Saving Dal His Way

Mir Niyaz is all set to exhibit his posters on Dal preservation writes Mohamad Yousuf

For its preservation and conservation, Dal Lake has remained focusing image for all of us. People from all walks of life have been trying their utmost to preserve this perishing jewel by using different ways and means for long.

Not only cleaning it physically but many other methods were applied by conscious people to create awareness among masses about the preservation of this God gifted water body for the posterity. For its safeguard several seminars, conferences, road shows, Marathon races, awareness programs and cleaning drives were conducted at organizational and individual levels by We The Srinagarites in the recent past. The first-ever Half Marathon was appreciatively organized in 2004 by the Highland Excursions Pvt. Ltd. under the supervision of a local environment activist, Mr. Rauf Tramboo, all along the Boulevard in which more than 500 locals of all age groups and different status took part. To aware people about the effects of water pollution different types of programs were also launched by various organizations like Kashmir University, Private Schools Association, Scouts and Guides, Nigeen Lake Conservation Organization, Kashmir Rafting Operators Association, SMC and Tourism Department etc.Not only the athletes, environmentalists, academicians, social workers and writers are contributing one or the other way to aware people about rising pollution in our water bodies but a famous artist, Mir Niyaz Ahmad has also come forward to contribute his bit by exhibiting his pain giving posters. Niyaz is working as technical officer in the Public Relations Cell, Kashmir University. He has conducted several solo painting exhibitions on different themes in the past. But today he has come up with an appealing theme “Save Dal Lake-Save Posterity”. After exploring every nook and corner of Nigeen and Dal Lakes, Niyaz has so far drawn nearly 350 paintings with touching messages. In his each creativity he appeals the masses help save water bodies. His visual messages and warnings could be very effective on masses. Niyaz has put lot of efforts on this project and has visualized the destruction of Dal and Nigeen lakes. His cherished desire is to take his creations to the hearts of ‘We The Srinagarites’. He is all set to display his valued posters in every busy street in the densely populated up town and down town areas, Schools Colleges and Universities of Srinagar.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on 4th April, 2011

Do They Really Count

Widely publicized “International Year of Youth” could not help Kashmir’s young denizens to develop and prosper, instead were put to more trouble and high exploitation in the year 2010 writes Muhammad Yusuf.

The year 2010 was declared as International Year of Youth by United Nations Organization (UNO) at its General Assembly, held in August last year in an effort to harness the initiative, energy and imagination of the world’s young denizens in overcoming the challenges facing humanity today.

It was felt that like all other youths of the globe there will be effective participation of Kashmiri youth in all aspects of the society. There was hope that organizations involved in the development of youth such as Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, J&K Youth Services and Sports, J&K Social Welfare Department, lower and higher educational institutions and the NGO’s would come forward and encourage all sectors of society to work in partnership with youth to better understand their needs and concerns and to recognize the contributions that they can make to the society.

The General Assembly had called on the Governments, civil society, individuals and communities worldwide to support activities at local and international levels to mark the event. The year was aimed at to encourage dialogue and understanding across generations and promote the ideals of peace, prosperity, respect of human rights, freedom and solidarity.

The scheme also had the background of encouraging world youth to dedicate themselves for fostering progress, remove social evils, saving environment and ecology, ranging from extreme poverty and hunger to maternal and infant mortality to lack of access to education and health care.

The Kashmiri youth is in dilemma today. He has no goal in life to achieve because of the situation he is caught in. He is trapped by unemployment, poverty and many social disturbances all around. He has no escape from political garoa even. They were forced to Celebrate the International Youth Year in very unique way during summer 2010. He was caught in conflicts in which more than 120 youth got killed and hundreds were injured. Many are still lying in the jails. Nobody bothered for their rehabilitation and development. Many could not appear in their examinations thus spoiled their career which will have devastating replications in near future.

