Getting recognition for good work is commendable and that is what Longwood Shola forest in Kotagiri in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district was bestowed with when it was granted the Queens Commonwealth Canopy accreditation.
QCC is an initiative that came into being in 2015 as a network of forest conservation programmes throughout the 54 countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. Till 2019, 46 countries have become involved in it.
The news about accreditation was sent by Linda Yueh, executive chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society to the State Forest Minister K. Ramachandran.
These forests had been taken over by invasive species and human settlements. The Forest Department in tandem with the locals, reclaimed the area and now it is well-protected.
Talking about this recognition, Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department said: “The recognition is a source of pride for all of us. I have been closely watching the developments of the Longwood Shola forest over the last 20 years. Shola forest is life-giving as it retains water during rain and releases it slowly. We have a wetland there and over 18 villages depend on the water supply from there. This award proves that we can preserve forests. This is a bird’s paradise. We can also see the movement of small mammals, gaur and barking deer. Leopards are also using this landscape and tigers are also rarely spotted.”
She also shared that the Government was planning to establish an eco-friendly conservation centre to make people sensitive and aware about shola forests.
K Kalidass who is the President of OSAI which is involved with environment issues and wildlife protection remarked: “This recognition is well deserved one for the forest, which is spread over 100 hectares. The forest had a rampant movement of people and grazing earlier. However, it was restricted by erecting a fence. Then invasive species like wattle were removed by Longwood Shola Watchdog Committee members, consisting of forest department officials and local Keribetta villagers.”
In March 2021, Maharashtra’s Tillari Conservation Reserve was the first in the country to get this accreditation.
