Prashar Lake:  Tranquil beauty in Mandi hills

At the verge of the fall of winter, I got the opportunity to visit Mandi. It was IIT- Mandi (Indian Institute of Technology, Kamand) where I was attending the National Conference. Three days conference was organized with the theme ‘Rural upliftment through science and technology’. A month ago, I have been registered for the conference along with my project colleague ‘Suru’ at Palampur. It was going to be a three days trip to Mandi. So, we already had thought of visiting Prashar Lake within these days. A day before the conference, we started our journey at noon from Palampur-IHBT Gate no. 2 by HRTC-Bus. Through crossing the Jogindernagar city, we reached Mandi bus-stand nearby at 4 O’clock in the evening. The bus-stand the area from inside to its perimeter was conducive clean and organized. And why shouldn’t be? Our chief-minister belongs to this area.

After waiting an hour, a local bus came for Kamand village with a front route-board highlighted with ‘IIT-Kamand’ on it. We traveled with the Kamand denizens toward the hilly village after a long wait. That village is surrounded by large mountains adjoining ‘Uhl-river’ (Tributary of Beas) on its base. Like all other IITs across the nation, Himachal had laid the stone for IIT in district Mandi, during the year of 2009. Institute is situated within a beautiful village ‘Kamand’ at Prasher road with its two campuses, North and South campus. We got our stay in the newly constructed hostel at the bank of the fanatic noisy Beas River. That noise was intense at night and set us in calm sleep. Whenever we were there, those nights were relaxing therapies for us to beat regular afflicts.

Prashar Lake and Temple

The next day was with the cold serene morning. We duped our warm dresses which have been already decided for each day. Then we moved toward the conference site. At the entrance of the auditorium, the registration team was busy instructing delegates. We registered and interacted with other research scholars of various Institutes. That first day was an interactive and introductory session about the theme of the conference. An inaugural ceremony of the conference was held under the shadow of some local ministers and administrators. The first day was the same as that of every other conference. They highlighted the works in enthusiasm to impress the audience. After that the whole concept changes in between or with the ongoing days. At the end of the first day, the tired audience had already sat down in auditorium for the dinner. In the last, the valedictory day was sulky for the certificates and prize conflicts.

I was there to visit and explore the pure beauty of the hills. The whole time Prashar Lake was in my mind, sneaking in my daydreams during the conference. That epic picture of a blue lake with a floating island near the temple was fixed in my head as I read a lot about it. Three years ago, I was trying but didn’t get any chance to get there. But this was a chance of a lifetime. The next morning, Surbhi and I walked out of the campus after attending an inexplicable speech. We started moving toward the campus entrance gate which took 15 minutes by walking.

There at dabba (tea cum food stall), we asked for the bus to Prasher Lake.  Dabba-bala was making alu-parantha (boiled-crushed potato-filled chapatti) in dhesi ghee. The ghee smeared bursting potato allured us. We ordered it with dahi (curd) and were waiting for the bus. He started making parathas and his wife was chopping vegetables for lunch.

 He replied while filling potato in handful dough, ‘Madam, there is only one bus for Prasher’. And trekking is another way which is impossible right now...

 After listening to him that we have only one overloaded bus with no chance of space. And thinking of 16 km impossible trekking at midday for Prashar, we had lost our hope. 

Immediately we got our order - alu paratha with fresh dahi. We ate it for energy with dreamy hope for Prashar Lake. That was fortune when we were hogging paratha and a car stopped near to dabba. A young married lady recognized Suru and asked for the lake visit. She was with her husband, moving to Parashar also. They were localities of mandi and had attended the yesterday conference session with Suru. We finished our parantha immediately. There, we shared the car with a wonderful couple. That gentleman was adventurous and caring, driving with his 7-month pregnant lovely wife. They told about their love story and marriage

.

