At last, the news that we always look forward to. A silver lining in the dark skies.

Finally, the tiger census of year 2022 says that tiger population in India has started looking northwards.

It stands now at 3167, as against 2967, as per the census done in year 2018.

And this is the reason for all citizens of this earth to be happy. At least somewhere, the efforts of the Govt, the mankind, the conservationists, the scientists are bringing some results.

Project Tiger, initiated in 1973, has expanded from the original nine tiger reserves covering 18,278 sq km to 53 reserves covering 75,796 sq km, which is 2.3 per cent of India’s land area. But most tiger reserves and protected areas in India exist as small islands in a vast sea of ecologically unsustainable land use, without corridors that allow impediment-free movement from one area to another.

Tigers have occupied new areas in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra which were not occupied by the big cats in 2018, says the latest report. “However, it is crucial to record that the local tiger population has become extinct in several areas, Sri Venkateswara National Park, including Tiger Reserves like Kawal, Satkosia and Sahyadri,” the 2022 tiger census report says.

It is a proud moment for India, as 75 % of tiger population of the world can now be found here.

According to estimates, India had 40,000 tigers in the wild at the end of the 19th century. But rampant trophy hunting and habitat destruction brought the numbers down drastically. There were just 1,411 tigers in India in 1972, when a tiger count was conducted.

But may not be all good for them.

As the census shows, tigers have expanded their regions. But this can be a cause for further man-tiger conflicts.

Growing number of tigers will inevitably result in more man-animal conflicts as tigers venture out for prey.

“There are several tiger reserves where the tiger population has reached their carrying capacity, like Corbett, Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh, Tadoba Andheri, Ranathambhore and Panna.

Also, around 70 per cent of the country’s tigers are found in the protected areas. But over the decades, because the tiger reserves are cut off from one another, they have become islands of gene pools at the risk of some pandemic-driven wipe.

All infrastructure passing through corridor habitats needs to be mitigated appropriately and land conversions monitored through a legal mechanism to ensure that there is no barrier effect to movement of tigers.

So, though we have reasons to cheer, we cannot go off to sleep seeing this positive results. We need to be more careful if this creature has to walk the earth in good numbers.

GARDENING IN MAY

May has arrived and the days are getting warmer and longer. Summer is here, plant out summer flowers and get planning for autumn. There are plenty of flowers and vegetables to sow and grown in May. If you had sowed seeds of summer flowers they will be ready to flower. Keep on checking for spidery mildew and bugs on zinnias, Kochia, gomphrena, sunflowers, Rudbeckia etc. Look after your finished spring bulbs for next year. Once they’ve gone over, resist the temptation to cut back the foliage. Instead, let it die and break down on its own and add liquid fertiliser all around the clumps. This will give you an even better display next spring. If you have raised hedge plants in March,clip them to develop side shoots. Water them deeply.

Complete the making /developing new lawns during this month so that it develops nicely in monsoons. A surface mulching of coarse leaf mould to trees and shrubs will reduce the quantity of water required and maintain a more equable supply of moisture at the roots. Young trees should be copiously watered along with light sprinkling every day. Besides watering the surface should be regularly turned.

Optimise your watering regime — watering early and late to get the most out of your water — and start collecting and recycling water whenever possible.

Harden off half-hardy plants before you plant in containers or beds. You can still plant. Make Summers hanging baskets with purslane, portulaca, adding good-quality compost, slow-release fertilizer , to keep them in top condition. You can try making a few DIY bottles ,pipes with purslane and portulaca.

Hang pheromone traps in from May to August to monitor plum-fruit-moth activity. Hang pheromone traps in apple trees to reduce codling moth. Pheromone traps are good for all cucurbit crops like cucumber, lauki, melon, karela etc. Keep young fruit trees well watered while they are putting on rapid growth. Remove blossom and fruits from newly planted fruit trees to help them establish properly during their first year.

Erect garden netting around soft fruit plants to prevent birds eating your crop. Pepper, Brinjal Okra, tomatoes, Chilli can still be planted along with gourds and peanuts.

Looking after your lawn in May

Feed your lawn with a high-nitrogen fertiliser to encourage healthy green growth.

Water the grass during hot weather — that’s particularly important for newly seeded or turfed lawns. Never allow new lawns to dry out. Seeds of monsoon flowering Annuals can be sown. Like Balsam, cleome, cocks comb, mirabilis jalapa . You can try a double variety of balsam. Plant caladium bulbs or plants to add colour in your garden. Clear your beds of annuals, Fertilise then only plant. Stay safe, take care and keep on gardening.

