India, Sept. 19 -- In the rocky stretch of the Aravallis, flanked by the urban sprawl of Gurugram and Faridabad, 39-year-old Sunil Harsana has taken it upon himself to become the custodian of North India's last natural forests - a landscape that balances history, heritage, and biodiversity. Born in Mangar village, Harsana has become a determined conservationist, researcher, and community leader.

His journey began in 2011 when threats of urban development appeared over Mangar Bani, a sacred grove among the vast urbanisation in Faridabad to its east, and Gurugram to its west and Delhi in the north.

Alarmed by the possibility of losing his childhood playground and the ecological lifeline of his village, Harsana decided to act.

He has dedi...