‘Jeevadhara’ takes root in Kannur, seeks to conserve 100 rare Western Ghats tree species

An ambitious effort to conserve 100 rare and threatened tree species of the Western Ghats, restore degraded natural habitats and safeguard local water resources has taken root in Kannur district with the launch of the Jeevadhara conservation project.

The three-year initiative, spearheaded by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) with support from TCS Foundation, aims to restore 250 acres of ecologically important landscapes across five locations in north Keralam. Running alongside it is ‘Neeralam’, a water conservation campaign launched by the Iritty block panchayat, which seeks to address growing concerns over the degradation of natural water sources.

The two initiatives seek to address interconnected environmental challenges at a time when the Irrity region is witnessing habitat degradation, disappearance of indigenous vegetation, and declining availability of streams.

Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph, who recently inaugurated the Jeevadhara project at Mundiyaparamba Devi temple in Ayyankunnu panchayat, stressed the relationship between biodiversity conservation and water security. He called for concerted efforts to protect ecologically sensitive areas, including sacred groves, forests, wetlands, and riverbanks, which play a vital role in preserving native species, maintaining ecological balance and sustaining water resources.

C. Thampan, area director of MSSRF, told The Hindu that the three-year initiative adopts a landscape-based approach to conservation, moving beyond the protection of individual trees to restoring habitats that support threatened species. Centred on the M.S. Swaminathan Botanical Garden, the programme will operate through a hub-and-spoke model, combining scientific expertise with conservation interventions at different locations.

He said its primary objective is to conserve 100 rare and threatened tree species of the Western Ghats. Jeevadhara will give particular attention to conserving indigenous and threatened trees in sacred groves, vested forests and other ecologically significant locations. Restoring degraded habitats and strengthening native vegetation are expected to contribute to the wider ecological recovery of the Western Ghats, he added.

Mr. Thampan said the restoration programme would cover 250 acres across Wayanad, Malappuram and Kannur districts.

“The five-landscape restoration plan includes 80 acres each of forest land and sacred groves, 60 acres of coffee farms, and 30 acres of institutional gardens. An important target is to improve the conservation status of 50 red-listed species and help them attain Green-listed status,” he said.

The project also expects to generate 22,844 verified carbon units over 25 years under the Verra standard, linking the restoration of natural ecosystems with long-term climate benefits.

The convergence of Jeevadhara with Neeralam, included in the Iritty block panchayat’s 2026–27 annual Plan, brings another critical dimension to the initiative.

The campaign recognises that the protection of natural vegetation is closely linked to the health of local water systems. Native trees and healthy ecosystems help conserve soil, facilitate groundwater recharge, and sustain streams and wetlands.

By bringing biodiversity conservation and water management under a common framework, the initiatives seek to promote landscape-level ecological restoration through the participation of local governments, scientific institutions and communities.