The Kannur Kandal Project has added some new feathers in its hat in the month of September, highlighting the power of community-led conservation and collaborative effort for mangrove conservation:

 Cheruthazham Grama Panchayat Wins Prestigious State Award for Mangrove Conservation

In a landmark achievement, the Cheruthazham Grama Panchayat was awarded the First Prize for Best Mangrove Conservation Efforts at a state-level competition held in Thiruvananthapuram on September 16, 2025. The Hon’ble Minister for Local Self Governments, Rural Development and Excise of Kerala, Shri. M. B. Rajesh presented the award.

This recognition celebrates Cheruthazham’s pioneering restoration work at Vayalapra, Kannur, which began in 2023 with the planting of nearly 10,000 mangrove saplings across 4 acres along the Ramapuram River. Following this success, a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) to ensure the conservation, protection and restoration of the mangroves. This year, the momentum continues, as, collaboratively, there are plans to plant an additional 2,000 saplings – filling the gaps in the initial plantation, thereby strengthening ecosystem resilience.

This award is a testament to the collective spirit and effort of the Cheruthazham Grama Panchayat, WTI, Haritha Kerala Mission, and MGNREGA. It proves that when communities and institutions unite, they can create profound and lasting environmental change.

Cheruthazham Grama Panchayat received First Prize for Best Mangrove Conservation Efforts from Sri M B Rajesh (Minister for Local Self Governments, Rural Development and Excise of Kerala)

Joining Hands with Kurumathur Grama Panchayat: Expanding Our Conservation Network

Our partnership network in Kannur continues to grow stronger. Kurumathur Grama Panchayat in Kannur is our newest partner, with a formal MoU being signed between the Panchayat and WTI. The Project now has a total of four formal MoUs with four Panchayats in the district of Kannur: Cheruthazham, Narath, Muzhappilangad and the latest addition – Kurumathur. This expansion signifies a deepening commitment to mangrove conservation at the grassroots level across Kannur. Sajan John, Coordinator-Marine Projects, WTI, formally received the MoU from the Panchayat President and Secretary on 22nd September 2025. 

Kurumathur Grama Panchayat in Kannur has joined WTI’s mangrove restoration and conservation efforts | Photo by Team WTI

Each new partnership strengthens the foundation for sustained ecological stewardship, ensuring that restoration is not an isolated event but an enduring, community-led responsibility.

Additionally, a total of nine panchayats have granted official permissions for undertaking restoration activities. This has resulted in the Project initiating restoration in 28.7 acres across five panchayats over the last two years. The team on the ground is continuously striving to restore as much degraded area as possible in the district of Kannur. These figures represent more than numbers—they are the seeds of a growing movement, blending scientific expertise, active community participation, and robust governmental backing.

Mangrove saplings being planted in land secured by WTI, with the support of SBI Foundation | Photo by Anil Kumar

The Road Ahead: A Prototype for the Future

As home to Kerala’s largest mangrove stronghold, every acre restored in Kannur directly enhances the state’s ecological security. The recent accolades for Cheruthazham, the addition of Kurumathur, and the widespread planting efforts collectively reaffirm the district’s leading role in conservation. This initiative is about more than planting trees. It is about reviving entire ecosystems, safeguarding biodiversity, supporting coastal communities, and building climate resilience for generations to come. 

The Kannur Kandal Project, which is supported by SBI Foundation, is evolving into a replicable model for community-led environmental action. Every award, partnership, and sapling contributes to a legacy of resilience—a legacy we hope will inspire other coastal regions in Kerala and beyond.