Fr. S. Ignacimuthu, S. J.
Tamil Nadu Jesuits’ involvement in environment began from earlier times. Many of them have been engaged in various facets of environment such as biodiversity collection, enumeration, conservation and dissemination, environmental awareness, alternative energy, waste disposal, waste water treatment, organic farming, vermicompost, alternatives to chemical drugs and pesticides and environmental spirituality.
Way back in 1720s Fr. C. J. Beschi (Veeramamunivar) had written 17 books on Siddha medicines. Some medicines mentioned by him are still prescribed by Siddha practitioners and healers. From 1887 to the present day Frs. P. Laberthere, J. Mallat, L. Anglade, G. Foreau, A. Rapinat, G. Andre, E. Ugarte, G. Rohine, J. B. Astruc. E. Gombert, F. Bertram, P. Decoly, M. Schaul, Ayraud, K. M. Matthew, V. S. Manickam, S. John Britto, S. Ignacimuthu, Brs. J. Ciceron, K.V. Peter and S. Mariasusai, have been engaged in environmental works. Many of them had collected fungi, mosses, ferns, flowering plants including orchids and cacti and insects including moths and butterflies. The museums and botanical gardens at Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur, and at St Joseph’s College, Tiruchirapalli and the research centres such as Rapinat Herbarium at St Joseph’s College, Tiruchirapalli, Centre for Biodiversity and Biotechnology and Xavier Research Foundation at St Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai and Entomology Research Institute at Loyola College, Chennai bear witness to this.
K. M. Matthew was a world-renowned plant taxonomist. He studied the exotic flora of the Palani Hills, Eastern Himalayas, the Coromandel Coast and whole of Tamil Nadu. The Rapinat Herbarium at St Joseph’s College was established by him. It houses thousands of plant specimens collected by him and is acclaimed as the best plant taxonomy centre in South India. He has published many books and research articles. Many plants are named after him.
As Vice-president of the Palani Hills Conservation Council, Kodaikanal, he was responsible for the integral conservation and management of the Palani Hills. He was one among the conservationists to prevail upon the government of Tamil Nadu to establish the Palani Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. In 1984, he started the Anglade Institute of Natural History at Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur to give environmental awareness to teachers, students and public. The government of India honored him posthumously with the highest environmental award ‘Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar’ with a citation in 2004 for his meritorious contributions to environment.
V. S. Manickam was a specialist in ferns with good knowledge in flowering plants. He has published many books and research articles. Many plants are named after him. He used tissue culture technology to multiply rare, endangered and threatened ferns and reintroduced them into natural habitats. He established the Centre for Biodiversity and Biotechnology at St Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai and Biodiversity garden at Eattipallam, Perumalmalai, Kodaikanal.
S. John Britto worked on biodiversity of flowering and medicinal plants. He has also studied the tribal medicinal plants. He has undertaken conservation of rare and endangered plants. He received Tamil Nadu Scientist award in 2001 for his contributions to environment. He looked after Rapinat Herbarium and Anglade Institute of Natural History. He has also written several books and research articles.
Along with my research staff and students from Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai and Xavier Research Foundation, St Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai, I have carried out biodiversity studies related to plants, fungi, butterflies, moths, and other insects. Many books and research articles have been published. We have worked on mass multiplication of several economically and medicinally important plants using tissue culture techniques and have successfully transplanted them in natural habitats. We have also improved some crops using genetic and molecular breeding for the benefit of farmers. We have conducted environmental awareness programmes for farmers, women and school and college students. We have also written many books and popular articles. One of my books on environment got the best book award from the government of Tamil Nadu in 1993.
With my team I have documented the use of medicinal plants to treat various illnesses. Some of them have been scientifically validated and published. We have developed many ecofriendly botanical biopesticides and distributed to farmers. Many herbal based formulations and products have been developed and technologies have been transferred to some companies. Many patents have been obtained. One insect and one natural molecule are named after me. I was a member in Biotechnology Board, Government of Tamil Nadu. I was given Tamil Nadu Scientist award for Life Sciences in 2001 and Kamarajar Award for Environmental Management in 2008. I have also promoted environmental spirituality through books. Many of our books on environment are used as textbooks in schools and colleges. I am honored with rare fellowship in the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi.
Some younger Jesuits like Frs. L. John Peter Arulanandam, S. Maria Packiam and G. Victor Roch are slowly getting involved in similar works related to environment. Frs. Jerry Rosario, Vincent Sekhar, and S. M. John Kennedy have promoted environmental awareness through their books, seminars and retreats. They have also encouraged environmental spirituality.
Besides the above, many of our Jesuit Communities are promoting the use of solar energy by setting up solar panels and shifting to the use of less energy consuming bulbs. Similarly biogas plants are set up to generate fuel from bio-waste. Also sewage water treatment facilities are set up in some institutions. Some communities have taken up projects related to organic farming and sustainable agriculture. Many farmers are being trained through these projects. Many students get exposed to environment-friendly practices. Some members are involved in environmental justice and advocacy especially in relation to Environmental Impact Assessment — 2020 (EIA — 2020).
The inspiration for all the above-mentioned activities has been the Ignatian spirituality of finding God in all things and all things in God. The commitment to environment represents an integral part of the Jesuit ‘way of proceeding’ with regard to both spiritual and intellectual dimensions. This constructive stance towards environment is a fundamental facet of the Ignatian world-view. This prompts Jesuits to seek out the active and immanent presence of God in the environment. Ignatius himself, who took particular delight in watching the stars at night, witnessed and experienced how God was acting in the world. Indeed, it is this vision of God’s activity within creation which led to his own spiritual formation.
About the Author:
Fr. S. Ignacimuthu, S.J. is an internationally acclaimed scientist. He has written more than 80 books and 800 research articles. His books on environment are used as textbooks in schools and colleges. He was the Vice-Chancellor of Bharathiar University, Coimbatore and University of Madras, Chennai. He is the recipient of many awards and recognitions. At present he is active at Xavier Research Foundation, St Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai |imuthus@hotmail.com
