Native Seed Collection Initiative in Collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department

The Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT), in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, organizes native seed collection drives across forest landscapes of the Eastern and Western Ghats to support habitat restoration and biodiversity conservation.

These initiatives focus on collecting seeds from healthy native tree, shrub, climber, and grass species during their natural fruiting seasons. Seeds are collected from diverse forest ecosystems and carefully processed, documented, and stored for use in restoration programs, nursery development, direct seeding, and seed ball preparation.

The program brings together Forest Department staff, conservationists, local communities, students, and volunteers to participate in the conservation of native plant diversity. By collecting seeds from local genetic stock, the initiative helps ensure that restoration efforts are ecologically appropriate and adapted to the local environment.

The collected seeds are used to restore degraded habitats, enrich wildlife corridors, rehabilitate invasive species removal sites, and improve ecosystem resilience. Native species provide essential food, shelter, and breeding habitats for a wide range of wildlife, contributing to healthier and more sustainable forest ecosystems.

Objectives

• Collect seeds from native and ecologically important plant species.
• Support large-scale habitat restoration initiatives.
• Preserve local genetic diversity.
• Promote community participation in conservation.
• Strengthen partnerships between civil society and the Forest Department.
• Enhance awareness about native biodiversity and ecological restoration.

Expected Outcomes

• Increased availability of native seeds for restoration projects.
• Improved habitat quality for wildlife.
• Expansion of native plant nurseries and seed banks.
• Greater public participation in forest conservation.
• Long-term restoration of degraded landscapes across the Ghats.

Through this collaborative effort, BCT and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department are working to ensure that today’s seeds become tomorrow’s forests, supporting biodiversity conservation and ecosystem recovery for future generations.