The Dhanushadham Protected Forest (DPF) is the last major patch of untouched forest left on Nepal’s eastern Terai plains. It’s a vital hub for biodiversity and a key route for large animals – like wild elephants, antelope, deer, wild boar, and big cats – migrating to and from the wooded Chure Hills to the north. They follow the course of the Baluwa River for approximately 12 kilometres.

It is this route that we are reforesting through stepping-stone Miyawaki forests and conventional reforestation that incorporates agroforestry.

Two of the species most at threat are ungulates (hoofed animals). These are the Blue Bull, which is Asia’s largest antelope, and the Wild Boar. Both are blamed for damaging crops. The Blue Bull has already been hunted to extinction in Bangladesh and in 2023 the Nepal government lifted the ban on hunting Wild Boar.

The southern section of the corridor will consist of 13 Miyawaki forests. These are planted on 13 landsites purchased in the name of our local partner, the Mithila Wildlife Trust, so that they can act as permanent memorials to the 13 Gurkha officers and soldiers who have been awarded the VC (Victoria Cross) since the start of the Second World War.

The VC is the highest award for gallantry in British and Commonwealth forces and it is fitting to commemorate these national heroes through sturdy rapid-growth and enduring leafy forests.

Our ultimate goal, through Phase 2 of the project, is to plant twice this number, 26 being the total number of Gurkha VCs awarded since the medal was instituted in 1856.

Our Founder, Philip Holmes, was privileged to meet the last of the 13 VC winners at his home in east Nepal in 2022. Captain Limbu was awarded the VC in 1965 for heroism in Borneo. He was very excited to hear of our plans, recording his support on video.

Captain Limbu passed away in 2023, but his memory will live on, including through our work.

We are very pleased to work with Dutch social enterprise The Green Intelligence who are providing support to farmers in agroforestry methods. This involves planting trees conventionally alongside crops, creating a biodiverse and sustainable environmental/economic land use arrangement, to the benefitof wildlife and humans alike.

One beneficiary is Bina Yadav who has planted aubergines alongside fruit-producing trees such as mango and jackfruit.

As part of this project, in 2024 we registered a new women’s community bank that offers microloans that allow women to set up their own livelihoods initiative (ideally nature-based). Group members can access startup loans of up to £150, with recipients approved collectively by the women to ensure shared responsibility for repayment.

During a September 2025 visit we met the group pictured that was eagerly anticipating an educational visit to a neighbouring district to see how women there are using loans to create sustainable livelihoods.