In this inspiring episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we welcome Aviram Rozin, founder of Sadhana Forest, a globally respected movement dedicated to reforestation, sustainable development, and nature-based solutions. What started in 2003 as a family’s dream to revive degraded land in Tamil Nadu has evolved into an international model for ecological restoration and community-led change.
With over 70 acres of tropical dry evergreen forest restored in India, and active reforestation projects in Haiti, Kenya, Namibia, and Meghalaya, Sadhana Forest shows that large-scale transformation is possible—through people-powered action, smart land management, and a deep respect for nature.
🌍 Highlights from this episode:
* The story behind Sadhana Forest’s origin and growth
* The power of natural regeneration and water conservation
* Using “on-contour swales” to promote soil moisture and eliminate erosion
* How reforestation can combat climate change and restore biodiversity
* Food forestry in Haiti and Kenya: growing nourishment through native trees
* Empowering youth through the Plant for India Fellowship
* The importance of community-driven, vegan, and drug-free values
* Engaging thousands through ecotourism, education, and volunteer programs
Aviram explains how simple but effective nature-based solutions—like restoring water flow, rewilding native forests, and building local capacity—can change landscapes and lives. By embracing sustainable development, the organization has helped create healthier ecosystems, improved nutrition for marginalized communities, and shown how thoughtful land management can bring long-term resilience.
With over 1,500 volunteers annually and a network of dedicated fellows, Sadhana Forest is not just a nature conservatory—it’s a global community of environmental stewards. The episode also touches on their unique initiatives like the Children’s Land Project and their educational outreach to tribal communities in India and Africa.
If you’re passionate about climate change, forest recovery, or ecological education, this conversation is a must-listen.
🔗 Learn more about Sadhana Forest:🌐 www.sadhanaforest.org🌱 www.plantforindia.org
📚 Recommended Reads on Rewilding and Ecological Restoration:
* Rewilding: The Radical New Science of Ecological Recovery – Paul Jepson & Cain Blythe
* Rewilding Africa: The Restoration of Wilderness on a War-Ravaged Continent
* Wilder: How Rewilding is Transforming Conservation and Changing the World
📅 New episodes every Monday. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe!
🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.
#reforestation #reforestationprojects #climatechange #sustainabledevelopment #naturebasedsolutions #landmanagement #natureconservatory #ThinkWildlifePodcast #SadhanaForest #ecosystemrestoration #volunteerfornature #waterconservation #regenerativefarming
Meet the Host
Anish Banerjee: https://x.com/anishwildlife
Think Wildlife Foundation: https://thinkwildlifefoundation.com/
Meet the Guests
Sadhana Forest: https://sadhanaforest.org/
Aviram Rozin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aviramrozin/?originalSubdomain=in
Recommended Wildlife Conservation Books
Wildlife Conservation in India by HS Pabla: https://amzn.to/3Ypx9Zh
Indian Mammals: A Field Guide by Vivek Menon: https://amzn.to/4fhMiCL
At the Feet of Living Things by Aparajita Datta: https://amzn.to/3BZmtsN
Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe