In Khori village of Rajasthan's Sikar district, farmer Sher Singh Shekhawat refused to stop at simply planting trees in the name of protecting the environment. Instead, he built a model around balancing nature's five core elements — earth, water, air, fire and sky — and it is now drawing curious visitors from far and wide. His one-hectare farm house has been shaped into something resembling a living laboratory, blending the Vedas, the Puranas, traditional knowledge and modern science into a single working system.
The Earth Element: Bringing the Soil Back to Life
Shekhawat says his first focus was the strength of the land itself. By fermenting cow urine, cow dung and herbs drawn from ancient texts, he raised the carbon content of his soil to make it more fertile. Through organic farming, he keeps working to preserve that fertility, doing away with the need for chemical fertilisers.
Storing 12 Lakh Litres of Water Every Year
For the water element, he set up an effective rainwater harvesting arrangement on the farm. Rain that falls on the fields is carried through channels into a reservoir, and in this way around 12 lakh litres of water is collected every year. That water is used both for drinking and for irrigation. His thinking on water did not end at his own fields either — he has also designed a model to carry rainwater from Harsh Parvat to the surrounding villages.
Earning Lakhs a Year Through Agro Tourism
Shekhawat has also developed his farm as an agro tourism destination, complete with air-conditioned huts, alongside growing fruits and vegetables. Together, these activities earn him lakhs of rupees in income every year.
1,750 Trees Working Against Air Pollution
To keep the air clean and balanced, he has planted around 1,750 trees and plants on the farm. What stands out is that the species were chosen specifically for their ability to control air pollution more effectively.
Natural ACs With No Electricity, 10°C Cooler in Summer
Under the fire element, he has built four naturally air-conditioned rooms out of mud and cow dung — and these are the biggest attraction on his farm. In summer, the temperature inside stays about 10 degrees Celsius lower than outside, while in winter the rooms remain comfortable too, all without a single electric air conditioner.
A Navagraha Garden Rooted in Astrology
Mindful of the importance of the sky element, Sher Singh has also created a Navagraha garden based on astrology. It features different trees and plants linked to the nine planets and the 27 nakshatras, reflecting the deep bond between Indian tradition and nature.
2,000 Visitors a Year, 4,500 People Trained
Every year, more than two thousand tourists and researchers come to this unusual farm house to study it. Beyond that, Shekhawat has trained over 4,500 people in organic farming, spreading awareness about environmental protection and sustainable agriculture.
