Sunday, August 31, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog

Govt unveils plans to set up CM Connect Centres across M’laya

Move aimed at bridging gap between govt and people

From Our Correspondent

TURA, Aug 30: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Saturday revealed the state government’s plans to establish CM Connect Centres in all 56 blocks of Meghalaya, so as to ensure residents across the state have direct access to platforms for voicing grievances and engaging with governance.
The announcement came during the inauguration of the CM Connect Centre–Tura at P.A. Sangma Stadium, West Garo Hills.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the chief minister personally received the first complaint from a resident.
In his address, the chief minister said that the CM Connect programme is not just a scheme, but a vision to bridge the communication gap between the government and the people. He said the initiative is about cultivating a mindset among political leaders, officials and bureaucrats to always remain connected with citizens and to ensure governance that is responsive, transparent and accountable.
He explained that CM Connect uses multiple mechanisms to facilitate public engagement, including call centres, WhatsApp groups, chatboxes and a dedicated website where people can register their concerns and seek solutions.
He said that beyond technology, personal interaction remains central to the programme, as he often uses regular government programmes as opportunities to directly engage with people, listen to their voices, and give them the platform to share their problems openly.
“Every programme can become a CM Connect programme when we give the microphone to the people,” the chief minister said, underscoring the importance of two-way communication.
The event was also attended by Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, who lauded the initiative as a bold step towards making governance people-centric.

Govt invites proposals for bio-mining of legacy waste

0

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Aug 30: The state government has invited Requests for Proposal (RFP) from reputed companies, agencies, individual organisations and institutions to associate with the Urban Affairs department for bio-mining of legacy waste at dumpsites in seven Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
The projects will be awarded through management contracts via national competitive bidding.
According to official data, the Williamnagar dumpsite has 38,400 MT of legacy waste, while the Resubelpara Municipal Board dumping ground contains 21,600 MT. On the other hand, the Arapara dumpsite in Baghmara, South Garo Hills, holds 9,925 MT, and the Mynkgai dumpsite in West Jaintia Hills has the highest volume, with 67,470 MT.
Similarly, in West Khasi Hills, the Mawsmai and Mawkadiang dumpsites in Nongstoin together account for 22,686 MT, while the Nongpoh dumpsite holds 55,191 MT. The Mairang dumpsite has 18,600 MT of legacy waste.

 

KSU hands over 22 illegal settlers sans docs to police

0

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Aug 30: Out of 58 individuals rounded up during a checking drive by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in Laban on Friday, 22 were found without valid documents and were subsequently handed over to Laban police for necessary legal action.
The operation was conducted across multiple points.
Members of the KSU stated that many of those detained were suspected refugees from Assam and other states, most of them Muslims, who were living in rented houses without informing the local dorbar shnong.
According to general secretary of the KSU Laban Circle, Jason Laloo, the drive further extended to Three Pine Colony in Laban, where it was found that between 80 and 100 Muslim families had provided rented accommodation to these settlers.
“It was also found that Muslim residents of Laban and Lower Lumparing were providing rented accommodations to these individuals,” Laloo said in a statement on Saturday.
He added that the organisation has issued a strict warning to local landlords and religious leaders against renting out homes or facilities to such refugees.
“We have issued a warning to leaders of Masjid/Mosque that they should not provide accommodation to Muslim refugees from Assam and other states. If anyone is found doing so, we will take stern action,” Laloo cautioned.
The KSU has made it clear that the checking drives will intensify in the coming days, with a focus on monitoring suspected influx and holding accountable those aiding settlers without proper documentation.

 

Dialogue meets Cosplay at colourful city event!

0

Health minister calls for responsible choices & honest conversations around sexual health

