Eco-exoticism in thorny land
invasion of cheemakaruvel
pp. 189-202
in: Rayson Alex (ed), Ecodocumentaries, Berlin, Springer, 2016Abstract
This chapter explores the concept of ecological exoticism in relation to the video documentary Thorny Land: Invasion of Cheemakaruvel. The documentary is an account of the spread of cheemaikaruvel (Prosopis juliflora), a thorny bush found in every type of South Indian landscape, from mountainous to desert. The following discussion aims to establish the inherent conflict between the native and the exotic, from ecological, cultural, and social perspectives, particularly regarding Prosopis's nomenclature in Tamil Nadu. From the introduction of the plant by the British, who named it a "royal plant," to its literal colonisation, destroying surrounding local plant life, this discussion will highlight the damage it has caused to the landscape. It will also undertake an ethical enquiry in order to comprehend the concept of "otherness," from the point of view of Prosopis juliflora.