Today, I heard that in some part of the country, people are willing to cut more trees in public parks and gardens for cremation on pyres. The trees, sole provider of Oxygen will now be cut to suffice cremation? It’s been long, that the world is suffering due to Corona virus pandemic. Seems we are already at war with our basic survival, our existence. Daily reports of desperation and deaths are creating emptiness and hollow hopes in the suffering souls and rest is all blame game. Lives at stake due to the crisis of Oxygen, the base of life and still we haven’t realized the importance of trees and forests. I believe humanity is suffering due to the destruction of Forests and the lost wilderness. Forests and wildlife help contain diseases and epidemics from further transmission into humans. Various research studies show that the global rise in temperature has forced iceshelfs and glaciers to melt and further releasing unknown pathogens in the environment. The aftermath of globalisation and urbanisation has created ecological imbalance. Now, neither science nor capital can bring back the departed souls. Are human beings truely the most intelligent organism on Earth?? I have doubts about this or we would not have been digging our own graves. The ultimate truth is we come with nothing and we go with nothing. With these thoughts in my mind, I was hiking in the woods nearby and abruptly stopped by the Horse Chestnut trees. The beautiful flowers of the tree remind me of the classic song by Pete Seeger ‘Where have all the flowers gone?‘ The flowers on the trees, picked up by the maidens for their beloved now lied on their graves. It’s never too late and better late than never or nature has its own ways. Where have all the flowers gone? Where have all the flowers gone?Long time passing.Where have all the flowers gone?Long time ago.Where have all the flowers gone?The girls have picked them every one.Oh, When will you ever learn?Oh, When will you ever learn?Young girlsThey’ve taken husbands every one.Young menThey’re all in uniform.SoldiersThey’ve gone to graveyards every one.GraveyardsThey’re covered with flowers every one.FlowersYoung girls have picked them every one. ~By Pete Seeger May mother nature be kind and may everyone stay blessed and healthy and have the strength to get over these testing times. Thank you!!! https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ChandrimaDebi/ https://www.instagram.com/debichandrima/ Picture courtesy https://www.facebook.com/SumanMitraPhotography https://www.sumanmitra.com/ @chandrimadebi ©All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2019 – 2021 chandrimadebi.com
My Shadow and me!!
Sometimes losing trail in woods is a retreat. Few days back, I was walking in a forested area and lost track, and to my surprise I was standing alone with my shadow beside me. I wanted to click few pictures of my omnipresent shadow. But please be careful while walking in the woods alone cause in jungle Predator is the prey. Walking in the forests, when nobody was around me,You walked along, sometimes ahead; sometimes behind,But always alongside me. While I was lost in the thoughts and the entire ambience of the forest, few lines of the poem My shadow by R.L. Stevenson were echoing in my mind. My Shadow I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed. The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball,And he sometimes gets so little that there’s none of him at all. ~By Robert Louis Stevenson Thank you!!! https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ChandrimaDebi/ Picture courtesy https://www.facebook.com/SumanMitraPhotography https://www.sumanmitra.com/ @chandrimadebi ©All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2019 – 2021 chandrimadebi.com
A ray of hope: Landour, Mussoorie
While most part of the country is facing soaring temperatures, this hillside of Landour, Mussoorie is recieving hailstorms and rains. The temperatures have suddenly dropped and the hillslopes are covered with thin icesheets due to hail. This meteorological phenomena has also relieved the trees and forests which were under fire since few days. The forest fires in Uttarakhand this year has taken toll on the natural health and environment of the forested areas. Besides destroying the natural habitat of many wild animals and birds these forest fires imposed threat to human lives also. But the recent rain showers came as a sigh of relief. Nature is ready to replenish the loss. https://chandrimadebi.com2021/04/21/recurrent-forest-fires-landour-mussoorie/ They say it right, When nobody listens… mother nature does. It went true for the case of recurrent forest fires near Mussoorie. The forests which were burning have got a sigh of