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 desertContinue reading “Confluence of sky and the mountains!!”
Author Archives: Dr. Chandrima Debi
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!!”
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 traditionalContinue reading “Holy Oak Tree: Worship of Oak tree!!!”
Oak tree flowers: Landour, Mussoorie
The most simple defintion of ‘flower‘ is colourful part of the plant also resonates as something colourful, delicate, fragrant. But nature is full of exceptions, because there are some flowers in the nature which are neither bright nor colourful and some without fragrance yet they play significant role in sustaining the ecology of a particularContinue reading “Oak tree flowers: Landour, Mussoorie”
Passive degradation of Himalayan ecology: Oak trees in Landour, Mussoorie
As soon as one enters the small hillside of Landour, Mussoorie; the old Oak trees, Pine trees and Deodar welcome everyone with open arms. The whistling Himalayan breeze blowing through the tree leaves endows life and hope in each and every corner of this beautiful hillside. With the changing seasons these evergreen trees always addContinue reading “Passive degradation of Himalayan ecology: Oak trees in Landour, Mussoorie”
Shades of soil: soil paintings and art
We live in a colourful world, colourful skies, green forests, vivid shades of flowers, vibrant life forms, art and paintings, but have you ever observed the different palettes of soil beneath our feet. Often we overlook some crucial objects in our lives even if they lie in front of our eyes. The soil, supporter ofContinue reading “Shades of soil: soil paintings and art”
Precious water!!
World Water Day is held on 22 March every year since 1993 which focuses on the importance of freshwater. About 2.2 billion people are living without access to safe water, while the global sources of freshwaters are reducing at a rapid rate. With glacier shrinking, rivers drying and global climate change , it’s a nature’sContinue reading “Precious water!!”
Tribute to the forests: International Day of Forests, 2021
The knowledge and conscience which we have gained today comes from nature, and primitive forests. Forests are the source of many mysteries and have played an significant role towards the evolution of mankind. If we look back into the evolutionary history of mankind, we will find that every aspect of adaptation and evolution of theContinue reading “Tribute to the forests: International Day of Forests, 2021”
Tree of Midnight Horror: Oroxylum indicum
It was one fine evening, I was taking a brisk walk amidst forest fringe village of a remote district of Assam, India. The weather was pleasant and I could feel the cold breeze coming from the mighty river Brahmaputra, which can be seen from a distance. Through the lush green fields, I could see someContinue reading “Tree of Midnight Horror: Oroxylum indicum”