Daily Excelsior... Editorial

EDITORIAL

Catch the guilty

Hero or villain?

Natwar's bid to smoothen rough edges
Men, Matters & Memories

By M L Kotru

Boosting vegetable production in Udhampur

By Dr M P Gupta

Hurriyat, Pakistan and Politics! ……
Yours Randomly,

Dr. R. L. Bhat

EDITORIAL

Catch the guilty

An armed encounter between the police and timber smugglers in Anantnag district recently has taken the lid off the range and depth of clandestine operations to loot the State's forest wealth. If one recounts the details of the incident one would find as if it has been lifted straight from a Bollywood drama: the uniformed men at a barrier intercept three speeding cars only to come under fire from one of them, which manages to escape, while they succeed to stop the two by bursting their tyres. Interiors of the vehicles had been specially fabricated to transport the wood. From what the arrested drivers have told the police it is evident that a full-fledged Mafia is functioning with the blessings of a section of the authorities. They are stated to have disclosed the names of several forest officials facilitating the illegal felling of green conifer trees in the vast Sangarwani-Pakharpora belt in Pulwama district. If they are to be believed, poachers and smugglers are paying 'heft hafta' to ensure that the official apparatus sleeps as they go ahead with the plunder of the green gold. This unholy nexus, according to a report in this newspaper, has resulted in the loss of well over 10000 trees in Pulwama-Budgam-Beerwah belt. The other details are mind-boggling. Thirty per cent of the illicit wood is sold to the ordinary consumers and contractors of at least two government departments while 70 per cent is passed on to over three dozen sawmills and furniture units in Hyderpora-Shalteng area at the outskirts of Srinagar. Our report quotes the official figures which say that about 3000 persons and more than 5000 ponies, 200 trucks and tippers as well as 400 light more vehicles are currently engaged in this illegitimate activity in the twin districts of Budgam and Pulwama alone.

In this context it is quite relevant to refer to the mystery fires in timber depots across the State. At one time 50 such incidents were reported in just Doda district. Major stores have been reduced to ashes all of a sudden raising suspicion that there is a hand of those who have a few things to hide. How can such a multi-dimensional unauthorised operation succeed without some patronage at a higher political and bureaucratic level? Who are the black sheep in top echelons of power? If those involved in the racket have been identified why are they not subjected to the due process of law? Who are the people shielding them? The vast bald patches that have emerged in our hills over the years are a grim testimony that there is something seriously wrong somewhere. In the early nineties it was perhaps easy to blame the militants for having stripped the forests of their glory to find money for their activities. What can be the explanation now?

Often in the past we have discussed in these columns how the vanishing forest cover is damaging our soil and natural water resources. Quite a few multi-crore ambitious schemes have been launched in the name of afforestation and soil conservation to prevent the erosion of the earth. Would they serve any purpose if the most important source of strength were not rescued? Our State's strong point is the plentiful bounty that the nature has bestowed upon it in the form of lakes, forests and mountains. It is in our collective interest to not only preserve but also enrich them. They are inter-dependent: the damage to one can adversely affect the others. Therefore, no effort should be spared to catch the culprits in this instance and make an example of them so that their tribe thinks twice before looking at a tree with the wicked eyes. This is all the more necessary in the absence of popular movements like 'chipko' in our hills.

Hero or villain?

Quite informative vibes have emerged from Paris where recently politicians and security analysts have exchanged opinions on who is a hero or a villain in the terror-ridden world. What appeared to have provided the food for thought is the United States' relentless campaign for 'smoking out' Osama bin Laden. To many across the globe he has become a hate figure for having been the evil brain behind the massacre at the World Trade Centre. However, for quite a few Muslim extremists he has become an all-time legend. One may not agree with the sweeping views expressed by a former head of the transnational threats division of the US National Security Council that as and when killed, Osama 'will be a martyr, maybe even more powerful'. One can notice that several Islamic nations are helping the US in its pursuit. Pakistan in our neighbourhood is actually a willing partner. Saudi Arabia has made known its aversion to the terror outfits. To think, therefore, that the Muslims on the whole would continue to have love and affection for Osama is wrong. Whatever their religion sane and wise people have never appreciated violence as a way of life. On its part Pakistan too seems to have realised this: it has quietly distanced itself from Taliban and is sternly dealing with the twin threats of religious extremism and sectarian violence on the home turf. There is a chance that Osama becomes and remains a cult figure for those adopting the terror as an instrument to achieve their ends. Judged in this context, the argument given by a French minister that 'we must not suppose that the day we catch bin Laden will mean the disappearance of terrorism' seems to have some merit. Believers in violence as an ideology like those in peace (does it not sound ironical?) do need a pivotal leader to guide them regardless of whether he is dead or alive. They will find Osama handy because he has become widely known first because of 9/11 and then because of the focused attention on him by the world's solitary superpower. For them Osama is a champion and they would not care at all even if the others thinks that he is a desperado.

