of 896 sq km, and Mr. Singh exuded confidence that the special force would be deployed in a few months’ time.
Later, the State Government will impress upon the Centre the need to deploy similar forces at Nagarhole, Bhadra and Anshi.
A fortnight ago, the Forest Department personnel at Bandipur busted a tiger poaching racket and recovered a tiger pelt. The three tigers killed during last year were all five years old and in the prime of health.

Conditions of Tiger

Nainital(Uttarakhand), Nov 3(PTI) With nationwide tiger census due to be conducted in 2010 by All India Tiger Authority in collaboration with Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun, national parks are gearing up for the same, a top WII official said here.

A senior scientist at WII, YB Jhala today said that the camera trap technology would be used for tiger census, as it is one of the most reliable and accepted method.

Jhala added that a three-day training of national park officials from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar is being organised at Ramnagar, 65 kms from here, to share the techniques for tiger census.

The workshop, which started yesterday aims at optimum accuracy for knowing the numbers of tiger in the country, the senior scientist said adding that the representatives of four states would further train their staff after completing the training here at Ramnagar.

After Ladakh, Chinese incursions now in Uttarakhand

Dehradun (Uttarakhand): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has reportedly informed the Central government about possible incursions by the Chinese in his state.

Pokhriyal, quoting reports from locals in Rimkhim in Chamoli district, said the Chinese entered the state on September 5 and left behind biscuit packet wrappers and cigarettes.

He informed both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Home Ministry about this development and sought their help in curbing what he calls frequent incursions in his state.

He said, "We have shared the information with the Centre and we have demanded for more patrolling force at the Indo-China border."

About a fortnight ago that the Chinese had ventured as far as the Pangong Lake in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, Chinese military helicopters had air dropped food packets in the region. In another provocation, Chinese troops entered 1.5 kilometres into Indian Territory near Mount Gya -- recognised as International border by India and China. Chinese troops painted rocks, boulders in Indian Territory red and labeled them "China". The Chinese government, however, has denied this charge through its Foreign Ministry.

Career Guidance Camp at Manilla Almora Uttaranchal

Date 12 Jan 2009 by Young Uttarakhand Government Inter College in Manila, Almora (Uttarakhand) in a career-day camp was organized Guidance | Young Uttarakhand organized by the camp was the third career Guidance |

The main objective of this camp eleventh class and the students twelveth passed school education to employment after receiving employment and various Kshetro was to provide information about the |

Date 10 January 2009, the young members of the team from Delhi Uttarakhand Government Inter College, Manila, was left for Almoda | Young Uttarakhand from this camp in this way the members were:

1. Mr. Purnendu Singh Chauhan, 2. Shri Jyoti with, 3. Shri Vivek Ptwal, 4. Butola Mr Vijay Singh, Shri Neeraj Bvadhi 5

15th August

English Translation

Thou art the rulers of the minds of all people,

Dispenser of India's destiny.

Thy name rouses the hearts of Punjab, Sind, Gujarat and Maratha,

Of the Dravida and Orissa and Bengal;

It echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas,

Mingles in the music of Yamuna and Ganga and is chanted by

The waves of the Indian Sea.

They pray for thy blessings and sing thy praise.

The saving of all people waits in thy hand,

thou dispenser of India's destiny,

Victory, victory, victory to thee.

प्यारी ब्वै का पास

• ऊंचि-ऊंचि डांड्यौं मा हरयुं ह्वैगि घास,

टक्क लगिं मेरी कब जौलु मैं,

प्यारी ब्वै का पास....

• घुगति घुराणी मन मेरु उदास,

गौळा मा बाडुळि लगणी,

कब जौलु मैं, प्यारी ब्वै का पास....

• रैबार अयुँ छ ब्वैकु,

नि होंणु त्वैन उदास,

जब आला त्यौहार,

बुलौलु त्वैतैं पास.....

• कब आला त्यौहार,

लग्युं छौं सास,

रंगमत ह्वैक जौलु,

प्यारी ब्वै का पास.....

