Living in Goa during the monsoon is the most calm and serene experience. The weather is windy and rain is just around the corner, raining without a warning. Rains put a halt to the fishing boats and festivals are also about to come. It is also the breeding season of fish and many people prefer to turn to a vegetarian diet. Whether you're tending to your own vegetable garden at your villa in Goa or you visit local markets like Panjim Market for grocery shopping, you will see a wild range of seasonal produce in the rainy season.

Markets in Goa transform into a wild vegetable garden, with exotic wild monsoon veggies that most city dwellers are not even aware of. Panjim market in the monsoons is taken over by Goan women selling local vegetables. These veggies are naturally grown in nature’s organic garden. They grow commonly in the state’s green patches and are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Panjim Market

These are some commonly known monsoon veggies in Goa: Naval Kol (German Tulip), Kurdu (Celosia), Haldi (turmeric) leaves, Chauli (black-eyed peas) leaves, Aalu (Colocasia), Telpat Ranbhaji (Wild Veggies), Neerfanas (Breadfruit), Kantoli (Spine gourd), Shirali (ridge gourd), and Vaghate or Ranmeva (Ceylon Caper).

The veggies are also a part of the local festivals and rituals like the Rishi Panchami and Ganesh Chaturthi. Where a special meal is prepared for pooja with these wild local monsoon veggies. Apart from vegetables, there are local mushrooms which have very good taste, some late mangoes, Ole Khajur (raw dates), and local fruits like Papaya, Pumpkin, and Kohla (Ash Gourd).

Monsoons in Goa bring a quiet beauty to everyday life. The rains refresh the land, and the markets fill with fresh, wild vegetables. It’s a season where everything slows down, and people come together to enjoy simple meals made from local produce. There’s a calm in the air, and a sense of connection to nature and tradition. It’s a reminder of the peaceful, meaningful moments that make life in Goa so special.

pc: Sanjeet Wahi

Google might suggest that winter is the best time to be in Goa, but have you ever experienced Goa during the monsoons? The weather in Goa during this season is slow and peaceful.  Just taking a walk around gives you a glimpse into the everyday life in Goa.

Cloudy sky | Cool breeze | Green landscapes

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You can watch people in their daily routines, cycling to places, fishing with a stick near creeks, and simply enjoying the weather. An evening visit to a nearby cafe can be a great way to end the day. Though the monsoons here can get heavy at times, a cup of coffee or tea by your window with a good book captures the essence of ‘Susegad’, the relaxed Goan lifestyle. A big plus is that Goa is less crowded with tourists during this off-season. Monsoon in Goa is a perfect escape from city life, offering a calm and natural retreat.

Published in 2016, ‘Indica: A Deep Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent’ by Pranay Lal offers a journey through the natural history of the Indian subcontinent. This book stands out for its unique approach to explaining evolution and natural history in a manner that is both accessible and captivating to readers of all backgrounds. The book spans a wide range of topics, from micro to macro. Covering everything from ancient fossils to fish, diverse climates, and the animals that inhabit the Western ghats to the Deserts in the Indian subcontinent. 

The book uses the Earth Woman analogy. This imaginative concept reimagines the 4.6 billion-year-old Earth as a 46-year-old woman by astrophysicist Nigel Calder. Allowing readers to visualize the planet's evolution over a human lifespan, making the complex timeline of Earth's history more approachable. The highlights of the book include facts like the ferocious Rajasaurus, an Indian dinosaur possibly more formidable than the T. rex, and 70-million-year-old crocodile eggs discovered in Mumbai and Bengaluru having its unique climate due to a tectonic event that took place 88 million years ago.

Indica: A Deep Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent is a fascinating exploration of Earth's history, told through the lens of a region rich in natural heritage. If you are curious enough about the world around you, Pranay Lal's work is sure to enrich your understanding and appreciation of our planet. Living in Goa, this book makes me reflect on the climate and ecosystems around me. The awareness about natural heritage is essential for sustainability, making the book useful for understanding the environment around us. Join our channel Climate Woes for more climate-related insights.