Rama Tyagi
tyagirama1@gmail.com.

Tales of trees in Indian culture in May

India is a country of many cultures and religions. Every religion is associated with a single tree or many trees. Hindu religion has hundreds of trees. Each God or goddess has a tree which depicts them.
In the month of May as we celebrate Buddha Poornima and Vat Savitri vrat let’s see which trees are associated with them.

In early Buddhist monuments, the Buddha was never represented in human form but as his symbol, the tree. The tree is a substitute for the Buddha himself and other Buddhas too :Dhyani (meditating), Manushi (mortal), and Bodhisattvas (future Buddhas).All Buddhas received enlightenment under various bodhi trees. Tree worship was known as rukkha -maha in the Rukkha Dhamma Jataka. Four trees are associated with the enlightenment of the Buddha like Pipal tree on the banks of the Niranjana River for the first seven days., yagrodha tree for next seven days, Muchalinda (Indian oak tree) for next seven days after he sat in bliss of illumination. Rajayatana (wild mango or Bauhanania latifolia) in the bliss of emancipation for seven days. These four trees are known as the trees of Muchalinda, and the Tree of Emancipation. According to the Pali canons, every Buddha has his bodhi tree.

For example,

● The bodhi tree of the Sikhin tree is a white lotus.
● The symbol of Kanak Muni or Konagamana is Fig.
● The tree of Buddha kakut Sandha is Acacia which is abundant with fruits and flowers.
● Buddha Vipachit received enlightenment as a trumpet flower tree. Buddha Vishvabhrit tree is also same
● The Bodhi tree of Sikhin is white mango adorned with fragrant flowers and rich delicious juicy fruits .
● The Buddha tree of Vipaswi is The Ashoka tree. It was also the same tree under which Gautam Buddha was born.
● Indian black plum tree was associated with Buddha Kapilavastu
● The tree of Vishvabhu was sal.
● Bodhisattvas Maitreya ,the eighth Buddha, was associated with the Champa tree.
● A special form of temple was constructed around the bodhi tree.
● Seven bodhi trees represent seven different Manushi Buddhas
● Another tree which is worshipped is Mangifera indica

But Ficus religiosa or pipal tree appears in most of the Buddhists panels :after all it is the Tree of Enlightenment. The nyagrodha or banyan tree is seen on stupas of sanchi being worshipped by the elephants. The jataka tales refer to many other trees like kakudha (Terminalis Arjun )tree,bamboo forests,or sal trees.

The worship of the tree and tree spirits appears in several Jataka tales.
Different Buddhist monasteries have different groves too like mango grove, bamboo forests, sala trees. In fact ,the events of the Buddha ‘s life were associated with trees and groves, celebrating the beauty of the natural world.

*2 Vat Savitri vrat Katha 19th May

The story of Savitri and the banyan tree appears in Aranya Kanda of the Mahabharata. It is said that Satyavan lost his life beneath the banyan tree. Savitri courageously entered into a debate with Yama, the God of death and won back his life. The festival is celebrated in the month of Jyeshtha (May -June ). Married women pray for the long lives of their husbands in the memory of Savitri who brought her dead husband to life.

The banyan tree is worshipped by women in Uttar Pradesh,Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra on the new moon day in the month of Jyeshtha . They recite the story of Vat Savitri,where Vat is a banyan tree.

The full moon day of Jyeshtha is also known as vata -poornima is observed by married women as a day of fasting and prayer by worshipping the banyan so that their husband’s lives are prolonged.

Banyan tree worshipped on Vat Savitri vrat occasion.

These are a few of the examples of cultural, curative and ecosystem diversity of India . Enjoy reading amazing stories like this.

Rama Tyagi
tyagirama1@gmail.com.

CLICKS FROM THE MEMBERS

CLICK FROM SHASHI KAMRA

How to start a balcony garden?

In metro cities it has become very difficult to have a garden, but love for gardening shouldn’t stop you from doing it. It has also become important to have some green space in and around you to counter stress and pollution. COVID has taught us how important it is to have some organic gardening to boost immunity.

If you have access to a balcony,  or patio, you can still grow a wide range of veggies, herbs, perennials, flowers, and vines in containers!

