Established
2020
With support from the GEF Small Grants Programme and community partnerships.
Nature Sanctuary
Aratu Nature & Wildlife Sanctuary.
Established in 2020 with support from the GEF Small Grants Programme — a living classroom for conservation, research, and sustainable community tourism.
A living laboratory
Habitat protection meets hands-on learning.
The Aratu Sanctuary protects critical habitat while providing hands-on learning opportunities for students, researchers, and community members, and a 100-person training centre built inside the Community Forest.
Mission
Conserve, educate, demonstrate.
Biodiversity conservation, community education, and sustainable nature-based livelihoods.
Training centre
100
Person capacity
Features & activities
Six pillars of the sanctuary.
The sanctuary combines habitat protection with educational programming and sustainable tourism opportunities.
Wildlife Habitat
Protected habitat for indigenous flora and fauna, including rare and endemic species native to the forest ecosystem.
Education Center
Interactive learning programs for students, community groups, and visitors about conservation and sustainable practices.
Research Station
Field research opportunities for scientists studying forest ecology, biodiversity, and conservation methods.
Nature Trails
Guided walking trails through different forest habitats with interpretation of plant communities and wildlife.
Nursery Facility
On-site propagation of indigenous trees and medicinal plants for restoration projects and community distribution.
Eco-Tourism
Sustainable tourism activities that generate income for local communities while supporting conservation goals.
Educational programs
Learning experiences for every audience.
The sanctuary offers diverse programmes for school children, community members, researchers, and visitors.
School Programs
Interactive field trips and classroom sessions for students of all ages.
- Forest ecology and biodiversity exploration
- Traditional plant knowledge workshops
- Conservation action projects
- Climate change and forest connections
Community Training
Capacity building programs for local residents and organizations.
- Sustainable forest management
- Eco-tourism guide training
- Medicinal plant cultivation
- Nature-based enterprise development
Research Partnerships
Collaborative research opportunities with academic institutions.
- Biodiversity monitoring and documentation
- Forest restoration techniques
- Indigenous knowledge systems
- Climate adaptation strategies
Visitor Experiences
Engaging experiences for tourists and conservation enthusiasts.
- Guided nature walks and bird watching
- Traditional healing plant tours
- Conservation photography workshops
- Community cultural exchanges
Visit the sanctuary
Experience community-based conservation firsthand.
Plan an educational visit, a research collaboration, or an eco-tourism experience. Group bookings available.
Sanctuary impact
500+
Students educated annually
50+
Species documented
10+
Research collaborations
25+
Community guides trained