Aakar Charitable Trust’s commitment to social transformation extends beyond water conservation. Alongside our water conservation and check dam projects, we have created spaces that nurture the mind, spirit, and environment, from transforming neglected land into a thriving green gardens and farmlands to empowering farmers to plant tens of thousands of trees. These initiatives reflect our belief that sustainable change must grow in every direction: cultural, ecological, and educational.
Aakar Charitable Trust’s environmental efforts also extend deep into India’s rural heartlands through an
extensive tree plantation programme that began in 2008 in Neem Ka Thana Tehsil, Sikar district (Rajasthan).
This initiative emerged directly from field interactions during check dam projects, where farmers expressed
interest in planting and caring for trees.
To support them, Aakar provides plants worth up to ₹100 each. Farmers contribute by digging pits, applying
manure and fertilizer, and maintaining the saplings. If the cost of a plant exceeds ₹100, the farmer pays the difference.
During the monsoon season, plants are sourced from local nurseries based on farmers’ preferences.
Field supervisors regularly visit the sites to monitor growth and encourage proper care. After a year, data on surviving plants
is collected to evaluate impact and guide future efforts.
This initiative not only enhances soil fertility and biodiversity but also provides shade, fruit, fodder, and livelihood opportunities,
contributing to the long-term resilience of rural communities while strengthening our collective bond with nature.
Your contribution can put another tree in the ground and hope in a farmer’s hands. Support our plantation efforts and help us grow a more sustainable tomorrow.
In the heart of Mumbai, Aakar Charitable Trust transformed a long-neglected dumping ground into a lush
green sanctuary called Shantivan, an herbal garden home to numerous medicinal plants and serene spaces for workshops,
spiritual discourses, cultural programmes, and educational activities.
Within just two months, from April 10 to June 10, 2003 a garbage heap that had accumulated for decades was
converted into a vibrant amphitheatre seating 1,500 people, an open-air stage, and a landscape adorned with
four perennial waterfalls.
Shantivan quickly became a centre of learning and inspiration. Thousands of school children visit regularly to take
part in nature trails, where they learn about water conservation, environmental issues, and the healing properties
of herbal plants through interactive sessions conducted by Amla Ruia and Smt. Rima Shet.
In 2015, the Sri Aurobindo Society took over the garden’s operations and, with active support from Aakar Charitable Trust, enhanced it further. Over the years, Shantivan has hosted a wide range of cultural and spiritual events, including:
