By Kavyanjali K K , People Nature Collective
As part of ILED’s “100 Forest Stories in 100 Languages” campaign, we organized a journey to Begur with children from the Kammana, Necholi, and Poolakkal hamlets, supported by a Gothradeepam education volunteer. A total of 12 children joined us, with the primary goal of experiencing a forest walk. One unique aspect of Edavaka Panchayat is that it has no forest. This made the children’s curiosity and excitement even greater as we began the journey.
Upon reaching the forest, Ranju and Arun (Barefoot Ecologists, Keystone Foundation) guided the children through thoughtful discussions about what makes a forest healthy, the impact of invasive plant species, the presence of wild animals, and more. Vinayan (Consultant, Keystone Foundation) and Saneesh (Field Coordinator, Keystone Foundation) also contributed to these engaging conversations.
We later came together for a creative group activity. The children expressed their reflections and imaginations through two vibrant charts. Crossing the river — both to and from the forest — brought joy and laughter to everyone, myself included.
A particularly special moment was when the children shared traditional forest stories in the Paniya language, which we documented on video to preserve their voices and heritage. It was a day filled with the soothing green of the trees, the coolness of the breeze, and the endless colors of the forest. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this journey possible and shared in the joy of it. This journey was more than a visit to the forest — it felt as though a little forest bloomed within the children’s minds, their language, and their creativity.
All photos taken by Kavyanjali K K
