In a first, two tribal representatives included in State Wildlife Board

For the first time, two tribal representatives have been inducted into the State Wildlife Board, Forest Minister Shibu Baby John said on Tuesday. Interacting with tribal people as part of ‘Oorunarvu’ — a Forest department initiative launched at the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Thekkady to improve tribal living conditions while drawing on traditional knowledge for forest conservation and human-wildlife conflict mitigation — the Minister highlighted that the Chief Minister serves as the Board’s Chairman. He noted that the State government appointed the two community representatives to ensure tribal participation and integrate their traditional wisdom into forest management.

₹50-crore ecotourism proposal

The new board members are Mannan tribal king Raman Raja Mannan, representing the Mannan community, and Vinod, a researcher from the Cholanaikkan community in Nilambur. The Minister added that traditional tribal knowledge would be utilised to address the State’s rising human-animal conflict incidents. “A ₹50-crore ecotourism proposal, which includes a ₹20-crore tiger museum in Thekkady, will be submitted to the Union Government,” the Minister said. “The project will be implemented in a way that generates more income for the tribal community. Traditional tribal knowledge is at risk of fading, so it must be documented. The government will also ensure job opportunities for tribal youth in every settlement,” said Mr. John.

Furthermore, the Minister assured that drinking water shortages in tribal hamlets will be addressed, damaged connecting roads will be repaired, and streetlights will be installed along settlement roads. According to officials, this was the second interaction meeting held under the Oorunarvu programme, following the first event in Nilambur on July 23. The Minister also interacted with various Eco-Development Committee (EDC) members under PTR at Bamboo Grove in Thekkady.

Peerumade MLA Adv Cyriac Thomas, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Pramod G. Krishnan, Chief Conservator of Forests P. P. Pramod, PTR Field Director R. Lakshmi, Kumily panchayat president M. M. Varghese, Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation governing body member Shaji Kurisummood and Mannan tribal king Raman Raja Mannan were among those who attended the event.