By Eniyan, Community wellbeing
On March 21, 2025, the International Day of Forests was celebrated in the Pillur area, bringing together over 50 participants from 16 villages across three clusters—FRC, FMC, and the Federation. The event was honored by the presence of Forest Department Rangers from Mettupalayam and Karamadai, who attended as chief guests.
The program began at 10:30 AM with a warm welcome speech by Mr. Chandran from Community Wellbeing, who greeted all attendees and set the tone for the day. Following his address, Nithya from Biodiversity spoke about the significance of the occasion and shared insights from her Hornbill survey work in the Pillur region. Mr.Chandran then returned to the stage to talk about his experiences in agricultural farming, displaying a variety of local seeds, vegetables, and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) at a stall he had set up for the event.
Representatives from the Mettupalayam and Karamadai Forest Ranges shared their perspectives on the importance of forest resources and their crucial role in combating climate change. Federation leaders also addressed the gathering, highlighting their conservation efforts. Mr. Sankar, a member of the Naga Araasi Federation, emphasized the importance of forest conservation and some of the initiatives undertaken in Pillur. Mr. Rangan, President of the Kooduthurai Federation, spoke about the environmental changes observed in the region over the past 40 years and stressed the need for collective efforts in resource protection. Mr. Murugan, Secretary of the Aarumalai Federation, urged Forest Management Committees and Gram Sabhas to take greater responsibility in forest conservation and implement sustainable practices.
Mrs. Malliga, a member of Aaadhi Malai & Aandror Mandra Kulu, extended her gratitude to the Forest Department for their participation. She encouraged more women to take an active role in forest conservation and NTFP collection, emphasizing that their involvement could significantly contribute to sustainability efforts. Adding to the discussions, Mrs. Shiny, Program Coordinator from Biodiversity, spoke about the broader significance of forests and biodiversity. She also drew connections between this event and other global observances like World Water Day and World Sparrow Day, highlighting how these are all interlinked in the broader framework of environmental conservation.
Following the speeches, attendees gathered for lunch before visiting three display stalls. Nithya showcased biodiversity initiatives, Mr. Chandran presented various livelihood projects, and Nagaraj provided insights on governance and health-related programs. As the event drew to a close, participants shared their reflections. Mr. Velliyan, President of Kadaman komabai FRC, expressed his happiness about the celebration and mentioned that from next year onwards, they would mark the International Day of Forests within their Gram Sabhas. Many villagers, who had never heard of this observance before, appreciated the awareness it brought and expressed their interest in making it an annual tradition.
The program concluded at 4:00 PM with a heartfelt vote of thanks from Mr. Eniyan from Community Wellbeing. The celebration in Pillur was a meaningful step towards fostering awareness about forest conservation and sustainable practices. Through shared knowledge, community participation, and a commitment to preserving local resources, the event reinforced the importance of collective efforts in protecting forests for future generations.
Photo Credit: Sneha
