Vidisha Barwal

The local forest

In the month of May, the temperatures in the lower Himalayan region begin to show diurnal variation. Mornings and evenings are thermally comfortable while the afternoons are warm. Frequent showers of rain re-invoke freshness in the atmosphere and spring season rightfully transitions into summer. Summer proffers a promise of growth. There are new flowers, followed by fruits while more birds forage in the local forest along with other non-humans. People in the region analogically believe that this season also lends physical growth to humans. Also, their connections and knowledge about plant species around them invokes different forms of engagement such as collection of flower buds and leaves, culinary uses, and making leaf-plates.