The vision of its founders, Yorit and Aviram Rozin, is to transform 70 acres of severely eroded, arid land on the outskirts of Auroville, India. In a spirit of human unity, their aim is to introduce a growing number of people to sustainable living, food security through ecological transformation, wasteland reclamation, and veganism. Our energy and resources are focused on the creation of a vibrant, indigenous Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF).
Sadhana Forest won the third place in the Humanitarian Water and Food Award (WAF) 2010. The ceremony took place in the Marble Hall of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, on November 25th, 2010. Shri Ashok Kumar Attri the Ambassador of India to Denmark honored Sadhana Forest by attending the ceremony.
This award is an international recognition of the quality of the ecological and humanitarian work done by Sadhana Forest in India and Haiti.
India
The main aim of this ecological project is to support the local rural villages: By retaining water and filling the aquifer, Sadhana Forest India allows the villagers to cultivate their food and prevents exodus towards nearby city slums.
Planting the indigenous plants that constitute TDEF, an ecosystem unique to this region, and one that is currently endangered.
Environmental education for all. We include as many children and young people in the process of ecological revival and sustainable living as we can. Our aim is to encourage them to share and propagate our vision of an ecologically responsible and sustainable way of living, and for them to help take urgent actions that are necessary for the future of their environment.
Children and young people from nearby Tamil villages take an enthusiastic and active part in this project. They, of course, have no memory of the great, ancient, coastal forest that once extended from northern Tamil Nadu down to Kanyakumari in the south, a forest that was destroyed many decades before they were born.
Our dream is to create, with their participation, the opportunity for them to experience the original forest of their forebears. For most, it is their first ‘hands-on’ experience in sustainable living, an exciting and transformative experience for them.
Haiti
On April 8th, 2010, Sadhana Forest Haiti, a daughter community on the other side of the globe, was started, sharing the same values and commitment to human unity. So far 80,000 food bearing trees have been distributed and planted in the local community. With the current survival rate this amount of trees has the potential of feeding 70,000 people.
Kenya
In Kenya Sadhana Forest is establishing its 3rd locality in Samburu County. Sadhana Forest Kenya’s aim is to grow food forests with the Samburu people to help promote food security in an area that is often affected by droughts and malnutrition.
Volunteer
People of all ages and abilities are welcome to come to stay and get involved with us. Our experience with guests, from all over the world, has been very positive. They have created here a vibrant community atmosphere. Living and participating together, and sharing our experiences brings us into harmony with nature and ourselves. One of our community members put it very nicely in her letter to us when she left: “May there be many more forests to grow people”.
We are happy to welcome guests here any time of the year and always have plenty of space for them!!! We are fully committed to accept everyone that wishes to stay here and help recreate the forest. You do not need to let us know the date of your arrival unless you wish to do so.
Our Way of Life
We practice an eco-friendly way of life including: veganism, alternative construction, solar energy, biodegradable toiletries, recycling, food composting, riding bicycles, compost toilets, and purchasing local, organic foods whenever possible.
We do not charge for accommodations for guests. We engage in seva (selfless service) for an average of 25-35 hours per week which includes additional community shifts such as cooking meals, cleaning after meals, maintaining solar panels. etc. Participants mainly plant, mulch, and water trees during the planting season, work on water conservation in the forest and around the community, maintain the community area, and spend time with the community children.
Free facilities include a small swimming pool, free 24/7 unlimited access to the Internet with your own laptop – weather and technical issues permitting, five hours each day (excluding Fridays) of AC power to charge electrical items (sun permitting), a small library, the use of several bicycles, and a playground for children. There are also daily workshops offered that are run by our community members and guests and vary each week.
Volunteer
People of all ages and abilities are welcome to come to stay and get involved with us. Our experience with guests, from all over the world, has been very positive. They have created here a vibrant community atmosphere. Living and participating together, and sharing our experiences brings us into harmony with nature and ourselves. One of our community members put it very nicely in her letter to us when she left: “May there be many more forests to grow people”.
We are happy to welcome guests here any time of the year and always have plenty of space for them!!! We are fully committed to accept everyone that wishes to stay here and help recreate the forest. You do not need to let us know the date of your arrival unless you wish to do so.
Our Way of Life
We practice an eco-friendly way of life including: veganism, alternative construction, solar energy, biodegradable toiletries, recycling, food composting, riding bicycles, compost toilets, and purchasing local, organic foods whenever possible.
We do not charge for accommodations for guests. We engage in seva (selfless service) for an average of 25-35 hours per week which includes additional community shifts such as cooking meals, cleaning after meals, maintaining solar panels. etc. Participants mainly plant, mulch, and water trees during the planting season, work on water conservation in the forest and around the community, maintain the community area, and spend time with the community children.
Free facilities include a small swimming pool, free 24/7 unlimited access to the Internet with your own laptop – weather and technical issues permitting, five hours each day (excluding Fridays) of AC power to charge electrical items (sun permitting), a small library, the use of several bicycles, and a playground for children. There are also daily workshops offered that are run by our community members and guests and vary each week.
