Estates are often large expanses of cultivated land, and people sometimes worry that farming on such a scale could disrupt the natural balance of the local ecosystem.

However, some estates are showing that it’s possible to create environments where agriculture and nature thrive side by side. These estates take a thoughtful approach, ensuring that their practices enhance rather than harm the biodiversity around them. In India, a few such estates are leading the way in proving that cultivation can be a force for environmental harmony and preservation. Let’s explore their impact on biodiversity conservation.

Let’s take a closer look at what they are doing:

Elkhill Estates

Elkhill Estates, nestled in Coorg’s peaceful hills, is a sanctuary where sustainable agriculture and conservation meet. Acquired by Orange County Resorts and Hotels Ltd. in 2023, Elkhill spans over 1,008 hectares and produces premium coffee, including organic varieties. With a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, the estate prioritizes biodiversity, protecting local flora and fauna through native tree planting and land restoration efforts.

When you visit or enjoy their coffee, you are contributing to an initiative that goes beyond farming. It’s about preserving the land, restoring native species, and uplifting the rich biodiversity of the region. Every cup of coffee is a step toward building a sustainable, harmonious future for both the environment and its people.

Cauvery Peak Estates

Cauvery Peak Estates, in the misty hills of the Western Ghats, has perfected the art of growing coffee, fruits, and spices by working with nature. Their philosophy is simple: farming should help, not harm, the land. By using two layers of shade trees, organic compost, and relying on natural rainfall, they create a microclimate where their crops and local wildlife can thrive together.

But Cauvery Peak’s commitment goes beyond growing coffee. The shade trees not only protect the coffee plants but also create a home for rare birds, mammals, and reptiles. This careful balance ensures that every element of the estate supports a thriving ecosystem. So here, the coffee is not just rich in flavor; it is grown with a deep respect for the land and biodiversity.

Kerehaklu Estate

The Kerehaklu Estate in Chikkamagaluru has garnered significant attention for its efforts to safeguard biodiversity. Covering 250 acres, Kerehaklu Estate is a sanctuary for local wildlife. Kerehaklu takes pride in preserving a habitat that sustains both plants and animals, thereby safeguarding the local ecosystem.

Kerehaklu’s dedication to creating a space where wildlife and farming can coexist helps support a wide range of species. Here, it is not about merely growing and laying out crops, but rather how caring for land and all the flora and fauna living on it creates a beautiful balance between agriculture and nature.

Tenzing Bodosa’s tea estate

Tenzing Bodosa’s Elephant-Friendly Tea Estate in Assam has adopted a unique approach to biodiversity conservation by prioritizing the protection of elephants. Instead of viewing the elephants as enemies for their tea fields, they’ve figured out a way to share the land with them peacefully.

The estate’s farming practices allow elephants to move freely through their land, making it one of the few places where humans and wildlife truly coexist. The estates protect the natural habitat and plant native shade trees, thereby conserving the ecosystem as well as producing excellent-quality tea.

Bengaluru, Oct 8, 2024: Bengaluru, renowned for its pleasant climate and cosmopolitan vibe, continues to attract people from across India and abroad. The city has rapidly evolved, with new IT parks, townships, malls, and commercial hubs springing up. Its booming economy, combined with exceptional living conditions, has created a high demand for real estate, making Bengaluru a sought-after destination for homebuyers and investors alike.

With the ongoing growth of businesses and job opportunities, Bengaluru’s real estate sector is more vibrant than ever. 2024 has seen buoyant investments across all real estate asset classes, and the momentum is expected to continue through the second half of the year. With increasing market stability and favourable regulatory reforms, real estate investments are proving to be a reliable and profitable option, even amidst global economic uncertainties.

Whether it’s residential or commercial properties, Bengaluru is witnessing a surge in inquiries. Post-pandemic, many are opting for homes nestled in serene, green spaces away from the city’s bustling urban areas. High-net-worth individuals and startup founders are especially drawn to luxury properties and plotted developments in key locations. Real estate has also become an essential diversifier in investment portfolios, thanks to its long-term stability.

