Mahadesh, Biodiversity Conservation
Hasanur, June 5, 2026 – Keystone Foundation, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, TAMS, and READ celebrated World Environment Day at TAMS Campus. The event brought together local communities, students, government officials, and civil society organizations. Together, they promoted environmental awareness and strengthened collective efforts towards nature conservation.
Palani Samy from READ welcomed participants, introduced the programme, and served as the event narrator. He highlighted the significance of World Environment Day. He emphasized the urgent need to conserve natural resources and protect ecosystems for future generations.
Community Stewardship for Conservation:
During the programme, Mahadesh emphasized the region’s unique ecological richness. He noted that local communities have protected the region’s forests, wildlife, plant diversity, and surrounding human settlements. Their stewardship has helped keep the landscape largely free from pollution.
He observed that many parts of the world face severe environmental degradation. In contrast, the surroundings of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve remain well preserved.
He stressed that safeguarding this healthy environment is a collective responsibility, ensuring that future generations inherit the same natural wealth.
Madevi from Talavadi Adivasi Munnetra Sangam (TAMS) encouraged greater participation from local communities in forest and environmental conservation. She highlighted that Indigenous communities have long maintained close relationships with nature and that their continued involvement is essential for sustaining healthy forest ecosystems.
Addressing the gathering, the Hasanur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) spoke about the growing environmental challenges facing the world and called upon everyone to take responsibility for protecting nature. As part of the programme, all participants took an environmental pledge, reaffirming their commitment to conserving natural resources and protecting the environment for future generations.
The Hasanur Forest Ranger shared experiences from the Nature Trails programme conducted with school children from Hasanur. The session highlighted how direct exposure to forests helps children understand biodiversity, wildlife, and the importance of conservation. Awareness sessions were also conducted for students and villagers on current environmental issues and practical ways to protect nature in their daily lives.
As a symbolic commitment to ecological restoration, participants planted 50 native tree saplings across the TAMS campus. The plantation activity reinforced the message that conserving native species is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and supporting local biodiversity.
