Bauhinia vahlii… Largest creeper and a wonder plant!!

With the onset of monsoons, the largest creeper in India, Bauhinia vahlii also known as Camel’s foot climber, locally known as Maloo climber is in full bloom along the hillslopes in the lesser Himalayas. The flowering in this plant species starts from the month of April – June. Bauhinia vahlii or Panera vahlii is aContinue reading “Bauhinia vahlii… Largest creeper and a wonder plant!!”

Whose forests are these?

Few days back, while travelling down the hills towards city I stumbled upon this majestic Langur sitting on the branches of an big Oak tree. Our eyes met for few moments and then it looked away. The Langur turned his head away looking into the human settlements in the hills once covered with dense forests.Continue reading “Whose forests are these?”

Where have all the flowers gone??

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 areContinue reading “Where have all the flowers gone??”

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 forestContinue reading “A ray of hope: Landour, Mussoorie”

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 exceptContinue reading “Recurrent forest fires: Landour, Mussoorie”

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.Continue reading “Forest fire in Uttarakhand: Are we ready to tackle future forest fires?”

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, scorchingContinue reading “Forests and a ray of hope!!”

Nature’s bulwark: Bhimal tree (Grewia optiva) securing a temple, Mussoorie!!!

It was one sunny morning, while I was travelling to Dehradun via Mussoorie – Dehradun road and I was lost in the scenic beauty of the mountains. Every turn, every bend around the mountain road has its own surprise. Suddenly, just after crossing Kolhukhet checkpost my eyes fell on a small temple on the hillContinue reading “Nature’s bulwark: Bhimal tree (Grewia optiva) securing a temple, Mussoorie!!!”

Bamboo flowering in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand: Nature’s alarm!!!

With the onset of spring season, the flowering season in Mussoorie has begun. But today, I was startled by the sight of Bamboo flowering along the hilly roadside of key roadway connecting Mussoorie and Dehradun (Mussoorie to Dehradun road). I was happy to see flowers of bamboo, as its a rare phenomenon but at theContinue reading “Bamboo flowering in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand: Nature’s alarm!!!”

A plateau losing green forest cover: Karbi Anglong district, Assam

In the remote North-eastern corner of the Indian subcontinent lies the beautiful district of Karbi Anglong. The plateau is dominantly inhabited by the Karbi tribes hence the name Karbi Anglong. The Karbis are the indigenous inhabitants of the region and ‘Anglong’ is a Karbi noun for “hills.” The region is flanked by numerous rivers and tributaries like Dhansiri, Longnit,Continue reading “A plateau losing green forest cover: Karbi Anglong district, Assam”