Mount Abu Promoting Sanctuary's to save animals and flora is like promoting Ambiguity to the people living there

Mount Abu is the only hill station that Rajasthan has; it is a hot spot of tourism due to its splendid diverse landscapes, its religious cultural heritage, which generates a good source of income and employment to its local and rural masses. The region has been recognized as an important tourist destination, and is the backbone of the economy of the people residing here. The local populace under the oldest Municipality in India, are today at a quandary as to what is going to happen to their future, with the Collector's notification of turning the whole of Mount Abu into a Sanctuary. Property rights have long been recognized as a cornerstone of individual liberty and economic prosperity. As long as people are secure in their right to use, alter, and trade their belongings as they see fit, freedom and an ever-increasing standard of living are the result. However, not all rights to property are clearly defined. When property rights are unclear or absent, people are skeptical. In order to avoid these stumbling blocks and to strengthen the protections for individual freedom, every effort should be made by the state to vest clearly defined private ownership rights in areas where there are planning to overrun by introducing laws of the state.. One of the most important lessons that 21st Century geopolitics teaches is that property rights and individual freedom are vital human rights, as important as freedom, equality, ethics and speech.

Ambiguities in law and how they are implemented are crucial. Fears and apprehension have gripped the locals of Mount Abu, the public at large have been notified that within a specified period to air their grievances as why this area should not come under the control of the forest. The Municipality which has been running this town from the 18th century today is found wanting. I personally feel that my freedom to movement and those of my kith and kin in no way should be compromised. It's ironic to promote freedom of animal movement and restricts those of liberal individuals. Sanctuary and Park rules when implemented on urban areas have a cascading effect. How will the needs of the people, particularly communities that critically depend on tourists be met if the specters of displacement of the local people by officials of the forest department are implemented? Whose responsibility will this be? A few simple observations before I sign off. There is fear and apprehensions amongst the locals which was never there. Bitterness, skepticism and hostility are the order of the day.

MOUNT ABU "BLOWS its TOP"

MOUNT ABU ‘BLOWS its TOP”
This serene, live-and-let-live town today woke up from its submissive state of slumber and took

out its biggest rally ever in the history of Mount Abu to assert itself against the forest Authorities who are trying to impose strict laws of Forest Sanctuary norms on, this economic and viable city, . If this is allowed to take place it would be curtains for all the honest, peaceful, and nature loving folks of this ancient God fearing town. For centuries the natives and the local populace of this area have been catering to and looking after its natural environment. The forest authorities have suddenly woken up and feel the need to convert this peaceful semi-hill station (which caters to lakhs of tourists every year) into a Sanctuary. This action on the part of the Authorities seems needless, as to what they want to achieve denies the honest citizen his basic rights and amenities by imposing Sanctuary Laws. This brings to mind how in the earlier centuries the RED Indians of the United States of America, the original inhabitants were robbed of there birthright when their government imposed reservation laws on these fiercely proud people.
Is our government planning something similar by imposing Sanctuary law where it is not needed? What does the government want to achieve, by taking over the rights of the hill –folks who for centuries have been living in peace and harmony with their surroundings.
MY appeal to the Government and on behalf of all the residents of Mount Abu is to let Abu be FREE.
AS FREE, AS ANIMALS, PLANTS, FORESTS AND HILL-FOLKS
THAT HAVE LIVED FOR CENTURIES IN HARMONY “FREE”

Mount Abu A Ticket To Ride

 THE TOLL TAX MOUNT ABU

A Ticket to ride

My home town Mt.Abu has for aeons been collecting a visitors tax on all newcomers who turn up the hillside to visit this great tourist sight on the hillside of the Aravali. On entering Abu, they encountered HUGE Posters of WELCOME To Mount Abu at the great toll tax barrier. Thus, to their utter annoyance, they are handed out with a ticket of admission per individual and per vehicle. This start of their sojourn journey leaves a great populace of visitors quite bitter and annoyed as they think they have been deluded. On the tickets, I feel that a few delightful and humourous quotes should be stamped to put these important guests in a better frame of mind. Although they cannot evade their requirement of paying their tax, we should prepare them to feel at home. “Your dreams are where your destiny begins”. Welcome to the Haven of Rajasthan. I hardly ever go towards the toll tax barrier but yesterday an episode that resulted at the barrier forced me to head there around 8.15pm. The Abu Toll Tax Barrier area has gone High-tech and flaunts quite a unique look specifically at night. It’s well lit up and has computerized check posts with automatic lowering and lifting check bars. 

