About Us
‘PRAYAS’ means endeavour — from the Sanskrit for an honest effort.
A collective endeavour to make some change in our lives through education and direct action towards conservation of environment and nature.
To strive in united team endeavour for conservation of nature and protection of environment through education and direct action.
The motivation behind PRAYAS
History gives loud and clear evidence that a lack of creative activism has put generations into decline, both existentially and spiritually. The same situation persists today, where industrialisation and modern consumerism have become a death-wish for mankind. Environmental degradation and the continuous abuse of Mother Nature have brought this heavenly planet to the brink of disaster.
Concerned and motivated people have always tried to pull society out of its blind race for obvious materialism. It would be a complete misfortune if our age of great scientific discovery failed to understand the basic need to conserve our environment and nature.
We, the Earthlings, entered the 21st century with many achievements. Finding newer ways to escape the perfect solution of living simpler lives, we have managed to give our children some great electronic luxuries, great fashion, scintillating music — and a great deal of non-reusable, non-biodegradable, non-recyclable waste that they will inherit.
Concerned at that state of affairs, we started in our small way: to reach as many people as we can, and make them aware of what is being lost and how together we can make a change.
We are a team of dedicated volunteers working in professions as diverse as the languages of India and the cultures of the world. One aim — working together for nature conservation and environment education — fuels our united effort.
Three values — sensitivity, determination and courage — shown as humans supporting the cause of a green earth. They are what we try to imbibe in everything we take on.
Objectives
Environment education and nature conservation through direct and indirect action. Our primary target is the educational institutions of urban and rural Surat and South Gujarat — but we aim to touch as many as we can in India and the world.
To work towards building a human society that values human existence on earth in tune with nature, starting from small community actions at the grass roots.
Creating a strong voice in support of environmental issues among both urban and rural communities.
To extend our resources and abilities to government and non-government organisations with similar objectives towards environment and nature.
Our work areas
Environment education & awareness
We plan, design and conduct environment education programmes for schools and for the general public — presentations, quizzes, films, talks, games, street plays and puppet shows. Publications and resource material such as books, audio and video, leaflets and e-learning courses are the tools we are building out.
Direct conservation efforts
Habitat conservation, energy conservation, alternative and renewable energy projects, Reduce–Reuse–Recycle projects, water conservation and harvesting, waste minimisation, and urban eco-community projects run with communities and educational institutions.
Animal welfare
“Kindness is contagious” — the motto of the Animal Welfare Board of India is the driving force behind our rescue and relief of animals, birds and reptiles in distress, and behind the public awareness we build for compassion towards animals.
Supported by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in our emergency relief operations.
Wildlife rescue & rehabilitation
Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation is where many of our members put their energy. We advocate wildlife habitat conservation and the protection of wildlife at every level we can reach.
We work with the Forest Department, Gujarat State, and are part of the Wildlife Rehabilitators Exchange Network (WREN) of the Wildlife Trust of India, covering wildlife issues in South Gujarat.
Biggest and most effective full cycle animal welfare organisation of Surat
A voluntary non-governmental organisation engaged in animal rescue and welfare, environment protection, and awareness and education. Full cycle means we do not hand the animal on — rescue, treatment, sheltering, rehabilitation and adoption all happen within our own teams and facilities.
Animal rescue & welfare
For the benefit of needy animals — homeless, working, wild and companion.
Environment protection
Promoted, executed and taught — with citizens, institutions and government departments.
How we do it
The capability behind the claim — control room, teams, vehicles, shelters and software.
Animal rescue & welfare
Environment protection
Our facilities
Hospital shelter
10,000 sq ftRehab & adoption shelter
25,000 sq ftOur teams
Paid teams keep the control room, shelters and ambulances running every day. Volunteer teams carry the rest — and seven zone-wise rescue volunteer groups cover the city.
Our innovations
One of a kind web based software connected to a mobile app, to coordinate and manage animal rescue efficiently.
The first ever dedicated adoption website for pets and animals, built around a properly defined adoption process.
Registrations, recognitions & collaborations
We are a public charitable trust, registered and audited, and we work in the open with the bodies below. Registration particulars are on our FCRA disclosures page.
Our inspiration
What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.
The environmental crisis is an outward manifestation of a crisis of mind and spirit. It is concerned with the kind of creatures we are, and what we must become in order to survive.
Work with us
Every one of our volunteers has a full-time life elsewhere. If the work here matters to you, there is a place for you in it.