Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Tree Walk



It’s not a mere visit, but a trigger to do something good for our nature


Last Sunday February 12 was a good day with the evening spent on Tree Walk with my son. It was good only because so many volunteers had been doing good work all these years with persistent efforts to create and sustain lush native trees in the Kotturpuram Tree Park.
We all assembled around 4:15 in the evening, Abirami and Gajendran from CTC and Nizhal team welcomed us and started the Tree walk for kids on time. It was inspiring to know that Gajendran was with Nizhal team since his high school for the past 10 years. So we all are going to hear from a person who was part of the bootstrap team.
He showed us the first tree which was Fig – “Aththi” in Tamil. He gave us interesting insight in why it is important to protect and grow native trees – as to not only for preserving soil, but also for the birds and other insects which thrive only on certain native trees. Fig is one such tree, where certain kind of wasps do the pollination. He showed us the flower which appeared like a raw fruit itself and told how the flower would later transform to a fig which we eat.
Next we saw “Pungam or Punnai”. I have seen this tree at many places in my neighbourhood and could recognize it because of the leaves which has some small circled fungus over it. I had always thought that the white circled patches are because the tree might have been affected with some pests. However, that was a myth, and Gajendran told that it was a special tree leaves which has this fungus for a specific growth. Some insects which come and sit on the fungus would get trapped by the fungus and the leaves pass on the nutrition from the insect to the trees. Thanks to Gajendran to clear my myth. Also he added that “Vilakennai” is made from the fruit of this tree, and the dried flowers of this tree can be used a fertilizer for plants which are not blooming for many months. Also some decades back Mylapore had a lot of Punnai trees hence also called a Punnai Vanam and as Peacocks come to these trees it got the name “Mayilap” (Peacock) “oor” (place)
Real Ashoka was the next one we visited and I was amazed to know that they are creating a small garden full of Ashoka trees calling it as “Asoka vanam”. He told only on these trees sparrows used to build their nests. So growing of these trees are important to foster the growth of birds.
Next was “Purasu” – the name of palce Purasaiwakkam in Chennai came because there were many Purasu trees there.. Not sure what is the current status. Earlier people used to make plates (thai ellai) out of the dried leaves of Purasai. It is called the real flame of the forest tree and has 3 leaves in one bundle like Vilvam so used for Pooja.
Now we could see our familiar “Veppa Maram” – Neem Tree. It is one of the best trees which has medicinal properties, like can be used to protect papers from getting affected by fungus. I thought I can put some of the leaves in out Grocery storage boxes which is often spotted with pests.
The mere name of the next tree gives happiness, yes it is “Magizha Maram” – Stress buster or Bullet wood tree. This tree has a unique significance, that sitting under it and smelling the fragrance of the flowers (Maghizampoo) would give pleasant feeling to our minds. Also someone suggested we can use it instead of our chemical based odonil room freshners J The fruits of this tree, has a sharp edge at the end so it got the name Bullet Wood.
Another medicinal tree we came across was “Vada Narayanan” – the leaves of which is used effectively for treating Vadam – kind of paralysis disease. It is also called White Gulmohar. What a good way to preserve our native medicinal trees by Nizhal Team. I have never heard of this tree and when I shared this info to my mother-in-law she told, there used to be many such Vada Narayanan trees at her village. I hope by the efforts of Nizhal team I will still be able to pass this info to next generation.
Next tree visit comes with interesting stories about Avvayar and monkey-crocodile story; yes it’s the Naval Maram or Jamun Tree. Very nice to see a small girl sharing the Avvayar story.
Arjuna tree welcomed us with its wide branches nad white barks. This is also called as “Neer Maruthu”. It had white barks, which would be shed off every year and gets new one. The barks of this tree can be used to cure heart diseases. Also certain kind of big butterflies comes only to these trees. The pupa of these butterflies are big and is used to make Tussar Silk. A visitor also shared the information that this tree was the one on which Lord Krishna was tied on a rope and later broke this into two by banging on an Ural (wooded flour grinding machine).
After visiting these trees, Gajendran showed us how the place was 10 years back and how it is now. This is certainly an example of what a persistent volunteer activity can bring to the society. As one could say, innovation comes out of constrained environment, it was amazing to see how they came up with tyre based fences when the plastic fences were stolen. With the absence of electricity and water pipe connection, I could completely understand how difficult it would have been to get this place to such a wonderful tree park.  He conducted an interesting game for kids by giving them dried leaves of certain trees and ask the kids to identify and match it with the correct tree having those leaves. My son thoroughly enjoyed the walk and the game and asked me when this will be arranged again.
The message that I personally take from this visit, is we need not only get inspired by the efforts of Nizhal team, what is more important is to be an inspiration by being part of their voluntary activity or initiate one in your neighbourhood. Thanks Ainthinai and Nizhal for organizing this Kids Tree Walk.

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