Harit Ekam is a citizen-led forest restoration initiative launched to enable long-term public participation in ecological conservation in India. The programme is implemented by Aranya.TV, a sustainability platform under the Kanak Krishna Srivastava Social Welfare Trust (KKSSWT), and is designed to bridge the gap between conservation intent and measurable, on-ground forest restoration.
The initiative focuses on restoring degraded forest land through a structured, transparent, and lifelong stewardship model that allows individuals and institutions to participate meaningfully in forest conservation.
Rethinking Forest Conservation Through Participation
Forest conservation efforts in India have traditionally been driven by government programmes, regulatory frameworks, and short-term plantation initiatives. While these approaches are essential, they often lack sustained citizen participation and long-term accountability for ecological outcomes.
Harit Ekam introduces a participatory forest restoration model where citizens and institutions can associate themselves with clearly defined forest restoration units. These units correspond to real areas of degraded land that are secured, restored, and permanently dedicated to nature.
By shifting the focus from symbolic support to ownership of restoration responsibility, Harit Ekam seeks to institutionalise long-term engagement in forest conservation.
How Harit Ekam Works
Harit Ekam is built on a simple but robust framework:
- Degraded or abandoned forest enclosures are legally acquired and placed under Trust ownership
- The land is dedicated to forest restoration for life, with no future diversion
- Restoration follows ecologically appropriate methods, including protection and assisted natural regeneration
- Participants associate with clearly demarcated restoration units, ensuring transparency and traceability
- Long-term stewardship replaces one-time greening or plantation activities
This structure ensures that restored forests remain protected and ecologically viable over time.
Pilot Project in the Bhimgarh Landscape, Karnataka
The first Harit Ekam pilot project is located on a 2.29-acre forest enclosure in the Bhimgarh landscape of Belagavi district, Karnataka. The site comprises degraded and abandoned land identified for long-term forest restoration.
The restoration strategy prioritises:
- Natural regeneration and minimal disturbance
- Biodiversity enhancement aligned with local forest ecology
- Long-term protection rather than short-term plantation targets
Over time, the site is expected to contribute to habitat restoration, carbon sequestration, and improved ecological connectivity within the landscape.
Institutional Participation and Early Support
At the launch of Harit Ekam, Jaybharat Foundation, an initiative of the Ashoka Iron Group, committed early institutional support by associating with restoration units at the pilot site. Such participation demonstrates how corporate and institutional stakeholders can play a constructive role in citizen-driven conservation models.
Harit Ekam has been designed to accommodate participation from individuals, families, corporates, and CSR programmes, enabling flexible yet accountable engagement.
A Scalable Model for Forest Restoration in India
According to the organisers, Harit Ekam is envisioned as a scalable and replicable forest restoration model. Future expansion will focus on:
- Degraded forest enclosures with legal clarity
- Landscapes requiring long-term ecological protection
- Sites suitable for assisted natural regeneration
To encourage wider participation, the initiative includes a QR-based expression-of-interest mechanism, allowing citizens and institutions to register their intent and receive structured information about restoration opportunities.
Bridging Conservation Intent and Long-Term Impact
Harit Ekam reflects a growing shift in environmental action—from awareness-driven conservation to impact-oriented restoration. By embedding forest restoration within a trust-based ownership model and encouraging citizen stewardship, the initiative seeks to ensure that restored forests remain forests, protected not only by regulation but by collective responsibility.
As pressures on land and ecosystems continue to rise, participatory models like Harit Ekam offer a credible pathway for long-term forest conservation in India—one that aligns ecological integrity with public engagement.
