Collection and Ex-situ Conservation of the Medicinal Plants Described in Van Rheede’s Hortus Malabaricus

The Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Education, Thiruvananthapuram bestowed on the Kerala Centre for Heritage Studies a research project on the Collection and Ex-situ Conservation of the Medicinal Plants Described in Van Rheede’s Hortus Malabaricus. This project was intended to promote awareness and cultivation of medicinal plants in the rural area. Under this scheme, we distributed plants to schools, libraries and farmers. We started two centres, one at Vatakara, Calicut and one at Panmana Ashram, Kollam with this purpose of propagation. Panmana Ashram took more interest in our activities as it was a manufacturing centre of Ayurvedic medicine.
The Kerala Centre for Heritage Studies' team of researchers made a taxonomical survey of Kunnathur Pady, a sacred grove in Kannur district which was an extension of the Western Ghats. This hot spot of biodiversity had continued to exist for several centuries as a cult centre of Muthappan, the hunter deity of Malabar. There our researchers could find out several endangered species which were not listed in the list prepared on endangered plants in the district. Such surveys are more essential to find out the species which are already extinguished. We had brought out a book on Kunnathur Pady with a detailed study of the species of that plot of 110 acres.

OBJECTIVES
This project was intended to promote awareness and cultivation of medicinal plants in the rural area.

RESULTS
Under this scheme, the Kerala Centre for Heritage Studies distributed plants to schools, libraries and farmers.
Two centres were started, one at Vatakara, Calicut and one at Panmana Ashram, Kollam with this purpose of propagation.
The Kerala Centre for Heritage Studies had brought out a book on Kunnathur Pady with a detailed study of the species of that plot of 110 acres.