It is certain, however, that the majority will disagree with them. If the Muslims in general are cut up with the US it is because of its unwarranted interference in Iraq. They are not alone: the millions on this earth nurse similar thoughts and are no less vocal in condemning the US. A considerable segment of the US citizens is no less hurt and has made known its anguished feelings during the election campaign against Mr George W. Bush. What is to be acknowledged is that the US approaches in Iraq on one hand and against Osama on the other hand are two different things: one is directed against a nation on the basis of baseless propaganda about possessing weapons of mass destructions while the other is targeted against a self-professed perpetrator of terror. The casualties at the hands of both the US and Osama are the innocent citizens. Sooner or later they will have to repent their deeds. Therefore, one can safely conclude that the terror patronised by a state or an individual may throw up heroes but they are likely to be temporary much like bubbles in the water.

Natwar's bid to smoothen rough edges
Men, Matters & Memories

By M L Kotru

The Indian Foreign, Minister Natwar Singh speaks of the Indo-Pak thing not being open-ended. Kashmir will, of course, be discussed but then there also is that whole range of confidence building measures to whose implementation both countries are apparently committed. Yes, his talks with his Pakistani counterpart are on and Natwar for himself is confident that the rough edges will be smoothened. Peace moves we are asked to believe are on course.

If the Valley, or, parts of it at least, continue to burn - to be burned, if you will-as if on cue by the terrorists does if really matter as long as we do not lose sight of the long-term objective of a negotiated peace? It does't, we are again assured by interlocutors on both sides of the border and by those working behind the scenes elsewhere. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, meanwhile is holding on to his peace pipe saying that Indo-Pak peace continues to be a priority with him. He rarely forgets to mention this not even as he continues to grapple with domestic issues of great economic import.

Most people, I am confident, would like to share the optimism of our leaders. But then there is that other matter which concerns our commando President across the border in Islamabad. I have on occasions admired the commando's sense of timing and his ability to spring surprises. At the same time I have on occasions tried not to believe his oft-repeated professions of seriously wanting friendly relationship with this country. But a commando would not be worth his salt if he did not stick to his calling.

Flip-flops, mind you, can sometimes be part of the commando's tactics or may be his larger strategy. Thus, he tells you one day that everything will be honky dory on the sub-continent and in the next breath he says that further initiation of confidence building measures is subject to certain conditions. And it is the nature of these conditions that causes one concern.

He is willing to let people of the former princely State of Jammu and Kashmir to interact with each other and simultaneously offer "food for thought" to everyone by suggesting the carving out, temporarily may be, the entire State into well-demarcated regions which would in effect only confirm the division of the State on the basis of faith.

He will promise that Pakistani soil will not be allowed to be used to foster terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. And to make himself sound reasonable, on this account at least, he would have you believe that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is out of his reach when in effect there are full-time Pakistani Minister or those enjoying similar rank looking after day-to-day running of affairs in POK and, of course, in Gilgit, Skardu etc which, for give me, constitute the "northern Region" of Pakistan. Ask the people of POK and Gilgit - and many journalista from this side have recently had the opportunity to talk to them - they will tell you how much say they really have in minding their affairs. In this category you will find some who have occupied positions of "power" in POK.

