Ecosystem protection
Supported the Western Ghats Development Programme across 20 watersheds in 9 blocks of Virudhunagar district, combining user-group training with water resource creation.
Biodiversity conservation
Protecting and restoring natural habitats, wildlife conservation, and promoting ecological balance.
Virudhunagar
WGDP district
421
Village maps digitised with GIS
Since 2001
Conservation work
1,20,000
Saplings planted with SBI, 2024–25
Understanding
What biodiversity conservation means
What is biodiversity conservation?
Biodiversity conservation refers to the protection, preservation, and sustainable management of biological diversity — including ecosystems, species, and genetic resources.
Our approach focuses on protecting critical ecosystems like the Western Ghats, conserving medicinal plants, and promoting ecological preservation through sustainable development practices. We recognize that biodiversity is essential for ecosystem stability, environmental health, and human well-being.
Our programs integrate traditional knowledge with modern conservation science to create holistic solutions that protect natural habitats, preserve endangered species, and support ecological balance for future generations. The current flagship is the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation programme in Oddanchatram Taluk, Dindigul district, supported by a ₹2 crore State Bank of India CSR sanction and advancing SDG 13 and SDG 15.
- Ecosystem protection
- Species conservation
- Medicinal plants
- Habitat preservation
Why this work matters
The challenge on the ground — and our answer
The challenge
A biodiversity hotspot under pressure
The Western Ghats hold endemic flora and fauna, but habitat fragmentation steadily erodes what makes them irreplaceable.
Our response
Protect the ecosystem as a whole
Ecosystem-based conservation, and the digitisation of village maps for 421 villages of Virudhunagar district with GIS, give planners the spatial base needed to keep habitats intact.
The challenge
Medicinal plant species disappearing
As forests shrink, medicinal plants and the traditional remedies they support are lost before they can be recorded.
Our response
Conserve species and knowledge together
Targeted medicinal plant conservation preserves both the species and the indigenous ecological knowledge tied to them.
The challenge
Invasive species crowding out natives
Aggressive invasives such as Prosopis juliflora smother native vegetation and degrade endemic habitats.
Our response
Clear invasives, restore habitat
Prosopis juliflora is cleared from ponds and common land in Manur Block and replaced with native, fruit-bearing and shade-giving species — restoring water-holding capacity and giving endemic species room to recover.
The challenge
Conservation fails without local ownership
Protected areas managed without the surrounding villages break down once outside teams leave.
Our response
Partner with communities and the state
Community partnership and collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department in Sivagangai district keep conservation locally owned.
At a glance
The essentials
- Active since
- 2001Biodiversity conservation work in Tamil Nadu
- Focus ecosystem
- Western GhatsA UNESCO World Heritage biodiversity hotspot
- Flagship programme
- Western Ghats Development Programme (WGDP)Government initiative in 20 watersheds across 9 blocks of Virudhunagar district
- GIS coverage
- 421 village maps digitisedDocumentation work for Virudhunagar district, using data from the Agricultural Engineering Department
- Government partner
- Tamil Nadu Forest DepartmentListed among our sources of support in Sivagangai district
- Project portfolio
- 3 conservation programmesEcosystem, species and landscape conservation, 2001–2025
Track record
Project portfolio, 2001–2025
| Programme | Period | Type | Highlights | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Ghats Development Programme (WGDP) | 2001–2014 | Government programme | 20 watersheds in 9 blocks of Virudhunagar; 21 check dams benefiting 918 farmers across 76 villages | Completed |
| Conservation of medicinal plants | 2002–2021 | Species conservation | Cultivation workshops, a 3-acre ethno-botanical garden at Mayilampatty and nursery training for 200 women at Velliyani | Completed |
| Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Conservation (SBI CSR) | 2024–2025 | CSR partnership | 1,20,000 saplings on hillocks, barren land and wasteland in Oddanchatram Taluk, Dindigul · ₹2 crore sanctioned by State Bank of India | Ongoing |
Impact
What biodiversity conservation changes
Species conservation
Conserved medicinal plant species and their genetic diversity, preserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity.
Habitat preservation
Converted barren and non-productive land into green zones under the SBI CSR programme — restoring native habitat, preventing soil erosion and supporting carbon sequestration.
Environmental sustainability
Promoted sustainable development practices that balance human needs with environmental protection and conservation.
Get involved
Protect biodiversity
Join us in preserving the rich biodiversity of our ecosystems for future generations. Your support helps protect endangered species, conserve critical habitats, and maintain ecological balance.