Anamalai Rainforest Restoration Program

Injipara: a restored rainforest

Our first efforts at rainforest protection and restoration began in 2000 with the Hindustan Lever Limited, Valparai, a subsidiary of Unilever. As part of its global sustainable agriculture initiative, the company set aside three rainforest remnants on their property as "biodiversity plots" for preservation of wildlife in the long term. Injipara (area: 19 ha) was one of three rainforest fragments set aside for restoration and biodiversity conservation.

In 2006, the company changed hands to Tea Estates India Ltd of the Woodbriar Group. We renewed the partnership through a formal MoU with the new management and continued the protection and restoration efforts.
Restoration Plot Photographs
  • Injipara Eucalyptus plot 2003
  • Injipara Open Area plot 2003
  • Injipara Dense Shade 2003
  • Injipara Eucalyptus plot 2004

    • Site details



    Area: 19 ha

    Location: By the main road in Injipara estate

    History: Part of the area is an abandoned cardamom plantation (abandoned in the 1980s). The site also has many Eucalyptus trees left after a previous episode of logging to provide fuelwood for tea factories. It had been regenerating over the years, but the regeneration was severely impeded by invasion of weeds such as the notorious Lantana camara and Chromolaena odorata.

    Restoration approach:
    1)Mixed native species planting with careful weed removal
    2)Assisted natural regeneration through protection and weed control

    Planting details: Over 7500 seedlings of nearly 100 rainforest species planted and nurtured since the year 2000.
    Restored area: 30%
    Assisted natural regeneration: 30%
    Recovery due to protection: 25%
    Balance needing restoration: 15%

    Saplings surviving: 63-85% in different plots (average 70%)


    Home -> Injipara