Niagra of India--Hogenakkal in Karnataka

Known as the 'Niagara Falls of India', the Hogenakkal waterfall in the Dharmapuri district is a popular tourist destination.

The waterfall amidst the lush green and serene surroundings makes it an idyllic and excellent excursion destination for tourists-both domestic and foreign.

However, weekends here are rather fast paced as the place is chock- a- block with people, coming here to soak in the water showers or enjoy a boat ride.

Besides providing a perfect leisure spot, the waterfall is known for its healing properties. People suffering from skin ailments especially come here to take a herbal power shower.

World's deserts getting greener despite global warming

Contrary to the assumption that global warming would cause an expansion of the world's deserts, some scientists are predicting that water and life may slowly reclaim these arid places.

According to a report by BBC News, the evidence is limited and definitive conclusions are impossible to reach, but recent satellite pictures of North Africa seem to show areas of the Sahara in retreat.

It could be that an increase in rainfall has caused this effect.

The Sahara is experiencing a shift from dryer to wetter conditions, according to Farouk el-Baz, director of the Centre for Remote Sensing at Boston University.

"It's not greening yet. But the desert expands and shrinks in relation to the amount of energy that is received by the Earth from the Sun, and this over many thousands of years," el-Baz told the BBC World Service.

"The heating of the Earth would result in more evaporation of the oceans, in turn resulting in more rainfall," he said.

Droughts over the preceding decades have had the effect of driving nomadic people and rural farmers into the towns and cities.

Such movement of people suggests weather patterns are becoming dryer and harsher.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned recently that rising global temperatures could cut West African agricultural production by up to 50 percent by the year 2020.

But, satellite images from the last 15 years do seem to show a recovery of vegetation in the Southern Sahara, although the Sahel Belt, the semi-arid tropical savannah to the south of the desert, remains fragile.

The fragility of the Sahel may have been exacerbated by the cutting of trees, poor land management and subsequent erosion of soil.

The broader picture is reinforced by studies carried out in the Namib Desert in Namibia. or the last few years, there has been higher than average rainfall in the area.

This is a region with an average rainfall of just 12 millimetres per year - what scientists call "hyper-arid".

Last year, the local research centre, called Gobabeb, measured 80mm of rain.

In the last decade, they have seen the local river, a dry bed for most of the year, experience record-high floods. All this has coincided with record-high temperatures.

According to Mary Seely, a scientist from Gobabeb, "Deserts and arid areas always have extremely varied rainfall. You would have to look at a record of several hundred years to maybe say that things are getting greener or dryer. For the last few years, there has been higher than average rainfall."

Gayatri Devi Passes Away

Jaipur royal Rajmata Gayatri Devi on Wednesday ,she was 90. She was once named as 'Worldz Ten Most Beautiful Women' by Vogue .Gayatri Devi won the Lok Sabha seat thrice.She was a fashion Icon in her adulthood.Born on May 23, 1919 as Princess Gayatri Devi of Cooch Behar, she was the third Maharani of Jaipur from 1939 to 1970 through marriage to Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. To her friends and family she was more commonly known as Ayesha.She started schools for girls education in Jaipur which is the Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls Public School. She also promoted the dying art of blue pottery.

Abortion Ratz Increazig n China

13 million abortions are carried out in China each year, in part because there is little education about contraception or disease for the rising numbers of young people who are having sex, state media said. Zex is no longer considered taboo among young people today and they believe they can learn everything they need from the internet. But it doesn't mean they have developed a proper understanding or attitude toward it the paper quoted hospital gynaecologist Yu Dongyan saying .Single women may seek abortions because under current laws unmarried mothers cannot get a household registration card for their child. It is extremely hard for Chinese citizens to get access to education, healthcare and other public services. China also sellz 10 million abortion pills a year, and there are many other abortions performed in unregistered clinics.Ordinary web users in China banned from surfing sex-related medical and research websites from July that threatenz to make information about zexual health even harder to access.

റോഡരികില്‍ ചവറുകൂനകള്‍;യാത്രക്കാര്‍ ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടുന്നു.

തിരുവനന്തപുരം: റോഡരികിലെ ചവറുകള്‍ യാത്രക്കാര്‍ക്ക് ഏറെ ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടുണ്ടാക്കുന്നു. കഴക്കുട്ടം ബൈപാസ് എന്‍ .എച്ച് റോഡ്, ചാക്ക ബൈപാസ് എന്നിവയ്ക്ക് പുറമേ തിരുവനന്തപുരം നഗരത്തിലെ പല പ്രധാന റോഡുകളിലും നടപ്പാതകള്‍ പോലും കയ്യടക്കികൊണ്ട്ടാന്നു മാലിന്യങ്ങള്‍ സ്ഥാനം പിടിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത് . പലയിടങ്ങളിലും യാത്രക്കാര്‍ക്ക് മു‌ക്കുപോത്തി സഞ്ചരിക്കേണ്ടഅവസ്ഥയാണുള്ളത്. കാല്‍നട യാത്രക്കാരെയാണ് ഇതു കൂടുതല്‍ ബാധിക്കുന്നത്‌ .പ്ലാസ്റ്റിക് മുതല്‍ ജൈവാവഷിഷ്ടങ്ങള്‍ വരെ ഇവയില്‍ പെടുന്നു .
നഗരസഭയുടെ വൃത്തിയാക്കല്‍ നടപടികള്‍ ദിവസവും തുടരുന്നെങ്ങിലും ഇവയൊന്നും ആരുടേയും കണ്ണില്‍പ്പെടുന്നില്ല . അടുക്കള മാലിന്യങ്ങള്‍ , ഇറച്ചി കടയിലെ അഴുകിയ മാംസാവശിഷ്ടങ്ങളും വാഹനങ്ങളിലെത്തി ഉപേക്ഷിക്കുക പതിവാണ്. മഴക്കാലമാവുമ്പോള്‍ സ്ഥിതി ഗുരുതരമാകുകയും പല പകര്‍ച്ചവ്യാധികള്‍ക്കും കാരണമാകുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു . നഗരസഭയുടെ നേത്രത്വത്തില്‍ ചവര്‍ നിക്ഷേപം നിരോധിച്ചിരുന്ന മേഖലയില്‍ ചവറിടാന്‍ ശ്രമിച്ച നഗരസഭയുടെ വാഹനത്തെ നാട്ടുകാര്‍ തടഞ്ഞു വെച്ച സംഭവവും ഈയിടെ ഉണ്ടായിട്ടുണ്ട് .മാലിന്യ നിര്‍മ്മാര്‍ജനത്തില്‍ നഗരസഭയുടെ അനാസ്ഥ തുടര്‍ന്നാല്‍ ശക്തമായ പ്രതിഷേധ പരിപാടികളുമായി രംഗത്തെതുമെന്നു നാട്ടുകാര്‍ പറയുന്നു .

