Naida Caves is a network of man made caves featuring unique limestone rock formations. The landscape of the caves is very unique in terms of its geology, history, space, micro climate and ecology - a great diversity and abundance of plant species in the caves. The Cave complex itself is a biological repository of many species that are local to Diu - flourishing in the particular environment of the Caves, some of which are not very common in the surrounding areas.
Owing to this fact, we recommended strategies for optimally managing the vegetation at site such that the landscape of the caves be managed as a ‘Wild Garden’ - a lightly managed environment that is low maintenance, that mimics and harnesses natural systems and promotes biodiversity of plant and animal life. Our strategy proposes to enhance this existing diversity and bring in more life to the caves, while also maintaining the plant life, managing the biomass and water, and making the complex more accessible and engaging for visitors.
There were seven major tree species on site. This included three major Ficus species - Ficus bengalensis, Ficus religiosa, and Ficus virens that were identified as the ones having invasive and powerful root systems creating structural problems for the caves. This is exacerbated by the fact that Limestone is a potent growth stimulant for trees which produce a latex like - white milky sap. The ficus trees appear to be simultaneously damaging and protecting the caves. This contradiction means that we view the trees simultaneously as a threat and an opportunity and to prevent further invasion of the roots and to mitigate the existing problems, the management practices we carried out were extremely sensitive and case-specific. IN COLLABORATION WITH: Nagendra Purohit