Junagadh City District News – Historical Girnar Somnath Temple Gir National Park Places

Junagadh Agricultural University – Panch Divas no International Training Programme

2011-12-17T16:11:00.004+05:30

The Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) has organized a five-day 'International Training Programme on Co-operative Management'.

In Junagadh city, 9 South African (SA) participants have been receiving training on cooperative management at here.

JAU vice-chancellor N C Patel said that, “this training programme is part of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between JAU and University of Venda, SA, signed on December, 2010.”

"This is first such international training programme being organized by the university in the state. During the next five years, various training programmes will be conducted on co-operative management. Participants from local municipality, University of Venda and officials of agriculture department from SA have come for training,''

Makhavhu NT, (local economy development) agriculture manager, Vhembe district municipality, South Africa,

"In SA, there is only 12 per cent co-operative is success, while in India most of the co-operatives are successful, especially from Gujarat. We would like to learn the secrets of the success of co-operatives for rural upliftment and benefit of farmers.''

"The participants will be taken to field visits to places like Majewadi village milk co-operative; Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), Gondal, Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation, Anand, and AMUL Anand.''

Participants were also told about Krishi Mahotsav, which is being organized every year by state government.

"The officials are specifically interested about how to implement success model of co-operative in SA and bring the change in livelihood of people over there.''

Junagadh Museums

2011-12-12T14:59:00.006+05:30

Let history catch up with you as you find yourself in the midst of a late 19th century 'darbar', resplendent with its grandeur as Nawab Rasoolkhanji III, his Vazir and his PA discuss state matters.

Actully There are total 4 types of museums in Junagadh Gujarat India.

Yes - Ayurvedic Museum, Science Museum, Darbar Hall Museum, Wild Museum

At very first want to talk about third one from above.

It opens from 9am-12pm and 3pm-6pm every day except Wednesday and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, houses prehistoric stone

and bone implements, 9th-century stone carvings and many bronzes, manuscripts, silverwork, glass crafts, woodcarvings, textiles and other

items from the history of the area.

It exhibits the era of the Babis of Junagadh, with lavish furniture, thrones, textiles, arms, portraits and photographs from the period.

Entry: Rs. 2/- for Indians and Rs. 50/- for foreigners.
The Museum charges Rs. 2/- per photograph (if you wish to take photographs).
Mobiles are to be switched off during your visit.

Apart from this, you can also find,

The tombs of the Babi Nawabs, including the first Nawab of Junagadh, who made the princely state independent from the Mughals in 1748,

have interesting designs, and though somewhat poorly maintained, are still worth seeing.

The Maqbaras from later in the Babi period, built over the grave of Nawab Mahabat Khan II.

The awe-inspiring architecture mixes Moorish, Hindu and European influences with an exquisite eye for detail.

The Maqbaras are not to be missed.

At 9th June 2003, a hi-tech sound-and-light show being planned at the Darbar Hall Museum, housed in the royal court of the erstwhile Babi rulers here, is all set to take visitors on a rare walk down memory lane — transporting them to a world of maharajas and their splendour.

Currently I am feeling really very unlucky because could not attend this Historical Event.

And thing I want to share that, after visiting Darbar Museum, If you are hungry then just walk few meters in "Janta Chowk" or ask to any local person near to "Darbar Hall", you will great source of "Sev Puri", "Danhi Puri", "Pani Puri", "Dhosa" with different varities, Idli Sambhar,

"Bhel", "Bhaji Pav" - all are really delicious dishes with very affordable prices.

Junagadh Agricultural University - plan Cattle Breeding Farm at Amreli

2011-12-04T09:58:00.004+05:30

Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) is planning to set up a Bull Mother Farm to upgrade the Gir breed of cow and Jafrabadi breed of buffalo at Pratappura village in Amreli district which will rear high pedigree bulls and will supply doses of their semen across the Gujarat state and India.

Gujarat State Agriculture Minister Dilip Sanghani laid the foundation stone of the farm before few days ago.

The farm is expected to be operational within a year.

The project is under the state government.

The farm will come up on 30 hectares of land. The total project outlay is Rs 17.94 crore.

As per Latest Dr PU Gajbhiye Interviews, who is Reseach Scientist at Cattle Breeding Farm of JAU in Junagadh City said that,

“We will raise 200 cows and buffaloes each at the farm. High pedigree bulls will be identified from these herds and their semen doses will be supplied to cattle breeders and dairy farmers of the region for artificial insemination (AI).”

“Ideally, a bull can serve maximum three females per week. However, 1,000 doses of semen can be prepared AI from one-time semen fliching from a bull. This will help raise a high pedigree of milch animals.”

Both the breeds, native to Saurashtra region, are high yielding.

“A Gir cow yields seven to eight lit res of milk every day and the fat content is 4.5 per cent. On the other hand, a Jafrabadi buffalo gives eight to nine liters milk per day and the fat content is as high as 10 per cent to 12 per cent"

As per Latest Dr AJ Kachhia Interviews, who is director of state animal husbandry department said that, “The aim of the farm is to upgrade the two breeds by way of rearing high pedigree bulls and meet the demand for their semen in Gujarat and other states like Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh etc.”

Minister Sanghani also said in a release on Wednesday that farmers and dairymen of the region would get benefit from the farm as milk productivity of their animal would go up with the upgradation in the breed.

Sasan Gir National Park – Tourists mateni Kathiyavad ni Mehmangati

2011-11-24T23:18:00.004+05:30

Aaj na Aadhunik Jamana pan Sasan Gir National Park mate aavta Tourists Loko ae “Saurashtra ni Mehmangati” na Vakhan karya chche.

At this Diwali 2011, Keeping the tradition of hospitality alive in modern times, villagers around the famous Asiatic Lion Sanctuary in Gir, recently hosted the tourists.

The tourist influx into the Gir National Park Junagadh Saurashtra and Sanctuary was so much that local hotels and guest houses all were fully booked, leaving many visitors stranded.

The villagers of the area came to the rescue of the tourists due to insufficient facilities in the Gir National Park and Sanctuary.

The day after Diwali being the Gujarati New Year and the next day being Bhai Dooj followed by Saturday, Sunday and Sardar Patel’s birthday on Monday has given people nearly a week-long holiday.

Those who could not afford the expensive locations in Kerala or Andamans or foreign sites generally settled for nearby destinations like Gir which can be clubbed with a visit to the ancient Somnath Temple.

Thus the tourist inflow into Gir was so much this time that the villagers had to step in to accommodate the extra rush of people, Mango Orchard owner Natwarsinh told The Pioneer from Talala in Gir region.

The villagers around Sasan, the headquarters of the Gir sanctuary area, quickly made arrangements for the tourists and also cooked for them at nominal charges, added Natwarsinh. The room rents charged ranged from `750 to `1,000, at par with the average low cost hotels.

Sensing the high inflow of tourists, the regular hotels made a fast buck by hiking their tariffs, said a local social worker Allahrakha Khan. One prominent hotel had hiked its rate from `3,000 to `30,000 per night and still visitors not getting the rooms, he added.

Such a rise in the popularity of Gir as a tourist destination can be attributed to superstar Amitabh Bachchan endorsing it in the “Khushboo Gujarat Ki” advertisement series, said Allahrakha.

President Pratibha Patil’s visit to Gir few months’ back and the media reports about the rise in the Asiatic lion population to a record 411 have also contributed to increased people’s interest, he surmised. But hotel rooms have not increased proportionate to the rise in tourist inflow resulting in such a situation, lamented the social worker.

Some low budget tourists had spent the night at bus stations in places like Veraval, Somnath, Una and Junagadh, only to return home by the next available service at day-break, said Natwarsinh.

Girnar Parikrama 2011 – Junagadh City ma Tyari Chalu Thai Gai Chche

2011-11-02T15:28:00.004+05:30

All we Gujaratis especially “Kathiyavadi” already know about Girnar Parikrama 2011 – From 6th November onwards.

So Junagadh district authorities have made adequate arrangmets for the famous "Lili Parikrama" (Green walk) around Girnar Parvat
Nearly 30 lakh people from various parts of the country are expected to take part in the five-day long walk across the 36 km long route.

As per Latest B K Srimali Interviews who is Junagadh range IG, said that, 800 policemen would be deployed along the route.

While nearly 100 personnel from the forest department would also be put on duty as the route is passing through the forest and the forest guards would keep close track of wild animals.
Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation would press over 150 buses in service.

Junagadh Saurashtra – Kathiyavadi Ghoda na conservation Vishe

2011-10-31T18:59:00.005+05:30

Genetists at Anand Agricultural University are helping the Government of Gujarat promote breeding of the State's indigenous “Kathiyavadi” horse among private horse owners.

As per Professor D.N. Rank Interviews, who is Professor of Animal Genetics at the Veterinary College at Anand Agricultural University, “Any indigenous breed is declared by the Central government to be endangered if its numbers fall below 10,000; and the Kathiyavadi horse from Gujarat falls in this category.”

“Horses are becoming quite a craze among the neo rich who are now visiting animal fairs like the annual one at Pushkar.”

The wealthy, who own farmhouses, now come from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Maharashtra to attend animal fairs in the western region looking for horses to buy, he said.

Fifty years ago, the horse was used as a utility animal. Ownership of horses was also a tradition among the princely families, and a good many of the horses owned were Kathiyavadi.

Currently, the demand among the newly rich is for thoroughbreds (the kind used as race horses) and not indigenous breeds like the Kathiyavadi or Marwari which are not that tall.

“We are trying to popularize ownership of the Kathiyavadi to encourage conservation of the breed. We cannot force people to keep them, but we can only create awareness,” said Prof. Rank. The objective is to get the Kathiyavadi to exist in good numbers across the region so that the breed can be preserved, he said.

Earlier this year, there was an indigenous horse fair conducted by the Anand Agricultural University which fetched a fairly good response, with 400 Kathiawari and Marwari horses being part of the show, said Prof. Rank. Some of the horses owned by the Gujarat police department are of the indigenous variety too, he said. The Kathiawari horse costs between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh, while a pure stallion fetches as much as Rs 5 lakh.

In Gujarat, there are three horse shows supported by the State Government. The Animal Husbandry Department has three horse breeding farms — at Junagadh, Kodinar and Inaj — where the Kathiawari is bred and stallions made available, said Prof Rank.

The Government encourages owners of Kathiawari mares to bring them to the farms to get them impregnated.

Private owners of Kathiawari stallions are charging as much as Rs 25,000 for successful impregnation of a mare, said Prof. Rank.

Sasan Gir Earthquake Epicenter – Bhukamp na Mota pachchi 57 thi vadhare NANA Aanchaka

2011-10-25T16:51:00.008+05:30

After few days ago, quake of 5.3 magnitudes jolted the Whole especially with Gujarat stateJunagadh District and Saurashtra Region.

But after that, Junagadh Jilla Villages experienced as many as 57 aftershocks till Saturday.

As per Latest Seismologist Interviews, they said that, this was part of the many aftershocks of the 2001 earthquake.

Senior scientists at Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), Gandhinagar, are monitoring the seismic activity in Sasan in Junagadh and Kutch.

"Our team is working in Sasan as part of the investigations. We have installed four instruments within 20 km area of the epicenter."
Aftershocks of very low magnitude are occurring as the seismic activity in the area is decaying.

"So in order to register even the minute activity, we have installed such instruments close to the epicenter."

"It is nothing but an aftershock of the 2001 earthquake. Several such aftershocks have occurred in the same area earlier too."

As per Latest Junagadh District Collector AM Parmar Interviews, he said that,"We have started the survey in affected areas. This is likely to be over in the next 4 to 5 days. Many people whose houses were damaged are living in their farms.”

Junagadh Jilla Samachar – Diwali Jode Bhukamp na Aanchaka

2011-10-23T08:53:00.003+05:30

At Thursday, Ladudi village in Maliya Hatina taluka of Junagadh was the worst affected by Night Earthquake, which measured 5.3 on the Richter scale.

Around 45 to 50 houses were damaged as their walls collapsed. Some 15 villagers were injured, but no death has been reported.

Talala Town Junagadh District has six injured had to be hospitalized.

They are - Babu Bambhaniya (22), Lakha Bharda (30), Gandabhai Jorda (45), Manjuben Jora (42), Maniben Jora (35) and Januben Makwana (60).

The tremors were felt across other Saurashtra Region like Jamnagar, Surendranagar, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Amreli and Porbandar.

As per Ladudi villagers interviews, they said that, they ran helter-skelter in panic after the earthquake.

They spent the whole night outside their homes.Fortunately, no one died.

The government should declare compensation for those whose houses were destroyed as most of them are poor and daily wager labourers.

We live close to the Gir sanctuary and the danger of lions is ever present.

Most villagers were asleep when the quake struck at 10.48 pm.

It took them three or four seconds to realize what was happening.

About 25 people have been injured in various incidences in Junagadh district.

The moment the earth started trembling, people panicked and jumped from the building and came running from their houses.

According to disaster management officials, a 15-year-old girl Shivani Mahendrabhai, a resident of Khambha village in Visavadar taluka of Junagadh, jumped from her home.

She panicked and jumped from the house after the earthquake.She fractured her back and legs.
Two people were also injured as a wall collapsed near Chitravad village in Talala.

In yet another wall collapse, two people were injured in Khorasa village in Maliya-Hatina taluka.

According to officials, Nanduben Sevra (45) and her son Dhaval (12) were sleeping in their home when the quake struck and a wall of their house collapsed, injuring both of them.

People across Junagadh district had a sleepless night. In many villages, power cuts compounded their problems. According to sources in Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (PGVCL), power failure was reported in Talala, Veraval, Hakolvadi, Jasadha, Moraj among other villages.
However, power was restored by early morning.

Gujarat Chief minister Narendra Modi, visited the quake hit areas of Malia-Hati and Talala talukas in Junagadh district most hit by Thursday's earthquake.

He met the injured persons in the hospital, wished them a speedy recovery and ordered a survey of the extent of the damage.

Modi also visited Lahudi, Jalandhar and other villages in the afternoon.

He further directed the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) staff to reach the areas with maximum damage and provide all possible rescue and relief assistance.

Junagadh City District Earthquake News – AP Center was near to Vanthli Village

2011-10-22T15:37:00.003+05:30

As per Indian Met Department, the epicenter of the quake of moderate intensity, which shook the state at around 10:48 pm, was 20 kilometers south east of Sasan Gir near the Vanthli town in the Junagadh district.

The epicenter of the earthquake which registered 5.3 on Richter scale was at Junagadh in Gujarat...tremors were felt here.

The quake was felt for 25 seconds in Junagadh and people rushed out of their homes in panic.
The tremor was felt in several other parts of the state including Ahmedabad.

Gujarat was rocked by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake on January 26, 2001 leaving 20,000 people dead and causing widespread destruction with the worst-affected being the Kutch region.

Junagadh Saurashtra News – Season Vagar no Varshad

2011-10-21T15:09:00.005+05:30

Saurashtra region farmers are worried a lot for the last three days as unseasonal rain continued to lash parts of the region.

According to district flood control room officials, it rained sporadically in Bhavnagar, Amreli and Junagadh districts.

According to Junagadh district flood control room officials, few days ago, Manavadar topped the list with 25 mm rainfall within an hour.

Trees and electric polls fell due to stormy wind with rain. Two domestic animals were killed due to lightning in Junagadh district on Tuesday evening.

Asiatic Lion Sancturies India – Sasan Gir National Park gets 60% bonus tourists this Diwali vacation

2011-10-16T10:33:00.006+05:30

Bollywood Megastar Amitabh Bachchan charm continued to work for the forest department at Gir Wildlife Sanctuary (GWS), the only abode to Asiatic lions in the world.

At least 60 % more tourists are booked at this sanctuary for Diwali vacations, compared to last year.

The sanctuary will open on Sunday after a three-month break for monsoon, which also coincides with the mating season for the beasts.

According to officials at GWS, the tourist flow has increased drastically as compared to the last year.

The conducive environment and the facilities provided by the department has turned out to be a major aspect attracting the tourist, officials said.

Even the Gateway hotel at Sasan Gir is completely booked, weeks after it opened.

As per Latest Chief Conservator of Forests, Junagadh, R L Meena Interviews, told to media that, “After the poaching incidents, which surfaced in 2007, we have taken several measures to change the entire perspective about Gir. The staff has been changed totally and about 400 of them are new recruits and that makes a lot of difference.

The old staff had been working as typical forest department staff whereas it needed something more than that because it was all about attracting more tourists.”

“Not only that, the local tourist guides have gained a lot of confidence in explaining about wildlife to the tourists.”

“There is no doubt that his presence has made direct impact on the tourist flow. After all, he is a superstar and people do acknowledge him.”

During 2009-10, a total of 2,06,563 persons visited the sanctuary and Devaliya Safari Park.
During 2010-11, 2,71,745 persons visited GWS and Devaliya Safari Park.

“There is an increase of 65,182 tourists in the financial year 2010-11 in comparison to 2009-10, which shows 31.55% increase in the tourist flow. During the current financial year, 1,08,996 persons have visited the sanctuary and Devaliya Safari Park. The sanctuary remained closed for tourists from June 16 to October 1.”

The tourism campaign has also benefitted the private hospitality sector, with the first large foray into the area booked full for the Diwali season.

The newly opened Gateway hotel at Sasan Gir — a part of the Taj hospitality chain with 28 rooms and a regular jeep safaris — has already been booked to capacity for the Diwali holiday season.

