CARD has implemented environment development projects such as wastelands development, construction of biogas plants and smokeless chulas from the inception of the organisation.
Now, CARD plans to give major focus for the environment development to conserve the degraded forest lands, conserve the endangered and threatened animal and plant species. Involved in the prevention of human and elephant conflict at Kalakadu – Mundathurai Tiger Reserve for the last one and half years.
CARD is working in Muthupettai Mangrove Forest for the last five years to conserve the degraded mangrove plantations in order to mitigate the green house gases and to promote the livelihood of the people depended on mangrove forest
Karandamalai Reserve forests is part of the southern Eastern Ghats region homing to many thriving wildlife such as Indian Gaur, Indian Pangolin, Grey slender Loris, Sloth Bear, wildl boar etc., this wildlife is facing immense pressure due to illegal poaching, hunting and deforestation activities. Since 2017 onwards, CARD has intervened the Karandamalai Reserve forests through community-based conservation initiatives. Around 2000 families living inside the Reserve Forests in Sinnamalaiyur, Malayur, Valasai villages.
These people are traditionally practicing the deforestation for agriculture expansion, logging and lopping for their daily livelihood needs. Encroaching the forest area for agriculture expansion is devastating the dwindling native forests ecosystem. CARD is continuously working with the local community to reduce the forests dependency to preserve the karandamalai reserve forests and its thriving wildlife.
Tree planting programme was undertaken at Government Arts College, Veppur in Perambalur District with the financial assistance from the Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Chennai .2000 tree seedlings were planted in the college campus and watered the plants. An entrance gate was constructed and a grill gate was provided under this project.
Botanical Garden is developed in two acres of land owned by CARD at Pallpatti village, Kottampatti Block, Madurai District. Trees and plants were identified at the site and labeled their local name, botanical name and their uses. CARD became a member of Botanical Garden Conservation International(BGCI), United Kingdom. Efforts are made to develop the garden further