The growing unemployment has virtually broken the backbone of our youth. They do not earn lively hood and have become dependent to their parents. A boy of 37 years or more is not able to support financially his elderly parent. He is not even able to marry at proper age and which has thus given birth to so many social evils in the valley today. The diseases like depression, anxiety, heart diseases and hypertension are becoming increasing common among our youth now.

The response towards celebrating the Youth Year from NGOs and youth related Government Organizations, particularly J&K Youth Services Department remained poor. There was hope that all these organizations would come forward and arrange a stage for celebrating the year in a big way by arranging seminars on different issues of the youth, symposiums, cultural exchange, sporting events and exhibitions etc. The J&K Youth Services and Sports Department has a role in the youth affairs but unfortunately the department is confined to sporting events alone. One will never find any program on development of youth in the annual calendar of this Department.

The youth was in fact exploited by many in many ways. At the start of the youth year some organizations/institutions decided to facilitate and encourage the youth to celebrate the year 2010 in a very big way but at the end of the celebration year all their declarations proved biased, false and fruitless. Surprisingly two main wings such as Directorate of Distance Education and Directorate of Long Learning of the apex educational institution, the University of Kashmir, announced in public to celebrate the year by conducting different adventurous, cultural and recreational activities for their students pursuing education in these two departments. The Honb’l Vice-Chancellor very happily approved their projects. Lacs of rupees were sanctioned to Distance Education Department for these ambitious programs. Much publicity was given in the media merely to highlight the self by the heads of these two departments of the University but astonishingly none of the activity was virtually conducted later. The Marathon race, organized by the Distance Education was total failure.

Participation in adventure like activities could certainly help students in many ways. It is admitted fact that adventure develops courage, coordination, camaraderie, companionship and cooperation like personality traits. It could facilitate them to get out of the bustle of the city and have interaction with the people of different ethnic and cultural communities, living in the mountainous areas of the state. It is admitted fact that these recreational activities are vital part of one’s all round development and an important area of man’s cultural heritage. There is no other thought that a sport is a science of outdoors where a person is exposed to the hardships of life. Sport is important component and integral part of general education. Without it educational system is incomplete.

It is admitted fact that as much importance is attached to studies as to life outdoors. It is a way of living, acting and thinking together with a fraternity of people. It brings about complete mental, emotional and spiritual integration. Society makes relationship superficial; mountaineering deepens them because “shared adversity has a lot to do. Adventure makes youth resourceful and teaches them to face difficulties. It is not only a source of thrill, excitement and joy but it also provides a valuable opportunity for developing such traits so as to prepare youngsters for facing challenges against all odds confidently. This provides a creative and happy outlet for the abundant energy, enthusiasm and imagination of the youth. Appreciatively outdoor pursuits create and foster amongst them a spirit of risk-taking, cooperative team work, the capacity to ready and vital response to challenging situations and of endurance. This will also provide a creative and happy outlet for the abundant energy, enthusiasm and imagination of the youth.

It is highly appreciating that with a view to celebrate the International Year of Youth the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports, Kashmir University organized several adventure based activities at Drass, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and river Chenab Jammu which include Paragliding, Rock-Climbing, River Rafting and Trekking for male and female students of Colleges and Post-Graduate Departments. The cultural exchange with different ethnic groups were also organized by them. It helped youth to recreate themselves.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on 23rd March, 2011

His Head Over Clouds

Naseer Mir, the living mountaineering legend, is encouraging and helping youth to take up to extreme sports, writes Muhammad Yusuf

Participating in two Pre-Everest selection camps, reaching the summit of Mt. Kangyassy, one of the Ladakh’s highest mountains and being a member on Indo-French Sasar-Kangri climbing expedition-1986 (Siachen region) is an achievement not many can claim.

One of ‘the few’ is Naseer Ahmad Mir, now in-charge of Adventure Wing in the Department of Tourism, Kashmir. Naseer, who was born in Habba Kadal area of Srinagar city is a fully-qualified mountaineering and skiing instructor. As a member of the J&K Mountaineering and Hiking Club, he undertook five years of training before gaining his qualifications.

