Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary
In A Nutshell
The Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary is dedicated to the plants of the Western Ghats, a mountain range running down the western coastline of peninsular India. Founded in 1981 by Wolfgang Theuerkauf, the Sanctuary is a garden of wild plant species grown at the edge of a rainforest reserve. Our intention is to rehabilitate endangered species and restore habitats in a highly fragmented landscape, in which only a fraction of original forest remains and a high percentage of species are rare, vulnerable or threatened by imminent extinction.
The Sanctuary is run by a small group of resident gardeners, naturalists and educators, and supported by a wide circle of well-wishers. Together we offer an approach that is connected to the climate, land, habitats, climate, plants, animals and people of the Western Ghats.
The work at the Sanctuary includes:
- Ex-situ conservation of native (rainforest) plants.
- Education and public outreach.
- Training local young women in horticulture and conservation.
- Habitat restoration in degraded areas of the Western Ghats
- Supporting recovery of natural forest within our lands.
- Research in biodiversity and conservation.
- Forest farming, growing food.
- Participation in regional conservation.
People at the Sanctuary:
Founder and late Chief: Wolfgang Theuerkauf (originally from Berlin, Indian citizen since 1981)
Plant Conservation:
Laly Joseph (Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Balsaminaceae, Gesneriaceae), Suma Keloth (Orchidaceae, Araceae, Zingiberaceae, carnivorous and ornamental plants) and Purvi Jain (Fabaceae, Poaceae, Gentianaceae, Asteraceae, Acanthaceae).
Restoration, Education and Outreach: Suprabha Seshan
Community Base:
Leelamma (chef, kitchen garden and farm); Janu and Sugadha (kitchen support) ; Shailesh Nambiar (dairy and supplies).
Abhishek Jain, Anna Theuerkauf, Diba Siddiqi, Sandilya Theuerkauf, Sruti Yusufi, Graham Doctor, Stefi Barna, Lorenzo Castellari, N. Venu.
About this website:
- Background images: Ornamental plants in the Sanctuary
- Text: Suprabha Seshan
- Photographs: Sandilya, Suprabha, Dr. Mayilvahanan, Peter Oppenheimer, Abhishek Jain, Diba Siddiqi
- Host: Anuruddha Jaithirtha
- Original Html code: Ananth Chari
- Design: Radhika Neelakantan, Suprabha Seshan, Shyam Nemo, Golak Khandual, Shyamal Lakshminarayanan
- Editorial Assistance: Bill Sullivan