Chanchal Biswas, a retired engineer from Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Asia’s biggest railway factory, stood on the barren patch surrounded by skeptical tribal villagers. The challenging environment around him did not deter him. Chanchal Da carried a very different kind of seed- one sown by the global spiritual humanitarian, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: "Nature is not outside of you. You are part of nature."
He decided to work with the locals and bring back life in this soil that had been left barren. He started with a simple prayer ceremony dedicated to the ancient seers and masters who have walked the earth and blessed it. He began- with only cow dung, cow urine, buttermilk solution and zero chemicals. Within 20 days, life blossomed once again: 1.5 quintals of cluster beans and 45 kg of lady’s finger- doubling the income with a harvest worth Rs 10,520.
The story could have ended there.
But inspired by Chanchal Da- who trained at the Bangalore Ashram and later conducted 25–30 Natural Farming training courses himself- the villagers embraced a new way of life. They brought indigenous cows, prepared Jeevamrut, and began nourishing their soil with nature’s own abundance.
Cows play a key role in natural farming by providing dung and urine as natural fertilizers and serving as draft animals. They also support soil health and offer milk as a source of nutrition and income. Realizing the importance of cows, Chanchal planned to build a gaushala.
Soon enough, with the nourishing impact of natural farming, fields once deemed barren now bore cauliflowers, tomatoes, brinjals, chillies, and radishes. Even mango trees that had never fruited began growing.
New rice varieties- Sonamoti, Gobindo Bhog, and Basmati- began growing in the same soil once thought barren.
Now the next step was securing water. The villagers dug up to 15 feet with no success. “They prayed, meditated and persisted,” shares Chanchal Da. Soon enough, at about 19 ft, water gushed forth. In this abundance, this thought by his Guru often resonated with him: “Faith is realising that you will always get what you need.”
Later, Chanchal Da travelled across West Bengal and Jharkhand, training not just farmers but drawing a massive following among those interested in living a life closer to nature and a sustainability-friendly lifestyle- including the likes of botany professors of Banwarilal Bhalotia College, Asansol- challenging academic mindsets with simple, living proof.
In Tapoban, North Bengal, near Darjeeling- along with natural farmer Ajit Pal- Chanchal Da helped cultivate an orchard of 156 different varieties of fruits.
When asked how one can tell if food is grown naturally, Chanchal Da explains:
“You can use your senses. A naturally grown radish has a strong smell when broken; chemical ones don’t. Natural Basmati rice has a rich aroma and taste, unlike the mild scent of chemically grown versions. Wheat grown without chemicals has a deeper colour and better taste. Hybrid papayas often have no seeds and require chemicals. Desi papayas have many seeds and a distinct flavour- due to natural compost.”
Today, without medicines or modern interventions, Chanchal Da’s health stands testimony to his practice.
"I take no medicines. I have no ailments. Natural farming keeps me well," he smiles.
The Jamtara story is not just about transforming barren land- it's about awakening hope, reviving ancient wisdom, and restoring harmony between people and the planet. What once stood as a symbol of desolation now flourishes with vibrant crops, sacred spaces, and self-sustained communities. It is living proof that with belief, indigenous knowledge, and unwavering effort, even the harshest landscapes can blossom into thriving ecosystems. In Jamtara, nature didn’t just return- it led the way, reminding us all that the earth heals when we work with it, not against it.
