Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Feb 12: In a landmark initiative aimed at promoting environmental conservation and sustainable tourism, ‘Mud & Meadows’ — Jharkhand’s first organically developed eco resort — was ceremoniously inaugurated at Shankarda village under Potka block near Jamshedpur on Thursday.
The inauguration was led by Jharkhand’s Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Deepika Pandey Singh, who graced the occasion as the chief guest.
Potka MLA Sanjib Sardar attended as the guest of honour.
The dignitaries formally opened the centre by cutting the ribbon and planting Rudraksha and Blackberry saplings, symbolising their commitment to environmental protection.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Deepika Pandey Singh described the launch of ‘Mud & Meadows’ as a proud and historic moment for Jharkhand in the field of sustainable tourism and rural development. She said the project would serve as a milestone in promoting eco-conscious living and empowering rural communities.
Praising MLA Sanjib Sardar for his proactive efforts, the minister noted his consistent commitment to public welfare and infrastructure development.
She also announced that road infrastructure in Potka would be strengthened and upgraded.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Sanjib Sardar said initiatives like ‘Mud & Meadows’ would help position Potka as a model eco-tourism destination on the map of Jharkhand.
He emphasised that the integration of sustainable development, rural empowerment and modern hospitality would generate employment opportunities for local youth.
He urged villagers to actively participate in tree plantation drives, adopt water conservation practices and protect natural resources.
The guests also distributed sarees among local women during the programme.
Earlier, the dignitaries were welcomed by the centre’s director and noted environmentalist, Vikrant Tiwari, who felicitated them with traditional shawls and mementos.
Tiwari shared that he had resigned from the corporate sector to dedicate himself fully to environmental conservation. He has led large-scale afforestation and ecological restoration projects across India and abroad, planting over two crore trees in 23 states, including 45 lakh saplings in Jharkhand alone.
More than 50 lakh litres of rainwater harvesting has also been undertaken under his initiatives.
Developed as a permaculture centre with 95 per cent non-cement construction, ‘Mud & Meadows’ stands as a unique model of sustainable architecture. The campus preserves over 200 species of trees, including Sindoor and Rudraksha. Its aesthetically designed mud cottages, built with organic bricks, reflect a harmonious blend of traditional architecture and environmental sustainability.
