KFRI, KSBB and Green Ahalia join hands to empower BMCs in Palakkad

Green Ahalia hosted a consultation meeting on 30th August 2025 at Ahalia campus. The meeting was formally inaugurated by Dr. V. Balakrishnan, Member Secretary, KSBB, who highlighted the importance of biodiversity documentation, conservation, and community participation in Palakkad district. The event was attended by 33 members from different BMCs, Forest department staff and NGO representatives and had very active discussions. In the meeting Dr. K K. Seethalakshmi, Dr. Sujanapal and Ms. Sumu Scaria, DFO Social forestry also spoke. The discussion focused on strengthening local-level biodiversity initiatives, identifying priority areas, and ensuring sustainable conservation strategies. Mr. Sabik presented a proposal for selecting Palakkad District Tree and Flower, that was earlier submitted to KSBB by Green Ahalia.

This was followed by a field visit to Green Ahalia theme gardens. We took the opportunity to take the visiting dignitaries to all our thematic gardens, Cultivation models, conservation and demonstration plots. Dr. Balakrishnan Inaugurated our Rajyolsavam –The State Trees and Flowers Garden.” where state trees and state flowers of different states in the country are planted. He also inaugurated our new Citrus germplsm and Dr. Sujanapal inaugurated our performance trial plot of Oodh (Agar/ Aquilaria malaccensis). The Heritage museum, Sculpture garden etc were also shown to the visitors. We had fruitful discussion on mutual collaboration and to take forward the ideas. The member Secretary, KSBB planted a sapling of Persea macrantha in the Smrithi Vatika. The visitors left the campus much satisfied.