Every year, Van Mahotsav inspires people across India to plant trees. Volunteers gather with saplings in hand, schools organise plantation drives and communities come together to celebrate the country’s green heritage.
At Wildlife SOS, restoring habitats is an elaborate process. It involves a ‘bank’ that functions as a treasure chest, holding within it what is nothing less than gold — seeds. Our team collects and deposits seeds in the seed bank, stocks of which are carefully maintained. When the time is right for them to successfully grow, these seeds are withdrawn to be sown judiciously.
Over the years, Wildlife SOS has planted more than 5,00,000 native saplings in Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka through its Rewild for Wildlife initiative, helping revive degraded landscapes and strengthen habitats for wildlife. Behind every one of those plantations lies months of careful planning, seasonal seed collection, and an ever-growing seed bank that powers habitat restoration efforts throughout the year.
Rather than simply planting trees, the organisation focuses on rebuilding ecosystems that can once again support birds, mammals, insects and countless other forms of life.
It All Begins With The Right Seed
Unlike commercial plantations that often rely on fast-growing species and a monoculture approach, Wildlife SOS follows a much more deliberate process.
The seeds are collected manually from healthy native trees growing within and around the Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC) and Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) in Uttar Pradesh, as well as in Ramdurga Valley in Karnataka. Since every tree fruits at a different time of the year, seed collection is a seasonal activity that continues with the calendar. Teams monitor flowering and fruiting cycles, ensuring that only mature, fresh seeds are gathered at the right time.
Freshly collected seeds are carefully dried in semi-shade for one to three days, a crucial step that removes excess moisture while preserving their viability. Once dried, each species is stored separately in paper bags, allowing the seed bank to maintain an organised collection that’s ready whenever restoration activities begin.
A Seed Bank For Wildlife
Not every tree earns a place in the seed bank.
The selection process is guided by one simple question: How will this tree benefit wildlife?
Priority is always given to native species that provide food, shelter and nesting opportunities for local fauna. Instead of introducing ornamental or exotic plants, Wildlife SOS chooses species that support the ecological relationships forests depend upon.
In Uttar Pradesh, restoration efforts focus on species such as gular (cluster fig), peepal (sacred fig), babool (gum arabic tree), neem (Indian lilac) and Indian siris. These trees provide fruits, shade and habitat that support smaller mammals, birds and several insects while helping restore the natural character of the landscape.
In Karnataka, native species differ according to the local ecosystem. Indian gooseberry, tamarind, teak and golden shower are among the priority trees selected to revive habitats around the Ramdurga Valley, where years of restoration have already encouraged wildlife to return.
By choosing the right species, every restoration effort becomes an investment in biodiversity rather than just increasing green cover.
When A Seed becomes A Seed Ball
Once the monsoon approaches, the seed bank opens up.
Many of these carefully stored seeds are transformed into seed balls, a simple yet effective technique popularised by Japanese farming pioneer Masanobu Fukuoka.
Each seed ball combines native seeds with clay, soil and compost to create a protective sphere that safeguards the seeds. Once dispersed, the rainfall softens the clay, allowing germination to begin. Compost in the ball provides essential nutrients for early growth.
Wildlife SOS regularly conducts seed ball workshops with schools, colleges, corporate partners and volunteer groups, turning conservation into a hands-on experience. Participants learn not only how to make seed balls, but also why native species matter and how restoring habitats benefits wildlife.
For Van Mahotsav 2026, Wildlife SOS collaborated with multinational companies JPMorgan Chase, Google and Haleon at the Bannerughatta Bear Rescue Centre. Volunteers from these organisations came forward to make seed balls, plant saplings and understand the science behind ecological restoration. These events transform a simple volunteer activity into an opportunity to connect people with nature, while contributing directly to long-term habitat recovery.
Every Forest Starts With A Single Seed
Van Mahotsav was introduced in 1950 to encourage people across India to plant and nurture trees, recognising their vital role in sustaining life. Each year, it serves as a reminder that every tree planted today helps shape a greener, healthier future. As our cities continue to grow, these green initiatives become increasingly important not only for expanding green cover but also for creating cleaner air, cooler neighbourhoods and spaces where people and wildlife can thrive together.
Wildlife SOS is proud to carry forward awareness events and plantation drives among students and various corporations. We strive to inculcate sensitivity towards wildlife and their wonderful habitats so that they remain at the forefront in the idea of progress.
As we continue to nurture native habitats and protect wildlife, your contribution can help us in our movement to create a greener future for generations of animals and human beings to come.
Feature Image © Atharv Pacharne/Wildlife SOS
