Project BUG - Build Up Guwahati™

For a Green Cause

2013-06-07T11:33:00.000+05:30

- Pratisha Borborah

With the State's environment perennially in a shambles, how profound and meaningful are the countless ways in which we celebrate the World Environment Day asks Pratisha Borborah.

When floods are creating a havoc not only in the capital city of Assam but also destroying and demolishing hundreds of homes and villages in Upper Assam every year, it is time to pause and react. When rhinos are being killed and least attention is given by the government to stand against these ruthless poachers, it is time to question. When the legendry Brahmaputra River is getting polluted day by day, it is time we march against it. So with the whole world celebrating World Environment Day on 5th June, should we celebrate too when we clearly know our environment is in the most degrading state.

Today someone may easily define Guwahati as a bustling city with Water Park like Accoland, shopping malls like Big Bazar, Pantaloons movie multiplexes like Cinemax, Fun Cinemas, top eateries like Pizza Huts, KFC, Dominos etc.. vying with one another to provide the extrs dosse of fun and entertainment to those sections of the people who seem to enjoy the maximium benefits that are to be deprived in a major emerging economy like India. Thus the Guwahatians are turning to be stylish, brand and status conscious. Even education scenerio has also entered a brand- driven race where students need to think twice and thrice before taking admission. A little beyond the city periphery, one can see beautiful resorts in Sonapur, Kaziranga etc. Having a lavish and comfort life style is just what everyone thinks today. But is this the real picture of what true Guwahati is (or was). Is this the real definition for Assam to be defined? This is what French Sociologist Jean Baudrillard says Hyper-reality in post modern society. With developed technology and management giving us so much of happiness and comfort that we try to ignore the rest. Now if you think you want to continue reading the article, just avoid all these temporary happiness and look around your city.

With the onset of monsoon, rain can be a relief from hot summers for many but think about those whose houses and villages get drowned every year. Dhemaji and other parts of upper Assam are today habituated to bear the brunt of the wrath of the Brahmaputra again and again. With the speedy erosion of Majuli by the mighty Brahmaputra, time is very near when existence of a place called Majuli in Assam will just be a history or may be myth. Hence, those people who are self sufficient and depend on their own agricultural fields for their livelihood had to migrate to places of opportunity like Guwahati and struggle for shelter and food. But, can Guwahati be a better place to live today. With heavy rainfall, people residing in G.S road, Zoo Road, Ganeshguri etc had to see the hard days of their life. Not only roads and houses are submerged, but number of accidents occurs those days. With the worst drainage system and open manholes, newspapers are flooded with news about people getting drowned in the drains. Now, leaving aside the artificial flood, just take a visit to Ganeshguri, Fancy bazaar, Hatigaon any time of the day. These are some fixed places where garbage is dumped openly and freely, even though you will also see big posters with a metaphorical line “Keep Your City Clean and Green”. If we ignore the clean part, I would like to ask which part of Guwahati is green except the Guwahati University area. Hardly trees are seen in the rest of the city between the midst of huge buildings, offices, and over bridges occupying their places. Friends, lets now enter our Historic Zoo cum Botanical Garden that was once a pride of Guwahati. Even though it has lost its charm with passing days, it is over flooded with people, especially couples who consider it to be a dating spot or what some of my friends call it “Lovers Point”. Guwahatians are romantic, no doubt about it but at times display of romances give a disturbing view for the tourists who are unknown about it. Would not it be better idea to keep for the animals, birds and plants to have their own life atleast there rather being ruined? The place which was once a holiday spot for every child is just left to get worsen day by day.

Here, it is time to bring back the scenic beauty of Guwahati. The Mighty Brahmaputra that witnessed the historic war of the Ahoms with Mughals is all polluted. The river banks turning into picnic spots are destroying the natural beauty it once had. Save it before it turns to be the next Yamuna River. It is time to give a serious thought and work for the environment, not in words but in action. A lot to do with less amount of time and rather than waiting for the governments for a better Guwahati which will just be another hyper real adventure, it is better for the youth to come forward. It is not that Guwahati needs us in fact we need Guwahati. It is time to realise and wake up.

- The Assam Tribune | Horizon | Pg 1 | June 7 edition | http://ow.ly/lNnvi

Gandhi Jayanti: The dilapidated Gandhi Mandap.

2012-10-02T00:30:00.001+05:30

- Saurav Biswas.

Situated on the top of the Sarania Hill, the 42 year old two storeyed structure Ashram cuts a very sorry state of the Institution. Dedicated to the people by Smt. Late Indira Gandhi on 2nd October, 1970 was aimed to carry out Gandhian ideals & research work. But as said a lot happens on paper, nothing has happened in practical. The place has become a haven for petty crimes & activities due to lack of security. A wireless station is located behind the Ashram but that doesn't serve the purpose of security to the Institution.

The Ashram is looked after by a single caretaker who gets a monthly salary of just mere ` 2500 / month. When we asked him on how he manages with the money he just glanced at the skies and passed a smile onto us. We came to know that his father was also the caretaker of the Ashram & so he took over the job due to his father's old age. On discussing the problems faced, what came into light was about the water scarcity, the garden lacked an expert attention, illegal encroachment on the Sarania Hill & lack of infrastructure in building up the Library situated on the first floor of the Ashram.

Still every year the Ashram gets a fresh coat of paint before the Gandhi Jayanti & our administration pays their formal visit to grab the newspaper headlines. Earlier elderly & young group of people visited the place for morning walks, but now its quiet rare to find someone. There has been decrease in the number of visitors which strongly indicates that either the place has lost its charm and glamour or the way to Ashram has been narrowed under thick forest.

