
Why Restore?
Environmental impact over the last 5 decades
The Western Ghats or the Western Mountain range is a mountain range that covers an area of 160,000 km2 (62,000 sq mi) in a stretch of 1,600 km (990 mi) parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula, traversing the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.[1] It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight biodiversity hotspots in the world.


Biodiversity:
The western ghats contain a very large proportion of the country's flora and fauna, many of which are endemic to this region. It has over 7,402 species of flowering plants, 1,814 species of non-flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species, 227 reptile species, 179 amphibian species, 290 freshwater fish species, and 6,000 insect species. It is likely that many undiscovered species live in the Western Ghats. Most of the RET species also have nutritional/ medicinal value which is used in local tribal medicine.
Our Approach:
We conserve more than 80 floral species that attract pollinators, riverine species, species of medicinal value, wild edible fruits and rare, endangered & threatened tree species (RET). We plant and maintain tree saplings for a minimum of 3 years. We also tag species for its scientific and local names and document its uses. Our approach includes involving the community by providing local employment and creating local knowledge base on floral species.
Habitat and Forest land
Fresh water swamps (Karnataka and Kerala),lateritic outcrops (Maharashtra) and Shola forest (south Western Ghat) are the most critical habitats in Western Ghats. All these areas are under tremendous pressure from encroachments and conversion into agricultural land. Historically the Western Ghats were covered in dense forests that provided wild foods and natural habitats for native tribal people. After the establishment of British colonial rule in the region, large swathes of territory were cleared for agricultural plantations and timber. The forests in the Western Ghats has been severely fragmented due to human activities, especially clear-felling for tea, coffee, and teak plantations.
Our Approach:
We restore forest lands by planting diversity in lands forest lands invaded by lantana. We also plant diversity in scared grooves, riparian buffer, coffee estates. We also work with small farmers in areas prone to landslides.
Invasive Species:
The areas in the north of Palghat (Kerala ) and in northern parts of Maharashtra in Western Ghats were under serious threat and a worrisome drop in native species of trees even as an invasive species, Lantana camara has spread over 60 % of the Western Ghat. If not controlled, the species could be a potential threat to the native species here. Species that are rare, endemic and habitat specialists are more adversely affected and tend to be lost faster than other species.
Our Approach:
We plant and conserve species diversity and remove invasive species that are strangulating the naturally regenerating trees so that they establish well. We uproot invasive species like Lantana camara and Senna spectabilis completely on the land we are restoring thus managing any secondary invasion for a minimum of 3 years.
Water:
The Western Ghats form one of the four watersheds of India, feeding the perennial rivers of India. Often called the “Water Tower “ of peninsular India and form the catchment area for complex riverine drainage systems that drain almost 40% of India. The major river systems originating in the Western Ghats are the Godavari, Kaveri, Krishna, Thamiraparani and Tungabhadra rivers. The majority of streams draining the Western Ghats join these rivers, and carry a large volume of water during the monsoon months.
Our Approach:
Our main area of work lies Kodagu and Wayanad which are the main catchment areas of the Cauvey and Kabini. We plant several riverine species along the Riparian Buffer which are ecologically important strips of land along streams and rivers. The planting of the riverine species reduce soil erosion and provide habitat for local species such as otters.