This Man Transformed A Wasteland Into A Forest Paradise In West Bengal

Stuck in the relentless cycle of corporate life, Utsow Pradhan, founder of Tieedi Forest Stay, felt an irresistible pull towards home: the murmur of the river, the scent of the mountains and the warmth of his people. So, he left behind a well-paid position in Hyderabad and returned to Darjeeling only to discover that his childhood river had dried up, and his ancestral land was reduced to a dump yard

In 2016, he set to work on Tieedi Forest Garden—an acronym for "Take It Easy, Easy Does It"— nestled in Gorabari Village, Sonada Forest, Kurseong subdivision, Darjeeling district, West Bengal. What began as a bold experiment in permaculture has become a mission to restore the local ecosystem.

Early Challenges

“Our region was politically unstable, and there was no blueprint for regenerative tourism or holistic waste management,” Pradhan recalls. His first task was to remove plastic from the soil. Over time, the land regained its vitality, yielding abundant harvests. Through perseverance, the permaculture principles of people care, earth care and fair share took root.

Tieedi started simply: welcoming travellers eager to learn local traditions, housed in huts of mud, bamboo and other natural materials. But it quickly grew into much more than accommodation—it became a living tribute to nature. Pradhan rejuvenated water sources and enriched the soil, benefiting both the environment and the community.

The property now boasts three independent cottages perfect for stargazing and forest classroom that also has a corner for a library. Budget travellers can opt for communal bamboo dorms, designed with rustic charm and eco-conscious flair. A strict no-smoking, no-drinking policy preserves tranquility. Beyond the huts, the surrounding forest unfurls in all its glory.

The surrounding wilderness offers endless forest exploration opportunities, with guided nature walks revealing hidden rhododendron groves, ancient oak trees, and diverse Himalayan flora. Crystal-clear mountain streams cascade into secluded waterfalls, creating natural pools perfect for refreshing dips. Mornings are filled with bird songs from over 50 species.

Sustainable Practices and Community Engagement

“We realised early on that we cannot take the moral high ground when it comes to talking about behavioural changes in the community,”– says Pradhan. Lack of awareness and consumerism made their journey feel like swimming against the tide. However, they persisted, and the community gradually noticed they could earn an honest living following permaculture principles. Currently, Tieedi employs 25 community members with over 500 working indirectly.

Pradhan launched a Zero Waste Andolan (Revolution) by building composting units and partnering with local scrap collectors to process nearly 200 kg of biodegradable waste daily.

"Compost warriors"-his chicken coops-turn the biodegradable waste from the community into rich fertiliser. They organize Food and Music Festivals called Bun Bhaath and Eco Trail Runs that promote zero waste event management.

Today, Rajahatta and two more surrounding villages have become zero-waste villages. They've launched Darjeeling's first Material Recovery Facility, supporting waste processing for over 500 households and 100+ small enterprises. The property prohibits packaged food, especially single-use plastic. Their Zero Waste Store sells homemade bio-enzymes, organic soaps, authentic pickles, bamboo toothbrushes, and features local artists' products.

The Impact & Future Vision

Tieedi’s forest-to-table ethos relies on foraged and organically grown produce—potatoes, radishes, corn, cauliflower and a rainbow of vegetables—with grains sourced from lowland suppliers due to high-altitude farming constraints. These gardens also serve as open-air classrooms, where Pradhan leads workshops on permaculture and natural living. They've expanded to offer holistic waste management training, working with local governments in Darjeeling and Sikkim. Success stories include the Darjeeling Montessori House of Children, which has become Darjeeling’s first zero waste school and now manages waste collection and segregation for 300 local households in Darjeeling. "Success for us as Tieedi Forest Garden is the number of seeds of change that we have managed to germinate and disperse in the world," says Pradhan.