Protecting Forests, Restoring Futures
Gadchiroli's old-growth forests face fires, unsustainable farming, fuelwood demand, and the return of wild elephants after centuries.
Farmers for Forests works with the local government and 20,000 rural and tribal households to protect what remains and restore what was lost.
Why Gadchiroli?
Understanding the ecological stakes, the community dependence, and the urgency of intervention.
A Critical Ecosystem Under Threat
One of Maharashtra’s richest biodiversity zones, these forests are home to hundreds of native tree species and vital wildlife.
We estimate that nearly 30% of this forested land is affected by fires annually
Most families here rely on the forest for their daily cooking fuel because cleaner alternatives like LPG are out of reach
In 2021, wild elephants arrived in Gadchiroli for the first time in about 200 years. Farming families here have no tradition of living alongside them, so crop losses can quickly turn dangerous for people and elephants alike.
Our Approach: Forests + People + Wildlife + Innovation
We believe forests thrive when communities thrive. Our work blends ecological restoration, clean energy access, wildlife coexistence and financial incentives, so that protecting the forest, and living safely alongside its wildlife, becomes an opportunity rather than a burden.
Forests
Restoring degraded land and assisted natural regeneration to let native ecosystems heal.
People
Equipping 22,000 households with clean cookstoves, safety, and sustainable income.
Wildlife
Early warning, awareness and safety for villages on elephant routes.
Innovation
Deploying drones, satellites, and results-based payments for verified transparency.
How we do it
Each pillar answers a different threat, and together they make protection last.
Community Trainings & Engagement
To tackle one of Gadchiroli’s biggest threats - forest fires - we anchor our work in community knowledge and participation. We train villagers in sustainable harvesting and fire prevention, equipping them to patrol, create firelines, and respond rapidly when fires occur. This community-led model reduces human-caused fires while building deep ownership among those who depend on the forest most.
Efficient Cookstoves
To ease pressure on forests and improve household health, F4F has distributed efficient cookstoves to 22,000 families in Gadchiroli. Using 60% less firewood and emitting 70% less smoke, they make cooking safer - especially for women - while sharply cutting logging. Each cookstove prevents an estimated 2–3 tonnes of CO₂ annually, delivering benefits from kitchen to climate.
Reforesting and Regenerating Land
F4F restores degraded forests through tree planting, Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR), and targeted restoration work, allowing ecosystems to heal and regrow. Landowners who help expand green cover receive results-based payments to ensure survival. All efforts are monitored via satellites, drones, and AI, ensuring transparency, accountability, and community trust as forests recover.
Living Safely with Wildlife
Our approach is prevention, not retaliation. With the Maharashtra Forest Department, we track elephant movement and share it with villages. Our team runs safety and awareness sessions along known elephant routes, and is building community early-warning networks so families know when the herd is near.