We had crossed many small Pahari villages with different folk lifestyle. As we were moving toward height, we saw a gradual change in culture and vegetation. The road was with twists and turns consequently after one. We were leaning in the car right-left like the shape of the snake. With every turn, we were crossing the forest canopy. Dominant tree crowns were highly distinguishable when viewed from the above road. That road was naturally roughed path surrounded by striking green foliage conifers. After every 5-6 turns, tree stands were changing with different species. Up to the Prashar, it was the whole set of vegetation together which was changing with altitude. That time, I remind my Forestry and Silviculture concepts. Finally, it was grassland at the top of about 2700m amsl, Seghali village  (near to Kulong village) after crossing coniferous vegetation. The Landscape was turned yellow because top-soil and grasses were drying.

All land turfs were yellow where Prashar lake and the main temple were prominent. Sky color was reflecting on the lake water surface making it blue. A rotating small land piece was in the lake with grass on it. The whole lake is preserved using iron grills and colorful flags were waving on it at some distance. The lake depth is still unmeasured. Earlier pilgrimages collect this lake water as prasad (Blessing) as they considered it as an elixir.

Three storied wooden temple side view

A reflection of wooden Art on deodar wood

Then we entered the deodar wooden temple where ‘Maharishi Prashar Muni’ did meditation and worshiped Maa Tunga (a form of Durga Maa). It was the divine feel inside the temple. Three storied pagoda style temple has been built with a single deodar tree (Cedrus deodara). A beautiful carving has been done on wood with inscriptions of old facts. There is no record of the date of its establishment. The priest gives a random amount of rice on Pooja. If the count holds odd number 3,5,7…. which symbolize that wish will be fulfilled by Prashar Muni. According to mythology, Prashar muni was the grand-grandson of the Universe creator- Brahma ji. He was the son of Shakti muni whose father was Bashist muni. It was believed that Prashar muni stayed for 12 months in her mother’s womb. Isn’t it amazing!!!

Prashar muni was the wise sage of that yug (era) and emerged as a writer of Jyotish Sashtra which describes the natural and human changes with time/age. This holy script also contains ‘forecasting methods’ based on planets and stars calculation to know the information on past, present and future time. Locals say that the temple was constructed by local king Ban Sen. People gather here during ‘Fagni’ fair for the blessing of Rishi Muni. The colorful cultural fair attracts tourists around the world.

Floating island (Phumidi) at the bank of the Prashar lake

 It was the time where hill vegetation was ready to feel the snow. Lake surrounding flora turned yellow before the commencement of snowfall. Most of the grasses and herbs were unidentifiable and were in dormancy already. In the shrub patches, red-colored flowering plant - Potentilla atrosanguinea was identified.  Its outer foliage morphology looks like wild cherry. After a search on Google, it was found that this plant contains a unique enzyme Pa-SOD which is a superoxide dismutase. This enzyme control oxygen toxicity arising out of oxidative stress in any living system.  

For more details- Go to Research Gate ...

 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268982068_Engineering_a_thermo-stable_superoxide_dismutase_functional_at_sub-zero_to_50C_which_also_tolerates_autoclaving

Potentilla atrosanguinea 

A trip to Arki (Part-2)

A trip to Arki (Part – II)

It was neither the realism nor the magical power in the proverb. These were subsequent situations which pushed my mind to believe falsely truth ‘as an incidental proof’. That time the bus was overloaded with so many commuters hanged in the middle of the aisle. I too stuck in the middle seat of the bus toward the closed window to my left. Outside rain was dancing in every direction with the flow of wind and moreover, the rain shelter was far away. With lots of effort, I breathe out middle of the crowd, step down and ran toward Arki bus. I got on the bus quickly which was full of passengers too. The full overloaded bus started promptly as it was waiting for me only. Raindrops were tapping from my hairs and sliding down wetting my dress. This time I was so aware and still holding the rod of a back seat with the bag in my one arm. Though, I was famishing and couldn’t get to eat there in Kunihar. On that way, curvy single roads were frequent. However, I enjoyed the tumbling journey to Arki.

The rain was stopped almost as the bus reached to Arki (a next big station after Kunihar). Local people also don’t take the name of Arki in fear of hunger whole day. What the fuzz is all about it!!!

