The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Balbhavan campus rich in tree wealth

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 05, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Balbhavan campus rich in tree wealth

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 4. The campus of the Jawahar Balbhavan in the city, though small in size, is one of the richest in biodiversity in the State capital, if a `Tree census' done by Friends of Trees, a city-based NGO, is any indication.

The tree register, which is a permanent document containing the family name, scientific name, local name, the location and number of each species on a campus, will be formally released by the Civil Supplies Minister, G. Karthikeyan, on June 5, World Environment Day.

It was found that the relatively small campus, with a little over one hectare, has 120 trees belonging to 39 species, 34 genus and 24 families. Besides, the campus has the right mix of species. Species like peltophorum pterocarppum or `chaarakonna' and mahogany, which are often propagated in the State in too large numbers, have been kept to the minimum, says the secretary of Friends of Trees, C.K. Karunakaran.

Eucalyptus and acacia trees have not been introduced on the campus, unlike in many other places where these are grown in the name of afforestation. The Balbhavan campus also has a good number of indigenous fruit-bearing and shade-giving trees like jack, mango, gooseberry and java plum (`njaval') and also medicinal trees like `arayaal' and `peraal'.

A lot of flowering trees like `kanikkonna', `poompathiri' and `poomaruthu' also add beauty to the campus. Timber trees like teak and `anjili' and species rarely seen in cities like `chamatha', `vetti' and toddy palm can also be seen on this campus.

The study notes that the trees in the Balbhavan campus are well-protected and that this has helped the natural regeneration of trees like Sandal, `anjili', `manjakkonna' and `kulamaavu'. It has been suggested that the biodiversity in the campus could be increased by including species like `arya veppu', `asokam', `ungu' and `chempakam'.

Brass plates bearing the name of the species and its local names have been affixed on each tree.

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