Saffron - An expensive spice that has enormous values

Crocus sativus commonly known as Saffron is one of the well known and expensive spice used widely around the world. Saffron is said to be derived from the stigma of the saffron plant. The Saffron plant belongs to the family of Iridaceae. This plant is native to many places around the world such as Central and Southwest Asia, Greece, Central and Southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the islands of the Aegean. Saffron is a perennial plant and it is believed to be originated about 3000 years back. The name Saffron is believed to be derived from the Latin word 'Safranum' and the plant is said to be cultivated first in Greece. Saffron is also called as 'Kesar' in Hindi and 'Kumkumapoo' in Tamil.

While searching about the history of this Saffron plant in India, I came to know that this plant was brought to India by Persians while they conquered Kashmir.

Saffron Flowers :

Saffron is a perennial plant whose height ranges from 15 to 25 cm. It is mainly cultivated for its flowers and the spice derived from the stigma of the flowers. It consists of purple color flowers with red stigmas inside which is called as 'Saffron'. Each flower comprises three red stigmas and these stigmas are the female part of the flower. Even though it is a perennial plant, the flowering period of the plant is said to be from mid or late October to first / second week of November and it is also said that sometimes it might vary depending upon the temperature during the spring and autumn. The purple buds can be seen in the autumn and only in October it get sets to bloom. The Saffron plant gets well adapted to a cool dry climate with rich soil conditions. As per some analysis, researchers say that it requires about 70,000 to 2,50,000 flowers to make one pound of saffron.

As we have seen already, Saffron is nothing but the three stigmas inside the flower and it is used commercially only after the stigmas are dried properly. Some cultivators of Saffron say that a Saffron cannot be duplicated so easily as their original aroma and color shows off how fresh it is. The word Saffron is said to refer the color 'yellow'. The flower of the Saffron flower is believed to possess a sweet honey-like aroma which also has the taste of little bitterness.

Saffron threads :

Images Courtesy : Internet

Cultivation of Saffron in India :

Kashmir is predominantly known for its Saffron cultivation. As we have seen earlier it is the Persians who are believed to have brought the Saffron plant to Kashmir. The Pampore town near Srinagar of Jammu and Kashmir is popularly known for its Saffron cultivation for about 2500 years !!!

Kashmir is considered one among the three prominent places of Saffron cultivation around the world. The Kashmir Saffron is believed and widely recommended by many legends for its innate quality. It is said that major part of the Saffron cultivated here are exported to many countries around the world. It is said that there are three grades of Saffron in India . They are Saffron Lachha, Saffron Mongra and Saffron Zarda. It is believed that the Saffrons of Kashmir has long deep red colored stigmas. The legends of Saffron cultivation says that the size of the stigmas determines the quality of it. Since Kashmir possess the rich alluvial soil, the saffrons grown here is said to have a magical aroma by its cultivators. Amidst all the Saffrons produced around the world, the Kashmir saffrons are always well known for its flavor, color power and its wonderful aroma. The Saffron cultivation is a boon for many cultivators because of its rich value . As per an article read in a popular newspaper, as on March 2013, it is estimated that the Saffron would approximately cost Rs. 2.5 lakh per kg.

Saffron at home

Uses of Saffron :

          ~*   Saffrons are mostly used for culinary purposes. It is believed that only a little amount of Saffron can be used and it is said to be more than enough for dishes. Consuming more than its normal level is not advisable.

            ~*  Saffrons are mostly used in culinary to add flavors, colors and taste to the food.

            ~* The kesari powder that are used for adding colors to the food is derived from the leftover bits of Saffron harvest. The kesari powder is obtained from leftover bits of Saffron and little turmeric added to it.

           ~*   The Kashmir saffrons were soaked in water to provide golden yellow color and it is used for fabric dye.
           
            ~*  Saffron is also used as perfume.

            ~*   Despite its culinary uses, it is also possess medicinal values. Saffrons are used to suppress cramps and are also said to be used for  anesthetic purposes.

            ~*  Saffrons are also used in herbal medicine for treating respiratory problems.

         ~* It is also used in the treatment of health disorders like asthma, paralysis, insomnia, heart diseases, hemorrhage, flatulence and gout.

