Western ghats are one of the 10 biodiversity hotspots of the world.
Most of this lies outside protected areas, mainly within intensively cultivated plantations and farms. Preserving this biodiversity, without affecting the economic viability of these estates has far reaching consequences that touch our daily lives.
Flow of Thought
Can a coffee estate become a thriving ecosystem?This question drives our mission to harmonize biodiversity with coffee cultivation practices.
Enter Wilderness Collectives, where we reimagine coffee estates as tropical rainforest systems.
The Poomaale Collective:
Our First Wilderness Collective
Our vision for a wilderness collective was to create viable forest systems within plantations. We wanted to see coffee as a layer within a rainforest ecosystem. This wasn't just a pledge but a deep commitment — we set aside 50% of the estate as a 'minimum intrusion' wilderness zone.
In 2019, our vision took a more tangible form as Poomaale Estate in Kakkabe. What began as a bold, almost audacious idea, became our answer to tackling the declining biodiversity. We aimed to restore the coffee estate to the lush tropical jungle it once was, reminiscent of a landscape from two centuries ago. This went beyond land restoration and extended to forging a community of like-minded individuals who recognized the imperative of wildlife habitat conservation. We called this vision - 'forest-friendly living.'
Overwhelming
Response
5,000+
Engaging Conversations,
in the last 3 years
60 families
From cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Mumbai
Together, we're on a mission to transform 300+ acres into an eco-friendly estate. Our conservation efforts are measurable.
Our
Impact
Biodiversity Metrics
Species Richness Index (SRI) has seen a twofold increase.- Increase in count of endemic species and genetic diversity.
Species Richness Index (SRI) has seen a twofold increase.
Increase in count of endemic species and genetic diversity.Eco-Friendly Farming
- Each kilogram of coffee saves 2,000 liters of water.
- Reduced by 20+ tons of fertilizers and pesticides annually.
Each kilogram of coffee saves 2,000 liters of water.
Reduced by 20+ tons of fertilizers and pesticides annually.Poomaale collective is an embodiment of responsible habitation, actively enhancing its surroundings while minimizing human impact. Remarkably, only 7% of the estate's footprint is used for non-plantation purposes.
4 Returns Framework: Our Guiding Star For The Success Of Poomaale Collective
We realised conserving a landscape involved understanding and nurturing its natural resources, acknowledging its social dynamics, addressing its financial aspects, and above all, embedding a greater purpose within all stakeholders. This could not be forced; it had to evolve organically, ensuring the alignment of all stakeholders. The 4-returns framework encompassed all of the above beautifully and was pivotal for Poomaale Collective's success.
Join Us, On Your Terms
Be a part of Poomaale's success story. This isn't just about passion — it's an investment. Here's your chance to contribute and own a piece of our collective dream.
Hammiyala
A unique wilderness collective, amidst the western ghats, fostering biodiversity and community.
Poomaale 2.0
Where sustainable practices meet the serene beauty of Coorg, fostering a legacy of green living.
