MSSRF had initiated a project in 2006 to mark the 80th birthday of Prof. M. S. Swaminathan and to accelerate its conservation efforts through a targeted number of 80 RET angiosperm plant species of Western Ghats. This project helped to relocate 80 RET species, which were said to be restricted to tiny pockets of type localities. By taking inspiration from the success of this project, a survey on the RET trees began in 2010, which subsequently followed with collection and multiplication of over 200 tree species in nearly 100,000 seedlings.
RET Plants Conservatory and proposed Activities
Literature survey shows approximately 600 tree species are threatened with extinction in India with a sizable percentage located in the south Indian region, mostly in Western Ghats. However, the threat status of most of the endemic trees is not known. The tree species listed out in the IUCN Red list as well as in the Indian Red Data books are said to be known only from one or few collections and thus it gives insufficient picture of their variation, population structure, correct threat status and distribution. A floristic study undertaken by in Wayanad district highlighted the distribution of over 400 tree species in the district. A major outcome of the above study was establishment of a RET conservatory with over 100 tree species. The central aim of this Conservatory is to educate people about native tree species and help people to rescue the Keystone RET Trees. The RET conservatory is now engaged in reintroduction and establishment of ex-situ Gardens in other locations. A total of 3750 seedlings of 40 endangered tree species were experimentally reintroduced to their natural habitats in some reserve forests of Kozhikode Forest Division. 16 ex-situ Gardens with nearly 10,000 plant saplings were promoted in other parts of the district. The Garden has now around 25 partners in this venture.
Research on RET Trees
This is the high time to take a concerted action to promote high quality tree conservation research and protection of society from the danger of climate change and species extinction. Towards this, 10 research internships are proposed for those who come with fellowships in the three major impact areas of conservation viz; Forest Ecology including tree breeding, and Plant Taxonomy to address the issue of poor growth of science and technology in the area of conservation biology. The Fellows will work together to produce fresh knowledge and effective actions. Currently such participatory research is scanty in the country, and thus no knowledge exchange or effective actions take place.
The conservation and agricultural traditions with the ethos of economically sustainable utilization of biodiversity, a perfect balancing of “people, planet-prosperity’ goal can be demonstrated at local level. The genetic resources conservation demonstrated through this synergistic approach with focus on curative, culinary and crop diversity conservation traditions in and around Kerala’s ethnic capital, Wayanad district will be a unique attraction for tourists from all over the world.