It is extremely important to stop the ongoing desertification in the district, which slowly destroys the foundation of life for the people living there. This can only be achieved by restoring what has been nearly destroyed and by changing the way the people deal with nature, do farming and treat their commons.

The forests regeneration work initiated by the Collective progressed over two phases.

The first phase began in 1990/91, with Ecorestoration work in Timbaktu began as an experiment. Today it is the inspiration and the starting point for all the ecorestoration work that the Collective is doing in the surrounding villages. This work covers 32 acres, that is Timbaktu, and about 700 acres of Reserve forest land (hills) that surround Timbaktu on three sides. >> more

The second phase began in 1992/93, after the experiments in Timbaktu and the hills that surround it, began to show results. The Collective began to promote the concept of ecorestoration through natural regeneration in the nearby villages. These involved convincing the villagers about the concept of natural regeneration and prove that it can work. It all began with protection of 125 acres of Revenue waste land in Mushtikovela village. Today it covers over 8000 (contiguous) acres spread over 8 villages.

Over the years this work has been financially supported by OXFAM - UK, CEBEMO, BILANCE, CORDAID - Netherlands and many many individuals, friends and supporters of the Collective.

>> Read more about Tamarind orchards on common lands, involvement of CBOs (or Community based organisations) and the work done in the Kalpavalli forests.