“We are completely sold out. It’s a mix (of foreign and domestic tourists), but a lot of domestic.”

Junagadh Municipal Corporation Website Launcing Event 2011

2011-09-24T20:18:00.004+05:30

Today – At 24th September 2011, Junagadh Municipal Corporation official website launching event held with present of JMC Commissioner Miss Vipra Bhal(I.A.S.), Mayor Captain Shree Satishbhai R. Virda and Deputy Mayor Girishbhai Kotecha.

Lots of facilities available online for citizenes from Junagadh City District like,

(1) JMC Introduction, Administrative Wing Details, Elected Wing, Ward wise list of corporators

(2) Junagadh City Municipal Corporation Departments details like Engineering, Health, Water works, Street Lights, Revenue and Transport Branch

(3) Other Services Details like Amusement, City Bus and Tax Collection Zonal Office

(4) Online E-Services like Complaints, Tenders,Recruitment, Press Release and Property Tax Calculation

(5) You can also downloads Forms, Acts, Brochures and B.P.L. List

I like most “Junagadh City Map” and “Photo Gallery”, which are really helpful many Tourists from out of Junagadh District or Gujarat or India.

BJP MLA Mahendra Mashru Congress Councillor fast together for civic amenities in Junagadh City

2011-09-23T09:10:00.002+05:30

To highlight civic problems, a Congress councillor ward number 4 Manjula Parsana began a fast on Tuesday against the Junagadh Municipal Corporation, which is ruled by her own party.

On Wednesday, Junagadh BJP MLA Mahendra Mashru, joined her for some time at the fast venue near the JMC, saying it was for greater public good.

As per Manjula Parsana Interviews, she said that, “Joshipura underpass, which is the only link for 1.5 lakh people living in several societies of wards 4,5 and 2, has been badly flooded. Despite several representations to JMC authorities, no action has been taken.’’

“It may appear against my own party, but I represent my voters first. They wanted me to do something, and so I sat on fast.”

On Wednesday evening, both Mashru and Parsana were scheduled to meet JMC commissioner together to press the matter.

Mahendra Mashru said that, “It is not about who is fasting. It is about why she is fasting.”

“I joined her because in the end, it is about public at large.”

“Parsana had invited me.”

She had asked other Congress councillors to support her, but they didn’t turn up.“However, the BJP MLA voluntarily joined in.”

Deputy Mayor Girish Kotecha said it was “sheer politics’’.

Asked about the waterlogging problem at Joshipura underpass, he said, “This and many such projects have been hanging fire as the BJP-ruled state government has not been releasing required funds.”

Junagadh Ganesh Utsav Celebration 2011 - 200 kg Maha Laddu for Ganeshji

2011-09-12T17:26:00.005+05:30

Really this one is “Amazing and Unforgettable Moments for Whole Junagadh City”.

People will remember, “200 kgs Maha Laddu for Lord Ganesh at this year celebration for many years.”

In above video clip, you can see HUGE SIZE OF LADDU created and well decorated.

Ganpati Bappa Morya

Slumdog Millionaire Movie Hero Dev Patel Junagadh Visit 2011

2011-09-08T10:48:00.005+05:30

Just 20 years old the winner of 2009 Academy Award Slumdog Millionaire Movie Actor Dev Patel visited Junagadh City with his mother Anita Patel before few months ago, meet to media persons at hotel in this Historical City and said that he was dismayed when he went to Dharavi slum for the shooting of the film.

He is basically from Gujarat, so we can say him “Gujju Person”. He also said that,

“The aim of portraying the dire poverty of India in his Oscar-winning movie was not to show the country in poor light. Instead, the intertwining theme of the Hollywood movie was optimism and to leave people thinking over what can potentially spring out of seemingly such a hopeless situation.”

“My first impression was how depressed the residents of the locality are! There was nothing but hardships and inconvenience there. However, I was amazed by their unity and cheerfulness in the hell of adversity”

“There is a vast pool of talent in India and the West is acknowledging it now.”

He has come to India with the hope that he will be able to help people here.

Later in the day, He and his mother visited Gir National Park Sanctuary and watched lions.

He also visited historical places like Narsinh Mehta Choro (residence), Uparkot, and Darbar Museum.

Both these Mother and Son have been invited for the visit by Junagadh-based Dr DP Chikhalia who is a friend of Dev’s father.

Junagadh Diamond Cutting Business - polishing centers to become tech savvy

2011-09-03T11:52:00.006+05:30

Like the world's biggest diamond cutting and polishing centre in Surat City, small diamond cutting and polishing centers across the state are all set to become tech savvy.

Soon, small players in these diamond centers would get an opportunity to increase their productivity and quality of work by using hi-tech technology in diamond cutting and jewellery making.

Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has proposed a project under the central government's ASIDE scheme for setting up common facility centers to provide direct access to hi-tech machines and equipment and training to diamantaires in Gujarat State other cities like Ugamedi, Satalasana, Palitana, Banaskantha, Palanpur-Deesa, Mahuva, Khambhat, Jasdan, Mehsana, Visnagar, Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Amreli and Ahmedabad City.

A proposal for Rs 40 crore projects for setting up common facility centers in Gujarat and centers of excellence in Surat and Navsari has been submitted to Central Government for approval under the Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) scheme.

Junagadh District police stations - CCTV cameras in Saurashtra

2011-08-15T16:07:00.003+05:30

Rajkot District police have installed high resolution closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, which also have night vision capability, in all the police stations under their jurisdiction to keep an eye on the officials and also the accused in the lock ups.

As per Latest Interviews who is Superintendent of police Premvir SinghRajkot rural said that, “The CCTV cameras have been installed in all the 21 police stations in the district.

"There are three CCTV cameras in a police station -- at the offices of police inspector (PI) and police station officer (PSO) and the lock-up."

"This will facilitate remote base monitoring system in each police station helping even the PSO and the PI to keep an eye on the accused."

The CCTV cameras at the police stations are connected to the DSP's office.

These will help the SP to monitor the happenings in each police station in the district.

"The basic idea is not distrust of the police officials, but to ensure they behave nicely with complainants and maintain discipline always. Past experiences suggest that this has helped a lot in improving discipline among the officials.''

"There have been many complaints about police officers' reluctance to lodge first information reports (FIRs) and also allegations of misbehavior against them. The CCTV cameras to a great extent will solve this issue and will be helpful to the police officers as well as the common people."

"We will cover all the police stations in Jamnagar and Surendranagar in a phased manner. The project is being implemented on public-private partnership (PPP) model.''

"CCTV cameras will be also installed on main entry points, major traffic junctions, vital installations, markets and crowded places in the towns of Rajkot, Jamnagar and Surendranagar districts.''

As of now, the CCTV cameras are installed at the police stations in Bhavnagar, Junagadh and Porbandar districts in Junagadh Police range.

Junagadh City in Progress - 2nd ultra mega power plant to come up

2011-08-04T20:27:00.005+05:30

The Central Electricity Commission has zeroed in on 400 hectares of land at Lodhva village in Kodinar taluka of Junagadh district to set up its 4000-MW second Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) at a cost of Rs 24,000 crore.

The process of site selection for the second UMPP had been going on for the last two years. The state government had suggested various locations in Junagadh, Porbandar and Kutch after which the central government finalized the Lodhava village site.

As per Latest D Jagdeesh Pandian Interviews, who is principal secretary at the state’s Energy and Petrochemical department, said that “We suggested various locations to the CEA. After their technical evaluation, they have chosen Lodhva village site. The location is most convenient for importing coal for the UMPP. Proximity to sea will also help in getting water for coal-washing etc.”

“Generated power will also be transmitted through grids in Gujarat. The state will get 40% of the generated power while the rest will be allocated to other states. The central government is in process of inviting bids for the project. We hope to see considerable progress shortly.”

“The first phase of 1600-MW Mundra UMPP is almost ready and likely to be commissioned shortly.”

Tata Power had bagged the first UMPP project at Mundra in Gujarat.

Girnar Mountain Ropeway Project - still not starting because another clearance pending

2011-07-30T16:20:00.006+05:30

Junagadh City Girnar Parvat project was cleared by central Environment and Forest ministry in last February, but basic works of building the ropeway have yet not started because the company Usha Breco is now waiting for one more clearance – the last of all clearances – from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) formed by the Supreme Court of India.

It’s expecting clearance for its proposal to build Girnar ropeway in three months time.

This clearance is must for starting construction activity in sanctuary area.

If someone goes to appeal against the ropeway project, the clearance process may delay.

It was in the background of the tremendous pressure on forests and the unsustainable removals and the real threat of massive destruction of wildlife habitat that the Supreme Court of India intervened and constituted Central Empowered Committee on May 9th, 2002.

The CEC presently comprises of the following six members:

Mr. P. V. Jayakrishanan, Chairman
Mr. M.K. Jiwrajka, Member
Mr. Mahendra Vyas, Member
Mr. M.K. Muthoo, Member
Mr. S.K. Patnaik, Member
Mr. P.J. Dilip Kumar, DGF & SS, Member

Talala Gir Kesar Keri Mangoes – get Geographical Indication for GI Registry Chennai

2011-07-29T16:10:00.006+05:30

Geographical Indication's Registry in Chennai gave geographical indication (GI) tag to Talala Sasan Gir Kesar Mangoes and Bhalia wheat from Gujarat.

Junagadh Agriculture University and Gujarat Agro Industries had applied for the tag on behalf of Junagadh farmers.

The new status would help prevent sale of ordinary Kesar mangoes, grown mostly in Junagadh and Amreli districts, as Gir Kesar.

The entire area around the Gir sanctuary would be home to this variety and only those grown in this area would be known as Gir Kesar.

Mangoes from other parts of the state would be called Kesar though.

The taste of Kesar Keri from the Gir area was different from the varieties grown elsewhere.
The fine ranges from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh under the Geographical Indication of Goods (registration and protection) Act, 1999.

Bhalia is a long grain of wheat grown without irrigation for centuries in the Bhal region of Gujarat.

The wheat has high protein content and has a sweet taste.

Bhal region is spread across Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad districts.

Asiatic Lions News 2011 – Vadodara Surat City get pure breed of them

2011-07-28T10:10:00.005+05:30

As earlier I talked with my one of the best online friend and she is really Wildlife Lover, said that, Vadodara City Zoo which considered among the oldest in the country will for the first time be home to a pair of pure-breed Asiatic Lions. The three lions in the zoo are crossbreeds and there is not a single lioness.

With the Central Zoo Authority now giving a green signal to house the big cats, a team from Vadodara Municipal Corporation Zoo will soon head for Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh to take possession of the lion pair.

As per Latest Zoo In-charge C B Patel Interviews, he said that,

“We were contemplating on getting a pair of lions because one of the three lions has grown old and it is not advisable to keep him for public display. Talks were on with Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh and we have been allowed to take possession of a pair of Asiatic lions.”

Among the three lions in Vadodara Zoo, two were procured from Chandigarh while one was born in the zoo.

“The significance of getting this pair is that we will for the first time have a genuine Asiatic lion. All the three lions are crossbreeds, including the one which has grown old. Now we will be able to go for captive breeding of Asiatic lions. We are waiting for the rains. A low temperature is important for the transit of the big cats.”

Sakkarbaug Zoo Junagadh City Saurashtra Kathiyavad will also supply a pure breed Asiatic lion to Surat Zoo. The only lion in Surat Zoo is a crossbreed.

As per Latest Zoo Prafful Mehta Interviews, he said that,Our proposal has reached Sakkarbaug Zoo officials and the final nod from CZA is awaited. For long we have been demanding an Asiatic lion and if everything goes well we will soon get one in the near future.

Asiatic Lions Wildlife Gujarat - policy a roaring success

2011-07-18T22:07:00.005+05:30

Gujarat is Animal friendly state in India.

While the number of any particular animal might have grown in some State or other, Gujarat is probably the only State where the populations of as many as four big wild animals have gone up.

While the rise in population of the Asiatic Lions in Sasan Gir, its last natural habitat, is well-known, the numbers of three other big animals, too, have grown in Gujarat during the past few years.

Apart from the Asiatic lions in Gir, the big wild animals whose populations in Gujarat have grown are leopards, wild ass and sloth bear.

The increase of Asiatic lions in Gir to 411 in 2010 from 359 in 2005 was well publicized, but around the same time, the State’s leopard count, too, rose to 1,160 from 1,070 in 2006 and the number of wild ass in the Little Rann of Kutch went up from 3,800 to 4,038 in 2009.

The sloth bear population, found mostly in the eastern tribal belt of the State, grew to 293 in 2011 compared to 270 in 2006.

As per Latest Pradeep Khanna Interviews who is Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) said that, “While the number of one particular animal might have grown in some State or other, Gujarat is probably the only State where the population of as many as four big wild animals have gone up.”

“People in Gujarat have a lot of respect for wildlife.”

Khanna attributed the phenomenon mainly to the “animal-friendly nature of the people and the local culture in Gujarat”.

He also cited the State’s conservation efforts and the “dedication of the Forest department field staff” for the flourishing wildlife population.

Though the growing number of wild animals raises the possibility of man-animal conflicts, Khanna said that there are ways to tackle such problems.

When the growing number of Asiatic lions started to stray out of the designated Gir National Park, the State Government quickly decided to notify new adjoining areas as sanctuaries.

Thus, Mitiyala and Girnar areas were notified as new sanctuaries in 2004 and 2008 respectively to accommodate the growing number of the big cats.

The rise in the number of wild ass in the Little Rann of Kutch led to these animals straying into fields with standing crops. “People had to be convinced not to poison them.

Similarly, cattle-lifting by lions led to confrontations with villagers.

“The compensation paid in such cases has been much less than the actual price of cattle killed. Villagers want more, but are tolerant enough not to harm the lions.”

The number of sloth bears is growing in the sanctuary areas of Surpaneswar (Narmada district), Jambugodha (Vadodara), Ratanmahal (Dahod), Balaram and Jessore (Banaskantha), primarily because these areas have been left unaffected by urbanization. “Good forest areas have not been diverted for industrial use.”

Saurashtra Rainfall News - has got only 6% rainfall till now

2011-07-14T23:38:00.006+05:30

5th July 2011, Tuesday - It rained in parts Districts of Saurashtra, including Rajkot, Jamnagar, Surendranagar, Amreli and Bhavnagar.

Saurashtra region has received only 6.13 per cent of its average annual rainfall till July 5 according to the disaster management authority which is not enough to begin agricultural operations in the region.

Junagadh Districts and Porbandar Districts have received good rainfall in comparison with other districts.

Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said that light to moderate rain or thundershowers would occur at few places in all the districts of Saurashtra region, Diu and isolated places in Kutch district.

Weather officials said rainfall activity would increase in the next two days.

The worst-hit districts are Bhavnagar and Surendranagar, which hardly received 11 mm rainfall till date in this season.

According to flood control room officials, on Wednesday, major rainfall was reported in Vanthali (22 mm), Savarkundla(12 mm), Visavadar (7 mm), Amreli (3 mm), Junagadh (3 mm). On Tuesday evening, the first showers lashed Rajkot city and 20 mm rainfall was recorded.

Junagadh Agriculture University vice Chancellor Interview about Crops Life with Rains

2011-07-13T21:06:00.004+05:30

Rains give new lease of life to crops in Saurashtra region
As monsoons made their presence felt in Saurashtra this week, the farmers of the region were one happy lot as this rain has saved their crops.

Though bit delayed, the recent rainfall in the region has given a new lease of life to the groundnut and cotton crop.

During the last two days, Rajkot, Porbandar and Amreli districts of Saurashtra region witnessed rainfall and the meteorology department has predicted heavy rainfall in the coming two days across the region as well.

As per Latest Junagadh Agriculture University vice Chancellor N C Patel Interviews, he said that, "Rainfall is crucial for both the groundnut and cotton crop. If the rains had delayed further, it would have hit these two crops severely."

"The rains that were witnessed in the last two days have saved the early sowing of crops. But we need substantial rainfall for further sowing."

The sowing process will take some more time as these rains are not enough for new sowing.
As per the data provided by the district agriculture department, the sowing area is still below expectation. The total area of groundnut covered is 4, 64,860 hectares this year in and SaurashtraKutch, which is only 30 percent of the last year's total of 1, 5, 75, 819 hectares.

Similarly in cotton so far 3,20089 hectares sowing has been done which was 17,60,238 hectares last year and just 18 percent area has been covered in cotton in Saurashtra region.

Former President of Solvent extractors association of India (SEA) said that, "More Govindbhai Patelrainfall will definitely prove conducive for the sowing process. As the weather changes and the possibility of rain increases, sowing activity will increase in many parts of Saurashtra."

Gujarat Tourism India - increase of 1 lakh tourists and Rs 1 crore incomes in a year

2011-07-11T22:06:00.005+05:30

Sasan Gir National Park has witnessed a huge increase in number of travelers in recent months.

Amitabh Bachchan’s hugely publicized ads for Gujarat have been beneficial to the state in many ways, from which Gir seems to be benefiting the most.

According to the figures between June 2009 to May 2010 Gir National Park and Gir interpretation center of Devalia both were visited by 5166 foreign tourists and 200800 Indian tourists; which is a total of 205966 tourists.

From which the Gir interpretation center had 213 foreign and 134005 domestic tourists while the Gir Sanctuary had 4953 foreign and 66795 domestic tourists.

