We are working with a consortium of several thousand tribal villages in eastern India. These forests include subtropical dry and wet forests with rapid tree growth rates. Centuries of urban development and intensive agriculture have resulted in loss of forest cover, poor water quality in streams and rivers, and loss of biological diversity. Agricultural demands still exist as the majority of land in this region is still the dominant driver of community livelihood.

Ekjut developed a social program to help communities improve women’s health and reduce child injuries resulting from women taking their children with them to labor in the field. Ekjut introduced a child-care system across tens of thousands of villages that has significantly improved health and reduced injuries and mortality of children. Working with these same communities, we are working to build an environmental program focused on planting trees to increase forest health, livelihood options for communities, and improving quantity and quality of fresh water.