Field excursions are an integral part of educational curriculum in subjects like botany. An excursion of students of M. Sc. final was planned to Lansdowne to assess the species diversity, disturbance factors, and economically important plants of the site. On the way we were thrilled and excited to see the noisy, serpentine river, thich forests and the valley filled with the fog. The Pine trees, psithurism and soothing, salubrious climate doubled our excitement to explore the area. We recorded a number of angiosperms, bryophytes and fern species covering the soil and rock surfaces. It was told that Oak played a key role in maintaining the watershed integrity. . Oak also called as king of trees is ecologically and economically very crucial in the area. We were enlighted to have much of information on the diversity and ecology. We visited a sacred groove where the forest area around the temple is a religiously protected, which has helped in maintaining the pristine natural beauty of that area as such untouched and unspoilt flora. It was amazing to note the virtual change in the vegetation at the altitudinal gradient and slowly the vegetation is changed into the alpine grassland at the top. Visiting forested sites and interacting with people, we gained lots of new lessons, but mainly it taught us to be a responsible traveler. This trip has gave us the opportunity to learn about the diverse plant species, ecosystem functioning, landscape ecology, conservation practices along with the local problems of policy makers and the management.

The Botanica 67: 72-76. 2017

On 12 October 2017, we departed from Delhi at 10 pm by a hired bus. Our excitement overflowed in shouts and cheers as the bus started. We kept on talking and singing and told lots of horror stories. The time went by as slowly the plains gave way to mountains, villages and forests and the chill started after crossing the Kotdwar. In the early morning we were thrilled and excited to see the bus running along the noisy, serpentine river and the whole valley filled with the fog. The hill buses carrying passengers, running on the mountains on the serpentine roads were giving us nostalgic

thfeelings. Finally on 13 October 2017 at 6 am, we reached at our destination, Astervue Resort, Gumkhal. The lush green

Field excursions are an integral part of educational curriculum in subjects like botany. They add new and interesting dimensions to classroom teaching and help students to interact, communicate and practically apply what they study. An excursion of students of M. Sc. final year of the Department of Botany, University of Delhi was planned to visit Lansdowne in Uttarakhand as a part of their curriculum. The purpose of the trip was to assess the species diversity, disturbance factors, and economically important plants of the site. The expedition was led by two faculty members, Prof. R. Geeta and Prof. P. L. Uniyal. Lansdowne is situated at an altitude of 1700 meters, and it is a perfect place for meditation and soul rejuvenation. The salubrious weather and pristine environment leaves an everlasting impact on tourists. It houses the Garhwal rifles division of Indian Army. The cantonment town is named in honor of Lord Lansdowne, who served as a Viceroy of India from 1888-1894.

Pine trees, psithurism and soothing, salubrious climate doubled our excitement to explore the area.

While admiring the undisturbed and unspoilt beauty of the pine forests, we were told that one upon a time the area was dominated by Oak forests with diverse under story herbs and mosses. These oak trees were the source of fodder and firewood for the villagers in winter when grasses are not available. It was told that Oak played a key role in maintaining the watershed integrity. Their deep and extensive root system limited erosion by stabilizing the slopes and helped recharge groundwater. Their wide canopy and broad leaves dissipate rainfall and prevent soil erosion and allow slow percolation of water underground to increase underground water level. Oak trees are so important in this region that even local

On Day 1 in the morning we started walking to explore nearby sites, we came across the diverse species of plants and animals. Pine trees were dominating the landscape and few dark green oak trees were scattered. Teachers dragged our attention to the small plants, including bryophytes and pteridophytes growing bravely on the surface and crevices of rocks. Learning become reality when actually see the features of the plants and the habitat in the field. It was amazing to see the sporophyte of Polytrichum covered with hairy calyptra. We recorded a number of bryophytes and fern species covering the soil and rock surfaces. The soothing climate and comparatively less human disturbance in the area accounts for the wide diversity of flora and fauna.

3Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007Email: nishichahar2030@gmail.com

Excursion to Lansdowne (Uttarakhand)

Alisha Guglani, Tammineni Ramya and P L Uniyal

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“Ni kata ni kato jhumrali ma banja Anjani dhuro thando paani

(Don't cut my oak trees, they give me water.

