malabar parakeet
Periyar Tiger Reserve is an avifaunal hotspot extraordinaire and one of the most facinating birding destinations in the entire Western Ghats. The verdure of rolling hills, rich flora and a many-armed reservoir supports an impressive 323 species of birds, including Malabar Parakeet, Hill Myna, Bulbuls and Hornbills. Continue reading
Cactus plant
Cactus are unique plants found naturally growing in tropical regions, dry areas and deserts. Belonging to the family of cactaceac, instead of leaves from which water can easily evaporate, members of this family have spiney succulent body parts that help to control the water levels. Continue reading
Cumbum Valley is situated about 15 km from Thekkady across the border into Tamil Nadu. Now famous for growing grapes, there are a 1000 acres of vineyards covering the lowland plains. The grapes are mainly used for making wine, juice and jam as well as eaten raw. Continue reading
Lemons are common in the South Indian hill ranges. Several varieties grow in the Western Ghats, most of which are primarily used for making pickles. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Roji Antony
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is one of south India’s famous national parks, nestled amidst the Nilgiri Hills Biosphere in Tamil Nadu. This sanctuary is situated at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala near the Mysore plains. With an area of 321 sq km of natural forest, Mudumalai is famous for Elephant, Wild Gaur, Tiger, Leopard and Deer, as well as being home to over 200 species of bird. Continue reading
The Western Hill Banana is a large succulent herb that naturally grows in the rocky slopes and cliffs of South India’s Western Ghats. These plants are commonly growing in the forests above 1000 meters. The fruits of this plant is used in many traditional medicines. Continue reading
Hibiscus flowers are very common in the Hill Ranges of Kerala. There are multiple hybrids in a wide range of colors such as white, red, orange and pink. Hibiscus plants are also used in Ayurveda medicines. Continue reading
Photo credits: Roji Antony
Brindavan Garden is one of the most celebrated gardens in India and is a tribute to early 20th century engineering. Its construction started in 1927 and was completed in 1932. The design is laid out in three terraces which contain water fountains, ficus trees and ornamental plants. Continue reading
Native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of India and West Africa, the Calliandra haematocephala is a fast growing evergreen plant that can reach the height of 15 ft. The stamens of the flower are smooth and soft, spreading out in an arching circle, giving rise to the common name Powder Puff Tree.
This seminal talk from 2006 by Majora Carter, founder of the Majora Carter Group, introduced me to entrepreneurial conservation. So you can say it kind of led me here.
It is unfortunate how the reputation of a neighbourhood may reflect on its inhabitants. In french the silly expression “C’est le Bronx” refers to a messy room. People from the Bronx, Majora Carter included, decided to change this image. In fact, they decided to reclaim their rivers, their air, their land while creating jobs, leisure activities for local families, a safer gentler environment for children to grow up in.
It’s a story I’d like to hear about in many neighbourhoods around the world.
After our renovation of the reception area at Cardamom County last year, we decided to leave the largest wall–a spectacular, privileged space for art–completely white until we found exactly the right piece. Given the property’s location in the hills where the best cardamom in the world grows, we formed a vision for a piece of art that would abstract cardamom in some beautiful way. We spoke to the director of the government’s cardamom research laboratory, thinking they might have some molecular images of cardamom (more on which after the jump) but they did not. And so we dropped that idea, but we are still looking. And that is how we happened upon the image above, and the description of this and others by the same artist on a Japanese design website:
Using his background in computer graphics and illustration, media artist Makoto Murayama creates technical, scientific blueprints of flowers that look like they belong in a manual for semiconductors. In fact, his work has just been selected as part of thesolaé art gallery project, an initiative to bring art into the offices of Tokyo Electron, one of Japan’s largest semiconductor companies. Continue reading
To make a beautiful “uruli”, a traditional Kerala bowl filled with water and flowers, you need a keen eye. Picking the right flowers, drying them if it rained, placing them artfully, it is a craft. Continue reading
Thekkady Flower Show
The 7th Annual Thekkady Flower Show took place from 9th to 15th of April 2013. Although the numerous flowers on display were the main attractions tourists could also enjoy and learn about local cuisines, traditional art forms, classical dances and tribal medicines. Continue reading
Photo credits: Nidhin Poothully
The road leading to Wayanad is smooth and even and surrounded by greenery from deciduous forest to soaring bamboos. The sanctuary around Wayanad is rich in fauna and flora. Elephants are the most common wildlife sighting, sometimes even amidst the the thick bamboo groves flanking the road en route to the sanctuary. Continue reading
Feather Hill flowers are hybrid orchids in the Cymbidium family. Up to 15-25 butterfly-shaped white flowers adorned with light pink spots hang gently on the strong stems. Cymbidiums grow widely in Kerala’s Western Ghats above 1500 meters. Continue reading
Photo credits: M N Shaji
Situated south of Palakkad Gap in an area once famed for its luscious oranges, Nelliyampathi is now blanketed in tea, coffee and cardamom plantations. The region was once owned by the Maharajas of Kollengode and Kochi and is now a part of the Nenmara Forest Division. It’s close proximity to the Parambikulam, Anamalai and Peechi-Vazhana wildlife sanctuaries add to its appeal. Continue reading
Photo Credits: Vishnu Rajendran
Popularly known as kallu, toddy is Kerala’s own coconut liquor. In fact, kallu is probably the first (and perhaps the only!) Malayalam road sign a tourist will learn to read. Made from the sap of the coconut flower before it blooms, the drink gives no intoxication when freshly tapped, but the level of alcohol increases as it ferments. When fresh it has a mildly yeasty flavor. Continue reading
Photo credits: Johny George
The Vagamon Mountains are located 1100 metres above sea level, 50 km from Thekkady on the western fringes of Idukki District. Once a wild area, it was cleared by the early planters for the cultivation of tea and coffee, but its fabulous rolling grasslands and scenic mountain views continue to draw visitors. Continue reading
Native to the sub-tropical regions of Europe and Australia, Elderberry grows widely in Kerala’s Hill Range gardens above 1000 meters. The clustered berries are an important food for many birds and the flowers are a favorite for honey bees and other pollinating insects.
Continue reading
Although called sometimes called Lily of the Nile or African Lily, Agapanthas isn’t actually in the lily family at all. Native to South Africa, it is now naturalized in much of the hilly regions of Asia and Central America, commonly growing in the high ranges of Kerala above 1000 meters. Continue reading
Organikos 