VINOD CHAMOLI/ New Tehri
To buttress the point that climate change is deeply impacting the mountains, a strange deviation from nature’s settled pattern is being seen in the forests around Dhanaulti. The Rhododendron flowers, which typically bloom in March, have been blooming this year since January. People say this is quite surprising and attribute this to changes in the weather cycle. In many places around the forests, the fruit is now about to ripen.
Usually, rhododendron flowers bloom in the mountain forests after March 15 and kaafal ripens in the second half of March and in April. But now, nature seems to be departing from its fixed grooves- something which is worrying the locals and environmentalists alike.
“Usually, rhododendrons bloom here only after the mountains are covered under a blanket of snow and their natural beauty persists in the forests from March to April. But this time, neither the cold was intense nor did the expected snowfall occur. As a result, nature’s balanced cycle was disrupted prematurely,” said an elderly local.
They further say that the impact of this unusual weather change isn’t limited to rhododendrons alone. Drying water sources, shifting farming schedules and increasing pressure on biodiversity are all obvious signs of nature’s caprices, they say. Sharing their concerns, environmentalists say that if this situation continues, the traditional mountain seasons could become history.
The rhododendron flower is considered extremely important, medicinally. The Ayurveda treatment uses it to treat heart disease, joint pain, skin and liver diseases as well as diabetes. Rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and phytochemicals, this flower now appears to be facing an existential crisis.
A noted environmentalist, Jagat Singh Jangli says that the relentless development spree has started taking a toll on nature. “Rhododendrons used to bloom in the months of Phalgun and Chaitra due to the humidity in high- altitude areas. Uncontrolled tree felling, road widening, forest fires, increasing vehicular pressure and unplanned construction are not only causing disasters from time to time but also accelerating climate change,” he said. Unless these factors are addressed in time, the future of the mountains could land in serious danger, he warned.
