Flower Power: 10 gorgeous species in the Valley of Flowers
A sacred Himalayan flower, Brahma Kamal blooms at high altitudes and is revered in mythology. It appears at night and is known for its rare beauty and spiritual significance.
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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Many Bengalureans are growing their own fruits and vegetables
MV Ramani has turned her little yard into an orchard, vibrant and bountiful, despite constraints of space, time, and water. Nature has been kind to her, rewarding her with star fruits that match the size of her palm. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The garden is dotted with fig, guava and pomegranate trees, and serves as a sanctuary for bees and butterflies. Ramani maintains a terrace garden too, where she cultivates vegetables including tomato, brinjal, chillies, gourds and greens. Even her fruit plants like guava and Indian jujubes are grown on funky, fluorescent blue pots. 'We had a farm, and between farm and home, we used to grow everything that we eat. Wherever there is space, I fill it with greenery,' says Ramani, a legal professional who works as a partner at LexOrbis. Her husband T Suvarna Raju, former chairman & MD of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), is a plant lover too and he helps Ramani with smart gardening solutions using his engineering skills. Urban farming is a different ball game altogether. Growing plants in city spaces demands a lot of patience, dedication and care. Sourcing affordable soil, seeds or cow dung for fertilisation itself can sometimes prove difficult. Property owners frequently object to tenants placing heavy pots on rooftops. Issues with water seepage and stains may arise, if care is not taken. And pests do not spare even plants grown on the 20th floor of residential buildings. However, amid all these challenges, many Bengalureans are taking up farming. They cultivate fruits and vegetables in their gardens, balconies and rooftop spaces. 'Urban farming is becoming more than a trend. It's a movement,' says Ramita Maharjan, resident of Brigade Millennium in JP Nagar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'More and more people are growing their own food on rooftops in search of better health, peace of mind and a deeper connection with nature,' she adds. Hand-pollination Anand Havaldar's garden is a testament to his resourcefulness. The 51-year-old who works as a senior engineer at Nexteer Automotive India cultivates a variety of plants, including Brahma Kamal, in his terrace garden. The night-blooming flower would fill Anand's garden with its sweet fragrance, but would not produce fruits. 'The plant remained barren as pollination never happened,' says Anand, who holds a diploma in agriculture from the Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra (GKVK). Anand overcame the challenge by hand pollinating – taking pollen from one Brahma Kamal plant to the other. Soon, it bore fruits, bringing him much joy, and earning him stardom among local gardeners. Water, air, coco peat, instead of soil Water and coco peat are extensively used instead of traditional soil as a growing medium. Coco peat's moisture retention capabilities reduce watering frequency, points out Bhuvana Sharma, a scientist who works with GKVK's National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS). 'Coco peat is lightweight too, making it easy to handle,' she says. Usha Gopinath, a former IT professional, uses coco peat to grow microgreens. 'I grow ragi, wheat, chia seed, mustard, red radish, and fenugreek microgreens,' says the 44-year-old who lives in Pearl City in Sarjapur, adding, 'It's hard to get children to eat vegetables. I just sneak those tiny plants into their toasts, salads and soups and they devour it.' Some microgreens, Bhuvana says, are 40% more nutritious than their mature counterparts. Microgreens can be cultivated on moist tissue papers as well. These baby plants can typically be harvested a week or two after germination. 'All you have to do is water them 4-5 times a day. Avoid overwatering. Microgreens don't require manure,' says Usha. Dav Fod, a former assistant professor of sociology, grows over 12 varieties of microgreens including wheat grass. Aeroponics, a method wherein plant roots are suspended in the air and provided nutrient solutions, rather than relying on soil, is also gaining popularity. 'There are farms in and around Bengaluru trying different techniques like this. Aeroponics allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of plants, including leafy greens, vegetables, herbs, and even some fruits. This technique is particularly well-suited for crops like lettuce, spinach, basil, tomatoes, and strawberries,' says Dav. A forest in a yard Neelima Gudipati lives in an independent house in Margodanahalli where she maintains a garden with plants growing in containers and soil beds. Her wild and untamed garden has mango, ginger, mulberry, guava, pear, lemon, banana, tomato, manathakkali, star fruit, dragon fruit, Chinese potato and brinjal. She also grows leafy vegetables such as coriander, amaranthus and Malabar spinach. Her children, Suhas and Sahaj, particularly enjoy the passion fruit juice, chikoo almond milk shake, star fruit salad and flat beans palya that she makes using homegrown produce. Neelima creates an environment that mirrors natural forest conditions, allowing fallen leaves and branches to form a protective layer on the ground. This helps the soil retain moisture. Termites in the garden help decompose the twigs. 