By Vishnu N.M, Biodiversity Conservation
Students represent the future, and they are increasingly recognizing the significance of restoration for the health of our forests and the overall well-being of our environment. Ecological restoration plays a crucial role in revitalizing natural resources and paving the way for a sustainable future. In our community-led restoration initiative, enthusiastic volunteers from two colleges came together to contribute to tree planting efforts, demonstrating a commitment to positive change.
Van Mahotsav Celebration – 5th July 2025
On July 5th, the Keystone Foundation conducted a program to celebrate ‘Van Mahotsav’, or the Forest Festival, in Begur, Tholpetty Range, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. We enacted the event in collaboration with the Ferns Naturalist Society and the Kerala Forest Department.
As part of this initiative, 30 volunteers from the NSS unit of Government College Mananthavady and 23 villagers from Begur actively participated in the event. The program was inaugurated with a tree-planting ceremony led by Mr. Shibukuttan, the Assistant Wildlife Warden of Tholpetty Range, along with Adv. K.G. Ramachandran, Programme coordinator, Keystone Foundation.
During the event, we engaged in seed ball broadcasting, a key activity of the Forest Department. We also conducted interactive sessions for the students. Vinayan P.A. explained the importance of ecological restoration and the management of invasive species. We highlighted the various threats facing the forest, after which the students participated in the planting activity.
In total, we planted 150 trees belonging to 58 different species in the degraded patches of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
Engaging Youth Through the Bhumithrasena Club – 12th July 2025
On 12/07/2025, the Bhumithrasena Club, Government Engineering College, Wayanad, hosted a team of 23 volunteers engaged in restoration work. We organized a restoration planting activity to manage invasive plants and raise awareness about ecological restoration and conservation. The club works with local community members in Begur village.
Mr. Vishnu N.M., a restoration ecologist at Keystone, led an introduction to ecological restoration and its importance.
Mr. Vinayan P.A. led a session on Invasive alien species in Wayanad and their threats to biodiversity. Researcher, Ferns Naturalist Society / Consultant, Keystone Foundation.
Mr. Shibukuttan, Asst Wildlife Warden, Tholpetty range, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, inaugurated the programme.
Following the inauguration session, we began the planting activity. On this day, we planted 250 saplings from 53 species, including Dalbergia latifolia, Terminalia bellirica, and Butea monosperma.
The students removed invasive plants by hand in the restoration plot, including Senna spectabilis saplings and Chromoleana odorata.
At the end of the program, students reflected on the activity, expressing their satisfaction with participating and learning more about restoration, invasive plants, and the interconnection between biodiversity.
