As part of a backpack trail, I visited and stayed at Sadhana Forest (Tamil Nadu) early in June 2017. The plan was to stay for a minimum of 2 weeks, but since I’d already overshot my schedule and budget, all I could afford was staying in for 4 days.
The story behind this initiative goes such that:
Sadhana used to be the great, ancient, coastal forest that once extended from northern Tamil Nadu down to Kanyakumari in the south. The whole span used to be a Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF) found only in Southern India and Sri Lanka. This bio-environment provides a rare biological richness due to its high abundance of varied species with over 1000 species of trees, shrubbery, and liana. The TDEF is now close to total extinction, with only 0.01% of the original forest surviving. In December 2003, Yorit & Aviram Rozin founded Sadhana Forest and started this ecological revival and sustainable living project with an aim to transform 70 acres of severely eroded land back to a vibrant, indigenous Forest.
Sadhana Forest is one of the best resident volunteering learning environments in India, among the many that I’ve participated in. Offering first-hand experiences of eco-living in its most authentic way. Sadhana Forest won third place in the Humanitarian Water and Food Award(WAF) 2010, which goes to show the effects of their modest efforts.
Ever since inception there has always been at least one volunteer with them and have had a safe 1000 volunteers annually ever since. As you read along, I wish for something to spark your visit soon!
The Infrastructure:
Zero Waste Sadhana is very integrated with raw & natural living, all structures are built from local natural materials. The community area is packed with a solar system, 16 dry composting toilets, and a greywater system. Sadhana Forest India is not connected to the electrical grid, instead depending on solar & human-powered energy. On cloudy days they supplement energy needs from a human-powered generator, a set of four “exercise” bicycles, which charge the batteries. They also have a good WiFi connection available 24hrs, although plug points are active only a couple of hours a day depending on the light the panels received.
The kitchen is installed with wood-burning rocket stoves & a transformed electric to a human blender (by converting an unused bicycle into a stationary bicycle blender). For washing, coconut fibers are used as scrubs, wood ash as dish detergent, and vinegar as a natural and biodegradable disinfectant. The dry composting toilets help in creating fertilizers from the collected human waste that is later used in the forest for planting and fertilizing trees. Ammonia is created from urine which serves as a powerful natural and free cleaning agent for the toilets.
There’s a free store/ open library where you can find some really good books, spare clothes, tools, etc. The space can also be used to work on any personal hobby or skill, another area where you can use your creativity is the on-site recycling center. A group of volunteers also dug out a very chill natural mud pool in the forest (you have to find it) where you can get some forest-style pampering or give some pampering to the rescued cattle at the Goshala. On another end of the layout is also a yoga hut, with regular exercise circles. There are workshops offered free of charge by community members, which vary each week. They also have community activities scheduled weekly, like Wednesday Night Non-Talent Show and the Friday Night Eco Film Club. When it comes to volunteering in India, Sadhana Forest has a lot to offer and more to come!
Volunteering & Guidelines:
They also have certain guidelines/ rules to help optimize the community energy & harmony;
Being a part of the program requires you to sign an understanding that it is a drug, alcohol and tobacco-free environment, whether inside or outside the campus during your entire stay. It also entails the community is a ‘competitive, abuse & violent’ free environment. Accepting eco-living by going on to a strict vegan diet and no processed foods or drinks allowed, following the hygiene protocols & using only natural biodegradable personal products/toiletries (provided by the community). When you’re a resident also be courteous and respect the code of conduct around the main community building, the technology-free zones, etc.
A fixed daily schedule;
• 5:30 am Wakeup call
• 6:00 am Morning circle (dividing the first session of volunteer work)
• 6:15 am-8:30 am First Seva (first session of volunteer work)
• 8:30 am-9:30 am Breakfast
• 9:30 am-12:15 pm Second Seva (second session of volunteer work)
• 12:30 pm Lunch
• 6:00 pm Dinner
*After lunch everyone is free for their own personal activities as long as they are responsible for their weekly shift such as cooking, turning the solar panels, etc.
As a volunteer, you engage in Seva for about 25–35 hours a week. During the morning circle, you can opt to join a particular seva or get tasked one based on the requirement. Their seva primarily consists of reforestation and water conservation, as well as general tasks that sustain the project as a whole. There are plenty of things to help with, and I would suggest staying open to all kinds of work to make the most of your learning experience too. Some key areas are;
Reforestation — planting trees, watering and mulching young trees, inspecting trees for fungal, bacterial, or other attacks, etc.
Water Conservation — building and repairing bunds, swales, trenches, and gabions.
General Community Work — kitchen, composting, Goshala (rescued cattle), firewood, solar panels, children’s land, toilets, repair & maintenance.
If you plan on visiting:
Everyone and anyone willing to get involved is welcome, any time of year. They never stop emphasizing the plenty of space and work they have for you. You do not need to have a background in forestry or water conservation in order to enjoy and participate in their seva.
Location: Sadhana Forest is part of Auroville in Tamil Nadu, India
Accommodation: Non-Chargeable: Community dorm for short term single volunteers or private huts for families, elders & long term volunteers (Bed & mosquito net provided)
Food: Chargeable: 100% Vegan & drinkable water
Things to carry (Must)
- Head torch/ reg torch
- Natural mosquito repellent & toiletries
- Refillable water bottle (metal or high-grade plastic)
- Emergency Tools & Medical
Learn more on this project on their official website or click here to get straight to the volunteering application.
Direct Contact:
Email: sadhanaforest@gmail.com
Phone: 00–91–413–2677682/3
“May the Forest be with you!”
