Work on Human Ecology
Sahyadri School’s unique location amidst a reserve forest zone on a hilltop surrounded by tropical forest on all its sides provides a unique natural protection and remoteness-diversity around in many substantial ways. This leads itself to a variety of work by the School to engage with natural, built and social environment. The School intent lends itself to creation of learning spaces and interconnections between people and nature that is vital to food production, maintaining clean air and water and sustaining bio-diversity in a changing environment.
Bio-diversity
The School has a Bio-diversity assessment programme to assess and understand various habitats / micro-habitats and vegetation types. Studies related to species of birds, terrestrial mammals, amphibians, snakes and lesser know taxa found within the campus are part of the programme. Number of Specific groves with themes such as Devrai, Bamboo, Ficus, Nakshatra (Astral) Van, Miyawaki forest and Mixed fruits orchards etc along with variety of indigenous trees enrich the campus habitat. School has a running program with state forest department to conserve and enhance biodiversity in the forests around the school. Two medicinal gardens plots exists to study their utility for the students and adults on campus under guidance of an Ayurveda doctor.
Agro-ecology
Substantial amount of school land is cultivated using multi-layered farming techniques utilising natural ingredients such as Jeevamruta, Beejaamruta, Dashparni etc. The cultivated lands are supported by the recycled wastewater available from School, usage of natural fertilisers produced with help of indigenous breed School cows and biomass available on campus. All the natural food produce is supplied to the School Dining hall towards meeting healthy food requirements for students and residents. Understanding of Agro-ecology is being shared with farmers, students and interested people through Outreach program of the School
Hydro-geology
Landcare & Environment Extensive studies have been carried out to understand the hydro-geology, aquifer characteristics, quality of ground water of the campus and its surrounding areas with help of Advance center for water resources development and management in Pune. These are applied to create water management strategies, water balance, rainwater harvesting, and other measures to ensure sustainable water security for Sahyadri School and its environs: integrating hydrogeology into master planning, education and outreach.The studies facilitate co-curricular educational inputs for students and the faculty in geology, hydrology and hydrogeology