7 Ways Conservation of Western Ghats & Development Can Coexist

A drone image of the built & conserved areas at the Poomaale 1.0 Collective in Coorg

Situated in central India, the Western Ghats are recognised globally as one of the eight biodiversity hotspots in the world. Spanning across several states, this expansive region not only boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna but also plays a significant role in sustaining life and ecosystems.

Amidst the natural bounty, the Western Ghats have become home to a thriving coffee cultivation industry. The undulating landscape and favourable climate create an ideal environment for coffee plantations, contributing to the economic livelihood of local communities. However, this juxtaposition of nature and agriculture has sparked important conversations about the conservation of western ghats and development in the area. As we explore the nuances, we delve into the intricacies of sustainable agricultural practices, the preservation of natural habitats, and the collective responsibility to ensure the longevity of this unique ecosystem.

The Western Ghats, with its blend of natural beauty and human activity, serves as a microcosm reflecting the broader global challenge of harmonising progress with environmental preservation. By addressing these challenges head-on, we aim to foster a future where the conservation of Western Ghats continues along with sustainable development activities 

At Beforest Collective in Coorg, we are exploring the various ways in which we can balance development with conservation, especially with two of our collectives situated along the Shola Grasslands in the Western Ghats. 

In this blog, we explore 8 ways of conservation in the western ghats by developing sustainable coffee estates as coffee is one of the major livelihoods in the area and the need for making such intense activities more sustainable is the need of the hour.

1. Mandating the Conservation of Existing Forests

Studies show that a 1% increase in soil carbon content can sequester carbon emissions of the last 40 years and provide 700,000 litres of annual water access per acre. Forests act as carbon sinks, and this is why in all our collectives, reforesting and preserving forest cover is the centre of modus operandi, with coffee grown in the wild promoting tree diversity and ushering in produce that is forest-friendly and also conserving natural wonders like the Shola Grasslands which are an integral part of the conservation of the Western Ghats as they are the origin of south Indian rivers. 

2. Treating Coffee Estates as Layers of the Rainforest Ecosystem

Sustainable coffee farming methods, such as shade-grown coffee, mimic natural forest ecosystems, providing habitat for native flora and fauna. This helps preserve biodiversity in the Western Ghats, which is recognised as one of the world’s hottest biodiversity hotspots. Our Poomaale 1.0 Collective in Coorg, nestled in the Western Ghats, is a sustainable coffee estate. It is reversing the impact of decades of land degradation & deforestation through permaculture farming techniques & biodiversity conservation. The 128 acres of land are rich in biodiversity, with habitation restricted to only 13 acres cumulatively. We believe that treating coffee estates as layers of the rainforest ecosystem and functioning as such will help us integrate sustainability into our activities, thereby creating a bridge between conservation and coffee cultivation 

3. Soil Building, Conservation and Water Management

One of the key factors we recognised for development and conservation to coexist is maintaining the health and conservation of soil and water management. Beforest has taken up many soil-building initiatives like introducing biochar to the soil, creating earthworks such as trenches for moisture retention and supplying the soil with nutrient-rich mixes that help provide long-term nourishment and build soil strength over the years. Activities including mulching, composting, and agroforestry also help maintain soil fertility, prevent erosion, and improve water retention in the soil. These practices mitigate the risk of soil degradation and protect water resources in the Western Ghats.

Today, every kilogram of coffee harvested in our Poomaale 1.0 Collective saves 1000 litres of water. We also built a greywater trench by diverting all the greywater, cow dung & urine from the cowshed and filling it with leaf litter, twigs and some forest soil.

4. Cultural Preservation, Community Development and Livelihoods

With a coffee estate comes many responsibilities, and sustainable coffee estates focus highly on creating job opportunities for individuals in remote locations and, in turn, help in the development of households and the community. Moreover, many coffee-growing communities in the Western Ghats have rich cultural traditions and indigenous knowledge related to coffee cultivation. Sustainable coffee initiatives can help preserve these cultural heritage practices, strengthening the social fabric of local communities and enabling the conservation of the western ghats while bettering communities.

Our Collectives in Coorg, as such, are crowdfunded by member communities who are driven by environmental progress and not just economic and seek harmonious relationships with the locals, incorporating them in the narrative instead of disrupting their way of living and displacement. Over the last 5 years in Poomaale 1.0 Collective, we introduced forest-friendly cultivation activities and are building homes that blend seamlessly into the landscape. The Poomaale 2.0 Collective and the newly-launched Hammiyala Collective are following suit.

5. Zero Chemical Farming 

Sustainable coffee farming practices minimise the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides, reducing chemical pollution and its impact on the environment. This helps maintain water quality in rivers and streams, which are vital components of the Western Ghats’ hydrological system. All our produce here grows naturally, without the use of any external nutrition or artificial pest control and with intervention mostly restricted to pruning. 

6. Eco-sensitive Landscape Zoning 

Our sensitive landscape zoning validates our commitment to leave 50% of the estate completely wild. Zoning means allotting spaces for specific uses. It provides a structured framework for land use and guide development in a community or region. This enables the existence of undisturbed zones having abundant wildlife, including big cats, small-clawed otters, elephants, bat colonies, etc. This makes our estate a perfect demonstration of co-existence.

7. Responsible Tourism

Sustainable coffee farms can play a big role in the conservation of Western Ghats by offering opportunities for eco-tourism, allowing visitors to experience the natural beauty of the region while learning about sustainable farming practices. This can diversify income streams and contribute to local economies. Blyton Bungalow, as such, has been opening doors for eco-tourism in our coffee estate with events for astrophotography and yoga retreats along with classic Blyton Bungalow activities like nature walks, trekking and hiking across the collectives, stargazing and waterfall trails which takes visitors through a journey of coffee all while creating experiences that are sustainable with proper waste management, minimum use of resources and a focus on slow living. 

Conservation and development need not be adversaries; each can complement the other.

Sustainable practices and eco-friendly initiatives emerge as the guiding light in this journey. From afforestation programs to community-led conservation efforts, various initiatives are weaving a narrative where progress doesn’t come at the expense of nature.