Here are 10 things to think about when diving into balcony gardening.

1. If you live in an apartment building or condo, does your building allow it?

 Before you begin, be sure to check the rules for your building. Some buildings don’t allow any plants on balconies or only allow flowers (as vegetables may attract birds or pests).

2. Can your balcony  take the added weight of pots full of soil?

Terra cotta and ceramic pots are heavy, so you might need to use rice pots, plastic or fibreglass containers, or fabric grow bags combined with lightweight soil mixes.

3. How will you get water to your plants?

You might want to consider drip irrigation or self-watering pots. You can also invest in a watering can that is easy to fill . Will excess water from your plants rain down on neighbours below? Be courteous and put saucers or trays under your plants to collect the overflow.

4. What are the best plants to grow on a balcony ?

Choosing the right plants for your site is most important. Don’t waste space on something that is not going to thrive. The amount of sunlight is the most critical question.

Does your balcony face south and receive DIRECT sun all day long?

 Cacti, many flowers and most vegetables—if kept well-watered—will love it there.

If your balcony faces north or is shaded by other buildings for most of the day, look to low-light plants such as coleus, ferns, impatiens, hostas, and begonias.

Some greens like chard, spinach, or lettuce can grow with less than a half day of sun. Some herbs manage, too, which is great for culinary uses!

Many people overestimate the amount of sun they get. Keep in mind that most veggies need a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of sun a day to really grow well and produce!

5. Is your balcony  windy?

 Be aware of any extreme conditions. The higher up you are, the more wind you are likely to have, and hot drying winds can quickly parch your plants. Get double-duty from a lattice like Bamboo chik or wire trellis that can block prevailing winds while providing support for climbing vines, too. It will also add a touch of privacy. Since the wind is drying, you really have to stay on top of watering. Look into self-watering pots.

Some of your houseplants might appreciate an outdoor summer vacation. Expose them gradually to their new location to avoid sun and wind burn on the leaves.

6. How hot is your balcony ?

 Without the sun reflecting from windows, heat tends to be an issue. Lettuce would simply wilt. If heat is an issue, maybe go exotic with tropical plants! Just one pot of alocasia, banana, or canna can impart a jungle feel to the space. Succulents will thrive! Think of your balcony as a tiny outdoor room. If you have space, add a table and chairs and enjoy sitting among the greenery. If your location is too noisy, a bubbling fountain or some wind chimes may help add a bit of soothing sound to the background noise.

7. How big is your space?

 If it’s small, we would suggest starting small. Yes, you can eventually think of vertical gardening, but a beginner should start with a few pots. You need to get a sense of how much time you have to garden and not overdo it. Arrange beds and larger containers around the outside edges to define the space and spread out the load. Make use of wall space to hang half-baskets and wall pockets.

8. Do you want to grow edibles?

 You probably won’t be able to grow enough food to meet all your needs, but some pole beans, a pot of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a pepper plant or two will give you a fresh taste of summer. Be sure they are located in your brightest spots.

9. Do you have time to care for your plants?

 Maintenance is important in a small garden. When plants are in containers instead of the earth, they need to be watered more often. This is another reason to consider self-watering pots or drip irrigation. Fertilise, deadhead, and pinch back leggy plants to keep them in bounds and encourage bushiness. Be sure vegetables get picked when they ripen to keep the plants productive.

10.  Be careful not to just buy ready-grown plants unless you want to spend a fortune. . Buy seeds or ask friends to share seeds. Get discarded seed trays from nurseries. Turn coffee tins into cute containers (poking holes in the bottom). The only thing you need to truly spend good money on is quality potting soil.

Don’t forget a container or hanging basket filled with your favourite herbs. Learn how to make a container gardening plant.

Even a window box, if well-planned, can still make a big impression.

Start small and see how tending those plants fits into your schedule; you can always add more. Limited space and time can be challenging but a bit of planning this summer will go a long way toward making your tiny garden a big success next winter

When you water make sure you’re not “watering” the neighbour who lives below you.

Suggestion

 1: Not a fruit but you should be able to get some gorgeous aloe vera plants going there.

2: Regarding too much heat. Generally my strategy was to have a couple of tall pots with very tough plants in them and then nestle smaller things into their (still bright) shade to help keep them cooler. If you like hot peppers, do give them a try on your balcony.

