Greenara | A tropical patch celebrating all gradients of green, from mild to wild, through spring to winter.

In 2016, Musthafa P A embarked on an extraordinary mission; to transform a degraded piece of mining land tucked away in a Kerala village into a lush green paradise he later called Greenara. Over the span of seven years, this initiative evolved into a remarkable success story, breathing life back into the land and serving as a beacon of hope for environmental restoration.

Nestled in the heart of a laterite mining area where such activities still persist, Greenara has emerged as an oasis of ecological rejuvenation. Musthafa's dream of harmoniously coexisting with nature and its diverse flora and fauna inspired the creation of Greenara, reinforcing the idea that even when nature has been harmed and its resources depleted, it is possible to reclaim and restore it with dedicated effort.

What was once a barren expanse of seven acres has now flourished into a haven featuring more than 2,000 trees, eight flowing water sources, a flourishing bamboo and Miyawaki forest. Additionally, the landscape is adorned with hundreds of fruit trees, thousands of tropical plants typically found in evergreen rainforests, and various ornamental and medicinal flora.

A crucial aspect of Greenara's mission is its commitment to knowledge sharing. Recognizing the importance of disseminating their acquired wisdom, Greenara actively engages in projects ranging from land restoration to water conservation and environmental education. Their efforts have resulted in the restoration of hundreds of acres of barren land across the country, leading Musthafa’s work and experiments to serve today as a case study for tropical landscaping and forest restoration.

And I Call Him My Father

And I Call Him My Father" is a compelling documentary film that follows the inspiring story of Musthafa.

Synopsis- Since 2016, Musthafa has been restoring a piece of degraded mining land tucked away in a village of Kerala into a greenland of his mind. The land then witnessed substantial changes which has since then been known as Greenara. Six years later, His daughter retraces the steps of his journey developing the land.

The film was screened as part of various international film festivals including International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) , New wave international Film festival, Steve aronson film festival and won the award for best documentary writing at Kerala short film festival.

In 2023, Musthafa's family members joined forces with Greenara, contributing significantly to its remarkable growth as a community space today.

Haneena PA, his daughter, an art Curator and researcher, brought her expertise to the project by joining as Greenara’s Event curator. With her prior experience in curating art spaces and events, she executed learning engagements within the forest that facilitated public access to Greenara for the first time in its seven-year restoration journey, although limited entry. This allowed people to experience and learn from Greenara while preserving its unique and pristine environment.

A recurring praise of the Greenara experience is its exceptionally rich and authentically native culinary offerings. Shabja EK, Musthafa's wife and an ardent advocate of exploring new gastronomic delights, heads the culinary division at Greenara. Her culinary expertise has drawn a multitude of visitors to Greenara, all eager to partake in its bountiful farm-to-table feasts. Shabja's passion for experimenting with flavors and her dedication to offering a diverse range of delectable dishes have made Greenara an irresistible destination for those seeking a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

Abdul Khader AK, his son in law, a graduate of National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad and a spatial and experience designer himself, works in close collaboration with Musthafa on crafting the living and spatial experiences at Greenara. Their joint efforts in design have consistently earned accolades from the visitors of Greenara. Abdul Khader's background in design and his commitment to enhancing the physical and experiential aspects of Greenara have played a pivotal role in creating an environment that garners widespread appreciation among its guests.

History