Project to assess health of Keralam’s ecosystems launched

Kerala's Environment Minister Sunny Joseph inaugurated the 'Comprehensive Red List Assessment of Ecosystems in Keralam' project on Thursday. Sponsored and funded by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) and incorporated in the government's 100 Days programme, the initiative is being carried out by the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) in collaboration with MES Asmabi College.

The two-year undertaking aims to map and evaluate the risk of collapse for crucial ecosystems dispersed across all 14 districts, according to a statement released by KFRI. Employing the rigorous IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) framework, the study will analyze the health and vulnerability of ecosystems, spanning from high-altitude Shola-grassland mosaics to coastal mangroves and freshwater river systems.

The spatial data generated will empower local governments and planners to make informed, evidence-based decisions regarding sustainable infrastructure development and targeted conservation efforts, as stated in the statement. Kannan C.S. Warrier, director of KFRI, emphasized that the project represents a significant shift in conservation strategies.

By assessing the overall health of ecosystems rather than solely focusing on individual species, a more robust safety net for Kerala's biodiversity is established.