Bioacoustics DMRV unlocking Biodiversity Value in Agroforestry

In Dumka, Jharkhand, real restoration starts with people, not technology.

Across 70 agroforestry sites spanning 147 hectares, local land stewards—our Van Saarthis and Van Baahinis—are leading a community-driven ecological renaissance. They're not passive recipients; they're active custodians collecting field observations, monitoring wildlife, nurturing plantations, and rebuilding resilience from the ground up.

The landscape faced fragmentation, degradation, and climate stress. Yet our biodiversity survey revealed something hopeful: 72 bird species thriving here, including the Near Threatened Alexandrine Parakeet. The ecosystem wasn't lost—it was waiting to recover.

Our approach combines restoration with real livelihoods. Native, climate-resilient species like Mango, Arjun, and Sagwan restore soil, support pollinators, control erosion, and provide long-term income for families.

What sets this apart is marrying community wisdom with measurable impact. While Van Saarthis guide on-ground work, Darukaa's AI platform—combining satellite data, bioacoustics, and geospatial analysis—creates transparent, auditable biodiversity insights. Communities become both protectors and data stewards.

With MA Earth's support, we're expanding habitat connectivity, strengthening monitoring, supporting pollinators, and creating sustainable livelihoods. Dumka is proving that ecology, technology, and community stewardship can transform degraded landscapes into thriving, resilient ecosystems.