Tree’s company

A motley group of students, engineers and bankers go deep into the heart of a Goregaon forest to follow nature trails, as they play scientist for a day

Tree's company

A motley group of students, engineers and bankers go deep into the heart of a Goregaon forest to follow nature trails, as they play scientist for a day

The Conservation Education Centre (CEC), a part of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) launched a programme called, 'Be a Scientist for a Day' on January 26, 2011.
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The programme, which includes five nature trails spread across a 33-acre property within Goregaon forest, gives amateurs and nature lovers an opportunity to get into the shoes of a scientist just for a day.

Participants standing near a Ghost Tree

This reporter, who was there for one such event over the weekend, accompanied the participants during the two-hour trail.

Though the programme was launched on January 26, the BNHS has undertaken to hold the event once a month, for the whole year. "The United Nations (UN) has declared 2011 as Forestry Year and we have planned a series of events throughout the year to celebrate this theme," said Kaustubh Bhagat, education officer, CEC.

Bhagat explained the programme's objective, "Under this project we are carrying out year-long biodiversity surveys on the BNHS Nature Reserve at Goregaon with the help of experts and the public."

The programme conducted on February 19, saw people participating from all walks of life. It enabled them to observe, record and analyse the data collected in a scientific manner.

The organisers say this would sharpen their analytical and observation skills, which are useful for wildlife studies.

Participants
What does it take to be a scientist? Power of observation? An inquiring mind? Research?
Perhaps all of it and much more.u00a0 Rachna Jadhav (14), displayed some of it at the, 'Be a Scientist for a Day' programme. Jadhav, a Class IX student, said, "I love insects. And if you notice carefully you will see how beautiful and colourful they are. I will definitely come for the next session," declared the amateur scientist after carefully wrapping up a dead crab in a polythene bag."

Trail
During the trail that this reporter attended, there were three programmes running simultaneously, based on three themes, Plants, Insects and Birds. Each theme had six or seven participants. The organisers are planning to introduce programmes on Reptiles & Amphibians and light trap insects.u00a0 For participants, the day started nice and early. At 6:30 a.m. the Goregaon forest, one of the city's green lungs, was the field laboratory for 24 participants. The gentle morning breeze was full of promise and anticipation.

Birds
The bird group, armed with binoculars, set out for bird watching. Mahesh Raghuvanshy deals in stocks and shares for a living. But just two weeks ago, he took on the role of a scientist. "Back home, I just stand in front of my window and I am able to identify so many different species of birds in my immediate surroundings. I can now spot a Red-whiskered Bulbul and I have acquired all these skills within a month," said Raghuvanshy, who was part of the bird programme. He plans to come back on the trail, but this time with his wife and daughter. "I stay so close to this place, but earlier I had never bothered to learn about the environment.
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But after attending this session for a second time, I feel that I know my surroundings well," said Raghuvanshy. "That is the yellow throated sparrow," said Dr Ketki Marthak, a bird expert.u00a0 The yellow-throated sparrow is named after the birdman of India, Dr Salim Ali. It is called Salim Ali's bird. It is said that as a boy Ali shot a sparrow that looked different, and W S Millard, then secretary of BNHS, identified it for him. "You have to be fast.

Spotting a bird is an art and you will get better at it with practice," said Marthak (who is a surgeon by profession) rather dramatically. Suddenly, a high frequency sound started echoing through the jungle. "It is a brown headed barbet," screamed Marthak. What sounded like a cranky sound of an Aston Villa car was actually a birdcall. Many in the group appeared awestruck. "Karrr ufffd.krrr..krrr," said Marthak, trying to imitate the call.

The bird watching programme

Ghost
While the bird spotting was on, a group of plant lovers was admiring the diverse universe of plants. Vasundhara Sanklecha (20), a plant lover, was seen hugging a phosphorescent white-coloured tree called the Ghost Tree. Explained Bhagat, "The tree shines in the dark, hence the name. In ancient times when you had people running errands, they used to get startled by the tree. To them, it looked like a ghost."u00a0

u00a0"The most amazing tree in the jungle is the 'stripping lady'. The tree is named so because it sheds its bark," said Sanklecha, who is pursuing her Masters in Biochemistry. Vandana Tilwani, a Human Resource (HR) executive from Goregaon is so drawn to nature that she wants to pursue a career in the field. "Later in life, I would want to pursue something related to nature.

This is a step towards that," said Tilwani, who was part of the plant group. Another participant, Shubhada Nikharge (54) pointed out, "We are here because of trees." Another group of participants was on the lookout for insects on tree leaves and barks. Sachin Chorge, an entomologist, (one who studies insects) pointed towards an insect and said, "This is a stick insect as it can balance itself on a stick."

Data
The three teams, after a two-hour trail, were back to the point where they had begun. It was time to learn how to use data sheets and classify various species of plants, animals and insects into different categories. Pramod Nair, an engineering student, who had come from Navi Mumbai to take part in the programme, declared the session was useful, "I could use these skills even in engineering. Collecting data, scientifically analysing them and learning from the experts will help me a lot," said Nair.

Purpose
Through the year-long programme the experts at CEC will make a list of flora and fauna in the area. "Group members will learn to use field guides, data sheets and Global Positioning System (GPS) gadgets," said Bhagat. At the end of the programme the data collected will be used to draw certain inferences. Said Marthak, "Plants, animals and insects are an indication of the changing climate of the city. If more crows are spotted, then it is an indication of increasing garbage. The studies will give us an indication of the changing climate around the city and what needs to be done to address the problems."

Success
At the end of the day, the scientists managed to spot 20 varieties of insects; 10 different types of birds and in total some 100 birds. While the term scientist might appear too far fetched for many participants who were just getting an introduction to nature, Bhagat said that the aim of the programme is to, "glamourise science." He adds, "This is field work. The concept of scientists working only in laboratories is absolutely false. This is what is known as pure science. We wanted to give a message that pursuing a career in nature per se is extremely exciting."

All things bright and beautiful

INSECT
Stick insect

BUTTERFLY
Plains cupid butterfly

LEAFY INSECT
Mealybug

CATERPILLAR
Caterpillar PICS/ SACHIN CHORGE