Chapter 4: Growing up with Nature - Study Notes

Introduction: Nature and Culture Connection

Nature and culture are deeply connected in our daily lives - from the food we eat to the
traditions we follow. People have learned to live with nature for thousands of years,
using natural materials for homes, medicine, food, and celebrations.

Trees and Their Special Names

The Palash Tree - "Flame of Forest"

• Scientific Fact: When Palash trees bloom, they have bright orange-red flowers

• Why called "Flame of Forest": The entire forest looks reddish-orange from a
distance

• Regional Names: Called "Kesuda" in Gujarat

• Blooming Season: Spring season

Activity: Local Flowers Chart

Flower Name Local/Regional Name Color Season

Palash Kesuda (Gujarat) Orange-red Spring

Rose Gulab Various colors Winter/Spring

Marigold Genda Yellow/Orange All year

Jasmine Mogra/Chameli White Summer

Hibiscus Japa/Gudhal Red/Pink All year

Traditional Houses and Natural Materials

Materials Used in Village Houses

Material Source Use in House Benefits

Clay Earth/Soil Walls, floors Cool in summer, warm in winter

Hay Dried grass Roofing, walls Good insulation

Cow Dung Cattle Wall coating, floor Natural disinfectant, pest control

Bamboo Bamboo plants Structure, baskets Strong, flexible, lightweight

Material Source Use in House Benefits

Wooden Sticks Trees Support beams Durable, natural

Benefits of Natural Houses:

1. Eco-friendly - No pollution during construction

2. Cost-effective - Materials available locally

3. Climate suitable - Cool in summer, warm in winter

4. Healthy - No harmful chemicals

5. Sustainable - Materials can be renewed

Traditional Wall Decorations:

• Made with rice flour and water mixture

• Natural white color from rice flour

• Created beautiful patterns and designs

• Eco-friendly and non-toxic

Natural Dyes and Colors

Traditional Art Forms

Gond Art:

• Form of wall painting using natural colors

• Artists paint trees, animals, birds, and humans

• Uses colors from nature

• Traditional art of Central India

Making Natural Dyes

Step Process Materials Needed

Step Collect plant Flowers, leaves, barks, roots, beetroot, hibiscus,

1 materials marigold

Step
Boil in water 1-2 liters water, 30-60 minutes, covered pot
2

Step
Strain liquid Remove plant materials, keep colored liquid
3
Step Process Materials Needed

Step
Use dye Soak cloth overnight, squeeze, dry next morning
4

Natural Color Sources:

Plant Material Color Produced Common Use

Turmeric Yellow Fabric dyeing, painting

Beetroot Red/Pink Natural coloring

Hibiscus Red Flower dye

Marigold Orange/Yellow Festival colors

Indigo leaves Blue Traditional clothing

Henna Brown/Orange Body art, hair coloring

Traditional Food Storage Methods

Natural Preservation Techniques

Container Material Method Benefits

Lined with neem leaves Keeps grains cool, neem

Earthen Pots Clay
inside repels insects

Bamboo Coated with cow dung Cow dung acts as natural

Bamboo
Baskets outside pesticide

Dried bottle Round/oval shaped Used in Uttarakhand for grain

Tumri
gourd container storage

Why These Methods Work:

• Neem leaves: Natural insect repellent

• Cow dung: Anti-bacterial properties

• Clay pots: Allow air circulation, keep contents cool

• Bamboo: Natural anti-bacterial properties

Regional Storage Examples:

State/Region Container Name Material Special Feature

Uttarakhand Tumri Dried bottle gourd Round/oval shape

Maharashtra Bharani Clay Large storage pot

Punjab Sandook Wood Wooden chest

Kerala Pathayam Palm leaves Woven baskets

Medicinal Plants and Natural Remedies

Traditional Medicine vs Modern Medicine

Aspect Traditional/Natural Modern/Chemical

Source Plants, herbs Laboratory made

Side effects Usually minimal Can have side effects

Cost Low cost Often expensive

Availability Locally available Need to buy from stores

Common Medicinal Plants

Plant Name Part Used Uses How to Use

Make tea with

Tulsi (Indian Basil) Leaves Cough, cold, fever
leaves

Ajwain (Carom Eat with warm

Seeds Stomach problems
Seeds) water

Skin problems, mosquito Apply oil or leaf

Neem Leaves, oil
repellent paste

Gel from
Aloe Vera Burns, skin care Apply gel directly
leaves

Make tea or eat

Ginger Root Cold, nausea
raw

Natural First-Aid Kit Items:

• Turmeric powder - For cuts and wounds

• Neem oil - Mosquito repellent

 • Tulsi leaves - For cough and cold

• Aloe vera gel - For burns and cuts

• Clove oil - For toothache

Traditional First-Aid vs Modern First-Aid

Item Traditional Modern

Mosquito repellent Neem oil Chemical creams

Wound healing Turmeric paste Antiseptic cream

Pain relief Clove oil Pain killer tablets

Cough treatment Tulsi tea Cough syrup

Tribal Communities and Their Relationship with Nature

The Jenu Kurubas Tribe (Karnataka)

