കൊല്ലം മയ്യനാട് തീരങ്ങളിൽ കണ്ടൽക്കാടുകൾ പുനരുജ്ജീവിപ്പിക്കാൻ വിപുലമായ പദ്ധതിയുമായി ഹെൽപ്പ് ഫൗണ്ടേഷൻ

A worker planting a mangrove sapling as part of the project at Mayyanad in Kollam.

Nearly a decade ago, when Mayyanad grama panchayat partnered with the HELP Foundation to plant roughly 2,000 mangrove saplings, the need was self-evident. Though the groundwork was diligently done and the planting was successfully carried out, the project ultimately fell apart.

Without years of continuous protection, monitoring, and dedicated care, the young saplings failed to establish themselves. Today, that narrative of failure has transformed into a resilient blueprint, this time targeting the entire coastal fringe of the local body.

A renewed plantation drive

Drawing valuable lessons from the past, the HELP Foundation has raised around 23,000 mangrove saplings, each averaging about two feet in height, in its nursery, launching a renewed plantation drive designed to prevent past mistakes.

"Eight of the panchayat's 23 wards share borders with the waterbody, and the foundation is providing saplings representing approximately 70 mangrove varieties. These plants are being carefully positioned to conserve the lake and its biodiversity, with specific varieties planted near the breakwater in the beach area to strengthen groynes and prevent coastal soil erosion," says panchayat secretary Salil Evugen.

Specialised training

Building on past lessons, this renewed effort thrives on a significantly expanded and resilient partnership as approximately 160 VB-G RAM G workers across the wards have received specialised training in both planting techniques and long-term upkeep.

"This workforce is further reinforced by the active participation of students and the Eco Club members from Mayyanad Higher Secondary School, alongside financial backing from Tryzens India through its corporate social responsibility programme," says HELP Foundation director Peter Pradeep.

Crucially, the foundational metric of success has shifted away from simply counting how many saplings go into the ground toward ensuring how many survive and mature. To guarantee this, the Mayyanad panchayat has committed to providing additional employment days for VB-G RAM G workers to actively care for and monitor the mangroves for at least two years.

"The involvement of school students is equally important as the project transforms mangroves from a static textbook lesson into a living ecosystem that students can watch grow firsthand," adds Mr. Pradeep.

While the organisers say it will take a few years for the project to be successfully implemented, they hope to see flourishing mangroves along the coastal fringes. "For us, real success of the project lies in ensuring thriving habitats, restored shorelines, and a new generation committed to protecting nature," adds Mr. Pradeep.