            ~*  As per an article in Times of India, 'Saffron' has been named under the 'Eight Indian spices that prevents cancer'.  A natural carotenoid dicarboxylic acid called 'Crocetin' is identified to be the primary cancer fighting element of Saffron. It is believed that this 'Crocetin' acid not only prevents the progression of this disease but it also decreases the size of the tumor by half which helps to cure the cancer completely.  
I think the price of the Saffron doesn't matter when it does such a miracle to a person suffering from diseases like cancer.

Note : consult your physician before following the above points.

In Kashmir - the Kingdom of Saffron, no celebration is said to be complete without their traditional dish called 'Saffron Kehwa/ Kashmiri Kehwa'. Here I'm sharing about that beverage ,

Kashmiri Kehwa :

(Servings for 4)

Ingredients :
                                                                                       
Kashmiri Green Tea  - 4 teaspoons
Saffron threads        - 4  pinches
Cardamom               -  2 (crushed)
Almonds                  -  8 (blanched & chopped)
Cinnamon                -  1 stick
Cloves                     -  2
Sugar                      -  2 teaspoons                          

                                                         

                                                   

Method :

        Boil 3 cups of water along with cloves, cardamom and cinnamon. Then mix this with 4 teaspoons of green tea. Leave this mix to boil and infuse for a while in low flame. At the other end, dissolve Saffron in a little water by gently rubbing it . Now Once the tea is ready, strain it and add this Saffron liquid to it. Then garnish it with chopped almonds and serve hot.


References :

 kashmirkesarkingdom.com
 indianetzone.com  
 timesofindia
 Recipe Source : vegetalindia                         
               
          

Saffron cultivators in Kashmir says that not a single part of the plant is wasted. They say that after harvesting the Saffron in the late autumn, the petals of the flowers are used as vegetables and the stems are given to the animals. They consider the red stigmas - 'purest Kashmir Saffron' as 'The Golden herb'. Indeed it is a golden herb gifted by God with enormous values.

VIBGYOR Series - 'G' for 'Green' - The Coriander plant

This post is part of the Chennai Bloggers Club's CBC VIBGYOR BLOG TAG where some
of us will write a post on the colours of VIBGYOR each day starting 1st of September to 
the 7th of September. The colour theme for today's post is GREEN

Whenever I come across the word 'Green' , I could only imagine about our beautiful mother Nature. The greeny environment just comes in a flash before me. But today I'm not sure how much greeny is our surroundings. In between the years there was a gradual decline in the number of trees in our environment and also the habit having gardens in houses had faced a decline. But in just the past two years the situation has improved inch by inch by many nature enthusiasts and by some of the organisations and I wish it continues to improve more. Since I have already posted about the awareness on tree plantation, importance of trees in the Universe and Kitchen gardening in this blog, here I would like to share about a plant that I like personally and which takes part in our daily cooking. It is none other than Coriander.

Coriander is an annual herb which comes under the family Apiaceae. Its botanical name is Coriandrum sativum and it is known as one of the world's oldest spice which is said to be originated back to 5000 B.C. It is native to South Europe, Asia and North Africa. It is also called as Cilantro (Spanish word) or Chinese parsley. In India, it is called as 'dhania' in Hindi language. The coriander plants are generally soft plants and they are 50 cm tall. Since it is a tropical crop, they prefer a frost-free climate during flowering and the formation of seeds. All parts of the plant are edible. The seeds and leaves are used as common flavoring agents in cooking.

Coriander comes not only under a herb, but also under the spice category. The coriander leaves goes under the herb category whereas the coriander seeds goes under the spice category. The leaf portion is often referred to as cilantro and seeds were said to be referred as coriander in some countries. But the entire plant is called as 'Coriander'.

Cultivation of coriander plant :

                  In India, Coriander plant is cultivated in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. They are generally cultivated in loamy(clay and sand with humus) soils since they are not tolerant to alkaline and saline soils. It is an irrigated crop.

Nutritive value : Carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamin A and vitamin C, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, folic-acid, beta carotene,

Medicinal values and health benefits :

                ~* It is considered to be a potential medicine for anxiety and insomnia.
                ~* It lowers blood sugar levels.
                ~* It is said it helps in cleansing the kidneys.
                ~* This plant is a great source of fiber, iron and magnesium.
                ~* The mixture of coriander juice and turmeric is said to be used as a toner for skin and it is used in the treatment of acne (a skin condition marked with red pimples).
                ~* Both the coriander leaves and seeds is said to contain antioxidants which avoids spoilage of foods.
                ~* It is said that they possess anti-inflammatory property.
                ~* It is used to treat type 2 diabetics as per some research done with mice.
                ~* Coriander leaves provides relief for indigestion problems.
                ~* It is said that these coriander leaves helps to reduce nausea and it is also used to promote healthy liver function.
                ~* Coriander is said to have pain relieving properties which helps in reducing headache, muscle pain and arthritis.

