Awards at the district and state levels in various categories

The Haritha Keralam Mission recognizes the best green islets (Pachathuruth) in the state. The state level awards are given to the best five green islets planted in the state under the leadership of the Haritha Keralam Mission. At the district level, the best three green islets in each district will be recognized. The Haritha Keralam Mission Green Islet Awards are given in various categories such as local self-government bodies, schools, colleges and other institutions. The best green islets are found by a team of experts formed under the leadership of the Haritha Keralam Mission, including experts in the fields of ecology/environment and botany, who visit and evaluate the green plantations. Green islets that are five cents in size, are more than two years old and have sufficient growth are considered for recognition. Local biodiversity, tree and plant diversity, saplings in proportion to the area, bio-fencing,  specific name board, participation of the Pachathuruthu organizing committee, and labeling of plants are also criteria for recognition. District-level awards will be distributed in the first week of September. The state-level award will be presented in Thiruvananthapuram on September 16, Ozone Day.

The Pachathuruthu project, launched in the state by the Haritha Keralam Mission in 2019, has created 3987 Pachathuruthu projects in 1252.6 acres to date. The Pachathuruthu project is a small forest created by planting saplings in groups under the leadership of local bodies, utilizing the employment guarantee scheme, in vacant lands, waste disposal sites, and suitable places in public institutions. Haritha Keralam Mission Vice Chairperson Dr. T.N. Seema informed that a study conducted by experts has shown that green plantations play a crucial role in combating the adverse effects of global warming and in carbon storage capacity. A review of the green islets created in the state so far and the process of planting new ones in place of the destroyed saplings are also underway.