ATREE-CERC leads community-driven conservation of Vembanad Wetland System

ATREE-CERC leads innovative community-driven conservation efforts in Vembanad wetlands, empowering locals and integrating traditional knowledge for sustainability.

With World Wetlands Day set to be observed on February 2, the Community Environmental Resource Centre (CERC) under the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), a non-profit organisation, has emerged as a key force in the conservation of the Vembanad wetland system.

At a time when Vembanad Lake, a designated Ramsar site, faces grave threats from pollution, unchecked urbanisation, habitat destruction and the looming impacts of climate change, ATREE-CERC is pioneering an innovative, community-driven approach to conservation. Moving away from traditional conservation models, it has introduced Deliberative Democratic Conservation – a methodology inspired by Kerala’s decentralised governance system. This approach empowers local stakeholders, including fisherfolk, women’s collectives and grama panchayats, to actively participate in decision-making and project implementation.

The Vembanad estuarine system, spanning the districts of Ernakulam, Kottayam and Alappuzha, is home to over 70% of South India’s black clam, an endemic species. The lake also hosts 150 native fish species, providing a livelihood to many families. Recognising the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern conservation practices, ATREE-CERC collaborates with local communities to develop sustainable solutions while ensuring livelihoods. One significant outcome of this collaboration is the establishment of Lake Protection Forums (LPF). “Joint efforts by ATREE-CERC and LPFs have resulted in the creation of several mini fish sanctuaries and the restoration of clam beds across the lake,” says Jojo T.D., project manager, ATREE-CERC.

Another crucial initiative is ‘Jalanyaayam’, which aims to decentralise environmental governance. By acknowledging the pivotal role of gram panchayats, the programme equips them to incorporate ecological concerns into their development plans. A standout success is the participatory resource mapping in Vembanad, which united stakeholders for collective and transformative action.

Meanwhile, ‘Sajjam’ project focusses on building climate resilience through community-based disaster preparedness. “Vulnerable areas in Vembanad, particularly those lying below sea level, face increased risks from flooding and habitat loss due to climate change. Through ‘Sajjam’, we empower the local population to identify vulnerabilities and craft localised responses,” says Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan, senior fellow, ATREE.

‘Jalapaadom’, a programme designed to instill ecological awareness, has turned out to be a hit among young minds. Through habitat-based learning modules in 35 schools, the initiative encourages students to connect with their natural surroundings. “The Kerala Bioblitz, a part of the initiative, helps students document local biodiversity, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility,” Mr. Rajan adds.

Additionally, its social innovation centre supports women-led enterprises, helping them transform aquatic weeds into handicrafts and upcycled products. A few years ago, the organisation played a key role in helping Muhamma panchayat become a synthetic pad-free village. “We are now working to scale our conservation model to the northern reaches of Vembanad and the Ashtamudi estuary,” says Maneeja Murali, senior programme officer, ATREE- CERC.