In this way if things roll on, then perhaps the glory of the Institution would be found only on books & webpages. Scenario would have been different if things shaped up nicely with hard & strict administration. It is also painful to learn that inadequate funds for the maintenance of the Ashram & its employees led to the crisis.

Hopefully if the citizens, organisations & the administration come together & join towards the BUILD UP, we may soon see the place regaining its lost glory. At present, we can just glance at the silver lining & hope that it really happens for sure.

“The camera is a great medium to get close to Mother Nature”

2012-09-23T14:11:00.000+05:30

- Uttam Kalita.

In this competitive age we are so busy with ourselves that we often fail to enjoy the beautiful creation of nature. Photography helps to draw our attention towards this fascinating creation and find solace from our hectic schedule. It adds another dimension to the entire beautiful thing around us by capturing nature’s gift in all its purity for us.

Whenever we see a beautiful a painting we praise the painter for creating such an amazing masterpiece. Similarly in case of Photography photographs are the masterpieces and photographers are the ones who bring Excellency in them.

As for me, Photography started as my hobby and slowly turned into my passion and my profession. I was so involved in my hobby that I myself didn’t know how and when it became my passion. It gives me immense pleasure, ultimate joy, complete satisfaction in capturing some beautiful moments .It is in just inexplicable. Whenever I go I never feel bored as my best friend “my camera” is always there with me to capture the precious moments of time.

As far as my Subject of photography is concerned, I am interested in nature and wildlife photography, I even shot theme base photographs, and Butterflies are one of my favorite models (object). I always appreciate their poses and their attitude which gives new dimensions in nurturing the creativity in me. They never fail to make my pixels the most popular and adorable one. Black and white photographs are my favorite. It expresses what I see and feel more effectively than color ones. I love to create street photographs too which speaks out various facets of life. I find myself framing everything around me and taking a picture of it in my mind.

During my childhood, I love to stand in front of camera, but the scenario changed when I reached my college life. I took up camera in my hand and unexpectedly got positive responses from every one. Since then I have been involved in Photography and very satisfied in this carrier option.

I would like to compare my feelings of owning my first camera to that of a child getting his favorite toy demanded by him, it was simply immeasurable. In fact it was the most memorable day as it was on my 20th birth day. I am doubly satisfied as it was the result of my tireless effort to possess my precious friend. In fact, I tried very hard and worked till late night to afford it.

My current camera is Fujifilm S3300 which is good enough for me right now. I would love to upgrade to the Cannon 7D but being a student it is quite not possible for me to buy it right now however I definitely see myself capturing my objects with this in the near future. My ideal would be a DSLR which would give me a lot of freedom and control of the settings.

My first achievement was when I received “Photographer of the month” at enajori.com which boosted my determination and encouraged me to relentlessly try to create something new. After this success I got myself immensely involved in this profession and the output is really good, after that I received Grand winner in the 7sisters.in Photography Competition.

I learnt a lot from my senior and fellow photographers, who guided me towards the intricacies of photography. My family members, my friends and my well wishers support is something I can never forget and is the driving force. I am very thankful to all of them.

Lastly but not the least I would like to show my gratitude to 7 sisters.in for giving me an opportunity to share my views .Moreover there are lots of talented young photographers in Assam. They just need a good platform to showcase their talent and to fly high with colors taking this profession as their carrier option.

My endeavor is always in making my photographs speak and feel rewarded when someone identifies the same feeling with which I have captured those moments and I commit to try my utmost to offer some memorable works in my field.

The social medium and the revelation of the revolution.

2012-09-23T00:14:00.001+05:30

- Abhilash Sharma.

The use of the internet, mainly the site for social fraternity and friendship has increased than anything else on the web. The new sites which give users the option of sharing and spreading their posts, videos etc. has flourished. But to what extent can the social medium be considered as effective?

To a very high level if you know how much the simple act of sharing your views has brought better and needed changes in the world !!

The use of the social medium is not merely to chat, share thoughts or make friends. It has grown in such a huge number that it can pose as a way to shake the mightiest institution, which has been seen in some parts, in Middle East part of the continent, where political leaders were changed on the power of the media.

Uses of the internet have been to many level, but the way it has been in the online way is more than any more used. When a young teenager joins a social site, the person has his motive on to make more friends. It was this a few years before people changed the way they thought of social sites. They started to use these to put their views and they made it more than just teen based sites, the online world was becoming more than simple socializing. It was the better but not thought of usage of the web. Those who had no interest in world affairs began to be aware of the political situation in their country, the ideas which were earlier only to those who could spread them began to be among the entire mass of the country, simple it is but they got one means of being with their countrymen. While the leaders could not gather idea about the power that the tech generation has achieved and they were in a path they knew least. For a change the young minds had an edge of information over older leaders. A country had changed their leaders by the use of the web social community, and made many leaders to think about the usage of these sites and if they can be monitored for anything which was anti national. These have also made it very important to know the working of the social communities on the world web, if the politicians have to get the ideas of the masses and the issues which are running on the community. The use of these can be also unwise if the same is used to spread malice filled rumor which can affect the society and it’s working. Thus it is needed to check the materials which are circulated on the site for the sake of maintaining the user faith in the web. The most known usage of these are to show the way general mass wants to change in the nation as regarded to issues which they want to be solved and to get control on matters which they think should not be dealt wrongly! The importance the government has shown to certain pending cases has been due to the affect of the online groups. Some issues got solved by the intervention of those communities which spread their ideas on the web, and they made better usage of the connectivity they have. The government has to even ban and control pages on the internet when they are doing more than they might to affect the young part of the nation. A more informed young country does sound good if it has the ideals in, and knows the bounds it follow...

Assam Conflict: Chronology of Events ( Pre - Independence ).

