First-of-its-kind programme in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, supported by MoEF&CC, trains 165+ tribal and forest-dependent community members to turn invasive biomass to carbon rich soil amendment.

The EIACP Programme Centre (PC) RP at WWF-India, New Delhi, under the Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India, successfully conducted a Capacity Building Programme on "Biochar Production from Invasive Species and Livelihood Generation in Forest Landscapes, Kerala" from 06 to 09 October 2026 at Muthanga Forest Station, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala. MoEF&CC provided the financial assistance for the programme under EIACP.

This was the first capacity building programme of its kind conducted by the EIACP Programme Centre in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. It was organised with The Shola Trust, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and WildCarbon. The programme brought together more than 165 tribal and forest-dependent community members and Eco-Development Committee (EDC) members trained in three batches, along with EIACP PC RP & WWF-India staffs. Participants came from Ponkuzhi, Thagarapadi, Muthanga elephant Camp, Kollur, Battery and Kurichiat villages around the Muthanga Range of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

Invasive species such as Lantana camara & Senna spectabilis have spread across large parts of the Western Ghats. They suppress native vegetation, reduce fodder for wildlife and increase fire risk. The programme showed participants how can be turned into Biochar, which is often cleared and thrown away, into a useful soil amendment and a possible source of income.

Participants

 

Most trainees came from Scheduled Tribe communities from nearby villages and belong to Eco development committees of the Wayanad WLS. Many trainees were young, and quarter of them were women, so the hands-on approach helped make the skills accessible to all.

Classroom learning and hands-on practice

 

The training mixed theory sessions with hands-on demonstrations. Participants learnt about biochar and its properties, low-cost methods for producing it at farm level, its application in agriculture and agroforestry. In the practical sessions, they prepared biomass and produced biochar themselves with safety precautions. The theory session also handled the future of Biochar usage towards getting Carbon credits and linkages.

Exposure visits to industrial-scale production

 

Participants also visited WildCarbon's industrial-scale biochar facility at Begur. The visit showed them how the farm-level methods they practised can be scaled up for larger production unit as a business model.

Overall outcomes of the training

 

As the first programme of its kind in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, the training achieved the following:

•        New skills for forest communities. Tribal and forest-dependent communities around the sanctuary were introduced to biochar production for the first time. They gained practical, low-cost skills that they can use with locally available materials.

•        Invasive species seen as a resource. Participants now see invasive species such as Lantana camara as raw material for a useful product, not only as a problem to clear. This links invasive species management with community benefit.

•        Reach to those who need it most. The programme reached tribal communities, women, young people and people with limited formal schooling, in line with EIACP's focus on inclusive skill development.

•        Skill upgradation for frontline workers. EDC members, forest watchers, eco-tourism workers and Forest Department staff added biochar production to their existing skills. They can now support and demonstrate the practice in their areas.

•        Pathways to green livelihoods. WildCarbon identified a group of trainees for follow-up engagement. Many participants said they would like to produce biochar on their own farms to improve soil health and cut spending on farm inputs.

•        A model for wider use. Community institutions, the Forest Department, a technical partner and an industry partner worked together. This partnership offers a model for similar programmes in other protected areas and forest landscapes of Kerala and the Western Ghats.

•        Support for national priorities. The programme contributes to forest landscape restoration, soil health, skill development and community-based green livelihoods, in line with MoEF&CC's Mission LiFE.

 

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