The tribal settlements in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) near Marayur in Idukki are reaping the benefits of Punarjeevanam, an initiative launched eight years ago to revive millet cultivation.
Launched in collaboration with the Forest department, the project aimed at addressing malnutrition and other health issues among the tribal community, especially children. The project has so far revived cultivation of 36 millet species on nearly 15 acres and tribal families have gone back to their traditional dietary habits.
Former CWS assistant wildlife warden P.M. Prabhu, who started the Punarjeevanam initiative, said he interacted with the heads of each settlement to find the reason for malnutrition among the community members after receiving a medical camp report.
