Every summer, the Eco Treks family from Goa organises a different Himalaya Base Camp trek, starting from Shuru near Manali in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.
Manali, situated at an elevation of 6,398 feet in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, is a Mecca for adventure sports enthusiasts and tourists, alike. From May to September, the temperature ranges from 15 degrees Celsius minimum to 28 degrees Celsius maximum.
Tourists flock to the town even in winter, lured by its snow-covered peaks and slopes.
MANALI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
About 2 km from the town is the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary, a haven for native trees, plants, animals and birds. It is spread over 3,180 ha.
The sanctuary starts behind the town and goes all the way up in the mountains. One can see the dense forests – of deodar, poplar and willow trees with juniper scrub forests in between – and also sight a few colourful birds and animals like the musk deer, monal, brown bear and snow leopard.
Herds of ibex migrate to the sanctuary during summer and can be seen while climbing in the glacier zone.
REGIONAL FLORA
One of the most iconic plants in Himachal Pradesh is the rhododendron, which thrives in the alpine and sub-alpine regions of the state.
The flowers of the rhododendron come in various colours. They are not only beautiful but also have medicinal properties, too. In traditional medicine, the flowers are used to treat fever, cough and chest congestion.
Pink rhododendron is rare and is only found close to the tree-line in the high ranges. Locally known as Gulabi Buransh, the pink rhododendron is the state flower of Himachal Pradesh.
The deodar tree, Cedrus deodara or Himalayan cedar, is a majestic evergreen tree native to the Himalayas, including the Pir Panjal range in Himachal Pradesh. The name ‘deodar’ is derived from Sanskrit – Devadara meaning ‘timber of the gods’.
The tree can live for more than a thousand years. The wood of deodar is highly valued for its durability and is used for making furniture, doors and windows.
The leaves and bark of the tree have anti-microbial properties and are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as skin infections and indigestion.
The juniper is a pioneer vegetation in the alpine regions of the world. It is a shrub or small tree known for its aromatic berries and leaves. In traditional medicine, the berries of juniper are used as a diuretic, digestive stimulant, and anti-microbial agent.
The leaves and twigs of juniper are used in making essential oils, which have a soothing and calming effect.
Juniper berries are also used for culinary purposes, imparting a unique flavour to dishes. This is also a favourite tree for making bonsai – even a beginner’s bonsai looks impressive with the fine needled junipers.
Roses love cool temperatures and so do geraniums. While we, in Goa, struggle to grow these plants and get them to bloom, one can see plenty of roses in roadside gardens in Manali and the nearby ancient town of Naggar.
It is a sight that the trekkers will always remember.
NOTE: While the above mentioned plants are native to the Himalayan region, plants such as deodar, willow trees and juniper are seen in Goa as ornamental plants and bonsai.
(The author is the former Chairman of the GCCI Agriculture Committee, CEO of Planter's Choice Pvt Ltd, Additional Director of OFAI and Garden Superintendent of Goa University, and has edited 18 books for Goa & Konkan)