After a critical analysis that ‘Hunger’ proverb came with the absolute myth. Remember, if you are going to interact with the local Arki people on this myth. I am telling you, it is an un-argued statement. So it is better to respect their culture and old folk proverbs. That’s what I did.

A  landscape view of Arki captured from the hill-top of Lutru-Mahadev 

Arki is famous for the majestic fort with having ancient marvel and historical significance of course. But it has been ruined with time. This fort is believed to be built somewhere between the 17th-18th centuries when Rana Prithvi Singh was the kinglet of that time and Arki was the capital of the Baghal state (A princely hill-state). Later it was ruined by Ranas and Rajputs and then conquered by Gurkhas (who came from Nepal). They (Gurkhas) used Arki area as a base camp to spread their entity in Himachal by giving blood of brotherhood and set an example of bravery. A proverb regarding Gurkhas famous in Arki area is; Jo Ghurkhaya te bache so bache. It means that Living are they who lived when the Ghurkhas left. But after Anglo-Gurkha war which was fought in 1815 A.D. and led to Gurkha expulsion back to Nepal and finally freed the Baghal state. The history details are somewhat ambiguous in different sources, so for more detail go for the Book- The Wonderland by Jag Mohan Balokhara.

In addition, Arki fort displays the Rajput and Mugal Architectural style which impinged with Rajasthani visuals. Nowadays the fort is a private property of Raja Rajendra Singh’s descendents where they had agreed to convert it as grandeur heritage resort. Arki is also famous for hill caved temple i.e., Lutru and Mataru Mahadev and another for its Sair fair. To know more about Arki, check this site-https://www.nativeplanet.com/travel-guide/arki-fort-the-wondrous-artistry-from-the-bygone-era/articlecontent-pf24775-004837.html

At the bus stand, I bought a bottle of water and butterscotch cornetto-cone to get instant energy. I still remember that was the most satisfying ice-cream of my life. I filled with energy and enjoyed licking it so softly. I called my junior, she was on the way. Meanwhile, I spent the spare time rambling on the bus stand with scrumptious cornetto-cone. It was a small bus stand with full of 'Pahari passengers' roaming at random. I also noticed a group of Bihari people, who came here for their livelihood. Their ladies (dressed in colorful sari) and wimpy children were sitting in a group on the floor of bus stand, whereas men were standing close by ladies group. They were busy in their small gossip and sharing happiness.

There I sat on a bench and got busy in enjoying my melting cream embedded with cashew & almonds. Suddenly she jumped at my place from the back and surprised me. She is Krishna. She took me to her village, all the way through a beautiful green road surrounded by slant cliffs. We enjoyed maggi (Nestle-Noodles) and tea, the hospitality was so gratifying. Their local dialect was quite similar to Kangri, but the entire tone was different. After a catnap, we started our journey with her mother for wood sample collection. We walk toward hills, outer of the village, to find Toon tree. In a dense shrubby-grassy way, we had spotted a bright red flower of Kalihari (Gloriosa superba). Striking red color on a green background was much noticeable from far sight.

 It was Glory Lily. The genus Gloriosa means full of glory and Superba reflects superiorly awesome beauty. It is the national flower of Zimbabwe and state flower of Tamil Naidu. Being a state flower of Tamil Naidu, it has got its fame among farmers which is seen growing in some pockets of state. It is known to contain 24 alkaloid compounds and 10 non-alkaloidal compounds (Alkaloids are plant-based nitrogenous organic compounds, mostly are colorless oily liquids, but some are colored e.g., the yellow alkaloid -Berberine in Berberis aristata). This plant is toxic as it contains colchicines, a toxic alkaloid, simultaneously plant at the verge of extinction due to the illegal trade of seeds and tubers for its numerous medicinal uses.

