On Oct 2nd remembering our father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi and his words “My idea of village swaraj is that it is a complete republic, independent of its neighbors for its own vital wants”, Kerala Agricultural University conducted a land restoration program in Sasthampoovam tribal colony in Matathur Grama Panchayath, one of the selected panchayats under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan activities. This area is inside the reserve forest of the Chalakkudi Forest Division. We know that unfortunately the high-altitude areas in Kerala are under great threat and are vulnerable to landslides. Hence initiation of projects on eco-restorations are mandatory to accomplish basic security of high land areas.
Tribal communities are still facing difficulties in comparison to mainstream societies. We also kept the idea of tribal development in this project, to refine the standard of living of the colony inhabitants by helping them to find income utilising the medicinal trees which will initially restore the natural quality of the barren lands around them. This is a two in one project where we could attain the eco-restoration and income generation from the same medicinal trees planted in the area. So as part of this project some of the vulnerable areas with steep slopes demanding immediate attention were selected . Sasthampoovam is one of such tribal colony we identified for this project. This place is inhabited by the tribal community who also demands economic prosperity. In such situations we found out that Medicinal trees could act as the solution for both ecological and economical crisis. The area was scientifically assessed and suitable native medicinal tree species have been identified for the planting program.
UBA also has to find other agencies who could act accordingly in such developmental activities and also channelize the funds to ensure more productive action. Here UBA is associated with the prestigious project ‘Haritha Keralam’(Green Kerala) of state government. Haritha Keralam is missioned to improve the green belts of Kerala who supported UBA by providing tree seedlings for the eco-restoration program. Seedlings have been collected from various stations of KAU and ensured the quality of growing stocks. Nine major medicinal trees are selected for the area which is a moist deciduous type. Almost two hundred seedlings from the species of Cinnamomum verum, Saraca asoca, Mimusops elengi, Aegle marmelos, Vateria indica, Terminalia bellirica, Wrightia tinctoria, Caesalpinia sappan, Garcinia gummi-gutta were planted and were also covered with additional tree guards to protect it from the browsing of wild antelopes.
We also provided three species of plants such as high yielding Murraya koenigii, Acacia catechu, Moringa oleifera developed by KAU which is directly associated with the healthy diet to each of the families in the colony. Planting operations were recommended and monitored by KAU. Planting pits were created by the labours under MGNREGA under the guidance of KAU and also made sure that those benefited economically. We also planned to grow trees in the urban areas of the panchayath as avenue plants which is an important step in mitigating climate change. Such programs have national and international importance. It is also the policy of the central government under the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution to increasing the forest cover. We also made sure that any technical assistance regarding the planting and post-planting activities in this region will be accessed through the plant experts.
The program was started at 11 am sharp in the tribal community hall, sasthampoovam. Standing committee chairman Mr. Prasanth gave the welcome address. Dr. Jiju P Alex, Director of Extension, the chief guest inaugurated the program by explaining to the audience about the UBA and its activities. He taught the people regarding the importance of eco-restoration programs and nature conservation. Panchayath president Mr. P.C. Subhramanyan gave the presidential address. Vice President Mrs. Beena Nandakumar, Chairpersons Mrs. Laila Basheer, Mrs. Sheela Thilakan, Mr.Joy, Mr. pushpakaran, NREG overseer Mr.Abhilash and Agriculture Office Mr. Vinod Kumar facilitated the program. A vote of thanks was given by Asst. Professor Arathy Balakrishnan (KVK, UBA)
