Ankit Rastogi and Pradeep Vijayan purchased 10 acres of dry, largely barren land in Madhya Pradesh in 2015. Over the past decade, their project, Surwahi Social Ecoestate, has transformed it into a flourishing green space with thousands of native plants, renewed wildlife habitats, and sustainable tourism that supports the local economy.
- 6000 native plants and trees now thrive where fewer than 300 once stood
- Forest regeneration encouraged by fencing, natural growth, and strategic planting
- Sustainable buildings use mud walls and recycled materials, supporting local jobs
What happened
In December 2015, Ankit Rastogi and Pradeep Vijayan bought 10 acres of semi-barren land near Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Initially, they left it largely untouched to allow nature to recover naturally. Over several years, the land's condition dramatically changed. Illegal activities like tree felling and sand mining that had damaged the area ceased following fencing and local engagement, allowing the ecosystem to regenerate.
Their efforts led to a remarkable transformation: the land now hosts over 6,000 native plants, including many that regrew through natural processes. To aid this revival, they created a man-made pond to conserve monsoon water and recharge groundwater, supporting wildlife during dry seasons. They also planted around 1,000 trees identified via hydrogeological surveys to best suit the water availability, contributing to a thriving ecological environment.
Why it feels good
Surwahi Social Ecoestate is more than a restoration project; it embodies a vision to make tourism responsible, locally beneficial, and environmentally restorative. The founders, who have deep travel industry experience, intentionally avoided the common model where tourism focuses primarily on visitors’ convenience while neglecting the community and environment.
Their approach includes sustainable building practices using mud walls and recycled materials, supporting local artisans and workers. The project also preserves traditional skills and creates local jobs in the hospitality and environmental sectors, offering a replicable model of harmonious coexistence and mutual benefit between nature, people, and visitors.
What to enjoy or watch next
Visitors to the eco-estate can experience nature and local culture in an authentic, low-impact setting. The site's growing biodiversity, including numerous bird species and native plants, offers a unique opportunity for eco-tourism near Kanha National Park. Its mud-walled buildings and handcrafted furniture highlight sustainable design and community craftsmanship.
Going forward, the project’s founders plan to maintain their long-term focus on environmental stewardship while encouraging more community engagement and sustainable tourism practices. Their experience serves as inspiration for similar ventures striving to balance ecological restoration with economic empowerment in rural landscapes.