Although conservation of biodiversity is the major aim of “Vision 2050” for biodiversity, considering the current pace of environmental degradation due to the continued growth of human population and the concomitant pressure on biodiversity, it may be a difficult goal to be achieved in its entirety. To accomplish this goal, we must set up targets to expand protected areas, create species management plans, and restore ecosystems. At the same time, attempts must be made to stop conversion of natural ecosystems in order to slow future biodiversity loss. In this context, the following aspects have been made.

1. Setting up of biological collections
   • Established a reference collection of forest insects at KFRI, Peechi.


2. Insect rearing
   • Expertise in the mass rearing of insects for laboratory studies.
   • Standardization of artificial diets for insect rearing particularly for moths and beetles.


3. Insect identification
   • Insects collected in forest surveys were identified and a checklist of 1960 species belonging to 237 families under 9 Orders was prepared. Number of identified species in each family is given and a systematic list of insect Orders and Families for organizing an insect collection is presented. The collection also holds over 150 unidentified insect species.
   • Preparation of an insect identification database for Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau (CAB), London.













4. Documentation and assessment of biodiversity
   • Documentation of biodiversity of Ambady Estate, Kulasekharam for FSC accreditation.
   • Biodiversity Documentation for 7 districts of Kerala for Kerala State Biodiversity Board.
   • Assessment of forest biodiversity. Forest areas covered: Nelliyampathy, Parambikulam, Sholayar, Silent Valley, New Amarambalam, Chembra Hills, Mannavan shola, Mathikettan shola and Pampadum shola.


5. Environmental Impact Assessment
   • Environmental Impact Assessment helps in identifying, predicting and evaluating economic, environmental and social impacts of developmental activities. The following projects have been undertaken.
     • Assessment of ecologically fragile land in Seetharkundu of Kollengode Range, Nemmara Forest Division. KFRI Extension Report No. 36, 40 p.
     • Effect of plantation programmes on insect species diversity - A study in the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India. Entomon, 29(4): 361-372.
     • Report on the visit to the Shola National Park. Part I. Mathikettan Shola. In: Menon, A.R.R., Sasidharan, N., Balagopalan, M., Mathew, G. , Ramachandran, K.K., and Jayson, E.A. KFRI Extension report No. 15, 29 p.
     • Report on the visit to the Shola National Park. Part II. Mannavan Shola. In: Menon, A.R.R., Sasidharan, N. Balagopalan, M., Mathew, G. , Ramachandran, K.K. and Jayson, E.A. KFRI Extension report No. 15, 66 p.
     • Report on the visit to the Shola National Park. Part III. Pambadum Shola. In: Menon, A.R.R., Sasidharan, N., Balagopalan, M., Mathew, G. , Ramachandran, K. K. and Jayson, E.A. KFRI Extension report No. 15, KFRI Extension report No. 15, 38 p.
     • Impact on Forest fire on Insect species Diversity- A study in the Silent Valley National Park, Kerala, India. Entomon 28(2): 105-114.
     • Insect biodiversity in disturbed and undisturbed forests in the Kerala part of Western Ghats. KFRI Research Report No. 135, 113 p. (Project sponsored by WWF- India).
     • Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment for Mannavan, Mathikettan and Pampadum Sholas; encroachments in Palghat Forest Divison for Kerala Forest Department.


6. Landscape ecological studies
   • Landscape ecology involves the study of the patterns of ecological processes as well as the interaction between ecosystems.
     • Rehabilitation of degraded forests of Vellimuttam (Nilambur Forest Division).