Kerala has launched a set of initiatives that bring together work, wellness and conservation, aimed at the growing market of remote professionals and nature travellers. They include the state’s first government-run deep-forest workation facilities, a minimalist pod-stay project, two homegrown brands for forest produce and new schemes for travel financing and eco-guide training.
SHOLA: working from the forest
Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan inaugurated SHOLA (Seek-Hike-Observe-Lodge-Absorb), developed by the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC). It turns existing eco-tourism centres at Gavi in Pathanamthitta and Suryanelli in Idukki into remote workspaces for digital nomads, professionals and nature enthusiasts. Guests can connect to high-speed internet, finish a meeting and step straight into rainforest, mist and lake, with dedicated work settings, curated forest encounters and attentive hospitality. The facilities are described as the first time a state government agency in India has built the workation concept into forest eco-tourism. SHOLA is the umbrella brand for these deep-forest workations and the signature identity of KFDC’s Premium Biodiversity Experience.
Mr. Satheesan said he has trekked across the Western Ghats since his youth and still finds time to enjoy the pulse of nature. He urged travellers to value the forest and its flora and fauna, to take nothing from it, to leave wildlife undisturbed and to respect local culture. He said human-animal conflict is a result of over-exploitation of forests and natural wealth, and that the government is working towards a permanent solution. He added that SHOLA can change travellers’ attitudes, and that the government plans a comprehensive eco and forest tourism policy, with state-of-the-art nature products and forest experiences, in the near future.
Forest and Wildlife Minister Shibu Baby John presided over the function. Forest and Wildlife Secretary K. Biju IAS welcomed the gathering, and KFDC Managing Director Raju K. Francis IFS proposed the vote of thanks. The launch was held at the Mascot Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram.
Pod stays in Vagamon
The government also unveiled a premium pod-stay project for Vagamon. Four pods are under construction and are scheduled to open by December 2026, offering an intimate stay amid grasslands and a serene lakeside setting. The minimalist design suits Kerala’s sensitive terrain, with modern comfort, a small ground footprint and adherence to sustainable tourism principles. Najeeb Kanthapuram MLA, in a facilitation address, said he was delighted to witness the pod stays, a start-up initiative of young professionals led by Faris Sulaiman, founder of the Perinthalmanna-based Zpodq, who has created quality pods for guests at tourist destinations at affordable rates.
Two new brands from KFDC plantations
To add value to forest resources and support local livelihoods, two retail brands were launched at the same event. Aathma (Atma) is the brand for premium organic tea and coffee from KFDC plantations, including the Kambamala tea estate and the coffee-growing areas of Munnar and Gavi. Kalabham is the brand for certified sandalwood products sourced from the protected Marayoor forests. Both aim to give visitors authentic local products while funding forest management and the livelihoods of tribal communities.
Easier financing, better guiding
Two support measures were also announced. “Travel Today, Pay Tomorrow” is an instalment-based scheme that lets travellers pay for journeys in structured payments, within Kerala, across India and beyond, and is meant to bring more discerning travellers to the state. The eco-guide programme updates training in nature interpretation, safety and environmental education, and a badge system recognises guides at Silver, Gold and Platinum levels, giving them a visible path for professional growth.
Growth with conservation
The initiatives rest on the premise that Kerala is not merely a backdrop but a living archive of biodiversity. The state covers barely two per cent of India’s land yet holds more than 5,000 flowering plants, over 900 medicinal species and landscapes within the UNESCO-listed Western Ghats. The Premium Biodiversity Experience was conceived under Minister Shibu Baby John, who said, “Premium is not a price point. Premium is a standard.” His vision is to position Kerala as the originator of a new global category of meaningful travel, combining expert interpretation, dependable comfort and thoughtful innovation while protecting every landscape. The aim is to move beyond mass footfall towards travellers who stay longer, engage more deeply and contribute to conservation, communities and the state’s green economy.
