Kerala Launches First State‑Level Red List Assessment of Ecosystems – A Shift to Landscape‑Based Conservation

Overview The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) has begun India’s first state‑wide Red List Assessment of Ecosystems (RLE) . The project aims to move from protecting individual species to safeguarding whole landscapes that provide vital ecosystem services. Key Developments Funding and execution by KSBB, the Kerala Forest Research Institute and the Centre for Ecology, Taxonomy, Conservation and Climate Change at MES Asmabi College. One‑year scientific study covering all 14 districts, from mountain summits to coastal belts. Application of the five IUCN criteria to classify ecosystem risk and produce a State‑level risk register. Creation of an Ecosystem Typology Atlas , ecorestoration priority maps and integration into state planning portals. Empowerment of local Biodiversity Management Committees and panchayats with spatial data for flood, landslide and development planning. Important Facts • The tropical riparian evergreen forests of the southern Western Ghats have lost 83 % of their cover in the last 100 years, pushing them toward a Critically Endangered status under IUCN criteria. • Other irreplaceable habitats— myristica swamps , high‑altitude shola‑grassland mosaics , and coastal mangroves—face similar threats from urbanisation and sea‑level rise. • The project will generate a formal baseline of historical loss, habitat fragmentation and hydrological disruption for major landscapes such as the Periyar river basin, which have never been classified under international guidelines. UPSC Relevance Understanding this initiative helps aspirants answer questions on: India’s biodiversity governance framework, especially the role of state bodies like KSBB under the Biological Diversity Act. Application of nature‑based climate adaptation strategies in disaster‑prone regions. Assessment tools such as the Red List of Ecosystems and their policy implications. Integration of scientific data into planning portals, reflecting the trend of evidence‑based governance. Way Forward • Scale the RLE methodology to other Indian states to create a national ecosystem‑risk database. • Strengthen community participation by linking the risk register with livelihood programmes and climate‑resilient agriculture. • Use the Atlas and priority maps to guide infrastructure siting, ensuring that new projects avoid high‑risk zones. • Regularly update the risk register to monitor the impact of restoration measures and climate change.