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Thus stems the exotic herb
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Home to rare orchids and fruits, Moodbidri is a must-see place
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L.C. Soans: on a green mission
MOODBIDRI NEAR here has been transformed into a heaven for botanists and eco tourists. Known as the Kashi for Jains, it is now internationally recognised thanks to the famed Soans Brothers. Along with Dr. Mohan Alva, a medical practitioner and educationist, they have cultivated medicinal plants with a high degree of success. To top it all, the Dharmasthala Rural Development programme has been turning the bald hills of Moodbidri into profitable pastures of agriculture for the unemployed youth.
It all started in 1920 when the senior Soans tried planting coconut trees and some other local fruit varieties on the 120 acres of arid land he had inherited. Struggling thus for over 30 years, he left his sons a legacy of exotic greens. His eldest son, L.C. Soans, tried his hand in pineapple cultivation with improved irrigation and set out on greening the pasture together with his brothers. What was once a bare piece of land is a thriving example of human perseverance and marvel of nature today. The Soans brothers could raise not just the local fruits but also various exotic fruits of South East Asia, Australia and Africa; giant bamboos from China; berries from New Zealand and Europe and various other types of fruits from the tropical countries. A globetrotter, L.C. Soans takes pleasure in visiting botanical gardens around the world and picking up species that could grow in Indian conditions.
Nothing is ever out of season in the Soans farms today. Moodbidri is acclaimed worldwide for the juicy Rambutans and Mangesteins, tingling blackberries, egg fruits, at least 30-40 varieties of mangoes, king-size jackfruits and perennial pineapples. But that's not all. A sizable portion of the farm has been occupied by rare, flowering trees brought from all over the world. There are orchids, magnolias and various creepers that could drive a botanist crazy with their characteristics. As an added flavour, the mango orchards have been inter-cropped with vanilla, black pepper and various other herbs which fill the air with a superb aroma.
The Soans farm is slowly being recognized as a world centre of farm tourism. Often, when cruise ships dock in Mangalore port, the farm gets flooded with tourists who just like to hang around the farm, feast themselves on freshly picked local fruits and gulp down fresh juices.
The Soans brothers usually suggest that the tourists trek around the western ghats. They help them study the flora and fauna with their wide knowledge of local varieties.
The farm has almost become a centre of eco and farm tourism. There is even a dedicated cottage for those who wish to stay back. L.C. Soans says that many researchers, students and nature enthusiasts arrive here every year in good numbers.
Not far away from the Soans farms is the sprawling estate of Dr. Mohan Alva. An Ayurvedic doctor, academician and cultural personality all rolled into one, Dr.Alva is obsessed with herbs. Coming from a family of Ayurvedic doctors, he has converted at least 40 acres of his estate into a scientifically designed herbal garden created to match the details in the text book of Dhanvantri, the demigod of Ayurveda.
Dr. Alva has planted over 600 varieties of herbs and classified them into various categories like flowering, fruits, barks and berries. Some rare plants that grow only in Himalayan range, like Guggul, have also been thriving in this garden. One of the attractions of the `Shobha Vana' (treasure house of trees) is the original Ashoka Tree brought from Gaya. Thanks to his vision, many birds, insects and reptiles that have been missing from the western ghats are coming back to nest.
Another feature of this garden is a separate section which has been divided into medicinal plants having religious sanctity, those with affinity to star signs and those dedicated to gods like Shiva and Ganapathy. The Nakshatra-Vana (dedicated to stars) Shivapanchakshri Vana, Ganesh Vana and Raasi Vana and Japa Kusuma Vanas have been formed in accordance with the classical Ayurvedic sciences. All these have been meticulously cultivated with the help of a qualified botanist.
M. RAGHURAM
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