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The Agasthyamalai Community Conservation Centre (ACCC) is dedicated to the biologically unique and culturally diverse Agasthyamalai landscape in southern Tamil Nadu. Its mission is to understand how ecosystems change due to both natural and human activities and to develop ways for managing and protecting biodiversity.
The ACCC integrates existing knowledge, collaborates with state authorities and conducts research to bolster its conservation efforts. Located in Manimuthar, Tirunelveli district, the centre features eco-friendly research facilities, including a workstation, a well-equipped field lab and accommodations for visiting researchers and guests.
Ecological research and biodiversity cataloguing in the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve has led to the discovery of multiple new species of plants, frogs and moths.
A signature programme of ACCC is its ongoing long-term monitoring of vegetation, tree phenology and pollinators. The programme represents one of the few sources of long-term data available for any wet evergreen forests in the country.
The centre works with multiple stakeholders (district administration, local bodies and the local communities) in the Tamiraparani River Basin. It conducts environmental education programmes for children and youth. A key initiative is the annual water bird count, conducted every January in collaboration with the local residents.