But this year the number has increased by 98,861 tourists.

According to forest department officials in Sasan Gir; 239 foreign tourists and 1, 70,350 domestic tourists, totally 1, 70,589 tourists have visited Gir interpretation center and 6061 foreign tourists and 1, 28,177 domestic tourists, totally 1, 34,238 tourists had visited Gir Sanctuary between June 2010 and May 2011.

Last year Gir Interpretation center made an income of Rs 1, 20, 46,155; whereas Gir sanctuary made Rs 87, 20,000. In total the forest department made an income of Rs 2, 16, 66,840.

While this year with 98,861 more tourists, Gir sanctuary has made Rs 1, 66, 49,950; whereas Gir Sanctuary made Rs 1, 56, 91,726. In total the forest department made an income of Rs 3, 23, 41,676 which is Rs 1, 06, 74,836 more than previous year.

Apart from that the hotels and other hospitality resources near the National Park are benefiting from the increase in the number of tourists. Take an example of local car operators.

While one Gipsy car driver was getting 70-80 tourist trips of Gir sanctuary in 2009-10, in year 2010-11 the same driver got 120-150 trips.

But the real hospitality the tourists will never forget is the one offered by the small farm owners in the villages nearby, the tourists feasted on delicious Kathiyavadi Food like Bajra No Rotlo, Kadhi, Khichdi and Olo.

The Lion King has not only blessed the forest department but also the small scale cottage industry and numerous individuals who depend on them.

Sasan Gir National Park - 836 crore assistance for Lions

2011-07-06T11:46:00.008+05:30

For the Unique Ring Road to surround Sasan Gir Sanctuary and Gir National Park which will help in minimizing the man-animal clash and human activity in the region and for Lion conservation, Gujarat State Government has demanded Rs.836.17 crore central assistance from the Government of India.

The Gujarat State Government in a formal communication wrote to the Ministry of Forest & Environment (MOEF) that, As per 2010 estimation Greater Gir area had about 411 Asiatic Lions.

The only home of Asiatic Lion – Sasan Gir - needs to be intensively protected and managed with all out efforts in conservation of them.

In spite of successful conservation efforts over last four decades registering sustained increasing population trend the Asiatic Lion is still critically endangered on account of its total population being only about 411.

Therefore the long-term attention for conservation of Asiatic Lion is required.

In the recent times poaching of large cats for international market has imposed a serious threat to lions also.

“The Government of Gujarat is taking utmost possible steps. Considering the need for additional resources and contribution of Government of India, the Government of Gujarat has submitted a proposal of “THE LONG TERM CONSERVATION OF ASIATIC LIONS IN BRHUHAD GIR.”

The project cost was Rs.262.36 Crore with Government of India’s share Rs.236.17 Crores and Government of Gujarat share of Rs. 26.19 Crore.

The cost included the cost of relocation and rehabilitation of resident people and Gir Maldharis.

The proposal includes strengthening protection, habitat development, and wild life health care and mitigating man-wild animal conflict situation, use of modern technology, eco development works, public awareness, eco tourism, wrote the state Government to the MOEF.

The MOEF has provided only Rs.120.46 lakh as financial and technical assistance to the State Government for protection and conservation of Asiatic Lions in Gir forest in last four years.
Gir National Park and sanctuary area is 1412.13 Sq. Km.

Six State Highways and some minor roads pass through the Sanctuary and used by the local people.

Existing Highways passing though the sanctuary affect movement of animals and Forest cover, increase Wildlife mortality with the volume of traffic and increase possibility of poaching. To reduce this traffic a project of “Garland/Ring road” around Gir forest has been proposed.

The State Government wrote to the MOEF that, “The proposed garland/ring road is estimated to be a length of 269 Km. The estimated cost of project is about Rs.600.00 Crores.

The said project has been duly recommended by State Board of Wild life and is sent to Union Government on 2-06-2009 for consideration.

The ring road proposed 14 over passes and 16 under passes on specific migratory path locations for safe passages to wild life while crossing Highways and immunize the protected area from traffic playing through human interference.’’

Sasan Gir National Park – Closed doors on tourists this monsoon

2011-07-02T16:40:00.004+05:30

As I read before few days ago, Sasan Gir National Park - located at Sasan in Junagadh district, is only home to pure Asiatic lions and attracts a large number of Indian as well as foreign tourists closed for tourists during the monsoon season owing to the breeding of wild cats and conservation efforts being undertaken at the sanctuary.

As per online Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary Divisional Forest Officer Sandeep Kumar Interviews, he said that, “Its (Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary) closing is being done to provide some privacy to wild animals like lions, leopards and birds like peacocks etc during their mating season as the four months of monsoon period are considered the best for their breeding season.”

“Since we supervise the conservation efforts, we want to prevent any disturbance in the conservation activities, which could also be caused by the tourists. So we close the sanctuary,” Kumar said, adding that the park would be closed from June 16 and will reopen only in October after the monsoon season is over.

As per the 2010 census, the total number of lions in Gir sanctuary has risen to 411 from 359 in 2005. With a total area of 1,412 sq km (about 258 sq km for the national park and 1153 sq km for the sanctuary), the park is considered as safe haven for the lions and other species.

“It is also a natural habitat for leopards and antelopes like sambar, spotted deer, blue bull, black buck, and wild boar, jackal, hyena, langoors, porcupine, bear and crocodiles and over 250 species of birds.”

The officer also added that the roads in the park are kachcha and get damaged during monsoon. They need to be repaired before allowing tourists to visit (the park) after its closure period is over, he said.

“Not only that we have to monitor the movement of wild animals during rains and in case of heavy rain in the area, we have to chalk out a rescue plan and taking them to safer places.”

In addition, if big cats fall sick, we have to make arrangements for their treatment and that is why the closure of the park during monsoon season is required.

Girnar Mountain Ropeway - rehabilitate jobless Doliwalahs

2011-05-09T10:40:00.004+05:30

The Girnar Mountain Ropeway Project will rehabilitate several people who were earning a living by ferrying devotees to the pilgrim centers on palanquin.

These 70 people will be out of job after the ropeway comes from Bhavnath Taleti to Ambaji temple.

As per Latest S K Nanda Interviews, who is Principal Secretary of Forest and environment, said that, When the project was designed in September 1995, it was found that the life span of these Doliwalahs was not more than 50 years, owing to the laborious task of carrying pilgrims up the 2.3 km stretch which had some 5,000 stairs.

“This job was adversely affecting these 70 people who ferried people on a palanquin.”

"Some would be given shops at the Bhavnath Taleti or at the Ambaji temple for snacks, flowers and other offerings for the temple. Some of them will also be employed as cabin operators by the company which will set up the project."

Forest officials said when the project was finalized, there were 95 such Doliwalahs.

However, their number has dwindled and as per the last reports, there were not more than 70 Doliwalahs who were still in the business.

They added that some might even continue in the business only for the weak and disabled pilgrims who want to visit the Jain temples.

The ropeway will be a straight alignment from Bhavnath Taleti and will end at Ambaji Temple.

However, for those wanting to visit the Jain temples, they will have to go down nearly 2,000 steps from the ropeway station.

Officials said, as per an estimate of 100 devotees only 30 visit Jain temple while the rest only visit Ambaji temple.

Girnar Ropeway Project - design will be made in Austria

2011-05-09T10:36:00.007+05:30

After finally getting the Centre's nod, the Girnar Mountain Ropeway Project is going global. With the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) giving a green signal to the original plan, the ropeway project will now be designed in the European country Austria.

While Usha Breco Limited(UBL) will be handling the construction of Girnar Parvat Ropeway, its technical partner company Doppelmayr will be designing the project.

Marred by a series of controversies, the project had been stalled for the past 16 years due to environment concerns. Now after all kind of clearances from the government, construction work on the project will take off in next six months.

About 38 cabins will play on the rope which can carry 1000 people per hour. As per Latest Deepak Kaplish Interviews, who is project incharge, Usha Breco Limited said that, "Design of the Girnar ropeway will be made in Austria and it will be one of India's state of-the-art works of design. We will send our engineer to Austria and discuss the location and undertake the paperwork of ropeway design."

The Girnar Parvat Ropeway project will cost about Rs 100 crore and will be completed in two and half years after the work on the ropeway building begins. This means that Saurashtra and Gujarat will have to wait at least three more years before the project commissions.

Usha Breco Limited (UBL) was established in the year 1969 as a joint venture between Usha Martin Industries Limited, India then the largest wire rope manufacturers in Asia and now the second largest in the world and British Ropeway Engineering Co. Ltd. (BRECO), U.K.

Meanwhile, Doppelmayr Group has production facilities and sales and service locations in over 33 countries of the world and has built more than 14,100 installations in over 83 countries till date. Doppelmayr Italia GmbH was awarded the contract for the construction of the new ropeway on the Mont Blanc.

This is the biggest order so far for the South Tyrolean Company which has its headquarters in Lana. The total order value is of EUR 105 million and now the group will provide its service to the Girnar ropeway as well.

Kesar Mangoes Keri Talala Junagadh District - કેસર કેરીની સિઝન માત્ર એક મહિનો જ ચાલશે

2011-04-29T21:20:00.006+05:30

Junagadh District Agricultural News for Kesar Mangoes 2011:-

ગયા વર્ષની સિઝનમાં ૧૫ લાખ બોકસ કેરીની આવક હતી જે ચાલુ વર્ષે ૪ થી ૫ લાખ થવાની સંભાવના.

સૌરાષ્ટ્રના મહત્ત્વના કેસર કેરીના ઊત્પાદક પ્રદેશો જેવા કે તલાલા, વંથલી, મદરડા અને ઉનામાં પ્રતિકૂળ હવામાનના કારણે આંબા પર મોર બેસવાની પ્રક્રિયા મોડી થઇ હતી.

તલાલા એગ્રીકલ્ચરલ પ્રોડ્યૂસ માર્કેટ કમિટિએ મહિનાના પ્રથમ અઠવાડિયામાં કેસર કેરીની હરાજી શરૂ કરશે. તે સાથે જ કેસર કેરીનો પુરવઠો વધવાની શકયતા છે. આ વર્ષે પ્રતિકૂળ હવામાન અને બ્લોસમ મિજ જેવી ઈયળના ઊપદ્રવના કારણે કેરીના ઊત્પાદનમાં ૭૫ ટકા જેટલો ધડાકો થવાની સંભાવના વ્યકત કરાઇ છે ત્યારે વેપારીઓ માને છે કે મોડી શરૂ થયેલી કેરીની સિઝન એક મહિનો જ ચાલશે.

સામાન્ય રીતે કેરીના ઊત્પાદનમાં સૌરાષ્ટ્રના પ્રદેશમાં નવેમ્બર-ડિસેમ્બર માસમાં આંબા પર મોર બેસવાની શરૂઆત થાય છે પરંતુ આ વર્ષે જાન્યુઆરી મહિનામાં ફલાવરગ શરૂ થયું હતું. જેના કારણે સિઝનની શરૂઆત મે મહિના સુધી ખચાઇ છે.

આંબા પર મોર આવ્યા બાદ ફળ પાકવામાં મુશ્કેલી જોવા મળી હતી અને તેના કારણે ઊત્પાદનમાં ઘટાડો થયો છે. ગયા વર્ષે તલાલા એપીએમસીએ ૬ એપ્રિલના રોજ કેસર કેરીની હરાજી શરૂ કરી હતી અને ત્રણ મહિના લાંબી સિઝનમાં ૧૫ લાખ બોકસ મેળવ્યા હતા.

આ વર્ષે કેસર કેરીના ઊત્પાદનમાં ૭૦ થી ૭૫ ટકા ઘટાડો થશે અને મોડી શરૂ થઇ રહેલી કેરીની સિઝન એક માસ જેટલી જ ચાલશે.

છેલ્લા ત્રણ વર્ષમાં કેરીના ઊત્પાદન સામે ચાલુ વર્ષે કેરીનું ઊત્પાદન સૌથી ઓછું રહેશે. ૨૦૦૯ની સિઝનમાં ૬.૨૫ લાખ જેટલા બોકસ ૧૦ કિલો વજનવાળાની આવક મેળવી હતી. જયારે ગયા વર્ષે ૧૫ લાખ બોકસ આવક હતી. જયારે ચાલુ વર્ષે ૪ થી ૫ લાખ બોકસ કેરીની આવક એપીએમસી માર્કેટમાં થવાની સંભાવના છે.

Girnar Ropeway Project – Gets Green Signal

2011-04-27T21:33:00.006+05:30

When the union ministry of environment and forest gave the final go-ahead for the Girnar Ropeway Project Especially for Junagadh City District and Gujarat Tourism, despite one of the main pre-conditions - that of re-aligning the towers to avoid the vultures' breeding sites — not being altered by the state government, the forest officials in Gujarat heaved a sigh of relief.

As per Latest Environment Forest Principal Secretary SK Nanda Interviews, he said that, it is not feasible to re-align the route, but the other pre-conditions will be met.

He also said that, "A monitoring committee will be set up to supervise the progress of the work. In a unique initiative, cameras will be installed in the top and middle station to understand what time the birds move around in different seasons and the trolleys will be rescheduled accordingly."

The project has been in the pipeline for nearly 15 years now, but it gained momentum in the last three years as the number of pilgrims to the holy Girnar Shrine on the top of the hill increased.
Naturalists in the region claim the site, where the ropeway is designed to come up, passes through the nesting sites of the extremely endangered 69 Girnari Geedh (vulture) nests.

Moreover, the Girnar reserve forest has been declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2008 and is home to around 25 Asiatic Lions, as per the census of 2010.

Both the political parties have been pitching for the ropeway and when the final announcement came on Monday afternoon, Congress immediately took the credit for it by circulating the news and issuing a press statement thanking the MoEF.

The work on the Ropeway is expected to start soon and it is expected to conclude in approximately a year's time.

Nanda added that a cess of Rs5 will be charged on the ticket which will be used for the conservation of the lions and vultures.

Sasan Gir National Park Talala - હસક પ્રાણીઓના ખોરાકમાં નાધપાત્ર વધારો

2011-04-20T17:13:00.010+05:30

Really Its good news for all Wildlife Lovers from All over the world which are already know the importance of Present of Asiatic Lions, Tigers, Leopards and Many more wild animals at Sasan Gir National Park and also on the Whole world. By the way, Updates are like that,

સંખ્યા ગણતરી બાદ ગીર જંગલમાં ચિતલની સંખ્યા ૩૮૪૩૨, વાંદરાં ૮૮૩૭, સાબર ૨૪૧૦, જંગલી ભૂંડની સંખ્યા ૩૦૧૪ થઇ.

૨૬૭ ચોરસ કિલોમીટરના ઘેરાવામાં પથરાયેલા ગીરના જંગલનાં હસક પ્રાણીઓના ખોરાક સમા તાણાહારી પ્રાણીઓની સંખ્યામાં નાધપાત્ર વધારો થયો હોવાનું જણાવવામાં આવ્યું છે.

જંગલમાં વસવાટ કરતાં સહ-દીપડા સહિતનાં હસક વન્ય પ્રાણીઓના ખોરાક સમા તાણ ભક્ષી પ્રાણીઓની સંખ્યામાં વધારો થતાં તેમને હવે જંગલમાં જ પૂરતા પ્રમાણમાં આહાર ઊપલબ્ધ થઇ રહેશે તેવું તારણ છે. અત્રે ઊલ્લેખનીય છે કે તાજેતરમાં ગુજરાત રાજય વન વિભાગ દ્વારા ગીર જંગલમાં ૨૪ રૂટ નક્કી કરીને તાૃણ ભક્ષી
પ્રાણીઓની સંખ્યાની ગણતરી કરવામાં આવી હતી. ‘‘રોડ કાઊન્ટગ’’ પધ્ધતિથી આ ગણતરી કરવામાં આવી હતી. આ ગણતરી કરતાં વિવિધ તાણભક્ષી પ્રાણીઓમાં એકથી લઇ પાંચ ટકા સુધીનો વધારો જોવા મળ્યો હતો.

દર વર્ષે યોજાતી ગણતરીમાં બે તબક્કે ગણતરી કરવામાં આવે છે. પ્રાથમિક ગણતરી ફેબ્રુઆરીમાં અને આખરી ગણતરી મે માસમાં કરાતી હોય છે. તાજેતરની ગણતરી બાદ ગીરના જંગલમાં ચિતલની સંખ્યા વધીને ૩૮૪૩૨ થઇ છે. જયારે વાંદરાં, જંગલી ભૂંડ અને ચકારાની સંખ્યા અનુક્રમે ૮૮૩૭, ૩૦૧૪ અને ૩૧૨ની થઇ છે. સાબર ૨૪૧૦, નિલગાય ૧૪૦૧ અને ચૌશગાની સંખ્યા ૨૯૧ થઇ છે.

જયારે મોરની સંખ્યા વધીને ૧૯૬૩૫ થઇ છે. હસક પ્રાણીઓને જંગલમાં જ તાણ ભક્ષી પ્રાણીઓનો ખોરાક મળી રહેતાં તેઓએ ખોરાક માટે બહાર ભટકવું પડતું નથી. એમ વનવિભાગનાં સૂત્રોએ જણાવ્યું હતું.

