A fourth-generation entrepreneur from the Ramapuram family which has pioneered agri-tourism in the country when they opened their first plantation resort in the 300-acre Chikkana Halli estate (Evolve Back) in Coorg, Karnataka when George Ramapuram, founder of Earthitects Holiday Experiences, set up his architecture and design firm as an architecture student in 2016, his concept and philosophy was pretty clear—to help reverse urbanisation.Earthitects has already delivered its first project—Stone Lodges Wayanad in Keralaa—which comprises 13 private residences in 13 acres of forested hillside and a scheduled plantation. They are currently in the final stages of building their second private residences in Coorg, which according to Ramapuram will have 10 ultra luxury and 10 luxury residences. The company has projects in the pipeline in Kabini, Karnataka and also exploring opportunities in Goa and other places, he said.“We design, build and operate private residences. Private villas and residences if not used and maintained properly, could become dead assets,” he said adding, “We lease back these villas and operate as holiday homes”.“We are not promising big returns, but the asset will remain well-maintained and they will get some pocket money in return,” he said.Second homes have almost become a need for a section of the society especially after the pandemic. At the same time, families and friends travelling in big groups to a destination always like to stay together and spend time together rather than stay in independent rooms, Ramapuram said. As a design house of Evolve Back, although he sees some “overlapping” in products and offerings between Evolve Back resorts and Earthitects Holiday homes, this element as a key differentiator.He said that the urge to leave the concrete jungles in big cities and live close to nature is quite strong among the people. New technology, infrastructure, etc. allows that especially the work from home culture and the hybrid model of working. Ramapuram, who is a great proponent of reverse urbanisation believes that India’s culture, belief systems, conventional knowledge on design and architecture and modern building techniques put together allows us to help and support the earth and the environment to regenerate itself in cities which are “bursting at the seams” because of decades of exodus from the villages to the cities. The best way to support reverse urbanisation is to review and revisit the current regulatory frameworks governing rural and remote land. The plantation and farming sector is struggling to sustain in the country because of multiple factors, he said. Ramapuram advocates low density nature-oriented private residences and accommodation facilities to be permitted so that it can provide additional income and support to the farming community in the country. By relaxing the current laws and guidelines, he believes that the country can stop the exodus of youngsters from rural India to urban areas and preserve local culture and heritage in the long run.
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