‘Tulsi’ (basil) can also smell like camphor or clove, leaf of allspice can be used to prepare herbal tea, ‘gymnema sylvestre’ helps reduce blood sugar level, ‘rauwolfia serpentina’ helps control high blood pressure, there are certain butterflies that lay eggs on particular species of plants and feed on nectar from specific flowers, and so on and so forth.
When the executive members of Dolphin Nature Conservation Society tried to explain different endangered species of plants and trees and its advantages at the Biodiversity Park, over 100 students looked on in awe. Looking at each leaf with enthusiasm, they learnt that the park was home to some 2,500 species of plants and trees. For many students, the field trip was a beautiful experience. “We never knew that there are plants that help reduce blood pressure and sugar levels. It is nice to see diversity in flora and fauna over here,” said a group of the students.
The distinct features of ‘torch ginger’, ‘shampoo ginger’, mangroves with aerial roots, and ‘avicennia’ charmed the children who visited the park for the first time.
Apart from maintaining different plants and trees and other initiatives being taken up by a team of Dolphin Nature Conservation Society (DNCS), they are keen on promoting the values and significance of the rarest species of plants.
“The plants have been procured from different places. If we can’t educate the students on its properties, the beauty of the park would lose its sheen,” said team leader of DNCS A. Rohini.
