One of the main thrusts of our activities is to empower forest dwelling communities to earn their livelihoods through eco-based activities. Our efforts are based on proven success stories in India and abroad, for example

• the innovative initiative in Mangaljodi in Orissa where a group of ex-poachers have been converted into conservationists through a community-based eco-tourism initiative at Chilka lake.
• The successes in Periyar and Parambikulam sanctuaries in Kerala where tribal communities have been actively involved in eco-tourism and anti-poaching efforts.

Eco-based employments create a mutual inter-dependence between the forests and the people who live proximate to them. We believe strongly that this creates a win-win situation and a model of conservation that is inclusive and self-sustaining.

These projects are aimed at empowering village communities start and run simple eco-tourism activities like tented camps, nature trails, bird-watching trails, day trips to villages, etc. The infrastructure is kept very basic and rudimentary so as to cater only to hard core nature lovers. Visitors eat the food that the locals make and have to respect for local culture. In turn, they get to experience village life close to wildlife areas.

• Contact us for details of eco-camps and nature trails supported by us. Support these initiatives by visiting these communities

Forestation of denuded buffer forest areas has a high potential for employment generation while at the same time creating additional forest cover (afforesting 50 acres could generate employment of over 60 man-months). We work with Village Forest Committees in afforesting such lands which mostly lie in core migratory corridors.

• Sponsor an afforestation drive.
• Sponsor a sapling planting activity.

Seedball making provides an excellent employment opportunity, particularly for women. This also feeds seamlessly into our afforestation projects. Unlike the farm labour that women are normally involved in, this activity can be undertaken without having to leave the home and the children alone. Also, this is far less demanding physically on the home maker.

• Sponsor a seedball activity.

Forest dwelling communities are generally unable to cultivate their lands due lack of water and crop raiding by animals. Farm stays give them an opportunity to earn a livelihood and thus avoid parting with their land. Our model is that visitors stay at the village homes the same way as the hosts live and eat. There is no additional infrastructure created and the local culture is minimally impacted. Visitors get to get an unique experience of village life close to wildlife areas.

• Contact us for details of farm stays supported by us. Support these initiatives by visiting these farm stays.

Lantana is an aggressive weed that thwarts other vegetation from growing and hence a major threat to Indian forests. We have been working with ATREE, a Bangalore based NGO, in providing training to tribal communities in making lantana furniture. The furniture is more durable than cane furniture and costs far less. ATREE has been pioneering the concept of lantana furniture making among several tribal communities over the last many years.

• Contact us for details on where you can buy lantana furniture.