In the Western Ghats, the spread of non-native plant species is rapidly replacing native vegetation, causing significant ecological imbalance. This invasion is leading to a food crisis as these plants disrupt the natural habitats of key prey species. As a result, wildlife is forced to enter human settlements in search of food, increasing conflicts between animals and communities.

Western Ghats, pc: Parnavi Bangar

Invasive species like Lantana, African Tulips, and Morning Glory are widespread, causing notable damage to our ecosystems. These aggressive plants are not native to India and are displacing traditional fruit-bearing trees such as mangoes, wild jack, wild berries, and other native plants in various forests. Their rapid growth makes them difficult to control, posing a threat to the health of our forests.

Tall Morning Glory

Source: Guests who never left

The Tall Morning Glory also known as Kaladana is a fast-growing vine that can reach 2-3 meters in length, with slender, hairy stems and heart-shaped leaves. Its vibrant blue, purple, or pink flowers are funnel-shaped, and it produces up to 25,000 seeds per plant, which can spread by wind, rain, or accidental human activity.

Kaladana grows by twining around other plants, creating a thick canopy that shades and competes with them for nutrients and water. This makes it a troublesome weed, as it can significantly reduce crop yields. It can also spread rapidly in both disturbed areas and forests, making it a challenge to manage.

Young seedlings can be easily pulled out by hand. For small patches, cutting the plant is an option, but make sure to dig out the roots to prevent it from growing back. In areas where the vine forms large patches, cutting followed by herbicide application is recommended to stop regrowth.

African Tulip

Source: Guests who never left

The African Tulip, also known as Pichkari and Rugtoora is a medium-to-large tree that can grow up to 35 metres tall, with a wide crown and smooth, greyish-brown bark. It has deep green, glossy leaves and produces striking orange-scarlet flowers, with its seeds dispersed by wind.

Pichkari trees invade open pastures, abandoned agricultural land, plantations, and disturbed forests. They grow rapidly, forming dense stands that suppress other vegetation. The flower nectar is toxic to insects, while mammals like Nilgiri langur and barking deer eat the flowers, and parakeets and squirrels consume the seeds.

To manage African tulip trees, young trees can be uprooted, though large trees may resprout from root fragments. Chemical control includes injecting herbicide into young tree trunks or applying it to stumps of cut trees. In some areas, biological control using pathogenic fungi has been effective for young trees.

Lantana

Source: Guests who never left

Lantana, or Raimuniya and Tantani, is a woody shrub that grows 2-5 metres tall. It thrives in both dry and wet environments, forming dense thickets or climbing trees. Found across India, including Goa, its leaves are rough, oval, and green with toothed edges. The small, colourful flowers attract butterflies, and its fruit turns from green to black, dispersed by birds and mammals.

Lantana's dense growth prevents native plants from growing and changes forest structure. It increases fire risks and is toxic to livestock, reducing available forage. Lantana also hosts diseases like sandal spike disease and suppresses important plants like amla, posing risks to forest communities.

The most effective removal method is cutting the plant below the root collar to prevent regrowth. Uprooting is less effective and labour-intensive. Consistent removal and establishing canopy cover can help control Lantana.

Conclusion:

There are many such invasive plant species altering habitats in our forests. Managing them in the forests of the Western Ghats is crucial for preserving biodiversity and ecological balance. Raising awareness about such species and promoting knowledge about native trees is essential for safeguarding our environment. 

This understanding is particularly valuable for individuals managing their gardens, such as in Goa, where knowing about trees in Goa is crucial for effective plant management. For further information on such species refer the book ‘Guests who never left’ and the article ‘No food in Forests’ for Invasive species in the Western Ghats. For more tips on living in Goa and managing your home and garden, stay tuned to our blog!

