For the pleasure of our Founder Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, by the end of February 2017 YASODAPURA ECO VILLAGE (YEV) successfully secured a total of 108 acres of agriculture lands in the Province of Seam Reap in Cambodia.
The project is located in Chub Village, Chub Te Traw Commune, Angkor Thom District, some 40 kilometers from the town of Siem Reap and the famous Angkor Wat Vishnu temple. The devotees serving in Cambodia would like to dedicate this project as their offering for ISKCON’s Golden Jubilee Anniversary. We know that in many of Prabhupada’s books, lectures and conversation, His Divine Grace very much want us to take serious steps to establish ideal farm communities. During these past 50 years, ISKCON has continued to make efforts all over the world to set the example of how to establish farm communities and thus bring devotees to live in harmony with land and Cows. There are many ISKCON farm projects established, some of them very successful and those project attract many of visitors from all over the world, just like the Krishna Valley farm project in Hungary and the Govardhan Eco Village in India. In other to follow in the footsteps of our Acharyas and other ISKCON leaders we here in Cambodia also desire to establish a similar rural project on these 108 acres of land.
The work for inquiring more land was taken up under the direction of the Founder YEV, HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaja who is also the National Minister of ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry of India, and the leader for the 12 years OM Sri Surabhi Campaign. His Holiness has been coordinating with devotees around the world to help raise enough funds for acquiring these 108 acres, and finally the last payment has been completed on 20 February 2017. Previously, YEV had only 11 hectares or about 28.5 acres land that was purchased in 2007. From the month of July 2016 we expanded the land to the northern and east side of tour original land where there were some large amount of lands available.
After inquiring further, we came to know that we could purchase the land in the name of our Cambodian representatives under the proper MOU. We first acquired 3 hectares of wetland, then another 4, 8 hectares of dry land, then another 10 hectares, followed by yet another 10 hectares and finally another 5 hectares of wetland. So with the original land of 11 hectares, our total increased to 43. 8 hectares that corresponds to a little over 108 acres. From that 43,8 hectares, 8 hectares or 20 acres are wet land and thus excellent for growing rice, and the other 35,8 hectares (some 90 acres) are dry land including about 7-8 hectares forest. This dry land will be our place to grow the fruits trees, and other crops, he place to keep the cows and residence for local families.
We would like to thank all the devotees who helped us to secure these land, especially the devotees from Indonesia who were very enthusiastic to collecting the last amount US $ 6.500. It’s so amazing how they were collecting only by WhatsApp group, and within two weeks by the small amount of donations 150 devotees, collected more than USD $ 6.500. For sure Krishna and Lord Gauranga will bless all of them with full mercy. We would like to thank also the Local authorities who have been assisting in the transaction and preparing the documents for us, also the local families who have been working on the lands. From the beginning they have helped us for the measurement of the land. There are about 10 local families cultivating that land by the agreement of the previous landlord. Whenever possible we distribute prasadam to them, and fortunately some of them are starting to know about Hare Krishna and one is chanting.
In the future soon, we will continue to corporate with all concerned. We plan to transfer this land to the name of our Cambodian devotees, and will utilize legally according to Cambodian law under the newly created Local NGO by the name ISKCON DEVELOPMENT CAMBODIA. Our devotees are also working to get 3 hectares land in near the city of Siem Reap for the Ashram, Guest House and School project.
So we welcome all of you to visit us in here, the Land of Lord Vishnu, Siem Reap, Angkor, Cambodia. We need your association to help make a strong mission of Srila Prabhupada. Please contact our devotees Kumudaksa.dasa@gmail.com, gunaavatara.dasa@yahoo.co.id,
Phone number +855972801649, +85511368114
And follow up the next report and news of ISKCON Cambodia at www.iskconcambodia.com
Your servant
Gunaavatara dasa
