Forests & Biodiversity
When Auroville was founded in 1968, the area was a mix of dry canyons and sparse pockets of farmland cultivated by Tamil people who had endured centuries of colonialism and resource extraction. European powers had decimated the local indigenous forests, which caused excessive topsoil erosion during the annual monsoons. Early Aurovilians set about working with the local people to reverse the course of ecological degradation.
Over time and through intensive experimentation, they have developed a profound and unique understanding of how to rebuild an ecosystem. They learned how to prevent erosion and topsoil loss, planted hardy deep-rooting trees to begin, and eventually started seeking out and integrating species native to the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest, a rare forest type native to the coastal belt of Tamil Nadu. Today, millions of trees have been planted and the ecosystem has rebounded to an incredible extent.
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Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests
Auroville initiated a major work of eco-restoration which has turned a highly eroded latritic plateau into a re-emerging ecosystem of the TDEF -
Medicinal Plant Conservation
Conservation of indigenous plant species with a particular focus on medicinal plants and the people who use them. -
Rich Wildlife
As the Auroville forests regenerated, birds, animals, butterflies, snakes continue to increase in numbers
- Acres of Forests
- 2000+
- Trees Growing
- 2 million
- Forested Areas
- 43
- Species of Birds
- 150+
- Species of Animals
- 35+
- Species of Butterflies
- 200+
Biodiversity of Auroville
Saving natural habitats of animal and plant species
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Wildlife in AurovilleAn Encounter with Diverse Fauna -
Auroville Botanical GardensA concerted effort towards conservation and preservation -
Pebble GardenTransforming an Eroded Land– Nature Shows the Way -
Shakti Nursery and HerbariumRe-creating the Indigenous Forest -
Auroville Virtual HerbariumA digital collection of plant specimens
Forested Areas in Auroville
Lush, ecological sanctuaries
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Pitchandikulam ForestProviding models of sustainable ecological practices -
Aranya Forest & SanctuaryHome to many rare and endangered plant species -
Sadhana ForestSuccessful reforestation of 70 acres of degraded landscape -
Revelation ForestWild, peaceful, and quiet -
PalmyraCentre for Ecological Land Use & Rural Development -
Martuvam Healing ForestHealing Through Nature -
Success SanctuaryAn Auroville Wildlife Sanctuary Area -
Bliss ForestOne of The Few Forested Areas on The Highest Point of The Plateau -
Udumbu ForestThe Need to Create Ecological Corridors that Serve Both Humans and Wildlife -
Southern ForestsNew Lands, Mango Field, Ravena, Forecomers, and Success -
HermitageBuilding earth dams for rain water catchment ensure survival and conservation of flora and fauna in the bioregion -
Siddhartha ForestA Thriving Woodland Community -
Samriddhi WindmillAn ecological and sustainable way to access water -
Baraka ForestA Sanctuary for Rescued Horses -
Eastern ForestsGaia, Samriddhi, Annusuya, and Two Banyans -
Espace ForestFollowing the guidelines of the Management Plan for Auroville Forests -
Eternity ForestA lush forest on the sandy beach -
Fertile ForestA Forested Campus of Informal Learning for Children and Adults -
Fertile EastEstablished in 1973 -
Fertile Field ForestFocus on Reforestation and Entomology -
Evergreen & Abri ForestsA young and growing forest ecosystem -
InfinityA forest zone with a bamboo grove and a fruit orchard -
Nine Palms -
MiracleA forest community of slow growing, rare tree species -
Mango Field
Focus on planting hardwoods and pioneer species -
NilatangamMaintaining the young forest
See Also