My Hearty Congratulations

Dear Laletta,
Wish you all the best for your new assignement. Now you have an additional responsibility for Indian people. You look very nice in the uniform. You absolutely deserve it. Wish you all the best. we are proud of you,a great achievement

trousers trial

The trial of a Sudanese woman charged with wearing "indecent" clothing has been adjourned, but will continue after she decided to waive her immunity.Lubna Ahmed Hussein was arrested for wearing trousers, said she wanted carry on with the trial because she wanted to get the law changed. Under Sudanese law she could face 40 lashes if she is found guilty. She was arrested in a restaurant in the capital with other women earlier this month for wearing "indecent" clothing.

'smarter search Google

Google is using so-called semantic web technology to leverage the underlying data on websites to enhance results. The race in search is far from over and innovation and continued improvement is absolutely pivotal, said Google's Marissa Mayer. Google said it could not afford to rest on its laurels in the quest to build the perfect search engine.

Microsoft and Yahoo seal web deal

Yahoo and Microsoft have announced a long-rumoured internet search deal that will help the two companies take on chief rival Google.Microsoft's Bing search engine will power the Yahoo website and Yahoo will in turn become the advertising sales team for Microsoft's online offering.Yahoo has been struggling to make profits in recent years.
But last year it rebuffed several takeover bids from Microsoft in an attempt to go it alone.
Yahoo shares closed down 12.1% on the day, while Microsoft shares moved up by 1.4%.
Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer said the 10-year deal would provide Microsoft's Bing search engine with the necessary scale to compete.

swine flu deaths top 700

H1N1 swine flu has killed more than 700 people around the world since the outbreak began four months ago, says the World Health Organization .This represents a jump of at least two-thirds from the last official death toll figure of 429, published by the WHO on July 6. Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, has warned that swine flu will become the biggest flu pandemic ever seen.The overwhelming majority of patients usually recover, even without medical treatment, within a week of falling ill. The WHO has said the pandemic is developing at such a high speed that it is now pointless to try to document every case.

Swine flu vaccine

Half of the US population should be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus with pregnant women and health workers the top priority, US ഓഫ് ficials have said.A US government advisory committee said health officials should prepare to vaccinate 160 million people

Guantanamo inmate to be released

Obama administration says it will release Mohammed Jawad, who has been held at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp since 2002.Earlier this month officials admitted that there was no military case for Mr Jawad's continued detention. But government lawyers said they wished to keep him in detention pending a possible criminal prosecution

A WORLD RECORD BY EATING 68 DOGS IN 10 MINUTES .... !! -ക്ലാസിക്കല്‍ വിറ്റ്‌

Oru Chinthakan

Lunch Bagil Lunch Kondu Pokan Pattum... But School Bagil School Kondu Pokan Pattumo???Bus stoppinte aduthu wait cheythal BUS varum...Full stoppinte aduthu wait cheythal oru FULL varumo...... ???Potte, Oru Quarter Engilum??Auto Driver Ayal Auto Odikkan Pattum!!! But Screw Driver Ayal screwOdikkan Pattumo???Idly Podi Thotu Idly Kazhikkam, Ennal Mooku Podi Thotu Mooku kazhikkampattumo??Engineering Collegil Padichal Engineer Akam. EnnalPresidency Collegil Padichal President Akan Pattumo??Cycilil poyal cycling aavum ...Trainil poyal athu training aavumoo??nammal kadayil poyi 501 bar soap vangikumbol kadakkaran nammukku orusoap mathram tharunnu..bakki 500 soap evide poyennu aarengilumchinthichittundo? ?Oru cuticura powder idumbol athinte ammacurayem achancurayem evide ennuanweshichittundoo?paavam cuticura ...thengeennu thengaa veezhum ..maavennu maanga veezhum .plaavennuplaangaa entha vizhathe ??ennuoru chinthakanChinthakr inganan undakunnathennu manassilayille! !Samayam kalayanda Chindikkaaaa. .

377

The matter is not gay sex is wrie or wrongBut the harrasment the sexual minority had udergone all these years.the verdict hasnothing to do with the legalisation of gay sex, but it is to prevent the harrasment.To that extent it is a historic verdict.Gay sex- write or wrong is anotherQuestion. We must discuss that understanding that it is a privare dicision of two individuals.But to pronounce it as a movment and to glorify it is absurd too.

പരീക്ഷ

പരീക്ഷ.......................... അത് അറിവില്ലായ്മ അളകാനുള്ളതല്ല, അറിവിനെ അറിയാനുള്ളതാണ്. എങ്കില്‍ നമ്മുടെ പേപ്പര്‍ നോക്കുന്നവരുടെ കാര്യം .....ഹൊ കഷ്ടം........!

ടെസ്റ്റിലെ പുതിയ 'ടെസ്റ്റുകള്‍'

നിറമില്ലാത്ത കുപ്പായവും ആളൊഴിഞ്ഞ മൈതാനവും ആരവങ്ങളില്ലാത്ത കളിയഴകും, അതായിരുന്നു ടെസ്റ്റ്‌ ക്രിക്കറ്റ്. കാലം മാറി. എങ്ങോ മറന്നു വെച്ച ക്ലാസ്സിക്‌ ശൈലികളും ലക്ഷിയം തെറ്റിയ ആക്രമണങ്ങളും മാറി വരുന്ന പരീക്ഷണങ്ങളും കലി പൂണ്ട പെരുമാറ്റവും അങ്ങനെ അങ്ങനെ മുറതെറ്റിയ മാറ്റങ്ങല്‍ക്കൊടുവില്‍ മാന്യന്മാരുടെ കളി ചരിത്ര പുസ്തകത്തിന്‍റെ താളുകളില്‍ അഭയം തേടാന്‍ ഒരുങ്ങുകയാണ്. ഇങ്ങനെയൊക്കെയായ സ്ഥിതിക്ക് ക്രിക്കറ്റ് പണ്ടിതന്മാര്‍ക്ക് വെറുതെ ഇരിക്കാനാകുമോ? നിയമങ്ങള്‍ക്കും രീതികള്‍ക്കും ഭേതഗതികള്‍ വരുത്തി ആധുനിക ടെസ്റ്റ്‌ എന്ന ആശയത്തിലേക്ക് 'അതിവേഗം ബഹുദുരം' പിന്നിട്ടു കഴിഞ്ഞു. കാത്തിരുന്നു കാണുക തന്നെ ......................................!!!

campus politics.

Do you think campus politics is good to our education.Never.It will deteriorate our education and its value.Political life and academic life are different.Both in one institution cannot co-xist.To support violnce in
campus some political leaders unashamedly says the name of some freedom fighters.This is only to provocate youths.Kerala govt suggested a series of measures in Aug 2003 including ban on political activities in campuses.In Ot 17,2003 Kerala High court held that students had no right to make any kind of strike or disturbanecs to the conduct of classes.

"ഇതൊക്ക പറയാം
എന്നല്ലാതെ ആര് കേള്‍ക്കാനാ "..........................

