In the lush landscapes of Kodagu (Coorg), Karnataka, lies a testament to both heritage and innovation: Elkhill Estates. Acquired in 2023 by Orange County Resorts and Hotels Ltd (OCRHL), these eight coffee estates represent over 100 years of sustainable agricultural practices rooted in the region's unique biodiversity. With a renewed focus on environmental conservation and sustainable farming, Elkhill Estates continues its legacy under the stewardship of Ramapuram Holdings, producing 750 tonnes of premium coffee annually, of which over 50% is exported to Europe. As Dr. John Ramapuram, Executive Director of OCRHL and CEO of Elkhill Estates, notes, "Our mission is not only to revitalize the land but to enhance its ecological value while fostering economic and community development." Through initiatives ranging from endemic species restoration to Rainforest Alliance certification, Elkhill is positioning itself as a leader in both sustainable agriculture and the preservation of Coorg’s ecological heritage.
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Q. Can you provide a brief overview of Elkhill Estates' history and its current ownership structure?
A. Elkhill Estates, a group of eight coffee estates in Kodagu (Coorg), Karnataka, was originally owned by the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Limited. In 2023, Orange County Resorts and Hotels Ltd (OCRHL). acquired the estates, continuing the 100 year heritage of its promoters – Ramapuram Holdings, in sustainable agriculture and plantations. The 1,008-hectare estate produces 750 tonnes of premium coffee annually, including specialty and organic varieties, of which over 50% is exported to Europe.
Q. What are the primary goals and objectives of Elkhill estates especially about environmental conservation?
A. While Elkhill Estates is a brand new addition, environmental conservation has always been at the core of OCRHL’s value system when it comes to all of our properties. At Elkhill, we aim to revitalize and preserve the plantation while ensuring sustainable agricultural practices and a positive impact on the local community.
One of the estate's main priorities is reviving the coffee plantation, which had seen a significant decline in crop yield. Coffee yields, which once averaged around 850 kilos per acre, had dropped to 450 kilos. Through careful land management and improved farming practices, we are working toward both economic and environmental sustainability.
Elkhill Estates also prioritizes long-term sustainability, understanding that restoring the land and its biodiversity is a long journey. We aim to achieve not only economic sustainability but also environmental conservation by promoting endemic species, thereby contributing to the preservation of the region’s ecological heritage.
The recent renewal of our Rainforest Alliance certification, emphasizes our continued commitment towards conservation and sustainability and has been awarded to us after a thorough audit of both environmental and social practices. In fact, as part of the certification process, we have made significant improvements, including enhancing sustainable forestry practices and improving labour welfare standards.
Q. Can you elaborate on any specific conservation initiatives implemented by Elkhill estates such as habitat restoration, species protection, or sustainable farming practices?
A. We have several conservation initiatives that help maintain ecological balance and promote sustainable farming practices. They are focused on habitat restoration, species protection, and responsible land management.
One of our most significant projects is the preservation and restoration of native species through endemic tree planting. Rather than opting for fast-growing exotic trees, we prioritize local varieties such as Rosewood, Balanji, Jack Fruit, KalBage, Chakkatte, Athi, Honne, Nerale to help sustain the natural ecosystem. These native species not only maintain biodiversity but also create a balanced habitat for local wildlife.
Another key step has been our decision to revert to growing Robusta coffee after an experimental planting of Arabica. Robusta is better suited to our region’s specific conditions and supports our overarching goal of staying true to native varieties and crops that are more naturally sustainable. Additionally, Robusta is more naturally resistant to pest, thus reducing use of pesticides.
A key initiative is rain water harvesting. Elkhill Estates have over 50 rain water harvesting ponds or small lakes that capture huge amounts of rain water during the monsoons. This initiative has raised the area’s water table and made us fully self-sufficient for all our irrigation needs through the year.
In addition to planting, we are systematically engaged in land restoration efforts by carefully managing the trees within the coffee plantations. These actions not only rejuvenate our coffee crops but also contribute to restoring the land to its natural state over time. This deliberate, methodical process ensures the long-term sustainability of both the estate and its tree cover, preventing further degradation and contributing to the health and longevity of our ecosystem.
Q. How does Elkhill Estates engage with local communities and stakeholders to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices?
A. Our efforts are centered around the well-being of our workers and the surrounding populations through various community-driven initiatives.
