Navy Diver Builds Sustainable Homestay in Assam

When Champak Deka left his career as a deep-sea diver with the Indian Navy, he had a mission that went deeper than any ocean dive. Together with his wife Anna-Louise Meynell, a textile designer, he set out to build something that would help both people and planet in Assam.

The couple chose a challenging plot near Bokakhat, just a short drive from Kaziranga National Park. The land had been stripped of its topsoil through extensive excavation, leaving behind dirt that seemed beyond repair.

Starting in 2018, Deka began the slow work of healing the earth. "We just kept planting and learning as we went along," he explains, committing to zero chemicals from day one.

Five years later, over 500 trees now flourish across the property. Indian olive, guava, mango, papaya, and banana trees stand as living proof that organic farming can reverse environmental damage.

The homestay itself reflects their commitment to sustainability. Built primarily from bamboo, wood, straw, mud, and cow dung, with minimal concrete, every structure honors traditional building methods while meeting modern comfort standards.

Inside, handmade bamboo and cane furniture from Nagaland fills the rooms. Local artisans craft the mirrors and shelves, while Meynell weaves the curtains herself in her on-site studio.

Guests feast on authentic Assamese cuisine featuring fragrant black rice, banana flower dishes, fish in ou tenga curry, and the traditional delicacy khar. Every meal celebrates local ingredients and centuries-old recipes.

The environmental innovations continue behind the scenes. Solar panels power the homestay, rainwater harvesting provides water, and a custom-built biodigester plant with anaerobic bacteria treats all sewage naturally.

The Ripple Effect

But Medini Homestay offers more than just eco-friendly accommodation. Meynell's weaving studio has become a lifeline for local artisans, giving them steady income through silk production and textile creation.

The studio specializes in Ahimsa silk, also called eri silk, which allows silkworms to complete their life cycle rather than being boiled alive in their cocoons. This compassionate approach to fabric-making aligns perfectly with the couple's vision of doing business that heals rather than harms.

Visitors can tour the studio, watch artisans at work, and witness the entire process of turning ethically-harvested silk into beautiful textiles. Each purchase directly supports Northeast India's weaving communities, helping preserve traditional crafts while providing fair wages.

The location itself offers adventure for nature lovers. Kaziranga National Park, spanning 430 square kilometers, sits just minutes away, home to one-horned rhinos, elephants, wild buffalo, swamp deer, and countless bird species.

What started as depleted dirt has become a model for regenerative tourism that actually gives back more than it takes.