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Aug 30: The State Central Library in Shillong came alive on Saturday with a unique blend of dialogue, creativity and advocacy during ‘Youth Uncut: Real Talk on HIV’ and ‘Multiverse Saga 2025–Cosplay with a Cause.’
The twin segments combined serious conversations on health and stigma with vibrant displays of youth talent and pop culture, drawing enthusiastic participation from local youth and performers from Nagaland.
The first half of the programme, Youth Uncut–Real Talk on HIV, featured a candid panel discussion where young people engaged directly with policymakers and experts on HIV/AIDS.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh interacted openly with the audience, encouraging them to raise bold, unfiltered questions.
She also underscored the urgency of breaking the silence around HIV, calling on young people not to hesitate in seeking help.
The health minister reassured participants that “help is just one phone call away” through the national helpline 1097, and stressed the need for empathy rather than sympathy toward people living with HIV.
She also touched on issues such as dating apps, hookup culture and STI awareness, urging responsible choices and honest conversations around sexual health.
Speaking to reporters about the unique setting of the event, Lyngdoh said, “Here we are experimenting with different ambience—how do you get the kids come experience this environment and take time out to give them awareness about the evils of HIV/AIDS, drug addiction, an issue which is really now not addressed may scale very dangerous heights. This is a typical situation and we see this is working. Kids are coming forward and getting educated with information that is the basic idea now.”
She further noted the depth of questions raised by the participants. “Most of the kids of this generation feel they are tormented by loneliness. Loneliness is not a government situation alone, it is family, support system, institutions—everybody needs to come on the same platform to address this very serious problem, which is what MDA 2.0 is doing,” she added.
The second half of the event, Multiverse Saga 2025–Cosplay With a Cause, transformed the venue into a colourful celebration of pop culture with youth dressed as their favourite comic, anime and film characters. Beyond entertainment, the cosplay was tied to the central theme of awareness and breaking stigma, with participants linking their performances to messages of courage, acceptance, and resilience.
Cosplayers from Nagaland joined their Shillong counterparts, adding cross-state vibrancy to the show. Their creative portrayals were met with cheers from the crowd, proving how art and advocacy can powerfully combine to reach young minds.
By blending heartfelt dialogue with the energy of cosplay, the event highlighted a fresh approach to youth engagement—one where education and entertainment merge to drive conversations on some of Meghalaya’s most pressing health and social challenges.

 

Demand for upgrade of Laskein C&RD Block

From Our Correspondent

JOWAI, Aug 30: Stakeholders on Saturday demanded the upgrade of Laskein C&RD Block, one of the oldest in the state operational since 1973, into a Civil Sub-Division. The demand was raised during a public meeting organised by the Jaintia Students’ Movement (JSM) at the Mukhap Football Ground in West Jaiñtia Hills.
The meeting witnessed the participation of hundreds of residents of the Block, along with local leaders, MDC Daemi Liam, Nehimaya Tyngkan, JSM central body president Leningstar Rymbai, CEC leaders, Western Region representatives and JSM members from across West Jaiñtia and the central body.
During the gathering, there was a unanimous decision to intensify pressure on the state government until the ‘Laskein Civil Sub-Division’ is officially recognised.
A committee comprising local leaders, village headmen, the Daloi, prominent citizens, and JSM representatives was also formed to pursue the demand further.
Speakers at the meeting underscored the need for a Civil Sub-Division in the area to ensure smoother governance and enhanced developmental opportunities for the people of Laskein.
The meeting concluded with the passing of a resolution supporting the demand, with all those present actively endorsing the cause.

City school hosts quiz championship, science seminar

0

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Aug 30: Laban Bengalee Boys’ Higher Secondary School on Friday and Saturday organised two major inter-school academic events, bringing together schools from Shillong and beyond for a celebration of knowledge and competition.
According to a statement here, the school on Saturday hosted the 5th All Shillong Inter-School Quiz Championship, which was participated by 13 schools.
Ryanel C. Khongji and Saket Mishra of BK Bajoria Higher Secondary School clinched the top spot, while Toteilakupar L. Buhphang and Naki Carmelia S. Kharmyndai of Ramakrishna Mission Higher Secondary School, Sohra, were declared first runners-up. The team of Tushar Das and Bikram Paul from Laban Bengalee Boys’ Higher Secondary School bagged the second runner-up position.
On Friday, the school organised the 24th All Shillong Inter-School Science Seminar on the theme ‘Space Debris: A Concern for Future Satellite Communication’. A total of 13 schools participated in the seminar, which was attended by Director of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Umiam, SP Agarwal, as the chief guest.
Birupjeet Das of Laban Bengalee Boys’ Higher Secondary School emerged as the winner of the seminar, securing the first position. The first runner-up spot was jointly bagged by Pratyush Kumar of BK Bajoria Higher Secondary School and Nazia Pearl Sooting of BSF Senior Secondary School.
On the other hand, Om Prakash Jain of Gorkha Pathshala Higher Secondary School took the second runner-up position.

