When entrepreneur and landscapist Musthafa PA bought several acres of degraded laterite mine land near the Calicut International Airport in rural Kerala, nobody understood why he had done so. But the experienced landscapist had seen something in this arid, abandoned land that others could not: potential.

Eight years later, that same parcel of land is a thriving oasis — painstakingly revived and rewilded into a lush, self-sustaining tropical food forest by Musthafa and his team. Today, there are over 2000 trees and fruiting plants, six flowing water sources, two large waterbodies deep enough for swimming, and three habitats that make up the experiential farmstay Greenara at the site.

Musthafa opened Greenara — named after the Malayalam word 'ara', which refers to a four walled chamber in ancestral homes in Kerala — in 2023 as a sanctuary for Kerala's urban and suburban flora and fauna, as well as people who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city-life and experience slow living in the midst of nature.

Greenara has three habitats which can accommodate up to sixteen people at a time spread across the land. There are two mudhouses that can comfortably accommodate two people each, and a spacious rammed earth community area suitable for hosting up to twelve individuals. There is no air-conditioning — all three spaces are eco-friendly and built using traditional mud construction techniques to keep cool throughout the year.

"You won't find the usual party luxuries or extravagant accommodations," Greenara's Airbnb listing informs potential guests up front. "We mostly welcome people who are interested to observe, learn, and enjoy the flora and fauna that's been evolving in the farm everyday."

All guests have access to the open-air dining area, waterbodies, and the entire farm during their stay. They can play board games, read from a curated library at the community area, swim in the ponds, and walk around the farm. Or they can participate in tropical walks with Musthafa and learn about the fecundity and diversity of nature, and the wisdom and forethought of everyone who planted trees in barren lands.

Authentic Malabar-style meals made by Musthafa's wife Shabja and her team are served every day at the community dining area. The modest but curated menu features rice, avial, Kerala-style fish fry, chicken or beef roast, and seasonal fruits and vegetables like spinach, jackfruit, and banana blossoms — nearly all of which are sourced from the farm itself. Occasionally, the farm also hosts immersive workshops on subjects like alternative film-making and tropical and edible landscaping at the farm.

A crucial aspect of Greenara's mission is Musthafa, Shabja, their daughter Haneena, her husband Abdul Khader, and the rest of the Greenara team's commitment to knowledge-sharing. Recognizing the importance of disseminating their acquired wisdom, Greenara Life — the interdisciplinary firm founded by Musthafa in 2020 — actively engages in projects ranging from land restoration to water conservation and environmental education. Their efforts have resulted in the restoration of hundreds of acres of barren land across India. At the heart of Musthafa's landscaping practice, Greenara serves as a case study for restorative tropical landscaping.

Watch Haneena PA's documentary short film 'And I Call Him My Father' to learn more about Musthafa's journey and the Greenara story here:

Book your stay at the Greenara farmstay here.

If you enjoyed reading this, here's more from Homegrown:

Get Your Hands Dirty & Learn The Ways Of Nature At 5 Organic Farm Stays Across India

Explore The 69-Year-Old Legacy Of This Biodynamic Farm Stay In Saurashtra

Inside A Mumbai 'Fast Casual' Farm-To-Table Restaurant That Works With Local Farmers