‘Arboretum’ is a special initiative of SDM College, Ujire having the mandate of conservation of plant diversity. This was initiated in 1998 as a major conservation programme under the guidance of visionary president SDM Society, Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade. It is managed by the dept. of Botany, Pharmacognosy & Biotechnology. It has been putting multidimensional efforts related to conservation and enhancement of floristic biodiversity of Karnataka with special focus on Western Ghats region.
It is spread over in 10 acres with many thematic blocks like Home Remedy Plants, wild Fruits Plants, Sared Grove, a greenhouse and spacious nursery. An added attraction is pristine natural tropical evergreen forest amidst. More than 5000 plants of nearly 600 species are presently planted in the field, according to Bentham & Hooker system of plant classification, to the delight of Ecologists and Taxonomists. The Green House harbors more than 400 plant specimens including more than 40 Rare, Endangered, Threatened (RET) & Endemic plants of Western Ghats and nursery propagates thousands of saplings for distribution among local villagers & students free of cost every year. Demonstrations plots are there on different types of organic manure production, rain water harvesting and nursery techniques etc. Students and public, both from within and outside Karnataka pay study visits here regularly. Different target groups like Self Help Groups (SHG) & Village Forest Committee (VFC) members, Dept. of Forest officials, University students, researchers visit the Arboretum for understanding various facets of conservation biology. Nature camps are organized here for children, where they learn about plants & birds along with play in Play Yards.
Dr. B. Yashovarma, Principal of SDMC and a botanist, is the person behind this great long term institutional effort. The Karnataka Government has duly recognized this by bestowing ‘Biodiversity Conservation Award’ of Biodiversity Board to SDM College in 2009.