Special Facts:

• Name meaning: "Jenu" means honey in their language

• Occupation: Honey collectors from forest beehives

• Unique practice: Sing songs to apologize to bees before collecting honey

• Philosophy: Shows deep respect for nature and all living beings

Why This is Important:

• Teaches us to respect nature

• Shows sustainable harvesting methods

• Cultural preservation of traditional practices

• Harmony with wildlife

Festivals and Nature Connection

Solar-Powered Villages

Modern villages are becoming solar-powered using:

• Solar panels to generate electricity

• Clean energy from sunlight

• Environment-friendly power source

 • Sustainable development

Festivals Connected to Nature

Associated
Festival Activity Purpose
Plant/Animal

Vat Purnima Banyan tree Worshipping tree Pray for long life

Environmental
Hari Jiroti Fruit-bearing trees Tree plantation
protection

Kaziranga Elephant Wildlife

Elephants Awareness programs
Festival conservation

Marriage ceremony Sacred plant

Tulsi Vivah Tulsi plant
of plant worship

Nag Panchami Snakes Snake worship Respect for reptiles

Traditional Celebrations Include:

• Prayers to nature before festivities

• Traditional music: Dhol and nagada

• Folk dances celebrating nature

• Natural decorations using flowers and leaves

• Community gatherings in natural settings

Sacred Groves - Nature's Temples

What are Sacred Groves?

• Small forest patches protected by local communities

• Trees and wildlife are preserved

• Community gathering places for worship

• Celebration of nature's beauty

Importance of Sacred Groves:

1. Biodiversity conservation - Protect rare plants and animals

2. Cultural significance - Connect people to traditions

3. Environmental benefits - Maintain local climate

 4. Community unity - Bring people together

5. Spiritual connection - Sacred relationship with nature

Ways to Care for Nature

Individual Actions

Action How to Do Benefits

Reduce paper
Use both sides, digital notes Save trees
waste

Say no to plastic Use cloth bags, steel bottles Reduce pollution

Clean air, wildlife

Plant trees Plant saplings in available spaces
habitat

Keep food for birds Put grains and water outside Help urban wildlife

Pick litter, organize community

Clean-up drives Clean environment
cleaning

Community Actions

Level Actions Examples

Kitchen garden, organic waste

At Home Plant herbs, compost waste
management

Tree plantation, awareness

At School School garden, eco-club activities
programs

In Parks Clean surroundings, bird feeding Community service, nature care

In Neighborhood improvement, green

Organize clean-up, plant trees
Locality spaces

Natural Resources and Their Uses

Daily Use Items from Nature

Activity Natural Resource Used Examples

Eating Fruits, vegetables, grains Fruits from trees, rice from plants

Clothing Cotton, silk, wool Cotton from plants, wool from sheep
Activity Natural Resource Used Examples

Healthcare Medicinal plants Neem for skin, tulsi for cough

Shelter Wood, bamboo, clay House construction materials

Energy Solar, wind, water Renewable energy sources

Problems of Overusing Natural Resources

Resource Overuse Problem Solution

Deforestation, loss of wildlife

Wood Plant more trees, use alternatives
homes

Water Rivers dry up, water scarcity Rainwater harvesting, conservation

Soil Becomes infertile, erosion Organic farming, prevent soil loss

Sea Sustainable fishing, marine

Fish population decreases
products protection

Creating a Herbal Garden

Planning Your Herbal Garden

Section Plants to Grow Uses

Medicine Section Tulsi, Aloe vera, Neem Health remedies

Kitchen Section Mint, Coriander, Curry leaves Cooking and flavoring

Aromatic Section Lavender, Rosemary, Lemongrass Natural fragrance

Seasonal Section Marigold, Sunflower Seasonal flowers and colors

Benefits of Herbal Garden:

1. Fresh herbs available at home

2. Chemical-free natural products

3. Cost-effective - no need to buy

4. Educational - learn about plants

5. Environmental - increase green cover

Key Conservation Messages

What We Learn from Traditional Practices:

 1. Respect for nature - Every living thing has value

2. Sustainable living - Use only what we need

3. Local resources - Use materials available nearby

4. Traditional knowledge - Learn from elders

5. Community cooperation - Work together for environment

Our Responsibility:

• Preserve traditional knowledge about plants and animals

• Practice sustainable living in daily life

• Respect all forms of life including plants and animals

• Share knowledge with friends and family

• Participate in conservation activities

Key Terms to Remember

• Solar energy: Electricity from sunlight

• Natural dyes: Colors made from plants

• Sacred groves: Protected forest areas

• Medicinal plants: Plants used for medicine

• Sustainable: Using resources without damaging environment

• Traditional knowledge: Wisdom passed down from ancestors

• Biodiversity: Variety of plants and animals

• Conservation: Protecting and saving nature

• Eco-friendly: Not harmful to environment

• Renewable resources: Resources that can be replaced naturally