Case Study: Transforming Degraded Land into a Thriving, Self-Sustaining Ecosystem

Client Profile

A leading hospitality group approached Aangan to transform a 10-acre patch of neglected farmland into a lush, diverse, and eco-friendly landscape for their upcoming wellness retreat. The land had suffered years of overuse, poor irrigation practices, and chemical-heavy farming, resulting in compacted soil, reduced biodiversity, and low fertility.

Challenges

Soil Degradation — High salinity levels, low organic matter, and reduced microbial activity.
Poor Water Retention — Existing irrigation led to rapid water runoff, increasing soil erosion risk.
Monoculture History — Years of single-crop farming depleted essential nutrients and disrupted the natural ecosystem.
Client Goal — Achieve a visually stunning, environmentally regenerative space using only 100% organic methods.

Our Approach

1. On-Ground Surveys & Data Collection

Soil Profiling (pH, organic carbon content, nutrient composition)
Topographical Analysis to design natural water flow patterns
Microclimate Mapping for crop and plantation suitability

2. Soil Regeneration Strategy

Bio-composting using green manure, farmyard manure, and vermicompost
Biofertilizers & Mycorrhizal Inoculants to reintroduce beneficial microbes
Cover Cropping with nitrogen-fixing plants like cowpea

3. Landscape Design

Mixed Plantation Layout: paddy, sugarcane, bamboo clusters, tender coconut groves, rice paddies
Agroforestry Integration for shade, windbreaks, biodiversity enhancement
Aesthetic & Functional Zones with trails, water bodies, and native buffers

4. Organic-Only Implementation

Neem-based pest management
Mulching for moisture retention
Organic foliar sprays for plant immunity

5. Continuous Monitoring & Adaptive Management

Installed soil moisture sensors
Monthly soil health tracking and biodiversity surveys
Adaptive planting techniques based on real-time data

Results (After 12 Months)

Soil Organic Matter: Increased by 42%
Water Retention: Improved by 65%, reducing irrigation needs by half
Biodiversity: Bird and pollinator species count increased from 6 to 19
Visual Impact: The land transformed into a lush, multi-crop landscape with aesthetic harmony and ecological balance

Key Takeaways

A science-first approach combined with traditional organic practices can restore even severely degraded lands
On-ground expertise and continuous monitoring are crucial for long-term sustainability
Aangan's methodology ensures both beauty and biodiversity, setting new benchmarks for organic landscaping

Why This Matters

This case study demonstrates Aangan's ability to merge deep research, organic methods, and skilled field execution to create landscapes that are not just visually appealing, but ecologically regenerative.