 

Saving Paws, Saving Lives

Inside the journeys of rescuers and the rescued, lives are transformed from neglect to nurture, discovers Esha Chaudhuri 

The last few weeks have found animal/dog lovers in long deliberations in light of the Supreme Court verdict, as well as observing International Dog’s Day. With sufficient context, Sunday Shillong pursued the situation in Shillong through Joyce Basan’s organisation, Save The Voiceless Society that has been relentlessly working for the cause of the strays in Shillong.

With a team of 7, out of which 4 are actively involved in the field, the nature of work is essentially animal rescue and welfare. “We respond to cases of injured, abandoned, or lost animals, provide them with medical care, food, and shelter, and also try to find them safe homes through adoption. Apart from rescue, we raise awareness about vaccination, sterilisation, and responsible pet ownership” introduces Basan.

With over 8 years of toiling in this domain, Basan and her team members have encountered several challenges and setbacks being a rescuer in Shillong. As she describes them, “the lack of proper veterinary facilities and equipment, limited financial resources, and no support from the authorities.”

She also highlights pet abandonment, another frequent as well as worrying occurrence. “Another major challenge is that many people abandon their pets when they are sick, which leaves us with the burden of rescuing and treating them without much financial help. This problem continues because of the absence of strict laws and enforcement from the officials’ side” she adds.

Referencing examples of two rescues among many, Basan goes on to showcase the plight of strays in the city and the scope and extent of which concrete efforts are required to better the situation.

Case I

Some passersby informed us about a female dog in Lumshyiap. She appeared to be someone’s pet, but due to a severe skin condition, she had been abandoned by her owner. We took her into our care, we fostered her, bathed her and provided the treatment she needed. The informer also played a crucial role in helping with her treatment expenses, which took nearly 4–5 months for full recovery. We named her Princess, and she continues to live with us in our care to this day.

Case II

Another dog that we rescued from the streets of Laitumkhrah. Many people witnessed his condition and informed us, so we took him in and provided shelter. We immediately brought him to the Government Veterinary Hospital, where he was found in a critical condition.

We spent around ₹8,000 on his surgery and post-operative care. The veterinarian had to remove all his reproductive organs to prevent further infection, as his reproductive system was severely affected. He was diagnosed with CTVT (Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor), a sexually transmitted disease passed from an infected dog during mating. To prevent such diseases, it’s important to spay female dogs and neuter male dogs. Bravo, as we named him, survived the surgery and is now living permanently with us under our care.

Based on the work that Save The Voiceless Society has been engaged in, the recent Supreme Court judgement spread feelings of anguish, outrage and concern among them too, as it did for most animal and dog lovers.

“As someone who works closely with animals every day, I felt deeply concerned about this order. While I understand the issues that arise when stray dogs are not managed properly, simply capturing them is not a real solution. These dogs are living beings, not problems to be removed. What we truly need is stronger implementation of Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs, proper vaccination drives, awareness among people, and responsible pet ownership. Capturing without a long-term plan and arrangement will only cause suffering to the dogs and will not solve the root causes. In fact, it may create more problems by separating community dogs who act as protectors of their areas. Instead of punishment and fear, we need compassion, responsibility, and strict enforcement of laws against abandonment and cruelty” she exclaims.

However, with the revision of the order, there came a sense of relief but also left those working in the field dismayed as viral videos across social media showcased the true plight of dog shelters as well as apathy and violence towards feeders.

“Even though the Supreme Court order was revised, justice was not served as the many feeders were assaulted and we condemn it as feeding of strays/community dogs was never banned. This feels unfair to animal lovers and activists like us, as many of us are already spending from our own pockets to help street animals. Instead of supporting our efforts, such penalties now add another burden on people who are only trying to do good. Feeders have not committed any crime—they are simply feeding hungry animals. In Shillong too, we have heard of some localities opposing community dog feeding” she says.

It is important to note that the revised judgement directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to create designated feeding spots. Only feeding outside those designated areas may attract penalties.

Acknowledging the pitiable plight of stray dogs and animals in general, Basan was asked what sort of assistance she can gain from the municipality and veterinary department. To which she answers,

“The Municipality can definitely assist animal rescue, provision of shelters and adoption centres, offering financial aid or even supplies for organisations, enforcing laws and helping with awareness campaigns.”

