Unlocking the Nature during Lockdown

Introduction:

Is Covid-19 natural or created by a human in lab?
Who knows?

But, It affected the whole world that is the fact. Some of the animal species also got infected by Covid-19 in few countries. Our life has been totally changed after arrival of it. I visited Amman, Jordan just before the lockdown was placed on 24th March 2020. I arrived on 3rd March 2020. It was just the beginning when few cases were reported positive and most of them had travel history of abroad. I was also afraid that I might caught corona infection during my abroad visit. But, I did not notice any symptom till the month of April and then felt relaxed. On 15th May 2020, two members from Vadodara Crime Branch visited my residence and inquired about my health.

The total lockdown period was almost 2 months in Gujarat. In this period, I spent most of the time with my family (wife and two children). We used our terrace a lot which we never used before. Meanwhile we started roaming around our locked university campus and unlocked the nature with fantastic experiences. I would like to share some of the unique experiences we had which provided us a moral support and strength to fight against Covid-19 during lockdown period.

1. Feeding hungry families of street dogs

Haryaksh is feeding families of street dogs near D.N. Ground, The M.S. University Main Campus

We called them Jagga, Kaalu, Raamu, Kittu etc. to start our friendship. My younger son Haryaksh was very familiar to them. The puppies were literally jumping on him to hug. There were three groups residing around D.N. Ground. They did not allow each other to enter their territories. After few days, we found that one dog killed a kite bird because that dog was hungry for last two-three days. We felt very sad and then after we did not miss a single day to feed them all. At that time we also saw the news that Corona was found in some of the animal species also but we ignored it and continued to meet them daily. Slowly slowly other people also joined us and started feeding the dogs.

2. Watching Peacocks at Faculty of Science

Peacocks at Faculty of Science, The M.S. University of Baroda

The family of peacocks was living near Botany department. We used to visit them regularly after feeding the dogs in the morning. The campus was lonely due to lockdown. We hardly found anyone except security guards. So, peacocks also surprised that what happened to students and teachers, why they are not coming to college? We found them playing on the roads and buildings in the campus. In the beginning they were faraway when we reached there but after regular visits, they became familiar with us. Ojas and Haryaksh collected beautiful feathers left by them.

3. Visiting Corona Tree – ‘Kadam’

A ‘Kadam’ tree near Prof. C.C. Mehta Auditorium, The M.S. University Main Campus

While roaming on the campus, we found a tree which gives flowers like ‘Corona Virus’. We inquired about it and found its name. It was a ‘Kadam’ tree. The flowers were having similar structure like positive RNA of Corona Virus. We used to collect them and offered to god with a request to protect us from Covid-19 infection.

4. The Lapwing laid eggs on D.N. Ground

a. (above)Eggs of a lapwing and creative nest with eggs by Haryaksh and Ojas

b. (above) Saving a chick of spotted dove

The D.N. Ground is known for cricket. Generally we don’t get access in that without permission but during lockdown it was empty and no players were coming to play cricket. So, we started spending our evening time for a walk and playing various games. We always kept mask with us but never used because no body was allowed in the ground except us because we were staying nearby. The lapwing laid eggs in the ground because she found the place safe for eggs. We observed the eggs for at least twenty days and then chicks came out of eggs. My children also started creative activity of making nest with eggs using grass and flowers of ‘Kadam’ tree. The ground helped us to keep ourselves fit and healthy. ‘Stay home Stay Safe’ message was not applicable on us because we need to do physical activities to maintain fitness.

Conclusion

My children learnt so many things from nature. They met with new friends and families who will not available when they will go to school again. They listen to birds’ calls and animal sounds. Now, they can easily recognize them even if they are not visible. They understood the values of feeding animals and birds. I also enjoyed a lot to teach my children many things from nature during lockdown and fight against Covid-19 by helping animals and birds.

*****

Praful N. Gohel, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara-390002, Email: rafullgohel@gmail.com, Mobile: 9824414289