K R Keshava Murthy’s Floral Gallery of Himalayan Valley of Flowers and Adjacent Areas is a floral tribute as well as a pictorial field guide to a ‘World Heritage Site’ that is nestling in the Himalayan ranges of Garhwal region. Describing the landscape of Dwari Bhitar or the Bhyundar Valley ( Valley of Flowers in local parlance ) as a ‘huge canvas painted by Mother Nature itself’ the author says all descriptions given in the book are based on actual observations in the field.
Cited as ‘Paradise on Earth’, the Valley of Flowers which attracts thousands of nature lovers and tourists from India and abroad has been beautifully visualised by the botanist-author through remarkable photography and easily comprehensible details of the flowering plants unique to the Himalayan region.
The well known plant taxonomist of Karnataka, Dr Murthy has gone into describing every species that abounds in this enchanting mountainous region after regular visits that took three full years. Every flower has been described in detail, its colour, shape, beauty, family, habitat, distribution and nativity. This description not only includes Valley of Flowers but also adjacent areas like Hemkund, Badrinath, Neelkant base, Mana village, Pulna, Govind Ghat and Vasudhara.
The book is not only a guide for ordinary visitors but is also helpful in identifying the family and various species unique to this abode of flowers. This pictorial book was really needed for the common man to understand our unique heritage in the form of ‘carpet of flowers’ that is described by many as the ‘Valley of Peace and Perfect Beauty’.
The ‘Gallery of Flowers’ where the author has categorized the plants based on the colour of the flowers is indeed very helpful in identifying the species. Even the botanical names that are in Latin have been explained. Dr Murthy has provided information on the folklores and the stories associated with a plant species and also provided information on botanists and their contributions if the plant is named after them.
The exquisite visualisation clearly shows Murthy’s prowess as a nature photographer and nature trekker. It is commendable that he has come out with this collection without any financial assistance from the government or any NGOs. The book is so profound that one can recall their visit to the valley, recollect and rejoice in the happy memories of mother nature’s gift to mankind.
Highlights of the book
The book contains description of 287 species of plants and their flowers belonging to 190 genera and 63 families.
Written very lucidly, one can easily go to the relevant page if you are looking for meanings of all genus and specific names or the habitat in which these plants are found. In fact, there is a brief note on whether it is a herb, twiner, climber, shrub or an orchid, its height, leaf and flower morphology, and other details involving its prevalence either amongst fields, rocks, streams or grassy slopes and the altitude at which it is found.
The medicinal uses of a particular species including its harmful effects has also been provided, followed by its IUCN status (whether rare, threatened or endangered ) so as to create awareness and encourage conservation.
This book is very helpful for not only common people but also students of Botany who are planning to visit the Valley.
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