3 weeks ago
Auroville Farm Faces Eviction Threat Over Proposed IIT-Madras Campus
Annapurna Farm is a large organic farm in Auroville.
It helps provide food for more than 3,000 people.
The Auroville Foundation wants the farm’s residents to move within 10 days.
The land is planned for a sustainability campus connected to the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
Farm managers say the farm cannot simply be picked up and moved.
Its crops, animals, water systems, buildings and soil have developed together over many years.
They also say the proposed replacement sites are too small.
A parliamentary committee leader has recommended protecting the farm and finding another site for the campus.
Annapurna Farm has been ordered to relocate within 10 days by the Auroville Foundation.
The 135-acre organic farm produces about 30% of Auroville’s food and processes over 90% of its grains.
The Foundation leased 100 acres to the Indian Institute of Technology Madras for a proposed sustainability campus.
Farm managers say the operation cannot be moved quickly because its soil, water systems, livestock and infrastructure are interconnected.
Parliamentary committee chairman Mukul Wasnik recommended that the farm not be disturbed and that alternative campus land be found.
- Who
- Annapurna Farm residents and managers, the Auroville Foundation, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, and Parliamentary Standing Committee chairman Mukul Wasnik.
- What
- The Auroville Foundation ordered Annapurna Farm residents to relocate within 10 days because of plans for an IIT-Madras sustainability campus.
- Where
- Annapurna Farm in Auroville’s Greenbelt, Puducherry.
- When
- The relocation letter was received on September 5; the land lease was signed on December 23, 2025, and fencing reportedly began in June 2026.
- Why
- The Foundation cited plans connected to an IIT-Madras sustainability campus, while the farm says relocation would threaten its established agricultural operations and Auroville’s food supply.
Farm Management
Foundation Campus Plan
Relocation
Farm Management
Annapurna managers say the farm cannot be relocated within 10 days because its crops, soil, water systems, livestock, granary, workshops and infrastructure form an interconnected ecosystem.
Foundation Campus Plan
The Auroville Foundation directed residents to relocate and begin moving livestock, equipment and essential farming operations, citing plans linked to the proposed sustainability campus.
Replacement Land
Farm Management
The farm says five alternative sites, ranging from about 3.5 to 11 acres, are inadequate and that at least 50 contiguous acres are needed for viable operations.
Foundation Campus Plan
The Foundation’s land-use plan involves a 100-acre lease to the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, while the farm is seeking alternative land for the campus.
Project Impact
Farm Management
Farm management is calling for construction to stop and for an independent review of the project’s effects on food security and ecology.
Foundation Campus Plan
The proposed sustainability campus is the stated reason for the relocation order and the associated land lease.
Key facts
- Farm size
- 135 acres
- Food production
- About 30% of Auroville’s total food production
- Grain processing
- More than 90% of grains produced by Auroville farms
- Community served
- More than 3,000 Auroville residents
- Organic certification
- Held since 2005
- Proposed lease
- 100 acres leased to the Indian Institute of Technology Madras under a 33-year nominal-rent lease
- Workforce
- 17 to 20 regular workers and up to 40 during peak seasons
Sources
Related news
Mukul Wasnik Urges Centre to Halt Auroville Land Transfer Plan
Farmers’ Group Opposes Transfer of Kalaburagi Research Centre Land
Farmers Oppose Private Solar Project Over Water Concerns
Supreme Court Seeks Alternative Land in SASTRA Encroachment Case
SRFTI Students Continue Boycott, Demand Written Safety Assurances
Neha Bora Says Bengal Must Defend Democracy Amid Campus Attacks
Congress Says Panel Report Exposes NTA Failings, Urges Reforms
Parliamentary Panel Urges NTA Reforms to Strengthen Exam Security
Meenakshi Natarajan May Take Leave, Telangana In-Charge Change Likely
