Mathura,03 July 2026 (UTN). More than half a million native saplings planted across India contribute immensely to habitat restoration, biodiversity recovery and long-term ecological sustainability Wildlife SOS has achieved a major conservation milestone by planting more than 500,000 native saplings over the past five years across multiple habitat restoration sites in India, reinforcing its commitment to ecological restoration, climate action and wildlife conservation. As the nation celebrates Van Mahotsav, the organisation reflects on this significant achievement and the long-term impact of restoring degraded landscapes through native afforestation.
The milestone includes the planting of 2,000 native saplings at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) in Mathura earlier this year. The drive featured native and fruit-bearing species, including jamun, pomegranate, guava, mulberry, tamarind, neem, fig and jackfruit, selected for their ecological value and ability to support local biodiversity.
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The initiative spans key restoration sites, including the Elephant Project, Mathura, the Bannerughatta Bear Rescue Centre and Ramdurga Valley Habitat Conservation Project in Karnataka. Plantation and habitat restoration efforts have also been undertaken at the Leopard Project in Maharashtra and across Wildlife SOS project sites in Jammu & Kashmir. These efforts focus on restoring degraded landscapes through the planting of indigenous vegetation that improves soil health, prevents erosion, enhances carbon sequestration and creates sustainable habitats for wildlife.
One of the most significant outcomes of these restoration efforts has been witnessed in Karnataka’s Ramdurga Valley, where extensive plantation and habitat recovery work transformed a once-degraded landscape affected by mining and deforestation into a thriving ecosystem. Habitat restoration efforts have also improved groundwater recharge, enabling the cultivation of crops using borewells even during the summer months and reducing seasonal migration from villages.
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Similarly, large-scale reforestation efforts around the Elephant Project in Mathura have expanded native green cover and created biodiversity-friendly landscapes that have witnessed the return of bird species, such as Jacobian cuckoo, Black Francolin, Yellow-footed green pigeon, Indian grey hornbill, White-throated kingfisher, Oriental white eye, and Tailor bird. The spike in bird population has also led to Bengal monitors inhabiting the land as well, which is a sign of a healthy functioning prey-predator cycle.
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder & CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, “Planting more than 500,000 saplings is far more than a numerical milestone, it represents years of commitment towards restoring ecosystems that sustain both wildlife and people. Over the years, we have seen degraded forests recover, wildlife habitats reconnect, and local people become active partners in conservation. Every sapling planted is an investment in a more resilient future for biodiversity and the planet.”
Geeta Seshamani, Co-founder and Secretary, Wildlife SOS, stated, “Successful conservation depends on creating benefits for both wildlife and local communities. Through habitat restoration and community engagement, we have helped reduce pressures on forests while strengthening local livelihoods.
Baiju Raj M.V, Director- Conservation Projects, Wildlife SOS, said, “Native trees do far more than increase green cover, they help rebuild entire ecosystems. They play a vital role in improving soil fertility, replenishing groundwater, and providing food and shelter for wildlife. At the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura, the increase in bird populations, along with the presence of Bengal monitor lizards, is clear evidence that our conservation efforts are delivering positive, long-term ecological outcomes.
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Wildlife SOS.
