Myristica swamps discovered in Bambarde of Dodamarg

Rajendra P. Kerkar

Villagers of Hevale in Dodamarg taluka has helped the researchers to discover the forested patch of about four acres having the unique vegetation of myristica swamp in community conserved area.


Researchers Gayatri Sreedharan from Trissur and Malhar Indulkar from Chiplun with the help of local villagers brought to the light myristica swamp vegetation in a sacred grove of Kanalachi Rai amidst the agriculture and rubber plantation. Myristica swamps having members of myristicaceae, a primitive family of flowering plants, are associated with rainforests of Asia, Africa, Madagascar and South America. In 2012, at Kangvai in Dapoli of Ratnagiri leaf impressions embedded in clay rocks were found on different layers of the rocks when wells were dug. The scientist KPN Kumaran of Agharkar Research Institute Pune alongwith the researchers Sharad Rajaguru, Ruta Limaye, Sachin Punekar, Sachin Joshi and Shrikant Karlekar were involved in the study of plant fossils belonging to 44000 years ago. It was believed that at present, there was no natural myristica swamp existing in Maharashtra few kilometers away from Goa's border.

However, Malhar Indulkar and Gayatri Sreedharan with the local villagers successful in discovering Myristica swamp in Bambarde.


This highly endangered ecosystem is the indication that thousands year ago Konkan had a longer period of rain from the South West and North East monsoons and was home to luxuriant tropical wet evergreen forest.


Through generations, villagers have protected this swamp vegetation inside the sacred grove. Once in a year, we fell only one tree for the Holi festival from this grove whereas other elements of biodiversity have been offered protection. They never eat inside the grove non-vegetarian foods or drink alcohol.


Malhar Indulkar, the researcher have identified the tree species as Myristica fatua, Gymna-cranthera canarica, Holigarna arnottiana. The grove also offer refuge for a wide range of wildlife like crabs, tortoises, fishes, birds, mammals and insects.


The perennial spring emerges out of the grove support village autumn agriculture and also provide drinking water throughout the year.


In Goa, the myristica swamp have been discovered in Brahmakarmali and Maloli of Sattari, Netravali, Bhati in Sanguem and Cotigao in Canacon

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