Farmstay in Jamshedpur Stores 20 Lakh Litres of Rainwater

Why this is here: The farmstay trained around 20 people from the local tribal community to create bricks using cow dung, straw, lime, and sand—reviving a traditional skill and providing new employment.

In Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, environmentalist Bikrant Tiwary opened Mud & Meadows, a farmstay designed to revive local crafts and sustainable living. Tiwary purchased the land in 2020 with the goal of creating a space that connected future generations to nature. Studio Shunya architects trained local Kumhar potters in traditional building techniques, using soil, sand, lime, and natural binders instead of cement.

The six-acre retreat features six cottages inspired by different Indian regions, incorporating local art and repurposed materials. Mud & Meadows harvests roughly 20 lakh liters of rainwater annually and recharges about 15 lakh liters of groundwater through natural slope design. Over 100 tree species were planted, aiming to combat land degradation in Jharkhand, which ISRO identified as highly affected in 2015.

Despite the success, construction took two and a half years due to the challenges of using unfamiliar natural building methods at scale. The farmstay continues to experiment with soil compositions and local materials to refine the building process and further integrate the surrounding ecosystem.