SRDE.School for Rural Development
& Environment

COMMUNITY-LED. NATURE-ROOTED.

STRONGER
COMMUNITIES.
LIVING
LANDSCAPES.

Connecting rural development, environmental action and wildlife conservation in Jammu & Kashmir.

Explore our work
A walker and grazing sheep in Kashmir’s mountain meadows
JAMMU & KASHMIR · INDIA
48Wetlands documentedReported in 2026
1MTree-planting campaign goalPir Panjal campaign
ONEConnected purpose

People and nature, thriving together.

WHO WE ARE

LOCAL VOICES.
LASTING CHANGE.

Conservation and community wellbeing belong together.

SRDE works with communities in Jammu & Kashmir, connecting environmental protection with education, practical skills and sustainable livelihoods.

Our approach brings local participation, learning and collective action to the places people call home.

More about SRDE

WHAT WE DO

PEOPLE.
NATURE.
OPPORTUNITY.

From forests and wetlands to classrooms and local enterprise, our work connects the wellbeing of people and nature.

WILDLIFE & BIODIVERSITY

Wildlife conservation

Connecting habitat protection, conservation awareness and community participation in wildlife initiatives.

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SRDE was named among participants in the Asian Waterbird Census 2024. Its chairman also attended the opening of a human–wildlife conflict workshop at Dachigam in April 2024.

Read waterbird census reporting
Read workshop reporting
FORESTS & RESTORATION

Forests & restoration

Planting drives bring volunteers, institutions and government departments together to restore tree cover.

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Plantations are a signature SRDE program. The Pir Panjal campaign sets out an ambitious restoration goal: one million trees.

Read campaign reporting
COMMUNITY TOURISM

Community-led tourism

Local participation in tourism connects conservation with income in J&K and Ladakh.

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Tosamaidan’s community-driven adventure and rural eco-tourism model links visitor experiences with local livelihoods and landscape protection.

Explore the Tosamaidan story
WETLAND CONSERVATION

Wetlands & living heritage

Wetland documentation and eco-guide initiatives connect biodiversity, traditional knowledge and community stewardship.

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Reporting from Hokersar’s World Wetlands Day 2026 event highlights SRDE’s documentation of 48 wetlands and a nature-tourism initiative with the Nature Conservancy Alliance.

Read the field report
EDUCATION ACCESS

Access to learning

Work with schools, communities and institutions supports education access.

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SRDE describes engagement at community, district and state levels.

Read about SRDE’s programs
DIGITAL SKILLS

Digital literacy

Practical computer learning for young people and women, with links to rural tourism and livelihood opportunities.

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SRDE’s digital literacy initiative helps communities build skills to participate more independently in a connected economy.

Read about digital literacy
WOMEN & LIVELIHOODS

Traditional crafts

Supporting women to learn local art and craft skills and develop livelihood opportunities from home.

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SRDE describes craft training in Shopian, Pulwama, Budgam and Kupwara.

Read about craft training
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Conversations on conservation

Environmental talks and nature walks help people connect with their surroundings.

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Learning together can make everyday stewardship part of community life.

Ask about participation

Program information: SRDE’s published programs and linked field reporting.

Camping tents in a green mountain meadow beneath snow-covered peaks

COMMUNITY TOURISM · TOSAMAIDAN

A PLACE TO
PROTECT.
A FUTURE TO
BUILD.

Tosamaidan’s community-driven tourism model connects local livelihoods with the protection of its mountain landscape.

Discover the story

FIELD NOTES

ACTION.
ON THE GROUND.

Independent reporting on SRDE’s work and the communities shaping it.

FOREST RESTORATION

One Million Trees for Pir Panjal

A collaborative campaign for ecological restoration, rooted in community stewardship.

Kashmir Despatch · Read report
WETLAND CONSERVATION

Hokersar: people, nature and knowledge

World Wetlands Day 2026 brings traditional knowledge and eco-guides into the conversation.

Kashmir Life · Read report
COMMUNITY ACTION

Planting together in Aharbal

The Pir Panjal movement reaches South Kashmir with a community plantation drive.

Kashmir Despatch · Read report

WORK WITH US

CHANGE STARTS
WITH US.

Bring your time, skills or resources to work that connects communities and conservation.

Volunteer.

Ask about opportunities to contribute to community activities and conservation learning.

Get involved

Partner.

Connect your institution or expertise with SRDE’s community and environmental work.

Start a conversation

Support.

Speak with SRDE about current program needs and available ways to support the work.

Contact SRDE
Explore future partnership priorities

Proposed areas include climate-resilient villages, youth conservation leadership and responsible visitor practices. Contact SRDE to discuss where your expertise could help.