2012-08-11T13:22:00.000+05:30

Pre Independence Map of Assam ( 1932 )

Three intersecting strands: the Assam movement; the Bodo movement; and the movement for separate statehood for Karbi Anglong and North Cachar.

Assam Movement: Assamese vs Bengali,'Us' vs 'Them' feeling since colonial times; Creation of Pakistan (1947) and Bangladesh (1971) and the resulting inflow of refugees/illegal migrants; States' attitude to immigrants issue; Breakup of Assam; States' attitude; Assamese 'chauvinism' and its discontents-Bodo, Karbi Anglong, North Cachar.

The Colonial Period

( The 19th century witnessed large-scale migration of non-Assamese labourers to Assam. They were brought by the British to work on the tea gardens. The British also brought bankers and traders from other provinces in the absence of a local business community in Assam. Bengali bureaucrats and clerks, lawyers and doctors who were trained in British administration were brought to Assam and the members of the traditional local aristocracy were reduced to insignificance. Apart from them, local Bengali artisans who had lost their jobs due to industrialization migrated to Assam to work as land tillers.)

1826: The Burmese ceded Assam to the British on February 24 as per the Treaty of Yandabo, thus bringing to end Ahom rule in Assam which had begun in the 13th century.

1872: Formation of the Asomiya Sahitya Sabha in Calcutta to promote Assamese language and culture. This set a precedent for the establishment of similar associations. By a government regulation, the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal was empowered to prescribe a line to be called the 'Inner Line' in each tribal area beyond which no British subjects and any foreign residents could pass without a licence or pass.

1873: Recognition of Assamese as the language of court and schools. Bengali community continued to have separate Bengali schools for themselves.

1874: Goalpara and East Bengali district of Sylhet added to Assam and Assam was constituted into a Chief Commissioner's province (Until now, British Assam had been part of a territory comprising Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, northeast India and present day Bangladesh and was called 'Bengal'. It was placed under direct administration of the Government of Bengal.). The Bengali-speaking population increased rapidly now on.

1880: Karbi Anglong and North Cachar placed under the category"frontier tracts". (The British government had a separate policy to deal with the hill tribals based on the basis of economic needs without interfering with the internal affairs of the tribes as maintained by the Ahoms. No land tax was levied except poll tax, house tax and hoe tax.)

1901: Census throws up a majority of Bengali-speaking people in Assam.

1903: Formation of Assam Association which was an association of the politically conscious, Western-educated Assamese middle class. It was led by Manikchand Baruah. Though elitist in composition, it never failed to represent the landed and industrial interests of the poor.

1905: Partition of Bengal and the creation of a new province called East Bengal and Assam (including Chittagong). The partition was vehemently opposed by the Bengali people. The Assam Association did not oppose the partition as such but urged the government for adequate safeguards for the rights of Assam and the Assamese.

1909: Manik Chandra Barua, member of the Legislative Council of East Bengal and Assam, brought the issue of immigration of non-Assamese people to Assam to the attention of the Council.

1912: Annulment of Bengal partition; Assam restored as Chief Commissioner's province with a Legislative Council of its own in Shillong, the capital. A section of Assamese intelligentsia raised the demand for the separation of Sylhet (Bengali speaking) from Assam.

1915: Formation of the Naga Hills District Council.

1916: Formation of the Assam Chhatra Sanmilan, an organisation that focused on literary, social and economic development.

1917: INC accepted redrawing provincial boundaries on linguistic basis. Following this, the question of transfer of Sylhet to Bengal came up for discussion in the Legislative Council.

1918: Goalpara session of the Assam Association sent a delegation to Montague led by NC Bordoloi to present Assam's case for the award of major provincial status, which it succeeded in winning. It extended support for the Montague-Chelmsford reforms.

1919: The Government of India Act changed the status of Assam to a Governor's province with an enlarged Legislative Council of its own of 53 members; however, the composition was such that the Indians could not have a majority and non-officials and Indians got little scope to exercise their rights. GOI Act changed the status of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar to"backward areas/tracts".

1920: Assam Association merged with the INC. Implementation of the Line System -- according to this, areas earmarked for the exclusive settlement of immigrants were segregated by a line to be drawn in each of the districts under pressure. Assamese intelligentsia raised the issue that Assamese language was in danger and that the people of Assam were being reduced to a minority in their own homeland. Non-Cooperation Movement; widespread participation of Assamese. The Assam Chatra Sanmilan was the first to respond to the movement and large numbers of students joined in. Assam Association and the Assam Valley Muslim Association also supported it. There was an increase in political consciousness which also manifested itself in regional demands including the rights of the"sons of the soil" and safeguards to check immigration from nearby provinces.

1921: Formation of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee.

1923: Formation of the Khasi National Durbar.

1926: A resolution on Cachar's (Cachar had a Bengali speaking majority) separation was moved in the Legislative Council but it fell through. Sylhet members were not willing to tag on Cachar and conceded that it was part of Assam. Ambikagiri Roy Choudhary and Nilmani Phukan floated the Asomiya Samarakshini Sabha (Society for the Conservation of the Assamese).

1927: The Simon Commission was appointed. It discussed the constitutional position of the hill areas of north-east India. The District Commissioner of the Naga Hills, Dr JH Hutton, Superintendent of the Lushai Hills, NE Parry and few others advocated the exclusion of the hills citing racial, religious, political and cultural arguments. They suggested the formation of a separate sovereign independent state to be called Crown Colony consisting of all the hill areas of north-east India, the hill tracts of Chittagong, Arakan, Burma etc. However, the plan was foiled.

