Escape the Urban Rat Race: Why an Eco Village Could Be Your Path to a Healthier, Happier Life

rajesh kumar
6 min readJul 18, 2024

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Sitemap showcasing our 10 million ltr rainwater harvesting pond

The Modern Urban Dilemma

Living in modern cities comes with its own set of challenges. From the constant exposure to pollution and toxic air to the increasing levels of stress and lack of access to fresh, nutritious food, urban life often feels like a battle for well-being. As cities expand, they bring about problems like overcrowding, limited green spaces, and a disconnection from nature. These issues not only impact our physical health but also our mental and emotional well-being.

Even with significant investment, your options are limited to buying an apartment or a villa, but these challenges persist. You can’t purchase better air, cleaner water, or a healthier environment. Your children miss out on a wholesome environment to grow up in, and ultimately, we end up spending a significant portion of our money on medical bills.

Common Urban Living Problems

  1. Pollution and Toxic Air: City dwellers are exposed to high levels of pollution daily from vehicles, industries, and construction sites, leading to various health complications
  2. Lack of Access to Clean Water: Access to clean, safe water remains a significant issue.
  3. Chemical-Laden Food: Urban markets are dominated by produce grown with chemical fertilisers and pesticides, reducing their nutritional value and posing health risks.
  4. Stressful Environment: City life is synonymous with stress. Constant noise, crowded places, and a fast-paced lifestyle contribute to high stress levels, impacting mental health and well-being.
  5. Disconnected from Nature: Urban living often means limited access to nature, affecting physical and mental health. City life seldom allows meaningful interaction with natural environments.
  6. Unnatural Environment for Children: Children in cities often develop unhealthy habits and face health problems from a young age due to the lack of access to natural environments and outdoor activities.

Recognising the Need for Change

Many of us recognise these problems and long for a different way of living. A simpler, more sustainable, more healthy lifestyle.
However, the reality of making such a change can feel overwhelming.
The system in place often makes us feel powerless, convincing us that living on a farm and growing our food is a distant, idealistic dream — something to be pursued after retirement or as a fantasy.
Even for those brave enough to take the first step, it’s not at all The hassle of finding suitable land, dealing with a reliable seller, and navigating the documentation and verification process can be daunting. And that’s just the beginning. Once you start, you realize the challenges multiply: finding a good water source, dealing with dry seasons, lacking farming knowledge, choosing the right fruit trees, sourcing them, selecting the right cattle, and managing everything. You quickly find yourself needing someone for the farm, someone for the cattle, and someone to manage it all. Not to mention the expenses and continuous flow of money required — it’s just too much.

Common Problems We’ve Seen People Face Over the Years

1. Land Acquisition Issues: Finding suitable land that meets all requirements can be time-consuming and stressful.

2. Lack of Knowledge and Skills: Growing food and raising livestock requires specific skills and knowledge.

3. Labor and Management: Managing a farm is labour-intensive and requires a team of skilled workers.

4. Water Scarcity: Access to a reliable water source is a major challenge, especially in areas with seasonal droughts.

5. Financial Constraints: The initial investment and ongoing expenses for maintenance, labour, and other costs can be substantial.

6. Isolation: Moving to a rural area can lead to feelings of isolation, especially for those accustomed to city life.

Facing the challenges of urban life alone can be overwhelming.
We understand that achieving great things often requires the support and companionship of others. It’s difficult to navigate life’s paths by oneself, and when we realize we’re not alone in our journey and that many others share the same vision, the strength of unity becomes evident.
The collective energy and shared purpose of like-minded individuals can lead to remarkable transformations. When like-minded individuals unite, the potential for positive transformation is immense

We bring such individuals together to explore a different way of living.

This concept is called the Eco-Village model.

Introduction To Eco-Village
Eco-village, as the name suggests, is a unique model that embraces the values of both ecological sustainability and village simplicity. We understand the importance of our roots, communal living, and the charm of village life while blending these cherished aspects with modern amenities to create a richer, more fulfilling lifestyle.
From villages, we take a sense of community, connection to nature, and sustainable practices. In the modern world, we incorporate luxury, comfort, and advanced technology. This fusion results in a seamless living experience that offers the best of both worlds, creating a harmonious and enriching way of life.

