Abstract

The proposed Pooyamkutty hydro-electric project is situated in the Western Ghat of Kerala, at a latitude of 10 degree 0 min. to 10 degree 15 min. North, and longitude of 76 degree 40 min. to 77 degree 10 min. East. The submergible and catchment areas of a chain of dams to be constructed for this project was floristically surveyed during 1985-87, as part of a multi-disciplinary study, to generate baseline data on various aspects that may contribute to the ecological degradation of the area once the project is implemented. During this survey, a total of 340 taxa of angiosperms were recorded from the submergible and catchment areas of phase 1 of the project, namely the Pindimedu dam and its power house, and 171 taxa from the Anamalai-Manali region in the upper ghat where the remaining 5 dams and 3 power houses are contemplated. The phytogeographical patterns of distribution of various taxa recorded from the two regions are elucidated in the paper with notes on the affinity and