1929: Simon Commission visited Shillong. The Assam Chhatra Sanmilan took an active part in mobilizing the student community in the anti-Simon Commission agitation. Dibrugarh witnessed a complete hartal paralysing normal life in the state. Government of Assam brought up the Sylhet question before the Simon Commission and stated that it would not oppose Sylhet's transfer from Assam to Bengal so long as Assam's status as a major province remained unchanged. -Naga Club, Bodo community of Goalpara, various Goalpara groups, the Depressed People of Assam Valley, the Khasi National Durbar and the Cachari Juvak Sanmiloni made presentations to the Simon Commission demanding political power. In all, 27 representations were made to the Commission from the north-east region. Simon Commission designated the 'Backward Areas' in Assam as 'Excluded Areas' the reference being to areas excluded from application of provincial legislation.

1931: Noting the upward trend in Muslim settlement, the Assam Census Report called the Muslim Bengalis in Assam"invaders".

1933: Government in Assam decided to establish unilingual schools for the Bengali and Assamese students. All Assam Plains Tribal League formed under Bodo leader Rupnath Brahma.

1934: Formation of the Khasi States Federation.

1935: Government of India Act abolished dyarchy. Communal Award was adopted. The Act reorganized the backward areas of Assam in to the Excluded Areas of the North East Frontier Tract (now Arunachal Pradesh), Naga Hills District (now Nagaland), Lushai Hills District (now Mizoram) and North Cachar Hills District, while the Garo Hills, Mikir Hills and Khasi Jaintia Hills (later to become Meghalaya) were reconstituted as Partially Excluded Areas. The Act also reserved four seats in the 108 member Assam assembly for plains tribals and five seats for backward hill areas.

1936: Karbi Anglong and Cachar Hills fell under the Excluded and Partially Excluded Areas Act. Their administration was vested solely in the hands of the Governor. Jnananath Bora, a leading intellectual in Assam wrote an article in which he proclaimed that although the British had forcibly incorporated Assam into India, the Assamese had always considered themselves to be an independent nation. He also declared that it was the Congress movement which brought Assam under foreign (Indian) rule.

1937: Elections based on the 1935 Act. Though the Congress was the single largest party in the Assembly, it could not command enough majority to form the ministry and opted to form the Opposition under the leadership of GN Bardoloi. Saadullah formed a non-Congress ministry in Assam with the support of the European block and other tribal and non-tribal members. The ministry lasted from April 1, 1937 to September 18,1938. Ambikagiri Roychoudhary and Nilmoni Phukan, on behalf of the Assam Sanrakhini Sabha submitted a memorandum to Nehru stating that the withdrawal of the Line System would lead to greater inflow of immigrants into Assam. The memorandum pointed out how the Bengalis were developing an attitude of 'linguistic imperialism' towards the Assamese. Memoranda were also presented by the Asamiya Deka Dal which stated that the 'Bengali language and civilisation invaded Assam' and that the Assamese were being reduced to the position of a minority. Responding to these concerns, Nehru wrote to the APCC stating that the immigration issue was complicated and that it had become communal and that the real problem was how to"control and organise these immigrants."

1938: Saadullah resigned in February. First Bordoloi Ministry (19 September 1938-16 November 1939). Bordoloi achieved a coalition with the Tribal League. He promised a tribal belt in Assam where non-tribals would not be allowed to hold or buy land.

1939: A Working Committee of the APCC, appointed to look into the line system, decided that the Line System should not be abolished. Bordoloi ministry resigned. (Congress at the national level had decided to call for resignation of all its ministries following the Viceroy's decision to engage India in its war efforts.) Saadullah once again came in power. The government threw select professional grazing reserves open for settling more immigrants.

1940: Lahore Session of the Muslim League. It openly declared inclusion of Assam in Pakistan along with Muslim majority Bengal. 1941-50: The largest increase in urban population in Assam took place in this decade, largely attributed to the flow of Partition migrants primarily from the Sylhet district.

1941: Saadullah submitted his resignation. Formation of the second Bardoloi ministry. The Governor of Assam, Robert Neil Reid, supported the proposal of the Crown Colony and he enlarged the vision of the plan to include Tripura.

1942: Ambikagiri Raychoudhury proposed dual citizenship for Assam in the Indian confederation.

1943: Assam government led by Saadullah adopted, on the orders of the Centre, a new resolution on land settlement under the slogan of"grow more food." As per this resolution, grazing reserves in three districts were opened to the immigrant cultivators from Bengal. Also, surplus reserve areas in two other districts were opened for landless indigenous people. The Assam Jatiya Mahasabha and the All India Hindu Mahasabha raised cries of the Assamese and Hindus being in danger.

1944: The All Assam Ahom Association, formed in the late 19th century, declared,"Assam without Sylhet has a legitimate claim for free and independent existence in the event of India being divided territorially into Pakistan and Hindustan." The Muslim League wanted to include Assam in East Pakistan. The Assam Tribune, which mainly championed the views of the Assamese upper caste elite, in one of its editorials complained that the Saadulla Cabinet was"imbued with the idea of Pakistan" and the Land Development Scheme was"meant to reduce the importance of the Hindus both politically and numerically." These apprehensions that the people of Assam were harboring were aggravated by statements of people of political eminence at the Centre. For instance, Humayun Kabir, the private secretary to the Education Minister Maulana Azad wrote in his monthly review,"One can easily visualise a Bengali State, comprising of about ten million people and living in a compact area. Such a State would include the present administrative province of Bengal and some of the outlying districts in Assam and Bihar. In fact, the province of Assam may be wholly incorporated in it. Cachar and Sylhet in the Surma Valley and Nowgong and Goalpara in the Assam Valley are Bengali majority districts. There can hardly be an Assam if these districts join Bengal."

1945: Immigrant peasants demanded the abolition of the Line System.

