How is the 17th-century garden ‘Hortus Malabaricus’ thriving in modern Kerala?

Thrissur (Kerala), Aug 7 (NationPress) Nestled within the verdant landscapes of Nedumpura in Kerala’s Thrissur district is a remarkable garden that beautifully intertwines ancient wisdom with contemporary conservation efforts.

The Hortus Malabaricus Botanical Garden and Research Institute stands as not just a sanctuary for biodiversity but also as a living homage to a historic botanical manuscript that significantly transformed global understanding of plant life.

After a decade of dedicated efforts, this garden was inaugurated in January of this year, encompassing an impressive 27 acres and showcasing over 1,200 plant species, including 742 species documented in the 17th-century Latin masterpiece Hortus Malabaricus (Garden of Malabar).

This ambitious conservation initiative acts as a refuge for native medicinal plants and endangered species endemic to the Western Ghats.

The original Hortus Malabaricus was meticulously compiled between 1678 and 1693 under the guidance of Dutch Governor Hendrik van Rheede, with invaluable contributions from local physicians in Kerala, including Itty Achuthan and the Kollat Vaidyans of the Nair community.

The twelve-volume work provided an extensive catalog of the medicinal uses and properties of the local flora.

This treatise left a lasting mark on global botanical science, influencing none other than Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, in his seminal work Species Plantarum.

Yet, for centuries, the text remained largely inaccessible to many until Dr. K.S. Manilal, a distinguished Indian botanist, devoted 35 years to translating, annotating, and contextualizing the Latin original into both English and Malayalam.

The garden transcends mere commemoration of historical knowledge; it is a pioneering scientific and educational enterprise.

Housing over 700 rare species from the Western Ghats alongside those cataloged in the original treatise, it serves as a dynamic learning hub for botanists, students, traditional healers, and nature enthusiasts.

A significant feature is Manilal Street, named to honor Dr. Manilal’s unwavering commitment to the Hortus Malabaricus project.

Visitors have the opportunity to participate in workshops and seminars that delve into the ethnobotanical, cultural, and scientific aspects of Kerala’s botanical heritage, bridging ancient healing practices with modern biology and genomics.

The visionary driving this initiative is Sam Santhosh, an entrepreneur and genomics innovator often referred to as the “Genome Man of India.”

After a successful two-decade career in IT, where he founded and led Calsoft to public listing, Sam redirected his focus towards genomics.

The creation of the Hortus Malabaricus Botanical Garden is a deeply personal endeavor for him, rooted in heritage, science, and a passion to inspire future generations.

Guests at the Hortus Malabaricus Garden can explore its meticulously curated sections, enjoy guided tours, or reserve eco-friendly accommodations at the nearby resort for a more extended stay.

This garden is rapidly emerging as a cultural and scientific landmark—a space where history flourishes through foliage, and every plant narrates a story that began centuries ago along the Malabar Coast.