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……. !!!