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IMPACT PROMISE 
Our Partners are carefully selected due to their high conservation impact
Appeal Snapshot
Partner:
Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF)
Location:
India
Category:
- Community Support & Development
- Ecosystem Restoration
- Wildlife Conservation
Urgent Appeals:
None currently
Date Founded:
1995
Website:
Partner Qualifications:
IUCN MemberA distinguished Member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. IUCN Members are each vetted and voted on based on an independent, rigorous assessment and external references. Learn More
Legally ConstitutedThis organization is formally constituted and is a legally recognized non-profit in its country of origin.
Effective ImpactWe recognize this Partner for their tremendous efforts to make a difference for wildlife and local communities, as well as welcome technical support from Conservation Allies to improve and scale up their impact.
About AERF
Since 1995, AERF has been achieving on-the-ground conservation in the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot, with the active participation of local communities. AERF implements its conservation strategies through five key programs that effectively engage diverse stakeholder groups:
1. Sacred Groves Conservation
2. Applied Biodiversity
3. Communities, Conservation
4. Green Entrepreneurship
5. Business and Biodiversity
AERF pioneered incentive-based conservation of privately owned forests in India. In 2007, they launched the MyForest initiative to expand conservation efforts. Through this initiative, AERF has successfully prevented deforestation and conserved globally threatened species across 15,000 acres of privately owned, biodiversity-rich forests in the northern Western Ghats. Additionally, AERF has scaled sacred grove conservation—traditionally protected old-growth forest fragments—across 150 villages in three districts, helping protect endangered species such as the Great hornbill, Indian ground pangolin, Asiatic wild dog, White-rumped vulture, Indian leopard, and Indian gaur.
AERF is also responsible for establishing India’s first FAIRWILD certified operation, Nature Connect India Pvt. Ltd. This initiative has brought approximately 7,500 acres of biodiversity-rich forests under sustainable management. This approach has provided sustainable income to local communities while creating inclusive and transparent supply chains for global companies.
Their Challenges
AERF operates in the open forest landscapes of the northern Western Ghats in Maharashtra. Approximately 90% of the forest areas in this region are owned and managed by local communities. As a result, there is immense pressure on natural resources, as selling land for resort construction and large-scale deforestation due to agricultural expansion are common strategies adopted by locals to generate quick income. This has a significant negative impact on biodiversity and the delivery of ecosystem services.
The lack of skills and capacity among locals has led to the overexploitation and indiscriminate felling of economically important trees, reducing the economic productivity of the forests and creating a cascading effect on lesser-known species that depend on these trees. Furthermore, forest degradation results in landslides and wildfires, bringing the entire ecosystem to the brink of collapse and posing an existential threat to local communities.
Their Approach
AERF focuses on conserving biodiversity-rich forests in the northern Western Ghats through a community-driven, incentive-based approach. Working closely with local communities, AERF implements strategies that prioritize the sustainable management of privately owned forests, which make up the majority of the region's forest areas. AERF's MyForest initiative has successfully conserved 12,000 acres of private forests by offering incentives to landowners, promoting sustainable practices, and ensuring biodiversity preservation.
AERF also emphasizes the restoration of sacred groves, traditionally protected old-growth forest fragments, and improving landscape connectivity between these critical areas. By engaging communities in sustainable forest management, AERF addresses deforestation and overexploitation of key resources. Their FAIRWILD certified operation, Nature Connect India Pvt. Ltd., further supports these efforts by creating forest-based value chains that provide sustainable income to over 500 community members. This initiative currently manages 7,500 acres of biodiversity-rich forests under sustainable practices.
Through their innovative, community-focused approach, AERF ensures the long-term conservation of critical ecosystems while supporting local livelihoods.
Why They Need Your Help
Advancing conservation within a social context and ensuring its sustainability at scale requires long-term financial support and investment. Donations will be crucial in renewing conservation agreements for another 10 years. Depending on the level of support, these funds can help AERF protect an additional 500 Giant trees and expand value chains under the MyForest initiative.
AERF has developed diverse approaches to achieving conservation, aligning their efforts with sustainable economic development for local communities and ecosystem preservation as part of climate change mitigation. With financial backing, they are committed to delivering high-quality, impactful conservation outcomes.