India: Species, Deities & Communities

We will begin our journey in Mumbai, traveling by train on the Konkan Railway—one of India's most scenic routes—through a landscape of lush green plains, rice fields, and waterfalls. We’ll arrive in the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot in Maharashtra, where we will explore sacred groves, temples, and forests. Here, amidst birds, amphibians, and snakes, we’ll discover ancient Hindu stories that reveal the deep connection between local communities and nature.

The course continues to Dapoli, where we will explore the coastal side of conservation by visiting mangrove forests. We'll also visit the ancient Keshavraj Vishnu temple, which is surrounded by orchards in a village focused on sustainability.

Throughout the course, we will visit many unique sacred groves. In the Western Ghats of India, sacred groves have a rich history. These forest patches are protected and revered by local communities for their biological, social, and spiritual benefits. They serve as vital havens for plants and animals, centers for community life, and places where people can connect with ancient deities. 

In this course, we will explore the complex relationship between people and nature and the importance of sacred sites in environmental stewardship. We will discuss the benefits of celebrating the spiritual dimension of sacred sites, how to include local knowledge in sustainability models, and the unique opportunities sacred sites provide for community-based conservation.

The award-winning Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF) is our partner and host in India. AERF has worked with communities in the Western Ghats for more than two decades to support groundbreaking work on sacred groves and conservation. 

A typical day on this EE course includes exploration in the local environment and temples, instructor and student-led discussions of key course topics, presentations, engagement with local community experts, and time for inquiry investigations and journal writing. Prior to and following the field experience in India, students will complete coursework via Canvas, Miami University's learning management system, as they apply experiences at home.

*** If you're interested in India: Species, Deities & Communities for Summer 2026, let us know by completing this short form. This option is ideal for anyone needing Continuing Education Units or additional graduate credits, those with previous Master's experiences, or Dragonfly alums. We offer a limited number of spots (up to 6) for non-Master's candidates in most of our EE courses. An undergraduate degree is required. ***

India is a spectacular country of tremendous biological and cultural diversity, a place where ancient traditions coexist alongside modern cities in one of the world’s largest democracies. The natural environments of India range from deserts to tropical forests, from beaches to Himalayan peaks. India has more than 400 wildlife sanctuaries and is home to elephants, hornbills, wild dogs, crocodiles, tigers, and rhinoceroses. As the birthplace of four world religions, India has helped shape cultures across Asia and beyond.

Western Ghats

All of our course locations lie in the Western Ghats, a lush and dramatic landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as one of the most important conservation regions on Earth. The rain that falls in the Western Ghats feeds many of India’s major rivers. We will be in the northern section of the Western Ghats (in the Sahyadris hill range), which has received comparatively little conservation attention.

Amba Wildlife Corridor

India is seeking to reverse a tragic decline of ecologically and spiritually important species by establishing and protecting a system of reserves and corridors. While in Amba, we can gain an appreciation for the ecological importance, impacts, and conservation strategies happening in this region including the spiritual aspects of hornbills, palm civet, tigers, fish tail palm, and other animal and plant species, in sacred groves. 

Velneshwar

Sri Velneshwar is an ancient temple by the sea, located on the shores of the Indian Ocean. The colorful temple grounds are decorated with paintings and carvings depicting deities and local stories. Many plant and animal species frequent this area including monkeys and many species of birds.

(Course locations are subject to change.)

Check out another EE!