The traditional notion was that the intermittent sandstone hills were barren lands. You may think so when you see the tops and boulders of the hill that dry up in the summer. Studies over the past few decades have shown that they are not barren tropical lands, but unique habitats with extremely high water absorption potential.
Serious studies of the Red Hills may have begun at Madayipara. The people of Madayi have been protesting with courageous resistance to protect Iowa Rock since the government began its move to excavate the entire Iowa Rock and start lignite mining almost thirty years ago.
Chengal areas in India are mainly found in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra to Malappuram district of Kerala. The area of Iowa Rock is 365 hectares. It is one of the most important red sandstone hills in Kerala (North Kerala). The information recorded by the ancient travelers about Madayipara is very historical.
The study of the flora of Madayipara was initiated by Dr. Kannapuram, a native of Kannapuram and a world-renowned botanist. VV Sivarajan and his friends. It was during the last decade of the last century that four new species of plants were discovered in the botanical world from Madayipara. Ekasumam (Justice Ekakusuma) found by AK Pradeep and co. V.V. Shivarajan and K.T. Krishna Weaving (Nymphoides Krishna Kesara), which was discovered by Joseph in 1991. Malabar Rottala (Rottala Malabarika) was found by Pradeep and his group in 1992 by Prof. Madayi Vengara. PV Madhusoodanan, N.V. Lemongrass (Lepidogathis keralensis), found by Singh, is one of the newest flowering plants discovered here in the last century. In 1995, E.C.
Iowa recently discovered six new plants from Madayipara in 2012. A.M. Madayichoot (Aeriocolon Madayiensis) discovered by the dreamer and co. The best examples of the rich plant diversity of the Madayipara are the young columbine (Parasopubia hofmanai Variety alba) and the young grass (Silconi Madayiensis) discovered by Pramod and co.
Since 2016, another new species of plant has to be found. Dr. C.N. It was Sunil and his team who scientifically seduced the Iowa plant. It is named after the family of Muthanga, 'Ph.Brysitalis pokudiana'. The species is named in honor of the late Mr. Cullen Pokudan.
Madayipara is a place where people who have been studying biodiversity and Jewish history in recent times continue to study. Thalassery Govt: Brennan College Botany Teacher Dr.C. Pramod's study has found 665 flowering plants here. 5 in India will be found in Kerala for the first time. In addition, the Iowa study includes about 120 endangered plants.
Madayipara, which covers only 0.01 (3.65 sq km) of the total area of Kannur district (3670 sq km), is home to 58.75% (665 species) of the flora (1132 species) of Kannur district.
The fauna of Madayipara is quite amazing. The 158 species of butterflies and more than 100 species of nocturnal butterflies found so far are a reflection of the flora and fauna of the place. Most of the food plants of these larvae are medicinal plants. Of the 16 species of trunks found in Kerala to date, 55 species have been observed in Madayipara. Madayipara is the first place in Kerala where a dwarf tortoise with the scientific name 'Ghrishivelashamrishazhamme' is found only in the north eastern states of India.
In addition to butterflies and tortoises, 34 species of grasshoppers and 10 species of insectivores have been reported from the area. Out of 500 species of birds in Kerala, 182 species have been found here. It is from here that at least the first twelve species found in Kerala have been recorded. Of the 182 bird species, 48 species are migratory birds.
The first report on the migration of birds in India is from Madayipara. 24 species of birds come here in large numbers. Migratory birds have been observed staying at Madayipara during the monsoon season without returning. These include birds such as vultures, skylarks and grasshoppers.
32 species of reptiles (snakes, lizards and turtles) have been found here. Of the 93 species of land mammals found in Kerala, 21 species have been found in Madayipara. According to senior sources, tigers were present here until the beginning of the last century.
Apart from being an area of biodiversity importance, Madayipara is also a source of drinking water for the people of Madayi. The numerous small chambers and tubes in the sandstone are capable of storing water almost like a sponge. At least 10 of the 44 rivers in Kerala originate from the sand dunes of Kannur, Kasaragod and the district. The Iowa small rivers are evidence of the water storage capacity of the Red Hills.
There have been some studies on the water storage capacity of Madayipara. The amount of water in the Iowa canal, which falls into a pond located in the courtyard of the church in Pazhayangadi, has been estimated. Iowa Falls, which plunges into the pool, is often referred to as 'Thalayattum Vellam'. Of this, 50 liters of water flows per second (June to August-September). The amount of water available for three months is given below.
Second - 50 liters per minute (50ഃ60) = 3000 liters per hour (3000ഃ60) = 1,80,000 liters per day (1,80,000ഃ24) = 43,20,000 liters per month (43,20,000ഃ30) = 12,96,00,000 liters in three months (12, 96,00,000ഃ3) = 38,88,00,000 liters (three hundred and eighty eight million liters )
This is the amount of water that can be obtained from a single waterfall. There are 6 other canals similar to or stronger than this one falling down at different parts of Madayipara. Taken together, it is approximately 276,16,00,000 liters. All the wells around Madayipara are filled with water stored by the Iowa Red Rock. The sandstones are called Nadi reservoirs because of their storage capacity.
The coming days of this year will be marked by severe water shortages. Therefore, the protection of the remaining hills, wetlands and fields is going to be the direct responsibility of each and every one of us. We have to take responsibility. Or when we die, we run out of water to put even the last drop of water on our tongues.