Plants from Port Blair

Fern 

I have always loved nature in all its manifestation, be it the mountains, water bodies or the forests. But among them, ever since I started my botanical collection, forests have held a unique appeal to my sense of curiosity.

In the winter of 2009, my son one day declared that we were bound for the Andaman Islands, Port Blair in particular. I had always dreamt of going to this remote group of islands, India’s eastern most outposts and a major naval base. My son being a naval officer, we would be staying in Navy premises, stone’s throw away from the shore. While I packed bags I also read about the islands and about their endemic flora and fauna. I was determined to collect as many plants I could lay my hand upon. I told my son that while in Port Blair, I would be left alone to my own designs, to do what I wanted and not go along with him all the time.

From the airport as we drove towards the naval officer’s guesthouse through the winding undulating roads lined with plants and thick forests, my eyes grew in anticipation. While my son disappeared doing whatever he does best, I walked on my own exploring the neighborhood and then one day I discovered the Botanical Survey of India office within walking distance of where we were staying. I met the director and learned a lot about botanical collection, plant preservation; I also saw their amazing library and many rare plants and herbs. Over the next few days I combed through many more forests and collected around score of leaves. Presenting here some of them, including that of Panchmukhi (five mouthed) Rudraksha… 

Panchmukhi Rudraksha