Brief about ESI projects   

Panshet - Forest and Wetland Restoration Project
Launched in 1986 the Society has successfully implemented ecological development and restoration of forest in Panshet catchment area. Lush green forest with wetlands and wildlife has been created, covering an area of 50 acres. This model project has been acclaimed as one of the pioneering restoration efforts in developing countries and has been honoured by the Society for Ecological Restoration, USA. The US government had sent its representatives to especially look into the carbon sequestration importance of the restored forest.

Phaltan - Grassland Restoration Project
The Society has launched this project in 2001 to restore and develop grassland and related ecosystems near Phaltan, in the rain-shadow areas of the Western Ghats.

Chaskaman Catchment - Restoration of Stream Habitats
In partnership with the Irrigation Department of the Government of Maharashtra, the Society initiated eco-development work in the catchment area of the Chaskaman dam for promotion of local fishery development, protection of river basin and wetlands.

Ujni - Management Plan for the Reservoir   
In 1992 the Society prepared a management plan for the Ujni reservoir, 100 km east of Pune. The aim was to protect the breeding and foraging sites of waterfowl while providing the resources to people to satisfy their basic needs.
 

Nirmal Ganga Abhiyan
The Society has launched a competition in rural areas titled “Nirmal Ganga Abhiyan” for the ‘most well managed stream’. This is an attempt to reach out to people in rural areas and encourage them to restore streams on their own initiative. The Abhiyan will help local participants learn about stream restoration alternatives that are affordable and that protect streams' ecological values for people and for nature.

The Society in association with BAIF has undertaken a project for eco-interventions in watershed development in the villages of Jatdeola and Borsewadi, District Ahmednagar.

Welfare of the Tallest Flying Bird in the World
The Society has carried out a countrywide project to assess the status of the largest flying bird in the world i.e. the Sarus Crane. This is a pioneering study of man and bird inter-relationship in India, which has been recognized by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

On the Trail of Wintering Black-necked Cranes in India
The Society has also carried out a project to rediscover the wintering area of the rare Black-necked Crane, a globally endangered species. This rediscovery has been applauded by the International Crane Foundation and resulted in setting up the first People’s Sanctuary for Cranes in Arunachal Pradesh.

Eco-development Plan for Pune's Riverfronts
The Society has carried out socio-biological survey of the two rivers of Pune, the Mula and the Mutha and studied the impact of urban development and their ecological impacts to prepare an eco-development plan for Pune’s riverfronts.

The Society has prepared a model plan for the ecological development of the Panshet catchment area.

Survey of Konkan Coast
The Society has conducted a survey of the Konkan coast to assess the quality of the coastal habitat in face of the numerous development projects in the area. The survey identified biodiversity hotspots on the coast and provided material for coastal planning in consonance with biodiversity conservation. The project was sponsored by the World Wide Fund for Nature, India, New Delhi.