Rajkot Junagadh Kutch Porbandar Water Shortage Summer News Gujarat India

Cultivation area for summer crops like sesame and pulses has shrunk by 1 lakh hectares.

The Saurashtra region and Kutch region, which is reeling under a drinking water scarcity, is now facing the problem of unavailability of irrigation water, leaving the farmers high and dry.

The total cultivation area for summer crops like sesame, pulses, millet and groundnut has shrunk by one lakh hectares, implying the yield will go down by at least 50 per cent.

Sowing in — Rajkot District, Jamnagar District, Junagadh District, Amreli District, Surendranagar District, Porbandar District, Bhavnagar District and Kutch District — has been over. The total cultivation area has touched the 1.62 lakh hectare mark, nearly 1 lakh hectare less than the previous year. Last year, the cultivation area for the main summer crops remained around 2.64 lakh hectares.

Bhartiya Kisan Sangh Secretary Laxman Patolia said: “Water is not available to the farmers either through bore wells or the pipeline supply. Farmers cannot even think of sowing and cultivation.”

A senior agriculture department official said on condition of anonymity that the water crisis has led to a shrinking of the area under cultivation.

“The farmers are going to miss one season. For the past 5-6 years, the rainfall had been good; the farmers could take summer crops also. But this is not the case this time, which means a big revenue loss for the agriculture sector,” Patolia added.

Sesame cultivation has been the worst affected. The sowing area has gone down by 67 per cent — from 63,772 to 21,077 hectares. In the last couple of years, sesame has emerged as one of the best cash crop for farmers in Gujarat. But this time, the water scarcity has changed the scenario a bit.

Junagadh City tops the list of areas under sesame cultivation at 6,785 hectares followed by JamnagarCity and Surendranagar City. These were the districts that received better rainfall.

In other districts, sesame sowing has remained between 500 and 1,500 hectares. Cultivation of black gram (urad dal) has gone down by 66 per cent — the sowing area has shrunk from 1,771 to 598 hectares. In case of groundnut, the sowing area has shrunk by 55 per cent.

The sowing of millet has been reduced by 15 per cent, from 17,592 to 15,094 hectares. In Junagadh and Surendranagar districts, millet has been sowed on 4,750 and 3,975 hectares, which were 6,785 and 5,550 hectares last year.

Junagadh Urban Development Authority Tourism News Gujarat India

In a state witnessing fast urbanisation, the Junagadh Urban Development Authority (JUDA), set up in July 2008, is yet to undertake even the basic exercises for town planning and expansion due to absence of technical staff.

Though the state government had appointed an executive officer in December 2009, the official is not in a position to start any project in the absence of town planner, surveyors, land record keeper, accountants and other supporting staff required for an urban development agency.

Junagadh City Local BJP MLA Mahendra Mashru said that Gujarat State Urban Development Minister Nitin Patel has promised him to appoint these staff and personnel as soon as possible. But Junagadh Deputy Mayor Girish Kotecha, a Congressman, said that so much delay in the appointments indicates step-motherly treatment meted out to the town located near Somnath Mandir and Gir National Park, the last habitat of Asiatic lions.

JUDA executive officer Jayesh Gadhia admitted that he alone could not undertake the works of an urban development agency. He said the government had sanctioned a total of 27 staff, including himself for JUDA but they were yet to be appointed. “I am hopeful that I will get my staff as early as possible,” he said.

While Patel refused to comment on the required appointments, saying, “it is JUDA chairman’s duty to arrange staff’’, Junagadh District Collector A R Parmar, who heads the Authority, said he was waiting for staff.

Kotecha said that against financial allocations of Rs 100 crore each for municipal corporations of Bhavnagar City and Jamnagar City for 2010-11, merely Rs 25 crore have been allocated for the JMC. He said the JMC, which came into being in 2004, required more funds for development to meet the requirements of lakhs of pilgrims visiting temples at nearby Girnar Hills every year.

The Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation, Jamnagar Municipal Corporation and Junagadh Municipal Corporation have 17 wards each and 51 corporators, with each ward electing three corporators. According to Kotecha, the areas on the outskirts of the city could be developed properly if JUDA began town planning schemes, with plans for roads and other amenities.

Solar Industry Ahmedabad Rajkot Junagadh Baroda Surat News Gujarat India

In a bid to boost use of clean energy, the Gujarat government is planning to frame guidelines for introduction of solar power lit billboards in the state, a top official said here today.

"We are thinking to introduce solar power lit billboards in seven big cities of the state to reduce consumption of energy generated from coal-fired power plants," Principal Secretary Forest and Environment S K Nanda said.

"The idea is to give a push to solar industry in the state," Nanda said, on the sidelines of a FICCI seminar.

Major cities like Ahmedabad City, Vadodara City, Surat City, Rajkot City, Jamnagar City, Junagadh City and Bhavnagar City are likely to be covered.

"With big-ticket advertising coming into play, especially after mega events like IPL, introduction of solar power lit billboards will be a feasible option to promote clean energy concepts," Nanda said.

Departments of Forest, Energy and Urban Development would meet soon to take this idea forward, he said adding, "A state-level steering committee could be set up to frame guidelines for this project."

Kesar Keri Talala Junagadh Amreli District News Gujarat India

Is the only agriculture product from Gujarat to get registered with Geographical Indication Registry?

Alike Darjeeling tea or Solapar chaddar, Kesar mango from Talala Gir will soon have its own identity.

The luscious fruit is all set for registration with the Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) of India, which conveys assurance of quality and distinctiveness — essentially attributed to the place of its origin in a defined geographical locality.

Kesar mango will be the first agricultural produce from Gujarat and the second mango variety in India (Dussheri from Uttar Pradesh being the first), to get this registration. Post-registration, villagers in a total of eight talukas across Junagadh Districts and Amreli districts in the periphery of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary will be able to reap the benefits of added value attached to their produce. Talala, Keshod, Vanthali, Una, Kodinar and Mangrol talukas are the main centers for Kesar in Junagadh district, while for Amreli; the centers are Dhari and Khambha.

Kesar Mango cultivation in Gir started about a century ago. In the past 100 years, the region has emerged as the hub of this fruit. Namely, the Gujarat government will bear all the registration charges for which the preparations are in the final stages by the Junagadh Agriculture University (JAU), with the help of the Agriculture Market Produce Yards of the various centers.

Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) has been preparing a presentation with scientific documents, mainly on the origin and characteristics of the fruit, such as its nutrient value, flavor, size, shape and color. APMCs across the two districts will do the registrations for the farmers.

Only registered farmers can avail the benefits. Once GIR, located at Chennai, gives the go-ahead to the presentation, JAU will work on the logo for Kesar Keri. Only cultivators from the eight talukas of Gir will be able to use the logo, which will add value to their product. “The GI will give an edge to the cultivators. It can get the fruit recognition and quality assurance, which will result in better returns to the farmers through export in other states as well as the international market. Presentation papers are in the final stages,” said a senior JAU official. Kesar is among the most expensive varieties of mangoes. Valjibhai Patel, a cultivator from Talala in Junagadh district, said: “Many a times, a regular variety has been sold in the market in the name of Kesar.

But the registration will assure that there are no duplications. This will boost our chances of export.” So far, Gujarat has obtained registration for furniture from Sankheda, agates from Cambay, Kutch embroidery and Tangaliya shawls.

Girnar Parvat Ropeway Project Junagadh Tourism Gujarat India

The proposed ropeway will have 18 cabins, each with a capacity of 8 people.

The treasury and opposition benches appeared to be united in the state Assembly on Friday over the issue of construction of a ropeway over the Girnar hills.

