International Conference on “Novel Approaches for Food and Health Security in High Altitudes” to be held at Field Research Laboratory, Leh in September 6-10, 2008.
We are witnessing a boom in research techniques and technologies and it is time to deliberate in the areas of high altitude agro-animal research.

The theme of conference is “Enhancing performance and sustainable development in high altitudes” and will provide glimpses of futuristic approach in this area.
The delegates will be treated to three days intensively stimulating, thought provoking and academically enriching sessions comprising of orations, invited talks and posters by eminent scientists from India and abroad. Panel discussions, research communications and interactions with scientists will satiate academic cravings.

Areas for Deliberations
• Sustainable agriculture and animal production systems
• Ethnobotany and bioprospecting of medicinal plants
• Molecular and biotechnological approaches for crop and animal improvement and conservation
• Biomedical research to improve human health
• Food safety and nutritional implications
• Stress physiology in high altitudes
• Zero energy post-harvest management of fruits & vegetables
• Utilization of non-conventional energy sources
• Plant, soil and animal health
• Agriculture resource management in high altitudes
• Dissemination and adoption of technologies in high altitude communities

For more information please visit the conference website.

Keith Ball
We regret to announce that Dr Keith Ball died on 9 January aged 92 after suffering from a long deteriorating illness. Keith’s connection with Ladakh dates back to 1980 when – already well into his 60s – he joined the Bristol University expedition to Zangskar. Together with Jonathan Elford, he subsequently contributed a chapter on “Health in Zangskar” to Himalayan Buddhist Villages, the set of research papers on Zangskar edited by John Crook and Henry Osmaston). On his own and in association with Dr Tsering Norboo of the Sonam Memorial Hospital in Leh, he later wrote a series of research papers on silicosis, high-altitude oedema, tetanus and respiratory illness in Ladakh. John Crook, who led the Bristol expedition, remembers him as “a patient doctor to us all” and notes that “his warm personality soon attracted villagers to him.”  Everyone who knew Keith  - whether in India or in Europe - will remember those same qualities of warmth, patience and careful research.

Peter Marczell
We have recently heard of the death of our colleague Peter Marczell in late 2007. Peter was Hungarian-born but was based in Geneva for most of his adult life. He initially earnt his living as a market researcher, but in the early 1990s embarked on what became a series of studies on the Hungarian scholar Alexander Csoma de Kőrös who had stayed in Ladakh in the 1820s. Peter’s researches culminated in a two-volume study Alexander Csoma de Kőrös, consisting of a set of essays and transcripts of archival records, which was published by the Asiatic Society of Bengal earlier in 2007. He had been suffering from a serious illness for some time, but was able to take part in the IALS conference in Rome in September. Peter had been a member of the IALS Advisory Committee.
 
 
Kim Gutschow
Kim gave birth to a daughter, Yeshe Johanna Gutschow Rai, at home on December 30, 2007. Kim reports that “after a small bout of jaundice, Yeshe is now well and claiming her place in the family song and dance” alongside her elder brother Krishan and sister Tashi.

Seb Mankelow
Seb became a father in November (Seb's wife Jaj, and Kim were both sporting bumps at the Rome Colloquium) with the birth of Erin. As a consequence Seb can occasionally be found working on the IALS website in the early hours of the morning...

The IALS Executive Committee is currently discussing the possibility of introducing reduced membership rates for the under fives!

Jammu, Sunday, January 06, 2008
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here today that his Government would carry our a review in order to give more powers to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC-Leh) with a view to further strengthening it.

He gave this assurance to a delegation of the Latah Union Territory Front (LUTF) led by Mr Thupstan Chhewang, MP and LUTF president, at an hour-long meeting at his residence here. The Chief Minister also expressed his views about the other notable demands of the LUTF concerning the inclusion of the Bhoti language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, reopening of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage through Leh and police atrocities on elected representatives and Buddhist leaders.

The meeting of Ladakh leaders with the Chief Minister followed one that they had with National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah and NC president Omar Abdullah yesterday. In a statement here, Mr Chhewang quoted the Chief Minister as having promised the delegation that his government would certainly consider investing the LAHDC with more financial and legislative powers. The delegation pointed out to him that the powers given so far were more “symbolic” in nature. The Council in reality had no control over employees, for instance.

The Chief Minister was apprised about the manner of the revival of the district unit of the Congress by keeping even senior party functionaries in the dark. He was also told about the terror let loose by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and his police in Leh district against leaders of the LUTF as well as the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA).

Mr Azad evinced great interest in both the developments and made several queries. About the demand for the removal of the SSP he said he would let the MP and MLA (Mr Pinto Norboo) know about it after some time. “We got the impression as if the Chief Minister wanted to discuss the matter with the top police brass,” Mr Chhewang said.

According to Mr Chhewang, the Chief Minister said his Government would take steps to get the Bhoti language its due recognition. The delegation pointed out to him that a Cabinet resolution was required for its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The Chief Minister asserted that he would do his best to get the Leh route opened for the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage. He told the delegation that he would take up the matter with the Prime Minister, Dr Man Mohan Singh, who incidentally was scheduled to go to China .

The Chief Minister also showed urgency in translating the pending local development projects into a reality. He assured that he would give instructions to the new Power Minister to get the power schemes moving. He also promised to favourably consider the plea for starting helicopter service to Lingshet during winters. About the creation of more tehsils and sub-divisions the Chief Minister said the Government would take a decision after receiving the Bloeria Committee report on reorganisation of administrative units.

The delegation also presented a memorandum to the Chief Minister on the occasion listing their demands.Yesterday the delegation had held a detailed meeting with Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mr Omar Abdullah.

The NC leaders assured it that their party would raise their demands on the floor of the Assembly. The delegation thanked them for their support. It had earlier in the week met Mr A.R. Rather, NC Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.

Mr Chhewang said the delegation was quite satisfied with the concern shown by all political parties about the situation in Leh. They had met their leaders during nearly one-long stay in this city. He also thanked the Chief Minister for being positive and responsive.

He said the LUTF in keeping with its insistence on exercising democratic options would hold a dharna in the city. This will be done to strike a rapport with local citizens and inform them about developments in Ladakh. This would also help build harmonious human relations.

The delegation consisted of, apart from Mr Chhewang (Leh), Mr Pinto Norboo, MLA (Nubra), Executive councillors and councillors of LAHDC Mr Dorjay had to cut short his stay and fly back to Leh on Friday to keep his official schedule.

Dr Phuntsog Dorjay has submitted this story Jammu University to host lecture on Pre-Tibetan Buddhist Rock Sculptures for coverage on 'News and Noticeboard'. The article provides some background on Ladakhi rock carvings and inscriptions whilst highlighting the need for greater conservation efforts.



1. hunters and ibex at Alchi (October 2006)


2. rock art slowly being harvested for construction (summer 2004)


3. 'Cement renovation' of the deep relief 5 Buddha bodies in Padum (September 2006).
Picture credits: Seb Mankelow