In India, more than 150 species are critically endangered and require immediate intervention to sustain their populations. Several economically important plant species are destructively extracted directly from the forests. Apart from anthropogenic threats, several species are threatened due to invasive species and climate change. Through the RESTORE initiative, the project aims to take a comprehensive approach to the conservation and recovery of many of the critically endangered tree species. 

Reintroduction of endangered species in natural habitats when they occur in depleted numbers is key to preserving tree species– both by traditional methods (seed collection, germination, and hardening before planting out) as well as through micropropagation using tissue culture technology, keeping in mind the genetic variability requirements. Local stewardship will also be critical to ensuring the survival of young plants in the wild. The proposed RESTORE initiative is a novel multi-disciplinary approach to recover threatened tree species into their native and ecologically suitable habitats. The ultimate goal is to stabilise and rebuild self-sustaining wild populations of threatened tree species and their ecological integrity.