At Soul Forest, we're transforming barren lands into thriving ecosystems, benefiting the environment, local communities, and the economy.
Our mission extends beyond local boundaries. The pilot Soul Forest in Veltoor, Telangana, spanning 200 acres, stands as a testament to this vision. It's more than just a land-revival project; it's a scalable blueprint, ready to inspire and facilitate similar ecological transformations in multiple geographies.
Soul Forest is built on the firm foundation of friendship, vision and a proven track record. It was founded by friends Sathya Raghu and Ayush Sharma, who left their corporate careers to revolutionise agriculture and biodiversity conservation in India through the initiatives of Kheyti and CosmosGreen.
Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms on our planet. It's the very spice of life that keeps our air and water pure, soil fertile and climate stable. Biodiversity also plays a key role in sustaining humans' spiritual connection with nature.
Despite being the very foundation of our existence, biodiversity is delicate. Depletion of this ecological wealth leads to the loss of ecosystems, shortage of food sources, weakening of our natural defense against climate change, and spread of diseases. A world that lacks biodiversity is at a greater risk of natural calamities like floods, droughts and earthquakes. Hence, the survival of biodiversity becomes directly proportional to the survival of humanity and the planet.
Since 1970, there’s been a 69% decline in species population. Exploitation of natural resources, habitat destruction, pollution, etc. are the major reasons behind this perilous trend. The biggest hurdles before us in tackling them are:
Economic Misalignment: Current economic models often disregard environmental impacts in favour of industrialisation, agribusiness, and housing needs. It costs us over $423 billion every year and puts $44 trillion worth of economic value at stake.
Climate Change: Human-induced climate change aggravates biodiversity loss, rendering counter steps less effective.
Soul Forest's proposition encompasses a powerful blend of science, community involvement, and a unique design philosophy. With over 50 years of collective experience in scientific research, we're at the forefront of restoring degraded lands, enhancing biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, benefiting both the environment and our partners.
We're deeply committed to research-driven approaches, leveraging extensive ecological studies to ensure the success and sustainability of each forest. Our initiative thrives on community engagement, empowering the local population to be active agents of biodiversity conservation, and not just beneficiaries.
Furthermore, our design principles are inspired by the ancient wisdom of Vriksha Veda, integrated with modern ecological practices. This fusion guarantees that every Soul Forest is a model of sustainable design, which also resonates with historical ecological knowledge. In essence, we embody ‘Progress through science and people driven by purpose’, translating theoretical knowledge into practical, impactful solutions.
Initiation and Baseline Studies
Conduct baseline studies on soil, water, and biodiversity.
Infrastructure and Restoration
Develop the necessary infrastructure and native plantation for ecological restoration.<
Monitoring and Documentation
Monitor results and document the transformation process.
Model Development and Toolkit Creation
Boost biodiversity using science, design wisdom, and a skilled team. Create a toolkit based on the successful mode.
Expansion and Integration
Multiply the successful model across 100 farms with minimal modifications.