Project to assess health of Keralam’s ecosystems launched

Environment Minister Sunny Joseph on Thursday launched the ‘Comprehensive Red List Assessment of Ecosystems in Keralam’ project.

Sanctioned and funded by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) and included in the 100 Days programme of the State government, the project is being executed by the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) along with MES Asmabi College.

This two-year initiative will map and assess the risk of collapse for critical ecosystems across all 14 districts, KFRI said in a statement. The study will utilise the rigorous IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) framework to assess the health and vulnerability of ecosystems – ranging from high-altitude Shola-grassland mosaics to coastal mangroves and freshwater river networks.

The spatial data will help local governments and planners to make evidence-based decisions for sustainable infrastructure development and targeted conservation, the statement said.

KFRI director Kannan C.S. Warrier, said the project marks a paradigm shift in conservation strategy. By diagnosing the health of entire ecosystems rather than focusing solely on individual species, a stronger safety net is created for Keralam’s biodiversity.