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Faiths for Land

Hinduism

17 Hinduism land-restoration initiatives across 6 countries in the Faiths for Land directory.

17 initiatives51,163 hectares6 countries
  • ISKCON

    India

    100 Acres hectares

    Their faith-based organization, guided by the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Vedic principles of harmony with nature, is actively engaged in land and ecological restoration efforts acros India. The organization sees environmental service the organization had conducting plantation drives in collaboration with schools,. Native trees were being planted in school grounds, and parks, with local youth and devotees encouraged to take long-term responsibility for their care. At a national level, the organization has initiated a "Nest-Making for Birds" campaign in over 2,000 schools acros India, including tribal, government, and private institutions. This hands-on biodiversity restoration activity promotes empathy for avian life and reconnects children with nature. The campaign is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and supported by the UNEP Faith for Earth Initiative. In the next month, the organization is launching plastic collection drives in various parts of Delhi, focusing on school neighbour. These efforts aim to reduce plastic pollution, encourage recycling, and create awarenes about sustainable living. Together, these projects promote value-based ecological education and active youth participation. Though initial participation may be high, sustained engagement and responsibility for ecological upkeep can decline over time. Despite these hurdles, the organization remain committed to overcoming them through collaboration, education, and spiritual motivation.

  • Go Dharmic

    United Kingdom

    100 hectares hectares

    Expanding to meet their charitable objectives and maintaining good relationships with local organisations and authorities. Key challenges include key challenges include the organization reforest in wetland areas of the sundarbans, protecting coastal communities from flooding by raising the soil flood barrier, and sequester carbon from the atmosphere.

  • ISKCON International Society for Krishna Consciouness

    Brazil

    12,000 acres hectares

    The organization integrate Vedic principles such as Ahimsa (non-violence) and Bhakti (devotional service) into agricultural education practices that enhance life and abundance, like agroforestry practices, crop diversification, and permaculture design. In fact the organization has adopted the term Premaculture to describe this fusion. The program preserves indigenous knowledge and resources like seed saving, Vedic-aligned farming traditions while fostering cooperative community engagement, like CSA (community supported agriculture) and the revival of community events like harvest festivals. Cow protection is emphasized as a mature stage of this development as it requires a stable community and resources to be successful and sustainable. Therefore the first emphasis is on building a solid foundation for regenerative agriculture.

  • Govardhan Ecovillage

    India

    150 acres hectares

    Govardhan Ecovillage (GEV), located in Wada Taluka, Palghar District, Maharashtra, India, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava spiritual community pioneering faith-based ecological regeneration. Their land restoration initiatives span over 150 acres, transforming once-degraded terrain into a thriving agroecological landscape. This transformation is guided by the Vedic worldview that reveres nature as sacred (Bhmi-dev, Mother Earth) and emphasizes service (seva) to all life forms. Blending traditional wisdom with scientific rigor, the organization apply hydrogeological watershed mapping to design aquifer-recharging ponds (110 million litres) and contour bunds to restore biodiversity and groundwater. Their Soil Biotechnology (SBT) systemdeveloped with IIT Bombayrecycles over 70 million litres of wastewater annually, protecting soil and aquatic ecosystems. The organization also cultivate over 180 indigenous seed varieties to revive regional agrobiodiversity and ensure food sovereignty. Through Govardhan Rural Development (GRD), the organization extend these practices to 100+ tribal villages. Community-driven projects like lift irrigation and women-led seed banks promote ecological resilience, gender equity, and rural livelihood restoration. More than 10,000 farmers have been trained in biodiversity-positive farming and ecosystem stewardship. Most recently, their Seeds for Life program was spotlighted at the UN CBD COP 16 in Cali, Colombia. It was featured in the Faiths for Biodiversity report titled Uniting for Nature: Faiths at the Forefront of KMGBF Implementation, recognizing their innovative community-based conservation model. The program works with over 2,200 marginal farm families, preserving heirloom seeds through participatory surveys, capacity building, community seed banks, and market linkages. It has benefitted 1,000+ households and regenerated 447 acres of farmland. GEV is internationally recognized through its participation at the UNEA, UN ECOSOC, UNCCD, and via formal submissions to the CBD SBSTTA. Their model integrates faith, ecology, and equity in a replicable framework. Rooted in sacred service and sustainability, the organization aim to scale faith-based land restoration through collaboration, learning, and global impact. Community behavior change: Shifting mindsets from extractive use to sacred stewardship takes sustained spiritual engagement, especially in economically stressed rural and tribal areas. Climate unpredictability: Erratic rainfall and rising temperatures affect agroecological planning and ecosystem resilience, demanding continuous innovation in nature-based solutions. Funding and technical partnerships: Long-term restoration needs patient capital and strategic alliances.