• ऊंचि-ऊंचि डांड्यौं मा हरयुं ह्वैगि घास,

टक्क लगिं मेरी कब जौलु मैं,

प्यारी ब्वै का पास....

Uttarakhand''s Herakhan temple fascinates devotees from around the world

Nainital, Oct. 9 : Uttarakhand''s Herakhan Temple, which is located at the foothills of Mount Kailash and along the banks of River Gautama Ganga, is today a major attraction for devotees.

Tourists visiting India from different parts of the world attend the special Puja performed on the occasion of Dussera here at this famous temple.

This place of worship gained popularity after Herakhan Baba, an ascetic, had it renovated several decades ago. The temple has been named after him.

The temple is situated almost within a cave where Baba is said to have meditated after arriving from the Kailash Mountain. Devotees today remember him as an incarnation Lord Shiva. He passed away in 1984.

Muniraj, the Herakhan temple priest, said: "Presently, people from 30 countries have come here. Because of the devotees from all over the world coming here, this place is also known as Vishwadham (the universal place) also. We all live together, eat together and worship together Navaratri, in particular, is very special."

Herakhan Baba''s teachings have been consistent with the essence of all religions propagating message of truth, love and simplicity. He also advocated Karma Yoga ( belief in hard work) for the ultimate enlightenment which mankind seeks.

A special attraction is the convergence of a large number of religious-minded foreigners, who find this place irresistibly overwhelming.

Many of these tourists also perform various Hindu rituals during the Puja at the temple.

Italian Russela is one such ardent devotee. She is regular visitor and has even changed her name to Radha, to establish her identity with Hinduism.

"It''s been six months when came here to Babaji shrine. I feel very good. I am completely touched by the divine power of Babaji…I come here every year. People in my country told me about this place," said Russela, an Italian tourist

Many of the foreign devotees tonsure their heads with the belief that it will give them a peace of mind.

"The feeling to come over this place is…it''s a very special place and I think when I return to my country, I will never forget this place," said Jayanti, a devotee from Spain.

Almost all the foreigners visiting River Gautama Ganga and Herakhan temple have taken a fancy to this place and proposed to settle down here.

"The foreigners have been visiting this place sine the time Baba was alive here. They have so much faith in Babaji that once anyone visits this place, they don''t want to leave this place. At present 400-500 foreigners are staying here. They come here for worship in Navaratri, Shivaratri, Makar Sankranti and to worship Lord Shiva," said Savitri, a regular visitor. (ANI)

Source: http://www.topnews.in/uttarakhands-herakhan-temple-fascinates-devotees-around-world-274620

Climate Of Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand lies on the southern slope of the Himalaya range, and the climate and vegetation vary with altitude.

The climate of Uttarakhand, at a temperature in the tropical monsoon affected by marked seasonal variations is temperate. Cold month of January, daily high temperatures average below freezing in the north of the South East and 70 ° F (21 degrees Celsius) in the. In response, the month of July, usually the mid-40s F temperature (about 7 degrees Celsius) to about 70 ° F with a daily growing. In the Southeast, warm months of May, a normal daily minimum temperature 80 ° F (27 degrees Celsius) around the low 100s F (about 38 degrees Celsius) with access. The state's nearly 60 inches (1500 mm) is much faster annual southwest monsoon, from July through September, which is brought by the war. Floods and landslides in the problem detailed in the lower valleys during the rainy season are. Northern parts of the state, 10 to 15 feet of snow (3 to 5 meters) in common between December and March.

The state's two different climatic zones: the head of the hill region and the small field area. Climate condition of the plains to his counterpart in the Gangetic plain is similar. Excessive heat to a temperature above 40 degrees Celsius mark, and with moisture being a very hot are. Winters with temperatures 5 degrees Celsius in less than going with the pepper can be.

Himalayan region, mild summers and Alpine position for a long time by the snow from the winter cold, the good monsoon rains have characterized. The spiritual climate tourists refuge, adventure or just scenic beauty are attracting demand.

Help us if possible if not then don't

India has the largest number of uneducated children.
40% of Indian children between 6-18 years lack the opportunity to go to school.
40% of India's Habitation doesn't have a primary school.

