Summary: The Unshakeable Bhungas | New English Ferry: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets - Class 5 PDF Download

Summary

Once upon a time in a quaint village, there lived eleven-year-old Pankhuri, a curious Rabari girl. Her family, including her father Kamalbhai, mother Kokilaben, grandfather Premjibhai, and grandmother Ba, lived in unique circular houses called bhungas. Pankhuri was intrigued by earthquakes after a class with her teacher, Kajaldi.

Pankhuri wondered why the buildings in cities were like boxes while their circular bhungas stood strong against earthquakes. Her mother, Kokilaben, explained that after a devastating earthquake in 1956, the people of Kutch embraced the circular design for bhungas, making them disaster-resistant.

The bhungas had decorative mud-washing, thick walls of mud, twigs, and dung, and lightweight thatched roofs. Despite being close to the epicenter of the 2001 earthquake, all the bhungas in their village remained unharmed. The circular shape, mud walls, and small windows protected them from both earthquakes and storms.

The art of building bhungas passed from generation to generation, providing comfort in extreme weather. The roof made of bamboo sticks shielded them from the heat, and lippan kaam acted as an insulator. Pankhuri loved the reflections from mirror work inside her home, which made a single lamp sufficient for lighting.

Proud of their Rabari tribe, Pankhuri appreciated their self-sufficiency. They didn't need to go to cities for a living; their embroidery, block printing, and bandhani printing with natural dyes were renowned globally. Bhungas were cost-effective, made with natural materials, ensuring every tribe member had a home.

In another part of the world, Dr. Madhav Gadgil, an ecologist extraordinaire, dedicated his life to environmental research. Born in Pune in 1942, he studied biology and conducted the first census of South India's wild elephant population in the mid-'70s. Engaged by the Department of Environment in 1980, his extensive research identified the Nilgiris as India's first biosphere reserve in 2011, marking 64% of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).

Dr. Gadgil warned about India's greater risk of global warming and emphasized the need for conservation and sustainable development. His contributions served as a guideline for the Government of India's environmental efforts.

In conclusion, Pankhuri cherished her circular bhunga, a testament to her tribe's resilience, while Dr. Gadgil's environmental journey highlighted the importance of preserving nature for a sustainable future.

List of Difficult Words with Meanings

• Circular: Shaped like a circle or round.
• Disaster-resistant: Capable of withstanding disasters without damage.
• Thatched: Made of or covered with straw or a similar material.
• Epicenter: The point on the Earth's surface directly above the origin of an earthquake.
• Insulator: A substance that does not conduct electricity or heat.
• Biosphere Reserve: A protected area for the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA): A region with fragile ecosystems requiring special protection.
• Conservation: The protection and preservation of natural resources.
• Sustainable: Capable of being maintained over the long term without harming the environment.
• Resilience: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or setbacks.