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already been stated in an email by the GB-appointed FAMC to a few individual Forest

Group members on June 21, 2023 informing them about the cut of maintenances and

forest budget from July onwards. Admittedly communication with the GB-appointed FAMC

has been laborious from the moment of their questionable appointment in June 2022.

Last but not least we would like to comment on the alleged estimation by the government

forest department regarding management of the current Auroville forests. It has to be

pointed out that there is no single comparable reforestation project in India run by any

government- or non-government organization. Reforestation of degraded land with

indigenous plant species, a focus on maximizing bio diversity and recreating a severely

endangered vegetation type, paired with water conservation and the keeping of nurseries

and seed banks as is done in Auroville is absolutely unique. The fact that the Forest Group

for the past 40 years has not been working with the mindset of an organization but rather

that of a collective is the very reason for its success. In fact over the years many forest

department officers have visited the Auroville forests in awe, eager to learn from Auroville

foresters’ experiences.

The main reason for the outstanding success of the reforestation efforts done in Auroville

over the past 50 years is the unique community supported long-standing ability and

dedication to protect and manage its forest plantation areas. Fence lines of Auroville

forests are unusually long due to the fragmentation of Auroville lands. And fences are

indispensable for successful reforestation as the keeping out of cattle, goats and other

destructive elements is key.

To a layman’s eye it might seem that the reforestation in Auroville is completed by now and

all that’s left to do for the forester is to watch the trees grow. Far from that. Most tall trees

we find in our forests today are pioneer trees which only create the environment needed

for the slow-growing indigenous species to flourish. Most of those species haven’t reached

their maturity yet and (inter-) planting of indigenous saplings is continuously done by the

Forest Group up until now.

Photo > Young and density reforested area in Auroville

In conclusion, the unsubstantiated claim that the 1200+ acres of forested Auroville land

could be managed by 12 – 18 people completely disregards the proven successful method

of reforestation carried out by a long line of dedicated and passionate community

members. In the light of various development projects taking place in forested areas of

Auroville since the maintenance and budget cut in July 2023 (Outer Ring Road through

Silence, Miracle, Revelation, Espace, Baraka; bridge construction in Darkali; clearing for

PTDC outlet and car parking in Bliss; clearing for Matrimandir-Lake-Soil-Hill and access

roads in the northern forests including the NFA sanctuary) it seems that the true intentions

behind the abrupt cut of funds for the Forest Group were not only economical, as

suggested by Torkil, but rather a strategic move to discredit, discourage and silence the

voice of the Forest Group; just another brick in the wall of fabricated false narrative to

justify current developments while suppressing community participation.

It is clear that the agenda of the GB-appointed FAMC clashes with the Forest Group’s

ecological vision for Auroville’s green spaces. We are hopeful that a healthy combination

of ecology and economy paired with common sense, respect for the collective, ethical

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behavior and solidarity will prevail in the City the Earth Needs.

The Forest Group of the Residents’ Assembly of the Auroville Foundation