
There can be no doubt that this couple have green fingers - because they spent 26 years bringing a rainforest back to life.

Pamela and Dr Anil Malhotra purchased around 55 acres of private land in the western Ghats of southern India in 1991. The area was suffering from heavy deforestation after being used as farmland and practically devoid of wildlife.

But now the once-barren landscape is barely recognisable thanks to major replanting efforts, with lush greenery carpeting the land and a menagerie of wildlife lurking in the undergrowth.

Dedicated: Pamela and Dr Anil Malhotra have spent 26 years bringing a rainforest back to life

Pamela and Dr Anil Malhotra purchased around 55 acres of private land in the western Ghats of southern India in 1991

Scrubland: The area was suffering from heavy deforestation after being used as farmland and practically devoid of wildlife

The Malhotras now own more than 300 acres of protected land, which they call SAI Sanctuary.

Recalling what inspired them to relocate to the wilds of India, Pamela - who is originally from America - told Great Big Story: 'It had always been our dream to have a private forest sanctuary for wildlife where they would be protected.

'People thought we were quite crazy, but that’s OK.'

The nature fanatics said that it took 'a lot of care, and energy, and time, and years' to bring the land back to life.

Thanks to the help of locals and volunteers, all the shovelling and seeding gradually came to fruition.

Today the sanctuary’s rich variety of flora includes hundreds of different indigenous trees and plants - many of medicinal value.

Describing how the environment has changed, Pamela said: 'I remember walking through the forest you wouldn't hear anything but the sound of your own feet. Now the place is alive with sound'

Jungle retreat: The SAI Sanctuary is open to the public, with eco-cottages available for rent

Sun-dappled safari: There are many threatened species of animal living in the park, including river otters, civet cats, leopards, Indian king cobras, Bengal tigers and Asian elephants

There are also many threatened species of animal living in the park, including river otters, civet cats, leopards, Indian king cobras, Bengal tigers and Asian elephants.

Describing how the environment has changed, Pamela said: 'I remember walking through the forest you wouldn't hear anything but the sound of your own feet. Now the place is alive with sound.

'One of our main sound-makers are the cicadas.'

The Malhotras said most of the land they bought more than two decades ago was abandoned with former rice fields, coffee plantations and cardamom farms left to unravel.

Looking to the future, the husband and wife team hope that the forest will continue to be protected and expanded.

For the next generation: Looking to the future, the husband and wife team hope that the forest will continue to be protected and expanded

Sorry state: The Malhotras said most of the land they bought more than two decades ago was abandoned with former rice fields, coffee plantations and cardamom farms left to unravel

Pamela concluded: 'We both feel a tremendous amount of joy when we walk through the sanctuary. I've never felt this kind of joy in anything else I've done in my life'

Pamela concluded: 'We both feel a tremendous amount of joy when we walk through the sanctuary. I've never felt this kind of joy in anything else I've done in my life.'

The part of India where the sanctuary is located, Kodagu district, has experienced a dramatic decline in forest cover over the past 40 years, with more than 20 per cent lost.

This is mainly due to the conversion of forests into agricultural plantations.

This has been shown to have an impact on rainfall patterns and water supply in the district with knock-on effects throughout the whole of south of India.

For those interested in helping SAI Sanctuary with its mission, the park is open to the public with eco-cottages available for rent.