Asish M

An ‘ecosystem gardening’ training we received during the monsoon from June 27th to 30th at Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary was inspiring. We learned some new gardening techniques and got new perspectives on gardening and restoration. Suppi chechi is a great teacher; often, our philosophical discussions lasted till late at night. For all of us, one thing that makes us happy is how dedicated and passionate each worker there is. Their hospitality made us feel at home there. The place itself has healing energy. Our schedule was intense, starting from 6.30 in the morning and going till 10.30 at night, and the environment was unkind at that time with continuous rain (from morning to night!) and leeches. But we never felt tired. 

I cannot forget the visit and this is how we passed our days-

Day-1

We reached there around 6.30 PM in the evening- Suppi chechi briefed us about GBS and ground rules while staying there.

Day-2

6.30- 10 AM: Walk with Jaymon chettan around GBS – to the nearest road and come back through GBS’s forest (and we were blessed with leech bites 🙂 . He explained to us how the hill was once covered with lemongrass and tea plants, and now a natural forest is growing there. He showed us old tea trees in the forest, explaining it is okay to leave the tea plantations as such and plant native trees in between, and later, the natural forest will come back in there naturally rather than removing all the tea plants first. 

10.30 AM- 1.30PM: GBS garden tour by Seena chechi. She showed us and explained some of the rare and unique plants and planting methods there and their orchidarium.

2.30- 4.30PM: We split and went with different groups in GBS to work with them- Planting work, De-weeding work, Roof maintenance work of nursery, Preparation of coconut husk for pots, preparing leaf litter compost.

8- 10PM: We discussed our questions with Suppi chechi. Our discussion went from what we did with each group in GBS to restoration and invasives.

Day-3

6.30 – 10AM: walk with Sajiyettan to his village- Ayanikkal colony. He showed us the forest he made near his house! We all were amazed to see that. He explained each tree there, how he started working with GBS, and the green phoenix.

10.30AM-1.30 PM: Suppi chechi cleared our questions after the walk. We went to the garden, to walk/ sit in silence, observe and answer questions- are there any similar plants from our place, and how is one plant creating an ecosystem/habitat for other life forms? 

We returned with answers and discussed questions with Suppi chechi, and she explained about ‘variation’ and its importance- geographical, environmental, and species. 

2.30-4.30PM: We split and went with different groups in GBS to work with them

8- 10PM: We discussed our questions with Suppi chechi. We played the question and discussion -card game – ‘Beneath and Beyond’- which led to some philosophical discussions.

Day-4

7-9 AM: Walk with Suppi chechi in GBS- We saw different gardening techniques GBS follows. 

10.30AM- 1.30 PM: Walk to the forest with Sajiyettan, Pradeepettan, and Balan chettan. They explained to us about the many trees and plants there.

2.30-4 PM: Suppi chechi explained to us – different forest types, plant types, In-situ and Ex-situ conservation, restoration, forest farming, etc. Why we should move from Annual to perennial plants, monocropping to poly cropping, inorganic to organic and exotic to natve.

4.30 PM: We returned after a tea party with the GBS team.

I visited GBS at a time in my life when I was rethinking my life decision to be in the conservation field- seeing how popularity,extrovertedness, and connections are more critical to sustaining in this field. But GBS showed me dedicated long-term work with passion and purpose is satisfying and meaningful. I am sure that for all of us who visited GBS this time, it was a great time and all the people there inspired us differently- from their kitchen staff to the green phoenix team.