Launch of the Great People's Forest of the Eastern Himalayas Initiative

The Great People's Forest of the Eastern Himalayas is one of the largest projects to reforest and conserve the natural heritage of South Asia. Together with the Balipara Foundation from Assam, India, we aim to plant a billion trees and protect a million hectares of land in this region. This expansive project stretches from high mountains to deep mangrove forests, benefiting nearly a billion people who rely on this interconnected natural world.

Our goal is to raise US$5 million to initiate this project.

Our strength is in our partners, and together with local conservationists, we are coming together to protect a region many call home. Initial implementing partners of the project are The Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & the Environment, The Energy and Resources Institute, Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, Bhutan Ecological Society, Green Hub, Friendship NGO and Rajasthan Royals. All partners are putting forward oven-ready plans to scale conservation work, prioritizing the lives and livelihoods of local people with a pro-nature and pro-economy approach.

This area holds immense significance, boasting soaring mountains, deep valleys, vast plains and a massive delta where two major rivers, the Ganges and Brahmaputra, converge. These rivers originate from the world's highest peaks. In Bangladesh, they form the world's largest delta, which is safeguarded by the world's most extensive mangrove forest, the Sundarbans.

This region is home to over one-twelfth of all the diverse life forms on our planet, including three distinct regions teaming with unique species. However, it is not just about biodiversity; it is also essential for people. One billion individuals call this place home and depend on this land and water for their livelihoods and sustenance.

Join us in realizing this effort to protect a landscape that supports the well-being of humanity. For more information, please visit: https://greatpeoplesforest.org/