In a world grappling with growing environmental concerns, one transformative initiative stands out for its ambitious vision and far-reaching impact. A groundbreaking campaign is leading the charge to restore one of India’s most vital rivers, once a thriving forest-fed lifeline, now threatened by decades of deforestation and ecological imbalance. This initiative not only seeks to revive the river but also to uplift millions of lives dependent on its waters. Rooted in a deep understanding of nature’s cycles, the campaign is reshaping landscapes, enhancing livelihoods, and providing a sustainable future for generations to come. At the heart of this mission is a guiding force translating spiritual wisdom into actionable strategies, transforming ecological restoration into a global model of environmental renewal and hope.
In a time when environmental crises are becoming increasingly urgent, few campaigns have garnered as much attention and impact as Cauvery Calling, an ambitious initiative to restore one of India’s most vital rivers. At the forefront of this movement is Nagarjuna Reddy Aturi, also known as Arjun, a dedicated Isha yoga teacher and full-time volunteer. Under the guidance of Sadhguru, founder of the Isha Foundation, Arjun has emerged as a key figure in realizing the movement’s effort to revive the Cauvery River, which supports millions of people in southern India.
Cauvery Calling is the realization of decades of wisdom from Sadhguru, who foresaw the ecological challenges facing the river long before they reached crisis levels. Arjun, Under his guidance and directive, has been instrumental in shaping the global fundraising strategies, crafting policies, and securing vital financial support needed to advance the movement’s goals. This efforts have propelled Cauvery Calling to the forefront of India’s environmental efforts, making it one of the most significant campaigns in the country’s history.
Reviving a Lifeline
The Cauvery River, once the lifeblood of southern India, has seen its flow drastically reduced due to widespread deforestation, losing 87% of its tree cover over the past five decades. This devastating loss has transformed the perennial river into a seasonal stream, jeopardizing the livelihoods of 84 million people who rely on it. The Cauvery Calling campaign seeks to reverse this alarming trend, with a focus on restoring ecological balance and rejuvenating the river by promoting tree-based agriculture on private farmlands. This scalable approach—pioneered by the movement—aims to restore tree cover on vast stretches of farmland, providing a sustainable path to revitalizing not just the river, but also the livelihoods of farmers.
A Leadership Guided by Vision
At the heart of Cauvery Calling’s success is Sadhguru’s visionary leadership and Arjun’s dedicated commitment to the cause. Under his teachings and directives, Arjun has helped lead the campaign to notable milestones such as the planting of 111 million trees and assisting 218,000 farmers in transitioning to tree-based agriculture. The campaign has also gained international recognition, receiving accreditation from the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Furthermore, the Indian government has allocated ₹19,000 crores (~$2.5 billion USD) to rejuvenate 13 rivers across the country, further emphasizing the campaign’s broad impact.
Arjun has been pivotal in securing global financial support and aligning the campaign with foundation’s broader vision of ecological revival and spiritual well-being. His work in translating Foundation’s insights into tangible strategies has allowed the Cauvery Calling movement to evolve beyond a conventional environmental initiative, positioning it as a global model for sustainable restoration efforts.
A Global Solution Rooted in Nature
Cauvery Calling’s impact extends far beyond the restoration of a single river. The campaign addresses several pressing global issues, such as climate change, land degradation, food security, and sustainable development. Through its approach to restoring tree cover and promoting sustainable farming, Cauvery Calling addresses all five key focus areas identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: adaptation, mitigation, combating desertification, improving food security, and fostering sustainable development.
The initiative plans to plant 2.42 billion trees, which is expected to sequester between 200 and 300 million tonnes of CO2, significantly contributing to India’s climate goals. Additionally, it aims to restore 9-12 trillion liters of water to the soil and groundwater systems, safeguarding the future of millions of farmers and the environment on which they depend.
A Vision Realized
Under the continued guidance, Aturi is leading the ambitious efforts of Cauvery Calling to meet its long-term goals. The campaign’s deep roots in spiritual and ecological wisdom have not only transformed vast landscapes but also empowered farmers, boosted food security, and revitalized local communities. With incomes for farmers increasing by 300-800% and millions of lives positively affected, the initiative stands as a beacon of hope for addressing the intertwined challenges of environmental degradation and human well-being.
Nagarjuna Reddy Aturi’s execution, inspired by Sadhguru’s vision, has played a critical role in bringing this movement to life. Together, they have demonstrated that large-scale ecological restoration is both achievable and essential for building a sustainable future. Through their efforts, Cauvery Calling has become more than just an environmental project—it is a profound, holistic approach to restoring balance between humanity and nature.