Less than 50% girls fail to enroll in school,while most of those who do ,drop out by the of 12.

Important Cities Of Uttarakhand

* Almora
* Dehradun
* Haldwani
* Haridwar
* Kashipur
* Kotdwara
* Nainital
* Pithoragarh
* Ramnagar
* Roorkee
* Rudrapur
* Rishikesh
* Srinagar
* Gairsen (Chamoli district)
* Gopeshwar(Chamoli district)
* vasudhara
* nilkantha
* Mussoorie

Important Cities of uttarakhand

Map of Uttarakand

Map of Uttarakhand

Tourism in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand became the 27th state of the Republic of India in November 2000. Carved out of the state of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal mainly comprises the hilly regions of Uttar Pradesh. The state borders Himanchal Pradesh in the north-west and Uttar Pradesh in the South, and has international borders with Nepal and China.

Leisure, adventure, and religious tourism play a prominent role in Uttarakhand's economy, with the Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve and the nearby hill-stations of Nainital, Mussoorie, Almora, Kausani, Bhimtal and Ranikhet being amongst the most frequented destinations of India. The state also contains numerous peaks of interest to mountaineers, although Nanda Devi, the highest and best-known of these, has been off-limits since 1982. Other national wonders include the Valley of Flowers, which along with Nanda Devi National Park.

people, long called "abode of the gods" (Devbhumi), belong some of the holiest Hindu shrines, and for more than a thousand years, pilgrims have been visiting the region in the hopes of salvation and purification from sin. Gangotri and Yamunotri, the sources of both the Ganges and Yamuna fall in the upper reaches of the state and together with Badrinath (dedicated to Vishnu) and Kedarnath (dedicated to Shiva) form the Chardham of Uttarakhand, one of Hinduism most spiritually auspicious pilgrimage circuits. Rishikesh near Haridwar is known as the preeminent yoga centre of India, which along with Haridwar is an important Hindu pilgrimage, in addition Haridwar hosts the Kumbha Mela every twelve years, in which millions of pilgrims take part from all parts of the India. Hemkund nested in the Himalayas is of special significance to Sikhs. In addition, the state has an abundance of temples and shrines, many dedicated to local deities or manifestations of Shiva and Durga, references to many of which can be found in Hindu scriptures and legends.[19] The architecture of most of these temples is typical of the region and slightly different from other parts of India, the ancient temples at Jageshwar being the most prominent for their distinct architectural features. Tibetan Buddhism has also made itself felt with the recent reconstruction of Mindroling Monastery and its Buddha Stupa, touted as the world's highest[20], southwest of Dehradun.

The state has always been a destination for Mountaineering, hiking and rock climbing in India, a recent development in adventure tourism, in the region has been white water rafting and other adventures sports. Eco tourism, Agritourism and Rural tourism have also found new grounds in many villages of the state.

Uttaranchal Evolution - Ancient History of Uttaranchal

Ancient History

The king of mountains Himalaya is said to consist of five segments i.e., Nepal Kurmanchal, Kedar, Kangda and Ruchir Kashmir. This Mid Himalayan region of Garhwal and Kumaon, which is commonly known as Uttarakhand today was called by the name KEDARKHAND and MANASKHAND in the Purans. According to the famous Historian Mr. Shiv Prasasd Dabral taking the word Uttarapad and khand from Kedarkhand formed the term Uttaranchal. This mountain region however is the same, which was once renowned in its snow-covered form during the Vedic era and sang the saga of glorious deeds of the kings, Saints and Ascetics of the time. It was referred to as Uttarpanchal by the compilers of the Upnishads, Uttarkaushal by Valmiki and Uttarkuru by Ved Vyasa who wrote the epic Mahabharata. It is the same place that was Uattarapatti for Panini and Kautilya; Kiratmandal for Kirats, Khashadesh for the Khas, Kartipur for Katayurs. It was Parvatkaran and Giryavali for the early historian and Uttaranchal or Uttarakhand of the present day politicians. The different parts of the Uttarakhand have been referred to asIlawarat, Brahmpur, Rudrahimalaya, Sapaldaksh, Shivalik, Kurmanchat Karajat Kamaugarh, Kamadesh, Kumaon, SarkarI and Garhwal lover the past 3000 years. The western part of this region that comprising of 52 fortresses has been referred to as Garhwal over past 500 years. Samprat, Chamoli, Pauri, Uttarkashi and Dehradun add to the pristine beauty of the Garhwal region. The eastern region comprising of Almora, Nainital and Pithoragarh districts together known as the Kumaon region. On account of security reason the government has for the past four decades considered only Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts as Uttaranchal, but for the residents of the Uttaranchal this entire hilly region covers an area of 51,125 sq. km and comprising of 15,951 villages, 89 developmental" segments and some adjoining plains as signal geographic social and cultural Unit.

