Naalumanikattu: Rural Sustainable Tourism Project

Onam, Kerala’s beloved national festival, is not only a celebration of unity and culture but also a festival of flowers. Traditionally, children and families would gather wildflowers from their homesteads and farms to create pookkalam (floral carpets) in the ten days leading up to Onam. This practice was deeply tied to Kerala’s ecology—native plants bloomed in abundance between the southwest and northeast monsoons, filling every courtyard with vibrant colors and medicinal blossoms.

But today, this living tradition is fading. With urbanization, changing landscapes, and the dominance of exotic ornamental plants, native wildflowers have become rare. Many species once vital for rituals, pollinators, and local ecosystems are disappearing. Children no longer recognize these plants—instead, they buy market flowers often grown with harmful chemicals. Along with biodiversity loss, this cultural disconnect is erasing centuries of traditional ecological knowledge.

In response, the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) launched the Wild Flower Show in 2015. Now in its 5th edition, held at Naalumanikaattu—India’s first village roadside eco-tourism project—the event has grown into a vibrant interschool and intercollegiate competition. Students, guided by their teachers, collect and display native wildflowers in living exhibits. These displays not only celebrate Kerala’s floral wealth but also raise awareness about invasive species, disappearing habitats, and the urgency of biodiversity conservation.

The Wild Flower Show is more than an exhibition—it is a movement. By reviving homestead biodiversity, it safeguards pollinators, birds, amphibians, and countless other species that depend on native plants. It also preserves cultural traditions, inspires ecological stewardship among youth, and creates a bridge between science, community, and heritage.

Your donations make this possible. Every contribution helps us:

• Build eco-friendly exhibition spaces
• Prepare educational displays and learning materials
• Support student participation and logistics
• Conduct community workshops and outreach programs

The impact of your support goes far beyond the event itself. By empowering students—the future guardians of nature—you are investing in awareness, conservation values, and sustainable action. The Wild Flower Show is now a model of how communities can blend tradition with modern conservation to protect our shared natural heritage.

 We sincerely thank our donors and well-wishers. Your generosity is not just funding an event—it is nurturing biodiversity, reviving culture, and securing a greener future for Kerala. Together, let us celebrate the beauty of wildflowers, reconnect with our roots, and conserve the ecosystems that sustain us all.

Naalumanikattu is a shining example of how grassroots efforts can bring about meaningful social and environmental change. What began as a small initiative by a group of determined women in Kottayam to clean up a neglected marshland along the Manarcad–Ettumanoor Bypass has now blossomed into a flourishing ecotourism destination. Today, Naalumanikattu is home to 12 food stalls run by 24 women, offering authentic Kerala snacks and local delicacies. These stalls have even earned a prestigious five-star hygiene rating from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)—a remarkable achievement for a community-led project.

Beyond its economic success, Naalumanikattu has had a profound impact on the lives of the women involved, offering them not just a livelihood but also dignity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. Many of these women, who once faced social and financial limitations, are now community leaders—managing businesses, engaging with visitors, and inspiring others to step forward. Environmentally, the initiative has transformed a degraded space into a clean, green, and inviting area that attracts both locals and tourists, demonstrating that conservation and development can go hand in hand.

Sustainable Model

Naalumanikattu operates on a sustainable model that integrates environmental restoration, women’s empowerment, and rural entrepreneurship. Managed and technical support for the project is provided by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES), ensuring scientific oversight, community engagement, and long-term viability. The initiative is not just a livelihood program—it is a replicable model of inclusive, eco-conscious rural development.

As Naalumanikattu grows in popularity, so do its needs. The women urgently require better infrastructure, including waste management systems, eco-friendly seating, upgraded cooking and storage facilities, and enhanced safety measures to accommodate the increasing number of visitors. There is also a pressing need for training and capacity-building programs to strengthen their entrepreneurial and hospitality skills, as well as support for marketing and promotion to help them reach wider audiences. Without timely support, this inspiring project risks being constrained, limiting its full potential.

Supporting Naalumanikattu at this critical juncture means investing not only in a group of hardworking women but in a visionary model of sustainable rural development. Your contribution can help preserve this unique blend of environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and women’s empowerment—ensuring that Naalumanikattu continues to thrive and inspire. By donating, you become part of a grassroots movement that uplifts families, protects nature, and showcases the resilience and potential of local enterprise.

Links:

• Winds of Change_ A Report in Online Manoramma
• Naalumanikattu: 'Street smart' Kottayam women turn wayside waste