The place is home to dozens of Hindu and Jain temples where lakhs of people from the Gujarat State and outside visit every year.

During the discussions on the issue after a question raised by BJP MLA Kanubhai Bhalana, Gujarat State Congress President and Dabhoi MLA Siddharth Patel said it is a project of vital importance for the development of Junagadh City District.

He said the project has found support from local trade and commerce organizations as well as social and cultural bodies. Patel said his party would support the government on the issue of development.

Leader of the Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil said he had personally taken up the matter with the Union Forests and Environment Minister, urging him to give clearance to the project soon.

Thanking the Congress members for their support, Gujarat State Tourism Minister Jay Narayan Vyas said the project was started in July 1994. Usha Breco Limited was given the assignment to implement it at the cost of Rs 89.31 crore. The company, he said, had to construct it at its own cost and give annual royalty to the government. The royalty amount was to increase every five years.

However, the project, he said, could not take off because the Centre did not give permission owing to environmental issues.

He expressed the hope that the project would see the light of day with all political parties backing it. He said the ropeway would have 18 cabins, each with a capacity of eight people. As many as 2,000 people would be able to travel by it in one hour, he added.

Girnar Mountain Ropeway Project Junagadh City News Gujarat India

Finally after a delay of almost two decades, the Girnar Mountain may get its ropeway. Gujarat State Tourism minister Jaynarayan Vyas informed the state assembly about the status of Girnar Parvat Ropeway project.

Responding to a question of Visavadar MLA Kanu Bhalala in question hour, Vyas said that through a notification dated May 31, 2008, the government has reserved land for the ropeway project in Gir forest land.

The state government has also submitted the proposal to the central government's National Wildlife Board and the Board too has decided to take up the issue after site visit. "We had several meetings with the central forest & environment minister for the project also. We are hopeful of getting clearance soon and the project is likely to start by 2011.''

The ropeway project will be undertaken by Usha brecko Company at the cost of Rs89.31 crore. GPCC president Siddharth Patel said: "I and leader of opposition have also met the central forest and environment minister and requested them to clear the project at the earliest.''

Asiatic Lions Conservation - at Wankaner Rajkot District News Gujarat India

Gujarat State Government has identified an area near Wankaner City in Rajkot district for relocation of lions from the Gir National Park.

The area near Wankaner is the second area identified by the state government after Bardo Dungar in Porbandar district for the Asiatic Lions gene pool project which aims to guard against the threat of an epidemic that can wipe out the entire population of lions in Gir.

Gir is the last abode of Asiatic lions where there are an estimated number of 360 lions. The Gujarat forest department would conduct a fresh census later this month.

"We have identified vast area of land near Wankaner for conservation of lions," Gujatat State forest minister Mangubhai Patel told the state Assembly recently.

The state government said they have identified this land for long-term conservation of lions. They have also planned to make drinking water available in the area and construct check dams, the minister informed the House.

“Land identified in Wankaner will be used for gene pool project to maintain gene diversity of lions," Chief wildlife conservator Pradeep Khanna said.

However, the officials of state forest department said long-term plan is to relocate some lions in the area which has been prepared as an exclusive zone for them.

A recently released report of task force for lion conservation said lion population has been brought back from the brink of extinction after almost a century of conservation effort.

"The issues of genetic bottlenecking, genetic depression and catastrophic extinction have been discussed in general terms for a long time among the conservationists from the point of view of single population of any endangered species," it said.

A few studies have shown that the present lion population in Gir does not suffer from any inbreeding related genetic depression. A population viability health analysis carried out some time ago showed that the probability of catastrophic extinction was extremely low, the report said.

This does not brook complacency on the conservation front. On the contrary, the government has stepped up its vigilance regarding conservation of germ-plasm, the report said.
The area identified in Wankaner will be used as a part of this project in the intitial state and some lions will be relocated as a part of project, officials said.

The state government is fighting a legal battle in the Supreme Court against translocation of Gir lions in Kuno-Palpur wildlife sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh.

