Woodstock school is one of the oldest residential schools in Asia and was established in the year 1854. The school is nestled in lesser Himalayas in a small quiet town of Landour near Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. The geographical location is at 30.4543° N, 78.1005° E. The campus of the school lies along the protective forest area of Mussoorie at an altitude of around 7000 feet. Woodstock school encompasses an area of around 300 acres approximately. The picturesque panorama depicts as of an ‘inselberg’ an island mountain. The geology, lithology and stratigraphy in and around Woodstock school is remarkable. The rock types mainly comprises of Quartzite , dolomitic limestone, cemented terrigenous sedimentary rocks which mainly comprise of sandstone with beds of clay , minor clay shale beds, slate and phyllites, schist, shale with interbedded clayey and non-clayey rocks weathered shale and schists. The rockbeds dip in the south east direction and strike is in the northeast and southwest direction. Due to action of various weathering agents such as heavy rainfall, snowfall, wide range of temperature difference between day and night, the rock minerals are highly disintegrated. The limestones are easily soluble in water and cause weathering of the rock along joints and crevasses leaving behind bare mountain faces. There are erosional valleys which are youthful in their development. Geomorphologicaly the area is in the initial state of its development due to high denudation. During heavy rainfall high rate of removal of top soil takes place through gullies and channels in and around the campus. The soil type mainly comprises of argillaceous shale, clayey soil with naturally formed surface (alluvial) , debris comprising mostly rock pieces mixed with clayey/sandy soil, older well compacted and younger loose material.There are few springs around Landour which are mostly confined to shales. Along the hillside small intermittent streamlets are there where nallas have cut gullies below ground level. In some places water oozes out of the carbonaceous bed along Tehri road. One can easily observe high metamorphic and sedimentary complexes with rocktypes beyond 500 million years on geological time scale around Woodstock school. Mussoorie and surrounding area are very important with respect to geological perspective. If one is interested in the stratigraphical studies, this area consists of remarkable features to study. Major formations in Mussoorie group consist of the Tal formation overlying the Krol formation and Blaini formation. The Tal formation is well exposed along the Krol Belt, and is overlying the Precambrian Krol Group.The Blaini formation is overlained by the Krol formation. One can easily notice this geological feature when one reaches Woodstock school via Mussoorie bypass NH 707A. The feature has Precambrian and Cambrian boundary made up limestone and phosphorites. The rocktypes are around 542 million years old. The Jabarkhet Nature Reserve is a private owned forest which lies around 3 kms ahead of Woodstock school. Earlier this area was ecologically degraded and overgrazed. But with the genuine efforts of the local people and various scholars this nature reserve is now replenishing and blooming with floral and faunal biodiversity. The rocktypes mainly comprise of Quartzites, limestones, dolomitic limestone, sedimentary rocks which mainly comprise non-clayey rocks weathered shale,and schists and debris. One can observe joint planes, rock fractures, cleavages along the massive boulders in Flaghill. The soil type is clayey soil with naturally formed surface (alluvial) , debris comprising mostly rock pieces mixed with clayey/sandy and weathered soil, older well compacted and younger loose material. The soil is slightly acidic. Jabarkhet nature reserve also serves as local learning resource and outdoor activities. About 7 kilometres ahead of Woodstock school near Kaplani, there lies inclined bedding planes which are dipped in southwest angle. The bedding planes are made out of red sandstone. The beds display ferrous leaching. Joints and fracture also can be clearly seen. The sedimentary structure shows unique Ripple marks. The ripple marks are mostly present in the Sandstones, which are mostly ferruginous in content. The ripple marks at this site show different current directions. In Dhobighat area, one can easily notice exposures of dolomitic limestone alongwith weathered cherty phosphorites. The beds dip in the northeast direction. Subsurfacial perennial affluent streams can be observed. On a bright sunny day one can observe majestic view of the snow covered Himalayas, if one follows the road from Woodstock school towards Dhanaulty, The scarp facets along the road has large detached rocks which have moved as rock-falls. Many roadside accident have also occurred in the past due to sudden rockfalls. In most places the fragmented boulders and rocks are loosely attached and can slide any moment. Due to increased transport near Mussoorie – Tehri road new road constructions are taking place. On a bright sunny day one can observe majestic view of the snow covered Himalayas, if one follows the road from Woodstock school towards Dhanaulty, Mussoorie lies in the seismic zone 4 and has witnessed several earthquakes. These days one can observe numerous construction along roadsides as well as on slopes. According to recent reports an earthquake will collapse urban areas in Mussoorie and surrounding areas. So care should be taken while construction and damage assessment of the buildings should be done Geology, soil and vegetation are not only interdependent but are also functionallyinseparable. The flora is an important factor of soil formation and the floral composition in an area also gives an insight into soil and geomorphic and geological conditions. Changes in either vegetation or soil cover are interalia affect each other. Geology of an area or mountainous tract is very important for any mountaineer or rock climber. Climbers through their experience know that different types of rock affect the route to the summit. Climbers also have the knowledge that some rock are durable whether others are fragile. There are ample research work available on the geological studies around Mussoorie, but during my study I didn’t came across any work which studies the geology in and around Woodstock school. Despite covering vast geographical area of around 300 acres, which mainly comprise of Oak, Deodar and
Corona Virus COVID -19… Seems someone opened Pandora’s box!!!!