The huge dumps of ammunition which have been built up over the years by Pakistan - sponsored freedom fighters in Jammu and Kashmir may seem staggering to you and me but don't you ever suggest that this cannot be part of the moral, political and diplomatic support which Pakistan is committed to offer to Kashmiri "freedom fighters". Al Mansurian, the newest outfit, which has been claiming credit for the recent carnage in the Valley, may only be another name for, say, Maualana Azhar Masoud's banned outfit, but how dare anyone accuse it of being Pakistani? Even Pakistani journalists who have had occasion to visit both parts of the divided State, may tell you that most Kashmiri Muslims do not want to accede to Pakistan (nor would they like to opt for India) but the terrorists operating in the State are no less and no more than "freedom fighters", fighting Pakistan's war in Kashmiri. The General insists on calling them freedom fighters even when they cause deaths of Kashmir civilians apart, of course, from the Security personnel whose job it must remain to keep tabs on the terrorists.

General Musharraf has lately developed a fondness for the the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's proposal for reopening the Muzaffarabad - Srinagar road made by the latter nearly three years ago while campaigning for his PDP in the last elections to the State Assembly. The Mufti proposal was promptly endorsed by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and later by his successor, Dr Manmohan singh.

Mufti genuinely believes reopening of the road, linking the POK capital with the Kashmir capital, Srinagar, would go a long way in helping the divided families on either side of the LOC to meet. In the long run he believes it would help heal the deep scars of the partition. India has gone a step further and suggested that such contacts between divided families be as well made possible at specific points along the LOC. Pakistan agreed in principle to both suggestions but has since started hedging.

In different circumstances one might have been tempted to acept the Pak proposal that Kashmiris using the Muzaffarabad - Srinagar road be allowed to do so without travel papers as opposed to New Delhi's suggestion that passport-cum-permit (short of visa) be used as basic travel papers. Considering the Pak Punjabi colonisation of POK and Gilgit how does one ensure that we don't get instead of genuine Kashmiris a flood of terrorists who would in time call themselves Al Mansourians if not, Jaish-e-Mohammad.

The General whose heart bleeds for Kashmiris will not let the State go ahead with the Wullar barrage or the Baglihar hydel project. Is he worried the projects will make Jammu and Kashmir power plus? The General invokes the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and says that Baglihar violates the treaty when nothing of the sort of is contemplated. He will go to the World Bank, his men say. In fact he would like to internationalise Kashmir via the so-called Indus Water Treaty "violations" by India.

Surprising, his heart does not bleed for the wretched Balochis whom successive Pak military administrations have over the years kept under a firm iron heel. It doesn't either bleed for the Sindhis who have for years been demanding an equal say in the running of the country. Or, for that matter, the Mohajirs, some three crores of these, who even after 58 years of Pakistan's creation, continue to think of themselves as nothing but second class citizens.

If in their desperation the Balochis decide to blow up the Sui gas plant in Balochistan, which provides two thirds of Pakistan's natural gas supplies, the military knows how to handle the situation. Press the iron heel a little harder. The Balochis must be taught a lesson as much as the Sindhis and the Pushtoons of Waziristan. What obviously matters to the military establishment is the well-being of Punjabis who between them account for 65 per cent of the country's population and most of its armed forces.

Ah, please for the Srinagar-Muzaffarrabad road! The General has very kindly agreed to receive the pro-Pak Hurriyat leaders "travelling by the first bus from Srinagar to the POK Capital!" What if Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Farooq Abdullah and other mainstream leaders from the Valley took the same bus? I hope he won't have them incarcerated because I do believe they will carry their Indian passports or identification papers!