Asiatic Lions India – Sasan Gir National Park Wildlife News Junagadh Gujarat

The tiger population is diminishing despite herculean conservation efforts, but Asiatic Lions seem to be enjoying a revival in Gujarat’s Gir Forest.

Though the exact numbers will be known only when the Lion census (scheduled to start next month) gets over, there is expected to be a 20% increase over the population recorded in the previous census. During the 2005 census, 359 lions were found in Gir.

After the projected increase of 20%, 425 are expected to be found. If the census reflects and proves this trend, lion conservation in Gujarat will become the biggest and most successful conservation success stories in the world. The increase in the lion population has happened despite the paltry sums being allocated for lion conservation by the Centre.

Chief conservator of forest MM Sharma, who’s currently in Junagadh wildlife circle, told DNA that the Centre gave around Rs70 lakh for lion conservation in 2009 even though it spent hundreds of crores on tigers. “Just one Mumbai-based trust has donated Rs81 lakh this year,” Sharma said. The success, acknowledged and appreciated in the conservators’ community, has been attributed mainly to the local people — the residents of 1,500 villages in the Junagadh Districts and Bhavnagar Districts.

“Gujarat deserves a pat on the back for the lovely upkeep of lions. However, it must be kept in mind that this story would have been completely different if the lions had been in any other state,” said Yadvendra Jhala, faculty at the Wildlife Institute of India, who was part of the tiger census. “People here are mostly vegetarian, so the lions’ prey-base is not poached upon. The king of the jungle survives even out of the forest area.”

While the growth in numbers is being celebrated, there are three big challenges. Because of the increasing numbers and increasing human pressure in its periphery, the lion’s habitat is shrinking at its fastest rate. This will make it very difficult for the animals to move freely and multiply. Besides, the politicization over the ‘ownership’ of lions has made the issue of shifting some lions to safer habitats very complicated. This means lions face the biggest threats from natural calamity or disease.

The conservation is successful because lions now roam over 8,000 sq km in Saurashtra. “There is no retaliatory killing even if lions kill livestock. Villagers are proud to have them here.”

Kesar Mangoes Production Talala Junagadh News Gujarat India

Mango growers are ecstatic that this time, unlike previous year, mango production is expected to double or more. Even they were surprised due to the flowering in mango orchards thrice this season.

"On one side we are about to harvest mango and on the other side mango trees are flowering. We are going to harvest double production this year as compared to last year,'' said a mango grower of Ghushiya, Gir, in Talala taluka of Junagadh District, Mensi Sariya.

While it's expected that prices will come down, some like secretary, Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), Talala, Harshukh Jarsaniya feel that the real picture will be clear only after the crop starts reaching the market. But many feel otherwise. "We had just 10 per cent crop last year, where as this year it will be 80 to 90 per cent. So prices will come down," said chairman, APMC, Surat, Raman Jani.

Chairman Valsad, APMC, Arvind Patel said, "Last year crops had failed everywhere and only Valsad had some crop so prices were abnormally high. This year it will be below normal." Meanwhile, some of the traders in Valsad mango market are going to start sending mangoes for canning and exports by March 24.

"It's an auspicious day of Ramnavmi and we will start our business from that day. For mango lovers, the sweet treat should be available at an affordable price," said one of the biggest wholesellers of Valsad mango market RR Mishra.

"There has been some damage due to unseasonal rains and some pests, but still yields are very high so we have nothing to worry and some local types are likely to sell at throwaway prices in the mid season," Mishra added.

Professor PC Vaidya passes away - Shapur Junagadh District Gujarat

Noted mathematician and academician Professor PC Vaidya who is known as Maths magician passed away on 13th March - Friday. He was 93. He was the first PhD in mathematics from Gujarat. One of the global experts on Einstein's theory of relativity, he had delivered lectures all over the world on this subject. A powerful and thought-provoking speaker with a great sense of humor, his contribution to the world of mathematics has been immortalized as Vaidya Matrix', pioneered in 1942.