            It was the first time I saw this endangered medicinal plant in its natural habitat. Furthermore, the flower was printed on the medicinal book cover. So, it was truly fascinating to see this plant in the wild. Then after, we extracted toon wood samples and took tree measurements for research purpose. Her mother was with us at every practical activity and keeps on briefing about the local flora. Krishna and I were memorizing their scientific name and discussing their medicinal values. It was a productive practical conversation. We were surrounded by a mixed clump of forest trees and shrubs at hill; periphery was occupied by ghasni (grassland). Another opposite side of hill area was covered with long turf grass and big scattered cactii. So we had been encountered with numerous unknown floras, never seen before. After sample collection of toon tree and all measurements, we came down from the hill crossing hedgy and spiny shrubs. Her father brought some Jamun (wild fruit of Syzygium cumini) in a cloth bag; we enjoyed their taste of freshness.

The opposite aspect of the village hill

At the extreme of the evening when the sun was setting at the horizon, we chose to walk outside. On the way when we were walking, the crocking sound of frogs was moving with us. She showed me her village. It was so green and narrow paths were enclosed at both sides by a folk medicinal plant Vitex nigundu (Vanna in kangri dialect) and other bushes. In Hindi, the plant is also known as Nirgundi. It is believed that on planting Vanna outside the house keeps the mosquitoes and pests away. Also, it is known to use in various herbal medicine from ancient time. In the lower districts of Himachal, it is used by local baids and chelas (a disciple of local village deity) to drove away negative spirits.

I captured the village beauty in my mobile camera. We had played and shared knowledge of local flora. There we made the herbal-tiara with leaves and flowers were interwoven together. I will never forget this amazing creation of us. It was literally fun on that evening. We returned to home at dusk and took our meal. It was so delicious and finally, I get over with my hunger.

our evening fun - selfie

Next morning after all samples collection, her family bid adieu to me. At the bus stand, I took a cornetto-cone again. During the back journey, that ice-cream in drizzling weather made me thoughtful. It was awesome to meet different cultured people in different areas. I left my footprint in Arki and return brought lots of memories and knowledge.

A Trip to Arki - crossing Chhoti Vilayat

(Part-1)

In the year 2016, amidst of August month, I was busy arranging my solo trip to the Arki area for wood sample collection. I assembled research gadgets so-called instruments like moisture meter, GPS, measuring tape, wood borer, chisel, hammer, etc from my concerned academic department. I also got an official node in the form of paper. That paper authorized me that I can extract wood samples from the standing live tree for research purpose. It was necessary because I was going to deal with the ‘Toon’ tree (Toona ciliata). “Toon is one of the valuable and good quality timbers, highly used in lower areas of Himachal. This Red Cedar tree of Mahogany family has been ingrained with strong heart-wood; it attracts woodworkers for its use”. As in Himachal, ‘Green felling ban’ was known to impose during 1996. Strictly, no disturbance to live tree for vulturous developmental activity was announced by the state government. This step was pivotal to Himachal Pradesh for forest sustainability. But this year 2019, in February, this law has been reconditioned by allowing green felling in some particular areas and on some particular species. Check here;https://indianexpress.com/article/india/supreme-court-green-felling-himachal-green-cover-5074665/

Nevertheless, I was on a research expedition. And moreover, to avoid objection regarding the collection, I’d to keep official paper (Certificate) with me. This proved that live sample collection is definitely for research purpose and extraction procedure will not interfere with tree life; or no any kind of harm to Toon.

After preparing all certificates, I entered HOD’s office for signature as consent. There was a group of four Ph.D. scholars sitting around the Head Sir’s table and were discussing a medicinal plant, named ‘Chanchla’. Among them, one was our Wood-Chemistry teacher. They were busy in discussing that Chanchla plant. I just heard that it is a medicinal plant and have no more details further. I really don’t know why biotechnology students were curious about this plant.

                       (If anybody knows about this plant, Please explore details in the comment section)

After completing all formalities, I ran from Forestry-college building toward the hostel. Tour journey was on my mind because it was going to be a solo tour. So I was planning it accordingly as the sequence was in my mind, but it did not go the way I was thinking. So, I called my junior and set the plans on the phone. My one research site coincides where she lived. And fortunately, she was at her place. 

