The 33-acre botanical garden of Calicut University is next in line to be a biodiversity heritage site of Kerala

Following the designation of Edayilalakkad Kavu in Kasaragod as a biodiversity heritage site (BHS), efforts are on to designate two other sites as BHS. Calicut University's 33-acre botanical garden is next in line. Another application to register Kalashamala in the Porkkulam village panchayat of the Thrissur district has been pending with the State government since 2017. In 2019, the mangrove vegetation in Asramam, Kollam district, was designated as a BHS. On Wednesday, the State Cabinet accepted the designation of Edayilalakkad Kavu as a BHS. A notice in the official gazette is coming soon. Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act of 2002 states that the state government may designate significant biodiversity sites as BHSs after consulting with local governments.

BHSs are designated for ecologically vulnerable ecosystems and regions of exceptional biodiversity significance. According to a State Biodiversity Board document, some factors considered when notifying BHSs include the presence of both wild and domesticated species or intra-specific categories, high endemism, the presence of rare, threatened, and keystone species or species of evolutionary significance, and wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or their varieties. The existence of the unique species, which is threatened by habitat degradation, was a major reason in selecting Kalashamala as a location. According to the paper, the plant species is found on 1.85 acres.

The designation of Calicut University's botanical garden as BHS was proposed by the Thenjipalam panchayat committee and its biodiversity management committee. According to C. George Thomas, chairman of the State Board, the board had recently written to the state government about the pending plans.The designation of a site as a BHS will provide some legal protection for biodiversity-rich regions located outside of forest zones. Generally, public lands with high biodiversity are examined. The announcement will result in the establishment of a regulatory framework for such locations. He stated that development activity in such areas would require the approval of the board and relevant entities.