'Nature sustains forests without human intervention,' she tells us as we stroll through her garden. Neelima leaves her pomegranates unharvested for local wildlife. "Squirrels and birds visit regularly to feast on these fruits," she says. VOICE BOX Wherever there is space, I fill it with greenery. Like me, all the urban gardeners face the constraints of space, as well as water, especially in summers. Despite these, we are trying to grow whatever and wherever we can. Hydroponics and aquaponics are making their way into balconies. We have an aquaponics set up where the technology allows the water from the fishpond to be circulated to grow plants and recycled to the pond. MV Ramani, LEGAL PROFESSIONAL AND RESIDENT AT CASCADING MEADOWS, TC PALYA During the construction of the Tungabhadra dam, my grandfather relocated from his village, bringing his cherished plants with him. The curry leaf plants I now have are descendants of those original plants, being at least 100 years old. For nourishing my plants, I rely on vermicompost and kitchen compost as fertilisers. My dragon fruit plant produces up to 70 fruits annually. I source my gardening supplies from Bio Centre, a government organisation. When I'm away, I water my plants using a drip irrigation system equipped with a pump and timer. Anand Havaldar, 51, SENIOR ENGINEER AT NEXTEER AUTOMOTIVE INDIA Over the years, I've learnt a lot about plant cultivation. I grow nitrogen-fixing plants around my papaya trees. When you prune nitrogen-fixing plants, they release nitrogen into the soil as they no longer require it after being cut. This released nitrogen gets absorbed into the soil, becoming available for the papaya plant to utilise. This helps the papaya plant become healthier. This process serves as a natural alternative to the conventional NPK fertilisers typically used in cultivation. I nurture my plants with a lot of love. I communicate with them, show them tenderness and kiss them. When I collect their produce, I thank them. I think plants experience joy when raindrops first touch them, and observing this is a delight. I love waking up to the sight of morning dew adorning their foliage. I follow sustainable gardening practices. I use organic manure including dry leaves, cow dung, coco peat and jeevamruta. Neelima Gudipati, RESIDENT, CASCADING MEADOWS, MARGODANAHALLI Microgreens can be easily grown without the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers. I cultivate a dozen different varieties, and coco peat serves as my preferred growing medium. Dav Fod, URBAN FARMER As we farm, we see how birds, butterflies, and animals become part of the ecosystem. They too are nourished, and we begin to understand that farming is not possible without them. We realise we need them far more than they need us. Nature thrives without humans, but we cannot survive without her. Through this journey, we learn gratitude, compassion, sharing, and interdependence – values that we then pass on to the next generation. Ramita Maharjan, RESIDENT OF BRIGADE MILLENNIUM AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF RISHIPATH WELLNESS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT THAMMAPURAM I started growing plants very recently. I grow microgreens. My ground cultivation includes spinach, pudina, brinjal, chilli, curry leaves and bitter gourd. For nourishment, I provide my plants with crushed eggshells, banana peel juice, powdered vegetable peels and rice water. I also utilise garlic extract as a natural defence against plant ailments. Tending to these plants brings me immense satisfaction! Usha Gopinath, 44, FORMER IT PROFESSIONAL, LIVES IN SARJAPUR My garden has evolved from flowering plants to include fruits and vegetables. The fruit varieties I cultivate include sapota, guava, pomegranate, apple, fig, dragon fruit, papaya, mulberry and grapes. Vegetables include tomato, chillies, lady's finger, greens, brinjal, drum stick, bitter gourd, Chinese potato, and chow chow. I maintain flowering plants amongst the vegetables as they are essential for facilitating pollination. I use lightweight containers such as plastic pots and grow bags for easier handling. The potting mix can be made less heavy by incorporating cocopeat, leaf mould, rice husk and reduced soil quantity. For nourishment, I use kitchen compost and various nutrient solutions prepared from onion peel, potato peel, banana peel and similar ingredients. Due to water scarcity, I rely on aero outlet water and STP water. I make pots out of old cans and bottles. Preetha Suresh, 57, FORMER BANKER, AND RESIDENT, TC PALYA
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
Gangtok's Himalayan Zoo Welcomes Twin Red Panda Cubs As Lucky Turns Mother
Two tiny red panda cubs recently made their debut at the Bulbulee Himalayan Zoological Park in Gangtok. With their large eyes and close-knit presence, the newborns add fresh hope for conservation amid declining wild populations. For now, they'll stay with their mother in a secure enclosure for approximately one year before being gradually introduced to the public, Says BJP Leader Dilip Ghosh on X. Four tiny eyes,huddled together in silence.2 new guests have arrived at Gangtok's Bulbulee #HimalayanZoologicalPark .Red panda'Lucky'gave birth to two cubs. For now, they will remain with their mother in enclosure for a year, after which they will be introduced to the visitors. — Dilip Ghosh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DilipGhoshBJP) August 1, 2025 The birth of Lucky's cubs is particularly significant because red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) continue to be under threat from habitat destruction, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade. According to ICUN, less than 10,000 individuals remain, with only 2,500–6,000 in India, scattered across high-altitude regions like Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, and Meghalaya. Red pandas in India are primarily found in the Eastern Himalayas, specifically