Next morning, along with my instrumental bag, I was waiting for the bus at ‘Kranti chowk’ – it is a famous bus stop of Nauni Campus with a standing statue of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar (First CM of HP) in a circular raised grassy podium. A Nauni campus bus came for solan with Sirmauri nati (Folk song) was on in high volume. The driver turned the bus with the rhythm of Nati and the conductor was whistling backside to align the bus with the road. I am sure that whistling was unnecessary in malodorous folk song.

The bus stopped for 10 minutes in front of NCC ground. Passengers boarded the bus, mostly were students and bus moved toward Solan. Finally, I reached the Solan bus stand. Solan is famous for mushroom, hence it is called - Mushroom City of India. It is also known as the Hub of education in Himachal, because students from different districts, states, countries came here for higher study. The city Solan lies between Chandigarh and Shimla. It is like the twin sister of Queen Hill ‘Shimla’ which is about 46 km south of it.

I came out of the bus for a search of Arki-bus. I asked a private bus conductor, who was busy in counting money with a whistle in his mouth. He replied in his local tone that “Hanji, Bus to janni yai, per jayegi ‘Chhoti Vilayat’ tak, usi raste se” (‘yes, this bus is going to that side with the same route, but up to Chhoti Vilayat’ only)…                 He didn’t say Kunihar.

I asked, ‘Kunihar Bus-stand?’ He replied with a suspicious look- Haanji, Nam ni lena bus.

He added to attract passenger (me), ‘There is no direct bus for Arki right now. Take this bus quickly; either you have to wait for 45 minutes’.

I listened to him quietly, sat near the window seat. It was 9 AM and my tummy was famishing hard, as I couldn’t get breakfast in the hostel.

I looked around and bought some butter cookies to sleep my hungry tummy.  After 20 min bus driver got on the bus and start worshiping the goddess photo-frames hanged left of bus steering. As he started the bus, it vibrates with a regular frequency. I lost my activeness as my hunger calmed down and then I snoozed with my bag in arms.

After 2 hours, the bus reached Kunihar, I was very curious about this place as I heard a lot about this place. ‘Kunihar is anonymously known as Chhoti Vilayat. The reason may be it was looked like a foreign land with aesthetic attention during the old time. There is a story with a myth regarding the name of Kunihar. This place is also known as 'Bukha Maulakh' (the place of hunger people). Where local people say that if anybody calls its name in the morning he/she will stay hungry and thirsty whole day’…… Ridiculous! (My expression)

I had called this place ‘Kunihar’ name in the morning to break this myth. That’s why; I decided that I will buy some eatable things in Kunihar bus stand. As it was a myth to me, so I made my mind up to disgrace the old proverb. But truly speaking, I could not get there to eat.    

And that ridiculous expression laughed at me.                                           (To be continued……)

There may be various interesting stories about, why the place name should not be called in the morning?

 Let me know in the comment box…

Reflection of Heaven- ‘Habban’

         In the Forestry stream, none of any our educational trip has given the chance of boredom. For forestry batch-2012, forest visits were always being the exciting jaunt. It was one of the shiny mornings; we were on an educational trip to reserve forest of Sirmour area (H.P district) during the last semester of graduation. We were in the yellow college bus where students were singing and enjoying together. Two forestry professors were escorted for us to ensure that the trip should be in an academic manner. Also, they have the charge of our safety as we were 43 in the class. So they have to be alert during the journey. Our accompanied professors were sitting just behind the driver seat. Also, the bus driver was very professional and enjoying his driving with listening students singing Pahari Nati (Local dance song of Himachalis) in the behind seats.

         There, my focus shifted toward the striking beauty of the forest. It was pleasing my eyes, as shiny green trees were making me breathe more. I observed my mind was relaxing up and getting free from all constraints. On both sides of the road, the site was occupied by reserved superior Deodar (Cedrus deodara) trees; Deodar is a large evergreen coniferous tree and also known as Himalayan Cedar. It is the state tree of Dev Bhoomi Himachal Pradesh and considered to have a connection with the divine. It also believes that Deodar was the favorite site for Himalayan sages during ancient time.

