Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology

The program promotes scientific temperament and ecological awareness among the general public and young learners. It emphasizes the importance of cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills, especially among the younger generation. The School Science Program, in collaboration with various activities and initiatives, encourages students to explore the natural world, conduct research, and participate in the National Science Congress. The Hume Centre has also collaborated with the Wipro Foundation, expanding its efforts to more schools in Wayanad. Additionally, the "Curious Zone" allows students to experiment freely, guided by experts, and engage in learning by doing. The organization also runs Café Scientific initiative to make science more relevant and accessible to the general public through monthly meetings and discussions on various scientific topics in an informal and friendly atmosphere, ultimately improving the understanding of science among the public.

The Hume Centre is addressing climate change impacts and extreme rainfall events in Wayanad, India, with a community-involved climate monitoring system and a local-scale weather prediction initiative. They also conduct research on zoonotic diseases in the region and utilize the "Zoonosis Wayanad" application to identify disease-prone areas and potential vectors, helping to predict and prepare for disease outbreaks.

A sustainable food system ensures food security while preserving environmental resources for the future. Sustainable Development Goal Two, "End Hunger," stresses the importance of conserving local genetic resources for food security. Climate action encourages local food systems to reduce environmental pressures from globalized food production. With climate change impacting food systems worldwide, research on sustainable models is crucial, especially given rising malnutrition rates. Food systems should balance social, environmental, and economic sustainability, drawing lessons from communities living harmoniously with nature. Food plays a vital role in human health, social justice, and the environment, offering potential for empowerment and resilience. Wayanad's unique landscape in the Western Ghats provides an ideal context for researching native food systems to develop a just and sustainable food system model for Kerala.

The program Ecosystem encompasses several initiatives related to the conservation and monitoring of ecosystems and wildlife. It emphasizes the importance of ecosystem health and highlights the global decline in species populations due to habitat loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change. The United Nations' declaration of the "Decade of Ecosystem Restoration" in 2021 is mentioned as a call for global action. The Hume Centre is dedicated to restoring ecosystems and wildlife, particularly in the Western Ghats, focusing on the Shola-Grasslands, which are under threat. The centre is also involved in vulture conservation efforts, aiming to create a safe environment for vultures by addressing the harmful effects of anti-inflammatory drugs. Additionally, the organization conducts bird monitoring programs, such as Asian Waterbird Count and the Kerala Bird Atlas, which is a citizen science project aimed at mapping bird distribution and abundance in the region over an extended period.