Sangha of Auspicious Companions

How 20 Women Revived a Dying Forest

In the heart of Kerala, India’s western mountains, twenty remarkable women are rewriting the story of ecological resilience at the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary. Without any formal training, these women have nurtured over 2,000 native plant species, reviving a dying forest and attracting a symphony of wildlife back into their care. “Nature can come back. But only if we stop the processes of destruction,” remarks Suprabha Seshan, an educator at the sanctuary. This isn’t just conservation; it’s a deeply personal journey of transformation and hope. Today, under the leadership of Laly Joseph, who started as a young recruit nearly forty years ago, the team’s quiet dedication has turned the sanctuary into a “Noah’s Ark for plants,” offering a blueprint for patient, loving restoration in a world desperate for quick fixes.

Be The Change

Set up a small garden in your community or home, using native plants to support local biodiversity and create a sanctuary for both flora and fauna.