How This Family Transformed Barren Land Into A Thriving Eco-Paradise

In 1984, Ajit Malkarnekar and his wife Doris returned from Germany seeking a simpler life away from the urban chaos. Their simple wish led them to purchase fifty acres of once barren land near the small village of Karmane, close to Mollem National Park. With passion and vision, they coaxed life from the parched soil, planting cashew groves and coconut palms that now sway in the monsoon breeze at the eco sanctuary - Dudhsagar Plantation.

“Being well qualified and living in the rural environment, working the land can be a meaningful and desirable life choice”, this idea was the crux of his parents story said Ajit and Doris’s son Ashok Malkarnekar who manages the plantation now with his parents. But building this from the barren was not an easy task.

Early Beginnings

Their early days at the property were nothing like what you see now. Life here began simply with no electricity and no public transport. Their days were marked by candlelit evenings scented by burning coconut husks, water drawn from a single well, and rutted tracks that made Ashok and his brother’s daily journey to school twice as long.

In the early days, after digging a deep irrigation well, Ajit and Doris embarked on the arduous task of rebuilding barren soil. With patience, they reintroduced nitrogen through livestock manure, constructed soil bunds for groundwater recharge, mulched on site to boost moisture retention and installed a biogas plant for both energy and fertiliser. Alone banyan tree stood sentinel as pepper, coconut, cashew and betelnut groves took root alongside vegetables, fruits, spices and herbs. Only 25 acres were cultivated, allowing the remainder to mature into wild forest.

By 1985, the first tiled cottage welcomed kin, and in 2014 four more opened, marking the plantation’s official farmstay debut. The property features five charming cottages that embrace natural living, relying on fresh air rather than air conditioning.

Farming The Future

As village pioneers of organic farming, Ajit and Doris have spent decades using chemical-free methods and soil conservation techniques that enhance groundwater. A three-decade-old biogas system powers their cooking, while wastewater irrigates flower beds and banana trees or feeds into recharge pits. They’ve eliminated packaged water, compost all organic waste on-site, and sort all refuse at source.

Their sustainable approach continues to motivate and inspire the surrounding community. These practices and its visible impact can also be seen in the kind of guests who want to stay at this property. These people come with fascinating backgrounds and stories and they genuinely appreciate the sustainable practices at the property.

OURO - Our Heritage Spirit

Their family’s agricultural roots run deep through generations of cashew cultivation and feni distillation. Ashok’s grandfather started the tradition and his father perfected it with his renowned high-quality Urrak and Feni, and now he is learning the craft. OURO blends their premium cashew feni with local herbs and spices, creating a smooth, Christmas-inspired expression produced in small traditional batches which is available in select Goan outlets.

Slow Down And Savour

At Dudhsagar Plantation, you live by the motto “Slow down to the rhythm of rural Goa.” Columns of golden sunlight pierce the eucalyptus canopy, illuminating dewladen ferns as the air hums with cicadas.”Simply sitting on the verandah watching butterflies, swimming in natural pools, or strolling their nature trails provides experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Fancy a waterfall trek to Dudhsagar or Tambdi Surla? Or a visit to ancient petroglyphs, forest temples and crumbling Portuguese chapels? Perhaps you’d prefer a yoga retreat at dawn, an arts masterclass under banyan trees, or a quiet afternoon learning the secret fragrances of Goan spices. In every moment, the heady scent of wet earth and the gentle call of Myna birds invite you to connect deeply with the land.

Outlook Responsible Tourism’s conversation with Ashok revealed the remarkable journey of Dudhsagar Plantation from its humble beginnings without electricity to becoming a sanctuary of sustainable living. This place demonstrates that rural life can be fulfilling, the 50-acre haven now invites guests to experience the rhythm of rural Goa while learning their sustainable practices. If you are someone who loves to explore places with purpose then this place should be on your next trip.