The history of Uttaranchal State can be better understood through the history of Garhwal and Kumaon divisions separately, because they maintained independent identity except the period of Nepali aggression.

Garhwal

The Garhwal Himalayas have nurtured civilization from the wee hours of history. It appears to have been a favorite locale for the voluminous mythology of the Puranic period. The traditionai name of Garhwal was Uttarakhand and excavations have revealed that it formed part of the Mauryan Empire. It also finds mention in the 7th-century travelogue of Huen Tsang. However, it is with Adi Shankaracharya that the name of Garhwal will always be lhiked, for the great 8th-century spiritual reformer visited the remote, snow-laden heights of Garhwal, established a math Joshimath) and resorted some of the most sacred shrines, including Badrinath and Kedarnath. The history of Garhwal as one unified whole began in the 15th century, when king Ajai Pal merged the-52 separate principalities, each with its own garh or fortress. For 300 years, Garhwal remained one kingdom, with its capital at Srinagar (on the left bank of Alaknanda river). Then Pauri and Dehradun were perforce ceded to the Crown as payment for British help, rendered to the Garhwalis during the Gurkha invasion, in the early 19th century.

Kumaon

Humankind has been around in Kumaon for a very long time. Evidences of Stone Age settlements have been found in Kumaon, particularly the rock shelter at Lakhu Udyar. The paintings here date back to the Mesolithic period. The early medieval history of Kumaon is the history of the Katyuri dynasty. The Katyuri kings ruled from the seventh to the 11 th century, holding sway at the peak of their powers over large areas of Kumaon, Garhwal, and western Nepal.

The town of Baijnath near Almora was the capital of this dynasty and a center of the arts. Temple building flourished under the Katyuris and the main architectural innovation introduced by them was the replacement of bricks with stone. On a hilltop facing east (opposite Almora), is the temple of Katarmal. This 900-year-old sun temple was built during the declining years of the Katyuri dynasty. The intricately carved doors and panels have been removed to the National Museum in Delhi as a protective measure after the 10th-century idol of the presiding deity was stolen. After an interregnum of a couple of centuries, the Chands of Pithoragarh became the dominant dynasty. The Chand rulers built the magnificent temple complex at Jageshwar, with its cluster of a hundred and sixty-four temples, over a span of two centuries. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the evocative carvings are complemented by the beautiful deodar forest around it.

Uttarakhand minister offers to quit if govt's involvement proved

Uttarakhand Food and Civil Supplies Minister Diwakar Bhatt on Sunday asserted that the state government had no role in the withdrawal of a case against him and said he would resign from the post if the allegation is proved.

The case, which was withdrawn recently on the order of a Haridwar court, dates back to 17 years and pertains to the alleged use of fraudulent papers to lease a large chunk of land in Haridwar belonging to Haridwar Municipal Council.

Bhatt reportedly has been running a society called ‘Tarun Himalaya’ on that land since then.

Bhatt said that it was the previous Congress government led by N D Tiwari that had prayed to the court to take back the case against him.

Bhatt further said at that time, the court did not allow the government to withdraw the case as two more persons were also involved in the matter.

The-then government again approached the court to drop the case against all the accused. "The recent order of the court to allow the government to take back the case has come on the-then government's plea only," Bhatt claimed.

