Kempty falls Mussoorie is a geological complex lying about 10 kilometres from Mussoorie, Uttarakhand towards Yamuna river. The fusion of various geological, ecological, climatic and geographical factors together contribute towards the portrayal of this geologic marvel.The name Kempty was actually derived from assemblage of two words ‘Camp and Tea’. Once used to be a preferred campsite for imperial rulers for formal picnics and campouts, this place is now famous as a picnic spot and a renowned tourist destination. The perennial water streams emerge from forests in the higher mountains at an altitude of about 4500 feet, further splits into 40 feet cascade finally culminating into a pond adding charm to the site. Apart from having touristic importance Kempty fall area has long drawn geological and botanical interests also. The geology of an area helps in understanding the ecological status of forests. Geology and soil are the controlling factors in the local distribution of vegetation. The Kempty Range of Mussoorie Forest Division lies at 30027’29” to 31003’24” N latitude and 78005’08” E longitude at an altitude of about 800 to 1900 msl. The forests under Mussoorie Forest Division have mainly four distinct plant communities namely Oak, Pine, Shisham, miscellaneous plant communities and open barren land in the area. Quercus leucotrichophora (Oak); Pinus roxburghii (Pine); Dalbergia sissoo (Shisham); miscellaneous forests (Bauhinia variegata, Acacia catechu, Cassia fistula, Lannea coromandelica, Terminalia belerica, etc.) as the dominant species. The relationship between geology, soil and vegetation has been important for natural woodland ecosystem. Geological processes that interact with climatic elements and living organisms produce the soil in which plants grow. The difference in the structure of plant communities seems to be primarily due to altitudinal variation and varying climatic changes. Limestone is the parent material which supports all the plant communities. Quartzite is the second most common parent material, Dolomite and Slate are the only parent material which occurred only in higher altitudes that supports Oak and Pine communities.The plants supported by porous rocks charged with nutrient gradually breaks up the parent rocks and organic matter soon accumulates. Due to high rate of erosion and solubility of carbonates, the softer rocks get eroded at high rates ultimately making the watercourse steeper resulting in the formation of waterfall. The thick patches of forests around Kempty falls are home to many birds and animals. The white crested Kaleej Pheasant, partridge, Blue rock pigeon, Fire tailed sun bird, Whistling thrush, White Capped Water Redstart and Red Billed Blue Magpie are some of the birds found near Kempty falls area. Leopard sighting are also common in this area. Various species of butterflies also inhabit in the forests around. But recently this area observed many landslide hazards and flash floods. Geologists have found that dominant part of the area falls under very high and high landslide susceptible in the settlement area. As the region is covered by highly fractured Krol limestone with slope more than 60 degrees, the region is highly susceptible for landslides. The climate change is slowly impacting the rainfall pattern in the area. With erratic and high rainfalls the weathering and erosional forces cause mass wasting and surface runoff which slowly intercalates with the underneath carbonates resulting in massive landslides and flash floods. The year 2018 had massive impact on the tourists as well as the local inhabitants around Kempty falls area and many lives had to face the wrath of nature. Much has changed around Kempty fall since I last visited in the fall of 2012. During my recent visit to the site I observed clusters of new shops, tea stalls, lodges in full bloom to cater the ever-increasing influx of tourists. Alongwith that elevated solid waste generation, littering and ubiquitous dumping of solid waste materials and improper waste management practices. Besides, traffic congestion the air pollution levels also get affected during peak tourist hours. The term ‘responsible tourism’ holds significant implications in the present context of increasing environmental concerns. The world is becoming smaller with meagre wilderness. Responsible tourism is a way which can minimise the negative impact of travel on resources, environment and local communities. The present Covid situation has raised awareness of the importance of a healthy environment. A healthy environment is also directly connected tourism sector through tourism revenue. Nature-based solutions have potential to achieve sustainability by mitigating the environmental impacts of tourism activity for better management of natural resources such as water, both in urban and natural environments. Supporting such conservation efforts can enable a greener recovery. Thank you!! @chandrimadebi Picture courtesy https://www.facebook.com/SumanMitraPhotography https://www.sumanmitra.com/copyright @sumanmitraphotography ©All images and content are subjected to copyright
Foraging in the wild: celebrating Green Diwali!!!!
