Malaivalmakkal was established in the Palani Hills by the custodians of a three acre landscape to create dignified livelihood opportunities for the indigenous community living there. They partnered with the design team at Ananas to shape a conceptual direction for the land, through the development of a zoning that supported both ecological restoration and community centered programs.

Central to Malaivalmakkal’s vision is the revival of traditional forest based foods, fair community governed income systems, and the gradual regeneration of native Shola ecosystems, reinforcing the community’s connection to their land and food heritage. Near term actions focused on studying the landscape, engaging with the community to shape design directions, and creating zoning strategies that integrate livelihood, culture, and stewardship, while the broader ambition remains long term ecological healing and resilient community futures.

A separate architectural project emerged from this collaboration, which included designs for a residence, an artist residency studio, and a community space the details of which can be found here.