Keystone Foundation

Enhancing the ability of species and ecosystems to withstand the impacts of a shifting climate and growing human activity is imperative. This holds utmost importance for all tropical natural regions, as they persist in delivering vital ecological benefits and carrying out essential ecosystem processes.
Our objective is the preservation of biodiversity through collaborative efforts with individuals and locations, employing research, practical initiatives, and active promotion. While our primary focus revolves around Bees, Climate Change, Communities in Conservation, Ecological Restoration, and Wildlife Interactions, our scope extends beyond these realms as well.

The design of programs and interventions takes into account the concept of "wellbeing" extending beyond the conventional confines of the Human Development Index. It encompasses diverse perspectives such as livelihood results and self-governance, and considers their impacts on traditional wisdom and cultural customs, as well as the mental and physical welfare of indigenous groups. Community wellbeing is attained when the economic, social, physical, psychological, political, and cultural requisites of each community member are fulfilled. The program facets mirror these wellbeing aspects, and interventions are tailored with a focus on gender inclusivity, climate change, and enduring sustainability.

Extending the efforts from Protected Areas to semi-urban communities in Tamil Nadu, the foundation’s endeavours under this initiative tackle essential human rights and public health concerns that influence both well-being and sustainable progress. By means of education, community assessments, well-informed strategies, and effective execution, the Water and Sanitation program is making a positive impact on the lives of countless vulnerable individuals. The goal is to cultivate a deeper awareness of hygiene, health, and fairness through educational initiatives, alongside advocating for safer working conditions and access to healthcare services for sanitation workers, addressing the prevailing risks they face. Additionally, the foundation strives to bridge gaps in urban waste management systems through community surveys and the establishment of localized infrastructure to ensure responsible disposal practices.

In the era of the Anthropocene, permanence is elusive – numerous life forms confront extinction even before their discovery or study, while climate crisis-driven occurrences exhibit unpredictable shifts, affecting humanity in diverse ways. The Climate Change initiative strives to enhance awareness, cultivate innovative nature-centered solutions from the ground up, and scrutinize alterations in local ecosystems at their grassroots, with a particular emphasis on the insights of indigenous people and local communities (IPLC) within and beyond the Nilgiris region. The objective is to foster a more profound comprehension of the local implications of the climate crisis, engaging communities in hands-on learning and climate action. The foundation works towards empowering rural women to document and analyse transformations in their neighbouring ecosystems through comprehensive training initiatives.

An esteemed initiative designed to offer a platform for indigenous communities to both preserve and safeguard their historical insights into social and cultural wisdom and belief systems, the "People and Nature Collectives" project is committed to enabling the dissemination of knowledge concerning the Traditional Cultural Expressions of these communities. Through endeavours like participatory research, fellowships, and foundational support, People and Nature Collectives endeavours to honour and amplify the value of Traditional Cultural Expressions within indigenous communities. This dedicated effort has led to the flourishing of a dynamic community-driven media landscape, as well as the establishment of a living archive and repository brimming with indigenous, ecological, and cultural wisdom from the Nilgiris.