Why and How Faith is central to Regenerative Lifestyle and Development for Sustainable Future: A case of 64+ ISKCON communities

Panel shares humble learning’s from ISKCON’s 55 yrs old spiritual tradition of living in harmony with self, divine, nature & world. ISKCON's 64+ faith led communities are epicenters for regenerative lifestyle and development since 1968 guided by Vedic principle of 'Isha Vasyam Idam Sarvam'. The principle counters greed and restores inner sustainability for sustainability in the outer world. Panel brings cumulative 135+ yrs of experience as sustainability practitioners and global influencers- advocates for regenerative development. The 64+ communities have presence across 6 continents representing all countries and traditions with 18,300+ acres of land sheltering regeneration. In GEV- the multi sectoral regenerative designs as closed loop ecosystem, ecosystem mimicry, biomimicry and resilience and adaptation are central tenets to symbiotic sustainable development model. SSDM on ground manifests as 13 acres of sustainable agriculture living lab with seed bank collection of 100+ indigenous rice and millets; 10 acres of biodiversity park with 12K+ trees, 65+ species of birds and 55+ species of butterflies, animal family with 100+ cows, donkeys, sheep’s, goats, water circularity efforts with 90 mn+ ltrs of RWH and 40 mn ltrs of water recycling with Soil biotechnology plant, 500 kgs of organic composting plant & 150 kgs plastic pyrolysis plant. Interesting paradigm comes when the community leads regenerative development for 100+ neighboring villages. Villages from Palghar district have major population of indigenous tribes comprising 70%. PRA helped understand the need-gaps & is instrumental in designing regenerative efforts. 3000+ farmers adopted regenerative agriculture, make own biofertilizers-biopesticides & volunteer for seeds conservation. The landless farmers were scientifically trained for forest conservation-cultivation & sustainable livelihoods. Water circularity lessons are shared to create wells, shared farm ponds, 100+ check dams, restore drinking water access, borewell repair etc. Indigenous young community and women are supported with 72+ skills training at Govardhan Skills Centre. The efforts cover breadth, width and depth of regenerative development. These purposeful communities and ecovillages are deeply connected with traditional villages and exchange regenerative learnings towards sustainable future with regenerative development.