Our upcoming project, The Crescent House resides in the Nandi Hills of Bangalore. It has a small site with immediate neighbors and beautiful views in every direction. It was a design challenge to incorporate all the 180° pan views of Nandi Hills from the villa. We tackled this with an innovative experiment.

The four of us designers of Build Grounded split up on-site and individually came up with four design solutions. After brainstorming on-site for around an hour, we had a discussion. Considering different approaches, we came up with a strategy then and there. A way through it was the amalgamation of all four directions, which later on developed into the actual design of the house.

As the name suggests Crescent House, the main facade of the house is in a crescent shape. The facade has different openings showing different views in different sizes all across the stretch of the Nandi Hills. Soon to be complete Crescent House is under construction but you can still make out the facade taking shape enjoying the views all around.

On 31st June 2024, we had the opportunity to attend the release of the book State of India’s Environment in Figures by Down to Earth, presented by Sunita Narain. This event marked the annual release of their detailed state-wise analysis of various environmental issues.

The book's highlight is its numeric representation of facts and figures concerning climate change and related issues in India. The event involved the book's flow and a glimpse of its contents.

The book covers a wide range of topics, including:

Stories from Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to groundwater management, forest fires, plastic pollution, State of waste, transport, Greenhouse gases, Agriculture, Employment, farmers' protests, environmental crimes, and much more.

©CSE

• 2023 Marked the second hottest year on record with warm winters up to 1.71°C as the minimum temperature, the first time in the last 122 years. Extreme weather events were marked on 318 out of 365 days in 2023.

• 7 out of 9 analyzed cities showed 90% of their geographical areas under extreme heat and humidity making it worse as high humidity slows down the human body’s natural cooling process.

• Forestland diversion increased by 3.5% with half of it occurring in just five states. Elephant deaths surged by 63% due to electrocutions and the leopard population grew but over half resides outside the reserves.

• The most notable aspect of the book was the environmental crimes. Even though there is a decrease in registration of crimes by 18% in 2021-22. The Courts are disposing of cases at a rate significantly lower than new cases recorded, leading to cases piling up. This pile-up of new and old at the end of 2022 was a total of 1,39,246 cases.

Going through such an in-depth climate analysis was truly eye-opening. The timing of this release, just before the results of new elections in India, makes it even more relevant. We believe that sharing this information with you is crucial because awareness is the key to addressing these issues. So join us as we continue to share such updates on climate change in our broadcast channel on social media: Climate Woes

Last December, our team at Grounded embarked on an exciting bird-watching walk at the Socorro Plateau in Goa. A local eco-organization organized this beautiful trail, Khoj-aao, providing us with a perfect retreat into the wild, which is literally in my backyard in Goa.

We gathered at the meeting spot around 4 PM, ready for an evening walk. Goa is renowned for its birdlife and home to the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, had us hopeful for what the plateau had in store for us.  We were told that the plateau is home to around 400 species of birds and many trees in Goa. These are some of the joys of living in Goa.

As we walked, the plateau revealed its wonders. We saw a variety of birds, insects, and plants that made the experience truly special. The setting sun cast a golden glow over the landscape, adding to the beauty of the evening.

Here are some of the highlights from our walk:

• Birds of Goa: Green bee-eaters, Blue-tailed bee-eater, Red-vented bulbuls, Red-whiskered bulbuls, Indian Robin, Indian Golden Orioles, Black drongo, Rock pigeons, Brahminy kite, Malabar Barbets, Asian Koel, Barn swallows, Spotted doves, Indian Peafowl, Pied Bushchat, Brahminy Starlings, Plum-headed Parakeets, Greater Coucal

• Biodiversity: Indian Giant Millipede, Crematogaster ant colonies, Indian Golden Hare (scat), Crab's eye, Ironwood plant (Anjan in Hindi), Button pipeworts, Saptaparni tree (blackboard tree), Ghela (fish poison plant), many types of grasses.

Pc: Sanjeet Wahi

Our bird-watching walk at Socorro Plateau was more than just an evening out. It was a chance to connect with nature, learn about the local wildlife, and bond as a team. The memories we made and the beauty we witnessed will stay with us for a long time.

