It’s a fascinating experience to familiarise little children with their surrounding trees, forests and nature. Their curious and eager minds, eager to explore the unknown, motivates them to touch, feel and sense their basic surroundings. Little children are observant and look closely at the objects of interest, be it a little lady bug inside a coiled leaf or fine rock fractures. Preschool is the best time to create and develop their love towards forests and nature. Their hands on experiences with leaves, rocks, mosses, barks, soil succour their inquisitiveness to feel and realise the texture, shape, size, hardness, softness, which further develops sensory skills and mindfulness. Summers in the hillsides are the perfect time of year for appreciating beautiful lush green foliage and the plant diversity. The different shapes and sizes of leaves provide a plethora of opportunities for creative art projects. Children of early year childhood program captured the beauty of leaves in this simple art activity designed to bring the beauty of leaves in an outdoor learning experience. Leaf printing is a process where a natural leaf is painted with colour and a direct impression of it is made over a material of the artist’s choice. Naturalists and researchers have used nature printing for centuries as a way to produce an image of nature that can be catalogued and preserved. These leaf prints are not only beautiful but also practical depiction of the basic learning about different leaf shape patterns and seasonal changes. Nature is the best teacher. Activities like leaf prints are little steps towards safe and healthy future. They have truly said that a time spent in nature is never wasted. As today’s children are tomorrow’s future, the foundation of love towards nature and environment now, will create a safe, healthy and humane world for the coming future. Thank you !! Like, share and follow. ? https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ChandrimaDebi/ https://www.instagram.com/debichandrima/ https://www.sumanmitra.com/ ©All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2022–2023 https://chandrimadebi.com
Forestry for kids: Saving Deodar and Oak forest from invasive vines
Vines and climbers are certain plant species which climb by tendrils or hooks or aerial roots or twining or creeps on the ground. Besides being ornamental, these vines are a component of the biodiversity and help sequester Carbon. But it is observed that few of the climbers, act as semi-parasites on the plants they cling to. Almost all climbers which attach themselves to other plants for support only, may even kill the supporting plants by strangling them or blocking out light. These vines are slowly becoming invasive in the hillslopes of Mussoorie, Landour. The forest patches of mixed Oak – Rhododendron – Deodar and Pine in the hillslopes of Landour, Mussoorie are under the attack of such vines which are slowly becoming invasive. The fast growing vines take support of the trees, which gradually spread along the tree trunk slowly traversing towards tree canopy. They sometimes prevent sunlight to reach the leaves of the tree creating competition for getting necessary nutrients and liquids. Eventually, when left uncontrolled and unhindered, these vines can fully conceal a tree’s trunk and its branches. The thick layer of the leaves of the vines conceals the cankers or any other tree diseases, paving way for pathogens to attack the trees. The restricted exposure to cleanse air promotes growth of pathogenic fungi, which may ultimately result in tree infection gradually affecting forest health. The global climatic changes have triggered the fast growth of these vines and foresters are in dilemma whether or not to control the spread of vines. Many foresters and environmentalists are in support of protecting the majestic trees from these semi parasitic climbers and vines. HFRI former director, called for a pragmatic approach to deal with the issue. He added that, the climbers growing and spreading faster than the trees was not a healthy situation. A rational policy should be adopted to serve the twin purpose of protecting the already- threatened trees and conserving the biodiversity. I too believe it is very important to eliminate such plants which are unwanted or weeds which are affecting the health of the trees. The common vines on the Oak and Deodar trees are Hedera helix or the common ivy, Vitis sp. (*elimination doesn’t mean completely wiping out the species from natural habitat but controlling overspread of the vines and climbers which is harmful for the forests). How can children help manage forests?Involving children in forest management related activities not only engages children in meaningful action in the face of social isolation and climate crisis but also creating healthy ecosystems. When children practically experience hands-on forest/outdoor related activities, they experience a deeper connection with the very basic elements of life. It further aids towards the development of their psychosocial-emotional, rational as well logical application of concepts in field situation. In one instance, the children helped to remove the excess vines on the trees with the help of pruners. The vines were left to dry slowly on the trees. As the forest becomes healthier, so does the ecosystem within it. Healthy, strong trees attract diverse wildlife, which makes the forest to be even healthier. Effective forest management truly improves the environment for both flora and fauna. Thank you !! Like, share and follow. ? https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ChandrimaDebi/ https://www.instagram.com/debichandrima/ https://www.sumanmitra.com/ ©All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2022–2023 https://chandrimadebi.com
