An initiative to conserve endangered plant species was undertaken at Kozhikkottukulam under the jurisdiction of Varavoor Grama Panchayat. The program was implemented with financial assistance from the Kerala State Biodiversity Board, with saplings raised from seeds collected and nurtured under the guidance of St. Thomas College.
The planting ceremony was formally inaugurated by the Panchayat President, Mrs. P. P. Sunitha. The occasion was also attended by the Panchayat Vice President, Mr. Babu; Ward Member, Mr. Hidayathulla; Panchayat Secretary, Mr. M. K. Alfred; Principal Investigator of the project, Dr. Anto P. V.; postgraduate students of St. Thomas College; and members of the Panchayat Standing Committee.
Four species under threat of extinction—Syzygium travancoricum, Syzygium chavaran, Strobilanthes ciliatus, and Curcuma vamana—were planted in a designated conservation area prepared in the vicinity of Kozhikkottukulam.
In collaboration with St. Thomas College, the Panchayat has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the planting and maintenance of nearly 200 saplings of endangered species. A similar conservation effort carried out three years ago, involving the plantation of twenty-five Kulavetti trees, has already shown encouraging results, with the trees now attaining a height of approximately two meters.
Through such sustained measures, Varavoor Grama Panchayat has emerged as a leading model in the conservation of endangered plant species.
