Posted by: Aviram Rozin

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.

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, work in our little vegan-organic vegetable garden, maintain the community area, and spend time with local and community kids.

There are always many projects going on depending on the time of year and we are always open to any ideas any volunteer may have once they have arrived.

Accommodation is in exchange for a 25 hour work week. We offer dormitories, mid-term huts (for volunteers staying 6months to one year), or long term huts (for volunteers staying more than a year). All living spaces are made out of natural/local material.

Free facilities for volunteers include a small swimming pool, free 24/7 unlimited access to the Internet with your own laptop, five hours each day (excluding Fridays) of AC power to charge electrical items (sun permitting), a small collection of books, the use of several bicycles, and a playground for children. There are also daily workshops offered that are run by our volunteers and vary each week and can be anything from yoga, to Caporeia, to non-violent communication, to arts and crafts, and much much more! Part of the international community of Auroville, 6km north of Pondicherry, in Tamil Nadu, South East India. Auroville offers a wealth of courses, classes, workshops and treatments in many areas of interest, including yoga, meditation, tai-chi, shiatsu, watsu (water shiatsu), free dance and many other kinds of alternative healing therapies.

Unfortunately cannot afford to provide free food for all volunteers. We share the cost of our 100% vegan meals equally. The total cost of food per person is 200 Indian Rupees per day (this is about $4 US). In the future, when we grow more of our own food, we hope to pay less.

From April 1st to November 30 we ask each volunteer to commit to two weeks. From December 1st to March 31st we ask for a one month minimum. Long stays are welcomed! We currently have volunteers staying anywhere from six months to three years!

www.sadhanaforest.org