Tag Archives: nature

Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum), a divine herb, is a tuber crop that is partly an herb with sub-erect lanceolate leaves (Long and wide in the middle) and a tuberous root system. It can grow up to a maximum height of 1.5 ft. while the tubers can grow up to a depth of 10″. The plant is an important ingredient of CHYAWANPRASH, and is commonly found in some patches of the forest areas in India as well as in Maharashtra. The plant has reached rare status in nature due to overexploitation; and owing to its increased demand as a safe herbal …

Ever since I shifted to my new residence, I’ve been witnessing many beautiful sights thanks to the huge Pipal Tree in my compound. For the first time in this concrete jungle called Mumbai, I’ve been woken up by birds chirping sweetly.  They sure are very happy to wake up every morning, unlike the rest of us grumpy heads, who complain forever about getting up early. Till date I have seen at least seven varieties of birds from my window, not to mention the common crows and pigeons who think that my house is their watering hole. The tiny coppersmith barbet …

Aquaponics is a sustainable system of food production that combines the natural technique of aquaculture with the technique of cultivating plants in water in a symbiotic environment. 312 Aquaponics, based in Chicago, Illinois, designs custom aquaponic solutions to meet the critical needs of individuals, institutions, and organizations large and small. Mario Spatafora from 312 Aquaponics talks to Ek Titli. 1) Tell us about 312 Aquaponics. 312 Aquaponics is a company I co-founded with three of my friends from college after we graduated in 2009-2010.  We run an indoor urban farm utilizing aquaponics to raise fish and plants in a recirculating system.  …

Everlasting Love! Isn’t that what we attempt to signify while presenting a diamond studded engagement/wedding ring to our beloved – a promise that lasts a lifetime? We found out that there is a better way of saying that you love your partner than an expensive piece of jewelry. Ek Titli caught up with Gustav Reyes, owner of Simply Wood Rings in Chicago, Il, USA who unfurls a new meaning to love – which is based on the concept of ‘now’. What is Simply Wood Rings all about? Simply Wood Rings is based on the concept that love is now, and time and …

To promote and impel the protection and conservation of the wildlife and natural resources in the region of Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas in Mexico is what Western Ecological Society is all about. Founded in the year 2004, The Western Ecological society is a non-profit organisation dedicated to conservation of nature. Their main project is the sea turtles protection and conservation program but they also work towards rescuing wildlife, Humpback Whale Research and environmental awareness. Biologist Oscar Aranda Mena, one of the founding members of the organization, says “Since the day I started working with sea turtles, I …

Conan Dumenil, Head of the Education Arm at the Gerry Martin Project, tells us about the initiative ‘The Gerry Martin Project’ and the philosophy behind it. What is the Gerry Martin project all about?  TGMP is a conservation entrepreneurship that works toward creating inclusive and sustainable conservation practices in India. We use education and experience to create and harness interest and support for various conservation endeavors across the country. In short, we are a link between scientists and conservationists in the field and enthusiasts in cities and towns who either don’t get the chance or the avenues to interact with the many …

Encourage youth to study mangroves Feb 2nd each year is World Wetlands Day. It marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Each year since 1997, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general, and the Ramsar Convention in particular. Mangrove The World Wetlands Day theme for 2012 is Wetlands and Tourism and it is …

This video, by North Carolina State University and their “Going Native” website is for home owners, land owners, and businesses, encouraging the use of native plants in the landscape. The website offers great details on how to attract native wildlife to your property by simply introducing specific, native plants in the landscape that the local wildlife are used to. Too often people and developers bring in non-native plants into the landscape. Local wildlife may not be familiar with or care for these new plants and therefore may move out of the area, looking for plants they have been dependant on …

“Gift a Plant”- Celebrate a ‘GREEN’ birthday or a ‘GREEN’ Valentine’s Day! Instead of giving dead flowers and monotonous cards, gift a life and make a ‘GREEN’ statement. Nurturing Green is a chain of retail stores in high streets/malls in NCR, established with the primary motive of bringing people closer to the environment. It promotes the concept of gifting real, live Green Plants instead of flowers and other monotonous gifts on various occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and many other occasions of joy and sorrow in our life. Managing Director and Founder, Annu Grover, says What could be a better substitute …

This is a great little environmental and recycle tip from a good friend of mine who has her own website: “Smell like Dirt”. There are a number of things we can do to recycle, reuse, conserve and support the environment and wildlife in our own regions. Saving and processing basic eggshells is one easy way to reduce waste and help nature at the same time. Carol Buie-Jackson offers a number of great tips and ideas on nature, birding, backyard wildlife habitats and more on her website. I work with Carol as a member of our local environmental group; HAWK (Habitat And …