1946: Last ministry before India gained independence; led by Bordoloi with support from the tribals. APCC bought off a pact with the tribal leadership -- the former promised constitutional safeguards like a tribal belt where land would be inalienable in return for tribal support. Appointment of the Cabinet Mission under Sir Stafford Cripps. Assam Congress rejected the Cabinet Mission Plan to group Assam and Bengal together. On the other hand, Muslim League favored the Grouping Plan. Popular protest under the Assam Pradesh Congress led by Gopinath Bordoloi forced the Central Congress leadership to cede their demand. AASU, Assam Jatiya Mahasabha, and a number of tribal students organisations protested against the Grouping Scheme of tagging Assam to Bengal. Gandhi's support to the state Congress tipped the scale in favour of Assam even though Nehru and Azad were unwilling to heed Bordoloi's concerns and blamed him for delaying the transfer of power. In his discussions with the Cabinet Mission, Bordoloi advocated that the Centre's powers be restricted to defence, foreign relations and special emergency powers. The state Congress was aware of the demands for sovereignty put forward by several sections in Assam and it consistently stressed maximum possible economic and political autonomy for Assam under a new federal set-up. Bordoloi in his discussions with the Cabinet Mission had wanted the Centre's power to be restricted to defence, foreign affairs and special emergency powers and demanded "fullest possible autonomy." He also pleaded for cutting off Sylhet from Assam. The Assamese members also demanded that the rights of the Assamese people be protected through Constitutional safeguards and economic exploitation by the Centre be stopped. The Assam members opposed Article 3 of the Draft Constitution (empowering the Union Parliament to redraw state boundaries) and Article 21 (relating to the appointment of state governors by the Centre). Ultimately, the Grouping Scheme fell through and Assam was not merged with Bengal. On the other hand, it lost its fight in the Constituent Assembly to secure greater financial and political autonomy for the provinces. The Khasi-Jaintia Political Association demanded that a federation of the Khasi areas be given full cultural and political autonomy within a sovereign Assam. Formation of the Naga National Council and Mizo Union.

We will continue in our next post with Post Independence chapter in the history of Assam Conflict: Chronology of Events.

Data Source : South Asia Forum for Human Rights.

*NOTE : The above note published on behalf of PROJECT BUG - Build Up Guwahati is truely a content of South Asia Forum for Human Rights (SAFHR). By publishing the note we are not endorsing any organization ( also this is'nt a publicity stunt ) and in the note if any information is found misleading & controversial ; we are not liable for it as the content is generated by SAFHR. Our aim of publishing the content is to bring the content into everyone's notice about our History of Assam ( as per South Asia Forum for Human Rights ).

Launch of Project MUKTI ver. 1.0

2012-01-22T14:30:00.002+05:30

The launch of Project MUKTI , an initiative by Project BUG - Build Up Guwahati is scheduled on 25th January 2012 , at Dona Planet , 18:00 hrs IST. The project is designed to encourage people & spread the message on certain fields of society where we are lagging behind. With team effort , we will try our best to reach out the masses with the message. Hopefully, social media & other mediums will play a big role in the coming days for the development of the region.

Waiting for you to join us on this initiative on the aforesaid date, time & venue.

ANODYNE - A Pain Management Workshop.

2011-06-09T15:03:00.003+05:30

A noble initiative by Bahar Care Foundation in association with Indian Society for Study of Pain.

Project BUG - Build Up Guwahati supports ANODYNE for its success in eradicating pain of individuals & helping thousands in fighting it.

The initiative is also being promoted by Guwahaticity.com

We urge everyone specially the doctors to be a part of this workshop at GMCH auditorium on 15th June, 2011. The workshops aims at :

Some of the best known personalities related to the field will be present on the occasion of ANODYNE.

The Schedule of the Event are as folllows -

We urge everyone to be a part of it & help in setting up a milestone in the Health sector.
Join hands in the build up of Guwahati. As we also try to do the same .. But after all its a team effort ..
Hope to see you there on 15th June at 13:00 hrs .. Dont miss it !

Stay tuned for further updates ..

From the Real Time Field Survey Part I

2011-01-30T16:37:00.000+05:30

On 26th January, 2011 - on the eve of the Republic day we went out for a survey of the Kachari Ghat Bazaar, near Rabindra Bhavan. First we surveyed a hotel near by and was shocked to hear that from more then 7 years he used to bring water from his house or else from somewhere. Sanitation facility was also not proper which increases the risk of a non-hygienic atmosphere & that too near a market. Also came to know about land dispute & other problem enveloping the whole of market land.

However the Bazaar Committee has bought & supplied electricity to the stalls but that too for 2 hrs of max./day & charged a monthly amount of Rs 150 from each of the stall. Outside influence & dirty politics have a large role to play in deteriorating the market which once used to be the Hub of fresh vegetables & fish because of geographical location near the Brahmaputra River resulting in quick & cheap waterway transportation.
However we saw a small area under cultivation near the banks of Brahmaputra & some flowering plants nearby.

However people opened up their problems and also some solutions which would help the place to develop at least by having the basic amenities. But its worth mentioning that people agreed to help Govt. or any Body in building up the place but time will perhaps the best judge who is more dedicated in building up the place ..

Our Verdict : ★✩✩✩✩ ( 1 star )

Stay tuned for more updates .. Will try our best to focus on the other prime issues around us.

Translocation of wild Rhinos carried out in Manas National Park, Assam.

