Dera is the forest-cum-farm where my sister, Mehal, and I were born and raised. Covering almost 25 acres, this is a haven where all wildlife is protected. This blog aims to capture the spirit of Dera as well as catalog its biodiversity.
The previous owners of the farm were brothers who had earlier used half the property to cultivate casuarina. The other half of the land was severely damaged (presumably due to pebble-mining).
My parents bought the land in 1999 and spent the next two decades restoring the environment around them.
They planted indigenous saplings and nurtured them, built watersheds - ponds, dams, and streams, founded FERAL, built a house, prepared the earth for agriculture, and even found the time to raise two kids.
In a time when concrete jungles and "development" replace entire ecosystems, we have created forests and established an ecosystem that is home to a plethora of creatures ranging from field mice, rabbits and sun-birds, to herps and giant porcupines.
Dera is not just home to our family, but also to a diverse selection of flora and fauna that continues to grow as the years pass.
The previous owners of the farm were brothers who had earlier used half the property to cultivate casuarina. The other half of the land was severely damaged (presumably due to pebble-mining).
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| Our cousins enjoy popsicles with us on the bridge, 2008 |
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| Present day, 2017 |
My parents bought the land in 1999 and spent the next two decades restoring the environment around them.
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| A serious discussion, 2004 |
They planted indigenous saplings and nurtured them, built watersheds - ponds, dams, and streams, founded FERAL, built a house, prepared the earth for agriculture, and even found the time to raise two kids.
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| Yogi Chacha (my uncle) and Kalu, 2004 |
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| The site in 2017 |
In a time when concrete jungles and "development" replace entire ecosystems, we have created forests and established an ecosystem that is home to a plethora of creatures ranging from field mice, rabbits and sun-birds, to herps and giant porcupines.
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| Dadaji at the FERAL construction site, 2006 |
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| FERAL office 2017 |
Dera is not just home to our family, but also to a diverse selection of flora and fauna that continues to grow as the years pass.
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| My family and other animals, 2001 |
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| My family and other animals, 2017 |
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