Location: Kunjikulam, Mannar
Date: 31.01.2025
Organized by: Department of Gunapadam, Faculty of Siddha Medicine
As part of the Mooligaiyeyal – II curriculum, a field visit was organized for second-year BSMS students to the Kunjikulam area in Mannar on 31st January 2025, from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The objective of this visit was to provide students with practical exposure to the identification and study of medicinal plants, with a specific focus on species found in mangrove ecosystems.
The visit was conducted under the guidance of faculty members from the Department of Gunapadam. During the excursion, students engaged actively in identifying and documenting various medicinal plants, including their Siddha names, botanical names, and therapeutic applications.
A major component of the field trip was the exploration of the ecological roles of mangroves and the distinctive adaptations of flora that thrive in saline and waterlogged environments. A total of 236 medicinal plant species were identified during the visit. Notable among these were several rare and significant species such as Katkaarai, Thenthookki, Theendavaadi, Surulipattai, Valampuri, Pirambu, Perumthumbai, Peruthuththi, Sitramatti, Muthirai, Karunchembbai, Mayiladikurunthu, and Neerkadambu.
This field study not only deepened students’ understanding of medicinal botany but also emphasized the importance of biodiversity conservation. By bridging theoretical concepts with practical application, the visit effectively fulfilled the academic and experiential learning outcomes of the subject.