Journalism

Traditional journalists at work in1940s

Journalism is activity or profession of being a journalist, a person who writes for newspapers or magazines or prepares news or features to be broadcast on radio or television.
Johann Carolus' Relation aller Fürnemmen und gedenckwürdigen Historien, published in 1605 in Strassburg, is often recognized as the first newspaper. The first successful English daily, The Daily Courant, was published from 1702 to 1735 From informal beginnings, stimulated by the arrival of mechanized printing—in due course by mass production and in the 20th century by electronic communications technology—today's journalistic enterprises include large corporations with global distribution that include newspapers, television and the Internet.
The formal status of journalism has varied historically and still varies greatly from country to country. The modern state and hierarchical power structures in general have tended to consider unrestricted flow of information as a potential threat, and inimical to their own proper function.
Censorship, governmental restriction or even active repression of individual journalists and non-state organs of communication continue to cause, at best, intermittent trouble in most countries. Few formal democracies and no authoritarian governments make provision for protection of press freedom implied by the term Fourth Estate.
The rise of internet technology, in particular the advent of blogging and social networking software, further destabilize journalism as defined traditionally, and its practitioners as a distinct professional category. Combined with the increasing transfer of advertising revenue from print and broadcast media to the internet, the full effect of the arrival of the "citizen journalist" — potentially positive (proliferation having thus far proved more difficult to police) as well as negative— is not yet known.

Reference : Wikipedia

Cancer

A coronal CT scan showing malignant cancer of the lung sac.

Legend: → tumor ←,

central pleural effusion,

1&3 lungs, 2 spine, 4 ribs, 5 aorta, 6 spleen,

7&8 kidneys, 9 liver.
DiseasesDB 28843
MedlinePlus 001289

MeSH D009369

Cancer (medical term: malignant neoplasm) is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood). These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, and do not invade or metastasize. Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not. The branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer is oncology.
Cancer may affect people at all ages, even fetuses, but the risk for most varieties increases with age.Cancer causes about 13% of all human deaths.According to the American Cancer Society, 7.6 million people died from cancer in the world during 2007.Cancers can affect all animals.
Nearly all cancers are caused by abnormalities in the genetic material of the transformed cells.These abnormalities may be due to the effects of carcinogens, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, chemicals, or infectious agents. Other cancer-promoting genetic abnormalities may be randomly acquired through errors in DNA replication, or are inherited, and thus present in all cells from birth. The heritability of cancers are usually affected by complex interactions between carcinogens and the host's genome. New aspects of the genetics of cancer pathogenesis, such as DNA methylation, and microRNAs are increasingly recognized as important.
Genetic abnormalities found in cancer typically affect two general classes of genes. Cancer-promoting oncogenes are typically activated in cancer cells, giving those cells new properties, such as hyperactive growth and division, protection against programmed cell death, loss of respect for normal tissue boundaries, and the ability to become established in diverse tissue environments. Tumor suppressor genes are then inactivated in cancer cells, resulting in the loss of normal functions in those cells, such as accurate DNA replication, control over the cell cycle, orientation and adhesion within tissues, and interaction with protective cells of the immune system.
Diagnosis usually requires the histologic examination of a tissue biopsy specimen by a pathologist, although the initial indication of malignancy can be symptoms or radiographic imaging abnormalities. Most cancers can be treated and some cured, depending on the specific type, location, and stage. Once diagnosed, cancer is usually treated with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As research develops, treatments are becoming more specific for different varieties of cancer. There has been significant progress in the development of targeted therapy drugs that act specifically on detectable molecular abnormalities in certain tumors, and which minimize damage to normal cells. The prognosis of cancer patients is most influenced by the type of cancer, as well as the stage, or extent of the disease. In addition, histologic grading and the presence of specific molecular markers can also be useful in establishing prognosis, as well as in determining individual treatments.

Reference : Wikipedia

History of the Hindi language

Hindi evolved from Prakrit. Though there is no consensus for a specific time, Hindi originated as local dialects such as Braj, Awadhi, and finally Khari Boli after the turn of tenth century.(These local dialects are still spoken, each by large populations.) In the span of nearly a thousand years of political subjugation to Muslim rulers (the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire) using Persian as their official language, Khari Boli adopted many Persian and Arabic words. As for the ultimately Arabic words, since almost every one of them came via Persian, their form in Hindi-Urdu does not preserve the original phonology of Arabic.

The word Maharaja

The word Mahārāja (also spelled maharajah) is Sanskrit for "great king" or "high king" (a karmadharaya from mahānt "great" and rājan "king"). Due to Sanskrit's major influence on the vocabulary of most languages in India, the term 'maharaja' is common to many modern languages, such as Oriya, Punjabi, Bengali, Hindi, Gujrati, etc. Its use is primarily for Hindu potentates (ruler or sovereign). The female equivalent title Maharani (or Maharanee) denotes either the wife of a Mahārāja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a maharajah is known as a Rajmata.The term Maharaj denotes separate noble and religious offices, although the fact that in Hindi the suffix 'a' in Maharaja is silent makes the two titles near homophones.

Assembly after the formation of Kerala State

In 1956, the State of Kerala was formed on linguistic basis, merging Travancore, Cochin and Malabar regions. The first general election in the Kerala State was held in February-March, 1957. The first Kerala Legislative Assembly was formed on March 1, 1957. The Assembly had 127 members including a nominated member.
The State Assembly is known as Niyama Sabha and is housed in New Legislature Complex. This 10 storied complex is one of the largest complexes in India. The Central Hall is described as most elegant and majestic hall with ornamental Teakwood-Rosewood panelling.

History of Kerala Legislative Assembly

The evolution of Kerala Legislative Assembly begins with the formation of a Legislative Council in the princely state of Travancore in 1888. The Legislative Council of Travancore had undergone so many changes by years. By the meantime people’s participation in the Assembly was widely sought. All those efforts led to the formation of one more representative body, namely the Sri Moolam Popular Assembly of Travancore. This Assembly of the representatives of the landholders and merchants, aimed at giving the people an opportunity of bringing to the notice of Government their requirements, wishes or grievances on the one hand, and on the other, to make the policy and measures of Government better known to the people so that all possible grounds of misconception may be removed. That was in October 1, 1904. Though the popular assembly contained representatives of tax- payers, it finally became a people’s representatives body. Political awareness and people agitations were aggressive and the authorities were forced to include peoples representatives into the popular assembly. On May 1, 1905, a regulation was issued to grant to the people the privilege of electing members to the Assembly. Of the 100 members, 77 were to be elected and 23 nominated, for a tenure of 1 year. The right to vote was given to persons who paid on their account an annual land revenue of not less than Rs. 50 or whose net income was not less than Rs. 2000 and to graduates of a recognized University, with not less than 10 years standing and having their residence in the taluk. The membership of the popular assembly increased year by year and finally in 1921 elected representatives gained the majority. By that time the house had 50 members of which 28 were elected and the rest nominated. By this time the princely stated of Cochin also formed a Legislative Council (1925), with 30 elected and 15 nominated representatives. Malabar District of Madras Province under the British rule, had representatives in Madras Legislative Assembly from 1920's.
After India’s independence responsible governments were formed in Travancore and Cochin. In 1949 the merger of Travancore and Cochin and the first Legislative Assembly composed of 178 members of the Legislative bodies of Travancore and Cochin. The Malabar region had representatives in the Madras Legislative Assembly.