  • Khejri Foundation

    India

    2-3 acre hectares

    The organization is actively planning to expand their land restoration initiatives in the arid and semi-arid regions of western Rajasthan, Indiaparticularly in the districts of Jodhpur, Bikaner. These areas are highly vulnerable to desertification, declining groundwater levels, and biodiversity los. Their planned restoration work focuses on reviving native ecosystems using culturally and ecologically appropriate techniques rooted in both traditional Bishnoi values and modern conservation science. The organization is also exploring the development of a Sacred Grove Restoration Corridor acros multiple sites that hold religious significance, where tree cover and biodiversity have declined due to changing land use. These spaces will be restored using native species, spiritual-cultural narratives, and community stewardship models, serving as living classrooms for ecological and spiritual education. In addition to field work, the organization plan to launch a training program for rural youth and faith leaders on regenerative land practices, ecosystem monitoring, and participatory planning. Their goal is to create scalable, replicable models of faith-driven land restoration that promote both ecological resilience and social cohesion in Rajasthans vulnerable landscapes. While communities are willing, they often lack training in context-appropriate methods like agroforestry or assisted natural regeneration. Sustaining long-term community engagement is also a concern, especially when livelihood needs are urgent and restoration benefits are long-term. The organization sees an urgent need for integrated approaches that combine ecological science, traditional knowledge, and social equity to make land stewardship more viable and scalable in these regions.

  • National Trust for Nature Conservation-Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project

    Nepal

    2,179 Sq Km hectares

    The Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project covers as area of 2,179 SqKm. The area is largely degraded. Currently, National Trust for Nature Conservation-Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project is working at Gaurishankar Conservation Area Project. The organization conduct multiple activities for land restoration, including reforestation/plantation, soil conservation through bio-engineering methods, high-altitude range land management, watershed management, and community engagement through the Conservation Area Management Committee (CAMC). The key challange is the high outmigration in the mountain area of Nepal. The organization also face huge problem of climate change issues. The Gaurishankar Conservation Area covers an altitude from 1000m to 7,000m from mean sea level.

  • Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University

    United Kingdom

    200Acres + in India, however it varies from countries to countries. In the UK we manage 55 acres land in Oxofrdshire. hectares

    The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, active in 130+ countries, blends spiritual values with land restoration through projects like Kalptaruh, a youth-led, nonprofit movement with the motto One Person, One Plant for One Planet. Kalptaruh has planted 1.67 million GPS-tagged indigenous trees acros India with communities, schools, and local governments, earning recognition from the President of India and the Andhra Pradesh State Government. Arogyavan A Forest That Heals promotes sustainable yogic agriculture, permaculture, and agroforestry on at least one hectare per district, integrating native species with regenerative farming and inner well-being. Free indigenous saplings and volunteer training are offered through Kalptaruh Nurseries. Next, Kalptaruh aims to scale Tropical Forest Landscape Restoration to enhance carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and community engagement. The organization is preparing to join the Great Green Wall projects in Africa and India(started recently). In the UK, the organization has been actively involved in the Lifeline project of St.Ethelburga, whereby the organization has been instrumental in planting several thousands of trees to grow hedgerows and woodlands. All initiatives are rooted in eco-spirituality, combining meditation, emotional resilience, and sustainable living to advance global, values-based land restoration. The organization lack proper understanding of how to organise efforts where the organization lack natural resources like enough water for irrigation. Scaling complexities, particularly in standardizing restoration practices acros their global and culturally diverse network. Balancing infrastructure development with regenerative ecological planning. This is an issue where the organization has seen people who wishes to give us to manage land, they also announce the possibility of building more infrastructure in future so the insurance of their activities becomes very low. The organization is a spiritual charity and one of their key principles has been not to raise funds. The organization manage all their community actions thorugh voluntary donations of individuals who see merit in their aims, however the organization has found that when it comes to land restoration or other environmental projects people still need better awarenes.

