The KSCSTE-Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) entered a historic chapter today as the Tropical Forestry Conclave was officially inaugurated at the institute's Main Auditorium. The event serves as the grand finale of KFRI’s year-long Golden Jubilee celebrations (1975–2025), honouring five decades of excellence in forest research and conservation.

The conclave was formally inaugurated by Shri A.K. Saseendran, Hon’ble Minister for Forests and Wildlife Protection. In his inaugural address, the Minister lauded KFRI's significant contributions to tropical forestry, noting that the institute's research has been instrumental in developing sustainable strategies for forest management and biodiversity conservation. He emphasised the global relevance of KFRI’s studies, which continue to empower local communities and guide environmental policy.

The inaugural session was presided over by Dr. Kannan C.S. Warrier, Director of KSCSTE-KFRI, who reflected on the institute’s fifty-year journey from its inception to its current status as a premier research hub. Prof. B. Mohan Kumar, Chairman of the KSCSTE-KFRI Research Council, delivered a special address highlighting the future challenges of tropical ecosystems and the need for innovative scientific interventions.

Earlier in the day, Dr. T.V. Sajeev, Chief Scientist at KFRI, welcomed the gathering of international researchers, students, and policymakers. The ceremony also featured felicitations from distinguished guests, including Dr. Manoj P. Samuel, Dr. V. Balakrishnan, and Dr. N. S. Pradeep. The session concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. V. Anitha, Research Coordinator.

Over the coming days, the conclave will host a variety of technical sessions, including panel discussions on forest biodiversity, the release of a 50-year research compendium, and the inauguration of a new Forest Entomology Museum, all aimed at shaping the next fifty years of forestry science.

Following a high-profile inauguration, the Tropical Forestry Conclave at KSCSTE-KFRI transitioned today into a series of intensive technical sessions, focusing on the intricate balance between biodiversity conservation and economic necessity. The first day of deliberations brought together global experts to discuss how tropical ecosystems can be managed to withstand the pressures of a changing climate.

Technical Session 1: Forest Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

The morning session featured a panel of distinguished lead speakers who explored the "invisible" benefits forests provide. Dr. J. K. Sharma, former Director of KFRI, set the stage by reflecting on the historical shifts in forest research over the last 50 years. He was joined by Dr. Jagdish Krishnaswamy (IIHS, Bengaluru), who provided a data-driven look at ecohydrology and how forest health directly impacts water security for millions. Dr. Jyothis Sathyapalan (NIRDPR, Hyderabad) rounded out the session by addressing the socio-economic valuation of ecosystem services, emphasising that conservation must provide tangible benefits to local communities to be sustainable.

Technical Session 2: Ecological Resilience Meets Economic Reality

The afternoon moved into a dynamic debate titled "Tropical Forests for Climate, Biodiversity, and Livelihoods." This session focused on the "Economic Reality" of conservation. A panel of seven veteran experts, including former PCCF Dr. N. Krishna Kumar and Member Secretary of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board Dr. Balakrishnan V, discussed the practical challenges of implementing forest policy.

Key themes included:

• Climate Mitigation: The role of tropical forests as carbon sinks and the potential for "Blue Carbon" initiatives.
• Human-Wildlife Coexistence: Strategies to reduce conflict while maintaining landscape-level connectivity.
• Livelihood Security: Integrating medicinal plant cultivation and sustainable timber harvesting into forest management plans.

The session highlighted that the future of forestry lies in "landscape-level" management—moving beyond traditional boundaries to view forests, farms, and human settlements as interconnected units. As the Golden Jubilee celebrations continue, these insights will form the basis of a new research roadmap for KFRI for the next decade.