Forest Research in Kerala

In a momentous occasion for Kerala’s indigenous artisans, the Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, announced the official Geographical Indication (GI) status for Kannadippaya, a traditional bamboo mat crafted by tribal communities of the state. The announcement also included the ceremonial release of the product’s official logo, marking a historic recognition of Kerala’s first tribal handicraft to receive the coveted GI tag. The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) led the two-year effort to document and preserve Kannadippaya, a traditional bamboo mat. Known as the "bamboo mirror mat," it features unique 'kannadi' designs that reflect light differently, thanks to intricate weaving techniques.

The KFRI Teak Museum, Nilambur, has been honoured with the First Prize in the category of ‘Best Green Tourism Destination’ under the Malinyamuktham Nava Keralam Campaign, an initiative led by the Local Self-Government Department, Government of Kerala. The award was presented at Vruthi 2025 – The Clean Kerala Conclave, held to celebrate and promote sustainable practices across the state. As India’s only museum dedicated entirely to teak and forestry heritage, the KFRI Teak Museum has become a leading example of how ecological responsibility and tourism can go hand in hand.

KFRI has showcased its unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability by receiving two prestigious awards at the Haritha Keralam Mission Environment Conference. The event in Trivandrum connected to World Water Day honoured KFRI’s remarkable contributions to eco-friendly initiatives and environmental research. In a proud moment for the institute, KFRI Nilambur Teak Museum was awarded the Net Zero Emission Award, recognizing its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. Also, KFRI was honoured with the Haritha Keralam Mission State Award, a recognition bestowed upon institutions making significant strides in promoting a green and clean Kerala. This award reinforces KFRI's pivotal role in environmental research and its dedication to fostering sustainable solutions for the state's future.

KFRI has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mar Thoma College, Chungathara, to enhance collaborative research and academic activities. The agreement, aimed at fostering academic growth and advancing scientific research, was signed recently at a ceremony attended by prominent officials from both institutions. The partnership focuses on promoting joint research projects, faculty and student exchange programs, and sharing resources and expertise between KFRI and Mar Thoma College. It is expected to create opportunities for both institutions to explore and implement innovative solutions in environmental science, biodiversity, and sustainable development.

The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) has reached a monumental milestone in its 50-year history by securing its first-ever publication in Nature, the world's most prestigious science journal. Dr. Sreejith Kalpuzha Ashtamoorthy, Principal Scientist and Head of the Forest Ecology Department at KFRI, and his dedicated team, including Prasad, Arunkumar, and Vignesh, have achieved this remarkable feat, marking a significant contribution to global tropical forestry research. This pioneering publication not only highlights KFRI’s scientific excellence but also solidifies Dr. Sreejith's reputation as a global leader in forest ecology. The research, which is set to have a profound impact on the scientific community, reflects years of dedication, cutting-edge research, and a commitment to preserving the world’s tropical ecosystems.

A new leaf spot and leaf blights pathogen, P. travancorense, affecting Coffea travancorensis in Kerala, India, was identified by scientists from KFRI through a polyphasic approach, marking the first global record of this fungal species and its pathogenic incidence. This research emphasizes Kerala’s fungal diversity, adding to the taxonomic knowledge of foliar fungal pathogens in this biodiversity-rich region. The discovery of P. travancorense as a pathogen on C. travancorensis highlights the need for ongoing surveillance in biodiverse areas of Kerala to detect new fungal threats.

In a thought-provoking online session, Dr. Andy Sheppard, FTSE, Chief Research Scientist at CSIRO, Australia, delivered an invited talk on the critical issue of invasive alien species and the tools, technologies, and approaches available to manage them. The talk, "IPBES Evaluated Approaches, Tools, and Technologies Available and Under Development to Help Manage Invasive Alien Species and Their Operationalisation Challenges," underscored the urgent need to address the growing threat of invasive species to global biodiversity and ecosystem services. Dr. Sheppard emphasized the alarming rate at which invasive species disrupt ecosystems worldwide, threatening the delicate balance of native flora and fauna. He discussed the various modern tools and techniques employed in the survey, documentation, and management of invasive species, shedding light on how these innovations are helping to mitigate their impact.

A two-day workshop on "Recent Advances in Ayurveda and Medicinal Plants Research" was successfully conducted on 27th – 28th February 2025 at the Extension and Training Division of KSCSTE-KFRI, Peechi, Thrissur. The event, organized for Ayurveda Doctors across Kerala, was funded by the State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB), Kerala. 31 Ayurveda doctors from various districts participated in this enriching program to enhance their understanding of contemporary research in Ayurveda and medicinal plants. This workshop marks a crucial milestone in fostering knowledge exchange among Ayurveda professionals and researchers, ultimately contributing to the growth of Kerala's rich heritage in medicinal plants and Ayurveda.

