This project is planned & implemented by us since 2005 that can be called as a landmark project of forest restoration on a private land owned by Atul Kulkarni, Nitin Kulkarni, Dheeresh Joshi & others in catchment of Koyna dam, Maharashtra. Continual support of the owners is the important factor in such ventures & positive results achieved on land are worth replicating.

Western Ghats . . . a mountain range of diversity and fragile ecosystem is under constant threat from all sections of the society. Right from villagers staying in those woods to urbanites, all are constantly destroying natural heritage, through activities like shifting cultivation, roads, farm house development, township projects, etc. Western Ghats – Sahyadri, has gained world wide recognition as biodiversity hotspot. Considering the extent & speed of development, time has come to incorporate eco-management techniques in current practices that will reduce the adverse impacts by some percentage.

Here in Koyna, the climax forest of the region is being restored on heavily degraded land spread over 24 acres. Activities like soil – moisture conservation, habitat development, vegetation development, planting native species are undertaken & have started showing positive results on land.

Local people have keen interest in new ideas and concept of self-sufficiency can be extended to their own farms through planned interactions and activity based program. Same model can be replicated elsewhere after studying the site specificity of that area.
This project proves that low cost techniques of eco-restoration are very effective & have become a highlight of our work !