Conservationist in Your Backyard

Nature has the ability to self-sustain. It fulfills its needs by assigning roles to the specific species existing in the biosphere. One of the most significant needs it has is of conservation and this role has been assigned to the ubiquitous family of grasses (Gramineae) found in all our backyards.  

Setaria

Yes, the ‘Durva’, the ‘Citronella’, the ‘Napier’ and many lesser known ones like ‘Tachila’ are the natural conservationists. These monocots bind the soil tightly, prevent erosion and stabilize the soil on erodible slopes. In addition to this the grasses trap moisture under their dense growth, they provide habitat to countless invertebrates (worms and insects) and sustain micro-climates. They grow rapidly and their cast-offs create humus which helps in soil restoration. The hardy grasses are great agents of bio-remediation and pollution control as well. ‘Vetiver’ famous for its fragrant essential oil is an Indian native which grows in harsh conditions and absorbs the soil contaminants. It has shown its worth in most polluted soils near industrial areas.

Grasses have an important role as a pioneer species in ecological succession as well. They help in colonizing new lands after lichen by modifying the soils. This helps in making the land suitable for germination of other herbs, shrubs and trees. This soil modification service is immensely helpful in restoration of degraded lands too. It has been successfully put into practice on lands where mining has been done.

Grasses provide a win-win scenario for their use in conservation because apart from their characteristic hardiness and conservationist features their easy availability and economical potential make them attractive for multipurpose usage. For example: ‘Vetiver’ for its scented essential oil and raw material for handicrafts. ‘Anjan’, ‘Napier’ etc. for its use in animal fodder. ‘Lemon grass’ for its flavoring. ‘Bermuda’ grass for its use as turf grass and ‘Broom’ grass for making the brooms. ‘Guinea’ grass as a green manure along with other uses. All these grasses make conservation an economically feasible practice. Thus, it’s a win for environment as well as the economy.

So, next time you are walking on that ‘Bermuda’ grass, chilling on your turf don’t forget to acknowledge the important work the conservationist in your backyard is up to.

Bermuda Grass

Trees and Women

Three days into my summer internship with #TataSteel in their Biodiversity division I got the work of creating an identification manual of the biodiversity found in Noamundi area. While doing a research on one of the listed trees I came across this very interesting custom which depicts a strong relationship between nature and women.

In the Newar community of Nepal there is a ceremony called Ihi or Bel Marriage. In this custom the pre-adolescent girls are married to the bael fruit. The speciality about Bael fruit is that it is enclosed in a really hard stony shell which prevents it from rotting for an exceptionally long time! This peculiarity about the fruit has made the locals consider it an incarnation of the divine (Lord Vishnu to be specific). Once married to the divine even if the girl marries a man later on and he dies, she is not considered a widow since she is married to the divine fruit.

This custom protects the women from harsh penalties the society imposes on a widow and also protects the flora as people revering this divine Bael tree never cut it down!

That's a win-win for all!

P.S. Bael is the sacred tree whose tri-pinnate leaves are usually offered to Lord Shiva during Shivratri celebrations.