GREEN INITIATIVES
In our ongoing effort to be self sustaining and eco-friendly, we have implemented several green initiatives. We started with excavating soil from our land and compressing it into the building blocks for our buildings; converted the excavated land into a rain water harvesting pond; designed an elaborate network of swales, storm water drains, recharge pits and collection chambers to increase the ground water level.
Our Forest and Kitchen Gardens are completely organic as we do not use any chemicals and fertilisers. We compost all our garden waste along with natural activators such as cow dung and cow urine and recycle the grey water to irrigate the gardens.
We are using Solar Energy for heating water and lighting and the aim is to go completely off grid.
Mud Blocks
All our buildings are being constructed using CSEB—Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks. These blocks are being made from our own soil, employing the local villagers.
Solar Energy
We are currently using solar energy for hot water all over the farm. The goal is to go off grid, with solar power used for electricity and heating in all buildings.
Rain Water Harvesting
Our ponds have a total capacity to store approximately 40 lakh (4 million) liters of rain water. We have an elaborate ground water recharge system.
Composting
Dried leaves and twigs are shredded and composted with kitchen waste. Amrut Jal is used as a catalyst to activate the composting process. We do not burn any garden waste.
Grey Water Harvesting
Waste water from kitchens and shower areas is diverted through a filtration process. This water is then used to irrigate the gardens around the buildings.
Organic Farming
We do not use any chemical pesticides or fertilizers, instead we use natural materials Amrut Jal and Neem oil as fungicides and have planted Glyricidia to keep away rodents. Dried leaves are used for mulching the base of trees and the forest floor.