relief and prayers were answered. https://chandrimadebi.com2021/04/14/are-we-ready-for-the-future-forest-fires-forest-fire-in-uttarakhand/ The thick layer of dust over the leaves has slowly receded away and the bright and dazzling new leaves of the spring are on full display. The scenic beauty motivated me to go out for hiking as I lost count of my footsteps. The clouds led me to this scenic spot and I was left mesmerized. Due to urbanisation, these mountains are also not untouched, which can be easily noticed by the electrical wires in the picture. These sunrays are also known as Crepuscular rays and are created when sunlight shines through gaps in clouds and falls down through the hazy air. Due to scattering of light such display of colours often take place with the background of dark blue sky. This picturesque view of the sunrays peeping through the clouds over the green mountains, lifting veil for a moment will be always there in some corner of my mind. And I thanked almighty for bestowing hope and faith in the world. https://chandrimadebi.com2021/04/10/forests-and-a-ray-of-hope/ Thank you!!! https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ChandrimaDebi/ Picture courtesy https://www.facebook.com/SumanMitraPhotography https://www.sumanmitra.com/ @chandrimadebi ©All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2019 – 2021 chandrimadebi.com
Recurrent forest fires: Landour, Mussoorie
Its been hardly one week that the woodlots near Landour, Mussoorie caught fire again. Few days back, forests near Mussoorie, Jabarkhet Nature Reserve caught fire, now this hillside of Landour. Whether it’s a plight of nature or a man-made nuisance, these old forests are burning. Today was just like any other afternoon for me except I could sense Pine resin burning at a distance. I was wondering, who would lit bukhari in the warm April month in Landour. Confused, I thought might be the light hail and rain shower must have impelled someone to enjoy season’s last Bhukahri. Although, I couldn’t keep myself away from the intriguing thought of forest fire nearby. No sooner I was involved in these thoughts, my mobile phone was flooded with the news of forest fire near a residential school campus in Landour, Mussoorie. My fear came alive. https://chandrimadebi.com2021/04/14/are-we-ready-for-the-future-forest-fires-forest-fire-in-uttarakhand/ Few days back, I mentioned in my post on forest fire in Uttarakhand, that the forests near Landour, Mussoorie are prone to forest fires and immediate measures must be adopted for protecting these old forest from the plight of forest fires. I believe, if proper measures are not taken at the moment it will be too late to protect the forest from further destruction. Please read the post on Passive degradation of Himalayan ecology https://chandrimadebi.com2021/03/27/passive-degradation-of-himalayan-ecology-oak-trees-in-landour-mussoorie/ Although it hailed with shower towards evening and with the efforts of the local people and fire control agency the spread of the fire was controlled. But, the situation is grim in the hillside of Landour and Uttarakhand. For how long, these forests will stand insecurity, wrath of cruelity caused by mankind and the inefficience of forest protection agencies? Thank you!!! @chandrimadebi Picture courtesy https://www.facebook.com/SumanMitraPhotography https://www.sumanmitra.com/ *Pictures from facebook page of Jabarkhet Nature Reserve, Uttarakhand All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2019 – 2021 chandrimadebi.com
Confluence of sky and the mountains!!
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held highWhere knowledge is freeWhere the world has not been broken up into fragmentsBy narrow domestic wallsWhere words come out from the depth of truthWhere tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfectionWhere the clear stream of reason has not lost its wayInto the dreary desert sand of dead habitWhere the mind is led forward by theeInto ever-widening thought and actionInto that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake. By Rabindranath Tagore Few days back I was travelling in the Himalayan valley and came across this picturesque destination. The words of famous poet Rabindranath Tagore echoed in some corner of my mind and I clicked the images. I am not a photographer but love to capture beauty of nature through words and pictures. https://chandrimadebi.com2021/04/10/forests-and-a-ray-of-hope/ Thank you!!! @chandrimadebi Picture courtesy https://www.facebook.com/SumanMitraPhotography https://www.sumanmitra.com/ All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2019 – 2021 chandrimadebi.com
Forest fire in Uttarakhand: Are we ready to tackle future forest fires?
