Environmental Science

VISIT TO NEARBY TOURISM DESTINATION-MALAMEL ECOTOURISM 15. 11.2022

On November 15 2022 Department of Environmental Science conduct, one day trip to Malamel Ecotourism. We gathered our college around 9.00 am and started the journey from the college at 9.30 am. Malamel ecotourism is an emerging tourist destination that lies close to the Jadayu rock on the east side of Kollam. Malamel is located in the Arakkal village of Edamulakkal Gramapanchayath in the Pathanapuram taluk of Kollam district at 8°57'29 52'N Latitude and 76 61 50 40E Longitude. Malamel is noted for its beautiful locales and rocky hillocks that offer picturesque of the eastern sector of the district Kollam. Malamel rock is a hill in the Western Ghats in India. It has an altitude of 178m (584ft) about sea level. The prominence of the hill is 4m (13ft). Malamel is a grateful place for trekking and nature lovers. The main attraction of the Malamel hill top is the Nadukaanippara it is an another hill top in Malamel with an altitude of 184m (604ft) about sea level. The prominence of this hill is 106m (348ft). Ecotourism is 15 minutes away from Anchal and we reach the destination.

MANGROOVES- KIDNEY'S OF NATURE, MUNROE ISLAND, KOLLAM – 30.11.22

Munroe Island or Munroe Thuruth is an island group located at the Confluence of ashtamudi lake and the Kallada river in Kollam district Kerala.it is a group of eight small Islets comprising a total area of about 13.4 km². Munroe Island is a hidden Pearl in the backwaters. the area surrounding the Munroe is part of Ashtamudi a estuary which forms an important geological segment of the South Indian Peninsular Shield both crystalline rocks and tertiary sediments are major components of the estuary.

Munroe Island is a hidden pearl in the backwaters which is composed of a cluster of 8 islands. Each of them is separated by small water channels and lakes. Munroe Island is located about 27 km from Kollam. The place is named in honour of Resident Colonel John Munroe, of the former princely state of Travancore. He is said to have integrated several backwater regions by digging canals. Some of this island’s main attractions are the narrow waterways, canal cruise and the famous Kallada Boat Race held here during the 10-day festival of Onam. It offers a unique and tranquil setting, far away from the constant chaos of modern life.

The estuary is located at 8.9952 N Latitude and 76.6105 E Longitude. We arranged the trip on 30th November 2022 at 9:30 a.m. We started our trip from St. John's College Anchal it took about two and half hours to reach our destination we decided to have 2 hour canoe ride through the backwaters surrounding the island the canoe ride was the highlight of our trip and it is the best things to do at Monroe Island. We went past villages and observed the daily village life that involved from prawn fishing fish farming etc. the canoe ride was adventurous as well as we had to bend while passing below the low lying concrete bridges after a long travel we reached to the vast Ashtamudi Lake it was an amazing scenery. the most exciting part of our canoe tour was towards the end when our boatmen rowed the boat towards thick mangrove plantations and sailed the canoe beneath a naturally formed mangrove arch. We studied the natural habitat of mangrove also observed the viviparous reproductive structure which were hanging out from the vegetation with respiratory root etc. We returned to the land after experiencing the beauty. It was a wonderful day and experience more over ‘a day with nature’.

NATURE'S BEAUTY-ACHANCOVIL ECOTOURISM 24 – 01- 2023

Situated deep in the forest, the sovereign deity of Achankovil Temple in Kollam is Lord Ayyappa. It is believed that the idol at the temple was sacred by Lord Parasurama (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) himself. It is between the legendary Lord Sastha temples; some of the others bring the Kulathupuzha, Aryankavu, Sabarimala, and Kanthamala temples. Devotees come here in large numbers to pray and legend has it that it is a place where one can cure poisonous snake bites. The journey here confirms one meets the beautiful Manalar Waterfalls and the gorgeous Kumbavurutty Water falls on the way.

