Jerusalem: When Israeli citizen Aviram Rozin first visited India in the year 2000 for the first time, he was shocked to see the rapid deforestation across the country. A concerned Rozin started working for afforestation. In 2003, Rozin along with his wife Yorit and daughter Osher, moved to India to implement their afforestation plans.
- The family bought around 70 acres of barren land in Auroville, Tamil Nadu and with the help of local citizens started planting endangered plant species and edible plants.
- It took over 13 years to transform the place into a forest.
- Around 18,000 trees have been planted so far.
- Forest was named 'Sadhna forest'.
- Now the area has been developed into an eco-friendly settlement with houses,wind pumps, solar powered LED lights, compost toilets and vegan kitchen with energy efficient stoves.
- After tasting success in India, Rozin moved to countries like Haiti and Kenya where he helped the local communities to grow forests.