That Deodar stand was looking likes ‘heaven’ with extreme clean visibility. It was refreshing clean air with an amalgamation of divine aroma. Denizens of this area usually say ‘it has the reflection of heaven every morning and evening. That’s why this area got its name as ‘Habban’.

Nurpur Forestry girls with Forest Staff and UHF Professors

           Yes we were there, at Habban Forest division of Nahan Circle (H.P.) There, we reach a Forest division office. We were instructed for corralling in a conference room by two forest guards, as we were scheduled for meeting with Amer Singh. With some forest officers, our professors were discussing the purpose of the visit and were probably busy planning the next schedule of the journey. Before their arrival, we were served with a soft drink and some local cookies. Our class was full of notorious students and was hogging cookies one by one. With this refractory behavior, we were not in the discipline. Some were roaming outside; others were exploring the adjacent rooms and peeping on hanging pictures of great politicians. And remaining were sitting tired straggly on the chair after bus travel. I was silent and slammed on observing them with thinking, how curious our class is?

         After a bit time waiting, two Forest-guards stood near the door and make a sign to keep silent. They were probably noticing student’s activities and asked us to bridge the gulf by sitting on chair sequentially.

         At the same moment, Amer Singh stepped inside the conference room with our professors behind him. Both guards welcomed them and helped for their sittings. He wished all students in strict alert voice and welcomed us. He was tall fit middle-aged officer with dark mustaches. Actually, he was one of the senior Range Forest Officer (RFO or RO) of that division and going to lead the class on behalf of DFO. Our professors sat just beside him with the confident smile. However, Amer Singh was scanning students to and fro like a pendulum. After eye contacts with every student, he started speaking. He surprised us with a great speech and we felt proud of being forestry students. First, he described the working of his division and how they are helping in preserving the concerned Forests. Then he started sharing his life journey from the very start where he selected as Forest officer. He told us so many tales regarding wildlife adventure and about the beauty of the forest.

Forestry Batch-2012:- Notorious Class with Dr. Bhupender Dutt 

         With the constant speaking, his roar voice turned slowly into humble. We were hearing him curiously without any movement. It turned out that he has devoted half of his life with serving forest and he is happy with his duty.

         Then he said in a low voice that I am taking care of these forest trees with my team. This beautiful land ‘Habban’ has a good seed stand of deodar. Our ‘Himalayan Deodar’ belongs to family Pinaceae known as ‘Tree of God’. Every third year is a good seed year in case of Deodar. He also aware us about its indicator plant species which are Indigofera and Desmodium spp (Both belong to Fabaceae Family). Indicator Species are those species (plant/animal) which tells the presence of other species and their habitat.

                            

              He added that Deodar tree is monoecious in nature where male-female cones grow on the same tree but they appear on a different branch. The male cones come first in the month of June and they wait for female cones, which comes later in August. He surprised us saying that male cone (Catkins) always set on lower branches. While the tree gives an honor position to female cones as they grow at the top. Yes, you see, nature also supports feminism and respect them. He said in a humorous way with nodding toward girl students. We also replied with nodding toward him.

He said today we will visit two sites viz., Site 1-RF 16 which is known as Dalamun dev ki kalar which has an area of about 27 hectares. And the next site 2-RF 17 named as ‘Dalamun’ only with an area of 27.05 hectares.

        The visit was too informative and pleasurable with pleasant weather. We learned a lot and observed practically there. Our forests are incredible, so to avoid the illicit felling, encroachment, illegal transportation, wildlife killing, and medicinal plants smuggling, there have Forest police stations (Van Thana) been set up. Here is FOR (Forest Offense Report) irrespective of general FIR. The investigation acts run as a team by RO, DFO and other officers. Penalty for illegal cutting of tree varies with species on the basis of their volume, sale tax, transportation, etc. Civil police also help to Van Thana. If the quantity of seized timber is huge, it has to given to sale depot and to holding corporations. If the captured quantity is less, the sale is done by DFO through a process of simple auction. A daily activity file is filled by Munshi of Van thana. 