This is one of the worst years in the history of Uttrakhand where frequent forest fires has been witnessed in various parts of the state. It’s been three years, I am residing in the hillside near Landour, Mussoorie and every year I have observed forest patches under flames in this side of the lesser Himalayas. It’s a wistful moment to witness these tall Deodar, Pine and Oak trees being sacrificed in the fiery flames of fire.The media is also filled with reports, discussions and statistics of the area under forest fires and the efforts of the forest department and local agencies to combat holocaust. But are we actually future ready to combat such devastating scenarios caused by forest fires? Multitude research projects conducted by forest departments and research agencies to combat forest fires are failing to tackle the holocaust caused by forest fires. The research outputs provided by the GIS and remote sensing agencies also failed to prevent the forest fires. Whether the forest fire is deliberate or consequence of the climate change, there is doubt and sense of insecurity whether we are actually ready to tackle the future events of forest fires? Unlike every year, this year it snowed very little in Landour, Mussoorie. The lesser Himalayas are also not untouched by the shift in the global climatic conditions. Snowfall helps to recharge underground water table. Erratic rainfall patterns also hamper to sustain moisture in the understory and subsurface soil. The Mussoorie hills were once covered with enormous forests. But with rapid urbanisation there is massive deterioration in the forest cover and landuse changes pattern under forest cover. The numerous streams, creeks etc have slowly started receding. The average temperature is also rising in the region due to lessened tree cover. https://chandrimadebi.com2019/11/07/passive-death-of-the-hill-streams-in-mussoorie-uttarakhand/ Besides the above-mentioned climatic factors anthropogenic agents play significant role towards forest fires. While hiking in Mussoorie and vicinity areas, I have noticed various signs of disturbances, e.g. fire, lopping, removal of woody debris, human waste, and garbage including food wrappers, glass bottles and plastic bags. Today also I heard a nearby forest burning in Jabarkhet Nature Reserve. https://chandrimadebi.com2021/03/27/passive-degradation-of-himalayan-ecology-oak-trees-in-landour-mussoorie/ Rapid urbanisation, pollution, overpopulation, mushrooming hotels and campsites, dumping sites, littering, irresponsible tourism and insensitive approach of humans towards nature are few of the negative factors which paved way for environment degradation and biodiversity loss, ultimately paving way for forest fires. While I observed recent Bamboo flowering in Mussoorie and vicinity areas, the thought of water scarcity and dry conditions were bothering me. Nature has its own way of signaling disasters. Since time immemorial, the signs and signals given by nature and wildlife has averted many disasters. It’s important for us to recognize and decipher the signs and act judiciously to prevent and further protect our race. https://chandrimadebi.com2021/02/28/bamboo-flowering-natures-alarm/ The need of the hour is to be vigilant and adopt preventive measures to combat fires. The local EDCs, JFMs, Social Forestry sector and Forest departments should work alongside local people to create vigilant groups to responsibly report and combat forest fires. The garbage dumping sites are alarming and must be properly managed, otherwise apart from risk to the ecology, they might result in future forest fires in the adjacent areas if proper measures are not taken. Areas prone to forest fires as demarcated by Remote Sensing and GIS agencies alongwith Forest departments should be placed on high alert zones and fire management practices should be implemented during the peak seasons. Drones and Artificial intelligence technologies should be extensively applied to survey as well as monitoring. Aerial waterspray and if required artificial rainfall technology should be applied. Cost benefit analysis of research studies and projects should be done responsibly so that the capital invested results in promising results. The knowledge and reports from laboratories must have field applications and should be disseminated to the forest departments and working agencies. Creating awareness and understanding in the local people about the forests and ecotourism prospects. Training forest personnel and volunteer groups to tackle destruction caused by forest fires. Miscreants involved in putting forest fires should be heavily penalized and strict laws should enforced towards people found guilty. Adopting soil and water conservation measures in the areas prone to forest fires and reforestation of degraded areas. Plantation must be done with region and ecologically specific plant species in the selected areas. Prescriptions and lessons learnt from the past incedences of the forest fires should be delivered and adopted to be well prepared for any event of forest fires in the future. https://chandrimadebi.com2021/03/27/passive-degradation-of-himalayan-ecology-oak-trees-in-landour-mussoorie/ These selfless forests, who can’t speak for themselves are facing atrocities and wrath cruelity of mankind. It’s a new normal to come across such frequent news of forest fires. Modern Forestry methods must improvise to combat such issues. While we are busy playing blame games, some wilderness is lost in some corner of Earth, which will take ages to replenish. Words of famous author Leo Tolstoy sometimes echo in my ears ‘How much land do a man need’? The vulnerable mountain ecosystems are prone to encounter greater risk of impacts, hence coordinated efforts are required to develop effective strategies for adaptation and mitigation. The demand of the hour is to act responsibly, before it’s too late. https://chandrimadebi.com2021/03/21/tribute-to-the-forests-international-day-of-forests-2021/ Thank you!!! @chandrimadebi Picture courtesy https://www.facebook.com/SumanMitraPhotography https://www.sumanmitra.com/ *Pictures from facebook page of Jabarkhet Nature Reserve, Uttarakhand All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2019 – 2021 chandrimadebi.com
Forests and a ray of hope!!
