Electronic
meters
Sir,
Electric department has come
out with a solution to save electricity
by installing electronic meters in the
State, so that people may use electricity
judiciously because they will have to pay
according to meters and as per actual
consumption.
Residents of Adarsh Enclave,
Sector 1, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu were given
a ‘‘Diwali Gift’’ in
the shape of electronic meters 2 days
before the festival last year. People
took it in a matter of fact manner, with
a pinch of salt, but without any protest
of any sort. They had the consolation in
their mind that now they will get 24
hours uninterrupted power supply, as
their counterparts across the road were
getting. But their hopes were belied very
soon. Next Diwali is about 2 months away,
but the residents of Adarsh Enclave are
being subjected to long curtailments even
after installation of electronic meters.
In the morning the light is switched off
from 5 am to 8 pm. During the day it is
switched off for 1 to 1.30 hour on
rotation basis. Then in the evening it is
switched off alternately from 7 pm to
8.30 pm and 8.30 p.m to 10 pm. Over and
above these regular cuts, there are
frequent unscheduled cuts. Even the
festivals are not spared. Not to go too
far, these cuts were enforced even on
Independence Day as well as on Shri
Krishan Janamashtmi.
We, the Jammu people are
very tolerant by nature and the
authorities that be, take undue advantage
of people's patience. Day in and day out,
Officers at the helm of electric
department issue statements of installing
electronic meters in the State with the
promise of providing 24 hours regular
power supply. With the treatment meted
out to the residents of Adarsh Enclave,
Trikuta Nagar, where the meters were
installed about 10 months back and power
cuts are enforced from 5.30 to 7 hours
daily how could one trust their hollow
promises.
Yours
etc....
S K Gupta
7, Adarsh Enclave
Trikuta Nagar
Himalayan
ecology
Sir,
This refers to an article
written by Ravi Sharma titled
‘‘Himalayan ecology under
siege’’ which appeared on
19.8.2006.
In India, the whole of the
Himalayas extending from Assam in the
east to Kashmir in the west is highly
deforested. Among the north western
Himalayan states, the Jammu and Kashmir
Himalayas is the worst affected in
deforestation followed by Uttranchal
(Kumaon and Garhwal) and Himachal
Pradesh.
Jammu and Kashmir Himalayan
State has three distinct regions, the
valley of Kashmir, Ladakh and
Jammu-confluence of Siwaliks and
Himalayas. But unfortunately, after
independence, with the burgeoning
population and laxity in checking the
forces causing damage to ecological
system due to political compulsion and
lately due to militancy, the State has
lost substantial forest cover. These
days, the forest area of the State
constitutes only 19.27 per cent of its
geographic area. However, out of this
forest area of 19.27 per cent, dense
forests account for 10 percent. So,
unless the rehabilitation measures are
not taken and strictly enforced, the
future of the forest ecosystem of Jammu
and Kashmir Himalayas is gloomy.
Let us remember that
protection of forests is in our own self
interest. And if we still go on
destroying them which otherwise support
human kind in many respects, we will be
bringing about our own self destruction.
It is not only the responsibility of the
Government alone but all of us to protect
the existing forests with all our might
and zeal.
Yours
etc...
R D Gupta
39, Dhakki Sarajan Jammu
Jammu
Shivaliks
Sir,
Jammu division is mostly
surrounded by low hills barring south
where a vast plain merges with the plain
of Punjab. These low hills called
Shivaliks have been home to wide renging
eco diversity and wild life. The ecology
of these hills has obviously fostered a
local life style, art and culture. The
famous Basholi paintings have a clear
Shivalik landscape in the background and
which is quite natural. For man, is but
product of his environment of which he
may or may not be aware. During the last
three decades these hills have borne the
burnt of population pressure. Large
trusts of these lush areas have been
changed into city suburbs. The demand of
firewood has further aggrevated the
problem of deforestation. Naturally,
under these conditions the wild life has
also dwindled. Previously the old among
us say that deer, wild boar, an
occasional leopard. big lizzards and
variety of birds were seen which are now
rarely encountered. So there is urgent
need to preserve the natural wealth of
these forests.
Yours
etc..
Nanak Chand
Bakshi Nagar
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