Gandhela Plant, " The Doctor of Gut, popularly known as Curry Patta, the plant native to Asia, The Herbs of India. "

 Gandhela, very easy to grow is mostly found in Kerala, Maharashtra and North India, which is popularly known as Curry Patta. It an important herbal plant rich in Carbazole Alkaloids, iron etc.thus it is good for Gut health. 

           Murrya Koenigii (Gandhela ) Plant

The scientific name of this plant is Murrya Koenigii, it is also called Gandhelu ,curry patta and Meetha Neem.The leaves and fruit of Gandhelu are edible. It is aromatic plant it's leaves are used fresh as well as dry in curry, soups, chatni and Sambhar and other dishes. 

                               Gandhelu fruits

It is beneficial in iron deficiency, regulates blood pressure and blood sugar. It is good for gut health .  It can be taken as green tea for regulating blood cholesterol..It improves immunity. The use of Gandhela leaves improves the eye vision and function of Lever. It's regular use also reduces stress. Thus the plant is a good friend of human and animals and must be used regularly keeping in view of it's huge benefits. 

                             By :- Er. R C Verma



Swan River, " The Tributary of Satluj , Rising from Southern slopes of Shivalik range, also Known as Solahsinghi Hills district Una Himachal Pradesh. "

The Swan river rises from the Southern slopes of Shivalik range which is called as Solahsinghi Dhar. The swan confluence with Satluj near the gorge across the Shivalik Hills near the boundary of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. The slopes of catchment area vary from gentle to steep. 

           View of the Swan river District Una

The total length of Swan river is about 80 Km out of which about 65 Km flows in Himachal Pradesh the remaining part flows in Punjab.The catchment area of this river is about 1400 square Kilometre out of which about 1200 square Km falls in district Una Himachal Pradesh and remaining 200 sq. Km falls in adjoining state Punjab where it joins river Satluj. There are 73 small streams in it's catchment which provide water to Swan river. Swan river  is also a feeding place for Migratory birds. 

      View of Swan river with Migratory birds

  

Some time ago before year 2009 the Swan was called the "the river of sorrows" in district Una because during Monsoons the heavy floods of Swan used to wash away the cultivated land, live -stock and even houses located near the banks of river as the Swan was horrible and uncontrolled with meandering floods

But now with the efforts of Government of India and Government of Himachal Pradesh the previous sorrow river has been converted to "river of boon " by channelisation of the river. 

The first phase of swan channelisation was completed during the year 2009 . Total length covered in this phase is 16.67 Km between Jhalera bridge to Santokhgarg  , reclaiming 2260 hectares of cultivated land. The total expenditure on this phase is 106.03 crores. 

The second phase considered was Gagret bridge to Jhalera bridge covering a length of 28.34 km with an expenditure of 235.52 crores by Central Water Commission and state Government of Himachal Pradesh in the ratio of 90 % , 10 % respectively. The 2nd phase also  complete. 

The Government of Himachal Pradesh has now proposed to complete the remaining portion in third phase from Santokhgarg bridge to Punjab boundary with an estimated budget amounting to Rs. 48.59 crores. 

       View of Bridge over Swan  near Haroli

Media personals specially The Tribune and Amar Ujala keep close look on the activities on swan river which appreciable for bringing the facts to the public as well as Government. About 10000 hect. of land has been effected by floods, much of that has been reclaimed. 

   

                               By :- Er. R C Verma

Baspa River, " The Tributary of Satluj river ,Originating from most beautiful valley of the world Baspa Valley fed by Bamak glacier. "

 The Baspa, tributary of Satluj rises from Indo-Tibetian border through a most beautiful valley of the world"Baspa Valley". The Baspa valley is also called Sangla Valley .The Chung Sakhago Pass lies at top of Baspa valley. The river is fed by perennial glaciers named Bamak glacier at an altitude of 5800 metres  from mean sea level.The Baspa has many smaller tributaries, which provide snow melt water to Baspa. 