Transparency International (TI)

Transparency International (TI) is an international non-governmental organization addressing corruption[citation needed]. This includes, but is not limited to, political corruption. It is widely known for producing its annual Corruptions Perceptions Index (see below), a comparative listing of corruption worldwide. The international headquarters is located in Berlin, Germany. The founder of the organisation is Peter Eigen.

Kochi Metro

The Kochi Metro is a proposed mass transit system for the South Indian city of Kochi. It was one of the first proposed in India but was delayed for a variety of reasons. It is now planned to be commissioned by 2011. The alignment was created by the DMRC and is planned to be made on a Public-Private Partnership basis. The nodal agency for the project is KINFRA. Kochi Metro Rail Corporation is to operate the metro.

Route:
The Kochi Metro Rail Corporation has proposed a route spanning 25.253 from Thripunithura to Alwaye.There will be 26 Stations and are the following:
Aluva
Pulinchodu
Company Pady
Ambattkavu
Muttom
Appolo Typres
Jacobite Church
Kalamaserry
Pathadi Palam
Toll Junction
Edapally Junction
Edapally Station
Palarivattom
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Kaloor
Lissie
Madhav Pharmacy
Maharaja's College
Ernakulam South
GCDA
Fathima Church
Elamkulam
Vytila
Thaikoodam
Punithura
Petta

History of KSRTC

The KSRTC began as the Travancore State Transport Department, constituted by the erstwhile Travancore Government with a view to reorganize the transport service of the erstwhile state of Travancore. Mr E.G. Salter, Assistant, Operating Superintendent of London Passenger Transport Board was appointed as Superintendent of the Transport Department on 20 September 1937. It grew in size with nationalisation of key inter-state routes such as Thiruvanathapuram to Kanyakumari and Palakkad to Coimbatore

The first fleet consisted of 60 Comet chassis fitted with Perkins diesel engines, imported from England. The bus body was built by the staff of the Travancore State Transport Department under the supervision of Mr Salter himself. The selection of operating staff remains as a model which has been followed by the present staff as well. The department gave preference in recruitment for those who were likely to lose their jobs in the private transport companies due to the nationalization of Thiruvanathapuram Kanyakumari route. Thus, the Transport Department started with a staff of about a hundred graduates appointed as Inspectors and Conductors.

The State Motor Service was inaugurated by His Highness Sree Chithirathirunal on 20.2.1938. His Highness and his kin were the first passengers of the inauguration trip and Mr. Salter was himself the driver to that bus. This bus along with the 33 other buses brought on road driving through the Kawdiar Square was an attraction at that time. Kunnel G Varghese(1913-1999) at the time 25 years old, along with some others were some of the first drivers of the K.S.R.T.C. Kunnel G Varghese later retired after 40+ years in the service with K.S.R.T.C.

Consequent on the enactment of Road Transport Corporation Act in 1950, Govt. of Kerala formulated KSRTC rules in 1965 by sec.44 and the department was converted into an autonomous corporation on 1 April 1965. The Kerala State road Transport Corporation was established by the government of Kerala by the notification dated, 15 March 1965.
In 1995 KSRTC ventured into the technical education field as well with the starting of an engineering college named Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering at Pappanamcode in its Central Workshop premises.
Reference : Wikipedia

Travancore Kings

Rama Varma 1663-1672
Aditya Varma 1672-1677
Umayamma Rani 1677-1684
Ravi Varma 1684-1718
Aditya Varma 1718-1719
Unni Kerala Varma 1719-1724
Rajah Rama Varma 1724-1729
Marthanda Varma 1729-1758
Dharma Raja 1758-1798
Balarama Varma 1798-1810
Gowri Lakshmi Bayi 1810-1815
Gowri Parvati Bayi 1815-1829
Swathi Thirunal 1829-1846
Uthram Thirunal 1846-1860
Ayilyam Thirunal 1860-1880
Visakham Thirunal 1880-1885
Moolam Thirunal 1885-1924
Sethu Lakshmi Bayi 1924-1931
Chithira Thirunal 1931-1949

Spices in Kerala Cuisine

As with almost all Indian food, spices play an important part in Kerala cuisine. The main spices used are cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, green and red peppers, cloves, garlic, cumin seeds, coriander, turmeric, and so on. Few fresh herbs are used, unlike in European cuisine, and mainly consist of the commonly used curry leaf, and the occasional use of fresh coriander and mint. Tamarind, kodampuli (Garcinia Cambogia), and lime are used to make sauces sour, as sour sauces are very popular in Kerala. Sweet and sour dishes are however, rare, but exceptions like the ripe mango version of the pulissery and tamarind-jaggery-ginger chutney known as puli-inchi are popular.

Battle of Kolachal

This place was the scene of the battle between the Travancore (Anglicised form of Thiruvithaamkoor) forces led by King Marthanda Varma (1729–1758) and the Dutch East India Company forces led by Admiral Eustachius De Lannoy on August 10, 1741. It was the first time in Indian history that an Indian kingdom defeated a European naval force.
The Dutch marines landed in Colachael with artillery and captured the land up to Padmanabhapuram, the then capital of Travancore. The arrival of Marthanda Varma's Nairs (the warriors) from the north forced the Dutch to take up defensive positions in Colachel, where they were attacked and defeated by the Travancore forces. Twenty-eight high level Dutch officers, including Admiral D'lennoy, were captured. The defeat of the Dutch in Colachael was the turning point of the Travancore-Dutch War. D'lennoy went on to serve Marthanda Varma for the next two decades and was promoted to the post of the Valiya kappithan (Senior Admiral) of the Travancore forces same status like a Nair lord. He modernised the Travancore army, and built the Nedumkotta, a line of fortifications in the north of the kingdom, which held up the army of Tipu Sultan in 1791, during his ill-fated invasion of Travancore. D'lennoy is buried in the Udayagiri Fort, also known as Dillanai kotta (D'lennoy's fort) which is located 7 kilometres north of Padmanabhapuram (about 14 kilometres from Nagercoil).
The Indian government has built a pillar of victory in Colachel to commemorate the event. Colachel is currently in the Kanya Kumari District of the Tamil Nadu State of India, and is an important port on the west coast of that state.
The important role of the fishermen community belonging to the coast of Thiruvananthapuram (Valiyathura,Kannanthura) needs to be reiterated in this regard. They adventurously made holes under the ships of the Dutch forces and immersed them under the Arabian Sea. This was one of the main reasons for the victory of Travancore forces.

MARKETING OF FOREST PRODUCES

KFD undertakes marketing of various types of forest produces worth crores of Rupees every year through different disposal methods. Industrial raw materials like bamboos, reeds, Eucalyptus, etc are being allotted yearly to the industries like HNL, under mutually agreed conditions and sale prices. Softwood species like Elavu are being sold as standing trees, by outright sale through tender-cum- auction. In the case of Non Timber Forest Produces (NTFP), tribal people are allowed to collect them from the forests, through their co-operatives which are finally disposed by the Federation of SC/ST Societies. All other forest produces including timber, firewood, poles etc collected from forest plantations and dead trees from natural forests are sold by tender – cum auction method, through departmental depots or, in certain cases, through the concerned territorial Divisions.

