What was once an abandoned tribal school in Srivilliputhur has been given a new lease of life by the TN Forest Department! It’s now a thriving grassroots conservation centre, aptly named the Innovation and Incubation Centre for the Near Threatened ‘Grizzled Giant Squirrel’ (GGS), located within the Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve. This site is blossoming into a vital environmental education hub.
IAS Supriya Sahu shared this inspiring video on X.
The impact is already significant, with over 2,200 students and teachers from 75 schools and 5 colleges spanning 10 districts having visited. Their engagement has been truly immersive, featuring treks, insightful talks by experts, and rich biodiversity experiences. Activities have ranged from enthusiastic participation in Wildlife Week to innovative hackathons and the development of cutting-edge GIS-based wildlife protection ideas.
Once an abandoned tribal school in Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu, TN Forest Department has transformed it into a thriving grassroots conservation centre called the Innovation and Incubation Centre for the Near Threatened 'Grizzled Giant Squirrel' (GGS). The site now serves as an… pic.twitter.com/dCeuImtmfo
— Supriya Sahu IAS (@supriyasahuias) April 15, 2025
The initiative’s reach extends beyond the centre itself, with local public buses now proudly displaying GGS themes. Outreach efforts are further amplified through engaging local-language booklets, captivating mural art, and appealing eco-merchandise. A key goal is to cultivate future conservation leaders, with a commitment to training at least one from every participating school.
Ms. Sahu stated, “We aim to train at least one conservation leader from every participating school. We have set up 8 such Wildlife Incubation Centres across Tamil Nadu.”
