Kadar Tribe Leads Forest Restoration in Kerala

October 28, 2024

The Kadar tribe in Vazhachal, Kerala, initiated a pioneering project to restore natural forests affected by invasive species. This effort involves collaboration with various organisations, including local government bodies and WWF-India. The project aims to revitalise the forest ecosystem and support local communities.

Collaborative Effort

The restoration project involves multiple stakeholders:

Local Self-Governments department
MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)
Scheduled Tribes Development department
WWF-India
Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI)

These organisations work together to combat the spread of invasive plants that threaten local biodiversity.

Mapping Invasive Species

KFRI has mapped invasive species in the Vazhachal and Parambikulam forest divisions.

29 invasive species were recorded in Vazhachal.
31 invasive species were identified in Parambikulam.

This mapping helps identify the most degraded areas for restoration.

Impact of Invasive Species

Invasive plants limit forage space for wildlife, including Elephants, Spotted deer, and Gaur. The reduction of natural habitats leads to increased human-wildlife conflicts. Additionally, invasive species threaten the availability of non-timber forest products, impacting local livelihoods.

Removal of Invasive Species

The Kadar tribe is actively removing invasive plants, such as Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, Mimosa diplotricha, and Mikania micrantha. This removal is essential for restoring the ecosystem.

Planting Native Species

Following the removal, the project will focus on planting native species. These include, Myristica beddomei, Canarium strictum, Garcinia gummi-gutta, Hydnocarpus pentandrus, Curcuma neilgherrensis, Acacia sinuate, Phyllanthus emblica, Entada rheedii, Desmodium gangeticum, Pseudarthria viscida and Sapindus trifoliate These plants are vital for the community, as they provide forest products that locals rely on.

Community Involvement

The project is based in Pothupara, a new tribal hamlet formed after a landslip in 2018. The community received Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights under the Forest Rights Act in 2014. This area is the first of its kind in Kerala, covering 400 sq. km. The nine tribal gram sabhas have approved a conservation and management plan that includes the restoration work.

Leveraging Traditional Knowledge

The initiative demonstrates how CFR rights holders utilize traditional knowledge to protect and regenerate their resources. Local governance is crucial, with Gram Sabhas overseeing the project.

Ecological Restoration Goals

The programme aims to revive natural habitats that support local flora and fauna. Enhancing local livelihoods is also a key goal. This initiative is vital for restoring ecological balance and supporting communities dependent on forest resources.

The project aligns with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030). It contributes to global efforts to halt and reverse ecosystem degradation. This collaboration showcases the ingenuity of indigenous communities in taking action for environmental restoration.

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