Payment for Ecosystem Services through Improved Native Biodiversity on Small farmlands Most reforestation solutions are in existing forest lands or urban spaces. The objective is: To increase the population of trees and plants To improve native bio-diversity To provide steady income source for marginal farmers We think rural private"mini-forests" may solve part of the challenge. An Acre of Sugarcane can consume about 1 crore litres of water during its cultivation. By engaging marginal and small farmers, we use a fraction of their farmland for high-density, hypernative species. We pay them a lease for the farmland and a monthly stipend for maintaining the plantation for 3 years. This leads to lesser land for sugarcane, increased tree cover, higher population of native species, improved biodiversity and a regular payment for ecosystem services an dmore water for other livelihood and economic activities. We planted Lemon, Avla, Sitaphal, Audumbar, Drumsticks, Bel, Neem, Palash, Bor, Peepal, Jambul, Tamarind, Castor among other few more. In all we planted over 15 species we found during the survey of the region. We were also guided by forest officials and taxonomists/ botanists from the academia. With this pilot, the Gram Panchayat has evinced interest to replicate similar projects on Panchayat lands. With a greater area, additional projects such as:'Nutrition Garden' for better health; and'Native Cattle Breed', will support, more consistent employment, agri-insurance, adaptation to climate changes Increase Tree& Plant Population of Hyper-native Species and Improve Local Floral and Faunal Biodiversity If we work on the grampanchayat lands, we think we can improve local biodiversity,“poshan-vatika” or "Nutrition Garden" can improve health of children and women(by partnering with Anaemia Free India Foundation). With greater number of small-farmland owners opting to use a fraction of their land for plantation, we can set up a pilot Payment-for-Ecosystem-Services mechanism. 18 hyper-native species 1000 saplings Over 90% Survival Rate 1 Small farmland Farmer 3.25 acres Native plantation on 0.25 acres We aim to avoid sugarcane plantation and therefore increase water availability in the region for other native and local crops and for livelihood. Avoided Sugarcane cultivation Avoided 17.5 lakh litres of water Earthyantra implemented the project. Shri Prashant Khaire and family were the volunteer farmer. The project is in Bhondwewadi, Supa, about 10km west of Morgaon Ganpathy Temple, Baramati Taluka, Pune District, Maharashtra State