The Urban Groves: Where Birds,Trees,and People Meet

While out in the field one morning, I was  collecting data for my thesis on bird diversity on Fig trees. As I watched the birds flit from one branch to another, my attention was drawn to a person standing beneath one of the majestic old Fig tree. With closed eyes the person held the prop roots, it felt like he was communicating with the tree. At that moment, a quote from the Avatar movie echoed in my mind"Our great mother does not take sides Jake, she protects only the balance of life". Our mother Earth is dying, she's not dead yet, we have time to make amends".This made me realize that the earth's ability to stay in balance isn't tied to any one belief or culture, it's something universal, something all of us are part of.

              

Following that experience, I became more attentive to my surrounding and observed that many people were not just praying; they were actually connecting with nature. While walking in the morning, some would pause to do a simple Namaskar to the rising sun, while others touched the ground before proceeding onto the path, as if acknowledging the earth. 
These were not just a random gestures but they were quiet habits which are rooted in our traditions, reminding us that nature and daily life are deeply intertwined. Worshiping Peepal and banyan trees, cows, and rivers like the Ganga was not just symbolic; it was a way of keeping nature in balance and helping resources grow back. What surprised me most was that these acts were mostly practiced by elderly people who lived them and know how the nature around them is not  essential just for survival , but for their mutual well-being.

We often forget to appreciate the beauty around us but these moments reminded me that the connection still exists, if we choose to notice it. These understandings and respect for the Earth and living in harmony with it are not only spiritual knowing in any one culture but also are the ecological realities about the world and how we live here. People around the world always knew that caring for nature means to care for ourselves. Somehow, particularly in urban settlements, we are loosing the sight of vision towards looking in our surroundings. Our cities are expanding, but our connection towards nature seems to be dissolving. We crave clean air and greener views on weekends, but settle for concrete jungle with pollution for most of the time. Why should nature be a weekend thing? Why can't we have fresh air and bird song every day, and not something where we escape to? This disconnect need not continue. By planting trees, conserving green space and the little wild life that remains in cities, we can turn this land into peaceful place which can heal both the earth and ourselves, because there is no division between us and nature. 

As my surveys and observations progressed, a new depth was added to my scientific field notes. In the course of my fieldwork, I observed more than 30 species of birds dropping by Fig trees some of the birds were frugivores such as barbets and hornbills that feast on the fruits, insectivores such as sunbirds, tailor bird, bee-eaters that pick insects, and even omnivores such as crows and mynas. It was interesting to observe how a single species of tree could attract various species of birds. This showed me that Fig trees are not only a landscape feature but they are ecological keystones, quietly sustaining urban biodiversity.

                                                 

 Through this experience, I came to realize that figs are not just restricted to number of birds, it’s also about the deep, often invisible relationship between people and trees. It pushed me to look beyond ecological data and consider how cultural respect for Fig trees might also shape urban biodiversity patterns.Which made me think about how small , everyday acts show our connection to nature. As Science can explain how the world works,on the other hand traditional knowledge teaches us how to live with it. The gestures i observed; people greeting the trees and sun, reminded me that acknowledging our connection to earth is the first step towards caring for it. Our ancestors understood the symbiotic relationship between humanity and the environment, and it's time that everyone should rediscover that knowledge. As we are all connected and dependent on each other if one fail to survive other may eventually fall apart. The fate of our planet rests in our hands. God is within our mother nature, waiting for us to embrace her with open hearts and minds.

                                                                  

For further context, this YouTube video provides valuable visual insights related to the ecological and cultural connections discussed here.

India's tradition to worship nature is proving to be beneficial for conservation efforts

References and Further Reading:

Kimmerer, R. W. (2013). Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants. Milkweed Editions.

Krishnamurti, J. (1987). Krishnamurti to Himself: His Last Journal. HarperSanFrancisco