Kaa Farm

The custodians’ vision was to create a resilient, self-sufficient and regenerative farm in collaboration with the community and all the stakeholders involved in the farm, both human and non human. The vision included hosting guests or environmental enthusiasts - for birding, herping, etc - while increasing the biodiversity on the land.

The design’s main focus was taking into account wildlife movement (mainly elephants and wild boars), as well as the ever-shifting land use changes and topography changes happening upslope of the land, in neighbouring lands. This led to two issues - either high volumes of silt-laden stormwater entering the farm, or stormwater entirely blocked from entering the farm. To tackle this, a series of interconnected earthworks were designed - ponds, basins, causeways, checkdams, channels and overflows. Berms and sheet flow spreaders were recommended in existing mango orchards, to increase infiltration, boost productivity and gently manage sheet flows.

Zoning of planted areas was done according to the type of vegetation, and need of maintenance. The eastern zone was dedicated for wild flora and fauna, while keeping the existing fruit trees (mango, tamarind etc.). Only the habitation zone was designed with a dense living fence, and produce-focused areas like veggie gardens were zoned within this.

Structures (home, staff quarters, processing sheds, animal systems etc.) were zoned along a central spine that connected entry and exit.