The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Big cats on prowl?

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Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Big cats on prowl?

Virtually hounded out of their habitat, the big cats are frequently attacking humans in Madhurawada, Rishikonda and adjoining areas. One can’t blame the poor animals, as it is we (humans) who are encroaching into their territory by clearing the jungles and balding the hills to pave the way for concrete jungles. “What would we do if a snake enters our house”? “Without giving a second thought whether the serpent is poisonous or otherwise, we try to kill it.” This is what most of us would do except a few who may trap it and hand it over to the zoo. Going by the same logic, the leopards seem to scare away humans by attacking them and injuring them.

Expansion at whose cost?

Expansion of roads, done at a considerable cost is meant for a smooth flow of traffic and sufficient space for the pedestrians. But it is not so with case of the road opposite the King George Hospital. This road has been expanded by taking over a long stretch of land of KGH about a couple of years ago in spite of strong protest from the citizens and doctors. Laying of footpath on the side abutting the KGH was completed recently. The footpath looks good with coloured tiles fixed on it. But the stretch of footpath from Collector’s Office junction to the KGH Main Gate is occupied by pushcart vendors selling tiffins, biryani, fruits, etc. One felt that the few vendors present on the road when the roadwork was taken up would be asked to leave once the work was completed. But their number has grown and they entrenched themselves on the pavement. During the time work on footpath was taken up, they moved to the other side of the road and once the work was completed, they have come back and settled on the pavement, which provided them with a neat and even surface. What purpose the expansion of the road served is the question people are asking. At the other end of the road the expanded area is serving as a parking lot.

A jinxed utsav

Visakha Utsav has become jinxed. The first year when it was started in mid-90s, Veena Ish, the then District Collector, wanted to make it a regular feature on fixed dates every year. But it is becoming a casualty due to variety of reasons like cyclones and elections ever since it was introduced amid fanfare. It is aimed at showcasing Vizag as a tourist destination. The VUDA, which coincides its annual flower show with Visakha Utsav, apparently thought it wise not to link it with the utsav due to uncertainty over its holding. The show conducted at VUDA Park recently turned into a big hit. With general elections slated for 2009 next year it is ruled out due to model code. Hopefully, the tourism extravaganza, which attracts tourist operators and investors will not be a casualty in 2008.

Absence of elderly advice root cause

The legal awareness programme organised by the Visakhapatnam Port Trust and the District Legal Services Authority threw light on several factors. Former Chairman of Bar Association of India D.V.Subba Rao spoke on the misuse of provisions of dowry harassment act and also expressed anguish at the institution of family losing its pre-eminence. “That family is the bedrock of society is being forgotten and young couples coming to courts for divorce is a sorry sight,” he regretted. Why do we need new laws and means to deliver justice? Senior Civil Judge M.R.Saravan Kumar was of the view that the breakdown of the joint family system deprived people of elderly advice necessitating other interventions. At the instance of Port Deputy Chairman M.S. Rao, Bar Association president B.V.Ramanjaneya Rao dwelt on various aspects like getting caught in an accident, departmental inquiries and court proceedings going on simultaneously,maintenance and succession issues etc. Such classes help people take a right decision when they find themselves in a tricky situation.

(B. Madhu Gopal, G. Narasimha Rao, Santosh Patnaik and G.V.Prasada Sarma)

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