Kailash, a farmer in NE India

 Kailash had been driven to poverty, despair and thoughts of suicide because of Monsanto’s pesticides and genetically engineered seeds. Today Kailash is thriving by growing fields of organic tulsi.

Pratabi, a traditional healer in Rajasthan, India

Pratabi uses tulsi and other herbs to treat people who are sick as a result of nearby zinc mining. But now 93% of all the plants Pratabi uses face imminent extinction. Pratabi vows she will do whatever it takes to protect Tulsi.

Dr Singh, an ayurvedic doctor in Lucknow, India

Dr. Singh is an expert on the tulsi plant, which has been used in ayurvedic medicine for at least 5,000 years. Dr. Singh's research shows that Tulsi’s phyto-chemical compounds possess strong anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, immune-enhancing and adaptogenic properties.

Sri Sujit Sharma, a Hindu priest in Vrindavan, India

In recent years the sacred Tulsi groves surrounding Vrindavan, the home of Krishna, have been disappearing and the1,000 year old temples are crumbling from pollution. Sri Sharma is working to replant the forests with Tulsi.

Bala Devi Chandreshekar, a dancer in New Jersey, USA

Usha Swamy and other mothers in India, UK and USA.

Prashanti de Jager, David Winston and other herbalists and ayurveds in India, UK and USA.

In India, we pray: "Let all beings be happy."” Vandana Shiva, environmental activist, writer, India

Human beings are only one of 8.4 million species. They have no more rights than any other species. In fact, they have extra responsibilities to practice non-violence and to be humble in the face of the mysterious, glorious, abundant and extraordinary phenomenon of the living world. Satish Kumar, writer and earth pilgrim in Devon, UK