Over three decades of restoring ecosystems, planting native forests, and empowering communities in rural Telangana.
Restoring Nature, Empowering Communities
Since 1991, RADS has led one of Telangana's most sustained grassroots ecological restoration programs — planting native forests, rejuvenating lakes, and mobilising communities to protect and restore the natural environment across Ranga Reddy, Mahabubnagar, Medak, and Hyderabad districts.
Our afforestation work uses three proven methods: Miyawaki high-density plantation, traditional spacing plantation, and dense canopy plantation on barren land. Each sapling is nurtured by local volunteers and community members trained in eco-restoration practices.
RADS also runs lake rejuvenation drives desilting and restoring both urban and rural water bodies, alongside plog running, seedball making, and nest box installation — building a culture of environmental stewardship from the ground up.
Contact RADS
H.No. 4-1-704/1/A, BTS Colony, Near Shivram Nagar, Vikarabad Town, Vikarabad District, Telangana – 501 101
Our Core Values
Ecology
Restoring native ecosystems through afforestation, lake rejuvenation, and biodiversity programs across Telangana.
Sustainability
Promoting water conservation, chemical-free farming, and sustainable land use to protect the environment for future generations.
Community
Grassroots-led environmental restoration where local communities drive plantation drives, lake clean-ups, and eco activities.
Justice
Legal literacy and fair access to justice for every woman, regardless of caste or class.
Where Nature Meets Community
RADS leads large-scale ecological restoration across Telangana — combining scientific plantation methods with grassroots community mobilisation.
Afforestation
Miyawaki Plantation
High-density native species planted in tight clusters — grows 10× faster than conventional forests and creates self-sustaining mini-forests within years.
Traditional Plantation
Time-tested spacing methods suited to roadsides, farmlands, and community grounds — durable canopy cover across diverse land types.
Dense Plantation
Maximum canopy coverage on degraded and barren land — fighting soil erosion, improving groundwater, and restoring local biodiversity.
Water Projects — Lake Rejuvenation
Urban Lake Rejuvenation
Desilting, bund strengthening, invasive plant removal, and community clean-up drives restoring city water bodies degraded by encroachment and pollution.
Rural Lake Rejuvenation
Reviving traditional tanks and ponds critical for irrigation, drinking water, and local livelihoods — in partnership with village communities and panchayats.
Sustainable Volunteering
Open to individuals, student groups, and corporate teams — no prior experience needed.
Vision & Mission
Our Vision
RADS visions a transformed societyin which inequalities on the basis of caste, class and religion don't exist. A meaningful life for all citizens, especially women, will be achieved with a clean and healthy environment.
RADS as a prominent advocacy and development organization will contribute effectively to the process of realizing this vision.
Our Mission
The mission of RADS is to fight violence against women and atrocities on the girl child. This will be achieved through campaigns, legal literacy, and counseling.
RADS strongly believes in awareness generation, legal literacy, capacity building of women to raise their voice, voter education, and human rights.
“We believe and work with the hope that love, justice and peace will prevail.”— Ms. G. Satyavathi, Founder, RADS
Aims & Objectives
Restore and protect native ecosystems through afforestation, lake rejuvenation, and biodiversity programs
Promote sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and chemical-free farming practices
Engage communities in eco-volunteering through plantation drives, plog runs, and seedball activities
Support urban and rural biodiversity through nest box installation and habitat restoration
Rejuvenate urban and rural water bodies to improve water access and environmental health
Generate awareness of women on social, legal and cultural issues
Reduce disputes through family and legal counseling
Mobilize people for elimination of child marriages and child labour
Educate women and children on health and hygiene
Create awareness for controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS
Generate awareness on Panchayat Raj and grassroots governance
Strengthen youth associations through environmental, social, and economic awareness
Our Founder
Ms. G. Satyavathi
Founder & Executive Director · Chief Functionary
Ms. G. Satyavathi has shown remarkable resilience during adversities and unwavering commitment in the cause of women's empowerment. Single and wedded to the cause of development, she spearheaded the battle to ensure creation of a supportive organization for the underprivileged in the backward region of Vikarabad.
With over 40 years of experience in the development sector (since 1982), she has built RADS into the only organization that stood the test of time in Vikarabad — continuing till date to serve the surrounding mandals. Her untiring service attracted the attention of many agencies and she was invited to various international conferences.
- Biography: Sathyavathi – Confronting Caste, Class and Gender by Vasanth Kannabiran (Telugu & English, 2015)
- Article in Womanscape by Volga, Vasanth Kannabiran & Kalpana Kannabiran
- Sathyavathi Akali Putuka – Namaste Telangana, 2016
- Rural & Tribal Area Work – Boomikha Newsletter by Sajaya, 1995
Biography: Sathyavathi
“Confronting Caste, Class and Gender” — a biography written by noted author Vasanth Kannabiran documenting the life, struggles, and achievements of Ms. G. Satyavathi. Published in both Telugu and English in 2015, it was launched at Asmita Resource Centre for Women.
The book chronicles her journey from a young activist in 1979 to building RADS into a powerful force for women's rights across Telangana.
Governing Board
A team of eminent women deeply committed to social transformation and development
Ms. G. Satyavathi
Founder & Executive Director
40+ years in development sectorDr. P. Arundhati
Secretary
Medical DoctorDr. Swarnalatha
Executive Member
Doctor of PhysicsMs. Y. Vijaya Kumari
Joint Secretary & Treasurer
ArchitectMs. Indira
Executive Member
Social ActivistMs. K. Swarna Rekha
Executive Member
LecturerMs. Flawrence David
Executive Member
Social ActivistAdditionally, 25 General Body Members drawn from the communities RADS serves form the broader board.
A Legacy of Service
Convener of APSA in twin cities — pioneering work on health, nutrition & environment
Cluster Organizer in PEP – abolishment of bonded labour and adult education campaigns
Coordinator at SALT – pioneering literacy programmes across rural and urban Andhra Pradesh
Coordinator & Convener of Joint Women's Programme (JWP), Andhra Pradesh
RADS officially registered as a society — Reg. No. 1199 of 1988
RADS begins field operations in Vikarabad, Telangana — the journey of community transformation starts
Ms. Satyavathi wins the Resourceful Women Merit Award from Shaler Adams Foundation, USA
Represents RADS at the World Women's Conference in Beijing, China
Ford Foundation-funded Women's Literacy & Livelihood project — transforming lives across 4 districts
Named Best NGO in District by the Telangana State Government — 25 years of impact acknowledged
Expanding into new mandals — 60,000+ women in SHGs, continuing the mission of a transformed society
SHG Growth Over the Years
From 50 groups in 1991 to 4,000+ today — a journey of steadfast commitment.
Legal Registrations & Certifications
Registered Society
No. 1199 of 1988, Telangana Areas Public Societies Registration Act, 1350 Fasli
FCRA Registration
Foreign Regulation Act 1976 – registered 24 June 1991, renewed 24 December 2002
Income Tax – 12A
Certified under Section 12A at the Office of Commissioner of Income Tax
80G Certification
Eligible for donations under Section 80G(5)(2)(iv) of IT Act 1961
Darpan ID
Available – registered on NGO Darpan portal, Government of India
CSR
Available – eligible for Corporate Social Responsibility funding