Kumbhavurutty Waterfall is a famous waterfall in South India situated near Aryankavu panchayath in Kollam district of Kerala near Tamil Nadu border. Located on the eastern area of Kollam District, Kumbhavurutty falls is one among the few crowds pulling waterfalls in Kerala. During peak times, the daily collection of this tourism spot will cross Rs. 1,50,000. It is about 6.5 km away from Achenkovil. This waterfall is a part of Achankovil River. The travellers can see wild animals also if lucky. Because the waterfall is very close to the thick Konni Forest area.

On 24th January we started a trip to Achankovil at 9 am The trip was conducted to study about Achankovil forest, weathering erosion effect by water and deposition by water. On the way of our journey we stopped at Punalur suspension bridge in, which was built in the time of travancore government. After spending sometime at the bridge we continued our trip. with one and half hour we reached Acharnkovil Our main destination was Kumbhavurutty water falls.

ROCK TOURISM-KUDUKKATHU PARA ECOTOURISM 27.07.2023

Kudukkathu Para is a complex of three rocks situated at Anakkulam in Alayamon Panchayath of Kollam district in Kerala, India, and is a popular tourist spot located at 8.887627 N latitude and 76.981995 E longitude. The rock structure is 840 metre above sea level, and is developed as an eco-tourism project by the Kerala Forest Department. The spot is around 1 km away from Anakkulam junction, and is approachable from Channapetta in the north. Visitors can climb two rocks, or 780 metres, while the third one, the tallest, is not accessible. Four districts of Kerala and a small part of Tamil Nadu can be viewed from top of the second tallest rock.

Kudukkathu Para is 8km away from Anchal, on 27^th July 2023 we started our journey from St. John's college, Anchal. we climbed the 360 steps from the check post to reach the top of the three huge rocks. The Imon railings on both sides of the pathway provided enough safety to climb the stairs. After climbing 100 steps, we reached 'Sayipinte guha'. It is said that the cave of grots, after a German white man its name stayed in the natural grotto. A few more steps nell take to the 'conference rock'. This rock is the conference because it is so large that it can accommodate 500 people. it is one with nothing that the forest region is replenished with the medicinal plant ‘Arogya Pacha' then only we can climb three rocks. The area is calm and quiet luxuriant growth of trees. It is away from the busy life of city which will make the mind and helps it refresh and melt into nature.

Adventure Tourism -ROSEMALA ECOTOURISM – 29. 08. 2023

From the firmament it appeared like the unfurling petals of a rose. Amidst the petals, rests a valley in the Shenduruney forest. The little green patches of land, spilled across the river, with its bewitching aura seem to have come down from a fairy tale. The shape of the land akin to that of a rose flower might be the reason behind the name of this valley. There is also the view that the name came from Roslin, the wife of a British planter who established the estate here.

We started our journey on September 29, 2023 from St John's college, Anchal at 9:00 am. The land is located about 15 km deep into the forest from Aryankavu at 8⁰.95⁰08’ N latitude 76.879⁰ longitude. The forest road leading to Rosemala is steep and winding. We started your trekking by venturing into Darbhakkulam, a pond deep inside Rosemala. Darbha is the name for Poa cynosuroides, a plant which has got significance in Hindu rituals. It is presumed that once this place was filled with these plants. On the way to Darbhakkulam we observe the forest that teems with life and rich in biodiversity. We observed rare species of butterflies, mushrooms and frogs. The serene surface of the lake mirrors the undulating green hills that surround the lake. The fluid sketch of the lush greenery is torn by the plenitude of the fishes dancing in the lake.

A rare spectacle awaits at Rosemala is the watchtower. The watchtower unveils you the vastness of the Thenmala Dam in its entirety. The cool breeze embracing the lake is sure to last in our memory forever. We are lucky enough to have good climate we enjoyed sunset from this point.

