ML · Forest restoration · Himachal Pradesh
Plant where trees
actually survive.
Revolutionizing forest restoration through machine-learning powered plantation site selection — now with native-species recommendations, in Hindi and English.
A Telegram bot · share a location · get a prediction in seconds
Illustrative output · one ~7-hectare tile
The challenge
Billions wasted on ineffective tree planting.
Most tree planting initiatives fail by choosing unsuitable sites, squandering resources and hindering successful restoration.
of annual restoration budget is wasted on doomed sites
of trees die in poorly selected locations
spent annually in India on forest restoration and conservation
Why reforestation efforts fail
Inadequate site analysis: Planting without considering crucial data like soil health, climate patterns, and land history.
Mismatched species: Selecting tree species that are not suited to the local micro-environment.
Ignoring social factors: Overlooking land tenure issues and community needs, which undermines long-term success.
Wasted resources: Pouring funds and effort into locations doomed from the start, eroding trust and slowing progress.
The pipeline
ML meets conservation.
WhereToPlant (@seedsagebot) is a data-driven Telegram bot that transforms how we approach forest restoration.
Share location
Open Telegram, find @seedsagebot, and share your geographic coordinates.
Model analysis
The machine-learning model processes environmental data, climate patterns, soil and elevation.
Visual report
A color-coded viability map with survival predictions and star ratings.
What to plant
Native-species recommendations for the site, graded by confidence — then decide.
Location intelligence
Analyzes soil composition, climate patterns, elevation, and historical vegetation data.
Success prediction
Precise percentage-based survival predictions and star ratings.
Bilingual access
Operates in both Hindi and English for diverse communities across India.
Instant results
Comprehensive analysis within seconds via Telegram's familiar interface.
What to plant, not just where.
Share a location and the bot now recommends the native tree species suited to that specific site — each graded High, Medium, or Low confidence, in Hindi and English.
- Native species matched to the tile's climate, soil and terrain
- Confidence-graded — the bot only speaks when the signal is there
- Risk-framed guidance to consider, never a command
- Bilingual output for field officers and communities
Species suited to this area
- 1ShishamHigh
- 2KhairHigh
- 3SirasMedium
- 4BargadMedium
- 5MangoLow
Guidance to consider, not a directive — local conditions matter.यह केवल सुझाव है, आदेश नहीं।
Current focus
Himachal Pradesh.
The bot currently specializes in Himachal Pradesh, a state of critical ecological importance in the Indian Himalayas.
Altitude variations
From 350m to 7,000m elevation, requiring species-specific planning.
Climate diversity
Subtropical to alpine conditions within the same state.
Soil complexity
Varied geological formations affecting plantation success.
Impact & vision
Fewer wasted saplings.
Resource optimization
Directs limited funds, labor, and saplings to locations with the highest success probability.
Waste reduction
Prevents costly mistakes by identifying unsuitable sites — a potential $63M–$100M saved in HP over 10 years.
Community empowerment
Gives local citizens and organizations scientific tools for conservation decision-making.
Data-driven policy
Evidence-based insights for government and NGO restoration strategies.
of land targeted for restoration globally — a massive opportunity for impact.
in potential annual global waste if restoration is poorly targeted.
Aligns with the SDGs, Bonn Challenge, and national commitments (NDCs).
Roadmap
What's next.
Site selection and species recommendation are live. The rest of a comprehensive restoration ecosystem is next.
Species recommendation
“What to plant” for a location.
Optimal timing
Predictions for “when to plant” for maximum success.
State expansion & integration
Additional Indian states and integration with government restoration programs.
Community & advanced analytics
Community monitoring, feedback systems, and enhanced data visualization.
Demo
See it in action.
A short walkthrough of how WhereToPlant helps you make smarter, data-driven restoration decisions.
Ready to plant with confidence?
Whether you're a conservationist, researcher, or someone who cares about our environment — WhereToPlant is your gateway to smarter restoration decisions.