As far as the veterinary department is concerned, she says, “As rescuers, we are currently facing significant challenges when we bring cases to the Government Veterinary Hospital. We often have to purchase even basic items like syringes, and essential facilities such as X-ray machines are unavailable. This forces us to approach private clinics, incurring expensive costs just for diagnostics. So offering a complete free or subsidised treatment, vaccinations, surgeries, and health check-ups. Conducting sterilisation/vaccination drives to control the stray population. Also, it would be highly beneficial if the Veterinary Department could consider establishing a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital to better serve both animals and the community. Most importantly, record keeping by launching ear tags/QR based Collars for the vaccinated, or sterilised dogs in order to record the vaccination history and sterilisation status.”

However, none of this work can be made possible without the people and citizens of the city. From the people in general, Basan hopes for them to show compassion towards animals, take responsibility for their pets and not abandon them when they are old and sick, support rescue efforts through volunteering or donations, report cruelty, and help create awareness. She further adds, “It’s also important that they (citizens) advocate for stronger animal protection laws and encourage a culture of empathy and care in the community.”

Basan’s major takeaways from the field, as she describes it, “Rescuing animals is not only about saving them in the moment, but also about creating awareness and compassion among people. Most importantly, I’ve learned that animals are incredibly strong and forgiving. Even those who have suffered still trust and love, and that inspires me to keep going despite the challenges.”

Despite having full-time jobs, Basan and her teammates, out of love and compassion for these voiceless beings, dedicate their free time to ensure that these animals receive the care and treatment they deserve. As conscientious citizens, Basan and her colleagues truly embody the true spirit of humanity.

Uttarakhand flash floods renew Himalayan development debate

0
A flash flood on August 5 in Kheer Gad ravaged Dharali village in Uttarkashi, leaving several dead and missing. Unchecked construction on fragile debris-flow fans worsened the impact. The planned widening of NH-34 may cut 6,000 deodar trees, raising fresh landslide fears. Mongabay India’s Kavita Upadhyay reports
 

It was around 1:30 p.m. on August 5, when after consistent rains, the residents of Dharali, a picturesque village in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, began fearing the worst: a disastrous flash flood.

Mohammad Shoaib, a 21-year-old welder from Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh, was in Dharali’s market area, waiting to pick up three of his co-workers in a car, when suddenly he heard people from the nearby Mukhba village and from Dharali, settled a little higher up and away from the market, screaming, shouting, and whistling. They were warning everyone below to run for their lives as they saw a flash flood approaching Dharali.

With his co-workers nowhere in sight, Shoaib, who, amidst the screams and whistles, could also hear the loud rumbles and thuds of the incoming flash flood, started the car and sped through Dharali at about 70-80 kilometres per hour.

When he stopped and looked back, the entire market area behind him had either been swept away in the flash flood or buried under the huge amounts of sediment and boulders that Kheer Gad, or Kheer Ganga – a Himalayan stream passing through Dharali – brought down with it. He had escaped the flood by barely a second or two.

Despite several days of post-disaster rescue efforts by the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, the Indian Army, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and Uttarkashi district administration teams, only one body had been recovered as of August 13. According to the Dehradun-based State Emergency Operation Centre, at least 68 people remain missing from Dharali and Harsil, a settlement about three kilometres away from Dharali, where an army camp was damaged in another flood-related disaster that also struck on August 5, leaving nine army personnel missing.

The 40-60 feet of sediment and boulders deposited by the flash flood in Dharali’s market areas have made it almost impossible to locate and recover bodies. The people missing comprise Dharali residents, tourists, and labourers, mostly from Nepal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, of whom the majority, 25, are Nepali labourers.

The primary cause of the flash flood is still unknown. However, experts speculate that it could have been a rock and ice avalanche, followed by temporary damming that was later breached, which may have caused the flood. Alternatively, a possible landslide lake outburst flood (LLOF) may have occurred. The Uttarakhand government initially claimed that the flood was caused by a cloudburst, but experts are yet to confirm this.

Increased construction despite a history of floods

When Sanjay Saini, a mountaineer, first set foot in Dharali in 1996, he saw just four buildings in the market area that now lie buried under heaps of sediment, boulders, and rubble.

Construction of houses, lodges, shops, and hotels in the same area gathered pace only in the past two decades, driven by rising tourist numbers in the area and pilgrim footfall to the Gangotri shrine, about 20 kilometres from Dharali. Resorts followed, and a few years ago, homestays also began to appear.

