Dharamshala, Feb 21 : Despite a federal ban, illegal mining on a riverbed in Dharamsala is posing serious threat to a 13th century temple.

The ''Baijnath'' temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was built in 1204 A. D.

The water level in the River Binwa has gone down drastically which is weakening the temple''s structure. Experts fear that continuous soil erosion caused by quarrying on the riverbed could damage the heritage monument.

"The temple is resting on only one rock and the mining activities are threatening the very existence of the temple. The government should take care of it. Even the locals should make sure that the temple is preserved," said Sanjay Sharma, a temple priest.

Dharamsala, Feb 7 : Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Saturday said those who laid down their lives fighting for a homeland would be remembered on the Tibetan New Year.

"Prayers for those dead people as well as those tortured who still live very painful lives and then some of them are being missing. So, we must pray for them," the Dalai Lama said before boarding a flight to Europe.

The Dalai Lama is on a four-day visit to Europe to receive award for his contribution to global peace and rights of Tibetans.

The Dalai Lama will visit Rome, Venice and Baden-Baden in Germany.

Dharamsala, Jan 30: Officials and ministers of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in-exile in Dharamsala have expressed their apprehensions over the China''s intention to relaunch the ''Strike Hard'' campaign in Tibet.

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), Jan. 25 : Forest Department authorities in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, have found the carcasses of about twenty migratory birds.

The dead birds included 18 Bar-headed Goose and two Ruddy Shell Ducks that had flocked around the Pong Dam for their winter break.

While the specific reasons for their death are yet to be ascertained, the concerned authorities of Wildlife and Veterinary Department suspect that either it is a case of bird-flu or poisoning.

Dharamsala, Jan 13 With hundreds of migratory birds flocking to the region, the residents of Dharamsala fear an outbreak of deadly H5N1 virus.

The area around the Pong Dam in Himachal Pradesh is a center of attraction for migratory birds.

People in the area don''t feel safe with the arrival of the birds. They are scared about being infected with the deadly H5N1 virus is real.

"The Government should test the birds that have come here. We are apprehensive if they have got the virus. We are running a small business. If the virus spreads here, then our business will be ruined," Dharam Chand, a villager.

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), Jan. 4 : The continuous dry spell in the Dharamshala in Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh has made apple farmers worried for their produce.

Apple growers in the mid and high hills of the state are worried that their crop will be severely hit unless the weather god obliges them with snow or rainfall.

Usually, sowing of wheat and other crops is complete by late December. However, farmers in most parts of the state are still waiting for rain. Any further delay in sowing will further delay harvesting of the crop.

"Our cultivable land is turning barren. We don''t have any other source of income, we are completely dependent on agriculture," said Kantha Devi, a farmer in Kangra valley.