Situated very close to the southern part of the Western Ghats – one of the global biodiversity hotspots, WII project office at Thrissur, Kerala mainly deals with the Biodiversity and Conservation and Natural Resource Management issues in southern India. This office also addresses Energy and Solid Waste Management problems. At present two significant projects are running in Kerala operated by WII-Thrissur office.

Conservation of Nilgiri Tahr in Southern Western Ghats

Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius) is an endemic mammal of Western Ghats and it is the only species of caprinae ungulates that is endemic to tropical mountains and a Pleistocene relic in the Western Ghats. A taxonomic argument to place Nilgiri Tahr in the genus Nilgiritragus has been going on. Recent published reports show that the global population of the species has declined from 50,000–100,000 animals, during the British era to present 2000 animals in Western Ghats. The population has been reported as highly fragmented and is present as 18 isolated populations with an estimated individual population strength range from 10 to 750. Recently researchers raised doubt about further fragmentation into 50 -60 populations and the population status of most of these isolated populations are unknown and considering the fragmentation they can be at the brink of local extinction.

The project is funded by the Mohammed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund established by Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. The project has an overall objective to document the population status of the fragmented populations of Nilgiri Tahr in Southern Western Ghats and identify the unique localised threats to the population. A proper long term management plan along with building a preliminary strategy for reintroduction of the species, if required are the expected outcomes of the program.

Sustainable Municipal waste management through electricity generation in selected Municipal Corporation with in Kerala State

Kerala is one among the state in India with very high per capita solid waste generation. As of today, there are not very many such initiatives in India to utilise the opportunities for additional power production from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) along with MSW processing, organic manure production and also availing emission trading benefits. As part of this project WII is carrying out a feasibility study of establishing a pilot power generation plant with an installed capacity between 1 – 2 MWH using the biogas produced from MSW as the fuel. As a pilot project, associating renewable energy power production and MSW management in the state, the project has high social and environmental relevance. MSW disposal has become a menace all over Kerala which is especially due to the disposal methods we are adopting (either composting or sanitary landfill). The proposed plant will be a pilot model for safe and clean disposal of the MSW not only in the implementing area but for the whole state and can even be used on a larger scale for the entire nation.

Dr. K. M. Jayahari
Program Officer
Winrock International India
Home Park,
Kattungachira,
Irinjalakkuda North (PO),
Thrissur District,
Kerala - 680125,
Tel:- +91- 4802832848,
Email:-jayahari@winrockindia.org