Most
of us in Bangalore would have visited LalBagh the botanical garden in
Bangalore a number of times. We have heard stories about how Tipu
Sultan and his family had contributed to the garden. The Mango
Festival, flower show and the long morning walks have been the
highlight of any visit to Lalbagh. But have you heard about a Nature
Walk that happens in LalBagh? This walk with naturalist Mr. Srinivasa
or Mr, Prasad and Mr. Prasanth could leave you amazed at what this
garden holds!
We
tied up with “Kids For Tigers” an environmental education
programme for schools across India. The programme aims to bring out
the vital connection between the survival of the tiger and the
ecological security of the Indian subcontinent. You can find them
herhttp://www.kidsfortigers.org/.
Master
Bharath and Miss Ankitha of 7th
grade were selected as the representative of the school for this
programme. They were invited for a nature walk of 1.5 hours. It was
surprising to know that this walk could give us so much information
and invoke a sense of curiosity about how the nature has evolved and
adapted to the changing climate and conditions. The detailed account
of this trip will also be given by Ankitha and Bharath in detail in a
blogpost which will follow soon.
But
now it’s time for the teachers account on the experience!
A
half hour car ride took us to the botanical garden. The ride itself
left me surprised, because as soon as we got into the car, both
Ankitha and Bharath took their books out and started reading! Yes
indeed. It ended up as a silent ride. I was not expecting the
children to carry books on an excursion at all. It left me wondering
when did they get so serious about learning??
Once
we reached the park, all the energy that Bharath had saved by being
silent, found a release. He had to run around and take a look at
everything. Even the grass! And both of them were full of stories
about the many time they visit the part with their family. This slow
march led us to the glass house, where Ms. Usha- the coordinator was
waiting for us. She took our registrations and gave each one a copy
of the sanctuary cub magazine.
And
their reaction upon receiving the magazine left me astounded again!
Bharath was all too excited that at having got a Rs. 50 worth of book
for free!!! Secretly, I guessed this was the eefect of financial
education that we so painstakingly instill in our children.
The
next surprise came in when we were put into 2 different groups. I
decided to accompany Ankitha as I did not want to leave a female
child alone. But before I could go and to talk with Ms. Usha to take
care of Bharth, Ankitha stopped me and said, “Maám, why don’t
you join Bharath’s team , he keeps running around” though
initially confused, later I was really proud of Ankitha for being so
responsible and tone did have “ I will take care maam” approach.
Thus
began our Nature Walk. There were at least 1000 little words about
each tree, leaf, flower, bird, butterfly that came our way. The
information delivered was to the point and Mr. Prashanth did stop
giving information at the just the right places which left a lot of
questions in the student’s mind. Proof- on the way back, Bharath
did say “maám, I have a lot of questions to ask sir. May be I can
browse and find out”. We did decide on the return ride that we
would contact them through mail with all our curious questions.
Bharath
and Ankitha would be giving a full account of the detailed noted that
they had taken, because I was busy taking photographs and watching
out for Bharath and Ankitha.
But
for now keep pondering on the below questions…
Where
do weep willow trees grow and why?
How
do the bees communicate and why?
What
does Lichen Indicate?
How
has nature designed leaves to protect themselves from rain
What is the difference between
seeing and observing?