A first-of-its-kind touch and feel garden for the visually impaired people in the country was inaugurated in Kerala. The garden has nearly 70 aromatic, medicinal and herbal plants brought from various parts the country. The visually impaired will get an opportunity to study the plants not only by touching, feeling and smelling them, but also getting information about them through audio inputs. The garden is arranged in such a way that the visually impaired can move around freely. It has been constructed in a year with an aid of Rs 17 lakh from the Environment Ministry. The names of the plants are written in English, Malayalam and in Braille and are set on at a higher level to help them.

Blindness – A major Problem in india –

India is now home to the world’s largest number of blind people. Of the 37 million people across the globe who are blind, over 15 million are from India. India needs 2.5 lakh donated eyes every year, the country’s 109 eye banks manage to collect a maximum of just 25,000 eyes, 30% of which can’t be used.

What are the Causes for Blindness in india ?

The major causes of blindness in India are malnutrition, trachoma & cataract among others. Malnutrition results in deficiency of Vitamin A which in turn is the leading cause of childhood blindness. Trachoma is caused by a virus that affects the conjunctiva (lining of the eyelid) and the cornea. It is contagious and spreads with direct or indirect contact with affected persons. Cataract accounts for a significant percentage of the cases of blindness in India and in other countries as well. It is a clouding that causes opacity in the eye lenses. It usually occurs with advancing age. Apart from these, unavailability of eye care at an affordable price is also responsible for the increasing cases of blindness in India. Reports from the WHO as well as many local NGOs have outlined that about 80% of all visual impairment and blindness can be avoided or cured.

Source: http://uccindia.org/1st-touch-feel-garden-visually-impaired-started-kerala/