CONTENTS
Abstract i
Acknowledgments iii
Contents v
List of Figures ix
1. Introduction to the study 1
1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Aim 4
1.3 Objectives 4
1.4 Need of study 4
1.5 Methodology 5
1.6 Scope and Limitations 6
2. The Region- Okhamandal and its environs 7
2.1 Introduction to the region 6
2.1.1 Definition of the region 11
2.1.2 Climate 11
2.2 (Known) Identities of the region 13
2.2.1 Religious significance 13
2.2.2 Ecological Significance 17
2.2.3 First Encounters of the setting 20
2.3 Perceptible aspects of the region 25
2.3.1 Topography 25
2.3.2 Water mosaic 29
2.3.3 Vegetation 35
2.4 Imperceptible shaping forces 39
2.4.1 Ocean currents 39
2.4.2 Geology 41
2.4.3 Soil Characteristics 45
3. Past Identities of the region 47
3.1 Identities of the Past 49
3.1.1 Mythological associations & Past Identities 49
3.1.3 Faunal habitat of the past 60
4. Habitats and Notions 65
4.1 Notions derived from cultural imprints 67
4.1.1 Notions of accessibility 67
4.1.2 Perceptions of boundary definition 70
4.2 Faunal habitat in the region 72
5. Unseen Facets of the setting 77
5.1 Identifying Unseen Facets 79
5.2 Connecting the Unseen facets to the Seen 95
5.2.1 Establishing connections or routes 95
5.2.2 Unseen Facet 1: Coral Habitat 99
5.2.3 Unseen Facet 2: Salt Pan Habitat 101
5.2.4 Unseen Facet 1: Bird Habitat 103
5.2.5 Unseen Facet 1: Turtle Habitat 110
References iii
Appendices iii