Nestling on the Western Ghats near a remote village, Gurukul Botanical Sanctuary has attracted attention the world over for its eco-friendly measures to conserve nature.
There is nothing fancy about this botanical sanctuary in Peria, Kerala aside from its sincere efforts towards restoring our fragile eco-system, particularly in the Western Ghats. This is entirely due to the pioneering efforts of a German, now an Indian citizen, Wolfgang Theuerkauf, who started this sanctuary for plants on a small scale in 1981.
Theuerkauf fell in love with the place as he felt it was the right place for him — “The climate is fine and it is calm and peaceful.” Thus began his tryst with the forests in which his Gurukul Sanctuary is located. It has become a symbol of hope and rejuvenation for the exotic species like orchids and rare ferns. As one walks around the sanctuary, one is struck by the innovative methods adopted to conserve nature.
Here, only a few surplus items grown are for sale. The rest are used up in the establishment which supports paid workers as well as volunteers and friends of the sanctuary.
The main activity is concerned with restoration and preservation of plant species such as orchids and ferns. What was once a degraded land is now a green forest with several plant species endemic to the region. A few plants from Australia and New Zealand have adapted to the local environment as well.
The sanctuary is made to be self sufficient. Biomass is collected and processed to suit the plants, for which a special process of heating, cooling and sieving is adopted. Underground springs are fed into a pond from which water is pumped up once a week into a huge stone conical water tank at a higher level.
The spring water is so good that it is used in the kitchen as well as for drinking. Solar energy is harnessed to meet most of the sanctuary’s needs.
‘School in the forest’ is an innovative teaching method adopted by the Gurukul, where students get first-hand experience of observing and performing various tasks like organic farming, planting, cleaning, collecting biomass and transplanting.
A fee per student is charged that covers this hands-on training, educational material, accommodation and food. The forest in which the sanctuary is located is home to 2,000 species of plants, butterflies, snakes, monkeys, and birds. There is harmony in every activity within the sanctuary that aids nature to flourish.
Each season has its own charm in the sanctuary, not only because of the
presence of so many varieties of flora but also due to the quiet and peaceful forest environment that is ideal for tired souls. The Gurukul Botanical Sanctuary has
received international acclaim and recognition as being one of the best centres of biodiversity. It is a fine example of how degraded forest land can be turned into a flourishing forest.