I-AIM Garden is a unique and the large garden totally dedicated to medicinal plants in India. The garden has been aesthetically landscaped, with native medicinal plants exclusively. It is a live repository of 1187 species of medicinal plants (covering 375 genera and 120 families) collected from all over India, belonging to all habits, ranging from herbs, climbers and trees. The plants represented here have cultural roots in the rich health traditions of India. Many rare species can also be observed and studied here. Attractive signages accompany each plant to inform the visitors about their ethnobotany. The variety of native plants in the garden has attracted many insects and birds as regular visitors to our garden.
Attached to the Garden is the I-AIM nursery, which has over 300 species of medicinal plants catering to local needs. The seedlings that are raised in both the conventional way and using root trainer technology are 100% organic. The nursery has mist chambers for propagation and shade houses with misting facility for special indoor plants. In addition, we also have information on how to grow plants, their uses as well as simple procedures for preparation of herbal remedies.
The garden at I-AIM has been organised into 37 themed demonstration plots for enhanced perception and better appreciation of their value. The end result is that there is a visually appealing garden, which has plants for preventive & promotive health. The important themes are Red Listed medicinal plants, endemic medicinal plants, plants used in veterinary medicine, plants used as antidotes for poisonous bites, plants used in various traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, plants used in primary health care, ornamental medicinal plants, plants of monotypic genus and monogeneric family, Rashivana, Nakshatravana, medicinal plants used for religious rituals, plants used to improve water quality, plants used in traditional bone setting, plants used in mental health, dye yielding medicinal plants, wild edible medicinal plants, medicinal Ferns, orchids and bamboos, plants used as substitutes and adulterants, human body theme, Rasayana plants, traditional gardens – Sarpakavu (a traditional conservation initiative by the community in Kerala), highly traded medicinal plants, etc.
In addition to such themes the I-AIM Garden also has over 500 species of plants as ‘stand alones’ at different locations, many of which appear in the CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species)/Negative list. The plants appearing in this list have restrictions on their trade due to their threat status. The visitors naturally are informed about these regulations that will help in sustainable utilization.
A novel initiative of the I-AIM garden is the creation of bonsais using medicinal plants. Bonsais of Saraca asoca, Ficus religiosa, Terminalia arjuna, Butea monosperma, Pinuslongifolia, etc. have been developed by us.
At A Glance
- Region
Asia - Country
India - Area
Karnataka – Southern India - Latitude
13° 7′ 23.0484″ N - Longitude
77° 32′ 56.1804″ E - Partners
Foundation for the Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions – FRLHT - Ecosystem
The altitude of the place is 960 MSL and it enjoys a salubrious climate. The annual rainfall in this region is 80cm and the temperature ranges from a minimum of around 18°C to a maximum of around 30°C. The natural vegetation type of the area is Tropical thorny scrub. - Cultural Scope
I-AIM garden addresses the cultural needs of the community as it captures not only the botanical and floristic aspects, but also the cultural aspects that covers different local languages, traditional uses and cultural linkages , if any. Thus, there are themes based on plants used in traditional rituals and customs, plants related to zodiac signs, etc.
