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!!!”

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”

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”

Asan Conservation Reserve/Asan Barrage, Uttarakhand: A man-made lake or nature’s delight

Situated at the confluence of the Asan river and Eastern Yamuna Canal alongside bordering states of Uttarakhand-Himachal lies the Asan Conservation Reserve/ Asan Barrage or Assan Barrage. This barrage created the Asan Reservoir which is also called Dhalipur Lake, and was developed in 1967 when the Dhalipur power house was under construction. The scenic geographicalContinue reading “Asan Conservation Reserve/Asan Barrage, Uttarakhand: A man-made lake or nature’s delight”

Life during Corona pandemic!!!

Got up in late in morning staring at ceiling,Turned TV on but the news is also concealing;Same corona and adulteration everywhere, earth needs some healing. Entertainment, politics, business, environment news keep brewing,Leaving curious eager minds with thoughts worth pursuing;Amidst agony, despair and restrictions life keeps on going. The day goes on, the house needs cleaning,Continue reading “Life during Corona pandemic!!!”

Oak tree beside my window!!

I got married few years back and shifted to Landour, Mussoorie. The apartment where me and my husband used to live had a big Oak tree just outside the window. Everyday, sunshine used to peep through my window through the Oak tree. Different Himalayan birds, owls, langoors, monkeys, insects, fireflies, butterflies could be observed justContinue reading “Oak tree beside my window!!”

Kempty falls, Mussoorie: A geological prodigy

Kempty falls Mussoorie is a geological complex lying about 10 kilometres from Mussoorie, Uttarakhand towards Yamuna river. The fusion of various geological, ecological, climatic and geographical factors together contribute towards the portrayal of this geologic marvel.The name Kempty was actually derived from assemblage of two words ‘Camp and Tea’. Once used to be a preferredContinue reading “Kempty falls, Mussoorie: A geological prodigy”

Foraging in the wild: celebrating Green Diwali!!!!

It’s been around two years that I am staying in Landour, Mussoorie. Every year we celebrate Diwali with enthusiasm and zeal. But, this year we celebrated our Diwali in the wilderness, foraging in the wild to collect 14 shaak/saag (leafy greens/foliage) to commemorate a traditional Bengali ritual. Diwali or festival of lights is one ofContinue reading “Foraging in the wild: celebrating Green Diwali!!!!”

Yellow coster butterfly predation

Yellow Coster (Acraea issoria) is a small radiant butterfly with ochre yellowish coloured wings belonging to Nymphalidae family. It has elongated forewings which are slightly translucent and curvy hind-wings. A. issoria is found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Sumatra and Java. Usually this species of butterfly  inhabits mountain valleys at elevation of aboutContinue reading “Yellow coster butterfly predation”

Yellow coster butterfly predation

Yellow Coster (Acraea issoria) is a small radiant butterfly with ochre yellowish coloured wings belonging to Nymphalidae family. It has elongated forewings which are slightly translucent and curvy hind-wings. A. issoria is found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Sumatra and Java. Usually this species of butterfly  inhabits mountain valleys at elevation of aboutContinue reading “Yellow coster butterfly predation”