         We saw jail (prison) of Van thana, which was an old empty unfurnished room with a solid lock on rusted iron rods. I have never seen a prison before. I really felt crazy on watching this in reality with no prisoner inside.
    A voice from inside came and laughed at me saying, 'Why are you so happy on this?, it's not a Real Jail'.

I silently smiled and replied to myself.

                      
                   Whatever, Jail to jail he…… as crime is crime……. !!!

Exploring Unknown Nature of Nature

After having hostel supper, I was in my room with my laptop, searching old files and folders, and deleting the one no longer in use. Rihana’s song 'What's my name' was playing and I was trying to imitate her voice, my fingers were busy in deleting useless files. One of my hostel mates knocked at my door and said, “Tomorrow, we are going on a trek to Karol Tibba, {Solan (H.P.)}. Do you want to join us?”  I muted my song and replied, “Trekking? Yes, but early morning!” She assured me that there will no need to worry, as the arrangements had been already done by my classmate and she left.

 I am very passionate about nature and so could not say ‘No’ to this opportunity. This was the first time that I was going to trek with strangers, although some of them were familiar faces that I had seen in UHF campus (Nauni). I trusted her and so I agreed to her invitation. At midnight, I packed my bag and went to sleep thinking about which dress to choose for the next day adventure. I decided and set up my mind to wake early so that I should not be late.

Every morning of Nauni valley is very refreshing and invigorating and affirms my faith for precious life and beautiful nature. I am a student of Nauni University very close to nature, love to see vibrant phenomena of nature every day and night. I find myself very lucky to be born in the lap of Himalayas and fortunate to be studying forestry subject. I usually keep peeping outside my window to get an eyeful panoramic beauty of nature, it gives me the strength to start my work. 

Sunset in UHF Nauni

                 Today I have to trek Karol Tibba of Solan, famous as Pandava gufa. Six of us started our journey around 7 A.M. after buying fruits and vegetables for cooking lunch at the top. It took more than 2 hours to reach the Pandava gufa. It was an amazing underground, moist dark cave with lots of bats inside. Their screeching and moist slippery rocks of the cave gave us thrills. I was trying to make my way in the dark and absorbing the incredible feel of that moment. Sound of water drops from the crevasse of the rock, the noise of bats, all seemed different and made me pause to think about nature’s creation. We were beneath the surface, so came out after fifteen minutes after watching narrow tunnel inside the gufa. (Local people believe that Pandavas from Mahabharata lived in this long tunnel of about 28 Kms and its end lies in Pinjore, Haryana). Above this gufa was a temple adjoining to a small wooden house. I guess there was no other house nearby, as we tracked the remaining journey through a dense forest. We found an old lady outside the house with two dogs, which looked very healthy and active. We visited the temple and after that sat near the house to interact with the lady as we were very curious to know how she lived amidst the dense forest. She told that her spouse went down every day for work and returned back in the evening. We lived happily together with two dogs. Many a time, during the night, we sensed the presence of leopard but have not been attacked so far. From so many years we didn’t get any harm, so it’s like nature’s harmony and we love this place. She added further that during the day time, many visitors and trekkers come to like you, so I passed my day time interacting with them.

We thanked that lady and took her to leave. On returning from the gufa, we collected dry fuel woods and shrubs for fire. We found plain grassland where we decided to cook lunch. That view was heaven, we were surrounded by clouds, and the floated wind was playing with our hair, the sun seemed to move so fast behind the clouds that we could observe its movement with naked eyes. We cooked our lunch which included rice and paneer sabji, behind the shrubby ridge as the wind blew aggressively. Finally, we had our delicious lunch, interacted with one another and started becoming friends. We enjoyed with group singing, photo session and laughing together. We were at an altitude of about 2000 mts and felt cold at midday, covered neck with a muffler. The above blue sky was covered with patches of the clouds and a circular ring was moving from east to west, the adjacent green mountains were covered by Deodar and Pines forests. Farsight visibility was low, as floating clouds spread whiteness. While descending, we came across a herd of cows and goats on that grassland with shepherds. I collected various unknown Himalayan plant shrubs for identification during my return journey, because that’s what foresters do during any visit.

