Soaring land prices
Due to Auroville's growth
over the past three decades, the land within the
Auroville Township area has become a commodity
for big financial gain, both in the eyes of the
landowners as well as outside speculators and
real estate developers.
As
a result, land prices are soaring in the Auroville
area. Over the last 10 years, prices have skyrocketed.
Change of
land use
Today's landowners are not
any more the traditional farmers, who are ploughing
their fields and harvesting local grains as was
still practiced a few decades ago. The sons of
these farmers often work in the nearby town of
Pondicherry or have a regular occupation in Auroville
with a steady income. The land is mainly used
for cashew or casuarina cultivation, which provide
an additional source of cash revenue for the owner.
Pesticides, which are harmful for the soil, the
watershed and human beings, are heavily sprayed
during the season and damage Auroville's ongoing
environmental regeneration efforts.
Speculators
Another challenge is real estate developers and
business people, who are trying to profit from
Auroville's growth and the worldwide attraction
of visitors and guests. Restaurants, guesthouses,
travel services, massage centres and shops are
already booming in the neighbourhood. They may
soon extend their commercial tentacles into the
planned Auroville Green Belt, which is a very
sensitive and critical area for environmental
conservation and water resource management. Some
land in this area has already been bought by outside
parties for real estate development.
Auroville finds itself today
at a crucial junction. If market forces are allowed
to dominate, the entire development of Auroville
may suffer seriously.
Urgent necessity
So far, Auroville has acquired
about half of the land designated for the future
township through contributions from within Auroville
itself and from friends and well-wishers worldwide.
Today, with increasing land speculation and the
growing danger of real estate developers buying
up land for private business ventures, the purchase
of all remaining land for Auroville has become
an urgent necessity!
Appeal
!
The need to purchase the
land for Auroville’s future development
is URGENT. Any donation,
however small is welcome. |