2010-12-31T14:19:00.000+05:30

The rhinos stepping into Manas territory

A year-long process of procuring tranquilizing drugs, radio-collars and other equipment and many meetings at various levels finally had its success during the end of December 2010. Two female Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) – a mother and a juvenile, were translocated to Manas National Park today from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam, under the aegis of the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020) programme. A specially trained team released the two rhinos in the Basbari range in the central part of the Manas NP. These were captured through chemical immobilization in Pobitora on 28 December 2010 and transported in specially designed crates in two different trucks to Manas, under strict security and veterinary assistance. They will be observed very closely for the next few months. The Indian rhinoceros is currently listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The IRV 2020 is a joint programme of the Department of Environment and Forests – Government of Assam, WWF-India and the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) with support from the Bodoland Territorial Council, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the local communities. The programme’s vision is to increase Assam’s rhino population to 3000 by 2020, which will be done by wild-to-wild translocation from Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to Manas and Dibru Saikhowa National Parks as well as Laokhowa and Burachopari Wildlife Sanctuaries. Assam accounts for the largest population of Indian rhinoceros. Though rhino numbers in the state have grown from 2000 in 2005 to over 2200 in 2009, more than 90% of these live in just one Protected Area, which is the Kaziranga National Park. The IRV 2020 programme aims to secure the long term survival of wild rhinos in Assam by expanding their distribution to reduce risks like disease, in-breeding depression and mass mortality.

The rhinos tranquilised in Pobitora wildlife sanctuary

Under this programme, the first phase of wild-to-wild translocations was carried out in April 2008 when two male rhinos were re-introduced into Manas National Park from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. The current translocations that ended today started on 27 December and are a part of phase two of the translocations. During this second phase, a total of eighteen rhinos are proposed to be translocated from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaziranga National Park to Manas National Park in batches. During the current operations, the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary was closed for visitors to ensure minimal disturbance to the rhinos. The entire operation was carried out under strict vigilance. Like the rhinos translocated earlier, the adult female has been fitted with a radio-collar, and along with the juvenile, it will be monitored continuously through the next year by the staff of Manas NP with support from WWF-India.

According to Mr. D. M. Singh (IFS), Chief Conservator of Forests - Wildlife, Government of Assam, who is also the Chief Operating Officer of the Rhino Translocation Core Committee, the tranquilisations were done by the capture team lead by Prof. K. K. Sarma, of the College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara. Other members of the capture team included Dr. Bijoy Dutta, Associate Professor of the College of Veterinary Science; Dr. M. L. Smith, Forest Veterinary Officer of Assam State Zoo and Dr. Anjan Talukdar of Aaranyak. The logistics team for the capture session at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary was headed by Sri Utpal Bora (IFS), Divisional Forest Officer and included Dr. Pranab Bora, Landscape Coordinator of the WWF-India’s Kaziranga Karbi-Anglong Landscape. The captured rhinos were transported under the supervision of Mr. C. R. Bhobra (IFS), Deputy Director of Manas Tiger Reserve and the transportation team included Dr. Anupam Sarmah, Senior Coordinator of WWF-India’s North Bank and Kaziranga Karbi-Anglong Landscapes. Mr. Amit Sharma, Coordinator for Rhino Conservation of WWF-India was a part of the entire operation. WWF-India’s communications team documented the exercise. The Assam Police headed by Mr. R. M. Singh (IPS), Inspector General Police extended support by providing security to the entire operation. Local communities at both the sites supported this exercise.

Map showing location of the sites involved in translocation from 27 – 29 Dec 2010

WWF-India has been preparing the ground for this second phase of translocation since the past year and assisted the Department of Environment and Forests – Government of Assam. WWF-India’s field teams at Manas National Park have been monitoring the rhinos there and have been working with the Park authorities to increase security to ensure protection to the released rhinos. Local communities have also been WWF-India’s partners in the overall conservation efforts around Manas. WWF India has been supported in this effort by IRF, the WWF International AREAS programme and WWF US. .

IRV 2020 provides a roadmap for long term conservation of the Indian rhino in Assam, charted in June 2005 by the Government of Assam constituted Task Force for Translocation of Rhinos within Assam, commonly referred to as the Rhino Task Force. This body incorporates conservationists from diverse backgrounds, from both the government as well as non-governmental sectors.

According to Dr. Dipankar Ghose, Head, Eastern Himalayas Programme, WWF-India “The present rhino translocation is very important to initiate the next round of translocations in Assam. It has strengthened the confidence of all teams involved. Given the excellent support received from the state Forest Department and the administration, this is also a landmark achievement for active management of species involving different stakeholders".

Inputs from : wwfindia.org

Assam has declared war on wildlife poachers by enacting stronger punishments , but will that be enough ?

2010-12-17T12:04:00.002+05:30

Assam has announced the passage of the country’s strongest penalties for killing rhinos, elephants, and tigers. Assam received permission from India’s federal government to amend the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act and can now sentence poachers to ten years in prison.

Throughout the rest of India, the Act provides for three to seven years in prison for poaching. The state has also increased fines for killing the three iconic species. Poachers in Assam now face financial penalties that are five times higher than anywhere else in the country: 50,000 rupees (USD $1,125).

Assam forest minister Rockybul Hussain said that his team is extremely serious about combating illegal wildlife trade.

" We mean business in getting at poaching gangs."

Mr. Hussain added that the state is also creating a Forest Protection Force, which will be trained by police and armed with modern weaponry.

The new legislation was passed in response to the killing of at least nine greater one-horned rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park. The Park is home to approximately 2,048 of the world’s 2,850 or so greater one-horned rhinos, making it the world’s largest concentration of this species.

Earlier this year, 250 forest guards received training in commando operations by Assam’s elite National Security Guard (NSG), including use of sophisticated weaponry and martial arts.

Rhino poaching gangs

Rhino poaching gangs operating in Orang and Kaziranga National Parks are usually from the notorious illegal wildlife trading hub of Dimapur, Nagaland. They are often from the Karbi Anglong area as well.

