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There are lot of "Kaavu"s in and around
Nileshwar, one of the well known Kaav is the "Mannampurath
Kaavu" which situated in Nileshwar town itself.
Many legends are there about "Kaavu", here
we are trying to tell the benefit of this Sacred place
to our community and environment as well as the threat
facing due to reckless destruction of this divine
blessings from our ancestors.
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SACRED GROVES (KAAVUKAL)
Sacred Groves or "Kaavukal"
are miniature forms of forest or a cross section of
low land ever green forest where you find rare species
of Flora and Fauna. This is a place where you find
various species of plants especially medicinal plants,
orchids, and several plants, climbers, creepers etc.
Kaavu has a significant place in our myths. Kaavu's
are places of worship of local deities and Snakes
in Kerala. This was with fear and respect and
was told much in grandmother stories. To disrespect
and ignore kaavu was considered as a great sin. Several
rituals unknown to the modern generation were performed
in olden days in these groves. In the shadow of these
divine performances the ancient people directly or
indirectly preserved these Kaavus with utmost sanctity.
Kaavu reflex the local culture and faith of the local
area.
When you go to the history of the Kaavu it is seen
that Kaavu was mentioned from very early days. In
our great epics 'Mahabharatha' divine forest, and
'Upavanas' are mentioned at many instances. Similarly
our great poet Kalidhasas creation 'Vikramorvesheyam'
specifically points out the presence of divine forest.
There were many sacred groves all over India adored
with worship. We can see 'Kaavu' in Karnataka and
Maharashtra known colloquially as 'Devarai/Deverkadu',
Sidharvanam etc. in Rajastan Kaavu is known as 'Kenkri'
and in Bihar commonly known as 'Sharana'. Kaavu also
find place in other parts of the world in Afro-Asian
countries as Ghana, Syria, Nigeria, Turkey, Cammaroon
etc.
It will be surprisingly to note that there were about
more than 5000 such Kaavus found in the two districts
of Kannur and Kasaragod alone, similarly Kaavus are
found in other 12 districts of the Kerala State. These
Kaavus are actually the boon of our state and there
is no doubt that they regulated the congenial climate
and beauty of our land Kerala the Gods own country.
To an Environmentalist the Roles of a Kaavu can
be interpreted as follows.
- The trees of a Kaavu by the processes of transpiration
give out water vapour and provides a cool micro
climate in the surroundings.
- The plenty of oxygen given out of the groves
of Kaavu make the atmosphere healthy.
- The rich mulches of Kaavu retain moisture for
a long time and enable to enrich the ground water
storage by slow seepage. One hectare of forest
can conserve 15000litres of water which is enough
to irrigate three hectors of cultivated land.
- Kaavu are sources of small streams and brooks
that never dry up in summer.
- Kaavu reduces the salt content of wells in
coastal areas to a great extent.
- The rich humus content of Kaavu provide a congenial
atmosphere for crop growth.
- It provides food and shelter for the various
species of plants and animals.
- It prevents the spread of deserts.
- Since the Kaavu serves the shelter place for
predatory birds like Owls,Bats,Eagles,and other
creatures like Frogs, Lizards, Spiders and Snakes,
the grain loss from nearby fields are arrested
to a great extent.
- Kaavus are rich store houses of medicinal plants
and flowers which help to promote natural curing.
- Kaavu is a germplasm of various species crops
as ginger turmeric plantain, cardamom, coffee,
vanilla, orchids and other rare and wild species
of trees.
- Many plant products of Kaavu are consumed.
- Kaavu have a collection of birds, butterflies
and insects. There are Kaavu where we can find
more than 90 species of birds, 76 species of butterflies.
Thus Kaavu add to the beauty of the village and
is a favourite spot for bird watchers.
- Kaavus serves as indices of social forestry
expansion in an area. An artificial forest can
be created planting trees grown in a nearby Kaavu.
- In Northern Kerala Kaavus are cultural centers
of folklores, taboos and village arts as 'Theyyam',
'Poorakkali' 'Kaavutheeyam Pattu', 'Vannan Koothu',
'Nagapattu' etc.
Destruction of Kaavu
The gradual destruction of the Kaavu began with
modern concepts, which made us forget the heritage
and faith. This thus great fortune began to vanish
from our treasures. Various internal and external
influences also lead to the destruction of Kaavu.
Land Acquisition and deforestation gained momentum.
The face of the divine groves is also being changed
by tourism development. Collection of firewood's green
manure leaves and creation of local roads led to the
destruction of the divine forest.
Excavation/mining of laterites, clay etc. have also
adversely effected the existence of Kaavu.
The disappearance of wild variety species and appearance
of destructive weed plants is another sadder part
of this decline.
The decline of joint family system and the birth of
nuclear families is another factor for destruction
of Kaavu.
About 75% of Kaavu are facing the threat of extinction.
It is high time to recognize that Kaavus are the 'LUNGS
AND RESERVOIRS' of a locality. The developed
countries who viewed our Kaavu sarcastically earlier,
are now the saviour and advisors for the preservation
of these natural treasures. Let us have the strength
and ability for the awareness of preserving our divine
jungles from the encroachment of concrete Jungles.
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by Sivadas Nayanar |
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