Buoyed by the successful implementation of the Navakiranam project by the government, the State has requested the Centre to adopt the novel project as a countrywide initiative for getting the “win-win benefits” of the project for marginalised people living within forest enclosures, forest fringes as well as biodiversities throughout the country
In a recent letter addressed to Secretary, the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change, the Government of India, Additional Chief Secretary K.R. Jyothilal said Kerala is probably the only State in the country that has added 131.4 hectares, i.e. 1.34 sq km, to its forests within a year through the initiative. The project has supported 601 families to relocate voluntarily, with 894 applications to be funded within the next two months, and 2,000 applications within the next year.
The Navakiranam project is a unique and novel model of Kerala to support marginalised people isolated within forest enclosures to voluntarily relocate to townships while also consolidating forests and their ecology and providing space for wildlife. Families relocating from forest enclosures find a better life with education, jobs, medical facilities, easy access to amenities and, most importantly, security without having to fear natural calamities and human-wildlife conflicts.
