18/05/2024
Vanasthali
Hill Maria Evergreen Botanical Garden.
Located in Malayichippara of Poonjar South panchayat on the Poonjar -Mundakayam route in Kottayam district, this natural forest spread over six acres of land is the dream project of the late Devasiachen Poondikukam, a lawyer by training and a seasoned farmer.He believed that those who plant trees will go to heaven. His natural forest is home to one hundred varieties of jackfruit trees, anjili, mango trees like kilichundan, komavu, Mylapore mango tree, moovandan mango, local mango, malgova, guava, sarpagandhi, beediyila tree, ungu, punna, nutmeg, danthappala, different types of bamboo, rudraksham, pathimugham, analivegu, edana, karuva tree(cinnamon ), soap tree, karingetta, chandanavayambu, unnam, manchiyam, albasia, silver oak, pine trees, elanji, kanjiram, kakayam, elavu, maruthu, ezhilampala, koonampala, karumthakara, veetti, teak, vellilavu, vaka trees, kara venga, mulluvenga, mahagani, kulamavu, three types of chempakam, chestnut tree, njaval, chathurappuli, kudampuli(gumboge), tamarind, aryaveppu, sandalwood tree, lekshmitharu, maduralui, subabul tree, gooseberry, thanni, kadukka tree, parijatham, palmunthiri, velvet apple, malayan apple, cinchona tree, leechi tree, maravuri tree, kunthirikku tree, asokam, banyan tree, athi tree, arayal, peral, plum tree, native ambazham, malasian ambazham etc.There are over 3000 varieties of rare plants here. It is the haven of small creatures and birds. A visit to this earthly paradise will be an unforgettable experience.
(Mathew Mannarakam)