Boosting vegetable production in Udhampur

By Dr M P Gupta

Vegetables are vital in making human diet complete and in improving the economy of the farmers. India is the second largest producer of vegetables and fruits in the world about 92.92 million tonnes of vegetables and 49.80 million tonnes of fruits are grown in nearly 9.94 million hectare consisting about 3 per cent of the total cropped area (India 2001). Though, the vegetable requirement of a person is 280 gram per day as per recommendation of dietician but he is provided less than half of it. This calls for planned extension strategies for promotion of vegetable production to improve the nutritional requirement for masses and also meet the challenges of adequate food supply to the growing population in India. The hilly areas of our country are endowed with a varied agro-climatic conditions suitable for production of vegetables throughout the year. Squarely speaking, the small size holdings in Jammu & Kashmir State can be best utilized for growing vegetables which can give higher yields per unit area as compared to cereal crops that takes more time due to cold weather. The off-season vegetables are in great demand in the domestic as well as in the international market, which need to be exploited in these areas. According to official figures the State during this fiscal has exported nearly three lakh quintals of vegetables so far earning good revenue. Undoubtedly, Jammu & Kashmir can make landmark achievement in temperate vegetable seed production and off-season vegetable cultivation. In this venture some organizations and seed companies are entering in J&K. As a matter of fact, the olericulturists are confronted with various problems in the cultivation & marketing of vegetables with the result the vegetable production as an industry has not picked up in the hilly state despite of great potential for growing of a variety for vegetable crops free from diseases. Besides, in the engaged scenario of commercialization and globalization, the conventional technology transfer approaches are not so effective and calls for "Holistic or System approach" to overcome the problem of identification, selection of interventions, their actual implementation for increasing production and marketing.

Potential areas:

As a matter of fact, whole of the Kashmir valley and Udhampur district in particular has a lot of potential for vegetable production.

The Udhampur district has all the three agro-climatic zone viz; subtropical, intermediate and temperate within the altitudinal variation of 600 to 2000 meters. The annual average rainfall is 1200 mm bulk of which is received during July-September. Good rains are also received during winter. The summer temperature does not exceed 37 degree - 38 degree C. The most potential and productive area lies in the intermediate zones in the Shivalik foothills. In nutshell, the district offers great scope for growing all sorts of vegetables. Most of the farmers in intermediate & temperature regions of the district follow mono cropping system viz growing of single cereal crop. However, some farmers in selected areas grow vegetables in a small piece of land called 'Chaman' for domestic consumption. In order to meet day-to-day requirements of vegetables of urban/rural people, a number of trucks loaded of vegetables are daily pouring J&K from neighbouring States of Punjab and Delhi. Although mostly dependent on rainwater, vegetables in general are grown under rainfed conditions which is a unique feature of the district. However, motivation and adoption on the part of farmers to grow vegetables on commercial scale is lacking due to a number of constraints like i) Barriers on farmers' level; ii) Infrastructural constraints; iii) Situational compulsions etc. and calls for action research so that the potential of the district is exploited to improve its overall economy besides serve as vegetable bowl for the entire state.

In the back-drop, "Motivation & Adoption of Vegetable Production Among Farmers of Udhampur District of J&K," may be promoted with the following interventions:

i) Establishment of Vegetable Research Station in catchment potential area of Chenani in the district for production of vegetable seeds & attends to farmers problems in vegetables.

ii) Educating farmers about package of practices for vegetables growing in general and nursery raising in particular.

iii) Use of ply-houses for enforced growth of quality vegetables.

iv) Arranging awareness camps, farmers to farmers extension; vegetable shows, competitions; vegetables days; kisan goshties to popularize growing of vegetables among farmers/farm women and youth.

v) Imparting knowledge to farming community in post-harvest technology of vegetable crops.

vi) To layout demonstration plots and arrange fields days on vegetables to show the worth of innovation or improvement package of practices.

vii) Imparting training in vegetable seed production technology.

viii) Supply of seed, seedling of suitable varieties/hybrids for different regions.

ix) Identification and popularization of growing of ornamental plants and flowers for commercial marketing.

Besides Farmers's self-help groups, farmer to farmer extension contacts and vegetable co-operative societies will have to be formulated for developing facilities for storage, marketing and processing of vegetable produce in focal villages for making all round promotion in vegetable production which inturn will substantially increase the income of the farmers (1:1.5) and usher prosperity in the region. Further, it is envisaged that the State rather than importing, will be in position to export vegetables and value-added products to earn revenue to the tune of about Rs. 150-160 crore per annum.

Hurriyat, Pakistan and Politics! ……
Yours Randomly,

Dr. R. L. Bhat

Two major issues of this state are the local bodies' elections and the Pak opposition to Bhagliar project. Local bodies' elections are slated to take place all over the state. The hydroelectric project is also going to have a lasting impact on the energy situation all over the state. It has brought the Indus Waters Treaty into sharp focus with Pakistan going to the World Bank for arbitration. Now arbitration is a pet theme with Pakistan. To be sure the very creation of Pakistan was an act of 'arbitration' by the then British rulers ostensibly to facilitate freedom for India. Actually it was to keep a niche of influence open for themselves in the subcontinent. it was facilitated by the kinked thinking in subcontinent itself. That thinking has not gone out of the subcontinent, rather within what is left of the Indian part of the subcontinent. That thinking makes the Hurriyat Conference to talk sympathetically about the Pak case in Bhagliar project, if not support it out rightly, even though the project is intimately related to energy needs of this state.