It’s been around two years that I am staying in Landour, Mussoorie. Every year we celebrate Diwali with enthusiasm and zeal. But, this year we celebrated our Diwali in the wilderness, foraging in the wild to collect 14 shaak/saag (leafy greens/foliage) to commemorate a traditional Bengali ritual. Diwali or festival of lights is one of the ancient traditional festival celebrated in India and different parts of the world. The essence of the festival is same throughout the country, but the culture, customs and traditional practices vary from state to state. In West Bengal and some parts in Northeast India, Bhoot Chaturdashi and Kali Puja are celebrated during this time of the year. Bengalis light 14 earthen lamps at the doorway of their house to guide the spirits of 14 forefathers to heaven and ward off evil spirits. They also eat a delicacy made of 14 types of green saags (foliage/leafy part of the plant). Traditionally in Bengal these 14 shaak /saag are used for the preparation of the dish. They comprise of Olkopi shaak (Amarphophallus campanulatus); Kasunda shaak (Cassia sophera); Sorshe shaak (Brassica campestris); Neem (Azadirachta Indica); Jainti pata (Sesbania sesban); Salinch shaak (Alternanthera sessilis); Gulancha (Tinospora cardifolia); Sheluka (Cordia Dichotoma); Hinche (Enhydra fluctuans); Ghetu (Clerodendrum infortunatum); Shushani (Marsilea qudrifolia); Beto (Chenopodium album); Potol pata/ leaf (Trichosanthes dioica); Kemuk/Keu Pata/leaf (Cheilocostus speciosus). With local changes in habitat, ecology and environment, the diversity of plant species also varies. This effects the availability of plant species in a particular area. I experienced impact of ecological change on plant diversity and food habit during my stay in Assam. I observed that the above mentioned traditional 14 saags got substituted with the following saags (‘xaak’ in Assamese) in Assam, ie Ronga Laur xaak (Cucurbita pepo); Khutura xaak (Amaranthus viridis); Tita Mora xaak (Corchorus capsularis ); Pui xaak (Basella alba); Dhekia xaak (Diplazium esculentum); Kolmi xaak (Ipomoea aquatica); Bhedai lota (Paederia foetida); Kochu xaak (Colocasia esculenta); Methi xaak (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.); Mula shaak (Raphanus sativus); Sojne paat (Moringa oleifera); Paleng xaak (Spinacia oleracea) Brahmi saak (Bacopa monnieri); Bor maanimuni (Centella asiatica) and many more. In Landour, Mussoorie again I found locational ecological variance of phytodiversity due to altitudinal variation. Landour, Mussoorie is located in lesser Himalayas with altogether different geographical topography as compared to West Bengal and Assam. So, I was pretty sure that I wouldn’t find the traditional Bengali 14 shaak/foliage in this terrain. But where there is will there is a way, I made my mind to collect locally available edible green leaves/ herbs to prepare authentic 14 shaak recipe and traversed through various woodlots, thickets in and around Landour to explore wild edible leaves/foliage. During the course I came across Common nettle also locally known as Kandali (Urtica dioca L.); Black nightshade also locally known as Khalarkoi (Solanum nigrum L.); Timru (Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb.); Bathua saag (Chenopodim album); Khatti-mithi (Oxalis corniculata L.); Bhangjeera (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton); Almoda (Rumex hastatus D.Don); Kanalya (Fagopyron esculentum Moench.); Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale Weber) and many more. The edible leaves of these plants are used in the preparation of some local dishes and have immense medicinal value. I sufficed the ingredients with locally available Methi saag/Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum); Sarson saag (Brassica campestris); Palak saag (Spinacia oleracea); Muli bhaji (Raphanus sativus); and some locally available Coriander leaves (Coriandrum sativum). So, altogether I was able to collect 14 different leafy greens for the preparation of 14 shaak recipe and I was ready to cook the dish. Care must be taken while collecting and cooking nettles as they prickly in nature. I used very minor quantity of the leaves from the plants I foraged from the wild. I thoroughly cleaned, blanched, partially boil the leaves and drained excess moisture. Care should be taken not to over cook the leaves. Later, I sauteed the par boiled greens in mustard oil spluttering with Nigella seeds and salt to taste. Voila!!! and the