In the midst of a sweltering summer, a stream long dormant in a tribal settlement within the Marayur Sandal division in Idukki has sprung back to life after a hiatus of 30 years. This remarkable transformation is credited to an eco-restoration initiative spearheaded by the Forest department in the area during the 2021-2024 period.
Forest department officials recount that the hills within the forest division of Kammalamkudi were once covered in grasslands with active water streams until 1990, prior to the introduction of Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) in the region. In 1980, the government planted black wattle across approximately 500 hectares of land. However, over time, the land became overrun by West Indian Lantana (Kongini) plants, inhibiting the growth of other exotic species and restricting access for animals.
