At 6.30am, the Middle School was getting excited as the trip to the Nilgiris Biosphere Nature Park was coming closer and closer. It started off with a bus ride of approximately 70 kms lasting about 2.5 hours which we whiled away playing and singing. After a short stop at a restaurant, our stomachs were as full as a mango tree in summer. Then, we continued our travel and arrived at the Nilgiris Biosphere Nature Park. As soon as we dismounted the bus, we were off on a 1.3 km trek up a hill. We each grabbed a trekking pole and started off on our walk. On the way up, we saw many endemic plants that had engulfed the whole hill. We saw cattle and a chameleon clambering as slow as a wounded slug. We came down the hill and played for some time at the kids’ play area there. We even climbed a tree house from where we could see a lot of the trees in NBNP. It was a spectacular sight!
After a lunch break, the Director of NBNP, Mr. Arthur Steel, spoke to us about the history of this man-made park. He also gave us insight into RET [Rare, Endangered, Threatened] plant species. This was followed by a guided tour around the park. We saw many interesting trees that were used for a lot of things. The most interesting was the Sand Paper tree whose leaves were rough and can be used as a nail polish remover! If you ate any part of the Snake Wood tree, you could die, but the root of the tree is used in a medicine which can provide immunity against snake bites.
Lastly, we also visited an aquarium where we saw some fish and some paw prints of wild animals that had visited the park before. We had an hour of our own to sit silently, observe the surroundings and reflect on our experience. Many of us sketched leaf structures while some of us penned poems. Finally, the time came when we had to say goodbye to the park and head back to our school. It was truly a memorable trip.
– Aksita
The earthy patches of soil soaked my feet and my skin started to wrinkle due to the heat. I was in NBNP, a park of flora and fauna that shows the true beauty of our Nilgiris forests. Each and every part of the park was covered with greenery. I had a truly amazing experience at this place. I was mesmerised and aghast by the number of plants that are used to cure diseases.
Never did I know that trees could hold such beauty. From the leaves all the way to the tip of the root and bark, everything looked exotic and my eyes never fell off them. This was absolutely a perfect place for a plant. I loved it and I can say no more!
– Maya
Nature
Nature sparkles and shines like the glistening water at sunset
such a beautiful sight to glance at.
As pretty as the heavens and skies
as little flowers bloom with secrets inside.
Trees and plantlets dance to the wind in joy
as the days and nights pass.
The delicate leaves start to wither
And, a new season is born there.
This is how nature is
and is always deep in my heart.
I wish it is like this
now and forever!!!!
– Sathvica
A walk through the past
As I walk into this amazing forest of plants, my eyes are filled with beauty. Different types of trees and plants cover the entire ground. “Wow!”, was the only word in my head. I scan the entire area in front of me and see many different plants.
The tour guide who came with us explained that there are more than 3300 different plant species in the entire reserve and the area of the reserve is 5520 sq km. That is big!! As I walk a little further, the tour guide explains all the different types of trees and their applications, like the Mallotus Philippiensis, the fruit of which is used to make dye. Or the Alstonia Scholaris Apocunacea, whose bark reduces fever. As he explained, I became more fascinated and curious. As I walked, the dead leaves on the floor crunched beneath my feet. I observed all the different plants and felt all of the leaves on the trees. After a long walk of amazement, we finally reached our starting point. Overall, the walk was fascinating and I learned a lot!!
– Nandana
We saw a few plants and many trees with amazing uses and textures. The Sand Paper tree was green like how a normal tree would be, but when you touched its leaf, it felt exactly like sand paper. Our guide even said it can be used as a nail polish remover!
– Tanush
Our trip to NBNP was exciting and appealing. When my eyes got a glance of a tree called the Silver Oak, I was fascinated. I wondered why it was called the ‘Silver Oak’. But then I noticed the sun’s strong light fall on the leaves. They were shimmering in silver. I picked one of its leaves from the ground. Wow! That was the most vivid thing that I’ve ever seen. It felt glossy, silky and velvety, all in one. I said, “Oh my god that is so dazzling. I’ll save that leaf forever.”
– Aradhana.
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