No medicinal value in rhino horn

Today, the consumer markets for illegal rhino horn are concentrated in China and Vietnam, where rhino horn is still considered a key ingredient in traditional medicines.

However, the notion of rhino horn’s “healing properties” is nothing more than a persistent cultural myth. Rhino horn has been extensively analyzed and the truth is that is has no medicinal value whatsoever.

Recently, Forest guards in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park managed to shoot and kill two rhino poachers during a gun battle inside the Agaratoli range of the Park.

A blood-stained rhino horn was also recovered from one of the poacher’s bags, along with a .303 rifle, a .22 pistol, ammunition, and foodstuffs. Authorities believe that the rhino was killed Monday night or Tuesday morning, although the carcass has not yet been located.

According to The Telegraph, Kaziranga forest guards intensified patrolling activities after receiving information that a gang of rhino poachers had entered the Park. The guards came upon four rhino poachers early Tuesday morning, who fired on the guards when asked to surrender.

" We came almost face to face with them early this morning. And when we asked them to surrender they challenged us by opening fire. One of my colleagues had a narrow escape when a bullet fired by them zipped passed his ears."

The rhino killers and forest guards exchanged nearly 14 rounds.

Last month, ten rhino killers surrendered to authorities in Assam.

Difficulties in controlling the poaching

Floods which create havoc for animals as well as for the forest guards to keep vigil. Flood causes many animals to migrate outside the park where they are susceptible to hunting . However with the help of the Indian Army removal of water hyacinth and close collaboration with other civil departments are some of the measures taken. But absence of adequate high grounds within the park as places of refuge for the animals during high floods adds to mismanagement on the part of the park authorities.

The 54 km length of the NH-37 runs almost parallel to the southern boundary of Kaziranga National Park between Bokakhat and Ghorakati. During the monsoon the area inside the park gets flooded and the wild animals cross this highway to move towards the elevated Karbi Anglong hills. In this process many animals are killed by fast and heavy vehicular traffic moving on it almost round the clock.In spite of construction of several corridors and other steps including construction of road signage, terrain easements, rumble strips, road awareness campaigns, intensive night patrolling and regulation of vehicular traffic to mitigate the number of death of wildlife does not seems to be foolproof and effective.

There is a lack of trained staffs in the park and as of 2005, 127 of the 592 sanctioned posts lay vacant Moreover since the area of the park has almost doubled (through additions) the staff strength would need to be further increased to undertake anti-poaching measures, conservation of wildlife and other allied activities.The park also faces shortage of funds for developmental works.

About 184 villages and 4 tea gardens are situated within the influence area of the park; as a result of the acute poverty present among its residence, the villages often enter the park for illegal fishing and for firewood. Threat from overgrazing by the domestic livestock is ever present. During the dry season there is an acute shortage of fodder and the villages often push their livestock into the park for fodder which affects the amount of food available to the huge number of herbivorous animal living in the park. Such infiltration of domestic cattle increases the risk of spread of diseases among the wild animals as most of the cattle are not properly immunized. There is also a risk of losing genetic distinctness among the wild buffaloes due to entry of domestic buffaloes.Indiscriminate use of pesticides in the tea gardens close to the park boundaries also pose a threat through pesticide run-off. The tea gardens are also considered to be a source of invasive species like Mimosa and Wildrose.

After all its we the people should understand the value of wildlife, because if we try - can make some difference. Paper work can be done by anyone & at anytime , but its the implementation that lacks behind.

Educate to Eradicate .. Be a responsible citizen towards the society. A country progresses only by the people, for the people & of the people.

- Data Source : Anonymous

China dam to hit India, says Canadian lensman

2010-12-15T23:40:00.001+05:30

Satellite Map shows the ongoing construction of Dam.

Notwithstanding China’s assurances on Brahmaputra river, the Zangmu Dam may eventually impact flow of water into India, as the dam is half wayacross the Yarlung Tsangpo river.

This was revealed by Michael Buckley, a Canada-based writer and photographer, who researched on the dams across the Tibetan Autonomous Region and made a film Meltdown in Tibet. Buckley, who has travelled extensively in TAR, screened his award winning film at Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia here on Friday.

However, Buckley was sceptical about the Chinese claim on diversion of Brahmaputra river, describing it as confusing, because Dam is already half way across the river.

Zangmu Dam, is an under construction large dam, on the mid-reaches of the Tsangpo located in a gorge about140 km southeast of Lhasa, at an altitude of 3,260 metres. Zangmu Dam is expected to generate 540 MW of electricity.

Its height is estimated at 116 metres and length 390 metres. Zangmu is the first dam in a series of five planned for the same region, in Shannan Prefecture. The five dams are Zangmu, Gyatsa, Zhongda, Jiexu and Langzhen.

As reported, China has said that it has always taken a responsible attitude towards trans-border rivers.

Foreign Minister of China has clarified that the construction at Zangmu, on the main Yarlung Zangpo (Brahmaputra) river, is that of a small power project, which would not store or regulate the volume of water, and therefore, would not have an adverse impact on the downstream areas, Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur had said in a Rajya Sabha reply.

On Friday Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao had told a seminar at Observer Research Foundation (ORF) that India is alert to reports of China damming trans-border rivers and sought assurances from China that it will take no action to negatively impact flow of the rivers into India.

“China has assured us that the projects on Brahmaputra are on the run-of-the-river projects and are not meant for storing or diverting water. We look forward to working closely with China in the critical area of environmental and livelihood security,” she said.

But Buckley doubts China’s words, pointing out that Beijing is planning mother of all dams the 38,000 MW Motuo Dam on Tsangpo. For one, the dam is located in Metog region and sits right in an earthquake-prone zone.

Plans are for a massive dam at the Great Bend of the Tsangpo identified as Motuo, with a staggering capacity of 38,000 MW, roughly double the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam.

