Saving Earth by Restoring Natural Ecosystems

Our Motivation

We as a generation have seen ponds (a type of wetland) being used for a lot of purposes. Many Bollywood movies also depicted a thriving community interaction around local village pond. However, that scenario is unimaginable now and It's less due to the rapid deterioration of these water bodies.

Over the years, it has been witnessed that these ponds which once formed an indispensable part of daily life in India, are degrading at an alarming rate. National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas shows that although ponds are the largest by percentage within India (59.5%) amongst all types of wetlands, ponds are also the ones with the most encroachment (67.6%) that points towards their dilapidated state and loss.

Empirical observations by our field staff also supported these facts and brought to the fore many causes and impacts for the same. It didn't take us much time to understand that it was not just waterbody that was being lost, rather it was part of a larger saga of extinction of a way of life, which was sustainable and environment friendly. We took it upon ourselves to preserve these natural ecosystems and reinstate the sense of connection of shoreline communities with their ponds.

Our Motivation

Our team hails from different regions of Delhi-NCR and has heard stories of forests that once adorned the region. There was a relationship of mutual dependence between communities and these forests that supported each other. The elements of nature could be felt in their pristine form and the air was pure.

A park ecosystem with limited tree cover dominates urban areas. Rapid urbanization has led to the creation of urban ecosystems which owing to the lack of sufficient tree cover comes with its own set of issues like loss of biodiversity, Increase in ambient temperature, air pollution, soil loss, etc. having implications for the inhabitants.

To mitigate such adverse effects on both mind and health of the urban populace, Say Earth has embarked on a journey of creating tiny forests within the Urban areas that can mimic natural forests to an extent and can help these landscapes breathe! Birds and animals can live freely and the missing connection with nature is restored.

Our Motivation

We work on transforming urban spaces into green, sustainable areas through afforestation, green roofs, and community gardens. These efforts not only enhance the quality of life for urban residents but also contribute to environmental sustainability by providing essential ecosystem services such as air purification, temperature regulation, and habitat for urban wildlife.

Urban ecosystems require specialized approaches that balance human needs with environmental restoration. Our urban interventions create microhabitats that support biodiversity while providing tangible benefits to city residents including improved air quality, reduced heat island effect, and enhanced mental wellbeing through access to nature.

We, at Say Earth, believe that along with conventional measures, an effective solution to address this water crisis lies in the re-introduction of our ancient systems of restoration of water resources, collectively. As a majority of Indian Villages have at least one waterbody, efforts must be made to restore and conserve them as local groundwater augmentation and freshwater storage units.

They are nature's very own solution to drought, floods, and excessive temperatures and provide many other ecological services, pivotal to the functioning and sustenance of life on the planet.

Inspired by nature, we have embarked on a journey to restore waterbodies in the country with the active involvement of society members. So far, we have been able to restore and rejuvenate more than 80 waterbodies comprising of both lakes and ponds across 6 states of India. We ensure that the process remains participatory to the extent possible and make efforts to make it sustainable so that the health of the restored waterbody is maintained, even after we exit the site.

Say Earth has its roots in the rapidly transforming Peri-urban region of Delhi-NCR that has been a witness to a sudden change of landscape from green to grey! High rises and office complexes stand on the lands that were once adorned with trees and lush green fields. We have seen this change and have also faced the consequences. Therefore, we have launched the initiative of afforestation of Urban and Peri- Urban areas.

We choose sites that are functionally defunct and are degraded and transform them into dense forests using the Japanese Technique of Miyawaki. This approach ensures a greater number of species in less area, and growth is ten times faster. Also, the forests are around thirty times denser than the normal forests.

Till date, by the end of 2023 Say Earth has successfully planted 6 Urban forests with support from our stake holders in Corporates, Government institutions, and a dedicated team of volunteers.

Selfie with Ponds

Taking inspiration from the "Selfie with Daughter" campaign initiated by Shri. Sunil Jaglan and promoted by honourable prime minister, Shri. Narendra Modi, an initiative named "Selfie with Ponds" was launched in 2018 by the organization. It aimed at persuading people from all walks of life to upload a selfie with their ponds and share stories of their lives associated with it.

The campaign was a success with the organization receiving more than 1400 selfies from across the nation and abroad. It helped us understand the perceptions and connections that individuals have with these water bodies.

Jal Chaupal

This initiative provides an interactive platform that serves to sensitize stakeholders about the need and significance of the conservation and restoration of water bodies and urges them to act. These sessions are conducted before the initiation of restoration activities to achieve a consensus about the requirements and process of restoration.

It also helps in spreading awareness about larger environmental issues of water conservation and climate change. Besides, these sessions also act as knowledge exchange hubs where community members share about indigenous practices of pond restoration that were once common in the region.