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Sadhana Forest – Water & Forest Regeneration Hub in Tamil Nadu
Trust T1
- Climate Zones
- Tropical monsoon.
- Regenerative Focus
- Reforestation, water harvesting, regenerative agriculture.
About this land node
Sadhana Forest pioneers reforestation and water conservation in arid Tamil Nadu, restoring degraded land through tree planting, water harvesting, community education, and volunteer engagement.
Overview
- Project Vision
- Regenerate land and empower communities through reforestation.
- Project Purpose
- Restore degraded land and water cycles through community-led reforestation and water conservation, building climate resilience and socio-economic opportunities.
- Project Title
- Sadhana Forest
- Political Location
- Tamil Nadu State, India
Ecology & biodiversity
- Flora & Fauna
- Neem, banyan, peacocks, jackals, hornbills.
- Keystone species
- Peacocks (seed dispersers) maintain biodiversity.
- Biodiversity context
- Part of Tamil Nadu’s dry forest restoration corridor.
- Ecological corridors
- Links Kaliveli Lake to Guindy National Park.
- Natural boundaries
- Lies within the Palar River watershed near the Bay of Bengal.
- Ecosystem unity
- Arid tropical landscape integrating dry forests and water catchments, supporting biodiversity and groundwater recharge.
Climate & water
- Climate Zones
- Tropical monsoon.
- Rainfall patterns
- Rainy Oct–Dec (~300 mm/month); long dry season Jan–Sep.
- Average Rainfall
- 800–1,200 mm/year
- Temperature Extremes
- 25°C to 38°C
- Average Temperature
- 30°C average
- Watershed
- Palar River watershed draining to Bay of Bengal.
- Aquifers & groundwater
- Limited aquifers; relies on water harvesting structures.
- Nearby water bodies
- ≈20 km to Palar River; ≈50 km to Bay of Bengal
Land & terrain
- Elevation & slope
- 0–200 m; flat to gently rolling.
- Landforms
- Arid plains and small hills.
- Soil Types
- Sandy soils of low fertility; improved with organic amendments.
- Soil health
- Low organic matter, improving via composting and tree mulching.
- Erosion risk
- High erosion risk mitigated by reforestation and erosion control.
- Natural resources
- Water, biodiversity.
- Renewable resource potential
- Solar energy, rainwater harvesting, biomass.
People & history
- Land Acknowledgements
- Honours Tamil people’s stewardship and culture.
- Traditional ecological knowledge
- Tamil knowledge of water harvesting and dryland agroforestry.
- Human Cultures
- Tamil communities and international volunteers.
- Cultural continuity
- Local Tamil communities, eco-tourists, researchers
- Cultural landscapes
- Restored forests, water conservation systems, and community spaces.
- Recent land history
- Desertification reversed through tree planting and water retention.
Regenerative practice
- Regenerative Focus
- Reforestation, water harvesting, regenerative agriculture.
- Regenerative Methodologies
- Tree planting, swales, community-driven water structures.
- Environmental objectives
- Increase forest cover, restore water tables, combat desertification.
- Community objectives
- Provide training, education, and livelihoods.
- Community engagement
- Workshops, eco‑tours, volunteer programs.
- Economic Model
- Donations, eco‑tourism, volunteer contributions.
Impact
- Expressed Impact
- Restored 60 ha, boosted biodiversity by 15%, trained 200+ locals.
- Key impact metrics
- Ha reforested, biodiversity uplift, community participants.
Visiting & links
- Nearest urban centres
- ≈20 km from Auroville.
- Website
- https://www.ecosystemrestorationcommunities.org/community/sadhana-forest-india/
- Social media
- https://www.instagram.com/ecorestorationcommunities
Connections
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