History
Historical Background Why The Pimenta?
In the early 14th century, Kerala was ruled by three major
kingdoms; Travancore in the south, Kochi in the middle and
Zamorin of the Calicut in the north. These kingdoms also had
very powerful principalities inside them. One of the
principalities of former Travancore is called Vadakkumkur,
comprising the present day Muvattupuzha, Thodupuzha and
Meenachil areas. The Pimenta was the name for the area
called Vadakkumkur of the Travancore Kingdom where the
world's best quality pepper is grown.
This land was the European explorer's dream and Vasco da
Gama, the Portuguese captain, discovered Kerala and
Pimenta. Today's traveler can find Kerala but is not able to
explore the treasure trove of the Kerala Midlands because
the "Lonely Planet" and most of the other so called
guidebooks and accommodation directories have not
discovered this place or any of the other interesting places
in the Midlands.
This gave us the idea of opening up a place in our garden for
travelers, which is in the heart of The Pimenta, formerly
known as Vadakkumkur. We named it "THE PIMENTA"and it
is a place where you can genuinely experience the culture,
cuisine and life of the Kerala Midlands using the principles of
sustainable as well as responsible tourism.
Historical Background Why The Pimenta?
In the early 14th century, Kerala was ruled by three major
kingdoms; Travancore in the south, Kochi in the middle and
Zamorin of the Calicut in the north. These kingdoms also had
very powerful principalities inside them. One of the
principalities of former Travancore is called Vadakkumkur,
comprising the present day Muvattupuzha, Thodupuzha and
Meenachil areas. The Pimenta was the name for the area
called Vadakkumkur of the Travancore Kingdom where the
world's best quality pepper is grown.
This land was the European explorer's dream and Vasco da
Gama, the Portuguese captain, discovered Kerala and
Pimenta. Today's traveler can find Kerala but is not able to
explore the treasure trove of the Kerala Midlands because
the "Lonely Planet" and most of the other so called
guidebooks and accommodation directories have not
discovered this place or any of the other interesting places
in the Midlands.
This gave us the idea of opening up a place in our garden for
travelers, which is in the heart of The Pimenta, formerly
known as Vadakkumkur. We named it "THE PIMENTA"and it
is a place where you can genuinely experience the culture,
cuisine and life of the Kerala Midlands using the principles of
sustainable as well as responsible tourism.
Philosophy
About the Midlands- The Pimenta Background
The Kerala midlands are the place where spices, food
and fruits were naturally grown in homestead forest
gardens that were eventually lost to rubber
plantations. Spices were moved up to the hills where
the forests were cut and plantations were established,
damaging the ecosystems in a significant way
(monoculture plantations e.g. tea, coffee, pepper and
rubber).
Here, we are making an effort to bring back the glory
of the Midlands by establishing a homestead forest
garden (with bio organic farming) and growing spices
in their natural habitat. This is quite different and
environmentally more sensible than growing spices
and crops in the cleared forest ranges in the
mountains or the dense mangrove forests in the
backwaters as a monoculture.
We are also trying to conserve the biodiversity of the
region by raising lots of medicinal herbs in the garden
itself; a self financed economically viable conservation
initiative by the family in the region. As part of
the conservation activity, we also preserve the
recipes of the region and use them on a day-to-day
basis. Of course, this is something different for
travelers who like to enjoy variety and in depth
experience.
About the Midlands- The Pimenta Background
The Kerala midlands are the place where spices, food
and fruits were naturally grown in homestead forest
gardens that were eventually lost to rubber
plantations. Spices were moved up to the hills where
the forests were cut and plantations were established,
damaging the ecosystems in a significant way
(monoculture plantations e.g. tea, coffee, pepper and
rubber).
Here, we are making an effort to bring back the glory
of the Midlands by establishing a homestead forest
garden (with bio organic farming) and growing spices
in their natural habitat. This is quite different and
environmentally more sensible than growing spices
and crops in the cleared forest ranges in the
mountains or the dense mangrove forests in the
backwaters as a monoculture.
We are also trying to conserve the biodiversity of the
region by raising lots of medicinal herbs in the garden
itself; a self financed economically viable conservation
initiative by the family in the region. As part of
the conservation activity, we also preserve the
recipes of the region and use them on a day-to-day
basis. Of course, this is something different for
travelers who like to enjoy variety and in depth
experience.
People behind
The forest garden is run by Mrs. Mathew, wife of late
Prof.T.C.Mathew, her son Jacob Mathew an ex
- lawyer and his son Ranjeet Mathew Jacob who is a law
student.
She is helped by Mr.Madhu Shanker who is responsible for
Guest accommodations and food, and lot other people who
take care of the day-to-day activities on the garden.
Helpers from the local area are also part and parcel of the
activities in the garden when we need more human labor,
such as at planting and harvest times
The forest garden is run by Mrs. Mathew, wife of late
Prof.T.C.Mathew, her son Jacob Mathew an ex
- lawyer and his son Ranjeet Mathew Jacob who is a law
student.
She is helped by Mr.Madhu Shanker who is responsible for
Guest accommodations and food, and lot other people who
take care of the day-to-day activities on the garden.
Helpers from the local area are also part and parcel of the
activities in the garden when we need more human labor,
such as at planting and harvest times
Acknowledgement (Thanks)
To the Almighty who made possible this small venture
and still go in the same way we planned .We really
thank the guidance, inspiration and appreciation of all
the guests who have been with us.
A lot we owe to our earlier guests who helped by
creative criticism which helped us to stay in the
position as well as continuing the effort we are doing
now. Lot of thanks to every one who contributed
pictures to the site as well as personal collection and
those who helped with the creation of this website.
To the Almighty who made possible this small venture
and still go in the same way we planned .We really
thank the guidance, inspiration and appreciation of all
the guests who have been with us.
A lot we owe to our earlier guests who helped by
creative criticism which helped us to stay in the
position as well as continuing the effort we are doing
now. Lot of thanks to every one who contributed
pictures to the site as well as personal collection and
those who helped with the creation of this website.
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| From the pioneers in Eco-Agri-Tourism in South India . Kerala tourism commended propery since 1995 |
| ©Haritha Farm's -The Pimenta, Kadalikad Post -686670,Kerala,India Tel:-+ 91 485 2260216,+91 485 2263006, +91 9744770227 Mobile +91 (0) 9447302347 Email harithafarms@yahoo.com www.harithafarms.com |
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