Turning Invasive Plants into Livelihoods in Wayanad

Invasive plants like Lantana and Senna are a serious problem in our forests. They spread fast, block native plants, and reduce space for wildlife. Removing them is necessary—but doing it every year needs money and people.

Most removal work depends on CSR funds or project grants. These funds help, but they do not last forever. Once the funding stops, the work often stops too. The government also does not have enough money to remove invasive species on a large scale every year. Large-scale removal is necessary—but the bigger question: how do we make it sustainable?

At The Shola Trust, we are trying to connect invasive species removal with livelihoods through local Eco-Development Committees (EDCs).

We planned three activities in Wayanad:

1. Making lantana elephants

2. Making senna toys

3. Removing invasive species from wildlife areas

The main idea is. If invasive plants have market value, people can earn from removing them.

Using Senna and Lantana

Senna already has value. It is used as timber, especially for making paper in Tamil Nadu.

Lantana is more difficult. It has no clear market value.

So, we started trying new ideas:

• Making briquettes from shredded lantana and selling them as firewood

• Making biochar from lantana for agriculture

• Making large elephant sculptures 

• Making toys from Senna wood
  

The Problem in Kerala

In states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, invasive plant biomass can be taken out of forests and sold. In Kerala, the rules are different, Invasive plants can be removed. But the biomass cannot be taken out or sold. This makes livelihood-based work difficult.

Possible Solution

After discussions with the Wayanad Wildlife Warden, we explored a possible solution is that.

If EDC members get permission for daily livelihood activities, the Forest Department can legally allow them to use lantana biomass and senna wood.

Meeting the EDC members

On 6 January 2026, we met EDC Presidents and Secretaries. And showed them videos of invasive plant removal, The process of making lantana elephants and process of making senna toys.

We also showed sample senna toys, which many people liked.

Meeting with the EDC members

Visiting Thorapally unit

On 12 January 2026, about 25 EDC members, including two Forest Rangers, visited our unit at Thorapally.

They were excited to see the life-size lantana elephant. We showed them how lantana elephant and senna toys are made. And also, how lantana shredder machine works.

We also took them to a nearby village unit. Many thought this work could happen only in factories. Seeing villagers make elephants in front of their homes changed that idea. The visit helped everyone understand that. The importance of removing invasive species and create local jobs.