Alappuzha is the only district in Kerala without a natural forest cover. But the district can now boast of hosting a good number of Vidyavanams (miniature forests in educational institutions) teeming with life.
Officials of the Social Forestry wing of the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department said that they had so far created 12 Vidyavanams in as many educational institutions in Alappuzha. The district, in all probability, has the highest number of Vidyavanams in the State.
Small reserve forests
"The biggest advantage of Vidyavanam is that students no more need to make long trips to see a forest. They can experience some sort of wilderness on the school and college premises themselves. The Vidyavanams that we created will attain the shape of a small reserve forest in a year. Some of the trees planted will continue to grow for another 10 or more years," said K. Saji, deputy conservator (social forestry), Alappuzha.
Each Vidyavanam has been created on five cents of land provided by the respective institution. "Twelve mini forests together house around 5,000 trees of 160 species. Each one has 400-450 trees. Apart from connecting students to nature, nurturing plants on campuses will increase green cover and help create an ecosystem," said John P., section forest officer (social forestry), Alappuzha.
Land for setting up Vidyavanams is prepared by digging soil up to 1 m and then adding cow dung and other organic fertilizers. The saplings planted include that of fruit-bearing and medicinal plants, among others.
Miyawaki concept
The mini forests have been set up based on the Miyawaki concept. Miyawaki is a technique introduced by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki that revolutionised urban afforestation by creating dense and native forests. It involves planting several native species in a small area and making it a self-sustaining green space in three to four years.
Vidyavanams have come up at Christian College, Chengannur; SN College, Cherthala; A.B. Vilasom Higher Secondary School, Muhamma; TD Higher Secondary School, Thuravoor; VV Higher Secondary School, Thamarakulam; Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Mavelikara; Sree Vijayeswari High School, Cheriyanad; Swami Vivekananda High School, Pandanad; St. Raphael’s High School, Ezhupunna; SMSJ High School, Thycattussery; SN Trust Higher Secondary School, Cheriyanad; and Maria Montessori Central School, Ambalappuzha.
