Wayanad’s Tribal Youth Step Forward as Green Stewards

Twelve young men and women from the Paniya community – the first batch to graduate from the ‘Green Skills for Conservation Stewardship’ programme at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) - met the Wayanad District Collector D.R. Meghasree on November 26. Equipped with the diploma and an upcoming apprenticeship, these youngsters will now be able to position themselves for careers in ecotourism, eco-entrepreneurship, afforestation, biodiversity management committees, and conservation gardens.

During the engaging interaction, the youngsters spoke to Ms. Meghasree about their exposure visits to Auroville and the Malabar Botanical Garden. The Collector, in turn, urged them to consider entrepreneurial avenues, including eco-friendly cafés.

The Green Skills for Conservation Stewardship program was born from MSSRF’s observation that tribal youth, despite their deep ecological wisdom, often face limited educational and employment opportunities. Designed in collaboration with The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bengaluru, the six-month residential course blends traditional ecological knowledge with scientific training. Students received hands-on experience in biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, nursery management, and sustainable land use, alongside exposure visits to leading botanical gardens such as Auroville (Puducherry) and Gurukula Sanctuary (Mananthavady). Ultimately, the course aims to transform indigenous knowledge into sustainable livelihoods while strengthening biodiversity conservation in the Western Ghats.

“I learned to identify plants and nursery techniques. This was a wonderful experience,” said Sreya, one of the graduates. Another graduate, Vimal added, “I really like learning about trees and nature, and this program gave me that chance.” The event also welcomed the next batch of students through a symbolic seedling handover, reinforcing the continuity of stewardship.

The program provided comprehensive support, including accommodation, nutritious meals, and healthcare, and ensured an enabling environment for learning.

The youngsters will soon start a three-month apprenticeship program supported by MSSRF, focusing on specialized areas like bird watching, butterfly observation, and nursery management. Their work will contribute directly to restoring degraded landscapes and promoting green livelihoods in Wayanad and beyond.

MSSRF plans to expand the program into a comprehensive residential course and create a recruitment database to connect graduates with market opportunities. The initiative exemplifies how merging scientific knowledge with traditional wisdom can empower communities, conserve biodiversity, and build sustainable futures.