Rooted in purpose, defined by three.
Conservation for today, Restoration for the past, Sustainability for tomorrow.
We work in the Western Ghats, one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots, where invasive species, habitat loss and degraded rivers are quietly reshaping the landscape. Effective conservation begins with informed communities.
Campaign
Not All Greens Are Good
ELATHAND's long-term campaign against invasive plants. A landscape can be entirely green and still be losing the native life that once held it together.
See our work
Gather · learn · act
Upcoming events
Talks, workshops, field programmes and community gatherings where ecological action becomes collective.
Loading upcoming events…
What we stand for
Conservation
Protecting nature today
Conservation is the commitment to protecting the natural and cultural heritage that shapes tropical landscapes. It extends beyond wildlife and forests to the relationships between ecosystems, biodiversity, and the people who have lived alongside them for generations.
Restoration
Healing what has been lost
Restoration is the work of rebuilding ecosystems degraded by human activity. It is far more than planting trees. It is the recovery of the biodiversity, ecological functions and natural processes that let an ecosystem sustain life and adapt to change.
Sustainability
Responsibility beyond our lifetime
Sustainability is the responsibility to ensure today's actions do not compromise the ability of future generations to thrive. How we use resources, build infrastructure, produce food and apply technology shapes the ecological world that follows us.
Research divisions
Six divisions carrying the science behind the work — from biological invasions to traditional ecological knowledge.
Conservation Biology
Beyond protected areas: a broader vision for conservation.
Invasion Biology
The silent threat to biodiversity.
Restoration Biology
Rebuilding nature's resilience.
Ethnobiology
Conserving nature through traditional knowledge.
Ecosociology
Where nature and society thrive together.
Tech for Conservation
Innovation for nature.
Projects on the ground
Flagship programmes where research, technology and community participation meet.
Invasive Watch
An early warning system for biological invasions, built on a network of researchers, students and citizen scientists.
Restoration BiologyRiparian Revival
Restoring degraded riverine ecosystems across the Western Ghats through science and community stewardship.
Invasion BiologyNot All Greens Are Good
A long-term public awareness and citizen engagement campaign against invasive plants.
ELATHANDCEPA: Communication, Education & Public Awareness
Making ecological science accessible, engaging and relevant through outreach, creative communication and public dialogue.
Who we are
Ecologists, sociologists, educators and engineers working across research and grassroots action.
Aleem Yoosuf N.
Lead · Conservation Biology, Plant Ecology
Harshid Pulparambil, PhD
Advisor · Conservation Biology, Plant Ecology
Gouthami Vijayan, PhD
Lead · Ethnobiology
Unaisudheen T. P.
Lead · Invasion Biology
Zameel Hassan
Lead · Tech for Conservation
Nadra Fathima
Lead · Academic Activities
Midhilaj T. K.
Lead · Eco Sociology
Sanal C. Viswanath, PhD
Advisor · Restoration Biology, Plant Ecology
Amrutha AD
Team Member · CEPA
Sandra Jose
Team Member · Conservation Biology
Harinarayanan
Team Member · Tech for Conservation
Basil KM
Team Member · CEPA
Conservation needs people, not just papers
Field surveys, restoration days, invasive species reporting, education programmes. Tell us where you are and what you can offer, and we will find a way for you to contribute.