He was inspired to adventure in his very tender age. During early schooling he used to go for bush walking and mild hiking. After joining S.P. College Naseer started serious climbing. In the year 1974 he along with some of his friends set up a Climbing Club in the name of Kashmir Youngman’s Mountaineering and Trekking Club with its office in densely populated Habba Kadal in Srinagar.

With the passage of time he came across a great adventurer, promoter and motivator of his time, Mr. M. Ashraf, Ex-Director General Tourism who arranged his basic and advanced training in mountaineering at Nehru Institute of Mountaineering ,Utterkashi through his Club , the J&K Mountaineering and Hiking Club (JKMHC), in mid seventies. After finding more opportunities in JKMHC Nasir and his team merged their club with JKMHC. Mr. M. Ashraf encouraged many other enthusiasts, including this writer, to adventure sports. With the inclusion of young and more enthusiastic new members the JKMHC was infused a fresh blood by these youngsters, which had remained defunct for a long period. The Club President, Mr. Ashraf managed training of more than 10 other enthusiasts at different Mountaineering and Skiing Institutes of the country during that period.

With a view to acquaint trained youth to adventure tourism and to give them more exposure Mr. Ashraf arranged their deputation as Liaison Officers with foreign Mountaineering Expeditions through Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi (IMF). Among others, Naseer also got the opportunity to accompany many such foreign expeditions, undertaken in J and K State from time to time. During a British Expedition in 1981 he climbed three un-named peaks near Mount Kangyassy region in Ladakh, with the height ranging between 5,900 to 6,200 Mtrs. He later participated and led scores of major climbing expeditions in Kashmir, Ladakh, Zanaskar, Kishtwar and Garhwal Himalayas etc. He is lucky to have climbed Mount Kolahoi, the highest peak in Kashmir, five times. He then climbed Mt. Kangyassy, Mt. Harmukh, Mt. Gulap-Kangri and Mt. Stock-Kangri. Not only this, the fearless, brave and prudent mountaineer, climbed a virgin un-named, 6150 mtrs high, peak in Garhwal Himalayas and has participated in an Indo-French Sasar Kangri Expedition in the year 1986. His ascent to White Needle (Zanaskar massif), jointly organized by the Union of International Alpine Association (UIAA) and IMF, the controlling bodies of mountaineering in the world and in India respectively, was one of the highlights of his long mountaineering career.

Great credit goes to Mr. M. Ashraf for arranging training of hundreds of local youth to adventure sports. He has in fact sowed the seed of adventure in many organizations and institutions in the state. After graduating different adventure courses he helped them to seek jobs as Instructors/Guides in Youth Services, Tourism Department and Kashmir University etc with the motive to facilitate these organizations to train the youth at grass root level. He undoubtedly succeeded in his plan. Today thousands of youth are being trained to adventure by these veterans.

On the basis of his achievements the IMF selected Naseer for Pre-Everest Camp (selection trials) held in Garhwal Himalayas in 1982. During this camp he climbed Mt. Gangotri-I and was recommended for final Everest selection camp held in the consecutive year. During this camp Naseer attempted Mt. Mana Parvat and reached up to the height of 24,000 feet. Though he performed extremely well there but was dropped by IMF in the final team of 1984 Everest Expedition due to unknown reasons under mysterious circumstances and this lone Kashmiri climber lost the opportunity of reaching the world’s highest place, the Mount Everest, forever. Entire mountaineering community of the valley was shocked for his dropping. This is highly appreciating that Naseer has reached up to the height of 25,000 feet during his climbing career and has extensively trekked in entire J&K and Garhwal Himalayas. He has played a pivotal role in exploring many virgin areas in the state.

