This Man Is Fighting To Save One Of The Last Remaining Forests Near Delhi

Sunil Harsana | Not many people are aware of Mangar Bani, a sacred grove that serves as an important site for both wildlife conservation and cultural heritage, located near the crowded capital city of Delhi. This densely wooded valley, lush with a beautiful canopy of trees, boasts rich biodiversity, including a variety of bird and mammal species. The grove also contains prehistoric rock shelters adorned with ancient paintings. But, it could possibly be the last remaining forests near Delhi.

The preservation of Mangar Bani is primarily due to the efforts of the local community and environmental advocates. Among the latter is Sunil Harsana, an environmental activist from Mangar village, who has dedicated nearly a decade to conserving this unique ecosystem. In 2015, he co-founded the Mangar Eco Club, which engages local and urban children by connecting them with the forest and its diverse life.

A Childhood Immersed In Nature

Harsana grew up in Mangar village, surrounded by hills and forests, and has had a strong connection to nature since childhood. "I spent a lot of time playing in the forests around my village, especially in Mangar Bani, which holds many cherished memories for me," he says while speaking to Outlook Traveller. "When we visited the sacred Bani forest for worship, we would pick and eat the fruits of the Jhinjheri tree, which we called Sitaphal. We also used to pluck the raw fruits of the Pasendu tree and play by throwing them at each other."

At that time, mining was taking place in the area, he recounts. "But I had a grandfather who shared stories about the past—how dense the forests once were and how much the village depended on them. My family comes from a shepherding background, so during my teenage years, I also grazed cows and goats in these forests. This traditional connection has given me a deep sense of attachment to the land."

In 2011, when the Mangar Master Plan was proposed without any mention of conserving Mangar Bani, Harsana dedicated himself to protecting this area. To make a living, he began assisting with research work and became actively involved in efforts to save the forest. “There was a lot of opposition at first, but by the grace of Gudiya Baba, I became the guardian of the forest. With the support of the community, I continued my work, and today, the results—whether successes or failures—are evident for everyone to see.”

Forming The Mangar Eco Club

Harsana mentions that they initially faced significant opposition due to the land business being deeply rooted in the area around Aravallis. "Another reason we identified was the shift in lifestyle; as urbanisation increased, traditional ways of life were being replaced by urban habits, leading to a gradual disconnection from the forest and conservation traditions." This disconnect was particularly evident among the younger generation.

To address this issue, the Mangar Eco Club was formed in 2015 with the goal of reconnecting the youth of Mangar village with the forest through nature-based education. However, Harsana clarifies that he is neither the founder nor the director of the club. "I see myself as a facilitator—someone who helps connect teachers and learners—and I, too, am a learner in this journey."

Harsana says he received valuable support and guidance in forming the Eco Club from several key individuals. Among them were Chetan Agarwal, a Gurugram-based environmentalist and his mentor, as well as Vinod Ahlawat, a teacher at a local government school. The Eco Club is not a registered organisation; rather, it serves as an open platform where anyone can join to learn or share knowledge.

"From the beginning, we have received strong support from birding enthusiasts," says Harsana. "The initiative has greatly benefited from the expertise of individuals like Ghazala Shahabuddin, Piyush Sheikhsaria, Nidhi Batra, and Misha Bansal. Currently, the support of friends like Madan Sharma and Nitesh Kaushik has also been invaluable. This success is the result of collective efforts, and it is heartening to see that, inspired by the Eco Club, some village children are now pursuing careers in conservation."

Under the guidance of the club, they organise various activities such as Pakshi Dekho (birdwatching), seasonal observations, native seed collection, and 'Beej Lagaao, Ped Ugaao' (plant seeds and grow trees). They also focus on soil conservation, Prakrti Chitrkala (nature art), and Titli Pahchaano (identifying butterflies) as well as recognising wild animals through their signs and evidence. The club also encourages children to observe behavioral changes in nature and explore the reasons behind them. These programmes help children understand local flora and fauna and appreciate their significance in human life.

Nurturing Young Ecologists

Harsana's passion for nature fosters appreciation and inspires future generations to protect the legacy of the Bani forest. For instance, during a plantation activity, when one of the teachers asked the children to chant a Jaikara, the children politely explained, “Guruji, this is a forest, and loud noise disturbs the birds.”

On another occasion, a visitor came to Mangar Bani, possibly looking for the Indian Pitta (locally known as Navrang), and started playing bird calls on his phone. Harsana and others discourage this practice as it can disturb the wildlife. The children immediately noticed this and came to inform us, demonstrating their growing awareness and responsibility.

In recent years, footfall in Mangar Bani has increased, bringing along issues such as vehicle parking inside the forest, which damages young plants and causes soil erosion. To address this problem, the children devised a thoughtful solution. Whenever they find a vehicle parked in the forest, they place a handwritten note on the windshield that reads, “Mangar Bani is a forest. Vehicle movement harms plants. Kindly park outside.” This simple act has made a noticeable impact, with many people now choosing to park their vehicles outside the forest voluntarily.

Eco Workshops And Activities

The club offers several workshops, initiatives, and projects that anyone can participate in. One of their key workshops is Pakshi Dekho. As part of this initiative, they created a field brochure titled "Mangar Ke Pakshi," which highlights local bird species observed throughout the year. The brochure was designed with children's interests in mind. A key outcome of this project is that many children in the Mangar Eco Club have become well-informed about bird species, their behaviors, breeding patterns, and the migration periods of migratory birds.

Another important activity is Season Watch, where children observe and document seasonal changes in plants and trees. Through this initiative, they discovered that new plant regeneration in Mangar Bani was hindered by soil erosion. To address this issue, Mangar Eco Club revived a traditional forest management practice—placing stones to control erosion. The children also took the initiative to stop vehicle parking inside the forest. Inspired by their efforts, some village elders and nature enthusiasts from outside joined in, which allowed them to demonstrate the positive ecological impact of these actions.

Additionally, the club created a field guide titled "Trees of Mangar Bani," which helps children learn about local tree species. Activities such as nature painting and nature art encourage children to connect with the natural world in more creative and emotional ways. A butterfly identification activity introduces them to the diversity of the insect world.

Another engaging initiative is the game Pakshi Jeevan Ek Sangharsh, developed by Early Bird and introduced to the club by Misha Bansal. In this game, children take on the role of birds and navigate different life stages using cards, learning about the challenges that birds face due to human interference and environmental changes.

In addition to these activities, the club organises many others. Throughout these initiatives, Harsana and others have received support and guidance from organisations like CEDAR, Laksh Foundation, Sanctuary Nature Foundation, and Early Bird.

Inspired by the success of the Mangar Eco Club, the children have also initiated similar eco clubs in other villages throughout the Aravallis. One such club in Dhauj is particularly thriving. “In short, we started with the goal of awakening the younger generation, but today it feels like we are nurturing an entire army of future conservationists. The journey is still long, but these small successes give us hope for a brighter, greener future.“