          View of Sangla valley during winter

The Sangla valley is a tourist destination and tourists all over the world used to visit this Valley. 

     View Of Baspa river near Chitkul(Kinnaur) 

The Baspa river is about 75 Km long originating from Baspa valley and merges into Satluj at Karchham from left bank in district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. 

                Beautiful View of Baspa river 

The Sarluj enters Shimla district near Chaura.  The Baspa hydro- power project stage I and II are located on this river. 

                                           By :- Er. R C Verma

Nogli Khad, " The Tributary of Satluj river, Confluence with Satluj at Nogli near Rampur Bushahar district Shimla Himachal Pradesh. "

 The Nogli Khad is the tributary of Satluj river. It confluence with the Satluj  about 6 Km before Rampur Bushahar at Nogli  village. The river Satluj flows defining the boundaries of Shimla and Kullu districts in tehsils Rampur Bushahar and Nirmand respectively. The Satluj enters Mandi district at Village Firnu . 

          View of  Confluence with main River

The other tributaries of river Satluj in this area are Gahanwin Khad, Unu Nalla and Manglad khad  which contribute their runoff to the Satluj.

     
            Beautiful View of River, Mountains

The catchment area of ancient Suket  except Jaidevi and Balh circles drains into Satluj. There is a small hydro power project on Nogli Khad. 

                                             By :- Er. R C Verma

Spiti River, " The Tributary of Satluj, Joins Satluj at Khab near Namgia district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. "

 Spiti river is tributary of Satluj river originating from Kunzum mountain ranges, the water flows through its tributaries Tegpo and Kabzian streams. The Spiti river confluence with Satluj at Khan near Namgia in district Kinnaur Himachal Pradesh. 

                       Mountains of Spiti

The water of Pin valley also forms a part of Spiti river system. The peak discharge in this river is experienced in late summer due to snow melt of glaciers. The river traverses about 150 Km through Spiti Valley  from North-West then South-West direction up to confluence point Khab. 

                           View of Spiti Valley

There are high barren mountains on both sides of Spiti river having mostly devoid of vegetation cover. 

      Enjoy the View of Holy water of Spiti river

The Spiti Valley is a cold desert located in North- Eastern part of Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh, the area experiences no rain and the water flowing in spiti river is glacier snow melt. The human settlements are on the river banks such as Tabo, Dhankar, Kaza and Rangrik etc. 

                    Beautiful View Of Spiti 

                                   By :- Er. R C Verma

                            

Satluj, " The Tributary of Indus River system. "

 The largest river  among  the five rivers of Indus River system flowing through Himachal Pradesh is Satluj ,named "Satudri " in the holy Rig Veda. The Sanskrit name of Satluj is "Shatadru.

 The river Satluj originates from Tibet, from a lake near Maansarovar lake , named " Rakastal lake in Southern slopes of Kailash mountain. 

       View of kailash mountain & Lake Tibet

The total length of this river is 1450 Km out which It flows 320 Km in Himachal Pradesh, enters in Himachal Pradesh at Shipki  then flows down through South West direction in Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Solan, Mandi and Bilaspur districts  through Namgia, Khab, Pooh, Morang -Jangi , Kalpa,Karchham Tapri  , Jeori, Rampur, Tattapani, Sunni,Koldam, Dehar, Bilapur, Jeori-Pattan, Bhakra then enters Punjab near Nehla village down-stream of Bhakra the highest gravity dam in the world situated in Himachal Pradesh. 

             View of Kailash mountain in Tibet

The main tributaries of Satluj in Himachal Pradesh are:- The tributaries on right bank are  Spiti, Ropa, Taiti, Kashang, Mulgaon, Yula, wanger, Throng and the Rupi. 

                 Beautiful View of Spiti Valley

The tributaries on the left bank are Tidong, Gayanthing, Baspa, Soldang  and Duling feeding Satluj. 