Born at Shapur Town in Junagadh District, Vaidya did his PhD in mathematics from Banaras Hindu University. The staunch Gandhian was GPSC chairman from 1971 to 1977 and UPSC chairman in 1977-78.

Between 1979 and 81 he was vice-chancellor of Gujarat University. Epitomizing the Gandhian philosophy simple living and high thinking on the day his VC's term got over he refused to use the official car, and preferred to ride his bicycle back home.

Prof Vaidya was also vice-chancellor of Gandhi Vidyapith, Vedchhi, in Surat. His autobiography book Chalk and Duster' was published in Gujarati.

Even after he retired, he returned to the university to teach mathematics to MSc students for many years. Today his legacy is global with his students making their marks in various countries. His 45-year-old Ganit' magazine, is still a hit among budding mathematicians.

He was detected with a kidney ailment in January. On Thursday, his condition deteriorated and he passed away at 5 am on Friday. He leaves behind four daughters. Three of his daughters conducted his funeral rites. The fourth daughter is abroad.

Somnath Temple Junagadh District News Samachar Gujarat India

Security has been tightened at the famous Somnath Temple at Veraval Taluka in Junagadh district following intelligence reports of the temple being a soft target for a terror attack, police said on Saturday.

The state home department has decided to increase the security cover at the temple by deploying another company of the Gujarat State Reserve Police following reports from the intelligence bureau that the temple is a soft target for terrorists, a senior police official said.

Thereby, the number of security personnel keeping a watch on the temple has increased to 165 from 90, following the addition of 75 more jawans, the official said.

Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary Junagadh District News Gujarat India

The Gujarat State Forest department plans to prepone the census of Asiatic lions as 450 beat guards and foresters to be involved in the activity will be given the additional work during the Gujarat Day celebrations on May 1.

The census work, which was scheduled to start on April 25, is likely to begin now on April 23, said Forest Department officials.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Pradeep Khanna said that the matter is still being discussed and the official announcement about the beginning of the census work will come soon.

The In-charge Conservator of Forest, Mayank Sharma, said, “Gujarat’s pride is in the hands of people of the state. In fact, the state has succeeded in conserving Asiatic lions on its landscape because of people’s involvement. It is through the support of the people in Gujarat that the lions are still there in the three districts of Bhavnagar, Junagadh and Amreli.” Sharma added:

“The lion census is likely to be brought forward by only two days. This will be done as 450 beat guards and foresters will be designated some work for the Gujarat Day celebrations.”

Sasan Gir National Park – 72 Asiatic Lions Die in Last 2 years

Gujarat Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Asiatic lions are the pride of Gujarat and he won't part with them. But the animals seem to be endangered in their sole habitat. The Gujarat State Government has admitted that 72 Asiatic lions died in the Gir Sanctuary in the past two years.

Of them, one was killed by poachers and the rest, the government claimed, were from natural causes. Replying to a question in the assembly, the state government said on Tuesday that there were only 291 lions left in the Gir sanctuary as on December 31, 2009.

Among them were 100 lionesses and 123 cubs in a park spread over 1,400 sq km of Sasan Gir forest area. Conservationists have long complained that Gir Jungle was overcrowded and some lions need to be shifted to a sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. But Modi has repeatedly said he wasn't going to share the state's biggest tourist attraction.

More than 13,500 open wells in Gir pose a threat to lions, many of which have been killed after falling into them. Many lion deaths in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary have occurred from fights between the animals. "There are several deaths because of territorial fights over lionesses," says conservationist Sanat Chavan.

However, some officials say though lions are dying in large numbers, the total population is higher than what the government gave the assembly. Principal Chief Conservator of forests Pradeep Khanna told TOI that the data was only about lions in the protected area.

"Lions are also found in Girnar hills, in the coastal area as well as in Bhavnagar District and other parts outside the sanctuary. The last census showed there were 359 lions. The next census will be held by April this year," he said.

Girnar Mountain with Funicular facility Junagadh News Gujarat India

Gujarat State Government has planned to set up Funicular trains at 6th places in the state.

Three places chosen for first phase of Funicular project are Ambaji Temple Gujarat, Saputara Hill Station and Pavagadh Temple Gujarat. Funicular facility would come up at these places within two years if everything goes as per the plan. If successful here, similar project could be planned for Chotila Mataji Temple Gujarat, Palitana Gujarat and Girnar Mountain in Junagadh City.

Briefing media persons about the project, state Tourism Minister Jaynarayan Vyas said: ‘Funicular is better than ropeway as it accommodates more people that ultimately makes journey cheaper’.

‘Another interesting factor that makes Funicular a superior service in compare to traditional ropeway is that in worst condition the wagon would go at the most 3-5 meter backward and then stop. The passengers would be able to leave the train to walk on adjoining steps,’ added Vyas.

It was not clear whether Funicular would replace existing traditional rope ways operated by private company Usha Breko at Pavagadh Mahakali Temple and Ambaji Gabbar or not.

Minister said this would be the first funicular project in the country. Consultant working for Indian Railway is hired for feasibility study and designing of the project.

BT Cotton Seeds Amreli Bhavnagar Junagadh Rajkot District News Gujarat India

Monsanto study says crop in four Gujarat districts showed susceptibility to pest.

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) is learnt to have received a report confirming pink bollworm developing resistance to BT cotton in four districts in Gujarat. The apex regulator of genetically modified (GM) crops is likely to consider these findings by Monsanto and Mahyco scientists in its next meeting.

Monsanto has revealed that in 2009 it had found BT cotton crop in four districts — Amreli District, Bhavnagar District, Junagadh District and Rajkot District — demonstrate unusual susceptibility to pink bollworm.

“During field monitoring of the 2009 cotton crop in Gujarat, Monsanto and Mahyco scientists detected unusual survival of pink bollworm in first-generation single-protein Bollgard cotton. Testing was conducted to assess for resistance to Cry1Ac, the BT protein in Bollgard cotton, and pink bollworm resistance to Cry1Ac was confirmed in the four districts,” Monsanto stated in a press statement issued in Mumbai on Friday.

“Gujarat is one of nine states in India where cotton is grown. Till date, no insect resistance to Cry1Ac has been confirmed outside the four districts,” he stated.

Single-protein Cry1Ac products continue to control bollworm pests other than pink bollworm in the four districts in Gujarat. In addition, no instance of insect resistance in any of India’s cotton growing states, including the four districts in Gujarat, has been observed in case of Bollgard II.

“Pests developing resistance is an expected event for a dynamic system. However, scientists now need to look into the spread of this and get behind the reasons and the nature of resistance,” Dr K C Bansal of National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, IARI, Delhi, said.

With the debate on allowing commercial cultivation of BT-brinjal raging, this development has created a challenge for scientists working in the field of agricultural bio-technology. BT corn and BT soya crops have not yet demonstrated such resistance anywhere in the world.

Incidentally, this pest resistance has been observed in Gujarat, where spurious Bt cotton was reported to have got into the fields much before the GEAC approved the first such GM crop in the country.

“Resistance is natural and expected, so measures to delay resistance are important. Among the factors that may have contributed to pink bollworm resistance to the Cry1Ac protein in Gujarat are limited refuge planting and early use of unapproved Bt cotton seeds, planted prior to GEAC approval of Cry1Ac cotton, which may have had lower protein expression levels,” Monsanto expressed its apprehensions and left the matter to be examined by GEAC-approved panel for the same.

