As a foreigner Aviram Rozin, an Israeli citizen had the idea of India as a lush green hub of old forests bustling with flora and fauna. But when he visited India back in 2000 to get lost in the green old jungles he was completely taken aback seeing the depleting forests. The deforestation had taken its toll and situation was getting worse. He thought of doing something about it.

He came back to India again in 2003 this time with his wife Yorit and daughter Osher and initiated the Sadhana Forest project; settled on the land to build a community dedicated to planting trees.

Image Courtesy: egreenlife

Project Sadhana

They bought around 70 acres of barren land in Auroville, Tamil Nadu and started working to transform it into the way it should be. With hard work in 13 years “Sadhana” has grown into a dynamic eco-friendly settlement with thatched houses, wind pump, solar powered LED lighting, compost toilets and vegan kitchen with energy efficient stoves.

More than 18000 indigenous trees have been planted so far in that once a barren land. Experiencing a simple ecologically conscious life more than 150 young Volunteers from all over the world live in the settlement. They plant trees, maintain young ones and take care of the settlement.

With the success in India, Rozin is replicating Sadhana Forest model in countries like Haiti and Kenya with the help of local communities.

Not only planting trees the projects has a mission to support people in growing food on trees for life support and mentor young volunteers to transform their lives with learning.

Aviram Rozin is truly a global citizen and role model to emulate. We need more projects like “Sadhana” and more people like Rozin to keep earth green and save our eco-system. The Logical Indian applauds Rozin for transforming places and people, many people will be inspired by your work and hope some come forward to follow you.