Today morning when I logged onto Twitter, I saw a graphic that asked if you were a:
- Tree hugging
- Flower sniffing
- Animal Kissing
- Planet loving
- Dirt worshipper…………… and proud of it?
Oh yes this is truly me and I have been participating on a social media campaign to save the forests in my city. Much like Mumbai where the Aarey forests are facing the government axe, the Aravalli belt in Haryana is under threat too. Land mafia and mining contractors are out to destroy the Aravalli forest for their greed. This is being aided and abetted by the current Haryana government.
If you care for the trees and your right to breathe clean air, do join us in this campaign. We need every voice to make the deaf powers-to-be to hear this out aloud.
Intrigued? Pin it for later!
This gorgeous tree grows in my bestie’s house in Srinagar where I have spent many a gorgeous holidays. She calls it the umbrella tree and I couldnt really find its true genus on Google – if anyone knows, please do share with me.
Its planted right in the center of the garden and is home to a horde of birds, especially sparrows and bulbuls. They flit in and out of this tree the whole day and keep it filled with their chirps.
In winters, its devoid of any leaves and is just a bare skeleton of gnarled trunk and branches. But then it gets covered in snowfall and looks like something out of a fairy tale. Dont believe me, see for yourself
Joining in the #Thursdaytreelove linky with Parul where we share a picture of a tree and mention in a few words why we are fascinated by it.
My previous post for this linky can be found here
It looks truly magical especially in Winter . Perhaps Archana will be able to help you out with the name or Alana
Yeah its really a visual treat. Thanks Sunita I will check with peeps on twitter for the identity of this tree.
Omg it looks exquisite in Winters. What a gorgeous tree. Now I really really want one in my garden.
Yeah I know what you mean – the best part is the birds flitting in and out of it. Almost looks like a magic trick as you cant see where they disappear inside it. I hope you do get one for your garden soon Raj 🙂
This is one of my favorite trees!
Kudos to you Shalini for joining the movement to save our home. We humans seem to have forgotten that we’re part of nature and by harming trees we’re killing ourselves.
Oh wow thats nice to hear – do you know what its called? Do have one near you?
I think we all need to seriously look at our consumption habits and think about the planet we are living on. The natural disasters are increasing day by day all over the world, yet we are cocooned in our bliss. Its horrific to see the way Indian govt has given permission to cut down thousands of hectares of forests in India all over without any thought or care. It all comes down to money 🙁
What a charming tree! Aptly named umbrella. Did it grow that way by itself? I am always amazed at how many birds a small tree can be home to! And it truly looks fairytale-like in winter. Beautiful, Shalini!
Yeah apparently it grows that ways only; but I havent seen it anywhere else, so not sure.
Such a beautiful tree! And what a perfect name, Shalz!!
It was good to see both the summer and the winter shots!
Thanks Shaan – this tree never fails to thrill me 🙂
It’s really sad how in the name of developments, our hills and trees, the terrains of nature are being mercilessly sacrificed and good you are doing bit to save us from such reckless developments!
Yes Vishal so true yaar; its a very sad situation here in India with every state government hell bent on destroying forests as they are getting funds from the real estate mafia. SO much of our forests have been burned away and its been passed on as accidental fires. Pathetic situation really!
What a lovely one and you are right to call it an umbrella tree. It’s snow look is also so beautiful and I have this urge to see this. Thank you for sharing, Shalini. I have visited Srinagar once and don’t know if I can even spend time there like you did. You know that I saw the Aravalli range and no wonder it needs to be saved. Thank you for being the voice of so many people. <3
See you on the 26th 🙂
Thanks so much Parul – glad this tree has delighted everyone as it has me. I do hope there are more of such and wish to find them during my travels.
The Aravallis are our green lungs – damn the stupid government for setting out to cut them down. If they get their way, 50% will disappear. Cant even begin to imagine the plight of all those animals that reside in this green belt.
Will try to join in on the 26th 🙂
wow 🙂 the name is so apt “umbrella tree” looks so pleasant for the eye, loved the way you captured with snow… and happy to know that you have voiced out your concerns, this is happening in various parts of the country, in the name of development trees have been destroyed. First they cut the trees and later they try to plant…. wanting to beautify the city… Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Angela – glad you liked this tree too. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. Been trying to find out its name but so far nothing.
Yes the climate strike is on globally and we really need a lot of action from our leaders. There is been too much empty talks only so far. I guess human extinction is not far behind now.
Wow! Gorgeous. With and without leaves.
Thanks so much Chandra-glad this tree delighted you too 🙂
Wow such a beautiful umbrella tree, this seems to be a variety of weeping willow trees i think.
True said its sad to see forests getting cut for making buildings. I stay in hills and year by year it hurts to see how hills are getting occupied and people are cutting them by blasting and removing trees to build hotels and apartments.