Bedu Pako Bara Masa

O Naraini kafal paako chaita, meri chhaila

A popular folk melody that dwells deep in the valleys of Uttarakhand, brings forth a lady’s wish to visit her mother’s place. She explains that the less valued wild fig is available throughout the year, but the short-lived, once-in-a-year ripening kaphal has marked the onset of spring.

The hymn went technically wrong this year when the wild berries like kaphal and many others stirred in the sweet slumber of winters early in January. Another local favorite, rhododendron (known as buransh), which is supposed to bloom for the spring harvest festival Phool Dei, swept the Himalayan valleys in red and pink hues far too early—during January, otherwise a frozen, lifeless month.

The Fragile Himalayas

The Himalayas—youngest of all mountain ranges—store the world’s largest ice caps outside the poles. This makes them highly susceptible to climate change. The IPCC Fourth Assessment Report warns that the Himalayan ecosystem is at major risk due to rising global temperatures. Major concerns include global warming, biodiversity loss, and invasive species.

Climate Change & Flora: A Misaligned Rhythm

Various studies confirm that climate change affects plant behavior—flowering, fruiting, germination—since vegetation is deeply connected with seasonal patterns.

• Seedlings are vulnerable to droughts.
• Saplings need consistent sunlight.
• Mature trees depend on adequate soil water during the growing season.

Temperature shifts can misalign natural events. Monsoons may arrive late, but seed falls early—leading to seedling death. Narrowing temperature bands also mean species distribution will shift. Evergreen species may overtake deciduous forests, which are more drought-prone. Some species are migrating upward in altitude, but mountain peaks offer limited space, increasing extinction risks.

Impact on Human Habitat

In the Himalayas, life is woven with nature. Most people depend on agriculture, forests, or tourism. Shrinking winters and scant snowfall have impacted tourism-driven income. The premature spring has harmed vegetation—a backbone of the regional economy.

Rhododendrons bloomed early and weak, failing to meet demand for flower concentrate. Poor storage and short shelf life of berries like kaphal have worsened the situation for roadside sellers. These are not overnight changes—they stem from trends documented since pre-colonial times and studied by scientists worldwide.

The Way Forward

Forest Lab appeals to readers to choose lifestyles that detoxify our planet and bring back balance through sustainability. Concern for the environment must become a personal ethic—not a fringe thought.

• Practice individual waste management
• Support afforestation and greening efforts
• Educate communities
• Promote planet-conscious awareness

From where we stand in environmental conservation, the road ahead is long—but it begins with one informed, conscious step.