Rewilding India: How We’re Helping Biodiversity Thrive

India, a country known for its ancient forests, sacred rivers, and diverse wildlife, stands at a crossroads. On one side lies a history deeply connected to nature, and on the other, a future threatened by rapid urbanization, habitat degradation, and the climate crisis. As natural ecosystems shrink and biodiversity declines, the need for urgent, restorative action has never been greater. At Drishti Foundation Trust, we see this challenge as an opportunity—to rewild, to rejuvenate, and to restore. Rewilding India is not only about bringing back forests or wildlife, it is about reimagining our relationship with nature and making space for it to thrive once again.

For over a decade, Drishti Foundation Trust has been working tirelessly across India to protect and rewilding Biodiversity , restore, and rejuvenate our environment. With a Special Consultative Status from the ECOSOC of the United Nations since 2017 and accreditation from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), we have consistently demonstrated leadership in sustainable development and ecological restoration and rewilding india. Our work spans health, education, and disaster management—but at the heart of it all is a deep commitment to environmental conservation and biodiversity protection.

Rewilding is the process of restoring degraded ecosystems to their natural state. It involves more than just planting trees—it is about reintroducing native species, reviving water bodies, cleaning up natural habitats, and creating conditions where wildlife and vegetation can thrive without constant human interference. In India, this means working across a wide range of terrains: from reviving sacred ponds and rivers in villages to replanting indigenous trees in cities and supporting the protection of endangered species in forests. Our rewilding initiatives aim to let nature heal itself, with communities and science guiding the way.

Biodiversity is vital to human existence. It provides clean air, fresh water, fertile soil, and countless other ecosystem services. It supports agriculture, sustains livelihoods, and offers resilience against natural disasters. Yet, India’s biodiversity is under immense stress. Species are disappearing, forests are thinning, and pollution is choking our rivers and oceans. At Drishti Foundation Trust, we understand that if we are to safeguard our future, we must act now to reverse this trend. Rewilding is our commitment to that future—a future where biodiversity flourishes, and communities prosper alongside nature.

One of our key rewilding strategies is river rejuvenation and pond cleaning. We have led several initiatives to restore natural water bodies that were once lifelines of their communities. In Gujarat, for example, we worked extensively on the Sabarmati River cleaning project. Through community participation, scientific planning, and sustained maintenance, we removed pollutants, revived aquatic biodiversity, and brought back the river’s ecological vitality. Similar efforts in restoring ponds and traditional stepwells have proven effective in reviving microhabitats, improving groundwater recharge, and supporting local wildlife such as frogs, birds, and insects that are essential for ecosystem health.

Another core area of our rewilding work is large-scale tree plantation and forest restoration. Over the years, we have planted and nurtured thousands of trees in both rural and urban landscapes, with a strong focus on native and climate-resilient species. In eight Indian states, our plantation drives have not only increased green cover but also helped regenerate degraded ecosystems, reduce urban heat, and provide shade, food, and shelter to various species. We work closely with schools, local governments, and forest departments to ensure long-term maintenance and community engagement. Rewilding through afforestation is a long-term investment—and one that pays back in the form of clean air, rich biodiversity, and better health outcomes.

Wildlife protection is another critical aspect of our biodiversity work. India’s wildlife is a treasure trove of diversity, yet many species are endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. We support local conservation efforts that aim to protect and expand natural habitats, promote sustainable agricultural practices that are wildlife-friendly, and educate communities about peaceful coexistence with wild animals. Whether it’s conserving native birds, protecting pollinators like bees, or ensuring that natural corridors remain open for wildlife movement, our approach is holistic and people-centered.

India’s coastlines are equally important and often overlooked in conservation efforts. With rising plastic pollution and industrial activity threatening marine biodiversity, our ocean and beach cleaning campaigns have become vital to protecting these fragile ecosystems. We collaborate with local fishing communities, environmentalists, and student volunteers to clean up plastic waste and raise awareness about marine life protection. Our coastal initiatives not only reduce pollution but also promote sustainable fishing practices and ensure that future generations can enjoy clean beaches and rich marine life.

Traditional and community-based ecosystems are a unique feature of India’s environmental heritage. Sacred groves, village ponds, and temple forests have been preserved by communities for centuries, often guided by spiritual and cultural beliefs. At Drishti Foundation Trust, we recognize the wisdom in these practices. We work to protect, revive, and document these ecological sites through community participation, cultural mapping, and eco-tourism initiatives. By combining modern science with traditional knowledge, we are helping to keep these invaluable biodiversity reservoirs alive and thriving.

