‘Weed to Wonder: Crafting with Lantana for a Sustainable Future’ Released on International Forest Day

As part of the International Forest Day celebrations at the Forest College and Research Institute (FCRI), Mettupalayam, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) officially launched the book “Weed to Wonder: Crafting with Lantana for a Sustainable Future,” edited by Dr. Maya Mahajan, Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, School of Engineering.

The book was formally released by Shri Thirunavkarasu, Additional PCCF and Dean of The Central Academy for State Forest Service, in the presence of eminent dignitaries including the Dean of FCRI, the Registrar of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), the Associate Director of TERI, and a Voluntary Carbon Trading Consultant from Singapore. The event was attended by over 700 participants, including students and faculty of FCRI, students from Kumaraguru College and National School, researchers from TNAU and other institutions, as well as local farmers.

The publication documents a decade of work under the Green Skill Development Program (GSDP), showcasing both the success stories and challenges faced by tribal communities engaged in transforming Lantana—an invasive forest weed—into sustainable crafts and furniture. These initiatives were carried out across tribal villages in remote forest regions of three states, funded by Science for Equity Empowerment and Development (SEED), DST, and EIACP-MoEFCC.

Speaking on the occasion, the dignitaries emphasized the importance of innovative, community-led solutions for addressing ecological challenges while simultaneously empowering marginalized communities. Copies of Weed to Wonder are now available at the FCRI library and will also be sent to interested individuals upon request.