Apart form the above, with a view to serve the common people, the government have recently introduced a system by which bonafide users constructing residential houses can directly purchase timber from selected depots paying the fixed price, without any other prescribed sale procedure already mentioned.

You can also purchase timber and other forest produces involved in forest offences by participating in the auction sale conducted in the respective Range Offices every month.

Reference : Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department Website

ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTRY AWARDS of Kerala

1. Indira Priyadharsini Vrikshmitra Award
2. Wildlife Conservation Gold Medal
3. Ant-Pollution Award
4. Pitambar Panth National Environment Fellowship Award
5. Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar
6. Governor's Shield for Forestry (Kerala)
7. Chief Minister's Shield for Forestry (Kerala)

Before independence, the tribal population which inhabited the forested frontier areas of Malabar, Cochin and Travancore, which form part of present day Kerala, were left mostly undisturbed. Tribals were required to hand over valuable items such as ivory and collect minor forest produce and bring them to depots of the state or its contractors. The state and the forest department had a patronising attitude towards tribals as they were a reserve of labour in inhospitable areas and valuable informants on poaching and smuggling of forest produce. Developments in the timber market saw a shift in the focus from royal trees to reserved trees and then to reserved forests with accompanying changes in the intensity of timber extraction, that the earlier privileges of tribals were reduced to concessions. When forests were extensive, the tribals could shift to other areas when plantations of coffee, tea, cardamom and rubber replaced forests. Food production leases in forests to non-tribals and large scale immigration of plainsmen reduced the tribals almost to the status of landless vagrants.

With the striking down of the Kerala Hillmen Rules framed under the Kerala Forest Act 1961 and the formation of a separate department of tribal welfare, the forest department has been absolved of the responsibility of tribals. However, the tribals continue to enjoy certain concessions with regard to cultivable lands and minor forest produce.

Kerala forest department along with the United India Insurance Company has given shape for a unique life insurance scheme for 73,472 scheduled caste and tribal people against death caused by accident. The scheme became operational in 1995. The scheme also covers disability caused due to accident. Government is paying annually Rs. 10 lakh to the insurance company towards premium under this programme.

VANA DARSHAN

Vana Darshan is a scheme of the Forest Department to encourage the public to appreciate the fact that man is an integral part of nature and cannot exist divorced from it. To make this happen, he should be able to meaningfully interact with the forests, which are a part of his surroundings.
The object of the scheme is to enlist public involvement and co-operation in nature conservation efforts and popularise nature education to help they appreciate the importance of conservation in relation to human betterment, to kindle human interest in out biological diversity and its importance, to enrich visitor experience, to make available educational materials, and to collaborate with sister organisations in conservation planning and execution.
The Forest Department arranges treks and camps in several areas within our forests for various target groups. Family camps for nature education are also arranged.

Activities of Nature Clubs

Nature trails form an important activity in the nature camps organised by the forest department. In this, participants are taken into the forests after proper in-house briefing of do's and don'ts in the forests. These guided tours or nature trails enable the children and laymen to see and study the green splendor of Kerala. Nature photography is another way of appreciating nature's beauty and wonders. Kerala forests are an inexhaustible gold mine for nature photographers. Different levels of biological diversity can be experienced in the forests. The habitats from wet tropical to dry deciduous swamp to high altitude grassland… the possibilities are immense. Diversity of life forms inside the forests is demonstrated through bird and butterfly watching, This also enables one to sustain the spirit of conservation. " … In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, we will understand only what we are taught…" (Baba Dioum)

The Forestry Information Bureau (FIB)

The Forestry Information Bureau (FIB) was formed in 1993. Before the formation of FIB, a forest publicity wing was functioning in the department for coordinating the forestry extension activities. This wing was reconstituted as FIB. Activities of FIB are under direct supervision of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (General). This wing has one director, one deputy director, and three public relations officers.Publications of the bureau include 'Aranyam' a quarterly magazine on forests and forestry in Malayalam, newsletters, and information booklets aimed to develop awareness among the public. Apart from bringing out publications, the wing is responsible for conducting and organizing seminars, discussion meetings, workshops, exhibitions and film shows. The Bureau has also organized nature orientation camps for journalists inside forests. The FIB coordinates activities of nearly 400 forestry clubs in schools all over the state. A unique information dissemination programme conceived by the Bureau is publication of books on forestry in collaboration with the Kerala State Institute of Languages and Kerala Grandhasala Sangh. A series of books are published in this scheme called 'Vana Sasthra Pusthaka Corner'.

Forest Central Library, Thiruvananthapuram

The Forest Central Library maintained at the Forest Headquarters is planned as a center to cater to the needs of the scholars and public concerned with Environment, Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife and allied disciplines. Serious reading in the specialised library enables one to appreciate, understand and co-operate with the Environmental Conservation Movement.

The library is fully organized for use of all categories of general public, officials, researchers, etc. The Forest Central Library has about 13,000 books which includes books on Forestry, Botany, Zoology, Environmental Science, Agriculture, Management, Administration Reports, Research Reports, Census Reports, Proceedings of the Sree Moolam Popular Assembly, Proceedings of the Sree Chitra Thirunal popular Assembly Proceedings of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, etc. Journals like Current science, Indian Forester, Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, Conservation Biology, Seminar, Ambio, Biotropica, Development and Change, Journal of Wildlife Management, Landscape Ecology, Journal of Forestry etc are available for reference.

The Children’s library is enriched with a good collection of reference books as well as fiction. Moreover, there are many interactive CD’s which are very helpful in the intellectual development of children of all age groups. The reference books include Children’s Britannica , Kingfisher Children’s Encyclopaedia, International Wildlife Encyclopaedia, Student’s Discovery Encyclopaedia , ChildCraft, World Book’s Young Scientists series etc.These books are very helpful to students for preparing project reports as well as to improve their IQ. The collection of fiction also satisfies all age groups. ‘Early world of learning’ series and ‘Welcome to reading’ series of M/s World Book Inc are effective for teaching basic skills of writing and quick learning for children of age 3 to 5 yrs. For school going children, the library provides a good collection of Enid Blyton Series, Fairy Tales, Detective stories, Mystery stories, Mathmania, Puzzlemania, Adventure stories, Animal stories etc

The Forest Central Library also provides multimedia facilities for children. The interactive CDs provide awareness on all-important activities in day-to-day life.

Library Hours:
The library will be kept open from 10:00 a.m. t o 5:00 p.m. on working days.

Insects and Butterflies in Kerala

Three out of every four organisms described so far are insects. This makes them the most numerous, if not the most dominant group of organisms on earth. Forest is the home for a large variety of them. In fact, most insects found in Kerala may have originated in the forests in the remote past, when much of the present day agricultural and urban lands were under forest cover. Therefore, a strict categorisation into forest and non-forest insects is not meaningful although there are some groups of insects found exclusively in forests, like beetles of the family Passalidae which inhabit the wet decaying timber on the floor of evergreen forests.