                       View of Spiti valley

  The water of Satluj is being utilized for hydro electric power generation at Bhakra, Karchham-Wangtu, Nathpa-Jhakti and Koldam, water sports at Govindsagar at Bilaspur and for Irrigation through Bhakra canal, Sirhind canal and Rajasthan Canal. 

The water of Satluj has been allocated to India as per Indus Water treaty between India and Pakistan. 

     View of Govindsagar on Satluj at Bilaspur

                               By :- Er. R C Verma

Tons River, " Tributary of Yamuna Formed by the merger of Supin & Rupin rivers near mountains of Naitwar "

 The river Tons has come into existence by the merger of two feeder streams named Supin river which originating from Northern part of the Tons catchment area near the border of Himachal and Utrakhand and Rupin originating from a glacier at the head of Har -Ki-Dun valley existing in North- North Eastern part of Tons catchment area. 

                   Beautiful View of Tons River

The Rupin and Supin meets together in Naitwar hills hamlet the river down-stream of their merger is called Tons which joins Yamuna at Kalsi in the North-west of Dehradun valley nearly 48 Km from Dehradun. 

                        White water rafting

The river Tons has a potential of adventure sports and is good destination for these activities such as river rafting  . 

                       Enjoy the river rafting

 "Water is life on this planet, save water, make it free of pollution. "

                                        By :- Er. R C Verma

Patsari River, " Originating from Himalayan Kharapathar hills near Kotkhai ,district Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. "

 River Patsari is the tributary of Pabbar river which drains into Tons river and tons further drains into Yamuna , the holy river in Hindu religion. The Yamuna is the major tributary of Ganga. 

                               View of Hills

The river Patsari is spring fed originating from Kharapathar hills near Kotkhai in district Shimla Himachal Pradesh. The Patsari river drains into Pabbar mountain hamlet of Patsari about 10 Km upstream of Rohru. 

Kharapathar is about 18 Km from Kotkhai and 34 Kn from Rohru. 

               Hill River Valley Boulders in riverbed 

The river bed is having boulders of different sizes and colours, the river passes through small villages and pine trees. 

                  Beautiful View of Forest Hills

                                        By :- Er. R C Verma

Herbs and Health, " The Herbs of India, Tulsi (Basil) use & Benefits. "

Tulsi Or we call it a holy Basil is a great herb which have the power to fight against various diseases by improving immune system. The scientific name of this herb is Ocimum Tenuiflorum. 

 

                              The Holy Basil [Tulsi ]

This plant a perennial one belongs to Lamiaceae family. It is an aromatic plant and native to India. In general there are number of varieties of Basil but the main types of Tulsi are :- 1.Rama-Tulsi  , it is having bright green leaves. 

2. Shyama Tulsi Or Krishana Tulsi, it is having purple green leaves. 

3. The third one is common wild Vana Tulsi. 

4. Kapoor Tulsi  , having bright green wide leaves. 

The Tulsi Or The holy Basil  contains the following ingredients which make it as a queen herb.  

 Fibre, protein, Vitamin A, C and Vitamin - K. It also contains Minerals like  calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and potassium. 

Tulsi has a deep concerns with Hindu religion and Ayurveda the science of health and herbs. 

Use & benefits :- Tulsi has anti-national cancer, anti - bacterial and anti - viral properties. Since it has good amount of Vitamin - C, Zinc and iron, it is a good immunity booster. It controls the sugar levels and blood pressure. Tulsi gives relief in fever and pain. 

It gives relief in cold, cough and respiratory infections. It reduces stress . It is also good for heart, lever and kidney health. The herb has anti cancer properties and it's use as per experts advice gives good results. 

It's leaves are used in fresh and dried form as a green tea which improves the immune system. Tulsi water wash on eyes and skin also gives relief to eyes and skin problems. Tulsi green tea is available in the market. 

We must grow Tulsi in our homes and ensure its use in our daily life. 

               Use Harbal tea to boost immunity

        Chamomile tea is also a good antioxidant

                                       

                                         By :- Er. R C Verma