Khaama Kethna Sustainable Eco Village — Devalkajjan, India
A sustainable village and retreat venue in the jungles of Agonda, South Goa
The first thing Khaama Kethna asks of a guest is to stop expecting to be sheltered from the jungle. By its own account, it is a place of trees in the bedroom and frogs in the toilet, where visitors are guests in the wilderness and not the other way around.
The ecovillage sits in a valley of sub-tropical forest across 12 acres, about 3km from Agonda Beach, in the rolling forested hills of South Goa. It is run as a unit of YAK Eco Resorts LLP. Its cottages and treehouses are traditionally handcrafted, each one different, built from natural or upcycled materials and surrounded by vegetable gardens and fruit trees. Each has a private garden terrace, an open-air washroom with a cold-water shower, a double bed under a mosquito net and a roof fan. Lighting and power points are kept minimal on purpose. Two- and three-bedroom treehouses sleep four to six people for families and groups.
The idea underneath is that sustainability starts with the person before the system. The village describes this as being a 'Sustainable Being', and it asks guests to tell needs from wants by living minimally for a while. The practical side covers organic farming and conservation, soil regeneration projects, water management, waste management that converts and recycles waste into energy, and a sustainable kitchen. It is run as an intoxicant-free space, and alcohol, drugs, loud music systems and late-night gatherings are not welcome.
Retreating into the stillness of nature is the main activity. Guided meditation sessions can be arranged in advance, and workshops are scheduled occasionally. The village also describes itself as a venue for retreats, conferences, group work and workshops of all kinds. A jungle kitchen serves guests with a simple menu until 5:30pm and set meals by pre-order. A solar centre offers Wi-Fi, though only some cottages are connected, and phone signal is limited. The team lives on site all year.
Traditions: Guided Meditation, Silent Nature Retreat, Organic Farming, Soil Regeneration, Sustainable Living, Intoxicant-Free Living
Programs: Nature Stays, Eco Treehouse Stays, Guided Meditation Sessions, Soil Regeneration Projects, Organic Farming & Conservation, Workshops & Retreats, Sustainable Living Immersion, Weekly and Monthly Stays