“Traditionally, houses in this region were built on stable slopes, away from rivers. It was well understood that streams in the Himalaya are not always gentle. They are powerful and have carved out valleys over millennia,” said Piyoosh Rautela, a geologist and former executive director at the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority.

In recent times however, settlements have come up in economically viable yet unstable areas, mostly along roads and rivers.

In June 2013, when several rivers in Uttarakhand were in spate, the Kheer Gad also flooded. At the time, large amounts of sediment and rocks brought by the stream were deposited in the Dharali market area. A few hotels near the stream were damaged, many buildings were filled with five to 10 feet of sediment, and several cars were buried under the sediment.

“Extensive flood protection works were carried out along the Kheer Gad after the 2013 flood, so we thought our worries about future floods had been resolved,” said 36-year-old Dharali resident Bhimraj Panwar, whose ancestral house was completely damaged in the August 5 disaster. Post-2013, when RCC (reinforced cement concrete) walls were built on the sides of the stream to protect the village from future floods, more buildings were constructed in the Dharali market area, Panwar said.

Dharali residents recalled that they witnessed a flood in 2018 too.

Historically, too, the village has witnessed flooding. Kalp Kedar, a temple in the village, located in the disaster-hit area, now lies completely buried under material brought down by the flood. In the past too, it was likely buried under debris from a flooded Kheer Gad and was partly excavated around the 1980s, said a senior geologist, Navin Juyal.

“This shows that the area has been experiencing the deposition of sediments from floods for a long time,” Juyal said.

Constructing on Kheer Gad’s path

On August 7, two days after the disaster, the Indian Space Research Organisation’s National Remote Sensing Centre released images sourced through Cartosat-2S satellites. These images show the village before the disaster on June 13, 2024, and after the disaster on August 7, 2025. The images reveal the extent of damage in the Dharali market area following the flash flood.

The images show that the market was established on a land shaped like a fan–scientifically called a debris-flow fan– formed over the years by sediments deposited during high, medium, and low flows in the Kheer Gad.

“Establishing a settlement on land where the river continually deposits sediments is precarious, as it carries the risk of a Dharali-like disaster,” said Wolfgang Schwanghart, a geomorphologist at the University of Potsdam, Germany, who has been studying natural hazards and disasters in Himalayan areas, including Uttarakhand, for over a decade.

Schwanghart noted that even though suitable land for settlement is scarce in the difficult terrain of Uttarakhand Himalayas, debris-flow fans should be strictly avoided for construction and habitation, and should be left undisturbed.

Manish Kumar, an ecohydrologist and climate adaptation professional who has worked on Himalayan hydrology, including in Uttarakhand, for nearly two decades, described debris-flow fans as “safety valves” of streams like the Kheer Gad, which flow through steep slopes before entering flatter areas. Kumar explained, “Constructing over these fans is like choking the stream’s safety valves. The stream is bound to break out and reclaim its area sooner or later, which is what happened in Dharali.”

The disaster, Kumar said, was a warning against unrestricted development in sensitive and complex Himalayan areas.

On August 11, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami instructed officials to identify disaster-prone areas in the state and ensure that no new constructions are built there. He also gave instructions to ban construction near water bodies, such as rivers and streams.

In 2013, too, when floods struck several parts of Uttarakhand and at least 4,000 people died in the Kedarnath Valley alone, the then Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna banned construction along river banks. However, in reality, several buildings, especially hotels, beside rivers that were swept away in the floods were rebuilt, some on the very same spots where they had earlier stood. After 2013, environmental norms continued to be violated for the construction of several large infrastructure projects such as hydropower and national highways.

Responding to Dhami’s decision to ban future construction in hazard-prone areas, Ravi Chopra, a Dehradun-based environmental scientist and development activist, said, “This is simply an executive order to officials and does not carry legal weight. In fact, it has a major lacuna – it addresses future construction activities. What about existing settlements like Dharali? How is the government planning to ensure the safety of those already living in hazard-prone areas?”

Following the 2013 disaster, orders, including those by the Uttarakhand High Court and the National Green Tribunal, were issued to prevent building near rivers. However, these orders were also violated.

“What we need is a committed officialdom that will ensure measures are taken to mitigate disasters. That commitment is usually missing,” said Chopra, who, after the 2013 Uttarakhand disaster, headed two Supreme Court-appointed committees to review the impacts of hydropower projects, and a mega national highway widening project in Uttarakhand – the Char Dham Pariyojana.