Blocking the Yarlung Tsangpo could devastate the fragile eco-system of the Tibetanplateau, and would withhold the river’s sediments to the fertile floodplains of Assam and Bangladesh, he quoted experts as having observed.

Buckley said construction of these dams on rivers flowing into India and then on to Bangladesh would automatically lead to diversion of water and hit the two lower riparian countries.

Fortunately though, the Chinese engineers have postponed the Motuo Dam Project, still on the drawing stage because of incessant rains in the area. They were not able to build a dam because of rains, said Buckley.

Buckley’s 40-minute film shot on breath-taking locations in Tibet, has shots of under construction dams using his small camcorder. He travelled to the region as a tourist hiding his identity. He travelled to remote locations tracing the tightly guardedconstruction activities by road and also kayaking on fast flowing rivers in and around the dam sites.

China is building dams like there’s no tomorrow. Over 23,000 large dams are under operation in China today. There are at least 11,000 more large dams in South Asia, including over 4,500 large dams in India. That brings the total of large dams in China and South Asia to over 34,000, which roughly translate into 70 per cent of the world’s large dams.

Both China and India are forging ahead with building of large dams. Both nations appear to be oblivious of the climate change threat—neither is adopting a more cautious approach to dam building in the Himalayan region. It does not make sense to build scores of large dams in a stark future, where there may be no flow of water due to major rivers drying up, Buckley observed.

- Inputs from : assamtribune.com

http://on.fb.me/eMDHUp

Article Dated : Monday, December 6, 2010 at 9:47pm

Salute the Green Guard ; Pobitora Range Officer makes us proud ..

2010-12-15T13:15:00.000+05:30

Mukul Tamuly, the Range Officer of Pobitora wildlife sanctuary who was honoured with the NDTV-Toyota Green Guard National Award-2010 in New Delhi on Tuesday attributed the successful conservation saga of Pobitora to a participatory model involving local support and cooperation.

Pobitora, a tiny sanctuary (38.81 sq km) having the country’s second highest rhino population with a count of 84, has not witnessed a single incident of poaching since 2005.

“I am very happy to have received the award but the real credit for this goes to Pobitora’s field staff, the fringe villagers, and the NGOs working in the area. This has been a teamwork and a recognition of our combined efforts,” an elated Tamuly told The AssamTribune.

According to Tamuly, the conservation model involving forest staff and fringe inhabitants was working wonderfully for Pobitora, which is virtually an island surrounded by human settlements on all sides.

“The local people have taken keen interest in Pobitora, which augurs well for its long-term conservation prospects. That it has been a successful joint endeavour comprising forest personnel and local people including NGOs should be evident from the fact that not a single incident of poaching took place in the sanctuary for over five years,” Tamuly said.

While Tamuly is too modest a man to give himself any credit, the award does recognise the fact that he has played a key role in garnering and mobilising the people’s support and cooperation in ensuring that Pobitora thrives with an enviable rhino population.

“I have been engaged with the wildlife wing of the Forest Department for 14 years and I can say with conviction that a participatory model is always to the advantage ofsecuring conservation goals,” he said.

The success story notwithstanding, Pobitora is not entirely without its share of problems – the most pressing being the grazing of cattle inside the sanctuary.

“Grazing is a serious problem and unless addressed in a holistic manner, could pose a grave threat to Pobitora’s long-term well-being. We are having interactions with the local people and a committee has been formed to sensitize the fringe villagers against grazing,” Tamuly said, adding that straying rhinos was another irritant.

The Ranger said that 18 poachers were made to surrender with support of the villagers a few years back and now the reformed poachers were lending a helping to the forestauthorities in tackling forest and wildlife crimes.

On the tourism front too, Pobitora now ranks among the State’s top wildlife destinations with more and more visitors, including many from abroad, flocking the sanctuary every year.

“Pobitora has emerged as a major destination in the past few years, which is also adding substantially to the State’s exchequer. The revenue generation which was around Rs 50,000 in 2005 has jumped to about Rs 15 lakh now. Infrastructure-wise also, the sanctuary has developed a lot,” Tamuly said.

- Inputs from : assamtribune.com

Project BUG exuberantly congratulates Mr. Mukul Tamuly, the Range Officer of Pobitora wildlife sanctuary for his wonderful contribution to the nature & enviroment of Assam and thus winning the prestigious NDTV - TOYOTA Green Guard National Award-2010.

Save Rhino .. Save Our Pride !

2010-12-13T22:25:00.000+05:30

Kaziranga National Park , which houses two thirds of the world’s one –horned rhino population is under is under tremendous threat from poachers with the increased demand of rhino horns in the international markets for its supposed medicinal properties and in order to control the government has decided to create Assam Forest protection Force exclusively to be deployed in the 430 Sq.km national park and also to take up with the user countries to take action against its illegal use. Pranab Kumar Das Reports : Between October and Feb,04th this year at least half a dozen of rhinos have been poached from the national park and park authorities say it is impossible to guard the entire stretch of the of the park as poachers are always on the lookout for a fresh kill and a warlike situation prevails with the forest trying check the entry of the poachers to the park which is wide open.

The park at present houses 2,048 rhinos , the highest in the world and also has the highest population of Swamp deer and Wild Buffalos in the world apart from the other species . Officials involved in the anti poaching operations say that poaching of rhinos say that after the operations , the poachers move to the neighboring states and finally smuggle it outside the country and other states should also play an effective role to control poaching.

Poaching has increased in the recent months for its huge demand in South Asia as the horn composed of keratin fiber is believed to have aphrodisiac value and can fetch up to Rs.1.5 million per kg in the international markets which are smuggled to South Asian countries through Moreh border in Manipur.