dish was ready. There are many aspects associated with the traditional practice of eating 14 saag delicacy on this particular day, be it religious, spiritual or scientific. According to Charaka Samhita, the ayurvedic compendium of second century BC, eating different leafy vegetables in the Kartika (October-November) month builds immunity for fighting infectious disease outbreaks which occur after monsoon and in winter season. The plant species used in chodhdho (14) shaak recipe have medicinal properties and are also used in medicine to cure allergic rhinitis, seasonal cough and cold, allergic bronchitis, asthma and fever, gastrointestinal problems, dermatological issues.These plants are have bioactive compounds which can cure malaria, chronic fever, pain and insect bites. Bioactive compounds are present in the leafy part of the plant i.e. foliage has therapeutic potential with influence on energy intake, while reducing pro-inflammatory state, oxidative stress, and metabolic disorders. Studies indicate that high consumption of foods rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity, including vitamins, phytochemicals, and mainly phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and carotenoids, has a positive effect on human health and could diminish the risk of numerous diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cataracts, and age-related functional decadence (Hassimotto, Genovese, & Lajolo, 2009; Siriwardhana et al., 2013). Historical research shows that Diwali celebration dates back over 2500 years. This festival is celebrated not only by Hindus but is also observed by Indians of many faiths, including Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs.These traditional rituals and customs not only connects souls but also creates a feeling of belongingness with families and friends, uplifts moral ethical values ,mutual respect and oneness with nature. With the passage of time traditional Diwali celebrations has slowly evolved with modern adaptation but lighting diyas, rangoli making and decoration with fresh flower are still intact. This year Diwali celebrations has suffered due to global Corona virus pandemic. Moreover, the high pollution levels due to burning of Parali/ stubble and overuse of crackers in some parts of India is badly affecting lives. This scenario has again questioned the basic responsibility of citizens towards environment and climate. An eco-friendly Diwali is the best
Prelude to Winterline, Mussoorie !!!
It was an usual evening bike ride with my husband in the outskirts of Mussoorie, when he first introduced me to the Winter line in Landour, Mussoorie. The scintillating canvas of sky was displaying multitude hues of yellow, orange, red, mauve blue and grey. This meteorological phenomena sparked up the artistic orchestration of vivid shades and colours in the playground of sky. The shimmering sunrays spread golden hues in the Himalayas. Winter line is a rare phenomena where a pseudo horizon is formed at dusk. A strikingly straight transition or buffer zone is created in the atmosphere due to intermixing of hot and cold air causing temperature inversion. During sunset the sunrays refract through the moisture, dust particles and other particulates in the atmosphere and create a mesmerizing meteorological phenomena known as Winterline. It is visible from Mussoorie in India between October and February. Besides Mussoorie, India this winterline also occurs in the Swiss Alps, Europe. However, during recent years, high air pollution levels have affected the prominence of Winterline. There are various locations in an around Mussoorie from where one can observe Winterline. While you are biking through the Himalayan highways, every bend, every curve around the mountain edges gives a thrilling experience. You will never know what awaits you beyond the steep curve, a heavy vehicle or a herd of cattle, landslide, boulder, might be a stream or a magnificent panoramic view of Winterline, waiting to sweep someone off their feet. The astounding view of sun set amidst the Winter line is still fresh in my everlasting memories. My husband is a mountaineer, photographer and a passionate bike rider and I cherish biking alongwith him to quench my wilderness fantasies in the lap of mighty Himalayas. Thank you!! @chandrimadebi Picture courtesy https://www.facebook.com/SumanMitraPhotography https://www.sumanmitra.com/copyright @sumanmitraphotography ©All images and content are subjected to copyright
