The rural project Ganga Sagara Baru (GSB) was started in the year 2003 with three families taking up residence on the 125 hectares property (over 300 acres) acquired by individual devotees. The site is located on the island of Kalimantan, some 10 kilometres from the ocean and approximately 100 kilometres from Palankaraya, the capital city of the Province. The only way to get to GSB is by boats that operate very much like taxis throughout the entire region. The locals refer to this mode of transportation as “taxi boats”.
Heading the project is Sundar Gopal Das. He was initially a Brahmacari but soon after joining the project entered householder life and at present has two children. He is a local native of Kalimantan and is familiar with the culture and language.
Over the years, Sundar Gopal has developed a good relationship with some of the local people and leaders. Last year he was successful in forming a group of neighbouring farmers and applying for a subsidy from the local government. Some 20 local farmers headed by Sundar Gopal were successful in obtaining a grant for the Government to open up the largely forested part of the property. As a result of their sincere efforts, the local government finances the clearing of 70 hectares (175 acres) of forest land and transformed it into paddy land with proper irrigation canals.
With the consistent efforts of Sundar Gopal Das helped by another devotee living not too far away, Radha Kunda Das, the project now has the following fruit trees giving fruits:
- Coconut trees 60
- Banana trees 40
- Orange trees 20
- Cashew nut trees 5
- Soursop trees 4
- Jackfruit trees 6
- Cat eye tree 1
- Mango trees 2
- Papaya trees 2
- Pineapple 4000
- Dragon trees 5
Devotees interested to visit, support or be a part of the community may contact HH Kisora Krsna das who oversees the project at
Whatsapp: +62 852 38 4444 36
Written by BR Bhakti Raghava Swami