Sasan Gir National Park Wildlife Video Junagadh District Gujarat India

Respected All My Wildlife Lovers & Blog visitors,

Want to say something about above video which is created by Vijay Cavale sir and just amazing admirable work done by him.

As I already watched this video many times, really I have good Wildlife experience from it.

There is also some Lifestyle of Maldharis of Gujarat shooted by him with Asiatic Lions and other animals shoots from Sasan Gir National Park Wildlife.

Just watch first and replay your experience at comment section.

Thank You Very Much

Sakkarbaug Zoo Junagadh City News Samachar Gujarat India

After tiding over recent crisis of the illness of imported South African cheetahs, the forest department-run Sakkarbaug Zoo authorities in Junagadh City are now planning to welcome a pair of Hippopotamus.

Recently, much to the relief of wildlife lovers and zoo medico team, four cheetahs, which had fallen severely ill last month, were certified as fully recovered. The beasts, which were removed from public view after they had suffered infection, were put back for public view.

Sakkarbaug Zoo superintendent VJ Rana said, "The cheetahs have recovered and have been brought to the sections where visitors can see them since March 1." Sakkarbaug Zoo is the only zoo in country to own the world's fastest animal. The cheetahs were brought from Singapore under an animal exchange programme. The zoo is now planning to bring a female hippo from Kanpur Zoo under another animal exchange programme.

"We have already brought a male hippo and within the next fortnight will bring the female one to the zoo. In exchange, we have provided Kanpur Zoo with a tiger. The zoo is also going to house four pairs of foreign birds from Baroda Zoo in exchange of which we will give them a tiger, bear and Thamin deer," Rana added.

Junagadh Ahmedabad Rajkot Vadodara City News Gujarat India

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is likely to lift the eight-month moratorium on environmental clearance for new industries in most of the seven Gujarat cities.

According to reliable sources in the state government, the central board has responded favorably to representations made by the business communities of Ahmedabad City, Rajkot City, Bhavnagar City, Junagadh City and Vadodara City.

The seven Gujarat cities are among the 88 industrial hubs identified as ‘critically polluted’ by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, in an environmental assessment of industrial clusters made late last year. Ankleshwar, Vapi and Vatva were identified as among the most polluted of the 88 cities in the ‘critical’ list. But the blanket ban on clearances for new industries in entire areas of cities had upset the state’s business community.

Responding to the moratorium, industrial associations had made representations to the GPCB and the state environment department.

Girnar Arohan Avarohan Spardha – Climbing Competition Junagadh City News

Third National Level Girnar Arohan Avarohan Spardha, which hold at Girnar Parvat in Historical Junagadh City at 21st February – 2010 has emerged winners in the senior men's section and junior girls section named Ramesh Solanki and his sister Poonam Solanki.

Both are residents of Tad village in Junagadh district, won prizes in the competition held last year also.

To climb and declimb 5500 steps from the base to the Ambaji Shikhar on the Girnar Mountain for the men's section, while the female competitors had to climb and step down 2200 steps from the base to Mali Parab.

The Cash Prize for winner in each group is Rs 50,000 and for runner up Rs 25,000.

Sagar Kataria, from a harijan youth who make out a living by selling fruits on a handcart, emerged the top winner in senior men's section (18-40 year group) climbing and declimbing 5,500 steps in 58 minutes 11 seconds while Ramesh Solanki stood on second spot as he could make the feat only in 58 minutes 12 seconds.

In male junior section (14-18 year group), Haresh Pandit stood first clocking 59 minutes 28 seconds while Rajesh Chouhan finished it in 59 minutes 40 seconds.

In senior female section, New Delhi-based railway employee Kamlesh Baghel won climbing 2,200 steps in 38 minute 14 seconds, while Varsha Karingya of Junagadh stood second clocking 38 minutes 41 second.

In junior girls section, Madhuben Chouhan emerged top clocking 38 minutes 15 seconds while Poonam Solanki stood second finishing in 38 minutes 23 seconds.