Dhauladhar ranges lie almost entirely in Himachal Pradesh. They are distinctive in their typical rocky formations with a remarkably steep rise culminating in sharp streaks of snow and ice at the top of their crested peaks. The ranges are best seen from the Kangra Valley from where they shoot up almost vertically. The Dhauladhars also have a peculiar topography. Supporting an vertical incline, ascending from any side is a difficult,
Though high mountains don't even grow a single blade of grass , yet Dhauladhar ranges regulate the local ecosystem. There is hardly any habitation on the ranges . However, meadows abound near the crest provide rich pastures for grazing where large numbers of Gaddi shepherds take their flocks. Grazing by livestocks prevents regeneration of vegetation. The dependence of foothills people on forests for fuel and fodder have since long created ecological imbalances.
To address all such problems, an integrated farm-forestry project was executed in eighties in technical collaboration with Germany. The project was meant for economically uplifting the people living in foothills of Dhauladhar ranges in Palampur of Kangra district. The target groups were to be helped to switch over to integrated farming as to reduce their dependence on forests for fuel , fodder and other needs.
The project also aimed at preventing the the loss of fertility from grazing, encouraging stall feeding and promoting integrated farming. The livestock's grazing destroys the fertility of the soil as ferociously as top soil of the denuded land is washed down the stream. There are much more adverse affects of the deforestation.
Germans were great fans of flora and fauna of Dhauladhar ranges and loved its majestic landscape. The all season snow capped hills fascinated them and they would often go out to scale high peaks, do para-gliding and carry other adventure sport activities. They were more hard working, disciplined and well informed. They did the homework assiduously, collected all relevant data and info required to kickstart the project. Even , govt departments didn't had such information.
Their smartness with info had placed them above us. They were really concerned with fragile ecology of the Dhauladhar ranges . However, we for that matter most of us working in such projects, were more interested in visiting Germany. Anyway, I had then detested the 'superiority' or call it our poor habit". There was a special washroom for them at the office and it used to locked to ensure we didn't have access to this. This mindset was similar to Colonial rule wherein Indians and dogs were banned from entering clubs and hgh places reserved for "Lat Saheb". All through my stint in the project, I remained uncomfortable with this "discrimination as the the basic philosophy of the project working was "No superior among equals". But in indian bureaucratic hierarchy, its better said than dine.
Honestly speaking, most of us are still not used to better 'hygienic habits". The dirty public toilet filled with filthy wall writings and Gutka spits here and there, even uncleaned stinking toilet and bathrooms and dirty undermount sinks speak for our poor hygienic habits. After I left the project, I had the chance to meet German leader of the project. He was totally dejected with the unnecessary interference of local leaders including ministers. Later, I came to know, he sought repatriation and went somewhere else. I had most enjoyed my posting there as I learnt a lot from Germans. They were straight forward in approach , honest to work and duty- target bound.
Five decades later. I was really pained to see almost naked Dhauladhar ranges even in winter. This is in sharp contrast to fully snow-capped hills even in summer during seventies and eighties. This time winter rain has seen lowest, while there were enough in Summer. Germans had envisioned this scenario in eighties and warned its serious repercussions. Alas! our political leaders turn their backs from realities. We must remember, mountains hit back when disturbed , they cry when hurt and they smile if looked after.
-Chander Sharma