Dharti Amrit, co-founded by Onkar Singh Shekhawat and Manvendra Singh Inaniya, is a Jaipur-based afforestation solutions company dedicated to creating native wild forests just the way nature intended. Founded in 2016 by retired Marine Commando Onkar Singh, the brand uses a blend of the Miyawaki Method of Afforestation (Japan) and Dryland Forestry Method, enriched with ancient Indian wisdom introduced by Padmashree Shree Sundaram Verma ji.

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Unlike traditional nurseries or gardening services, Dharti Amrit focuses on building high-biodiversity ecosystems that mimic natural forests. Their approach emphasizes variety over monocultures, scientifically analyzing eco-regions to design forests that are professional, scalable, and profitable.

The Founders

• Onkar Singh Shekhawat: Retired Marine Commando, joined the Indian Navy in 2001 and retired in 2016. He chose to dedicate his life to environmental defense, channeling his discipline and service ethos into ecological restoration.
• Manvendra Singh Inaniya: An engineering dropout with a background in organic farming and forest restoration in mountainous regions, recipient of a global fellowship.

The duo met in 2018 during a forest creation workshop where Manvendra was a trainer and Onkar was the host. Their shared vision of rewilding the Earth led to the creation of Dharti Amrit.

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Philosophy & Mission

Dharti Amrit’s philosophy is rooted in coexistence. They aim to shift the perspective from “planting trees” to “building assets for the planet.”

• Mission: For industries, governments, and individuals to embrace biodiversity-rich forests as long-term ecological assets.
• Vision: To prove that environmental restoration can be both profitable and sustainable, positioning India as a global leader in professional afforestation.
• Core Values: Scientific rigor, biodiversity, ecological restoration, and customer education.

Shark Tank India Journey

Dharti Amrit appeared on Shark Tank India Season 5, Episode 51 (“Pitches For The Planet”), seeking ₹1.5 crore for 5% equity (₹30 crore valuation).

• Shark Reactions:
  • Namita Thapar praised the cause, referencing Japan’s Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), but felt the Indian market was too niche.
  • Anupam Mittal viewed it as a services business, suggesting targeting wealthy individuals for private forests.
  • Kunal Bahl raised concerns about competition from statutory green service providers.
  • Aman Gupta questioned the valuation against modest profits (~₹3 lakh).
  • Hardik Kothiya declined investment but offered to collaborate outside the tank.

Despite no deal, the Sharks expressed deep respect for Onkar’s military service and the founders’ mission.

Impact & Achievements

• 170+ acres of forests created across India.
• 400+ species planted, ensuring biodiversity.
• Industrial Project (6 acres): 21,400 saplings of 102 species transformed barren land into a biodiversity hub.
• Jaipur Project (2 acres): Attracted 30–35 bird species and even local leopards, proving real ecological restoration.
• Scalability: Demonstrated rapid growth forests in 10 years that would naturally take 100 years.

Future Vision

Dharti Amrit aims to:

• Expand the “private forest” concept for farmhouses and estates.
• Help industries meet green mandates through scientifically backed, high-impact restoration.
• Position India as a global leader in professional afforestation services.

Closing Thought

Dharti Amrit is more than a business — it’s a mission to rewild the Earth. With its scientific approach, military discipline, and ecological wisdom, the brand is proving that environmental restoration can be both impactful and sustainable. While Shark Tank investors passed on the deal, Dharti Amrit’s journey continues to inspire, showing that forests can be built as assets for the planet and for future generations.