Junagadh Police Training College - Raksha Shakti Horse Show 2011 with Kathiawadi Marwadi Breed

2011-04-18T12:21:00.007+05:30

The Junagadh Police organized a KA-MA (Kathiawadi-Marwadi) Raksha Shakti Horse Show 2011 at Junagadh Police Training College grounds on April 2 & 3, in order to promote equestrian as a sports and provide a good platform for police horse breeders, including the Kathiawadi and Marwadi breed.

Kathiawadi horse show in Junagadh attracts thousands of enthusiasts.

About 150 participants with 45 police horses participated in the show. The show also had equestrian games like endurance race, one kilometer race, riding skills, show jumping, tent pegging.

As per Junagadh IGP Pravin Sinha Interviews, he said that, "Our motive is to promote sporting culture among masses and we want to continue with the glorious tradition of mounted police. Moreover, the show provided a platform for the various horse breeders to interact with each other and exhibit their animals."

As per Rajendrasinh Jadeja who is one of the participants and managers of the event, said in his interview that, "For invoking public interest in the equestrian sports, we simplified and translated the names of the games into local language. For example, the jig-jag race, barrel race and Bellard race were converted into 'garo levo', 'matki fod'."

The show was organized with the help of animal husbandry department of state government and Shri Gujarat KA-MA Ashwa Palak Sahkari Mandal Ltd Gondal.

The Best Kathiawadi Stallion award was given to Bahadursinh Gohil of Rajkot while the Best Kathiawadi Mare was won by Shiva Stud Farm. Kishorsinh T Jadeja's mare was adjudged the Best Marwadi Breed Stallion and Parbat Maru's mare won the prize of Best Marwadi Mare.

Eighty-year-old Ata Giga won the award of Best Horse Rider whereas the barrel race was won by Prakash Natha. Aala Arjan Naghera won first prize for 'Reval Chaal'. Mounted police also presented their chivalrous acts with all royal decor and discipline.

Acharya Ghanshyamji of Bhuvaneshwari peeth who is also chairman of KA-MA Horse Breeders Association said the government should plan a breeding policy and dedicated officers must be entrusted with the responsibility to conserve and breed these horses.

Sasan Gir National Park Entry Fee - Vidyapeeth study proposes hike

2011-04-16T20:01:00.006+05:30

Vidyapeeth student Dhara Kanojiya has deduced that people will be prepared to pay more.

As per this Gujarat Vidyapeeth student, who studies rural economics at the Gandhian institute, people will be ready to pay more to visit Gir, if they are made aware that there is more to Gir than only lions, that the sanctuary has a large number of bird species and a rich bio-diversity.

As per her latest interviews, she said that, “it’s possible for people to pay a higher entrance fee than what they pay at present to see the Gir lion. Kanojiya has used the Travel Cost Method in her research work, ‘Environmental Valuation of Gir National Park and Sanctuary’ to come to the conclusion.”

Taking into account a tourist’s cost of recreation, travel, accommodation, beside the time factor, she has deduced that people will be prepared to pay more than what they spend now. From the present entrance fee of Rs 75 to Rs 260 to see the lion and move around in Gir, it can be raised to Rs 320, which is nothing but consumer surplus.

“The increase in fee can be utilised for better maintenance of the ecosystem. It will also encourage more tourists. After calculating travel, accommodation, recreational and time cost, a thorough analysis was carried out by me. It gave a proper assimilation of cost which ultimately led to demand function showing the interest to see lions and move around Gir. Then a consumer surplus was obtained.”

“Indian tourists only know about lions in Gir and move around Devaliya parks. Most tourists don’t explore Gir sanctuary. In fact, they are not aware that it’s an abode for large number of bird species and has a rich bio-diversity. Safari is used only by foreign tourists, who are aslo aware about the bird species.”

“For Indian tourists, the most important factor for touring Gir is the distance between their place of residence and the recreational site. For them, Gir is high on their list of recreational places, while for foreign tourists Gir is one of the many places for recreation.”

“Many voiced dissatisfaction regarding inadequacy of information about Gir, limited boarding facilities and no signboards.”

Kanojiya credits her guide Nimisha Shukla, head of Economics Department for supporting her in her decision to work in the jungle and get data for it. She stayed in Gir many times for her work, talked to 92 Indian tourists and 77 foreign tourists for her survey. It must be noted that Indian tourists spend the most on travel. The cost incurred on recreational activities and food is not significantly high.

To her surprise most believe Gir to be only Devaliya Park, which is described as a large cage for lions. Areas like Tulsishyam and Mitiyala, beside Gir, are left unexplored.

Kanojiya believes it is necessary to decide an entry fee for people who visit the religious places within the national park to control their number and put a check on pollution. Access and use of jungle for the purpose of fuel wood and fodder need to be strictly checked and prohibited.

Porbandar News - ક્રિકેટ મેદાનનો ૭ થી ૧૦ કરોડના ખર્ચે વિકાસ

2011-04-14T11:37:00.006+05:30

Just Few Days Ago, Mehta Sports Private Limited has signed memorandum of understanding(MOU) with Porbandar District Cricket Association for development of Dulip Cricket Ground.

Now want to say something more about this Saurashtra News but in Gujarati Language,

મહેતા સ્પોર્ટ્સ પ્રાઇવેટ લિમિટેડના માલિક જય મહેતા છે. પોરબંદર જિલ્લા ક્રિકેટ એસોસિયેશનના દુલીપ ક્રિકેટ ગ્રાઊન્ડના વિકાસ માટે મહેતા સ્પોર્ટ્સ લગભગ રૂ. ૭ થી ૧૦ કરોડ રૂપિયાનો ખર્ચ કરશે. છેલ્લા સાત વર્ષમાં પોરબંદરનો ઘણો વિકાસ થયો છે. પોરબંદર એ મુંબઇ સ્થિત ઊદ્યોગપતિ જય મહેતાનું વતન છે. મહેતા ગ્રૂપના નામે બિઝનેસ ચાલે છે તે સ્વ. નાનજી કાળીદાસ મહેતા પરિવાર સાથે પહેલેથી ઘરોબો ધરાવે છે.

પોરબંદરથી થોડે કિ.મી. દૂર રાણાવાવમાં મહેતા સિમેન્ટ પ્લાન્ટ છે. મહેતા સ્પોર્ટ્સ પ્રાઇવેટ લિમિટેડ કંપનીએ સામાજિક જવાબદારીને લઇને દુલીપ ક્રિકેટ ગ્રાઊન્ડના વિકાસ પાછળ રૂ. ૭ થી ૧૦ કરોડનો ખર્ચ કરશે.

Gujarati Stories - વિધાર્થી,માબાપ તેમ જ સમગ્ર માણસજાતને પ્રેરક સંદેશ આપતીરચનાત્મક વાર્તા

2011-04-10T09:56:00.001+05:30

રમેશ તો નવાઇમા ડૂબી ગયો. ઓરડામાં ચારે બાજુ કરોળિયાના ચિત્રો,રંગોંની ડ્બ્બીઓ,કેંનવાસ,કાગળના થપ્પા,ને એની અંદર ખુંપેલા પપ્પા ! પપ્પાનું આવું રૂપ આ પહેલાં એણે ક્યારેય ન્હોતું જોયું.

અચાનક રમેશની નજર મોટા રંગબેરંગી મથાળાવાળા કાગળ પર પડી,જેમાં એક વાર્તા લખેલી હ્તી,જેને એ રસપૂર્વક વાંચવા લાગ્યો.”એક હ્તી કોયલ.તે એક વાર માંદી પડી.તેને ખબર પડી કે તેનો અવાજ થોડા દી’ પૂરતો બેસી જશે..એની ખબર કાઢનારા કહે,’અ ર ર ર,તારો અવાજ બેસી જ્શે?

હાય હાય....હવે તારી જિંદગી.!’કોયલ કહે,’ભલે અવાજ બેસી જતો.એ પાછો ઊભો થઇ જ્શે.બે-ચાર દી’ અવાજ ચાલ્યો જાય એમાં કાંઇ આખું જીવન નકામું નહીં થઇ જાય,કાગડાકાકા !હું કાંઇ એમ હિમત હારું એવી નથી.અવાજ બેસી ગયો એટલે એવું સમજો કે દસમા-બારમાં ધોરણની પરીક્ષાનું પેપર નબળું ગયું કા એમાં નાપાસ થયા,બસ એટલું જ....તમે ખાલી ચોપડીની પરીક્ષામાં જ હારી ગયા,પરંતુ,પરીક્ષા પૂરી એટલે તમારું સાવ પૂરું થઇ ગયું એવું નથી.તમારી સામે આખી જિંદગી પડી છે.

હજી ઘણી બધી તકો,પ્રવત્તિઓ છે.કાળઝાળ ગરમીમાં એક વખત્ પાક સાવ બળી જાય તો ધરતી કાયમને માટે સુકીભઠ્ઠ થઇ નથી જતી,વાંદરાભાઇ !એ એમ નથી વિચારતી કે” આપણી જિંદગી ખતમ”.પાક ખાલી એક જ વાર બગડ્યો છે,પણ ફરી એ જ જમીનમાં વાવશો તો પાછું ઉગશે,એટલું જ નહીં,ચોતરફ અનેરી હરિયાળી લહેરાઇ ઊઠશે,કારણ કે નબળો પાક એ સમજો માત્ર એક પરીક્ષા કે તેનું પેપર છે,તે આખા જીવનનો સાર કે તેનું માપ નથી.અભી તો પિક્ચર બાકી હૈ મેરે દોસ્ત.”કરતા જાળ કરોળિયો ભોંય પડી પછડાય,તૂટે ઘર તો પાછું નવું બનાવતો જાય.”.એટલે હું નિરાશ થઇ આપઘાતના નબળા વિચાર નહીં કરું.’....ને કોયલ; ખરેખર થોડા દિવસ પછી ફરી એ જ મસ્તીમાં ટહુકવા લાગી ને બીજાનેય ખુશ કરી સાચો રસ્તો બતાવી ગઇ......
........ને એ રંગબેરંગી કાગળ શોધવા જેવી હિંમતલાલે પાછળ નજર ફેરવી કે તરત જ,...’લે તું ક્યારે રૂમની અંદર ઘુસી ગયો દીકરા!!?અચ્છા,તો એ કાગળ તારા હાથમાં છે એમ ! કેવી લાગી વાર્તા?

‘સરસ છે પપ્પા’રમેશ થોડું મલક્યો ને પપ્પા બોલ્યા,’તને નવાઇ લાગે છે ને કે આ બધું !! એક પુસ્તકે મને જ્ગાડ્યો જેમાં લખેલું કે”તમે જીવનમાં ક્યારેય ન કર્યું હોય એવું સારું,કંઇક નવું. અનોખું કરી બતાવો.”બેટા,નાનો હતો ને ત્યારે હું સરસ ચિત્રો દોરતો,પણ છેલ્લા વીસ વરસથી ધંધા,નફા,પૈસા..વગેરેની હાયવોયમાં હું બધું ભૂલી ગયો હતો,પરંતુ આજ મેં નક્કી કર્યું કે આજકાલ વિધાર્થી નબળા પેપર કે પરિણામથી નાસીપાસ થઇ જીવનનો અંત આણવા સુધી પહોંચી જાય છે;તે ન થાય ને તે ફરી પડકાર ઝીલી લઇ નવી આશા,શ્રદ્ધા સાથે બેઠો થાય એવું કાંઇક કરું.ને દીકરા સાચું કહું?આ વાંચીને વિધાર્થી વગેરેને તો મળશે જ,પણ મને તો અત્યારે જ નવજીવન મળી ગયું.જો આ ચિત્રો.’

પહેલું ચિત્ર કરોળિયો ચડે એવું,બીજું તે નીચે પડે તેનું ને ત્રીજું તે ફરી ઉપર ચડી અંતે ઘર બનાવવામાં સફળ થાય એ પ્રકારનું હતું.રમેશે ચિત્રો જોયા ને પછી તે ઘરની બહાર નીકળ્યો.............. .........દીકરો મોડી સાંજે ઘેર પાછો આવ્યો ને પપ્પાને વળગી રડવા લાગ્યો.પછી થોડું સ્વસ્થ થતા એ બોલ્યો,’પપ્પા,સવારે જ્યારે હું તમને મળવા આવ્યો’તો ત્યારે અમારી પરીક્ષા પૂરી થતાં જ હું કાંકરિયા તળાવની પાળે ફરવા જવાની રજા લેવા આવ્યો’તો.પણ સાચું કહું? હું કાયમ માટે તમારી રજા લેવા આવ્યો’તો.હું ત્યાંથી પાછો ન્હોતો આવવાનો,પણ્ તમારી વાર્તા,ચિત્રો વગેરે જોઇ હું ઘેર પાછો ફર્યો છું.

બધા માબાપ તમારા જેવા હોય જે મિત્ર બની સાચું વહાલ કરે,ખોટું દબાણ ન કરે તો જીવવાની મઝા આવે.થેંક્યુ પપ્પા.’થોડીવાર સાવ શાંતિ છવાઇ ગઇ.ને પછી પપ્પા ગળગળા સાદે કહી રહ્યા,’બેટા,એવા અનેક લોકો છે જે ભણવામાં સાવ ‘’ઢ’’ હતા છતાં સફળ થયા છે.પરીક્ષા મહત્વની છે જે દિલ દઇ પૂરી મહેનત કરી આપો,પણ્ એની જ ફૂટ્ટપટ્ટીથી તમારી કુશળતાને ન માપો.ને ખાલી અભ્યાસક્ર્મના ચોપડા જ ન વાંચો.બીજું પણ વાંચો.થોડું નાચો-ગાઓ,હરો-ફરો તો ટેંન્શન જાશે,આનંદ આવશે,ને ઊલટું વધુ યાદ રહેશે.પરીક્ષા એ જીવનની છેલ્લી તક નથી.એની બહાર પણ એક સુંદર જીવન છે.સચિન તેંડુલકર ઝીરોમાં જાય તો તે કાયમ માટે ક્રિકેટ છોડી નથી દેતો..

ફરી હિંમત બતાવી બીજા મેચમાં સદી ફટકારે છે.ઝીરોમાંથી હીરો બની જાય છે.હારો ભલે,પણ હિંમત ન હારો.બેટા,તું આ પરીક્ષામાં ભલે કદાચ ઓછા ગુણ મેળવ કે નાપાસ થા,પણ જીવનની પરીક્ષામાં તો તું ફર્સ્ટ-ક્લાસ પાસ થયો છે.અભિનંદન.આ સદ્ગુણનું મૂલ્ય પેલી પરીક્ષાના ગુણ કરતાય ક્યાંય વધુ છે..ચાલ,એના માનમાં થોડો મસ્ત ડાંન્સ થઇ જાય.’....ને પિતા-પુત્ર બંને ખુશીમાં નાચવા લાગ્યા.બંનેને કશુંક અનોખું પ્રાપ્ત થયું હતું.

Thankful to Great Gujarati Writer - Mr. Durgesh B Oza

Contact him at :- ૧,જલારામનગર નરસંગ ટેકરી,પોરબંદર ૩૬૦૫૭૫

Sasan Gir National Park - આસપાસનાગામોના ૧૫૦૨૧ ખુલ્લાકૂવાસુરક્ષિત કરવાનું આયોજન

2011-04-01T22:08:00.003+05:30

વિશ્વ પ્રસિદ્ધ ગીર અભ્યારણ્ય તથા નેશનલ પાર્કમાં ખુલ્લા કુવામાં અગાઊ સહ પડી જતા મૃત્યુ પામ્યાના બનાવના પગલે રાજય સરકારે સત્વરે ખુલ્લા કૂવાને સુરક્ષિત બનાવ્યા હતાં પરંતુ તેની આજુબાજુના વિસ્તારમાં કુલ ૧૫૦૨૧ જેટલા ખુલ્લા કૂવાઓ હજુ અસ્તિત્વમાં હોવાથી વન્ય પ્રાણીઓ કૂવામાં પડવાની ઘટના બનતી રહે છે.

તે રોકવા ગામના કૂવા ફરતે પ્રોટેકશન વૅલ બનાવવાનું આયોજન હાથ ધરવામાં આવ્યું છે. ગીર અભ્યારણ્ય અને નેશનલ પાર્કમાં ખુલ્લા કૂવા અંગેની જાણકારી મેળવવા જોડિયાના ધારાસભ્ય રાઘવજીભાઇ પટેલે ગાહમાં પૂછેલા પ્રશ્નનો લેખિતમાં ઊત્તર આપતા વનમંત્રી મંગુભાઇ પટેલે જણાવ્યું હતું કે ગીરના અભ્યારણ્ય તથા નેશનલ પાર્કમાં ખુલ્લા કૂવામાં વન્ય પ્રાણીના પડી જવાના પગલે મોત નિપજવાના બનાવો બનતા હતાં.

તેને ધ્યાનમાં લઇને તમામ ખુલ્લા કૂવાઓને પ્રોટેકશન વાલ, પેરાપીટ વાલ તથા લોખંડની જાળી વડે સુરક્ષિત કરવામાં આવતા વન્યપ્રાણીઓના કૂવામાં પડી જવાના અકસ્માતના બનાવો ઘટ્યા છે પંરતુ ગીર અભ્યારણ્યની આજુબાજુના વિસ્તારમાં સર્વે કરતા કુલ ૧૫૦૨૧ ખુલ્લા કૂવાઓ હોવાનું જાણવા મળ્યું છે.

