Forests in Kerala

Vegetation
The natural vegetation of Kerala comprises 3,872 flowering plants including 900 plants of great medicinal value which are used in Kerala Ayurvedics and other healing purposes. Most of these species are endemic to Kerala. The forested regions with an area of 9,400 km² comprises tropical wet evergreen partly-evergreen forests with thick undergrowth in the lower and mid altitudes, tropical damp and arid deciduous forests in the middle altitudes plus mountainous subtropical and temperate (shola) forests in the precipitous hills. Almost 24% of Kerala is wooded.

The windward mountains of Eastern Kerala enclose tropical wet as well as dry forests of Western Ghats .Indian rosewood, mullumurikku, anjili and caussia other thousand species of trees are found in these. Other plants include bamboo, wild cardamom, the Calamus Rattan Palm (a kind of climbing palm), wild black pepper and fragrant Vetiver grass.

Planted /Cultivated Vegetation – Kerala basically thrives on agriculture. The main crops are paddy, coconut, pepper, cashew, cassava and plantation crops like rubber (introduced by the Dutch in Kerala) and a variety of Bananas. Coconut is the chief plant that forms the chief source of income and grows in plantations, courtyards of people and along the coastlines. Paddy is the staple crop of Kerala and is grown conveniently due to the supply of adequate water and soil and Alappuzho of Kerala is known as the rice bowl of the state for highest rice production.

The cash crops are tea and coffee, spices like pepper, cardamom, ginger, cloves and cinnamon, areca nut, nutmeg, vanilla, cashew nut and so on. Cashew nut (introduced by the Portuguese after discovering India in 1978) forms the most important cash crop.

Forests and Caves in Kerala

Silent Valley

Silent Valley, which is about 50 kms northwest of Mannarkad is described as the sole surviving bit of evergreen forest in the Sahya ranges. These forests devoid of the chirping of Cicadas have aptly got that name. Vehicular transport is allowed only up to Mukkali. From Mukkali, at least 24 kms have to be covered by foot to reach the source where Kunthipuzha merges with Bharathapuzha. It is estimated that more than 1000 types of trees grow in this forest. Silent Valley is rich both in terms of wild life and natural resources.

Wagamon

The trekker’s paradise is situated 60 km. from Kottayam. The mist covered places like Kuttikkanam and Wagamon are known as Kerala’s Kodaikanal.

Marayur

The only place in Kerala having natural growth of sandal wood trees is situated in the outskirts of Munnar at Idukki. This may be called as a historian’s treasure house. It is believed that Pandhavas stayed at Maravoor during their exile.

Lakkidi

Bedecked among the hills, Lakkidi is considered to be the gateway to Wayanad. It receives the highest annual rainfall in Kerala. The mist-covered mountains make this place an enchanting one.

Jatayu Para

‘Jatayu Para’ is a huge rock near Kollam where it is believed that ‘Jatayu’ the giant bird in the Epic Ramayana fell after failing in it’s attempt to stop Ravana from taking Sita away. It also offers an exhilarating hang gliding experience.

Nedumkayam

Nedumkayam, in Malappuram district is famous not only for its thick forest but also for the elephant training. Near to Nedumkayam, is Macheeri, the settlement of Chola Naikans, the primitive tribes.

Attappady

Attappady, mainly a tribal area, is about 38 kms north east of Mannarkad. This is a nature-blessed area with forests, rivers and mountains. Mainly Irulas and Mudugas inhabit it. These tribals worship the mountain peak ‘Malleswaran’ as a gigantic Siva ling (Idol).

Edakkal Caves

These are two caves in the Ambukuthy mountains located 3 kms away from Ambalavayal and 25 kms. from Kalpetta. These caves contain several paintings and pictorial writings of the new Stone Age civilization.