NORTHERN WILDLIFE TAKES TO EAST
NORTHERN WILDLIFE TAKES TO EAST
By Jeremy Hunt
British wildlife in a corner of Lancashire is thriving in an environment more likely to be found in India – thanks to an unusual range of exotic plants and vegetables being grown by Bangladeshi families living in Burnley.
The Wildlife Trusts have given their full support to the Sabuj Shati (meaning green finger) project – which has been set up to enable Bangla-deshi families to grow a fascinating range of herbs and vegetables.
But it isnt just the wildlife thats benefiting. The allotments are providing many plant and vegetable species that will play an important part in improving the health of the families involved.
* Red lal shag
Among the eastern delights to be found alongside radishes and onions are plants such as red lal shag and dugi – both of which normally occur in India and are not readily available in the UK.
The Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities of this east Lancashire town have been helped by the Sustainable Action Partnership to establish their organic gardens and wildlife haven.
The SAP – which includes the Wildlife Trust (north west) and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers – believes the wide range of vegetables will help reduce the high level of arthritis, diabetes and heart disease in the towns ethnic community.
Said Liz Moore of the regional Wildlife Trust: "Many different types of vegetable are being grown on land that had once been used as allotments but had become neglected."
* Growing food
"It is wonderful to see the families and their children taking an active interest in growing their own food. It will hopefully engender a deeper interest in the environment and is certainly having a beneficial effect on the areas wildlife."
Although the garden is being managed without the use of pesticides, the Wildlife Trusts say the unusual plants are also providing a wealth of seeds as a food source and creating a miniature "jungle-like" environment.
"The large leaves and full seed-heads of many of the plants being grown by the Bangladeshi families are wonderful for our wildlife.
"The large flowers have attracted insects and butterflies all summer and beneath the big spinach-like leaves of plants like dugi and rai we have seen a micro-environment developing which has been perfect for ground feeding birds, frogs and insects," said Liz Moore.