The project’s main aim is to assess the ecological status and threats facing S. ionantha subsp. grandifolia, while fostering local stewardship for its long-term protection. Objectives include: (1) conducting ecological field surveys to establish population size, distribution, and habitat quality; (2) mapping disturbance patterns and threats using GIS and remote sensing; and (3) raising community awareness through education campaigns and the formation of conservation groups.

The approach combines ecological science with participatory methods. Baseline data will be collected through field plots and GPS mapping to determine the current population and habitat conditions. In addition, a portion of degraded forest will be restored with carefully selected native species. This restoration site will serve as a baseline demonstration area, providing practical insights into the habitat's regeneration potential and the role of native species in supporting the recovery of S. ionantha subsp. grandifolia. Community members will be trained as local monitors, supported by awareness campaigns and a co-developed community forest management plan. These activities will promote sustainable resource use while ensuring species-specific conservation.

The outcomes will generate the first detailed data on this subspecies, directly informing conservation priorities for district authorities and contributing updates to national and international biodiversity platforms, including the IUCN Red List. At the same time, local communities will gain knowledge, skills, and ownership to sustain forest protection beyond the project period.

By safeguarding a plant at high risk of extinction and strengthening Mahezangulu’s ecological resilience, the project will also contribute to the wider conservation of the Eastern Arc Mountains, one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots.