Sadhana Forest

  • Community
  • 0 followers

About the Community

  • Established
  • Rural

What we do

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.

Our projects include the work with local children, hosting many groups of people interested in conservation, the UniverCity of Compassion and an animal sanctuary where we care for rescued animals.

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, cook, clean, maintain the community area, and spend time with local and community kids.

Free facilities for volunteers include a small swimming pool, free 24/7 unlimited access to the Internet with your own device, four hours each day of AC power to charge electrical equipment, 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 Capoeira, to non-violent communication, to arts and crafts, and much much more!

Food and accommodation:
– All meals (vegan) provided
– Accommodation provided
Accommodation for volunteers is in exchange for a 25 hour work week, 5 hours a day, 5 days a week.

This is a nonprofit ecological project that does not generate any income. Therefore, we cannot provide free food for volunteers. We have communal vegan organic meals. We all equally share the cost of the organic food ingredients we purchase. The total cost of food per person (including 3 meals a day) is 600 Indian Rupees per day (just under $8.50 USD).

This is a 100% vegan environment, so we ask volunteers not to bring or eat any non-vegan food in the forest. A vegan is a person who does not consume any animal products as food. Vegans do not eat meat, fish, eggs, dairy (milk) products, honey, or any other animal products. As vegans we aim to reduce animal suffering, move towards a more sustainable and rational use of land resources, and
reduce the high level of “greenhouse gases” produced by vast numbers of farm animals.

Our Vision

In a spirit of human unity, our aims is to introduce a growing number of people to sustainable living, food security through ecological transformation, wasteland reclamation, and veganism.

Our Mission

In a spirit of human unity, our aims is to introduce a growing number of people to sustainable living, food security through ecological transformation, wasteland reclamation, and veganism.

  • Community type
  • Ecovillage
  • Commune
  • Activities
  • Education
  • 94 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
  • Open to volunteers
Total
94

Primary decision-making authority

  • Single Leader or Founding Couple

One person or partnership has ultimate authority.

Governance structure

  • Founder/Leader-led

Primary authority rests with the community’s founder(s) or designated leader(s).

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Monthly fees/dues: $180
Labor required: 30 hours/week
Members with pre-existing debt: Yes
6 hours/day, 5 days/week, Fee for food (3 meals) – 600 INR per day

1000 refundable deposit & all accommodation

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Common House, Garden(s), Library, Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Outdoor Kitchen, Swingsets & play areas, Gym or sports area, Internet

Frequency of communal meals

  • Approximately all meals

Substance use culture

  • Substance use is prohibited in the community

Property status

  • Privately owned

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Self-produced energy

  • Over 66%

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%
  • Land area size
    70 acres

Reviews

Location

  • Tamil Nadu, India

Promoted Needs and Offers

Need
Need
12 months ago

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