Vanashakti

Some of their projects are as follows:

• Wetlands: This is one of their major initiatives in the Mumbai metropolitan areas. Vanashakti conducts research on mangroves through photo documentation, regular visits and archive databases. Over the years, Vanashakti has fought many court cases against activities that have a harmful impact on the health of the wetlands in Maharashtra.
• Anti-Mining: Vanashakti has succeeded through its efforts and collaborative approach to raise serious impediments for the mining industry and has managed to get the Government to acknowledge the destruction of a critical wild life habitat. Support from the media helped grab the attention of Central Minister of Environment and Forests. Vanashakti hopes to continue its work to protect forests from the threats of mining corporations.
• Community Conservation : Vanashakti works with tribal communities living in the Mangroves to prevent deforestation and illegal usage of forest resources. Alternative methods of livelihood like apiculture are encouraged to provide financial independence to these communities. Paper bags production from Women Self Help groups in Wada Taluka, initiated by Vanashakti gives an opportunity to women to provide for their families and reduces the incoming waste in Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
• Awareness Programmes : Vanashakti regularly holds activities like beach and mangrove cleanup, rallies, cleanliness drives, workshops, tree plantations, bird watching tours and educational programs and competitions in schools to generate awareness about environment amongst students and the general public. Vanashakti hosts tours of mangrove forests in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to educate public on the importance of mangroves. It has been active in conducting environment education programs for the schools of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.