On a journey through the interiors of Kottayam, one is certain to encounter a dizzying array of trees lined up on vast swaths of land, almost every hundred metres.
But standing amidst this carefully tended, lush greenery of plantations is a vibrant and self-sustaining ecosystem at Ayamkudy, a hamlet near Kaduthuruthy. This man-made forest, called Mango Meadows, is home to about 4,800 plant varieties from as many as 15 countries.
Living up to its reputation, this small patch of land that also doubles up as an agricultural theme park, has now found place in the URF World Records and the Limca Book of Records for developing the maximum number of agriculture and horticulture species in a minimum area of 30 acres.
The certificate issued by the Limca Book of Records notes the forest has 4,800 species of plants, 700 trees, 900 flowering plants, with saplings and seeds collected from 15 countries.
“Diverse agriculture and horticulture species have been showcased, including commercial crops like oil seeds, as well as stimulants and aromatic medicinal plants. Even species like cardamom, usually found at higher altitudes, are grown here,” reads the certificate.
The URF Records certificate, on the other hand, states that the park has more than 1,950 species of medicinal plants.
N.K. Kurian, owner of the property, said the forest was developed over a period of 15 years.
“My attempt was to set up a replica of a forest rich in biodiversity so as to sensitise visitors that conservation of ecology is everybody’s duty,” he said.
Surrounded by paddy fields, the 35 acre property also covers various activities, including agriculture, animal husbandry and dairy farming.
