Wildlife Population has plummeted by 69% since 1970 due to human activities.
For every $1 allocated to biodiversity conservation, $30 are directed towards harmful practices, underscoring an environmental funding crisis.
Over 90% of the $100 billion climate finance is private, but biodiversity relies mostly on donations, showing a big funding gap.
At Soul Forest, we transform barren lands into vibrant, life-sustaining ecosystems that nurture nature, communities, and future generations. We have created a blueprint that changes the way we look at biodiversity. Our mission knows no boundaries, and we aim to inspire, change, and catalyse ecological transformations across diverse landscapes, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable world.
Soul Forest's mission is to transform arid lands into flourishing, pristine forests. Here's how we do it:
80% of the land goes to biodiversity conservation, while the remaining 20% hosts sustainable economic initiatives.
We blend ancient Vedic wisdom of design with modern ecological methods to restore biodiversity effectively.
Initiation and Baseline Studies
Infrastructure and Restoration
Monitoring and Documentation
Model Development and Toolkit Creation
Expansion and Integration
Initiation and Baseline Studies
Conduct baseline studies on soil, water, and biodiversity.
Infrastructure and Restoration
Develop the necessary infrastructure and native plantation for ecological restoration.
Monitoring and Documentation
Monitor results and document the transformation process.
Model Development and Toolkit Creation
Boost biodiversity using science, design wisdom, and a skilled team. Create a toolkit based on the successful mode.
Expansion and Integration
Multiply the successful model across 100 farms with minimal modifications.
Authentic Ecology
A total of 80% of our land is dedicated to scientifically guided biodiversity and ecological restoration
Healthy Economics
The remaining 20% of the land is used for merging nature and business for economic viability in biodiversity restoration. The focus here will be on establishing nature-centred commercial activities like forest homes, wellness centres and schools.
Local Community Development
Our approach includes collaborating with local communities to integrate indigenous wisdom into forest creation and conservation, simultaneously generating job opportunities and sustainable livelihoods from economic activities.
Tapovana: The sanctum of the untouched forest, as the inner most layer
Mahavana: A sanctuary for flora and fauna, with human activity limited to mindful foraging in between
Sreevana: Consists of fruiting tree groves and a hub of human activity, in the outer most
Together, these three forest layers help restore biodiversity balance, provide livelihoods through sustainable economic activities.
Soul Forest is built on the firm foundation of friendship, vision and a proven track record. It was founded by friends Sathya Raghu and Ayush Sharma, who left their corporate careers to revolutionise agriculture and biodiversity conservation in India through the initiatives of Kheyti and CosmosGreen.
Sathya Raghu and Ayush Sharma, long-time friends and former corporate professionals, shared more than just a love for the outdoors. Their deep concern for the environment and India's agricultural heritage sparked a life-changing decision. In 2011, they left their cubicles behind to pursue their passion, leading to the birth of CosmosGreen, a collective dedicated to making agriculture climate-smart and sustainable for smallholder farmers.
The duo, along with Kaushik Kappagantulu and Saumya, founded Kheyti, which introduced the 'Greenhouse in a Box'—a cost-effective, modular greenhouse that revolutionised small-scale farming. This innovation has transformed the lives of over 3000 farmers across India and brought international acclaim, including the prestigious Earthshot Prize in 2022.
In 2023, recognising the urgent need to combat biodiversity loss and climate change, Sathya and Ayush, backed by the team, launched Soul Forest. This bold initiative marked their continued journey as change‐makers in environmental and agricultural sustainability.
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