Our connection with forests has reduced to mere tourism. Large scale plantation of exotic plant species is harmful to our forests. ‘Devrais’ (sacred groves), which are reserved forests for local deities in mythology, are vanishing too. Privately owned forests are falling prey to the greed of trade and profit. We have almost left behind the tradition and will to nurture, conserve forests and maintain our bond with them.

There are a few nature lovers like you wanting to reverse the trend of destruction.  It’s extremely important to build a network of such concerned citizens and organizations to reduce the pace of destruction. ‘Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra’ (Sahyadri) has conceptualized “My Jungle” supported by such a network. SNM proposes to implement this concept across various sites to instill the sense of conservation among the people at large & to develop such self-motivated pockets of forest, both in quality and number. Such forests will be open to all nature lovers. People will be expected to shoulder the responsibility of conservation, monitoring and documentation.  This would attach us back to the forests.  Think these forests as living laboratories to connect people to the nature. Local people will also be engaged in conservation activities through SNM’s principle of ‘Livelihood Through Nature Conservation’.