Found a road, which was less travelled,With a faith of finding new hope;But to my despair, I found barren mountains,Trees cut from the valley to the top!! ***** Thorny bushes, scanty greens,With vultures hovering high;I searched for a river stream to quench my thirst,But Alas!! no sight of water, I sighed!! ***** Metalled road, scorching sun,With dusty winds around;High mountains with barren facets,No life was around. ***** Moved ahead, I saw a distant village,Near the mountainside;Few tall trees around the houses,Will find some water, I thought!! ***** Reached the village, found many cattles,With few trees laden with dry grass;Quenched my thirst and thanked the old village man,And took some rest atlast!! ***** Whose farming fields are these?I asked the old village man,He stared at me with prying eyes;And replied after a short span. ***** Forest fire engulfed all trees, Forest don’t feed, said he;Atleast the crop in the fields feed his family,And support his family tree. ***** One tree cut, saves a daughter’s marriage,Helps clear his debts;Gives fuel, gives fodder,And also aids in cold winter days!! ***** Engulfed in the cloud of thoughts,I was wondering what our future will be;What will happen to our generations,What will be will be? ***** In dismay i thought, once forest gone, Will take hundreds of years to replenish,With water scarcity and rising temperatures;Life will be difficult to flourish!! ***** With these thoughts I bid adieu,And hastened my steps forward;Found a ray of hope in the barren mountains,And I thanked almighty for my journey so far!! ***** Thank you!!! @chandrimadebi Picture courtesy https://www.facebook.com/SumanMitraPhotography https://www.sumanmitra.com/ All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2019 – 2021 chandrimadebi.com
Holy Oak Tree: Worship of Oak tree!!!
Trees are being worshipped since ages in India.Trees and herbs form integral part of rich cultural, social and traditional beliefs in different parts of the Indian subcontinent. If we go through ancient Vedic texts, Upanishads and Puranas, we can find mention of worshipping trees or plant parts in the texts. Infact every festival or traditional custom in India involves certain element of plant part. I have come across trees of different species being worshipped at temple premises, but today, it was for the first time, I saw an Old Oak tree being worshipped in an ancient temple near Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. As Oak tree (Quercus leucotrichophora) is a significant tree species in the lesser Himalayas, I was fascinated with the view of such an important tree species being worshipped here by local people. It was the occasion of Shivaratri (ancient festival dedicated to Lord Shiva), I decided to offer prayers, which led me to visit an ancient temple of Naag Devta Mandir (Serpent God) near Mussoorie. When one follows Mussoorie-Dehradun roadway, just after crossing ITBP (Indo Tibetan Border Police) building, there is a small road leading towards Hathipaav road .The Naag Devta Mandir is situated few kilometres ahead of this picturesque metalled mountain road. After reaching temple outskirts, there is a small pathway leading to the temple, which is built on a small hillock. The view from the temple is very scenic, which is surrounded by mountains and terrace farmed agricultural fields. The pleasant Himalayan breeze enthralls ones mind and soul with serenity and spiritual bliss. I offered my prayers to the deity and was doing parikrama. And I noticed an Old Oak tree tied with holy religious threads. I found that devotees worship the Oak tree and light earthen lamps and incense sticks and offer water. It was a indeed beautiful sight and I was mesmerized with the faith, trust and belief associated with the Oak tree. Being a student of forestry, I was aware of significance of this ecological importance of this forest tree species, but today’s experience gave me religious and spiritual insight of Oak tree. Trees are worshipped not only in India but also in different parts of the world. In Europe, few aspects of Animism (ancient form of religion) can be observed, where trees are worshipped. In Germany, few of the oldest temples or sanctuaries are amidst tree groves. If we go through the history of different folk religions, folk lores in different parts of the world, we can find that there is the mention of trees often being homes of ‘tree spirits’. The term ‘druid‘ is possibly derived from the Celtic word for Oak. During my visits to various nooks and corners of India, I have come across many trees of different species being worshipped at religious premises. These temples, dargahs and churches are surrounded by age old trees and thickets making the place naturally serene, mystic and spiritual. Oak trees are members of Beech family and are beautiful and marvelous. Besides being an ecologically important tree species, they provide food and shelter to various species of birds, insects and animals. They provide fodder, help in water and soil conservation, sequester carbon. But somehow, this tree is facing challenges in its natural habitat due to human made reasons. The rapid urbanization and expansion of the Mussoorie and adjacent areas is paving way for ecological as well as habitat degradation. Many foresters and researchers have found that there is high rate of mortality in some of Banj oak trees due to livestock grazing, lopping, extraction of fuelwood and various other biotic pressures. The mortality of this species is a matter of great concern which needs proper monitoring and research to find out the actual cause of the problem and also develop mitigation strategies to prevent the loss of the Himalayan legacy of Oak forests. The Oak tree in the ancient Naag Devta temple embarked new insight in me towards conservation, faith, belief and hope. I hope these ancient age old trees and temples restore our conscience and motivate us towards nature conservation and humanity. Thank you!!!! @chandrimadebi Picture courtesy https://www.facebook.com/SumanMitraPhotography https://www.sumanmitra.com/ All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2019 – 2021 chandrimadebi.com
