Program

The Plant 4 India Fellowship will offer the skills and practical experience needed to design and implement a successful water conservation and reforestation project. You will be involved in effective action to reverse and mitigate climate change and environmental degradation in rural locations in India. This will be a life-changing opportunity to make a meaningful, effective and long-term impact on the natural world and to improve the livelihoods of rural communities in India. 

This Fellowship is a full-time, on-site commitment. You will work on the land together with rural people and provide them with hands-on training. You will be immersed in an active vegan sustainable living community and will work and train while contributing to the daily functioning of the community.

This is a vegan Fellowship. You will experience putting compassion and sustainability into action!

Locations

The Fellowship will start at the campus of Sadhana Forest in Auroville, Tamil Nadu. Here fellows will receive orientation and initial training. Upon completion of this stage, Fellows will be posted in one of the following Sadhana Forest centers in rural India:

  1. Virudhunagar District, Tamil Nadu
  2. East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya
  3. East Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya
  4. East Garo Hills District, Meghalaya

In Virudhunagar, Sadhana Forest is working with communities who are struggling with the effects of deforestation and climate change. Erratic rainfall patterns and repeated droughts are making it impossible to practice rain-fed agriculture.

In Meghalaya, Sadhana Forest is working with tribal communities. Massive deforestation has lead to rainwater run-off, soil erosion and degradation.

Your responsibilities


In Meghalaya

  1. Training tribal communities in water conservation techniques such as on-contour swales, trenches and gabions
  2. Planting indigenous food-producing trees
  3. Tree care and nursery maintenance
  4. Maintaining existing water conservation structures in the centers – mulching, watering, planting nitrogen fixing plants, etc
  5. Guiding visitors in the center
  6. Facilitating groups of local children in a natural learning space
  7. Preparing wholefood and plant-based meals for the team
  8. Maintaining the immersion centers using natural zero-waste practices, including cleaning dry compost toilets, waste management, composting, cleaning the space and solar panels

In Virudhunagar

  1. Planting indigenous drought-resistant food-producing trees together with local people
  2. Tree care and nursery maintenance
  3. Guiding visitors in the center
  4. Preparing wholefood and plant-based meals for the team
  5. Maintaining the immersion centers using natural zero-waste practices, including cleaning dry compost toilets, waste management, composting, cleaning the space and solar panels

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the one year, you will have significant knowledge and experience in:

  • Water conservation – design and implementation
  • Reforestation
  • Biodiversity and ecosystem regeneration
  • Long-term rural development
  • Children’s environmental education 
  • Sustainable living (renewable energy, composting, etc.)
  • Adapting to different cultural contexts
  • Leadership 
  • Effective and compassionate communication
  • Time management

Eligibility

The Fellowship is open for Indian citizens or residents of age 18 years and above.

Training will be provided during the Fellowship. Prior experience in the environmental field is not needed.

In-Fellowship Support

Food and accommodation will be provided on-site. When posted in rural India, a monthly stipend will be provided to cover for expenses. Fellows will also have the support of a mentor.

Applications

The next batch of the Plant 4 India Fellowship will start on 1 October 2026. Fill out this application form.

Applications are open from 15 July 2026 until 15 August 2026.

Applications are accepted only through this form.

Selection Process

The Plant 4 India Fellowship has a a rigorous selection process, assessing whether you are the right candidate for the program. The process is designed to ensure that applicants fully understand the commitment needed to be a Fellow and what it means to be committed and dedicated to long-term environmental service. Limited spaces are available.

The selection process step by step:

Step 1 – Fill out this application form.

Option A: You provide us with two references
Step 2 – We will get back to you within 14 days. If your application form meets the criteria, we would reach out to the references that you provide us.
Step 3 – Your references have to respond within 14 days of us contacting them.
Step 4 – We will evaluate the responses of the references and get back to you within 7 days of receiving both of your references.
Step 5 – If your application and references fit the selection criteria, we will invite you for a Zoom interview with our team.
Step 6 – We would let you know the final status of your application within 7 days of the interview.

Option B: You do not have references
Step 2 – We will get back to you within 14 days. If your application form meets the criteria, we will invite you for a Zoom interview with our team.
Step 3 – We will get back to you within 7 days of the interview. If you meet the criteria, you will be invited for a one month trial period.
Step 4 – When you complete your trial period, we will let you know whether you are accepted into the fellowship. If you are accepted, you will continue directly with the fellowship.

Timeline

Before 1 October 2026 – Arrival to Sadhana Forest in Auroville.
1 October 2026 – Start of the Fellowship initial training.
1 November 2026 – Fellows will be assigned and travel to one of the Sadhana Forest centers in rural India.
31 October 2027 – Fellowship completion.
1 November 2027 – Post-Fellowship oppurtunities will start for those who successfully completed the Fellowship.

Post-Fellowship Support and Opportunities

Every person successfully completing the one year Fellowship will receive a Fellowship completion certificate, along with personal mentorship and a personal reference based on their performance and future goals.

Upon completing the Fellowship, you will be eligible to continue the Fellowship in the same Plant 4 India site or in another Plant 4 India location in rural India, expanding your skill set and abilities.

Those demonstrating exceptional commitment will be offered a six-month long opportunity to participate in one of our projects in Africa.

Those demonstrating exceptional leadership skills will be offered the position of Project Director in one of our projects in India or abroad.

The Organisation

Plant 4 India is an initiative of Sadhana Forest.

Sadhana Forest is active in the field of reforestation and water conservation since 2003 and won third place at the 2010 Humanitarian Water & Food Award.

Sadhana Forest’s partners include: UNDP, UNCCD, UNFCCC, World Resources Institute, World Bank, Government of Meghalaya, 1% for the Planet, Restor and Global Giving.