By R.Madeshan, Biodiversity conservation
On March 15th and 16th, the Keystone Foundation, in collaboration with Thalamalai and Germalam Forest Range, organized a vibrant and impactful street theatre campaign in the Hasanur area of Sathyamangalam. The initiative brought together six forest-fringe villages—Geddesal, Bhutanapuram, Germalam, Galithimbam, Mavanatham, and Bejalhatty—along with the energetic Aayudham Kalai Group, who delivered the performances.
Through storytelling, music, and humor, the street plays were designed to be both engaging and informative. The messages resonated strongly with local audiences, and over 350 community members took part across all six locations.
With the creative support of the Ayudham Kalai Group, the performances tackled important topics such as:
- Human-Wildlife Conflict – Addressing the everyday realities of living near forests and promoting coexistence.
- Agroforestry and Agricultural Forests – Encouraging sustainable farming practices that benefit both people and ecosystems.
- Forest Fire Prevention – Spreading awareness about causes, consequences, and preventive actions.
- Beekeeping – Showcasing its potential as a sustainable livelihood and its ecological importance.
This outreach effort is part of Keystone Foundation’s ongoing work in the Sathyamangalam landscape, supporting forest-fringe communities through knowledge-sharing and participatory conservation practices. By using local art forms to share vital information, the initiative created meaningful spaces for dialogue and awareness on the ground.
