Reaching for Sustainable Living in Harmony with Nature in India | Shaping the Dreams of Growing Communities | Beforest

Members, friends & team Beforest enjoying a beautiful morning after a night of soulful camping at the 132-acre Hyderabad Collective in Telangana

In today’s rapidly changing world, the imperative to live sustainably has become non-negotiable. We stand at a pivotal moment where the decisions we make today will shape the world our children and grandchildren inherit tomorrow. Embracing sustainability isn’t merely a choice; it’s a responsibility that demands conscious consideration of the delicate balance between our own needs and the needs of the planet. It falls upon us to leave behind a world that is not only habitable but thriving for future generations. This requires a fundamental shift in our mindset and behaviour—a commitment to making choices that prioritise the health of our planet alongside our own well-being. 

For this lifestyle transformation to occur on a regional, national or even planetary scale, there needs to be a point of start. And we at Beforest are determined to be the centre of that ripple as we move ahead in our journey towards sustainable living in India at our diverse forest-friendly Collecitves with the support of communities that are committed to shaping dreams of a brighter, greener future in harmony with nature. Let’s begin from the basics!

What is Sustainability & Sustainable Living?

By definition, sustainability is the practice of meeting our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Simply put, sustainability is all about making sure we can keep doing what we’re doing without harming the Earth or running out of necessary resources like clean water, fresh air, and healthy food. It’s like living in a way that keeps the planet healthy for a long, long time – for future generations to experience all that we did growing up.

Think before you act and look before you leap have never been more applicable than in the case of sustainability. It makes you think of your actions from the economic, ecological & social lens – 3 domains that are necessary for all humans to live comfortably. All our actions and choices have consequences, and the school of sustainability guides us to act in a way that our actions leave positive impacts, or at the very least, no impact. These conscious choices that one makes are in the purview of sustainability; when one makes it every day, it becomes a sustainable lifestyle. It’s about using resources wisely, like recycling, using energy-efficient appliances, and eating local foods.

So, when we talk about sustainability and sustainable living, we’re talking about living in a way that’s good for both us and the planet, now and in the future.

Living Sustainability in Harmony with Nature, and Each Other

A sustainable lifestyle not only benefits the environment but also fosters healthy individuals and communities. At Beforest Collectives, this is reinforced by the Ethics of Permaculture—people care, earth care, fair share—it promotes healthy environments, reduces carbon footprints, and conserves biodiversity and resources.

Healthy environments contribute to healthy minds and bodies, while strong social bonds foster trust and a sense of belonging. By reducing our carbon footprints and conserving biodiversity, we not only ensure a healthier planet but also create a more sustainable future for all. The member community of Beforest Collectives comes from a similar place of intrinsic values – the need to reconnect with nature and each other, the will to create positive change, and the determination to leave behind a legacy for future generations to follow.

Listen to what the members of Poomaale 1.0 Collective have to say about a life in harmoney with nature as a part of the Beforest community – 

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Bringing Back Sustainable Communities

In India, our connection to the land is profound, woven into the fabric of our culture through generations of farming traditions. It’s not just about making a living; it’s a sacred bond that shapes our identity. But as time passed, modern farming methods shifted our focus to maximising profits for global markets, often ignoring the local impact on our environment and sustainability.

We’ve faced numerous challenges because of this shift—our soil has degraded, water has become scarce, and we’ve seen a decline in biodiversity. Many of us have experienced firsthand the consequences of unsustainable practices, from depleted resources to declining health.

Yet, amidst these challenges, there’s a growing understanding of the need to get back to living in harmony with nature. We’re realising the importance of reconnecting with the land, of adopting practices that not only sustain but regenerate our environment. This realisation stems from a deeper understanding of how our well-being is tied to the health of our planet.

In response, sustainable communities are sprouting across India that prioritise local food production, renewable energy, and eco-friendly living. They’re living proof that when individuals come together with a shared vision, positive change is possible. We conceived Beforest with a similar mindset, if not even more profound – places where communities come together and build self-sufficient landscapes that can sustain generations to come by sharing resources and skills. At this time of environmental adversity, we sure need to build resilience and strengthen our bonds with ourselves and with our planet, and we work towards it every day with our team, partners and collaborators.

We have taken the step to be at the forefront of this movement, fulfilling our desire for sustainable communities. With innovative solutions grounded in permaculture principles, Beforest empowers individuals to live in harmony with nature by becoming a part of something much larger than themselves and feeling connected to Mother Earth. Through initiatives like agroforestry, permaculture farming, and eco-sensitive housing, we are on a mission to not only restore ecosystems but also rekindle our connection to the land.

We also encourage opportunities for education and collaboration, allowing us to learn and grow together on our journey towards sustainability. By bridging the gap between tradition and innovation, we head to a brighter, more sustainable future for all. 

If you have a hope for a better future, join hands with us and revive the spirit of sustainable living in India. Our communities in Coorg, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bhopal have already taken that step, and we’re are ecstatic to witness them grow – from 1 collective in Coorg in 2019 to 6 today. There’s nothing better than seeing concepts turn to form and dreams turn to reality, and our Collectives in Coorg – Poomaale 1.0, Poomaale 2.0 & Hammiyala are the face of it, reaffirming to us that change is possible, slowly but surely.

Join our growing forest-friendly community if you dream of living sustainably in harmony with nature, too!