The Forest-2

Myra and Rohan were childhood friends and studied in the same school and class. Soon Rohan's parents moved out of the city. So Rohan too left. Myra completed her post-graduation in Botany, and Rohan went into civil services, and became a forest officer. 

 Myra loved nature. She loved to keep a tab on plants in the forest. Studied details of many and kept a record of each. What worried her was the excessive felling of timber trees , like Saal, Shisham, and Teak by the mafia and denuding the green cover. The forest area was receding, the trees disappearing. 

Myra was concerned.! TV and other media kept her informed of the problems.

Myra began to introspect !

"How am I going to use my education. Of what use my degrees are? "

But how could she, single-handedly, solve this? 

She knew this :

 1 Trees were our lung purifier 

 2 Village women collected firewood for their homes. 

 3 Timber for construction 

4. Valuable Medicinal plants 

 5 Exotic fruits and flowers 

6 Protection and enriching 

Soil 

 7 Preventing Soil erosion 

8. Forest - Home to fauna. 

And many such Uses. 

 Myra knew very well, alone she cannot fight .She would be targeted by the Mafia. She had to decide fast. Not at a snail's pace.

'Slow and steady wins the race. ' didn't' go down well with her. She said 'proverbs never lie in success'

 She decided to join an organization '.Save Our Forests'. Soon she was heading the organization.

 But her life was in danger. She started getting threats from the Mafia.

That did not deter her from her aim to protect and restore the forest cover. Plantation of trees was one instant ptoject. 

 'A determined mind and a strong will, bear endless possibilities' she believed. 

She decided to work tirelessly.  

Myra started visiting schools and colleges. Many women organizations, came forward to help her. That boosted Myra' morale. Built her confidence.

  Her tree plantation drive was successful.

 Next challenge was to get some documents signed by a government official. A Forest Officer. 

This is how she met Rohan.

Myra narrated every detail to Rohan, over a cup of coffee. She expressed her concern over all the shady activities going around and the threats she received. 

Rohan was a good listener.He promised to look into the matter. 

Soon they we're talking about the good old school days. How they went on school excursions. In hills admiring Flame of the forest flowers and pine trees. 

Myra and Rohan would go around collecting pine cones.Bring these home and paint, and decorate every corner.

Rohan would help Myra solve maths problems and Myra would do all his biology sketches.

" Rohan remember Rhododendron flowers and their juices" reminiscent of Myra 

 "Oh!Yeah! Beautiful !!

You know Myra the benefits of Rhododendron flower juice. They have medicinal value too. "

"Yes# Good for diabetes, heart ailments and nourishes skin"replied Myra. 

 "No wonder you have beautiful and radiant skin" Rohan complemented. Myra blushed. 

"Do you still have those pine cones?" asked Myra. 

"Yeah , my childhood treasure" replied Rohan. 

Myra's gaze fell on a window. The curtains were partially drawn.She saw the Sun setting. 

"Rohan, I should leave now.It is getting late. Mama will be worried "

"Come .I'll drop you! You are not going alone." Rohan expressed.

"Ok. Thanks.! As you please. !"

They both got up to leave. 

"Tomorrow, I too would like to go into the woods. "Rohan said 

Myra nodded. "Yes"

They both stepped out together.

  ...... to be continued.

Answer the following questions:

1 Give benefits of Rhododendrons

2 Give two uses of Saal, and teak wood.