Coriander chutney for sandwich/ salads / side-dishes :

                 Grind 1 cup of coriander leaves along with 2 or 3 green chillies, 1/2 inch of ginger and add salt of your taste. Then add 1 or 2 tsp of lime juice to it(optional).  Finally fry some mustard and cumin seeds in oil separately and add it to the chutney if you serve it as a side-dish. In case of sandwich you can avoid it. This chutney would be awesome with sandwiches.

Images Source : Internet 

Apart from chutney, there is lot of dished that can be done with coriander's such as coriander rice, coriander

Coriander can be easily grown in your kitchen garden . Make use of this wonderful herb that God has gifted us :)

VIBGYOR Series - 'B' for 'Blue' - Bluebirds

This post is part of the Chennai Bloggers Club's CBC VIBGYOR BLOG TAG where some
of us will write a post on the colours of VIBGYOR each day starting 1st of September to 
the 7th of September. The colour theme for today's post is BLUE

My most ever favorite color would always be blue & all of its shades. I'm so happy to post about it :) 

The blue color is said to be the coolest color and its meaning is often related to sincerity, spirituality, trust, loyalty, serenity and  the color of inspiration. It is said that it would be liked by many conservative people and mainly it symbolizes peace and the Virgin Mary.

Since I have already posted about some plants under Violet and Indigo, I have opted to choose a bird here under Blue. So let us see about a bird called 'Bluebird' and also about one of the blue-colored birds of India.

Bluebirds are said to be omnivorous or insectivorous birds and they fall under the genus Sialia of the thrush family. Many would say that the color of the bluebird's back is the piece of sky as they possess the sky blue color.The native of this bird is America, especially North America in particular. There are three different species under this single Genus of Sialia . They are,

                            *Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis),
                            *Western Bluebird ( Sialia mexicana)and
                            *Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides ).

Eastern Bluebird

         

Western Bluebirds. The dark one is male and light one is female

Mountain Bluebird

Images Source : Internet

The male bluebirds are said to be brightly colored when compared to the female bluebirds. These Bluebirds are well known for their sweet songs. Bluebirds feeds on small fruits and insects. Coming to their nest, it is the male bird starts off building the nest, but it is believed that only the female bird has to complete the nest finally and decides about the place of the nest. Bluebirds are said be in royal blue color and they are well known for their chirps like 'chir-we'. They prefer to live in open fields or grassy areas with some scattered trees.  The Eastern Bluebirds is said to be the state bird for both New York and Missouri. The Mountain Bluebirds can be found in rocky mountain areas and they are entirely blue compared to eastern ow western bluebirds which has some orange spots in them.

Sources of information :

state.nj.us
http://news.nationalgeographic.co.in

Blue(colored)bird in India - Himalayan Bluetail :

Similar to the above Bluebird, here in India, we do have a blue-colored bird which is somewhat similar to that bluebird which is known as Himalayan Bluetail ( Tarsiger rufilatus) . Coincidentally this Himalayan Bluetail bird also fall under the same family of Bluebird, the 'thrush' family and it is native to Asis. It is a small passerine bird an it is also related to Red-flanked Bluetail and considered as its subspecies. But these two birds differ as Red-flanked Bluetail is a long-distant migrant and it has more intense blue color in their upper parts whereas Himalayan Bluetail is a short-distant altitudinal migrant.These birds can be seen at Himalayas, Sikkim, Nepal, Northeast India, Thailand (during winter) and South China. The habitat of these birds is said to be coniferous hill forests.

They are often seen flicking their their tails and wings. The adult male birds are said to have blue upper parts whereas the female bird has brown upper parts. They can be identified with a blue tail.

