Portraits 
Sadhana Forest
Sadhana Forest
| 03 January 2011
Sadhana forest : an international community to promote reforestation and sustainable living
This is the last day of planting in Sadhana forest, one month before the end of the monsoon. As every year since 2003 (creation of the community), Sadhana's volunteers are working for the reforestation and the reclamation of 70 acres of severely eroded, arid land on the outskirts of Auroville and for the protection of a very specific ecosystem (a forest being characterized by both a tropical and dry climate, which for this reason is named « Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest »). This year, this is about 1200 trees of various species that have been planted in a few weeks.
Sadhana Forest is a project entirely led by volunteers. It wants to create a model of wasteland reclamation and sustainable living which can be easily replicated by the surrounding community near its home village and other developing countries.
Everything has been designed with meticulous care to save and use ressources in the most efficient way, as for instance the use of solar energy and an ingenious system of water conservation. Therefore, due to a dramatic rise in the water table and soil fertility, farmers have been able to resume farming on their own land. Dozens of families that have not been able to farm their land for the past 15-20 years are now producing food and cash crops and are able to support their families.
Rewarded last november by the Humanitarian water and food Award in Copenhagen, Sadhana forest is enjoying a greater acknowledgement among environmental aficionados and increasing supports in Europe, especially in France. Representing the Award Selection Committee, Professor Alfred Opubor, commented that « ”Great ideas” attract people. And today, looking at Sadhana Forest we see that volunteerism is not dead, but very much alive”.Volunteers are thus rushing from all parts of the earth to contribute to the development of the project. 1500 people living in the villages adjacent to Sadhana Forest and 700 Indian and international residential volunteers a year stay for an average of 6 weeks. This has meant that annually they have around 3000 visitors from over 50 countries coming to visit and learn about wasteland reclamation, water conservation, organic food growth, alternative energy systems and many other sustainable practices.
Volunteers commitment spread from a 14 days period (recently extended to 1 month so as to reduce an excessive turn-over) to several years for the most « long-term volunteers ». The living conditions are very basic (accomodation in huts) and the lifestyle clearly community-based, sharing all meals and promoting group gatherings (music, dance, language...workshops regularly organized by volunteers, Eco Film Club on Fridays, etc...).
Therefore, if Sadhana forest is basically focusing on reforestation and wasteland reclamation, other types of projects regarding outreach, education and sustainable infrastructure are also being developed, interplaying with local villages, schools and children. And beyond, Sadhana forest is also being involved in more projects in North India (Himachal Pradesh) and in Haïti, one of the most desert regions among the West Indies.
For more information about Sadhana forest, check the website :
www.sadhanaforest.org
This is the last day of planting in Sadhana forest, one month before the end of the monsoon. As every year since 2003 (creation of the community), Sadhana's volunteers are working for the reforestation and the reclamation of 70 acres of severely eroded, arid land on the outskirts of Auroville and for the protection of a very specific ecosystem (a forest being characterized by both a tropical and dry climate, which for this reason is named « Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest »). This year, this is about 1200 trees of various species that have been planted in a few weeks. Sadhana Forest is a project entirely led by volunteers. It wants to create a model of wasteland reclamation and sustainable living which can be easily replicated by the surrounding community near its home village and other developing countries.
Everything has been designed with meticulous care to save and use ressources in the most efficient way, as for instance the use of solar energy and an ingenious system of water conservation. Therefore, due to a dramatic rise in the water table and soil fertility, farmers have been able to resume farming on their own land. Dozens of families that have not been able to farm their land for the past 15-20 years are now producing food and cash crops and are able to support their families.
Rewarded last november by the Humanitarian water and food Award in Copenhagen, Sadhana forest is enjoying a greater acknowledgement among environmental aficionados and increasing supports in Europe, especially in France. Representing the Award Selection Committee, Professor Alfred Opubor, commented that « ”Great ideas” attract people. And today, looking at Sadhana Forest we see that volunteerism is not dead, but very much alive”.Volunteers are thus rushing from all parts of the earth to contribute to the development of the project. 1500 people living in the villages adjacent to Sadhana Forest and 700 Indian and international residential volunteers a year stay for an average of 6 weeks. This has meant that annually they have around 3000 visitors from over 50 countries coming to visit and learn about wasteland reclamation, water conservation, organic food growth, alternative energy systems and many other sustainable practices.
Volunteers commitment spread from a 14 days period (recently extended to 1 month so as to reduce an excessive turn-over) to several years for the most « long-term volunteers ». The living conditions are very basic (accomodation in huts) and the lifestyle clearly community-based, sharing all meals and promoting group gatherings (music, dance, language...workshops regularly organized by volunteers, Eco Film Club on Fridays, etc...).Therefore, if Sadhana forest is basically focusing on reforestation and wasteland reclamation, other types of projects regarding outreach, education and sustainable infrastructure are also being developed, interplaying with local villages, schools and children. And beyond, Sadhana forest is also being involved in more projects in North India (Himachal Pradesh) and in Haïti, one of the most desert regions among the West Indies.
For more information about Sadhana forest, check the website :
www.sadhanaforest.org