Mountaineering did not quench his thirst so he started learning other adventure sports especially snow skiing at Gulmarg during late seventies. Later he joined the J&K Youth Services and Sports Department as an Instructor with the aim to teach ski and mountaineering to youngsters in the schools. But unfortunately his services were not properly utilized by his parent department so he preferred to join the Tourism Department where Mr. M. Ashraf lured him that a separate Outward Bound School would be started in his Department for which the services of ace skiers, climbers and rafters etc. were required. He has very ably trained thousands of people to skiing and mountaineering in various remote and far-flung areas of the state

He is environment and ecology conscious as well. To safeguard our mountains and high valleys from pollution and environmental degradation he has led several mountain cleaning expeditions in Ladakh and Kashmir, organized by the JKMHC and sponsored by IMF from time to time. His teams removed tones of garbage from sensitive mountainous areas.

Naseer is presently working as in-charge of adventure wing in the Tourism Department. The present Director Tourism, Mr. Farooq Shah, being a dynamic and an innovative person, is fully and properly utilizing his services for the growth and development of adventure tourism in Kashmir. Many new adventure activities such as rafting, snow cycling, snow rugby and snow baseball etc. have been included in the tourism calendar by the Tourism Department for last some years, which not only encouraged the youth to adventure but also helped reviving adventure tourism in the state. Pertinently Naseer has played an instrumental role in holding 2 state and 2 International levels Rafting Championships in his department. He plans and designs new adventure tourism products those are later very efficiently implemented by his Director, Mr. Shah. He suggests rules and regulations for adventure tourism products those are viable for operating on commercial lines by the tourism players.

We fervently hope that this legend continues to encourage youth to climbing as it is very beneficial for today’s youth. It makes them resourceful and teaches to face difficulties. It brings about the complete mental, emotional and spiritual integration. It is a unique sport that teaches self-discipline and strengthens one’s faith and determination. It is a way of acting, thanking and living together with a fraternity of people who seek high adventure in the high places. There are lots who dream of adventure Naseer has to help some to realize their dreams.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on 26th Feb, 2011

Let's Pledge To Make Srinagar Greener

By Mohamad Yousuf

Did you ever think why metropolitan capital, the New Delhi looks greener than Srinagar? This is despite of the fact that our city in the picturesque valley was expected to have been much greener. Well, we need to ponder over the issue. We need to think green. Read on…

Earth is called blue planet, but ‘His Mighty Allah’ has given it green effect because almost 99% of grass, trees, plants and vegetables are green. Every color has a certain effect on human emotions. The green color gives the effect of safety, spring and fertility etc . Appreciatively many countries have opted, partially or fully, green as a color for their national flags, which depicts that green is more important for mankind than any other. (deleted in paper)

Today, the cultured societies like to grow greenery not only in their lawns but in their surrounds as well. Pertinently those who do not have space for developing gardens in their homes are growing miniature plants in the pots that shows how much love they are having towards the nature.

Amazingly, in Japan, most of the houses do not have widely opening doors like we have in Kashmir. They preferably fix the sliding doors in their houses merely to save space for installing maximum number of indoor plants at such available space.

To give fascinating view of their green compounds, the residents in Delhi are not allowed to raise their compound walling more than 5.6 feet high but contrary to it, most of the people in Srinagar raise jail like high walls. The Srinagar Municipality Corporation will have to discourage this trend, particularly to those houses situated at roadsides.

The sense of growing greenery in their homes is increasingly developing among ‘We the Srinagarites’ as well. One can find hundreds of flower vendors at Residency Road near Biscoe School and Batamaloo Bus Station in Spring and Autumn seasons. Some are seen selling seeds and seedlings even in off seasons. They sell different kinds of shrubs, flowing and vegetable seedlings, fruit and flowering plants and different kinds of bulbs like lilies, Cana, gladiolus etc, at such places.

During springs thousands of nature lovers, farmers and cultivators are seen buying the green material from them. They make a good business during this period. Their lot is not only sold to Srinagarites but scores of people from Ladakh and other districts come here to buy green material of their choice. It has in fact become a industry now and is providing employment to thousands of people but it is saddening that these poor people are not provided space by the Government at City Centre to sell their products comfortably. They are bound to lay their stalls on busy foot paths. They are not able to fix canopy to hide the delicate seedlings from rains and scorching heat which sometime cause them heavy losses. On the other hand the S.M.C officials are always raiding them and throwing away tiny live seedlings. Astonishingly killing dogs are banned in Srinagar but killing the seedlings, which too have life, has no meaning for S.M.C. It should have been the responsibility of Gardens and Parks, Social Forestry and Environment Department to take these venders under their broad wings and arrange space for them at suitable place for the sale of their products which could help ‘Go Srinagar Green’ and may help eradicate the name of ‘dirtiest city’. Plantation season is starting from second week of February so the immediate action is solicited. It is a social service.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on 8th Feb, 2011

University Aquatic Park In The Offing

Making effort to develop first-ever eco-friendly Aquatic Park at its Mirza Bagh campus for amusement and recreational purposes by Kashmir University is highly laudable and admirable, writes Mohamad Yousuf.

 

Srinagar is known as “City of Lakes” worldwide. It has number of water bodies which include Nigeen Lake, Dal Lake and sick Anchar Lake with river Jhelum majestically running its entire length. But ‘unfortunately’ we could not make full use of these water treasures, accept growing vegetables in the lakes and achieving electricity benefits from Jhelum. We could in-fact, besides it, derive many other benefits from them. From social point of view it could give abundant “recreation and amusement” to our children, youth and elderly denizens .

Recreation:

Recreation is undoubtedly an important factor in the human development. It refreshes one’s body, mind and soul after pretty hectic workload or studies. It is amusement that gives pleasure or relaxation to a fatigued mind and helps to use leisure intelligently and profitably. Recreational activities of different kind help develop coordination, confidence, courage and competence like personality traits. Recreational activities could be conducted on land, water, air and snow etc. Though we have water in abundance in Kashmir but not a single integrated water borne recreational place is created anywhere here. We have number of terrestrial amusement parks at many places in Kashmir but none in the water. The idea conceived by Kashmir University of developing one such park is highly appreciable and adorable.

University campus:

University of Kashmir is situated amidst of two world famous perennial lakes, Dal and Nigeen, located at 34:08:01 N, 74:50:09 E (mean) on the altitude 5236 ft. On its eastern side there is a close magnificent view of Zabarvan range with towering Mount Mahadev in the backdrop. In the distant horizon of its western side one can have glimpse of Pirpanjal range including Mount Apharwat and on the northern side Ganderbal hills are visible. While, on its southern side one can also catch the sight of famous Shankracharya temple and historic Mughal fort atop Koh-i-Maran hillock. Hazratbal Shrine is in its close vicinity. The tall minars of which are overlooking the main University campus. Amazingly there are 696 closely planted huge majestic Chinars on its Naseem Bagh Campus. All these elegant features make it one of the most beautiful Universities of the country.

Three University campuses i.e. main campus, Naseem Bagh and Mirza Bagh, are sprawling over 106 hectares of land, out of which 53 hectares are developed for Park and Gardens, while 8 hectares are under development and the remaining 45 hectors are under consideration.

Mirza Bagh Campus:

At Mirza Bagh campus the University has developed “University Model Town” where number of flats and quarters are constructed for its teaching and non teaching staff. Being situated on the foreshore of north-eastern edge of Nigeen Lake it has high potential of becoming aquatic hub for tourists.

The University has nearly 14 hectares of waste land adjacent to Nigeen banks. This portion of land has perhaps remained unnoticed and unfocused by earlier University authorities. But appreciatively, the present administrators of the University particularly the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Reyaz Punjabi and Registrar, Prof. S. Fayaz are very keen to develop this waste land into eco-friendly Lakeside Park and convert its coastal area into an Aquatic Park. The proposed Aquatic Park would be first of its kind in the valley and will certainly be a novel gift to the entire society, if brought into existence.

