Restoring biodiversity: case studies from two sacred groves of Kozhikode District, Kerala, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9487.17.11.27842-27853Keywords:
Mannur Shiva Temple, Pachathuruthu, Vadayil KavuAbstract
Floristic studies were conducted at Mannur Shiva Temple (MST) and Vadayil Kavu (VDK), two ecoresotation sites (Pachathuruths) established by Haritha Keralam Mission of the Government of Kerala in the sacred groves of Kadalundi Grama Panchayath, Kozhikode district, Kerala, India. A total of 171 plant species were identified from both the two study areas, 41 of which were shared by both. Most of the plants listed were having Indo-malesian distribution. Tropical American or Pantropical distribution came in second and third. There were 45 medicinal plants and 25 endemics in MST, compared to 49 medicinal plants and 9 endemics in VDK. Approximately 25 species reported from MST, and 17 from VDK were not represented in the Kozhikode district flora, Flora of Calicut. All these indicate the conservational importance of the area. About twenty-five of the species reported from MST and seventeen from VDK were absent in the Kozhikode district flora, Flora of Calicut. The importance of conducting comprehensive biodiversity research and continuous monitoring, the need to find adequate funding for the upkeep and expansion of these eco-restoration zones, the conservation value of these "Pachathuruth" regions of the state, etc., are also discussed.
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