  • Domaine de Radhadesh

    Belgium

    47 hectares hectares

    Radhadesh manages 47 hectares of land in Durbuy, Belgium, where the organization is developing a model of spiritual ecology rooted in harmony with nature and self-sufficiency. Much of the land is forest, with the rest including gardens, pastures, and built-up areas. Their ecological initiatives include tree planting, composting, forest restoration, and protecting biodiversity. Through their Premaculture project, the organization promote regenerative farming, working toward local production of vegetables, grains, fruit, milk, and honey. The organization also integrate renewable energy (solar panels, biomas heating) and groundwater collection systems. These efforts are not only technical but deeply spiritual, aiming to inspire a lifestyle aligned with the principles of bhakti yoga. The organization regularly host thousands of visitors each year, offering guided walks and educational content to promote awarenes of land restoration as part of a sacred duty. Their goal is to turn Radhadesh into a living demonstration of faith-based environmental stewardship for other spiritual communities in Europe and beyond. While their leadership is committed, engaging all community members in long-term environmental practices remains a work in progres. Finally, building ecological awarenes within the broader spiritual movementwhere priorities often lie elsewhererequires tact and sustained effort. The organization seek guidance on scaling their efforts in a culturally rooted and collaborative way.

  • Indradamneshwar Mahadev trust

    India

    50 acres hectares

    Their faith organisation is currently initiating a significant land restoration project within Bihar, India. While the organization does not have a specific site name to disclose yet, the plan is to utilise a parcel of their owned land within the state, transforming it into a community learning site. This initiative is still in its planning phase, and a key aspect of their approach is collaboration with an organisation like khetee actively working on land restoration in Bihar. The organization believe their expertise in ecological science, local conditions, and community engagement will be crucial for the project's succes. Water conservation techniques such as rainwater harvesting and traditional irrigation methods. Promotion of agroforestry, moving away from chemical-intensive practices. Soil rejuvenation strategies to combat degradation and improve fertility. Ultimately, this site will serve farmers, and youth, fostering a deeper understanding of ecological restoration and empowering them to adopt similar practices on their own land. The organization aim to contribute to a greener, more resilient Bihar, aligning their faith's values with tangible environmental action. There's also a need to build technical capacity for effective implementation, given the specific ecological conditions of Bihar. Funding and Resources: Securing consistent and adequate funding for long-term restoration projects remains a hurdle. While the organization has internal resources, scaling up requires external partnerships and diverse funding streams. Designing resilient restoration solutions that can withstand and mitigate these impacts adds complexity to planning and implementation.

  • Wilmar Sugar Australia Limited

    Australia

    500 ha hectares

    While the organization do not have an active land restoration program at the moment, the organization is deeply committed to launching one in the near future. The organization is exploring partnerships and funding opportunities to begin pilot projects, particularly in areas where their members live and work, including sugarcane regions in Queensland and rural communities in Nepal. Their goal is to inspire faith-driven ecological action that restores degraded landscapes and honours their spiritual duty to care for the Earth. Building partnerships with local stakeholders, including government bodies and traditional owners, can be complex and time-consuming. In some areas, land tenure and ownership issues further complicate their ability to implement restoration projects. Additionally, raising awarenes within their faith community about the importance of ecological stewardship and motivating sustained volunteer engagement requires ongoing effort.

  • Government of West Bengal, Department of Forests

    India

    50000 hectares hectares

    Faith based approaches to sustainable Forest and Nature conservation is the new horizon, especially with the Tribal communities participation. It hForest lands and Forest Biodiversity.