I received a call from my son-in-law specifying that they were going to seize his automobile because he supposedly had bumped into one of the lowering bars, being an Abuite ( local citizen) he put up his hand to identify himself he was waved on by one guy at the station, as he drove halfway through the restricted area he suddenly got a bump on the hood of his automobile, he screeched to a grinding halt but it was too late the aluminium drawbar that descended on his hood got slightly bent at the base, the young lad manning the controls came running out of his cabin shouting in the local dialect, “Aik aur gadi thuk gai” ( One more vehicle has been hit), some sort of miss-management had taken place and this was the second vehicle that had bumped into a toll bar. The owner of the previous vehicle, a visitor who visited Abu, had to suffer a barrage of queries? They hauled him up and subsequently finished paying Rs11, 000/- as damages for a cracked aluminium drawbar? While we waited at the check post for some resolution to be accepted by the guys at the toll bar, we were notified that the chairperson’s mobile was turned off and that he was not accessible and they could only come to a resolution the next day. They summoned us to deposit an amount of Rs11, 000/- or leave our car behind. I asked them if I could deposit a cheque, for which I got an affirmative “NO” cheque only cash. I had to go into town to pick up the eleven grand. Here’s the voucher that they handed to me.

Cash voucher as fine toll barrier Mt Abu

Will keep you posted on what unfolds tomorrow. The guys at the Toll Nakka should have more competent men manning the electronically controlled barriers, so innocent and genuine people are not harassed. This additional barrier has posed a real big problem for us, locals. While the Municipality is busy collecting revenue from the incoming tourist influx, it makes the locals wait in a queue for clearance of the visitors, in peak season time, it’s real bugging. They should have made a separate lane for the local Abuites where they are not harassed and their peace of mind is re-assured. The local authorities should remember it’s the locals who are at the receiving end and should be the last people to be made game off.

Mount Abu THE ELUSIVE CROCODILE

A Crocodile, in the placid Nakki Lake, has been making headlines in the local news of Mount Abu, It’s been sometime now that one of the world’s greatest predators should have made it’s way into the lake which is the hub of tourist attraction .Boating had come to a grinding halt as physiologically the tourist populaces have a morbid fear of this wily predator. The local authorities had been working around the clock to ensnare this crocodile but were not able to lure this sleek crock into their iron cage or their nets spread out along the banks of the lake. Crocks were introduced into Abu some years ago after this beautiful hill station was declared a sanctuary in the early sixties. Crocks were put into Trevor’s tank some years ago, probably as a tourist attraction, or who can tell as an experiment to see how well they adapted to this terrain. This crock I believe had made its way from a shallow lake near Palace Hotel called “Sant Sarovar”. The monsoons this year were way out, Abuites were really thankful to the rain gods for the respite that followed after the harrowing non-stop downpour for almost 20 to 25 days, the streams that were bone dry, are now alive with tiddlers and crabs. There’s speculation as to whether this crock will ever be netted, the special teams that were sent from one or two other places in Rajasthan left behind their iron cage and equipment and departed. The crock is having a ball of a time, a lake full of fish and now and again a goose or a duck that inhabit the lake that are fattened by the tourists.Now that the hullabaloo has finally died down life around the lake has resumed it’s normal routine. There’s speculation as to where this crock has disappeared, I visited the lake umpteen time early mornings noon and late in the evening to snap this elusive guy but did see hair no hide of him. He’s probably shacked out in the undergrowth surrounding the property of his Highness of Jodhpur (The Lake Palace). If and when he does re-appear I’ll let you folks know of it. I did take some wonderful photos of the lake and of Abu in general and have posted them on my web site http://ainsleyster.googlepages.com/home

"Paddy's Bridge" Mount Abu

Old “Paddy’s Bridge”. On a road that has St.Mary’s at the other end

 Old “Paddy’s Bridge”

“Around the corner lies Old “Paddy’s Bridge”. On a road that has St.Mary’s at the other end
Do not stand at my bridge and Gape. I’m there, as I’ve always been.