Male Himalayan Bluetail

Female Himalayan Bluetail

Images Source : Internet


It would really be a wonderful experience to witness them directly. It is so pleasing to see the blue colored birds. Hope you all would have seen any of these birds or may get a chance in future :)

Canna Lilies - Best solution for water scarcity

Canna ( Canna Lily) plant is said to be a genus of nineteen species of flowering plants as per wiki. Even-though they are not a true lily, it is named so. The Canna Lily is a plant that has bright color flowers and it is also an agricultural plant. This Canna lily plant is considered to have the world's richest starch sources. It is tropical American plant which needs at-least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. Due to this feature, this plant is grown around the world where these condition can be met. The flowers of this plant of usually red, orange or yellow in color.





















Images Source : Internet

Uses of Canna Lily :

   ~ They are widely used in Horticulture and as ornamental plants.

   ~ The rhizome ( i.e. horizontal underground stem ) of this plant is said to rich in starch which can be consumed by humans. The foliage( plant leaves) is used as animal fodder.

   ~ The fiber in the stem can be used as a replacement for jute.

   ~ The seeds are used as beads in jewelry and it is said that a purple dye can also be obtained from these seeds.

   ~ In Thailand, these Canna plants acts as a traditional gift for Father's day.

   ~ If you are an ardent bird watcher then it would be an additional treat for you to plant this plant as this plant attracts humming birds.

   ~ Last but not the least, most importantly, the Canna lily plant can be used to filter the impurities/pollutants. 


Now coming to the main crux of this post, the grey water recycling done with the help of this Canna plant can save you from water scarcity. This is what I have read about just few days back.

What is Grey water ?

           Grey water is nothing but the waste water that is being produced from baths, sinks and washing machines. This grey water completely differs from black-water which is a sewage. Hence grey water is safe to use and recycle.

Grey water recycling (GWR) :

           Grey water recycling (GWR) is done in many ways. The recycled water is used widely used for irrigation purposes , indoor reuse and in critical situations. The vital point to be noted is not all kind of purification methods is potable. Some of the recycling methods were done without purification and some were done with purification.

The grey water recycling process that I have read in 'The Hindu' Newspaper just few days back comes under the recycling method with purification that is done in the biological way which includes this Canna plant as a main source for purification.

Here's the link from 'The Hindu' newspaper where I read about this process :

http://www.thehindu.com/features/homes-and-gardens/

If you go through that entire article, you can understand how much benefits we would get through this process. It is mentioned that this GWR process was already mentioned along with the rain water harvesting system that was implemented in the year 2002. But very few are aware about this till date. Today, almost many cities including Chennai are in quest for uninterrupted water supply especially during the summer. An apartment in Adyar, Chennai is said to be free from this quest as they have implemented this process with the help of the Canna lily plant.

I hope that this process would be a solution for water scarcity, pollution free environment and for an adequate ground water source.

Thanks for reading :)

Stupendous values of Bael Tree

Bael (Aegle marmelos) - one of the prominent indigenous(native) trees of India. But now it is widely found in Southeast Asia. The Bael tree is considered to be a sacred one in India. The Bael leaves are used as holy offerings to Lord Shiva traditionally. It has been used by the Indians over 5000 years. It is believed that the Bael tree has originated during the vedic period(about 2000 B.C - 800 B.C) and it was mentioned in the  Yajur veda. It is believed that having this tree in our surroundings purifies and cleanses the environment. The Bael tree has stupendous medicinal values. They are one among the top ten herbs that are frequently used in Ayurveda. Almost all parts of this tree including root, stem, leaves and barks have medicinal values.
Click here to know more on sacredness of Bael tree.

Nomenclature :

Scientific Name     :   Aegle marmelos

Tamil Name          :   Vilvam (வில்வம் )

Sanskrit Name      :   Bilwa / Sirphala

Hindi Name          :   Sirphal

English Name       :   Wood apple / Stone apple / Bengal Quince

Common Name   :   Bael


Here's an image of the Bael tree sapling that I took at Sai Baba Temple, Mylapore, Chennai :

Another notable feature of Bael Tree is that they can withstand wide ranges of temperature, soil types and water logging. This holy tree can be planted in any type of soils having a pH range of 5 to 10. They bear the temperature ranging from -7 degree Celsius to 48 degree Celsius. Hence in India, it is believed that this tree can grow at places where other trees can't be grown and once planted they need just a little care. They can bear drought even for long periods. Being a sacred tree, the Bael trees are mostly found in the temple grounds. Only few people plant this tree in their gardens. The Bael trees are medium sized trees of height ranging from 8 to 18 meters. It has greenish-white flowers. The Bael fruits are hard and woody with smooth pulp. The fruits takes up to 11 months to ripe on the tree.