વધુમાં જણાવતા વનમંત્રી મંગુભાઇ પટેલે કહ્યું કે ગીર તેમજ બૃહદ ગીર વિસ્તારના આસપાસ આવેલા ગામોના ખુલ્લા કૂવાઓમાં સહ તથા અન્ય વન્ય પ્રાણીઓને અકસ્માતે ખુલ્લા કૂવામાં પડતા રોકવા પ્રોટેકશન વાલ અથવા પેરાપીટ વાલ બાંધવાની યોજના અમલમાં મુકી છે અને તેને લીધે ૩૧ ડિસેમ્બર ૨૦૧૦ સુધીમાં કુલ ૧૨,૩૨૮ કૂવાઓને સુરક્ષિત કરવામાં આવ્યા છે.

આ સિવાયના બાકી રહેલા કે જાણમાં આવ્યા હોય તેવા ખુલ્લા કૂવાઓને સુરક્ષિત કરવાનું કામ પ્રગતિમાં છે.

Kesar Mangoes Saurashtra - પાક નિષ્ફળ જતાખેડૂતો મુશ્કેલીમાં

2011-03-31T18:07:00.000+05:30

ખેડૂતો પાક ધિરાણના વ્યાજમાં રાહત આપવા સહિતની સહાય માંગી રહ્યાં છે. પ્રતિકૂળ આબોહવાના પરિણામે મ્હોર ખરી જતા કેરીનું ૭૦ થી ૭૫ ટકા ઊત્પાદન ઘટ્યું.

તલાલા પંથકની સુપ્રિસિદ્ધ કેસર કેરીનો મોટાભાગનો પાક સાનુકૂળ આબોહવાના અભાવે નિષ્ફળ જતાં આ વિસ્તારના બાગાયત ખેડૂતો દયાજનક પરિસ્થિતિમાં મુકાયા છે.

આ સ્થિતિમાં કેસર કેરીનો પાક ઊતારતા ખેડૂતો પાયમાલ થતા ખેડૂતો પાક ધિરાણના વ્યાજમાં રાહત આપવા સહિતની સહાય માંગી રહ્યાં છે.

ગીરપંથકમાં કેસર કેરીના બગીચાઓમાં આંબા ઊપર શરૂઆતમાં ખૂબજ મોર આવ્યા છતાં આંબા ઊપર મોરના જંગી જથ્થાને કારણે આંબાના પાંદડા દેખાતા બંધ થઇ ગયા હતા. જેના કારણે કિસાનોને કેસરકેરીનો
વિપુલ પાક ઊતરવાની આશા બંધાઇ હતી પરંતુ આંબા ઊપર મોર આવ્યા બાદ સાનુકૂળ આબોહવાને અભાવે જે બંધારણ થવુ જોઇએ એ થયું નહ જે બંધારણ થયું તે ગોટલી વગરનું ખાટું બંધારણ થયું જે ધીમે-ધીમે આંબા ઊપરથી ખરવા લાગ્યું હતું.

પરિણામે કેસર કેરીનો ૭૦ થી ૭૫ ટકા જેટલો પાક નિષ્ફળ ગયો છે. જેના કારણે આ ગીરપંથક બાગાયત કિસાનો કફોડી સ્થિતિમાં મૂકાયા છે.

અત્રે ઊલ્લેખનીય બાબત એ છે કે ગયા વર્ષે તલાલા પંથકમાં ૫૦ લાખથી પણ વધારે કેસર કેરીના બોકસનું ઊત્પાદન થયું હતું. આ ઊપરાંત અંદાજે ૩૫ થી ૪૦ લાખ કેસર કેરીના બોકસ સૌરાષ્ટ્ર અને ગુજરાતના વિવિધ માર્કેટગ યાર્ડો તથા કેનગ પ્લાન અને ફ્રૂટ માર્કેટમાં વેચાયા હતા.

તલાલા પંથકમાં ગત વર્ષે અંદાજે ૯૦ થી ૧૦૦ કરોડ રૂપિયાનો કેસર કેરીના વેચાણનો અંદાજ વ્યકત કરાયો હતો. જે આ વર્ષે કેરીના પાકના ઘટાડાના કારણે ખેડૂતોને ભારે નુકસાન સહન કરવું પડે તેવી સ્થિતિ સર્જાઇ છે.

Household Beauty Tips for Skin This Summer - for All Kathiyavadis

2011-03-26T11:26:00.000+05:30

સફરજનની છાલ કાઢી નાના ટુકડાઓ કર્યા બાદ તેને છૂંદીને ચહેરા પર લગાવવાથી ૧૫-૨૦ મિનિટમાં ત્વચા પર કોમળતા આવે છે.

સ્વાસ્થ્ય સારું ન હોય તો આંખની નીચે કાળા કુંડાળા થઇ જાય છે. ડાર્ક સર્કલ્સમાંથી છુટકારો મેળવવા માટે બટાકા લાભકારી છે.

બટાકાના ગરને આંખ પર એક સ્વચ્છ ઝણાં કાપડની પોટલીમાં મૂકી રાખીને તેનો નિયમિત ઊપયોગ કરવાથી ફાયદો થાય છે.

આ ઊપરાંત કાકડી પણ ખૂબ જ ઊપયોગી છે. તે ત્વચાની પરના કાળા ધાબા દૂર કરવા માટે તેનો રસ ઘણો ઊપયોગી છે. તેમજ તેનું નિયમિત સેવન સ્વાસ્થ્ય માટે લાભકારક છે.

આ ઊપરાંત, કાળા કુંડાળા દૂર કરવા માટે કાકડીની ગોળ ચિપ્સ આંખ પર મૂકવાથી ફાયદો થાય છે. પગની એડી પર વાઢિયા તેમજ ચીરા પડી જાય છે. આનાથી રાહત મેળવવા માટે શક્કરિયા બાફયા બાદ તેના તે જ પાણીથી પગને ડૂબાડીને અથવા તો ધોવાથી ફાયદો થતો જણાશે.

કોબીના પાનનો રસ કાઢીને તેમાં મધ મેળવવું આમ આ મિશ્રણને ચહેરા પર તેમજ ગરદન પર લગાવવાથી ત્વચા કોમળ બનતી જણાશે. આમળા એ વાળની કાળાશ જાળવી રાખવા માટે ઊપયોગી છે. મહદીમાં પણ, તેની લુગદી નાખવાથી ફાયદો થાય છે. તેનાથી વાળ સ્વસ્થ બને છે.

તેમજ ફળોમાં પણ સંતરા એ સ્કિન માટે ઘણું ફાયદાકારક ફળ છે. તેની સૂકવેલી છાલનો પાવડર બનાવીને તેમાં દૂધ મલાઇ અથવા ગુલાબ જળ નાખીને ચહેરા પર તેમજ ગરદન પર લગાવવાથી ત્વચામાં નિખાર આવે છે. અને ચમક આવે છે.

આ ઊપરાંત સંતરાના રસને પણ ગ્લિસરીને કે ગુલાબ જળ સાથે રૂ દ્વારા લગાવવાથી ત્વચામાં નિખાર આવે છે. તેમજ સંતરાનો જયુસ એ તમારા સ્વાસ્થ્યને સારું રાખવામાં ઊત્તમ છે.

તેમજ સફરજનની તેની છાલ કાઢી નાના ટુકડાઓ કર્યા બાદ તેને છૂંદીને ચહેરા પર લગાવવાથી ૧૫-૨૦ મિનિટ રાખવાથી ત્વચા પર કોમળતા આવે છે.

સ્ત્રીની સ્વનિર્ભરતા અને સફળતાની મંઝિલ

2011-03-23T23:06:00.001+05:30

સ્ત્રી સ્વનિર્ભર બને એ કંઇ ખરાબ વાત નથી.પોતાની ભૂમિકા અને ફરજ સારી રીતે નિભાવવાવાળી સ્ત્રી પોતાની રીતે પરિપૂર્ણ હોય છે. એને બીજાનછ બરોબરી કરવાની અપેક્ષા રાખવાની જરૂરત જ શું છે? સ્ત્રીની પહેલી ભૂમિકા માતા તરીકેની છે.માતૃત્વને ગુમાવીને સ્ત્રી પોતાનું અસ્તિત્વ નહ જાળવી શકે.

સુધારાવાદની આંધીએ સ્ત્રીઓની મહત્વકાંક્ષાઓ વધારી દીધી છે. આજની દોડાદોડભરી જદગીમાં સૌથી આગળ નીકળી જવું અને બધી જાતની સગવડોનો ઊપયોગ કરી લેવા માટે સ્ત્રીઓ હંમેશા તત્પર હોય એવું જોવા મળે છે.

આજની સ્ત્રીને ઊચ્ચ સ્થાન, પ્રતિષ્ઠા અને સગવડભરી જદગીની સાથે સાથે ખૂબ પૈસા જોઇએ. આજની સ્ત્રી ‘સ્માર્ટ’છે. પ્રતિભાસંપન્ન પણ છે. અને સૌંદર્યની દુષ્ટિએ પણ એ અલગ તરી આવે છે. તે એની આ વિશેષતાઓ સાથે પ્રગતિની દોડમાં કોઇ રીતે પાછળ રહેવા નથીમાંગતી.

તે દરેક સ્થાન પર પોતાની સફળતાનો ઝંડો ફરકાવવા માંગે છે. જયાં પુરુષોનું એકચક્રીય રાજય છે. ત્યાં તે એની મંજિલે પહાચવા માટે દરેક કક્ષાએ માનસિક સમાધાન કરવા તૈયાર છે.

બસ, અહથી જ શરૂ થાય છે.એની વિસંવાદિતાભરી જદગીની શરૂઆત.સ્ત્રીઓના પ્રગતિશીલ પગલાં જેટલાં ઝડપથી સામાજિક,રાજનૈતિક અને સાંસ્કૃતિકક્ષેત્રે વિકાસ કરી રહ્યા છે. સાથે સાથે એમના અસ્તિત્વ પર પ્રશ્ન ચિહ્ન મુકાયા છે. આજની સ્ત્રી ઘર અને કુટુંબની સીમાઓને પાર કરીને જુદાજુદા ક્ષેત્રોમાં વિચાર કરતી થઇ છે. એની આધુનિકતા, જાગૃતતા અને આત્મનિર્ભરતાજયાં પ્રશંસનીય છે, ત્યાં પુરુષોની બરાબરીની હોડમાં તાલ મેળવીને ઊભી છે. પરંતુ આ દોડે એને એક ખતરનાક વળાંક પર લાવીને ઊભી કરી દીધી છે.

જયાં એનું પોતાનું હિત અને અહિત, સારું અને નરસુંનો નિર્ણય કરી શકતી નથી. પોતાને પ્રગતિશીલ, આધુનિક, મુકતતાની સમર્થક માનનારી આજની સ્ત્રીઓ એક એવા માર્ગ પર ઊભી છે- જયાંથી એક રસ્તો સારી કારકિર્દી ઊન્નત જીવનશૈલી અને સર્જનાત્મક વિકાસની તરફ જાય છે.તો બીજો રસ્તો અનૈતિકતા, ઊચ્છંખલતા અને ગેરસંબંધોની તરફ લઇ જાય છે. ઊચ્ચ સ્થાન, સારી જીવનશૈલી અને સગવડતાભરી માનસિકતાવાળી સ્ત્રીઓએ નૈતિકતાની નવી ભાષાઓ શોધી કાઢી છે.

જેના પરિણામ સ્વરૂપે સ્ત્રીઓના ચારિત્ર્ય અને અસ્તિત્વ પર ધુમ્મસ છવાઇ ગયું છે. ગેર સંબંધો વધી રહ્યા છે. લગ્નેતર સંબંધોના પ્રશ્નો ઊભા થયા છે. સાથે રહેવાની સંસ્કૃતિ વિકસી રહી છે, અને કૌટુંબિક ભાવના વેરવિખેર થઇ રહી છે.આજે યુવતીઓ સ્વાવલંબી થયાની સાથે સાથે એમના ચારિત્ર્યનું પતન થવું પણ સરળ બનીગયું છે.

કારણ, યુવતીઓ સ્વનિર્ભર થવાના કારણે પિતા કે ભાઇ પર આધારિત નથી, અને પરણેલી સ્ત્રીઓ સ્વનિર્ભર થવાના કારણે એમના પતિ કે સાસરિયા પર આધારિત નથી રહી. એટલે એની ઇચ્છાની વિરૂધ્ધ જયારે ઘર કે
કુટુંબમાં વર્તન થતું હોય છે. ત્યારે તે વિદ્રોહી બનીને પારકા પુરુષ સાથે સંબંધ જોડતાં પણ ખચકાતી નથી.હવે સ્થિતિ એ સર્જાઇ છે કે આ જાતની સમજૂતીને ચારિત્ર્ય કુદરતી સંબંધો લેખવામાં ઓ છે. તે સ્પષ્ટ શબ્દોમાં સ્વીકારે છે કે આવી સમજૂતીથી સહયોગી પ્રત્યે વિશ્વાસ અને કાર્ય પ્રત્યે ઊત્સાહ વધે છે.

પર્તુ આધુનિક જીવનશૈલીમાં ‘લિવગ ટુગેધર’ જેવા સંબંધોને વિકસાવતી સ્વનિર્ભર યુવતીઓએ લગ્ન જેવા
પવિત્ર બંધનને શંકાના માહોલમાં મૂકી દીધેલ છે. આ જાતની પરિસ્થિતિમાં એ જરૂરી છે કે કુટુંબમાં દીકરીઓને એવા ઊચ્ચ સંસ્કાર આપીને સ્વનિર્ભર બનાવવામાં આવે કે જેથી એમની મર્યાદાઓનું ઊલ્લંઘના ના કરે.

આ સંદર્ભમાં જોવાનું એ છે કે સ્ત્રીઓ ઘર-કુટુંબ પ્રત્યેની ફરજો સમજીને નિભાવે અને પોતાનો વિકાસ સાધે. આપણાં એક જાણીતાં સ્ત્રીલેખિકા કહે છે કે ‘પ્રગતિશીલતાનો અર્થ સ્વચ્છંદતા નથી. સ્ત્રી સ્વનિર્ભર બને એ કાંઇ ખરાબ વાત નથી. પોતાની ફરજ અને ભૂમિકા સારી રીતે નિભાવનારી સ્ત્રી પોતાની રીતે પરિપૂર્ણ હોય છે. એને બીજાની બરાબરી બનવાની જરૂરત જ શું છે ?

સ્ત્રીની પહેલી ભૂમિકા છે માતા તરીકેની.માતૃત્વને યુમાવીને સ્ત્રી પોતાના અસ્તિત્વને નથીબચાવી શકતી.

નેપોલિયને કહ્યું હતું- તમે મને સો કુશળ માતાઓ આપો, એના બદલામાં તમને હું સંસ્કારી, મહાન રાષ્ટ્ર આપીશ. આ કથનની સાથે પોતાની વાતને સ્પષ્ટ કરતાં ગાંધી પીસ ફાઊન્ડેશનના કાર્યકર્તા નું માનવું છે કે હકીકતમાં સગવડતાની અપેક્ષા સ્ત્રી માટે કમજોરી બનતી જઇ રહી છે. સમાજમાં વિકસતાં નૈતિક મૂલ્યોનું સંકટ આ મનોવાત્તિની દેણગી છે.

જે રીતે સ્ત્રીઓ એમની સફળતાની સીડીઓ ચઢી રહી છે એને રોકવા માટે વિચાર કરવાનો સમય પાકી ગયો છે.

ગાહિણી સરોજબેન શેઠ વાતવાતમ ાં જણાવે છે કે અભણ સ્ત્રીઓ પોતાની ફરજ અને જવાબદારીને ના સમજે એ કંઇ આશ્ચર્યની વાત નથી. પણ જે સ્ત્રીઓ ભણેલી-ગણેલી છે, જગત અને જીવનની સમસ્યાઓ જેમના મનને જાગાત કરતી હોય છે, ફરજ જેમને કોઇ મહત્વનુંકાર્ય કરવા માટે પ્રેરણા આપે છે તેવી સ્ત્રીઓ
પોતાના શિક્ષણ અને વર્ચસ્વને કુટુંબ કરતાં વધુ મહત્વ આપે, પુરુષો સાથે કોઇ પણ સમજૂતી કરવામાં પોતાની સાર્થકતા સમજે, એ કેવી આશ્ચર્યજનક વાત છે.

આજે નૈતિકતા અને ચરિત્રતાના માપદંડ બદલાઇ ગયા છે. આજે કૌટુંબિક, સામાજિક અને કાર્યક્ષેત્રમાં વિશ્વાસવાળો વહેવાર જ નૈતિકતાનો માપદંડ બની ગયો છે. આજના સંબંધોમાં ગેરસંબંધોનો વિરોધ કરનારી સ્ત્રીઓનું માનવું છે કે અઇચ્છનીય સમજૂતી એમને કરવી પડે છે. જે પોતાના કાર્યક્ષેત્રમાં સક્ષમ કે નિપુણ નથી કે જેમની માનસિકતા સગવડતાવાદી છે.

જો તમારામાં યોગ્યતા હોય તો કોઇપણ જાતની એવી સમજૂતી કર્યા વગર જ તમે સફળતા મેળવી શકો છો. પણ સત્યનો એક નિયમ એ પણ છે કે આવી અઇચ્છનીય સમજૂતીના અભાવમાં યોગ્ય હોવા છતાં આવી યુવતીઓ પાછળ રહી જાય છે.

