Explore the Link between Biological and Cultural Diversity

Basudha (= 'Earth Mother' in Bengali) is a small (1.7 acre) farm in the midst of paddy fields close to a forest in southwest Bengal. Come to live in Basudha’s adobe farmhouse, thatched with rice straw, and enjoy the peace of Bengali rural interior, about 220 km from Kolkata.

Watch a short video of Basudha from filmmaker and photographer Jason Taylor.

Established in early 2002 as the research station of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies, Basudha aims to conserve Bengal’s vanishing rice varieties; encourage, demonstrate and support organic farming and traditional methods of multiple cropping; and preserve and develop local knowledge of biodiversity and its uses. Basudha is a partner of the nationwide anti-WTO movement, and locally engaged in non-formal education and heuristic science teaching for the rural youth. Basudha also gives practical training in ecological agriculture.

NOTE: Basudha's conservation farm has now been shifted to Rayagada district of southern Odisha [detail here]. While there is no conservation activity currently underway, Basudha's farm house and arboretum are now being maintained by CIS trustee Mr. Debashis Chatterjee. He can be contacted at: (+91) 9830057531 and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Every year, scientists, research scholars, students, activists and farmers from different parts of the world visit Basudha - to teach, learn from, and share ideas with, CIS workers and farmers in the surrounding villages. WWOOFers find Basudha to be a favourite farm to stay and work in. The Annual Basudha Festival, held in Winter every year, is a special event in which students, environmentalists, artists and conservationists from different parts of the world come to participate.

If you are willing to visit Basudha, please contact us to book well in advance for accommodation.

N.B. CIS is a non-profit organisation, and does not receive financial support from any funding agency - whether governmental or non-governmental. All our activities are fuelled by the Trustees' personal donations, and those from friends. We are thus constrained to impose a modest charge on guests for their stay at Basudha. The tariff per capita per diem, is as follows:

• Rs. 150 (around Euro 3.00) for WWOOFers
• Rs. 250 (around Euro 5.00) for course students & researchers
• Rs. 400 (around Euro 8.00) for others
• Rs. 50 (around Euro 1) less for Repeat Visitors.

The fees are for accommodation and simple vegetarian meals, with rice as staple. Anything extra (e.g. bread/ beverages/ meat) will be at cost.

Download BASUDHA information pamphlet

Location

Basudha (23˚12' 25.6" N, 87˚16' 54.3" E) is located at Binodbati mouza, P.O. Layekbandh of Bankura district. Nearest railway stations: Bishnupur (22 km) and Durgapur (41 km).View Satellite image of BASUDHA on googlemap

Basudha does not encourage random visits by urban joy-seekers or picnickers, but is open only to WWOOFers, research students, and activists who are willing to participate and assist in our activities.

Please contact us for road map and directions.