DH: Love blooms in Bangalore roses

Love blooms in Bangalore roses
From Bala Chauhan DH News Service Bangalore:
In the global hierarchy of rose cultivation during the Valentine’s season, Bangalore ranks “second” in the world, producing as it does 28 million stems after Ecuador’s 55 million and well ahead of Pune’s 2 million....

In the global hierarchy of rose cultivation during the Valentine’s season, Bangalore ranks “second” in the world, producing as it does 28 million stems after Ecuador’s 55 million and well ahead of Pune’s 2 million.

The global market of roses during the Valentine’s season, beginning February 2 to 10, is “180 million stems out of which 30 million stems are from India. Red roses comprise 80 per cent of this chunk. The consumption of roses in the domestic market is 10 million stems, out of which 90 per cent is red,” says Ramakrishna Karuturi, managing director, Karuturi Networks Limited, a leading flower export house in Karnataka. The most popular varieties of red roses: Grand Gala, Passion and First Red are grown in Bangalore, Doddaballapur, Hosur and Pune.

“Bangalore is said to produce one of the finest qualities of red roses in the world after Kenya. At an altitude of 1100 metres, night temperature of 12-14 degree Celsius and day temperature of 28-32 degree Celsius, between November to February, it has the ideal climate to grow roses. In the international market, a single stalk of red rose from here can fetch as much as Rs 30,” he says.


India would have topped the chart in rose cultivation throughout the year if it weren’t for the adverse taxation by the State and Central governments.

“There’s an 80 per cent tax on Air Turbine Fuel (ATF) in India as compared to nil in other countries on the out-borne cargo. The Karnataka government charges 38 per cent sales tax, while the Centre levies 16 per cent plus 20 per cent, as Customs and Central excise,” he says

Exceptionally lucky

This year Valentine’s season has been exceptionally lucky for rose growers. “There has been a 100 per cent rise in the wholesale price of roses this year, from last year’s Rs 4 per stem to this year’s Rs 7.95,” adds Mr Ramakrishna.

A look at Bangalore’s consumption of red roses during the Valentine’s season shows a three-time increase from a normal of Rs 6 to Rs 8 for a single stalk to Rs 15 to Rs 25. According to Ms Padmaja Kamisetty of Ohana, the boutique of exotic flowers sells around 2,000 red roses, of export quality, at Rs 20 to Rs 25 for a single stem during the season.

The wholesalers in Bangalore also report staggering figures, of selling around one lakh single stems of red roses between February 11 and 13 alone.

“In the last three days, we have sold about 5,000 bunches of roses, out of which, 50 per cent are red ones,” says wholesaler M Kalidasa Raj, proprietor of Sneha Florists.

Look at the auction figures of roses. On Sunday, the International Flower Auction Bangalore (IFAB) at Hebbal auctioned 98,000 single stems of roses between Rs 120 and Rs 180, for a single bunch. On Monday, the figures, though dipped slightly, remained over 80,000 between Rs 100 and Rs 150. One bunch has 20 single stalks, he says.

And it’s not just the local market that blossoms out during the Valentine’s week. “Export of flowers, especially roses is maximum during this season. We earn around Rs 10 crore during the Valentine’s season, 80 per cent of which comes from the sale of roses. Karnataka’s average export of flowers is annually worth Rs 40 crore,” says Mr J K Vasanthkumar, director, horticulture department.

Look at the auction figures of roses. On Sunday, the International Flower Auction Bangalore (IFAB) at Hebbal auctioned 98,000 single stems of roses between Rs 120 and Rs 180, for a single bunch. On Monday, the figures, though dipped slightly, remained over 80,000 between Rs 100 and Rs 150. One bunch has 20 single stalks, he says.

And it’s not just the local market that blossoms out during the Valentine’s week. “Export of flowers, especially roses is maximum during this season. We earn around Rs 10 crore during the Valentine’s season, 80 per cent of which comes from the sale of roses. Karnataka’s export of flowers is annually worth Rs 40 crore,” says Mr J K Vasanthkumar, director, horticulture department. Copyright: 2004 The Printers (Mysore) Private Ltd., 75, M.G. Road, Post Box No 5331, Bangalore - 560001

DH: The tender healing garden . Green Fingers

GREEN FINGERS
The tender healing garden
Deccan Herald

B A Khan doesn't like shedding the toughness of a policeman, except when he encounters a tree. The Assistant Commissioner of Police at the City Armed Reserve (CAR-South) even grows wistful, as he touches the tender branch of a tree, whose green leaves and cool shade transport him to his hometown in Malnad.

"Planting saplings is the first thing I do wherever I'm posted," Khan says. "I consider that as a service to the public, apart from my duties as a policeman." In N Prakash, Deputy Commissioner of Police at CAR-South, the ACP found a higher official who is equally enthusiastic about growing trees.

With the help of retired Assistant Conservator of Forest, M M Nissar Ahmed, the officers have developed two unique gardens in the police quarters at Adugodi, where the CAR is located. 'Dhanvanthri', the garden with rare herbal plants was developed some months ago.

Herbal plants

"Most of the diseases like jaundice can only be cured with herbal plants," says Prakash. "These herbal plants, however, are rarer to see and only a few people like Mr Nissar Ahmed know their medicinal values. 'Danvanthri' is our small bit to preserve such plants."

Using Nissar Ahmed's expertise, the officers have recently created Prakruthi Vana, the garden of naturopathy, in the police quarters. The garden contains a unique combination of 60 trees such as Dhathri, Sita Ashoka, Chitte Ala, Krishna Ala, Ashwatha, Kadamba, Bevu, Garige, Kanagile etc, whose collective presence proved to have healing powers.

"The trees are chosen from the Vedic texts," explains Prakash. "They're planted in a circle and we've followed the scriptures in choosing a tree's position from the centre of the garden. It's scientifically proven that these trees can work on a person's body and remove impurities."

Bilva Patra or Aegle marmelos (a special variety brought from Varanasi), for instance, detoxifies the system. Its aroma helps brain cells develop greater consciousness and subdues impatience. As a result, whoever coming into contact with the tree finds their self-control enhanced (according to the Vedic texts).

"It took years for me to work out the angle and the distance between each trees," says Nissar Ahmed. "The presence of Brahmi (Bacopa Monniera) and other trees create a mini-climate change, as you enter the garden. They also emit cheritonian along with oxygen, which cleanses the five sensory organs."

Nature therapy

The retired forest officer mentions that Prakruthi is the first nature-therapy garden in the state. "The entire garden has been developed by the policemen," mentions Prakash. "They've contributed money and have also done the necessary physical effort to creat it."

While special tracks have been laid for regular walkers (the public), the officials say they are also planning to construct a pyramid structure at the centre, which, they think, would fully harness the energy the trees exude.

Encourage public

"We think efforts like this would encourage the public to develop green-zones in other neighbourhoods, which would reduce the suffocation caused by shrinking lung-space in the city," Prakash hopes.

The Deputy Commissioner also believes that the garden would be much more effective after the rains, when some of the saplings would grow thicker and sprout more leaves.

Here’s an example of what even those in public offices can do to keep the City green and show the way for others to emulate.