Images of Bael Tree and fruits from the Internet :

                                                                      

Medicinal values of Bael Tree :

As we read before, almost every parts of this Bael tree possess stupendous medicinal values. The Bael fruit has an immense value when it is about to mature.

             >* The half-ripe or unripe pulp of the Bael fruits are considered as stomachic. The oil from the Bael tree can be used against 21 types of bacteria as per research.

             >* As per Ayurveda,diarrhea and dysentery without fever can be cured using dry Bael fruit. and it acts as a tonic for heart and brain. It is also used for curing tuberculosis.

             >* The Bael leaf extracts are used to control the blood cholesterol levels. They are believed to be more effective in decreasing the cholesterol levels when compared to modern medicines.

             >* It is also said that the Bael leaf extracts can reduce diabetes to an extent. After some researches, it has been proved that the Bael leaf extracts have reduced blood glucose levels up to 54 %.

             >* Peptic ulcer can be cured by concoction of Bael leaves.

             >* Leaves, bark and root of the Bael tree are used in the treatment of snakebite.

             >* The ripe Bael fruit is also used to cure constipation and gastrointestinal problems. And it is used in many other ways for respiratory problems.

Note :  Do not follow or try this voluntarily.Kindly consult doctors or experts before consuming.

Some more facts on Bael Tree :

              As I read up on the internet the Bael fruit can be consumed like other fruits either when they are fresh or dried. They can also be made into juices as like lemon juice. The small shoots and leaves are used for green salads. It is said that the fruit also has some binding qualities which are used along with lime plaster for making water proof wells and mixed with cement for building walls in rural areas. It is good to know about these facts as I read on internet and would be nice if adapted everywhere. Then another interesting fact is that the Bael fruit pulp is added to the water colors by the artists to apply as a protective coating on their paintings. The Bael fruit is also used in the preparation of candy, pulp powder, nectar, toffee, slab, squash and many more.

               
Thanks for reading.

Solitude with Nature

              

Solitude  is the state of being alone or a state of isolation, this is the meaning you could see in a dictionary.. But if you ask me, I would say solitude is somewhat connected with Nature..Its not about loneliness, its about spending some time alone with your inner self through God and with what God has gifted us(i.e.nature)..When solitude is merged with Nature, you could find your way in defining and discovering more about your inner soul.. You could discover your prime purpose in this world.. As said by Thomas Browne, 'All things are artificial, for nature is the art of God'.. You can never ask for more, when God has already gifted us with his own beautiful creations which serves us in many ways.
     
 -*    "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.." - John Muir

 -*    "Solitude is essentially the discovery and acceptance of our uniqueness" - Lawrence Freeman
  
  -*     "I love people. I love my family, my children… but inside myself is a place where I live all and alone and that's where you renew your springs that never dry up " - Pearl S.Buck

  -*     "Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.. " -John Lubbock

Image Source : Internet

In solitude one can quest for true intentions.. It helps to face our fears, to pray for our family, our loved ones whom we miss and it also helps in restoring our energy to make our-self ready for our next assignments..It heals all our misunderstandings, broken hearts and more than that makes us to realize what we are and what we are ought to do.. God has set a best way to understand our-self through solitude..If you closely observe our environment, you could witness many lessons that God has in store for us.. It starts from the busy working ant,honey bee to the magnificent mountains, each and every creatures in our environment stay as an example for us..It is proved by some researchers that if you closely observe the nature's greeny environment you can conquer your stress.. Its absolutely a stress-buster. Whenever you feel stale, just have a gaze or walk with Nature, its consequence would definitely be euphoric..

Here's a video that I have created for solitude with Nature :

Have some time in solitude to discover , to renovate and to restore your energies back..  Enjoy the Nature..

Thanks for reading..

Significance of planting Native trees

Native Trees - 

                      Native trees or native plant is a term used to mention the indigenous species that belongs to a particular geographical region. That is, it is said to be a well adapted species in its habitat. Native trees are special since it is well adapted to local soil and climatic conditions. Native trees can withstand the local diseases as they are adapted to defense on their own. They hardly need a human assistance. 

