Nature Trail

The Bioresources Nature Park at KFRI Nialmbur features conservation themes for groups such as algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes, and plants found in specialized ecological niches, such as xerophytes (cacti and succulents) and hydrophytes (aquatic plants).

KFRI established the Bioresources Nature Park with financial support from DBT, MoEF, and the Department of Planning and Economic Affairs, Government of Kerala.

Besides these beneficial plants (medicinal plants), ornamental and aesthetic plants (orchids), with particular reference to endemic and rare, endangered and threatened (RET) species, are also featured in the park. Propagules of over 1200 species of plants have been collected and introduced in the thematic areas of the nature trail.

In the orchid house at the park, visitors can see some of the rare orchids, South Indian endemic species, medicinal orchids, and commercially important orchids, including some of the prettiest orchids in South India.

The Fern House features around 80 species of ferns, including endemic, rare, endangered, and ornamental ferns. The Aquatic plants include different forms such as floating hydrophytes, submerged and rooted hydrophytes, emergent rooted hydrophytes, and floating leaved and rooted hydrophytes.

The Xerophyte and Succulent Garden has an outdoor landscaped rock garden and a greenhouse to display medicinal and ornamental species. It also has a collection of bio-fence and bio-fuel species and other attractions.

Thallpohyte and Bryophyte specimens are displayed in a specially designed shade house with mist and drip irrigation facilities. In the Palm Garden, in addition to the 40 ornamental palm species, many palms of economic, ecological, and cultural significance are grown.

A Taxonomic Garden, where plants of over 100 angiosperm families are assembled, is part of the Bioresources Park.

The butterfly garden in the Park has been developed by planting larval and adult host plants and subtle modifying the habitat. The juvenile or caterpillar stage of butterflies feeds on the foliage of specific plants. Thus, it is possible to see adult butterflies, diverse forms of eggs, caterpillars, and pupae of a variety of butterfly species.

In the corner of the Bioresources Nature Park, visitors can also see the burials of the Megalithic period. These burials, located and reported by one scientist from our Institute, are unique and are about 1800 to 2300 years old. They provide an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the Megalithic civilization and culture. The archaeological and historical importance of Nilambur is evident through these burials.