Thiruvananthapuram | Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Tuesday said that the state's biodiversity was a "living heritage and a responsibility" that will be carried for generations to come.

Satheesan, in an X post, said that conserving the forests was not only about protecting wildlife, it was also about safeguarding the water, soil and climate resilience on which future harvests and healthy communities depend.

The CM was replying to an X post by paediatrician and clinical scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan about her recent pleasant trekking experience in the Peechi-Vazhani reserve.

"Spent a lovely morning in the #Peechi Vazhani reserve, trekking in the dense moist deciduous and semi evergreen forest & learning about its biodiversity. The @keralaforestdep does a great job of ecotourism, employing local youth as guides and watchers," she said.

The CM thanked Dr Swaminathan for spending time in the forest reserve and said Keralam was happy to host her.

"Thank you, Dr. @doctorsoumya, for spending time in the forests of Peechi-Vazhani and for recognising the quiet yet invaluable work of our forest staff and local youth guides.

"Keralam's biodiversity is both a living heritage and a responsibility we carry for generations to come," he said.

He further said that her father, Dr M S Swaminathan, taught the nation that food security and ecological security are inseparable.

"His vision of an evergreen revolution finds a natural home in the moist deciduous and semi-evergreen landscapes you walked through today.

"Conserving these forests is not only about protecting wildlife; it is also about safeguarding the water, soil and climate resilience on which future harvests and healthy communities depend," Satheesan said.

"We are delighted that Keralam could host you and offer a glimpse of this remarkable natural heritage," he added.