  • Brahma Kumaris

    Brazil

    The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, operating in over 130 nations, integrates spiritual principles with land rehabilitation through various ongoing initiatives. Their flagship project, the Kalptaruh campaign, is a youth-driven, non-profit environmental movement rooted in the motto "One Person, One Plant for One Planet." Kalptaruh has already brought to fruition 1.67 million GPS-located native tree plantings acros India with robust partnerships, encompassing communities, schools, local governments, and spiritual groups. It earned the Biodiversity Savior Award from the Andhra Pradesh State Government in 2022 and was acknowledged by the President of India. The organization hPermaculture, and Agroforestry practices in degraded areas with low rainfall in Brazil. This opportunity will be a good boost to Brahma Kumaris's visions of doing land restoration activities based on eco-spirituality principles. The organization currently lack technical expertise in large-scale landscape monitoring and the use of specialized ecological restoration tools. Scaling their initiatives presents complexities, especially in standardizing restoration practices acros their globally and culturally diverse network. Even with these obstacles, the organization draw immense strength from their communitys profound inner commitment to non-violence, simplicity, and service.

  • Kerala Forest Research Institute

    India

    Kerala, a southern state in India, is under constant biotic pressure due to uncontrolled grazing, frequent forest fires, and unscientific extraction of non-wood forest products. The restoration area is located in Chemibikunnu, Wadakkancherry range of Thrissur Forest division, Kerala, India, it is part of a patch of forests spread over 500 Ha and surrounded by human habitations. These initiatives focus on restoring degraded forest ecosystems using native species and evaluating ecological recovery. Kerala Forest Research Institute's role includes monitoring the biotic and abiotic parameters including flora, fauna, atmospheric conditions, soil physicochemical and biological parameters, and hydrological parameters in different LULC such as natural forest, eco-restored sites and degraded monoculture plantations. The organization assess the eco-restored sites in strong collaboration with software developers to compare them with natural forests to quantify their progres to getting fully restored. By combining informatics, Kerala Forest Research Institute is striving to create an eco-restoration monitoring tool for data collection from these sites. Furthermore, Kerala Forest Research Institute has worked on the project bioengineering measures for landslide mitigation and riverbank restoration from erosion funded by United Nations Development Programme. Kerala Forest Research Institute's work mainly focused on using vegetation for ecological restoration and soil protection due to its ability to modify soil biophysical, chemical, biological, and mechanical properties. For assessing the progres of eco-restoration , the organization lack previous data.

  • Govindevji Temple Trust

    India

    Yes on the world environment day. The organization has decided to initiate a program to green all the cemetery situated in the region as they are completely based in the drylands. So far the organization has completed 10 hectares of integrated plantation with the help of lots volunteers and villagers. As this is the faith based organisation. The organization does not ask or provide any money or financing. And when the organization initiate these kind of project. Doing plantation is easy but maintenance required lot of resources as the land size is big so the leaders influence people to manage the land and involve in restoration activities. The organization also face the challange of quality sapling availability in remote areas.

  • Jangamwadi Math; Allahabad

    India

    Location: India's Uttar Pradesh, more especially Allahabad (Prayagraj), where the Saraswati, Yamuna, and Ganga rivers converge. Land restoration is not a side activity at Janagamwadi Math; rather, it is an integral part of their spiritual obligation, particularly during the Kumbh Mela, one of the world's greatest human gatherings. Millions of pilgrims visit Prayagraj every twelve years. The cost to the environment? But the organization intervene rather than retreat. Cleaning up riverbanks, replanting flora, and encouraging environmentally friendly pilgrimage activities are all part of their work during and after the Kumbh, which aims to restore the land and balance out the disruptions caused by the festival. In the vicinity of the Sangam (the holy river confluence), the organization has backed projects to establish native trees, educate pilgrims about sacred ecology, and lessen the use of single-use plastics. A faith-based green corridor, grounded in ecological sense but grounded in spiritual symbolism, is presently being planned around Janagamwadi Math. It will connect restored land sections with medicinal plants, pilgrims' shaded walks and clean water sources. In the face of soil erosion, cultural decline, and climate stres, this is more than just attractivenes. Their objective? To demonstrate that religious events like the Kumbh Mela have the power to revitalise land rather than merely occupy it. With the correct backing, the organization might expand these initiatives, adapt them to other pilgrimage locations, and create a faith-based restoration plan that is both ecologically sound and culturally relevant. Janagamwadi Math is where The organization belongs; it is a home to me. The organization learnts under its trees, played in its courtyards, and was born here. It embraces more than just property; it also includes soul, memory, and living legacy. However, there are significant obstacles to managing it sustainably. Urban sprawl is getting closer. Neglect, pollution, and tourism put pressure on sacred places. Conventional water systems are becoming obsolete. Restoration that respects nature and faith is not well funded. Jangamwadi Math; Allahabad's goal is to raise awarenes by sharing the tale of the Math's, its ecological and spiritual wisdom, and the pressing need to preserve it.

