'Vanaamritham' empowers tribal people in Attappadi

IN the forests of Attappadi, where life follows the rhythms of the seasons, a remarkable project is transforming the lives of tribal communities who have long relied on the land for their livelihood.

- SHYAM P V @Palakkad

The 'Vanaamritham' (roughly, nectar of the forest) scheme, launched by the forest department in 2022, is offering these communities a new way to earn while helping them take care of their ancestral land and protect the environment. The project focuses on the collection of medicinal plants, a tradition that has been part of tribal life for generations.

What started as a small pilot project in the Mannarkkad forest division has quickly grown into a success, Divisional Forest Officer Abdul Latheef told TNIE.

"In just three years, the project has earned ₹57.74 lakh, with 64,320 kilograms of forest resources collected," he said.