Accompanied by just a dog for their safety, these determined women have been able to successfully conserve 50 hectares of forest land.

NGO, forest dept assessing sacred groves across Pune divn, encouraging residents to sustain beneficial traditions.

“Whatever I obtain from my field feeds my family, our community; the birds, the insects and the animals who visit my field. Everyone is full!”

The idea of the original Shanti Sena still lives on through individuals engaging in such actions under other banners.

Navadarshanam which has thrived for over 25 years now is a living proof that an alternate vision of development can be achieved.

They harnessed their intimate traditional knowledge of the forest and plant species to increase the forest cover and brought streams back to life.

It is an uncommon exercise in grassroots cinema based on volunteerism and cooperative spirit.

“अपनी स्मरण शक्ति से ही मैं ५०० औषधियाँ तैयार कर सकती हूँ"

Villagers' already existing skills can enhance their own livelihood in home village (so they can do without having to go to cities).