I’m a study bridge and have always been, I’m the memory of a thousand boys,

I’m an inspiration to all who have traversed over me to the gates of St.Mary’s,

I’m remembered every monsoon season with awe and thrill, I inspire the boys

An awakening that awakens when the monsoon waters have their fill

Do not stand and gape at me, there will be changes, I may not be there,

I’ll live on in the hearts of all the boys, who have lovingly looked down at me.

Paddy’s Bridge has been in the local news this last whole week, On the 19thSaturday,2006 the bridge was in spate and the boys had to hoof it over the hill to the new check post to avoid being washed away by the overflow from the dam and the incessant rain. Never in the history of St.Mary’s have the day scholars had so many non-instructional working days as they have had this year? The local authorities banned the local day- scholars from using the road as it posed a great threat to the student’s life. The local authorities finally swung into action on the 25th by putting up temporary barricades on either side of Paddy’s bridge and putting some meshing on the sides of the bridge. It looks like the ban on four-wheelers and heavy traffic will continue to be in force as long as it is raining heavily. Regular school commenced on the 25thAugust, 2006.

Mount Abu The Grand Finales of Polo played in"TREVOR'S OVAL" Abu 15thApril 2006

The revival of Polo Mount Abu

Spectators and tourists from all corners of Abu gathered at Trevor's OVAL for the polo match Grand Finale. I’m posting some photographs taken by me of this last lap. Happy viewing.

Grand Finale of the polo match

Grand Finale of the polo match

Grand Finale of the polo match

Mount Abu POLO AFTER 75 YEARS

Mount Abu POLO AFTER 75 YEARS

I took A few snapshots on day two  12th March 2006 of the polo match played on "Trevor's OVAL" Polo Grounds Mount Abu.

POLO AFTER 75 YEARS

Mount Abu Polo Grounds

Revival of Polo after a lapse of 75 years

Revival of Polo after a lapse of 75 years

Revival of Polo after a lapse of 75 years

Rider and horse in unison

"MOUNT ABU" THE ABODE OF THE GOD'S

THE ABODE Of GODS
MOUNT ABU 

MY HOMETOWN

Mount Abu The Abode of Gods

Welcome to the oasis of Rajasthan. The birthplace of the God of the Rajputs.A heavenly place still with most of its virgin origins. It is located on the oldest hills of the world, in the Aravalli Range Mountains. It’s about 30 km from Abu Road the closest railway station, and it’s connected by road to the National Highway No8. The drive up the hill is about 45 minutes. Mount Abu (Ar-Booda, “the hill of wisdom”) (240 36’ N, 720 45’ E) in the Sirohi District of Rajasthan is the only hill station of the state situated at an average height of1,219 m in the Abu Hills. The scenic landscape includes gigantic lava rocks in weird shapes, an array of coniferous trees, wild date palm trees, flowering shrubs and lovely little streamlets that come alive during the monsoon period. The summer months are the gateway to a large number of tourists who flood this small hill station in the hope of getting away from the burning plains. Abu does provide a respite to the tourists from the heat, especially in the summers. The Monsoons season in Abu is wonderful; it’s at this time of the year that the hillside comes alive, lush green lantanas, grasses, mosses on the volcanic rock, an influx of a huge variety of local and migratory birds, gurgling streams, and the descending clouds makes one feel he’s living in the Abode of the God. The hills and the valleys are a sight to behold they look like huge green carpets laid out, tourists ascending the hill feel they are witnessing an illusion after their travel through the steaming Rajasthan desert.

Mount Abu GOOD FRIDAY

GOOD FRIDAY

Good, I've finally found time to post a comment on my blog after a very long period of silence. Good Friday, for the love of Christ I'm still to figure out why it's called Good Friday! I would have thought it should be called God's Friday or something more down to earth 'Mourning Friday' for the large Christian population that inhabit this planet. My bitter half is a staunch Catholic and she has her own theory as to why it's called Good Friday. I’ve still to continue her story and her optimistic outlook on life, she’s still on medication and not out of the woods yet, Dr.Anand does drop in once in a way to have look at her foot. In my next few blogs, I’ll be posting some insights on my hometown call MOUNT ABU, for me, it’s the Abode.