What sets our approach apart is our belief in inclusive, community-led rewilding. True restoration can only happen when local people—especially women, youth, and indigenous communities—are empowered to become custodians of nature. Our projects are co-created with communities, ensuring that restoration is both ecologically effective and socially sustainable. Through capacity building, eco-friendly income opportunities, and community training programs, we ensure that the benefits of biodiversity conservation reach the grassroots. From nature guides and forest caretakers to eco-tourism entrepreneurs, we are helping communities build livelihoods through conservation.

Education and awareness are central to our mission. We believe that rewilding must be supported by a shift in mindset. Through digital classrooms, school workshops, awareness camps, and our community radio platform—Radio Gujarat 88.4 FM—we reach thousands of people every month with messages about conservation, climate change, and sustainable living. Our education initiatives are designed to spark curiosity, build knowledge, and encourage action. When people, especially children, understand the value of biodiversity, they become its strongest defenders.

Disaster resilience and biodiversity go hand in hand. Healthy ecosystems act as natural buffers, reducing the impact of floods, droughts, and other climate-related disasters. In flood-prone areas of Gujarat, we have undertaken wetland restoration and tree plantation projects that not only rebuild ecosystems but also protect vulnerable communities. During post-disaster recovery, our teams work to rebuild both human habitats and natural ecosystems—ensuring a comprehensive approach to resilience and recovery.

Water conservation is a vital link in the rewilding chain. Our work in reviving water bodies like ponds, stepwells, and wetlands has brought biodiversity back to regions once suffering from water scarcity. These traditional water systems are not only efficient in storing water but also serve as vital habitats for aquatic plants, birds, and amphibians. By promoting rainwater harvesting, desilting of tanks, and restoration of natural drainage systems, we are making every drop of water count—for people and for nature.

Drishti Foundation Trust operates with a global vision and local action. Our status with the United Nations allows us to align our efforts with international goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and the Global Biodiversity Framework. Yet, our strength lies in the villages we work in, the rivers we clean, and the communities we support. It is this blend of global alignment and local rootedness that defines our approach to rewilding India.

We invite everyone to become a part of this growing movement. Whether you are a student, a corporate partner, a policymaker, or simply a nature lover—there’s a role for you in rewilding India. You can support our tree plantation programs, volunteer in a clean-up drive, help restore a water body, or simply spread the message. Every action counts, and collective efforts have the power to transform our landscapes and lives.

Rewilding India is more than a campaign. It is a vision of hope, healing, and harmony. At Drishti Foundation Trust, we are proud to be one of the voices driving this vision forward—restoring ecosystems, empowering communities, and bringing biodiversity back to life. Together, we can create an India where forests are full, rivers are clean, oceans are alive, and every species has a place to thrive.

Let us rewild. Let us restore. Let us rebuild a future where people and planet prosper together.

Let Us Rewild India—Together

Rewilding India is more than a campaign. It is a vision of hope, healing, and harmony. At Drishti Foundation Trust, we are proud to be one of the voices driving this vision forward—restoring ecosystems, empowering communities, and bringing biodiversity back to life. Together, we can create an India where forests are full, rivers are clean, oceans are alive, and every species has a place to thrive.

Join the Movement – Be a Guardian of Nature!

We invite individuals, communities, organizations, and changemakers from across the globe to become part of this transformative journey. Here’s how you can contribute:

• Volunteer in our rewilding, plantation, or river clean-up projects.
• Support our conservation efforts by donating or sponsoring a biodiversity project in your name or in memory of a loved one.
• Partner with us if you’re an educational institution, CSR wing, or governmental agency working in climate, water, or ecology.
• Adopt a Pond, Stepwell, or Grove and help us revive India’s traditional ecological wisdom.
• Tune in to Radio Gujarat 88.4 FM and spread environmental awareness within your community.
• Share Our Stories—follow us on social media and help amplify the message of biodiversity and ecosystem restoration.

Every action matters. Every voice counts. Together, we can rewild India.

Let’s sow the seeds of change, one tree, one river, one habitat at a time.

Rewilding is not the end. It is the beginning. Join hands with Drishti Foundation Trust and be a part of India’s ecological renaissance.

Contact us to explore collaboration opportunities, learn more about our initiatives, or contribute towards making a difference that truly matters.

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