Articles by Deepa Mohan

We often nail signs to our trees, loop cables over them, and of course, think nothing of choping them off for the flimisiest of reasons, for example if one obstructs a hoarding. But even when the trees are allowed to live, all may not be well. I saw this tree with its leaves all lit up by LED lights. "An unnatural green!" I thought to myself, and decided to click.   At this point, my friend Sarrah Reshamwalla raised a valid point. "Trees carry on photosynthesis in their leaves when exposed to light," she pointed out. "Does this mean that…

We often nail signs to our trees, loop cables over them, and of course, think nothing of choping them off for the flimisiest of reasons, for example if one obstructs a hoarding. But even when the trees are allowed to live, all may not be well. I saw this tree with its leaves all lit up by LED lights. "An unnatural green!" I thought to myself, and decided to click.   At this point, my friend Sarrah Reshamwalla raised a valid point. "Trees carry on photosynthesis in their leaves when exposed to light," she pointed out. "Does this mean that…

On Christmas Day, I went to the 4th Sunday outing of BngBirds, which I had organized this month at Hoskote Lake. It was foggy, and I got some mist-erious shots: Amongst other things, I noticed this godman getting ready for his day, donning the accoutrements of his trade (sorry, religion seems to be as much a profession these days as any other more-usual one!)   He had an assistant, who did not seem to need as much adornment as he did.   I asked them if I could take photographs, and he and his assistant nodded and carried on with…

On Christmas Day, I went to the 4th Sunday outing of BngBirds, which I had organized this month at Hoskote Lake. It was foggy, and I got some mist-erious shots: Amongst other things, I noticed this godman getting ready for his day, donning the accoutrements of his trade (sorry, religion seems to be as much a profession these days as any other more-usual one!)   He had an assistant, who did not seem to need as much adornment as he did.   I asked them if I could take photographs, and he and his assistant nodded and carried on with…

I bought some gulab jamuns at Shanti Sagar in Jayangar 4th T Block today, and I got a bag that says this: Truegreen 'biodegradable' plastic. Pic: Deepa Mohan Are such bags truly not made of plastic, and completely biodegradable? I googled for the website, here. The company name is Greendiamz Biotech Ltd., and they list, amongst their products..."Garbage Bags Roll, Flower Pot, Dog Poop Bag". However, I am not able to learn what the raw material is, and how it is biodegradable. Their "manufacturing process" page is...blank! So I am still left wondering if this, or is not, a plastic…

I bought some gulab jamuns at Shanti Sagar in Jayangar 4th T Block today, and I got a bag that says this: Truegreen 'biodegradable' plastic. Pic: Deepa Mohan Are such bags truly not made of plastic, and completely biodegradable? I googled for the website, here. The company name is Greendiamz Biotech Ltd., and they list, amongst their products..."Garbage Bags Roll, Flower Pot, Dog Poop Bag". However, I am not able to learn what the raw material is, and how it is biodegradable. Their "manufacturing process" page is...blank! So I am still left wondering if this, or is not, a plastic…

There are some eateries in Bangalore which have become quite renowned. Veena Stores is one such eatery...and I'd never visited in all the years that I have lived in this city I call home. So today, after our birding outing in Institute of Wood Science and Technology and Sankey Tank, even though Mrs Maneesha Sharma, whose husband is a scientist and who lives on the campus, had given us a delicious breakfast, we decided to go to Veena Stores. I was very glad to find that the eatery has not fallen for its own hype as has happened to many…

There are some eateries in Bangalore which have become quite renowned. Veena Stores is one such eatery...and I'd never visited in all the years that I have lived in this city I call home. So today, after our birding outing in Institute of Wood Science and Technology and Sankey Tank, even though Mrs Maneesha Sharma, whose husband is a scientist and who lives on the campus, had given us a delicious breakfast, we decided to go to Veena Stores. I was very glad to find that the eatery has not fallen for its own hype as has happened to many…

Last week, my group of nature-lovers and I visited both Lalbagh and Madivala kere. At both places, which are also public parks, entrance is clearly marked as free; up to 8.30am at Lalbagh, and 9.30am at Madivala lake. Visitors who enter before this time need not pay for their entry or for their cameras. However, ever since the collection of entry/camera fees has been given to private contractors, visitors are facing harassment. Rude, rough-speaking agents of the contractors ride up or walk up to unsuspecting visitors, and demand money for their cameras. Some people unsuspectingly pay up and this has…

Last week, my group of nature-lovers and I visited both Lalbagh and Madivala kere. At both places, which are also public parks, entrance is clearly marked as free; up to 8.30am at Lalbagh, and 9.30am at Madivala lake. Visitors who enter before this time need not pay for their entry or for their cameras. However, ever since the collection of entry/camera fees has been given to private contractors, visitors are facing harassment. Rude, rough-speaking agents of the contractors ride up or walk up to unsuspecting visitors, and demand money for their cameras. Some people unsuspectingly pay up and this has…