Don't cut my oak trees, they give me water.)

As we moved further we found Parmelia, flourishing on the bark of oak and Cedrus trees an indicator of clean environment. Trees had alternating patches of lichens and mosses growing in the shaded part of the trunk and branches. Species of Polygonum had very beautiful pinkish flowers. This beautiful ornamental shrub fascinated many students who made earrings and head gears out of these flowers just like the local children, which was very adorable. We saw the tree of Ficus glomerata (goolar) which was full of fruits. The fruit has edible value not only for a man but also for the number of animals. It cites an example of key stone species. We were surprised to see Parthenium, which grows rampantly in Delhi, also growing at this altitude especially on the road sides. It means that a disturbance factor promote the spread of this species, otherwise, it can not invade the native species zone. We were enlightened to have much of information on the diversity and ecology. We started trekking to uphill. Most of us were tired and stopped but few of our classmates went all the way to the hill top. We were enjoying the pin drop silences and whispering noise of the wind passing through the trees.

Thandi thandi hava mi laali thando nilo lo paani

We get cool air from them, we get cool water

Our second day we visited to record the diversity at Tarkeshwar Sacred Grove, which was 55 km away at a height of 1800m. It was surrounded by thick forests of pine and cedar trees. To reach the temple itself, there is a few

people realized it and has immortalized its importance in their folk songs. As one song goes,

The mighty Oak also called as king of trees is ecologically and economically very crucial in the area. Because of its use as fodder and firewood it turned to be too useful as a result local people started lopping them. As we looked around from the hill top, it is mostly invaded by pine trees causing some ecological problems, affecting the normal lives of the villagers. The rain water which use to be dissipated by thick canopy of Oak trees, now rush down into streams and rivers down the hill slopes not allowing water to percolate down the soil. This created dry areas with no perennial streams. The resin rich litter of Pine forest inhibits the growth of other plants in the under story leading to loss of the rich biodiversity. And the area has now become prone to fire. This Oak story made us think and look below the surface beauty.

Ni kata ni kato jhumrali ma banja Anjani dhuro thando paani”

One marked difference we noted was that this area was not dominated by pine trees but was full of cedar trees and the under story was rich with mosses, ferns, shrubs and herbs. As we moved further towards the temple we noticed that all under story plants, pavement, rooftops were covered with some yellow powder which was actually the pollen from the Cedar trees. A bunch of these trees were standing tall encircling the Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple and it was a really mesmerizing sight. There was one particular tree of cedars that was being worshiped. We got to know that in the past due to a storm, the main stem broke off and over the years lateral branches started growing which gave it a look of lord Shiva's trident, inspiring the faith of many devotees. We got to know about the history of the temple and the story of demon Tarkasur. We went on to explore nearby hills and to our bewilderment we found a patch of pine trees with lots of cones underneath them that we could collect. They were our prized possessions from this day. We recorded many plants in the area. We saw a small pine seedling growing there which may spread in the area in case of any disturbance. The day ended with lots of cones in our hands and a musical night with bonfire under the sky full of twinkling stars.

meters dense forest track. The walk was an adventure with all of us discovering number of ferns and mosses growing. This area was dominated by old and tall Deodar trees. The penetration of sunlight was very less in this area. The shady and moist conditions created congenial environment for the growth of varieties of ferns, mosses and herbs. We even spotted trees of Rhododendron. We came across Plagiomnium which interestingly growing in conditions of high litter. It was a very enriching experience as we went around identifying many plants and listened to the stories associated with the temple.

We came to know that the forest area around the temple is a religiously protected area and nobody was allowed to collect the litter or cut trees or disturbing the under story. It was a bitter sweet thing as we were not allowed to collect the beautiful pine cones that were forming the part of litter. But this sacredness for the area was what has helped in maintaining the pristine natural beauty of that area as such untouched and unspoilt in spite of so many devotees visiting the temple. It really matters that the area is being highly protected from deforestation, automatically our affection flowed down and we hugged trees in support of their protection. We get photographs clicked symbolizing Chipko Movement.

