Sadhana Forest reafforestation programe
Introduction
Sadhana Forest started its ecological revival and sustainable living work on December 2003. The dream is to ecologically transform 70 acres of severely eroded land in Auroville, into a vibrant Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF). This forest type is found only in Southern India and Sri Lanka and provides a rare biological richness due to its very high species abundance. The Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest is now close to total extinction; only 0.01% survives. This is a last moment effort to keep this very rich and beautiful Forest on earth. The main action areas are planting the TDEF, water conservation, soil erosion control, and sustainable living education.
In the last four years, or so, Sadhana Forest has created a natural living environment with a solar power generation and water pumping unit, composting toilets, plant based gray water treatment system, natural buildings for living quarters for volunteers and residents from all over the world, and community cooking and eating facilities.
Reafforestation
We planted more than 18,200 Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest plants of 150 different indigenous species, and are constantly mulching and caring for them.
Survival rate in average is between 80% - 90%. Survival rate does not fall below 70% even on the most degraded soil.
Over 50 kids from the local villages are regularly caring for the trees they planted during holiday camps, or special nature awarness programes on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
Sustainable Infrastructure
Sustainable infrastructure was installed that can host local and international volunteers.
All structures are built from local natural materials, like wood, dry coconut leaves canevas, ...etc... A solar system, dry composting toilets, and a grey water system have been installed. Water infrastructure has been built that enables to water trees on 30% of the land.
See also
External Links
- "Tropical dry evergreen forests of peninsular India: ecology and conservation significance", Pondicherry University
- Tropical Dry Forests on Wikipedia
- East Deccan Dry Evergreen Forests on Wikipedia