If you're ever in Goa and looking for a peaceful retreat, we highly recommend taking a bird-watching walk at the Socorro Plateau. It's an experience you will remember!

The upcoming project of sister villas, The Terracotta House and the Indigo House are taking shape on-site. Set in the Pomburpa Village in Goa, the houses are designed to connect with the land with an ecological design, enjoyed barefoot with the calm interactions of nature. To experience the outcome's look and feel, here’s our material palette.

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The selection and finalization of materials is an important and lengthy design process. Colors and textures define the space. The feel and the vibe we experience are a product of it. Terracotta house is earthy and serene with warm tones, harmonizing the interiors and exterior. Indigo House is calm with quiet views of water, and tones of blue merging with the view.

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In celebration of World Earth Day 2024, we wanted to share our journey of building a small house in Goa using rammed earth construction. We've divided our experience into three parts:

PART 1: the project's inception,

PART 2: the challenges we encountered, and finally,

PART 3: the successful execution of our first rammed earth wall on-site.

Our story begins with the start of the project and a hands-on workshop on Rammed Earth led by Gia Mantra Village. Sanjeev Wahi the COO of Grounded attended this workshop.

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Following this, we delved into research and development specific to our site living in Goa, conducting tests, and facing various challenges along the way.

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Through our dedication and with assistance from Thumb Impressions, we overcame these obstacles and successfully completed the first wall of the house.

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From researching and trying out different mixes to solving real-life challenges with the walls, we've come a long way. Building rammed earth walls depends a lot on the specific site and many factors need to be taken into account. We've successfully built these walls at our site and want to share our experience to help others interested in rammed earth construction find all the information they need in one place. You can find more about our journey on our Instagram. If you have any questions, feel free to send us a direct message.

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Sakshi R Ghodake

“When we reconnect with nature, we will be able to restore ourselves.”
― Lailah Gifty Akita

Kishan Bagh, Jaipur

Jaipur has been touched upon by Architect Pradip Kishan and his team to ornament the existing gift of nature which Kishan Bagh holds. He had a great vision of how the park should be designed well enough to convey the importance of restoring and conserving our ecosystem. Having worked on Rao Jodha Rock Park in Jodhpur, Pradip Kishan took on the mammoth task of restoring Kishan Bagh dunes into a natural desert landscape.

Kishan Bagh

Scenic view from the park.

The design proposes restoring the vegetation of sand dunes, designing a place for people to understand the ecology and bringing the endangered plant community of the Thar to be conserved.

Heteropogon Spa (grass)

Rohida

Saccharum

Akara

Kumatha acacia sengal

Phragmites Australis

The design is influenced by the explorations of the desert landscape of western Rajasthan, called Roee by the locals, also seen in the jungles of Thar with different plant communities which have evolved in that particular changing climatic condition. Hence, native flora like Saccharum, Rohida, Kumatha acacia sengal, Akada, Dhatura, and Phragmites Australis have been planted according to the different soil textures where each contributes to the ecosystem in the desert.

Distinct color layers of sandstone due to the presence of different minerals.

Migmatites – double-cooked stones, consisting of two or more constituents often layered repetitively

According to Pradip Kishan parks have always been remembered in colonial style, while they should ideally be reminisced based on the native nature of the plants and surrounding. Parks have now become sanitized spaces and the trees which are featured are grown for their colourful blossoms which will eventually last for a certain period that add an aesthetic charm in landscape and does not talk about the habitat. This clearly says that the idea of beauty should change.

Sand dune desert park

The Grounded team had visited Rao Jodha Park in Jodhpur which is also an ecology restoration project led by Pradip Krishan. Read about it here. From this we have understood that experience stands out based on the interpretation which is based on telling the story of a landscape and the wildlife that it supports. Here at Grounded, we are making an effort to sensitize the urban and rural populations to the wild through our designs.

Watch more about Kishan Bagh, here.