Bhatt's statement came after a Congress delegation led by Uttarakhand PCC President Yashpal Arya met Governor B L Joshi yesterday to lodge a protest against state government's move to take back criminal cases against its minister and other leaders belonging to BJP and friendly parties. The leaders urged the Governor to intervene in the matter.

Bhatt is the lone minister from Uttarakhand Kranti Dal (UKD), the coalition partner of BJP government in the state.

Our Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand (a paradise on earth) became the 27th state of the Republic of India on November 9, 2000. At the time of formation the state was named Uttaranchal but recently the name has been changed to Uttarakhand.

Uttarakhand is a part of the Western Himalayan ranges starting from the Shivalik foothills to Greater Himalayas. It shares the International borders with China in the north and Nepal to the east. It’s neighbouring states are Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Dehradun is the capital of uttarakhand. Uttarakhand is a region with full of natural beauty, 4 major holy places : Kedarnath , Badrinath, Gangotri & Yamunotri, Prayags, Wild Life Sanctuaries are major contributor in its economic growth. Now Uttarkhand is centre of attraction in the Indian Tourism. Because of its snow covered peaks and rare wild life species it is a favourite tourist destination for all local and foreign tourists. The best time to visit Uttarakhand is summers.

The name of Utarakhand is also mentioned in epics of Mahabharata as devbhoomi ( place of God) and Its evidence is Dehradun name derived from dronnagri.

Generally we divide Uttarakhand In two regions on the basis of lingual and cultural differences. They are Garhwal and Kumaon

Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park lies in the Nainital, Pauri Garwhal and Bijnore Districts of Uttarakhand.

The present area of the Reserve is 1318.54 sq. km. including 520 sq. km. of core area and 797.72 sq. km. of buffer area. The core area forms the Jim Corbett National Park while the buffer contains reserve forests (496.54 sq.km.) as well as the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary (301.18 sq.km.)

The core is bounded to the North by the Kanda Ridge, with a height of 1043 m at its highest point. The entire area of the reserve is mountainous and falls in the Shivalik and Outer Himalaya geological region. It forms the catchment area of the Ramganga, a tributary of the Ganga.

The Ramganga flows from East to West in the reserve through landscapes of incredible beauty. Dammed at Kalagarh at the south-western end of the reserve in 1974. The reservoir created, submerged 40-sq. km. of prime grassland. The area on the western side of the reservoir now constitutes the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary.

After India attained independence in 1947 the park was renamed as Ramganga National Park. In 1956, it was renamed as Jim Corbett National Park, in memory of Jim Corbett. Project Tiger, India's ambitious conservation program to save the tiger and its habitat was launched from Corbett in 1973.

Nature and Spirituality

To me there has always been a correlation between nature and spirituality. When I was younger I didn't understand this, all I knew is that I loved being in nature. But now, as I've gotten older and still love to be in nature, I've begun to realize that there is a natural correlation between the two. For example, I love fishing. Standing in a flowing river, trying to entice a fish to bite my offering has always been a passion of mine. I used to think that the reason I liked such things was because of the fish. I've since realized that although I do love the fish and catching fish, that's all part of the sideshow. What has actually been going on for my entire life is that when I'm in nature, standing in flowing river fishing, I'm also talking to God.

Nature and God are impossible to tell apart. In many respects the two are the same thing. It's obvious that most of the great thinkers that have ever walked this planet noticed the correlation between nature and God or in the case of this article, spirituality. Thoreau, Emerson, Einstein, and Nietzsche were all well aware of the correlation between the two. As a matter of fact it was Thoreau who said, "Nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand."

It is impossible for a human being to take a walk in the woods alone and not feel the presence of God in my opinion. Not some God that needs to be worshiped in a church on Sunday, but that undeniable presence from which we all originated. The easiest way to get back in touch with this presence that I'm calling God, is through the serenity of nature. For me, it's always been most apparent while standing in a flowing river. For you, maybe it's overlooking a mountain lake. For someone else it might be a stroll in a secluded park. The point is that nature and spirituality are forever linked.