Our main project is the reforestation of 70 acres of severely eroded land. We are working to re- create the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest indigenous to our area. 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 (over 1000 species of trees, shrubbery and liana). The Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest is now close to total extinction as only 0.01% survives. This is a last moment effort to keep this very rich and beautiful forest on earth. As part of our reforestation effort we are also working on water conservation and soil management.
Our projects include the work with local children, hosting many groups of people interested in conservation, the UniverCity of Compassion and an animal sanctuary where we care for rescued animals.
We practice an eco-friendly way of life including veganism, alternative construction, solar energy, biodegradable toiletries, and compost toilets
.
Volunteers mainly plant, mulch, and water trees during the season, work on water conservation in the forest and around the community, cook, clean, maintain the community area, and spend time with local and community kids.
Free facilities for volunteers include a small swimming pool, free 24/7 unlimited access to the Internet with your own device, four hours each day of AC power to charge electrical equipment, a small collection of books, the use of several bicycles, and a playground for children. There are also daily workshops offered that are run by our volunteers and vary each week and can be anything from yoga, to Capoeira, to non-violent communication, to arts and crafts, and much much more!
Food and accommodation:
– All meals (vegan) provided
– Accommodation provided
Accommodation for volunteers is in exchange for a 25 hour work week, 5 hours a day, 5 days a week.
This is a nonprofit ecological project that does not generate any income. Therefore, we cannot provide free food for volunteers. We have communal vegan organic meals. We all equally share the cost of the organic food ingredients we purchase. The total cost of food per person (including 3 meals a day) is 600 Indian Rupees per day (just under $8.50 USD).
This is a 100% vegan environment, so we ask volunteers not to bring or eat any non-vegan food in the forest. A vegan is a person who does not consume any animal products as food. Vegans do not eat meat, fish, eggs, dairy (milk) products, honey, or any other animal products. As vegans we aim to reduce animal suffering, move towards a more sustainable and rational use of land resources, and
reduce the high level of “greenhouse gases” produced by vast numbers of farm animals.
In a spirit of human unity, our aims is to introduce a growing number of people to sustainable living, food security through ecological transformation, wasteland reclamation, and veganism.
Send us an email at india@sadhanaforest.org, we will then share all the information regarding volunteering here.
Visitors are welcomed all day everyday, there is no registration process needed. Visitors are welcome to join us for any meals too, all shared as a gift at no charge.
One person or partnership has ultimate authority.
A single person, couple, or small group makes most major decisions.
Primary authority rests with the community’s founder(s) or designated leader(s).
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Regular fees: $180
Labor: Yes (30 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
6 hours/day, 5 days/week, Fee for food (3 meals) – 600 INR per day
1000 refundable deposit & all accommodation
Common House, Garden(s), Library, Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Outdoor Kitchen, Swingsets & play areas, Gym or sports area, Internet
Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.
Shared living spaces with private bedrooms/bathrooms and communal
kitchens, dining, and social areas.
Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.
Communal living with shared resources, property, and often income or work responsibilities
A residential project: people live here as their primary home.
An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).
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