જયારે ઓછી લાયકાતવાળી આવી સમજૂતીથી ઉંચા સ્થાને પહાચી જાય છે. શું આજની સ્પર્ધાત્મક દોડમાં આગળ નીકળી જવા માટે પ્રગતિશીલ વિચારવાળી સ્ત્રીઓ યૌન સમજૂતીના ત્રાસમાંથી બચી શકશે કે આ જાતની સમજૂતી આજના અપરિર્વિતત થઇ રહેલ યુગમાં જરૂરીયાત બની જશે?

Bhavnath Temple Shivratri 5 Day Festival Fair Begins

2011-02-26T17:56:00.012+05:30

For, a mega medical camp has been organized by a team of Praveen Sinha, inspector general of police (IGP), Junagadh Range, in association with Junagadh District Panchayat, Civil hospital, Indian Medical Association (Junagadh chapter), Trimurti Hospital and local charitable institutions at the fair for the first time. The five-day annual event at Girnar Mountain in Junagadh City town will start from February 26 and end on March 2.

The medical services will be available round the clock. There will be physicians, orthopedics, cardiologist, paediatrics, psychiatrics, dentists, eye specialists, ENT surgeon, gynaecologists, skin specialists, pathologists and others.

As per Latest Praveen Sinha Interviews, he said that, "Religious preacher Morari Bapu has kindly consented to inaugurate the camp on Saturday morning. We have established a temporary hospital at Bhavnath Mandir gate in Junagadh. There will be all kinds of disciplines available free of cost."

"We have tied up with private hospitals in order to get all kinds of medical facility for patients. Super-specialist doctors will be available at camp. We are expecting at least 5,000 patients to be treated everyday during the five-day camp. The camp is limited not only to pilgrims, but for all. Anybody can come here."

"The idea is to serve people, mostly poor who come to Bhavnath fair from different parts of the state. Every year, more than seven lakh people visit the fair. Also, we have arranged for surgical operations. If doctors find during check-ups that a patient needs surgery, they will recommend him or her to a hospital where that person will be provided free operation."

Bhavnath fair is held every year at the Bhavnath Shiv Mahadev Temple near Damodar Kund at Girnar Mountain in Junagadh District. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and a lot of revelry goes on at the Shiva temple.

Naga Sadhus also visit the temple and their procession to the temple on the evening of Mahashivratri is a major attraction. Grand puja of Lord Shiva is conducted in the midnight of Mahashivratri.

Sakkarbaug Zoo - First Vulture Chick born 2011

2011-02-16T13:33:00.008+05:30

At 1st February 2011, a chick was born at the zoo's Vulture Conservation and Breeding Center. In a significant development for the conservation of the endangered white backed vultures, the Sakkarbaug Zoo here has succeeded in breeding vultures in captivity.

Sakkarbaug is one of the five captive vulture breeding centers in the country.

As per Latest Zoo Director V J Rana Interviews, he said that, “This is good news for the species which faces extinction.”

“We have created all the required facilities at the center such as artificial nesting sites and trees. We maintained its food habits regularly and success came after one-and-a-half years.”

"Most of these vultures were injured by kite strings during the kite festival.''

"We have been closely monitoring the chick and its mother and are hopeful of further other eggs hatching as well. November to March is considered as breeding seasons for the vulture. Among the 43 vultures here are the white backed vulture, long billed vultures and Egyptian vultures, which have been rescued from various parts of the state such as Ahmedabad, Rajula, Bajana, Surat, Gandhinagar City, Dhrangdhra City, Vyara, Amreli, Morbi City and Junagadh”

Forest officials say that only Pinjore Vulture Breeding Center Haryana has succeeded in breeding vultures in captivity.

Sakkarbaug zoo is known for its conservation programmes. Currently, the zoo is running conservation and breeding programmes for the Asiatic lion, vultures, Indian wolf, Indian wild ass, Asiatic cheetah and the four-horned antelope with aid from the Central Zoo Authority of India.

Junagadh Police Range Inter Districts Sports Meet 2011

2011-02-11T18:22:00.004+05:30

From 10th February 2011, Thursday, The two day Junagadh Police range Inter Districts Sports Meet 2011 began which is organized by Junagadh District Police Staff Department.

Policemen from four districts - Bhavnagar, Amreli, Junagadh and Porbandar -will take part in various competitions. More than 500 participants, from constables to superintendents of police (SPs) will participate in the two-day event.

As per Latest Praveen Sinha Interviews, who is inspector general of police (IGP) of Junagadh Range, said that, "There will be about 22 sporting events and this time, we have included boxing, swimming and table tennis as well. We are organizing the range level sports competitions for the second consecutive year. The idea is to create a sporting culture within the police department. Fitness, stamina and good health are important aspects of better policing. Sports also help create team spirit."

The event started at 8 am on Thursday in presence of Vikas Sahay, (IPS), director, Sports Authority of Gujarat.

All the winners in each category will be given prizes at concluding ceremony.
Director General of police (DGP) Chitranjan Singh will be present at the concluding ceremony.

Horse Riding Club for People of Junagadh City District by Junagadh Police Department

2011-01-26T11:26:00.008+05:30

Do you have hobby or interest to learn Horse Riding and if you are living in Junagadh City District area then this one good news for you that,

The district police have started a horse riding club for the people of Junagadh. A one-month basic course has been conceptualized for those interested in horse riding at Junagadh Police Mounted Club. The mounted unit of Junagadh police has 30 Kathiyavadi and Marwadi horses.

As per Latest Dipanker Trivedi Interviews, who is district superintendent of police, "The first batch has 20 people. The strength of the batch will be increased gradually. Both men and women can join the club.''

"Trained horse riders of police department will teach horse riding to the club members and also stable management during the one-month course. They will also be trained in cross country riding. We have also planned an advance training course. There will be special arrangements like change rooms for women riders."

As per Latest Praveen Sinha Interviews, who is inspector general of police Junagadh Range said that, "The horse riding club will act as a good platform to bring people and police closer and in promoting equestrian sports. Our focus will be on enrolling more youths. Horse riding will help the youth in the development of their overall personality. Moreover, horse riding is tradition in the region. This kind of activity also will keep the tradition alive."

"We are also motivating police recruits to join the mounted unit of the police. Junagadh club will be the second horse riding club in Saurashtra managed by the mounted unit of the police. The R D Zala Horse Riding Club of Bhavnagar police is considered one of the best. The game of polo is fast catching up in Bhavnagar. We want the same to happen here."

Sasan Gir National Park Girnar Mountain visit cancelled by Jairam Ramesh

2011-01-25T16:30:00.007+05:30

Jairam Ramesh who is Union minister for environment and forests was to visit Sasan Gir Asiatic Lion Sanctuary and the site of proposed ropeway project at Mountains Girnar in Junagadh district had cancelled the programme at the last moment, leaving many people disappointed and I am also.

He was to arrive at Sasan Gir on the night of January 14. On Saturday morning, the he was to see the Asiatic lions at the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and then visit the proposed site of Girnar Ropeway Project, which awaits clearance from his ministry and is delayed for various reasons.

The project went for approval to the Union ministry of environment and forests after the 178.88 sq km area, including Mount Girnar in Girnar forest, was declared as wildlife sanctuary in 2008.

As per Latest Junagadh BJP MLA Mahendra Masharu Interviews, he said that, "We have made several representations and also sent one lakh signatures to the Union environment ministry, asking that the project be given the nod. When we met Jairam Ramesh in Delhi, he assured us that he would visit the place, but has not been able to do so far. We urge him to either visit the site at the earliest or give nod to the project."

Junagadh Agricultural University – will Launch two bio-pesticides

2011-01-17T21:28:00.007+05:30

During the university's convocation, on 15th January 2011, The Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) will launch two bio-pesticides under the brand name of 'Savaj' (Lion).

This products will kill pests in different crops effectively and being eco-friendly they will not harm farmers while spraying.

As per Latest N C Patel Interviews, who is vice-chancellor or JAU, said that, “Our scientists have tested them on different crops and found that the results are encouraging. We have also conducted training programs for farmers on how to use these pesticides. Savaj HNPV prevents the Helicoverpa armigera in different crops while Savaj SNPV controls the Spodoptera litura in different crops.”

“We will see the farmer's experience on large scale and accordingly we will continue to produce it in our Microbial Insecticide Production Unit at JAU.”

“SNPV works against the S Litura, a polyphagous pest which damages cotton, castor, cabbage, groundnut, cauliflower and tobacco. Farmers use chemical insecticides indiscriminately to manage the pests but it also creates environmental problems. But bio-pesticide is safer and eco-friendly.”

It will be in liquid form and each tin will contain 250 ML.

Famous Veteran Singer Dilip Dholakia Birth place Junagadh Old Time Memories

2011-01-05T22:24:00.006+05:30

Singer of the immortal number 'Taaro aankh no afini' in 1950s and composer of Bollywood song 'Ja ja re chanda ja re,' sung by Lata Mangeshkar, yes I am talking about Dilip Dholakia died of a massive heart attack on Sunday in Mumbai.

Dilip Dholakia shares Birth place Junagadh Saurashtra Gujarat with poet Narsinh Mehta is known as a legendary singer and composer of Gujarati and Hindi cinema.

He accompanied his grandfather at the age of seven to sing bhajans at Swaminarayan Mandir Junagadh City and had learnt singing from Pandurang Amberkar, a disciple of Khan Saheb Aman Ali Khan.

It was after recording the song 'Thukra rahi hai duniya,' with KL Saigal in chorus for the film Bhanwara, in 1944 that he attained success.

As per Latest Singer Manhar Udhas Interviews, who closely worked with him during the song recording of Subhash Ghai-directed 'Hero'in 1980, which had Laxmikant-Pyarelal as music composers, whom he assisted for more than 15 years, said about him, "I have grown up listening to his music, which is immortal. My concerts are not complete without songs composed and sung by him."

Dholakia started his career in Mumbai as a clerk with Bombay government's Home department where he served for two years. During that period he was selected as an artist in All India Radio, Mumbai, which operated from the same building.

Later, he went on to compose music for more than eight Hindi films and made singers like Mohd Rafi, Manna Dey and Geeta Roy sing to his tunes.

He has also composed music for 11 Gujarati films, including Satyawam Savitri, Kankoo and Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

As per Latest Rajat Dholakia Interviews, who is his son, said that, "His death is a big loss not just for the family but the music industry as it is hard to have the spontaneity and creativeness that he had with composition. He always believed that he didn't make music but puts life into songs which is why he didn't have a particular song as favourite; all his songs were favourites."

As per Latest Music Composer Uday Majumdar Interviews, who is family friend, said that, "He always said that take music out of my life and I am dead. Two days back, when he was in the hospital, I had organised an event to honour him on his 90th birthday which he wanted to attend; but as doctors were against it, we recorded him singing on the hospital bed and screened it during the show."

Girnar Mountain Climbing Competition 2011

2011-01-02T10:59:00.008+05:30

At 3rd January 2011, 17th Open Girnar Mountain Climbing Competition 2011 will be held in Junagadh City Saurashtra Gujarat.

Some 1,673 participants have registered for this unforgettable event.

As to win and beat others some have already started practicing before months ago.

Let’s know in detail from Nayan Thorat who is District sports officer, he said that,

"Participants from Junagadh, Rajkot, Amreli, Jamnagar, Surendranagar, Kutch and other districts of the state have sent their entries."

One of the biggest main role in to organize this events like, state sports, cultural and youth affairs department and district administration.

To review competition arrangements, District collector Banchha Nidhiyani, met to district officers of various departments.

One famous place name “Mahant Mangalnathji Ashram Bhavnath” from where this event will start.

Junagadh Sakkarbaug Zoo - Asiatic Lions Pair given to Mysore Zoo

2010-12-30T16:06:00.015+05:30

After completing all technical and administrative formalities in this regard, Junagadh Sakkarbaug Zoo will give Asiatic Lions Pair to Mysore Zoo in exchange for other animals.

The exchange, to take place soon, between the two zoos comes in the wake of a request made in this connection a few months ago to Gujarat Chief minister Narendra Modi by legendary leg spinner Anil Kumble.

As per Latest Forest Department Director V J Rana Interviews, he said that, "Mysore Zoo will give us Indian bison, common marmoset, giant squirrel, Lady Amhrest pheasant, Kalij pheasant and green pheasant. The exchange of the animal and bird species will take place in the last week of January 2011."

"A new facility to accommodate the birds and the mammal is being made at the zoo. They will be on public display from February 2011."

The Sakkarbaug Zoo has over 1,000 different species of animals including a cheetah, which was brought from Singapore in exchange for an Asiatic lion. There are four cheetahs in the zoo, of which two are males and two females.

Junagadh News – Cotton Quality may damaged by Rain after Diwali

2010-11-12T21:26:00.003+05:30

Ginners are worried lot because of heavy rain that lashed parts of Saurashtra region appears to have caused considerable damage to the cotton growers as the rainfall will have adverse impact on the quality of the cotton.

Unseasonal rainfall will play spoilsport for the crops, especially cotton.

As per Latest Bharat Wala who is president of Saurashtra Ginners Association that represents 540 ginning units in the region, said that, “The rainfall will have reverse impact on quality of cotton production. We are getting reports of impact of rainfall on cotton from various parts of the region. As of now, we can't say exactly but I am afraid the quality will suffer a lot after this rain," said Wala. He said the region produces 70 per cent of total cotton in the state and that is why the rain was causing worry to farmers and ginners in the region. "It is expected that 1.30 lakh bales of cotton will be produced in the state in this season”

Rainfall was reported in Bhavnagar District, Amreli District and Junagadh Districts. According to district flood control room officials, in Amreli district, Savarkundla received 56 mm rainfall, Khambha received 55 mm, Dhari received 41 mm, Jafrabad received 45 mm, Amreli 25 mm, Liliya 24 mm and Babra received 11 mm rainfall. Apart from Amreli district, parts of Junagadh district, mostly coastal areas, received significant rainfall. Officials said that Una received 44 mm rainfall, Talala (19 mm) Kodinar (57 mm), Keshod (13 mm), (15 mm) and MangrolSutrapada received 14 mm rainfall.

Junagadh News – Amitabh Bachchan in Rangoli this Diwali

2010-11-09T15:43:00.009+05:30

This Diwali, Amitabh Bachchan was in Rangoli in Junagadh City by one Kathiyavadi.
Just Watch this video, to know how it can be possible.

Choki Sorath Police Training Academy Junagadh District News Gujarat India

2010-05-26T14:41:00.005+05:30

13,000 constables and 868 sub-inspectors are being hired but four training academies can only support 1,640 personnel at a time.

The sudden recruitment of police personnel in the state on a large scale has left the police training departments in a fix as they have neither the capacity nor adequate trainers to manage it. The drive has also resulted in delaying the recruitment of sub-inspectors.

The four police training institutes in the state — Gujarat State Police Training Academy at Karai in Gandhinagar, Police Training Academy at Vadodara, at Police Training CollegeJunagadh City and SRP Training Centre also at Choki Sorath in Junagadh District — have a total capacity to accommodate only 1,640 police personnel while the drive is for recruiting 13,000 constables and 868 sub-inspectors.

Sudhir Sinha, ADGP (Law and Order), said: “Over 16,000 police personnel need to be trained this time, which is the case of the largest recruitment drive ever undertaken in one season. The institutes have a limited capacity and do not even have enough trainers.”

Sinha added: “Sensing the crunch, the state police has decided to postpone the recruitment of sub-inspectors, which was to take place by April-end. Now, it will be conducted six months later.

The candidates would be distributed among all the four institutes whose capacity would be possibly doubled. But it has not been decided as to how to manage the shortage of trainers.”

The first group of constables to undergo training would be SRPF recruits, who would be appointed by July. They will undergo eight months of training starting next month. This will be followed by other constables, who would be given four months of training.

Rajnish Rai, the principal of the SRP Police Training Centre at Choki Sorath, said: “We have not been told how the recruits would be accommodated. Candidates could possibly be sent out of Gujarat for training. But that depends on the permission. We were in a crunch situation last year also when more than 5,000 SRPF candidates were sent for training.”

Sources said some candidates may be sent out of Gujarat for training, but premier training institutes for NSG and BSF would not take more than four to five personnel from Gujarat at a time. In order to train all the recruits, the training period may be shortened, said sources.

The Karai Training Institute has been facing trainer crunch for a long time. Earlier also, the institute had to rope in retired servicemen for the work.

The state government had put a freeze on police recruitment in 1990, which had left 20,000 posts vacant last year.

The Gujarat Police have a sanctioned strength of 75,000 personnel.

Talala Gir Forest Junagadh District - mild tremor experienced

2010-05-18T17:45:00.012+05:30

At 16th May – 2010, mild tremor was experienced in Gir Forest in Junagadh District.

Junagadh District Collector A M Parmar said that, "The tremor measuring 2.9 on Richter scale was experienced this afternoon but no casualties was reported.”

According to the official, the epicenter of the tremor was 50 kms north of Talala Gir Town in the district, where the Famous Gir Lion Sanctuary is located.

Mendarda Taluka Check Dam Junagadh District Water Problem News Gujarat India

2010-05-16T11:01:00.009+05:30

In this Junagadh District, water is available in plenty. Eleven years ago, people of Jamka village constructed 55 Check Dams without seeking any help from the Gujarat Government; today, they are functioning without any snag.

