Youth-Led Landscape Restoration in Chhattisgarh, India

Introduction:

Commonland,, a Dutch NGO based in Amsterdam, focuses on holistic, large-scale landscape restoration using the 4Returns  approach. This approach helps local organizations strategically balance socio-economic and ecological priorities in their landscape restoration efforts.

In Kabirdham, Chhattisgarh, India, Commonland works with six local partners to restore 250,000 hectares of land. This initiative prioritizes community-driven climate resilience, with a strong focus on engaging youth and women to ensure sustainable well-being for future generations.

In India, individuals aged 15 to 29 are classified as youth, and in Kabirdham, this group accounts for 50% of the population. Engaging them is critical for the region’s future, but several challenges exist:

• Urban-Centric Education: India’s education system emphasizes urban aspirations, often ignoring traditional knowledge and ecology. As a result, rural youth aspire to live in cities to gain city-based or government jobs, overlooking socio-economic opportunities in their landscapes.
• Economic viability: 15 to 29 makes up a huge part of working adulthood.
• Disconnection from Nature: Many young people, especially from tribal and rural backgrounds, feel detached from the natural environment. They often view their surroundings as mere agricultural fields rather than vibrant ecosystems. For instance, many tribal youth see themselves as “primitive people” living on the plains. Having grown up in sugarcane fields, they feel disconnected from concepts like “forests.”
• Limited Infrastructure: Remote areas suffer from inadequate school infrastructure, reducing access to education about the environment and the benefits of restoration activities can have on their own lives.

This leads us to our central research questions/challenge: how can we mobilize and engage youth in landscape restoration in a meaningful and lasting way? How do they see the future of their landscape and community and what role do they want to play?

Addressing the Challenges:
To address these challenges, Agricon, one of Commonland’s partners, launched the KAVIR (Kabirdham Volunteers for Inclusion & Resilience) program in 2023. This program has already mobilized over 1,000 youth to engage in landscape restoration. It provides training in tree planting, biofertilizer distribution, and leading community campaigns on topics like menstrual hygiene and health awareness. By participating, young volunteers gain community respect, new skills, and a foundation for future livelihoods.

Opportunities:
Despite the challenges, there are significant opportunities to leverage the changing perspectives of today’s youth. Many young people are exploring new ways to shape their future, and initiatives like Agricon’s demonstrate that, with the right training and mentorship, youth can play a meaningful role in restoration efforts.

Additionally, while many youth migrate to cities for economic opportunities, there are ways to connect urban resources—such as museums and educational programs—with local landscapes. This approach can create stronger ties between urban and rural environments, offering  opportunities for young people in their native regions.