in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal. They inhabit high-altitude, temperate forests with bamboo undergrowth. Red pandas rely on dense bamboo forests in the Eastern Himalayas, but rapid deforestation, habitat fragmentation from logging and road-building, and illegal poaching for fur and exotic pet trade have drastically reduced their numbers. Despite international protection under CITES Appendix I and India's own Wildlife Protection Act, enforcement gaps persist. Community-based conservation efforts and captive-breeding programs—such as those at Darjeeling's Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park—are critical. The Park recently pioneered rewilding programs and genetic biobanking, and now hosts a "frozen zoo" to preserve endangered species' DNA, including that of the red panda. "Wild Wonders: These Rare Creatures Will Melt Your Heart" They are of two dfferent species: Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens), resides in the mountains of northern India, Tibet, Bhutan, and Nepal, and the Chinese red panda (A. fulgens styani), lives in China's Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. Red pandas are mostly solitary animals, except during mating season or when a mother is raising display dense reddish‑brown fur on top, black underside, with a white face and tear‑like markings under the eyes. Their bushy tail has faint rings, Reports Britannica
India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
10 most earthquake-prone countries in the world: China tops list, Japan at 4, US at…; where do India and Pakistan stand?
Home News 10 most earthquake-prone countries in the world: China tops list, Japan at 4, US at…; where do India and Pakistan stand? 10 most earthquake-prone countries in the world: China tops list, Japan at 4, US at…; where do India and Pakistan stand? Based on seismic records and NOAA data, here is a list of top 10 most earthquake-prone countries in the world. File/Representational A recent wave of powerful earthquakes, such as the magnitude 7.7 that killed over 5,000 people in Myanmar's Sagaing in March this year, and recent 8.8 magnitude quake that struck the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, triggering tsunami alerts across as many as 44 countries in the Pacific Ocean region, has raised fears of a major cataclysm earthquake-prone countries. But have you wondered whether India and Pakistan are listed among most earthquake-prone countries in the world? Based on seismic records and data from NOAA, here is a list of top 10 countries which have been frequently affected by major earthquakes in the last three decades: China: India's neighbor China tops the list, having suffered at total of 186 powerful earthquakes since 1990. China's western and southwestern regions, especially along the Longmenshan and Himalayan fault lines, are categorized as highly-active seismic zones. Recent quakes which caused massive loss of life and damage in the South Asian country include the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and the 1976 Tangshan earthquake Indonesia: Regarded as the most seismically-active country on the planet, Indonesia lies in one of the most earthquake-prone zones in the Pacific Ocean, and has witnessed about 1000 tremors, including 166 major earthquakes since 1990. Notably, one of the deadliest natural disaster in modern history, the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami, occurred in Indonesia, killing more than 200,000 people in the region and leaving millions homeless. Iran: The Islamic Republic is located in the middle of the collision zone between the Arabian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it highly vulnerable to major earthquakes due to tectonic activity in the region. Japan: Perhaps no other country has witnessed the level of devastation due to earthquakes more than Japan, primarily because of it being located in the Ring of Fire– one of the most seismically active zones on earth. Japan has witnessed a total of 98 major earthquakes since 1990, including 2011 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, that claimed the lives of at least 20,000 people. United States: The United States has a large landmass and experienced a total of 78 powerful earthquakes from 1990 to 2024. Powerful seismic activity is mostly seen in California and Alaska, especially along the San Andreas Fault. Turkey: Located along the North Anatolian Fault, a major east-west fault line that has caused several deadly earthquakes, Turkey has recorded some of the devastating quakes in history, including the 1999 Izmit earthquake killed at least 18,373 people and injured 48,901 and the 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake that left more than 50,000 dead. India: India witnesses significant seismic activity in the Northeast and Himalayan region and the tectonic collision with the Eurasian plate, resulting in destructive earthquakes such as the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, which claimed over 20,000 lives. Philippines: The tectonic interaction between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate results in heightened seismic activity and earthquakes in Philippines. The country has recorded 55 major earthquakes since 1990, including the magnitude 7.7 Luzon island quake that killed 2,412 people in 1990. Mexico: This North American nation is located within the boundary of shifting tectonic plates, resulting in frequent earthquakes in the region. Afghanistan: Due its location the seismically active Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan often witnesses powerful earthquakes because of the tectonic activity caused by the collision of Indian and Eurasian plates. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest World News on