The Indian insect fauna were estimated at 67,000 species in 1980 of which 16,000 constituting about one fourth, were recorded from forests. The Kerala Forest Research Institute has a collection of about 3000 insect species from different forest habitats of which 900 have been authentically identified.

It is estimated that the recorded insects will be at least 6,000. In addition, many species remain unrecorded, of which many may turn out to be new species; particularly those from the forests. In a recent study of the butterflies and moths of Silent Valley, based on limited sampling representing about 20 sq.km of the 90 sq.km national park, 95 species of butterflies and 318 species of moths were recorded, but more significantly, 87 of the species collected (17%) could not be identified in spite of reference to the International Institute of Entomology of the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau, London.

Reptiles

The reptiles include crocodiles, 'turtles, lizards and snakes, distributed in a variety of habitats. About 449 species of reptiles are reported from India of which 159 species occur in Kerala, which include two species of crocodiles (one belived to be extinct), 12 species of turtles, 48 species of lizards and 97 species of snakes. The destruction of forest habitats has already taken heavy toll on several populations of reptiles. The king cobra and the lesser snakes in the rain forest are under pressure from continued habitat destruction caused by man. The greatest drain on the populations of reptiles is due to, the increasing demand for their skin for commercial purposes. The skin trade has made the Indian crocodiles endangered and the demand for skin of snakes and lizards in international market continues to be a constant threat to the survival of reptiles such as the sand boa, python, rat snake, cobra, viper and the monitor lizard.

The reptilian fauna of India are largely dominated by Indo Chinese elements. The genera Salea and Ristella are endemic to Western Ghats. Primitive burrowing snakes of the family Uropeltidae are exclusive to Western Ghats and Sri Lanka.

The geckos Cnemaspis wynadensis and C. nairi, the lizard Otocryptis beddomii, the skink Mabuya clivicola, the snakes Melanophidium bilineatum, Rhinophis fergusonianus, R. travancoricus and Rhabdops olivaceus are so far known only from Kerala.

Among those found in Kerala, all the five marine turtles (Dermochelys coriacea, Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia sp., Caretta caretta, Lepidochelys olivacea), the mugger or marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), the monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis) and the Indian rock python (Python molurus) are considered endangered. The Cochin forest cane turtle (Geoemyda silvatica) and the Indian flapshelled turtle (Lissemys punctata) are considered vulnerable while the status of the Travancore tortoise (Indotestudo forstenii) is insufficiently known. The estuarine or salt-water crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) which once had a wide distribution in Kerala is now believed to be extinct in the state.

THE SLENDER LORIS (Loris tardigrata) in Kerala

Local Name: Kuttithevanku

Distinctive Characters:- Much like the Slow Loris in form, but less pleasing because of its lean and lanky appearance. The limbs are longer and more slender, the ears larger, the snout more pointed; the eyes more close-set. The fur is less dense, yet soft and woolly. Its colour varies from dark grey to earthy brown with an embellishment of silvery hairs, the lower parts always much paler. The dark spinal stripe is never strongly pronounced and is sometimes absent. Eyes, circled with black or dark brown. Muzzle, white.

Habit:- The Slender Loris has the same secretive and nocturnal habits as the Slow Loris, but it is not confined to dense forest, and is found equally in open tree jungle. It does not keep exclusively to the trees, but comes down into bushes to feed, and most often cross open stretches of ground to enter isolated groves or to cross from one tree to another. It sleep by day, hidden among foliage or in a hole or crevice, and start its rambles at dusk.

HANUMAN LANGUR in Kerala

Local Name: Vellamanthi

Distinctive Characters:- A medium-sized, long-tailed macaque. A bonnet of long dark hairs radiates in all directions from a whorl on its Crown. The bonnet does not quite cover the forehead, where the hairs are short and neatly parted in the centre.Habits:- This is a little pale-faced monkey commonly seen with strolling showmen in southern India, where it is the counterpart of the northern rhesus. It is the common species in village and jungle, both in the foothills and in the plains. Troops of as many as 20 or 30 animals may be found feeding on the ground or in the trees. It is more arboreal in habit than most macaques, hence its longer tail. Bonnet Macaques eat anything eatable, fruits, berries, leaves and shoots, also insects, grubs, and spiders.

Diversity of structure

The varying modes of life which mammals have adopted are associated with the great diversity in structure. For there is always an intimate relationship between the structure of an animal, its mode and habits of life, and the conditions under which it lives. Adaptation to the particular kind of life which various groups of mammals chose to follow led to the evolution of that bewildering diversity in form and structure seen among mammals today, a diversity which fits them for the most varied modes of existence. Arboreal mammals exhibit grasping limbs rendering them fit to live and secure their food in trees. With parachute-like folds of skin stretched between their extended limbs, flying squirrels can glide and sail from tree to tree. The thicket cylindrical body of a mole, its enormous forefeet modified for digging, fit it especially for a life underground. Many mammals sought their food and took to a life in rivers and lakes, and some of the aquatic forms invaded the sea; among them are the whales, porpoises, and dolphins, whose fishlike bodies fit them for a marine existence almost as perfectly as fishes.

Mammals in Kerala

Mammals are commonly described as quadrupeds or four-legged animals. Mammals are the only animals which have mammary or milk-producing glands. In all the world of Nature they are the only animals which nourish their young with milk. It would be quite correct also to define a mammal as an ' animal with hair' as every mammal, even the seemingly hairless whales, grows hair on some part of its body at some period of its life. Finally it may be said of mammals that the great majority of them bring forth their young alive and do not produce eggs as nearly all other animals do. Those curious mammals, the duck-bills and the spiny ant-eaters, lay eggs, but when the young hatch out they are suckled by the mother in the manner of true mammals.

Medicinal Plants of Kerala

Only the indigenous people, the Kani tribe, knew of the anti-fatigue properties of the Arogyapacha plant (Trichopus zeylanicus ssp.travancoricus), which they ate during long treks in the hilly Western Ghats region. The Kani tribe is traditionally a nomadic community, who now lead a largely settled life in the forests of the Agasthyamalai hills of the Western Ghats in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. Tribal healers, known as Plathis, have knowledge on the medicinal properties of the flora and fauna of the region, and they passes this knowledge to the next generation orally.
In December 1987, a team of scientists undertook a botanical field survey into the forests of the Western Ghats of southern Kerala. Men from the local Kani tribe accompanied them. The leader, Dr. Pushpangadan, observed that the men ate some fruits which kept them energetic and agile; the team were later offered these fruits during arduous trekking and upon eating, experienced renewed energy and strength. Dr. Pushpangadan asked them about the source of the fruits, and after much persuasion and assurances that the information would not be misused, the Kanis finally showed him the fruits.

