About Us - Gorukana Eco Wellness Centre

Your Experience, Their Future – Empowering the Soliga Community

Rooted in Community. Growing Through Purpose.

A Social Enterprise Initiative of Vivek Karuna Foundation

Gorukana—the web of life. The name comes from a Soliga song, Goru Goruka Gorukana, which speaks of the deep and enduring relationship between the Soliga people and the forests of the BR Hills. That relationship—rooted in respect, knowledge, and coexistence—is the foundation on which everything at Gorukana is built.

In 2010, under the leadership of Padma Shri Dr. H. Sudarshan, the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK) and Karuna Trust came together to establish the Vivek Karuna Foundation, with a shared vision of creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and reducing dependence on charitable donations through social enterprise.

This is not charity—it is a model of sustainable, community-led enterprise.

Gorukana Eco Wellness Centre is one expression of that vision. Through Ayurveda, nature-based learning, and Soliga cultural experiences, the centre creates sustainable livelihoods, supports cultural preservation, and contributes to the conservation of the forests and biodiversity of the BR Hills.

As a social enterprise initiative of the Vivek Karuna Foundation, revenue generated through Gorukana is reinvested into community development, including education, healthcare, livelihood security, and the long-term empowerment of the Soliga community.

How Purpose Shapes Every Visit

At Gorukana, every experience reflects the values that shape our mission. Through nature, wellness, learning, and culture, guests engage with the landscapes, traditions, and community that make the BR Hills unique. These four pillars define both the character of Gorukana and the purpose it serves:

Nature — The living forests of the BRT Tiger Reserve, one of India’s most biodiverse landscapes, right at your doorstep.

Ayurveda — Restorative wellness at Ayurvana, Gorukana’s Ayurvedic Wellness Centre, guided by the rhythms of nature and the wisdom of traditional healing.

Learning — The forests of the BR Hills as a living classroom, where ecological awareness grows through guided walks, interpretation, and insights drawn from Soliga knowledge of the natural world.

Soliga Culture — Soliga Connect, an opportunity to experience the songs, dance, oral traditions, and forest knowledge of the community whose relationship with these hills spans generations.

Together, these experiences create a deeper connection to the people and landscapes of the BR Hills. When you stay at Gorukana, your presence supports sustainable livelihoods, cultural preservation, and conservation. Every visit contributes to a shared future where both the Soliga community and the forests they call home continue to thrive.

Our Founding Organisations

VIVEKANANDA GIRIJANA KALYANA KENDRA

Nurturing Lives, Empowering Communities

KARUNA TRUST

Extending Care Beyond Boundaries

Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK) serves as an extended family to the Soliga community residing in the BR Hills. Founded in 1981 by Dr. H. Sudarshan, a Right Livelihood Awardee and Padma Shri recipient, whose inspiration stems from the teachings of Swami Vivekananda.

VGKK is dedicated to the holistic and sustainable development of the Soliga tribal communities, employing rights-based approaches across health, education, livelihood security, and biodiversity conservation efforts. The organization’s ethos lies in empowering the tribal community through education and livelihood opportunities, fostering self-reliance, while preserving their rich traditions and coexistence with the environment.

Through its unwavering dedication and holistic approach, VGKK continues to be a catalyst for positive change, embodying the timeless ideals of compassion, empowerment, and sustainability.

Established in 1986 and affiliated with VGKK, Karuna Trust emerged with a mission to extend its services beyond the confines of BR Hills, particularly addressing the pressing issue of leprosy in the Yelandur Taluk.

With a dedicated focus on disease control, Karuna Trust achieved remarkable success, drastically reducing the incidence of leprosy from 21.4 cases per 1,000 people to less than 0.28, ultimately eliminating it altogether.

Karuna Trust’s impactful reach extends to over 1.5 million individuals across seven states in India, facilitated by its operation of 70 Primary Health Centres. Through strategic Public-Private Partnerships, the organization ensures access to quality healthcare for marginalized populations. This widespread presence underscores Karuna Trust’s steadfast commitment to promoting health equity and serving communities in need.

Leadership

Gorukana Eco Wellness Centre is governed by a managing committee drawn from the founders and trustees of the Vivek Karuna Foundation — individuals whose life’s work has been dedicated to the Soliga community and the forests of BR Hills.

Dr. H Sudarshan

Managing Trustee, Vivek Karuna Foundation

Dr. H Sudarshan’s journey exemplifies dedication and impact in the realm of public health and social development. Starting with a focus on addressing leprosy among the Soliga tribe in BR Hills, his work evolved into a holistic approach aimed at sustainable development for the community. The establishment of VGKK in 1981 marked a pivotal moment, expanding beyond healthcare to encompass various facets of community development.

His contributions extend far beyond Karnataka, impacting regions across India through initiatives focused on health, education, and livelihoods. By leveraging the collaborative efforts of VGKK and Karuna Trust, Dr. Sudarshan has achieved remarkable milestones, including securing land rights for indigenous communities, providing vital healthcare services to millions, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for thousands.

Dr. Sudarshan’s recognition with Padma Shri in 2000, and Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2014 speaks volumes about his tireless dedication and profound impact on society. These honours are a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving marginalized communities and fostering inclusive development across India. His legacy, marked by his innovative approaches to public health and social welfare, continues to inspire and drive positive change. Through his pioneering efforts, Dr Sudarshan has left a lasting imprint on the landscape of public health and social welfare in India, shaping a brighter and more equitable future for generations to come.

Awards and Accolades

Ashoka Fellow, by Ashoka Innovators for Public, USA
Parisara (Environment) Award (1993) – the Government of Karnataka
RajyotsavaState Award for social work (1984) – Government of Karnataka
Right to Livelihood Award (1994) by the Right to Livelihood Foundation, Sweden – “for showing how tribal culture can contribute to a process that secures the basic rights and fundamental needs of indigenous people and conserves their environment.”
Padmashree Award for social work (2000) – India‘s fourth highest civilian honours
Mother Theresa Memorial Award (2013) for Social Justice
Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, India (2014) by The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation
Outstanding Achievement Award(2009) by the Public Health Foundation of India
Vice-President of the Voluntary Health Association of India, and a member of the Independent Commission on Health in India, the National Commission on Population, the National Nutrition Mission, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Indian Planning Commission’s Steering Group for the development of Scheduled Tribes.
As Chairman of the Task Force on Health & Family Welfare, he has brought out a comprehensive report to reform the health system of Karnataka.
As Ombudsman for Health, Education & Social Welfare, Karnataka Lokayukta, he was fighting against corruption and promoting good governance to make the public services reach the poor including the tribal people.