Robin, Biodiversity Conservation
A new restoration initiative led by Keystone Foundation and its partners is bringing native forests back to 15.4 acres of Curzon1 Valley, Kotagiri, The Nilgiris. By planting indigenous species, the project aims to restore biodiversity and improve ecosystem health.
The restoration process began with a comprehensive biodiversity survey, which identified extensive invasion by Acacia, Eupatorium, Lantana, and Solanum species. The team manually uprooted these invasive plants to create favourable conditions for native vegetation regeneration.
On 10 July 2026, Keystone Foundation staff and Forest Department officials actively participated in a restoration planting programme at Curzon 1 Valley, The Nilgiris.
Following site preparation, they planted diverse native tree, shrub, and grass species, including Ligustrum perrottetii, Litsea ligustrina, Vernonia arborea, Persea macrantha, Celtis tetrandra, Elaeocarpus variabilis, Syzygium cumini, Syzygium densiflorum, Lobelia leschenaultiana, Nothapodytes nimmoniana, Scolopia spp., Daphniphyllum neilgherrense, Prunus ceylanica, Toona ciliata, and Cymbopogon flexuosus, along with several other indigenous species. The planting programme marked an important step towards restoring the native forest ecosystem and enhancing the biodiversity of Curzon Valley.
This initiative is an important step towards restoring the native forest ecosystem, improving wildlife habitat, enhancing biodiversity, and conserving the unique flora of the Nilgiris. Through ecological restoration, we are helping to ensure that these forests continue to thrive for future generations.
