Manoj Mathirappally at his biodiversity park in Idukki
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Manoj Mathirappally at his biodiversity park in Idukki
| Photo Credit:
A two-acre biodiversity park close to the Idukki reservoir at Ayyappancovil, located along the Kattappana–Kuttikkanam State Highway, has emerged as a thriving hub for rare medicinal and exotic flora. Visitors can view a dense concentration of rare and sacred species, some of which are deeply rooted in ancient lore.Among the highlights are the neelakoduveli (plumbago auriculata), a rare plant described in the Puranas, alongside mahavilvam (aegle marmelos), somalatha (sarcostemma acidum), the kamandalumaram or calabash tree (crescentia cujete), puthranjeeva (putranjiva roxburghii), and kayampoo (memecylon umbellatum). The park was envisioned and developed by local historian Manoj Mathirappally on his personal land.“The kamandalu tree, whose hollowed-out gourds were historically used by sages to fetch water, is one of our key features,” said Mr. Mathirappally. “We have also cultivated red ginger, kayampoo, maramulla (murraya paniculata), kalyana saugandhikam (hedychium coronarium), churakkalli (jatropha multifida)—which serves as a natural bandage—and kalluvazha (ensete superbum), a wild banana variety whose fruits are packed with large seeds and rare red gel aloe vera,” he said.He added, “We also feature madhuram kolli (gymnema sylvestre), a plant capable of temporarily neutralising the taste of sugar for up to an hour, and the puthranjeeva tree, which is famously referenced in the Puranas for aiding in the birth of a male child.”Immense dedicationBuilding the collection required immense dedication. “Various plants and trees were gathered from across the State and South India with great effort,” Mr. Mathirappally noted. “My goal is to transform this park into an educational resource hub for researchers and students, fostering awareness about biodiversity conservation. We are already seeing a steady stream of students arriving to study these species,” he said.In recognition of these efforts, the park has been selected for the Kerala Forest department’s Vanamithra Award for the year 2025–26. The annual award honours individuals, educational institutions, voluntary organisations, and farmers in each district for outstanding contributions to conservation.Vipindas P.K., the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) for Idukki Social Forestry, praised the initiative. “While this two-acre plot is prime land for cardamom farming—which could easily generate hundreds of thousands of rupees in annual income—Mr. Mathirappally chose to dedicate it entirely to biodiversity,” Mr. Das said. “Beyond the rare medicinal plants, the park features a specialised collection of rare bamboo. The District Social Forestry wing proudly recommended him for the Vanamithra Award to honour his selflessness and his invaluable contribution to safeguarding Idukki’s natural heritage,” said Mr Das. Published - June 05, 2026 07:47 pm IST
