Fifty square feet on the first-floor balcony of the University of Kerala's Faculty of Botany have been transformed into a green corner. This area is now decorated with plants, pebbles, wind chimes, a small waterfall, and chairs.
Fourth-year PhD student Reshma PR conducts research focused on indoor air-purifying plants, paying special attention to formaldehyde—a pollutant found in enclosed spaces due to paints, detergents, and other sources.
Her experiments have shown that certain types of houseplants are capable of eliminating formaldehyde compounds. She notes: 'People spend most of their time indoors between homes, offices, and vehicles.'
This garden was created under the guidance of Dr. Bindu R Nair and utilizes local plants such as Sansevieria, fern, Hemigraphis, Drosera, and happy bamboo, owing to their purifying properties. The plant selection was based on NASA research referenced by Reshma.
Furthermore, the garden adheres to the University of Kerala's 'green protocol,' using biodegradable and eco-friendly materials for pots and elements. Reshma describes this 50-square-foot space as an indoor wellness garden.
Every detail, from the plants themselves to the waterfall and wind chimes, is designed to promote relaxation and restore mental balance. Visitors are asked to leave their mobile phones and consciously rest here for at least half an hour, enjoying the scents of the plants, visual pleasure, and the soothing sound of the wind chimes.
Visitors must remove their shoes and walk barefoot on the pebbles. Reshma explains that this is primarily done to achieve an acupressure effect from the earth, which is beneficial for the nervous system. Dr. Bindu, who helped shape this wellness garden, adds: 'When people come to the library, they are naturally overloaded. They can come here and find peace of mind.'