Phool Dei: Celebrating nature and mankind

Here comes the spring and season of flowering has already begun in the beautiful state of Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand also known as the ‘Land of Gods‘. This marks the celebration of a folk festival in different parts of Uttarakhand, ‘Phool Dei‘. Phool means flower and ‘Dei’ is a ceremonial dish prepared on this occasion. After longContinue reading “Phool Dei: Celebrating nature and mankind”

Landour skies !!!

Landour, named after the Welsh town ‘Llanddowror‘ is home to mighty oaks, pines, cedars and rhododendrons. Every nook every corner of this small hillside is blessed with pristine serenity and beauty. Even the skies above Landour too don’t fail to mesmerize along with the changing seasons. The skies over Landour, always astound one with theContinue reading “Landour skies !!!”

Red Coral Tree Flowers !!!

Up in the mountains,I was missing the sea;The clear blue waters,And the red corals beneath. ***** But thank you O lord!!For showing me;the clear blue sky,And I barely miss the sea. ***** Thank you O lord!!For the red Coral Tree flowers,High above in the mountains;Now I barely miss the red corals in the sea. *****Continue reading “Red Coral Tree Flowers !!!”

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!!!”

Land where Hoolock Gibbon sings: Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Assam

It was summer of 2015 in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Assam. I was a doctoral student at that time and was working towards the conservation of a medicinal forest tree species in the rain forests of Assam. For some study purpose we were traversing through dense forest trails and I was accompanied by my colleague andContinue reading “Land where Hoolock Gibbon sings: Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Assam”

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”

An ode to the Swallows!!!

Swallows flying high,Up above in the sky;Swooshing through the mountains,Diving in the valley deep;To catch insects swarming in the air,with a velocity steep. ***** Agile and alert are your actions,Random turn sometimes;I couldn’t follow your flying course,Lost track many times!!! ***** Off you fly from your cozy nest,Into the trees surround;Next moment you are outContinue reading “An ode to the Swallows!!!”

Rhododendrons in the hillside

Swaying with the whistling breeze,Spreading your charm;You fulfill wilderness dreams, giving memories warm. Birds, animals and honey bees cherish your nectar,They come to visit you from lands afar;Laden with beauty and healer are you,Life support system for many though. The fallen petals on the forest floor,Create a mystical hue;A path painted red,leading somewhere, I haveContinue reading “Rhododendrons in the hillside”

Snowfall in winter night ; Landour, Mussoorie

Even though late, it snowed in Landour, Mussoorie yesterday, this year. Watching snowfall is an enchanting experience. Like little fairies hopping from branches and leaves finally falling on the ground to create fluffy bed, soft and delicate. I wonder how deep is the connection of snow is with forest and trees. Snowfall is very shyContinue reading “Snowfall in winter night ; Landour, Mussoorie”