Biodiversity Wonder!

by Fahmeda Naheed & Ersha Naheed

Walking from the popular Marina Market to the historical Blackrock Castle Observatory  was not an ordinary walk; task-oriented, taking photos, observing nature, and making sure we could closely observe humans by considering biodiversity diversity on both sides of the walking track. 

It was Saturday, a lovely, open, clear and bright day. I, along with my daughter Ersha Naheed, had gone through different moods; smiles, laughs, very chatty to quiet; surprises, attention to detail, counting colours and replying to bird’s sounds. We remained proactive and gave consideration to following the map, holding it in our hands. Sometimes, I forgot my adult self; playing, running and jumping like a child! We were never bored throughout the day!

…. we are all human beings, not divided, not labeled as a certain group but living and sharing an extraordinary world that is created to protect and serve us.

We developed dialogue on a variety of significant angles of life which we can share as our experience – descriptive; comparative; philosophical, poetic; environmental; human versus naturally created worlds.

Walking along the Atlantic, I read nature

I saw people walking, running, talking, smiling

Children cycling and people jogging

 Seeing the sunshine, with all the wildlife

On one side, forest, wilderness, flowers-aesthetic

Birds chirping in the nests 

In the waters fish, salmons, dippers, mayflies, otters,  dolphin and seal

Expanded bio-diversity – an opportunity, a symmetry

Nature’s perseverance

Recognition, appreciation, tenderness – delicate and attractive  call of nature

Expanded natural scenery with uniformity

A question, monologue – speechless

Beauty-breathtaking, enchanting, flourishing

Felt the brisk forest air filling my lungs

Captivating, dazzling sun,

Ethereal, glorious, heavenly 

Idyllic, lush trees, sparkling water, spectacular sights,

Stunning green sheds, a discipline

Sun-drenched pebbles

Wild wisdom!

A missing connection, a speechless moment – I did not notice mysterious beauty

Telling me to come and connect – I say and you listen

I touch and you feel, I feel and you sense, I love and your smile!

So which of the favors of nature would we deny!!

And on the other side

Ships, buildings, industries

Houses, cars, roads, and manufacturing

Offices, sports ground, docks, human traffic, construction, cutting the trees, 

Realizing the needs of human beings and modernization

But keeping the balance of modernization with nature 

Is a challenge!!

Starting from Marina Market and finishing up at Blackrock Castle, it is a 4 km walking track which has many aspects of life, starting from Cork’s largest indoor and outdoor food and retail market, a man-made, man-run business, with shops and small stalls with all the colours. There is a variety of foods from all around the world. It is decorated with many lights and has an outdoor area. It is a bit old-fashioned compared to our modern shops but it allows you to appreciate our modern world. 

Sometimes, I forgot my adult self; playing, running and jumping like a child! We were never bored throughout the day!

We leave Marina Market and connect with River Lee, The Atlantic Pond, and Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Cork’s beloved River Lee is a remarkably interesting river and is home to many wildlife such as salmons, dippers, mayflies, and otters. Sometimes we catch sight of a dolphin or a seal! The Atlantic Pond has been on maps since 1836 and holds its own story and history. Pairc Ui Chaoimh is home to GAA stars, and the huge stadium hosts concerts and matches. 

Holland (Marina) park is the best place to walk the dogs or just go for a jog, the river running beside it and greenery everywhere makes it a calming and relaxing park. There are grassy fields and many no-mow areas. This park is crammed with biodiversity, there are many distinct types of flowers, plants, and small insects found.

Blackrock Pier holds beautiful scenery, and a diving tower, yes, a diving tower! Many people go just to jump off the stunning tower After walking a few steps, they plummet into the water. There are many seagulls soaring over the Blackrock pier hooting their melodious tune for everyone to hear. 

Nature is an energy, a power that surrounds the whole world. It is life, there’s a sense of communion when we interact with it.

