The Garden With No Secrets

Created and maintained by the M. S. Swaminathan Research Centre (MSSRF), one of the country's premier scientific institutions founded by legendary agro-economist Professor M. S. Swaminathan, the garden stands testimony to an inclusive society. It redefines the term 'barrier free environment' for the disabled. With thoughtful landscape designing and a selected range of shrubs and herbs, the Touch & Smell Garden turns a botanical excursion into an experience in tactile and sensory perception.

A Sensual Road Map

Explains Dr. S. Rajalakshmi, Plant Microbiology Department, MSSRF, who oversees the still developing endeavor, "The concept is simple and only requires a particular way of looking at things, as it were. At the Touch & Smell Garden, we have been constantly innovating to ensure that the visually impaired are not denied the joys of discovering nature. It is very much possible for them - instead of emphasis on the 'visual' aspects of a typical garden, like flowers and ferns, we focus on aromatic plants and those that have leaves of varying texture. That makes the garden more relevant, enjoyable and educative for our visually impaired visitors."

The garden was started under the "Every Child a Scientist (ECS)" programme, initiated three years back by the Foundation. This programme aims at empowering children of marginalized groups in both rural and urban areas. Computers are used as aids to provide knowledge on biodiversity. The ECS project is already being implemented successfully in the Community Agrobiodiversity Centre of MSSRF at Kalpetta in the Wayanad District of Kerala. The Touch & Smell Garden is growing at the headquarters of the Foundation, in Chennai's Taramani 'Science City', a sprawling layout of academic and research facilities in the city's southern suburbs.

Four identical blocks, with arches of jasmine at their entrances, are accessed by specially ordered tiles. The tiles are of particular importance because they are patterned with a specific purpose in mind - the chequered tiles are the principal pathways. At every corner, embedded soft marble pebbles indicate that it is time to change direction. This way, the layout becomes a tactile route map. Almost two-thirds of the total cost of Rs.5 lakh has been expended towards the laying of the tiles. Once the instructions are given at the time of entering the garden, independent mobility for the visually impaired is ensured, at least within the garden.

Rainwater harvesting has been employed, vermicomposting produces the organic manure used here and littering is strictly discouraged all over the MSSRF premises. At the Touch & Smell Garden many plants have medicinal value. Strategically placed Braille boards give additional explanation on how to navigate, plus details on the plants themselves.

India's Sacred Groves Keep Garden Alive Year-Round

Says Rajalakshmi, "A similar garden such as this one was made in Lucknow (capital of the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh) first. However, this garden is different in many ways from the one in Lucknow. The garden in Lucknow is visited by children on particular days, such as World Environment Day. Here, in our Foundation, children from different schools visit every week and learn about the plants and biodiversity. The plant beds are mainly aromatic in our garden as compared to the one in Lucknow. Also, due to the extreme weather in Lucknow, they are unable to maintain the garden throughout the year."

Although Chennai's omnipresent heat and scanty rainfall makes it a difficult place to sustain a garden too, the problem is overcome by choosing species that grow well here. Fragrant, coarse-leaved, medicinal and thornless plants of economic importance have been selected and nurtured. Says Rajalakshmi, "Many of the species have been chosen from the sacred groves or kovilkadugal of Tamil Nadu. The groves are a unique form of biodiversity conservation, and are real examples of the Indian tradition of conserving the ecology as a natural heritage."

Originally, every village in Tamil Nadu had a grove, a protected area associated with local folk deities. Sacred groves were small patches of forest left untouched by the local inhabitants. Several such groves are reported in many parts of India. A variety of entrenched rituals and myths prohibit human exploitation of the kovil (temple) kadugal (forests). They have become the last remnants of the native vegetation of each particular region. Their rich plant life helps retain subsoil water and, during the hot summer months, the pond in the grove is often the only source of drinking water. Without any overt agenda, conservation is ensured and propagated.

Children and Students Enthusiastic and Inspired

After a visit to the Touch & Smell Garden, K. Ramalingam, a visually impaired postgraduate student of Tamil from Chennai's Presidency College, who was just discovering how rosemary was popular as an herbal tea besides finding use in making arrowroot biscuits and porridge said, "I am familiar with many of these smells from my village, but rarely are there opportunities to observe greenery slowly in the city. This is a most pleasant place."

Wondered G. Manoharan, a doctoral scholar of literature here on a trip with an NGO that funds and supports his education, "Did you notice how the geraniums smell just like Medimix (India's largest selling Ayurvedic toilet soap)? I feel if we come here regularly, our eyes will be cooled therapeutically."

On what the future holds, Rajalakshmi says, "We plan to have an audio system besides the Braille boards wherein additional details and information can be provided. This could be either in the form of audiocassettes or small chips near the Braille boards. We also plan to have a computer equipped with Braille software and a printer for children to learn from. We plan to conduct workshops for teachers and heads of schools and NGOs working for the blind and develop orientation and training modules for them and help them to develop similar facilities at their centres."

The responses from the children too have been nothing short of ecstatic. Some of them have suggested that their biology class be held in the garden, some others want to start a similar garden in their school, and still others wish to become scientists to serve the visually impaired.

A new aquatic plants' section is additional inspiration. Explains Rajalakshmi, "Water adds an extra dimension to the senses. We have a few lilies, lotus and Eicchornia species in specially made water tanks built exclusively for the visually impaired. The children are extremely thrilled with this addition as they are now able to feel and touch a lotus leaf, which they would otherwise not have an opportunity to do."

Quiz and elocution competitions marked the first anniversary celebrations. The information provided in the garden formed the themes. It became an opportunity to assess the success in imparting knowledge on biodiversity and conservation to the garden's young visitors. Says a delighted Rajalakshmi, "The children did exceedingly well."

The Touch & Smell Garden can be reached at:
M S Swaminathan Research Foundation
3^rd Cross Street, Taramani Institutional Area
Chennai (Madras) 600 113, INDIA
Tel: (91 44) 2254 2790/1698/ 2698/ 2699/ 1229
Fax: (91 44) 2254 1319
Website: www.mssrf.org

Lalitha Sridhar is a writer and editor based in New Delhi, India. She is keenly interested in development issues. Your emails will be forwarded to her by contacting the editor at: ScienceTech@iolteam.com.