Forestry for kids: Tree Plantation for Mother’s Day
One of the most extraordinary relationship in the world is the relationship between the mother and her child. Mother’s are the basic foundation of our very existence and first teacher of our life. The unique relationship is priceless in terms of her unfathomable love, sacrifice and selfless dedication towards her child. Therefore Mother’s Day is celebrated today all over the world to acknowledge and honour all the Mothers. Mother as described by Rudyard Kipling is as follows God could not be everywhere, so he made Mother ~ Rudyard Kipling The term Mother, refers to nurture, care and support which is also very relatable to the trees growing the forest. The trees laden with fruits bear seeds which fall on the ground and get nourished by the nutrients. The big speechless tree, stands at one place and silently supports the baby plants by transferring nutrients and water through underground mycorrhizal networks. Besides, these trees are home to multitude species birds, insects and animals where they carry forward their life cycles, maintaining gene pools. So to commemorate Mother’s Day little children participated in a tree plantation activity along the hillslopes. These trees will not only help to conserve soil, but also will provide various ecosystem services in the coming future. Just like how mothers make the world better in so many ways, trees are central to creating a healthy climate, clean air, clean water, and providing natural habitat to the biodiversity. Trees planted in the outdoors are ideal gifts not only for Mother’s but also for our Planet. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!! Thank you!!! Like, share and follow. ? https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ChandrimaDebi/ https://www.instagram.com/debichandrima/ https://www.sumanmitra.com/ ©All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2022–2023 https://chandrimadebi.com
Parody of Indian Mock Strawberry : Potentilla indica
Few days back while I was travelling from Landour to Dehradun and came across Indian Mock Strawberry spread along the lush green hill slopes. Earlier this area was covered with little yellow flowers all over but now the flowers have disappeared and little false strawberries have spanned across. Initially they appeared as if someone has spread little red buttons all over. I went closer to have a look into these brilliant red coloured fruits, thought I have found myself juicy strawberry. I picked one fruit only to taste its flavourless taste. In the wilderness each colour has specific message. The colour red usually alarms danger, but sometimes it lures birds and animals. Although, I tried tasting the fruit, please take precautions and forage only under guidance. Some described the plant as edible but tasteless into not suitable for human consumption. While some say that it is not suitable for human consumption into not edible. There are few instances when some say it as not edible rather poisonous. I tasted two little fruits and found that the flavourless fruit had a slippery texture and definitely it was non – poisonous. The fruit is edible but the colour of the fruit might lead someone to expect the same as palatable. Potentilla indica also known as mock strawberry or Indian-strawberry is a flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It has foliage and fruit similar to that of a true strawberry. This plant has yellow flowers, unlike the white or slightly pink flowers of true strawberries. Indian strawberry is native to eastern and southern Asia, but has been introduced to many other areas as a medicinal and an ornamental plant. It later naturalized in many regions worldwide. It prefers moist and medium drained soil, sunny location with intermittent shade. It can be invasive often spreading freely by runners. Potentilla means strong, powerful, and the plant and many of its relatives in a family considered to have good medical value. The entire plant is medicinal as an anticoagulant, antiseptic, depurative (purifier) and febrifuge (fever reducer). The herb can be used for stomatitis (an inflammation of the mucus lining), laryngitis, and acute tonsillitis. The fresh leaves can be crushed and applied externally as a medicinal poultice, a soft and moist mass.* It is used in the treatment of boils and absesses, burns, weeping eczema, ringworm, snake and insect bites and traumatic injuries. A decoction of the leaves is medicinal and used in the treatment of swellings. An infusion, or liquid extract, of the flowers is used to activate the blood circulation. The Indian Strawberry can also cure skin diseases. In folklore it is said that in India it is to be used as an offering to the gods. The Wild Indian Strawberry is used extensively in China as a medicinal herb, and is being studied for its ability to stop the HIV virus and some forms of cancer from spreading through the body. Thank you!!! Like, share and follow. ? https://www.facebook.com/Dr.ChandrimaDebi/ https://www.instagram.com/debichandrima/ https://www.sumanmitra.com/ ©All images and content are subjected to copyright © 2022–2023 https://chandrimadebi.com *https://www.bellarmine.edu/faculty/drobinson/IndianStrawberry.asp
