When the village of Ambodiala began noticing their streams drying up and crop yields declining, the community knew something was wrong. Years of slash-and-burn agriculture and overgrazing had taken a toll on their land.

Through a partnership with Demand4Restoration, the villagers launched a pilot project to rehabilitate 50 hectares of severely degraded hillside.

Key Interventions

• Contour planting with vetiver grass to reduce erosion
• Planting fast-growing native trees to provide shade and biomass
• Training sessions on sustainable farming and water conservation

After just 18 months, the change was visible: improved soil structure, return of pollinators, and even the reappearance of small forest animals.

What This Tells Us

Local engagement, when paired with ecological expertise, can turn degraded landscapes into productive ecosystems again. Ambodiala’s story is just one of many — and it proves that with the right support, restoration is possible.