An Eco-Sensitization programme

MALAMEL ECOTOURISM 21. 11.2023

On November 21 2023 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE conduct, one day trip to Malamel Ecotourism. We gathered our college around 9.00 am and started the journey from the college at 9.30 am. Malamel ecotourism is an emerging tourist destination that lies close to the Jadayu rock on the east side of Kollam. Malamel is located in the Arakkal village of Edamulakkal gramapanchayath in the Pathanapuram taluk of Kollam district. Malamel is noted for its beautiful locales and rocky hillocks that offer picturesque of the eastern sector of the district Kollam. Malamel rock is a hill in the Western Ghats in India. It has an altitude of 178m (584ft) about sea level. The prominence of the hill is 4m (13ft). Malamel is a grateful place for trekking and nature lovers. The main attraction of the Malamel hill top is the Nadukaanippara it is an another hill top in Malamel with an altitude of 184m (604ft) about sea level. The prominence of this hill is 106m (348ft). Ecotourism is 15 minutes away from Anchal and we reach the destination.

Malamel hillocks: hills and stories : Malamel Rocky hill is a huge rock in Pathanapuram Taluk in Kollam district, Kerala, India. This village is situated between Anchal and Valakom by-pass road. Scenic view and the soothing tender breeze at this hilltop is absolutely mind blowing. Presence of monkeys at the top of this rocky hill is often a surprise for the visitors as monkeys cannot be seen anywhere in the nearby areas. Visitors feeding the monkeys (seems to be harmless) is a usual scene there in the evenings, you may carry some peanuts, fruits with you to feed them, as there are no shops nearby.

Malamel rock is an unexplored hilltop that located on the east side of Kollam district. This destination is a collection of rocks and offering a peaceful and serene environment. The travel through the hilly terrain makes the way to Malamel special. The place consist of series of hillocks they are- Ayiravallippara, Pullakkamppara, Kombukuthippara, Kudappara, Golandarappara, Nadappara, Kochunadukaanippara, Nadukaanippara and Shankoorathupara. There is also a temple on huge rock which is also called Ambalappara. The view from the rock is the nature wrapped in a green blanket blended with the beauty of village. we can also see the signs of destruction. Long cracks are visible on the rock aa an impact caused by the activities of crusher unit in the area.

The journey to Nadukaanippara is adventurous. Once you arrived there you will treated to a beautiful view. Standing on the top of this rock we can admire the rocky hills and the bird eye view of the nearby villages. Nadukaanippara is often referred as the “Oxygen Hub” of the village. Also the remains of the forest wireless station is also can which was burned by lightning stands out. The next destination was the Kudappara in which rocks are stacked on each other resembling an umbrella shape. Following Kudappara there is Golandarappara which is shaped like a globe fixed on the edge of a needle.

Malamel is an emerging place for nature lovers and the group of rocks and top hill view makes its special. The visit was interesting and helps to gather information about the place and the ecotourism developments. After spending a valuable time we reached back to the college around 4pm.

Know our Nature-FOREST MUSEUM KULATHUPUZHA 29.08.2023

We started our journey on 29^th September 2023 from St. John’s College Anchal, the museum is located 19 km from Anchal. The prestigious forest museum was located at 8.9064°N latitude, 77.0571°E longitude and established on the 3.3 acres of land that was formerly occupied by the Kulathupuzha Forest Office Range and its cottages. The museum amidst the verdant forest, and its resources. With its intricate designs, this artistic architecture is specially designed to embrace the topography of the region. The museum features numerous forest-inspired themes in their authentic habitat. Apart from enhancing tourism, this natural history museum aims to educate people about Nature, biodiversity and culture and also focuses on providing research opportunities. The museum incorporates facilities including an information centre, training hall, timber museum and a museum complex with five exhibition halls, tribal huts, an artificial intelligence room, a play area for kids, a food court, an eco-shop and a guest house.
The museum shows the life of Adivasis, forest streams, wildlife and a lot more. Additionally, it intends to organise a multitude of initiatives, including educational programs and seminars on natural history museums, and establish a network of natural museums nationally and internationally.

One Day Seminar

Under the auspices of PG and Research Department of Environmental Science and Department of Botany, a One day Seminar has organised on 15 September in observance of International Day for the Preservation of Ozone Layer along with Conservation initiatives of Medicinal plants at the Botanical Garden. Dr Jude Emmanuel, Environmental Scientist was the resource person.

Activities