Healing the Forest

Healing the Forest

A work camp at Panchgani

17, 18 December, 2005

Planting grass and building with bamboo brought two groups of people a chance to spend time with nature, community, meaningful physical work and a touch with a world far removed from the grind of city life. For those who were not able to join us last time this is another opportunity you might not want to miss.

The Action

The work involves returning to a naturally regenerated forest - the scene of a previous work-camp. We had planted grass and moved earth here in order to heal a landslide and stop gully erosion caused by overflow from a pond. In addition to repairing and replanting where necessary we will now have to move earth and rock to complete work on the landslide and build small dams.

Stay And Location

We will be hosted at the Initiatives of Change conference centre which is very beautiful and scenic particularly at this time. Work will be hard as usual but the facilities will be extremely comfortable.

The location has the unlikely combination of both worlds; the built and the natural. It will also be a chance to glimpse into the kind of values and faith of ordinary people whose concern was a part of the miraculous and spontaneous return of the forest which had become a barren and dusty hillside.

As one ascends into this breathtaking panoramic view of bare rocky mountains, the lush green forest on campus here is a beacon of hope. It reminds us that we are not in a desert but in the Western Ghats, a cloud forest zone and also one of the global hot-spots of bio-diversity.

The Contribution

A contribution of Rs. 900 to Phase 5 will cover the programme including travel, food and other arrangements.

The Plan

Mumbai to Panchgani (by Asiad Bus from Mumbai Central)

Departure: 9:30pm on Friday, 16th December, 2005

Arrival : 4:30am on Saturday, 17^th December, 2005

Panchgani to Mumbai (by Asiad Bus)

Departure: 9:30pm on Sunday, 18^th December, 2005

Arrival: 4:30am on Monday, 19^th December, 2005

For queries and registration please call

Leslie- 9322021698, Ayesha- 9820657586 OR Vinod – 9819154365

Write to team@phasefive.org