Deodar felling risks slope stability

A looming threat to Dharali and nearby villages is the proposed felling of about 6,000 deodar (Himalayan cedar) trees to widen National Highway (NH) -34, the road to the Gangotri shrine. These trees stand along a 10-kilometre stretch between Jhala and Jangla in Uttarkashi district, which includes Dharali and Harsil. Meanwhile, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been pushing to widen the national highway at the cost of felling these trees and weakening slope stability.

Experts warn that cutting these trees will destabilise slopes, increasing the risk of landslides. This Jhala-Jangla stretch is part of the Char Dham Pariyojana, a Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ (MoRTH) project aimed at widening 889 kilometres of national highways in Uttarakhand. The project has faced criticism for reasons including MoRTH’s decision to divide the 889 kilometres in 53 smaller sections to avoid environmental impact assessment (EIA).

In 2023, MoRTH asked geologist Juyal, environmentalist Hemant Dhyani, and hydrogeologist Rajneesh Khilnani to review the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a particular stretch of the Char Dham project – 100 kilometres of NH-34 between Gangotri and Uttarkashi. The DPR had proposed expansion of the road to a 10-metre-wide tarred surface (called double lane with paved shoulder, or DL-PS configuration). The experts were tasked with suggesting disaster-resilient alternatives that minimise slope disturbance during road widening.

Their recommendations included constructing RCC walls on the side of the road facing away from the slope, and filling them with locally available sediments. This approach would help save the trees from being felled and keep the slopes undisturbed.

The Jhala-Jangla segment, which lies within the stretch that the experts reviewed, is particularly sensitive. The 6,000 trees marked for felling on this segment stand on slopes strewn with rocks and boulders, which are debris from past avalanches.

“Trees have the essential function of gripping these slopes with their roots, thereby keeping these slopes stable,” Juyal said.

Flood protection work done in Dharali after the 2013 disaster. Image by special arrangement.

Dhyani said, “Streams here, like the Kheer Gad, are already prone to flash floods, which have damaged NH-34 in the past, too. Cutting thousands of deodar trees adds further risk of the highway being frequently damaged by future landslides.”

Parts of NH-34 were also damaged during the August 5 disaster, delaying rescue efforts.

Also, the 10-kilometre stretch between Jhala and Jangla, falls within the Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone (BESZ), which was notified in 2012, where construction work in hazard zones, on steep slopes, and on slopes with high erosion is prohibited. In 2019, the Supreme Court gave directions to form a High-Powered Committee (HPC) to review the Char Dham project. For works in BESZ, the HPC recommended avoiding deodar felling, conducting detailed EIA, and securing necessary clearances from the environment ministry.

Dhyani, who is also an HPC member, said that the BRO did not follow the HPC recommendations.

The BRO’s push for cutting the 6,000 deodar trees is also in violation of a Supreme Court judgment of December 14, 2021, regarding the Char Dham project, which gives directions to avoid felling of deodar trees.

A civil society group from Uttarkashi, ‘Himalayi Nagrik Drishti Manch’, alleges that to bypass environmental clearance, the BRO concealed from the environment ministry that the Jhala-Jangla stretch lies within BESZ. On August 19, 2024, the BRO wrote to the Uttarakhand forest department claiming that EIA and environmental clearance might not be necessary.

Mongabay India emailed the BRO for their response regarding the alleged violations and received no response at the time of publishing.

In view of the August 5 disaster in Dharali and the need to maintain slope stability in and around the village, Juyal and Dhyani submitted a note to MoRTH on August 12, urging it to consider an alternative approach to widening the Jhala-Jangla stretch to save the 6,000 deodar trees from being felled.

 
Mongabay India/TWF 

How to Curb the Urge to Splurge

0

By Mary Hunt

When it comes to compulsive tendencies, there’s no question I received more than the standard allotment.

I can sit down fully intending to watch the evening news and end up owning a pasta machine. I can stop by the mall to just look around and come out with three outfits I’ll never wear, a gift I’ll never give and several things for the house. I can glance at a mail-order catalog and in the time it takes to dial the phone, Adirondack chairs and matching windsocks are winging their way to my front door.

Why? I see what I like and WHAM! Something goes off in my head insisting that I need it right this minute, I’m entitled to it and pity the poor soul who tries to prevent me from having it.