To capitalize on this growing demand, The Times of India in association with State Bank Of India hosted a Mega Property Expo. This two-day event held on October 5 and 6, at State Bank of India’s Local Head Office, 65 St. Mark’s Road, Bengaluru promised an excellent opportunity for prospective homebuyers and investors to explore a wide range of projects, both existing and upcoming. With more than 30+ top developers showcased 250+ properties under one roof, attendees engaged in face-to-face discussions, got comprehensive project details to make informed decisions about their next property investment. State Bank of India, the presenting sponsor of this Expo has offered competitive Home Loan Interest Rates and other concessions for Home Loans booked under this Fair.

“SBI being Country’s largest Home Loan provider is excited to collaborate with TOI for this Mega Property Expo. With its 426 Branches, 9 Home Loan Centres, 750+ Sales Force & 900+ Builder Tie Ups, SBI has widespread presence in Bengaluru City. Our esteemed customers had used this opportunity and availed special Home Loan rates & other concessions given during the Expo.” Smt. Joohi Smita Sinha, CGM, Bengaluru Circle, SBI.

Mumbai, October 08th, 2024: As old buildings and many eligible in MMR await redevelopment, there is a need to create enough housing stock for which redevelopment is a better compliant by exploring possibilities of public-private partnerships, stated Dr Bhushan Gagrani, Commissioner, BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation. He was speaking at a Panel Discussion ‘Society Redevelopment under Various Sections’ organized by NAREDCO Maharashtra on a third-day HOMETHON Property Expo 2024 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.

Responding to the demand of reducing the premium on redevelopment by the state’s real estate industry, Dr Gagrani stated that various redevelopment avenues could be structured properly with due feasibility.

Dr Gagrani also emphasized upon the need for incentivizing redevelopment in order to address various issues affecting redevelopment, but also cautioned that the incentive provided had nothing to do with feasibility. “For undertaking any redevelopment project, it has to be financially feasible where awareness among the society members is necessary towards redevelopment”.

Speaking about the BMC’s vision to match the infrastructure with rapid growth of Redevelopment and whether Mumbai would be able to cope up with redevelopment, Dr Gagrani added that Mumbai’s Infrastructure might face challenges when the city would undergo redevelopment. “For surface infrastructure like urban mobility, parking areas, quality of roads, we already have the plans ready. The infrastructure below the land like sewage water, water supply might face challenges, as the amount of water per capita is going up”.

The Commissioner highlighted that Section 33(7A) applicable for redevelopment of dilapidated, unsafe, existing, authorized tenant occupied-buildings in suburbs, had been getting a good response from the private societies, as they were going for competitive bidding from the developers.

Shri Gautam Chatterjee, Former Founding Chairman of MahaRERA advised that incentivizing redevelopment was necessary, but needed to be balanced to take it forward. He stated, “When about 8000 projects are stuck in Mumbai due to timeline issues, there is a need to disseminate knowledge and information to educate the society members and other stakeholders about the processes of redevelopment to be followed and acquaint them with various Acts, Regulations, RERA guidelines, Court orders, etc that are necessary to understand. For disseminating such information transparently and seamlessly, we need a web portal; so that all information is displayed to resolve problems and see that projects are monitored”. He added, “We need e-monitoring methods and an Alternate Dispute Resolution’ for stalled projects. Also, we need a ‘Self-Regulated Organization (SRO) platform like a Section 8 Company for self-regulation”.

Meanwhile, NAREDCO Maharashtra Collaborated with Ex-MahaRERA Chief Shri Gautam Chatterjee for a Launch ‘Grihamony Redevelopment Stakeholders Federations (GRSF)” for Awareness in Redevelopment.

Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, NAREDCO and Co-founder, Hiranandani Group, advocated for the need to reduce premium on redevelopment. He said, “The challenge is to match the pace of redevelopment. Reduction of premium would create more affordable housing in the city and hence, at least 50% reduction in premium is necessary. Redevelopment should provide aspirations for a better quality of life”.

Mr. Rajan Bandelkar, Vice Chairman, NAREDCO and Director, Raunak Group said, “It is important to balance viability for the private sector for undertaking redevelopment projects. The Government should incentivize the societies, which undertake self-redevelopment and consume lesser FSI. People who use lesser FSI, there should not be any premium considering the climate change challenge and the issues engulfing the redevelopment agenda”.

Talking about the need to have a conciliation mechanism in Redevelopment, Mr Hitesh Thakkar, Vice President, NAREDCO Maharashtra and Partner, Prem Group, suggested that there needed a framework for resolution of disputes for finding amicable redressal, as the projects would get delayed and entail into high litigation costs.