About the program
Join Gujarat’s forest restoration frontline in The Dangs, the state’s most densely forested and biodiverse district. Volunteers work at a native plant nursery, learning species identification, seed collection, and propagation techniques used to restore degraded forest land in and around Purna Wildlife Sanctuary. You’ll gain hands-on training in nursery management — from seed treatment and germination to sapling care — while contributing directly to reforestation efforts in one of Gujarat’s last remaining moist deciduous forest belts. Surrounded by teak, bamboo, and tribal Dangi culture, this program offers meaningful conservation work paired with an immersive forest experience.
Locale
peri_urban, forested
Stipend
no
Open To
Everyone / Solo Women Travelers
Nationality
Open for All
No. of Working Days
5
Program Outcome
Certificate, Skills exchange, Professional experience, Personal growth
6:30 AM – Wake up, breakfast at the field station
7:30 AM – Briefing on the day's nursery or field restoration tasks
8:00 – 11:30 AM – Fieldwork: species identification, seed collection, or planting (site-dependent)
12:00 PM – Lunch break
1:00 – 3:00 PM – Nursery work — sowing, transplanting, watering, and record-keeping
3:00 – 4:00 PM – Learning session with forest officials on native species and restoration ecology
4:00 PM onward – Free time: forest walks, Saputara visit, or rest
7:30 PM – Group dinner and reflection on the day's conservation work
Evenings – Optional cultural sessions with local Dangi community members
Assist with native species identification during forest surveys and nursery work.
Support seed collection, cleaning, and pre-treatment processes.
Help maintain the nursery — sowing, watering, and monitoring seedling growth.
Assist with transplanting saplings and preparing them for field planting.
Support field planting and land restoration activities in degraded forest patches.
Maintain records of species, germination rates, and survival data.
Assist forest department staff with plant labeling and nursery inventory.
Support community awareness activities with local Dangi communities on forest conservation.
- Hours per Day:
- 6 Hours
- Days per Week:
- 5 Days
- No. of Days Off:
- 2 Days
- Schedule Flexibility:
- Varies
Waghai Botanical Garden, Saputara, Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, Gira Waterfall, Dangi tribal culture, bamboo groves and teak forest trails, quiet birdwatching in the moist deciduous forest belt
Upcoming Batches
Select Month
Available Slots
Available Slot
7 - 16 August 2026
Available Slot
21 - 30 September 2026
Available Slot
11 - 20 October 2026
Available Slot
3 - 12 January 2027
Experience Highlights
- Hands-on training in native plant identification across Gujarat's richest forest ecosystem.
- Learn seed propagation and nursery management at a working forest nursery.
- Contribute directly to land restoration efforts around Purna Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Work alongside forest department staff and local Dangi tribal communities.
- Learn seed collection, treatment, germination, and sapling care techniques.
- Explore Gujarat's only rainforest-like belt, with teak, bamboo, and moist deciduous flora.
Location
Nearest Railway Station: Billimora Junction (broad gauge)
Nearest Airport: Surat Airport
Nearest Bus Stand: Waghai GSRTC Bus Stand
Pick Up and Drop: Not Available
Here's what your stay covers - from where you sleep to what's on your plate. The host provides these at no cost to you.
-
Accommodation - Shared - 3+
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Bathroom - Shared Inside
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Meal - Breakfast, Dinner
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Dietary Provisions - Veg, Non-Veg
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Local Transport - Provided for programme activities only
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Equipment - Provided
-
Programme Outcome - Certificate, Skills Exchange, Professional Experience, Personal Growth
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Programme Fee - Rs.0 (Fully Funded)
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Personal travel
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Personal expenses and leisure costs
Who Should Apply?
Basic Requirements
These are the basics to check before applying - age, commitment, fitness, and language. Make sure you fit, so the experience fits you.
- Age
- 18 - 40 Years
- Commitment
- 10 Days
- Physical Fitness
- Basic
- Language
- English, Hindi
- Nationality
- Open for All
Skills
What helps you thrive here - from the essential to the nice-to-have. Every programme is different, so take a gentle look and see if it feels like a match.
Required Skill
These are essential for this programme - please check that you meet them before applying.
Native plant identification
Preferred Skill
Not required - but if you bring these, your contribution and experience will be richer.
Seed propagation and nursery management
If you don't have the preferred skill - don't worry. The host provides full training.
Top Qualities
These are the traits you must possess to be able to perform well in the program.
- Comfortable with basic and simple living conditions
- Comfortable with early mornings and physically demanding daily routines
- Detail-focused — comfortable with precise, careful, repetitive tasks
- Physically active — comfortable with sustained outdoor or physical work
- Reliable and punctual — follows through on commitments
Health and Safety
What to know before you arrive - medical access, insurance, and anything specific to this location. Read this carefully.
- Vaccinations Recommended
- Not Provided
- Health Considerations
- Pollen / hay fever
- Volunteer Insurance
- Not Covered
- Medical Facility
- Civil Hospital, Waghai — near old police station, Waghai
- Safety Gear
- Not Applicable
- First Aid Onsite
- Available
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