Sacred groves of North Kerala

The government has taken steps to protect kavus that are an ecologically rich ecosystem.

Sacred groves: Need to be protected. Photo:Vipin Chandran

It is a patch of forest right in the midst of a small but active town and this wooded area is not far from the bus stand and the railway station. It is one of the hundreds of verdant spots known as kavus or sacred groves.

The Mannampurathu Kavu located near Neeleswaram town is a place worth visiting during summer as the cool ambience inside the three-hectare area gives relief from the scorching heat. The visit will also make you aware of the ecological importance of the kavus. If the Mannampurathu Kavu is easily accessible, Theyyottu Kavu at Alapadambu in Kannur is not.

Rich habitat

Spread over an extent of 24 hectares of land, the kavu is virgin forest; a rich habitat for several species of flora and fauna.

It is one of the largest kavus in the North Malabar region such as Kammatathu Kavu (21.6 ha) at Bheemanadi in Kasaragod, Poongottu Kavu (14 ha) near Mattannur and Thavidisseri Kavu (20 ha) at Peringome Vayakkara in Kannur. Some parts of the Poongottu Kavu fall under Myristica swamp forest which is a rare ecosystem.

The Kerala government launched a project recently for protecting the kavus as they are ecologically sensitive habitats. They are being protected because they play ecological functions of a rich evergreen forest. According to studies conducted by the Forest Department, there are more than 200 medicinal plants found in the sacred groves in the region.

The kavus are also breeding ground for many rare species of turtles, animals, bats and birds. “They are bits of forest areas nurtured by beliefs,” says V. Jayarajan who is actively involved in the conservation of art and culture in the region. It is the sanctity of the kavus that has largely protected them in the Kannur and Kasaragod districts, he adds.

Vast lands

The two districts together have a large number of kavus of extent varying from 20 cents of land to 24 ha. A large number of white tortoises are protected and nurtured in the sacred groves of North Kerala.

According to a study, more than 400 species of birds recorded from the State have been sighted there. The sacred groves are seen as vestiges of what was once vast stretches of evergreen forests.

Environmentalists call for steps to strengthen public awareness for the conservation of the kavus as patches of greenery.