Kodiyakkarai forest confronts Seemai Karuvelam threat

NAGAPATTINAM: A 252-hectare herbal forest that is house to 154 rare species is facing a threat from Seemai Karuvelam trees. Activists and Siddha practitioners have urged the Forest department to remove the intrusive trees from the Kodiyakkarai reserve forest at the earliest.

Kodiyakkarai contains many natural resources and is a short distance away from the Bay of Bengal, always a good source for fish. The scenic Point Calimere Birds and Wildlife Sanctuary is home to 14 mammal species, 18 reptile species and nine amphibian species. From September to February, thousand of migratory birds arrive. Kodiyakkarai contains valuable medicinal herbal plants and saplings but Seemai Karuvelams are endangering their existence.

Speaking to Express, A Rajamohan of Vedaranyam, said, “Seendhil (Tinospora cordifolia) for curing diabetes, Poonaikkaali ( Mucuna Prureins) for enhancing fertility, Aanai Korattai (Trichosanthes tricuspidata) for curing headaches,  Aadhandai (Capparis zeylaica) for digestive issues and Sangu Pushpam (Ciltoria ternatea) for kidney problems are among the plants found here. 

Our ancestors said hundreds of Siddha saints stayed here and made medicines, but now the forest is overrun by Seemai Karuvelams.” He added, “Since Kodiyakkarai is a tropical dry evergreen forest, water availability is less compared to forests in the Western Ghats. Seemai Karuvelams absorb the limited water, which has an effect on herbal plants.”