Mount Abu "The Tinderbox ready to explode”

Forest fire behind the firing range

Forest fire Arna village smouldering fire chandmari

Human carelessness Beginning of forest fire firing range.

Last week while driving home I saw smoke bellowing around the army shooting range, for a second I lost all sense of reality and jammed on my brakes to get a better view and almost got my one way ticket to the Hades, a speeding car had to hit hard on his brakes and with screeching tyres only inches to spare manage to stop his car behind me. My folly had a devastating effect, the driver behind me was all shook up, in righteous anger he barged into me calling me you Bloody “Pagal Angrez”,(mad Englishman) you want to get killed. I was all shook up because had he not applied his power brakes, I would have probably ended up flying straight into the burning inferno that had got me into this situation.
Mount Abu’s forest now looks like a graveyard of dried and dying trees the drought conditions have taken their toll on this area gradually over the years. The summer this year is going to be terrible; the average day temperature last week hovered between 30 to 35 degrees and the humidity around 30% or slightly lower. These high atmospheric temperatures and low humidity offer ideal conditions for a fire to start. Last week spontaneous fires sprang up in different parts of Abu, causing the populace at large to look to the heavens for an answer to their prayer, as our forest department is under staffed and ill-equipped to fight any kind of forest fire.
I’m worried because this “Tinderbox” of ours is on the brink of exploding into a burning inferno that would be detrimental to our eco-sensitive environment, there would be a massive loss of rare flora only found in this part of the world. If only our forest department would employ the local illegal wood cutters in paying them a substantial amount to clear the dry under growth and dead leaves and twigs and burn it in isolation. This small measure could go a long way to control a forest fire from spreading, the department would be killing two birds with one stone, one, illegal sale of forest wood would be reduced and two, a small measure in ensuring fire spreading through a continuous supply of dry vegetation along its path. The pictures above are photographs taken last week of spontaneous fires around Abu.

Spring in the Abode Mount Abu.

Pine trees in Mount Abu

Pine trees in Mount Abu

Hillside with mixed bag of trees

Flame of the Forest 

Indian Coral Tree

Blue Jacaranda

"An Unpredictable Spring Unfolds in the God's Dwelling"

Ah, springtime in the Land of the Gods! I had planned to hibernate this winter in order to wake up rejuvenated as a bat out of hell, but Mother Nature and global warming had other ideas for us. This year's winter in Abu was brief, with temperatures failing to reach the typical, bone-chilling -7 degrees Celsius. Local bears, which should have been hibernating, wandered the region, compelled to seek food in the city due to a lack of forage in the jungle.

Embracing Nature's Wonders:

I was off the radar for a spell, but I'm now back in action, documenting the beauty that nature has to offer. Birds that nest during the monsoons appear to have gone a little insane, already caring for their fledglings. The far-reaching effects of global warming might cause these phenomena. I can't help but hope that Mother Nature will favour the Abode of the Gods this year. Because if the monsoons fail, we're in for a bumpy trip. Even today, our water supply functions on an alternate-day basis, portraying a bleak picture for the future months.

Looking Towards the Future:

Looking inside my crystal ball, the forecast for the forthcoming summer is grim. The approaching summer will be hot, with frequent dust storms and forest fires. It's almost as though the desert is encroaching on this section of Rajasthan.

Conclusion:

Spring in the Land of the Gods offers unanticipated problems owing to altering natural rhythms and global warming. It serves as a reminder that, even in the face of such uncertainty, we must value and safeguard our environment. As we prepare for what lies ahead, we will continue to find peace and beauty in nature's intriguing and ever-changing dance.

"THE LEGEND THAT WAS" ST.MARYS SCHOOL MT.ABU

Platinum Jubilee week
Brother Keane on stage-Platinum Jubilee

Brother Keane's dream come true

Brother Keane was undoubtedly a legendary figure among the Irish Christian Brothers who served at the only Christian Brothers school in Rajasthan. “St.Mary’s High School, Mount Abu”. He was the Principal from 1964 to 1968; I was there during his tenure, and what a period it was for us students. I still recall his profound yet simple words uttered on various occasions, “Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine”. In class, I’m sure all who have studied under him will recall his famous “Country born, country-bred, broad in the shoulders and thick in the head.” The profound yet simple words of this extraordinary teacher were drafted to jolt us into an awareness of our imaginative personalities. I knew his terse but persuasive sayings for their ability to render the stoutest and most hard-core student to break down at this juncture. Brother Keane rarely ever resorted to the cane. I can only recall the one and only time he used the cane to discipline some impish students who were made a public spectacle to show that the institution would tolerate no half-larks. Brothers Keane’s profound wisdom and ability to manoeuvre students, parents and people in authority to bend towards has touched many his will.

Brother Keane was a stern disciplinarian, cutting to the core and wasting little effort on inessentials. I recall he could control all the students at large just with those piercing eyes of his. His very being and presence were held in awe by all the students. He was, as far as I recall, a very religious and God-fearing man. I have seen this outstanding personality praying for hours on end into the wee hours of the night. He proved a keen observer of boys and, like a gardener, groomed the students under him to bring out their utmost potential. It would be wishful thinking on my part to feel that all the students had very high regard for this austere and dedicated man. I know I had my share of tiffs with him. I used to be reminded on many an occasion when I broke bounds that I would be given a one-way ticket home.

My greatest teachers in life have been my parents, who taught me the virtues of questioning and making my own choices in life. Keane played a crucial role in bringing out both the best and the worst in me. I know a host of ex-students would not agree with what a large majority of us Marians have with this dominating individual. He had a penchant for changing lives. I am grateful for having had him as my mentor who brought the best out in me to look at my shortfalls face life with my chest out and look the world in the eye.

Throughout Keane’s tenure as principal of the school, he strived for the betterment of the school. I remember him digging the first sod for the new block that would expand the school. It was a momentous and exceptional moment in his life, his whole being radiated a glowing aura of positive vibes amongst all present that day. His actions and his constant concern for the welfare of the school and students inspired us towards fresh paths, toward something that elevated our lives from boring to meaningful.

I did miss him in my final year as my mentor. He got transferred, and another beacon of light, Brother Judge, was there for us in my final year. God rest the soul of these two marvellous men who have given so much and have asked nothing in return, except we become good and responsible citizens of this world.

Brother Keane came back to the school as principal for another 5 years from 1976 to 1981. I did meet him once or twice when I returned in the eighties and then for the last time when he came to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the school. Students who have will always feel his influence had the good fortune of studying under him. The quote by 'Henry Brooks Adams sums up the achievements of this unforgettable brother; May his soul rest in peace.

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. ~Henry Brooks Adams

The Barren Mount Abu Nursery

Pathetic state Abu Nursery
Kaka at the nursery

The Barren Green House

The Forest Nursery

Today I headed straight for the nursery with my camera; I wanted to know what had become of the unfortunate monkey. Kaka Greeted me and told me the monkey not only regained his strength but was bold enough to face the dogs, and that it had made off into the woods. I’m sure those were only words of solace uttered for my concern and my apprehension. I asked him if any of the PFA people dropped in to my SOS to them. He just smiled and replied in a depressing manner that here only the law of the jungle applied and no PFA or other organization cared too hoots for the welfare of the wild animals as a whole.
I do not want to drift into shameful sarcasm, and glorify the old days at the expense of the new. Drought conditions over a period of many years could be the reason for the forlorn look of this once flourishing nursery. With rising costs and poor salaries it’s any wonder no one wants to be part and parcel of this place. The Adage Keep ‘ABU GREEN N CLEAN’ here reflects the reverse ‘DRY N BARE’ is the order of the day.

Forest Nursery- Mount Abu

Taken at the Abu nursery with my nokia phone

I had gone to the Abu forest nursery with my daughter Jennifer to buy some fruit trees to plant around our house. I was shocked to see the plight of this once flourishing and lush green place reduced to a barren and featureless landscape. The green house that was there was bare and no seemed to be around, I met an old Kaka a typical Rajasthani and asked him what had transpired here to leave this place looking more of a graveyard than a nursery. He lamented that there were no funds and that it was not viable any more, hence this pathetic state. He told me there was a handful of guava plantlet available for sale if I was interested. My daughter immediately agreed to buy a few and set off immediately to choose them from the dozen or so that were available.
While going through the plants I heard the agonizing cry of a monkey and realized at once a monkey had been attacked by a dog or pack of dogs. I immediately responded by yelling on the top of my voice and started to race towards the source of the sound. I know I’m totally unfit and my dash towards the source of the pitiful cries of the monkey was more of a waddle than a dash got me to a scene that really got me mad, I grabbed whatever I could and raced towards the two dogs that were tearing away at a half grown monkey. I literally stood over this gruesome scene waving my hands like a madman which scared the two dogs away. The monkey was abs stunned with its neck and one hip ripped open. The dogs did try and come back for the kill but by the time I had managed to get hold of a large branch of a tree that frightened the dogs away , but the dilemma did not end there as the dogs began to chase the rest of the troupe that were attracted by the cries of the wounded monkey.

The wounded monkey was in a bad state and could hardly move initially, I kept a watchful eye for the look out of the two dogs which I knew would return. The monkey after many failed attempts managed to climb up a small tree but was in a total shock .The dogs did return but my stone throwing and accurate shots dissuaded them from making any more attempts. I phoned the animal for welfare group and told them of the predicament that this monkey was going through, and what action were they going to take. I was told it was Saturday and nothing could be done about it as all offices would be closed. I then tried the government forest office with no avail, Kaka and my daughter came looking for me and were quite shocked to see the poor monkey sitting in a drooping position all torn up. Kaka told me that nothing could be done about it as no one was going to respond to any of my calls for help and that now that the monkey was on the tree if he survived his wounds he would survive. In the mean time I phoned another PFA member and requested him to see what he could do about the situation, he responded immediately and said that he would look into the matter. One member asked me if the monkey was killed then and only then would someone from the municipal would come to carter away the carcass to the dumps, another suggested that if it’s chance of survival was less than 50% then it should be left to the mercy of the dogs so that later the carcass could be fed to the crocks in the heart of the sanctuary i.e. Trevor’s Tank.

Kaka told me in Rajasthani that nothing could be done about the situation, his only chance of survival would be the monkey regaining his composure and strength after resting for some time. He said the dogs would be back but since it was on the tree they would not be able to do anything. We picked up our few sparse guava tree and headed for home.