By Kavya Anjali, People and Nature Collectives
Wayanad, Kerala – In the verdant foothills of the Brahmagiri ranges, a unique and inspiring initiative called ‘Bee Corner’ has taken root in Thirunelli Panchayat. Spearheaded by tribal youth from the Kattunayakan, Adiya, and Paniya communities, this enterprise was made possible through the support of Keystone Foundation and Axis Bank Foundation.
Initially set up in Kattikkulam, Bee Corner was envisioned as a space to market wild honey and other non-timber forest products (NTFPs) sourced directly from tribal families and converted into value-added products. However, it has evolved beyond its original scope into something much larger and more impactful — a common marketing hub for a range of indigenous, Keystone-incubated enterprises.
Mananthavady Block Panchayat President Jestin Baby formally inaugurated the Bee Corner outlet, with the event presided over by Thirunelli Panchayat President PV Balakrishnan. Keystone Foundation Director Jyotsna Krishna Kumar, Program Coordinator K.G. Ramachandran, and a representative from the Axis Bank Foundation (ABF) were present during the event, marking a significant moment of recognition and encouragement for tribal entrepreneurship.
Products currently showcased and sold at Bee Corner include:
Authentic spice powders produced by Kurichya women at the Thalir Micro-Processing Centre
Baked goods and snacks from ‘Bake & Take’, a women-led bakery initiative
Agricultural and forest-based products from ‘Aadhimalai Tribal FPO’, based in the Nilgiris
A variety of traditional pickles, condiments, and food items prepared by Kattunayakan families, rooted in their unique culinary heritage
By bringing together these diverse enterprises under one roof, Bee Corner serves as a shared marketplace and visibility platform that honors and amplifies tribal knowledge, entrepreneurship, and community resilience. It provides an empowering space where youth and women from marginalized communities can build confidence, generate income, and sustain their cultural and ecological heritage through enterprise.
Photos taken by Saneesh P.B.
