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Pioneering
Conservation on the Ground
since 1995

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The Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF) is a registered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) based in Pune, India. Since its inception in 1995, AERF has been working towards biodiversity conservation on the ground with community participation and collaboration. AERF could achieve the goal of 'conservation on the ground' through  engagement of all stakeholders and by developing direct, tangible benefits from conservation. We work in the Northern Western Ghats (NWG) part of Western Ghats global Biodiversity hotspot. Our work has expanded to coastal Maharashtra  for mangroves conservation and developing value chain - based conservation projects in Chhattisgarh since 2019. In the central India landscape, we mainly work with indigenous communities  for sustainable use and restoration of CFRs. Team AERF also works across the country for research, training, capacity building and networking for conservation.

AERF'S MISSION

To achieve biodiversity conservation on the ground through use of scientific tools, development of cutting edge solutions and multi-stakeholder engagement

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Our main thematic programmes

SACRED GROVE CONSERVATION

NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS

APPLIED BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH

GREEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

BEYOND
CONSERVATION

Leaves

OUR IMPACT

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13000

Acres of threatened privately owned terrestrial forests brought under Conservation Agreements

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1417000

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1200

Giant trees on terrestrial forests brought under Conservation Agreement

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6516

Tonnes of atmospheric carbon sequestered in these forests (based on our on-ground carbon surveys)

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1791

Acres of privately owned mangroves brought under long-term conservation management

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976095

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25293

Giant mangrove trees brought under Conservation Agreements

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623978

Tonnes of atmospheric carbon sequestered in these mangroves (based on our on-ground carbon surveys)

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9950+

Eco-chullahs distributed among forest-dependant communities

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29850

Tonnes of atmospheric carbon sequestered (based on Gold Standard verification studies)

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25000+

Forest-dependent people empowered through all our conservation interventions

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WHERE WE WORK...
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Northern
Western
Ghats

Bhimashankar

Talmachi

Sangameshwar

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Mangroves of
Coastal Maharashtra

Alibaug

Mandangad

Sindhudurg

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Forests of Central India

Kanker

Deori

Narharpur

IN THE NEWS...

Our newest partnerships

13 Feb 2025

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The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens at Palm Spring California honored AERF Directors Archana Godbole and Jayant Sarnaik as Conservation Heroes for their work of Conservation with Communities over three decades in India. 

04 Sept 2024

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Dr. Archana Godbole signed a letter of intent to participate in the Nature-based Solutions Asian Hub Cooperation Network with NbS Asia Hub during the IUCN RCF in Bangkok. China. The Nbs Asia Hub intends to cooperate for knowledge-sharing on Nature- based Solutions, sharing practices and case studies and promoting wider stakeholder dialogues. This partnership will help bring visibility to pioneering initiatives ofAERF in the NbS space in South East Asia.

22 June 2024

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Dr. Archana Godbole published a marathi book titled 'Devrai Akhyaan', collating 30 years of knowledge and experience in conserving and restoring sacred groves. The book has been awarded the prestigious 'S. N. Joshi Smruti Award by 'Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad' in Feb 2025 for its contribution towards the socio-cultural landscape of Maharashtra.  

Support our crowdfunding campaigns

OUR PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

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Apple Inc.

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Read our Annual Review of 2024

Previous Annual Reports

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Explore our other publications

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Koknatil Devraya - Marathi
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Connect with us if you wish to purchase any of our titles.

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APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

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C 36, Krishnarjun, Madhavbaug Co-op Hsg Society, 
Shivatirthanagar, Paud Road, Kothrud,  
Pune - 411038,

+91 86688 75037

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