Merits of Native trees over non-native trees :

                     Native trees are well known about the defense methods they need to carry on against its diseases. Whereas non- native trees are unaware of the insects that affect,climatic change and soil type. Native trees as planted once require less maintenance as they are aware of the habitat, whereas non-native trees require more maintenance to adapt their conditions in a different habitat. Native species are aware of the available resources in their habitat and they grow on the account of its measure, whereas non-native trees which have no knowledge of the resources demands more when they are in need. For an instance, non-native trees may be in need of more water supply in an habitat where only limited water supply are available.
Native trees helps in maintaining the balance in the ecosystem. Native trees evolve themselves as they provide food and shelter for the insects, birds and animals of that specific habitat.

All these facts doesn't mean that only native trees should be planted, also non-native trees has some new hybrid varieties that adapt to all conditions, but the fact is Native trees are more active and beneficial than non-native trees. Hence Native trees must be planted more for conserving the biodiversity as they do not cause any harm to the environment.

Here's a link of an article from 'The-Hindu' newspaper which portrays that Native trees are less prone to  the natural calamities than non-native trees :

>* http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper

It would be unfair if i fail to mention native trees of India. In India trees are often meant to associate with wisdom and immortality.  The national tree of India is Banyan tree aka Bodhi tree. As i have heard the Banyan tree that is located at the Adayar Theosophical society, Chennai is one of the world's oldest banyan tree and it is said 450 years old. Lets have a deep note on it in the posts to come in future. Now coming back to the native trees of India, they are known for their majesty and opulence.


Here's the picture of Banyan Tree that I took at Auroville, Pondicherry aka Puducherry

Banyan Tree

Here's the list of some of the Native tree species of India :

                                                           * Banyan tree(National tree of India)    
   

                                  * Mango tree,                * Arjuna tree,        * Ashwagandha,          

                                  * Peepal tree,                 * Aloe vera,          * Eucalyptus,
                                  * Neem tree,                  * Tulsi plant,          * Tumeric plant,
                                  * Asparagus,                  * Amla plant,         * Tamarind tree.

Some of native trees of Tamil-Nadu are :
                          Palm trees, coconut trees, rosewood trees, Indian coral tree, Tamarind etc.,.


Plant more Native trees to enrich and conserve our Mother earth.. Do share about this with your people around..

Thanks for reading..

Bamboo - Best friend to the Environment

Bamboo - A perennial flowering plant which is said to be one of the fastest growing plant on earth.. It is discovered that bamboo's growth rate of 100 cm in 24 hours is faster than the growth rate of any other trees.. They are widely used for building materials, houses, weaving baskets, medicines etc.. Apart from these facts, bamboo plays a vital part in conserving the environment.. The significant part to be noticed is that bamboo provides a perfect balance between oxygen and  carbon dioxide.. It is proven by the researchers that Bamboo produces 35% more of oxygen than any other trees and it removes carbon dioxide which helps to fight against Global warming..

     Bamboo also has some interesting added features such that it prevents soil erosion and it is the plant that can survive at any extreme climatic conditions..As i read in the web, bamboo was actually the first plant to re-green the environment after the atomic blast in Hiroshima. In china, bamboo has been used for medicinal purposes to cure kidney diseases and cancer.. Bamboo has many beneficial uses in the sectors of construction, making accessories, textiles, musical instruments and sometimes to feed animals.. There are also some beliefs of luck having a small bamboo plant in houses as shown below in the picture..Bamboo plant satisfies all the basic needs (Food,shelter and clothing) of humanity..Bamboo vinegar has been used in foods and medicines..  Despite all these uses, the most favorable one is being the best Eco-friendly plant.. Bamboo also avoids deforestation if it is harvested instead of shedding down the timber and wood.. Bamboo can be planted more, used more and thus it is recyclable..

As per researchers, growing forests can absorb carbon dioxide . As we previously learnt that bamboo absorbs carbon dioxide it is proved that one hectare of bamboo isolates 62 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year whereas a small forest isolates only 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide.. Hence it is clear that use or plantation of bamboo provides far better results to the humanity and most significantly to the environment..

Here's a deep note on bamboo and its process against global warming in the following links :


>* http://www.merinews.com/article/bamboo
>* https://sites.google.com/site/gboindia1/home/bamboos

Images Courtesy : Internet


Plant or support bamboo for Green Earth and to avoid global warming..

Thanks for reading..