And we have finally reached our destination, Blackrock castle observatory, which is a stunning building surrounded by trees and greenery on one side, and guess what is on the other side? yes, it’s water!  The walk itself was very fun and peaceful. It gave us lots of time to think and feel our environment. You get to breathe the fresh air and taste the coldness on your tongue.

Along this path, we got to see many flowers in an array of colours which include purple, white, pink, yellow, red, beige, brown, deep pink, and brown. We saw diverse types of plants, trees, and bushes. There were leaves in different shapes and sizes. There were round, spiky, and triangle shapes. We saw a cat with beautiful brown and black patches over white fur. There were many ducks in white and grey paddling around in the rivers and ponds. There were even Lili pads with pastel pink flowers. The Blackrock Castle Observatory is on a beach, covered in rocks, green seaweed and sand. Along the path, we saw wasps, butterflies, birds, a honey bee circling flowers, and insects such as ants, caterpillars, and beetles. 

I could feel the need and a sense of togetherness when we all face challenges of pollution and scarcity of resources. A SENSE that we are all human beings, not divided, not labeled as a certain group but living and sharing an extraordinary world that is created to protect and serve us. A variety of biodiversity living together, helping each other, making a habitat – a harmony, a lesson for us to learn from biodiversity about human-diversity, that we who are from different walks of life, working in different professions, from different cultures, still can live in harmony – accepting the differences and acknowledging the contribution of all –to make this world, this country a better place to live, actively, happily and culturally accepting that we are one human-derived and created by Mother Nature. Listen to all the sounds, whispered and loud. Look at them with a sense of affection and care, without hurting – through simple, clear, and non-conflicting actions. The enemy is not diversity but you not absorbing the lessons of biodiversity. Since we do not love nature, we do not know how to love human beings.

We get sensitive, struggle with anxieties, and worry about our goals but courteous nature is an anti-depressant, holding and hugging you like your mother in times of pain.

Nature is an energy, a power that surrounds the whole world. It is life, there’s a sense of communion when we interact with it. We can’t simply ignore it, it catches our attention but we do not realize the worth which it enjoys. Our desires, urges and pains make us catch up on our networks, and it’s hard to look around to get free ‘

During this walk, I closely observed the human values which the environment presented – sea is not drinking water; trees provide fruits and shelter to others; birds sing for the environment; flowers spread fragrance to its surroundings; sun burns for itself but provides light to us-a clear message that best among humans are those who are beneficent to others while enduring pain!

We get sensitive, struggle with anxieties, and worry about our goals but courteous nature is an anti-depressant, holding and hugging you like your mother in times of pain. I thought I was looking for the first time; extraordinary feelings, the miracles of a fresh day, the wonder which I was not expecting to happen. I am healing myself. I work in the Diversity Unit, An Garda Síochána, Regional Office, Anglesea Street Cork. I campaign for a diverse workforce and human diversity, but this walk has asked many questions to think about; biodiversity and human diversity have a close link – both share one ecosystem; one climate; dependency of human diversity (well-being) on biodiversity; future of mankind depends on both and both are dependent on policymakers to be looked after. I want to thank Good Day Cork for giving me this opportunity to complete the walk. I was so busy in my daily routine with kids, work, study, and travel that though my office is nearby, I never thought to walk over, to connect and communicate with the beautiful place. It’s complete with natural wonder, signs and symbols to notice and think about – a communion with nature!

Fahmeda Naheed is originally from Pakistan, living in Cork for the last 13 years.
She completed M.Phil from UCC and Certificate in Mental Health in Communities. She is passionate about nature,human and bio diversity and a researcher.

Fahmeda’s research interests are feminism, community development, diversity, policy, politics and cultures. Fahmeda Naheed works as a Garda Staff in Diveristy Unit, Regional Office Anglesea St, Cork City. She is a teacher, trainer, facilitator, mother and works in communities too.

Ersha Naheed is 13 years old. She attends St. Vincent Secondary School, Cork City. She is in second year. She is ICDL certified and loves to read, write and talk.