Model of Sustainable Land-use in Kokan
10 acres, Golawali, Maharashtra

Kokan – the coastal belt of Maharashtra, rich in resource is facing severe degradation of privately owned lands. Mr. Pandit, owns 10 acres of land in south kokan, Golawali, Maharashtra, wishes to set an example of sustainable land-use for the local villagers. We have been involved in this venture since 2004, for assessing existing conditions of Ecology on the land and total catchment, understand social conditions and develop a Land management plan for long term benefits.

Ranwa, Forest Restoration in Sahyadri
24 acres, Wan-kusawade, Maharashtra

This project has been planned & implemented by oikos since 2005 that can be called as a landmark project of forest restoration on private land owned by Atul Kulkarni, Nitin Kulkarni, Dheeresh Joshi & others. Continual support of the owners is the important factor in such ventures & positive results achieved on land are worth replicating. 

The climax forest of the region is being restored on heavily degraded land. Activities like soil – moisture conservation, habitat development, vegetation development, planting native species were undertaken & have started showing positive results on the land. 

This project proves that low cost techniques of eco-restoration are very effective & have become a highlight of our work !

Since 2019, restoration and management work on this land has been continued under our trust, Adhiwas Foundation, do check details here !

Private Farm House with Eco-perspective
6.5 acres, Jambhli, Panshet, Maharashtra

It is observed that city people who purchase land in countryside blindly follow certain practices like flattening the land, planting horticulture crops like Mango or the non-natives like Gulmohor, Eucalyptus etc. 
We tried to change this to an eco-wise practices on farm owned by Dr. Kale at Jambhli, near Panshet, Maharashtra that is spread over 6.5 acres, in 2006. Considering needs & wishes of the owner, a practical land-use was evolved that included separate areas for horticulture, cultivation of seasonal crops, timber, & an area was kept specifically for nature as it was. Native species were selected for beautification & plantation. Land moving work was entirely done by people, not using the huge machines like excavators. A lot of stone work was carried out on land without using cement. The work was planned & supervised by our team from 2005 to 2009.

‘The Pipar House’ - Design & Execution
0.5 acres, Khanapur, Pune, Maharashtra

Considering current trend of development & resource crunch, it is important to use natural materials & eco-landscaping principles while developing a farm house which is just a weekend home. One such venture was designed & implemented by us in Khanapur, near Pune on land spread over ½ acre in 2009. Bamboo – a renewable construction material is used for the house instead of regular cement-steel that have very high ecological footprint. The surrounding garden uses resource & energy friendly techniques while using Native plants in beautification. Use of lawns is totally avoided in the garden & cement is not at all used for any of the pathways or parking space.

Signage on Mulshi Road

Mulshi, Maharashtra

Sahyadri is becoming favourite destination for tourism activities. Mulshi region being close to Pune have seen drastic changes in last few years. 
To make visitors aware of the fragile ecosystem in this area, we initiated an idea of putting up sign boards on the way with active support of locals. This idea was taken ahead by Rotary Club of Poona West by sponsoring these sign boards in 2006. This may generate some awareness amongst visitors and urge them for doing positive activities for nature conservation.