Aesthetic Beauty of Paddy fields

          Paddy field is where Rice, one of the primary and traditional crop of India is grown.. It is widely found in many  parts of the world, especially in southeast Asia.. India is said to be the fourth largest exporter of rice in the world..Paddy fields are the most common site you could see around India.. Rice is cultivated at two main seasons in a year..Those seasons are called as Rabi(winter crop) and kharafi(summer crop) in Hindi/Punjabi/Urdu.. As Agriculture is the backbone of India, Paddy cultivation plays a major role in it..Most of the farmers are dependent on Paddy cultivation..

         In Tamil Nadu, Paddy cultivation is processed for three seasons namely Kuruvai (April - July), Samba (August - November) and Kodai(December - March).. Despite these seasons there are many rice varieties that are cultivated on the basis of soil types and climatic conditions.. Harvest of Paddy is popularly celebrated as a festival termed 'Thai Pongal' in Tamil Nadu that falls on mid January every year.. It is also called as Sankranti and Makar Sankranti in other states of India.. The Kaveri delta region of Thanjavur aka Tanjore is traditionally called as the Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu..

        Apart from cultivation and harvests, the Paddy fields gives you relishing moments while you cross over them.. Wherever you travel  in and around Tamil Nadu or around India, you cannot cross a rural or even some urban areas these days without witnessing the scenic beauty of Paddy fields.. A travel along the roads that are bordered with these green covers of Paddy field would be the best ever blissful and aesthetic experience you can get..

Here are some random pictures of Paddy fields at Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Kallidaikuruchi, Kanyakumari and Nagercoil as taken from the web..

Thanjavur

Cuddalore

Kallidaikurichi

Kanyakumari

 

Nagercoil

Images Courtesy : Internet

Here's one of the video I found on the Internet while surfing..Check this out..



Video Source : YouTube

Happy Thai Pongal and Makar Sankranti to all  :)

Thanks for reading...

An Adventurous trekking experience to Milam Glacier

Trekking -

           Trekking is a long adventurous journey made on foot through mountains, rural and rugged areas.
Trekking explores you about the incredible beauty of nature..You can witness the nature at its best while trekking.

           As from my childhood I'm not much aware about trekking.. But while I was studying in class twelve, I have gone through a lesson in English subject named "To the Land Of Snow"..  Its all about a trekking experience shared by its author Ahtushi Deshpande..As a nature lover, I was very much keen on that particular lesson.. Even now after so many years, whenever I get an opportunity to read that lesson, I would never miss that chance.. That particular lesson on a trekking experience makes us to feel as like we travel along with the author..If you are too a nature lover, then don't miss to read that entire trek experience..You can find out the entire story in internet..The scope of the author's journey was to trek the Milam Glacier...Despite meeting several hurdles on his way to the glacier, the author was motivated by his guide Khem nam, the veteran trekker.. After finishing his trek successfully, on the way back home, the author reminiscences  "Patience is the art well learnt when one is at the mercy of nature"..

Milam Glacier is located northwest of Munsiyari part of Uttarakhand,India..It is situated to the south of Himalayas range.. It is found to be one of the major glaciers of Kumaon Himalaya.. It is estimated that it would take 11 days to trek the Milam Glacier..

En-route to Milam Glacier

Milam Glacier

Image Courtesy : http://indoexpedition.com/milamglacier.html



Want to trek or experience the Milam Glacier......?  Have a look on the following video :

Video Courtesy : Directed by Munishwar Gulati, Produced by Silicon media Infocomm..

I would like to share some of the websites on trekking to Milam Glacier :

http://indoexpedition.com/milamglacier

http://www.indiatrekkings.com

http://www.trekking-in-himalayas.com

Thanks for reading..Keep visiting.. :)

                   

Decline of Sparrows - Much hyped and to be concerned issue

Sparrows - A small passerine(denoting birds of large order, it also includes all song birds in this group) bird which is also called as House sparrows, True sparrows..  Native of this birds are Asia, Europe & Africa.. But they were found almost everywhere in the world..But surprisingly their population has seen a sharp decline in the past few years..There are many reasons for this decline..After many researches the exact reason is yet to be found..

Causes for the vanishing sparrows :

Let us know about some featured reasons :

                         ~ Radiations from mobile & television towers.

                         ~ Inadequate food.

                         ~ No sufficient place to build their nest.

                         ~ Rapid urbanization and industrialization.

                         ~ Few green cover i.e. lack of trees.
                     
                         ~ Birds poaching - is one of the reasons that has to be taken on a deep note.

                         ~ A new research has found noise pollution as one of the cause for this decline.


