Tribal coordinators in Athirappilly given smartphones to restore ecosystem

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In a step toward blending technology with conservation, Athirappilly has launched an initiative aimed at restoring ecosystems and reducing human-wildlife conflicts through digital empowerment. As part of the initiative, 13 tribal employment-guarantee coordinators engaged in habitat restoration were handed over smartphones at a function on Friday.

The initiative is being jointly implemented by the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) of Athirappilly grama panchayat, the Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation (WGHF), Gadgeon Smart Systems Pvt. Ltd., and the Department of Botany Research, MES Asmabi College. The programme seeks to strengthen habitat restoration efforts in one of Kerala’s most ecologically sensitive landscapes by equipping frontline tribal conservation workers with modern digital tools.

The event was inaugurated by A.V. Raghu, Senior Principal Scientist at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). He praised the initiative for placing indigenous communities at the centre of conservation efforts, terming it a model for sustainable environmental governance.

Athirappilly grama panchayat president K.S. Satheesh Kumar presided. Vazhachal Divisional Forest Officer Suresh Babu and Sholayar Range Officer Albin attended the function and conveyed the Forest department’s support for community-led conservation initiatives.

A presentation on the project was delivered by Amitabhachan K.H., Director of the Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation and faculty member of MES Asmabi College. He said the project had been designed around the theme of ‘Habitat Restoration for Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation.’ According to him, empowering tribal communities — who have traditionally served as guardians of forests and biodiversity — with digital literacy and technological resources will greatly enhance conservation outcomes.

“The coordinators receiving smartphones are actively involved in habitat restoration and ecological monitoring. These devices will enable real-time field monitoring, a