"Cooking is like unifier and Food is symbolic of love"

Next morning I went to my Forest Products Lab, with a sequence of work plans in my head. On the stair near the Lab, I met with Dharmu uncle who is a renowned taxonomist of our department and a commendable plant identifier. I showed all the collected samples to him for identification. I was really impressed when uncle mentioned the genus (Initial word for any scientific name) of all plants specimen which I had collected from Karol Tibba. He commanded me to come to his office for clear identification. Uncle opened an old yellow-paged book with lots of plants detail with identification key in it. He observed the leaves shape, veins, color, flowers so curiously and identified species (next word to genus for any scientific name) by using that book and gave me one by one with mentioning their names; “This is Indigofera pulchella, another Jasminum humile, then Cotoneaster microphyllus and so on…… all were new to me, so I wrote the plants’ name at the upper right edge of the paper and folded them between the sheet with regular intervals in a rough notebook. Some of the live samples that I could not collect, so I showed their images to uncle from my phone. Uncle tried to identify them and said in low voice, “Whenever you need to identify the plant, try to bring live samples with its flower. Do you want to see real samples and learn how to do identification in the field in real sense?  “Yes I do, let’s go ‘I shouted in excitement.

Uncle and I went to the medicinal field near the university cafeteria, where I noticed a Kapoor tree standing at the entrance. There was a small wooden shed where field lady staff was busy in crushing some plant seeds. I finally entered the field of medicinal plants; most of the plants were in the blooming stage. Uncle pointing toward a flower, he asked me to bring it to him. I identified it as a Hibiscus flower with purple color and gave it to uncle.

What is its family? How did you identify? He asked.

I said, ‘I remembered’.

‘Ohoooo rata hi lagana, inn professaro ne baccho ka beda gark kiya he’. He shouted furiously.

I said, ‘then how?’ reciprocating his tone. He handed over that flower to me for description.

See the flower carefully, observe what you see and tell me, he said politely.

I grew numb at his reaction and didn’t know what to say. I was thinking if I know this plant from my knowledge, and identify it to tell people that ‘this is Hibiscus’. Then what’s wrong in it. I thought so hard on this and could not think of other criteria for identification.

Uncle said, “Don’t cram image of the plant and never fill your head with color and shape only, this plant belongs to Malvaceae family because its flower has fused male and female part. Remember always”. He showed me fused characteristics of three different flowers of the same family and request to observe under the microscope for enlarge view.

He showed me another plant and asked again to identify it; I said Lily as its image was in my mind. He said, ‘Yes good, how?’

I was speechless again and tried to speak in a low voice, “Six Petals and white flower”

Then uncle clarified that Lily family has different colored flowers also with different shape, even Asparagus belongs to Liliaceae family. You can identify it with 6 Petals and 6 anthers.

I was shocked to learn that the green shrubby Asparagus belongs to Liliaceae family.

                  “Amazing nature” I sighed with thinking and noted down all information on my notebook.

All this identification aroused my curiosity further and I asked uncle to tell me more. Uncle replied, “Enough for today, search more about them from your Google Baba but confirm from books also. Library has very old and good books on Himalayan Plants with key identification. Visit there and spend time with them. You can also ask me any time within one week as after that I am going to retire from the University”.

“Where do you go after that? (Looking at uncle’s phone, which was not as smart as the uncle was in his subject). Can I contact you through whatsup or facebook?” I asked.

He said, “Lots of job offers are coming, but I want to gulp rest for a while from work, so not thinking about joining any place shortly. But I will come to the Department when in need. During this conversation, his phone rang and he remarked humorously, “See how busy I am!” And I laughed vigorously at it.

I thanked him and came back to the hostel for lunch. On my way back I thought of making my own herbarium by collecting Himalayan shrubs and grasses and compiling them together. After lunch, I went inside my room and placed all plant samples between newspapers for drying and kept them under the mattress to make them ready for the herbarium.

From there I start making my Herbarium and still working on it.

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After a year:-   Pending work…………. Procrastination, Why this is so???

                                                                                             Answer Please…