The Wild Flower's Song - poem by William Blake

The Wild Flower's Song

As I wandered the forest,
The green leaves among,
I heard a Wild Flower
Singing a song.

'I slept in the earth
In the silent night,
I murmured my fears
And I felt delight.

'In the morning I went
As rosy as morn,
To seek for new joy;
But oh! met with scorn.'

William Blake

The Dark Forest - A poem by Edward Thomas

The Dark Forest

Dark is the forest and deep, and overhead
Hang stars like seeds of light
In vain, though not since they were sown was bred
Anything more bright.

And evermore mighty multitudes ride
About, nor enter in;
Of the other multitudes that dwell inside
Never yet was one seen.

The forest foxglove is purple, the marguerite
Outside is gold and white,
Nor can those that pluck either blossom greet
The others, day or night.

Edward Thomas

Plant for the Planet - UN Programme

Plant for the Planet mainly targets schools and children 14 years and below and solicits the participation of other members of the community and the private sector to become involved in tree planting.

The disappearance of forests poses a serious threat to our survival. Forests play an important role in our planet’s ecosystem. They are homes to millions of species of wild plants and animals and play an important role in absorbing greenhouse gases.

During the last century, the world lost over 80 per cent of its original forests. Every day, approximately 375 square kilometers of forest are lost.Plant for the Planet was initiated with schools in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya. Major tree planting sessions are organized each year in April and November where schools are mobilized to plant thousands of trees.

Plants for the Planet campaigns have also been launched in Ghana and Bangladesh. Many more countries are joining this project. It is anticipated that each participating country will plant between one and five million trees by 2008.

Details here

Rain Forests - A poem for children

Rain Forests

They're really half a world away,
There's nothing we can do.
"Rain Forests" might be just two words
To kids like me and you.

They're really somewhere over there.
I may not even see
A Rain Forest in my entire life.
What should it mean to me?

I know that in these Rain Forests
That I may never see,
Half the world's plants, animals and insects
Live in harmony.

I know that trees are being cut,
Faster than we know.
These trees are where the creatures live,
So now where will they go?

So, I know they're half a world away,
Rain Forests I can't see.
But I can learn and understand
Because the future starts with me!


You can make a difference.

A forest Path - Poem by Doc Dyr

A FOREST PATH

I love the old path ways in the forest,
The trees cover like an umbrella,
Dropping pretty multicolored leaves.
A mystical world all my own.

I shuffle along kicking in the colorful foliage,
Remembering all the wonders of life.
Pondering what more the future could bring.
When seeds of patience blossom into reality.

The sky is so blue through my canopy of color,
Sun shining brightly above my hideout.
I see ahead a gurgling brook,
Laughing happily at such a wondrous day.

I thank God for such beauty to behold,
Never feeling alone on my journey.
Reaching the rocky shore of my little creek,
I am amazed to see a doe and fawn not far away.

I stand so still as not to raise awareness.
patiently and adoringly gazing at the sight.
What more could I ask for in life,
But to share it with majestic creatures.

As I turn to leave for home I feel elated,
And am ready again for the everyday world.
I know there will always be a path for me.
Whether on a forest path or in life itself.

Doc Dyr

We are mere visitors, keep it to posterity

"I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species. I realized that you humans are not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment, but you humans do not. You move to an area, and you multiply and multiply, until every natural resource is consumed. The only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet."

Agent Smith in The Matrix

Amazing Western Ghats

The Western Ghats is an ecologically sensitive region in India and was declared an ecological hotspot in 1988. Though this area covers barely five percent of India's land, 27% of all species of higher plants in India (4,000 of 15,000 species) are found here. Almost 1,800 of these are endemic to the region. The range is home to at least 84 amphibian species, 16 bird species, seven mammals, and 1,600 flowering plants which are not found elsewhere in the world.

The Government of India established many protected areas including 2 biosphere reserves, 13 National parks to restrict human access, several wildlife sanctuaries to protect specific endangered species and many Reserve Forests, which are all managed by the forest departments of their respective state to preserve some of the ecoregions still undeveloped. Many National Parks were initially Wildlife Sanctuaries. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve comprising 5500 km² of the evergreen forests of Nagarahole, deciduous forests of Bandipur National Park and Nugu in Karnataka and adjoining regions of Wayanad and Mudumalai National Park in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu forms the largest contiguous protected area in the Western Ghats. The Western Ghats in Kerala is home to numerous serene hill stations like Munnar, Ponmudi and Waynad. The Silent Valley National Park in Kerala is among the last tracts of virgin tropical evergreen forest in India. This tree stands in the Waynad portion the Western Ghats.

Trees Storing Water

Trees hold water in their trunk. The amount of water stored varies from type to type.
Baobab trees can store up to 120,000 litres of water in their trunk! Depending on the season and availabilty this varies from region to region. They store this water for their need when water is not available. Another tree with high capacity to store water is Terminalia elliptica. Its very common in the Western Ghats. It has a very thick and rough skin and growing tall. This picture is taken at Kuruva Island. The swelling may be due to some disease. But I find it interesting. I like to think it as a water tank built for storing extra water.

Trees and Shade

The shade casted by trees make beautiful and marvelous designs. They change with time and season. Watching them is equivalent to watching a nice art exhibition. Surrealistic are the shades. Your imagination is your limit. Why the shade, just look up to see the pattern of this forest brings. Are these patterns made deliberately by someone above? Or is it just the magic of the trees? This picture is taken on the way to Kuruva Island. If you wish to enjoy Nature at its virgin best, don't miss the chance to visit this place. More pictures from the island soon.