A unique location on a 50-acre organic farm in the village of Kepu, located 50 kilometers southeast of Mangaluru, has existed for about 200 years. This land has undergone significant changes: it transformed from a private plot into a place visited by people from various cultures.
Partha Varanshi, the sixth-generation landowner, shared that his family has always shown an interest in agriculture. He noted that in 1960, his grandfather founded a farming cooperative called CampCo. Partha's parents were also interested in agricultural sciences: his father earned a doctorate in microbiology, and his mother earned one in macrobiology.
As he grew up on this land, Partha observed its multifaceted development. Although the Varanshi family hosted guests and relatives on the farm for the last thirty years, they never conducted commercial activities until a certain incident.
Around 2006, Partha's friends visited the farm. One of them told him about a girl who had finished 12th grade and didn't know what to do next. When she learned about Partha's farm, she asked if she could spend a few weeks to understand how life on the farm functioned. After two weeks, the girl fell in love with organic farming and enrolled in the horticulture engineering faculty.
This incident prompted Partha to think: if farm life can inspire one person, other city dwellers might also love such a lifestyle, which would be a good break from the urban hustle. The family presented this idea to the Karnataka Tourism Department to promote agro-tourism and decided to launch farm stays in 2014.
The idea of inviting volunteers came to Partha in 2007 while he was studying molecular biology in Australia. He recalled the concept of WWOOFing, where interested people can work on a farm while receiving food and accommodation. The Varanshi family approved this exchange model and began hosting volunteers in 2014.
While staying, volunteers participate in various organic farming activities, including harvesting, sowing seeds, and subsequent processing of agricultural products. They learn composting techniques using farm waste to create biofertilizer that nourishes the fields growing rice, coconut palms, chili, and spices.
Guests are provided with meals, with 95 percent of the dishes prepared for volunteers coming directly from the organic farm. Over 21 days, volunteers study the basics of organic farming. Partha, his family, and local residents give tours of the property, explaining the concept of regenerative agriculture and discussing why chemical fertilizers are harmful to crops and what alternatives exist. Guests particularly value the cocoa trail, where they are shown the entire chocolate production process from bean to bar.
Those interested can take a five-day certification course for 20,000 rupees. Additionally, Partha's team teaches vital skills such as first aid and CPR, and provides opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and trampoline jumping under certified instructors. Demonstrations of all activities are free, but certification is paid.
The main attraction of the stay is the treehouse, which stands 55 feet high. This house, built by local villagers, has one room with a king-size bed and a desk. The balcony offers a view of the 55-foot cliff and lush greenery. The treehouse is available for 6,000 rupees per night, including accommodation and food, and the farm hosts about 15 volunteers monthly.
Anupama Augustine, one of the volunteers representing a group of researchers from Kerala University, described it as a 'return to nature and self-discovery.' She noted that the tours and interactive sessions with Partha revealed the subtleties of regenerative agriculture and the farm's cultural heritage, teaching her to appreciate nature more.
Partha emphasizes that besides creating a green space for city dwellers, they focus on sustainable development. The farm uses waste for composting and is equipped with a biogas plant. Solar panels with capacities of 7.5 kW and 2.5 kW are also installed on the site, along with eight natural ponds and an 80-foot deep well for rainwater harvesting. About 55 people from the village of Kepu participate in the farm's operations, cooking, cleaning, and making biofertilizers.
Despite the successes, Partha points out an issue in the relationship between city dwellers and locals. Locals sometimes have difficulty communicating with city volunteers, and some have even reported to the police regarding receiving money from city residents for work. To resolve this, the Varanshi family conducts workshops, such as 'Mud Day,' to explain the purpose of these volunteer programs to the local community.
Nevertheless, city dwellers are thrilled with life here. Partha reported having hosted volunteers from 15 different countries, including America, Canada, France, Germany, the UK, Scotland, Australia, Japan, and Vietnam. The Varanshi family also plans to develop cottages for family holidays. His father, Dr. Varanshi Krishna Murthy, expresses pride in how the land has changed, becoming a place where people can escape daily life.
Uzbekistan's unified energy system recorded a new summer record for daily electricity consumption on July 17, 2026.
According to the Ministry of Energy data, daily electricity consumption reached 293.4 million kWh. This figure exceeded last year's previous summer maximum by 20.8 million kWh, which is 7.6%.
The country also set a new record for daily electricity generation. Power plants produced 296.1 million kWh on July 17, surpassing the previous record of 295.4 million kWh, which was set the day before, on July 16, by 0.7 million kWh, or 0.24%.
Including electricity generated by small solar photovoltaic stations, the total output amounted to 305 million kWh. This exceeded daily consumption by 11.6 million kWh and was 9.6 million kWh, or 3.2%, higher than the output of the previous day.
The Ministry of Energy reported that dispatch services are conducting round-the-clock monitoring of the load on the electrical grid, as well as the condition of power lines and transformer equipment. If necessary, operators redistribute network loads and take operational measures to prevent overloads, equipment overheating, technical failures, and large-scale power outages.
Furthermore, the ministry strongly urged consumers to use electricity economically and, if possible, limit the use of household appliances that are not vital to reduce the load on the energy system and minimize the risk of emergency shutdowns.
In the settlement of Torbat-e Jam, which is a refugee camp, a project to increase solar energy capacity was implemented. This project was carried out by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with support from the Government of the Republic of Korea and in collaboration with the Center for Alien Affairs and Immigration (CAFIA).
The expansion of solar generation brought economic, environmental, and social benefits to both Afghan refugees and the host local community. According to an UN press release dated July 15, the modernization significantly improved access to vital services, reduced emissions, and promoted sustainable development.
The initiative is part of the 'Scaling Sustainable Settlements for Afghan Refugees in the Islamic Republic of Iran' program, which aims to improve living conditions, expand access to sustainable infrastructure, and strengthen refugees' earning potential while supporting local communities. Building on the success of the first phase, UNIDO increased the capacity of the photovoltaic power plant in the settlement from 52.25 kilowatts to 200 kilowatts. The updated facility began operating in July 2025, allowing the settlement to generate significantly more clean electricity from the sun, which is one of the country's most abundant natural resources.
The results were immediate: within a year, electricity consumption from the national grid decreased by almost 36 percent, and peak electricity demand dropped by nearly 60 percent. These improvements helped reduce the operational costs of the settlement, lessened the strain on the national grid during peak hours, and helped ensure a more stable power supply for schools, medical facilities, and other public services.
The environmental benefit is also substantial. Annually, the expanded solar plant is expected to produce about 432 megawatt-hours of clean energy, preventing the emission of approximately 285 tons of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, this will reduce the consumption of natural gas and conserve water that would otherwise be used in traditional power generation—which is particularly important in the arid climate of Torbat-e Jam. Beyond the technology itself, the project focuses on people: UNIDO organized practical training for settlement staff on the operation and maintenance of the photovoltaic system, thereby developing local technical expertise and ensuring the long-term viability of the investment.
Mohsen, a 29-year-old participant, noted that the training provided them with practical skills and confidence in operating and optimizing the photovoltaic system, emphasizing how teamwork makes energy more reliable for their families and public services. The expansion of solar generation also contributes to Iran's efforts to increase the share of renewable energy sources, simultaneously advancing humanitarian aid, environmental sustainability, and national development priorities. The experience of Torbat-e Jam serves as a solid foundation for implementing similar measures in other Iranian refugee camps through continued cooperation between UNIDO, CAFIA, the Iranian Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA), the Government of the Republic of Korea, and national partners.
