The sun was at its harshest; no one dared step out of the shadows cast by the trees — neem, banyan, amla and ashoka leaves rustled lazily against the sparse winds. Aside from the whisper of leaves, a persistent hum was all that was heard. The music of the cicadas revelling in the heat was the only distraction from the swelter.
But the underlying cool in the air was hard not to notice.
Taramani, ensconced in trees of all ages, is an escape of sorts, a retreat from the otherwise oppressive weather of the city. And the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), its gem.
And as part of Madras Week, people had a chance to explore this rich campus and understand sustainable living.
A garden for the visually impaired
The hour-and-a-half long tour began outside, amidst the greenery. “There are so many botanical gardens but none specifically for the visually impaired, which was the inspiration for our garden. It is a way for the visually impaired to understand and feel the biodiversity,” explained Dr S Rajalakshmi, Principal Coordinator, Plant Molecular Biotechnology Lab.
The garden’s pathway is designed such that people can use their other senses to navigate. While the larger pebbles indicate a change in direction of the pathway, the smaller ones lead to a Braille board. Different kinds of herbs are sheltered under the adult trees — asparagus, pepper, basil and more. “This is a way for the visually impaired to experience nature,” she added.
Each component on campus is symbolic in some way. Combining traditional methods of nature conservation with contemporary usages, MSSRF has also planted a ‘sacred grove’. Elaborating on this, Rajalakshmi said, “So-called temple trees have been used to conserve endemic species of an area. We used this idea and planted different kinds of ‘sacred’ trees including banyan, neem and amla.”
And to facilitate the natural experience further, they have constructed ponds that house aquatic plants. “Visually impaired children told us they’d never touched a lotus…”
A back story
The foresight it took to build such a structure is quite amazing. Constructed in 1993, the campus is a model for sustainable development in urban areas. At a time when climate change and sustainable living weren’t popular discourses, Professor MS Swaminathan (the ‘Father of the Green Revolution’) chose to delve into fields that would later become the centre of most debates on the environment. “When we got some money to build the campus, I instructed the architect to design a building that would harvest sunlight and rainwater. He was confused and didn’t know what I meant! My idea was to avoid artificial light as much as possible,” he explained.
Soon, the campus began generating power — 20 kilowatts of solar power to run the computers — and recharged its groundwater table. “We wanted uninterrupted power supply and solar energy was best option,” said the 91-year-old with some delight in his voice.
Earthworms and greenhouses
Professor Swaminathan explained that they do three types of research — anticipatory, participatory and applied/advance, but their focus is on participatory research. “This is also why we chose not to buy farmland — instead of farming on our own, we decided to develop solutions alongside the farmers,” said the professor.
But that doesn’t stop them from experimenting on campus. They nourish the greenery around them with the help of a few vermicompost pits. And they are studying the effects of increased exposure to carbon dioxide on plants, while the greenhouse is used to keep genetically modified plants.
Inside the concrete building
The building itself is based on Sangam landscapes or the various ecosystems of Tamil Nadu:Kuṟunji, Mullai, Marudam, Neydhal and Pālai. A healthy combination of sunlight, water and a variety of plants can be found everywhere.
The administrative offices are on the ground floor and the labs occupy the other levels. And the library is a treasure trove for researchers, academicians and students. The walk also gave people a chance to interact with the eminent professor, who remains youthful and energetic despite his age. Encouraging everyone to harness their scientific temperament, he spoke of the last 30 years and his struggle to eradicate poverty.
Since MSSRF isn’t just an extension of agricultural work and purely theoretical, it has the ability to flex its arms and bring to fore sustainable living. Created on the principles of gender equality and being pro-poor and pro-nature, each part of the campus is a story in itself. The lush green and connotative ground are proof of a struggle and an ability to strive for the better.