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| Wolfgang, Gurukulam Botanical Sanctuary, Wayanad |
Wolfgang, a young man from Germany, had come to India 40 years ago in search of soul’s roots. But after he settled down in Wayanad district, he devoted a major portion of his time and effort to keep the natural forest land at his disposal rooted to the soil.
As directed by Nataraja Guru, the disciple of Sree Narayana Guru, he had settled down to look after the ashram at Wayanad. The snake-infested, food-scarce and language-deaf land must have been intimidating in the beginning. But slowly, the snakes accepted him as another one among the fauna. His tongue started adjusting to tapioca three times a day. And the language of jesters formed his mode of communication with the locals.
The young man did not keep idle. He converted the land at his disposal into a veritable forest, fit for the denizens among flora and fauna.
He had come to India in 1969. By 1981, he had acquired Indian citizenship and wed a local lady. The same year he converted his land into Gurukulam Botanical Sanctuary, which soon became a vast repository of genetically diverse flora.
Over the years, he has been receiving help from his family and well wishers in running the sanctuary. And over the years, the efforts put in by these dedicated persons have been gathering goodwill among the sensitive souls. It was therefore only natural that International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) should list it as one among the 25 noted places of genetic diversity.
In 2005, another accolade came his way. Whitley award, the top British environmental honour, was bestowed on Gurukulam Botanical Sanctuary. Suprabha Seshan, the Director of the Sanctuary, who has been taking pains for the last 16 years to keep its roots strong, received the award in London.
Courtesy:
Sheeba James (text), Mathrubhumi, September 6, 2009
Contributed by: Administrator