On the third day we all woke up early to the realization that it is going to be our last day of trip. With double amount of energy we trekked to Bhairogarhi situated on top of a mountain at 2100 m. We were accompanied by a guide who regaled us with lots of stories and information about the area.

The some of the areas were under cultivation in a step design. We saw the variety of rajma and local pulses. We got to know that the area is now facing water scarcity. It was amazing to note the change in the vegetation at the altitudial gradient and slowly the vegetation is changed into the alpine grassland at the top. We saw many new plants and most of them were highly aromatic. There were very beautiful and healthy plants in the premises of homes of local residents. Over sized flowers of Brugmansia sp. and a new variety of Canna flowers wer found growing there which we have never seen before. Prof Uniyal explained the aspect of landscap ecology showing the different landscape patches in the form of agricultural fields, streams, grassland, villages etc. He explicated that how the road construction has made the fragementation of the habitat of the plants and animals. He added that there should be a big native forest patch in the site to maintain the functioning.

Finally when we reached the temple we were greeted with a sight of snow clad mountain ranges peeking from behind the clouds. It was a truly mesmerizing scene, which was captered in cameras and as selfies. After spending sometime near the temple we trekked down through the grassland. Our next stop was the Lansdowne cantonment area. It was a well built, neat and clean area that has been developed by military. We visited war memorial museum and Church. It was told that Bhulla Tal in the city has a very significant role in recharging the ground water level of the area. Many chestnut trees were adding in the beauty of the place. Tip in Top was the highest point from where one can the see the higher ranges of snow clade mountains. We also enjoyed the spectacular view of sun set. We returned to our hotel with lots of new memories and information about this

amazing hill station of Uttarakhand. Our phones and diaries carried the proof of many memories.

Lansdowne is one of the quietest hill stations situated at an altitude of 1700mts, surrounded with thick oak and pine forests. Visiting forested sites and interacting with people, we gained lots of new lessons, but mainly it taught us to be a responsible traveler. Being a student of botany it is more of our responsibility to understand the environmental problems that the area is facing and working towards finding solutions for these problems. It was an area faced with challenges of landscape fragmentation, water scarcity, change in the vegetation, migration of people to cities and as visits of tourists for luxury. This unspoiled beauty might get spoilt in coming future due to such burdens. These problems are common to most of the hill stations and natural tourist spots, being students of botany to work towards finding solutions to some of these problems is one of the goals for us to work.

We thank to our mentors, knowledge about the place, wildlife, environmental factors and interaction of local community who not only made our trip enjoyable, but from academic point of view provided a first hand. They were more like our friends than a teacher. The memory of the trip will always stay green in our mind. The bird chirruping, fragrance of soil and pine and the flowing cool air kept us rejuvenating. This trip has gave us the opportunity to learn about the diverse plant species, ecosystem functioning, landscape ecology, conservation practices along with the local problems of policy makers and the management.

LIST OF SOME IMPORTANT PLANTS OBSERVED IN LANDSDOWNE

Trees Shrubs and herbs Fern and mosses

Quercus leucotrichophora

Pinus roxburghii

Ficus glomerata

Cedrus deodara

Grewia optiva

Rhododendron arboreum

Asculus sp

Barleria cristata

Polygonatum

Parthenium hysterophorus

Strobilanthes kunthiana

Eupatorium adenophorum

Xanthium

Solanum

Urtica parviflora

Berberis

Bergenia

Flemingia strobilifera

Polytrichum

Plagiomnium

Pteris vittata

Chilanthus

Asplenium

Polystichum

Athyrium

Targionia

Hymenopillis

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Captions to Figures

2. Pogonatum himalayanum

3. Funaria hygrometrica

4. Equisetum arvense

5. Oak fruits and leaves

1. Students observing the habitat and the species diversity

6. Polygonum species, used as ornament

7. Tarkeshwar temple in the dense stand of Cedar

9. Students in support of tree protection

11. Ferns on the tree branch

12. Gentiana sp

8. Plant and flowers of Brugmansia sp

14. Students near the Tarkeshwar temple

13. A big rock supporting grasses and Pinus trees

10. Selaginella species

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