Endemic Species of Kerala

There are about 1272 species of endemic angiosperms out of 3800 species occurring in Kerala, which is 33.5% of its flora. Out of 5725 endemics in India, endemics of Kerala constitute 22.6% of Indian endemics. The endemic flora in Kerala is mainly palaeotropic in composition, which is a part of the peninsular Indian endemic flora of Gondwanaland origin. Though there are common elements, the characteristic endemic flora of Kerala and Sri Lanka was developed from a common stock, but isolated due to temporal or geographical barriers. The hill top flora of Nilgiris, Palni and Cardamom hills in peninsular India and Adam's Peak in Sri Lanka show similarities, which indicate that they are derived from a common stock. Three 'hot spots' of endemic centres in Kerala are: Agasthyamala, Anamalai- high ranges and Silent Valley- Wayanad. There are about 189 endemic plant species reported from Agasthyamala and they occur in small populations over narrow ranges. The recent surveys have resulted in the discovery of 35 new species of plants from this small stretch of forests. The endemic genera of Anamalai and High Ranges are Haplothismia, Pseudoglochidion and Utleria. The species which are critically endangered or probably extinct are Anaphalis barnesii, Begonia aliciae, Didymocarpus macrostachya, Habenaria flabelliformis, Impatiens anaimudica, I. johnii, I. macrocarpa, I. platyadena, I. verecunda, Ophiorrhiza barnesii, O. caudata, O. munnarensis and Sonerila nemakadensis. The five endemic genera occurring in the Silent Valley- Wayanad region are: Chandrasekharania, Baeolepis, Kanjarum, Meteoromyrtus, and Silentvalleya.

Grasslands of Kerala

In Kerala grasslands are generally found above 1500 m. The grasslands, which are also called as ‘shrub-savanna’ are characterised by herbaceous and shrubby species mixed with grasses.
The grasslands below 1800 m that are adjacecnt to medium or high elevation evergreen forests, are often found with sparse trees, represented by Wendlandia thrysoidea, Glochidion spp. Terminalia chebula, Emblica officinalis, Careya arborea, Briedelia crenulata; in some places a dwarf palm. Phoenix is found in patches. At this elevation range, grasses are tall, and reach the height up to 1.5 m. They are commonly represented by Androprogon lividus, Arundinella purpurea, Agrostis peninsularis, Chrysopogon zeylanicus, Eulalia phaeothrix, Sehima nervosum, Heteropogon contortus, Eulalia sp, Themeda sp, Ischaemum indicum, and Tripogon bromoides. In cattle grazed and frequently burnt areas, unpalatable Cymbopogon flexuous and Pteridium, a fern are frequent.
The grasses in this zone are mixed with other herbs like Crotalaria, Desmodium, Hypericum, Knoxia, Leucas, Lobelia, Osbeckia etc. Phlebophyllum kunthianum, a monocarpic shrub species, often dominates the grass land landscape.
At above 1800 m, especially in the Anamalai region (Eravikulam and Munnar) grasslands are more specialised. During the colder months, the minimum temperature often goes below zero degree centigrade. In this zone grass layer is less than 1m and is represented by Andropogon foulkesii, Anthistiria ciliata, Arundinella spp., Arundinaria villosa, Bothriochloa pertusa, Chrysopogon orientalis, Cymbopogon spp.,Eragrostis nigra, Eulalia spp., Heteropogon contortus , Isachne spp., Themeda spp., Tripogon bromoides and Zenkeria elegans.
Among Shrubby elements Berberis tinctoria, Gaultheria frangrantissima, Hypericum mysorense, Lobelia excelsa, Oldenlandia stylosa, Osbeckia wightianum, Pteridium aquiilnum, Rubus fairholmianus, Phlebophyllum kunthianus are particularly frequent. Rhododendron arboreum var. nilagiricum in the form of small tree is also sporadically seen in grasslands.
The common herbaceous elements among grasses include Anaphalis spp., Campanula fulgens, Cassia spp., Crotalaria notonii, Cyanotis spp.,Indigofera pedicellata, Justicia simplex,Knoxia mollis, Leucas suffruticosa, Lilium neilgherrense, Oldenlandia articularis Polygala sibirica, Striga asiatica, Viola patrinii,and Wahlenbergia gracilis. In the swampy pockets Commelina spp., Centella asiatica, Drosera peltata, Fimbristylis uliginosa etc are common. .

Semi-evergreen forests of kerala

Semi-evergreen forests (west coast semi-evergreen forests) are generally considered as a transitional stage between evergreen and moist deciduous forests. It is also found in localities where the evergreen forests are subjected to high disturbances. These forests occur between 600 to 800 m and in some places it extends up to 900 m. Animal species such as lion tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri marten, small Travancore flying squirrel, brown mongoose, Malabar civet, and many birds such as the great Indian hornbill and the Bourdillon's great eared night jar occupy specific niches in these forests.The floristic composition is an admixture of both evergreen and deciduous species in the top storey. The prominent evergreen species are Artocarpus heterophyllus, Bischofia javanica, Calophyllum elatum, Euvodia lunuankenda, Hopea ponga, Mangifera indica, Mesua ferrea and Myristica dactyloides. The deciduous floral elements include Acrocarpus fraxinifolius, Bombax ceiba, Chukrasia tabularis, Dalbergia latifolia, Grewia tiliaefolia, Lagerstroemia microcarpa, Pterospermum sp., Terminalia bellirica and Toona ciliata. The species occurring in the lower layer are the same as seen in the evergreen forests.

SALIM ALI BIRD SANCTUARY, THATTEKKAD

The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary attracts bird watchers from all over the world. It occupies the catchment area of Bhoothathan Kettu Dam. Boating, trekking and bird watching are the attractions.
How to reach:
Nearest Railway station - Alwaye 48 Kms / Ernakulam - 60 Kms.
Nearest Airport - Nedumbasserry (Kochi) - 71 Kms
Nearest Town - Kothamangalam (14 Kms)

ANAMUDI SHOLA NATIONAL PARK

An extent of 750 ha. in Idukki District, Devikulam Taluk, Marayoor Village was declared as Anamudi Shola National Park vide Government Notification 12876/ F2 /2003/ F&WLD dated: 14.12.2003. The proposed National Park includes all the areas notified as reserve forest under Idivara Shola Reserve, Pullardi Shola Reserve and Mannavan Shola Reserve.

Lion Safari Parks

NEYYAR
Neyyar Wild Life Sanctuary is with a water spread area of 9.06 sq.km. It has got tremendous floral, faunal, ecological, and geomorphologic significance. The Sanctuary is contiguous with the Kallakkad- Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu. The Agasthya Peak (1868m) the second highest peak in Kerala is in this Sanctuary. It is a store house of medicinal plants including the world famous Arogya pacha – (Trichopus zeylanicus ) and several endemic wild animals. The lion safari park, the crocodile farm and the deer park are attractions of this place. Boating facility in the lake is also available.

a . How to reach:

From Capital city, Trivandrum 32 km. The route is via Kattakada, Kallikadu. The nearest rail head and airport are Trivandrum.

b . Accommodation

Neyyar Forest Rest House – 2 rooms – 450/dayDormitory, Youth Hostel – 30 bedAgasthya Rest House – 600 / dayPWD rest house Neyyar Dam – 2 suitsIrrigation Lodge – 7 rooms

c . Map/ Photograph Contact Address:

1. Wild Life Warden, (Sanctuary)Rajiv Gandhi Nagar,

Vattiyoorkavu PO

Trivandrum 695013 Phone: 0471 2360762

Eco tourism Centers in Kerala

Eco tourism Centers in Kerala
Agastyavam Biological park
Arippa
Kulathupuzha
Achankoil
Palaruvi
Konni
Pamba
Purakkad
Kumarakom
Peerumedu
Kuttikanam
Mangalavanam
Kodanad
Athirapally
Vazhachal
Nelliyampathy
Malampuzha
Nilambur
Tholpetti
Peruvannamuzhy
Kuruva Islands
Thirunelli
Kottiyoor

Reference : Kerala Forest & Wildlife

ECO TOURISM: WHAT IS IT ?