Of course, that is not something unheard of in these parts. The very being and bent of Hurriyat is to force the Pak case on Kashmir down the throats of the state as well as the nation. If it can be done with talking…well and good; if that doesn't happen, the 'friendly help' of mehman terrorist-sahiban is always at hand! That this stand is looked at with sympathy by the general public is a mark of the indifference we usually evince towards vital issues. This is a fallacy of public participation. The general public does not respond unless the threshold of tolerance is reached. Then the calm breaks and riots ensue. The role of leadership would ideally be to prevent such a precipitation. But then we do not live in an ideal world. Ours is a world divided by perceptual confusion and frustrated by personal interest. the piled up angst is manifested in riots and rampage instead of getting resolved in early stages. Nobody can say that the communal, racial even linguistic short-fuses do not exist. Seldom do they originate in sound reasons. Few tend to them until they come down crashing upon the society.

So Hurriyat and other outfits even the mainstream parties keep piling irrationalities as 'just causes' without getting their truth told. One of the base lines in the National Conference thinking on Kashmir is that 'injustices' have been done, that Pakistan has been cheated and that Kashmir has been 'enslaved'. None of them have been questioned. Only when these fault lines of thought manifest themselves in demands like 'autonomy' do they get noticed for their illogicality. Then they rightfully agitate minds but this agitation cannot justify itself, nor sustain itself, because the basic premises have gone uncontested. You may prune leaves but you cannot prevent new leaves sprouting if you have watered the seeds well. The seeds of discontent have been watered well; they are being watered every day.

And every day the bitter fruits are being resented. Thus though there is clear opposition in more than half of the state to autonomy, the clamor of so-called 'aspirations of Kashmir' is widely seen as legitimate and proper. Legitimate and proper aspirations have logical solutions. One is autonomy. Another is secessionism. The seeds always bear the fruits they will.

The common explanation is that it is politics. But saying that doesn't help. It doesn't take the issue away, or dim it. The chief minister at his press conference the other day said that the Hurriyat opposition to local bodies' elections is 'irrelevant' as these elections only concern development. So do the elections to state assembly. So, do you accept that that the mainstream politicians who have been wining and claiming to speak for the state and its people on all issues are not the 'representative voices' when it comes to vital questions? Indeed, he said just that: 'boycott would be relevant when it is to settle the vital issues'. This is what the PDP president had said in her interview to Srinagar weekly Chattan. 'We are not to deal with the basic issue.' So is Hurriyat to deal with the basic issues? Does it have the 'mandate' to do that? Are the mainstreamers mere jokers in the ring? In an interview along side, the NC president and former union minister Omar Abdullah says that NC participated in the elections when they were 'assured that the election commission of India would ensure that elections to local bodies are fair and free'. Now what does the autonomy demand seek but to curtail the jurisdiction of these very institutions, these very regulatory bodies? Politics key liyey kutch be karega is okay but are we not undermining the basic principles which is the aim and objective, the reson d'etre of all politics, all leadership?

Bhagliar, as the chief minister said, is a life line for the state. Just weeks ago, with his winsome smile spread all over his face, Prof Abdul Gani slyly pleaded the Pak case. Pak case is not only to have full use of the waters but also prevent any use by this state and people of these waters. The mehmans they have sent here brought down much of the developmental infrastructure. If we mean and maintain that the elected representatives are concerned only with the developmental works and the vital questions are to be resolved with others, other representatives, probably of the Hurriyat vintage what exactly are we promoting - democracy, development or secessionism? Using the phrase popularized by a certain ms Jackson's bared breast, that is a political malfunction. It is the road and route to dissention, terrorism even secessionism. It is costing the state and its people a lot in terms of development, stability as well as leadership. It costs its very being and bent.