Author: Press Trust of India
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: November 25, 2002
URL: http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_108779,0004.htm
Notwithstanding the common belief
that human life originated in Africa, a senior anthropologist on Monday
called for researches focussing on the second theory, which holds that
the evolution of man began in Shivalik range of the Himalayas.
Presiding over a two-day seminar
on "bio-cultural profile of central and western Himalayas" here, Deepak
Tyagi, Director-incharge of Anthropological Survey of India, said there
are chances "that the first man was in Shivalik range."
He said a human skull has been found
in the Shivalik ranges, which might further prove this theory and pointed
out that a former professor SRK Chopra has done a lot of work on the theory
of evolution of man beginning in Shivaliks.
During the two-day seminar, the
scientists representing different science institutes of the country would
discuss cultural, biological and health aspects of the people inhabiting
the Himalayan region.
Speaking on the occasion, RS Tolia,
principal secretary to Uttaranchal government, who was also the chief guest,
said the state government is preparing an ambitious bio-diversity plan,
which would include cultural mapping of the rich flora fauna of the hill
state, known for its exotic flowers and plants with medicinal properties.
Prithvish Nag, Surveyor-General,
Survey of India, said "a lot of information is available with us" which
scientists should collectively use for the betterment of mankind.
