Voices of Our Community
Real change happens when people come together. Read what our volunteers, corporate partners, and residents say about the work we do at our sites like Aravali Nagar Van and Ghata Bundh.
"The metro doors opened and I heard birds." A volunteer shares her surprise and joy at seeing and hearing the greening of Gurgaon, a direct result of our collective efforts.
Meet Richa, who handles our corporate partnerships. She shares what inspires her to do this work and invites more people to join us on the ground to make a difference.
Our team proudly holds the Prithvi Award 2024 for our work in environmental restoration, a recognition of our 15-year journey with our partners and volunteers.
Our team on stage receiving the Prithvi Award 2024 at the Global ESG Conference. This award belongs to every single person who has supported our mission.
A view of a mined-out quartzite pit at Aravali Nagar Van, where children from charity schools came to plant native species like dhok and dhoodhi with high energy.
Our dedicated on-ground team, volunteers, and experts pose together at Aravali Nagar Van, the backbone of our restoration efforts.
A wide shot showing the scale of a plantation drive in a mined-out pit, with dozens of students and volunteers dotting the hillside.
About this collection
You will notice that our community isn't just about showing up for a one-off weekend event. When volunteers join us at sites like the Ghata Bundh or the Aravali Nagar Van, they aren't just planting a sapling; they are committing to the reality of the Aravalis. We emphasize the long-term work, like our 3-year watering regime and maintenance schedules, because true habitat creation requires more than just the initial effort of digging a pit.
Building a Movement, Not Just a Forest
When we started, people told us we were dreaming too big. Today, our sites are proof that the desertification of Gurgaon can be reversed. Our work is powered by the people—school children, corporate teams from companies like NatWest, and senior citizens who just want to see the city breathe again.
Why Our Community Approach Works
- Long-Term Commitment: We don't believe in planting and leaving. We hold our partners accountable to a 3-year maintenance cycle, ensuring that saplings like Dhok and Bistendu survive the harsh rocky terrain.
- Hands-On Education: We don't just ask for labor. We provide 20-30 minute expert briefings on Aravali ecology, so everyone understands why we plant specific native species instead of ornamental ones.
- Transparency: Whether it's sorting waste at our Samadhaan Hub or clearing plastic from the hills, we show the numbers—kilograms of waste diverted and survival rates of our plants—because facts build trust faster than promises.
Common Questions from Our Volunteers
- Can I bring my kids? Absolutely. We encourage schools and families to join. It is the best way for the next generation to understand the concept of sukoon (peace) in nature.
- Is this a photo op? We try to avoid that. We invite you to get your hands dirty, handle the khurpas, and learn the science of soil mixing. It is work, but it is deeply rewarding work.
- What if I don't have experience? You don't need it. We have experts on the ground to guide you through every step of the plantation process.
Iamgurgaon
We are just regular folks from Gurgaon who got tired of seeing the hills treated like a dumping ground. We started with cleaning, then moved to planting, and now we’re building a movement that brings the native forest back to the city, one sapling at a time.
Looking for ways to help?
You can search for specific drives, workshops, or volunteering opportunities we host.
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