The 18^th State Level Students’ Biodiversity Congress culminated at Govt. College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, on 21 February 2026. Centred on the theme Dharani: Kerala’s Youth Uniting for Biodiversity and Climate Change, the event brought together over 270 participants. District-level first prize winners from junior, senior, and college categories—both project presentation and homestead presentation—showcased their work. Padmasri M.C. Dathan, Scientific Advisor to the Honorable Chief Minister, inaugurated the event by handing over 20 rare endemic tree species to Principal Dr. Uma Jyothi V., symbolising 20 fruitful years of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board. Dr. A.V. Santhosh Kumar presided; Dr. V. Balakrishnan welcomed, and Dr. Akhila S. Nair proposed the vote of thanks. The Book of Abstracts was released. A ‘Meet the Scientist’ session offered students interaction with eminent scientists. Dr. Pramod G. Krishnan IFS, Chief Wildlife Warden, distributed prizes.

At 92, Devaki Amma from Alappuzha proves age is no barrier to protecting nature. Recognised in the Unsung Heroes category, she has received the Padma Shri for transforming the land around her home into ‘Kollakkal Tapovanam’—a five-acre forest sheltering nearly 3,000 rare plants. Proposed by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board, her tireless reforestation efforts have earned her the Nari Shakti Puraskar, Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award, and Vanamithra Award. Devaki Amma’s inspiring journey reminds us that one person’s dedication can create a lasting green legacy.

The Kerala State Biodiversity Board’s ‘Ecological Revival of Sacred Groves’ project was inaugurated on 5 March 2026 at Perumbadanna Vanadurga Kavu in Ezhikkara BMC. Once rich with endemic trees and rare vegetation, the grove now faces environmental threats. The project aims to restore its ecological heritage by reintroducing native plants and adopting eco-friendly measures. Block Panchayat President P.R. Saijan led the event, with BMC Chairperson Seena Sajeev presiding. P.K. Ramachandran delivered the keynote. BMC members, students, and local residents participated enthusiastically.

A policy workshop on agrobiodiversity was held on 18 February 2026 at Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, as part of the Southern Regional Agriculture Fair (SRAF) 2026. Discussions stressed the need to mainstream agrobiodiversity into Kerala’s food and farming systems, noting that current policies often overlook its value. Recent environmental crises highlighted the fragility of conventional agriculture. The workshop called for a shift towards regenerative, biodiversity-centered farming, aligning with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and underscored the vital role of custodian farmers and traditional systems.

As part of the Every Child a Scientist and Artist (ECASA) project, two programmes under the “Walk with Scientist” initiative engaged students in hands-on learning. On 3 January 2026, BioXplore at Thiruvananthapuram Zoo and Museum offered guided walks and expert interactions on biodiversity. On 24 January, Biosketch at ICAR-CMFRI Vizhinjam immersed students in coastal ecosystems, marine life, and scientific documentation. Both initiatives, supported by KSBB, inspired young minds through direct engagement with scientists, fostering ecological awareness and field-based learning.

On 25 February 2026, the Post Graduate and Research Department of Botany at Sree Narayana College, Cherthala, inaugurated a Rare, Endangered, and Threatened (RET) Plant Conservatory under the Kerala State Biodiversity Board’s Ex-situ Conservation of Red Listed Plant Species scheme (2023–24). Adv. M. Santhosh Kumar, President of Kanjikuzhy Grama Panchayath, formally opened the facility along with an automatic drip irrigation system. A plantation drive introduced twelve IUCN Red List species, including Hopea erosa, Humboldtia sanjappae, and Syzygium travancoricum. The event featured sapling distribution to the community, strengthening collaboration between the college, Biodiversity Monitoring Committee, and KSBB. The conservatory advances ex-situ conservation, research, and local biodiversity conservation.

The KSBB Biodiversity Fellowship Programme supports research advancing the conservation, documentation, and sustainable use of Kerala’s biological diversity. Aligned with the Biological Diversity Act, and the State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, it emphasizes multidisciplinary work in species conservation, taxonomy, aquatic biodiversity, legal frameworks, participatory approaches, and biodiversity education. Since 2014, KSBB has awarded doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships with progressively increasing funding. For 2022–2026, sixteen doctoral fellows received a monthly stipend of ₹25,000 and an annual contingency grant of ₹20,000. In 2025–26, five candidates were selected. By fostering impactful, evidence-based research, the programme strengthens biodiversity management and informs policy, ensuring long-term conservation outcomes for the state.