While my compulsive tendencies will forever be part of my personality, thankfully I have found ways to quiet them and make them my allies.

SELF-PARENTING

When tempted to give in to my impulsive desires, I ask if I’d accept this behavior from my children. Visualizing me having a temper tantrum is a disgusting image that brings me to my senses.

SLIPPERY PLACES

Stores, television shopping channels, slick, compelling advertisements and mail-order catalogs are “slippery places” for me. Just going there sets me up to fall flat on my face. If I stay away, I avoid temptation. When I have a specific need, I plan my route through the store, make my purchase and get out of there as quickly as possible. I’ve programmed the TV to not stop at shopping channels, and I make sure a trash can is close to the mailbox.

MAKE SPENDING DIFFICULT

For me, carrying a credit card or checkbook is just too convenient and potentially lethal. Instead, I carry only enough cash to meet my anticipated needs for the day. This forces me to plan ahead and helps to avoid a compulsive purchase.

SELF-TALK

When confronted with temptation, I talk to myself: “If this weren’t on sale, would you still buy it?” If the answer is no, and it usually is, I pass. “Why don’t you just go home and think about it?” I rarely return. “Don’t you already have something that will do just as well?” I usually do. “You don’t have to buy this just to prove you can; no one really cares.” Reality check.

THE SAVING ANTIDOTE

I’ve found that saving money is the best antidote for overspending. For me, saving money produces a similar euphoria brought on by spending. The difference is that saving never leaves feelings of remorse and guilt the way overspending does.

THE ROOT CAUSE

The unrelenting desire to acquire things is often a mask disguising the real issues. Discovering that my compulsive tendencies were rooted in my need for approval allowed me to deal with that issue effectively.

By reading good self-help books on compulsive behavior, talking about the subject and seeking help from wise counselors, I’ve discovered why I do the things I do. That has allowed me to take the steps necessary to change. (Creators)

The Traveling Toy

0

Once upon a time, in a small town, there lived a little wooden toy named Timo. Timo was carved by an old toymaker who loved to bring joy to children. With round button eyes, a bright smile painted on his face, and a tiny red scarf around his neck, Timo looked simple, but he carried a heart full of curiosity.

Timo’s life began on a shop shelf, where he was bought by a young girl named Anya. She carried him everywhere, to school, to the park, even to bed at night. Timo saw the world through Anya’s eyes: the laughter of children running in the playground, the warmth of family dinners, and the sparkling stars outside her window. But one day, Anya and her family moved far away, and Timo accidentally got left behind on a park bench.

At first, Timo felt sad and alone. But soon, something magical happened, his scarf caught the wind, and he rolled onto the ground. A little boy passing by picked him up with joy, and just like that, Timo’s journey continued.

From that day on, Timo became a traveling toy. He passed from one pair of loving hands to another, each time learning something new about the world. A fisherman’s son once carried Timo onto his father’s boat. From there, Timo saw the endless blue sea stretching to the horizon, where dolphins leapt and waves sang. He realised how wide and wonderful the world could be.

Later, a girl in the mountains found him in her school bag after a book exchange. With her, Timo saw tall snow-capped peaks glowing golden at sunrise. He listened to the music of cowbells and streams rushing down the slopes. “So much beauty lives in silence,” thought Timo.

One summer, Timo found himself in a city, carried by a boy who loved art. Through him, Timo entered museums filled with colours and paintings that told stories from long ago. He watched people sketch in notebooks, play violins on street corners, and dance in open squares. Timo learned that beauty was not only in nature, but also in the way humans created and shared.

Years passed, but Timo never grew old. His scarf became a little frayed, his paint slightly faded, yet everywhere he went, he carried memories like treasures. He had seen oceans and deserts, laughter and tears, grand celebrations and quiet nights. He understood now that beauty was everywhere—in places, in people, in moments both big and small.

One day, Timo was placed on another shop shelf, this time by a kind traveller who thought someone else might need him. And there, a new child walked in, eyes shining with excitement, and picked him up.

Timo’s smile seemed to grow wider. His journey wasn’t over; it never truly would be. For a toy like Timo, beauty lived not only in the world he saw, but also in the hearts he touched.

And so, Timo kept travelling, teaching everyone, child or adult, that life’s greatest beauty is found in the simple joy of sharing it together.

By Christina K Sangma