  • Jangamwadi Math, Prayagraj

    India

    Location: India's Uttar Pradesh, more especially Allahabad (Prayagraj), where the Saraswati, Yamuna, and Ganga rivers converge. Land restoration is not an incidental activity at Janagamwadi Math; rather, it is an integral part of their spiritual obligation, particularly during the Kumbh Mela, one of the world's greatest human gatherings. Millions of pilgrims visit Prayagraj every twelve years. The cost to the environment? But the organization intervene rather than retreat. Cleaning up riverbanks, replanting flora, and encouraging environmentally friendly pilgrimage activities are all part of their work during and after the Kumbh, which aims to restore the land and balance out the disruptions caused by the festival. In the vicinity of the Sangam (the holy river confluence), the organization has backed projects to establish native trees, educate pilgrims about sacred ecology, and lessen the use of single-use plastics. Their latest project is a faith-based green corridor surrounding Janagamwadi Math that will connect restored land areas with medicinal plants, pilgrims' shaded walks, and clean water sources. It is founded on ecological principles but has spiritual symbolism. In the face of soil erosion, cultural decline, and climate stres, this is more than just attractivenes. Their objective? to demonstrate that religious events like the Kumbh Mela have the power to revitalise land rather than merely occupy it. With the correct backing, the organization might expand these initiatives, adapt them to other pilgrimage locations, and create a faith-based restoration plan that is both ecologically sound and culturally relevant. Janagamwadi Math is a place The organization belongs; it is Jangamwadi Math, Prayagraj's home. The organization learnts under its trees, played in its courtyards, and was born here. It encompasses more than just property; it also includes soul, memory, and living legacy. However, there are significant obstacles to managing it sustainably. Urban sprawl is getting closer. Neglect, pollution, and tourism put a pressure on sacred places. Conventional water systems are becoming obsolete. Restoration that respects nature and faith is not well funded. Jangamwadi Math, Prayagraj's goal is to raise awarenes by sharing the tale of the Maths, its ecological and spiritual wisdom, and the pressing need to preserve it.

  • Engineers Vlogs

    Nepal

    While their faith-based initiative has not yet directly implemented a formal land restoration project, the organization is deeply committed to laying the groundwork through awarenes and education. The organization currently work with schools and colleges acros Nepal to provide STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education that includes environmental awarenes, sustainability, and eco-friendly engineering practices. Through their STEAM outreach, the organization has introduced practical workshops, project-based learning, and school-level competitions focusing on climate action, waste management, and green innovation. For example, in their robotics and science classes, students are taught how technology can support reforestation, smart irrigation, and urban greening efforts. These activities foster early consciousnes among students about their role in environmental protection and land stewardship. The organization is now planning to expand this approach by partnering with local faith-based schools and communities in regions such as Kathmandu Valley, Tokha, and Lalitpur to launch small-scale land restoration projects like school garden creation, community composting, and native tree plantation drives. These initiatives will combine technical learning with spiritual values of care for creation, encouraging both reflection and action. Their long-term goal is to integrate land restoration education into their broader faith-inspired STEAM programs, empowering young people and their communities to lead sustainable change. Participation in the Faith4Land Masterclass will equip us with the necessary guidance, interfaith perspectives, and global examples to translate their vision into meaningful impact. Most schools and community groups the organization works with do not own land suitable for long-term restoration activities. Or community-based projects.