Puducherry Exhibition Exposes Alleged Illegal Sale Of 18 Acre Auroville Forest Land

A two-day exhibition titled 'Auroville: An Experiment Under Threat' was held in Puducherry on Saturday and Sunday, drawing public attention to the challenges facing the international township. The event, which featured a collection of photographs, videos, testimonials, and documentary material, was organized to raise awareness about the impact of recent administrative decisions and accelerated development works on Auroville's founding vision.

The exhibition, organized by Major Arun Ambathy, focused on how these developmental changes are currently affecting the local environment and community. Specifically, the displays documented the negative impacts of these decisions on Auroville's long-standing ecological restoration projects, organic farms, and community processes. According to the organizers, these rapid developments threaten the continuity of the township's original purpose and founding vision.

A major focal point of the exhibition was an ongoing land conflict within the township. Major Ambathy alleged that the Auroville Foundation office is currently attempting to sell 18 acres of valuable, beach-facing forest land. This land, which belongs to the Foundation, is allegedly being targeted for sale to a private land mafia.

In response to the attempted land sale, organizers confirmed that a formal police complaint has been filed. While local police are currently conducting an investigation into the matter, Ambathy stated that extrajudicial measures are being used against those living on the property.

According to Ambathy, there are active and forceful attempts to evict the current occupants of the forest land. He alleged that these eviction efforts are being carried out through extrajudicial means, specifically using hired rowdies and goons to threaten and remove the occupants.

By presenting these photographs, videos, and testimonials, the weekend exhibition in Puducherry aimed to expose these ongoing tensions and the physical threats faced by the community to a wider audience.