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  • Sadhana Forest Sadhana Forest

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Mission Statement

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.

Description

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.

Website

https://sadhanaforest.org

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Reviews

Average Review 5 reviews

Would you recommend Sadhana Forest?
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by Mark D. from IN (November 12, 2018)
It's a awesome vegan community, there is not just a sense of doing good by planting trees but a sense of togetherness and of community. The food is Vegan the lifestyle is simple and lovely. The 2 sevas a day along with the community sevas help the functioning of the community. Seva a selfless act in essence is the spirit of the community. We all pitch in to help the community run smoothly. If it is serving lunch or being a runner to bring plates to everyone before meals the community sevas show the togetherness of all. The water conservation techniques used are beautiful and the forest itself is filled with trees and life. Volunteering at Sadhana Forest has enriched me as a human being as I grew with the trees. I wish everyone could experience what I did.
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by Mike R. (October 11, 2018)
Sadhana Forest is one of my favorite places on earth! I highly recommend a stay of at least one month to anyone who is looking for a way for humans to live a happy, fulfilling live while giving benefit to animals, the environment, and future generations. I also recommend the Friday Eco Film Club and tour to anyone who doesn't have time for an extended stay. Short stays of a few days or weeks are also possible. Particpants from all over India and the rest of the world (over 1000 people per year in total) come to plant trees, cook meals, maintain structures, care for animals, and sustain the project in hundreds of ways. They come together to form a vibrant community and bond deeply with each other during their time there. This experience of conscious, low-impact living changed my life. It taught me a lot about what really matters, and about all the ways that we can practice compassion and kindness in even small acts. Come see for yourself, you won't regret it!
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by Alex A. (October 12, 2018)
“Sadhana Forest surprised me in many ways, I did not expect to develop such a deep connection with the land and with myself. The conservation work Sadhana Forest does is long term and sustainable and the local community really understands the benefits and gets on board wholly. I particularly learned a lot about self reliance, I enjoyed learning how to fix a a 4x4 van, and to upgrade a solar electrical system. Also about living simply, there is free time to read, talk or to improve a skill, away from all the stresses of modern, connected life. The food is amazing, vegan, whole foods were not the main factor for me coming to Sadhana Forest but after eating like this for a few weeks I feel I have so much energy, not to mention every meal is delicious, particularly the chocolate mouse. All in all I would really recommend Sadhana Forest, for growing yourself there is no better way to spend a few months. Also you get a great tan!"
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by Aiko B. (September 2, 2018)
Sadhana Forest truly is my dream come true! This organization creates endless possibilities for people with diverse backgrounds to do something meaningful for the world and find joy and purpose in giving back. It is hard to express in words how beautifully compassion is integrated into every detail of the day-to-day life. This place is transformative - to people and the land :) If you want to do some voluntary work to help where it is needed - ecologically and socially - and are looking for an organization that is not profit orientated, which community is living VEGAN and eco-friendly, planting trees, educating on sustainability, encouraging compassion in all forms, enabling volunteers to discover different cultures in a safe environment, reducing waste wherever it's possible, supporting longterm instead of shortterm solutions and practicing an all-in-all conscious, natural and down to earth lifestyle – Sadhana Forest is the organization for you :)
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by Greg G. (February 22, 2010)
Volunteering in Sadhana Forest is one of the best things I have ever done. Not just for the amazing work being done there, but for the lifechanging experience it provides. In just two weeks I learned more about myself than I ever thought possible. I developed a love for working with my hands and not at a computer and met some amazing friends that I still keep in touch with. You go to Sadhana Forest to help the community and find that you can't help but grow internally. Some people there have stayed for months, many return time and time again. I can't recommend this place highly enough! No 1,000 word description can do Sadhana Forest so I invite you to read more at my blog where I wrote essays on the place with photos and videos. http://www.adventuresofagoodman.com/blog/tag/sadhana-forest/ Hope this helps convince you that Sadhana is THE place to volunteer!
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