FORREST - Forest Regeneration and Environmental Sustainability Trust

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FORREST - Forest Regeneration and Environmental Sustainability Trust FORREST is committed to work untiringly towards biodiversity conservation, ecosystem connectivity and integrated ecosystem management.

FORREST was born in OCT 2015.It has been registered as a not-for-profit organization under Societies Registration Act 1860. FORREST work focuses on-
• Forest Conservation activities
• Biodiversity conservation
• Social forestry
• Finding solutions for human wildlife conflict
• Water conservation
• Tribal welfare
• Exploring sustainable livelihood options

08/08/2026

🌿 Ecological Restoration at Manchar, Maharashtra

FORREST stared working on ecological restoration here in 2025. Since then, invasive species such as Glyricidia and Lantana have been carefully removed. To revive the landscape, soil and water conservation measures were implemented, followed by the planting of native grasses, shrubs, and trees.

After the very first monsoon, the site is already showing remarkable signs of renewal. 🌱✨

Here’s a glimpse of nature reclaiming its space!

An initiative supported by Morde Foods.

05/07/2026

FORREST is working on mangrove restoration at Tarabunder, Raigad District in Maharashtra.

The project involves removal of dumped soil, fishbone channelling, planting of local mangroves saplings.

Here’s a glimpse of the plantation activity underway at the site—bringing life back to the coast, one sapling at a time.

📢📢📢 FORREST's Tree of the year 2026 Winner Announcement!! 📢📢📢📢🌳 More than 50 people participated in Tree of the Year 202...
27/06/2026

📢📢📢 FORREST's Tree of the year 2026 Winner Announcement!! 📢📢📢📢

🌳 More than 50 people participated in Tree of the Year 2026, representing an incredible diversity from 13 states across India — Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Goa, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal.

💚 Your curiosity, your observations, and the way you are building relationships with trees, is what makes us happiest.

Each entry was evaluated based on uniqueness of tree species, uniqueness of the individual tree, photography, write up and social media engagement. Here are the results -

🏆 Winners: Euphorbia neriifolia (Sijou tree) from Assam by Mrinmay Rabha
This lesser-known tree was chosen as its deep cultural resonance with Bodo culture which perfectly captures the spirit of Tree of the Year,

🏆 Winners: Ficus arnottiana (Indian Rock Fig) from Maharashtra by Suhas Kadu

This resilient tree, thriving even on bare rock and seemingly conjuring life from thin air, impressed with its striking photography and earned the win.

🥈 Runner Up: Capparis decidua (Ker Tree) from Rajasthan by Vachant Patel
Honored as a lifeline in Rajasthan’s arid lands, providing food, medicine, and resilience to local people.

🌿 Honorable Mentions – Top Entries:

Baheda tree by Ashish Bhoyar from Gadchiroli, Maharashtra

Mahua tree by Saurabh Gaikwad, Maharashtra

Palmyra palm by Deepali Gangwar from Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu

Scholar tree by Milind Tigga from Goa

Tamarind tree by Mohan Pargaien IFS from Hyderabad, Telangana

And to all participants who shared huge Banyan trees, National Tree of India and a keystone ecological species.

To everyone who participated—you’ve helped rekindle our shared love for trees and deepen our connection to the green guardians around us. 🌱

And yes — we all agree — the trees win every time.

Stay rooted. Stay inspired. Buckle up for Tree of the Year 2027!

06/06/2026

The tree of Tule in Oaxaca, Mexico, is the tree with the largest trunk diameter in the world. It's circumference reaches almost 60 meters and has a height of 42 meters. It's approximate age is 2,000 years.

Photo: Ernesto Murguia

And here is the final entry for FORREST's Tree of the Year 2026. Savior of more than 150 lives!Entry by Mohan Pargaien ...
06/06/2026

And here is the final entry for FORREST's Tree of the Year 2026. Savior of more than 150 lives!

Entry by Mohan Pargaien IFS
Tree Name : Tamarind
Botanical Name: Tamarindus Indica
Location: Hyderabad Osmania hospital

About this tree -

"The centuries-old "Great Tamarind Tree" at the ⁠Osmania General Hospital in Afzalgunj is a celebrated living monument. During the devastating Musi River floods of September 1908, when floodwaters submerged the area, desperate residents climbed into its sturdy branches and held on until the waters receded, saving over 150 lives"

A strong contender for Tree of the Year!

A sacred Peepal tree from Lucknow.Entry by Nikhil Shukla Here is a note by him on this tree - "I hereby submit the nomin...
04/06/2026

A sacred Peepal tree from Lucknow.

Entry by Nikhil Shukla

Here is a note by him on this tree -

"I hereby submit the nomination of the Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa) as my entry for the “Tree of the Year 2026 Contest.”

