This is a family-owned permaculture farm that runs with the help of the local community in Naurangpur, India

Infos

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  Description

  This is a family-owned permaculture farm that runs with the help of the local community here at Village Naurangpur, Ropar, Punjab. Naurangpur is an old abandoned village, referred as ‘Bae Chirag Mauza’ in land records. This is the only habitable patch in this village. The farm nests in the Shivalik foothills bordering Himachal Pradesh. The terrain is small hills and narrow streams surrounding the farm. These streams are seasonal but they keep the forest alive! Winter comes here early and keeps the weather cool longer than most of Punjab. Surrounded by reserve forests, seasonal streams, and hillocks, a decent amount of wildlife is spotted here. (A wide variety of birds like peacocks, wild hens, kingfishers, Himalayan griffin, and wild animals like porcupines, hare, Sambar deer, barking deer, wild bores, and occasionally a leopard to name a few!)
  
  
  
  The farm stay (Architecture)
  The farm stay is built using sustainable, natural, and local materials as far as possible. All structures are designed to get plenty of natural light and ventilation. Mud from the farm has been used to build stabilized rammed earth walls. These mud walls keep the structures cool in summers and warm in winters. Since mud is one of the best insulators it has been used on all roofs to make terrace gardens and on retaining walls as well. Orientation of all cottages is in sync with nature to get maximum winter sun but to avoid heat from the sun in summers. Extended canopies help in reducing the heating effect in summers too. All the furniture has been made at the farm using local wood called Sheesham (talli).
  
  A lot of effort has been put into reducing the carbon footprint while constructing for example shuttering wood has been reused as undrdeck wood, waste steel has been used to make a spiral staircase and table legs etc.
  
  Rain chains, swales, and ponds are used to recharge groundwater and harvest rainwater. The farm produces almost no waste. Kitchen waste and agriculture waste are used to feed animals at the farm or as manure and everything else is reused or recycled in some way.
  
  Permaculture (natural farming)
  We are practicing permaculture at the farm. Which is a more sustainable way of organic farming. We have not tampered with the landscape much but used it to our advantage. Diverting water by making swales and ponds is one example. We wish to keep our activities in sync with nature without disturbing the surroundings. Everything grown here is free of any form of chemical fertilizers or pesticides. This is a more labor-intensive form of farming than the modern mechanized methods used nowadays, but it generates more employment and less pollution. We are practicing a more holistic approach to farming where we grow almost everything that you will need in a kitchen. From fruits, vegetables, and cereal crops to lentils, oil crops, and various flowering and medicinal herbs & shrubs. This variety helps the soil balance its nutrients and thus maintain its fertility. You can find an incredible variety of flora and fauna here, from one of the smallest plants to the largest trees, from bees, poultry, dogs, and cows. Every living animal or plant has an interdependent /symbiotic relationship with each other. For example, while various fruit trees, flowering trees, crops, and plants give food to bees, in return bees pollinate them which increases yield and we also get some of their honey. Some of Our kitchen waste and unused crop remains are used to feed chickens and they provide us with eggs & meat but also eat most of the pests in our veggie garden.
  
  Also, most of the produce is from indigenous seeds (native and natural varieties) not hybrid seeds. These varieties do yield half to one-fifth of production in terms of quantity but make up for it in terms of nutrition.
  
  This is not a business but a way of life for us here !

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Bénévolat

  Projets artistiques

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Enseignement

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Accueil / tourisme

  Entretien général

  Aide informatique/internet
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Travelers will get to experience rural Punjab which is the leading state in agriculture and rich in cultural heritage. With this they will learn the challenges faced by small farmers and other villagers. They will also learn how we are trying to change the way of modern mechanized farming and trying to adapt a more sustainable way of farming and living.

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  Aide

  Travelers can help with various activities at the farm -
  Permaculture/ Natural farming - give and implement new ideas or assist with daily activities like sowing, harvesting, planting, bee keeping , poultry etc.
  DIY projects working with Wood/Bamboo/Metal, Art including Pottery/Scrap/natural materials
  -teaching a new dish/cuisine, experimenting with baking or just making something from the farm produce etc.
  Finding/Making natural solutions for hair and body cleansers as well as home and kitchen cleansers.
  Exploring new hikes around the farm or helping us preserve the forest and wildlife around us.
  Helping and supporting nearby villagers to become more self sufficient and educating them with new skills or ideas.
  Helping and supporting our venture become more sustainable. For example by implementing new ways to reduce/recycle/reuse waste etc.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Bengali (Bangla): Courant
  Anglais: Courant
  Hindi: Courant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
  
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  Hébergement

  We like to promote our tents since they give you a more vibrant experience of the farm life! You'll get to hear all the life in the farm and forest around it specially at late evenings and early mornings. Also, activities like star gazing and bonfires seem more fun around a tent.
  We do have a two person room with attached bath as well.
  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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  Autres infos...

  This is a perfect pit stop for anyone traveling to Himachal Pradesh (the Himalayas) since it is located right at the foothills. It is mid way from Delhi (Capital) to Manali (one of the most popular destinations in Himachal).
  This is located in Ropar district which is one of the oldest cities in Indian history and was also a popular trade route centuries ago, yet it is not the most modern city in terms of infrastructure development and still posses the old world charm to some extent.
  Ropar also has an archaeological site from the Indus Valley Civilization right next to the Sutlej river.
  From the farm you can see a historically and culturally significant Gurudwara (temple) called Bibi Mumtazgarh Sahib. Which has one of the most interesting story behind it which shows how humanity has no bounds and goes beyond religion or empires.
  The farm is located at an old abandoned village called Naurangpur, which is surrounded by reserve forest. Which makes the place quite interesting for bird watchers, people interested in wild life, hikes or generally learning more about the forest.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Yes, we can host digital nomads. We have a decent wifi connection but being in a remote area it is there is a possibility of faults. For accommodation we have a two person room with attached bath and tents.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  We have a patch of land about 100 meters from the farm where we have enough space for campervans and motorhomes.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Nombre d'heures attendues

  4-5 Hours * 5 Days

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