Ecotourism primarily means marketing the serene natural habitats as tourism 'product' with an inherent element of nature education. It is aimed at making the visitor aware of the protective, productive and regulatory functions of the forests."It is a purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the cultural and natural history of environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing economic opportunities that make conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people. Within international tourism, it is a fast growing segment ".

For ecotourism to be truly a form of environmentally conscious tourism and not just pursuit of remote pristine locations, it has to be sustainable with the continuous capacity to:

- safeguard natural environment, the very basis of tourist attraction.

- provide and maintain the quality of tourist experience and satisfaction, and

- benefit the local people in the area.

Any number of definitions are available for ecotourism, each focusing on a different aspect. An analysis of the developments in this sphere over a period of past one and a half decade helps to discern certain important parameters emerged in common to all eco tourism developmental initiatives. This understanding leads to conceptualise ecotourism as:

Any tourism programme that is:
nature based ,
ecologically sustainable,
where education and interpretation are major components and
where local people are benefited,
can be called ecotourism.

If it does not satisfy any one of these components then it cannot be called a real ecotourism venture.

Physiography of Kerala

Kerala can be divided into 3 Geographical regions. 1) Highlands, 2) Midlands and 3)Low Lands . The High lands slope down from the Western Ghats which rise to an average height of 900 m, with a number of peaks well over 1,800 m in height. This is the area of major plantations like tea, coffee, rubber, cardamom etc. The midlands lying between the mountains and the lowlands, is made up of undulating hills and valleys. This is an area of intensive cultivations. Cashew, coconut, arecanut, cassava (tapioca), banana, rice, ginger, pepper, sugar-cane and vegetables of different varieties are grown in this area. The lowlands or the coastal area, which is made up of the river deltas, backwaters and shore of Arabian sea, is essentially a land of coconuts and rice., Fisheries and coir industry constitute the major industries of this area. Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters., Forty-four rivers(41 west-flowing and 3 east-flowing) cut across Kerala with their innumerable tributaries and branches but these rivers are comparatively small and being entirely monsoon fed, practically turn into rivulets in summer, especially in the upper areas. The backwaters form a specially attractive and economically valuable feature of Kerala. They include lakes and ocean inlets which stretch water into the Vembanad Lake, some 200 sq.km. in area, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin Port. The Periyar, Pamba Manimala, Achenkovil, Meenachil, and Movattupuzha rivers drain into this lake. The other important lakes are AnjuThengu,Edava, Nadayaram Paravoor, Ashtamudi (Quilon), Kayamkulam, Kodungallor, (Cranganore) and Cheruva. The deltas of the rivers interlink the backwaters and provide excellent water transportation in the lowlands of Kerala. A navigable canal, 367 Km long, stretches from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, to Tirur in the far north.
Reference : Kerala Forest Website

About Kerala

The new state of Kerala was formed by merging Travancore, Cochin and Malabar areas on 1st November 1956. Mr. E.A. Lazredo (Madras) was the first Chief Conservator of Forests of Kerala. The Forest Department was reorganized into three circles (Quilon, Chalakudy & Kozhikode) and 14 divisions (Trivandrum, Thenmala, Punalur, Konni, Ranni, Kottayam, Malayattoor, Chalakudy, Thrissur, Nenmara, Palghat, Nilambur, Kozhikode & Wayand) for administrative convenience. The forest boundaries of divisions and ranges were prescribed by government notifications. The administration of each of the division was put under the charge of a Divisional Forest Officer and the management of these divisions were on the basis of working plans. Working plans were prepared for all the divisions.The extent of virgin forests at the time of re-organisation was 8635.11 sq.km. excluding forest plantations. A number of forest divisions and circles were created to make forest management very effective. Munnar division was started in 1963.A number of administrative reforms have been brought for the sustainable utilization of the forests. The important ones formulated include the Kerala Forest Act 1961. Under the Private Forest Vesting and Assignment Act, the government took over all the private forests of the Malabar area.In spite of the best efforts of the department to maintain maximum land under forest cover and exploit the tangible and intangible benefits out of it, the area under forest cover has been shrinking due to a multitude of reasons.

Reference : Kerala Forest Website

Wild Life of Kerala

History :

Even from 3000 BC foreigners like Assyrians and Babylonians were drawn to Kerala for spices. In 5th century AD, Romans and Arabs were conducting a brisk trade with Kerala in pepper, cardamom, lavender, ginger, garlic, and other spices and condiments. The volume of foreign trade increased during 9th and 10th centuries AD. Commodities like pepper, lavender, teak, ivory were exported and fishing nets, potteries, silk etc were imported.Three-fourth of the land area of Kerala was under thick forest even up to 18th century. History of forestry in Kerala can be dealt with separately under three separate regions- Travancore, Cochin and Malabar areas, as these erstwhile geographical and political areas later merged to form the present Kerala State.

Backwaters

The breathtaking backwaters capture the beauty of the unhurried village life of rural Kerala with it's enchanting web of majestic canals, lakes and lagoons that link the remote islands and villages with the mainland.
To View more about it

Reference : Malayala Manorama

Taste of Kerala : Vellayappam and Duck curry

Duck curry Ingredients:
1. 1 kg. Duck cut into big pieces 2. ½ cup coconut oil 3. 1 cup onions sliced round and squeezed in salt water 4. 1½ dsp. Maida 5. Vinegar and salt to taste 6. ½ cup red onions sliced long, 24 green chillies partially split,1 dsp. Ginger sliced thin, ½ dsp. Garlic split into two, ½ dsp. Pepper crushed, 6 pieces of cinnamon (1 inch long), 16 cloves.
Method Brown onions in hot oil and drain. Fry the duck pieces in two or three lots turning it from side to side. Sprinkle boiling water while stirring. When the meat pieces are dry sprinkle maida and brown. Continue to sprinkle boiling water. When the meat pieces and flour are browned pour sufficient boiling water, vinegar, salt and the browned onions. Cover and cook. When the meat is halfdone, add the ingredients of the sixth item. Cook till the meat is soft and the gravy is of desired thickness. Serve hot. Vellayappam Ingredients: Same as for poori. In addition take 2 cups of grated coconut, ¼ tsp. Of cumin seeds and 1 small onion also. Method: Prepare a thick batter with the ingredients. Grind the grated coconut, cumin seeds and onion and mix in the batter. Keep for an hour and then make vellayappam.

Reference : Malayala Manorama