Unique Aspects of Living in an Eco Village

1. Food Forest & Organic Farming

Living in an eco-village means engaging in organic and regenerative agriculture. Eco villages often feature food forests and organic vegetable gardens that provide seasonal produce year-round. Residents participate in community gardens, gaining hands-on farming experience.

2. Sustainable Architecture and Energy Efficiency

Buildings in eco-villages are constructed using eco-friendly materials and techniques. Solar power is commonly utilized for electricity, and rainwater harvesting systems ensure green fields and recharged groundwater throughout the year, eliminating water shortages.

3. Holistic Health and Wellness

Eco villages promote holistic health through practices like yoga, meditation, and traditional healing. Wellness centres offer daily yoga sessions with professional instructors, meditation retreats, and traditional massage centres for relaxation and rejuvenation.

4. Co-Working Spaces and Community Collaboration

Residents can pursue their professional endeavours in dedicated co-working spaces that offer a serene environment. These spaces foster collaboration, innovation, and a strong sense of community among residents.

5. Farm-School

Education is a key focus in eco-villages, with workshops and courses on various sustainable living practices. Topics include growing your own food, permaculture, natural building techniques, organic farming, and traditional crafts, providing residents with valuable skills and knowledge.

6. Organic Dairy Farming

Dairy farming operations in eco-villages prioritize animal well-being and product quality. Cows graze on chemical-free pastures, ensuring their health. Residents have access to fresh milk and additional dairy products like cheese, curd, and ghee.

7. Art, Culture, and Community Events

Eco villages celebrate art, culture, and community through various activities and events. Cultural events, retreats, workshops, movie nights, potlucks, and nature walks enrich the cultural fabric and strengthen community bonds.

Nannilam Eco Village: A Vision Realised

At Nannilam we perfectly blend traditional village values with modern comforts. We bring together people dedicated to sustainable living and provide all the necessary infrastructure and support. Our eco-village includes all of these unique aspects, and we are meticulously working towards realising each one with specialised guidance from experts in their respective fields. By combining communal living, a connection to nature, and eco-friendly practices with luxury, comfort, and modern technology, we create a unique, harmonious living experience that offers the best of both worlds

Life at Nannilam

At Nannilam, you will find a meticulously selected 125-acre location, thoughtfully prepared for community living. A stream flows through the land, enhancing its natural beauty and providing a serene environment. Our architects are designing spaces that harmonize with the natural environment, creating beautiful, sustainable living areas.

Our eco-village integrates farms with poultry and dairy, ensuring a natural, chemical-free food supply. With over 3,000 mango trees, we manage rainwater effectively to provide a reliable water source for the trees and the entire community throughout the year. All essential infrastructure, including power, irrigation, and earthworks, is handled by our dedicated team, allowing you to focus on enjoying life.

We also feature a 3-acre pond with water activities, a wellness centre for health and wellness, farm schools, community spaces, and dedicated areas for people working remotely. This ensures that all agricultural needs, from the farm to the fruit forest, are managed professionally and efficiently.

A unique aspect of Nannilam is our dedicated space for cluster housing, where homes will be built using natural materials and vernacular architecture. These homes are designed to maximize land use efficiency, foster a sense of community, and minimize the environmental footprint. Cluster housing will include shared common areas, efficient land use, and sustainable building practices, promoting a supportive living environment for residents.

We also provide housing for farm support families, typically landless farmers, who are integrated into our community and work on the farm. This ensures that all agricultural needs, from the farm to the fruit forest, are managed professionally and efficiently, without additional hassle for our residents.

Join Us at Nannilam Eco Village

If you share our vision for a sustainable lifestyle, we invite you to join us. Experience a community that balances traditional wisdom with modern comforts. Let’s create a future where harmony with nature and a fulfilling, healthy life are possible. Together, we can make a difference.

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