India, Feb. 21 -- I had been drawn to Auroville by the stories of regenerating a wasteland, a tale that had begun twenty years previously as people from all over the world had come to start an experiment in Human Unity.

When I arrived, I was amazed by the dedication and commitment of the foresters within the community. Many of them had been around since the early years and had devoted the best parts of their lives to planting trees and protecting them. Amongst this group, there was a small number of individuals who were starting to systematically research the native forests of the area. It was the perfect opportunity for me, and I happily joined them on their journey. We began to explore the forest remnants and put the parts of the puzzl...