Kipepeo Forest Farm

Regenerative design and turnkey execution

March 2023 - October 2023

with Ananas Design

Role: Project collaborator (environmental study, maps, reports and implementation)

Project lead: Theertha Ravindran

Collaborators: Varun Behroonani, Himanshu Arteev, Jananee Mohan

Adjoining Ulibanda Reserve Forest, Denkanikottai, Tamil Nadu, IN

1.3 acres | 1028m ASL

Tropical savanna climate

822 mm annual rainfall | Sandy clay loam, loamy sand

Southern tropical mixed deciduous forests

DESIGN PHASE

Masterplan (drafted by Theertha Ravindran)

This 1.3 acre land was envisioned as a forest farm, one where humans and wildlife could coexist. The clients were wildlife enthusiasts, and wanted a farm + food forest, designed in an ecologically sensitive manner. The team studied the site, nearby reference ecosystems and came up with a comprehensive masterplan integrating water management, species diversification, food production and spaces for leisure. Because the site lay along an elephant migratory path, movement patterns became a key design consideration, influencing aspects like species selection and lining for ponds.

ON-GROUND TURNKEY IMPLEMENTATION

Water management system (schematic by Varun Behroonani)

In next phase, the design was brought to life through multiple site visits. Implementation took place in two stages - earthworks and planting. We designed, marked and guided the digging and shaping, and finishing of all earthworks, with capacities carefully planned according to runoff volumes. The land was divided into distinct planting zones - earthworks areas, wild zones, grasslands, food forests, vegetable gardens, pollinator gardens and avenues.

Project leader Theertha Ravindran oversaw the execution, planning the implementation steps and day-to-day tasks, and coordinating the team. Each collaborator handled various roles, like vendor management, JCB / workforce coordination, logistics like stay / food / transport, procurement of saplings and materials, transport of materials and supervision of individual elements, like specific ponds or planting zones.

PHOTOS FROM SITE

Previous
Previous

Malaivalmakkal

Next
Next

The Cheerville