One of our primary focus areas is to support the lives of our workers and their families. With around 400 permanent and an additional 300–400 semi-permanent workers living on the estate, we recognize the importance of creating a supportive environment. Recently, we have implemented programs to address personal challenges faced by the workforce. These initiatives include upgrading housing, improving access to education, and providing transport solutions for their school going children. For instance, we’ve made it possible for workers’ children to attend the OCRHL funded Morning Glory School, which offers high-quality, world-class education at no cost. Additionally, we have adopted a local government school to further extend our educational support within the region.
Recognizing the needs of unemployed youth in our community, we are actively developing programs that provide career counseling and guidance, helping them pursue sustainable careers or further their education. This aligns with our broader goal of fostering long-term community development.
In terms of infrastructure, we understand the challenges posed by infrequent public transportation. We have started building bus shelters for workers and villagers, offering safe and reliable waiting areas. Last month, we inaugurated our first shelter bordering the estate and have plans for five more. These efforts also involve working closely with local authorities to ensure sustainable, well-maintained development projects for the future.
Q. What challenges or obstacles has Elkhill Estates faced in implementing its conservation efforts and how have they overcome them?
A. As mentioned earlier, Elkhill is our new baby. We have only started on initiatives here. One of the first community development initiatives we planned was establish a waste segregation facility for Sidappura town. Although our initial plans faced some concerns from nearby residents, we took a collaborative approach by working closely with local authorities to identify a better-suited location. Work is currently progressing on this project.
The process has given us the confidence to address the broader issue of waste accumulation in the region. Elkhill is exploring ways to possibly take on some of the waste management work ourselves. Although these projects are still in the early stages, we are determined to contribute to the sustainable development of the region, despite the time and effort required to overcome such obstacles.
Q. Can you quantify the positive impact of Elkhill estates conservation initiatives such as several species protected, habitat restored or carbon emissions reduced?
A. Our formal conservation initiatives are still in their early stages as Elkhill Estates has been with OCRHL for just a year, so quantifiable metrics like species protected, habitats restored, or carbon emissions reduced will become available over the next year or two.
However, OCRHL’s commitment to sustainability has already garnered both national and international recognition, including an award from National Geographic Society, dubbing us "Earth Changers", and acknowledging us as a global leader in environmental stewardship.
Our broader philosophy follows the “4Rs”—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Regenerate. This regenerative approach focuses not just on preserving the environment but actively restoring it. For instance, OCRHL’s property at Kabini was a barren agricultural field when it was acquired in 2004. By 2024, we have transformed this land by regenerating a natural forest. A land that had 8 to 10 species of birds has today transformed into a rich habitat hosting over 162 bird species (in last year’s bird audit) and a wide range of small mammals.
While we are still in the process of applying environmental and social strategies across Elkhill Estates, we aim not only to maintain our land and elevate its ecological value but also to build a more prosperous and sustainable local community. Leaving a positive impact on generations to come.
Q. How does Elkhill Estates measure and monitor its environmental performance and what are the key indicators of success?
A. We measure and monitor our environmental performance primarily through external certifications and audits, with the Rainforest Alliance certification serving as a key benchmark. This rigorous process involves comprehensive inspections that evaluate a wide range of environmental and social practices. Our ability to consistently renew this certification underscores our commitment to stringent international sustainability standards.
Currently, we rely on the metrics established by the Rainforest Alliance to ensure our operations align with global environmental standards. These metrics encompass biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable farming practices, and the responsible treatment of our workers and local communities. The strict nature of these evaluations drives continuous improvement and adherence to best practices.
Looking ahead, we plan to develop our own metrics for measuring environmental performance over the next 3-4 years. These in-house metrics will complement our external certifications and enable us to track specific goals related to habitat regeneration, species protection, carbon emissions, and overall sustainability.
At present, key success indicators for us include maintaining certifications like the Rainforest Alliance, and receiving recognition for the quality of our coffee - such as the recent award from the Coffee Board won by Elkhill Estates for the Best Washed Robusta’s in India. As we develop new monitoring systems to track progress, we expect to obtain more precise data to quantify our positive environmental impact.
Q. Given the increasing global focus on sustainability and eco-tourism, what are Elkhill Estates' plans for the future, and how do they envision further strengthening their commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable practices?
A. While OCRHL is a leader in Ecotourism in the country, Elkhill Estates aims to stay rooted in its plantation heritage. Our primary income currently comes from coffee cultivation, however, we are actively exploring additional revenue opportunities through intercropping with other crops such as pepper vines and a wide range of fruit trees. Central to this vision is our strategy to diversify income streams, ensuring that our plantation remains economically viable while upholding our dedication to environmental stewardship, sustainable practices and Community development.
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