VAANSA ECO RESORT
Resort I Uttarakhand
AREA 60000 SQFT LOCATION JIM CORBETT, UTTARAKHAND PHOTOGRAPHY HARNEET SINGH BHATIA
Uttarakhand lies on the southern slope of the Himalaya range, and the climate and vegetation vary greatly with elevation, from glaciers at the highest elevations to subtropical forests at the lower elevations. The highest elevations are covered by ice and bare rock. Below them, between 3,000 and 5,000 metres (9,800 and 16,000 ft) are montane grasslands and shrublands: the western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows. Temperate coniferous forests, the western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests, grow just below the tree line. At 3,000 to 2,600 metres (9,800 to 8,500 ft) elevation they transition to the temperate western Himalayan broadleaf forests, which lie in a belt from 2,600 to 1,500 metres (8,500 to 4,900 ft) elevation. Below 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) elevation lie the Himalayan subtropical pine forests. The Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests and the drier Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands cover the lowlands along the Uttar Pradesh border. This belt is locally known as Bhabhar. These lowland forests have mostly been cleared for agriculture, but a few pockets remain.
The design primarily aims to address these issues at site planning level in-turn creating a micro climate for the users. The units were designed on the basic idea of creating personal envelops which not only provide a private space but also a sense of security.
The entire site area is about 5.88 acres with approximately 8% of the site area to be built-up area. As a model development for green resorts, the project seeks to preserve the sense of place, local culture and be environmentally sensitive. The project also seeks to attain a high environmental rating using the IGBC’s Green Homes Rating System.
Large scale plantation of native species is planned in order restore the natural flora and fauna of the site. Deciduous plantations are strategically located to enhance shade on paths and living units during the summer while ensuring penetration of the winter sun. A detailed plan has been developed for promoting undergrowth and aromatic plants and herbs to attract pollinator birds and insects.
There are various active and passive systems employed for the conservation and reuse of natural resources.
The terraces of this erstwhile agricultural land are remediated through curving topographical manipulations so as to feed the catchment ponds and to drastically reduce the runoff velocity and erosion of topsoil. The design also ensures controllable intake and overflow into the two seasonal streams on site through check-dams and flues at various points on site.
The units are designed on the basic idea of creating personal envelops which not only provide a private space but also a sense of security.
