Kerala wetland to gain heritage status for rare plant species

Pandikot Pallam in Nileshwaram municipality is poised to receive formal recognition as a biodiversity heritage site, highlighting its ecological significance and rare botanical treasures. The wetland has emerged as a critical habitat for endemic plant species, with three rare varieties documented within its boundaries.

The most notable discovery is Krishnakesara bispinosa, an extremely rare plant species believed to exist nowhere else globally. The site also supports populations of Rotala tulunadensis and Blyxa kasargodensis, both of which have been recorded at the location and represent significant botanical finds for the region.

The proposed designation as a local biodiversity heritage site recognizes the wetland's conservation value and aims to ensure protection of its unique flora. Such designations typically involve implementing management protocols and restricting activities that could harm the ecosystem and its rare species.

The move reflects growing efforts in Kerala to identify and preserve pockets of high biodiversity within populated areas. Wetlands like Pandikot Pallam serve as crucial repositories of plant genetic diversity and contribute to broader ecosystem health, making their formal protection increasingly important as development pressures mount across the state.