In connection with World Environment Day, the Athirappilly Grama Panchayat inaugurated the Riparian Restoration with the technical support of Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation. The project funded by KSBB was officially launched by Panchayat President Mr. K.K. Rijesh. To facilitate the inclusion of MGNREGS in habitat restoration, district-level training sessions and project planning were organized under the leadership of Mr. Raheesh Kumar R, Thrissur District MGNREGA Joint Programme Coordinator, and Dr. Amitabhachan, Principal Investigator of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board’s Riverine Forest Restoration Project. The scientific framework for this project has been developed based on two decades of ecological research on the Chalakudy River conducted by the Center for Ecology, Taxonomy, Conservation and Climate Change (CEtC), Department of Botany, MES Asmabi College, affiliated with the Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation. This framework follows international standards and uses model habitats for restoration planning.

At the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Raheesh Kumar R, District MGNREGA Joint Programme Coordinator, was the chief guest. Mr. Manu Prasad, Assistant Engineer, MGNREGA, welcomed the gathering. The meeting was presided over by Vice President Ms. Soumini Manilal.

Dr. K.H. Amitabhachan, the project’s lead researcher, presented a detailed explanation of the initiative. Ward Member C.C. Krishnan, Kudumbashree Chairperson Natasha Vijayan, and Village Extension Officer Krishnakumar offered their felicitations. Panchayat Secretary G. Jerusan delivered the vote of thanks.