Augmentation of the sacred groves in Wayanad district with medicinally and culturally important plant species
Sites selected for the project implementation: Manikavu Temple of Meenangadi panchayath, Pazhassi Tomb of Mananthavadi Municipality and Koottakkavu Temple of Pozhuthana Panchayath in Wayanad district
Sacred Grove Augmentation: Area profile
Manikavu Temple: Manikavu temple is situated in Meenangadi Panchayat of Sulthan Bathery Taluk of Wayanad district. The premises of the temple has 32 acres of land, in which 2 acres of land is lush green with sacred plants. The 30 acres of land was abandoned for a long period of time with invasive species spread over in about 15 acres of land. The intervention of M S S R F since 2012 has transformed the 5 acres of abandoned area into a beautiful garden with endemic and medicinal plants. The 1st phase of this ‘Punyavanam Programme’ has the funding support from Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Mumbai (SDTT). The governing body of the temple, Meenangadi Grama Panchayath and MSSRF actively participated in the programme. The governing body requested M S S R F to continue this programme with 5 more acres in the light of success of 1st phase of the programme.
It has been observed that the first phase punyavanam programme is 78 % successful with respective to the survival rate of the planted species. The 5 acres of barren land has transformed to a sacred grove enriched with significant genetic resources of plant.
Pazhassi Tomb: Pazhassi Tomb is situated on the bank of Kabani River in Mananthawady municipality of Mananthawady Taluk of Wayanad district. Their main source of income is from the tourist. This sacred place possesses five acres of land along with Pazhassi Tomb. Two acres of surroundings has maintained with a small garden and rest of land have abandoned. The governing body decided to convert 2 acres of abandoned area to a garden with indigenous plant species. MSSRF instigated the programme in 2013 with the support of State Medicinal Plant Board.
Pazhassi Tomb has been chosen as an intervention site of MSSRF due to the special interest of its supreme authority and for the geographical significance.
Koottakkavu Temple: Koottakkavu Temple is situated in the Pozhuthana Panchayath of Vythiri Taluk of Wayanad district. The Kootakavu extended in six acres with a well maintained three acres. It has three acres of abandoned land with two acres of marshy land. MSSRF initiated the programme in 2006 to develop medicinal plant garden and star garden in one acre of land .
The programme has initiated on discussions with the governing bodies of Manikavu Temple of Meenangadi panchayath, Pazhassi Tomb of Mananthavadi Municipality and Koottakkavu Temple of Pozhuthana Panchayath. The list of plants for the sacred grove augmentation programme has been chosen based on the geographical location and climatic conditions of each site. The plant propagules of the species has selected on understanding its habitat and propagated at M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (M S S R F) nurseries. The invasive species has removed and made contour line for proper planting while land preparation. The awareness classes were conducted on the importance of the sacred grooves and conservation on each site. Various practices like irrigation support, scrapping, mulching, weeding have done whenever necessary. The name boards and sign boards were placed in all the sites. The plant species have been protected with Hibiscus fencing and bamboo tree covering.