Banasura Hill Resort
| Banasura Hill Resort | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Rammed Earth Architecture |
| Architectural style | Indegeneous Sustainable architecture |
| Location | Wayanad, Kerala |
| Country | India |
| Elevation | 976m (3202ft) |
| Construction started | July 2008 |
| Completed | January 2010 |
Banasura Hill Resort is a nature resort in Wayanad District in North Kerala, located 37 km away from Kalpetta, the district headquarters. It stands at an altitude of 3500 feet above sea level on a sprawling 35 acre plot amidst the rugged mountains of the Western Ghats which recently was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[1][2] The resort is so named because it is located at the foot of the Banasura Hill which is the second highest mountain in Wayanad and a popular trekking destination.[3]
Etymology
The inspiration for the name Banasura Hill Resort came from the popular and picturesque Banasura Sagar Dam with which it shares its architectural antecedents, and the Banasura Hill at the foot of which the resort is located.
Unique Architecture
The resort is unique because of the kind of architecture used in the construction of various buildings within the complex. The main building at the resort has an area of nearly 20,000 square feet spread over two floors, and is made entirely out of mud, with a roof of bamboo and coconut palm fronds.[4] It is probably the largest earth resort in India,[5] and perhaps in all of Asia.[6][7]
Making Of Banasura
Considerable amount of research went in before deciding on the type of architecture to be used in construction. “Earth” architecture was chosen because it would cause the least amount of ecological damage while blending harmoniously with the micro environment around the site. Research also threw up striking examples of large earthen structures that had withstood the test of time and survived for centuries. The Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali built in 1907, the Citadel of Rayen in Iran built during the Parthian rule (248 BC–224 AD); and the ancient city of Shibam in Yemen built in the 2nd century A.D are some such structures.
Inspired by these examples, rammed earth or pise was chosen as the architecture to be adopted for constructing the resort. Rammed earth was a construction technique that was developed in ancient China around 2,000 B.C, and used predominantly to build protective walls around small settlements. The Great Wall of China is one of the best examples where rammed earth was used.[8] The biggest advantage of such construction is that there is very little environmental damage. “Earth” that is used for construction can be recycled indefinitely or left to disintegrate without causing any environmental degradation. Apart from the examples cited above, the inspiration for using earth as the building material for the resort came from the Banasura Sagar Dam, India’s largest earthen dam, and the second largest in Asia located just 18 km away from the resort.[9]The resort is built using mud excavated from the very site that it stands on, and therefore the structures gel seamlessly with the natural surroundings. What is most important however is the ambience that the interiors of the earthen structures provide, the feeling of comfort and wellbeing that one gets within the buildings, and the soundness of the sleep that the earth rooms provide. The thick earthen walls keep the interiors cool during the day and warm and cozy during the night.
Size & Challenges
Fairly large single-storied earthen structures are common in different parts of the world, but building a two-storied structure of such enormous proportions as that of the main building at the resort, was quite a challenge. Since the building was designed without any concrete pillars, extra attention had to be paid to load bearing and load balancing aspects to ensure stability.
Climatic conditions are a major concern while building earthen structures. Typically, earthen buildings are found in areas where the climate is dry and arid. Wayanad, where Banasura Hill Resort is located, has a tropical wet climate – also known as a tropical monsoon climate – with an annual average rainfall of well over 2,300mm. While the heavy monsoon rains are responsible for the tropical rain forests and the rich bio-diversity found in these parts, building a rammed colossal earth structure under such climatic conditions is a challenge. Despite this, construction of the main building was completed within 18 months.[10]
Expertise of Local Tribesmen
Close to the resort there are four hamlets belonging to the indigenous Kurichiya tribe.[11] The Kurichiyas are expert marksmen who used bows and arrows to hunt for game. They live mostly in mud huts with thatched roofs. Their expertise in building with mud was used extensively in the construction of the resort. The resort is a fine example of what can be achieved by blending traditional building techniques with modern design concepts.
A Slice of History
In the wake of Tipu Sultan's defeat in the Battle of Seringapatam, Wayanad which was then ruled by the Rajas of the Kottayam royal family came under the rule of the British. The British imposed exorbitant tax on agricultural products like pepper, causing inexorable hardships to the people of the region. Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, the then ruler of Wayanad, defied the British and refused to collect the taxes. This led to open confrontation between the British and the Raja, who was eventually forced to flee from his palace, and seek refuge in the jungles of Wayanad with his wife and some trusted supporters. During his sojourn in the jungles, the Raja came across several tribal settlements, one of which belonged to the Kurichiyas, a tribe with a strong martial tradition. The Kurichiyas were exceptionally good marksmen who hunted game using bows and arrows. The area around Banasura Hill with its thick forests, abundant water and rich wildlife formed an ideal hunting ground for the Kurichiyas. The numerous natural caves in the area close to perennial water courses, made it the ideal hide out for the Raja as well. The Kuruchiyas who had intimate knowledge of the topography offered their help. With their support, the Raja engaged the British in a long drawn guerrilla war which eventually led to the Rajah's death and the disbanding of the tribal army. One of the Kurichiya tribal hamlets is still in existence at the foot of the Banasura Hill about 5kms from the resort. They still recount stories of how their forefathers helped the Rajah in his fight against the British.
Social Forestry
Thousands of Guadua bamboo saplings have been planted in and around the resort to create a bio-fencing. Guadua bamboo is more effective in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than most other tropical trees.[12] Also planted in thousands are seedlings of the highly aromatic Vetiver grass whose cluster roots run vertically like a mesh to a depth of almost 5m, effectively preventing soil erosion and arresting water run-off.[13] These measures help to conserve the ecological balance of the place and preserve its natural heritage and biodiversity. Banasura Hill Resort is one of India's best eco-resorts.[14]
References
- ^ "UN designates Western Ghats as world heritage site". Times of India. Retrieved 2 July 2012.
- ^ "UNESCO world heritage sites list". UNESCO Official website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Deccan Chronicle - Reference of Banasura Hill". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Main building made of mud with bamboo roof and coconut palm fronds". The Hindu Website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Biggest Earth Resort in India". Official Earth Architecture. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Largest Earth Resort in Asia". BBC Website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Largest Earth Resort in Asia". Go India Website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Construction material of China Great Wall". Travel China Guide. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Largest Earth Dam in India". Kerala Tourism Official Website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Challenges of Rammed Earth construction". How Stuff Works Official Website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Kurichiyas presence in Wayanad". Wayanad Website. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Guadua offers diverse types of benefits.". Gaudua Bamboo Premier.com. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ^ "Vetiver Grass prevents soil erosion". Utilization of Vetiver grass by The Chaipattana foundation. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ^ "India's best eco resort". MSN Green. Retrieved 13 July 2012.