Our Story
What is "Upstream" to Us?
All layers of human existence - Social, political, economical and even behavioural - are intrinsicly rooted to the wild. Changes at the grassroots level due to anthropocentric pressures can cascade into implications that affect all life. The concept of 'Upstream Ecology' believes that holistic change is possible across all layers by allowing and supporting the wild to heal, working from the ground up towards all the layers in a bottom-up approach for effective change. This change begins at the ground level with the regeneration of plant ecology across the surface of the earth.
Who We Are
Upstream Ecology is an environmental conservation organisation located amidst the vibrant Nilgiris District in Southern India. We are committed to ecological restoration of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (NBR), ensuring a sustainable living for biodiversity as well as communities that live within the biosphere. Working upwards from the plant level, our mission is to preserve and restore biodiversity, ecosystem services, develop more sustainable land use systems, and manage natural resources, mitigate climate change, and control invasive species of flora. We believe that soil, water, and plant ecology level is ground zero, and supports all other levels above.
Our Partners
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Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary
Gurukula is a pioneer in gardening the native ecosystem back to health. It has worked across the South Western Ghats in the study and restoration of plant life and in strengthening the knowledge ecosystem in how to live sustainably on Planet Earth. Gurukula also conducts internships and trainings in ecological nurturance to encourage more people in this field.
Wildlife Trust of India
WTI is a trusted conservation charity organization committed to supporting action projects in India. It has provided support for a Rapid Action Project for restoration of habitat of the Nilgiri tahr, an endangered mammal species.
Keystone Foundation
Keystone Foundation has a long-standing footprint in the Nilgiris bioregion. It works in policy, advocacy and on-ground action with local stakeholders and in advancing ecological research in the Nilgiris.
M S Swaminathan Foundation
The M S Swaminathan Foundation works in ecological livelihood generation through research and venture development. They are project partners for a 50 acre pilot Biodiversity Park and nursery set-up initiative from Upstream.
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
The TNFD has been a long-standing supporter of UE in various projects, including the restoration of over 600 acres of forest habitat in Mukurthi National Park.
Clean Coonoor
This is a community initiative to improve the environment around Coonoor, a prominent town in the Nilgiris.
Equilibrium
Equilibrium builds and scales permanent carbon removal projects. It has partnered with UE for a 1000 Ha ecological restoration project in Karnataka.