Sadhana Forest was established on December 19, 2003, when Aviram and Yorit Rozin moved with their daughter Osher to Auroville, South India. They started living on 70 acres of severely eroded, arid land on the outskirts of the community and envisioned bringing it back to life. Their aim was simple yet profound: to regenerate the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF), an endangered ecosystem unique to this region, and to live in a way that reflected compassion for all beings, people, animals, and the Earth. This is practiced through sustainable living, substance-free community life, natural learning, veganism, and gift economy.
Since 2003, one family’s choice to live in harmony with their deepest values has blossomed into a global movement. They planted indigenous trees, harvested rainwater, and built a simple home of local natural materials. Within days, a traveler arrived and joined them, marking the beginning of a community rooted in openness and welcoming.
From the start, Sadhana Forest has embraced everyone who wished to serve. Volunteers came to live simply, give their energy to the forest, and share the daily life of the community. Together with the Rozin family, they cooked, built, planted, and cared for the land, and the forest began to flourish.
One family’s sadhana, spiritual practice, soon blossomed into an international community. Over the years, people from around the world felt drawn to this way of life. They came to participate in the planting of trees, the conserving of water, and the daily rhythm of community living. Each person added their care, creativity, and dedication, and the forest grew greener, denser, and more alive.
Today, Sadhana Forest has become a global organization with eight permanent centers across four countries: India, Haiti, Kenya, and Namibia. Each center is a vibrant campus operated by a team of volunteers working together with local communities to plant indigenous, drought resistant, food-bearing trees, build water conservation structures, and co-create a sustainable future.
More than 1,500 residential volunteers stay in Sadhana Forest centers each year, and over 20,000 people visit annually. Every week more than 60 guided tours, workshops, and events are offered. Everyone is welcomed into our family. Volunteers live in huts of natural materials, share nourishing vegan meals, and offer their seva, selfless service, in the forest, the kitchen, Children’s Land, Gaushala, and more.
The impact is tangible: forests are regenerating, aquifers are replenishing, biodiversity is returning, and communities are creating food security for generations to come. Those experiencing Sadhana Forest often share that they leave the community with a deeper sense of connection, purpose, and compassion. As the trees grow, so do the people!
“May there be more forests to grow people!”
Awards & Recognitions
Over the years, Sadhana Forest has been honored for its commitment to ecological restoration, compassionate living, and community-driven action.
2010 · Humanitarian Water & Food Award (Denmark)
Received third place at the University of Copenhagen for linking ecological restoration with food and water security in rural India and Haiti.
2013 · Wisdom Award – Auroville Film Festival
Awarded for the documentary One Day, Everything Will Be Free, which portrays the story and impact of Sadhana Forest Haiti.
2017 · GlobalGiving Climate Action Campaign
Recognized repeatedly as a Top Organization / Climate Champion for measurable community-based reforestation impact.
2024 · Indian Responsible Tourism Awards (Silver)
Recognized in the category Sustainable Leadership – Travel Enterprises for advancing regenerative tourism and long-term volunteer engagement.
2024 · Go Overseas Community Choice Awards
Ranked #1 in Impact and #1 in Support in the Volunteer Abroad category, chosen from thousands of programs worldwide.
2024 · The Shooting Star Blog
Listed as #1 Volunteer Travel Opportunity in India, recognizing Sadhana Forest’s immersive hands-on approach to ecological regeneration.
2024 · Traveller’s Quest
Featured among the 7 Best Affordable Volunteer Programs in India for its accessible, purpose-driven model of volunteering.
2025 · Go Overseas
Named among The 8 Best Volunteer Programs in India (2025) — highlighted as Best for Environmental Restoration.
2025 · Earth Guardian Award, Mumbai
Honored for over two decades of promoting vegan living, animal protection, and ecological compassion.
2025 · Condé Nast Traveler Magazine
Included in Best Things to Do in Auroville for offering transformative ecological volunteering experiences.