Even as water crisis looms large in the region and sowing has reduced to half this summer in Saurashtra, farmers of Jamka village in Mendarda taluka of Junagadh district are busy cultivating millet, pulses, sesame and sugarcane over one lakh hectares.

The village has recorded 100 per cent cultivation this season. This is because water is available in bore wells to irrigate fields. “Water is available at just 40-50 feet depth in bore wells.

Most of the bore wells in the village are active and there is no water shortage,” said village sarpanch Purshottam Sidhpara. Besides, the water level in the two bore wells constructed by the nagarpalika to supply drinking water is quite high.

When many parts of Saurashtra are reeling under scarcity, Jamka village is somewhat unimpacted, thanks to the hard work the villagers did 11 years ago. Mansukh Suvagiya, a farmer-turned-industrialist in Saurashtra, had then come up with a design of a small dam.

He had convinced the villagers to build such dams on their own, with no help from the government. A fund of Rs 45 lakh was raised by villagers for construction of small dams. In the summer of 1999, as many as 55 dams and five ponds were constructed in the village that has a population of little over 3,000. When it rained that year, the water level came up because of the check dams and the ponds, and the village could overcome the drought situation it had been facing for five years.

The water table in the area rose from 500-600 feet to 40-50 feet. The villagers said the level has been like that ever since. The drive by the villagers became such a success that the Gujarat government, considering it a model measure to deal with drought, introduced check dam scheme across the state and decided to fund 60 per cent of the total expenses.

Suvagiya, who runs Jal Kranti Trust, said: “Even then, we were quite clear that it is our problem and we will solve it ourselves. For the same reason, the villagers agreed not to seek government help.” The 55 check dams built then are perfect in design and are functioning even after 11 years.

“The villagers were involved in each and every aspect of constructing the check dam as they wanted their money to be used for the right cause. And that is the reason why we have check dams of such good quality,” said Chunibhai Sidhpara, a villager.

Even today, the village has a committee to keep an eye on the maintenance of check dams and ponds. “A regular follow up is required to check for leaks or any other damage to the dams,” said Sidhpara.

Gir National Park Forest Department Junagadh District News – NIFT Design Uniforms

2010-05-15T21:59:00.007+05:30

The new uniforms will have camouflage patterns with anti-bacterial finishing; may take over two months to come.

Over 400 field staff manning the Brihud (Greater) Gir National Park and Sanctuary in Junagadh District will soon have chic and comfortable uniforms designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) Ahmedabad. The new uniforms will be of camouflage patterns with anti-bacterial finishing.

A three-member committee comprising Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife Crime Cell) D K Sharma, Gujarat Medicinal Plant Board CEO S C Pant and NIFT director will supervise the plan.

Associate Professor Vishal Gupta of NIFT-Fashion Designer, said: “NIFT did a survey on women beat guards and found that they prefer trousers. Our aim is to make the uniform more comfortable for them as they are on duty for over 12 hours every day. The fabric remains the same i e Polyester Viscose.

But it will now have an anti-bacterial finish and crotch guard, so that it is comfortable as well as rough and rough.”

There are some small modifications suggested in the prototype presented before the committee, D K Sharma said.

“Earlier, there were no bags or pockets. It became arduous and uneasy for the foresters to handle the burden all the time. The new uniforms have been designed keeping all these factors into account. There is a small rucksack so that the officers can carry their water bottles, wireless and other important accessories at work,” he added.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Administration, Pradeep Khanna said: “The prototype will be shown to the field staff, and then we will decide if the uniform is suitable for them. This might take two months or more.”

Kodinar Junagadh District News – Shilpa Vala Volleyball Master from Saurashtra

2010-05-13T11:27:00.006+05:30

When the nearly six-feet-tall Shilpa Vala catches a flight to Kuala Lumpur to represent India in the Asian Youth Girls Championships starting on May 20, she will become only the second girl from Gujarat to represent the country in volleyball.

But in Kodinar Town, her small hometown in Junagadh District, people may not be surprised. Volleyball runs in her genes. So much so that her four other sisters too play competitive volleyball. Shilpa's younger sister Geeta is a blocker.

She didn't make the cut for Kuala Lumpur, but is among the standbys. Elder sisters Shobhna (now working in a private firm in Junagadh) and Varsha have represented Gujarat. The youngest, Chetna, has already played two sub-junior nationals. In fact, when Gujarat beat Himachal Pradesh to win the gold at the National School Games near Gwalior in 2007, the entire team comprised of the Vala sisters. Varsha, Geeta and Shilpa teamed up with their cousins Parita, Nehal and Alpa. Shilpa's uncle and Parita's father Varjagha Vala was the coach. Despite the natural talent, life has not been easy for the Vala sisters as their father Maraman Vala, a small farmer, could barely make ends meet. Besides, their conservative Rajput community did not appreciate women playing competitive sport. "People would gossip behind our backs about the short dresses we wore while playing volleyball," Shilpa says.

"Who will marry these girls, they would ask. How can their parents let them stay away from home for days together? There was also fear of our family being boycotted. But our parents only encouraged us."

"Though I am not well-educated, I knew my daughters would do well if they studied and played hard. So I decided to support them," says Vala who arrived at the Sports Authority of India centre in Gandhinagar on Tuesday to see his daughters at a camp held there.

The achievements of the girls have brought more acceptances for the family. "People come to meet us and ask about our experiences. Volleyball is very popular in our village so some even come for training. Things are changing," says Shilpa.

Visavadar Taluka Junagadh District News – Eleven black bucks found dead

2010-05-12T11:33:00.007+05:30

Eleven black bucks were today found dead on the outskirts of Gir Forest area in Visavadar Taluka in Junagadh District of Gujarat. Forest officials are trying to ascertain the cause of the deaths.

They suspect that this could be due to some kind of poisoning of the water nearby. "Carcasses of 11 black bucks were found in the revenue area of Visavadar taluka," Range Forest Officer, Junagadh District, Sudhir Chaturvedi.

"These were found at five different places near the border of Kanavadla and Nana Hadmatiya villages. Three of the black bucks were males and eight were females," he said.

All the carcasses have been sent for post-mortem and forest officials are trying to identify the cause behind the death of these animals, he added.

Kesar Mango Keri – The real taste of Mango

2010-05-11T11:12:00.012+05:30

With a rich haul of Kesar mangoes, the Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation has decided to brand the fruit nationally. Production of the fruit is estimated to cross 10 lakh tonnes this season.

The Junagadh Agriculture University and the GAIC have estimated the production of Kesar at 10 lakh tonnes, which is more than three times the production registered last year.
The Corporation is also planning to certify naturally ripened Kesar mangoes and build Brand Kesar to market the fruit nationally as well as internationally.

As part of the Corporation’s efforts to distribute the fruit nationally, 50,000 boxes of Kesar will be transported to the Delhi Haat for display and sale.

“The sale of Kesar Keri is the highest in Ahmedabad City. People in Delhi are hardly aware of the taste of the mango. An effort will be made to popularize the fruit by encouraging people to taste the fruit. No one can resist the taste. We are confident that they will keep coming back for more,” said D Thara, Managing Director of the GAIC.

The GAIC is also in touch with the National Horticulture Board Gurgaon. The Board has tie-ups with several malls in Delhi. The mangoes will be distributed through these malls.
Once the fruit gains popularity in Delhi, it will be then distributed across six major cities including Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata.

Thara said that to get certification, the fruits will have to meet the standards prescribed for organic mangoes.

The managing director said the production of mango has been good due to good weather. “We have decided to export Kesar Mangoes in a big way.

We have invited the opinion of traders regarding possible markets where the fruits can be sold. We have a rich tradition to live up to. Gujarat will turn 50 on May 1 but the Kesar is 75 years old. We will celebrate its diamond jubilee with passion.”

Sasan Gir National Park Sanctuary

2010-05-08T10:05:00.011+05:30

Last but not the least is the people's participation that was given credit for the spectacular increase in the population. "We got the maximum of people's participation in the census process this time. Lots and lots of volunteers had joined the exercise," the forest department stated.

Be that as it may, the main functionaries in lion conservation are the residents of the surrounding villages, who do not flinch when a lion kills their livestock. How possessive the villagers are about the lions is evident from this incident of 2007.

Soon after the poaching incidents in 2007, the forest department was seeking help from the villagers for better protection of the lions. The villagers said they would help the department only if it promised that it would not take away any of the lions (meaning, the relocation proposal of the central government).

"'You do not worry about the lions preying on our livestock that is our internal issue. The lions are part of our family; we can deal with them. But don't take them away,' the villagers told me. I was totally impressed by their humane legacy," Modi said.

Much as the king of the jungle gets the lion's share of attention, one should not overlook the other wildlife which keeps the ecosystem robust. Principal Secretary, department of environment and forests, Gujarat, SK Nanda said all volunteers had reported sighting large numbers of sambars, retells and porcupines. "The population of Sambar is estimated to be around 48,000, there are 250 leopards in the Gir Jungle and 1,070 all over Gujarat," he said.

Narendra Modi Interview – About Asiatic Lions Census Method at Sasan Gir National Park

2010-05-06T11:44:00.008+05:30

Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modisaid the world should notice the scientific approach used in the lion census by Gujarat State this time. "Institutes should conduct a scientific study of this method and get it replicated in other wildlife censuses too," he added.

He said that, earlier, the census was carried out in a rather arbitrary manner, seeking input from passers-by about lion sightings and estimating their population on the basis of attacks made on other animals. But this time, the method used was technologically very robust.

According to the information given by the department, the special features of the latest census were the use of GIS, GPS and wireless technologies for effective coordination. Proper documentation was done for each observation. Through direct sighting, the animals were identified by distinct body-marks.

Each team involved in the census was to record these body-marks and other details such as time of the sighting, to and fro directional movement, etc, on a form prepared by the forest department. Digital pictures were also taken for the records.

Summer is the best time to conduct this exercise as the number of water resources gets restricted. Lions and other wild animals need to drink at least once in 24 hours. This makes it comparatively easy to decide the places in the jungle where the animals could collect.

The available water sources and probable places where the lions could visit were surveyed during the forest department's nine-month-long pre-census exercise.

"Long ranging animals like lions are not confined to man-made ecological boundaries. Keeping this in mind, a beat was decided as the smallest geographical unit inside the Gir protected area and a village was taken as the smallest unit outside Gir Jungle," chief wildlife warden RV Asari said.

The exercise to record the numbers and movement of the lions had begun nine months back. Based on the observations made during this period, 641 probable sites were identified where the chances of finding the lions were the highest. Also, data of the hunts of the last 10 years were analyzed. Gir National Park and the adjoining areas were divided into seven regions, 28 zones, and 100 sub-zones for the census.

At the last count, 135 officers, 450 enumerators, 900 assistants, 134 volunteers, 49 photographers, 13 doctors and 12 researchers were part of the census team.

Junagadh News – Amreli is rival as host of lions in Gujarat

2010-05-05T11:38:00.009+05:30

Gujarat's Junagadh District seems to getting tough competition from Amreli District, a neighboring district, as a host of the coveted Asiatic lions. As many as 108 lions have been sighted in Amreli which is second only to Junagadh City where 270 have been recorded.

Incidentally, the Gir National Park and Sanctuary is located in Junagadh. While Bhavnagar's grasslands are emerging as a favorite of the king of the jungle, not a single lion has been recorded in Porbandar district.

The latest census has reported the existence of 77 cubs less than one year old, and 75 cubs aged less than three. "40% of the lion population is 'youth', similar to India's human population," Modi quipped as he announced the census results on Sunday.

Rajkot Junagadh Amreli District Received Untimely Rain Hailstones

2010-05-04T12:16:00.008+05:30

Amid the heat wave in the state, some parts of Saurashtra, including Rajkot District, Junagadh District and Amreli District, received untimely showers and hailstones on Thursday late evening.

While roads in Jetpur City in Rajkot District were covered by hailstones, traffic was disturbed in Dhoraji City following uprooting of trees on the state highway. The fall of hailstones, which lasted nearly half an hour on Thursday, took the Jetpur City residents by surprise.

The fall of the hailstones brought down the temperature in the town which was reeling under the scorching heat of 41 to 42 degree Celsius. Jamkandrona, also in Rajkot district, also saw fall of hailstones. Following the high speed wind and showers, many trees were reportedly uprooted on the state highway between Dhoraji and Jamkandorna.

According to the district police control room, it took a couple of hours to move the uprooted trees and clear the road for traffic on the highway. According to Met department reports, several villages in Jamkandorna, Jetpur and Dhoraji talukas received 0.5 to 0.75 inch rainfall.

Bagasara Town in Amreli district also received showers along with high-speed wind. Following a heavy shower, the roads in the town were flooded with water. Besides, Dhari and Kukavav in Junagadh District also received a sharp spell of showers.

Sasan Gir National Park News - Asiatic Lion Census Completed

2010-04-29T16:39:00.012+05:30

The four-day exercise to count the number of Asiatic Lions at its only abode in the Gir Forest in Junagadh District Saurashtra region of Gujarat concluded.

Officials engaged in the census, refused to be drawn into the number game till all reports were cross-checked and tabulations completed, but preliminary information indicate a steady rise in the lion population in “Greater Gir,” including areas outside the Gir National Park where lions have strayed into lately.

Forest department sources said the lion population could have increased to 390 to 400 despite incidents of poaching and natural deaths during the last five years. In the last census, held in 2005, the count was put at 359 (plus minus 10).

The final result is expected to be announced on the Gujarat Foundation Day at 1st May - 2010.

Junagadh Agriculture University JAU - Two News Varieties of Groundnut

2010-04-28T11:47:00.009+05:30

There is good news for farmers in the drought-prone Gujarat. Junagadh Agriculture University(JAU) scientists have developed two new varieties of groundnut — one for Kharif Crops and other for summer season. Both varieties promise to give better yield per hectare leading to reduced consumption of water, pesticides and fertilizers.

The varieties, named as Groundnut-9 and GG-31, were cleared by the Agriculture Research and Extension Council, the apex body in the state in agricultural research, at a recent meet held at JAU. At the meet, attended by leading scientists and top officials of all the four agriculture universities, including Junagadh Agriculture University Vice Chancellor N C Patel and Anand Agriculture University Vice Chancellor M C Vaishnav, 16 new varieties of various crops including sesame, millet, brinjal, turmeric and chilly were introduced.

Following the clearance to new varieties by the apex body, the two seeds will now be taken for multiplication by the university and in a year’s time they will be available in the market.

R L Savaliya, Director, Education department at JAU, said that Groundnut-9 is a Kharif variety which can give a yield of 1,632 kg per hectare. The three sub-varieties of Groundnut-9, including JG2, JG5 and JG7, give 30 per cent, 20.5 per cent and 15.5 per cent higher yield. It also gives higher kernel yield and has better oil percentage. Besides, it is tolerant to stem rot decease and pests like Gassid Thrises.

The second variety that has also got clearance from the apex body is a special summer variety – GG-31 – that gives 36.9 per cent higher yield. It has showed superiority in the quality of pod and kernel. This variety has been recommended for summer season because of is higher resistance to Gassid Thrises, halophiles and incidences of bud necrosis.

Junagadh Ahmedabad Rajkot Surat Vapi Cities Pollution Gujarat India

2010-04-26T11:25:00.009+05:30

According to a recent report on pollution, Gujarat State - the second most polluted state in India after Uttar Pradesh - has nine places including Ankleshwar City, Vapi City, Vatva Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad City, Bhavnagar City, Junagadh City, Vadodara City, Rajkot City and Surat City which figure in the "severe level of pollution" areas.

And climatologists say that the rising level of pollution is becoming one of the key factors that affects climate variability and occurrence of extreme weather conditions like heat waves and heavy rainfall, in Gujarat. Rising temperature in the state is one of the major concerns that Gujarat State is facing right now, data collected by the city's India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows.

Meteorological records compiled over the past 40 years by IMD notes that the majority of the trends which include increase in frequency of heat wave conditions, both seasonal and annual, showed increasing levels in temperature.

The results of an in-depth-study conducted by IMD reveal that Gujarat showed a significant increase in minimum temperature during winter and annual mean temperature of Gujarat as a whole has also increased.

The IMD had gridded data of minimum temperatures over entire Gujarat during the period 1969 to 2005 and the results show an increasing trend of normal temperatures increasing by 0.107 degree Celsius during the past 40 years.

North and south Gujarat were analyzed separately and in general the rise in temperature was found to be highest in Saurashtra and Kutch, as compared to the north. And this conclusion becomes clear when the recent report of the most polluted spots shows that nine regions in Gujarat have reached a critical level of pollution.

"Pollutions certainly affecting and supporting rising temperature," confirms Dr. Kamaljit Ray, director of IMD, Ahmedabad. "Pollution certainly can be one of the prime factors for this temperature increase. Due to pollution, there are more gases in the air which trap more heat and the greenhouse affect keeps multiplying," adds Ray.

IMD's research notes that while frequency of heat waves conditions is on the increase, cold wave conditions have decreased drastically over the past decades.

Asiatic Lions Census India – 200 cameras for Sasan Gir National Park

2010-04-22T09:43:00.006+05:30

The 13th Asiatic Lion Population Estimates 2010 will begin on April 24 in Greater Gir Sanctuary, which includes Gir National Park and Sanctuary. The area is spread in four - Junagadh Districts, Amreli Districts, Bhavnagar Districts and Porbandar Districts.

Principal sectary forest and environment department SK Nanda informed the media on Tuesday that the population estimates this time will be different from the earlier exercises.

"For the first time, we are using 100 GPS equipment, 200 cameras and 100 special camera teams for making an accurate documentation of the lions and keeping the exercise error free.

Another first is that the exercise will also incorporate Greater Gir," Nanda said and added that the many non-forest staff as ex-government officials, doctors, journalists, nature lovers would participate in the exercise.

"We have identified 450 locations in the Greater Gir area where enumerators will take estimate of the lions," he said.

Giving details of schedule, Pradeep Khanna, PCCF, Gujarat, said the exercise will start on April 24 and continue till April 27.The findings will be announced on April 29. "About 1,600 people will take part in the survey, out of which 100 will be volunteers," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, senior IFS officer RV Asari, the nodal officer for the survey, said, in order to make a comprehensive survey, the Greater Gir Jungle area has been divided into seven regions, 28 zones and 100 sub-zones.

Sasan Gir National Park Gujarat Looking at return of Asiatic Cheetah

2010-04-21T10:02:00.007+05:30

Gujarat State is willing to examine the remote possibility of the almost extinct Asiatic cheetah being reintroduced into its old home in the state, an official said Tuesday.

Pradeep Khanna, principal chief conservator of forests, while admitting in reply to a question that the possibility was remote, was nevertheless willing to examine the feasibility of such a move.

“Like Gujarat is the sole abode of the Asiatic Lion in the world, Iran is the only place where the Asiatic cheetah now survives. And it is critically endangered with less than 100 of them left,” he added.

Khanna said that the chances of Iran agreeing to part with any of its specimen of this carnivore were very remote. “We have four of the African variety in the Sakkarbaug Zoo Junagadh City but have had no success in breeding them in captivity,” he added.

Khanna said that for the very reason that the state was opposed to parting with the Asiatic lions for the proposed Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary Madhya Pradesh.

“While lions would never thrive in the proposed Madhya Pradesh sanctuary, we would like to study and survey, even involve the wildlife institute in it before arriving at some conclusion on a tiger reserve. Dangs in Gujarat was tiger country but these animals perished over time,” he said.

“So we need to address the reasons that caused their disappearance and remove them before we initiate any move afresh to bring them back,” he added.

Somnath Mandir Gujarat India – with wireless surveillance system

2010-04-20T10:11:00.006+05:30

Gujarat State Police has allotted Rs 50 lakh for purchase and implement a wireless surveillance system on the Somnath Mandir Coastal Area.

The system once installed would keep vigil over five nautical mile coast from Somnath Mandir. Gujarat Police Chief S.S.Khandwawala, Coast Guard (Gujarat) Chief Satyakumar Sharma, DIG Pravin Sinha and District Chief of police from Junagadh District, Porbandar District and Amreli District took a glance of system in Junagadh City where cameras were put at five places for demonstration.

Gujarat State Police Chief Khandwawala briefed the reporters that this system would connect all 26 police stations of Junagadh State. After planting such cameras on all main roads of the district, the police would be able to trace suspects from Somnath Temple to Junagadh.

Khandwawala said the district of Junagadh has been selected as model district and Rs 50 lakh are to be allotted for that.

Khandwawala and state Coast Guard Chief Satyakumar Sharma took area survey of Junagadh district’s coastal areas from Keshod Town. They also visited Somnath.

Asiatic Lions Population Sasan Gir Jungle Junagadh District Gujarat India

2010-04-19T11:43:00.011+05:30

The suspense that has built up over the last five years over the lion population in Sasan Gir Jungle will end within 72 hours of April 24, when the scheduled Asiatic Lions census in the region begins. But the exact number by which the population of the Asiatic Lions in Gir Wildlife Forest has risen will be known only on May 1, when Gujarat turns 50 as an independent state.

The census will be carried out by a team of 1,300 volunteers who will be joined by senior state foresters and big cat experts drawn from all over the country. Spotting the lion king was never easy but foresters are hoping that technology will come to their aid this time.

This is the first time that the lion census is being conducted on such a massive scale over a large area and much more scientifically than in previous years. The laborers, forest staff and volunteers involved in the census will fan out over 300 beats carved out of a 5,000 sq km area called the Greater Gir.

Seven regions were identified; these were then divided into zones, sub-zones and beats. This is also the first time that the ‘Greater Gir’ region which includes areas in – Amreli Districts, Junagadh Districts, Bhavnagar Districts and Porbandar Districts- is to be covered for the census. Earlier, it was restricted to the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary spread over an area of 1,412 sq km.

The inclusion of other areas for the census is a restrained admission by the establishment that the lion habitat has now expanded much beyond the sanctuary area. The majestic beast is now steadily reclaiming its traditional corridor all the way from Porbandar to Bhavnagar.

The last lion census of 2005, which stated that the lion population in the Gir sanctuary was 359, was conducted by identification of pug marks. This time the methodology of ‘direct sighting’ will be used. Under this method, specific body marks will be identified and uploaded into the GPS device carried by each team. This data will be available to all other teams simultaneously.

“It will reduce redundancies to a great extent, but not completely,” said principal chief conservator of forests, Pradip Khanna. Ironically, it might be relatively easier to enumerate the lion king in summer as they tend to hover close to the water holes because of the heat.

Property Cards Gujarat – Junagadh Ahmedabad Surat Rajkot Vadodara News

2010-04-16T10:27:00.005+05:30

The Gujarat State Government has started a pilot project in seven municipal corporations of the state under which, from May 2010, all registration of new property will be done only through ‘property cards’. The seven municipal corporations chosen for the project, named Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Surat Municipal Corporation, Rajkot Municipal Corporation, Vadodara Municipal Corporation, Jamnagar Municipal Corporation, Junagadh Municipal Corporation and Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation.

It may be recalled that, in December 2009, the state government had decided to make use of ‘property cards’ mandatory for authenticating the ownership of property in urban areas. It had also announced that all property ownership records in the urban areas would be converted into property cards.

The government was forced to take this decision because of illegal use of the ‘7/12 forms’ - a document used to decide ownership of agricultural land - in authenticating ownership of property in urban areas.

Much of the land and property in today’s urban areas was once rural property for which the ‘7/12 forms’ were sufficient. But use of the ‘7/12 forms’ became illegal once they were declared to be urban property. A senior officer in the state revenue department said the project to convert all ‘7/12 form records’ into ‘property cards’ was nearly over in AMC areas.

Saurashtra Kutch News – about Narmada Water Pipelines

2010-04-15T11:27:00.004+05:30

With soaring temperature, water looks a distant mirage in Saurashtra and Kutch where many villages and small towns are reeling under acute water shortage for want of connectivity with Narmada Canal Water Pipelines.

While the state government claims to have supplied Narmada pipeline water to 10,000-odd villages and more than 100 cities, Amreli City, Junagadh City, Bhavnagar City and Surendranagar City, Morbi City and Kutch are getting water supply only once in four or 10 days.

"If some areas are hit by water scarcity, we will do our best to supply water there through pipelines. In fact, the administration has already been instructed to take necessary steps to ensure adequate water supply in those areas. That apart, collectors of several districts hit by water paucity have been instructed to ensure fodder supply for animal husbandry in the affected areas to be made available at cheaper rates from the forest department," said State Revenue Minister Anandiben Patel.

According to Gujarat State Water Resources Minister Nitin Patel, 1,100 cusec water is released on daily basis in Narmada canal to meet the requirement of Saurashtra and Kutch. "It is true that most of the reservoirs are drying up. Whatever water left in them has been conserved for drinking purpose. Yet, we are trying to find other alternative means to upgrade water supply in the affected areas. The alternative means could be repairing of hand pumps and sending water tankers," Patel said.

The water reservoirs report inadequate water level as the state registered only 76 per cent rain fall last year. After the last year monsoon, the water level in reservoirs was measured only 50 per cent, following which, the government ordered that the water in reservoirs be kept reserved for potable water. At present, there is only 24 per cent water left in 195 reservoirs across the state, which, it is feared, may not last till June 25.

Junagadh Forest Department News Tourism Gujarat India

2010-04-14T11:15:00.008+05:30

Junagadh Forest Department has created new Trackers party to deal with issues pertaining to lions outside the Sasan Gir Lion Sanctuary area.

Last month, locals of Mandanpara and Chorvadi villages near Bilkha Taluka killed a lion in self defense. On the backdrop of this incident, the forest department decided to extend its supervision also in non-forest area around Gir Jungle.

Trackers party will build relation with the village people settled around forest area. There would also be an information mechanism.

Junagadh’s CCF Sudhir Chaturvedi has appointed RFO Dipak Pandya to lead trackers party. In its first success, the trackers party relocated a 6-ft-crocodile from Sodavadar village to Willingdon Dam.

Mango Productions Junagadh Ahmedabad News Gujarat India

2010-04-13T12:28:00.007+05:30

Gujarat State may clinch the pole position in mango production this year edging past Andhra Pradesh.

Hopeful of clinching the top spot, Gujarat Agriculture Minister Dilip Sanghani said: “There will be a bumper mango production in Gujarat this year. Five years ago, Gujarat was in sixth position. Last year, we were in second spot. We hope to emerge first in mango production in the country this year.” Sanghani said: “The average mango productivity in India is 17 tonnes per hectare of land. Last year, Gujarat’s productivity was 24 tonnes per hectare. This year, it can go up to 26 tonnes per hectare and we may emerge first in mango production in India.” According to reports, mango harvest will be poor in Andhra Pradesh this year. This summer, Amdavadis will have the privilege of savouring cheaper Kesar mangoes longer.

Thanks to its bumper harvest. Bolstered by additional flowerings, green Kesar mangoes have hit the city almost a month in advance. Its ripe variety will be flooding the city fruit shops from next week. They will be available at least till the first week of July and at a comparatively cheaper price due to 30 per cent surge in production. At present, around 30,000 boxes, each weighing 10 kg, of green Kesar mangoes grown in Junagadh City are arriving at Naroda fruit market every day.

Ahmedabad City Fruit Wholesalers’ Association president Laxmandas Rohra said: “This year, Kesar mangoes have reached the city a month in advance. Now 30,000 boxes of green mangoes, each priced between Rs 250 and Rs 300, are reaching the city. A week on, 1 lakh boxes of ripe Kesar mangoes will arrive in Ahmedabad daily and its price will go down.”

Usually green Kesar mangoes surface in city markets in the last week of April. But this year, they are available aplenty from April first week. Scientists are attributing Kesar mangoes’ advance arrival to early and additional flowering.

Usually there are two flowerings of Kesar mangoes in a season. But this year four flowerings have been reported. Research scientist at Junagadh Agriculture University Dr RR Viradiya said: “The four flowerings were due to global climate change.

The first flowering took place 15 days in advance. So, Kesar mangoes were visible in the market early.” Viradiya added, “The season of Kesar mangoes used to last 45 days five years ago. This year, the season will double up to 90 days. The harvest will be also be 30 per cent more than last year due to multiple flowerings.” Former vice-chancellor of Junagadh Agriculture University KB Kikani said: “There has been a change in flowering pattern of Kesar mangoes this season. The last flowering was late. So, the season of Kesar mangoes will last longer.”

An officer in agriculture director’s office in Gandhinagar City said Junagadh produces maximum Kesar mangoes in the state. “Kesar Keri are grown on 17,000 hectares of land in Junagadh. Its average annual production is 90,000 metric tonnes. It may go up to 1 lakh metric tonnes this year,” he said.

Swaminarayan Temple Kalupur Ahmedabad Junagadh News Gujarat India

2010-04-10T10:13:00.007+05:30

As school-going kids and living in the walled city, the Shaikh brothers used to often pass by the 200-year-old Swaminarayan Temple Kalupur Ahmedabad, not knowing that years later they would be telling the story of the sect’s founder in ‘3D’ technology.

In the first of its kind stereoscopic 3D film, Ahmedabad-based Mohammad Naim Shaikh, a graduate from National Institute of Design (NID), and Mohammad Nadeem Shaikh, an architect, have depicted the birth, transformation, life and learning of Swaminarayan Bhagwan in a 20-minute film to be released on May 1, marking 50 years of the foundation of Gujarat. The film is made by MSquare, the firm launched by the brothers two years ago.

The film — ‘Sahajanand’ — is directed by Praful Kharsani of PK Films, an Ahmedabad-based production house of Gujarati films.

Claimed to be the first initiative of its kind in the country, this film has been shot by S3D cameras. “Though there have been a few projects in the country using stereoscopic technology, they are all imported technology. For this film, we have customized most of the equipment and cameras. For editing we are using licensed version of software,” says Naim.

The film, which is in the post production stage right now, will be screened as part of the 20-day-long idol installation ceremony at the newly-constructed Swaminarayan temple Bhuj through a special projection installation, where close to 30 lakh devotees from across the world are expected to visit.

“Prafulbhai was exploring the idea of how the story of Swaminarayan Bhagwan can be told in a different and more interesting way. He visited Mumbai after which he learnt of the work I had been doing in the virtual 3D field. This 3D motion film is the first such project for us,” said Naim, who was a consultant with NID on the designing of Mumbai’s Monorail project.

As a part of the research, they visited various Swaminarayan temples, read the stories, talked to devotees about costumes, set and found the perfect setting in Junagadh City Districts Villages. “What we really liked about the sect is their teaching method, which includes aspects of many religious groups,” says Nadeem.

Kesar Mango Talala Gir Junagadh District News Gujarat India

2010-04-09T10:30:00.008+05:30

A Major mango feast is in the offing for fruit lovers in the region due to an early arrival of the Kesar Keri variety coupled with a bumper crop this season.

This year’s first auction of the fruit began at the Talala Marketing Yard on Tuesday (April 6), which is generally held in May.

According to experts, the season is likely to last till June and rates may also come down as the yield is reported to be 15 per cent more than the last two years.

On the first day of the auction, 8,400 boxes (each weighing 10 kg) arrived from various villages in the Gir region of Junagadh district.

The minimum rate for 10 kg was Rs 150 — nearly Rs 100 less than the previous year. Sadarsinh Chauhan, a member of the Talala Marketing Yard, said: “The weather was perfect this time, as a result of which the fruit has arrived early and in a large quantity. The first lot has arrived with that of hafoos.”

Last season, the marketing yard had auctioned over six lakh boxes, which is expected to increase significantly this year. “Initial trend indicates there will be 15 per cent more yield this season. On the first day itself there were 300 more boxes,” said yard chairman Chagan Kansagra.

Siddi Tribe Sasan Gir National Park History Junagadh Gujarat India

2010-04-06T13:57:00.007+05:30

The men folk of African primitive tribe Siddi, who were brought here as slaves by the Portuguese, are being trained to become eco-guides of the Asiatic lions last abode -- Gir Sanctuary -- by the Gujarat State Government.

This is a part of the project initiated by the state Tribal Development department in order to improve livelihood, housing, access to safe drinking water and electricity, increase literacy, health facilities and roads to the five major Primitive Tribal Groups (PTG) of Gujarat, namely Kolgha, Kathodi, Kotwalia, Padhar and Siddi.

"Looking at the concentration of Siddi tribe near the Gir Forests in Junagadh District, we thought of training them to become eco-guides, which will help them take advantage of the growing eco-tourism in the state, especially around Gir Forest region," Secretary, Tribal Development A M Tiwari.

Bhuj Bhavnagar Junagadh Ahmedabad Summer Temperature News Gujarat India

2010-04-02T09:50:00.007+05:30

Current spell of heat wave is not expected to last long; situation may improve by March 20 Several parts of the state have been reeling under intense heat wave for the last two days, with the maximum temperature going as high as 43 degree Celsius.

On Thursday, Deesa in North Gujarat remained the hottest at 43 degree Celsius, followed by Vadodara City in Central Gujarat at 42.7 degree Celsius, Bhuj City42.6 degree Celsius, Junagadh City and Ahmedabad City 42.5 degree Celsius and Bhavnagar City recording 41 degree Celsius.

State capital Gandhinagar City, known for its greenery, recorded a maximum temperature of 41.4 degree Celsius.

Temperatures recorded in the last two days have been surprisingly high considering the fact that the average maximum temperature during March in Gujarat remains between 36 and 38 degree Celsius.

With the mercury remaining five to six degrees above normal, meteorologists and weather experts say it has resulted in heat waves.

The coastal region has, however, remained relatively less hot, with Okha recording a maximum temperature of 30.3 degree Celsius and Veraval City 33.3 degree Celsius.

According to meteorologists, a hot advection in the deserts of the north-western region coupled with anti-cyclonic circulation over the state has increased temperatures much above normal. Senior meteorologists at the Meteorological Department said that anti-cyclonic circulation has added to the heat wave condition.

Prof P K Sahoo, Agriculture Meteorologist at the Junagadh Agriculture University(JAU), said it is because of the low atmospheric pressure over Gujarat that the hot north-westerly winds from the desert are coming to the region, causing a sudden rise in the temperature.

He said global warming is certainly to be blamed for the general rise in temperature, but whether it is due to any climatic change is a matter of study and research.

The current spell of heat wave is, however, not expected to last long.

Manorama Mohanty, a meteorologist said, the conditions will improve after March 20, as the north-westerly winds will subside by that time.