 3: What goes up must come down. Frost, high winds, building inspections, moving, construction in the balcony above yours that sends down dust and debris – your life will be easier if you set up your pots in such a way that everything can come inside relatively quickly.

 4: Get yourself a nice HEAVY watering can if you can find one. To keep my plastic one from blowing around I had to put a big chunk of brick in it when I was done watering and wedge it behind the pots.

5 :Don’t forget the scent! If you don’t have a lot of space for blooms you can still pack a lot of different scents into your space. I found the different scented thymes, lemon verbena, rose scented geraniums, and mint to be well suited to baking heat and small space.

6: where there’s a will there’s a way. If you want a grapevine, you can have a grapevine! Trellising designed to be sunk into the ground can be planted in pots – you just need one or two anchor points at the top, or lacking that, a little quick set concrete and the sacrifice of a few garden pots to the cause to make the base extra stable. Have fun!!

 7 : Herbs are definitely a good bet when it comes to indoor gardening.

We’d recommend getting some grow lights to hang over your plants. Improper lighting is one of the most common problems when growing indoors.

Balcony garden is a great idea. They can quickly turn into preferred nooks of relaxation and some me-time

We hope this helps.

Happy Gardening

Rama Tyagi

tyagirama1@gmail.com

Love-in-a-mist
Nigella Damascena

Love-in-a-mist is an annual worth talking about! It’s been one of my favourites from childhood. By mistake I had spilled the kalonji seeds in the garden while mother was making some pickles , and when these flowers came I was awestruck. It gets its name because of the soft feathery leaves that surround its unique blue flowers. The foliage is attractive even when the plant isn’t in bloom. The fruit is a large and inflated capsule composed of three to seven united follicles, each containing numerous seeds which are used as spice, sometimes as a replacement for Bunium bulbocastanum (also called black cumin).
and the seed pods look great in dried flower arrangements.

Nigella sativa (black caraway, also known as black cumin, nigella, kalonji, charnushka, or siyahdaneh) is an annual flowering plant

Family : Ranunculaceae

Native to eastern Europe (Bulgaria and Romania) and Western Asia (Cyprus, Turkey, Iran and Iraq), but naturalised over a much wider area, including parts of Europe, northern Africa and east to Myanmar. It is used as a spice in many cuisines.

Grow love-in-a-mist in combination with other annuals in a mixed border or as part of a container garden. For continuous blooms, deadhead flowers encourage a second flush and try sowing seeds in succession every 3 weeks.

Lovein-a-mist is a prolific reseeder, so deadheading will also help control any unwanted spread.
Annual Blooms: Blue, pink, purple or white flowers from late spring to fall.

Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Average, well-drained
Size: 18 to 24 in. tall,

So grow these seeds from kitchen and enjoy the blooms.
Happy Gardening

Rama Tyagi
tyagirama1@gmail.com

“I AM DANDELION”

“Hello, I’m a dandelion.A lot of people call me a weed but I’m a friend and come to help you!

My flowers are the first food for insects after hibernation and unlike most other plants, I have pollen AND nectar, not merely one OR the other! And I am generous with them! . When you see me, remember that I’m the ONLY one who wants and can grow in that particular spot. Because, either the soil is too compact / hard / stomped and I want to loosen it for you with my roots..Or there is too little calcium in the soil – don’t worry, I will replenish that for you with the dying of my leaves. Or the soil is too acidic. But I will also improve that for you if you give me the chance. Or a mixture of the above reasons, of course. .I’m here because your soil needs my help so best you let me grow without disturbing me! When everything is fixed, I will disappear again, I promise! .Are you trying to remove me prematurely with my root? However meticulous you are, I will return 2x as strong! Just until your soil is improved..You can even tell by my growth at which stage my help is at.

If my leaves are flat on the ground then I’m far from ready but if they all reach up then I’m already a long way on my way. Something completely different is that I am 1 of the first bloomers in spring so I will announce spring / summer for you. During the day when it’s hot, I open my flowers but in the evening when it cools off I close them again quickly. In fact, if it’s not hot enough during the day I won’t open them at all!. My flowers are even delicious for you people by the way, did you know? I used to be called ′′honey (or gold) of the poor′′ because my flowers are so sweet in e.g. jam, sauce or salad! The internet is full of recipes – check them out. 
But wait until the end of May or later before you start picking and even then, don’t pick everything yet! The biodiversity and bees will be very grateful!”

Rama Tyagi
tyagirama1@gmail.com