Completion of three Yamuna basin schemes only will solve Delhi's water problems- Arabinda Ghose It sounds cruel to say this, but the stark reality is that only when three projects in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarkhand, hanging fire for more than two decades, are completed, water woes of Delhites can be resolved for a reasonably long spell of time.

Himachal's Guchhis Sell For Rs 11,000/Kg At Kullu Fair Kullu: Wrapped in mysticism and hailed as an aphrodisiac, Morchella esculenta, an edible mushroom also known as the Common Morel, sold for Rs 11,000 per kg at the recently held Banjar fair in Kullu. Locally known as guchhi, it was arguably the hottest attraction at the mela, its main trading centre, that saw buyers from across the region. While last year this natural wonder, demanding a premium, went for Rs 8,000 per kg, this year, due to less production and greater demand, the price simply peaked.

Solan: Alert villagers today helped save the life of a female leopard trapped by poachers in Badah village near Kasauli. Sources in the forest department revealed that the leopard was first noticed by some villagers after they heard roars of the animal in the morning. They immediately informed the forest officials, who seung into action. The trap was laid by some unknown poachers in the field of one Amar Singh, a farmer in Badah village.

Himachal Pradesh government has sought Centre's approval for levying generation tax on hydroelectric projects in the state. It has also demanded extension of the industrial package till 2013. Chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal raised the issues in a letter written to Union finance minister P Chidambaram recently, official sources said on Monday. Mr Dhumal pointed out that under Article 288 of the Constitution the state could levy generation tax. He also urged the Centre to extend the industrial package announced by the previous NDA regime to its original period of 2013.

The Himachal Pradesh Government has sought the Centre's approval for levying generation tax on hydro electricity projects in the State and extension of the industrial package till 2013. The Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, raised the issues in a letter written to the Union Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, recently, official sources said today. Mr Dhumal has pointed out that under Article 288 of the Constitution of India, the State could levy generation tax. BUDGET SPEECH

Till a few years ago, whenever the people of the picturesque Kibber village in Himachal Pradesh's Spiti valley discovered that their cows and yaks were killed by the snow leopard, they would try to poison or trap the elusive cat.

The state government will seek funds from the World Bank for implementing major tunnel projects planned to improve road connectivity in the state.

The need for a reduction in carbon emissions was debated at the United Nations Conference on Environment & Development (The Earth Summit) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, resulting in the adoption of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an international treaty on environment. The Kyoto Protocol, 1998, was adopted by the parties to the UNFCCC with the objective of achieving quantified emission limitations through specific policies and measures to minimising the adverse effects of climate change.

The companies involved in executing hydel projects in the state in general and Palampur in particular are flouting the agreement on the proper disposal of debris, clay and stones. This became evident as residents of HIMUDA colony, Holta, and adjoining localities were being compelled to consume muddy and contaminated water for the last three days.