The tree fulfills all the criteria of being an old, iconic, culturally significant tree/ heritage tree, along with correct Botanical Identification and several other noteworthy attributes such as ecological importance and community relevance –
1. Old and Iconic – Known to live for centuries, often found near temples, villages and heritage sites.
2. Culturally Significant – Sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
- Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under a Peepal tree (The Bodhi Tree).
3. Botanical Identification –
- Local Name – Peepal
- Botanical Name - Ficus religiosa
4. Description for Contest Entry –
- It is “Living Heritage” tree that connects spirituality, ecology and community.
- Ecological Importance – Provides Oxygen even at night, supports biodiversity and offers shade in Summer
- Its calming presence (Personal View).
Nikhil Shukla
PhD Scholar
Department of General Medicine
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow"

04/06/2026

Kapok tree in Abene, Senegal, Africa.
The Kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra) is a majestic, fast-growing giant that can reach up to 200 feet (60 meters) tall. It is renowned for its immense trunk, extensive buttress roots, spiny bark, and the fluffy, water-resistant fiber (kapok) found inside its seed pods.
Photo by Sven Delombarde - Big Seekers

A Neem tree from Goa. Entry by Pamela De Souza Tree Location - Vasco, GoaBotanical Neem: Azadirachta indica Common name...
31/05/2026

A Neem tree from Goa.

Entry by Pamela De Souza
Tree Location - Vasco, Goa

Botanical Neem: Azadirachta indica
Common name: Neem

Here is a poem about the tree by the participant -

"नीम का वृक्ष हरा भरा,
अवश्यदियों में अव्वल सदियों पुराना।
भारत की मिट्टी पर सोना जैसे,
खड़ा रहें नीम का पेड़ अपने जड़ों के सहारे।

कड़वे पत्ते पर लाभदायक सेहत के लिए,
फूंगस को भी यह दूर रखे।
लगे मुझे यह पेड़ प्यारा,
क्योंकि है यह पेड़ ममता और छाव से भरा।"

A lush green Bakul tree from Odisha!Entry by - Shonoti ArvindHere is why she chose this tree - "Bakul Tree (Mimusops ele...
27/05/2026

A lush green Bakul tree from Odisha!

Entry by - Shonoti Arvind

Here is why she chose this tree -

"Bakul Tree (Mimusops elengi ) is as per the ancient sages is referred as 'Gift from God'
Mostly seen in Temple compound or in big compounds. is a low maintenance care tree. It's evergreen and can as tall as 15 to 45 mts. tall

Bakul Tree trunk is hard, heavy brownish externally and brownish inside.
It spreads dense like a canopy with small tiny leaves, fragrant star shaped creamy white flowers. And is famous for retaining sweet fragrance even after the flowers get dried. Flowers bloom in flushes mostly in the evenings.
Flowers occur in April and fruits which are orange in colour.
It's so beautiful.... Dark shiny leaves and the creamy flowers. Big area coverage of shade for anyone to sit and enjoy, refresh watching the tree and also it's bloom.
It's believed to be as ancient as lord Krishna used to himself sit under its dense shadow and play flute..

It has been widely used by sages and Ayurveda now to treat Dental health and also used for fragrance soaps and oil.

I took this picture
In Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Sitting below this tree I truly experienced the bliss of sitting in dense green leaves canopy, shadow surrounding 360 degree, cool air flowing around. Wishing this type of plant should not be restricted to only Temples n big compounds but highway road sides and in village schools. "

Odisha Tourism

The Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) of Auroville!Entry by Dr. Kamal Gangwar Here is another on the tree - "About the tr...
22/05/2026

The Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) of Auroville!

Entry by Dr. Kamal Gangwar

Here is another on the tree -

"About the tree: Now over 100 years old, its canopy is maintained at about 50 meters in diameter to balance with the Matrimandir. That works out to roughly 1,960 square meters, or about 0.48 acres of area covered by the canopy. It is trimmed to harmonize with the Matrimandir. The first and still most sacred tree, it remains the symbol of a “City at the Service of Truth."

Location: This Banyan Tree is located at the center of Auroville, Viluppuram district of Tamil Nadu, with some parts in the Union Territory of Puducherry, near East Cost of India.

History: The Auroville Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis) is the geographical and spiritual center of Auroville, chosen by The Mother in 1965 when architect Roger Anger found it on a barren plateau she marked on a map. A sacred Ficus benghalensis, it shaded Auroville’s 1968 inauguration where 5,000 people gathered and soil from 114 countries was placed nearby.It is an is an experimental "universal township" founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa ("the Mother") to promote human unity, peace, and sustainable living beyond politics and nationality. Endorsed by UNESCO, this thriving community of over 3,000 residents from 195 nations features the Matrimandir at its center."

Address

Kothrud
Pune
411038

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+919890288011

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