yet again ... getting lost ... then enjoying self-discovery ...

Shared my meagre understanding on CCAs at Rishi Valley during a recent trip. The setting was amazing ( entire school in the evening at the assembly hall ) and am absolutely indebted to Rishi Valley for the opportunity.  Two conversations of the evening stand out. During afternoon tea one student shared that she and her friends were excited not because of the talk but because of the dinner that was to precede the talk; just in case I had any illusions. After the talk ( and questions that followed ) one student came up and as I bent down he put his hand on my shoulder and said 'shy ok - so talking like this'; his tone was very much like that of one of my closest friends.  Select slides and accompanying 'bullets' are placed below Control and management ( decision making ) rest with community Community is closely related to ecosystem  Efforts lead to conservation Not necessarily strict preservation but multiple ( flexible ) rules ...

Kaustubh's very encouraging email got me back to putting in place this post on discussions with students pursuing ecology ( at Rishi Valley ). We discussed what ( if anything! ), from my meager experiences in the region, I could bring in that would add value for the students. We, after a not so long conversation, narrowed down on jhum ( shifting or slash and burn cultivation ). Share some of the questions I faced below. Couple of these have been more pertinent and thought provoking than those I have heard in my meanderings in the region. Some of these are tricky and answers ( as placed here ) may appear a tad too simplified but I understand the session served its purpose and we had a nice time!   Is jhum rice different from wet rice? ( ~ sure it is .... ) Are their varieties of rice in jhum? ( ~ of course, I am not aware of these though!.... ) Does government decide where jhum will be done? How? ( ~ we discussed who decides and how this has been 'affe...

Some random thoughts from recent train journeys ** About an hour from Delhi – I see - An absolutely stunning August landscape Green of the flowing bajra Earthly brown of the huts against the lively colours of flowing chunris worn by women Amidst these - two pairs of snow white Sarus Cranes stand tall ** How I wish to walk into the untamed open lands - I see from the train Climb these rocks up and down - touch the trees and lie down As I look at the sky high above Different species of birds - I happen to see Some I recognize and others not - wonder what they indicate – if at all Feel good to not know too much of nature - mystery is good at times ** Train moves on - as trains do It’s touch makes the signals go red As it overtakes the Egrets in the green vastness - dotted by electricity towers Rains hit my - fresh from sleep - face Time - as if -gets the train swagger ** Hillocks appear small and also vast at same time Wonder i...