But for converting this waste land into Aquatic Park the University is perhaps facing hurdles from some house boat owners who are mooring their boats on foreshore area of University land, which has not only blocked the view of the lake but does not permit University Sports Department to promote water sports in Nigeen. The shanty structures, raised illegally here, give an ugly look of the entire area. The Lakes and Water Ways Development Authority, Tourism Department and Srinagar Municipal Corporation have a big role in rehabilitating them and providing them suitable location for mooring their boots. It may not be possible for the University to compensate them because of its limited resources.

Aquatic Park:

Aquatic Park is nothing but a recreational or amusement park where there is facility for different water based activities. Keeping in view the location of its Mirza Bagh campus, the University is all set to develop first-ever Aquatic Park here. They are planning to remove the shanty structures, raised close to the lake and clear the view of the lake in first instance. A Committee has been constituted to suggest measures for developing the landscape and introducing different aquatic activities. The Committee is in close touch with LAWDA, Tourism Department and other stakeholders. The park has tremendous scope to introduce different recreational and competitive aquatic sports such as kayaking, canoeing, canoe polo, rowing, dragon boating, Jet skiing, aqua-parasailing, hydro zorbing, water trampoline, surfing and water skiing etc here. For children small rubberized swimming pool, tubing, swan boating, paddle boating, banana boating, and inflatable rafts etc. could be installed in the park to attract families to seek wonderful pleasure and great fun with their children. Not only the aquatic activities the University must install a health gym, artificial rock wall, low height bungee jumping, land trampoline and some environmentally suited food courts here as well, which will be additional attraction for intended tourists. This will give Nigeen a new look and will appear like an aquatic play ground.

The nicely illuminated park would certainly attract scores of locals and tourists here. The University should keep the park open for general public and for its maintenance they may charge entry fee to the visitors as is done by J&K Bank at Pahalgam Amusement Park and Iqbal Park in Srinagar etc. This could generate lot of revenue for the ‘highest seat of learning’.

Contribution of University:

Pertinently Kashmir University has played a pioneering role in highlighting the potential of water sports in Nigeen Lake. The University conducted two major All India Inter-University Kayaking and Canoeing Championships for men and women here in 2007 and 2009 and has won laurels from time to time. For this purpose the University has procured 24 sophisticated modern fiberglass Kayaks and Canoes worth lacs of rupees. It is considered one of the major facility centers for such sports in the country. The University must now grab the opportunity of introducing the fascinating and scintillating rowing here.

Local Support:

The local inhabitants, particularly the house boat owners and other tourism players, must come forward and help University in developing this ambitious park. The water based activities would help Nigeen not only to keep it clean from pollution but will attract scores of tourists here. The disturbed water would aerate the stagnant waters and thus give it new life. Pertinently the University Lake Club has always been party to Nigeen Lake Conservation Organization in creating awareness among masses about pollution and environmental degradation of Nigeen.

Notably Water Skiing was introduced in Kashmir during British Raj. It is not much popular in other parts of India and should be thus recognized as a heritage sport. The INTACH must also play its role to protect this unique and historic sport. On the lines of Colorado Water Ski Park the Tourism Department must encourage one such park in Nigeen Lake in partnership with Kashmir University.

The Tourism Department has undoubtedly played a significant role in developing many parks and gardens all around the Nigeen Lake. Credit also goes to them for rebuilding the Rustum Garhi complex and developing Peer Zoo and Zabarvan parks efficiently. They also have decorated some important Squares (Chowks) at different places in the city. Installing street lights all along the Jhelum banks gave aesthetic look to the river. Restoration of Pokhribal has added charm to the calm and scenic Nigeen Lake. It is now time for them to help the University in developing the proposed Aquatic Park. They must adapt this park as they did in the case of renovating the Food Street near KMD bus station and Lal Chowk Park etc. Other organizations like LAWDA, Nigeen Lake Conservation Organization, Nigeen House Boat Owners Association, J&K Bank, tourism players and other business houses must also help University in fulfilling its cherished dream of developing the proposed Aquatic Park. The LAWDA must deploy its man and machinery for removing the coarse grass, brackens, weeds and moss from the lake near University land.

Published in Daily Greater Kashmir on 15th January, 2011