Gnarled Roots

Driving through the mountainous sections of Wayanad, you pass some magnificent trees with extensive root systems. These roots are like a maze of snakes, twisting along the hillside. 

Such trees take years to grow. And through these years, they must endure blasts of wind and rain. They survive thanks to their strong roots, which hold them in place during tough times.

We live in an era where no one has the time to appreciate such stunning sights. Everyone has something or the other on their minds. Nature continues to lose its relevance in our lives.

These roots bind the soil together, preventing it from washing away in the heavy rains. They protect the topsoil, preserving the fertility of the place. As these trees get fewer and fewer, more soil is whisked off the mountainside. (understand soil erosion in this video)

This is particularly dangerous for the landscape of Wayanad. If too much soil is eroded, these trees could fall on the road onto oncoming traffic. All the forest cover will vanish if the soil on which they’ve grown is rinsed away. The landscape will turn barren, devoid of the lush cover that is quintessential of Wayanad.

I am always amazed at how extensive these root systems are. They are a labyrinth, coiled like pythons around rocks and mud. They have grown over decades, their roots slowly creeping over the landscape.

It surprises me that few people are as astonished as I am. We live in an era where no one has the time to appreciate such stunning sights. Everyone has something or the other on their minds. Nature continues to lose its relevance in our lives.

Deforestation threatens to wipe these trees out of existence. It would be terrible if we lost such majestic formations.

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