The Extension and Training Division of KFRI, in collaboration with the Quality Council of India (QCI), New Delhi, organized a Technical Training Workshop on Certification for Medicinal Plants on the 24th and 25th of February 2025 at KFRI, Peechi. The Regional cum Facilitation Centre (RCFC) and the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) were also part of this workshop. This workshop was a key initiative under the Voluntary Certification Scheme for Medicinal Plant Produce (VCSMPP), aimed at enhancing awareness, ensuring quality standards, and promoting sustainable practices in the cultivation and trade of medicinal plants.

KFRI has been honoured with the prestigious Best Exhibition Stall Award at the 37th Kerala Science Congress. The event, held at the Kerala Agricultural University in Thrissur, brought together leading scientists, researchers, and institutions from across the state to showcase their innovations and contributions to various fields of science and technology. KFRI’s exhibition at the Congress provided an insightful glimpse into the ground-breaking research undertaken by the institute. It also showcased the various initiatives to promote the understanding of forest ecosystems, climate change adaptation, and the role of forests in sustaining ecological balance.

Dr. Donald James, a distinguished scientist from the Department of Biotechnology at the Forest Genetics and Biotechnology Division of the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), has been honoured with the Best Oral Presentation Award in the Forestry and Wildlife (Scientist Delegates) category at the 37th Kerala Science Congress. The prestigious event took place at Kerala Agricultural University in Thrissur. Dr. Donald James's exceptional research in forestry and wildlife has earned him recognition for his contributions to the scientific community. The award reflects his commitment to advancing knowledge in forest genetics and forestry. The award also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to addressing environmental challenges, particularly in terms of wildlife conservation and forest management

Reshma Bhasker, a Ph.D. Scholar from the Department of Biotechnology, Forest Genetics and Biotechnology Division at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) has been honoured with the State Medicinal Plant Board, Kerala Endowment Award for the Best Oral Paper Presentation in the Forestry and Wildlife (Student Category) at the 37th Kerala Science Congress. The prestigious event was held at Kerala Agricultural University in Thrissur. This award marks a significant milestone in her academic journey. It serves as an inspiration for future researchers in the field of forestry and wildlife.

പീച്ചിയിലെ കേരള വനഗവേഷണ സ്ഥാപനത്തിന്റെ ഒരുവർഷം നീണ്ടുനിൽക്കുന്ന സുവർണ്ണ ജൂബിലി ആഘോഷങ്ങൾക്ക് തുടക്കമായി. ജൂലൈ 6, 2024, ശനിയാഴ്ച രാവിലെ 10.00 മണിക്ക് വനഗവേഷണ സ്ഥാപനത്തിന്റെ ഓഡിറ്റോറിയത്തിൽ നടന്ന ഉത്ഘാടന ചടങ്ങിൽ ബഹു. റവന്യൂ, പാർപ്പിട വകുപ്പ് മന്ത്രി, അഡ്വ. കെ. രാജൻ സുവർണ്ണ ജൂബിലി ലോഗോ പ്രകാശനം ചെയ്തുകൊണ്ട് ഉത്ഘാടനം നിർവ്വഹിച്ചു. പ്രസ്തുത ചടങ്ങിൽ ശാസ്ത്ര സാങ്കേതിക വകുപ്പിന്റെ പ്രിൻസിപ്പൽ സെക്രട്ടറിയും, കേരള ശാസ്ത്ര സാങ്കേതിക പരിസ്ഥിതി കൌൺസിൽ എക്സിക്യൂട്ടീവ് വൈസ് പ്രസിഡണ്ട് പ്രൊഫ. കെ.പി. സുധീർ ആധ്യക്ഷം വഹിച്ചു. വനഗവേഷണ സ്ഥാപനത്തിന്റെ ഡയറക്ടർ ഡോ. കണ്ണൻ സി.എസ്.വാരിയർ സ്ഥാപനത്തിൻ്റെ തുടക്കം, വളർച്ചയുടെ വിവിധ നാഴികക്കല്ലുകൾ, എന്നിവ അനുസ്മരിച്ചു കൊണ്ട് പരിപാടിയിലേക്ക് സ്വാഗതം ചെയ്തു, വനം വന്യജീവി വകുപ്പ് പ്രതിനിധി സി സി എഫ് ശ്രീ ആടലരശൻ ഐ. എഫ്.എസ് എന്നിവർ ചടങ്ങിൽ പങ്കെടുത്ത് സംസാരിച്ചു.

Dr. Resmi S., a post-doctoral researcher at the Botanical Survey of India, Coimbatore, has been awarded the prestigious Dr. C. Chandrasekharan Memorial Endowment Award. This award, instituted in memory of KFRI’s first director, recognizes her outstanding contributions to plant research and conservation.Dr. Resmi has conducted extensive research on Kerala’s diverse plant species, with a particular focus on the conservation of forest ecosystems. Her groundbreaking work continues to inspire efforts towards preserving Kerala's rich biodiversity.