Project Impact

Sadhana Forest’s work in Meghalaya focuses on the restoration of degraded lands and empowering local communities through sustainable practices. Since 2020, Sadhana Forest has implemented its model in 25 villages across the state, with activities centered in the Khasi Hills, Garo Hills, and Jaintia Hills. These projects are designed to reforest the area using indigenous, food-producing species, including oxalogenic trees, which help sequester carbon and improve soil fertility.

Reforestation Centers: In 2023, Sadhana Forest established three new Immersion Centers in the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hill regions with a focus on training in water conservation and reforestation. These centers, funded by the World Bank and the Government of Meghalaya, were created in remote, rural, and tribal regions to ensure long-term food security and climate resilience. So far, around 5,000 people have been trained through these initiatives, gaining skills in sustainable land management and reforestation.

Water Conservation: As with other Sadhana Forest projects, water conservation is critical in Meghalaya. The project has constructed on-contour swales, bunds, and crescent moon trenches to capture and store rainwater. These structures help increase soil moisture, replenish groundwater, and prevent soil erosion, which supports the survival of newly planted trees.

Community Engagement and Training: Sadhana Forest has conducted training programs for community leaders, CCCs (Community Coordinating Committees), CNRMCs (Community Natural Resource Management Committees), and SHGs (Self-Help Groups) to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project. This includes location-specific training for the agro-climatic conditions of each region, ensuring that local communities are equipped with the necessary skills for sustainable land management and reforestation.

Immersion Centers: Three permanent Immersion Centers have been established in the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia Hills. The centers operate 7 days a week. These centers provide ongoing support, education, and resources to local communities, fostering a deep connection to sustainable practices and climate change resilience. The centers also play a key role in training expert staff and facilitating community involvement in reforestation and land management.

Project location

Sadhana Forest Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India

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Project Details

Why is forest restoration urgent?

Forest restoration is more urgent than ever due to the escalating rate of deforestation and biodiversity loss. According to the FAO and WWF Forest Pathways Report 2023, around 10 million hectares of forests disappear annually, with 96% of deforestation occurring in tropical regions​(WWF)​(UNEP - UN Environment Programme). Forests house over 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, and the current destruction leads to the extinction of 150 animal and plant species daily​(UNEP - UN Environment Programme).

Forests also play a vital role in climate regulation, helping to lower air temperatures by 2 to 8°C. Restoring 1 billion hectares of degraded forests by 2030 is crucial to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, a critical threshold set by the Paris Agreement​(Our World in Data). 

Despite global pledges, such as the commitment at COP26 to halt deforestation by 2030, progress remains slow. Immediate action is required to preserve biodiversity, combat climate change, and secure the ecological services that forests provide(WWF)​(UNEP - UN Environment Programme)​(Open Knowledge). 

Recent research by Koppa et al. (Science, August 2024) highlights that deforestation in arid areas is particularly dangerous due to a phenomenon called dryland self-expansion. This process involves arid regions warming and drying the surrounding air, leading to reduced precipitation and increasing atmospheric water demand in downwind areas. This feedback loop accelerates desertification, making forest restoration in these regions even more crucial​.

What is the current state of Meghalaya’s forests? And how does it relate to the region's nutritional security?

The forests of Meghalaya, covering about 76% of the state's total land area, are home to rich biodiversity and play a crucial role in supporting nutritional security for local communities. These forests contain more than 3,500 species of flowering plants, including species like Wild Citrus and Rhododendron, which contribute to local diets and traditional medicine. The state’s forests provide valuable resources such as fruits, medicinal plants, and wild edibles, which are vital for the nutritional well-being of the indigenous and rural populations.

However, 90% of the forest ecosystem is threatened due to human activities. Nearly 49% of the state's forest cover is highly vulnerable to forest fires, particularly in regions like the West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi district. These environmental threats are compounded by challenges like land degradation and deforestation, which can undermine the availability of nutritious food sources provided by the forest ecosystem.​

How is Sadhana forest restoring food security and biodiversity of the region?

Sadhana Forest is actively working to restore food security and biodiversity in Meghalaya through a multifaceted approach focused on training in reforestation, water conservation, and community engagement.

  1. Training in Reforestation with Indigenous, Food-Producing Trees: Sadhana Forest trains local communities to plant indigenous, food-bearing trees, which are crucial for biodiversity restoration and nutritional security. These trees help regenerate degraded lands while providing nutritious foods such as fruits, nuts, and leafy greens. This not only improves biodiversity by reintroducing native species but also ensures that local communities have access to sustainable, locally-grown food sources.
  2. Soil and Water Conservation: By training and implementing techniques like on-contour swales and crescent moon trenches, Sadhana Forest enhances soil health and water retention, supporting these food-bearing trees' growth. Healthier soil and better water availability create a thriving environment for biodiversity and ensure the trees can mature to provide long-term food security for the communities.
  3. Community Training and Engagement: Sadhana Forest conducts training programs in agroforestry and sustainable land management to empower local communities to maintain and expand these efforts. This engagement ensures that the community takes ownership of the land and continues to benefit from both the ecological and nutritional advantages of reforestation.

By focusing on these areas, Sadhana Forest is restoring ecosystem health and also creating a pathway for sustainable food security and long-term climate resilience in the regions where they work.

UN Sustainable Development Goals contributed to

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interconnected global objectives aimed at addressing pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges by 2030. They serve as a blueprint for collective action, guiding governments, businesses, and communities worldwide towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

This project contributes to the following goals
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Verification

For each tree planted with Sadhana Forest, the patron will receive evidence of the planting in the form of a photograph of the planted tree, species detail and the exact date and co-ordinate of planting. Patrons are welcome to visit their trees at any time.

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Price: $2.50 USD per tree

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