The novel corona virus COVID-19 is spreading its network in the global population and it’s difficult for anyone to escape it’s impact on the society. People from all sections of the society, be rich or poor are in the cruel grip of this novel virus.There is an expanding global outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by this virus. While most COVID-19 cases were initially associated with travel, person-to-person spread is on the rise. Most of the states in India is under lockdown until the end of the month as efforts to check the spread of the novel corona virus in the country intensify. Despite of lockdown in 22 states of India and curfew in several states , there is a sense of negligence in some places. People are under panick in different parts of the nation. In the present age of innovated science and technology, we are prepared to deal nuclear war but we are handicapped to deal with pathogenic microorganisms and diseases. Looking at the present situation, it seems that we have long way to go. Seems someone opened Pandora’s box which resulted in disease and sorrow on Earth. With the permafrost melting and uncovering of the past disease symptoms are exposed for which we don’t have any cure. As we are all aware of the life threatening consequences of corona virus , the sanity lies in behaving in a rational and reasonable manner and not to panic and avoid bullrush. In ancient Vedic texts, there is mention of disease, epidemics, war and sorrow in the later stages of Kaliyuga. The ancient scholars through their astrological calculations already predicted the pandemic thousands of years ago. Based on the solar and lunar eclipse cycles these prediction may provide insight into the future calamities. The nature functions in the sole principal of isostacy ie. balance. As we are connected to nature, we must try to live a balanced life. Many philosophers and enlightened souls have already revealed that too much of anything is poison and we must utilitize the resources judiciously and responsively. The clue for crippling the corona virus lies in the nature. We have to look beyond the possibilities to decode the cipher that lies in the nature. Scientists have suggested number of existing compounds for trials but WHO is focusing on the four most promising therapies: an experimental antiviral compound called remdesivir; the malaria medications chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine; a combination of two HIV drugs, lopinavir and ritonavir; and that same combination plus interferon-beta, an immune system messenger that can help defeat viruses.In the recent study, the scientists investigated 26 of the coronavirus’s 29 genes, which direct production of the viral proteins. We all know that medicine and vaccines will take some time to reach the market, till then we can protect ourselves by achieving ‘Swasthaya’ ie. health. We can adopt certain healthy habits which will boost our immunity system to defend against various disease causing pathogens. Medicinal herbs such as amla, giloy, ginger, tulsi, turmeric, shilajit and neem are helpful in strengthening the immune system and are efficient in fighting this deadly virus. Due to the seasonal variation, cough and congestion are common these days but amidst corona outbreak we should not take symptoms lightly and immediately consult doctor. Nature has its own way of healing. In the remote villages, the ethnic and rural people practice certain remedies which they believe are helpful in keeping the diseases away specially, chicken pox, diarrhoea, flu etc. They hang bundle of leaves of Neem tree, tulsi, lemongrass, turmeric etc along the entrance of their houses and believe that it will cast away the diseases from the entrance only. They also create smoke of these medicinal herbs and believe that it will eradicate pathogens in the environment. There is a herbal remedy which is very beneficial during this season.One teaspoon of juice of raw turmeric and neem leaves increases immunity and detoxifies also. Turmeric and Neem leaves have many medicinal properties. Bathing with lukewarm water with neem leaves decoction is also very beneficial. In Hinduism there is a goddess named ‘Shitlaa’ mata who is worshipped to protect from such diseases. Besides, the ethnic and the rural people consume organic and fresh fruits and vegetables which provide them immunity. There are various other ways like Yoga, naturopathy, pranic healing, salt therapy etc through which one can boost immunity and achieve health. People diagnosed with conora virus are quarantined and suspects are under isolation. Rest population should practice social distancing and self isolation so that the spread of the diseases can be checked. With the rapidly increasing cases of this deadly virus, we should not be stressed and take charge of our own psychosocial behaviours by practicing these remedies. As there is no proper treatment available to cure the disease, preventive measures are the only possible way looking forward.The rate at which it is rapidly spreading has triggered a global health emergency. In this difficult time we should work hand-in-hand to spread awareness and assist others to prevent panic. If there is heaven, there is hell too,If there are highs there are lows tooIf there is happiness, there are sorrows tooIf there are mountains there are oceans too,If there is disease there is cure too!!!!!