             Of all these, inadequate food and insufficient place to build nest were commonly debated on. As of the new research, the modern houses and buildings without holes or rooftop shelves made hard for these small chirping birds to build their nests.. As noise pollution plays spoilsport for these birds, it has been said by the researchers that parent bird couldn't hear its younger one calling for food. They found that birds living in a quiet place are fed more than that reside over a noisy area.. Another cause is that the emission of carbon-mono-oxide from vehicles affect these birds badly..

Recovering steps to get these sweet chirping sparrows back :

               On a keen willingness to witness these birds again, with sufficient food grains and proper surroundings, it is possible to bring them back.. First step is that we must make sure to grow some plants and trees in our garden or in some social areas like schools, private or public concerns.. Then providing some wooden nest boxes near trees or in a terrace could ensure a place for the House sparrows to live in.. You can also spread some grains on the terrace and provide a bowl of water to invite these small visitors.. Keeping some water in your terrace for birds will be most valuable during summer seasons..

     

Images Courtesy : Internet
               You can also have some hanging pots filled with food grains in your veranda or balcony to feed birds.. The main advantage of having a hanging pot is that it makes sure that birds are safe from cats or dogs that would often hurt them when have their food in the ground.. Apart from this, as birds always love to swing and sit at higher places, hanging pots would invite them with joy..

           By bringing all these measures in effective action we can not only get these small sparrows back, but also we can get back the diminishing mynas and many other birds.. By maintaining the lakes, estuaries and wetlands in a city, we can get back the birds of their habitats..

 Madras Naturalist Society ( MNS ), a non-profit organisation based in Chennai.. It is maintained by a group of nature lovers who are involved in many activities on birds and several other activities related to nature.

I would like to share some of the MNS activities related to sparrows here.Have a look on the following articles which depicts the ways to get back the sparrows..

             >   http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/society/call-for-the-sparrows/

             >  http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3019553.ece

             >   http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/

World's Sparrow Day is celebrated across the globe on 20th of March every year to create a public awareness about the decline of sparrows. The main theme of the World Sparrow Day that has been said in their website worldsparrowday.org  is  

                 "CHIRP FOR THE SPARROW ! TWEET FOR THE SPARROW "

As many bird lovers are doing their part in such issues, people are less aware about that.. Let us take  it to limelight to save these small birds..

Thanks for reading.. Do share about this to your people around...                

In His time - A song dedicated to Nature & all of us..

Video Source : YouTube

In His Time - One of the beautiful song i enjoyed hearing & singing in my School..


In His time(2)
He makes all things beautiful
In His Time.
Lord Please show me everyday,
As you're teaching me your way,
That you do just what you say,
In Your time.

In Your time(2)
You make all things beautiful in your time,
Lord my life to you i bring,
may each song i have to sing,
Be to you a lovely thing,
In Your time.

There's a time(2)
Both for sowing and for reaping, there's a time.
Time for losing time for gain, 
Time for joy and time for pain,
Every purpose under heaven,
Has a time.

An awareness on tree plantation

                    Our Mother Nature plays a major role in keeping our Universe Alive... Its the most beautiful creation of God through which we gain most resources... Its our duty to conserve & make our Mother Earth Eco-friendly in today's polluted world..

                                           

               
                   One of the major loss in today's environment is  depreciation of trees, hence an awareness of planting saplings must be widely spread so as to make our earth green..

One of the best possible way to minimize Global Warming is to plant trees as much as we can. As i surfed about tree plantation schemes in the internet, i found a scheme called The billion tree campaign of UNEP. As of The Billion Tree Campaign of UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) India is ranked 2nd in The roll of honour  top ten countries. 

As many organisations, associations & foundations carry out this tree awareness & plantation programme , we still need to take this issue to a major level by spreading the awareness to remote areas in India. We can just begin this Eco-friendly cause by conserving the existing trees that we see around our home , through the way to school , college or office. A method of gifting tree saplings is already in practice but they are very few in number. so let each of us start this valuable cause to save our environment  from Global warming & to avoid scarcity of nature resources.

Some of the websites that i found supporting the Tree planting cause are :

http://nizhaltn.org

http://plantatreeindia.org/

http://www.cleanindia.org

http://www.grow-trees.com/

http://www.plant-trees.org

Contribute your part either by spreading awareness or taking part in their events in the respected sites.

Thanks for reading..